Articles tagged with Smoke
NASA's Terra satellite captured a massive image of fires and smoke from Australia's bushfires, spanning the southern Pacific Ocean. Over 1.1 million hectares have burned since September, with more than 70 fires still raging in Queensland.
A record number of bushfires are raging on Australia's east coast, spanning across New South Wales and Queensland. The fires, fueled by hot and dry weather, have burned over 365,000 hectares, with temperatures expected to remain high for the next week.
Studies found that urban emergency department patients who face unemployment and food insufficiency are more likely to smoke. Socioeconomic stressors also affect the likelihood of smoking among men and women, with certain groups showing different patterns.
A new study published in PLOS Genetics found that heavy smoking can have a causal effect on facial ageing, influencing appearance and wrinkling. Researchers used Mendelian randomization and gene-by-environment interaction tests to identify the effects of smoking heaviness.
Exposure to secondhand smoke has been associated with differences in choroidal thickness among children, with non-exposed kids showing healthier eyes. The study examined over 1,400 young children in Hong Kong and found significant differences in eye health between those exposed and not exposed to secondhand smoke.
A team of researchers has identified a key regulator of root hair growth in plants, revealing a new mechanism for controlling this process. The discovery, made using 'smoke detectors' from fire-following seeds, shows promise for improving crop yields and drought resistance.
A new study has found that e-cigarette smoke caused lung cancer and bladder issues in mice exposed to nicotine. The study, published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, found that 22.5% of mice developed lung adenocarcinomas after exposure to e-cig smoke with nicotine for 54 weeks.
A new study by Colorado State University researchers found a strong link between short-term exposure to air pollution and aggressive behavior, including aggravated assaults and other violent crimes across the continental United States. The results showed a 1.4% increase in violent crimes for every 10 microgram-per-cubic-meter increase ...
A Rutgers University co-authored study finds that a nuclear war between India and Pakistan could result in over 100 million immediate deaths and global mass starvation. The conflict could also lead to a significant decline in sunlight reaching the Earth's surface, causing regional cooling and reduced precipitation.
A new association between secondhand smoke exposure and heart rhythm disorder risk has been highlighted by a study. Children of parents who smoke had a significantly increased chance of developing atrial fibrillation later in life.
Suomi NPP's OMPS detects aerosols and smoke from fires in South America and Canada's Yukon Territories. High aerosol concentrations impact breathing, reproduction, climate, and visibility.
Researchers have discovered a feedback loop that reinforces atmospheric inversions, locking smoke in valleys and worsening air quality. Understanding this loop enables scientists to predict when fire inversions are likely to occur, aiding firefighters and residents.
A recent study by Arizona State University researchers found that tarballs, tiny organic particles formed during wildfires, can significantly impact local and global climate. The team's analysis revealed that tarballs form through chemical and physical changes of organic aerosols within the first hours following smoke production.
Researchers will examine biomarkers and chemicals in thirdhand smoke to understand its impact on cardiovascular health. The five-year study aims to design better therapies for thirdhand smoke-induced cardiovascular disease.
A new study suggests that individual cigarette warnings could be an effective way to discourage smoking among young people and non-smokers. The innovative approach would make health messages more visible and prolonged throughout the consumption experience.
A UCI study found that hookah waterpipe use poses health risks due to toxic chemicals, ultrafine particles, and carbon monoxide. The researchers discovered that even nicotine-free herbal mixtures produce high levels of toxic gases in mainstream smoke.
Researchers compared observations with model simulations, revealing gaps in smoke plume rise and duration modeling. The study found that solar heating warmed air within the plume, causing it to self-loft to nearly 23 kilometers, but observed smoke lifetime was 40% shorter than calculated models due to photochemical loss of organic carbon.
Scientists used a state-of-the-art climate model to study the lofting and movement of the colossal Canadian wildfire smoke cloud, which contained only about 0.3 million tons of soot. The modeling validated previous theories on nuclear war impacts and provided new insights into potential global climate effects.
Scientists studied a massive wildfire smoke plume that lasted for nearly nine months, providing an ideal opportunity to test climate models. The findings show that black carbon was key to the plume's rapid rise and persistence, challenging previous nuclear winter studies.
Researchers found that cigarette smoke can change the DNA and characteristics of pathogenic microbes like MRSA, making them more resistant to antibiotics. This stress response sparks an emergency mutation, resulting in hardy variants that are better equipped to resist drugs.
