/ en-us Â鶹ŇůÔş internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Â鶹ŇůÔşics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. The 120-mile Tijuana River flows from Baja California into the United States and discharges millions of gallons of wastewater—including sewage, industrial waste and runoff—into the Pacific Ocean every day, making it the dominant source of coastal pollution in the region. /news/2025-05-pollution-tijuana-river-affects-air.html Earth Sciences Environment Wed, 28 May 2025 14:00:05 EDT news667641962 An electrochemical sensor designed to address a global health issue that particularly impacts people in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has been created by a multidisciplinary team at KAUST. The sensor detects low vitamin D levels in blood samples, providing early warning of an essential vitamin deficiency that can have severe health consequences if left untreated. /news/2025-05-mxene-antibody-sensor-enables-accurate.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Wed, 14 May 2025 14:25:04 EDT news666451501 Nankai University researchers have found that plant leaves can directly absorb microplastics (MPs) from the atmosphere, leading to a widespread presence of plastic polymers in vegetation. Concentrations of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS) were detected in leaves collected from multiple environments, including urban areas and agricultural sites. The study is published in the journal Nature. /news/2025-04-airborne-microplastics-infiltrate-environmental.html Environment Tue, 15 Apr 2025 06:30:01 EDT news663841321 Imagine a glacier. Are you thinking "glittering snow" or "plastic pollution?" A new study underscores the pervasive nature of plastic pollution, even in such remote and apparently pristine areas. /news/2025-01-mountaineers-scientists-nanoplastics-remote-glaciers.html Earth Sciences Environment Mon, 20 Jan 2025 12:40:03 EST news656599201 On the Pic du Midi in the Pyrenees, ETH researchers have analyzed particulate matter, clouds and rainwater for traces of arsenic. Using newly developed measurement methods, they have elucidated the transport pathways of the environmental toxin in the atmosphere. The work is published in the journal Nature Communications. /news/2025-01-arsenic-atmospheric-journey-methods-reveal.html Environment Thu, 09 Jan 2025 15:37:03 EST news655659421 Spiders have always lived alongside humans, so it's surprising how much we still don't know about them. One long-standing mystery was related to how spiders detect smells. Now, our latest research has finally uncovered the secret. /news/2025-01-spiders-legs.html Plants & Animals Ecology Tue, 07 Jan 2025 11:57:03 EST news655473421 When responding to a hazardous spill, every second counts—and Purdue University researchers have found a way to maximize that time. /news/2024-12-faster-hazardous-response-method.html Environment Thu, 12 Dec 2024 16:32:05 EST news653243521 Researchers have shown that optical spring tracking is a promising way to improve the signal clarity of gravitational-wave detectors. The advance could one day allow scientists to see farther into the universe and provide more information about how black holes and neutron stars behave as they merge. /news/2024-12-dynamic-tracking-technique-noise-gravitational.html Astronomy Wed, 04 Dec 2024 15:10:44 EST news652547438 Residential garden produce grown near the Fayetteville Works fluorochemical plant can expose those who consume it to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), according to a new study conducted by researchers from North Carolina State University, East Carolina University and the Colorado School of Mines. /news/2024-11-garden-grown-fayetteville-fluorochemical-genx.html Agriculture Wed, 20 Nov 2024 09:40:53 EST news651318047 Per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, known commonly as PFAS, could take over 40 years to flush out of contaminated groundwater in North Carolina's Cumberland and Bladen counties, according to a new study from North Carolina State University. The study used a novel combination of data on PFAS, groundwater age-dating tracers, and groundwater flux to forecast PFAS concentrations in groundwater discharging to tributaries of the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. /news/2024-10-years-flush-pfas-groundwater.html Earth Sciences Environment Thu, 10 Oct 2024 14:46:03 EDT news647790361 In a significant advancement for point-of-care medical diagnostics, a team of researchers from UCLA has introduced a deep learning-enhanced, paper-based vertical flow assay (VFA) capable of detecting cardiac troponin I (cTnI) with high sensitivity. The innovative assay holds the potential to democratize access to rapid and reliable cardiac diagnostics, particularly in resource-limited settings. /news/2024-10-paper-based-sensor-rapid-cardiac.html Bio & Medicine Sun, 06 Oct 2024 12:37:06 EDT news647437014 A new study documents how Southern Californians are chronically being exposed to toxic airborne chemicals called plasticizers, including one that's been banned from children's items and beauty products. /news/2024-10-southern-california-high-airborne-plasticizers.html Environment Tue, 01 Oct 2024 17:11:03 EDT news647021461 RIKEN researchers have discovered how the structure of drugs for treating epilepsy allows them to interact with a key protein found in synapses at the junctions of neurons. This knowledge could help to design even better drugs for the condition. /news/2024-09-scientists-uncover-secrets-antiepileptic-drugs.html Molecular & Computational biology Fri, 27 Sep 2024 11:10:10 EDT news646654202 A large sample of European drinking water has detected a substance linked to "forever chemicals" used in pesticides and refrigeration, a coalition of non-governmental organizations said Wednesday. /news/2024-07-europe-contaminated-chemical-ngos.html Environment Wed, 10 Jul 2024 10:19:46 EDT news639825581 According to a new study of rivers and lakes in Wisconsin, natural foams from these bodies of water contain much higher concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) than the water below them. /news/2024-07-lake-river-foams-reveals-high.html Environment Tue, 09 Jul 2024 13:32:04 EDT news639750721 In a study with potential implications for the oceans and human health, scientists have reported elevated mercury levels in dolphins in the U.S. Southeast, with the greatest levels found in dolphins in Florida's St. Joseph and Choctawhatchee Bays. /news/2024-06-dolphins-elevated-mercury-florida-georgia.html Plants & Animals Ecology Wed, 12 Jun 2024 14:30:37 EDT news637421428 Per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances—commonly known as PFAS—are a group of over 14,000 human-made chemicals that have been popular since the 1950s for their diverse skills in resisting heat, water, grease and stains. /news/2024-04-underestimating-future-impact-pfas-environment.html Environment Mon, 08 Apr 2024 11:00:01 EDT news631783861 Fish exposed to some pesticides at extremely low concentrations for a brief period of time can demonstrate lasting behavioral changes, with the impact extending to offspring that were never exposed firsthand, a recent study found. /news/2024-02-pesticide-exposure-affect-fish-generations.html Ecology Agriculture Tue, 20 Feb 2024 09:51:04 EST news627645062 Researchers have created a new way to detect 'forever chemical' pollution in water, via a luminescent sensor. /news/2024-01-scientists-luminescent-sensor-chemicals.html Analytical Chemistry Wed, 17 Jan 2024 13:34:33 EST news624720870 PSI researchers have discovered a surprising trick that could expand the possibilities for medical use of botulinun toxin A1, better known under the name Botox, as an active agent. They have developed antibody-like proteins that speed up the enzyme's effect on the transmission of nerve signals. This suggests that Botox might, for example, be able to relief pain more quickly than before. /news/2023-12-possibilities-medical-botulinun-toxin-a1.html Biochemistry Analytical Chemistry Mon, 18 Dec 2023 10:33:44 EST news622118020 AMOLF researchers have used the special properties of perovskite semiconductors to develop a simple spray test to demonstrate the presence of lead. Perovskite is a material suitable for use in LEDs and solar cells, for example. A lead-containing surface shines bright green when it is sprayed with the test. This test is 1,000 times more sensitive than existing tests and the researchers found no false positive or false negative results. The study was published on November 27 in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. /news/2023-11-hijack-solar-cell-technology-simple.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:46:04 EST news620318761 Dolphins in the waters off Melbourne and Gippsland have been found with the highest concentrations of PFAS chemicals in dolphins reported anywhere in the world, according to new research. /news/2023-11-critically-endangered-victorian-dolphins-highest.html Plants & Animals Ecology Tue, 21 Nov 2023 13:06:03 EST news619794362 Humans have increased the concentration of potentially toxic mercury in the atmosphere sevenfold since the beginning of the modern era around 1500 C.E., according to new research from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). /news/2023-11-human-emissions-mercury-atmosphere-sevenfold.html Earth Sciences Environment Wed, 01 Nov 2023 11:23:51 EDT news618056628 Microplastic particles are present in the marine atmosphere even in remote parts of the world. These tiny particles come from land sources but are also re-emitted into the atmosphere from the sea, a study by a team of German and Norwegian researchers led by Dr. Barbara Scholz-Böttcher of the University of Oldenburg has shown. /news/2023-08-microplastics-marine-atmosphere.html Environment Tue, 15 Aug 2023 09:23:50 EDT news611310227 From pandas to sea lions to tigers, hundreds of wildlife species across the globe are contaminated by potentially harmful "forever chemicals", according to a review of hundreds of peer-reviewed studies. /news/2023-02-global-wildlife-contaminated-chemicals.html Environment Thu, 23 Feb 2023 13:34:36 EST news596381671 Nanoengineers at the University of California San Diego have developed microscopic robots, called microrobots, that can swim around in the lungs, deliver medication and be used to clear up life-threatening cases of bacterial pneumonia. /news/2022-09-nanorobots-deadly-pneumonia-mice.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 22 Sep 2022 11:00:03 EDT news583050713 Wrapping potato seeds in biodegradable paper made from unusable parts of banana plants reduces the infestation and harmful effects of a nasty plant pathogen—a worm called the potato cyst nematode—and sharply increases potato size and yields. /news/2022-03-paper-banana-stymies-potato-pest.html Plants & Animals Agriculture Tue, 08 Mar 2022 11:09:30 EST news565960166 Every summer, as the sea ice surrounding Antarctica retreats, tens of thousands of tourists and scientists flock to the landmass by boat and plane. The remote continent is becoming increasingly accessible—during the 2019-20 season, the number of sightseeing visitors reached 74,000, with the vast majority traveling by ship. Scientific activities on the continent are also significant, with more than 70 research stations collectively housing thousands of researchers. /news/2022-02-antarctic-tourist-effectively-metric-tons.html Environment Wed, 23 Feb 2022 11:11:10 EST news564837065 A new study led by Monash University biologists has found that higher temperatures may reduce effects of antidepressant pollution on wildlife. /news/2022-02-higher-temperatures-decrease-antidepressant-pollution.html Ecology Wed, 09 Feb 2022 06:48:23 EST news563611700 The anti-fogging sprays and cloths many people use to prevent condensation on their eyeglasses when wearing a mask or face shield may contain high levels of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), a new Duke University-led study finds. /news/2022-01-high-pfas-anti-fogging.html Environment Wed, 05 Jan 2022 09:00:01 EST news560581561