water Archives

SARS-CoV-2 in water: A surveillance tool for infected populations

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ARS-CoV-2 in environmental waters and its elimination in sewage treatment plants.

The presence of land-derived bacteria in the marine environment is an indicator of wastewater contamination and of human health at a population level. However, the survival of human viral pathogens in the marine environment and their use as indicators is poorly understood. Dr Helena Galvão of the University of Algarve, Portugal, investigated the survival of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental waters and […]

Water, water everywhere, not a drop to drink: Political stagnation and water fragility in South Africa’s Free State

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Safe and clean drinking water and sanitation are basic human rights.

After 30 years of post-Apartheid single-party rule, corruption and ineffective governance are widespread in South Africa. In the Free State Province, the situation with respect to water and sanitation provision is so dire that it amounts to a human rights crisis. Reinstating water rights and addressing Free State water fragility will require a paradigm shift in the political landscape, not […]

Multifunctional roles of water in the ozonolysis of limonene aerosols

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Limonene, a monoterpene found in citrus peel oils and many household products, readily undergoes ozonolysis to form secondary organic aerosols. Researchers investigate the role of water in the process and the environmental implications.

Aerosols are suspensions of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets, which significantly impact Earth’s atmosphere by influencing the planet’s energy balance, global climate, and public health. Secondary organic aerosols can be formed due to various physicochemical processes involving natural and human-made aerosols, or their gas-phase precursors. Limonene, a type of monoterpene, often found in citrus peel oils and many household and […]

Triharmony/Trilemma of Water Assets in tropical peatland

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In tropical peatland, the three key elements Water, Carbon, and Nutrients are interrelated, interconnected, and interact. When these elements are in balance, a Triharmony state arises. Conversely, a Trilemma state occurs when these elements are out of balance. Here, we focus on Water Assets in the context of tropical peatland. To achieve Triharmony, scientists at Sumitomo Forestry Co, Ltd, and […]

The role of water dynamics in age-related bone weakening

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Dr Valerie Welborn uses the density functional theory to understand how water molecules interact and bind to bone, and how the physiological environment may have an effect

The interaction of water with biological tissues plays crucial roles in maintaining cells and keeping complex organisms alive and healthy. Dysfunctions in biological processes involving water can lead to pathologies or death. For instance, age-related dehydration in bones leads to bone weakening with more frequent fractures, although the origin of this process is still poorly understood. Using powerful computational techniques, […]