Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

<ul class="summary-list"><li>California has spent decades battling droughts and water insecurity.</li><li>Startups like Epic Cleantec are innovating with on-site water reuse.</li></ul>Despite enduring droughts for <a target="_blank" href="https://ca.water.usgs.gov/california-drought/california-drought-runoff.html">much of the past 15 years</a>, California continues to lead the nation in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/water-qa-which-states-use-most-water">water consumption</a>.During these <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/california-drought-could-impact-agriculture-tourism-wildlife-2021-6">dry periods</a>, some of the state's local governments began to look for ways to <a target="_blank" href="https://andthewest.stanford.edu/2023/in-times-of-scarcity-californias-best-new-source-of-water-reuse/">diversify their water supplies</a> away from lengthy pipelines and expensive, out-of-state sources.In 2012, San Francisco's Public Utilities Commission began developing the Onsite Water Reuse Program to investigate whether water reuse, also known as water recycling, in buildings could be a solution to California's water problem."There weren't any state or national regulations," Paula Kehoe, the director of water resources at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, told Business Insider. Kehoe and her team created a permitting program to streamline the adoption of on-site water-reuse systems developed by private businesses.As the US faces a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2023/09/25/more-federal-funding-needed-to-improve-drinking-water-epa-study-finds#:~:text=Water%20utilities%20throughout%20the%20United,Environmental%20Protection%20Agency%20(EPA).">$625 billion cost to address the nation's need to repair drinking- and clean-water infrastructure</a>, on-site water reuse is quickly becoming a strong alternative to the historically slow and expensive process of building large water-recycling plants.With droughts predicted to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://apnews.com/article/california-droughts-gavin-newsom-recycling-c22de8f25b9d6a2bf69277a7185abc0f">reduce California's water supply by 10%</a> over the next 20 years, the success of these systems could lay the foundation for how the state sources its water over several decades.<h2 id="8b14ae19-3316-4bcf-9798-263a2b1e1e25">Silicon Valley is investing in on-site water recycling</h2>In 2015, during the height of California's drought and after three years of development, San Francisco unveiled the Onsite Water Reuse Program requiring all new buildings of 250,000 square feet or more to install an on-site water-treatment system for nonpotable uses, a cap that was lowered to 100,000 square feet in 2021.The city's tech background and proximity to Silicon Valley gave some <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gradiant-water-startup-helps-businesses-recycle-water-2023-7">startups an opportunity</a> to enter the market. In 2019, Epic Cleantec, a maker of on-site water-reuse systems, emerged to meet the necessary demand for new large buildings.Aaron Tartakovsky, Epic Cleantec's cofounder and CEO, developed the company to address the water-reuse needs of large city buildings.He told BI he took inspiration from the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/solar-careers-in-demand-workforce-shortage-2024-7">solar industry</a>, which he said had turned to local installation projects after prioritizing large-scale solar-panel farms. "Can we do the same thing for water and wastewater?" Tartakovsky said. "Can this be water's solar moment?"<div type="image" title="Aaron Tartovsky, founder of epic cleantec" height="2268" width="3024" msid="111870886" hostid="261" sizebytes="137524"></div>Epic Cleantec's on-site systems can recycle building gray water for nonpotable uses, including toilet flushing and irrigation, through their filtration and disinfection process. The company's systems also incorporate an energy-saving mechanism to limit the amount of wasted heat."We have big tanks in these buildings that are collecting all this heated wastewater," Tartakovsky said. "Rather than just sending all that heat away, we are using heat exchangers to take all of that energy from the water and then to reuse that energy within the building."Epic Cleantec has six active projects in California, including a recent system in San Francisco's Salesforce Tower that the company says is the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://epiccleantec.com/projects/salesforce">largest on-site water-reuse system in a US commercial high-rise</a>.The company has also entered the hotel sector with a recycling system in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Beverly Hills. Recycled water is being used for on-site irrigation.In a drought-conscious state, Tartakovsky said the on-site recycling systems had become more appealing to tenants looking for ways to contribute to the state's water-conservation mindset.The adoption of on-site water reuse can also be a sensible decision for developers. "They're not working with us just because it's a nice thing to do and it's good for the planet," he said. "They're doing it because it makes business sense — it saves them a lot of money to incorporate technologies like ours into these projects."<h2 id="075e558b-3852-4981-bc08-a5e2095ce6fb">Water reuse to overcome hurdles</h2>While large plants and on-site water systems in major buildings have been California's <a target="_blank" href="https://andthewest.stanford.edu/2023/in-times-of-scarcity-californias-best-new-source-of-water-reuse/">more established methods</a> of water reuse, the state's biggest hurdle is retrofitting systems for existing buildings.As part of San Francisco's water-recycling initiative, the city published a list of 30 vendors that provide on-site systems that can be installed in existing buildings and new constructions to collect different types of water, including rainwater, gray water, and black water.While most of the vendors offer reuse systems and water management for new constructions, some companies, such as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bioclere.co.uk/bioclere.php">Bioclere</a>, Phoenix's <a target="_blank" href="https://dewater.com/markets/aquacell-water-recycling/">Aquacell</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://innovatreat.com/">Innovatreat</a>, make systems designed to be retrofitted into existing buildings and community infrastructure.<div type="image" title="Epic Cleantec One Water system installed" height="2626" width="1751" msid="111870887" hostid="261" sizebytes="125772"></div>Erik Porse, the director and associate cooperative extension specialist at the California Institute for Water Resources, told BI these retrofits are more difficult to install because of the limitations of size and existing water pipes. "If you have a larger facility, like more area, then you can think about on-site treatment of some sort," he said. "But if you're kind of working in an existing building, like a small building, it can be kind of tough to integrate in lots of treatments."California's <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/california-central-valley-farms-groundwater-dought-2023-7">agriculture sector</a> also relies on water-reuse systems for nonpotable water — a key part of crop irrigation. Since the state has the highest agricultural output in the country, recycled water is important for maintaining crops, especially in times of drought. California is the leader in <a target="_blank" href="https://watereuse.org/educate/water-reuse-101/agricultural-reuse/">using reused water for agriculture</a> across the US.However, the extent to which recycled water is used in agriculture depends on a state's guidelines, many of which are underdeveloped. For example, Iowa is one of the highest producers of crops but does not have any regulations for the use of reused water in agriculture. Instead, the state is experimenting with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cals.iastate.edu/inrc/news/2024/new-report-shares-latest-research-potential-ag-drainage-water-recycling">drainage-water recycling</a>, or collecting water from farming, and local infrastructure that captures used drainage and rainfall for reuse in on-site irrigation.Nonpotable water can also help in one of the country's newest sources of water loss: data centers. States like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsweek.com/why-ai-so-thirsty-data-centers-use-massive-amounts-water-1882374">Iowa</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://grist.org/technology/surging-demand-data-guzzling-water-ai/">Virginia</a> have seen massive strains on their <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-data-energy-centers-water-energy-land-2023-10">water supplies</a> due to the increased construction of these facilities. "Those data centers use huge amounts of water to cool themselves," Tartakovsky said.Tartakovsky hopes Epic Cleantec's recent expansions to states such as Texas, Florida, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hawaii-water-crisis-climate-change/">Hawaii</a> can help in ways beyond water scarcity. "A lot of people think you only need it in the Western states, but in places like the East Coast, a lot of times what they have is wastewater-infrastructure issues," he said. "We have pipes and sewers that were put in place anywhere from 30 to 100 years ago."<h2 id="8d5654cd-d3b7-4f2e-89c8-d5d9a678cdde">Rethinking our relationship with water</h2>To help promote the safety of its recycled water, Epic Cleantec partnered with a brewery near San Francisco, Devil's Canyon Brewing Co., to make a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/half-moon-bay-brewery-california-recycled-wastewater-nasa-astronauts-2023-7">safe-to-drink beer</a> out of its nonpotable water. The beer could not be sold commercially since the state has not cleared nonpotable water for drinking, but Tartakovsky credits the campaign with highlighting the company's purification process.Other states could learn from the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2022/04/14/state-expands-save-our-water-public-awareness-campaign-as-drought-intensifies/">public-awareness campaigns</a> California has promoted for several decades to help residents embrace water reuse. During times of drought, the state has encouraged water conservation and water recycling, such as the use of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2022-06-21/gardening-with-recycled-water">recycled water for plants</a>. "We've seen a pretty big evolution in California cities, especially in Southern California, that folks understand that water reuse is a treatment technology that we use in the state, and it's important, and it provides supply resilience," Porse said.In Texas, a fellow drought-prone state, the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://takecareoftexas.org/water">Take Care of Texas </a>campaign similarly encourages community support for water conservation so the state can survive in times of water scarcity.Porse told BI that in California as public support grows, so will government regulations. In 2023, California made progress toward establishing recycled water for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/press_room/press_releases/2023/pr20231219-dpr-regulations-adoption.pdf">direct potable reuse</a> and allowing recycled water to be used in the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/california-drinking-toilet-water-sewage-waste-drought-climate-crisis-solution-2023-12">state's drinking-water supply</a>.For Kehoe, the key to creating stronger water infrastructure is a partnership between communities that endures beyond times of scarcity."We always talk about water conservation as a way of life," Kehoe said. "It's not just during the drought."

