MIT scientists developed a training method to generate models that simulate climate effects much more quickly than other approaches, allowing for more reliable estimates and unexpected outcomes identification. The technique boosts performance and adaptability while using only a fraction of the data required, significantly cutting produ...
A new study using AI algorithms found that climate conditions play a critical role in nitrate pollution in rivers, suggesting that dry climates can elevate nitrate concentrations even in areas without urban or agricultural development. The research, published in Science, reveals that nitrate pollution is a broader problem directly rela...
Researchers at the University of Auckland have developed a method to convert waste seaweed into reusable beads that capture phosphate from water. The beads retained 87.03% of their adsorption capacity after five cycles, offering a potential solution for recovering phosphorus and addressing water pollution.
A Northwestern University study analyzing 5 million public comments on pollution policy found that economic concerns carried more weight than climate and public health benefits. The research highlights the complex process of shaping government policy and the potential for competing interests to slow progress toward cleaner transportation.
PFBS exposure leads to genetic, metabolic, and morphological disruptions in zebrafish embryos, including oxidative stress, heart function impairment, and visual response deficits. The study suggests that PFBS, despite being a safer alternative, can still have negative effects on living organisms.
After decades of absence, the Eurasian otter has re-emerged in Kashmir Valley, with researchers detecting viral social-media video records, field surveys, and diagnostic otter spraints. The species' reappearance signals improved ecosystem resilience, but modern landscapes create novel risks, including habitat loss and pollution.
Researchers have discovered a natural polyester produced by a species of ground-dwelling bee that biodegrades rapidly in soil, posing a promising alternative to polyethylene's long-lasting plastic packaging. The bee's polyester is similar to polyethylene and is found to degrade from 73% to 40% in just four months.
Research from Virginia Institute of Marine Science found that microplastic fibers, particularly nylon, can exacerbate viral disease in fish. Rainbow trout exposed to nylon microfibers were twice as likely to die from a viral infection compared to those exposed to the virus alone.
A Swedish study found a 38% higher odds of multiple sclerosis in people exposed to petroleum-derived lubricants at work, particularly among smokers and those with specific genetic characteristics. The study of 2,872 people with MS and 6,122 without MS showed an association between workplace exposure and MS risk.
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis developed SLIP, a plant-inspired natural coating that replaces forever chemicals with superhydrophobic performance and biodegradability. The coating, made from lignin and fatty acids, can be used in waterproof coatings and is estimated to save $1.1 billion annually in societal damage.
A UC Riverside study found that wastewater chemicals from the Tijuana River can travel 20 miles into the air, affecting San Diego's air quality. The research suggests that the ocean acts as a storage and transportation system, preserving pollutants and allowing them to become airborne much farther from their original source.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that consumers are less likely to recycle lightweight packaging, with some materials being up to 92% more likely to end up in landfills. The researchers discovered that people's perception of the material's value plays a significant role in their disposal behavior.
A new study suggests that East Antarctic ice sheet may be more resilient to extreme long-term warming due to increased snowfall and cloud cover. This effect partially offsets ice loss even under high carbon dioxide concentrations, leading to a different overall response compared to West Antarctic Ice Sheet.
An international review found that indoor plants can remove volatile organic compounds and reduce temperatures by 0.5-4.5 degrees Celsius, but effectiveness varies depending on factors like ventilation and lighting. The review highlights gaps in research and proposes a framework for better measuring and predicting indoor greening effects.
A study found that heat waves and air pollution increase the risk of acute stroke in older adults in São Paulo, Brazil. Physical exercise and cardiovascular prevention are the best strategies for protecting the brain.
Researchers measured significant amounts of microplastics in Sierra snowfall, with 270-3,200 plastic particles per square meter deposited per day. The study found polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester/PET, as well as cellulose derivatives, in the snowpack, suggesting the reach of everyday plastic use far beyond products themselves.
A new national study reveals alarming trends in US schools and childcare centers struggling to keep indoor breathing conditions clean due to wildfire smoke. Fine particulate matter, a known health hazard, is linked to cardiovascular disease and respiratory illness, emphasizing the need for improved indoor air quality.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a direct air capture technology that uses a battery-inspired system to pull carbon dioxide from the air at room temperature, reducing energy costs. The technology, which consumes about 50% less energy than conventional systems, has the potential to significantly lower the cost of...
Researchers found high levels of 6PPD-quinone in stormwater runoff, exceeding fatal levels for juvenile salmon in critical habitats. Treating stormwater and developing non-toxic tire materials could mitigate the issue.
