Researchers have developed a new molten salt technique that restores the structure and performance of used high-nickel cathode materials, allowing for more efficient battery recycling. The approach, published in Energy & Environment Nexus, regenerates the material itself so it can be reused in new batteries.
A USC-developed shipboard system using limestone and seawater can remove up to half of carbon dioxide emitted from shipping vessels, cutting maritime CO2 emissions by 50%. The process mimics a natural chemical reaction in the ocean, where CO2 is absorbed into water pumped onboard and then neutralized through a bed of limestone.
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A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that consuming too much sodium increases the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The study highlights cultural differences in salt usage, suggesting that tailored advice on sodium intake may be effective in reducing consumption.
Researchers at Rice University have created a scalable, low-maintenance desalination system that harnesses sunlight and recycles heat for a steady supply of fresh drinking water. The new technology, STREED, can handle high-salinity brines without significant decreases in water production or quality.
Researchers from the University of the Basque Country's MikroIker group explored microorganism diversity in Añana Salt Valley springs using molecular techniques. They found that archaea predominate in salty waters and bacteria in brackish waters, with similar microbiological profiles between similarly salinated waters.
Scientists used radiation-induced reactions to convert corrosive Cr³⁺ to less-corrosive Cr²⁺, potentially mitigating metal alloy corrosion in molten salt nuclear reactors. The findings could improve the long-term reliability of these new reactors.
Scientists successfully fermented miso on the International Space Station, discovering differences in bacterial communities and flavor profiles compared to Earth-made miso. The study's findings suggest that food fermentation can thrive in space, opening up new possibilities for astronaut well-being and performance.
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A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that legislation to reduce sodium in processed food in South Africa is linked to significant declines in blood pressure levels. The reduction in sodium intake has been associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease mortality and stroke, potentially saving millions of lives globally.
A new study found that high sodium intake is linked to a higher risk of both general and abdominal obesity in Finnish adults. The study showed that participants with high dietary sodium intake or high urine sodium concentration were more likely to have general or abdominal obesity.
Following the introduction of warning labels in 2020, Mexico substantially reformed food and non-alcoholic drink products to be healthier. The reformulation resulted in a significant reduction of excessive calories, fats, salts, sugars, sweeteners, and caffeine content in these products.
A team of Rice and UH scientists discovered simple solutions to address a fundamental issue in carbon capture technology - carbon dioxide reduction reaction. They found that lowering the concentration of cations like sodium or potassium in the electrolyte slows down salt buildup, improving reactor stability.
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A new study led by University of Maryland geologist Sujay Kaushal finds that multiple threats are making fresh water saltier, including land-based pollution and saltwater intrusion. The researchers offer a framework for predicting and preventing the issue, which affects ecosystems, agriculture, and drinking water supplies.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum developed a novel approach to create salts that catalyze specific reactions. The cation and anion components of the salt play crucial roles in ensuring the correct handedness of the resultant molecule.
Researchers found that added sugars contribute between 7% and 21% to the risk of gastric cancer, while sodium intake is the main mediating factor. Healthy diets characterized by high vegetable and fruit consumption can reduce this risk.
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Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new membrane that allows water to flow eight times faster while maintaining high salt rejection rates. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective desalination systems, lowering costs and increasing access to clean water.
Researchers found evidence of sodium carbonate, halite, and sodium sulfates on Ryugu, indicating liquid saline water once existed within its parent body. This discovery provides insights into the chemical history of Ryugu and sheds light on the loss of liquid water in the outer Solar System.
New cyanine-carborane salts show promise in eradicating metastatic breast cancer tumors with minimal side effects. The therapy targets specific proteins in cancer cells, allowing for precise killing of diseased cells while sparing healthy tissue.
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Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and GLP-1RAs show reduced risk of moderate/severe COPD exacerbations compared to dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors. This finding may inform glucose-lowering medication prescribing for patients with type 2 diabetes and active COPD.
A cluster trial found salt substitution to be safe, with significant reductions in stroke recurrence and death rates among patients. The study supports large-scale implementation of this low-cost intervention as a major public health gain.
A systematic review and network meta-analysis of 601 trials revealed that SGLT2 inhibitors were more cardioprotective in older adults, while GLP-1 receptor agonists offered greater benefits to younger patients. These findings suggest personalized treatment approaches for type 2 diabetes based on age and sex.
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A cross-sectional study found that TV football game food ads are often high in sodium, calories, and fat content. This can pose a risk to adults with pre-existing heart conditions, who may be vulnerable to dietary deviations due to frequent exposure to advertising.
