Articles tagged with Hydrocarbons
Scientists discover two types of bacteria that can convert hydrocarbons into fatty acids, which form along the cell membrane. Oleispira antarctica is well-suited for cold polar seas and deep sea environments, while Alcanivorax borkumensis excels in processing alkanes with specific carbon chain lengths.
Recent research from the Cassini-Huygens mission provides insights into the evolution of life on Earth from Titan, Saturn's moon. The findings shed light on the origin of life and the potential for life beyond Earth, with organic chemicals present on Titan's surface being influenced by sunlight and energy sources.
Researchers developed terahertz time-domain spectroscopy to analyze kerogen maturity stages. By applying this non-destructive method, they found relationships between kerogen optical constants and maturity stages, enabling the detection of oil-generating stages.
Researchers investigate toxicology of alternate fuels, finding emissions from biodiesel vehicles are less mutagenic than petroleum-based diesel. The symposium also discusses human health effects of biofuels and engine changes with changing fuels.
Several Nobel laureates will present research on organic synthesis, including Ei-ichi Negishi's work on palladium-catalyzed cross couplings and Richard Schrock's development of the metathesis method. George A. Olah's research on carbocations and Roald Hoffmann's theories on chemical reactivity will also be presented.
A University of Pittsburgh study reveals that graphite materials are actually hydrophilic due to airborne contaminants. This discovery has significant implications for lithium-ion batteries and super capacitors, which may lead to stronger and more durable devices.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a new chemical reaction that can create phenolic compounds from aromatic hydrocarbons quickly and cheaply. This process resolves a long-standing challenge in organic chemistry, enabling the mass production of essential compounds such as pharmaceuticals and agricultural ch...
Researchers discovered that low-molecular-weight PAHs, such as 1-MeA, can promote cancer growth by disrupting cell communication and upregulating inflammatory genes. These findings suggest that even less toxic PAHs can contribute to cancer development when exposed to secondhand smoke.
A new study found that hydrocarbon exposure incidents increased significantly during summer months, with most cases occurring in boys between one to two years old. The study also highlights the importance of proper storage and supervision to prevent these types of injuries.
New research reveals that the Gulf of Mexico has a robust natural capacity to clean up oil spills, with certain bacteria consuming and breaking down crude oil in as little as one day. This discovery suggests that the need for heroic measures to speed up oil degradation may be unnecessary.
New research reveals that exposure to air pollution and cockroach allergen early in life can increase the risk of developing an asthma-related cockroach allergy by age 7. Children with a common mutation in the GSTM gene are especially vulnerable to this increased risk.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that insect grooming, particularly antennal cleaning, helps maintain sharp olfactory senses. Grooming removes both environmental pollutants and chemicals produced by insects themselves, enabling them to detect food, danger, and potential mates effectively.
A recent study found that residents in a rural Chinese village near an e-waste recycling site are 1.6 times more likely to develop lung cancer than their peers in a heavily polluted city. The study, conducted by Oregon State University researchers, highlights the risks of toxic air pollution from e-waste incineration.
Research using Cassini spacecraft observations reveals that Titan's craters are being filled by exotic sand dunes, suggesting a much older surface. The team compared craters on Titan to those on Ganymede and found that Titan's craters were significantly shallower, indicating erosion from windblown sand.
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill provided valuable lessons for future response efforts, emphasizing the importance of preparation and knowledge. Papers present a behind-the-scenes look at the extensive scientific and engineering effort assembled to respond to the disaster, evaluating the accuracy of information used in real-time.
Researchers found that children exposed to second-hand smoke in cars experience a significant increase in harmful pollutant levels, exceeding those found in restaurants and bars. This highlights the need for stricter regulations on smoking in vehicles carrying children.
Lab research reveals airborne particles form a protective vessel for pollutant transport, with pollutants trapped inside lasting longer. The symbiotic relationship between pollutants and airborne particles explains how city pollution reaches the Arctic.
Researchers at NYU used computer simulations to study the stability of DNA lesions caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can lead to cancer. The study found that some PAH-derived lesions stabilize the DNA they damage, making it difficult for repair proteins to mark them for repair.
Researchers found that naturally-occurring bacteria in the Gulf of Mexico consumed and removed at least 200,000 tons of oil and natural gas from the Deepwater Horizon spill. The study measured how much oil and gas was eaten by bacteria and how its characteristics changed over time.
