//www.koonmotors.com/news/earth_climate/air_quality/ What is air pollution? Read news articles on the sources of air pollution and what can be done to minimize pollutants. Learn about both indoor air quality control and outdoor air pollution. en-us Fri, 08 Sep 2023 11:54:07 EDT Fri, 08 Sep 2023 11:54:07 EDT 60 //www.koonmotors.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png//www.koonmotors.com/news/earth_climate/air_quality/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230907205947.htm An emerging system which combines rapid imaging with artificial intelligence could help scientists build a comprehensive picture of present and historic environmental change -- by swiftly and accurately analyzing pollen. Thu, 07 Sep 2023 20:59:47 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230907205947.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230907130321.htm 一项新的研究发现了一个可能的线索,why glaciers that terminate at the sea are retreating at unprecedented rates: the bursting of tiny, pressurized bubbles in underwater ice. Thu, 07 Sep 2023 13:03:21 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230907130321.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230907105857.htm New research shows that, in addition to trees, humble grasses also play an essential role in capturing carbon. Thu, 07 Sep 2023 10:58:57 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230907105857.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230906112418.htm As drinking water flows through pipes and into a glass, it runs against the rubber seals inside some plumbing devices. These parts contain additives that contribute to their flexibility and durability, but these potentially harmful compounds can leak into drinking water, according to a small-scale study. The authors report that the released compounds, which are typically linked to tire pollution, also transformed into other unwanted byproducts. Wed, 06 Sep 2023 11:24:18 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230906112418.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905155647.htm If the region surrounding Chicago -- North America's largest freight hub -- shifted just 30% of its current on-road heavy-duty vehicles to electric versions, it would substantially reduce pollution and save hundreds of lives per year, with the benefits largely concentrated in disadvantaged communities, according to a new study. The study authors highlight that neighborhoods with predominantly Black, Hispanic and Latinx residents would benefit the most -- potentially reducing disproportionate pollution and health burdens in historically marginalized areas. 星期二,2023年9月05日15:56:47美国东部时间 //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905155647.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905125049.htm Reducing air pollution in kitchens could drastically improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable communities globally, say experts. Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:50:49 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905125049.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905124943.htm Urban stormwater particles from tire wear were the most prevalent microplastic a new study has found. The study showed that in stormwater runoff during rain approximately 19 out of every 20 microplastics collected were tire wear particles with anywhere from 2 to 59 particles per liter of water. Tire rubber contains up to 2500 chemicals with the contaminants that leach from tires considered more toxic to bacteria and microalgae than other plastic polymers. Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:49:43 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905124943.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905124850.htm A 'living material,' made of a natural polymer combined with genetically engineered bacteria, could offer a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to clean pollutants from water. Researchers developed their living material using a seaweed-based polymer and bacteria that have been programmed to produce an enzyme that transforms various organic pollutants into harmless compounds. In tests, heir material decontaminated water solutions tainted with a pollutant from textile manufacturing: indigo carmine, a blue dye that is used to color denim. Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:48:50 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905124850.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230904133143.htm 大气科学家发现丰富的fine sea salt aerosol production from wind-blown snow in the central Arctic, increasing seasonal surface warming. Mon, 04 Sep 2023 13:31:43 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230904133143.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230904133132.htm Tropical forests in South America lose their ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere when conditions become exceptionally hot and dry, according to new research. For a long time, tropical forests have acted as a carbon sink, taking more carbon out of the air than they release into it, a process that has moderated the impact of climate change. But new research found that in 2015 -- 2016, when an El Niño climate event resulted in drought and the hottest temperatures ever recorded, South American forests were unable to function as a carbon sink. Mon, 04 Sep 2023 13:31:32 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230904133132.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230901143618.htm New research by an international team of scientists explains what's behind a stalled trend in Arctic Ocean sea ice loss since 2007. The findings indicate that stronger declines in sea ice will occur when an atmospheric feature known as the Arctic dipole reverses itself in its recurring cycle. The many environmental responses to the Arctic dipole are described in a recent article. This analysis helps explain how North Atlantic water influences Arctic Ocean climate. Scientists call it Atlantification. Fri, 01 Sep 2023 14:36:18 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230901143618.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230901124048.htm Toxic mold left behind by Hurricane Idalia could initiate chemical intolerance (CI) in some individuals, experts said. In a survey of thousands of Americans, mold exposure was the most frequently cited initiating cause of CI, according to a recently published study. 星期五,2023年9月01日12:40:48 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230901124048.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230901124045.htm Health benefits that have resulted from reductions in fine particulate air pollution aren't distributed equally among populations in the U.S., a new Yale-led study finds. Racial and ethnic minorities -- and Black people in particular -- still experience disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease-related deaths caused by exposure to fine particulate matter, according to the research. 