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  • Children exposed to air pollution are more likely to develop disease later in life

    March 1, 2021 /

    By Roberta Attanasio We have known for quite some time that the first years of life represent a unique “window of vulnerability”—exposures to environmental chemicals at this time influence cellular programming in ways that shape health and disease in later years. For example, recent research shows that there is a significant association between multiple prenatal and early life exposures to indoor pollutants and the degree of allergic sensitivity in 2-year old children. In other words, babies exposed to air pollution during prenatal life and for the first several moths after birth, up to 2 years of age, are at higher risk of developing allergic sensitivity. Now, results from a study published…

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    August 5, 2013

    Fine Particulate Matter: The Global Toll

    October 18, 2013

    Cooking and Indoor Air Pollution

    January 3, 2014
  • Did you hear about Science Moms?

    February 22, 2021 /

    By Roberta Attanasio All around the world, mothers are concerned about their kids’ future. What world will they live in? A world where humanity is still waging war on nature, or one at peace? Science Moms want to talk about our world and what we can do to make it a better place—they are climate scientists concerned about their kids’ future and believe that, with moms everywhere, it’s possible to build a cleaner, safer future for all kids. This is how Science Moms define themselves: “We are a group of climate scientists and mothers who care deeply about the planet that our children will inherit. Together, we aim to demystify climate…

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    2013 World Day to Combat Desertification: Today, June 17

    June 17, 2013

    Arsenic Contamination of Drinking Water in India Impairs Kala-Azar Treatment

    October 30, 2013

    Climate Change: Influence on the Spread of Lyme Disease

    March 30, 2014
  • It’s time to stop our war on nature

    February 18, 2021 /

    By Roberta Attanasio A newly released report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides a scientific blueprint to tackle the climate, biodiversity, and pollution emergencies—and invites the world to make peace with nature. The report. “Making peace with nature: a scientific blueprint to tackle the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergencies” (February 18, 2021), is based on evidence from global environmental assessments. It points out that humanity’s environmental challenges have continued to grow in number and severity for the past 50 years, and now represent a planetary emergency. “Humanity is waging war on nature. This is senseless and suicidal. The consequences of our recklessness are already apparent in human suffering,…

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    Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water?

    April 25, 2016

    Global Threats: Water Scarcity and Uncertainty in the Estimates of Groundwater Availability

    June 28, 2015

    As coal mining declines, community mental health problems linger

    August 2, 2016
  • Measles outbreak in Samoa: potential effects on COVID-19

    November 8, 2020 /

    By Roberta Attanasio Measles—one of the world’s most contagious diseases—induces immune amnesia, an anomaly of the immune system that results in increased susceptibility to infections by other pathogens. Not surprisingly, there are concerns globally about populations that have recently experienced measles outbreaks. These populations could be at elevated risk of developing more severe COVID-19 illness, resulting in increased mortality.    The emergence of the current COVID-19 pandemic in the first months of 2020 occurred closely after a global resurgence of measles. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by November 2019, measles case numbers had tripled compared with the same period in the previous year. Measles spreads easily when an infected…

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    Arsenic in Drinking Water: Increased Risk of Respiratory Infections and Lung Damage Following Fetal Exposure

    September 29, 2013

    The Global Tide of Disease Mongering

    May 27, 2013

    Clean Air: The Effects of U.S. Power Plant Carbon Standards on Human Health

    May 4, 2015
  • As coal mining declines, community mental health problems linger

    August 2, 2016 /

    By Roberta Attanasio The U.S. coal industry is in rapid decline, a shift marked not only by the bankruptcy of many mine operators in coal-rich Appalachia but also by a legacy of potential environmental and social disasters. As mines close, states, the federal government and taxpayers are left wondering about the costs of cleaning up the abandoned land, especially at mountaintop removal sites, the most destructive type of mining. As coal companies go bankrupt, this has left states concerned taxpayers may have to pick up the environmental cleanup costs. But there are also societal costs related to mountaintop removal mining’s impact on health and mental health. As an immunologist, I…

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    Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water?

    April 25, 2016

    Global Threats: Contamination of Surface Waters by Agricultural Insecticides

    April 26, 2015

    Do Sea Turtles Eat Plastic Marine Debris? Yes!

    August 10, 2013
  • Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water?

