Industrial emissions of black carbon were responsible for the retreat of the glaciers in the European Alps that marked the end of the so-called ‘Little Ice Age’, according to a new study. The researchers explain how black carbon deposits could have caused glaciers to melt more rapidly from the mid-19th century and suggest that human activities were already having a visible influence on the climate before the effects of carbon dioxide were evident.

European buildings built in the 1950s, 60s and 70s may contribute towards levels of toxins in the body, a new study suggests. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were found at elevated levels in children that lived in houses and studied in schools built during this period, before PCBs were more thoroughly regulated in the construction industry. Although food is generally a more concentrated source of these toxins, the authors say exposure through these environments should be minimised wherever possible.

A new study aimed at increasing knowledge of indoor air quality (IAQ) in recently built or refurbished office buildings has found that levels of pollutants are mostly within World Health Organization (WHO) air-quality guidelines, however they vary between seasons. In addition, some levels of particulate matter were found to exceed WHO guideline values. The OFFICAIR project was funded by the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme.

It is important to understand the extent to which atmospheric (air) pollution damages plants (i.e. its phytotoxicity) as well as the wider ecosystem (i.e. its ecotoxicity). For this reason, researchers have adapted the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Vegetative Vigour Test1 for the assessment of the ecotoxicity of samples of aerosol (suspensions of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air). Typically, the test involves spraying the trial liquid on above-ground portions of the plant, such as the leaves. The adapted protocol involves extracting water-soluble aerosol compounds from aerosol samples to spray on the plant. The new protocol is sensitive enough to determine phytotoxicity and establish a clear cause–effect relationship, and as such has the potential to serve as a useful tool for the assessment of the effects of air pollution on environmental and human health.

Fuel spillages and leaks from petroleum storage facilities can lead to serious pollution of soils and underground water. In a recent study, two strains of Rhodococcus bacteria were found to be effective at degrading a number of petroleum hydrocarbons and thus helping clean up contaminated sites.

Some types of bacteria show the potential to act as self-healing agents in concrete, according to a recent study. This could make the construction material more durable and therefore more sustainable.

New low cost methods using bacteria to remove toxic metals from groundwater have been investigated using both actual contaminated groundwater and artificially controlled systems. Environmental conditions, such as changing levels of acidity or alkalinity, can have a significant effect on the removal of toxins, results show.

Bacteria taken from underground petroleum reserves could be used to effectively break down crude oil from spills at sea, new research has found. The study measured the breakdown of crude oil components in simulated seawater by four bacterial strains that had been isolated from petroleum reservoirs, as well as by four genetically modified stains. The findings raise the possibility of tailor-making organisms to clean up specific types of contamination.

Engineering at the nanoscale brings the promise of radical technological development — clean energy, highly effective medicines and space travel. But technology at this scale also brings safety challenges. Nano-sized particles are not inherently more toxic than larger particles, but the effects are complex and vary based on particle properties as well as chemical toxicity. This Report brings together the latest science on environmental safety considerations specific to manufactured nanoscale materials, and some possible implications for policy and research.

Researchers have analysed the ability of two organic nanomaterials to remove the heavy metal chromium from water. In the laboratory, the nanomaterials successfully took up around 95% of the chromium. Further work is needed to confirm the feasibility of using these nanomaterials to purify water in real-world conditions.

Although nanomaterials are already in widespread use, their risk to the environment is not completely understood. Researchers in the US have developed a next-generation risk-assessment model to better understand nanomaterials’ environmental impact. Applied to the San Francisco Bay area, the model predicted that even soluble nanomaterials could accumulate at toxic levels.

Australian Federal Police National Headquarters in Canberra will be bathed in blue from this evening (Thursday, 30 April) to honour the four Victorian and one South Australian police officer who tragically lost their lives last week.

A 45-year-old man will face Melbourne Magistrate’s Court today, charged in relation to child abuse material offences.

Artists are being encouraged to put their finishing touches to their work, as the second Whitefriars Art Competition is closing next weekend.

The post Australian expertise drives Nigerian steel project appeared first on The Lead SA.

Motherhood, for now, looks vastly different for Sarah Roberts than she expected it to – but nonetheless, the actor wants to speak candidly about the heartbreak she and husband James Stewart endured after she suffered two miscarriages in the past year.

The post Potato starch trials give ugly spuds a second chance appeared first on The Lead SA.

The post ‘Golden goose’ of salt tolerant wheat varieties to begin field trials appeared first on The Lead SA.

Watford fighter Ellie Harber took her 2020 record to five wins from five, culminating last weekend at the IFMA Great Britain Team Trials at Watford’s Woodside Leisure Centre.

President’s Cup Semi-Final

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​Scientists from NTU have transformed pollen, known as the diamond of the plant kingdom for its toughness, into a soft, flexible material that could serve as a 'building block' for a new category of eco-friendly materials....

Algeria has been pursuing foreign partnerships to boost output and exports.

He succeeds John Whelan, who has been named VP, Global Heavy Oil, ExxonMobil Upstream Oil and Gas.

Pedestrian scrambles, an idea championed by Henry Barnes in Denver, stop the flow of traffic and allow pedestrians to cross the street in all directions.

Cohabitating doesn't provide the same health benefits for gay couples that marriage does for straights.

Here are the key facts about the cases and what's behind them.

Thanks in part to shows like 'Modern Family,' a majority of Americans are now in favor of same-sex marriage.

The same-sex marriage rulings by the Supreme Court are but the most recent in a long history of cases that reshaped the family structure.

A new report released by EWG details just how widespread the use of antibiotics in animals is and the disturbing problems it's causing for humans.

Eko Atlantic will be the modern face of Nigeria, for better or for worse.

Climate Chronograph is a memorial that sinks as sea levels rise.

If you're trying to stave off the mid-morning munchies, these foods will satisfy both your taste buds and your appetite.

Video: When we use water, much of it must undergo energy-intensive cleaning at a treatment plant before flowing back to the environment. Microbial fuel cells ma

Many animals have been found buried with the same level of care as humans, suggesting a deep bond between humans and animals.

There are some ingredients right in your kitchen that can help improve psoriasis.

A special sugar in these greens keeps good bacteria happy.

Squiggles, swoops, spires, waterfalls and some truly otherworldly latticework are just the beginning.

Some studies show that marriage actually has a negative health effect.

Insects are lower impact and could replace meat in the American diet, but what do the veggies think?

Annual award, given by PETA, presented in recognition of both actors' commitment to animal-free diets.

The gaping 260-foot-wide hole was spotted in an area of Siberia known as "the end of the world."

Using historical records and new technology, researchers have narrowed the cause of the "tidal wave" down to the epicenter of the spooky source's earthquake.