Articles tagged with Environmental Engineering
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh mapped nitrogen losses county by county, finding high spatial disconnects between where beef is eaten and where nitrogen impacts are felt. This disconnect results in people living far from the area where their beef was produced experiencing negative environmental effects.
Engineers at MIT have developed a physics-based model that accurately represents airflow around rotors under extreme conditions. This new theory has the potential to improve rotor blade designs and optimize wind farm layouts for maximum power output and safety.
Researchers at HKUST have developed an eco-friendly refrigeration device with a boost in efficiency of over 48%, using elastocaloric cooling technology that is greenhouse gas-free and 100% recyclable. The new device achieved a temperature lift of 75K, surpassing the previous world record.
Researchers identify two key factors driving consumer participation in community-supported agriculture: the socio-cultural environment and weighing of expected gains against losses. These factors shape individuals' knowledge, attitudes, and decisions, highlighting the importance of considering lifestyles and values when promoting CSA.
A new study by Kyoto University reveals that major companies relying on low-quality offsets undermine the effectiveness of the voluntary carbon market. The research finds that these companies collectively account for over one-fifth of all retired offsets, most of which fail to meet well-known quality standards.
Researchers at UCSF have developed intelligent brain pacemakers that use AI to monitor and adjust brain activity in real-time, providing personalized treatment for Parkinson's patients. The approach, called adaptive deep brain stimulation, has shown promise in reducing symptoms such as movement problems and insomnia.
A wearable sensor supported by machine learning models can continuously monitor and quantify FOG episodes, providing an accurate picture of a patient's condition. This technology has the potential to support the development of new treatments and improve the lives of people with Parkinson's disease.
The new battery can capture oxygen from air and use it to oxidize zinc, creating a current of up to 1 volt. It powers an actuator, memristor, clock circuit, and sensors, making it ideal for robotics and medical applications.
Researchers at Soochow University introduced coherence entropy as a global characterization of light fields subjected to random fluctuations. Coherence entropy remains stable during the propagation of light through complex media, making it a robust indicator of light field behavior in non-ideal conditions.
Researchers from POSTECH and KRICT created a 3D artificial lung using bioprinting technology, closely mimicking the human respiratory tract. This model allows for accurate testing of COVID-19 drugs and development of therapeutic treatments, potentially shortening the drug development process to under 5 years.
The study explores the role of helical secondary structure in enhancing conductivity and stability of solid-state peptide polymer electrolytes. Longer helices lead to higher conductivity and increased overall stability, making these materials more viable for energy storage systems.
A new substrate material developed at MIT, University of Utah, and Meta enables not only the recycling of materials and components but also scalable manufacture of complex multilayered circuits. The material's design allows for easy processing and dissolving, making it suitable for recycling precious metals and microchips.
Researchers have reviewed advancements in wearable cuffless blood pressure monitoring, focusing on flexible electronics and machine learning. The integration of sensors, signal processing, and algorithms enables accurate blood pressure estimation, promising personalized medicine applications.
The paper explores evolving landscape of genetics research into obesity, emphasizing both new discoveries and challenges. Researchers highlight complexity of body weight regulation and advocate for precise phenotyping methods targeting relevant and refined phenotypes related to adiposity.
Terasaki Institute scientists have created a novel bioink derived from egg whites, offering abundant proteins and excellent biocompatibility. This breakthrough technology has the potential to create more accurate tissue models for drug testing and develop functional tissue replacements for regenerative medicine applications.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a wavelength-multiplexed diffractive optical processor that enables all-optical multiplane quantitative phase imaging. This approach allows for rapid and efficient imaging of specimens across multiple axial planes without the need for digital phase recovery algorithms.
Researchers discovered an estimated 400 billion microplastic fibers in Frenchman Bay and its tributaries, with concentrations highest in the bay itself. The study found that microplastics were transported from land through rivers and estuaries into the bay, posing a significant threat to marine life and humans.
A groundbreaking approach inspired by bio-inspired neuromorphic imaging and speckle correlography has unveiled a revolutionary technique for optical image encryption. This method leverages computational neuromorphic imaging to encrypt images into event-stream ciphertexts, significantly enhancing security and complexity.
The new optical multi-pass cell improves the detection sensitivity of LITES sensors by extending the laser propagation path. The system achieves simultaneous dual-gas detection with high response speed and low minimum detection limits, making it suitable for environmental monitoring and industrial applications.