星期五,2023年9月01日12:40:45 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230901124045.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230831121728.htm 一项新的研究表明,年轻患者mild asthma should remember to turn ventilation all the way up when cooking or burning candles. The fumes can cause irritation and inflammation in the body. Thu, 31 Aug 2023 12:17:28 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230831121728.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230831120640.htm The rapid sea level rise and resulting retreat of coastal habitat seen at the end of the last Ice Age could repeat itself if global average temperatures rise beyond certain levels, according to an analysis by an international team of scientists. Thu, 31 Aug 2023 12:06:40 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230831120640.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230830160823.htm Emphasising the need for energy independence and environmental stewardship could help to change people’s minds about the climate crisis, a new study says. Wed, 30 Aug 2023 16:08:23 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230830160823.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230830131925.htm New work could help forest managers predict which forests are most at risk from drought and which will survive. Wed, 30 Aug 2023 13:19:25 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230830131925.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230830131737.htm Carbon capture is a promising method to help slow climate change. With this approach, carbon dioxide (CO¬¬2) is trapped before it escapes into the atmosphere, but the process requires a large amount of energy and equipment. Now, researchers have designed a capture system using an electrochemical cell that can easily grab and release CO2. The device operates at room temperature and requires less energy than conventional, amine-based carbon-capture systems. Wed, 30 Aug 2023 13:17:37 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230830131737.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230830131340.htm Scientists have revised previous assumptions about the influence of pollutant particles, known as aerosols, on global warming. Using satellite data, researchers have shown that the relationship between water droplets in clouds and aerosol concentration is more non-linear than previously thought. Specifically, in heavily polluted regions, the additional warming of the Earth resulting from better air quality could occur much later than originally believed -- perhaps as much as 20 or 30 years later than expected. Wed, 30 Aug 2023 13:13:40 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230830131340.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230829130037.htm Scientists have developed a fabric-based wearable device that 'taps' a user's wrist with pressurized air, silently helping them navigate to their destination. The study demonstrated that users correctly interpreted which direction the device was telling them to go an average of 87% of the time. Since the wearable embeds most of its control system within the fabric itself, using air instead of electronics, it can be built lighter and more compact than existing designs. Tue, 29 Aug 2023 13:00:37 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230829130037.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230829125945.htm Nitrogen dioxide levels in remote forest areas are increasing, and wildfire and soil emissions are likely the reasons why, finds a new study. Tue, 29 Aug 2023 12:59:45 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230829125945.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230829125815.htm Could blending of crushed rock with arable soil lower global temperatures? Researchers study global warming events from 40 and 56 million years ago to find answers. Tue, 29 Aug 2023 12:58:15 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230829125815.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230828162343.htm A new study focused on neurobehavioral effects and inflammatory response to exposure to microplastics, as well as the accumulation of microplastics in tissues, including the brain. The research team has found that the infiltration of microplastics was as widespread in the body as it is in the environment, leading to behavioral changes, especially in older test subjects. Mon, 28 Aug 2023 16:23:43 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230828162343.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230828105541.htm Anyone who's been caught in an unexpected downpour knows that weather forecasting is an imperfect science. Now, researchers are taking aim at one of meteorologists' biggest blind spots: extremely short-term forecasts, or nowcasts, that predict what will happen in a given location over the next few minutes. Mon, 28 Aug 2023 10:55:41 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230828105541.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230828105521.htm A team of researchers is designing novel systems to capture water vapor in the air and turn it into liquid. They have developed sponges or membranes with a large surface area that continually capture moisture from their surrounding environment. Mon, 28 Aug 2023 10:55:21 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230828105521.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230825122036.htm Replacing single use plastic cups with paper ones is problematic. Researchers show that a paper cup that ends up in nature can also cause damage as they also contain toxic chemicals. Fri, 25 Aug 2023 12:20:36 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230825122036.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230825122014.htm A study on 'canopy soils' on old trees in Costa Rica shows they are important habitats and carbon stores that cannot easily be replaced. Fri, 25 Aug 2023 12:20:14 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230825122014.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230824150717.htm Study analyses 18 major carbon offset projects, and compares their conservation claims with matched sites that offer a real-world benchmark for deforestation levels. Over 60 million carbon credits came from projects that barely reduced deforestation, if at all. Of a potential 89 million credits from these offset schemes, only 5.4 million (6%) were linked to additional carbon reductions through preserved forest. Thu, 24 Aug 2023 15:07:17 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230824150717.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230824120206.htm Mathematical modeling can show how to safely blend hydrogen with natural gas for transport in existing pipeline systems. A secure and reliable transition to hydrogen is one of the proposed solutions for the shift to a net-zero-carbon economy. Thu, 24 Aug 2023 12:02:06 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230824120206.