Articles tagged with Water
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 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 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 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...
A new study found that high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with an elevated risk of premature death and incidence of cardiovascular disease among people with type 2 diabetes. Drinking healthier beverages like coffee, tea, and plain water was linked to lower risk of dying prematurely.
Researchers discovered a hydrogel material that maintains its ability to absorb moisture despite rising temperatures, contradicting intuition. The material, polyethylene glycol (PEG), doubles its water absorption between 25-50 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for passive cooling and water harvesting applications.
A study published in Nature Water shows that boil water alerts significantly disrupt student learning, with unexcused absence rates increasing between 1% and 10%. Chronic exposure to contaminated water can have long-term impacts on a child's life.
Research reveals that social inequalities are driving urban water crises in cities worldwide, with affluent individuals consuming a disproportionate share of water for leisure activities. The study suggests that addressing unsustainable water consumption among the wealthy is crucial to reducing these crises.
A UC Riverside-led study finds nearly half of domestic well water users in the Central Valley live in disadvantaged communities with high manganese contamination rates. The highest concentrations are found in private, untreated well water systems, posing health risks to fetuses and children.
A large typhoid outbreak on a Dutch ship was traced to contaminated drinking water, with 72 cases confirmed. The investigation found that sewage containing Salmonella typhi leaked into freshwater tanks, highlighting the importance of regular water quality inspections.
University of Illinois researchers create an electrode that attracts and captures short-chain PFAS, a type of 'forever chemical,' using electrosorption. The design allows for selective fluorophilic interactions, enabling the capture of these persistent contaminants from environment.
A team of researchers has created a two-stage device that uses acoustic forces to aggregate and remove microplastics from water samples. The device, made with steel tubes and pulsing sound waves, can remove over 70% of small plastics and 82% of large ones, making it a promising solution for removing microplastics from waterways.
A new study from the University of Surrey found that Water Safety Plans are not widely used in small drinking supplies in vulnerable rural areas due to a lack of awareness and training. This could put countless lives at risk, as these plans aim to improve the quality of small drinking water supplies.
Engineers at UBC developed a new water treatment that captures up to 99% of PFAS particles, eliminating them from drinking water. The technology is particularly beneficial for rural communities with limited resources, offering a decentralized and in-home solution.
Researchers have shed light on the molecular mechanisms allowing beetles to absorb water rectally, a property enabling them to survive in extremely dry environments. This knowledge could be used to develop more targeted and eco-friendly methods to combat beetle species that destroy food production.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have experimentally confirmed that nitrate can transport naturally occurring uranium from underground to groundwater. The study found that adding nitrate to water increased the amount of uranium carried away, implicating both nitrate and microorganisms in mobilizing the uranium.
A team of microbiologists proposes using powerful microbial technologies to reduce global and local challenges leading to conflict, including food supply security and pollution. The authors advocate for deploying these technologies to address humanitarian crises and advance Sustainable Development Goals.
A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that long-term exposure to nitrate in drinking water may increase the risk of prostate cancer, especially among younger men and those with aggressive tumors. Eating a diet rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables can help mitigate this effect.
Researchers used high-resolution microscopy to study the formation of ouzo droplets, finding a unique internal structure with concentrated anise extract at the edge and water/ethanol in the center. This discovery could help create highly stable emulsions in cosmetics and paints.
A model predicting oxygen levels in freshwater streams, developed by WVU researcher Omar Abdul-Aziz, helps determine stream pollution and health. The tool allows citizen scientists to take action on stream pollution, with potential applications for implementing the Clean Water Act.
Researchers have identified four simple ways to minimize the formation of potentially harmful disinfection byproducts when cooking pasta with iodized table salt and chloramine-treated water. By using straining noodles and boiling without a lid, people can significantly reduce their exposure to these compounds.
Researchers have created a simple and inexpensive method to disinfect drinking water using silver sulfide quantum dots encased in a peptide coat. When exposed to near-infrared light, these nanoparticles kill bacteria with high efficiency, making them a promising alternative to traditional methods.
Estuaries along the Atlantic coast and eastern Gulf of Mexico are expected to experience significant increases in nutrient loading, posing risks for harmful algal blooms and ecosystem health. The study identified regions with high adaptive capacity as having more resources to mitigate these effects.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have created a new method to monitor flocculation and mixing in real-time, allowing for more precise control over the process. This technique reduces energy consumption by halving the workload and improving precision.
Researchers will collect data on flood risk and septic health to identify areas most at risk of failure due to climate change. The team aims to provide data-driven solutions for equitable climate adaptation measures.
Scientists at UCI create a system using E. coli as a live sensor to detect heavy metal contamination in water, with a high sensitivity and accuracy of over 96%. The technology can be applied globally to monitor toxins in drinking and irrigation water, agricultural runoff, and industrial supplies.
A new study maps high arsenic levels in groundwater wells across northern Nevada, northeastern California, and western Utah, with over 49,000 users at risk. The model uses geologic, hydrologic, and tectonic variables to predict elevated arsenic levels, particularly in regions like Carson Desert basin and Truckee Meadows.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new ultrafast water disinfection method that uses locally enhanced electric field treatment, killing bacteria with nanosecond pulses. This technology reduces energy consumption by eight times and shortens treatment time by 1 million times, making it an affordable sanitatio...
