Pollution News and Research

Latest Pollution News and Research

New screening method for Parkinson's analyzes odors in ear wax

Most treatments for Parkinson's disease (PD) only slow disease progression. Early intervention for the neurological disease that worsens over time is therefore critical to optimize care, but that requires early diagnosis.

18 Jun 2025

Living near microplastic polluted waters linked to higher risk of heart and metabolic diseases

Living in a U.S. coastal county bordered by ocean waters with very high concentrations of microplastics may increase the risk of heart and metabolic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease and stroke.

18 Jun 2025

Global warming fuels an alarming increase in obstructive sleep apnea cases

Global warming significantly raises the risk and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), especially on hotter nights. A multinational sensor-based study links temperature-driven OSA increases to major losses in healthy life years and billions in economic costs.

17 Jun 2025

Digital inhalers show promise in predicting COPD flare-ups

Digital inhalers may help predict impending acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study.

17 Jun 2025

Black tea helps in one Parkinson’s type, but soda and pesticides worsen another

A large longitudinal study found that pesticide exposure and caffeinated soda intake were linked to more severe motor symptoms in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (iPD). In contrast, black tea consumption was associated with milder symptoms in patients with LRRK2-related Parkinson’s disease (LRRK2-PD).

16 Jun 2025

Healthier lifestyle choices could mitigate telomere length-associated brain disease risks

Scientists from Mass General Brigham explored the associations between telomere length-which decreases as a person ages or is exposed to unhealthy environments-and the risk for age-related brain diseases.

12 Jun 2025

Prenatal air pollution exposure related to subtle fetal brain changes

Fetuses more exposed to certain air pollutants show changes in the size of specific brain structures, particularly during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

11 Jun 2025

Lung cells in COPD patients show higher levels of soot-like carbon deposits

Cells taken from the lungs of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a larger accumulation of soot-like carbon deposits compared to cells taken from people who smoke but do not have COPD, according to a study published today (Wednesday) in ERJ Open Research.

10 Jun 2025

Would you trust a life form engineered in a lab? Here’s why it matters

A new report from Rice University’s Baker Institute outlines six core ethical challenges in synthetic biology, including risks, equity, and environmental impacts.

9 Jun 2025

Asthma sufferers could be at greater risk if Trump cuts health program

Esther Bejarano's son was 11 months old when asthma landed him inhh the hospital. She didn't know what had triggered his symptoms — neither she nor her husband had asthma — but she suspected it was the pesticides sprayed on the agricultural fields near her family's home.

6 Jun 2025

Scientists identify genetic clues linking air pollution to neurodegeneration

This review highlights how air pollution and occupational inhalation exposures may contribute to neurodegenerative disorders by triggering epigenetic changes. The authors stress the urgent need for advanced research to identify early biomarkers and guide protective health strategies for high-risk populations.

6 Jun 2025

Dementia rates decline among newer generations of older adults

A person aged 75 to 80 is less likely to have dementia today compared to someone of the same age several decades ago, a University of Queensland study has found.

5 Jun 2025

Plant-based portfolio diet linked to fewer heart-related deaths

The portfolio diet significantly lowers heart disease risk, with long-term benefits for cardiovascular health and all-cause mortality in diverse populations.

3 Jun 2025

Fine particulate matter exposure may alter pregnancy outcomes

A new study by Emory University researchers, published Thursday in Environmental Science & Technology, found that exposure to the tiny particles in air pollution during pregnancy can disrupt maternal metabolisms, altering key biological pathways.

3 Jun 2025

Study uncovers how exposure to PM2.5 air pollutants causes airway dysfunction

Air pollution is the second leading risk factor for death globally, with most of the world population subject to harmful air pollutant levels. However, the mechanisms behind air pollution affecting human health and mortality remain poorly understood, leaving treatment strategies unknown.

3 Jun 2025

Early allergen introduction reduces childhood food allergy risk

Investigating allergy prevention, this research highlights early intervention strategies and the promise of biologic treatments in managing allergic conditions.

29 May 2025

Coastal living adds years to your life while inland waters may cut them short

Proximity to coastal waters is linked to longer life expectancy in the US, while living near large inland water bodies often reduces it, except in rural settings, where the effect is positive. Environmental quality, income, and context drive these differences.

29 May 2025

Global study shows air pollution could triple heart disease cases by 2045

The study highlights air pollution's role in escalating heart disease, showing increased mortality and disability rates, especially among women and older adults.

28 May 2025

Fact: You could be inhaling nearly 70,000 plastic particles annually, here's what it means for your health

Airborne microplastics and nanoplastics are increasingly detected in urban environments, with evidence linking inhalation exposure to inflammation, cardiovascular risks, and other health concerns. Researchers highlight urgent needs for improved detection, targeted mitigation strategies, and coordinated global policies to address this emerging threat.

28 May 2025

Perfumes and lotions interfere with the body’s pollution defense

Fragrances and lotions don't just change the way people smell, they actively alter the indoor air chemistry around the wearer, disrupting a critical natural process the body uses to protect itself from pollution, according to an international research team that includes scientists from Penn State.

27 May 2025