Droughts are threatening California's water supply. The state is racing to save what's left. 

<ul><li><keyword id="2081688" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Drumstick-seeds">Drumstick seeds</keyword> can be used to purify water. </li><li>Scientists have developed a new material using seeds and sand. </li><li>This new material known as f-sand could possibly solve the global water crisis.</li></ul>Researchers at the <keyword id="6421753" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="carnegie-mellon-university">Carnegie Mellon University</keyword>, USA have <a href="https://engineering.cmu.edu/news-events/news/2018/06/13-seed-clean-water.html">developed</a> a cheap and effective water filtration material to counter the global water crisis. This material which is termed as “f-sand” is made from sand and plant materials. What is f-sand? The new material, f-sand, uses proteins from the <keyword id="2901875" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Moringa-oleifera">Moringa Oleifera</keyword> plant commonly known as the drumstick tree to efficaciously purify water. The plant which is indigenous to India, grows well in tropical and sub-tropical climates and is cultivated for food and natural oils. The seeds of the plant are also used for one type of basic <keyword id="551862" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="water-purification">water purification</keyword>. Materials present in the seeds can kill microorganisms and reduce water turbidity. 
	
	
	<div type="image" title="Moringa_oleifera_(537119922)" msid="64647911" hostid="261"></div>







 F-sand can be created by the extraction of proteins from the plant’s seeds and attaching them to the surface of silica particles of sand. 
 
 
 <div type="javascript" title="Custom"><cdata><![CDATA[

]]></cdata></div>






 The only problem faced by this water purification process is the bacteria growth. When water is purified with the seeds of the Moringa Oleifera the process leaves behind high amounts of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) resulting in bacteria regrowth after 24 hours on an average. This gives a really short window to consume this water, but the excess DOC can then be washed off, leaving behind clean water for a longer period of time. As the world progresses into the future, lack of resources is a growing concern. Water resources on the planet are diminishing very fast. Widespread droughts and water contamination have resulted in a global water crisis. Here are some reports with some alarming facts - <ul><li>844 million people don’t have clean water - WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) Report 2017.</li><li>31% of schools don’t have clean water - UNICEF, Advancing WASH in Schools Monitoring, 2015.</li><li>Every minute a newborn dies from infections caused by lack of safe water and an unclean environment - WHO, 2015.</li><li>Diarrhoea caused by dirty water and poor toilets kills a child under 5 every 2 minutes - WASHWatch.org</li><li>Around the world, up to 443 million school days are lost every year because of water-related illnesses - Human Development Report, 2006</li></ul>Currently, 2.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water services globally and the majority of them live in developing nations according to <a href="http://www.who.int/news-room/detail/12-07-2017-2-1-billion-people-lack-safe-drinking-water-at-home-more-than-twice-as-many-lack-safe-sanitation">WHO</a>. If new materials like f-sand work as they promise, they could be a significant step towards solving the water crisis.

