Articles tagged with Water
A team of researchers at MIT has discovered a process where light can directly cause evaporation without heat, exceeding the thermal limit. This phenomenon could explain natural phenomena like fog and clouds, and enable new approaches to desalination.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan have developed a gaming strategy to strengthen vital infrastructure against malevolent attacks, aiming to ensure safety, health, and lives during emergencies. By identifying critical roads and intersections, they can reinforce them to minimize disruption.
A study of 74 children in rural Ethiopian villages found that higher exposure to fluoride was linked to more errors on drawing and memory tests. The results suggest a potential association between high fluoride levels and cognitive impairment, particularly during early brain development and childhood.
The study highlights that up to 80% of dye-containing industrial wastewaters are released untreated into waterways, posing direct and indirect threats to human, animal, and plant health. New sustainable technologies and regulations are needed to combat the issue.
A research team developed a low-cost, effective water filtration solution using clay pots lined with pine tree resin and silver particles. The device can purify water by removing bacteria and generating clean drinkable water, addressing the Navajo Nation's lack of access to clean water.
A research team developed a new mechanism to make water droplets slip off surfaces, creating the slipperiest liquid surface in the world. The discovery challenges existing ideas about friction between solid surfaces and water, opening up new avenues for studying droplet slipperiness.
Researchers have developed a new method to measure the duration and severity of hydrological droughts in streams and rivers, which can persist for up to 3.5 years after drought conditions end. The study found that baseflow droughts are strongly tied to groundwater levels and can impact water management and ecosystem services.
The publication provides comprehensive guidance on evaluating and using water safely in agriculture, with a focus on health and environmental protection. It offers technical solutions and good agricultural practices to mitigate risks from crop and livestock farming, fish farming, and wastewater use.
A Duke University study found glyphosate, active in Roundup, in high levels of wells supplying drinking water to Sri Lankan communities plagued by chronic kidney disease (CKDu). Elevated fluoride and vanadium also linked to CKDu were discovered. Glyphosate's persistence in hard water poses concerns for exposure.
A new study finds that many wells and community water systems in the US contain unsafe levels of toxic contaminants, including cancer-causing substances like arsenic and lead. Climate change will exacerbate the issue, particularly in underserved communities, as clean sources of drinking water become harder to find.
A study found that a water additive containing pomegranate extract can limit the formation of plaque and tartar in dogs after professional dental cleaning. The additive was shown to reduce plaque buildup by 47% and tartar by 24%, promoting healthy gums.
A University of Cincinnati study found that exposure to PFAS may delay the onset of puberty in girls by an average of five or six months. The researchers also discovered decreased hormone levels consistent with the delay, raising concerns about negative long-term health outcomes such as breast cancer and renal disease.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered that ultrasound can break down harmful PFAS compounds in groundwater, rendering them harmless. The technique works by emitting sound waves that compress and heat up the solution, breaking down the stable carbon-fluorine bonds that make up the toxic chemicals.
A new solar-powered desalination system can produce drinking water at a lower cost and rate than traditional tap water. The system, developed by MIT engineers and their Chinese collaborators, uses natural sunlight to evaporate seawater, leaving salt behind, and has a higher production rate and rejection rate than previous designs.
Researchers at SLU discovered high concentrations of microplastics in Cliff Cave's water and sediment, with highest levels near the entrance and in sediment. Flooding increases microplastic transport through the cave system, depositing debris in higher abundances near the mouth.
A study by the University of the Basque Country found that even highly diluted wastewater from treatment plants can exert significant effects on stream communities, reducing invertebrate diversity and altering trophic networks. The researchers emphasize the need for more stringent treatments to conserve freshwater food webs.
Researchers found treated sewage discharge to be the best predictor of high nutrient levels and algae blooms in four English rivers, even when agricultural pollution was present. The study highlights the disproportionate impact of sewage on river quality and calls for improved regulations and waste management practices.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a molecularly engineered hydrogel that can create clean water from hot air, using solar energy. The device produces up to 7 kilograms of water per kilogram of gel materials, with potential applications for drought-stricken areas and countries lacking access to clean water.
A study by the American Chemical Society found that rubber plumbing seals can release additives into drinking water, including 1,3 diphenylguanidine and N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-1,4-benzenediamine. The leaked compounds can form unwanted byproducts, which may pose a human health risk.
