Researchers found abnormal growth and increased neuroinflammation in the brains of animals exposed to air pollution, suggesting a potential risk for changes in developing brain relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders. The study used rodent models to mimic real-time exposure to traffic-related air pollution.
Researchers find air pollution can alter social behaviors in mice, causing inflammation that damages healthy tissues. Chronic exposure to particulate matter is also associated with boosted production of amyloid plaques, a key feature of Alzheimer's disease.
A new study found that China's countrywide ban on traffic mobility during the pandemic greatly limited automobile emissions and sharply reduced severe air pollution. This led to an estimated 12,125 avoided premature deaths compared to lives lost from the pandemic, with two-thirds of these being from cardiovascular diseases.
A new study reveals that minority students and charter schools experience higher concentrations of PM 2.5 levels even on clean air days, highlighting the need for policies to protect school-aged children from environmental harm. The research used a community-university partnership to analyze data from 174 public schools in Salt Lake Co...
A new study led by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that the opening of a FreshDirect warehouse in Mott Haven, Bronx, increased truck and vehicle flow, leading to small increases in air and noise pollution. The researchers estimated increases of 0.06 dBA (noise) and 0.003 µg/m3 (black carbon air pollution).
A study by UC Davis found that cold air rises in the tropics due to water vapor's lightness, forming clouds and thunderstorms. This buoyancy effect helps regulate tropical climates and reduces climate warming.
Researchers have demonstrated a prototype device that uses microwave air plasmas for jet propulsion, offering a potentially viable alternative to conventional fossil fuel jet engines. The engine can generate thrusting pressures comparable to those of commercial airplane jet engines using only air and electricity.
A Louisiana State University meteorologist is studying how coronavirus-induced lockdowns improved air quality in China, which could have implications for global temperatures and weather patterns.
Three major African cities show significant reductions in visibility since the 1970s, with Nairobi experiencing the greatest loss, due to increased particulate matter emissions from vehicles and energy generation. PM pollution levels have also increased by 182% in Nairobi, 162% in Kenya, and 62% in Uganda.
A study found children are exposed to three times higher levels of PM2.5 during morning drop-offs due to idling cars. Researchers recommend safe parking and green hedges to reduce air pollution.
An international team led by Princeton atmospheric scientist Meiyun Lin found that drought-stressed vegetation reduces ozone removal, worsening pollution episodes. This study highlights the need for stronger emission controls to address ozone air quality in Europe and has broader implications.
A new study found that regions with permanently high levels of nitrogen dioxide have significantly more deaths from Covid-19. This correlation suggests that persistent air pollution may have contributed to poorer health in affected populations, making them more susceptible to the virus.
A new nanotechnology-based air filter uses laser-induced graphene to eliminate viruses and bacteria, offering a self-sterilizing effect. This technology could be integrated into face masks and HVAC systems, providing an active layer of protection against COVID-19.
Researchers found a strong correlation between air temperature and Terra Nova Bay polynya area, with lower temperatures showing stronger effects. The study provides new insights into the complex interactions between atmospheric conditions and Antarctic ice cover.
The FEPCRC developed Oxy-CFBC technology significantly reduces air pollutants, including ultra fine dusts, CO2 emissions, and NOx, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional coal-fired power plants. The technology operates at 60% of O2 as an oxidant, reducing thermal input and increasing system efficiency.
A twin study conducted by Monash University researchers found that even low levels of air pollution can affect gene expression, leading to long-term health consequences. The study suggests exposure to air pollutants, even at low levels, has real-life implications for the current COVID pandemic.
A new study published in Environment International links poor air quality to changes in the human gut microbiome, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. Young adults exposed to higher levels of ozone showed less microbial diversity and more species associated with obesity and disease.
A new study reveals that air pollution is the leading cause of premature death worldwide, with 8.8 million deaths in 2015. The effects of air pollution shorten lives by an average of almost three years.
Researchers estimate that air pollution causes an extra 8.8 million premature deaths annually, shortening global life expectancy by nearly three years. Cardiovascular diseases account for the greatest proportion of shortened lives, with older people disproportionately affected.
A recent study found that exposure to fine particulate matter is associated with a higher degree of albuminuria and a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease. The study suggests that efforts to improve air quality may yield health benefits, including reducing rates of chronic kidney disease.
