Articles tagged with Pollution
Researchers found that sewage spills from land to sea coincided with winds of at least 6.5m/s on 178 days within a two-year period, potentially sending microplastics into the air. The study suggests that coastal towns and cities may be exposed to billions of airborne microplastic particles.
A University of Houston engineer has developed a method to create strong and eco-friendly materials from bacterial cellulose, which could replace plastic in various industries. The new material has high tensile strength flexibility, foldability, optical transparency, and long-term mechanical stability.
Research presents fig tree species storing calcium carbonate in trunks, converting CO2 from atmosphere. The oxalate-carbonate pathway increases soil pH and nutrient availability, making it a potential means to mitigate CO2 emissions.
Researchers used a data-driven approach to filter out ideal tree species for urban forests, mapping carbon stock and biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emissions of six dominant urban tree species in Beijing. The study identified two optimal species: Betula platyphylla for high-altitude areas and Robinia pseudoacacia for urban...
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that prenatal exposure to ambient fine particulate matter is associated with low birth weight and preterm birth in India. The researchers used geospatial models to highlight vulnerable areas, including the Northern districts where children are more susceptible to air pollution.
Climate anxiety is growing, especially amongst young people, due to the polarized debate around climate change. Professor Beattie's book offers psychological tips on how to handle climate anxiety, including writing personal narratives about difficult emotional experiences. Strategies focus on improving mental well-being and empowering ...
Research using cardiac MRI found that long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with early signs of heart damage, including diffuse myocardial fibrosis. The study suggests that fine particulate matter in the air may contribute to changes in the heart structure, potentially setting the stage for future cardiovascular disease.
Researchers developed an electrochemical conversion technology that achieves unprecedented performance in CO2-to-alcohol conversion, achieving a Faraday efficiency of 66.9%. The technology selectively produces allyl alcohol, a multi-carbon high-value-added compound, with potential applications in various industries.
Researchers studied the effects of 6-PPDQ on the citric acid cycle in C. elegans, finding disruptions at environmentally relevant concentrations. The study revealed reductions in key metabolites and enzyme gene expressions, contributing to mitochondrial dysfunction and toxicity.
A team of Korean researchers has successfully recreated a golden fiber akin to that of 2,000 years ago using the pen shell cultivated in Korean coastal waters. The breakthrough reveals the scientific basis behind its unchanging golden color and demonstrates the potential of eco-friendly materials.
Researchers found a positive correlation between exposure to black carbon and the likelihood of hospital visits for respiratory-related issues, particularly among older adults and women. The study also highlights the disproportionate impact of air pollution on certain populations.
Researchers found high mercury levels in fish and shellfish consumed by lagoon residents, leading to systemic oxidative stress and metabolic alterations. The study's findings suggest a link between mercury contamination and chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
A new multi-cohort study found that exposure to certain metals detected in urine is associated with a higher risk of heart failure. The study analyzed over 10,000 adults across diverse geographic and racial backgrounds and observed consistent associations between elevated urinary metal levels and increased HF risk.
A recent study led by WVU student Isabella Tuzzio found microplastics in every fish sampled from seven central Appalachian streams. The researchers discovered significant environmental risks and potential human health hazards due to the accumulation of microplastics in the food chain.
Researchers found that some AI prompts create up to 50 times more CO2 emissions than others, with reasoning-enabled models producing the most emissions. Users can significantly reduce emissions by prompting AI to generate concise answers or limiting high-capacity model use.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a more efficient light-based process for transforming fossil fuels into useful modern chemicals, effective even at room temperatures. The organic photoredox catalysis system uses visible light to alter chemical compounds, reducing energy demands and pollution in various industries.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that residents in U.S. coastal counties near ocean waters with high concentrations of microplastics are at higher risk for Type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and stroke. The study analyzed data from 152 counties and found a significant association betwe...
Researchers will investigate fire smoke carcinogens and cancer biomarkers in active, retired, and cadet firefighters to understand the impacts of firefighting on their lifelong health. The study aims to identify groups most at risk for cancer and recommend policies and programs to protect firefighter health.
A recent USC study found associations between increased exposure to wildfire smoke and heat stress during preconception and the first trimester with the odds of having a small-for-gestational-age infant. Living in a climate-vulnerable neighborhood can increase these risks, particularly for women exposed to heat stress.
