Articles tagged with Acidity
Scientists have developed a shape-shifting molecule that tricks viruses into mutating themselves to death. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more effective anti-viral treatments.
Scientists have developed a new shape-shifting probe that can detect and measure localized conditions on the molecular scale deep within tissues. The device, called geometrically encoded magnetic sensors (GEMs), uses radio frequency signals to identify changes in resonance frequencies caused by shape-changing agents.
Researchers found that Puget Sound's water has an average pH of about 7.8, making it acidic for seawater, and is already higher in dissolved carbon dioxide than the Earth's atmosphere. The lab's unique location allows for studying adaptation to these changes.
Scientists from GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel reconstructed pH values of northern Pacific ocean over past 120 years with monthly resolution. The study found that the pH value has been declining since late 19th century, coinciding with rising carbon dioxide levels in atmosphere.
A new study reveals how tiny marine organisms that attach to ships' hulls and rocks respond to ocean acidification. The research found that certain species, such as sea squirts and sponges, increase in number, while others, like hard shell worms, decline significantly.
Researchers have discovered that small changes in blood acidity can lead to inaccurate calcium level monitoring, resulting in higher PTH levels and increased risk of artery damage. This affects patients with chronic kidney disease, who already face a high risk of fatal calcification.
A new study found that Pacific oyster and Mediterranean mussel larvae are sensitive to the saturation state of seawater, which is lowered by increasing CO2 levels. The threshold for danger will be crossed decades to centuries ahead of when CO2 increases alone would pose a threat. Shellfish hatcheries alter water chemistry to create mor...
Research by Indiana University scientists reveals that soil mineral surfaces determine nitrous acid release into the atmosphere, playing a pivotal role in smog formation and greenhouse gas lifetime. This finding could contribute to improved models for understanding and controlling air pollution, a significant public health concern.
A new study using CT scans reveals that ocean acidification enhances reef breakdown, putting coral reefs at risk. The research found that pH levels were the strongest predictor of accretion-erosion balance, with reefs shifting towards higher erosion rates in more acidic water.
A recent report reveals that Vibrio coralliilyticus is not only more widespread and deadly than previously believed but also infects various fish, shellfish, and oysters, including rainbow trout and larval brine shrimp. Researchers have developed a rapid diagnostic assay for this bacteria to assess problems in oyster and coral health.
A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology found that climate change is affecting the survival abilities of coastal crabs. The researchers found that while the crabs can adapt to a warming climate, they will not have enough energy for other activities beyond basic survival.
Ocean acidity levels vary across the world's oceans, with the northern Indian Ocean being at least 10 percent more acidic than other regions. Ocean acidification could harm marine life and ecosystems, particularly coral reefs, if left unchecked.
A Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) team has developed a chemical navigation system that uses the Marangoni effect to find the quickest route to a destination. By applying acid and alkaline liquids with dyes, the system creates a color trail that indicates the shortest path.
Researchers at the University of Granada found that hyperproteic diets can maintain better bone properties than normoproteic diets. Soy protein supplements were shown to be more beneficial, increasing calcium content in bones by up to 7%.
A new implantable molecular device measures blood pH and triggers insulin production to regulate metabolic processes. The device, tested in mice with type 1 diabetes, successfully compensated for acidosis and restored normal blood sugar levels.
Researchers discovered that carbonic anhydrase generates CO2 and H+ ions, driving the conversion of soluble spidroins to solid silk fibers. The 'lock and trigger' model proposes pairing up N-terminal domains locks spidroins into a network, while C-terminal domain changes trigger rapid polymerization.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide found that acidity from soft drinks and fruit juice can cause lifelong damage to young people's teeth within 30 seconds. Parents are advised to limit their children's consumption of acidic beverages to prevent long-term dental issues.
Soft coral tissue has been found to protect reef skeletons from declining pH levels, potentially providing a new approach to preserving coral reefs. The study, published in PLOS One, highlights the resilience of soft corals and their potential role in maintaining the health of coral reefs.
Researchers found that Japanese sea catfish use sensory nerve fibers to detect slight changes in water pH caused by respiration of small sea worms, allowing them to locate live prey. This discovery highlights the potential effects of ocean acidification on marine vertebrates.
Scientists have quantified the extent of surface ocean acidity from ancient days, finding that the oceans are on track to acidify at least as much as they did 56 million years ago, but at a much faster rate. The study confirms that acidification lasted for 70,000 years or more and may already be affecting marine life.
