Scientists identify enzyme that can clean up pollution by explosivesOctober 10th, 2009 LONDON - Scientists at the University of York, UK, have uncovered the structure of an unusual enzyme that can be used to reverse the contamination of land by explosives. The discovery, by scientists in the York Structural Biology Laboratory and the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, will support the development of plants that can help tackle pollution caused by royal demolition explosive, also known as RDX.
Scientists develop 'electronic nose' that can sniff out toxins by changing colorsSeptember 14th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A team of scientists has developed a sensor that works as an 'electronic nose' in sniffing out some known poisonous gases and toxins, simply by changing colors. Support for the development and application of this electronic nose comes from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health.
Federal survey of coal ash disposal finds hundreds of sites _ and some spills _ in 35 statesSeptember 8th, 2009 Federal survey finds coal ash sites in 35 statesWASHINGTON — The toxic leftovers from burning coal for power are sitting in nearly 600 sites in 35 states, according to a federal survey released Tuesday. Spills have occurred at 34 of those sites over the last decade.
Natural organic matter plays key role in making mercury toxic to living creaturesAugust 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists have found that naturally occurring organic matter in water and sediment appears to play a key role in helping microbes convert tiny particles of mercury in the environment into a form that is toxic to most living creatures. According to Duke University environmental engineers, this finding is important because it could change the way mercury in the environment is measured and therefore regulated.
AP IMPACT: Obama's EPA plans final cleanup work at fewer toxic waste sites than did Bush'sAugust 10th, 2009 AP IMPACT: Obama's EPA plans fewer toxic cleanupsWASHINGTON —For years, the Bush administration was criticized for not cleaning up enough of the nation's most contaminated waste sites. The Obama administration plans to do even less.
Obama's EPA plans final cleanup work at fewer toxic waste sites than did Bush'sAugust 10th, 2009 Obama's EPA plans fewer toxic cleanupsWASHINGTON —For years, the Bush administration was criticized for not cleaning up enough of the nation's most contaminated waste sites. The Obama administration plans to do even less.
A thirst for blood sparks toxic algal bloomsJuly 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden have suggested that toxic algal blooms are created when aggressive algae kill and injure their competitors in order to absorb the nutrients they contain. "The behaviour of the algae can be compared to that of blood-sucking insects," said Per Jonsson of the Department of Marine Ecology.
Immobilized microbes can prove useful in treating industrial waste waterJune 20th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research in China, scientists have determined that immobilized microbes can break down potentially harmful phthalates, thus proving useful in treating industrial waste water and preventing these materials from entering the environment. Phthalic Acid Esters (PAEs), commonly known as phthalates, are widely used as additives in polymer manufacture as plasticizers.
120,000 yr old frozen microbe in Greenland may hold clues to alien lifeJune 15th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A team of scientists has found a tiny frozen microbe trapped more than three kilometres under glacial ice in Greenland for over 120,000 years, which may hold clues as to what life forms might exist on other planets. The novel microbe was found by Dr Jennifer Loveland-Curtze and a team of scientists from Pennsylvania State University, US.
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano glows at summit as lava nears surface; unclear whether eruption nearJune 7th, 2009 Scientists eye glowing volcano crater in HawaiiVOLCANO, Hawaii — The summit of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is glowing brightly as molten lava swirls 300 feet below its crater's floor, bubbling near the surface after years of spewing from the volcano's side. The expanding vent of Halemaumau crater helps confirm scientists' belief that the lava is close to the surface of the summit, said Janet Babb, a geologist and spokeswoman for the U.S.
Scientists try to find effective ways to identify toxic pollutants in city airApril 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A team of scientists is looking for easier, more effective ways of finding and measuring the toxic pollutants that people actually breathe, especially in cities. The team is being led by William Vizuete, assistant professor of environmental sciences and engineering at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Gillings School of Global Public Health.
Scientists transform CO2 into clean-burning biofuelApril 17th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists at Singapore's Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) have become the first to transform the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) into methanol, which is a widely used industrial feedstock and clean-burning biofuel. The IBN researchers report that by using organocatalysts, they activated CO2 in a mild and non-toxic process to produce methanol, a widely used industrial feedstock and clean-burning biofuel.
Cleaning up oil spills can be bad for fishApril 14th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new research has shown that chemicals commonly used to clean up oil spills make oil far more toxic to fish, particularly for eggs and young fish. According to a report by Discovery News, the research was done by Fish toxicologist Professor Peter Hodson of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and colleagues.
Scientists identify microbe that turns (CO2) and water directly to methaneMarch 31st, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, a team of Penn State engineers has identified a tiny microbe that can take electricity and directly convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and water to methane, producing a portable energy source with a potentially neutral carbon footprint. "We were studying making hydrogen in microbial electrolysis cells and we kept getting all this methane," said Bruce E.
Dead Sea's poison gas may produce life-sustaining clean energyMarch 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has indicated that the Black Sea, the world's largest dead zone that has high concentrations of a poisonous gas, may be chock-full of life-sustaining energy. The Black Sea, an isolated inland sea in Eastern Europe, has been devoid of life for decades due to pollution carried by rivers.
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