A University of Colorado study found that roofers who work with hot asphalt have higher levels of DNA damage and potentially higher cancer risk due to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure. The study suggests that PAH absorption through skin plays a role in this increased risk.
Researchers found that fungal hyphae can transport contaminants, bypassing air barriers, allowing for potential environmental remediation. This ability enables fungi to overcome limitations in nutrient uptake, suggesting a broader role in facilitating contaminant movement.
Xander Tielens receives the Spinoza prize for his groundbreaking work on PAHs in space, which has shed light on the importance of these molecules in star and planet formation. His research has also explored the role of PAHs in the early stages of life.
Research from NASA-funded scientists uses data from Cassini and Huygens spacecraft to estimate how long Titan's methane factory has been operating, with estimated ages ranging from 10 million to 1.6 billion years. The study provides new perspectives on the history of Titan's atmosphere.
A Columbia University study finds pregnant women exposed to high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are more likely to have obese children. Children of mothers with high PAH exposure were nearly twice as likely to be obese at age 5 and 7, with an average weight gain of 2.4 lbs.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new iron-based material that can separate saturated hydrocarbons from unsaturated gases at high temperatures, eliminating the need for chilling. This breakthrough could lead to significant energy savings in the chemical industry, particularly in the production of plastics and fuels.
A new iron-based metal-organic framework (MOF) can separate closely related components of natural gas, improving the distillation process. The material is capable of selectively adsorbing light hydrocarbons, reducing energy-intensive cooling steps and potentially eliminating them.
A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that prenatal exposure to combustion-related pollutants was significantly associated with symptoms of anxious/depressed and attention problems in young children. High levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were measured in mothers' air samples and umbilical cord blood.
Researchers found significant health and ecosystem implications from coal-tar-based sealcoats, which release PAHs detrimental to human and ecosystem health. The study recommends avoiding coal-tar-based sealcoats in favor of asphalt-based ones or no sealcoat at all.
A new study reveals that children living near coal-tar-sealed pavement are at risk of receiving a higher dose of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from incidental ingestion of house dust, surpassing the PAH dose from food by more than two times.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Michigan have discovered that fruit flies' pheromones affect their sexual attractiveness differently as they age. In a study, male flies preferred younger females with more attractive pheromones.
Researchers at UH Manoa have discovered a novel chemical route to form PAHs, challenging conventional wisdom that they only occur at high temperatures. The study suggests that low-temperature chemistry can initiate the synthesis of the first PAH in interstellar space.
A new study by UCSB scientists reveals that the physical structure of the Gulf of Mexico played a key role in the disappearance of methane and other chemicals from the Deepwater Horizon well. The study used a computer model to demonstrate how underwater topography, currents, and bacteria contributed to the phenomenon.
Scientists used innovative computer model to demonstrate the roles of underwater topography, currents and bacteria in Gulf of Mexico. The resulting model revealed that physical structure of the gulf was a key factor in disappearance of hydrocarbon plumes, which were consumed by bacteria that swirled around the leaking well.
A recent study found a significant increase in hydrocarbon levels along the Galicia coast five years after the Prestige oil spill, primarily due to forest fires in 2006. The pollution surge was attributed to the badly-handled ship course and subsequent pyrogenic pollution sources.
A Californian-based study found traffic-related air pollution, particularly PAH, is linked to a 30% increase in premature births. Seasonal changes and proximity to the coast also affect pollutant concentrations.
A new report from Berkeley Lab scientist shows that oil-degrading microorganisms played a significant role in both the Exxon Valdez and BP Deepwater Horizon spills. The study found that mobilizing these microorganisms rapidly can minimize the risk and impact of future oil spills.
Researchers at the University of Vienna have developed a method called "passive sampling" to measure the affinity of contaminants to carbon nanotubes. This method provides reliable results for realistic applications and can remove pollutants from contaminated water, making it a promising technology for water filtration.
Scientists gathered oil and gas from the Deepwater Horizon wellhead for the first time, revealing how pollution is partitioned and transported in the Gulf of Mexico. A new molecular model shows that light hydrocarbons dissolve or form hydrates at depths, potentially causing damage to seafloor life far from the original spill.
Researchers will examine the safety of Gulf seafood and the long-term health effects on those who consume it, working closely with community groups. The study aims to measure petrogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fish and seafood.
A new computer model simulates how Gulf currents enabled marine microorganisms to degrade oil spills more quickly. The 'dynamic auto-inoculation' process activated microbes, increasing bacterial populations and degrading hydrocarbons.
