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,...
Credit: Unsplash.Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have observed GJ 9827d, the smallest exoplanet known to have water vapor in its atmosphere. With a diameter approximately twice that of Earth, this distant planet could provide insights into the prevalence of water-rich atmospheres around other stars in our galaxy.Discovery and CharacteristicsGJ 9827d, discovered by...
Credit: PixaobayCertain arid regions in Africa grapple with severe water scarcity attributed to scant rainfall. The "qanat system," an age-old method of extracting water from aquifers, may offer a solution. Environmental scientist Gaathier Mahed, who specializes in groundwater management, has explored the viability of implementing these systems.How does the qanat system work?The qanat system...
A striking view of Asteroid Itokawa, as captured by the Hayabusa spacecraft. This S-type asteroid, known for its distinctive peanut shape, boasts a diameter of roughly 1,100 feet and completes a full rotation every 12 hours. Credit: JAXA.A recent breakthrough in asteroid research by the Japanese Hayabusa spacecraft has profound implications for our understanding...
Credit: PixaobayWhile we are aware of the existence of lunar ice, its origin remains somewhat uncertain. A recent investigation proposes that streams of electrons, which indirectly originate from both Earth and the Sun, are playing a role in the creation of frozen water on the Moon's surface.These electrons impact the Moon when it traverses...
The sun and the sea, both bountiful and freely available, are at the heart of a groundbreaking project aiming to create vertical sea farms that float on the ocean. These farms have the potential to produce fresh water for drinking and agriculture in a self-sufficient manner, all without human intervention. A world-first initiative by researchers...