Pusan National University researchers introduced FLIT-SHAP, an explainable machine learning approach that breaks down pollutant effects in mixtures. The tool revealed significant synergistic and antagonistic interactions, challenging current approaches to regulating pollutants.
A new living passivator has been developed to improve the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells. The coating can dynamically heal defects caused by environmental stressors like water and heat, improving operational stability for over 1,000 hours at high temperatures.
A study published in Science Advances investigated the formation of cracks in a nickel-base alloy. The researchers found that one widely-held hypothesis does not apply to this alloy and discovered new information about crack initiation. This breakthrough helps lay the groundwork for better predictions of hydrogen embrittlement.
A meta-analysis published in Ecopsychology found that even brief nature exposure can have a positive effect on symptomology, including affect, anxiety, and depression. The study suggests using nature exposure as an intervention to improve health and wellbeing for adults with mental illness.
A new US-based database of hurricane evacuation orders can help leaders and communities increase resilience, create better policy, and ultimately reduce loss of life. The HEvOD database includes nationwide public-facing evacuation orders from 2014-2022, offering insights into effective strategies for future emergencies.
Researchers have created a cost-effective and efficient method to test seabed soil when designing offshore wind farms. The new device, based on a modified speargun, can penetrate sandy seabeds more effectively than existing probes, offering significant time and cost savings.
Scientists have developed a nanocomposite material with sodium carbonate and nanocarbon to capture carbon dioxide from industrial emissions. The new material shows high CO2 capture capacity and can be regenerated for up to 10 cycles, reducing energy consumption.
A UC Riverside paper has opened the door to understanding more about life's beginnings and early evolution. The study weaves together data from ancient rocks, genomic studies of modern organisms, and recent breakthroughs about the evolving chemistry of the early oceans, atmosphere, and continents.
Researchers have successfully developed mercury selenide and cadmium selenide nanocrystals that absorb and emit in the infrared spectrum, retaining desired properties of their parent CdSe nanocrystals. This breakthrough technology has potential to revolutionize molecular probing for imaging in biological systems.
A research team finds that local community members are indispensable partners in enhancing community engagement in repairing damaged ecosystems. Local values and attitudes play a crucial role in promoting sustainable ecosystem management practices.
A new partnership has developed a functional safety sensing platform based on 3D ultrasound, providing an additional layer of safety and reliability for autonomous vehicles. The technology complements existing systems and enables vehicles to detect their surroundings in real-time, even in extreme conditions.
Researchers have engineered a strain of E. coli to limit tumor growth and maximize targeted anticancer drug delivery, while minimizing toxicity. The C@ECN-PL platform successfully delivers an anti-inflammatory COX-2 inhibitor and increases the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapy drugs.
The researchers created a 3D-printed material that can be soft and stretchable, eliminating drawbacks of previous fabrication methods. The new method uses liquid metal-based conductors with a conductive polymer mixture, resulting in high conductivity without the need for secondary activation.
A recent study monitored seven neighboring watersheds in Japan and found that larger watersheds exhibited longer peak lag times. This suggests that watershed scale is a more significant factor in determining flood timing than the degree of topographical relief.
Researchers at UNICAMP and UCA optimize anthocyanin extraction from jabuticaba peel, achieving a higher yield than traditional methods. The novel method uses biosorbent material derived from the residue, resulting in an efficient and environmentally friendly process.
The special issue explores challenges and opportunities in managing synthetic genomics risks, introducing a common global baseline for nucleic acid synthesis screening. Review articles provide insights into enhancing gene synthesis security and biosecurity practices of synthetic DNA providers.
Research from Duke University found that citizen science tools used in urban areas understate the problem of heat islands. The study suggests a statistical method to improve estimates of urban heat, highlighting the need for additional weather stations to better understand the issue.
A new study suggests that human activities may actually reduce the severity of droughts in certain regions. Climate model simulations indicate that aerosols and greenhouse gases produced by human activities have opposite effects on atmospheric chemical composition and precipitation mechanisms. This research challenges previous conclusi...
Researchers find that green hydrogen's life cycle emissions can negate CO2 gains, especially during transportation. The study highlights the need for a more holistic approach to evaluating the technology's environmental impact.
Using caffeine as an indicator, researchers found that domestic wastewater is the primary source of contamination in storm drains, making it easier to identify and address leaks. The study aims to develop diagnostic technology to track down pollution caused by these leaks and protect public water bodies.
Researchers investigate the effects of space travel on astronauts' eye health, specifically fluid shift and its relation to Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). They examine potential countermeasures, such as lower body negative pressure, to combat microgravity-induced changes in ocular perfusion pressure.