Researchers gained insight into the early history of the solar system through well-preserved asteroid samples. The analysis revealed a variety of salts, including sodium carbonates, phosphates, sulphates, and chlorides, which formed from evaporation of brines. These findings may provide clues about the presence of life on distant icy b...
A new study reveals that a colossal 'megaflood' refilled the Mediterranean Sea around 5.97-5.33 million years ago, marking the end of the Messinian Salinity Crisis. The Zanclean Megaflood is believed to have had discharge rates and flow velocities dwarfing any other known floods in Earth's history.
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Scientists from the University of Twente and INRAE discovered that releasing small particles of salt into a tank of water creates a circular pattern due to gravity-induced wake drag. The experiment reveals that the optimal amount of water and particle size affect the shape and size of the salt ring.
A study published in Science of the Total Environment found that stormwater detention basins in Northern Virginia face significant salt stress due to road salts. Native plant species, such as cattails, showed promise in tolerating high salt concentrations, but their impact on overall salt removal was limited.
Scientists used CryoNanoSIMS to visualize how plants protect themselves against sodium overload, revealing a change in strategy under high salt stress. This breakthrough could help develop new strategies to strengthen food security.
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Researchers have found dialysis to be 'astonishingly effective' in separating salts from organic substances in wastewater, reducing environmental impacts and costs. The method mimics medical dialysis technology, eliminating the need for repeated dilutions and fouling, and enabling resource recovery.
Researchers at Washington State University developed a new technique to identify harmful salts forming in nuclear waste melters, which could help improve clean-up technology at the Hanford Site. The method uses optical and electrical components to detect changes in thermal emissions, allowing for real-time monitoring of salt formation.
Scientists analyzed chlorine isotopes in salt extracted from the Mediterranean seabed to identify two phases of the Messinian Salinity Crisis. The event resulted in a massive loss of up to 70% of the sea's water volume over a short period, triggering volcanic eruptions and global climatic effects.
Research found that iron oxide nanoparticles reduce the lifespan, longevity, and reproductive ability of Enchytraeus crypticus in a 202-day study. Population density may influence nanoparticle toxicity, with lower-density groups experiencing greater harm.
Three Ph.D. students and a postdoctoral researcher from Texas A&M are working on RTE projects to create new materials for future nuclear reactors. They are using the Texas A&M Accelerator Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory to irradiate material, creating voids that can help understand swelling in nuclear reactors.
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A Washington State University-led study found a strong link between dehydration and exercise-induced muscle cramps in IRONMAN triathletes. Severe dehydration was associated with an increased risk of muscle cramps, which were more common in athletes who finished the race faster.
A new process developed by Lehigh University researchers uses evaporative ion exchange (EIX) to concentrate hypersaline brine at room temperature, avoiding scaling and fouling. The process has shown promising results in concentrating salts from hypersaline water, with the potential for widespread use.
The system removes salt from water at a pace that closely follows changes in solar energy, maximizing the utility of solar power. It produces large quantities of clean water despite variations in sunlight throughout the day, making it an attractive solution for communities with limited access to seawater and grid power.
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Researchers found that stored human urine had little impact on soil bacterial communities, increasing nitrifying and denitrifying groups compared to synthetic fertilizers. The study suggests that recycled urine could enhance agricultural sustainability, reduce wastewater pollution, and decrease reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have documented the chemistry dynamics and structure of high-temperature liquid uranium trichloride (UCl3) salt, a potential nuclear fuel source for next-generation reactors. The study used neutron scattering techniques to reveal details about the nature of materials, including the bonding d...
A team of researchers has discovered a novel microRNA, miR319a, that significantly enhances poplar trees' ability to withstand salt stress. This breakthrough sheds light on how trees maintain essential ion balance under salty conditions and presents new avenues for improving salt tolerance in woody plants.
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Researchers have discovered that sodium chloride can increase the efficiency of antitumoral T cells, leading to improved metabolic fitness and enhanced tumor killing capabilities. This finding has significant implications for adoptive T-cell therapy in cancer treatment.
New research compares four methods for extracting edible insect protein, finding that alkali extraction boosts protein content while enzyme treatment improves nutritional value. Additionally, salt-assisted extraction reveals anti-inflammatory effects and anti-diabetic properties.
A study on wild tomato species reveals that a plant's vigor plays a significant role in its salt tolerance. The researchers found correlations between traits like transpiration rate, shoot mass, and ion accumulation with plant performance under salt stress.