Plant seeds might be huge step towards solving the global water crisis

<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/one-planet"></a><div type="image" title="Gradiant cofounders Prakash Govindan, COO, and Anurag Bajpaye, CEO" height="3448" width="4597" msid="101871157" hostid="261" sizebytes="453566"></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>Industries rely on water for everything from clothes manufacturing to AI training.</li><li>Widespread water shortages have been predicted, forcing firms to make their usage more efficient.</li><li>The water-recycling firm Gradiant became one of the first in the space to be valued at $1 billion. </li></ul>Anurag Bajpayee wants to give nature its water back.Groundwater is a finite resource, and humans have pumped up so much of it that it has <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=a60d078c1eeb62695e63421943b137b08bda065256e60675d5dfc8662042e098&amp;postID=64a4444ab854d538af60087f&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fd41586-023-01993-z" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tilted Earth's axis of rotation</a>.Groundwater is freshwater that has soaked into the ground and is stored between tiny pores in soil and rocks. It is extracted and used for everything from <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/groundwater-decline-and-depletion#overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">drinking water to agriculture</a> and <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/other/industrial/index.html#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20United%20States,%2C%20food%2C%20and%20paper%20products." target="_blank" rel="noopener">manufacturing</a>.But climate change affects precipitation patterns, which, in turn, affect groundwater reservoirs. Many of them are at <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abc2755" target="_blank" rel="noopener">risk of running dry</a>. Thanks to the climate crisis, extraction, and pollution, <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/water-scarcity#:~:text=Billions%20of%20People%20Lack%20Water,may%20be%20facing%20water%20shortages." target="_blank" rel="noopener">two-thirds of the world's</a> population may be facing a water shortage by 2025.Increasingly, businesses are seeing water as a risk because many of them rely on it. It takes up to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSSQOaYkiik" target="_blank" rel="noopener">40,000 liters of water</a> to make a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and 2,000 to produce <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/17/chilean-villagers-claim-british-appetite-for-avocados-is-draining-region-dry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1 kilogram of avocados</a>, while training GPT-3 in Microsoft's top US data centers could directly consume up to <a href="https://arxiv.org/pdf/2304.03271.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">700,000 liters</a>.Bajpayee's Gradiant helps industrial businesses get this under control by treating and recycling used water. This means less groundwater is extracted, and it protects rivers from chemicals used in industrial processes when water is discarded.The company, founded in 2013, became one of the VC ecosystem's first water unicorns after a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/water-tech-firm-gradiant-hits-unicorn-status-after-225-mln-raise-2023-05-17/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$225 million fundraise</a> at a $1 billion valuation earlier this year. Gradiant has raised over $400 million from investors to date and counts BMW, Coca-Cola, Pfizer, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. as customers."If you think about it, ever since the industrial revolution, we've just been taking water from nature," Bajpayee told Insider. "The thought that, by doing what we do, we can turn the clock back and give nature water back, that's the kind of stuff that sends chills down our spines and really motivates us to do what we do."<h2>Mimicking nature</h2>The MIT spinout was launched with technology mimicking how it rains to purify water. The cofounder said nature was "very effective" at desalination, the process of removing minerals and salts from water that's often used to turn seawater into freshwater."Wind blows over the oceans, and it picks up the vapor but doesn't pick up all the other stuff, including the salt in seawater, and then the clouds blow over the land," he said. "They reach the mountains, they cool down, and then we get the purest water that we naturally know."Using a humidifier and dehumidifier, Gradiant makes "clouds" and "rain" in the same way. The system can be built with relatively simple materials, is highly reliable, requires little maintenance, and has high energy efficiency, Bajpayee added.Today, the company treats 370 million liters of wastewater daily in the plants it has designed, built, and operated for customers. It has several systems for industrial-wastewater purification, desalination and reuse, drinking and ultrapure water, and waste minimization. It even says it has a system that can <a href="https://www.gradiant.com/solutions/pfas-and-contaminants/?_gl=1*155axmn*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTU1MzUxNDAyOS4xNjg4NjQwMjc1*_ga_146PP2M2TR*MTY4ODY0MDI3NC4xLjAuMTY4ODY0MDI3NC4wLjAuMA.." target="_blank" rel="noopener">remove and destroy</a> the PFAS forever chemicals. Historically, desalination has been expensive because of the hefty energy requirements to separate salt from water. Bajpayee wouldn't share specifics on the energy efficiency of Gradiant's systems because they vary" but said that the company fared better than alternatives. If it didn't, "then it wouldn't make sense at all" as that's where costs lie, he said. Gradiant's plants are run via algorithms, and some come with artificial-intelligence-powered digital twins as it looks to automate and reduce costs further. Bajpayee added that the company used fewer and, "in some cases," no chemicals in its treatments.<div type="image" title="Gradiant’s RO Infinity CFRO system at SLB’s Direct Lithium Extraction Facility" height="1181" width="1772" msid="101871162" hostid="261" sizebytes="127272"></div><h2>A force for good in the EV transition</h2>The company has attracted attention from the mining industry, partly thanks to the race to extract materials needed for electrification. Lithium, for example, is in high demand for electric-vehicle batteries. In South America, lithium is extracted in salt flats through a series of ponds where water is evaporated over several rounds before leaving behind a bed of metal. The whole process is water-intensive and a <a href="https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/10/28/south-americas-lithium-triangle-communities-are-being-sacrificed-to-save-the-planet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blight on local communities</a> often facing drought. Instead of extracting freshwater from a saltwater solution, Gradiant can recover lithium from brine and is left with clean water as a byproduct. The process is called direct lithium extraction.The extraction of minerals from brines generally requires less energy and comes with lower costs when compared with traditional mining, Iris ten Have, the science lead at the venture-capital firm Extantia who has a background in chemistry, said. It typically produces less waste and pollution, so it has a smaller footprint as a result, she added. Magnesium and potassium can also be extracted this way.But scaling the process has its challenges."Brines are not just water with one type of mineral — they often contain various dissolved minerals, impurities, and contaminants," ten Have said.Separating and purifying the target minerals from this complex mix can be technically challenging, she added. Having been founded a decade ago, Gradiant is one of the very few water-oriented venture-backed companies. The burgeoning space has garnered more attention in the past year, especially as the first-in-a-generation UN water conference in 2023 highlighted the <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/water2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alarming</a> situation. Many public water companies trade at a market capitalization above $1 billion.Other notable startups include the Leonardo DiCaprio- and Y Combinator-backed <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/water-crisis-waterplan-pitch-deck-leonardo-dicaprio-richard-branson-2022-4?r=US&amp;IR=T">Waterplan</a>, which helps businesses monitor and mitigate water usage via water accounting, and Hyfé, which recycles food and beverage wastewater. It nabbed $9 million from Synthesis Capital. "Water technology is uniquely positioned to secure a critical resource, while simultaneously contributing to climate-change mitigation, but water has historically been undervalued, posing challenges in creating business models," Lindsey Higgins, the research lead at the climatetech investment fund Pale Blue Dot, said. "Today, growing global water scarcity is reshaping this perception, and we are just witnessing the beginning of what this means for innovation," Higgins said. "I am confident that Gradiant will not be the last water unicorn we see."

Meet the $1 billion water-recycling startup helping the likes of Coca-Cola, BMW, and TSMC curb their usage and clamp down on pollution

Smart cities may be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's latest mantra but a remote nondescript, insurgency-ravaged village in Assam along Indo- Bhutan border has earned the distinction of being northeast's first smart village, thanks to the skill development here.
 Barsimaluguri, about 11 km from the Indo-Bhutan border, in Baksa district has been turned into a model smart village with hundred per cent toilets, <keyword id="70990" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Solar-power">solar power</keyword> and pure drinking water, following an initiative taken by a few individuals under the aegis of Nanda Talukdar Foundation (NTF). 

	The question is how?
 

	"There are more than 20,000 villages in Assam with numerous government schemes being implemented but none has been transformed into a smart village. We decided to concentrate on one village and turn it into a model village, independent of government schemes," NTF Secretary Mrinal Talukdar told PTI. 
 

	The idea of turning a village into a smart one germinated in 2014 when "I along with a consultant friend, both spurred by the zeal to do something positive in rural Assam, dared to dream to turn a village ravaged by NDFB insurgents into a model village," he says.
 "We have worked along four main verticals -- <keyword id="188239" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="alternative-energy">alternative energy</keyword>, drinking water, sanitation and skill development and also initiated several other intervention works ranging from development of educational facilities, playgrounds, health and legal camps along with the establishment of a yarn bank," he says. 

	Talukdar and his consultant friend Aniruddh Goswami had the Detailed Project Report (DPR) ready by 2014 but the task of finding a sponsor was not easy with many organisations approached being sceptical of the project. 
 "Some were not sure whether we could successfully implement the project while many others rued why just one village? We were, however, not disheartened and our struggle to find a sponsor continued. Finally, the <keyword id="3246321" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India-Infrastructure-Finance-Corporation-Limited">India Infrastructure Finance Corporation Limited</keyword> (IIFCL) stepped in to finance our dream project," he adds. 

	The work to turn Barsimaluguri, a hamlet of 234 households of farmers, small traders and daily wage earners, into a smart village began on January 15, 2015 and the first step in this direction was to set up a model village working committee led by villagers Dinesh Bhuyan and Dipu Choudhury. 
 

	The first work initiated by the committee was setting up the water purification plant and now this village is perhaps the only one in the region to have a reverse osmosis plant. 
	 
