Waste management is an essential aspect of public health, and it has a long and fascinating history. From ancient Roman public latrines to modern wastewater treatment plants, the evolution of toilets and sewage systems has been pivotal in preventing the spread of dangerous microorganisms that cause cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. Learning about the history of waste management is not only intellectually stimulating but also practically important for understanding the importance of proper sanitation. While modern toilets have a wide range of features, billions of people around the world still lack access to proper sanitation facilities, putting them at risk of disease. By studying the history of waste management and developing new sanitation technologies, we can address the behavioral, financial, and political issues that produce inequity throughout the sanitation pipeline and improve public health for all.

Did you know that even electric vehicles produce harmful pollution from tyre wear? According to a new briefing paper by Imperial College London’s Transition to Zero Pollution initiative, six million tonnes of tyre wear particles are released globally each year, with potentially negative effects on biodiversity and human health. While research and innovations dedicated to tackling fuel emissions have been increasing, the environmental and health impacts of tyre wear have been neglected. The researchers call for more investment in tyre wear research to fully understand and reduce their impacts, including particle capture technologies, new advanced materials, and efforts to reduce vehicle weight.

Think cold weather is only dangerous in extreme conditions? Think again. Research from the University of South Wales shows that even mild temperatures like 10°C can have a profound impact on the heart, lungs, and brain. Explore the science behind cold environments and their effects on the body in this eye-opening experiment.

Scotland has become the first country to ban desflurane, an anaesthetic gas with a global warming potential 2,500 times greater than carbon dioxide, from its hospitals due to its environmental threat. The move would cut emissions equivalent to powering 1,700 homes a year. UK hospitals have already cut down, with over 40 hospital trusts in England and some in Wales having stopped using it. NHS England will introduce a similar ban from 2024. Anaesthetists have switched to safer alternatives, but more needs to be done to reduce the NHS's carbon footprint.

Are you tired of feeling hot and sticky during the summer months? Look no further than Japan, where a dizzying array of personal cooling products are being sold to combat the country's hot and humid summers. From menthol and eucalyptus-based face masks to wearable fans and cooling vests, the Japanese market has something for everyone. But with rising temperatures and energy concerns, the need for more energy-efficient air conditioning and renewable energy sources is becoming increasingly pressing. Learn more about the innovative ways Japan is tackling its heatwave problem in this fascinating article from BBC.

From toxic leaks to microplastic pollution, scientists are exploring how pollutants affect human health. Exposomics is a new field that aims to understand our exposure to chemicals and their impact. Carmen Marsit, a molecular epidemiologist, is leading the charge to measure our exposure to chemicals and their breakdown products in blood. Learn how scientists are using gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry to identify the chemicals we are exposed to and the potential health risks associated with chronic exposure.

Decades after nuclear testing, downwinders are still experiencing the devastating effects of radioactive fallout. As the possibility of a return to testing looms, National Geographic explores the impact of the U.S.'s atomic age and the risks of a new nuclear arms race.

From colonial Maryland to modern-day America, sugar has played a significant role in shaping our diets and economy. Discover how the sugar industry grew and how sugar consumption became a class issue. Learn about wartime rationing and the rise of high-fructose corn syrup.

Electricity is a fundamental part of modern life, but could too much of it be harmful? Understanding the movement of electric charges and resulting electromagnetic radiation is key to answering this question. While some radiation, like UV light and X-rays, can be dangerous, most of the radiation emitted by human technology, such as mobile phones and household appliances, is harmless. However, some studies have suggested possible long-term harm from constant exposure to weak electromagnetic radiation. The debate surrounding this issue highlights the importance of reliable scientific studies and responsible communication of findings. Learning about the effects of electromagnetic radiation can help students make informed decisions about their technology use and contribute to ongoing scientific research.

Are you fascinated by the inner workings of the human body and want to play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating illnesses? Look no further than the field of radiography! Radiography is the study of medical imaging, using X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and other techniques to create images of the body's internal structures. It's a vital field that helps doctors detect and diagnose a wide range of medical conditions, from broken bones to cancer. In recent years, radiography has seen some exciting innovations and breakthroughs. For example, researchers are exploring the use of AI and machine learning to improve the accuracy and speed of medical imaging. And new techniques like 3D printing are allowing doctors to create custom implants and prosthetics for their patients. At the undergraduate level, students can expect to take courses in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and of course, radiographic imaging techniques. Many programs also offer clinical rotations, giving students hands-on experience working with patients and medical professionals. After graduation, there are a wide range of career paths available to radiography majors. Some graduates go on to become radiologic technologists, performing diagnostic imaging procedures like X-rays and CT scans. Others become radiation therapists, using radiation to treat cancer and other diseases. And still others go on to become medical physicists, working to develop and improve medical imaging technology. There are many potential employers for radiography graduates, including hospitals, clinics, and private imaging centers. Some notable examples include the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. To succeed in radiography, students should have a strong background in science and math, as well as excellent communication skills and attention to detail. If you're passionate about healthcare and interested in a challenging and rewarding career, radiography may be the perfect field for you.