Researchers found a significant gap between when private wells were sampled and when they were likely to become contaminated, with higher levels of bacteria detected in summer months. The study has implications for national and global water sources, highlighting the need for more guidance on seasonal timing for testing.
A York University study found that higher fluoride levels in drinking water may increase the risk of hypothyroidism in pregnant women, associated with a 65% increased risk. The study also suggests a potential mechanism for lower IQs in boys born to mothers with higher fluoride exposure.
A recent study by Crystal Lim found that obesity prevention programs combining nutrition and exercise components over an extended period had the most success in changing students' daily behaviors. Successful programs also included evidence-based strategies like goal setting, problem solving, and self-regulation techniques.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new solar absorber gel technology that can filter pollutants from water, producing almost fourfold more filtration rate than its predecessor. The device can provide enough clean water to meet daily demand in many parts of the world.
A sunlight-powered porous hydrogel inspired by loofahs can rapidly absorb and release purified water. The material has the potential to meet a person's daily demand, regardless of light conditions.
A new study by the University of Vienna shows that the persistence of acesulfame varies with temperature, making it an effective tracer for groundwater flows. The research team analyzed seasonal fluctuations in acesulfame concentrations to better understand subsurface processes and optimise waterworks operations.
Researchers have identified seven distinct species of whitefish in the Reuss river system, with two new species found in Lake Lucerne and one in Lake Zug. Eutrophication led to the extinction of several species, but the discovery highlights the unique characteristics of each lake's ecosystem.
Researchers found that small, disconnected wetlands are twice as effective in catching pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus. These isolated wetlands can protect lake or river ecosystems from pollution, improving water quality and biodiversity.
The study examines the impact of climate change and economic sustainability on drinking water management strategies. The integrated assessment framework assesses factors such as water quality, environmental changes, and potential costs to determine performance data and benchmarking.
A new study by Environmental Working Group scientists reveals that consuming one serving of freshwater fish per year is equivalent to ingesting water with high levels of the toxic chemical PFOS for a month. The study analyzed data from over 500 fish samples and found median amounts of PFAS in freshwater fish to be 280 times greater tha...
Research from Karolinska Institutet found high levels of antibiotic residues in waterways, including wastewater and drinking water, in regions such as China and India. The study suggests these residues contribute to antibiotic resistance, a global threat to human health.
A cross-disciplinary team at Northwestern University has developed a sensor platform that can detect environmental contaminants like fluoride in real-world samples. The team used an established riboswitch to build a biosensor for fluoride, encapsulating the sensor inside a fatty membrane to protect it from contaminants.
Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis found that manganese oxides can be formed without atmospheric oxygen under Mars-like conditions. The study, published in Nature Geoscience, used kinetic modeling to show that halogens like chlorate and bromate can convert manganese into minerals thousands of times faster than by oxygen.
A new study finds higher arsenic and uranium concentrations in public drinking water linked to communities with higher proportions of Hispanic/Latino and American Indian residents. The findings highlight inequalities in public water contaminant exposures affecting regions with more residents from communities of color.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have created a novel method to break down per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as 'forever chemicals', in contaminated water. The hydrogen-infusion and UV light-based process achieves high molecular destruction rates without generating unwanted byproducts.
A new study finds that areas with high levels of arsenic contamination in drinking water have a higher prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli in both water and child stool samples. The study highlights the potential for environmental drivers like arsenic to contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers found that rusty center pivots indicate a lack of nitrate in the groundwater they feed. In fact, most wells supplying full-rust and part-rust pivots had nitrate concentrations below the EPA's safety threshold. However, some part-rust pivots showed higher nitrate levels, highlighting the need for further investigation.
A new law restricts 1,4-dioxane levels in household cleaners and cosmetics, a potential human carcinogen common in everyday products. Experts recommend robust analytical methods for detection and quantification to meet regulatory requirements.
A Rutgers researcher has created a machine learning model that can estimate arsenic contamination in private wells without sampling the water. The model identifies geological bedrock type and soil type as primary contributors to higher arsenic concentrations, highlighting the need for targeted well testing programs.
Eun-Ah Kim and Michael Matty identified a phase in between solid and liquid for electron crystals, revealing their behavior under certain conditions. In this intermediate phase, electrons arrange themselves into tiny strips that can move around and orient themselves.
Researchers have launched five projects to investigate the impact of pollution on UK rivers, which fail to meet good ecological status due to pollutants like chemicals, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals. The projects aim to improve water quality, biodiversity, and resilience to climate change.
A new study published in Science found that the recommended eight 8-oz glasses of water per day is too high for human needs. Water turnover, measured objectively using a stable isotope technique, showed higher values in hot and humid environments, athletes, pregnant women, and individuals with high physical activity. The researchers de...
A new study of thousands measures daily water intake and turnover in people worldwide, revealing significant variations. The study found that physical activity level, sex, age, and environmental factors drive differences in water consumption.
Stanford researchers found that dams could store over 50% of water needed for crop irrigation, but emphasize alternatives like small dams and recharged groundwater systems as more environmentally friendly options. The study aims to increase food security without depleting water stocks or harming nature.
Two billion people globally rely on mountain water for drinking and irrigation, which is under threat due to global heating. Researchers propose integrated water strategies that include scientists working directly with communities to drive climate adaptation and boost water security.