Articles tagged with Aerosols
A new study found that tiny particles formed in the tropics can brighten lower-level clouds, which may impact global cooling predictions. The research used measurements from a massive airborne study to understand how these particles form and contribute to cloud properties.
A new study by Hebrew University researchers found that bacteria can survive in tiny droplets on leaf surfaces during the day. The droplets, formed through a process called deliquescence, protect bacterial cells from drying out and allow them to thrive.
Scientists at LMU Munich explore initial consequences of light-molecule interactions on aerosol surfaces. They develop new method, reaction nanoscopy, to study elemental physicochemical transitions on solid interfaces with high spatial resolution.
A team of engineers at Purdue University conducted a study using thousands of sensors in an office building to identify indoor air contaminants. They found that people and ventilation systems greatly impact the chemistry of indoor air, with volatile organic compounds lingering even after occupants leave.
A study by University of California, Riverside researchers found high concentrations of metals such as lead, nickel, and chromium in e-cigarette aerosols. The team analyzed six popular e-cigarette tanks and their atomizers, revealing that the model with fewest metal parts had the fewest metals in its aerosol.
The study reveals climate models may overestimate aerosol particle numbers by a factor of 4 to 7 and underestimate radiative energy scattering by a factor of 2 to 5. Sea-spray aerosol production is closely tied to sea-surface temperature and phytoplankton-related biomass.
Researchers suggest that spherical models could underestimate climate phenomena due to reduced aerosol cooling, which might lead to inaccurate projections. The study's findings have implications for climate modeling and the accuracy of predictions.
Research reveals a 33% decadeal increase in Arctic dimethylsulfide emissions, primarily driven by reduced Arctic ice cover. The authors predict a possible doubling of emissions if the entire Arctic summer ice disappears.
A national survey found that about one-third of middle- and high-school students were exposed to vaping aerosols in 2018, a 30% increase from previous years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an alarming rise in second-hand e-cigarette exposure among young people.
The analysis result shows high precision in retrieving column-averaged dry-air mole fractions of methane and carbon monoxide using the proxy method. The results depict higher concentrations in Southeast and South Asia, Central Africa, and the northern part of South America.
Researchers at British American Tobacco found that aerosols from vapour products and THPs caused significantly less staining on tooth enamel, skin, cloth, and wallpaper than cigarette smoke. The study suggests switching to these products may offer cosmetic benefits for consumers.
A new remote sensing technique can detect harmful algal blooms in the Red Sea with high accuracy, even accounting for frequent dust storms and aerosols. This approach has the potential to establish a real-time monitoring system to protect the region's vital economic and ecological resources.
A recent study synthesizes advances in the causes and formation mechanisms of severe haze pollution in northern China. Researchers found that seasonal emissions from residential heating and efficient secondary aerosol formation contribute to severe haze events.
A study conducted by Imperial Brands found substantially reduced toxicant levels in the aerosol from their heated tobacco product (HTP) prototype compared to smoke from a standard reference cigarette. The HTP generated significantly lower levels of carbon monoxide and other harmful compounds.
Researchers from seven countries analyzed atmospheric black carbon emissions in the Arctic during winter and summer. The study found that fossil fuel combustion dominated BC emissions in winter and biomass burning in summer, contributing to global warming and climate change.
Climate change is warming the ocean but land faster, increasing continental aridity and aerosol concentration. This leads to a heightened risk of smog and air pollution, posing health problems for people, animals, and plants worldwide.
A new technique examines environmental factors controlling disease transmission to a single aerosol particle and bacterium. The study finds that environmental factors, such as humidity and light, can significantly impact bacterial viability.
New research shows aerosols' cooling effect is nearly twice higher than previously thought, necessitating a recalculation of climate change models. This discovery highlights the complexity of global warming and the need for further study.
Summer surface ozone levels in China rose in four major cities between 2013 and 2017 due to decreasing particulate matter emissions. This increase can slow the natural cleanup of hydroperoxy radicals from aerosols, sparking concerns about anthropogenic ozone precursor emissions.
A new study found that fire air pollution weakens forest productivity globally, with surface O3 reducing GPP by 4.9 Pg C and global aerosols enhancing it by 1.0 Pg C. The net impact is dominated by O3, leading to a reduction of 0.9 Pg C annually.