A study reveals that large energy corporations use corporate sustainability discourses to legitimize wind, solar, and hydropower projects that exclude communities from economic and financial returns, ignoring their social and environmental impacts. The research analyzes 15 cases of social conflicts around renewable energy projects in v...
Researchers at FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute will investigate environmental and biological mechanisms driving harmful algal blooms in subtropical estuaries. The project aims to refine predictive models to mitigate blooms in other estuaries, with potential economic benefits of $28.3 billion.
Researchers identify five types of war brownfields with distinct recovery paths, including remnant military fortifications and radioactively contaminated sites. These landscapes require tailored approaches, taking into account security risk, environmental consequences, and heritage value.
A new study found that biodegradable microplastics can alter blood cell balance and immune defense, changing as the materials age. Researchers used fish blood to investigate the effects of biodegradable plastics on blood cells, revealing potential hazards that may not be immediately apparent.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new technique to destroy PFAS, breaking the chemicals apart rather than simply capturing them. The method uses palladium nanoparticles to convert hydrogen gas into a reactive form that strips fluorine from the PFAS molecule.
Caltech-led researchers create a deep-learning model that can predict irreversible shifts in climate and other systems, known as tipping points. The model, called a recurrent neural operator (RNO), uses a built-in memory to track changes in physics and detect when predictions no longer make sense, indicating a tipping point is imminent.
Research found a positive association between house dust-related cleaning behaviors during pregnancy and lower odds of screening positive for developmental concerns in children up to 3 years old. Higher frequencies of cleaning behaviors were associated with progressively lower odds of screening positive, suggesting a potential role for...
Chronic respiratory disease burden in the WHO Western Pacific Region has increased, with 22 million incident cases and 155 million prevalent cases reported in 2023. The disease composition was dominated by COPD, with tobacco smoking and air pollution being key modifiable risk factors.
A team of researchers used a sophisticated technique to measure nitrogen gas extracted from water and sediment samples, revealing how microbes convert nitrogen into usable compounds. This approach helps assess fertilizer and wastewater inputs and informs efforts to protect water quality.
A study by Columbia Climate School found fine particulate pollution inside Manhattan's congestion relief zone decreased by 13% after one year, with smaller decreases in surrounding areas. The policy reduced traffic congestion and generated revenue for public transit.
Research from Colorado State University, the University of Minnesota and Purdue University finds that volatile organic compounds from household products and building materials are major urban pollutants in the summertime. The study reveals that these sources are not accurately included in current models used by cities and states to pre...
The study found that enclosed regions, such as the Adriatic Sea and Baltic Sea, are at the highest risk of exposure to harmful light pollution. In contrast, open areas like the Macaronesia region and the Barents Sea are considered to be of low risk.
Researchers Daniel Tong and Siqi Ma investigated long-term trends in windblown dust activity in Texas and three upwind states. They analyzed environmental drivers of dust trends and improved a dust emission model, quantifying contributions from in-state and out-of-state dust sources to PM2.5 and PM10.
A new study by the European Respiratory Society found that regular walking reduces COPD symptom flare-ups regardless of air pollution levels. Walking 1000 steps per day reduced the likelihood of flare-ups by around 5%, and faster walking speeds increased the benefits.
Scientists at Murdoch University are using AI technology to identify enzymes that can break down plastic and other pollutants. The study found that these enzymes can be found in existing data and are being used to develop bioremediation efforts.
A seven-year study of Barred Owls in California shows a significant decline in exposure to the most lethal class of rodenticides, attributed to the state's policy restrictions. The study also detects a new contaminant, cholecalciferol, in nearly one in five owls, suggesting product substitution as older compounds become harder to access.
A new study highlights the importance of combining source reduction with cleanup of legacy macroplastics to prevent microplastic accumulation. The study found that halting plastic inputs by 2050 could reduce cumulative ocean plastic by 51.4% but would still leave significant amounts of microplastics behind.
A study of 2.7 million marathon performances found that higher air pollution levels were associated with slower finishing times, particularly in recreational runners. Nitrogen dioxide levels were strongly linked to finishing times, with effects six times larger for recreational runners than elite athletes.
Rapid economic growth in India has led to a significant increase in coal-fired power generation, resulting in worsening outdoor air pollution and a sharp rise in urban air-pollution-related deaths. The study found that a 1% increase in GDP per capita was associated with a 1.14% increase in electricity demand.
Research found that small particles from activated carbon and biochar can transport particle-bound pollutants after filtration, affecting water treatment performance. Dissolved contaminants may be overlooked when particles are removed, leading to incomplete contaminant transport assessment.
Hot peppers grown in biochar and animal manure-amended soil exhibit higher heavy metal concentrations, particularly Zn and Cu. Bioaccumulation factors for certain metals exceed 1, indicating potential for remediation.