    April 25, 2016 /

    By Roberta Attanasio The problem of contaminated tap water in the U.S. goes well beyond Flint—and also beyond lead. There are many more toxic chemicals in our drinking water that we like to believe. Communities in New York, New Hampshire and Vermont recently found elevated levels of PFOA, a suspected carcinogen, in their water supplies. PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, is a synthetic perfluoroalkyl chemical used to manufacture nonstick pan coatings and water-resistant clothing. And, even more recent is the finding that water discharged from Burlington’s wastewater treatment plant into Lake Champlain—the source of drinking water for tens of thousands of people in the Burlington area—contains concentrations of pharmaceuticals high enough to reflect…

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    Central Asia Large Mammals: Victims of (Cashmere) Fashion

    August 16, 2013

    Farmed Salmon Develop Ear Deformities All Around the World

    May 31, 2016

    Wasting Syndrome and Starfish Die-Off

    February 9, 2014
  • Soils Are Threatened: Can We Halt The Problem?

    December 4, 2015 /

    By Roberta Attanasio Today, December 4, 2015, is World Soil Day — a day to connect people with soils, and raise awareness of their critical importance in our lives. Soils — the reservoir for at least a quarter of global biodiversity — have been neglected for too long. We fail to connect soil with our food, water, climate, and life. The maintenance or enhancement of global soil resources is essential to meet the world’s need for food, water, and energy security. Soil loss is an unfolding global disaster that will have catastrophic effects on world food production, according to scientists from the University of Sheffield’s Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures. …

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    Carbon Dioxide Fertilization Effect and Greening of Deserts

    July 13, 2013

    Climate Change: A Key Driver of the Syrian Conflict?

    March 11, 2015

    2013 World Day to Combat Desertification: Today, June 17

    June 17, 2013
  • Global Threats: Water Scarcity and Uncertainty in the Estimates of Groundwater Availability

    June 28, 2015 /

    By Roberta Attanasio Groundwater is any water that lies in aquifers beneath the land surface. While some of the water that falls as precipitation is channeled into streams or lakes, and some is used by plants or evaporates back into the atmosphere, most of it seeps underground in the cracks and spaces present in soil, sand and rock. Underground layers of rock that are saturated with groundwater are called aquifers. The groundwater contained in aquifers is one of the most important sources of water on our planet, and can be brought to the surface through natural springs or by pumping. Groundwater is constantly replenished (recharged), as part of the natural water cycle,…

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    Soils Are Threatened: Can We Halt The Problem?

    December 4, 2015

    Sentinel Bottlenose Dolphins: Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

    October 22, 2013

    Global Reforestation: How Likely Is It?

    October 15, 2013
  • Global Threats: Climate Change is a Medical Emergency

    June 23, 2015 /

    By Roberta Attanasio For many years, we’ve been aware of the impacts of global climate change on human health and well-being. For example, safe drinking water, sufficient food, and secure shelter are threatened by rising sea levels and severe weather events. Heat waves dramatically increase death rates not only from heat strokes, but also from complications arising from cardiovascular, respiratory, and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the impacts of global climate change on human health are even greater than previously thought — according to a report published today (June 23, 2015) in The Lancet, the threat from climate change is so great that it could undermine the last fifty years of gains…

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    Clean Air: The Effects of U.S. Power Plant Carbon Standards on Human Health

    May 4, 2015

    Global Threats: Soil and Topsoil Erosion and Degradation

    August 9, 2014

    Fine Particulate Matter: The Global Toll

    October 18, 2013
  • Global Threats: Children’s Exposure to Toxic Pesticides

    May 17, 2015 /

    By Roberta Attanasio In 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a policy statement to outline the harmful effects of pesticides in children, and to make recommendations on how to reduce exposure. According to the statement, prenatal and early childhood exposure to pesticides is associated with pediatric cancers, decreased cognitive function, and behavioral problems. In addition, the statement pointed out that recognizing and reducing children’s exposure to pesticides requires improved medical training, public health tracking, and regulatory approaches, and made recommendations on specific actions that should be taken to decrease such exposure. Despite the recognition of the dangers associated with pesticide use, and the AAP recommendations on limiting children’s…

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    Climate Change: Influence on the Spread of Lyme Disease

    March 30, 2014

    Wasting Syndrome and Starfish Die-Off

    February 9, 2014

    Skin Lightening Cosmetics and Mercury Toxicity

    November 10, 2013
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RECENT POSTS

  • What is nature?
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