Electronic waste is not just trash, it's a treasure trove of precious metals like gold! Researchers at the University of Cagliari and Imperial College London have found a way to extract gold from electronic waste and use it as a catalyst in making medicines. This not only prevents gold from being lost in landfills but also reduces our dependence on environmentally harmful mining practices.

Stanford researchers have developed a smart bandage that painlessly falls away from the skin and tracks signs of recovery and infection. It even responds with electrical stimulation to hasten healing. The bandage resulted in 25% faster healing, greater blood flow to injured tissue, and less scarring in animal studies. The bandage is just one example of how Stanford researchers combine organic chemistry and novel materials to reimagine medical devices in more powerful, personal, and unobtrusive ways.

Millions in North Asia face a seasonal ordeal as sandstorms from the Gobi desert blanket the region in yellow dust, aggravating air pollution and putting people at risk of respiratory disease. With no realistic way to avoid it, people are forced to carry on with their daily lives despite the health risks. While China and South Korea face yellow dust, Thailand deals with its own pollution problem as wildfires and sugarcane field burning blanket the country's northern region in smog. Is this the new normal?

Are you aware that over 2 billion people globally drink water contaminated with disease-causing microbes? Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have developed a low-cost, recyclable powder that can kill thousands of waterborne bacteria per second when exposed to ordinary sunlight. This discovery could be a significant breakthrough for the nearly 30 percent of the world's population without access to safe drinking water. The results of their study are published in Nature Water.

Standing is a unique ability that only humans have, and it's a major achievement that has shaped human evolution. Standing upright has given us immense control and power, as it freed our hands to become versatile tools and increased our brain capacity. However, standing also comes with exposure and vulnerability, and it can lead to chronic strain on our backs and knees. Despite this, how we stand can reveal a lot about how we're feeling, and changing our stance can actually change the way we feel and how others perceive us. Learning about the benefits and drawbacks of standing can help us understand ourselves better and improve our physical and mental well-being.

Did you know that air pollution can impair our sense of smell and cause anosmia? Studies have shown that exposure to small airborne pollution particles, largely from the combustion of fuels in vehicles, power stations and our homes, can lead to olfactory dysfunction, causing a gradual erosion of our sense of smell over time. This can have significant effects on our overall wellbeing, from reducing our ability to taste and enjoy food, to potentially being an early warning sign of dementia. Researchers from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Karolinska Institute have found a strong correlation between higher pollution levels and poorer smelling ability, suggesting that we need to take air pollution more seriously to protect our health.

New research has identified gold-based compounds that could treat multidrug-resistant "superbugs", with some effectiveness against several bacteria. Antibiotic resistance is a global public health threat, and the development of new antibiotics has stalled. Gold metalloantibiotics, compounds with a gold ion at their core, could be a promising new approach. Dr. Sara M. Soto Gonzalez and colleagues studied the activity of 19 gold complexes against a range of multidrug-resistant bacteria isolated from patients. The gold compounds were effective against at least one bacterial species studied, with some displaying potent activity against several multidrug-resistant bacteria.

From the dizzying heights of tightrope walking, we can learn the secrets of balancing and defying gravity. Sonja Harpstead, a tightrope instructor in New York, explains that posture is the key to success, and lowering your center of gravity towards the wire is crucial. By understanding the physics of the human body, tightrope walkers use rotational inertia to keep their balance and carry a long balancing pole to lower their center of gravity even further. Beyond entertainment, research in this area could have healthcare implications, including detecting early muscle degradation in elderly patients and building strength and balance with physical therapy exercises. Take a step into the physics of tightrope walking today!

A team of researchers from UCLA has developed a new remote diagnostic technique that overcomes bias against darker skin tones in heart rate measurements. By combining the light-based measurements of a camera with radio-based measurements from radar and refining them through machine learning, the new technique improves the accuracy and fairness of heart rate readings for patients across a wide variety of skin tones. The study's findings, recently published in the journal ACM Transactions on Graphics, offer a promising path toward achieving more accurate and equitable remote technologies that can be used to remotely monitor patients both in clinical settings and from patients’ homes.

Are you aware of the "forever chemicals" present in your drinking water? A recent study by Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) reveals that the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) draft standards for maximum allowable levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in drinking water are not enough to account for half of the PFAS present at contaminated sites across the US. PFAS are linked to several health risks, including cancer, immune suppression, and low infant birth weight. The study emphasizes the urgent need for advances in remediation technology to effectively clean up both terminal and precursor compounds. Read more about this alarming issue in the Environmental Science & Technology journal.