Mercury is a toxic contaminant with significant health risks to humans and wildlife, primarily through methylmercury in fish consumption. The international treaty on mercury, the Minamata Convention, has been ratified by 84 nations, emphasizing the need for scientific understanding to inform policy decisions.
A team of researchers used wild rice as a 'canary in a coal mine' to discover sulfate's conversion into toxic sulfide, harming fish and ecosystems. Human activities like mining, sewage, and fertilizers release sulfate, which accelerates decomposition and increases mercury contamination.
A new study warns of long-lasting consequences from seabed mining, which could destroy deep-sea ecosystems and affect marine life globally. The research highlights the need for precautions and alternative approaches to mitigate potential harm.
A new data mining methodology developed by Georgia Tech scientists can analyze millions of climate data points without relying on human expertise. The approach breaks down complex models into simpler components, allowing for more robust and transparent results in climate science research.
Researchers found that people living in former industrial heartlands are more prone to negative emotions, impulsive behaviors, and struggle with planning and self-motivation. This psychological adversity is thought to be the result of selective migrations during mass industrialization and its social effects on work and living conditions.
Researchers have created a positioning system using cameras that can track the location of vehicles in underground tunnels with high accuracy. The technology increases efficiency and safety by allowing autonomous vehicles to operate without costly sensing or infrastructure modifications.
Researchers developed a deep learning tool to automatically analyze road behavior and create searchable databases. The system accurately labeled and tracked objects in traffic videos, identifying potential close encounters between vehicles and pedestrians.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have discovered a family of compounds, leinamycin (LNM), with potential as anti-cancer agents. By mining bacterial genomes, the team identified 49 bacteria with genes that code for LNM compounds, offering new avenues for cancer treatment.
Researchers used 'reality mining' to analyze mobile phone records of one million people, finding that the timing of sunrise and sunset still guides daily activities. The study also reveals sex differences in sleep duration, with women sleeping more than men as they age.
The Global Hyperaccumulator Database contains data on 721 species of plants capable of absorbing high amounts of metal compounds. The database aims to facilitate the identification and utilization of these hyperaccumulators for environmental cleanup, particularly in mining-affected areas.
A study suggests that rural coal families are less likely to divorce when faced with economic downturns. The researchers found that rural counties with higher levels of coal jobs had lower divorce rates compared to similar counties with fewer coal jobs during the 1990s.
The United Nations report emphasizes the need for mining companies to prioritize safety over economic considerations in managing mine waste. The report's recommendations include improving tailings dam government regulation and exploring alternative solutions to building massive dams that can cause devastating environmental damage.
A new data mining approach has identified the key publications that drove the development of five major anti-cancer drugs, revealing the importance of research collaboration, grants, and publications in breakthroughs. The study's findings have implications for research institutions planning collaborative efforts.
A new study by U.S. and Chinese scientists found that coal ash from high-uranium deposits in China contains radiation levels 43 times higher than UN safety standards. The use of such ash in residential building materials is not suitable due to potential human health risks.
Researchers develop new data mining technique to extract genetic information from large sequence data sets. The method, tested on a plant family with unique floral structures, retrieves useful sequences from genes influencing flower shape and symmetry.
The American Heart Association has awarded $2 million in grants to researchers, clinicians and computer engineers to develop precision medicine projects. The grants will support the use of cloud computing and data analytics to improve cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment.
Experts say social media data use needs stricter guidelines due to rapid technological advancements and lack of adequate ethics frameworks. Researchers are mining large datasets to uncover insights into human behaviour, but only a small fraction report considering the ethical implications.
A new study finds that deep-sea mining of polymetallic nodules poses a significant threat to the Plenaster craigi sponge species. The removal of these metal-rich nodules disrupts the sponge's filtering habits, making it vulnerable to extinction.
A team of University of Arizona researchers has discovered that a previously thought to be small turquoise mine was actually a significant source of the mineral, producing 25% more turquoise than previously estimated. The study uses both archaeology and geochemistry to gain a complete picture of operations at the mine.
A comprehensive study found that mining operations in Brazil are destroying a significant portion of the Amazon forest, with 90% of deforestation occurring outside mine lease boundaries. The research suggests that mining is now a substantial cause of Amazon forest loss, warranting action.