Researchers argue that increased discussion is needed to monitor the ecological effects of human activities on deep-sea ecosystems. Advances in underwater monitoring equipment enable real-time data sharing, facilitating sustainable resource use and early warning systems.
A new antibody-based biosensor can detect marine pollutants like oil much faster and more cheaply than current technologies. The device can process samples in less than 10 minutes and detect pollutants at levels as low as just a few parts per billion.
A computer modeling study published in PNAS reveals that methane molecules can combine to form larger hydrocarbon molecules under high temperatures and pressures of the Earth's upper mantle. This finding has significant implications for understanding carbon reservoirs and fluxes in the Earth.
Researchers used computational simulations to explore hydrocarbon formation from methane under high pressure and temperature conditions. They found that hydrocarbons with multiple carbon atoms can form from methane at temperatures greater than 1,500 K and pressures 50,000 times those at the Earth's surface.
Researchers at University of Minnesota develop technology to convert CO2 into hydrocarbon fuels using bacteria and sunlight, a potential solution to fossil fuel depletion and climate change. The process uses ketones produced by bacteria as feedstock for diesel fuel production.
Researchers from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School discovered two distinct plumes of oily aerosols traveling from sea surface to atmosphere after the BP Deep Water Horizon oil spill. The study provides new understanding of air pollutants' effects on environment, human health, and global climate change.
Researchers found up to 500,000 tons of gaseous hydrocarbons emitted into the deep ocean during the Deepwater Horizon oil discharge, leading to small-scale zones of oxygen depletion. The study highlights the difficulty in separating gas-induced oxygen depletion from that due to liquid hydrocarbons.
A new study concludes that the air pollution control measures implemented in Beijing during the 2008 Olympic Games can significantly reduce lifetime lung cancer risk. If continued, these measures could lead to about 10,000 fewer lifetime cases of lung cancer.
A study of 1,133 children in the Czech Republic found that indoor coal use was associated with a half-inch shorter height at age 36 months compared to households using other fuel sources. Exposure to coal smoke may also impair growth through mechanisms such as endocrine disruptors.
Researchers using NASA's Cassini spacecraft have discovered thin, wispy clouds of ice particles similar to Earth's cirrus clouds on Titan's atmosphere. These clouds provide valuable insights into the workings of Titan's atmosphere and its one-way cycle that delivers hydrocarbons to the ground.
Cigarette smoke begins to cause DNA damage within minutes after inhalation into the lungs, a warning from scientists. This damage is linked to cancer and can be caused by substances in tobacco smoke, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Researchers at Cardiff University have made a breakthrough in activating hydrocarbon feedstocks using a gold catalyst. The study achieved unprecedented yields of over 90% for the formation of reactive molecules.
A region-wide study found that toxic pollution falling onto Puget Sound's waters has significantly decreased since 1991, with some pollutants decreasing by as much as 99%. However, industrial areas like Tacoma still have high air-deposited contamination levels, with the Port of Tacoma site recording the highest deposition rates.
A new technique allows for fast and accurate detection of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and rock using a portable infrared spectrometer. This method reduces labor-intensive sampling and processing requirements, saving time and costs associated with assessing and remediating contaminated sites.
A Texas A&M University oceanographer is studying the impact of subsurface hydrocarbons near the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The research aims to understand the fate of the oil, its effects on marine life, and the role of methane in the global carbon cycle.
Researchers use advanced technologies to map the origin of a massive underwater hydrocarbon plume in the Gulf of Mexico, confirming it came from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The plume is 22 miles long and 3,000 feet deep, and its composition suggests it has been persisting for longer than expected.
A large underwater hydrocarbon plume was detected in the Gulf of Mexico, measuring at least 22 miles long and 3,000 feet below the surface. Scientists confirmed its origin as the blown-out well and observed its slow migration southwest from the source.
A recent study suggests that consuming meat related compounds, particularly those found in red and processed meats, may be linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer. The researchers found that individuals with the highest intake of nitrate and nitrite had a significantly higher risk of developing bladder cancer.
Two studies confirm widespread pollution in national parks across the Western United States, with pesticides being a major concern. The research found high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) near industrial sites, posing health risks to humans and wildlife.
Scientists at the Joint BioEnergy Institute have discovered a three-gene cluster from the bacterium Micrococcus luteus that enables the production of long-chain alkene hydrocarbons in E. coli. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of renewable transportation fuels.