Summer ozone levels in the Eastern US can be partially predicted in the Spring from large-scale meteorological patterns, such as the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation and tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures. A statistical model developed by researchers at the Harvard Air Climate & Energy Center shows that especially high ozone concentrations in the summer months is Read More
Category: Science
That really is the glory of science
That really is the glory of science – that science is tentative, that it is not certain, that it’s subject to change. What is really disgraceful is to have a set of beliefs that you think is absolute…, where you simply won’t listen to evidence. … This is the legendary remark of Omar when they Read More
Temperatures at home and risk of cardiac arrhythmia
High or low temperatures at home were associated with higher risk of heart arrhythmia in elderly men, in a recent study from the Harvard Air Climate & Energy Center. Researchers analyzed electrocardiograms from 2000 to 2010 for 701 men from the Normative Aging cohort around Boston. Temperature at individual residences was obtained from satellite measurements Read More
No association between air pollution and Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
A study on the possible role of PM2.5 in the systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) in young children did not find a significant association between the two. In a case-crossover study covering five metropolitan areas and PM2.5 exposures of up to 14 days, no statistically significant association with new symptoms was observed. An extended Read More
Children with higher exposure to Black Carbon and traffic had greater problems with behavioral regulation
Children with higher exposure to Black Carbon (BC) and greater near-residence traffic density in mid-childhood had greater problems with behavioral regulation as assessed by classroom teachers. Investigators from the Harvard Clean Air Research Center examined the association between BC and PM2.5 and scores of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and the Strengths Read More
Long-term exposure to air pollution was linked to faster progression of atherosclerosis
Long-term exposure to air pollution was linked to faster progression of atherosclerosis in a new major epidemiological study. In an article appearing on The Lancet on May 24 2016, researchers led by Joel Kaufmann at the University of Washington report the result of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Air Pollution, involving more than 6,000 Read More
Climate change is expected to increase exposure to PM2.5 infiltrating indoors
Climate change is expected to increase exposure to PM2.5 infiltrating indoors in the greater Boston area. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, used data from indoor and outdoor sulfur PM concentrations in 340 homes, and modeled the relationship between indoor concentration and temperature, projecting results between 2046 and 2065. Particle infiltration was predicted Read More