Articles tagged with Water
A recent study published in the International Journal of Water found that decentralized water regulation presents a theoretical benefit, allowing different populations to tailor spending to their particular circumstances. The research suggests that local decision-making can promote good governance and improve outcomes for Canadians.
Athletes should drink only when thirsty to prevent exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH), a condition that can lead to life-threatening swelling in cells. Drinking excess fluids does not prevent fatigue or heat stroke, and athletes can safely lose up to 3% of their body weight during competition without loss of performance.
A new study by engineers at the University of Sheffield has proven conclusively that contaminants can enter pipes through leaks and be transported through the pipe network. Groundwater with harmful contaminants can be sucked in and remain in the pipe, potentially reaching consumers' taps at low concentrations.
Abelardo Colon and Jennifer Gill from the University of Puerto Rico won the top honors with their video explaining a new method for disinfecting drinking water using a nanodiamond powder. The process has promising results, reducing fecal E. coli colonies and increasing density.
Scientists have discovered chemical compounds, including 2-BE and organic contaminants, in the drinking water of three Pennsylvania homes near a reported well-pad leak. The new technique, GCxGC-TOFMS, was used to characterize the contamination, which is believed to have originated from fracking fluids or drilling additives.
A new foam water filter has been developed by Michigan State University researchers, which significantly reduces dangerous pathogens in drinking water. The filter combines existing treatment principles and features a unique biological layer that enables it to become more efficient over time.
A study found that combined sewer overflows can lead to a significant increase in emergency room visits for gastrointestinal illnesses, contaminating drinking water sources. The researchers analyzed data from three areas with combined sewer systems and found a 13% increase in ER visits after extreme precipitation events.
Research links water fluoridation above 0.7 mg/l to a 30% higher than expected rate of underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) in England. Researchers suggest switching to non-fluoride-based interventions to protect tooth health.
A new study recalculates global progress in household water access, highlighting deficits in sanitation. The findings suggest that prioritizing both water and sanitation equally could improve human health outcomes.
Researchers have developed a simple and inexpensive method to remove arsenic from contaminated groundwater using discarded cigarette ash coated with aluminum oxide. This method is particularly useful for rural and developing regions where access to advanced treatment technology is limited.
A new BU study found that prenatal exposure to tetrachloroethylene in drinking water may increase the risk of stillbirth and placental abruption. The study, which compared over 2,000 pregnancies, found a significant association between PCE exposure and an elevated risk of these pregnancy complications.
Scientists have found that discharge of fracking wastewater into rivers can contaminate drinking water supplies. Even after passage through wastewater treatment plants, halides in the wastewater can lead to toxic byproducts when treated with conventional methods.
A study by researchers from five universities found that contamination in drinking water wells in Pennsylvania and Texas stems from well-integrity problems such as poor casing and cementing. The analysis used noble gas and hydrocarbon tracers to identify the source of fugitive methane and determine if it is natural or not.
Researchers at Virginia Tech find that 50% of the population can't detect high levels of manganese in water, leading to potential health risks. The study's findings highlight the importance of considering water safety not only in tap water but also in humidified air.
Research found that low doses of arsenic, similar to those consumed by humans, cause lung cancer in male mice. Arsenic levels above 50 ppb led to significant increases in benign and malignant lung tumors.
A new study of nearly 12,000 individuals found that those with dyspnea at baseline had a greater risk of dying, even after adjusting for other risk factors. Dyspnea was associated with a significant increased risk of death in rural Bangladesh, and identifying underlying causes may offer an opportunity to reduce mortality risk.
A comprehensive review found that improved water sources in low- and middle-income countries often contain fecal contamination. The study's findings suggest a large proportion of the world's population uses unsafe water, highlighting the need for alternative indicators of safe water.
A new study found that most schools in the US meet the USDA drinking water mandate, but additional measures are needed to promote better access and encourage students to drink more water. The study suggests that collaboration among school staff and educational activities can be effective strategies to promote water consumption.
Scientists have developed a new technique to convert astronaut urine into fuel and drinking water, reducing the waste burden in space missions. The Urea Bioreactor Electrochemical system efficiently converts urea into ammonia, which is then turned into energy with a fuel cell.
