Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Prenatal exposure to certain pollutants linked to behavioral problems in young children

A new study found that prenatal exposure to air pollutants, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), is linked to attention problems and anxiety/depression in young children. The study monitored 215 children from birth and found that those with high levels of PAH exposure had more symptoms at ages 5 and 7.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateApr 12, 2011

Biodiversity improves water quality in streams through a division of labor

A University of Michigan ecologist found that biologically diverse streams are better at removing nitrate, a nitrogen compound pollutant, than less rich waterways. Niche partitioning, where each species occupies a unique habitat, increases the stream's absorbent sponge-like ability to clean pollutants.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature·DateApr 6, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Pollution from Asia circles globe at stratospheric heights

A new study reveals that pollutants from Asia are being transported to the stratosphere during monsoon season, potentially affecting global climate. The research found that black carbon, sulfur dioxide, and other pollutants are lifted into the stratosphere by Asian monsoon circulation patterns.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalScience·DateMar 25, 2010

A review of vegetated buffer efficacy

Scientists analyzed over 300 papers to establish relationships between buffer design features and pollutant removal efficacy. The study found that buffers with trees have higher nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficacy than those with grasses or mixtures of grasses and trees.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateFeb 16, 2010

Common plants can eliminate indoor air pollutants

Researchers have identified five common indoor plants that can effectively remove harmful VOCs from the air, reducing stress and symptoms of ill health. These plants, including purple waffle plant, English ivy, and Asparagus fern, have been shown to improve air quality and overall well-being.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortScience·DateNov 4, 2009
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Inhaling a heart attack: How air pollution can cause heart disease

Research suggests that air pollution is a significant contributor to heart disease, particularly among the elderly, those with coronary artery disease, diabetics, women, and obese individuals. Exposure to particulate matter can increase blood pressure, activate enzymes that cause plaque rupture, and lead to a heart attack.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·DateMar 23, 2009

Persistent pollutant may promote obesity

Research suggests that tributyltin, a persistent pollutant, affects gene activity and promotes the growth of fat storage cells in animals, potentially contributing to the obesity epidemic. The chemical's impact on retinoid X receptors, which regulate metabolism, is a recent discovery.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateDec 1, 2008

Green catalysts provide promise for cleaning toxins and pollutants

Iron-TAMLs, a type of environmentally friendly catalyst, have been shown to be highly effective in reducing and cleaning up pollutants. The catalysts convert harmful substances into less toxic ones when paired with hydrogen peroxide, making them a promising alternative to existing industrial practices.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateAug 18, 2008
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Road pollution blamed for higher allergy risk in kids

A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that traffic-related pollution increases the risk of asthma, hay fever, and eczema in children by more than 50%. Children living closer to roads are at a higher risk due to increased exposure to pollutants and aerosols.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 13, 2008

Fighting pollution the poplar way: Trees to clean up Indiana site

Researchers are using transgenic poplars to remove pollutants from a contaminated site in north-central Indiana. The trees have been shown to absorb and break down contaminants such as trichloroethylene, making them a promising solution for phytoremediation.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 10, 2008

SRMs track fire retardants in humans and environment

Researchers have measured concentrations of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) in human blood serum, cod liver oil, and house dust using NIST's Standard Reference Materials (SRMs). The results provide a better understanding of the source and degree of PBDE contamination in humans and the environment.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalAnalytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry·DateAug 16, 2007

Mexico City field campaign to study megacity pollution

Scientists will analyze air and aerosol pollutants using aircraft, ground stations, and satellite observations. The goal is to understand the impact of urban pollution on regional and global climate, ecosystems, and visibility.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateMar 6, 2006
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Risk/benefit analysis of farmed versus wild salmon

A new study shows that the net benefits of eating wild Pacific salmon outweigh those of eating farmed Atlantic salmon when considering chemical contaminants. Regional differences in contaminant levels make some farmed salmon safer choices than others.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateDec 23, 2005

Link between exposure to pollutants and type 2 diabetes

A study found that exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants like CB-153 and DDE is significantly associated with a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes among fishermen and their wives. The results show that those with higher blood levels of these pollutants have a higher risk of developing the disease.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalEnvironmental Health·DateNov 28, 2005

Film found on windows after 9/11 reveals higher level of pollutants

A study by Canadian scientists found high levels of pollutant films on windows in lower Manhattan six weeks after the 9/11 attacks, revealing concentrations up to 10 times greater than normal background levels. The findings suggest that urban areas like New York City have high levels of toxic organic pollutants.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJun 3, 2004
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Teenage boys exposed to environmental pollutants

Research found that men exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) before age 20 had a lower chance of having a baby boy, with a 35% difference. The study's lead author proposes that dioxin-like compounds may negatively impact the viability of Y-chromosome carrying sperm or XY-fertilised eggs.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 11, 2002
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Air pollutants in low-income housing, child-care centers

A study by Cornell University researchers found that low-income households and child-care facilities in New York state have high levels of air pollutants, including radon, lead, and mold. These pollutants can lead to serious health issues such as lead poisoning, asthma attacks, and allergies.

SourceCornell University·DateJul 1, 2002

Virtual lung models every breath you take - and its impact

A virtual lung model developed at PNNL may help predict pollutant impact on respiratory systems, providing new insights into asthma and other pulmonary diseases. The model simulates how pollutants enter, travel through, and collect in the lungs, enabling scientists to design targeted treatments.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateSep 27, 2001