Pollution News and Research

Latest Pollution News and Research

Marine herbivorous fish could be the new source of protein for humans

A secret to survival amid rising global temperatures could be dwelling in the tidepools of the U.S. West Coast.

19 Feb 2020

UCLA researchers identify new molecule that promotes airway health

A molecule identified by UCLA researchers helps maintain a healthy balance of cells in airway and lung tissue.

18 Feb 2020

BU study finds higher fecundability in the fall

First-of-its-kind study accounts for when couples are most likely to start trying to conceive, finding couples conceive quicker in late fall and early winter, especially in southern states.

18 Feb 2020

Exposure to ambient ultrafine particles may trigger nonfatal heart attack

Yale-affiliated scientist finds that even a few hours' exposure to ambient ultrafine particles common in air pollution may potentially trigger a nonfatal heart attack.

14 Feb 2020

Marine bacteria genes can help track environmental changes caused by humans

The gene expression of marine bacteria can be a valuable sensor for discovering environmental changes caused by humans. Furthermore, bacteria help to clean our oceans and hopefully they could be used to purify drinking water from harmful environmental toxins in the future.

13 Feb 2020

Half the air pollution deaths in the U.S. linked to out-of-state emissions

Over half the deaths due to poor air quality occurring in the U.S. are because of emissions from outside the state in which the deaths occur, according to a new study published in February 2020 in the journal Nature.

12 Feb 2020

Longer commute time associated with greater exposure to carcinogens in car seats

The longer your commute, the more you're exposed to a chemical flame retardant that is a known carcinogen and was phased out of furniture use because it required a Proposition 65 warning label in California.

7 Feb 2020

Many household filters are only partially effective at removing PFAS from drinking water

The water filter on your refrigerator door, the pitcher-style filter you keep inside the fridge and the whole-house filtration system you installed last year may function differently and have vastly different price tags, but they have one thing in common.

5 Feb 2020

Titanium nanoparticles found in coal smog and ash can cause lung damage in mice

Virginia Tech scientists have discovered that incredibly small particles of an unusual and highly toxic titanium oxide found in coal smog and ash can cause lung damage in mice after a single exposure, with long-term damage occurring in just six weeks.

5 Feb 2020

Study shows beneficial effects of greenness around schools for children

Two separate studies looked at the effects that greenery has on our health – finding that the greener our surroundings, the better.

4 Feb 2020

Research examines environmental exposures and increase in type 1 diabetes

Studies have shown a rapid increase in new cases of type 1 diabetes worldwide. However, scientists and researchers have struggled to identify a direct cause.

3 Feb 2020

Masks signal cultural disconnect as L.A.’s Chinese community braces for coronavirus

Several staff members of a small community health clinic in L.A.'s historic Chinatown spoke on the phone with patients Tuesday while wearing face masks that muffled their voices.

30 Jan 2020

Finer particulate matter (PM1) and risk of cardiovascular disease

A new study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters reports that particulate matter smaller than a single micron in diameter, called PM1, is strongly linked to the occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This is thought to be due to its higher surface area to volume ratio.

29 Jan 2020

Finer particulate matter linked to cardiovascular disease risk

In addition to harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, air pollution contains tiny particles that have been linked to health problems, including cardiovascular disease and asthma.

29 Jan 2020

Microbe screening and sorting device created by researchers

Researchers have made a device that could sour the waters of the seas for microbes and also detect which of these could develop antimicrobial resistance. This could quantify the threat they pose to the ecosystems. This portable device and the trial with it were reported in the latest issue of the journal Scientific Reports. The study was titled, “Electrical impedance as an indicator of microalgal cell health.”

27 Jan 2020

Climate change inflicts catastrophic effects on children’s health

The grim effects that climate change will have on pediatric health outcomes was the focus of a "Viewpoint" article published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation by Susan E. Pacheco, MD, an expert at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

27 Jan 2020