Icy Planetesimals: The Chilling Secret Behind Earth’s Water
A study has shown that water-rich planetesimals formed in the cold outer reaches of the early solar system were instrumental in supplying Earth with water,…
Water News
Water is a vital substance for all forms of life, known chemically as H2O, consisting of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. It is unique due to its ability to exist in three states—liquid, solid (ice), and gas (vapor)—at the temperatures commonly found on Earth. Covering about 71% of the Earth’s surface, mostly in seas and oceans, water also circulates through the environment via the water cycle, which includes evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff. Water is crucial not only to the hydration and metabolic processes of living organisms but also to agricultural, industrial, household, recreational, and environmental activities. It acts as a solvent, temperature buffer, and transport medium within biological and ecological systems. The availability of clean, safe drinking water and the health of aquatic ecosystems are critical to public health and biodiversity, making water resource management a key focus in environmental conservation and sustainable development efforts.
The Secret to Fast Muscles: It’s All in the Fluid Dynamics
University of Michigan researchers have discovered that water flow within muscle fibers greatly influences their contraction rates, challenging traditional understandings of muscle mechanics and potentially…
Unlocking the Secrets of Ice With Antifreeze and Advanced Microscopy
A new study has successfully observed the structure of ice in antifreeze, revealing a flat surface with occasional molecular steps, enhancing our understanding of ice’s…
New Phosphorescent Probe Unmasks Microstructures in Water Ice
New research using phosphorescence spectroscopy shows how small organics like ethylene glycol disrupt the crystalline structure of water ice, offering insights into ice’s physical and…
Defying Limits: Discovery of New Membrane Behavior Could Lead to Unprecedented Separations
Scientists have developed a new technique to overcome the perceived limitations of membranes with uniformly sized pores Recent research on isoporous membranes, which feature uniformly…
Harvesting Drinking Water From Air With Innovative Absorbent Fins
Researchers have developed a compact device that harvests water from atmospheric humidity using absorbent-coated fins. This device, detailed in ACS Energy Letters, efficiently traps moisture…
Are Plastic Water Bottles Safe? New Study Sparks Concern Over VOCs
Recent research indicates that sunlight-exposed plastic water bottles release harmful VOCs, necessitating safer materials and stricter regulations. A recent study explores the health hazards associated…
Green Hydrogen Breakthrough: New Catalyst Unveils the Hidden Power of Water
Researchers have developed a breakthrough iridium-free catalyst for water electrolysis, paving the way for sustainable and large-scale green hydrogen production. Hydrogen offers significant potential as…
Rethinking Earth’s Timeline: New Research Reveals That Fresh Water Emerged 500 Million Years Sooner Than Previously Thought
Recent research led by Curtin University has discovered that freshwater appeared on Earth four billion years ago, suggesting that conditions for life developed significantly earlier…
Unraveling the Scientific Mismatch: The Amazon’s Surprising Drought Response
A research team discovered that the Amazon rainforest’s drought response varies regionally, influenced by local environments and tree traits. Southern Amazon trees with shallow water…
A Looming Crisis: 66% of Global Population To Experience Water Scarcity by 2100
A new study forecasts escalating global water scarcity, with up to 66% of the population affected by 2100, especially in the Global South, underscoring the…
From Drought to Drenched: Stunning Rebound of California’s Largest Reservoir
For the second year in a row, California’s largest reservoir filled to nearly 100 percent capacity. Following consecutive wet winters, Shasta Lake in Northern California…
MIT Engineers Create Game-Changing Lead Detection Device
A new chip-scale device could provide sensitive detection of lead levels in drinking water, whose toxicity affects 240 million people worldwide. Engineers at MIT and…
Revolutionary “Forever Chemical” Cleanup Strategy Discovered
The method addresses pollution caused by fire suppressant foams. As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency intensifies its efforts to address the persistent pollution of “forever…
Ruins of 300-Year-Old Settlement Exposed After Water Levels Plunge in Philippine Reservoir
Searing temperatures and little rain reduced water levels of Pantabangan Lake, one of the country’s largest reservoirs. From January through April, sweltering heat in combination…
GRATTIS Unveiled: NASA’s Pioneering Mission To Detect Nanometer-Scale Gravitational Shifts From Space
NASA has chosen the University of Florida to spearhead the GRATTIS mission, which will utilize advanced sensors to monitor Earth’s gravitational changes and improve environmental…
Scientists Solve Electrochemical “Catalysis vs Corrosion” Mystery
Engineers from Pitt, Drexel, and Brookhaven have solved the “catalysis vs corrosion” mystery in electrochemical ozone production. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, Drexel University…
Sierra’s Surprise Snowpack Surge: 26+ Inches of Snow in One Day
A May storm dumped over two feet of snow in one day on parts of the California mountain range. While spring was springing across much…