Researchers validate TRAX air quality sensor data, showcasing its ability to capture air pollution events, including summer fireworks and winter inversions. The expanded dataset provides insights into air mass exchange between the Salt Lake and Utah counties.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have created an 'Air-gen' device that harnesses natural protein to generate clean energy from atmospheric water vapor, offering a promising alternative to traditional renewable energy sources. The non-polluting technology has significant advantages over solar and wind power, and can even be used indoors.
A study by MIT researchers found that over half of US air-quality-related early deaths are caused by emissions from other states. Electric power generation is the main culprit, accounting for up to 75% of cases. However, deaths associated with air pollution have decreased significantly since 2005, with a 30% reduction in 2018.
A large study found daily exposure to ground level ozone in cities worldwide is associated with an increased risk of death. The study suggests that more than 6,000 deaths each year could be avoided if countries implemented stricter air quality standards.
Soil researchers found significant movement of sulfate into subsoils and improved water quality after implementing the Clean Air Act Amendment in 1990. However, soils still exhibit chemical imbalances, indicating a long-term recovery process.
A new study by ISGlobal found that nearly half of all childhood asthma cases in Barcelona are attributable to air pollution. The study highlights the impact of air pollution on socioeconomic groups, particularly the less disadvantaged children.
Researchers tracked pollutants from Canadian and US wildfires to reach NYC, causing significant increases in air quality advisories. The study highlights the need for policy-makers to consider long-term air quality management plans due to increasing wildfire smoke.
Wildfires in south eastern Brazil produce airborne pollution that worsens air quality in major cities such as Sao Paulo, cancelling efforts to improve the urban environment. The study found long-range transport of smoke contributes to poor air quality and smog in cities up to 2,000 km away.
A recent study by Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare found that indoor air quality is connected to respiratory and general symptoms like colds and headaches. However, the association was too weak to reliably assess indoor air quality based on reported symptoms.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that children exposed to high levels of air pollution during childhood are at a higher risk of developing schizophrenia. The study showed an increased risk of approximately 20% for every 10 μg/m3 increase in daily average air pollution.
A new study has found an association between exposure to air pollution and poor bone health. Fine particles in the air were linked to lower levels of bone mass, while biomass fuel use was not correlated. The study's findings contribute to a growing body of evidence on the impact of particulate air pollution on bone health.
A new study by the University of Notre Dame found that air travel has flattened local investment bias, reducing risk for investors and lowering firm costs. This is because investors are more likely to invest in companies in distant locations with better air connections, resulting in a diversified portfolio.
A new analysis found that people exposed to higher levels of air pollution are more likely to experience depression or die by suicide. Reducing global average exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) could result in a 15% reduction in depression risk worldwide.
Researchers recommend simplifying air quality testing methods to improve accuracy in simulating atmospheric chemical reactions and reducing pollution. A combination of bottom-up and top-down techniques can help achieve more accurate results.
A graduate student at the University of Tennessee has developed a new nanocellulose-based material that provides outstanding air filtration performance, with potential to remove over 99% of fine particles in air. The filter is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, making it highly promising for indoor air purification applications.
Studies use portable sensor technology and cellphone apps to measure air pollutant exposure, providing insights into reducing public health risks. Key findings include increased risks of respiratory diseases in children exposed to air pollution.
The Air Force has awarded a $1.5 million grant to Imaginestics LLC, a company developing an artificial intelligence-powered system for managing additive manufacturing data. The system, called AMAS, will provide the Air Force with a method to store, manipulate and present AM data effectively.
A new emissions inventory for Nepal reveals that air pollution is growing at a much faster rate than the economy. The study found that private households account for a larger share of fuel consumption and emissions in Nepal compared to industrial nations.
A US study found short-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with several newly identified causes of hospital admissions, including sepsis and kidney failure. The researchers suggest the World Health Organization air quality guidelines need revising.
A new study by the University of British Columbia found that even low levels of air pollution increase the risk of deaths in Canada. The research suggests that millions of Canadians live in high-pollution areas, leading to a significant health burden.
