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Induced seismicity and fluid injection

Researchers developed a model forecasting earthquake hazards in Oklahoma due to fluid injection, highlighting the importance of pore pressure diffusion and poroelastic stresses. The study found that mandatory reduction in injection volumes substantially reduced earthquake probability in western Oklahoma but not central Oklahoma.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2019

Predicting earthquake hazards from wastewater injection

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a method to predict seismic activity from wastewater disposal, which can help the energy industry manage injection-caused earthquakes and reduce risks. The team's physics-based framework successfully reproduces the distribution of actual earthquakes by frequency, magnitude, and time.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2019

Supercomputers use graphics processors to solve longstanding turbulence question

Researchers at Imperial College London used supercomputers and graphics processors to simulate turbulent fluid flow and solve a longstanding question about disturbance dissipation. Their results lead to the development of new empirical models for turbulence, improving engineering designs in fields like wind turbines and Formula 1 cars.

SourceImperial College London·JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics·DateJul 25, 2019

Box-sized sensor brings portable, noninvasive fluid monitoring to the bedside

A portable, noninvasive fluid monitoring device has been developed using nuclear magnetic resonance technology, providing accurate measurements of leg fluid buildup in patients with end-stage kidney disease. The device's portability and ease-of-use could enable clinicians to track fluid buildup at the bedside, improving patient care.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 24, 2019

News from the diamond nursery

Scientists have recreated the conditions of the Earth's mantle, where diamonds form, by simulating extreme pressure and heat. They found that the sediments represent a plausible source of potassium for the saline fluid inclusions in diamonds.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 19, 2019

Using waves to move droplets

Scientists have developed a method to transport individual droplets using transverse surface waves, enabling more efficient applications in lab-on-a-chip systems and self-cleaning surfaces. This technology also opens up possibilities for harvesting moisture from the air and improving blood tests.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 14, 2019

The bacteria building your baby

A recent study found that nearly all newborns had bacteria in their first poop, contradicting the long-held assumption of a sterile womb. The researchers collected amniotic fluid samples from 50 healthy women undergoing planned caesarean deliveries and discovered bacterial DNA in almost all viable samples.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateJun 5, 2019

No assumptions needed to simulate petroleum reservoirs

Researchers found that by making the right choices in modeling, temperature gradients can accurately predict pressure and composition changes without assumptions. The study developed an equation to express pressure gradient, which revealed special cases where residual entropy affects pressure gradients.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJun 5, 2019

Defying the laws of physics? Columbia engineers demonstrate bubbles of sand

Researchers at Columbia University have discovered a new family of gravitational instabilities in granular particles, where lighter grains rise through heavier grains like 'fingers' and 'bubbles'. This phenomenon sheds light on geological processes and has potential applications in pharmaceutical production and carbon capture.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 22, 2019

'Flight recorder' of rocks within the Earth's crust

Daniela Rubatto's research provides a new way to connect minerals' ages to their formation conditions, reconstructing the speed and duration of rock travel within the Earth's crust. Her innovative method uses an ion microprobe to extract valuable information from minerals, contributing to better understanding geological processes.

Cell editors correct genetic errors

Scientists have successfully transferred a key part of the plant's RNA editing mechanism into a bacterium, confirming a long-held theory about its functioning. This breakthrough improves our understanding of this widespread mechanism and opens up new avenues for research.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalCommunications Biology·DateMar 1, 2019

Practices related to fluid volume that are important for dialysis patients' health

Regular and careful assessment of target weight and fluid balance is crucial for dialysis patients' health and survival. The study highlights the importance of protocols that specify dry weight assessments and routine postural blood pressure measurements to lower all-cause and cardiovascular deaths.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 5, 2019