Scientists from Leipzig Institute for Meteorology and TROPOS conduct a field experiment to understand the relationship between aerosol particles, clouds, and precipitation. They observe the atmosphere at Punta Arenas, a region with minimal pollution, to gather data on cloud formation and life cycle.
A study found that China, Europe, and North America experienced periods of reduced cumulative radiative forcing due to offsetting warming and cooling emissions. The regions' future contributions to CRF are expected to be larger than their past contributions, with China potentially emerging as a major contributor.
Research finds that dark aerosols from Middle Eastern deserts can darken Tibetan Plateau snow, accelerating melting and intensifying the Asian summer monsoon. This mechanism explains a century-old hypothesis linking springtime snow cover to monsoon intensity.
Research team at Michigan Tech found wildfire aerosol particles remaining in atmosphere for up to a week, defying expectations of rapid oxidation. This discovery has significant implications for climate predictions and the role of aerosols in global warming.
The University of Arizona has been awarded a $30 million NASA grant to investigate the interactions between aerosols and cloud properties over the Western Atlantic. The five-year project aims to reduce uncertainty about human-caused effects on the atmosphere, specifically interactions between aerosol particles and clouds.
A new study reveals that trace metals from aerosols affect biological productivity and change ocean ecosystems. Marine microorganisms like phytoplankton and bacteria take up metals, influencing the food chain.
Research by Carnegie Institution scientists reveals that aerosol particles from different countries have varying effects on the climate and air quality. Aerosols emitted in certain regions can cool the planet more than others, with some having a significant impact even if they are far from their source of origin.
A new study suggests that historic fires may have had a significant cooling effect on the planet, contrary to previously believed levels of aerosol pollution. The research, led by the University of Leeds, found that fire activity may have been as common before 1750 as in modern times.
A new study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that exhaled e-vapor particles are liquid droplets that evaporate within seconds, returning to background levels rapidly. This reinforces the evidence that vaping has a minimal impact on indoor air quality compared to smoking conventional cigarettes.
Toxicant levels in myblu aerosols are up to 99% lower than in cigarette smoke, with formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein showing more than 99% reduction compared to conventional cigarette smoke. The study also found significant reductions in manganese, selenium, NNN, NAT, and NNK.
Scientists use mini-airplanes to study particle formation in the atmosphere, which can influence climate change. The measurements reveal different scenarios leading to the formation of new particles in various air layers.
The Citizen-Enabled Aerosol Measurements for Satellites project deploys 250 air samplers across Colorado and the Northwest, collecting precise measurements of air quality. The study aims to improve satellite-derived pollution estimates and better understand where air pollution is dirtiest.
Researchers at Portland State University developed methods to measure free-base nicotine in e-cigarette liquids and vapor. The study found that JUUL products have low free-base levels but high total nicotine, making them tolerable for inhalation.
A recent study has identified certain types of bacteria and viruses that are readily ejected into the atmosphere when waves break, while others are less likely to be transported. This discovery sheds new light on the potential health risks associated with breathing in ocean microbes and other biological material.
A new chemical method is used to determine nitrogen stable isotope composition at natural abundance for ammonium, revealing source dependence of isotopic abundance in urban Beijing. Fossil fuel emissions are found to be a significant source of aerosol ammonium, accounting for 37-52% of initial ammonia concentrations.
A Drexel study finds that third-hand smoke chemicals can be reemitted inside and attach themselves to aerosol particles, making people likely exposed to more harmful chemicals than thought. The research reveals a new pathway of exposure to third-hand smoke through aerosol particles in indoor environments.
A new study found that nearly 30% of tiny particles in a nonsmoking classroom were associated with thirdhand smoke residue. Laboratory experiments confirmed the findings, revealing that THS can travel far from its original source and pose health risks.
Researchers found that e-cigarette aerosol exposure causes shape changes and narrowing of the orofacial area in developing murine embryos. Flavored e-cigAMs showed greater detrimental effects than plain e-cigAMs, highlighting a potential risk to fetal development.
Researchers have created a model predicting the velocity and height of jet aerosols produced by bubbles in seawater and sparkling wine. The study found that viscosity is crucial in determining aerosol production, with optimal bubble sizes ranging from 10-20 microns.
Researchers have developed a high-resolution climate model that accurately simulates the interaction between aerosols and clouds. The model shows that increasing aerosol density can lead to a decrease in cloud cover in certain areas, contradicting previous assumptions.
