Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new solution to purify water.  They have created a sugar-derived polymer that can effectively trap and remove heavy metals from polluted water. Heavy metals, like lead and mercury, pose a persistent threat to water resources and can have devastating effects on both human health and marine dwellers. These heavy metals can enter the water supply through various sources, including industrial waste and agricultural runoff. Traditional water purification methods, while effective, often face challenges such as high energy consumption and clogging of filtration membranes.