Researchers found that nanomaterials improve plant performance and mitigate salinity stress at lower dosages. However, higher doses can be toxic and worsen salinity stress. The findings suggest considering nanomaterials as a future option for managing salinity stress.
A new 3D printing method developed by UC San Diego engineers uses a polymer ink and salt water solution to create solid structures with ease. The process is reversible, allowing the PNIPAM ink to be reused for further printing.
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Researchers developed a system that passively alternates between capturing and generating water, eliminating manual labor requirements. The system uses mass transport bridges to optimize efficiency and effectiveness, producing 2-3 liters of water per square meter daily.
Salt stress induces early flowering in tomatoes by upregulating the SINGLE-FLOWER TRUSS (SFT) gene, which promotes accelerated flowering and inhibits floral organ development. Additionally, salt stress disrupts cell cycle progression in floral organs, leading to reduced organ size and altered morphology.
A team from the University of Córdoba has successfully used a yeast strain to reduce nitrites and salt in Iberian pork loin while maintaining its flavor and enhancing food safety. The study, published in Food Control, demonstrates the potential of Debaryomyces hansenii LRC2 as an alternative preservative.
A collaborative research team used machine learning to investigate the transcriptomic responses of Spartina alterniflora to various salt concentrations. The study revealed significant transcriptional changes and identified a key gene family member that shows potential for genetic engineering to improve crop resilience.
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Researchers at USC Keck School of Medicine discovered that a low-salt diet can stimulate kidney regeneration and repair in mice by targeting the macula densa region. This finding holds promise for developing a new therapeutic approach to treat chronic kidney disease, which affects millions worldwide.
A recent review of studies on heart failure patients suggests that reducing salt intake has no clinical benefits and may even be counterproductive. Moderate to strict salt restriction was linked with improved quality of life but not mortality or hospitalization rates among patients with heart failure.
Researchers at NUS discovered a novel mechanism in plants that removes excess chloride ions from roots, enhancing salinity tolerance. This discovery could improve the salinity tolerance of crop plants in the future.
Researchers at FSU used machine learning to analyze patterns in dried salt solution drops, identifying the chemical composition of different salts with accuracy. The tool has potential applications in lab safety testing, rapid screening for suspected drugs and low-cost blood analysis.
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A new study found that magnesium levels in sandhoppers increase during cold weather, slowing their activity. In deeper sleep, magnesium levels can more than double, putting the sandhopper into a torpid state and allowing it to conserve energy.
Indonesia can benefit from low-sodium potassium-rich salt substitutes to combat high blood pressure and related diseases. Studies show that these alternatives can prevent millions of cardiovascular events and reduce healthcare expenditure.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University developed a machine learning-based deicer that offers higher performance while minimizing environmental harm. The new mixture of propylene glycol and sodium formate solution shows improved ice penetration capacity, reducing the need for substance use.
Researchers have identified 187 bHLH transcription factors in sea lavender, a recretohalophyte with unique salt glands. These findings highlight the critical role of specific bHLH genes in enhancing salt tolerance, paving the way for future applications in crop improvement and saline soil management.
Researchers found that eating more than one gram of sodium per day increases the likelihood of eczema flares by 22%, making it easier for patients to manage their symptoms. Eczema affects over 31 million people in the US and can be difficult to cope with when unpredictable.
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The study found that Indonesians eat about 15 grams of microplastics per month, a 59-fold increase from 1990 to 2018. China and Mongolia top the list for airborne microplastic concentration, with U.S. residents inhaling about 300,000 particles per month.
A study of over 470,000 adults found that those who frequently add salt to their food are 39-40% more likely to develop stomach cancer. The research highlights the connection between high salt consumption and stomach cancer in Western countries, raising awareness of the negative effects of extremely high salt consumption.
Researchers discovered the missing piece of the puzzle behind a rare polynya in Antarctica's Maud Rise, which formed in 2016-2017. The team found that complex interactions between wind, ocean currents, and geography led to the polynya's persistence.
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The Zhilong Bie team identified pumpkin CmoDREB2A as a key transcription factor interacting with CmoNAC1 to regulate salt tolerance in grafted cucumbers. The interaction enhances H2O2 and ABA signaling pathways, leading to increased K+/Na+ ratio.
Researchers developed a semipermeable membrane that harnesses osmotic energy from salt gradients, achieving higher power density and stable performance underwater. The design expands the range of ecological materials for RED membranes, making them more feasible for real-world use.