Researchers examine economic impacts of aquatic dead zones

A West Virginia University researcher is working to understand and estimate environmental cleanup costs associated with agricultural runoff that causes polluted “dead zones” in downstream coastal systems.

FAU Engineering Researchers Develop New Weapon Against Harmful Algal Blooms

Effective management of phosphorus is needed to curb the rise of harmful algal blooms. Few studies have explored how algal biomass, especially blue-green algae, can be used to create materials that remove phosphate from water. Researchers have filled that gap by transforming cyanobacterial biomass into materials that can pull harmful phosphorus out of water.

Some wildfire suppressants contain heavy metals and could contaminate the environment

Researchers reporting in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology Letters explored whether wildfire suppressants could be a source of elevated metal levels sometimes found in waterways after wildfires are extinguished. Several products they investigated contained high levels of at least one metal.

NIH Study Explores Pollution Exposure and Birth Outcomes in Pregnant Women Living in Historically Redlined Neighborhoods

Residence in redlined census tracts during pregnancy was associated with higher exposure to PM2.5 and lower birth weight in a recent study funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program. Redlining is the historical practice of designating…

Impact of pollutants on pollinators, and how neural circuits adapt to temperature changes

The Kavli Foundation and the U.S. National Science Foundation are collaborating to accelerate research in the emerging field of neurobiology in changing ecosystems. Awardees of the first Kavli-NSF grants will study the impact of atmospheric pollutants on the sense of smell in pollinators, and how neural circuits adapt to changes in temperature.

Rutgers Receives Grant from USDA to Develop an Alternative to Hydroponics Method

Rutgers Health received a $607,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop “electroponics,” an alternative to the hydroponics approach to farming that would allow plants to grow under limited water conditions or in zero gravity conditions ready for deployment in space stations.

Green warriors: plants on the frontline against microplastics

In an innovative ecological article, researchers have unveiled the potential of phytoremediation to curb microplastic pollution. This approach leverages natural plant processes to absorb and diminish micro and nanoplastics, offering a viable solution for managing environmental plastic pollution.

Hydrologist says schedule flexibility will be key for safe swimming in Seine River during Paris Summer Olympics

A West Virginia University physical hydrology professor sees planned usage of the Seine River for several swimming events during the Paris Summer Olympics as the culmination of decades-long efforts to restore the river for recreation. Jason Hubbart, interim associate dean…

Decoding apples: nitrogen’s role in shaping fruit sugar content

Delving into the genetic underpinnings of fruit sweetness, researchers have discovered a novel regulatory mechanism in apples. The study spotlights MdbZIP44, a transcription factor that modulates starch and sugar metabolism in response to nitrogen levels, offering a genetic strategy to enhance fruit quality and potentially revolutionize the horticulture industry.

Technological aspects, utilization and impact on power system for distributed generation: A comprehensive survey

Abstract Nowadays, due to the utilization of an abundant amount of fossil fuels environmental pollution increases rapidly. In order to rectify such a major problem, the power sector focused on distributed generation technology which increases the quality, sustainability, and reliability…

2024 US Supreme Court case rulings: MSU experts can comment

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to deliver rulings on a slate of key cases on topics including social media regulation, government agency authority, environmental regulation, homelessness rights, drug company influence and abortion access. Many of the cases this term could affect both government institutions and how people live their private lives.

Expert on rural Appalachia champions coalition building and local knowledge

Research from a West Virginia University scholar of rural Appalachia shows how even the most marginalized communities can assert power and create change when they come together to form coalitions.

A new report from the American Lung Association shows nearly 40% of people across the U.S. are living in areas that are heavily polluted.

Susan Anenberg, Director of the GW Climate & Health Institute, and associate professor of environmental and occupational health. Anenberg’s research focuses on the health implications of air pollution and climate change. Recently her team published two studies finding links between…

Study Finds Pesticide Use Linked to Parkinson’s in Rocky Mountain, Great Plains Region

Pesticides and herbicides used in farming have been linked to Parkinson’s disease in the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains region of the country, according to a preliminary study released today, February 27, 2024, that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 76th Annual Meeting taking place April 13–18, 2024, in person in Denver and online.

Study Details Toxic Elements Found in Stranded Whales, Dolphins Over 15 Years

Researchers evaluated the prevalence, concentration and tissue distribution of essential and non-essential trace elements, including heavy metal toxicants in tissue (blubber, kidney, liver, skeletal muscle, skin) and fecal samples. Findings reveal how toxicant levels relate to their sex, breed, age and other demographic factors.

Navigating Childhood Asthma: Insights From a Pediatric Pulmonologist

As the seasons transition from warm fall nights to cool and wintry evenings, children with asthma often experience a rise in wheezing or chest tightness, because weather changes and cold temperatures are often asthma triggers.

Urban Pollution Changes Properties of Lung Cells, Causes Fibrosis

Article title: Complex urban atmosphere alters alveolar stem cells niche properties and drives lung fibrosis Authors: Randa Belgacemi, Bruno Ribeiro Baptista, Grégoire Justeau, Marylène Toigo, Andrew Frauenpreis, Rojda Yilmaz, Audrey Der Vartanian, Mathieu Cazaunau, Edouard Pangui, Antonin Bergé, Aline Gratien,…

Electrifying vehicles in Chicago would save lives, reduce pollution inequities

If the Chicago region replaced 30% of all on-road combustion-engine vehicles — including motorcycles, passenger cars and trucks, buses, refuse trucks and short- and long-haul trucks — with electric versions, it would annually save more than 1,000 lives and over $10 billion, according to a new Northwestern University study.

World can now breathe easier

Global, population-weighted PM2.5 exposure — related to both pollution levels and population size — increased from 1998 to a peak in 2011, then decreased steadily from 2011 to 2019, largely driven by exposure reduction in China and slower growth in other regions, new research shows.