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230824111911.htm The first three weeks of July 2023 have been the hottest global three-week period so far. Researchers report that the European population's exposure to heat was highest in Italy. Thu, 24 Aug 2023 11:19:11 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230824111911.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823122636.htm Researchers have identified a new pathway by which sugar is released by symbiotic algae. This pathway involves the largely overlooked cell wall, showing that this structure not only protects the cell but plays an important role in symbiosis and carbon circulation in the ocean. Wed, 23 Aug 2023 12:26:36 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823122636.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823122632.htm A research group has established key early steps in the conversion of aromatic molecules, a major constituent of traffic and other urban volatile emissions, into aerosol. Their findings increase understanding of the chemical processes that degrade urban air quality and influence climate change. Wed, 23 Aug 2023 12:26:32 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823122632.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823122551.htm Researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of extending cooling strategies for dairy cows throughout the day and night, including how these strategies could be applied to outdoor herds with a more limited physical infrastructure. Wed, 23 Aug 2023 12:25:51 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823122551.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823121438.htm New Yorkers can apparently breathe a sigh of relief, at least for now. Their exposure to the smoke in June 2023 from Canadian wildfires led to only a slightly higher bump in visits to New York City hospital emergency departments for breathing problems or asthma attacks than what is seen on days when pollen counts are high. However, authors of a new study say other possible health effects, such as possible heart attacks and stroke, still need to be investigated. Wed, 23 Aug 2023 12:14:38 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823121438.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111724.htm The sensory hairs of the Venus flytrap contain a heat sensor that warns the plant of bush fires. It reacts to rapid temperature jumps, as researchers have discovered. Tue, 22 Aug 2023 11:17:24 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111724.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111650.htm Efficient and cheap batteries that can also capture harmful emissions could be right around the corner, thanks to a new system that speeds up the development of catalysts for lithium-CO2 (Li-CO2) batteries. Tue, 22 Aug 2023 11:16:50 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111650.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111637.htm A shipping container that can test passive cooling systems could help researchers and builders find carbon-free ways to keep people cool in extreme temperatures. Researchers created the 60 square-foot chamber to test passive systems that use wind towers along with water evaporation instead of electricity to cool spaces. Tue, 22 Aug 2023 11:16:37 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111637.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111421.htm Researchers demonstrate that a vast multitude of birds and mammals can be detected by simply swabbing the DNA left behind by animals from leaves. They showcased the power of this approach in an ecosystem that hosts a ton of wildlife and where detecting animals has historically proven extremely challenging -- the tropical rainforest. Tue, 22 Aug 2023 11:14:21 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111421.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230821114412.htm Applying ground-up silicate rock to Midwestern farm fields can capture significant amounts of carbon dioxide and prevent it from accumulating in the atmosphere, according to a new study that successfully quantified those climate benefits for the first time. Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:44:12 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230821114412.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230818153123.htm New research reveals a promising breakthrough in green energy: an electrolyzer device capable of converting carbon dioxide into propane in a manner that is both scalable and economically viable. Fri, 18 Aug 2023 15:31:23 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230818153123.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230817164011.htm Conventional wisdom among ecologists holds that the more species there are inhabiting an ecosystem, the less vulnerable any one species will be to a threat like a parasite. A new study of tadpoles illustrates how overlapping biological and environmental factors can complicate how we value protecting diverse animal communities. The researchers found that environmental pollutants like road salt influence whether increased biodiversity helps or hinders disease outbreaks in wildlife, which can complicate how we value protecting diverse animal communities. Thu, 17 Aug 2023 16:40:11 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230817164011.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230817163849.htm A new study reveals that the wealthiest Americans, those whose income places them in the top 10% of earners, are responsible for 40% of the nation's total greenhouse gas emissions. The study links income, especially income derived from financial investments, to the emissions used in generating that income. The authors suggest that policymakers adopt taxes focused on shareholders and the carbon intensity of investment incomes in order to equitably meet the goal of keeping the global temperature to 1.5 C of warming. Thu, 17 Aug 2023 16:38:49 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230817163849.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230817163607.htm Humans have a positive view of nature. But is this due to an approach we have learned while growing up, or is it something we are born with? The answer is 'Both', according to researchers. Thu, 17 Aug 2023 16:36:07 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230817163607.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816134647.htm Human-caused climate change is shortening the snow cover period in the Arctic. But according to new research led by Earth system scientists, some parts of the Arctic are getting deeper snowpack than normal, and that deep snow is driving the thawing of long-frozen permafrost carbon reserves and leading to increased emissions of greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide and methane. Wed, 16 Aug 2023 13:46:47 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816134647.