A new study from the University of California, Riverside shows that sealing manure ponds at a Central Valley farm can dramatically reduce atmospheric methane emissions. The researchers found that this method can achieve an 80% reduction in emissions, comparable to California state officials' climate planning estimates.
Researchers found that COPD patients have a larger accumulation of carbon deposits in their alveolar macrophage cells, which grow abnormally large and cause inflammation. This buildup is associated with worsened lung function.
A new study by MIT researchers suggests that microplastics are less likely to accumulate in sediment infused with biofilms, which can resuspend particles and carry them away. In contrast, areas of bare sand can become hotspots for microplastic accumulation due to the lack of biofilm.
A new study uses preserved plants and animals from natural history museums to track pollution trends over two centuries. Researchers found significant changes in pollutant levels between specimens collected in the 19th and 20th centuries, highlighting the impact of industrial activity on human health.
A nationwide study reveals that methane leaks from energy-intensive states like Texas lower air quality for people in neighboring states. Strong environmental regulations are shown to reduce hazardous gas leaks and improve safety.
Global soil nitrous acid emissions have increased from 1980 to 2016, contributing to a 2.5% annual rise in the global surface ozone mixing ratio. This can lead to overexposure of vegetation to ozone, affecting ecosystem balance and food crop production.
Researchers found that adopting new digital systems to help oceangoing container ships get in line to offload their cargo at busy ports reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 16-24%. This intervention is cheap and utilizes existing technology.
Researchers developed a new computer modeling approach to simulate the behavior of tiny nanoparticles in the air, improving accuracy and efficiency. This could lead to better monitoring of air pollution and more precise ways of predicting its effects on human health.
Researchers developed a new method to identify hazardous chemicals in sewage sludge and electronic waste, revealing toxic compounds like PFAS, bisphenols, and phthalates. The study highlights the need for better monitoring tools and treatment strategies to address circular economy goals.
A new MIT study reveals that climate change will make it harder to reduce ground-level ozone in certain regions, including eastern North America and Western Europe. In contrast, northeast Asia may see improvements in air quality with decreased nitrogen oxide emissions.
Researchers at UCSF have successfully engineered a shapeshifting protein that can change shape in response to signals, potentially leading to breakthroughs in medicine, agriculture, and environmental applications. This achievement marks the first step towards creating stable yet dynamic proteins using AI-augmented protein engineering.
A NTU Singapore study found that robust air pollution control measures can prevent 36,000 ozone-related premature deaths annually in Southeast Asia by 2050. Implementing stringent emission reduction measures could drop annual deaths by 22,000 under a business-as-usual scenario.
A study found that children exposed to higher levels of air pollution experienced rapid weight gain and higher BMI by age 13, leading to increased insulin resistance in their mid-20s. The study suggests early interventions can help reduce the risk of chronic disease.
A recent study reveals that just 100 corporations are behind a fifth of global extractive conflicts, exacerbating environmental and social harms in the Global South. The companies, mainly from the Global North, engage in high-value resource extraction and transport, concentrating wealth while transferring harms to local populations.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to boost the efficiency of electrochemical carbon dioxide capture and release by introducing a simple intermediate step that facilitates both capture and release. The new method uses nanofiltration membranes to separate ions in the solution based on their charge, allowing for more effici...
A new economic geography model, incorporating firm heterogeneity and environmental pollution, can help policymakers understand the impact of industrial clusters on regional development. The model suggests that changes in firm productivity distribution and trade costs can influence industrial agglomeration and region development.
New research found that inhaled microplastics inhibit tissue maintenance functions of pulmonary macrophages. The findings suggest that exposure to microplastics can lead to long-term disruption of immune function and increase risk of cancer and other diseases.
A new study published in Marine Ecology Progress Series reveals that seagrass ecosystems along Florida's Nature Coast have remained relatively healthy over the last several thousand years. The research, conducted by conservation paleobiologists, used fossilized mollusk shells to infer ecosystem health and found that these communities a...
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that combining air pollution, dense urban development, and limited green spaces increases the risk of asthma. In contrast, a more favorable environment can prevent up to 11.6% of asthma cases, suggesting that urban planning can play a crucial role in reducing the disease.
Researchers have found new organisms that can capture carbon dioxide and clean pollutants from the environment. By exploring extremophiles in homes, scientists can gain insights into their unique characteristics and develop sustainable solutions.
A new study found that PFAS exposure remains a concern for California adults, with drinking water, seafood, eggs, and brown rice identified as contributors. While dietary associations are lower than previous studies, the findings highlight the need to regulate PFAS in drinking water.