Researchers have successfully developed a method to create high-quality, lower-fat versions of popular food products like sauces, dressings, and desserts. By adjusting the calcium level and acidity, they were able to improve the texture, appearance, and flavor of these foods without sacrificing taste or nutritional value.
The new vaccine technology uses reengineered salmonella to deliver protective immunity against various infections. The study demonstrates a 10-fold improvement in salmonella survivability in a mouse model, modified to mimic human stomach acid conditions, offering hope for safe and effective oral vaccines.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that acidic tumor pH counteracts chloroquine's ability to inhibit autophagy in cancer cells. The results may explain the lack of efficacy of chloroquine in clinical studies, particularly in tumors with low oxygen and acidic pH.
Marine scientists in Palau found corals living in acidic waters to be diverse and healthy, contradicting previous observations. The unique environment in Palau's Rock Islands is believed to provide a 'perfect storm' of conditions that allow corals to thrive.
A high-protein diet may increase the risk of developing kidney stones and renal diseases in rats. The study found that a high-protein diet can lead to a decrease in urinary citrate and an increase in urinary calcium, which can promote pathologies like nephrolithiasis.
Researchers discovered that coral reefs in Palau's Rock Islands are surprisingly diverse and healthy despite being exposed to acidic water. The unique conditions in Palau, including a residence time of seawater that allows for continuous calcification and respiration, contribute to the corals' resilience.
Scientists discover novel proton-pumping pathway in plant cells that allows for hyperacidification of vacuoles, resulting in blue flower colors. This breakthrough could lead to new color varieties and applications in fruit and wine production.
Researchers at Duke University documented dramatic short-term increases in a North Carolina estuary's acidity, exceeding global predictions and potentially harming shelled organisms. The study highlights the need to consider multiple environmental variables to predict ocean acidification effects.
Researchers found that HIV-1-specific antibodies and low pH enhance transcytosis of the virus across epithelial cells. This process was enhanced by the FcRn receptor and is influenced by whether or not the antibody neutralizes the virus.
Researchers found that sulfur emissions from massive volcanic eruptions could have created widespread acid rain in the Northern Hemisphere, contributing to plant and organism extinctions. The acidity levels reached as low as pH 2 — comparable to undiluted lemon juice — potentially disfiguring plants and stunting their growth.
A German-Peruvian science team found that ocean eddies play a crucial role in distributing oxygen and nutrients in the oxygen minimum zones. This discovery helps improve model computations to predict future expansions of low-oxygen areas in the ocean, addressing the threat of ocean de-oxygenation.
A team of scientists and engineers from the National Oceanography Centre successfully tested a new device that can measure pH levels in seawater. The sensor uses a dye that changes color with pH, allowing for accurate long-term monitoring of ocean acidification, which is impacting marine ecosystems.
Researchers at Northwestern University have determined how to control bilayers' crystallization by altering the acidity of their surroundings. This discovery sheds light on cell function and could enable advances in drug delivery and bio-inspired technology.
Researchers have found that tungsten is leached from sediment into groundwater based on pH and oxygen levels. The study suggests that iron oxide particles play a key role in regulating tungsten concentrations in groundwater, with higher pH levels leading to more tungsten entering the water.
Researchers have identified a genetic deficiency linked to autism that impairs neuronal growth and connectivity. By compensating for the deficient molecular mechanisms, they found that growth could be restored, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
A recent study from the University of Florida found that volatile compounds in blueberries have a higher correlation to consumer acceptance than traditional measures. This discovery could help breeders select for cultivars with more desirable flavors.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new design for salmonella-based vaccines that can survive the acidic environment of the stomach. This improvement allows for stronger immune responses and potentially longer-term protection against diseases.
Researchers have developed a concept to improve cancer drug delivery using nanoparticles that concentrate and expand in acidic environments. The concept involves using nanoparticles made of weak polybases that expand when transported into environments mimicking tumor cells, accumulating long enough to deliver anticancer drugs.
Coral reefs are more vulnerable to disruption and erosion due to ocean acidification, which reduces the density of coral skeletons. The study found that corals cannot fully acclimate to low pH conditions in nature.
Coral reefs experience reduced calcification rates due to ocean acidification, making them more vulnerable to erosion and disruption. Corals are unable to fully acclimate to low pH conditions in nature.
