Articles tagged with Water
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
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Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
A study by researchers in Berlin and Milan found that floods can increase bacteria concentrations in groundwater due to reduced purification capacity of bank filtration. The research highlights the importance of considering seasonal dynamics and sediment properties in risk assessment practices.
A study by researchers from the University of Leeds and colleagues found that 80% of community water supply systems in Ghana, Mali, and Niger had at least one lead-containing component. Sixty percent of tested water samples contained lead, with nine percent exceeding World Health Organisation guidelines.
A new method introduces faster and more reliable measurement of water pollution by detecting oxygen consumption in wastewater samples. This approach distinguishes between pollutants from sewage and naturally occurring organic matter.
Researchers at Shinshu University developed an affordable portable sensor using lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to detect fluoride levels in drinking water. The device is compatible with local populations and can be produced locally, aiming to improve access to safe water and sanitation for all
Researchers have developed xylem filters made from native trees that can remove bacteria and viruses from contaminated drinking water, showing promise as a community-based solution. The filters can be fabricated using simple techniques and have been tested in India, demonstrating their effectiveness in real-world situations.
A major new study from Denmark and USA finds that even small amounts of nitrates in mothers' drinking water result in smaller babies, with an average weight loss of 10 grams. The study, which analyzed over 850,000 births, challenges the current threshold value for nitrate levels in drinking water.
The MDI Biological Laboratory will collaborate with the Maine CDC to test 500 wells from student households in Maine, focusing on arsenic mitigation and data literacy. The grant aims to reduce environmental health hazards and develop tools for effective program evaluation.
A study of 850,000 Danish pregnancies found that nitrate in maternal drinking water was associated with lower birth weights and smaller body lengths, highlighting a critical data gap in current water standards for nitrate.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have shown that existing water purification plants can effectively remove nearly all enveloped viruses from drinking water. Using a coronavirus surrogate, they found that coagulation reduced viral quantities by 99.999%, meeting EPA regulations.
Researchers at NUS have created a substance that extracts water from air without external power, producing up to 17 litres of water per day. The 'smart' aerogel autonomously gathers and condenses water molecules, meeting World Health Organization standards for drinking water.
A Stanford study reveals that installing piped water closer to remote households in Zambia improves the lives of women and girls by reducing fetching time, increasing economic opportunities, and enhancing well-being. Households with piped water spend up to 80% less time fetching water, allowing for more time on productive activities li...
A novel, inexpensive chlorine dispensing device has been developed to improve tap water safety in regions with limited financial resources and infrastructure. The device, which requires no electricity or moving parts, releases measured quantities of chlorine into the water before it exits the tap.
WVU is launching a three-year drinking water testing and community engagement program to educate West Virginians about safe drinking water. The program will focus on several counties, providing free drinking water tests and support for interpreting results.
A study found high levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water in some Chinese cities, exceeding international guideline levels. The findings suggest urgent need for elimination of these chemicals from drinking water and better control and reduction of PFAS releases.
Desalination membranes' density distribution at the nanoscale is crucial for performance. Thinner membranes with consistent density improve water filtration, contrary to previous thought that thickness matters more. This breakthrough could lead to 30-40% efficiency increase and cost savings.
A recent NSF grant aims to address salt pollution in freshwaters, a growing environmental threat. The project seeks to develop new infrastructure designs and everyday choices that reduce salt use.
Research studies have detected microplastics in drinking water globally, particularly in California and New York. These findings highlight the urgent need for standardization of methods to analyze microplastics and implementation of regulations to mitigate their impact on human health.
Researchers discovered water's unique properties when confined in a tiny cage, facilitating access to the catalytic center. The team showed that water forms a droplet inside the cage, structurally and dynamically distinct from known phases of water.
A new study found significant inequalities in public drinking water arsenic exposure across US regions and sociodemographic subgroups. Despite a decline in national arsenic levels, Hispanic communities and those relying on groundwater continued to exceed maximum contaminant levels, raising environmental justice concerns.
Researchers found that residual disinfectants in drinking water distribution systems react with chromium in iron pipes to produce carcinogenic hexavalent chromium. The study recommends reducing the use of pipes with high levels of chromium alloy and using a less reactive disinfectant.
