Articles tagged with Aerosols
A recent study found that organic matter carried from rivers into the Arctic Ocean creates more clouds and keeps the region cooler. Aerosol particles formed by this biological matter act as 'seeds' for cloud formation, increasing their ability to form bright, long-lasting clouds.
A new study suggests that current climate actions may not effectively curb global warming acceleration, as aerosol reduction weakens cooling effect. Climate policy assessments need to consider additional climate effects from co-reduced aerosols and their risks.
Scientists discovered a novel method to identify upper-layer ozone intrusion events, which substantially elevate surface ozone levels and intensify atmospheric oxidation capacity. ULOI events accelerate wintertime sulfate and secondary organic aerosol formation in the North China Plain.
A study published in Science Advances found that unusually large particles of wildfire smoke had a significant cooling effect on the region they were observed in, increasing outgoing radiation by 30-36% compared to smaller smoke particles. This effect has not been included in current climate models.
Researchers at ISTA use laser tweezers to capture and charge micron-sized particles, allowing them to observe charging and discharging dynamics over time. This method may provide key insights into what sparks lightning.
A new study shows that reducing air pollution has decreased the brightness of marine clouds, leading to accelerated warming. Scientists attribute 70% of this change to aerosols, and researchers are exploring ways to make clouds shinier without polluting the air.
A new method developed at the University of Warwick offers a simple way to calculate how irregularly shaped nanoparticles move through air. The study reworks a 100-year-old formula to bridge a key gap in aerosol science, providing accurate predictions for particles of any shape.
Researchers have developed Laser Ablation Dry Aerosol Printing (LADAP) that generates nanoparticles from solid targets using pulsed laser ablation, enabling the printing of metals and oxides without inks. The technique produces structures with fine-resolution microstructures and thick deposition within a high-throughput process.
Research from Colorado State University reveals how wildfire smoke combines with existing particulate pollution to create secondary, often more toxic, pollution and contribute to ozone formation. The study found that 90% of aerosol pollution over NYC is sensitive to at least one aspect of global changes, such as high temperatures.
A new study finds that cleaner air in East Asia, particularly China, has contributed to the recent acceleration in global warming. The region's aerosol reductions account for most of the observed warming since 2010, even after accounting for natural fluctuation events.
Research suggests that nine commonly used pesticides in viticulture have significantly underestimated environmental impact, with half-lives exceeding two days and potential for long-range transport.
Aged desert dust particles have been found to facilitate the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA), a major component of airborne particles, in dusty areas. This finding challenges conventional wisdom and could account for up to two thirds of SOA in such regions.
A collaborative research effort has provided new insights into the likelihood of mpox spreading by airborne respiratory particles, comparing it to SARS-CoV-2 and smallpox. The study suggests that future viral evolution could alter this dynamic, underscoring the need for continued surveillance.
Researchers will investigate the interaction of fluid dynamics and Far-UVC technology to optimize its deployment in real-world settings. The project aims to make communities healthier by analyzing airflow patterns and aerosol distributions.
The 3D lung model can replicate realistic breathing maneuvers and offer personalized evaluation of aerosol therapeutics under various breathing conditions. The researchers detail in the paper how they built the 3D structure and what they’ve learned so far.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new portable tool that can deliver conductive aerosols to suppress flames using the power of vortex rings. The device was tested in two prototypes, both of which had an effective range of nearly 2 meters, and showed promise in suppressing fires.
A new simulator study demonstrates the role of the nasal cavity in dispersing respiratory aerosols, impacting disease transmission. Aerosol dynamics vary depending on exhalation method and environment.
Researchers found that Arctic warming leads to an increase in ice-nucleating particles, which promote ice crystal formation in clouds. This can reduce liquid water content and potentially accelerate further warming.
Researchers at Auburn University are developing a new instrument to characterize respiratory aerosols, which can transport viruses over longer distances. The technique uses fluorescence to analyze particles sensitive to pH, viscosity, and phase state.
Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed new pathways for the formation of aerosol particles, which are shown to be nearly triple the amount estimated using traditional methods. The team's work improves climate models' ability to predict Earth's system changes and reduces uncertainty in aerosol-climate science.