Springer Nature's new platform provides easy access to the largest collection of life sciences protocols and methods. Users can search and compare content using advanced knowledge models and AI-powered text mining technologies, with features like protocol landing pages that summarize key information.
A new DNA study has revealed a 2000% increase in our knowledge of seafloor molluscs in the Pacific Clarion Clipperton Zone. This includes the discovery of 21 previously unknown species, including one considered a living fossil.
The Human-Induced Earthquake Database has grown to over 730 entries, revealing that mining projects and water impounded behind dams are the most common causes of induced earthquakes. Unconventional oil and gas extraction using hydraulic fracturing is also a frequent contributor, according to geophysicist Miles Wilson.
Scientists have discovered a new group of sponges in the central Pacific Ocean that could serve as an indicator species for measuring the impact of deep-sea mining. The newly found sponge species, Plenaster craigi, is abundant on metal-rich nodules at depths of 4000m and has been described from two expeditions to the region.
Researchers warn that easy access to sand has bred a careless understanding of its true global costs, leading to environmental degradation and social issues. The global sand supply is uncertain, with no clear system in place for managing demand and extraction rates.
The ITERAMS project targets significantly reducing water consumption by circulating process waters and reducing tailings waste through valorisation of the mineral matrix. The project aims to maintain Europe at the forefront in efficient water circulation and sustainable tailings utilization.
A UC Berkeley PhD candidate has developed techniques to identify adult ads linked to human trafficking rings by analyzing Bitcoin payment data. The algorithm, which combines stylometry and timestamp analysis, shows a high true-positive rate for grouping ads by author.
A new study found that humpback whales avoid loud ocean mining noise triggered by seismic air gun surveys, suggesting a clear avoidance reaction within a certain distance from the vessel. The research aims to improve current mitigation measures to prevent adverse effects of seismic air gun noise on large whale behavior.
A new study by University of Wyoming researchers finds that mountaintop-removal coal mining in Appalachia degrades water quality and causes dramatic increases in salinity, leading to more perennial streamflows. The study's findings have significant implications for the region's ecosystem and future environmental changes.
The project aims to improve the usage of digital technologies for research by developing new methods for analyzing historical newspapers. The team will use deep learning to correct errors in text recognition and enhance entity recognition using external data repositories.
The discovery of Nataliyamalikite reveals insights into metals extraction and geological processes. The new mineral's crystal structure was determined using advanced microscopy techniques, shedding light on its properties.
A new special issue of Big Data highlights the risks associated with big data, including discrimination, lack of diversity, and bias. The issue discusses strategies for making decision-making 'discrimination-aware' and emphasizes the importance of considering ethical issues in model development.
International scientists warn that deep-sea mining will inevitably harm biodiversity due to the scale and depth of operations. The Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean is at risk of severe damage, with some projects covering over 83,000 square kilometers.
The article reviews current chemical search engines, named entity recognition and text mining systems to efficiently access biomedical data. Researchers emphasize the need for structured databases to process unstructured data in scientific literature, clinical reports, and patents.
A new tool called Wide-Open identifies overdue scientific datasets and encourages their public release. The system uses text mining to detect dataset references in published articles and enforces open data policies.
Researchers found that up to 89% of uranium in Wyoming's roll front deposits is non-crystalline and bound to organic matter, contradicting conventional wisdom. This biogenic uranium has implications for environmental remediation and mining practices.
The LimTox tool provides information on drug hepatotoxicity extracted from biomedical archives, enabling efficient associations to adverse reactions. It offers keyword searches and entity-specific queries for researchers and clinicians, promoting targeted search queries and biological knowledgebase construction.
A new study reveals that human activity has polluted European air almost uninterruptedly for the last ca. 2000 years. Lead pollution from mining and smelting was detectable well before the Industrial Revolution and only when the Black Death pandemic halted those activities did lead in the air return to natural levels.
Researchers found that biochar application successfully reduced soil acidity and made heavy metals less bioavailable, converting them into less toxic forms. This locally sourced biochar can be used to prevent metal accumulation in soils near abandoned mines, potentially reviving degraded ecosystems.
A study by Wildlife Conservation Society found that Congo's miners often hunt wildlife for food due to lack of alternative protein sources. The authors suggest strengthening wildlife-friendly mining regulations and increasing domestic food sources as solutions.