	(Image credits: BCCL)

Northeast gets its first 'smart village' along Indo-Bhutan border, thanks to 'Skilled Indians'

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>Climate change will likely change many aspects of life on Earth, including making access to clean water a big problem. From drought to sea-level rise, climate change is threatening to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/climate-change-affects-fresh-water-2015-3">leave us all thirsty</a>.For the drought-stricken residents of San Diego County, California, relief may soon be in sight: Construction is under way on a <a href="http://carlsbaddesal.com/project-overview">new seawater desalination plant</a> - a plant that removes the salt from seawater - which will produce 50 million gallons of drinkable water every day. <a href="http://www.technologyreview.com/featuredstory/533446/desalination-out-of-desperation/">According to the MIT Technology Review</a>, it's the largest such plant in the Western Hemisphere.The plant, which is being built in the city of Carlsbad, is the newest effort to address the region's pressing water needs. California just entered its fourth year of drought, and 40% of the state is listed as <a href="http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?CA">suffering from "exceptional drought,"</a> the most severe classification on the US Drought Monitor.Drought is expected to become an even fiercer challenge in the future as climate change drives temperatures higher - not just in California, but around the world. Climate change has the potential to seriously affect some regions' water resources, and drought is just one way that can happen.<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/5-terrifying-impacts-of-rising-sea-levels-2015-2">Sea-level rise</a> is also threatening coastal water supplies, which often draw their freshwater from underground aquifers. As the ocean creeps further inland, it can invade these aquifers and contaminate the groundwater.With these threats to freshwater sources, finding new and better ways to produce drinkable water is a growing concern. The ocean is the biggest source of water on the planet, but undrinkable because of its high salt content. Luckily scientists have come up with a handful of ways to get the salt out of water and make it safe for drinking, and they're working on developing more.Unfortunately, desalination by any method is expensive and, for the time being, not practical for every water-scarce community. The Carlsbad plant, for instance, is costing $1 billion to build, according to the <a href="http://www.technologyreview.com/featuredstory/533446/desalination-out-of-desperation/">MIT Technology Review</a>. But scientists are working on improving existing techniques to make them more efficient and less costly.Here are some of the desalination techniques they've come up with so far:<h2>Distillation</h2>Distilling water is the oldest and most common method used to remove salt. In simple terms, distillation involves evaporating the water, and then condensing it back into a liquid. The salt will stay behind when the water boils into the air, and the clean water can then be collected in a separate container.You can actually conduct a simplistic version of this process in your own home by constructing a "solar still." You stretch a sheet of clear plastic over the bowl or hole that contains the contaminated water.The sun will shine through the plastic, warming the water below and causing it to slowly vaporize, leaving salt and other contaminants behind. The evaporated water will condense on the underside of the plastic sheet, where you can then collect it in a separate container.It looks kind of like this:<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table Full"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div>Distillation plants perform this basic scientific process on a much larger scale, but they run on electricity to speed up the process.In addition, electric household distillers exist and can be purchased for anywhere from less than $100 to thousands of dollars, depending on the size and efficiency of the device. However, most of these can only produce a few gallons of clean water at a time, and in general the process of distillation requires a lot of energy.<h2>Reverse osmosis</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_left"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>This is one of the most common methods used in desalination plants today, and is the method that will be used at the Carlsbad plant in San Diego County.The technique uses high-pressure pumps to force contaminated water across a special membrane, which weeds out the bad stuff and lets the pure water through.Recently, scientists have been investigating a <a href="http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/biomedical/devices/nanoporus-graphene-takes-another-step-toward-filtration-applications">new type of membrane</a> that will make it easier to push the water through. The experimental method uses graphene, and researchers at MIT have managed to create a super-thin graphene membrane just one atom thick, which they say will make reverse osmosis easier, less energy-intensive, and cheaper.While reverse osmosis is touted as a cheaper, lower-energy alternative to large-scale distillation, Carlsbad's $1 billion construction project is a reminder that such plants still may not be practical for every water-scarce community.And annual operations and management costs can be crippling, as well as highly variable depending on the size of the plant and the systems used to take in water and distribute it to customers. For example, a <a href="http://pacinst.org/publication/costs-and-financing-of-seawater-desalination-in-california/">report from Pacific Institute</a> found that the Kwinana desalination plant in Perth, Australia operates at about $17 million per year, and the Gold Coast desalination plant in Tugun, Australia requires $30 million per year.<h2>Forward osmosis</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div>This method relies on the natural process of osmosis, which is water's tendency to flow from areas with a high concentration of a solute (like salt) to areas with a lower concentration.Let's say you have two containers, separated by a membrane that allows water to pass through (but shuts out other substances, like salt).You fill one side with pure water and the other side with saltwater. The pure water will start to flow across the membrane into the saltwater side in an effort to restore balance.Forward osmosis relies on a similar system, and it doesn't require the high-pressure pumps that reverse osmosis uses. It separates two containers with a membrane - on one side is the contaminated water, and on the other side is water with a very high concentration of some kind of solute, usually salt. Water from the contaminated side will start to flow across the membrane, diluting the salt solution on the other side.But there are some hang-ups. Even though the pure water flowing across the membrane dilutes the concentrated saltwater, it doesn't eliminate the salt. So forward osmosis is a good way to get rid of a wide range of contaminants that might be in the water, since the membrane will weed them out - but you still end up with saltwater on the other side, meaning you must go through an additional desalination step at the end to totally purify the water.Compared to reverse osmosis, it's a new technology. Water technology company Modern Water opened the first commercial forward osmosis plan in Al Khaluf, Oman, in 2010, and they opened a second plant in Al Najdah in 2012.Advocates say the process is better at weeding out contaminants (aside from salt) than reverse osmosis. Some have also hailed the process because it seems to use less energy. Modern Water reported that its Al Khaluf plant showed a 47% reduction in energy use compared to reverse osmosis. But it's unclear whether the technology, as a whole, really is more efficient. A study from MIT found that forward osmosis is actually <a href="http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/study-shows-forward-osmosis-desalination-not-energy-efficient">less energy-efficient</a> than reverse osmosis.<h2>Electrodialysis</h2>Electrodialysis is kind of the opposite of osmosis. Rather than moving water across a membrane, electrodialysis moves particles in the water across the membrane by drawing them out with an electric charge. Salt, for example, is composed of charged ions that will break apart and move when an electric charge is applied to them.While this works well on salt, it doesn't really help to weed out other contaminants that might be found in seawater, like dirt or microscopic organisms. But since electrodialysis tends to work faster and can desalinate larger quantities of water than other methods, researchers are working on ways to <a href="http://www.technologyreview.com/view/524606/new-desalination-technique-also-cleans-and-disinfects-water/">make the process better</a> at eliminating other contaminants.New developments may be in the works, but electrodialysis, as a water-purification technology, has been around for decades. There are actually electrodialysis plants around the world, according to <a href="http://cdn.intechweb.org/pdfs/13751.pdf">Desalination: Trends and Technologies</a>, a 2011 book edited by Michael Schorr, on desalination. These include the US, Canada, Iran, and parts of Europe.<h2>A look ahead</h2>Desalination may be costly and energy-intensive no matter what technology you're looking at. But as water scarcity grows around the world, it may become a necessary option for more communities.Some countries are already investing heavily in the technology. <a href="http://pacinst.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2013/02/financing_final_report3.pdf">Pacific Institute reports</a> that Australia invested in six new desalination plants between 2006 and 2012. But the Institute warns that <a href="http://pacinst.org/publication/desalination-with-a-grain-of-salt-a-california-perspective-2/">the technology has a long way to go</a> before it can be a truly viable solution for the future.Between high costs, high energy use, and even the possibility of environmental destruction - seawater treatment plants can accidentally take in and kill small marine animals - continued research is needed to make the technology safer and more efficient. In time, perhaps it could become one of our most important options in avoiding a parched and thirsty future. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/why-men-cheat-affair-love-sex-psychotherapist-2015-1">Research Reveals Why Men Cheat, And It's Not What You Think</a></h3> <div> <div> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="9vdnlycjo8Di2vj5XaYNQCb3Cc2NYbee" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> </div> </div> </div>