A new transistor detects glyphosate in drinking water at 0.26 parts per million, outperforming conventional sensors with a detection limit of 0.95 ppm. The device works by adding copper ions that bind to the herbicide molecules, causing a detectable reduction in electric current.
The Rappbode Reservoir in Germany is facing new challenges due to climate change, with projected temperature increases that could lead to significant changes in the reservoir's physical structure. This could result in increased oxygen demand, intensified nutrient dissolution, and algae growth, posing a risk to the drinking water supply.
A newly published Science journal paper reveals that water can exist as two liquids of differing density, with noticeably different properties and a 20% difference in density. The discovery explains many of water's anomalous properties and has significant implications for various scientific and engineering applications.
Environmental scientists at TalTech have developed a new ozonation method to treat drinking water contaminated with pharmaceutical residues. The study compared the efficiency of ozone, ozone/hydrogen peroxide and ozone/persulfate processes in degrading sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, finding promising results for the O3/PS process.
A new international study reveals that collecting drinking water can cause serious injury, with 13% of respondents reporting an injury while fetching water. Women are twice as likely to be hurt as men, highlighting the social and gender inequities of this hidden global health challenge.
Researchers estimate that the moon could harbor roughly 15,000 square miles of permanent shadows, reservoirs that might preserve water via ice. These cold traps, found in craters near the poles, could be more common than previously thought and may hold pockets of ice.
A new study by the Environmental Working Group estimates that more than 200 million Americans could have toxic PFAS in their drinking water. The analysis found high levels of PFAS in major metropolitan areas and dozens of U.S. cities, highlighting the widespread contamination issue.
Researchers at UToledo are developing new technologies using native freshwater bacteria to remove microcystin toxins from drinking water. The bacteria can destroy toxins produced during harmful algal blooms at levels exponentially above current exposure guidelines.
A study by Haizhou Liu and colleagues reveals that corroded cast iron pipes can react with residual disinfectants to form Cr(VI), a known carcinogen. The researchers suggest using less-reactive disinfectants and replacing cast iron pipes with chromium alloy could help mitigate Cr(VI) levels in drinking water.
Insufficient knowledge of thermodynamic and kinetic factors governing lead release led to the Flint Water Crisis. Understanding these factors can help anticipate and prevent lead contamination.
Researchers developed a filtration system that combines a polymer membrane with activated carbon to eliminate estradiol in drinking water. The method achieves an efficiency of more than 99%, reaching the European Commission's reference value of 1 nanogram per liter.
A new, efficient method to detect toxic heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, and chromium in vegetables and drinking water has been developed by researchers at the University of Johannesburg. The technique combines established methods with automation and can test for multiple metals simultaneously.
A new study found that geographical areas with high levels of lithium in public drinking water had correspondingly lower suicide rates. Lithium, known for its anti-suicidal effect, is widely used as a medication for mood disorders and has potential preventative use to combat dementia.
The Flint water crisis resulted from simultaneous failures of federal drinking water standards and Michigan's emergency manager law, which exacerbated local financial challenges. The crisis offers lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic on building healthy communities through investments in modern infrastructure.
A new laser-based method can evaporate and purify contaminated water with over 100% efficiency, reducing contaminants to safe levels for drinking. The technology uses sunlight to heat water, eliminating microbial pathogens and heavy metals, and is easy to clean and aim.
Children living in homes with private wells were more likely to have elevated blood lead levels than those with city water. Researchers found that African American neighborhoods lacking access to municipal water service faced compounded risks.
A nationwide analysis found Southwestern US correctional facilities' drinking water contains average arsenic concentrations twice as high as other community systems. This puts inmates at risk for chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that PFAS exposure may cause menopause to occur two years earlier in women. High levels of PFAS were associated with an increased risk of early menopause, which could have significant impacts on cardiovascular and bone health.
Researchers have found that PFAS chemicals have dispersed more broadly than previously thought, contaminating surface water and soil up to 30 miles from a manufacturing facility. The study's findings suggest that these chemicals could be carried into groundwater, highlighting the need for wider monitoring of PFAS exposure.
A new study presents a detailed global prediction map of groundwater arsenic concentrations, revealing previously unidentified areas of potential contamination. The map highlights high-risk regions in Asia and South America, where millions are at risk of drinking water containing harmful levels of arsenic.
