A new study published in Diabetologia found that growing up in areas with high air pollution increases the risk of insulin resistance in children. The research used data from two prospective German birth cohort studies and found a significant association between air pollution exposure and increased levels of insulin resistance.
Long-term exposure to air pollution may be linked to heart attacks and strokes by speeding up atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Higher concentrations of fine particulate air pollution were found to be linked to faster thickening of the inner two layers of the common carotid artery.
A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that the microbial population in NYC subway air is nearly identical to ambient air on city streets. The researchers used new methodologies, including fast collection of aerosols and rapid sequencing technology, to efficiently monitor the subway's microbial population.
A recent study published in Atmospheric Environment found that air pollution from wildland fires and urban areas is reducing air quality at Devils Postpile National Monument. Ozone concentrations exceeded California standards, posing a risk to sensitive individuals, and may have phytotoxic effects on plants.
Long-term exposure to air pollution may accelerate atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Fine particulate air pollution was found to be associated with faster thickening of the inner two layers of the common carotid artery.
Current quality measures for outpatient settings neglect critical areas of high-quality care, including safety and effectiveness. Dr. Tara Bishop suggests revisiting quality measurement to include these neglected areas, which could improve patient care and safety.
OzoneMap is a free mobile app that provides real-time air quality reports for the greater Houston area. It features a map of the city with colored clouds illustrating ozone levels, allowing users to select from three different maps and access information on health effects.
A new device called the SXC ESP was created by Washington University engineers to better protect human lungs from allergens and airborne viruses. The device uses soft X-ray irradiation to capture particles, making it more effective than traditional air cleaners in removing biological agents from the air.
Researchers identified a new molecular pathway involved in the growth of tiny air sacs called alveoli crucial for breathing. HGF treatment showed a 17% improvement in air sac size and lung structure, suggesting a potential approach to regrow destroyed air sacs in people with emphysema.
A groundbreaking air cleaning device developed by the University of Copenhagen has successfully removed Volatile Organic Compounds from industrial emissions. The invention uses natural processes to clean indoor air and remove pollutants, resulting in improved relations between businesses and their neighbors.
Researchers have developed small, portable sensors that can track ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide levels in the air. These sensors, part of the CitiSense system, allow users to monitor their local air quality on their smartphones, providing valuable insights into pollution patterns.
Scientists from six countries emphasize the importance of collaboration between science and policy in addressing air pollution effects. Successful integration has led to significant improvements in reducing acid rain and eutrophication, but challenges persist, including nitrogen emissions and climate change.
A study of 279 children with autism and 245 control subjects found exposure to traffic-related air pollution during pregnancy and the first year of life was associated with an increased risk of autism. Children living in homes with high levels of modeled traffic pollution were three times more likely to have autism.
USC/CHLA researchers have found that air pollution is associated with a higher risk of developing autism in young children. Exposure to traffic-related and regional air pollution during pregnancy and early childhood may increase the risk by more than two-fold.
Research shows that exposure to fine air particulate matter may be an environmental risk factor for reduced cognitive function in older adults. Cognitive decline was associated with every ten point increase in fine air particulate matter exposures, equivalent to aging three years.
Four finalists have been selected in the My Air, My Health Challenge to create wearable sensors that measure airborne pollutants and related physiological data. The challenge aims to spur development of personal devices gathering health and air quality data for long-term health outcomes.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research is launching a three-year, international study to analyze the effects of smoke from traditional cooking methods on human health. The researchers will combine sensors with computer models to examine links between air pollutants and diseases such as meningitis in northern Ghana.
Researchers found a carbon-dioxide-sensitive neural circuit in ancient fish that likely evolved into the lungs of vertebrates. This discovery sheds light on the origins of air breathing and its role in vertebrate evolution.
A Tufts University researcher has developed a new statistical model that estimates air pollution exposure for previous time periods where direct data is lacking. The study shows that air quality improves when unemployment rises.
Better air quality indicators are needed to address the risks of global urbanization on health. The World Health Organization estimates that outdoor air pollution causes 1.34 million premature deaths annually, with many low- and middle-income countries lacking reliable data.
A new hand-held sensor detects high levels of carbon dioxide in classroom air, which can cause drowsiness and negatively impact learning. The sensor's data can help optimize HVAC systems to improve indoor air quality.
