Pollution News and Research

Latest Pollution News and Research

India, China, and the US will drive global diabetes burden by 2050, study finds

Global diabetes deaths and disability are rising, particularly in India, China, and the US, with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) driving the trend. Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) burdens are declining, but inequalities are widening, and projections show a steep rise in T2DM by 2050.

9 Apr 2025

Public health risks of urban wildfire smoke prompt push for more monitoring

When the catastrophic Los Angeles fires broke out, John Volckens suspected firefighters and residents were breathing toxic air from the burning homes, buildings, and cars, but it was unclear how much risk the public faced.

8 Apr 2025

How air pollution may be undermining your brain—one breath at a time

Research reveals air pollution, particularly from industry and fuels, negatively affects cognitive function in older adults, with language skills most impacted.

8 Apr 2025

Increased government transparency leads to lower pollution and better health

When are you most forthcoming with life updates? And when are you the most transparent about exactly what those updates are? For most folks - show of hands, please - it's when things are going well. Sharing our wins is in our nature; our losses, typically, not so much.

7 Apr 2025

Brain health in older adults threatened by prolonged air pollution

Long-term exposure to high levels of air pollution may harm the brain health of older adults in England, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

7 Apr 2025

Exposure to wildfire smoke raises mental health visits to emergency departments

Exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) from wildfire smoke was associated with increased visits to emergency departments (ED) for mental health conditions, according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

4 Apr 2025

New project aims to help pin down the process of West Nile virus transmission

Mosquitoes have been transmitting the West Nile virus to humans in the United States for over 25 years, but we still don't know precisely how the virus cycles through these pests and the other animals they bite.

2 Apr 2025

Only 13% of French adults have optimal heart health—here’s what’s driving the gap

Only 13% of French adults aged 18–69 have optimal cardiovascular health, according to a national study using the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) score. The findings highlight missed prevention opportunities and suggest that modest lifestyle changes could prevent up to 81% of cardiovascular events.

1 Apr 2025

Study links childhood air pollution exposure to weaker brain connections

A new study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by the "la Caixa" Foundation, has found that children exposed to higher levels of air pollution in early and mid childhood have weaker connections between key brain regions.

1 Apr 2025

Study shows women can hear better than men

An international team of scientists has found that biological sex is the leading factor explaining differences in hearing sensitivity, with women having significantly more sensitive hearing than men.

From University of Bath 1 Apr 2025

MPs back new report promoting ‘Healthy Hearts’ across the nation

A collection of articles from University of Manchester experts which provides a roadmap to tackle the national cardiovascular health crisis has been warmly received in Westminster.

27 Mar 2025

Microplastics exposure linked to increased risk of chronic diseases

Tiny fragments of plastic have become ubiquitous in our environment and our bodies. Higher exposure to these microplastics, which can be inadvertently consumed or inhaled, is associated with a heightened prevalence of chronic noncommunicable diseases, according to new research being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25).

25 Mar 2025

Sticking to Life’s Essential 8 slashes cancer risk, major study shows

Long-term adherence to the American Heart Association’s “Life’s Essential 8” lifestyle score significantly reduces the risk of overall and site-specific cancers. Stable high LE8 scores over four years were linked to notably lower risks of lung, breast, liver, and colorectal cancers in a large Chinese cohort study.

23 Mar 2025

Cities recognized for fighting noncommunicable diseases and injuries

Today, during the annual Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit in Paris, three cities were recognized for their achievements in preventing noncommunicable diseases and injuries: Córdoba, Argentina; Fortaleza, Brazil; and Greater Manchester, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

20 Mar 2025

Northwestern study shows health benefits of zero-emission vehicles for Chicago

Guided by the lived experiences of community partners, Northwestern University scientists have simulated the effects of zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption on future air quality for the greater Chicago area.

18 Mar 2025

Women with certain pregnancy blood pressure patterns face higher risk of hypertension

Women with blood pressure levels in a range considered clinically normal during pregnancy but no mid-pregnancy drop in blood pressure face an increased risk of developing hypertension in the five years after giving birth.

18 Mar 2025

A global movement to address the health impacts of air pollution

In an unprecedented show of unity, more than 47 million health professionals, patients, advocates, representatives from civil society organizations, and individuals worldwide have signed a resounding call for urgent action to reduce air pollution and to protect people's health from its devastating impacts.

18 Mar 2025

Study examines the mechanisms behind long-term consequences of childhood stress

Early-life adversity affects more than half of the world's children and is a significant risk factor for cognitive and mental health problems later in life.

17 Mar 2025

Polluted soil and water are fueling a global heart disease epidemic

A new study in Atherosclerosis shows that soil and water pollution, including microplastics and toxic chemicals, significantly raise cardiovascular disease risks. The research highlights how emerging contaminants and poor environmental practices drive global health threats.

16 Mar 2025

Mitochondria may hold key to reducing inflammaging in aging cells

In humans and other multicellular organisms, cells multiply. This defining feature allows embryos to grow into adulthood, and enables the healing of the many bumps, bruises and scrapes along the way.

14 Mar 2025