Limiting global warming to targets proposed in the Paris Agreement could keep tropical regions from reaching temperatures that are beyond human tolerability, a new study projects. Researchers estimate that if countries are able to cap warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the tropics will be spared temperatures that surpass the “survival limit.” But… read on > read on >
Fine particles in wildfire smoke pose a far greater threat to the lungs than similar particles in vehicle exhaust and other types of air pollution, researchers report. These fine particles — called PM2.5 — have a diameter about 1/20th the size of a human hair and can get into the respiratory tract, enter the bloodstream… read on > read on >
Clearing away snow can be hazardous to your health, experts warn. Shoveling snow causes 100 deaths a year in the United States, and injuries due to improper use of snowblowers are common. “Cold weather will cause the body to constrict blood vessels to maintain warmth, which can then raise blood pressure and the risk for… read on > read on >
Young drivers who cruise down the highway with a cellphone in hand probably exhibit other risky behind-the-wheel behaviors, a new study suggests. Talking or texting on a smartphone while driving correlates with a whole range of dangerous driving practices for many young, novice drivers — from intoxicated driving to speeding, unsafely passing other vehicles or… read on > read on >
If you suffer the itchy, sneezy, wheezy consequences of seasonal allergies, you’re probably painfully aware that pollen season is starting earlier and lasting longer than ever. It’s an upshot of climate change, and new research from Germany offers an explanation for this extended sneezin’ season: Pollen is on the move, with early blooming spores now… read on > read on >
Golfing legend Tiger Woods was recovering in the hospital on Wednesday following a crash where his SUV flipped over in a Los Angeles neighborhood on Tuesday morning. “Tiger Woods was in a single-car accident this morning in California where he suffered multiple leg injuries. He is currently in surgery, and we thank you for your… read on > read on >
Severe winter weather has a grip on much of the United States, which increases the risk of injuries from slipping on ice, shoveling, sports such as skiing and sledding, and car crashes. “One of the most frequently seen causes for visits to the emergency room this time of year is from slipping on icy sidewalks,”… read on > read on >
Worried about what damage the polluted air outside might pose to your health during your work commute? New research suggests you might want to worry more about the chemicals you are exposed to inside your car. Benzene and formaldehyde are used in automobile manufacturing, and both are known to cause cancer at or above certain… read on > read on >
Before you venture onto frozen ponds, lakes and rivers, it’s critical to make sure they’re safe, an expert cautions. “A minimum of four inches of clear, newly formed ice is needed to support one person on foot,” according to Curt Sinclair, a natural resources specialist at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. “New ice is usually… read on > read on >
In a grim development for allergy sufferers in North America, a new investigation warns that pollen seasons are getting longer and worse. Over the last three decades, the annual pollen season has expanded by nearly three weeks, accompanied by a 21% jump in pollen concentrations. A big underlying cause: climate change. “It is clear that… read on > read on >