A study suggests that exposure to trace metals from potatoes grown in soil irrigated with waters from the Potosi mining region in Bolivia may pose a potential health risk. The study found high hazard quotients for arsenic and cadmium, indicating a significant risk of non-cancer health illnesses, particularly among children.
A Scripps Institution of Oceanography research team discovered bacteria in marine sponges produce toxic compounds nearly identical to man-made fire retardants. The study uses genome mining and environmental DNA sequencing to identify specific genes and enzymes involved in the production of these compounds.
An international team has demonstrated that mineral resources are sufficient to meet growing demand, contradicting claims of exhaustion. The report highlights the need for responsible mining practices and continued research to minimize environmental impact.
A study found low gene flow between Bengal tiger populations in western Himalayan foothills, highlighting the need for conservation strategies. Relocating villages and industries, reducing human dependency, and banning mining can help maintain genetic variation and spread beneficial genes.
Researchers use seismic data acquisition and multi-attribute processing to locate hazardous underground voids left behind by coal mining in Wyoming. The integrated techniques help identify size, orientation, and shape of mining voids, ensuring rapid remediation efforts.
Researchers have discovered that topaz granites are extremely enriched in lithium and have a high concentration of metals such as tin and tungsten. The study's findings may impact where to look for these metals across the region, particularly in Cornwall and Devon.
The National Institute for Health Research Innovation Observatory will apply Big Data analytics tools to explore trends in health innovation. The £10 million centre, based at Newcastle University, aims to provide better and more efficient healthcare for patients.
KinderMiner, a Morgridge Institute for Research team's algorithm, scans Europe PubMed Central and provides ranked associations for select target terms and key phrases. The tool identifies relevant transcription factors in top 20 hits, significantly speeding up scientific process.
A pioneering project aims to develop an innovative 'switch on-switch off' mining method for small deposits, reducing feasibility studies and improving resource consumption. The IMP@CT project, funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 program, has received €7 million funding.
Scientists developed a simple formula to predict glass transition temperatures for confined liquids, taking into account film thickness and density profile. This approach has important implications for various applications such as photolithography and lab-on-a-chip devices.
Scientists at Université de Genève studied over 100,000 combinations to establish a model predicting the amount of copper present in deposits. The researchers found that factors such as magma depth and duration determine the quantity of copper, with optimal conditions ranging from 20 km depth and 2 million years injection time.
Researchers developed a novel method using Terahertz spectroscopy and 3D-printing technology to measure water content in crude oil with high accuracy. The technique can be used to continuously monitor moisture content and is suitable for applications even during high-water-bearing periods.
Researchers at Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology are exploring the use of bioactive substances derived from bacteria to extract copper and molybdenum from ores in a more environmentally sustainable way. The goal is to increase metal yield while reducing chemical usage and waste.
Researchers identify 208 minerals formed due to human activities, bolstering the argument for a new geological time interval. The vast majority of these minerals originated through mining and human industry since the mid-1700s, underscoring the immense impact of human activities on Earth's mineral diversity.
The Colorado School of Mines and Virginia Tech are teaming up to develop an integrated approach to locating, characterizing, and visualizing mineral resources. The consortium aims to boost exploration success rates, advance mining operations, and cut costs while minimizing financial risk and environmental impact.
Researchers are discovering new, eco-friendly catalysts in unexpected places, such as earthworm powder and plants that absorb high levels of metals from soil and water. This shift could reduce traditional animal and plant sources, decrease mining waste, and create more sustainable production methods for medicines, fuels, and electronics.
Robert W. Nairn, OU professor and pioneer in wetland technologies, receives the prestigious William T. Plass Award for his work in rehabilitating contaminated water at the Tar Creek Superfund site.
Scientists modelled global soil selenium concentrations using data mining techniques and found dominant role of climate-soil interactions. Climate change scenarios predict selenium levels to increase in some regions but decrease overall, with up to 66% of croplands expected to lose selenium by the end of the century.
A panel of experts will examine the pros and cons of seafloor mining, its engineering feasibility, and legal and societal implications at the AAAS meeting. Current exploration contracts have been signed by 27 countries, with the first project set to begin in 2019.
Researchers developed a novel neural network method that can categorize complex datasets without prior knowledge. By using an 'act as if' principle, they trained networks to mimic human intuition, allowing them to identify boundaries in data. This method has potential applications in physics analysis, machine learning, and data mining.