A new study from POSTECH forecasts over 110,000 premature deaths in Korea by 2050 due to PM2.5 exposure and rapid population aging. To mitigate this burden, PM2.5 concentrations must be reduced to approximately 6 µg/m³.
A £800,000 project aims to optimise a flexible floating offshore wind platform for applications in the Celtic Sea. The initiative will support local supply chains and increase the use of local steel in fabrication, with the goal of reducing costs and environmental impact.
A team of scientists from Tohoku University and Kyoto University created a DNA-based molecular controller that enables swarm molecular robots to assemble and disassemble autonomously without external manipulation. This technology marks a significant step towards advanced autonomous molecular systems.
Researchers are developing solutions to recycle solar panels and recover strategic metals like silver and copper, reducing waste and creating jobs.
The University of Texas at Arlington has awarded over $130,000 to support new research projects through its Research Enhancement Program grants. The funding is intended to provide seed money for researchers to initiate creative endeavors and make a positive impact on society.
Researchers have developed a method to create and control optical qubits in silicon with high precision, enabling the fabrication of reliable quantum computers. This breakthrough could advance quantum computing and networking capabilities, paving the way for breakthroughs in human health, drug discovery, and artificial intelligence.
Texas A&M University researchers have developed a 3D visualization technology to identify potential outcomes of hurricane flooding before it occurs. This allows for improved safety and reduced damage costs. The technology can also model specific buildings, accounting for basements, back entrances, and windows.
A Bangor University study found that looking at nature during urban walks reduces anxiety and enhances restorative feelings. Guided participants focused on greenery, such as trees, for improved mental well-being metrics.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University developed a machine learning-based deicer that offers higher performance while minimizing environmental harm. The new mixture of propylene glycol and sodium formate solution shows improved ice penetration capacity, reducing the need for substance use.
Researchers use nanomedicine and digital twin technologies to develop Plant Nanobiotechnology, addressing agricultural challenges and increasing crop yield. Digital twins of plants enable the design of nanocarriers that target nutrient delivery to specific plant organs.
Researchers have developed a highly sensitive diamond quantum magnetometer that can achieve practical ambient condition magnetoencephalography. The novel magnetometer uses a single crystalline diamond to detect magnetic fields, achieving record sensitivities of up to 9.4 pT Hz-1/2 in the frequency range of 5 to 100 Hz.
Scientists from the University of East Anglia and other institutions review the climatic effectiveness of four 'nature-based' techniques using marine biological processes. They conclude that these activities cannot provide a significant contribution to carbon dioxide removal, posing risks to meaningful climate mitigation.
Researchers have discovered a novel transition-metal-free aluminosilicate ferrierite zeolite catalyst that enables direct conversion of methane to methanol. The new process achieves 305 π mol gˑ minǘ methanol production rate with high selectivity, presenting an environmentally friendly solution for converting greenhouse gases into valu...
The research team developed a high-efficiency photocatalyst that converts carbon dioxide into natural gas using solar energy and water. The new catalyst exhibits improved catalysis and regeneration properties compared to conventional photocatalysts.
A new method discovered by researchers has the potential to reduce agricultural nitrous oxide emissions in Europe by one-third. The solution involves growing special bacteria that can convert harmful nitrous oxide into harmless nitrogen gas, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The study found that green infrastructures such as botanical gardens, wetlands, and street trees are effective in cooling urban heat, with temperature reductions ranging from 9.63°C to 17.7°C. A nine-stage framework has been proposed to facilitate GBGI implementation and maximize benefits.
A new study found that genetically engineered canola plants with pesticide resistance are persisting in roadside populations, but may be losing their engineered genes. Almost a quarter of the feral plants were found to not contain transgenes.
Researchers developed a new component, sepiolite, to improve braking effectiveness in high-speed rail brakes. Sepiolite exhibits high-temperature lubricity, weakening bonds between its layered structures, and accelerates the formation of a surface lubricating film, providing stable friction at high temperatures.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University developed a method to grow ultra-long and narrow graphene nanoribbons with semiconducting properties, opening doors for technological applications in advanced switching devices and spintronic systems. The study's success demonstrates a breakthrough in carbon-based nanomaterials.
The Planetary Child Health & Enterics Observatory (Plan-EO) is developing an online tool to identify diarrheal disease transmission hotspots and accelerate treatment deployment. The dashboard will provide up-to-date epidemiological estimates and predictions, enabling public health communities to make informed decisions and save lives.