Articles tagged with Water
A new Policy Brief by UNU-INWEH reveals that expanding irrigation correlates with higher dietary diversity among children under five in regions where water resources are already under severe stress. Despite this association, nearly one-third of gains occurred in areas exceeding renewable freshwater supplies.
Researchers from Binghamton University confirm the long-held 'urban myth' that saltwater dries out skin, increasing tissue stiffness and stress. A simple solution to alleviate tightness is taking a shower after coming out of the ocean.
A study of 100,000 water samples from 500 river basins found elevated levels of contaminants like organic carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment persisting for years after wildfires. Water managers can use this data to inform planning strategies for increasing wildfire resilience.
Cessation of public water fluoridation would lead to higher rates of tooth decay and increased healthcare costs in the US. The model suggests that current safe levels of fluoride have substantial ongoing benefits.
The African Union's new policy brief proposes implementing the IDAWM framework to address agricultural water management challenges in Africa. This will involve balancing environmental, social, health, and governance trade-offs to create resilient agri-food systems that deliver multiple benefits for people and the planet.
A portable and highly sensitive ethanol sensor has been developed using a copper-based metal–organic framework thin film, enabling precise optical measurements without complex lab equipment. The sensor can visually detect varying ethanol levels, even at low concentrations, and can be integrated with a smartphone app for easy use.
Researchers investigate how increased warm, salty offshore water affects the cold pool on the continental shelf. Salinity measurements reveal seasonal salinification of the cold pool, shedding light on coastal ecosystem conditions.
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.
A multidisciplinary team analyzed seismic waveforms to reveal a significant low shear-wave velocity anomaly at a depth of 5.4–8 km, indicating possible liquid water in the upper crust.
A recent study has identified a key factor contributing to nitrous oxide emissions in wastewater treatment plants: an imbalance between bacteria groups and oxygen levels. By increasing oxygen concentrations, the researchers suggest that emissions can be significantly reduced without requiring major infrastructural changes.
A new study has found that people with celiac disease can safely kiss their partners without worrying about gluten transfer. In a two-part study, researchers found minimal gluten in the saliva of partners with celiac disease, even when they kissed after consuming gluten.
A new study developed a method to measure evapotranspiration in the understorey of native forests, which can contribute up to 50% of ecosystem water use. The research aims to improve management decisions for water scarce resources in Australia.
Bank filtration (BF) was shown to effectively enhance the permeate quality of gravity-driven membrane (GDM) filtration by removing turbidity, particulate organic matter, and micropollutants. This pretreatment also improved membrane stability and increased stable flux, making it a promising strategy for treating polluted source water.
A new study maps the daily movement of cyanobacteria in Florida's largest freshwater lake, revealing how these harmful algal blooms form and behave. The research provides critical insights into managing the risks associated with cyanobacteria blooms.
The Colombian government is implementing a new agenda including climate- and biodiversity-related programs to compensate landowners for restoring forests or following management practices that maintain nature's benefits. A natural capital account has been developed to quantify natural assets, benefits, and changes over time, providing ...
Scientists have developed two new methods to detect water ice on the lunar surface, with one approach analyzing images from a specialized camera and another detecting buried ice deposits through cosmic rays. The research aims to support future lunar bases and provide resources for humans or be broken down to hydrogen and oxygen.
Researchers used satellite data to analyze the impact of dust on snowmelt in the Colorado River Basin. The study found that dust-driven melting tends to peak earliest and be most intense in central-southern Rocky Mountains, accelerating spring melt rates by up to 1 mm water-equivalent per hour.
Researchers from UT Arlington discovered that many wastewater treatment plants are unable to effectively remove dangerous microplastics, which can transport other pollutants into the environment. This poses potential long-term health impacts for humans, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
A new Princeton startup has developed a technology to boost minerals production from evaporation ponds, doubling the efficiency of lithium and nitrate extraction. The innovation uses a black disc with an anti-fouling coating to accelerate evaporation rates, alleviating the need for large-scale construction of new ponds.
Arup K. SenGupta, a renowned water scientist at Lehigh University, has been honored with the ASCE Freese Award and Lecture for his pioneering work in ion exchange science and technology. He will present on 'Development and Global Application of Hybrid Ion Exchange Processes' during the 2025 World Environmental & Water Resources Congress.