Sea-level rise is tainting drinking water - here are 4 ways to make it drinkable

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Potted orchids grow best in a bark mix called media.</li><li>Water orchids once a week, allowing the roots to drain fully to prevent root rot.</li></ul>Orchids (Orchidaceae) are beloved for their intricate patterns, vibrant colors, and distinguished shape of their flowers. But most cultured orchids are either epiphytes or lithophytes, meaning they grow in tree bark or rocks, rather than in soil, which makes their care a little less straightforward than most other <keyword id="1305352" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Houseplants" source="Orion">houseplants</keyword>.While there are more than 25,000 different species, you'll find a few common orchid types regularly at your local grocery store or nursery.Because of their delicate nature, most orchids do not have a one-size-fits-all care routine, the orchid expert and author Mary Gerritsen said. She has co-authored several books on orchids, including "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0881927376/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Masdevallias: Gems of the Orchid World</a>" and "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1908787244/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">A Bay Area Guide to Orchids and their Culture</a>." Gerritsen gave her tips below for caring for the most common orchids.<h2>At a glance</h2><ul><li>Botanical name: Orchidaceae</li><li>Commonly known as: Orchid</li><li>Hardiness zone: Varies by species</li><li>Toxic to pets: <a href="https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/phalaenopsis-orchid" target="_blank" rel="noopener">No</a></li><li>Watering frequency: Once a week</li><li>Soil type: Orchid potting mix, aka media</li><li>Light exposure: Indirect</li></ul><h2>Common orchid varieties</h2><div type="image" title="Common orchid varieties side by side including pink Oncidium orchids, yellow Cattleya orchids and purple and white Phalaenopsis orchids" height="1250" width="1667" msid="83763437" hostid="261"></div>"The most common orchid types you can find at almost any big box store, supermarket, or florist are Phalaenopsis, also known as moth orchids; Oncidiums, sometimes called dancing ladies; and Cattleyas," Gerritsen said. These three varieties share similar growing requirements and can be easily identified.<ul><li>Phalaenopsis are the most popular and have "large, wide leaves that grow upward from a single source with leaves alternating from side to side," Gerritsen said.</li><li>Oncidiums can come in different sizes but are usually identified by their bunches of fluttering blooms. "Most Oncidiums have flowers that are a mix of yellowish and brown coloration, although there are some hybrids with other colors such as red and purple," Gerritsen said.</li><li>Cattleyas are known for their ruffled edges, fragrance, and contrasting color in the center. "They come in almost every color imaginable, with some in light shades of blue," Gerritsen said. "Cattleyas are also very popular for corsages and are known as the classic orchid."</li></ul><h2>Watering</h2><div type="image" title="A closeup of orchid roots planted in bark" height="1413" width="1885" msid="83763443" hostid="261"></div>Water weekly. The most common orchids (Phalaenopsis, Oncidiums, and Cattleyas) typically need to be watered about once a week. Simulate rainfall. In the wild, orchid roots often grow atop tree branches or rocks, leaving their roots exposed to absorb rainfall. The best way to water them is to mimic that. "Take your orchids over to the kitchen sink and give them a thorough watering with room-temperature water," Gerritsen said.Let it drain. "Let lots of water run through the pot and drain out the bottom. Never leave your orchid pot sitting in water," Gerritsen said.If your orchid is in a cool, shady spot in your <keyword id="11898442" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="home" source="Orion">home</keyword> or office, it can be watered less often. Orchid roots require drying out between waterings and should not stay moist or wet.A common tip suggests using ice cubes to water your orchid, but Gerristen recommends strongly against this. "Orchids do not grow anywhere near ice cubes," she said. "The best way to succeed with growing orchids, like any other plant, is to understand how they grow in nature and to try to reproduce those conditions in your growing space."Orchids need large quantities of water at a time similar to what they would experience during a heavy rainstorm, not just the dribble that slowly melting ice cubes provide. "After watering, however, it is important that the roots dry out," Gerritsen said. "Continuously wet roots will lead to <a href="https://www.insider.com/root-rot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">root rot</a> and plant death."Quick tip: Softened water is not recommended for orchids because of its high concentrations of sodium, which can damage the plant. Gerritsen recommended investing in a water-purification system or using bottled spring water or rainwater. To find water hardness in a specific area, you can check a <a href="https://homewater101.com/articles/hard-water-across-us" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">hard-water map</a>.<h2>Potting and fertilizer </h2><div type="image" title="A person in an apron and yellow gloves repots an orchid plant" height="1412" width="1883" msid="83763446" hostid="261"></div>Don't use soil. Because common orchids naturally grow on branches, trunks, or rocks in the wild, putting orchids in soil can suffocate their roots and rapidly kill them. Instead, Gerritsen recommends an orchid potting mix, known as <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G9NWS1X/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">media</a>, that consists of two parts fir bark or pine bark, half a part charcoal chunks, and half a part large perlite. <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-repot-a-plant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Repot</a> annually. Orchids should be repotted about once per year, and in general, the best time to do so is when your orchid is putting out new roots, which typically happens in the spring. Avoid repotting an orchid that is currently blooming."I would suggest watching a couple of YouTube tutorials on repotting your orchid so you get it exactly right," Gerritsen said. "When you repot, do not put your orchid into a much larger pot since they prefer to be crowded at the roots. Also, choose pots that have large holes at the bottom so water will drain quickly."Fertilize sparingly. While orchids do require some <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/home/best-fertilizers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fertilizer</a>, they don't need much. Like houseplants, you can fertilize orchids with every other watering during the spring and summer. "A simple fertilizer like the type you use for houseplants will work. However, if the directions say use one teaspoon per gallon, use a half teaspoon instead," Gerritsen said.<h2>Temperature and light</h2>Temperature and light requirements for orchids vary depending on the species, but Phalaenopsis, Oncidiums, and Cattleyas share similar requirements and can thrive under the right conditions. Indirect light is best. "Of these three 'common orchids,' most will do well under houseplant-like conditions. Ideally, a southern- or eastern-facing window is best and never in direct sunlight as it can scorch the leaves," Gerritsen said. Quick tip: You can tell your orchid is getting enough light if its foliage is a <a href="https://www.aos.org/orchids/orchid-care/why-won-t-my-orchid-re-bloom.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">bright, grassy green</a>. Darker foliage indicates that your plant needs more light.Humidity is key. To maintain higher humidity, especially for Phalaenopsis which prefers a more humid environment, set your potted orchid on a tray of pebbles and water. Because the pot, and not the orchid roots, will sit on the wet pebbles, the slowly evaporating water will add humidity to your orchid's environment. Temperature dictates blooming. Gerritsen said that an environment that gets up to 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the day and 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night is optimal for orchids.Quick tip: Airflow is essential to an orchid's health, as it encourages strong root growth, prevents heat buildup, and mimics the breeze of their natural environment. Gerritsen recommends an <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/home/best-electric-fan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">oscillating fan</a> on a low setting as an easy solution.<h2>Common orchid problems</h2>Don't overwater. As is the problem for several houseplants, orchids typically suffer from being overwatered. Gerritsen also stressed the importance of letting the potting media dry out in between waterings to prevent sogginess.Prevent root rot. The next most common struggle is neglecting to repot orchids. "Once the media starts to break down, it stays wet, the roots rot, and the orchid dies. Repotting once every year or two will prevent this from happening," Gerritsen said. Look out for pests and diseases. As for pests, <a href="https://www.insider.com/scale-on-plants" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scale insects</a> and mealybugs are an orchid's most common pests when grown indoors. Gerritsen suggested inspecting your orchid weekly, and if you should come across these pests, take a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol and gently clean them from the leaves or stem. Store-bought insecticidal soap can also offer an easy fix.<h2>How to get an orchid to bloom again</h2><div type="image" title="A pink orchid plant in a white pot in a white room. A white vase and a bronze sculpture sit on a shelf behind it." height="1414" width="1885" msid="83763450" hostid="261"></div>Although most orchids bloom once per year, some hybrids can bloom several times a year. Phalaenopsis blooms should last anywhere from two to four months, while the blooms of Oncidiums and Cattleyas will last two to three weeks.Flowers will simply wither and fall off when they've completed their blooming cycle. Other less common orchids bloom year-round. To get your common orchid to rebloom, Gerritsen said to diligently follow the steps for watering, fertilizing, repotting, and keeping it in the right temperature and light. Insufficient light and improper temperature can prevent your orchid from blooming. "To initiate blooming, most orchids need a 10-degree (or more) drop in temperature at night and should not be sitting over any heat source," Gerritsen said.You can <a href="https://www.aos.org/orchids/orchid-care/where-do-i-cut-the-spike.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">trim your orchid's spike</a> to encourage more blooms. Most Phalaenopsis orchids will rebloom from the same spike or stem, and some people may choose not to <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/home/best-gardening-tools#the-best-pruning-shears-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prune</a> their plants at all. But it can be beneficial to trim off any brown or wilted spikes about one inch from where it's attached to the base of the plant. After old blooms fall off, you can also trim the flower spike about one-half inch above the next node, or triangular-shaped area where new buds will form. Be sure to disinfect your blade first, as it can spread disease to your orchid."With these care instructions, you should be rewarded with orchids that bloom every year," Gerritsen said.<h2>Insider's takeaway</h2>Orchids might be intimidating, not just for their specific maintenance requirements but also for their striking beauty. With the right amount of water, potting media, bright indirect light, and a bit of humidity, your orchid can both thrive and keep blooming for years to come. To immerse yourself further in the world of orchids, Gerritsen offers simple advice. "Join a local orchid society and learn more about growing orchids from the experts. There are orchid societies in nearly every large town or city in the country that may include monthly meetings, plant and supplies for sale, skill workshops, and even greenhouse tours," Gerritsen said.