The study found that rural households in areas with low access to improved water and sanitation are more likely to lack these basic services. Geographical mapping reveals substantial levels of inequality in access to improved drinking-water supplies and sanitation across sub-Saharan Africa.
A study by Columbia University found that exposure to arsenic in drinking water is associated with decreased intelligence in children, with reduced Full Scale and Working Memory scores of 5-6 points
The Academy of Natural Sciences will oversee monitoring and fieldwork for the William Penn Foundation's $35M grant-funded programs in eight designated geographic areas in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware. The project aims to improve water quality and citizen awareness among 15 million residents.
Virginia Tech researchers uncover complexities of the chemical spill, determining the odor threshold concentration of the trans-isomer to be 350 parts per trillion by volume in the air. This finding highlights the need for independent measurement of cis and trans isomers to understand their properties.
A 'stop mechanism' was found to regulate drinking behavior by detecting thirst levels and preventing overdrinking. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, identified brain regions that determine the signals to stop drinking, potentially preventing complications from excessive water intake.
Scientists have developed a water purifier that can remove pharmaceuticals, pesticides and other pollutants from drinking water using sunlight. The new technology combines titanium dioxide and graphene to create an easy-to-use system that could be incorporated into consumer products.
A University of East Anglia study found that schools providing clean water report lower absenteeism rates. During the dry season, children without access to clean water were 2.5 times more likely to be absent than those with access. The researchers also highlighted the potential benefits for child health and education.
Researchers found that pine tree sapwood can filter out more than 99% of E. coli bacteria from contaminated water, but has a particle size limit. The small-branch filtration system produced clean drinking water suitable for one person per day.
A study found that magnesium protects against hip fractures for both men and women, but calcium has no independent protective effect. Enriching drinking water with dolomite may also be beneficial, according to the researchers.
A Dartmouth-led study reveals that arsenic exposure can be significant through dietary means, especially from consuming alcohol and Brussels sprouts. Researchers found a strong correlation between toenail clippings and arsenic levels, particularly in those who drank more alcohol and ate more dark meat fish.
A study published in the Canadian Journal of Economics found that contaminated water is linked to lower birth weights and prematurity, especially among less-educated mothers. Infants exposed to contaminated water are also more likely to have mothers who are younger, less educated, or African-American.
Agriculture faces increasing competition for water, but integrated water management plans can increase water security by utilizing blue, green, and gray waters. The symposium highlights the importance of protecting these three water sources to meet the world's growing demand for food.
A large cohort of Swedish residents found no association between long-term fluoride exposure and the risk of hip fractures. The study included nearly half a million individuals exposed to varying levels of fluoride in their drinking water.
A young Bangladeshi chemist has developed a reactor that removes nitrates from drinking water using electrodes, a process that also preserves healthy minerals. The tech aims to improve access to clean drinking water in Bangladesh and other developing countries.
Researchers found that cilantro effectively removes lead and other harmful metals from contaminated water. The study suggests that cilantro could be used as a low-cost, sustainable filter for developing countries.
The Procter & Gamble's Children's Safe Drinking Water program has provided over 6 billion quarts of clean drinking water to families in developing countries, saving an estimated 32,000 lives. The small water-purification sachets, the size of a fast-food ketchup packet, have been distributed in 71 countries.
Researchers have created a novel method to desalinate wastewater from oil and gas production, producing up to 90% pure water. The 'ice that burns' technique uses chunks of ice retrieved from deep below the sea to remove salt and other impurities.
A new statistical risk model has been developed to assess arsenic contamination in China's groundwater. The model predicts that almost 20 million people live in high-risk areas with arsenic concentrations above 10 µg/L, highlighting the need for targeted sampling campaigns and increased monitoring efforts.
A new study confirms that arsenic exposure can impair lung function, with doses of 120 parts per billion causing damage comparable to decades of smoking. The study found significant impairment of lung function associated with lower concentrations than previously reported.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have identified four bacteria found in drinking water that can form biofilms on pipes. Combining these bacteria with Methylobacterium produces a biofilm within 72 hours. The study suggests targeting specific bacteria could prevent biofilm formation and reduce chemical treatments.
A USGS report identifies crucial factors influencing public-supply well vulnerability to contamination, including geochemical conditions, groundwater age, and human-induced changes in aquifer conditions. Understanding these factors can help anticipate future water quality issues and inform water management strategies.
A four-year EU-funded project has developed a response programme to rapidly restore drinking water networks following a deliberate contamination event. The SecurEau toolbox includes tools for detecting water quality changes, identifying sources of contamination, and cleaning distribution systems.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Lahore University of Management Sciences are developing affordable test strips to detect pathogenic bacteria in drinking water. The project aims to address water safety concerns in Lahore, where over 60% of water sources are contaminated with disease-causing bacteria.
A Duke University-led study reveals that homeowners within one kilometer of shale gas wells are more likely to have contaminated drinking water with methane, ethane, and propane. The research analyzed 141 drinking water samples from private wells in northeastern Pennsylvania's Marcellus shale basin.
A new study by University of Miami researcher Justin Stoler examines the demographics of sachet water usage in Ghana's capital Accra, revealing how poverty and environmental concerns impact urban water security. The research highlights the unintended social and environmental consequences of widespread sachet water use.
A team of researchers studied water under extreme conditions, discovering its structure transforms from ordered to disordered at supercritical temperatures. This knowledge provides an improved estimate of water's behavior during geochemical and geological processes.
A new study by researchers at UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Adelaide found that fluoride in drinking water prevents tooth decay for all adults regardless of age or childhood consumption. Adults living in fluoridated communities had up to 30% less tooth decay.
Researchers in India have developed a filter system using the medicinal herb Tridax procumbens to remove fluoride from drinking water. The technology can reduce fluoride levels by up to 98% in just three hours, making it a promising approach for defluoridation.
Computer simulations reveal that water stabilizes specific charge states on the catalyst surface, increasing efficiency and outperforming a gas phase. Researchers also found that thermodynamic conditions can control catalytic efficiency by varying pressure and temperature.
A study by psychologists found that 'water clubs' in care homes significantly improve the health of elderly residents through social interaction, with enhanced wellbeing and fewer falls reported. The research supports the idea that group identity can be a powerful tool for improving individuals' quality of life.
A new approach uses partial differential equations to model pollution spread and identify potential contamination sources. The method provides fast solutions, but more complex models are needed for realistic networks.
Researchers found that varying the pH and filter cleaning can shift the balance of beneficial microbes in drinking water. They suggest this could help reduce harmful bacteria, making water safer for consumers.
A Yale University study reveals that Hurricane Irene polluted the Catskill watershed, darkening lakes and affecting the Ashokan Reservoir that supplies New York City with drinking water. The storm dumped unprecedented amounts of dissolved organic matter into the reservoir, equivalent to 43% of its average annual export.
A recent study found that 61 of 181 North Carolina migrant farmworker camps failed to meet state water quality standards, with high levels of total coliform bacteria and E. coli detected in the water.
University of Arizona environmental engineering professor Shane Snyder will present on emerging contaminants in drinking water and treatment levels required around the world. He also shares his global water quality experiences from countries such as India, China, and Vietnam.
A lack of access to clean water and sanitation affects 2.6 billion people, causing preventable illnesses and deaths. Women in developing countries can play a key role in addressing this issue if given the chance.
Researchers discovered that certain types of bacteria form biofilms on filters, breaking off into drinking water due to pH levels. Simple changes to filter cleaning and water pH can shift the balance towards beneficial bacteria, potentially improving water quality.
A new study found that prenatal and early childhood exposure to the chemical solvent tetrachloroethylene (PCE) may be associated with poorer color-discrimination abilities. People exposed to higher levels of PCE from gestation through age 5 exhibited greater visual impairments, suggesting irreversible effects.
A Duke University study suggests naturally occurring pathways allowed salts and gases from the Marcellus shale formation to migrate into shallow drinking water aquifers. The study found elevated levels of salinity with similar geochemistry to deep Marcellus brine in drinking water samples.
Research suggests that encouraging people to drink more water is driven by market interests rather than a need for better health. A balanced diet and lifestyle are key to weight loss, with fluid intake from unprocessed sources being equally important.
A study led by Marine Biological Laboratory scientists found that even low levels of arsenic in drinking water can disrupt lipid metabolism, leading to nutrient deficiencies in breast milk and growth deficits in offspring. The researchers also discovered that exposure to arsenic increases the risk of fatty liver disease.