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Surfing webcams help demystify Oregon’s coastal fog

Scientists use commercially available surfing webcams to measure Oregon's coastal fog, revealing patchy fog patterns along 93 miles of coastline. The study found that airport measurements were a good indication of average monthly fog frequency, but surface weather conditions at the airport were not sufficient for real-time fog detection.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalAgricultural and Forest Meteorology·DateJul 20, 2026

Fantastic fungi found with ability to freeze water

Researchers have identified fungal proteins that can catalyze ice formation at high subzero temperatures, making them a potential alternative to toxic silver iodide in cloud seeding. The discovery could lead to safer weather modification and improved food preservation techniques.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 17, 2026

Anti-fatberg invention could help unclog city sewers

Engineers from RMIT University have invented a protective coating for concrete pipes that can help drastically reduce the formation of fatbergs in sewers. The coating reduces build-up of FOG on concrete by 30% and is stable in water, withstanding temperatures up to 850 degrees Celsius.

SourceRMIT University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 13, 2024

A wearable sensor supported by machine learning models is used to monitor and quantify freezing of gait (FOG) episodes in people with Parkinson's disease

A wearable sensor supported by machine learning models can continuously monitor and quantify FOG episodes, providing an accurate picture of a patient's condition. This technology has the potential to support the development of new treatments and improve the lives of people with Parkinson's disease.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 18, 2024

How light can vaporize water without the need for heat

MIT researchers demonstrate that light can break water molecules away from the surface and float them into the air, causing evaporation in the absence of heat. This phenomenon has significant implications for understanding cloud formation and precipitation, as well as designing new industrial processes such as solar-powered desalination.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2024

Unraveling the mysteries of fog in complex terrain

A study led by University of Utah researchers has shed new light on how fog forms in mountainous areas, providing insights for improving forecasts. The team used high-resolution data and modeling to better understand the complex physical processes involved in fog formation.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·TypeObservational study·DateDec 27, 2023

Transparent wood-based coating doesn’t fog up

A team of scientists at Aalto University has created a bio-based transparent film from lignin nanoparticles, offering an alternative to toxic synthetic materials. The coating can be used on glasses, windshields, and other surfaces, and also displays coloured films with structural colours.

SourceAalto University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateSep 26, 2023

Collecting clean water from fog

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method that collects and purifies water from fog simultaneously, rendering it safe for use in densely populated urban centers. The technology uses a close-mesh lattice coated with polymers and titanium dioxide to break down organic pollutants.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Sustainability·DateAug 17, 2023

The future is foggy for Arctic shipping

A new study finds that Arctic shipping is plagued by increasing fog, which reduces visibility and causes costly delays. Ships crossing the Northwest Passage are more likely to encounter fog than those in the Northern Sea Route, leading to increased sailing times and costs.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 27, 2023

World’s strongest MRI investigates COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue impacts on the brain

The study found that ME/CFS patients have a significantly larger brainstem compared to those without the condition. Smaller midbrain volumes were associated with more severe breathing difficulties in ME/CFS patients. The research suggests that brainstem dysfunction may contribute to neurological and cardiorespiratory symptoms.

SourceGriffith University·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateMar 15, 2023

COVID-19 can cause 'face blindness'

A Dartmouth study found that COVID-19 can cause 'prosopagnosia,' or face blindness, and impairments in navigational abilities. Researchers worked with a patient who experienced difficulty recognizing faces and navigating, leading to dissociation between face recognition and cognitive map representation.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalCortex·TypeCase study·DateMar 13, 2023

Researchers’ flow platform advances water harvesting technology

Researchers have advanced a novel platform to accelerate the harvesting process, solving a key problem in water collection by removing thermal barriers. The design features mushroom-like channels that direct water droplets into collectible containers, allowing for continuous water harvesting anywhere.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2022

Global consortium study, supported by the Alzheimer’s Association, aims to shed light on viruses’ impact on the brain

A global consortium study aims to understand the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the brain, with researchers evaluating over 1,000 participants worldwide. The study, led by UT Health San Antonio, uses advanced brain imaging and neuropsychological tests to assess cognitive function and identify potential causes of long-term brain changes.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia Translational Research & Clinical Interventions·TypeObservational study·DateSep 22, 2022

Is brain fog limited to humans?

A study found that brain fog-like impairment is a problem in many animal species due to infection and disease, including humans. Cognitive impairments have been observed in birds, bees, rats, and other species, with various causes such as parasite damage, immune response, and malnutrition.

SourceHamilton College·JournalCell·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 8, 2022

Astronomers develop novel way to ‘see’ the first stars through the fog of the early Universe

A team of astronomers has developed a novel way to observe the first stars and galaxies, detecting light through the fog of the early Universe. The Square Kilometre Array will likely make images of the earliest light, but current telescopes struggle to detect the cosmological signal through hydrogen clouds.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateJul 21, 2022

Discovery uncovers a new leaf for redwoods

Researchers discovered that redwood trees have two functionally distinct leaves: one type specializes in converting sunlight into sugar through photosynthesis, while the other absorbs water. This adaptation allows the world's tallest trees to survive in a range of conditions, from wet forests to dry environments.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 16, 2022

Catching the fog as it rolls in

Researchers develop efficient fog filter design using structured nylon nets to capture fog droplets, offering alternative source of fresh water in drought-stricken regions. The design is inspired by the unique abilities of Namib desert beetles and textile-based face masks.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateNov 10, 2021

New shapes of laser beam 'sneak' through opaque media

Researchers at Yale University have developed a technique to pre-treat laser beams, allowing them to penetrate opaque surfaces undisturbed. This breakthrough has potential applications for deep-tissue imaging and optogenetics, where light is used to probe and manipulate cells in living tissue.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Photonics·DateMar 4, 2019

Wringing water from the air

Scientists are working on technologies to collect water from the air, which could help alleviate global water shortages. Researchers have developed various approaches, including fog-harvesting systems and liquid desiccants, that can reduce costs and scale up production.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateOct 17, 2018

Harvesting water from fog with harps (video)

Researchers have developed a type of 'harp' to collect fresh water from fog, outperforming traditional mesh devices. The new harp technology consistently collected more water than equivalent meshes at all wire diameters, with the finest wires collecting over three times the amount.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 18, 2018

'Fog harp' increases collection capacity for clean water

Researchers at Virginia Tech have improved the traditional design of fog nets to increase their collection capacity by threefold using a 'fog harp' system featuring vertical wire arrays. This innovative design sheds tiny water droplets faster and more efficiently, increasing overall water yield.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMar 28, 2018

Shape-changing fog screen invented

Researchers at the University of Sussex have developed a shape-changing fog screen called MistForm, allowing users to interact with 2D and 3D objects in mid-air. The display optimizes visibility and facilitates interaction, adapting to single or multiple users.