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 developed a 3D metamaterial capable of detecting polarization and direction of light, overcoming limitations of conventional optical devices. The breakthrough technology utilizes pi-shaped metal nanostructures with numerical aperture-detector polarimetry to analyze light distribution.
The new software enables accurate measurement of cloud properties from passive spectrometry, aerosol layers from lidar, and synergetic products from both instruments. This will improve knowledge of global radiative forcing and climate models.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory identified 28 trace metals in secondhand and thirdhand tobacco smoke, including cadmium, arsenic, and chromium. The study found that the predicted indoor air concentration for these metals exceeded California's cancer risk guidelines, highlighting the need to understand their contrib...
Satellite-based inversion system shows consistent decline in China's NOx emissions from 2020-2022, largely due to stringent air pollution controls. The industrial and transportation sectors accounted for more than 70% of the total reduction.
A recent analysis of cloud measurements and satellite data suggests that even tiny aerosol particles may play a significant role in cloud formation. This finding challenges current models and could have significant implications for predicting future climate change.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that marine cloud brightening can account for 60-90% of the cooling effect, increasing cloud cover by up to 50%. The study suggests MCB could be a more effective 'painkiller' than previously thought.
A new algorithm combines deep learning and transfer learning to retrieve advanced geosynchronous radiation imager (AGRI) aerosol optical depth with high accuracy. The approach facilitates feature selection and offers applicability to other multispectral sensors.
Scientists find that increased Asian aerosol emissions slow the AMOC's movements, reducing solar heating and cooling the Earth's climate. Reducing these emissions can help stabilize the AMOC, according to a study published in Nature Communications.
A new study from North Carolina State University and Duke University found that wind plays a critical role in ocean currents in the equatorial Pacific. The research suggests that better simulating these processes is essential for creating more accurate models of global warming, which can help policymakers make informed decisions.
A study measures indoor nanoparticles emitted by gas stoves and finds they can be more toxic than vehicle emissions. These tiny particles are inhaled and delivered to the head airways, posing a risk to human health.
A new study by Purdue University finds that cooking on a gas stove can emit more nanocluster aerosol into the air than vehicles running on gas or diesel. This tiny particle pollution could increase the risk of developing asthma and other respiratory illnesses, especially for children.
Researchers found that e-liquids containing propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin enhance COVID-19 infection, while those with benzoic acid prevent it. Vapers are advised to quit or switch to e-liquids with acidic pH for better protection.
A new study finds that aerosol emissions like sulfur dioxide have offset the increase in rainfall caused by greenhouse gases. As air pollution diminishes, average and extreme rains may increase.
New research reveals how human activities affect the marine phosphorus cycle in coastal seas, leading to changes in coastal biodiversity and ecosystem services. The study identifies an 'Anthropogenic Nitrogen Pump' that reduces phosphate levels, limiting algae growth, and enhances the utilization of dissolved organic phosphorus.
Researchers have found that the key step to protein formation can occur in droplets of pure water, where amino acids connect to form peptides with the same 'L' handedness. The discovery resolves a paradox and provides new insights into the early stages of life's chemical evolution.
A new UofL study shows that nicotine salts in pod-based e-cigarettes can increase the risk of irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrhythmias. The research found that these aerosols stimulate the same receptor that is inhibited by beta blockers, leading to increased sympathetic nervous system activity.
Researchers investigating aerosol pollution's impact on climate change will use NOAA's SPEAR model to project how future climate hazards could be affected by different emission scenarios. The study seeks to characterize the uncertainty of aerosol emissions and their influence on climate change.
Researchers found that the coastline produces up to five times more giant sea salt aerosols than the open ocean, affecting cloud formation and rainfall around the Hawaiian Islands. The study's findings can improve numerical weather prediction of nearshore cloud formation and rainfall patterns.
Researchers from Tampere University discovered that marine organisms can form new atmospheric particles in the South Pacific Ocean, which could help explain climate change predictions. The study found that these particles were formed at night and were accompanied by signs of nitrogenous compounds.