How to care for your orchids and grow colorful flower blooms

Diwali is a five day long festival in India. Diwali is a vibrant festival celebrated with the biggest enthusiasm by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and others in India. Irrespective of the regional differences in how Diwali is celebrated, the top highlights of Diwali are lighting lamps, wearing new clothes, sharing sweets, feasting, bursting crackers and performing pujas at homes and business places. <keyword id="31818" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diwali-Puja">Diwali puja</keyword> is said to bring prosperity, wellness, wealth and happiness into homes. <keyword id="8263943" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="diwali-schedule">Diwali Schedule</keyword> 2019 The five day long Diwali celebrations start on October 25, 2019 and conclude on October 29, 2019. The list of events for Diwali are as follows. October 25, 2019 (Friday) Dhanteras October 26, 2019 (Saturday) Chhoti Diwali or Naraka Chaturdashi or Hanuman Puja October 27, 2019 (Sunday) Main Diwali Festival and Lakshmi puja October 28, 2019 (Monday) Govardhan Puja October 29, 2019 (Tuesday) Bhai Dooj The main Diwali festival On the day of Diwali, many people perform Lakshmi puja. This year, the main Diwali festival falls on Sunday, October 27, 2019. The best time for Diwali Lakshmi puja is between 06:43 pm and 08:15 PM on this day. Diwali celebration in households There are several regional variations on how Diwali is celebrated in India. However, the main aspects of Diwali celebrations are notably the same across the country. People clean up their homes, decorate it, draw rangolis, light lamps and perform pujas at homes. Delicious dishes and new clothes are the most integral part of Diwali celebrations. Bursting crackers is a great excitement for families on the day of Diwali. Due to environmental concerns, fireworks and crackers are restricted this year. Hence people are finding some alternative ways to celebrate Diwali with merriment. The importance of Diwali for business communities For many business communities in India, Diwali is the last day of the financial year. Hence, performing Lakshmi puja on this day is considered very auspicious and it becomes a kind of invitation to Goddess Lakshmi to bless the business with prosperity and success during the coming year. The businessmen place the new account books, silver and gold coins and other important tools and things connected to their trade in front of the altar on the day of Diwali puja. Auspicious things to do on Diwali day Diwali day starts with holy bath. It is very auspicious to take bath in the Ganges. People who do not have access to the Ganges waters have a dip in other holy rivers or mix up a few drops of Ganga water in the water they use for bathing and purification rituals. Wear new clothes, share sweets, do charities, burst crackers and socialize with friends and families. Decorate the homes and business places with rangolis, flowers and festoons. Light lamps in the morning and evening and arrange them in different patterns throughout the house and business places. In the evening Pradhosh Kaal on the day of main Diwali celebrations, perform Lakshmi puja and Kuber Puja. Final word about Diwali Diwali is a festival that unites families, friends and people together. This festival refreshes and rejuvenates the human consciousness. Celebrate Diwali in a traditional way and fill your homes and businesses with prosperity and happiness.