Research found that African biomass burning is a substantial source of phosphorus deposition to the Amazon, Tropical Atlantic Ocean, and Southern Ocean. This discovery has significant implications for understanding Earth's climate and may impact primary productivity and carbon dioxide drawdown in both ecosystems.
Research from Duke Health suggests that new e-cigarette laws could have unintended consequences on existing users, leading them to smoke more traditional tobacco cigarettes. The study found that limiting flavors or customizability of e-cigarettes might cause some users to increase their use of traditional cigarettes.
A new study finds that patients with mental health conditions are less likely to be prescribed the most effective drug, varenicline, for quitting smoking. However, research suggests that varenicline is associated with better mental health outcomes and higher quit rates compared to nicotine replacement therapy.
The NASA-NOAA satellite captured images of four naturally caused fires in Gila National Forest, New Mexico, sparking concern for air quality and fire management. Three fires - Black Fire, South Fire, and Woodrow Fire - generated smoke plumes visible from space.
The Whiting Knoll Fire in east central Arizona has generated enough smoke to be seen from space, with NASA-NOAA satellite images capturing its extent. The fire, which started on June 30, 2019, is burning approximately 1,546 acres and remains only 5% contained.
A study published in Tobacco Control found that only 1 in 6 accredited US colleges and universities were completely smoke or tobacco-free by 2017. This leaves a significant number of students, faculty, and staff exposed to secondhand smoke.
A study led by University of California, Riverside scientists found that thirdhand smoke can damage epithelial cells in the respiratory system by stressing cells and causing them to fight for survival. The researchers identified 382 genes significantly over-expressed and found pathways affected by these genes.
New Zealanders consider cigarette butts toxic to the environment, holding smokers primarily responsible. Researchers recommend increasing awareness of tobacco companies' role in creating tobacco product waste to foster political support for producer responsibility measures.
A new study by Imperial Brands found that Blu vapor did not trigger significant toxicological responses in human lung cells, unlike cigarette smoke. The research used a 3D model of human lung tissue and found no decrease in cilia or ciliated cells after four weeks of exposure.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, successfully replicated superfog formation in a laboratory setting, revealing crucial factors such as low water content, small particle size, and high fuel moisture content. While they can now understand how superfog forms, predicting its occurrence remains uncertain due to comple...
Smokers of unfiltered cigarettes face a significantly higher risk of dying from lung cancer and all causes than those who smoke filtered cigarettes. Researchers found that light or ultralight cigarettes do not offer any lung cancer death reduction benefits, but smokers may be less likely to quit.
A Rutgers University study found that over 60% of e-cigarette users want to quit using e-cigarettes. The study also revealed that more than 25% have tried to quit in the past year and 16% plan to quit within a month.
A new University of Stirling study found that banning smoking in prisons significantly reduced secondhand smoke levels across Scotland. The study, which measured air quality before and after the ban's introduction, showed an average 81% decrease in fine particulate matter concentrations.
A large study of 131,739 never-smokers found that passive smoking is associated with a higher risk of high blood pressure. The study suggests that avoiding secondhand smoke completely is necessary to protect against hypertension. Researchers recommend stricter smoking bans and help for smokers to quit.
A novel approach using pleasant odors could help smokers quit by reducing craving urges. Pleasant aromas significantly decreased urge scores in participants, with those smelling pleasant odors showing a greater reduction than tobacco or blank scents.
New research by Imperial Brands shows that vaping blu e-vapor produces a similar effect on human lung tissue as normal air. The study found that exposure to blu vapour had no cytotoxic impact on human airway tissue, unlike conventional cigarette smoke.
A recent study by the University of Kentucky has identified a potential cellular mechanism that connects smoking during pregnancy with an increased risk of offspring obesity later in life. The research found that expectant mothers who smoke cigarettes during pregnancy induce distinct changes in chemerin gene expression in their offspring.
New study from Michigan State University finds that student social norms and peer approval are crucial in determining drinking behavior. Researchers suggest emphasizing social costs of risky behaviors and promoting messages from peers themselves, not authority figures.
The novel vaping product produced greatly reduced mutagenicity and cytotoxicity compared to cigarette smoke. Further studies are required to substantiate its potential as a reduced-risk product.
A multi-country study found that nearly half of Airbnb listings allowing smoking lack smoke detectors, while nearly two-thirds of non-smoking venues have them. The study also reveals a significant gap in carbon monoxide detector prevalence across smoking and non-smoking venues.