Plants capture more carbon on weekends when industrial production decreases and fewer people commute, finding similar patterns during COVID-19 lockdowns. This improvement in air quality could enhance natural carbon sequestration and mitigate climate change.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discover that pollutants trigger significant changes in large-scale weather patterns, leading to enhanced radiative forcing. Aerosols stop rain in some areas, causing moisture to move to regions with big clouds, which release heat and strengthen winds.
A new study finds that the global carbon budget for keeping warming below 1.5°C will be exhausted by 2029 if current emissions continue, committing the world to this level of warming. The remaining budget has approximately halved since 2020 due to increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers develop device capturing airborne droplets and aerosols while allowing light and sound transmission. The innovation offers a sustainable solution to preventing airborne infection without disrupting economic activities or daily face-to-face interactions.
A research team led by Yongjie Huang is exploring the complex interactions between convective clouds and their surrounding environments. They aim to understand how convection initiates and how convective cells interact with their environment, ultimately improving computer models for forecasting.
Researchers found that human-induced aerosol emissions largely drive temperature fluctuations in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, impacting Sahel rainfall and hurricane formation. The study's results suggest a correlation between reduced aerosol emissions and increased Atlantic hurricane activity and Sahel rainfall.
Researchers found that surfactants in aerosols form complex structures that shield hazardous materials, extending their lifetime and reach. This increases the risk of breathing toxic substances from cooking and cleaning activities for longer.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that blowing snow produces fine sea salt aerosols, increasing particle concentration and cloud formation in the central Arctic. These aerosols contribute to Arctic warming by trapping surface long-wave radiation, boosting temperatures.
Research from Leipzig University shows that reductions in aerosol pollution can cause a delayed warming effect on the climate. The findings suggest that this warming may occur 20-30 years after improvements in air quality are made, particularly in heavily polluted regions.
Researchers discovered that aromatic molecules convert to aerosol particles through a fast reaction process, producing carcinogenic compounds. This finding bridges the gap between theory and observation, providing better understanding of urban environment chemistry.
Researchers used AI and mobility data to enhance air pollution models, improving accuracy by an average of 17.5% and identifying hotspots with high PM2.5 levels. This integrated approach can inform targeted health alerts and safety measures for areas with poor air quality.
A team at Sandia National Laboratories has created a new way of testing personal protective equipment (PPE) that is faster and more comprehensive. They developed two human models: one for the face and another for the entire head, allowing for more realistic testing of mask performance. The new method also includes automated donning and...
The Aeolus satellite is conducting a controlled reentry, involving extensive scientific experiments led by the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS). Key findings include tests on vertical winds and the ATLID lidar, which will be replicated on the EarthCARE satellite.
Researchers created a real-time air monitor that can detect SARS-CoV-2 variants in about 5 minutes, with potential applications for hospitals, schools, and public places. The device uses an ultrasensitive biosensing technique and aerosol sampling technology to quickly identify airborne virus concentrations.
A University of California, Riverside-led team found that anthropogenic aerosol-driven changes in ocean circulation and interbasin heat transport are more effective in altering oceanic heat distribution than those driven by globally increasing greenhouse gases. This advance in understanding will help develop climate mitigation strategies.
Researchers at the University of Bristol found that viruses lose their infectivity quicker in cleaner air, with opening a window reducing acid content and speeding up death. The study provides valuable insights into mitigating risk through gas composition manipulation.
Researchers link Kawasaki disease to ultrafine aerosols rich in metals from intensive farming and urban pollution. Exposure to high levels of metals is associated with increased incidence of the disease.
The new VOLT Center aims to understand the interactions between organisms, environment, and atmosphere regarding volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which influence global climate. Researchers will study the production, consumption, and effects of VOCs from various organisms, including bacteria, plankton, and plants.
The study improves the accuracy of black carbon's refractive index, revealing it may contribute up to 16% to atmospheric warming, affecting climate models. The method developed can be applied to other particles in the atmosphere and ocean.
The study used LED imaging to visualize droplet spreading during dental procedures and found that extra-oral and intra-oral suction devices reduced droplet and aerosol spread by 97.8% and 92.1%, respectively. Understanding the dynamics of aerosols and droplets is crucial for preventing infectious diseases like COVID-19.