Articles tagged with Particulate Matter
University of Chicago researchers have discovered that dry granular materials can form water-like droplets when poured, revolutionizing the way we understand particle transport and manipulation. The study's findings could lead to more efficient oil refining, plastics manufacturing, and pharmaceutical production processes.
Particulate air pollution during the 2008 Beijing Olympics was twice as high as recent games in Athens and triple that of Atlanta. Despite government efforts to reduce pollution, levels were unacceptable for most dangerous particulate matter 100% of the time, posing serious health risks to athletes and spectators.
A new study finds that exposure to particulate matter can reprogram genes associated with tumor suppression, affecting cancer development and outcomes. The changes are detectable after just three days of exposure, raising hopes for early interventions to prevent or reverse gene programming.
A nationwide study found that long-term exposure to elevated ground ozone significantly raises the risk of dying from lung disease. The risk is more than 30 percent greater in metropolitan areas with high ozone concentrations compared to those with low concentrations.
A new study by the American Geophysical Union estimates that commercial ships emit 0.9 teragrams of particulate pollution annually, contributing almost 30% of smog-forming nitrogen oxide gases. The study highlights the significant health risks to coastal communities due to ship pollutants.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that indoor particulate matter pollution is associated with a significant increase in asthma symptoms among children. Fine particles were also linked to an increase in wheezing and respiratory issues.
A new study reveals that robots struggle to traverse sandy terrain due to rotational motion of their limbs. To overcome this, researchers recommend slowing down leg movement, especially when the sand is loosely packed, and adjusting parameters such as limb rotation frequency and angle.
A recent study by Brigham Young University and Harvard School of Public Health found that reducing air pollution in the US increases life expectancy by nearly three years, with cleaner air contributing up to five months of that increase.
A University of Houston-led research team has developed a method to identify pollution sources using unique identifiers found in fine particulate matter. The findings suggest that people living close to highways and refineries are more likely to become seriously ill.
Italian researchers measured particulate matter from natural gas domestic burners and found high concentrations in stove tops, emitting larger amounts of ultrafine particles. The study provides important insights into the environmental health consequences associated with common home appliances.
The University of Copenhagen has received funding to establish a new center for pharmaceutical nanotechnology and nanotoxicology, aiming to optimize delivery systems and therapeutic benefits. The center will focus on rational design of nanotechnology materials and tools to improve therapeutic benefit-to-risk ratio.
The team, led by Assistant Professor Dan Negrut, is working on detecting collisions between particles and predicting frictional contact forces using GPU computation. This technology has the potential to improve vehicle design, particularly for construction equipment and tire treads.
A new study analyzing particulate matter from Southern California wildfires confirms that the composition of smoke posed more serious potential threats to health than is generally realized. The study found that fire emissions produce a significantly larger aerosol in size, making it easier for particles to penetrate indoor structures.
Clemson University researcher John R. Saylor has received a $700,000 CDC grant to investigate methods for reducing harmful particulate levels in coal mines. The goal is to lower the incidence of black lung disease and its affiliated ailments by lowering coal-mine dust exposure.
A study found no significant association between exposure to coarse particulate matter and emergency hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. However, there was a statistically significant association between fine particulate matter and increased risk of illness and death.
A nationwide study found a significant association between coarse particulate matter and increased risk of cardiovascular disease hospital admissions. The research also suggested that the risk was higher in more urban counties.
A study found a strong association between air pollution and an increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, with higher exposure levels leading to faster clotting. The risk was stronger in men than women, highlighting the need for tighter air quality standards.
Researchers found that arable land and steppe-formation processes can significantly affect global air quality, as evidenced by a dust cloud from southern Ukraine that caused extreme particulate matter concentrations in Central Europe. The study highlights the need for better understanding of dust transport and formation processes, part...
Biomonitoring utilizes bioindicators to detect pollutant accumulation and provides real-time trend monitoring. This approach is particularly suitable for environments where technological monitoring is impossible or too costly.
Fine particulate matter pollution linked to increased death rates from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Adopting the WHO standard of 10 µg/m3 could delay up to 7% of early deaths, while meeting the US EPA standard of 15 µg/m3 would only delay 1.6%. Reducing PM2.5 levels can also save billions in healthcare costs.
