Human Exposure and Public Health

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

Disease Vectors and Pests: How Genetically Modified Insects Could Affect the World

May 1, 2022April 28, 2022 Andrea Valcarcel 0 Comments disease ecology, gene drive, Gene editing, genetics, infectious diseases, pests, vectors

Genetic modification is a reality, now more than ever. Yearly, there are more than 2.8 million deaths due to diseases spread by insects. So, what if we genetically modified insects so they don’t pose such a big threat towards human and agricultural health? And what would the long-term outcome be of such modifications? Will the mutations spread uncontrollably through wild populations? Well, that is for us to see and scientists to consider.

Ecosystems Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

Freshwater ecosystems need our help, and citizen science could be part of the solution

April 8, 2022April 8, 2022 Etienne Herrick 0 Comments aquatic, citizen science, freshwater

Freshwater resources around the globe are becoming increasingly degraded. Although humans are a major cause of this problem, they can also be part of the solution, especially when we all work together to tackle environmental issues. One way we can do this is through citizen science, where scientists and members of the public work together to perform research and advance scientific knowledge. Read on to learn more about freshwater citizen science, its benefits and challenges, and how you can get involved!

An image of a small glass dish held between a person's thumb and index finger, containing various small plastic debris collected from house dust.

Ecosystems Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health Toxicology

Here, There, and Everywhere: the Plastic Particles Around Us All

April 2, 2022April 2, 2022 Cypress Novick 0 Comments environmental health, health impacts, microfibers, Microplastic, Pollution, public health, wildlife health

Source: Yujia Xiang, Li Jiang, Yaoyu Zhou, Zirui Luo, Dan Zhi, Jian Yang, Su Shiung Lam, Microplastics and environmental pollutants:

Ecosystems Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health Science through time

The Key to Higher Quality Fruit: Fungus!

March 2, 2022March 2, 2022 Cypress Novick 0 Comments agriculture, crop production, fungi, soil management

Agricultural research reveals a vast swath of benefits to the quality of citrus fruits when tree roots are introduced to fungal partners.

Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

Going Blue: The Environmental Impacts of Aquatic Foods

February 9, 2022February 8, 2022 Lauren Otolski 0 Comments ecology and society, ecosystem services, fisheries, fishing, marine biology, marine conservation, oceanography, oceans, Pollution

Food production puts a major strain on our planet, and many people are exploring ways to reduce its impacts. Aquatic foods — including fish, shellfish, and water plants — may be one option! Which of these “blue foods” are more sustainable than others, and in what ways? What can we do to make catching and farming aquatic food even more environmentally-friendly?

A row of atlantic horseshoe crabs strapped to a table while needles siphon blood into glass containers below each individual crab.

Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

The Horseshoe Crab Has Saved Our Lives. Can We Return the Favor?

February 2, 2022February 2, 2022 Cypress Novick 0 Comments conservation biology, human stressors, Living Fossil, marine biology, Medicine, pharmaceuticals, public health

While threats continue to harm the historic population of Atlantic Horseshoe Crabs, new research into the health stressors they face may help mitigate human contribution to their decline.

Cities Climate Ecosystems Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

How Air Pollution Regulation Can Affect Bird Populations

September 12, 2021September 12, 2021 Jessica Espinosa 0 Comments birds, ozone, policy, Pollution

Although we have strong evidence that air pollution poses significant health risks to humans, how air pollutants affect plants and animals is not well studied. Birds are especially susceptible to air pollution because they have a unique way of breathing and interacting with air. Therefore, a group of scientists conducted a study on how air pollution affects North American birds and how air quality regulations, which were initially created to benefit humans, can also benefit these bird species.

Cities Climate Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

Hot take – we need diverse and rich tree species, not just more trees to reduce the urban heat island effect

July 12, 2021July 12, 2021 Jessica Wright 0 Comments #greenspace, #urbandesign, Ecology, Trees

Wang, X., M. Dallimer, C.E. Scott, W. Shi, J. Gao. (2020). Tree species richness and diversity predicts the magnitude of

Cities Climate Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

The Urban Heat Island Challenge – How to quantify this pressing concern for cities facing a changing climate

May 25, 2021May 25, 2021 Jessica Wright 0 Comments city, climate resiliency, heat, human health, urban planning

Sangiorgio, V., Fiorito, F., & Santamouris, M. (2020). Development of a holistic urban heat island evaluation methodology. Scientific Reports, 10(1),

Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

Metal Accumulation in Sharks of the Caribbean

May 11, 2021May 10, 2021 Elisabeth Lang 0 Comments marine pollution, Sharks

Pollution threatens marine life worldwide. Some of this pollution includes metals that build up in the tissues of marine life, including sharks. People around the world consume shark meat as a part of their diets. Caribbean reef sharks are commonly consumed by people throughout the Caribbean and South America, but a study on metal levels in their tissues had never been done. A team of researchers undertook this study to assess the danger to people and to better identify sources of pollution so that marine pollution can be better managed.

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