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals that poor water quality violations disproportionately affect the most vulnerable communities in the US. Approximately 70% of those affected ranked in the highest social vulnerability category, highlighting the need for a broader definition of disadvantaged communities beyo...
A study by Columbia University found major inequities in NYC's lead service line locations, with Hispanic/Latino communities and high-risk children most affected. The researchers recommend prioritizing lead service line replacement efforts for these communities to address water lead exposure disparities.
A new NIH study found that high levels of certain minerals and metals in environmental water supplies may increase the risk of nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary infections in people with cystic fibrosis. The presence of sulfate, vanadium, and molybdenum was positively associated with increased incidence of lung infections.
A team of engineers at Brown University discovered that drag on partially submerged objects can be three or four times greater than on fully submerged objects. The study found that the level of water repellency plays a key role in drag forces, with superhydrophobic materials encountering more drag.
Rivers and streams worldwide emit substantial amounts of methane, with human activity playing a primary role in controlling these emissions. The study's findings suggest that conservation and restoration efforts could reduce methane production, improving climate change dynamics.
A new study from the University of Notre Dame recommends building water projects that allow community collaboration, reducing distances and increasing equity. The research team created a unique dataset to optimize locations and found that community collaboration models outperform traditional methods.
A three-year study investigates how showerhead features affect concentrations of DWPIs in shower water and aerosols. The research aims to provide insights for consumers to select healthier showerheads and minimize exposure risks.
A new computer model quantifies the black market for drinking water in Jordan, revealing that 91% of traded water is extracted illegally. The study predicts a significant increase in household dependence on private water suppliers due to decreasing public water supply infrastructure.
A team of researchers has developed a new screening method to identify defective sensors, enabling the mass production of reliable graphene sensors for detecting toxins in water. The sensors can detect multiple contaminants simultaneously and provide early warning for contamination.
Geoscientists at Cornell University have discovered that gaseous carbon dioxide can trigger explosive eruptions in basaltic volcanoes. The research uses a new model to suggest that magma comes directly from the mantle, stored tens of kilometers below Earth's surface.
A new UNC study found significant disparities in testing and treatment of private wells among low-income and minority households in North Carolina. The research highlights alarming levels of contamination and unequal access to well testing and treatment.
A team of researchers at Texas A&M University has developed a new model to accurately measure ancient ocean temperatures using clumped isotopes. By understanding the reordering process, they were able to identify the role of water as an accelerator in resetting clumped isotope temperatures.
Researchers will survey residents of two Louisville neighborhoods to identify features that promote health and well-being. The project aims to create a 'universal basic neighborhood' that has all necessary community assets to help residents thrive.
Researchers at UBC's Bioreactor Technology Group have developed a method to concentrate and recycle phosphorous from municipal waste. The process converts organic components into a petroleum-like bio-crude and concentrates the phosphorous into a solid residue called hydrochar, which has 100 times higher total phosphorus than raw sludge.
Researchers at Politecnico di Milano used fibre optic sensors to monitor water pipelines and detected pressure anomalies caused by water leaks. The study's results confirm the possibility of identifying and localizing small water leaks, offering a potential solution to global water wastage.
A team of researchers from the University of Arizona is launching a $7 million consortium to improve water security and water reuse methods in the arid southwestern United States. The project aims to advance water treatment technologies and make systems more efficient, driving sustainable practices.
A new study found that manganese concentrations in a Massachusetts community's drinking water often exceeded recommended guidelines, posing a risk to children and vulnerable communities. The study suggests the need for an enforceable primary drinking water standard for manganese to better protect public health.
A new study suggests that while winter cover crops can reduce nitrogen pollution by up to 30%, their effectiveness will decrease under future climate scenarios. Illinois' corn yields are expected to suffer more than soybean yields, especially in southern regions, as warmer temperatures and changing rainfall patterns impact crop growth.
A WVU researcher is working to understand the unknowns about microorganisms growing inside pipes that bring drinking water to homes and businesses. Biofilms can be detrimental to drinking water quality, but the researcher aims to develop strategies for maintaining water quality throughout complex infrastructures.
Climate change is shifting snowfall to rainfall on mountains across the Northern Hemisphere, increasing the risk of floods, landslides, and soil erosion. The study found that for every 1 degree Celsius increase in global temperature, high elevations can expect an average of 15% more rain.
A recent study published in Science of the Total Environment found a scarcity of studies on microbial and chemical drinking water contamination in Appalachia and associated health outcomes. Only 85 publications met the criteria, with many gaps remaining to be filled.