Researchers discovered that biomass smoke from South Africa significantly enhances the brightness of low-level clouds in the southeast Atlantic Ocean, creating a cooling effect. This process helps counteract the greenhouse effect and results in substantial climate cooling.
A study found that e-cigarette heating coils release potentially hazardous levels of lead and other toxic metals into the aerosols vapers inhale. Chronic exposure to these metals can cause lung, liver, immune, cardiovascular, and brain damage, as well as cancer.
A team of scientists deployed the ERICA instrument on a DC-8 aircraft to measure chemical composition of aircraft exhaust aerosols. They tested different kerosene blends and biofuels to reduce soot particles and contrail formation, which could impact climate change.
Scientists investigated aerosol optical properties and radiative effects in the Pearl River Delta region of China. They found that fine-mode strongly absorbing particles dominated aerosols during the dry season, significantly influencing radiation exchange between Earth's surface and atmospheric system.
Researchers found that ultrafine aerosol particles can have a stronger impact on storm clouds and precipitation than previously thought. In the Amazon rainforest, these tiny particles can intensify storms and cause more rain due to their ability to form many small droplets that draw excess water vapor from the atmosphere.
Research reveals ultrafine particles can cause powerful storms, intensify clouds, and increase rainfall. The smallest of particles have a significant impact on weather patterns, even at high concentrations in clean environments.
A new study suggests that ultrafine aerosol particles can increase cloud formation and warm surrounding air, intensifying thunderstorm-causing clouds in the Amazonian tropics. This finding highlights the potential for human-made aerosols to influence global weather patterns.
A new University of Maryland-led study reveals that people with the flu can generate infectious aerosols even when not coughing, and especially during the first days of illness. This finding suggests that airborne transmission may be a significant route of flu spread.
Ground-based measurements over southeastern China reveal significant aerosol indirect effects, but satellite studies have large uncertainties due to inherent limitations. The study provides a comprehensive investigation into the AIE and highlights the importance of using ground-based measurements for accurate quantification.
Fine aerosol particles in Beijing exhibit high growth rates, with frequent events occurring approximately every 20 hours. The study reveals that nucleation is the dominant mechanism driving these growth events, contributing to haze formation and air quality issues.
Researchers analyzed three weather systems to understand how aerosols influence cloud formation and development. The study highlights the complexity of aerosol-cloud-precipitation-radiation interactions, which vary on a case-by-case basis.
Researchers have discovered that different aerosol types can act as cloud condensation nuclei, affecting cloud behavior and resulting precipitation. The study highlights the importance of considering aerosol type in understanding cloud formation and precipitation interactions.
A new special issue of Advances in Atmospheric Science explores the effects of aerosols on climate, with studies focusing on aerosol-cloud interactions, cloud-base height, and fine aerosol particles. The research aims to improve weather forecasting and climate models, shedding light on a crucial topic despite years of inquiry.
A new study in Nature Communications reveals the link between exploding stars, clouds, and climate on Earth. The research shows that atmospheric ions produced by cosmic rays accelerate the growth of aerosols into cloud condensation nuclei, influencing cloud formation and climate.
E-cigarette aerosols slow the heart rate and prolong the electrical cycle in mice. Heating propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin generates toxic compounds that trigger cardiovascular effects, including bradycardia and increased blood pressure.
A recent Kansas State University study uses holographic images to measure the size and shape of aerosol particles in the atmosphere. This technology has potential applications in climate science, such as understanding how particles scatter sunlight, and in biological weapons detection.
Researchers have developed a new method, peak force infrared (PFIR) microscopy, which allows for simultaneous chemical and mechanical imaging of materials at the nanoscale. This technique enables the analysis of material properties at various places, providing insights into heterogeneous and biological materials.
Researchers at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School found that manmade aerosol particles in the atmosphere drive changes in global rainfall patterns. The study suggests that these aerosols are a primary driver of large-scale shifts in precipitation, particularly in the tropics.
Researchers deployed planes to measure chemicals and particles in real-time, discovering a significant increase in fine particle levels. The study's findings highlight the importance of prescribed burns as a potentially effective strategy for reducing wildfire pollution.
A new international study reveals that man-made pollution in China's vital ecosystems is devastating its ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere. The research found that surface ozone causes more harm than aerosol particles, which could lead to a 70% reduction in damage if pollution levels are reduced.