Sewer slime can hang on to SARS-CoV-2 RNA from wastewater
During the COVID-19 pandemic, monitoring the levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater entering treatment plants has been one way that researchers have gauged the disease's spread. But could the slimy microbial communities that line most sewer pipes aff.....»»
New infection mechanism in SARS-CoV-2 discovered
Researchers from Heidelberg Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center investigate molecular relationships that promote infection and spread of SARS-CoV-2. The results may provide a starting point for developmen.....»»
Plan calls for recycling wastewater to avoid Chicago region water crisis
As municipalities contract with the City of Chicago to supply fresh water from Lake Michigan, a new report from University of Illinois Chicago researchers recommends that plans include supplying recycled water for industry to avoid looming issues rel.....»»
Microbial predators cause seasonal fluctuations in wastewater treatment, study shows
A community of microbial predators influences the composition of the bacterial community in wastewater. This explains seasonal variations in the microbial community that affect the efficiency of water treatment. This is the result of a study conducte.....»»
Newly-identified compound inhibits SARS-CoV-2 by targeting the nucleocapsid protein
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally since 2020. The nucleocapsid (N) protein plays a crucial role in the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2......»»
Team develops all-species coronavirus test
In an advance that will help scientists track coronavirus variants in wild and domesticated animals, researchers report they can now detect exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus in any animal species. Most coronavirus antibody tests require specialized ch.....»»
Study shows floating plants best at purifying wastewater
According to research by Lisanne Hendriks, an ecologist at Radboud University, azolla and duckweed are the best floating aquatic plants for purifying wastewater. The plants absorb nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater and so render it much cleaner......»»
New pathway discovered for RNA degradation in iron-rich environments
RNA, an essential biomolecule for life, has been used in environmental applications including monitoring microbial communities, developing pesticides, and quantifying the abundance of pathogenic viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, in water and wastewater sy.....»»
Are You Ready for ‘Extreme’ Water Recycling?
San Francisco is at the forefront of a movement to recycle wastewater from buildings, homes, and neighborhoods and use it for toilets and landscaping......»»
"Every drop counts": Spain"s crops thrive on wastewater
With rainfall increasingly scarce, irrigating crops can be a major challenge, but farmers in southeastern Spain have long relied on recycled wastewater in a model that is winning attention abroad......»»
A new adsorbent for removing radioactive cesium ions from nuclear wastewater
Nuclear power is typically considered a cleaner way of generating power compared to fossil fuels. It does not release air pollutants and greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide as by-products. However, it creates radiotoxic waste that needs proper trea.....»»
Passive ecosystem services, juxtaposed with engineered processes, can democratize wastewater treatment
Human activities have a significant impact on natural waters, aquatic biodiversity and the quality of drinking water resources. For Professor Mathieu Lapointe of the Department of Construction Engineering at École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS),.....»»
Coronavirus only needs to bind to a single receptor, shows study
Why is the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus able to spread so efficiently? Various hypotheses are still circulating in the scientific community. A group of researchers from Würzburg has now found new answers......»»
Treated wastewater in Victoria is still contaminated, study finds. So are people and the environment safe?
Wastewater is a byproduct of humanity produced all day, every day. At home, wastewater is the used water that disappears when you flush the toilet, empty the sink or drain the washing machine......»»
Research is the first to unlock the secret of microbial slime
The slimy outer layer of fungi and bacteria known as the "extracellular matrix," or ECM, has the consistency of jelly and acts as a protective and envelope layer. But, according to a recent study in the journal iScience, led by the University of Mass.....»»
Essential process for SARS-CoV-2 viral replication visualized
During the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a long string of connected proteins is cleaved apart into individual proteins. This process is interrupted by an FDA-approved drug to treat COVID-19; however, the mechanistic details of this cleavage pr.....»»
Venice"s Grand Canal turns bright green due to fluorescein
The spectacular transformation of a stretch of Venice's Grand Canal to fluorescent green was due to fluorescein, a non-toxic substance used for testing wastewater networks, local authorities said on Monday......»»
Next steps in monitoring bat coronaviruses
Since the emergence of SARS in 2002, coronaviruses have been recognized as potential pandemic threats. This emergence highlights a need for evidence-based strategies to monitor bat coronaviruses. Daniel Becker, Ph.D., a researcher at the University o.....»»
Can beer convince Americans to drink recycled wastewater?
Earlier this year, a new beer appeared on the menu at Fox City Brewing Company in Forsyth, Georgia. Opened three years ago in a former ice house an hour south of Atlanta, Fox City serves pale ales, stouts and other microbrews. The new addition, calle.....»»
The splat is back: Why Nickelodeon rebranded for the first time in 14 years
Designed for today’s kids and their nostalgic parents, Nick’s visual identity looks a lot like the ‘90s—and that’s the point. Orange splat. Green slime.Read Full Story.....»»
Ars Frontiers is live: Come (virtually) hang out with the experts
We're now live with an afternoon of mRNA, artificial intelligence, and space. The Frontiers livestream. Your favorite Ars writers will appear inside of this magic box starting at 1:30 pm US Eastern Daylight Time! It's Frontiers Day.....»»