The TRAP Program has recovered over 14,000 derelict fishing traps, supported 135 jobs, and documented 36,000 animals caught in
Researchers found that montmorillonite inhibits chloropyromorphite aggregation by increasing negative surface charge, while goethite promotes rapid aggregation through charge neutralisation. Divalent calcium ions accelerate CPY settling through charge screening and cation bridging.
Researchers have found 'plasticorals', coral rubble fused with plastic, on the shores of vulnerable coral reefs in Okinawa, Japan. This discovery highlights a potential threat to critical marine environments, as plastic pollution can disrupt coral propagation and harbor coral pathogens.
This technology uses specialized plants and soil treatments to remove or contain PFAS chemicals from soil and water, making cleanup safer and more effective at contaminated sites. The approach combines mobilization, stabilization, and seed selection strategies to optimize PFAS removal or containment.
A recent study published in PLOS One reveals that the ocean's depths, including the Mar Del Plata Submarine Canyon, have accumulated human trash, including plastic and fishing gear. The research found 29 identifiable manmade objects, including plastic bags and food wrappers, which were funneled into the canyon by currents and geography.
Compound heatwave-PM2.5 events are becoming more frequent in India, driven by climate-driven atmospheric circulation changes. Large-scale circulation patterns intensify heat and promote secondary aerosol formation, increasing particle concentrations and health risks.
Researchers found a strong link between daytime air pollution and nighttime coughing levels, even when pollution levels were below the WHO's recommended daily exposure limit. The dataset, which analyzed cough sounds from 32 cities in 12 countries, suggests that air pollution may be a contributing factor to respiratory issues.
Researchers analyzed 40,000 industrial plants and 5,000 U.S. House elections to find that firms in Democratic districts have lower emissions due to increased inspections and enforcement actions. This reallocation had potential financial impacts for firms and public health concerns for local communities.
Soil bacteria, particularly plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, effectively degrade herbicides and petroleum hydrocarbons through rhizoremediation. This process involves the release of organic compounds from plant roots, which feed bacteria that break down pollutants.
Researchers found that the river has not settled into a stable state, with species disappearing and new ones arriving, despite 23 campaigns of monitoring
Researchers at Empa documented microplastic pollution in Switzerland, finding approximately 219 tons of microplastics settle in areas below 2,000 meters in elevation each year. Microplastics can be found in rural areas and are not just an urban phenomenon, with levels comparable across densely populated regions.
Researchers at Wayne State University will investigate how air pollution levels in Detroit accelerate biological aging and impact metabolic and cognitive health. Preliminary studies show that BTEX exposure impairs cognitive function and metabolic health in preclinical models.
A new study finds that large-scale weather patterns explain much of the year-to-year variation in northern India's winter air pollution, enabling seasonal forecasts to predict severe air pollution months in advance. This could provide authorities with valuable lead time to prepare and implement cost-effective controls.
A new study maps global petrochemical emissions, showing that 10% of facilities produce 50% of emissions, with ethylene and ammonia being the largest emitters. The research provides a detailed understanding of emissions concentrations and can inform industry and policy interventions to make the sector more sustainable.
Researchers found that fish serotonin transporters, similar to human counterparts, can be highly sensitive to antidepressants found in water, highlighting potential risks to aquatic life. The study suggests prioritizing specific pharmaceuticals in environmental monitoring programs and deriving species-specific risk thresholds.
A new study reveals that human emissions cuts have affected Greenland ice, with sulfate and nitrate levels changing after 1990. The study, which analyzed a 79-meter ice core, found that pollution controls reduced emissions in North America and Europe, but their effects on the ice core impurities diverged after 1990.
A new study found that babies born with a higher genetic risk for COPD showed reduced lung function growth between birth and six years old, especially in areas with high air pollution. This suggests that early-life environment, including air pollution, may contribute to the foundations of the disease.
Microplastics act as pollutant shuttles, carrying chemicals, pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes through water, soil, food webs and environmental boundaries. A three-tiered framework identifies conditions for dominant ecological risks, highlighting the need for realistic risk assessment and unified global governance.
Researchers found altered gene expression in wharf roach guts after consuming expanded polystyrene, but no significant impact on lifespan. The gut microbiome showed little change, but rare microbes were detected in EPS-fed specimens. This highlights the need to manage EPS waste carefully and prioritize coastal cleanup efforts.
Researchers propose a mandatory measurement and reporting component for the UN's plastics treaty to track plastic production, use, disposal, and pollution. The system would standardize labeling, measurement practices, and repository establishment, enabling countries to report detailed data on plastics from cradle to grave.