A new NASA study estimates that most US ground-level particulate pollution comes from regional sources within North America. The research found that controlling local pollution emissions is the most effective way to manage US air quality.
Researchers find liquid-like behavior in granular particles bouncing off a target, similar to quark-gluon plasma experiments. The discovery provides insight into phenomena beyond equilibrium states, revealing classical concepts influencing quantum-scale events.
Exposure to particulate matter in mice triggers lung macrophages to produce IL-6, leading to accelerated blood clotting and thrombus formation. Targeting IL-6 may decrease the risk of heart problems caused by air pollution.
Researchers found that indoor concentrations of particulate pollution frequently exceeded standards for outdoor air, with high levels recorded in homes of patients with COPD. The study highlights the need for further research into the impact of indoor air quality on adults with COPD.
Researchers at Stanford University measure secondhand smoke concentrations in automobiles and find that passengers are exposed to unhealthy levels of particulates. The study's findings suggest that banning smoking in cars with children present could help reduce the risk of health problems.
Peter J. Adams, an associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has been awarded a $900,000 research grant from the EPA to develop integrated models simulating air pollution from local to global scales. The study aims to improve understanding of particulate matter and its health impacts.
Scientists at UC Irvine found that ozone-emitting air purifiers can create additional microscopic particles when used with household cleaning products, increasing harmful particulate matter levels. The researchers developed a mathematical model to predict whether an air purifier will make the air dirtier in a given indoor environment.
A University of Washington study found that women living in areas with higher levels of air pollution have a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease and dying from cardiovascular causes. Fine particulate matter, tiny airborne particles, were linked to a significant increase in cardiovascular disease events.
Researchers at UCI create tool to analyze thousands of variables, predicting potential effect of distributed generation on Southern California air by 2010. The study found that maximum levels of ozone and particulate matter could increase slightly, but the impact would be far less than other power-production alternatives.
A new study found that air pollution increases the risk of death by 32% for people with diabetes, 28% for those with COPD, and 27% for those with congestive heart failure. Lowering air pollution levels can lead to improved health outcomes and longer lifespans.
A new study reveals that particulate pollution from factories and cars can warm the Arctic by changing clouds into more effective blankets. The effect is most pronounced in winter when the air is dark and polluted.
A follow-up study found that reducing fine particulate matter by one µg/m3 decreases death rates by three percent. This reduction is associated with a significant decrease in mortality rates, particularly in cities with the greatest reductions in air pollution.
A study found that cities with reduced fine particulate matter pollution (PM2.5) had lower adjusted mortality rates, especially for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The largest drops in mortality rates were seen in cities with the greatest reduction in PM2.5 concentrations.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that short-term exposure to fine particulate matter increased hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The study estimated associations between day-to-day changes in hospital admission rates and fine particulate matter levels in 204 US urban counties.
Fine particulate matter exposure (PM2.5) was associated with short-term increases in hospital admission rates for all health outcomes except injuries. Cardiovascular risks were highest in Eastern US counties, with a 1.28% increase in heart failure risk per 10-µg/m3 PM2.5.
A study examining air quality over 37,000 days found a one percent higher risk of hospitalization for ischemic stroke on high-pollution days. The researchers believe that particulate matter in the air promotes inflammation and can lead to changes in heart rate and blood pressure.
A University College London study found that heat-related deaths were largely unaffected by pollutants such as ozone and particulates. Instead, temperature rises in early summer contributed significantly to mortality rates, highlighting the need for improved heat preparedness.
This study reveals that airborne particulate matter is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, particularly in individuals with damaged arteries. The research suggests that exposure to these pollutants can lead to lung inflammation and fatal blood clots.
Duke University researchers used a novel system to trace stress flow in granular materials, finding jagged pathways in certain setups. The Chicago Materials Research Center also made significant discoveries, quantifying changes in stress propagation when grains shift from jammed to flowing states.
Duke researchers create a mathematically nimble way to follow the transfer of forces through a laboratory version of a granular mass, revealing the existence of long-range force chains. The new technique allows for quantitative analysis of force dynamics in granular materials.
A team of physicists at the University of Chicago has measured the forces exerted between granular particles as they transition from a jammed state to a flowing state. The study shows that granular systems have an 'effective temperature' similar to glass, allowing particles to rearrange and flow.