Researchers found microplastics in Texas bay sediments, but most have been swept out to sea, not settling at the bottom. The study suggests microplastics can absorb chemicals and build up in marine life, eventually affecting humans.
The University of Texas at Arlington researcher Yunyao Li has been selected by NASA to develop a system that provides early warnings of hazardous air pollution from wildfires. The project aims to enhance wildfire air quality forecasting capabilities and develop tools for decision-making processes related to health management.
A new study documents widespread lead poisoning due to artisanal lead mining and gold ore processing in Zamfara Nigeria. The findings highlight the need for safer mining practices to reduce lead exposures and protect public health.
A recent study from POSTECH University evaluated ground-level NO2 concentrations using satellite remote sensing data, revealing significant socioeconomic disparities in air pollution exposure. The research found that areas with higher socioeconomic levels had higher NO2 concentrations, contradicting previous findings in other countries.
Researchers found that atmospheric mercury levels have decreased significantly due to reduced human-caused emissions, mainly attributed to the Minamata Convention. The study also revealed that soil emissions now make up a larger fraction of total mercury emissions, with re-emissions from soil posing a future challenge.
Researchers have developed plant-based extracts from okra and fenugreek that can attract and remove up to 90% of microplastics from ocean and freshwater waters. These natural polymers offer a nontoxic alternative to synthetic polymers like polyacrylamide.
International experts urge cities to embed nature in infrastructure for better health, climate resilience, and equity. Urban greening benefits include cooler streets, cleaner air, improved mental health, and greater biodiversity.
A new study published in Environmental Pollution found that plastic ingested by northern fulmars can leak chemicals that interfere with the birds' hormone systems. The chemicals, such as BPA and phthalates, can impair fertility, development, and behavior, posing a significant threat to species survival.
Exposure to high levels of smoke pollution increases hospitalizations for respiratory diseases in older adults. The study highlights the need for interventions to mitigate the health impacts of wildfire smoke exposure.
MIT researchers have developed a way to produce large amounts of silk microneedles to deliver agrochemicals and nutrients to plants, showing promising results in treating chlorosis and adding vitamin B12 to tomato plants. The technology has the potential to serve as a new kind of plant interface for real-time health monitoring and biof...
A new study found that over 50 million people in the US live in counties with no air-quality monitoring, increasing their exposure to air pollution. Rural areas, particularly those in the Midwest and South, were more likely to lack monitoring sites, often due to poverty and limited access to healthcare.
A new numerical computer model tracks how pollution travels through Galveston Bay, helping scientists understand water movement in estuaries. The model is critical for evaluating climate variability and sea level fluctuation impacts on coastal communities, guiding better decisions to keep water clean and prevent flooding.
Kyushu University's Direct Air Capture and Utilization device captures CO2 from air, allowing it to be reused in daily life. The technology enables small-scale, decentralized carbon capture, making it suitable for densely populated cities like Japan.
The UN University's new report emphasizes the need for deep systemic changes to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. It introduces the Theory of Deep Change, which identifies structures and assumptions that perpetuate these challenges, and highlights five areas where urgent transformation is needed.
A field experiment in Chinese cities shows that increased transparency leads to a 37% reduction in high-polluting company violations and a 90% increase in regulatory inspections. Air pollution drops by 8-10%, with no evidence of direct public pressure as a factor.
Researchers found that burning heavy fuel oil with scrubbers has a comparable environmental impact to low-sulfur fuels when considering various factors. The study suggests that scrubbers are a mature technology that can effectively reduce sulfur emissions, making them a viable option for shipping companies.
A new approach is needed to monitor species and protect them from climate change, land use, pollution, and invasive non-native species. The study proposes a framework that integrates all available methods for studying insects, including comparing diversity and abundance over time and across different habitats.
A novel chemical method breaks down rubber waste into valuable precursors for epoxy resins, reducing molecular weight and producing functional materials with strength similar to commercial resins. The process is environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and more efficient than traditional recycling techniques.
Researchers at University of Oxford have developed a method to destroy PFAS while recovering their fluorine content for reuse in industrial processes. The process uses ball milling with potassium phosphate salts, breaking down PFAS and extracting fluorine content.
Scientists develop a method to create high-quality activated carbon from gasification char, which can be used in wastewater treatment. The process involves physical activation and achieves a surface area of 800 m²/g, making it comparable to fossil-based activated carbons.