Hookah smoking exposes users to high levels of particulate matter and other harmful chemicals, including carbon monoxide, nicotine, and lead. The American Heart Association recommends avoiding tobacco use in any form due to the risks associated with hookah smoking.
A new study has found a strong association between secondhand smoke exposure and the development of chronic kidney disease. Even brief periods of exposure, such as less than 3 days per week, were linked to a higher risk of CKD, with a 66% increased risk compared to those with no exposure.
A San Diego State University study found that a combination of coaching, lights, and sound can reduce smoking in homes with children. The 'Project Fresh Air' intervention resulted in a near-20% reduction in smoking and related activity, as well as a decrease in air particle events triggered by secondhand smoke.
A study conducted by Imperial Brands found substantially reduced toxicant levels in the aerosol from their heated tobacco product (HTP) prototype compared to smoke from a standard reference cigarette. The HTP generated significantly lower levels of carbon monoxide and other harmful compounds.
Researchers found that joint use of tobacco and alcohol increased reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the rat brain, leading to lower levels of a growth factor essential for neuron survival. The study suggests that alcoholics who smoke may be at additional risk for neural damage.
Researchers found significant changes in smokers' ability to discriminate contrast levels and colors compared to non-smokers. The study suggests that cigarette smoke's neurotoxic chemicals may cause overall color vision loss and visual processing impairments.
Researchers identified a genetic variant associated with an increased preference for menthol cigarettes, specifically in African-American smokers. The MRGPRX4 gene variant is five to eight times more frequent among menthol cigarette users, suggesting a potential underlying factor for the higher use of these products among this population.
Researchers at SDSU have developed wearable wristbands to track nicotine exposure in children, which were compared to traditional urine samples and found to be equivalent. The wristbands may become a useful tool for studying tobacco product exposure in both children and adults.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati found significant levels of nicotine on children's hands, even when caregivers did not smoke in their presence. The study suggests that indoor smoking bans may not fully protect children from exposure to tobacco smoke residue.
A new study published in the journal Addiction found that allowing smokers to determine their own nicotine intake while quitting can lead to higher success rates. The results suggest that most smokers can tolerate doses four times higher than those normally recommended, making them more likely to stay smoke-free.
Researchers found that mice exposed to secondhand smoke developed cardiac alternans, a precursor to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The study expands knowledge of tobacco smoke's effects on cardiac function in nonsmokers.
Research reveals that low-income, rural kids are at higher risk of second- and third-hand smoke exposure, with as many as 63% of children having detectable levels of cotinine. The study found that frequent moves, lower income, and more adults in the home increase a child's exposure to smoke.
A recent study found that infants and toddlers in low-income, rural areas may be exposed to high levels of second- and third-hand smoke. The study suggests that frequent moves, lower education, and more adults in the home can increase a child's exposure to smoke.
Research published in Experimental Physiology reveals smoking during pregnancy increases the likelihood of a baby becoming obese. Higher levels of chemerin, a protein associated with obesity, were found in infants whose mothers smoked during pregnancy. Reduced DNA methylation was also linked to increased expression of this protein.
A new Ohio State University study of 617 tobacco users found that vaping did not boost quit rates, and dual users were no more likely to stop smoking. Researchers say the results suggest that for heavy smokers, tried-and-true methods like medication and nicotine replacement are still the best approach.
Researchers from UCI and Singapore find that widespread fires in Indonesia's peatlands, which are hundreds to thousands of years old, were the main source of severe air pollution in Southeast Asia. The team's analysis confirms human activities as the primary cause of these environmental catastrophes.
A study published in Pediatrics found that nearly half of children exposed to second-hand marijuana smoke had detectable levels of THC, a reliable indicator of exposure. Researchers also discovered that third-hand smoke exposure can occur when individuals smoke and the residue lingers on their skin, hair, or clothes.
Weekly air sample analysis in Singapore revealed that peat burning was the primary source of smoke during Indonesian fires in 2015. The study suggests that around 85% of smoke reaching Singapore originated from peat, highlighting the need to protect peat from wildfires.
A new study found that UK children exposed to smoking from caregivers or friends are more likely to try and continue smoking. The research highlights the 'transmissible' nature of tobacco smoking among young people, emphasizing the need for measures to protect children from smoking in the home and support smoking cessation.
A study by University of Edinburgh researchers found that pregnant women living in areas with high tobacco availability are 70% more likely to smoke. Limiting tobacco supply could help reduce smoking rates and tackle health inequalities.