Researchers found that aluminum can increase lead's solubility under certain conditions, leading to higher levels of lead in drinking water. This discovery was made by studying the interaction between aluminum and phosphate in a lab setting.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that clay layers do not always protect groundwater from arsenic contamination. In fact, distant municipal pumping can trigger the release of arsenic below such clay layers, putting thousands of people at risk in Bangladesh and potentially other regions worldwide.
Researchers discovered that desert microbes extract water from rocks by producing biofilms that prompt mineral dissolution. These endolithic microbes have adapted to extremely dry environments, transforming gypsum into anhydrite through a process involving structurally ordered water extraction and phase transformation.
Researchers discovered that microorganisms change the rock's nature by extracting water, causing a phase transformation from gypsum to anhydrite. The organisms use organic acids to penetrate the rock and access water, revealing an innovative survival strategy.
A recent study published in Water Research found that superoxide initiates the production of hydroxyl radicals, which then break down poorly biodegradable organic matter. This reaction is a natural process that can remove persistent natural and anthropogenic organic matter from lakes.
A new study by Duke University finds that US community water systems are disproportionately affected by droughts, with low-income and minority neighborhoods facing the highest risks. The analysis highlights the need for a fundamental re-evaluation of how these systems are managed and funded to ensure equal access to safe drinking water.
A new study by researchers from the University of Michigan found that several commercially available arsenic test kits performed poorly, with some underestimating arsenic levels by a factor of two. The most accurate kits returned field-test values closest to lab-tested arsenic values, while others produced lighter color test strips tha...
A study by the Environmental Working Group found that all 26 reviewed PFAS chemicals exhibit at least one carcinogenic characteristic. Exposure to these chemicals increases the risk of cancer and other serious health concerns, including reproductive harms and reduced vaccine effectiveness.
A study found that drinking water quality in homes differs by room and changes with seasons, raising concerns about water safety. Researchers collected data 58 times at a single house over a year, logging 222,000 hours and 2.4 billion records.
Researchers at Drexel University have found a way to destroy toxic compounds, ominously dubbed 'forever chemicals,' that have contaminated the drinking water of millions across the US. The team uses a blast of charged gas, called cold plasma, to eliminate PFAS from water without heating it up.
A new Duke University study found that many household filters are only partially effective at removing toxic perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from drinking water. Activated-carbon filters removed an average of 73% of PFAS contaminants, while reverse osmosis filters and two-stage filters achieved near-complete removal.
Researchers found that contaminant concentrations increased during warmer months, with higher risk to fish during spawning stages. The study also discovered that nonpoint sources, such as agricultural runoff, were the primary contributor to contaminant levels in high-flow periods.
New study reveals previously unknown, highly toxic compounds formed when chlorine disinfects drinking water. The discovery raises questions about the need for chlorination and potential alternatives like ozone treatment or filtration.
Researchers from Washington University found that adding orthophosphate to the water supply before switching to chloramine can prevent lead contamination. In their experiment, lead levels remained below 10 micrograms/liter in pipes treated with orthophosphate, whereas levels rose above 80 micrograms/liter in control pipes.
A large-scale study by ISGlobal found that exposure to trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water is associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. The researchers estimated that 6,561 cases of bladder cancer are attributable to THM exposure in the European Union annually.
The MDI Biological Laboratory is expanding its SEPA program to assess seasonal variations of arsenic in well water. The program aims to improve public health and stimulate interest in STEM fields among secondary school students through citizen science engagement.
A new test developed by Northwestern University can detect high levels of fluoride in drinking water, exceeding EPA standards. The test is inexpensive, easy to use, and requires no scientific expertise, making it a potential solution for communities with naturally high fluoride levels.
Researchers at Washington State University found that donors feel betrayed when their money is redirected from a specific project to another cause, even if the new use is for a worthwhile purpose. Donors are less likely to give again or volunteer for the charity.
Purdue University researchers have developed patented technology to eliminate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), linked to cancer, thyroid issues, and other health concerns. The team's innovation uses nickel and iron nanoparticles to capture and destroy these contaminants in groundwater.
The American Chemical Society has identified 10 emerging start-ups revolutionizing the field of chemistry, from pharmaceuticals to green chemistry processes. These companies are addressing global issues such as microcontaminant removal, sustainable materials, and climate change.