A significant association was found between air pollution and an increased risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias among patients with implanted cardioverter defibrillators. The risk was particularly high when particulate air pollution, black carbon, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide were present.
Duke University researchers have created a method to make granular materials change phases through vibration and stirring, contradicting conventional expectations. This technique could be used to predict stability in dirt embankments or 'unjam' coal or gravel hoppers.
A recent study published in Geology found that Kilauea's sulfur dioxide emissions can cause bronchial irritation, trigger asthma attacks, and potentially lead to cardiac problems. The researchers recommend establishing monitoring in the region directly south of the volcano to better understand the health risks.
A study found that air pollution increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes by thickening blood, a process triggered by particulate matter. Exposure to pollutants boosted inflammatory activity and promoted clotting factors in cells, suggesting a potential link between air pollution and cardiovascular disease.
A study found that air pollution from Canadian forest fires increased eight-fold in Baltimore, with indoor levels reaching as high as 366 ug/m3. The researchers suggest reviewing health advisories to protect vulnerable individuals from transcontinental transport of pollutants.
A new study found that fine particulate matter in Hong Kong's air is four times the U.S. standard, with significant contributions from industrial activity in Guangdong Province, China. The think tank recommends implementing emission controls and upgrading vehicle standards to reduce pollution levels.
A study published in the Royal Society journal explores the impact of global warming on common bird populations. The research demonstrates that the force distributions in random materials can be accurately described by an analogue of the Second Law of Thermodynamics, revealing new applications for this fundamental principle.
A new study shows that a combination of fluticasone and salmeterol can achieve total control in asthma patients, improving symptoms and reducing corticosteroid doses. Testosterone therapy also increases lean body mass and leg muscle strength in COPD patients with low testosterone levels.
The study aims to understand the health effects of air pollution and cardiovascular disease, recruiting 8,700 participants in nine communities across the US. It will examine subclinical measures of atherosclerosis and clinical cardiovascular events, incorporating factors like diet and exposure to second-hand tobacco.
Solid fuel particles may be a safer alternative to gaseous fuels for use in hazardous environments on Earth, as they burn more efficiently in microgravity. Researchers used the NASA 'Vomit Comet' aircraft to simulate weightlessness and measure burning characteristics of various solid fuel particles.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have created a 3D map of diesel particles, revealing their varying shapes depending on engine speed and load. The findings provide clues to designing cleaner engines, with potential applications for reducing emissions and mitigating health problems.
A study by Andrea Ferro found that common household activities like dusting, vacuuming, and even walking around can resuspend house dust, increasing exposure to particulate pollution. This can aggravate health problems like asthma and decrease lung functioning.
The effects of Asian pollution on US air quality can be dramatic, raising health issues for those with respiratory problems. Small particulates as small as 10 microns can pass through the nose and into the respiratory system, causing noticeable health effects.
Researchers have made detailed measurements showing that the smallest particles are the most toxic, easily flowing into the lungs and coating moist tissue. The findings raise concerns about current national air quality standards for particulate matter, which have been linked to 60,000 smog-related deaths in the US each year.
Researchers investigated the impact of a building demolition on air quality and found that airborne dust concentrations were extremely high in immediate vicinity and downwind areas. Spectators are advised to stay upwind and indoors to avoid exposure to high levels of particulate matter.
A Rice University study found that diesel engines are the primary contributors of fine particles to Houston's air, followed by gasoline-powered vehicles and road dust. The researchers also discovered that fuel oil combustion from industrial plants produced significant amounts of particulate matter.
Recent studies investigate the toxic potential of ultrafine and fine particles, finding worsening health outcomes for people with chronic heart and lung disease. Exposure to small particles also contributes to increased risk of emergency visits, hospitalizations, and death.
A new model simulates the influence of shearing and tensional forces on the structure of cheese, improving accuracy over previous models. The research builds upon a particulate gel system, where long strands of casein and whey proteins form a strong network in a liquid environment.
Researchers used an electrostatic field to control the self-assembly of fine granular material, creating regularly spaced arrays and complex patterns. The ability to manipulate these patterns could lead to new materials with unique properties.