Nitrate in drinking water may be linked to preterm births in New Zealand

Nitrate in drinking water may be linked to preterm births
Spatial distribution of nitrate concentrations in meshblocks associated with registered supplies (left panel) and domestic self-supplies (right panel). Credit: Environmental Research (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.125169

A new Aotearoa New Zealand study has found that nitrate concentrations in drinking water are associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, even at levels well below the current drinking water standard. The study, published in Environmental Research, analyzed 735,831 singleton births between 2008 and 2021, linking gestational age with estimated nitrate concentrations in drinking water at the mother's usual residence.

Where The '85th Percentile Rule' For Speed Limits Falls Short - Jalopnik

A 35 mph speed limit sign in California.

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How do traffic engineers come up with speed limits? Believe it or not, historically, it was dang near random. Okay, let's call it a matter of custom, to be kinder. But really, it's based on something called the 85th percentile rule, which is similar to an argument by Harvard PhD student Wilbur Smith in 1937. He hypothesized that the safest speed is near the upper end of the 10‑mph band where most drivers travel, and that if more than 15% of drivers are going faster than that band, a higher maximum speed is probably still safe.

AU Deals: Save $2,400 on Gigabyte's Aorus Master 16 Gen 2 Gaming Laptop - IGN

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Updated

: Jul 15, 2026 2:10am UTC

The second generational update of the Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 has received a massive price drop in Australia, dropping $2,400 off its original asking price down to a very palatable A$6,599. Bringing together AMD’s flagship 3D V-Cache processing with NVIDIA’s flagship RTX 50-series graphics in an impressively thin frame for its specs, this machine is unapologetically built for high-refresh 1440p/4K gaming and heavy-duty creative work. Keeping the form factor tight whilst bringing the weight as low as possible (approx. 2.3kg).

Low carbon dioxide levels improve microbial production of biodegradable plastic

Low carbon dioxide levels improve microbial production of biodegradable plastic
Credit: ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (2026). DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.6c00126

In an innovative gas fermentation process, reducing the concentration of carbon dioxide was found to significantly improve microbial production of the biodegradable plastic poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate]. Researchers found that hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria grown under safe, nonflammable gas conditions enable more efficient production of biodegradable plastic at lower CO2 levels. The study provides a promising strategy for sustainable carbon recycling and efficient CO2 utilization.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2026: The Top 20 Deals on Hollywood's Most-Loved Labels

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From discounted designer gems to the best of premium beauty, summer’s steepest savings have arrived courtesy of Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. Early access for the annual event opens on a rolling basis starting Tuesday, July 14 (more on this ahead), with public sale access between Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, Aug. 9.