Credit: Flinders University A growing threat of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) pathogens poses a critical public health threat—and drinking water plumbing systems serve as significant but overlooked reservoirs of these problematic microbes. Despite international efforts to combat AMR, surveillance has primarily focused on clinical cases, while environmental reservoirs—such as drinking water plumbing systems—remain poorly understood. A…
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain More American cities—even those seen as affluent—are home to people living without running water as people are being “squeezed” by unaffordable housing and the cost-of-living crisis, new research finds. Published in Nature Cities, the study revealed the problem worsened following changes to the housing market triggered by the 2008 global crash….
Without a coating, UV light can interact with wood surfaces, causing discoloration and damage. Credit: Naturhaus Naturfarben GmbH To keep wood from aging prematurely, it’s important to protect it effectively against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. At the same time, people want to retain the look and feel of natural wooden surfaces, but the transparent protective coatings…
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain When you see an advertisement for a detergent promising to brighten your clothes, something called a fluorescent whitening compound, or optical brightener, is probably involved. Such material absorbs UV light and emits visible blue light via fluorescence. The result? Brighter whites, vibrant colors. Yes, your clothes are glowing. As it turns…
