Anita Masse

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Mislabeling Mayhem: Traces of Endangered Shark Species Found in Pet Food and Make-up

April 11, 2020April 11, 2020 Anita Masse 0 Comments BSC4052, cosmetics, food mislabeling, pet food, shark conservation, Sharks

There’s power behind every purchase we make. Companies make and sell products based on consumer demand, and we as consumers have a right to know what we are putting our dollars behind. Recently, a study has identified trace levels of threatened shark species in various pet food and cosmetic brands. While this alone is troubling, what’s more concerning is that these products have failed to include shark products on the ingredient label.

Case Studies Climate Ecosystems Environmental Science Remote Environments Science through time Toxicology

Unleashing Pollutants: Environmental Fate of Antarctica In a Warmer World

February 7, 2020 Anita Masse 0 Comments Antarctica, Climate Change, Global Warming, Pollution

Antarctica has been a depository for pollutants for decades. The brutal cold has kept them dormant and unable to inflict harmful effects on nature. As temperatures rise and ice melts, what is the fate of these pollutants in this unique landscape?

Cities Ecosystems Environmental Science Science through time

A lifetime of noise: what are the costs?

November 25, 2019November 25, 2019 Anita Masse 0 Comments animals, crickets, lifespan, noise pollution, population effects, reproduction, survival

The visible cringe. The reflex to cover your ears. A constant piercing noise can be a horrific experience for a person. Research has shown that noise pollution can negatively impact the health of humans, animals and possibly entire ecosystems. What are the consequences of a lifetime surrounded by noise? Two scientists aim to characterize the costs of chronic noise pollution on the survival, growth and reproductive success of animals over their entire lifetime.

Ecosystems Environmental Science

If you let a beaver build, mammals will come

September 25, 2019 Anita Masse 0 Comments beaver; wetlands; mammals

If you build it, they will come. It worked for Kevin Costner in the 1989 film Field of Dreams and it holds true for beavers too! The dams and lodges these resilient rodents build for homes create wetlands that attract a variety of animals including mammals; casual observations have now become scientifically proven to be true.

Environmental Science

Navigating the Future of Insects in an Illuminated World

August 7, 2019August 9, 2019 Anita Masse 0 Comments air quality, Ecology, urban ecology

Humans bring light to even the darkest of places, but how does this affect the creatures we share the night with? In our quest to illuminate our world, we are altering the fate of insects for generations to come by contributing to their decline and pressuring them to adapt to an environment that has artificial light at night.

Ecosystems Environmental Science Toxicology

Pesticides and Fertilizers: A toxic relationship that is stressful for frogs

July 31, 2019August 1, 2019 Anita Masse 0 Comments agriculture, amphibian, fertilizers, frogs, pesticides, toxic chemicals

Large-scale agriculture utilizes a myriad of chemicals to increase crop yields and profits. The effects of these chemical mixtures can be unpredictable once they are introduced into the environment, especially when interacting with vulnerable animal groups like amphibians.

Ecosystems Environmental Science

Families that shed skin together, may die together?

June 11, 2019June 11, 2019 Anita Masse 0 Comments amphibian declines, chytrid fungus, disease, frogs

Amphibian populations are declining partially due to the prevalence of a fungus infecting their skin, but there is no clear indication why certain species are more susceptible than others. Skin structure and the rate of shedding may be the clue to solving this problem and ultimately saving amphibian populations.

Ecosystems Environmental Science Toxicology

Avoiding A Problem: Spineless Critters Signalling Trouble For Plants?

May 9, 2019September 19, 2022 Anita Masse 0 Comments avoidance behaviour, boreal, ecotoxicology, forests, invertebrates, plant toxicity, soil toxicology

Spineless creatures are fleeing, alerting scientists to an unseen problem. The avoidance behavior of soil worms and insects could provide a fast and easy method for scientists to screen chemicals for plant toxicity.

Environmental Science Toxicology

Acetaminophen: Soaked Up By Our Finned Friends

April 17, 2019September 16, 2022 Anita Masse 0 Comments Acetaminophen, Fish Pathology, Medication, Rainbow Trout, Tylenol, Wastewater

What is the fate of acetaminophen once your headache is gone? It usually travels to the nearest lake or river where unsuspecting fish come in contact with it. While it may be a life saver for you, acetaminophen can produce detrimental effects in fish that are unlucky enough to have crossed its path.