Diwali puja time, date, all schedule you need to know

Naohiko Hatta/ReutersAt least 81 people have died of the coronavirus and many have been sickened.<ul class="summary-list"><li>The <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-virus-everything-we-know-deadly-2019-ncov-wuhan-spread-2020-1">Wuhan coronavirus</a>, which started in China, has been spreading worldwide, and has left at least 107 people dead and 4,600 ill.</li><li>The CDC has confirmed 5 cases of the virus in the U.S. and, although experts say Americans are at low risk of contracting the virus, fears and rumors of suspected cases have been rampant.</li><li>Now, conspiracy theorists, including proponents of QAnon and a famous YouTuber, are claiming a chlorine dioxide mixture called "miracle mineral solution" can cure or prevent coronavirus. </li><li>The solution, previously touted as a "cure" for autism, has been repeatedly <a href="https://www.insider.com/fda-says-stop-drinking-miracle-mineral-solution-mms-risks-2019-8">debunked by the FDA as dangerous industrial bleach</a>.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more.</a></li></ul>As new cases of the Wuhan coronavirus are reported across the globe, online bootleggers are cashing in on another opportunity to sell a dangerous bleach cocktail that they claim can cure malaria, cancer, the flu, and even autism. Now proponents are claiming the chlorine dioxide treatment can also cure or protect against the coronavirus.But the FDA has warned that, not only is there no known cure for the virus, but the industrial bleach solution could have grave consequences, such as liver failure and extremely low blood pressure.The "miracle mineral solution," as it's known online (MMS for short), is a solution of 28% sodium chlorite in distilled water. It's sold online for around $28 for a 4-ounce bottle. Consumers are instructed to "activate" the product by adding citric acid like lemon or lime juice (which are sometimes sold separately for an additional fee).Proponents, including QAnon supporters, falsely claim it works because it contains compounds that are supposedly deadly to pathogens, but harmless to healthy tissue.<h2>Health officials have been playing whack-a-mole with MMS since 2010</h2>Public health officials started taking action to debunk health claims about MMS in 2010, with warnings issued in the US, the UK, and Canada.But the internet fad has persisted.Last year, the FDA <a href="https://www.insider.com/fda-says-stop-drinking-miracle-mineral-solution-mms-risks-2019-8">urged</a> Americans not to drink the dangerous chemical cocktail after receiving reports of people experiencing severe vomiting, diarrhea, life-threateningly low blood pressure, and acute liver failure after drinking the concoction. On January 22, however, MMS proponents emerged again, piggybacking on growing fears surrounding the coronavirus.BSIP/UIG Via Getty ImagesThe coronavirus is named for its crownlike appearance.<h2>The coronavirus is susceptible to chlorine dioxide, but not if you drink it</h2>The latest conspiracy theory started when a Twitter user pointed out that the disease is included on a list of pathogens destroyed by chlorine dioxide solution.The solution is used as an industrial disinfectant, including in water purification, to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and sometime parasites.However, according to the EPA, the safe amount for drinking water is a <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations#Disinfectants">very low concentration</a>, and directly ingesting is ineffective and can be hazardous, according to the <a href="https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/chlorine-dioxide/">American Chemistry Council</a>. In spite of this, other social media users quickly began retweeting or promoting MMS as an cure for coronavirus on their own pages, sometimes alongside other alternative health remedies like essential oils and colloidal silver. Many posts advocating for MMS also expressed <a href="https://www.insider.com/whole-foods-amazon-anti-vaxxer-vaccines-2019-12">skepticism or outright fear of vaccines</a>. Tweet Embed: //twitter.com/mims/statuses/1222053744717766657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw And here's the rest of the story: <a href="https://t.co/NfzytPtYlg">https://t.co/NfzytPtYlg</a> Easy to treat coronaviras free from toxic deadly vaccines: MMS, essential oils, nubulize silver!<h2>Claims that MMS can cure coronavirus have been bolstered by conspiracy theorists with large followings online</h2>Many of the posts promoting MMS have a similar format and use the same phrases, suggesting they may come from a common source. Although many posts, often using the hashtag "coronavirus," are from private accounts with few followers, more high-profile Twitter users also took up the cause.YouTuber Jordan Sather, who has previously promoted the <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-qanon-right-wing-conspiracy-theory-surfaces-at-trump-rally-2018-8">QAnon conspiracy</a>, claimed on Twitter that the coronavirus is among the long list of ailments MMS can allegedly cure. In a YouTube video posted on January 25, he also claimed that pharmaceutical stocks dramatically risen since news of the coronavirus become widespread, and suggests it was "bio-engineered" to increase profits.Sather also complained on Twitter that <a href="https://www.insider.com/youtube-bans-videos-promoting-mms-bleach-cure-after-bi-investigation-2019-11">YouTube has been banning MMS proponent</a>s, a crackdown that occurred after a previous <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mms-jim-humble-bleach-autism-cure-youtube-2019-5?r=US&amp;IR=T">Business Insider investigation</a> found many videos advertising the solution as a cure for everything from cancer to autism. Another popular QAnon commentator, known on Twitter as ChiefPolice, told their 17,000 followers to "protect yourself with the 20-20-20 spray," in reference to MMS.Tweet Embed: //twitter.com/mims/statuses/1220930150205812742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw China expanded its lockdown against the deadly new virus to an unprecedented 36 million people. New followers protect yourself with the 20-20-20 spray. Watch this video It will kill the deadly virus. <a href="https://t.co/cWfMQZHoY5">https://t.co/cWfMQZHoY5</a>According to the FDA, there is no research that shows MMS to be an effective treatment, cure, or prevention for any illness, coronavirus or otherwise. Read more:<ul class="read-more-links"><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-virus-everything-we-know-deadly-2019-ncov-wuhan-spread-2020-1">Everything we know about the outbreak</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wuhan-coronavirus-chinese-villages-wall-themselves-in-to-stop-spread-2020-1">Chinese villages are cutting themselves off from the world with makeshift brick walls to try and stop outsiders giving them Wuhan virus</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-wuhan-coronavirus-compared-to-sars-2020-1">Experts say the Wuhan coronavirus is more contagious but less deadly than SARS so far. Here's how the 2 outbreaks compare.</a></li></ul><a href="/intelligence/digital-health?IR=T&amp;itm_source=businessinsider&amp;itm_medium=ctgr_bii&amp;itm_term=ctgr_subscription&amp;itm_content=health&amp;itm_campaign=digital-health"></a>Featured Digital Health Articles: - <a href="/telehealth-industry-explained">Telehealth Industry: Benefits, Services &amp; Examples</a> - <a href="/value-based-care-pay-for-performance-healthcare-model">Value-Based Care Model: Pay-for-Performance Healthcare</a> - <a href="/senior-care-market-trends">Senior Care &amp; Assisted Living Market Trends</a> - <a href="/wearable-technology-healthcare-medical-devices">Smart Medical Devices: Wearable Tech in Healthcare</a> - <a href="/artificial-intelligence-healthcare">AI in Healthcare</a> - <a href="/remote-patient-monitoring-industry-explained">Remote Patient Monitoring Industry: Devices &amp; Market Trends</a> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-far-sneeze-cough-germs-can-travel-2018-10">This animation shows how far your sneeze can actually travel</a></h3>

Conspiracy theorists are telling people to drink a dangerous bleach solution to cure or prevent coronavirus

This $400 air purifier clears my house of odors, vape clouds, and dust mites while barely making any noise