The Houston Clean Air Network provides real-time air quality updates using maps of the greater Houston area. The site allows users to track ozone levels and plan their day accordingly, benefiting those with health concerns about ozone or respiratory illnesses like asthma.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University reveals that biogenic particles formed from pine tree emissions are chemically transformed by free radicals, altering their properties and concentrations. This finding can help improve climate and air quality prediction models and enable regulatory agencies to make more effective decisions.
A study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics predicts that most of the world's population will face degraded air quality by 2050 if man-made emissions continue as usual. The average world citizen will experience similar air pollution to today's average East Asian citizen, resulting in severe health effects.
The air quality worldwide will be as bad as it already is nowadays in urban areas of Southeast Asia by 2050 if no action is taken. Eastern China and northern India are expected to experience drastic decreases in air quality, while the Arabian Gulf region and North America will see an increase in ozone levels.
A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that hot, humid air triggers an increase in airway resistance in patients with mild asthma, leading to coughing and airway constriction. Inhaling an asthma drug before exposure to hot, humid air prevented this reaction.
The My Air, My Health Challenge offers a cash award of $100,000 for the most effective solution in integrating physiological and air quality data. The competition aims to better understand the connection between air quality and health, and will collaborate between health researchers and technologists.
Researchers linked air pollution exposure to increased risk of cardiovascular problems, as shown by significant reductions in blood clotting and inflammation biomarkers during the Beijing Olympics. The study provides evidence that even short-term air pollution reduction improves cardiovascular health.
Researchers measured environmental air pollutants and biomarkers for systemic inflammation and thrombosis before, during, and after the 2008 Olympics. Concentrations of particulate and gaseous pollutants decreased substantially, but ozone concentrations increased.
A recent study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has pinpointed indoor air quality risks in the United Arab Emirates as a significant health concern. The research found that residents are exposed to high levels of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and formaldehyde, which can lead to respiratory iss...
A new study by Harvard researchers found a significant association between long-term fine particle air pollution exposure and higher rates of hospital admissions for pneumonia, heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes in older adults. The study used novel prediction models to estimate zip code concentrations of fine air particles and compa...
Experts urge policymakers to introduce changes to ensure safe and clean air in Europe. The European Respiratory Society has devised 10 principles for clean air, calling for significant reductions in fine particles and ozone, as well as policy changes to reduce ultrafine particle emissions from motor vehicles.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of previous studies found that short-term exposure to major air pollutants is associated with an increased risk of heart attack. The study suggests three possible mechanisms for this association: inflammation, abnormal cardiac autonomic system regulation, and increased blood viscosity.
The study found significant variability in colonoscopy reporting, but high overall quality. Significant variance between endoscopy departments was also observed. Continuous monitoring and implementation of quality indicators can improve the quality of both reporting and performance.
A recent study by Michael McClean and colleagues reveals a strong link between PFC levels in office air and blood concentrations, suggesting offices as an important exposure environment. The findings also indicate that workers in newly renovated buildings receive higher doses of PFCs.
Researchers have developed a technology that reduces air pollutant emissions from chicken and swine barns by up to 79% while recovering heat. The system uses biofiltration and heat exchangers to temper fresh air and generate heat, reducing energy consumption.
Coogan will investigate the effects of air pollution on hypertension and diabetes incidence in African American women, using data from the Black Women's Health Study. The study aims to inform public policy on air quality regulation and provide insight into a novel pathway whereby air pollution causes cardiovascular events.
A multi-national team, including USC scientists, found that indoor pollution has been drastically reduced at the church housing the famous painting by 88 and 94 percent. However, fatty lipids from visitors' skin still pose a threat of soiling on the Last Supper, despite strict visitor access regulations.
Efforts to dismantle clean air laws threaten public health, and experts urge physicians to educate Congress on the critical role of regulation in preventing air pollution's negative effects. The Clean Air Act authorizes the EPA to reduce airborne contaminants, and its amendments have been passed with bipartisan support.