A metal-organic framework material has been developed that can capture nitrogen dioxide from the air and convert it into nitric acid for industrial use. The material requires only water and air to achieve this conversion, making it a promising solution for cost-effectively removing toxic pollutants from the atmosphere.
A University of Seville study found that over 17% of classrooms in Andalusia exceed WHO-recommended CO2 levels, with 42% showing concentrations above 2000 ppm. The research highlights the need for controlled mechanical ventilation systems to improve air quality and student health.
A study from 2013-2017 found that China's strict clean air policies led to a significant decrease in particulate matter exposure. The policy changes resulted in an estimated 370,000 deaths avoided annually due to improved air quality.
A new study from MIT found that aviation emissions cause twice as much damage to air quality as to the climate. The researchers developed metrics for comparing climate and air quality impacts of aviation emissions.
Restoring native vegetation could cut air pollution by an average of 27 percent, according to a new study published in Environmental Science & Technology. The research found that nature-based solutions might be cheaper options for cleaning the air near industrial sites and other pollution sources.
Researchers analyzed data to determine the feasibility of using nature-based solutions to combat air pollution. The study found that NBS can support native wildlife and are adaptable, cost-effective, and a truly green solution in reducing pollution and climate change.
Researchers from Drexel University review a decade of studies on the air-purifying effects of potted plants and find that natural ventilation is far more effective at cleaning the air than plants. To compete with building air handling systems, it would take between 10 to 1,000 plants per square meter of floor space.
Lithium-air batteries offer a maximum specific energy of 3,460 W h/kg, but scientists need to overcome obstacles such as unstable electrolytes and interference from air pollutants. The technology uses oxygen to oxidize a lithium-metal anode and could be powered by a plane's onboard air storage and filtration systems.
Research found that maternal exposure to particulate air pollution during pregnancy is associated with decreased heart rate variability in six-month-old infants. This decrease in heart rate variability is a known risk factor for mental and physical health problems later in life.
Finns' risk beliefs and knowledge on indoor air health effects were surveyed, finding that a significant proportion considers minor moisture damage to pose severe health risks. Actinomycetes may be a sign of moisture damage, but its occurrence does not automatically prove harmful health effects.
A new study finds that relaxing U.S. energy regulations and considering climate change would increase ozone precursors in the air, leading to more counties failing to meet air quality standards. The research used a computer model to simulate the effects of relaxed policies and climate change on ozone levels through 2050.
A study found that fine particulate matter increased by 5% between 2016-2018, leading to 9,700 additional premature deaths and $89 billion damages. The rise was associated with economic activity, wildfires, and decreased enforcement of the Clean Air Act.
A team of engineers at Purdue University conducted a study using thousands of sensors in an office building to identify indoor air contaminants. They found that people and ventilation systems greatly impact the chemistry of indoor air, with volatile organic compounds lingering even after occupants leave.
PlaneEnglish, an app-based aviation radio simulator, has received a $50,000 grant from the Air Force to improve flight training. The simulator helps pilots acquire radio communication proficiency in realistic environments, enhancing situational awareness and response skills.
A recent study by the University of Leeds found that high-tech air mattresses provide only minimal gains in preventing pressure ulcers compared to specialist foam mattresses. The study involved over 2000 patients and showed that the benefits were mostly limited to those who were completely immobile, confused, or had nutritional deficits.
A study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences found that air pollution under clear skies significantly reduces the amount of sunlight reaching Earth's surface. The study highlights the negative impact of air pollution on renewable energy harvesting and associated economic burdens, as well as its effects on air purity.
A new study from the University of Surrey found that involving citizens in air quality research improves their understanding of pollution's impact on health. Citizens were encouraged to debate research and conduct their own studies, resulting in more accurate knowledge.
Dr. Simon Dai's research aims to advance a passive technology that can attract and capture water droplets from fog and moisture in the air, providing a sustainable solution to global water scarcity. The new funding will help create a more durable lubricant for water harvesting.
A new international study found a link between air pollution and increased mortality rates, particularly among Australians who are more sensitive to particulate matter. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, analyzed data from 652 cities across 24 countries and regions.
A new study suggests a significant link between exposure to environmental pollution and an increase in the prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders. The study found poor air quality associated with increased rates of bipolar disorder and major depression in both the US and Denmark.