Researchers warn that wildfires can contaminate drinking water distribution systems, posing substantial public health risks. Over 50 volatile organic compounds have been detected in water distribution systems after wildfires, including carcinogens such as benzene.
Researchers found that inactive amines used in herbicides could be more important nitrosamine precursors than previously thought, potentially posing serious health risks even at low concentrations. The study suggests shifting trends in herbicide formulation and use necessitate closer examination of these chemicals
A study mapped US counties with high rates of water system violations and inequalities in access to safe drinking water. Counties in West Virginia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania ranked among the top 10 for violations, while Mississippi, South Dakota, and Texas topped the list for water injustice.
A Northwestern University study reveals that water molecules flip before releasing oxygen atoms, significantly increasing energy consumption. Increasing pH levels of water reduces this energy cost, making water splitting a more practical and cost-effective process.
A team of physicists at the University of Pennsylvania has discovered that pouring water from a height creates a stronger mixing effect, increasing extraction efficiency in pour-over coffee. By optimizing flow rates and pour heights, they found that more coffee grounds can be used without diminishing overall quality.
A novel approach uses a biomass-based carbon aerogel to efficiently treat oily water and sludge, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. The material's photothermal conversion characteristics enable effective dehydration of oily pollutants.
A new database of 400 years of sightings compiled by researchers at Colorado State University may help anticipate when and where milky seas will occur. The archive includes eyewitness reports, satellite data, and individual accounts submitted to the Marine Observer Journal.
The study introduces an innovative method to detect and classify floodplains based on their ability to attenuate floods. The Hydraulic Floodplain Classification emphasizes the variable capacity of the landscape to influence flood routing, enabling better water resource assessments and floodplain management applications.
Computer simulations show that captured CO2 can be permanently stored underground by mixing with groundwater, creating a denser liquid that sinks and remains there. Suitable geological conditions, such as impermeable rock layers and porous aquifers, are necessary for effective CO2 storage.
A study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and collaborators in Arizona and Colorado found notable groundwater gains in Central Arizona despite long-term water stress. The policies have helped bank over 25 cubic kilometers of groundwater from 1989-2019, but the Colorado River faces uncertain future due to climate change.
The reuse of human urine could significantly reduce the global demand for fertilizers in agriculture, lowering energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers have developed a system to recover nitrogen from urine, which can be used as fertilizer for urban agriculture.
A study found that consuming sucralose alters brain activity related to hunger and increases appetite, especially in people with obesity. The sugar substitute changes how the hypothalamus communicates with other brain regions, including those involved in motivation, potentially leading to cravings and eating behavior changes.
A new study by UMass Amherst hydrologists finds that lithium mining models significantly overestimate the amount of freshwater available in the Lithium Triangle. The research suggests that local communities, regulators, and the industry must work together to reduce water usage within sustainable limits. The study's findings have immedi...
The California Solar Canal Initiative brings together seven leading research universities to identify optimal locations for generating renewable energy and conserving land statewide. By covering large sections of the state's canal network with solar panels, researchers aim to conserve water, reduce air pollution and generate clean energy.
A team of researchers at MIT has developed a system that makes pesticides stick to plant leaves, reducing waste and costs for farmers. The new technology, which involves coating droplets with an oily material, improves the 'stickiness' of the droplets by up to a hundredfold.
A new study finds a positive correlation between microplastic concentration and the prevalence of high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, but not cancer. Higher microplastic pollution is associated with a higher risk of disease, suggesting a potential link between microplastics and chronic noncommunicable diseases.
Researchers have developed nanomats that can absorb light energy to break down harmful pollutants in air and water. These lightweight blankets can be reused multiple times and are environmentally friendly, offering a promising solution for clean drinking water production.
Researchers developed a strategy to regulate hydrogen bond networks at electrolyte-electrode interfaces, accelerating proton transfer in CO2 reduction reactions. The approach involves introducing extra catalytic centers, such as cubic phase molybdenum carbide, to enhance water dissociation and facilitate proton generation.
Prof. Günter Blöschl's research has made significant contributions to understanding the drivers of increasing flood risks under climate change and reveals that the last two decades have been markedly flood-prone compared to historical records.
Research uncovering rapid changes in river temperatures across the US highlights importance of observational records for environmental variability. The findings provide insights into managing habitats and understanding impacts on socioeconomic activities.