Researchers at Rutgers University have discovered the biological process of how corals create their skeletons, which form massive and ecologically vital coral reefs. The study found that specific proteins produced by corals can form limestones, even in more acidic water, suggesting coral reefs may survive ocean acidification.
A new study found that consuming cheese and other dairy products can help protect teeth against cavities. The study showed that subjects who ate cheese experienced an increase in pH levels, which could be caused by increased saliva production and compounds in cheese adhering to tooth enamel.
A new study suggests that more objective testing can substantially reduce the cost and risk of managing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), with potential cost savings of up to $7,300 per patient over 10 years. Additionally, researchers identified risk factors associated with surgical readmissions in major gastrointestinal resections.
A new approach to developing effective topical antibacterial agents uses metal ions from antibacterial clays, demonstrating potent activity against MRSA and E. coli. The study identifies key metal ions responsible for the antibacterial properties, including iron, copper, cobalt, nickel, and zinc.
A new study finds that oyster reefs can buffer acidic inputs to Chesapeake Bay, providing a key ecosystem service. Restoring oysters could help moderate ocean acidity and support marine life.
Researchers found that red blood cells in blood stored longer than three weeks gradually lose their flexibility to deliver oxygen-rich cells. The study's findings suggest that the current practice of transfusing blood stored up to six weeks may need reconsideration.
US East Coast regions will be disproportionately affected by ocean acidification, with the Gulf of Maine being particularly vulnerable. The study found that waters with low alkalinity to DIC ratios are more susceptible to acidification, and the Labrador Coastal Current may contribute to this effect.
Researchers found that an acidic microenvironment can drive cancer cells to spread and propose neutralizing pH as a therapeutic opportunity. Tumors adapt by creating acidic environments through increased glucose metabolism, hampering oxygen delivery and acid elimination.
Researchers have found that onion and garlic waste can effectively remove heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium from contaminated materials. The optimal conditions for this process include a pH of 5 and contact time of half an hour at 50 degrees Celsius.
New research from the University of Washington suggests that a decrease in nitrogen-15 levels in Greenland ice core samples is linked to increased atmospheric acidity. The decline in nitrogen-15 has been attributed to sulfur dioxide emissions, which form sulfuric acid in the atmosphere.
Researchers discovered that a structure in yeast cells called the vacuole plays a critical role in aging and mitochondrial function. Calorie restriction was found to delay aging by boosting vacuolar acidity, which may have parallels in human cells.
USDA researchers have developed a method to capture and recycle ammonia from livestock waste, reducing harmful emissions and concentrating nitrogen for fertilizer. The system uses gas-permeable membranes, achieving an average removal rate of 45-153 mg/liter per day.
A team of researchers at Ames Laboratory has solved a century-old debate over the Fenton reaction, determining that it depends on pH levels. The discovery opens up possibilities for new uses of the reaction in wastewater treatment and industrial oxidations.
A study by University of Iowa researchers found that cystic fibrosis makes airways more acidic, reducing bacterial killing. Making the airway liquid less acidic with baking soda restores normal bacterial killing levels.
Researchers found that anemone fish babies can adjust to ocean acidification if their parents are also raised in acidic water. This discovery suggests some species may be more resilient than previously thought, which could help mitigate the impact of CO2 emission reduction.
Inhibition of PBEF has been shown to prevent and reverse monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats, suggesting its potential as a therapy. The study's findings imply that targeting PBEF activity could provide a new approach to treating patients with PH.
The University of Iowa researchers created a non-invasive method to measure pH changes in the brain using MRI-based techniques. The study found that pH changes occur with normal brain function and can be detected using this new technique.
Data from UD researchers in Lewes, Del., shows a 60% decrease in precipitation acidity since the 1990s, a significant improvement attributed to pollution controls. However, fish populations and vegetation have been slow to respond, highlighting the need for continued monitoring.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have discovered how dendritic cells exchange information during their coordinated assault on invading pathogens. The team used a new pH-biosensor to visualize the mechanism behind antigen transfer in the immune system, revealing an active endocytic process.
New research suggests that some corals and their symbiotic algae have an in-built mechanism to cope with ocean acidification. However, coralline algae and a large class of plankton appear vulnerable to rising acidity, posing concerns for marine life and the oceans' ability to absorb CO2.