Credit: pixabayWater is a cornerstone of life. Every organism on Earth depends on it, and our planet thrives with life due to its abundance of water.The link between water and life comes from both water’s unique properties and its abundance in the cosmos.The Origins of Water: Hydrogen and OxygenWater, with its simple structure of...
Credit: DepositphotosThe wildfires in the Los Angeles area have destroyed thousands of structures, many of which were homes, and firefighters are still working to control the infernos. Parts of Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, and other California communities are now left unrecognizable.As evacuation orders are lifted, residents returning to their homes should prioritize ensuring access...
Each "sentinel mollusk" used in a molluSCAN-eye setup provides water quality readings 24 hours a day, 365 days a yearmolluSCANScientists have developed a commercial water-quality monitoring system, molluSCAN-eye, which uses live, electronically enhanced mollusks to detect pollution. Filter-feeding mollusks like oysters and mussels naturally respond to pollutants by altering how they open their shells,...
Credit: PixabayDrinking water in developed countries is generally clean, yet invisible contaminants can still pose risks. For decades, scientists have puzzled over a mysterious “phantom chemical” in treated water. Now, researchers have identified this elusive compound, revealing it as entirely new to science.The Mystery of Chloramine By-ProductsChlorination is a common method for disinfecting drinking...
The new solar still has been tested in real world settingsCanadian scientists have developed an innovative device that can purify a gallon of water per day for just a few cents. Even better, this sustainable purifier is made from recycled tires and can also generate small amounts of electricity.Innovative Solar Still Turns Undrinkable Water...
Dr. Tianxi Yang (left) and student Peter Yang work with the tool they created (behind red cup)Martin DeeWith the growing concern about microplastic pollution in drinking water, many are worried about something that, until now, is difficult to check for themselves. However, that may soon change if a new prototype device goes into production....
A new technique can remove nanoplastics from water – and under pretty lights, it sure looks coolSam O’Keefe via University of MissouriMicroplastics have been discovered in the Arctic sea and even trapped in the ice. The Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean, is contaminated with plastic debris, and Mount Everest has also...
Credit: DepositphotosThe potential threat of plastic pollution to human health remains uncertain, but the recent discovery that we are unknowingly consuming tiny plastic fragments in our water is causing widespread concern.To prevent microplastics and nanoplastics from infiltrating our bodies and brains, researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a potentially sustainable and safe...
Credit: ACS Nano (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c11197A collaborative effort between material scientists from Sun Yat-sen University and Dalian University of Technology in China has demonstrated the ability to manipulate the movement of a single water droplet by incorporating a magnetic particle inside it and controlling an electromagnet's activation. This research was published in the journal ACS Nano.The...
Credit: Unsplash.Since its inception in 1945, adding fluoride to public water supplies has gained widespread adoption globally. Despite its prevalence, controversy surrounds this practice, often fueled by concerns regarding its safety. But what exactly is fluoride, and why is it introduced into water sources?Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral released from rocks, soil, water,...