Researchers applied web search algorithms to prioritize critical infrastructure protection. The multilayer approach stops failure faster with fewer damaged structures than other methods. It identifies systems with influence going both ways, helping defenders prevent cascade failures.
Researchers have developed novel membranes that can pull lithium directly out of salt-lake brines using electricity, leaving other metal ions behind. The process could reduce the environmental impact of lithium mining and contribute to more efficient energy storage systems for renewable energy sources.
New Delhi's air pollution is more severe than previously estimated, with particles absorbing atmospheric water vapor leading to significant underestimation of particulate matter levels. The study highlights the importance of considering hygroscopic growth and its impact on air quality assessments.
Water movement on surfaces creates an irreversible electrical charge, with potential applications in improving safety and energy storage. The study found that the charge is generated at the interface between liquid and solid and can be retained in droplets as they move over the surface.
Researchers have developed cost-effective and efficient water-splitting catalysts using cobalt and tungsten, which surprisingly increase in performance over time. The unique self-optimization process involves changes in the chemical nature of the catalyzing oxide, leading to improved activity and reduced overpotentials.
The study categorizes CROP-AP models into four key types, highlighting five major applications in agricultural productivity simulation. Future research priorities focus on strengthening model validation and simulating multi-scale interactions to support sustainable global food production.
The ARRAKIS project team aims to understand how microbial life thrives in extreme environments by studying the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes in Alaska. Researchers will use Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to identify and quantify organic compounds and measure ATP and total DNA.
Elevated fluoride concentrations have been shown to impair cognitive abilities in children, particularly verbal reasoning skills and sensory processing. The study suggests that even low levels of exposure can have significant effects, highlighting the need for further research on fluoride health risks.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have enabled a paralyzed man to control a robotic arm through a device that relays signals from his brain to a computer. The device, known as a brain-computer interface (BCI), worked for a record 7 months without needing to be adjusted.
Researchers used terahertz spectroscopy to study agave plants' ability to retain water in dry environments. They found that agaves store water in a specialized leaf structure and fructans act like molecular sponges to retain moisture. This discovery could lead to better farming practices and drought-resistant crops
A new study by the University of Texas at Austin estimates that by 2050, new hydrogen production facilities in Texas could account for 2-6.8% of water demand in the state, disproportionately affecting water-stressed regions like the Gulf Coast.
Researchers have directly observed water molecules flipping before splitting, which explains why the process requires more energy than expected. This finding could lead to new insights into increasing the efficiency of water splitting, a crucial step in generating clean hydrogen fuel and producing breathable oxygen.
Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a method of artificial photosynthesis that uses sunlight and water to produce energy and valuable organic compounds from waste organic compounds. The technique, called APOS, represents a significant step toward sustainable energy and chemical production.
Researchers have developed a highly sensitive water contamination detection tool using a cantilever-based test that can detect metals like lead and cadmium at concentrations down to two and one parts per billion. The technology merges synthetic biology and nanotechnology, enabling rapid detection of chemicals in water.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a molecularly functionalized biomass hydrogels system that can pull drinkable water out of thin air. The system uses a two-step molecular engineering process to convert various natural products into sorbents, which can then be heated to release clean water.
The Lunar Thermal Mapper, built by researchers at the University of Oxford, will map surface temperature and composition of the lunar surface 12 times a day. The mission aims to shed light on the lunar water cycle and guide future robotic and human missions.
A Chinese rover has detected underground beach deposits on Mars, indicating the presence of an ancient sea that covered a significant portion of the planet. The deposits, which date back 4 billion years, were formed through wave action and sediment distribution, suggesting a long-lived body of water.
A Chinese rover has discovered underground beach deposits in an area thought to have once been the site of an ancient sea on Mars. The deposits, which are similar to those found on Earth, suggest that Mars had a long-lived body of water with wave action to distribute sediments along a sloping shoreline.
Researchers found that brewing tea can adsorb significant amounts of toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium from drinking water. The study revealed that steeping time played the most significant role in removing metal ions, with longer steeping times resulting in more effective filtering.
Researchers found that fog water can be harvested in the Atacama Desert to ease water scarcity affecting vulnerable populations. The collected water can be used for drinking, irrigation, and local food production, with potential yields of up to 300,000 liters per week.