Researchers found that fragrant essential oils can produce small, ultrafine byproducts called secondary organic aerosols (SOAs), causing eye and airway irritation. The study also revealed that spa layout and ventilation significantly affect indoor air pollutant levels during aromatherapy
Researchers at the University of Washington and Kettering University have developed a tool to optimize grocery store display case designs, reducing energy consumption by up to 15%. The team tested various air curtain speeds, angles, and factors to minimize warm air infiltration into chilled compartments.
Researchers found that nasal congestion is linked to sensory feedback from airflow, affecting temperature and humidity. Studies suggest using optimal conditions to restore nasal airflow may help alleviate congestion.
A Californian-based study found traffic-related air pollution, particularly PAH, is linked to a 30% increase in premature births. Seasonal changes and proximity to the coast also affect pollutant concentrations.
A new study shows that trees in London's urban areas remove between 850 to 2000 tonnes of particulate pollution from the air every year. This research uses a prediction model to estimate future air quality and suggests that targeted tree planting and a mix of evergreen species can maximize benefits.
A Johns Hopkins study found that indoor air cleaners can greatly reduce household air pollution and lower daytime asthma symptoms. However, they did not counter all ill effects of second-hand smoke. The researchers recommend using air cleaners as a temporary tool to achieve a smoke-free environment.
The Sandia Cooler technology significantly reduces the energy needed to cool processor chips in data centers and large-scale computing environments. It achieves this by efficiently transferring heat across a narrow air gap, minimizing boundary layer thickness and fouling problems.
Long-term exposure to air pollution can lead to physical changes in the brain and negative effects on learning, memory, and mood. Mice exposed to polluted air showed reduced cell complexity, inflammation, and depressive-like behaviors.
Research finds that paved surfaces in cities like Houston can lead to stagnant air and increased pollution by altering wind patterns. By adding parks and lakes, cities may be able to improve air quality by blowing away pollutants.
A recent study found that Delhi's radical changes in air quality regulations had a substantial positive effect on the health of city residents. The research used remote sensing imagery to measure the effects of air quality on health, and found that poorer men exhibited significant negative relationships between ambient air and respirat...
Researchers report that US military personnel in Iraq are frequently exposed to polluted air with fine particulate matter, exceeding guidelines and posing long-term health threats. Chronic exposure has been linked to various health problems, including increased hospital admissions and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism by which air pollution particles form, with heavier compounds contributing most to particle formation. This discovery has significant implications for understanding and predicting urban air quality.
A new research center at MSU will study air pollutants' impact on cardiometabolic syndrome, a collection of risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The team aims to understand how air pollution promotes the development of these conditions, particularly in vulnerable populations.
A study published in The Lancet found that air pollution increases the risk of triggering a heart attack by 5%, while cocaine use increases the risk by 23 times. Air pollution poses a significant public health risk, with substantial decreases needed to meet WHO standards.
A study published in the Annals of Surgery found that high-quality trauma hospitals have significantly lower death rates and spending compared to average-quality hospitals. The research suggests that achieving better quality may be less expensive in the long run, with fewer patient complications translating into cost savings.
Researchers found a strong link between climate and air pollution in Gothenburg, where extreme cold air from Siberia leads to high nitrogen oxide concentrations. The study, published in Atmospheric Environment, shows that air quality standards were exceeded more frequently during negative NAO phases.
Researchers discovered that sports stadiums and street lighting can increase daytime ozone levels, a key air pollutant in heavily populated areas. This effect is significant for cities struggling to meet stricter government air pollution limits.
Researchers are developing a smartphone app to track air pollution exposure over time, providing a more accurate method for assessing health risks. The two-year study will use GPS-equipped smartphones to collect data on participants' locations and air pollution levels.
Researchers discovered that bright light from sports stadiums and urban street lights can boost daytime ozone levels, a key air pollutant in many areas. Cities may need to consider the unexpected effects of night-time lighting on air quality.
A field study has been conducted to investigate the causes of winter inversions in urban areas like Salt Lake City, which can trap pollutants and lead to poor air quality. The researchers used a range of methods, including weather balloons, cars, and gliders, to collect data on temperature, wind, and moisture.
Researchers at Princeton University developed an air laser that can detect hidden bombs, pollutants, and greenhouse gases from afar. The new technique uses an ultraviolet laser pulse to generate an entirely new beam of light that interacts with molecules in the air, providing a powerful tool for remote measurements.