fossil fuels tagged posts

Pollution particles, including metals, have been found in the placentas of fifteen women in London, according to research led by Queen Mary University of London.

The study, funded by Barts Charity and published in the journal Science of The Total Environment, demonstrate that inhaled particulate matter from air pollution can move from the lungs to distant organs, and that it is taken up by certain cells in the human placenta, and potentially the fetus.

The researchers say that further research is needed to fully define the direct effect that pollution particles may have on the developing fetus.

Lead author Professor Jonathan Grigg from Queen Mary University of London said: “Our study for the first time shows that ...

Hypertension was associated with exposure to some air pollutants commonly associated with the burning/combustion of fossil fuels, dust and dirt, a new study shows. Researchers suggest people – especially those with high blood pressure – limit their time outdoors when pollution levels are high. “In our analysis of 17 previously-published studies we discovered a significant risk of developing high blood pressure due to exposure to air pollution,” said Tao Liu, Ph.D. “People should limit their exposure on days with higher air pollution levels, especially for those with high blood pressure, even very short-term exposure can aggravate their conditions.”

They performed a meta-analysis of available published studies in the world assessing health effects of all air pollution on HT risk...

Jill Farrant, a professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of Cape Town, hopes that unlocking the genetic codes of drought-tolerant plants could help farmers toiling in increasingly hot and dry conditions

As the race to adapt to climate change quickens, a S. African scientist is leading global research into developing crops that mimic the extraordinary survival skills of “resurrection plants”. Jill Farrant, a professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of Cape Town, hopes that unlocking the genetic codes of drought-tolerant plants could help farmers toiling in increasingly hot and dry conditions. With >130 known varieties in the world, resurrection plants are a unique group of flora that can survive extreme water shortages for years.

During a drought, the plant...