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114231.htm Researchers have demonstrated the use of a specially coated metal mesh to harvest water from fog and simultaneously remove pollutants. People living in foggy areas with low rainfall should benefit from this technology. Wed, 16 Aug 2023 11:42:31 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114231.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114220.htm Could plants be the answer to the looming threat of microplastic pollution? Scientists found that if you add tannins (natural plant compounds that make your mouth pucker if you bite into an unripe fruit) to a layer of wood dust, you can create a filter that can trap virtually all microplastic particles present in water. While the experiment remains a lab set-up at this stage, the team is convinced that the solution can be scaled up easily and inexpensively. Wed, 16 Aug 2023 11:42:20 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114220.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114205.htm Indoor air pollution may have met its match. Scientists have designed catalyst-coated lampshades that transform indoor air pollutants into harmless compounds. The lampshades work with halogen and incandescent light bulbs, and the team is extending the technology so it will also be compatible with LEDs. Wed, 16 Aug 2023 11:42:05 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114205.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114201.htm Pouring flecks of rust into water usually makes it dirtier. But researchers have developed special iron oxide nanoparticles called 'smart rust' that actually makes it cleaner. The magnetic nanoparticles attract different pollutants by changing the particles' coating and are removed from water with a magnet. Now, the team is reporting a smart rust that traps estrogen hormones, which are potentially harmful to aquatic life. Wed, 16 Aug 2023 11:42:01 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114201.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114148.htm Bats gather to feast as nocturnal insects fly through mountain passes in the Pyrenees each autumn, new research shows. Wed, 16 Aug 2023 11:41:48 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114148.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114128.htm Tiny plastic particles can be found in the air over the oceans even far away from the coast. According to a new study, microplastics are not only carried by the wind, but also escape into the atmosphere from seawater. Researchers present data on the composition and sources of different types of plastic in the air over the North Atlantic and the origin of the particles. Wed, 16 Aug 2023 11:41:28 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114128.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114109.htm A research team used data from low-cost sensors, artificial intelligence and mobility data to improve models that assess human exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), tiny particles in smoke and other forms of air pollution that can pose health dangers. The models may help public health officials develop strategies for reducing exposure to unhealthy air quality. Wed, 16 Aug 2023 11:41:09 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114109.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230815151126.htm A new study finds that ongoing extreme heat can worsen cognitive decline among vulnerable groups -- particularly Black older adults and those living in poor neighborhoods. Tue, 15 Aug 2023 15:11:26 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230815151126.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230814122400.htm Laboratory tests of 'ball milling' forever chemicals (PFAS) in soil suggest this method of destruction can be scaled up to help remediate thousands of sites around the world, scientists say. Mon, 14 Aug 2023 12:24:00 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230814122400.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230814122323.htm New findings have found that water use efficiency has stalled since 2001 which implies not as much CO2 was being taken in by plants and more water was consumed and that could have implications on carbon cycling, agricultural production and water resources. Mon, 14 Aug 2023 12:23:23 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230814122323.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230814121753.htm No amount of air pollution is good for the brain, but wildfires and the emissions resulting from agriculture and farming in particular may pose especially toxic threats to cognitive health, according to new research. Mon, 14 Aug 2023 12:17:53 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230814121753.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811143831.htm Wastewater treatment plants are undoubtedly a great achievement. After all, they have made a significant contribution to improving the quality of natural waters. A study shows, however, that substances still manage to enter the water cycle that have an impact on the composition of the organisms living in it. Fri, 11 Aug 2023 14:38:31 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811143831.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811115516.htm Using a novel method to detect microbial activity in biological soil crusts, or biocrusts, after they are wetted, a research team in a new study uncovered clues that will lead to a better understanding of the role microbes play in forming a living skin over many semi-arid ecosystems around the world. The tiny organisms -- and the microbiomes they create -- are threatened by climate change. Fri, 11 Aug 2023 11:55:16 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811115516.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230810180115.htm Microscopic plastic particles have been found in the fats and lungs of two-thirds of the marine mammals in a graduate student's study of ocean microplastics. The presence of polymer particles and fibers in these animals suggests that microplastics can travel out of the digestive tract and lodge in the tissues. Thu, 10 Aug 2023 18:01:15 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230810180115.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230810110401.htm Researchers found that tiny nematode worm larvae surf electric fields to hitch rides on passing insects. Thu, 10 Aug 2023 11:04:01 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230810110401.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230810110345.htm New research confirms fracking causes slow, small earthquakes or tremors, whose origin was previously a mystery to scientists. The tremors are produced by the same processes that could create large, damaging earthquakes. Thu, 10 Aug 2023 11:03:45 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230810110345.htm