A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that the Final Arsenic Rule successfully reduced water arsenic exposure for many US communities, particularly those with high initial exposure levels and marginalized populations. The rule, implemented in 2006, reduced the maximum contaminant level to 10 μg/L.
Researchers detected elevated PFAS levels in dogs and horses from Gray's Creek, NC, with horses showing lower concentrations. The study highlights the importance of horses as sentinel species for monitoring PFAS exposure.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside have developed a low-cost technology using biochar to remove harmful compounds from reclaimed water, making it safe for agricultural reuse. The biochar-based polishing systems have shown promising results in removing antibiotics and resistant bacteria, potentially reducing the spr...
A study by Lund University researchers discovered that predatory bacteria, like Bdellovibrio, grew in number and consumed other bacteria when chlorine was removed from drinking water. This finding suggests that efficient filtration systems can reduce the need for chlorine, offering hope for a chlorine-free future.
Researchers at MIT have developed a superabsorbent material that can soak up record amounts of moisture from the air, even in dry conditions. The material is made by infusing hydrogel with lithium chloride and has shown to absorb and retain unprecedented amounts of water vapor.
A team of researchers from Syracuse University and Texas A&M University applied a machine learning model to explore the sources of salinization and alkalinization in U.S. watersheds. The study found that human activities, such as road salt application, were major contributors to salinity, while natural processes dominated alkalinity.
Professor Lapointe suggests treating certain types of wastewater with passive, modular, and decentralized solutions, reducing techno-economic barriers. These solutions include bioretention cells, aggregate-decant systems, and seepage areas through functionalized soils.
Research highlights chronic exposure to contaminant metals as a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Monitoring environmental metal levels and testing individuals can help implement public health initiatives.
A team of researchers from China and the UK has developed new ways to optimise the production of solar fuels by creating novel photocatalysts. These photocatalysts, such as titanium dioxide with boron nitride, can absorb more wavelengths of light and produce more hydrogen compared to traditional methods.
A new paper argues that biological materials are defined by the water that permeates them, creating a class of 'hydration solids' with unique properties. The research resolves long-standing mysteries and predicts exciting phenomena in materials.
The study assesses and quantifies safety and justice for humanity on Earth, finding that numerous boundaries are already transgressed. The results conclude that a just approach is essential to planetary stability, and setting targets can prevent significant harm.
A new assessment by University of Colorado at Boulder researchers reveals that over 50% of the world's largest lakes are losing water. The study found that climate change and unsustainable human consumption are major contributors to this decline, with many lakes in dry and wet regions experiencing significant losses.
A new study links disproportionate siting of PFAS sources near watersheds serving communities with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic/Latino residents. The research suggests that regulating PFAS releases and ensuring safe drinking water is crucial in protecting public health, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Researchers developed algorithms to analyze acoustic signals from fire hydrant-mounted hydrophones, pinpointing leaks in aging water distribution networks. This technology supports water conservation efforts, especially in the Western US where leaks are a significant issue.
A new analysis by Duke University researchers finds that 17% of US households face growing water affordability challenges, affecting nearly half the population. The study recommends solutions such as utility customer assistance programs and policy reforms to address income inequality and infrastructure costs.
A team of researchers used JWST to observe GJ 1214b's atmosphere, discovering water vapor and a reflective haze. The findings suggest the planet is too hot to be habitable but likely contains significant amounts of water.
A study analyzing the affordability of water services for 28.3 million people in the US found that 15% of households, or one in seven, face financial hardship in paying for access to water and wastewater services. The researchers suggest that solutions require comprehensive strategies at local, state, and federal levels.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health estimates that regulations reducing lead and copper contamination in drinking water generate $9.2 billion in health benefits annually, exceeding the EPA's public estimates by an order of magnitude. The analysis also reveals at least $2 billion in infrastructure benefits, bringi...
The World Health Organization's draft guidelines for PFAS in drinking water exceed recommended levels, ignoring decades of human health studies linking PFAS to cancer, liver damage, and immune system harm. Experts call for a complete overhaul or withdrawal of the guidance due to its 'arbitrary' technological basis.
A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health finds that water arsenic levels are associated with higher urinary arsenic among the U.S. population, especially in public water supplies in the West and South regions. The researchers found that private well users and those in public water systems have higher urinary a...