Scientists are constantly on the look out for lighter, stronger, and more energy-efficient materials. Here's a glance at some materials that will change the way we build things in the future.
<h2>Graphene is extremely thin and strong.</h2>
What it is: Graphene is a substance made of pure carbon. The carbon is arranged in a honeycomb pattern in a one-atom thick sheet. Another way to think of graphene: Each time we write with a graphite pencil, we are basically making layers of graphene.
How it's transformative: Graphene has been called a "miracle material" because it's thin, strong, flexible, conducts electricity, and its nearly transparent. Its potential applications are practically limitless. Graphene researchers <a href="http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2010/press.html">won the Nobel Prize in Physics</a> in 2010 for developing the wonder-material and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/make-graphene-in-your-kitchen-2014-4">now you can even make it in your kitchen</a>.
Suggested uses: Solar cells, touchscreens, liquid crystal displays, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lockheed-martin-desalination-graphene-filters-2013-3" target="_blank">desalination </a>technology, aerospace materials, more efficient transistors, chemical sensors that can detect explosives
<div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><a href="http://www.graphene.manchester.ac.uk/story/image-gallery/">The University of Manchester</a></div></div>
<h2>A super water-proof material makes drops bounce.</h2>
What it is: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/a-new-super-waterproof-material-makes-water-drops-bounce-off-it-2013-10" target="_blank">A surface textured</a> with extremely tiny cones repels water droplets. The super-hydrophobic surface, created by a team at <a href="http://www.bnl.gov/newsroom/news.php?a=11583" target="_blank">Brookhaven Laboratory in New York</a>, is unlike other water-resistant materials because it can stand up to conditions of extreme temperature, pressure, and humidity.
How it's transformative: These surfaces not only don't get wet, but would stay cleaner since the water droplets carry dirt with them as they roll off (this mimics the self-cleaning properties of nature). The material would be useful for preventing ice or algae build-up or even as an antibacterial coating.
Suggested uses: Coating boat hulls, car parts, and medical devices, car and plane windshields, steam turbine power generators
<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cxuCydjJSA">BroohavenLab</a></div></div></div>
<h2>Aerographite is 75 times lighter than styrofoam. </h2>
What it is: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/new-material-is-lightest-in-the-world-2012-7#" target="_blank">Aerographite</a>, created by researchers at the <a href="http://www.uni-kiel.de/aktuell/pm/2012/2012-212-aerographit-e.shtml" target="_blank">Hamburg University of Technology</a> in 2012, is made from networks of hollow carbon tubes. It's black in color (because it absorbs light rays almost completely), stable at room temperature, and is able to conduct electricity. The material is really strong, but also bendable.
How it's transformative: The material can be compressed into a space 95% its normal area and then pulled back to its original form without being damaged. The stress makes the material even stronger. This is unique since most lightweight materials can be compressed, but can't withstand tension. The material can also withstand a lot of vibration, which means it can be used for airplanes and satellites.
Suggested uses: Lighter batteries for electric cars and bikes, more efficient water and air purification systems, aviation, and satellites.
 
<h2>An ultra-thin material provides protection against high-speed objects.</h2>
What it is: A super-thin material created by researchers at Rice University and MIT <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/paper-thin-material-can-stop-bullets-in-their-tracks-2012-11" target="_blank">can stop a fast-moving projectile</a>, such as a bullet, in its path. The material, made from alternating rubber and glassy layers that are each just 20 nanometers thick, is good at dispersing energy. After <a href="http://news.rice.edu/2012/10/30/microbullets-reveal-material-strengths-2/" target="_blank">being pelted</a> with tiny glass beads, the complex polyurethane material not only stopped the bullets, it also sealed them inside, making it appear as if no damage had been done.
How it's transformative: When struck, the material melts into liquid to absorb the energy and then quickly hardens to close the entryway. "There's no macroscopic damage," project researcher Ned Thomas <a href="http://news.rice.edu/2012/10/30/microbullets-reveal-material-strengths-2/" target="_blank">explained in a statement</a>. "You can still see through it. This would be a great ballistic windshield material."
Suggested uses: Protection for satellites against meteors and other space debris, stronger jet turbine-blades, and stronger, lighter armor for soldiers and police
<div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image">Tommy LaVergneNed Thomas, dean of the George R. Brown School of Engineering at Rice and a materials scientist, holds a polyurethane disk with the bullets it stopped and sealed inside.</div></div>
<h2>Live bacteria is used to make self-healing concrete. </h2>
What it is: Concrete is a popular building material, but it's vulnerable to cracks. Water and chloride from icing salt can seep into pre-existing fissures and make them larger. Overtime, this can become a dangerous (and expensive) problem. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bacteria-make-concrete-self-healing-2012-11">Self-healing concrete</a>, developed by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJc8Xyk3w9o" target="_blank">scientists at Delft University in the Netherlands</a>, uses live bacteria - mixed into the concrete before it is poured - to seal up those fractures.
How it's transformative: When water gets into the cracks, the bacteria is activated and produces a component in limestone called calcite that fills up the crack completely. Researchers are still conducting outdoor tests to see if the concrete can be put to real use.
Suggested uses: Sidewalks, building foundations, other architectural structures
<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJc8Xyk3w9o">Totally Concrete Club/YouTube</a>Bacteria spores added to concrete mix are activated by water.</div></div></div>
<h2>A bone-like material that's lighter than water, but stronger than some types of steel.</h2>
Jens Bauer at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology recently developed a honeycomb- structured material that is <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/new-material-is-lighter-than-water-stronger-than-steel-2014-3">less dense than water</a>, but as strong as some forms of steel.
"The novel lightweight construction materials resemble the framework structure of a half-timbered house with horizontal, vertical, and diagonal struts," lead researcher Jens Bauer, said in a statement.
The researchers samples "contained 45 percent to more than 90 percent air, making them extremely lightweight while also withstanding more than 46,000 pounds per square inch of pressure,"<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/new-material-is-lighter-than-water-stronger-than-steel-2014-3" target="_blank"> according to Txchnologist</a>.
How it's transformative: Even though objects made from this material can only be manufactured in the micrometer-range right now, this is the first time scientists were able to produce a material that exceeds "the strength-to-weight ratio of all engineering materials, with a density below 1,000 kg/m3," the authors <a href="http://www.pnas.org/content/111/7/2453" target="_blank">wrote in a paper</a>.
Suggested uses: Insulation, shock absorbers, filters in the chemical industry
<div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koRjc9AyV8Q">Jens Bauer and colleagues at Karlsruher Institute of Technology</a>A compression test is performed on the honeycomb structure</div></div>

You Searched For "alternative water purification" and got 11 results

Droughts are threatening California's water supply. The state is racing to save what's left.

Leila Jordan

Plant seeds might be huge step towards solving the global water crisis

BI India Bureau

Meet the $1 billion water-recycling startup helping the likes of Coca-Cola, BMW, and TSMC curb their usage and clamp down on pollution

Tasmin Lockwood

Northeast gets its first 'smart village' along Indo-Bhutan border, thanks to 'Skilled Indians'

BI India Bureau

Sea-level rise is tainting drinking water - here are 4 ways to make it drinkable

Chelsea Harvey

How to care for your orchids and grow colorful flower blooms

L. Daniela Alvarez

Diwali puja time, date, all schedule you need to know

BI India Bureau

Conspiracy theorists are telling people to drink a dangerous bleach solution to cure or prevent coronavirus

Gabby Landsverk

This $400 air purifier clears my house of odors, vape clouds, and dust mites while barely making any noise

James Brains

6 Futuristic Construction Materials That Will Change The Way We Build Stuff

Dina Spector

MLK Writes Incredible Letter From Alabama Jail - 50 Years Ago Today

Rebecca Baird-Remba

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides