Articles tagged with Water
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Dr. Ashok Gadgil has developed safe drinking water solutions like UV Waterworks, which provides clean water at a price of just two cents per 10 liters. His Berkeley-Darfur Stove increases fuel efficiency, saving households over $300 per year.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed rapid testing method using paper strip to detect E. coli in recreational water within minutes, improving public safety and closing the gap between outbreaks and detection. The test strips can detect potentially harmful concentrations of E. coli with much greater accuracy than existing p...
Researchers developed a modern water treatment plant using rainwater and treated wash water for personal needs. Vacuum sewage systems significantly reduce water consumption and lower costs. The DEUS technology recovers biogas, produces fertilizer, and benefits regions with extreme water shortages
Researchers found that adding lime juice to water treated with solar disinfection removed detectable levels of E. coli significantly faster than solar disinfection alone. The treatment time was comparable to boiling and other household methods, making it a potential effective solution for improving water quality in low-income regions.
A UC Davis report reveals that over 90% of human-generated nitrate contamination comes from agricultural activity, posing health risks to 1 in 10 people in the state's most productive agricultural areas. Fixes for drinking water systems could cost $20-35 million per year.
Climate change is projected to put strain on global groundwater resources as precipitation decreases and people turn to groundwater for water needs. The UN-sponsored research emphasizes the importance of regulating and conserving non-renewable groundwater to ensure its sustainability.
A study by University of Bristol researchers found that relying solely on improved water source type oversimplifies the measure of safety, leading to substantial underestimations in four developing countries. The adjustment increased estimates of people without access to safe drinking water in Ethiopia and Nigeria by millions.
Researchers develop a simple and cost-effective method to purify water using the 'miracle tree' Moringa oleifera seeds. The process harnesses the positively charged protein in the seed extract to capture lab-grown E. coli and remove sediment from water samples.
A University of Alberta researcher is investigating the potential link between long-term exposure to disinfected water and an increased risk of bladder cancer. She will develop new tools to detect toxic DBPs in drinking water, with the goal of eliminating their formation.
Research found that children exposed to PCE-contaminated drinking water before birth and during early childhood were at a higher risk of developing bipolar disorder and PTSD. The study suggests that prolonged exposure to the neurotoxin may contribute to long-term mental health issues.
A natural substance extracted from Moringa oleifera seeds can purify water by binding to sediment and killing microbes. The process uses functionalized sand, providing a simple, locally sustainable way to produce storable drinking water.
Glaciers are shrinking at a rapid pace, with water levels potentially decreasing by 30% during the dry season. The accelerated glacial retreat poses serious problems for millions of people dependent on the water for electricity, agriculture, and drinking water.
A new study by Washington University in St. Louis found that joining old lead pipes with new copper lines using brass fittings increases the amount of lead released into drinking water supplies due to galvanic corrosion. This can make the problem worse for safety-minded, lead-pipe-removal programs at water utilities across the country.
A portable, self-sustaining wastewater treatment system is being developed to reduce the cost of water and fuel for military bases on or near the front lines. The integrated system uses solar power, biological conversion processes, and nano-filtration to break down wastewater and produce methane fuel and drinking water.
Scientists discover water's conductivity increases at extremely low temperatures, contradicting expectations for an ordinary liquid. This phenomenon supports the idea of a 'liquid-liquid' phase transition in water.
A Norwegian Institute of Public Health study investigates the impact of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes on drinking water quality. The research found that while there are no health risks associated with PEX pipes, certain types may cause prolonged undesirable taste and odor, especially when water remains in the pipes over time.
A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters found that perennial ponds are not a significant contributor to high levels of arsenic in India's groundwater. Instead, the researchers propose that organic matter contained in Holocene sedimentary basins is likely the source of the toxin, taking thousands of years to reach the a...
SMU scientists are collecting water samples in UNHCR camps, analyzing them in the lab, and training workers to test water supplies. The team will develop a worldwide database to identify contaminants and track water quality over time, addressing issues such as iodide and fluoride contamination.
A University of Oklahoma graduate student has received the EPA's STAR Fellowship Award to develop a low-cost method for removing fluoride from drinking water in rural Ethiopian communities. Her research aims to address severe overexposure to fluoride, which can cause bone damage and tooth discoloration.
A team of Iowa State researchers has developed a new method for analyzing drinking water samples in space, using colorimetric solid phase extraction to detect iodine and silver concentrations. The innovative technology will enable astronauts to quickly assess the safety of their drinking water in real-time.
Researchers have created a cost-effective solution to address the growing issue of arsenic-contaminated drinking water in developing countries. The new technology uses pieces of plastic bottles coated with cysteine to remove arsenic from water, producing drinkable water with levels significantly lower than the current safe standard.
Two winning projects were selected to provide clean and sustainable water to communities in need. The Tagore-SenGupta Foundation project will install arsenic removal units in remote villages and schools in Cambodia, while Jenna Forsyth's project focuses on low-resource chlorine generation for safe drinking water in western Kenya.
A University of Oklahoma graduate student is testing materials to address fluorosis, a widespread health issue in the Rift Valley. The goal is to develop effective and sustainable solutions that meet the World Health Organization standard.
Researchers found that arsenic exposure elevates cardiovascular disease mortality in individuals who smoke. Arsenic levels above the safe limit significantly increase risk of death from cardiovascular disease, even at lower doses than previously reported.
A new study is planned to investigate the health effects of high lithium levels in drinking water on mothers and children in Andean villages. Researchers have found high levels of arsenic, lithium, and other substances in the drinking water and urine of women studied, which may pose a health risk.
Researchers have discovered that minced banana peels can quickly and efficiently remove toxic metals like lead and copper from river water, outperforming other materials in the process. The discovery could provide a sustainable solution for water purification, especially in areas where access to clean drinking water is limited.