Environmental Sciences and Engineering News
The Abstract: October 4, 2021
October 4, 2021
Communicating for Health Impact Lab to build upon UNC legacy of health communication work
September 30, 2021 Good health communication translates hard science into plain language. Showing people what to expect from their behaviors ultimately saves lives.
Human, swine waste pose dual threats to water quality after flooding
September 9, 2021 Scientists found several species of bacteria in floodwaters left behind by 2018’s Hurricane Florence, according to a new study from researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University.
The Abstract: September 7, 2021
September 7, 2021
Two Gillings leaders advance research on innovative solutions to public health challenges
August 24, 2021 Drs. Mark Sobsey and Steven Meshnick were two early recipients of Gillings Innovation Lab awards that proposed public health improvements to global communities and provided instrumental mentorship to students and faculty at UNC and the Gillings School today.
PFAS Testing Network releases final report, shares scientific recommendations for NC
August 10, 2021 PFAS — short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are found in many common products and have been linked to negative health effects in animals, but their health effects in humans are largely unknown. In an effort to shed light on this concerning scientific question, researchers with the PFAS Testing (PFAST) Network have submitted a comprehensive report and accompanying recommendations to the North Carolina General Assembly.
What is sanitation’s role in prevention of intestinal disease in children?
July 19, 2021 A team of environmental health experts proposed a radical improvement in sanitation for informal communities in Maputo, Mozambique, in an effort to reduce intestinal infections in young children. They found, however, that the risk of infection is so high that sanitation improvements alone may not be enough to significantly improve health.
Well-researched investment in renewable energy can improve global equity
July 6, 2021 In many low- and lower middle-income countries, great natural wealth contrasts with a desire for economic development. In two recent publications, Dr. Noah Kittner explores the ideal balance of wind, solar and hydropower in Myanmar and discusses financial compensation for solar energy generation in the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
Rethinking a century of fluid flows
July 1, 2021 Using the TCAT model, researchers are upending traditional methods of fluid flow calculation. Physics at this microscale provide a fundamental groundwork for solving problems that are of interest to society.
Predicting potential pitfalls of battery-driven power systems
May 14, 2021 Batteries could be critical in the transition to clean energy, but the same characteristics that make them attractive could enable users to exploit the electric power system for private profit while increasing overall costs and making grid management more difficult.