Article
Environmental Sciences
Natalie Iwanycki Ahlstrand, Hannah M. Elvery, Richard B. Primack
Summary: The grass family is responsible for most pollen allergies. Climate change is expected to increase the severity of pollen-based asthma and allergies. Current pollen monitoring techniques have limitations in identifying grass species, resulting in grouping them all together. To address this issue, researchers used phenological data from herbarium specimens and pollen monitoring data to determine the response of flowering time to climate change for 12 allergenic grass species. They found that pollen season duration is lasting longer and starting earlier, and the maximum pollen loads are occurring earlier in response to climate warming.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Kyung Suk Lee, Kyunghoon Kim, Young-Jin Choi, Seung Yang, Chang-Ryul Kim, Jin-Hwa Moon, Kyu Rang Kim, Yung-Seop Lee, Jae-Won Oh
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between allergenic pollen sensitization rates in children living in the Seoul metropolitan area and changes in pollination associated with weather changes. Results showed that the sensitization rates to oak, hazel, and alder pollen increased annually, especially in younger age groups. The duration of the pollen season and increasing temperatures were found to be positively correlated with sensitization rates to tree pollens.
PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexander Kurganskiy, Simon Creer, Natasha de Vere, Gareth W. Griffith, Nicholas J. Osborne, Benedict W. Wheeler, Rachel N. Mclnnes, Yolanda Clewlow, Adam Barber, Georgina L. Brennan, Helen M. Hanlon, Matthew Hegarty, Caitlin Potter, Francis Rowney, Beverley Adams-Groom, Geoff M. Petch, Catherine H. Pashley, Jack Satchwell, Letty A. de Weger, Karen Rasmussen, Gilles Oliver, Charlotte Sindt, Nicolas Bruffaerts, Carsten A. Skjoth
Summary: It is challenging to manage symptoms of allergic rhinitis caused by immune overreaction to allergens. A new study proposes statistical and mechanistic models to forecast the severity of the grass pollen season, suggesting that climate change may increase severity by up to 60%. These models can guide individuals and healthcare professionals in preparing for the grass pollen season.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Maria -Viola Martikainen, Tarleena Tossavainen, Noora Hannukka, Marjut Roponen
Summary: In recent years, there has been increasing evidence of the synergistic effects of pollen and viruses on respiratory health. While pollen exposure is a known risk factor for respiratory viral infections, recent studies suggest that it may also have inhibitory or weakening effects on these infections. However, a comprehensive summary and consensus on the synergistic health effects have not been reached.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Willem W. Verstraeten, Nicolas Bruffaerts, Rostislav Kouznetsov, Letty de Weger, Mikhail Sofiev, Andy W. Delcloo
Summary: Changes in climate and land-use can lead to increased emission of allergenic pollen, causing a rise in respiratory allergies. A research study using the SILAM model found that the increase in birch pollen concentrations is associated with increasing radiation, decreasing precipitation, and decreasing wind speed, while the decrease in grass pollen concentrations is driven by a decreasing trend in grass pollen sources and decreasing precipitation.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Janet M. Davies, Beth Addison Smith, Andelija Milic, Bradley Campbell, Shanice Van Haeften, Pamela Burton, Benedict Keaney, Edwin R. Lampugnani, Don Vicendese, Danielle Medek, Alfredo Huete, Bircan Erbas, Edward Newbigin, Constance H. Katelaris, Simon G. Haberle, Paul J. Beggs
Summary: This study monitored grass and other pollen concentrations in four cities in eastern Australia and found that the complexity of grass pollen seasons is influenced by latitude. The magnitude of the grass pollen season is correlated with pasture greenness, rainfall, and the number of hot days within the season.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Stephan Jung, Feng Zhao, Annette Menzel
Summary: The twig method is an effective proxy for outdoor manipulations in investigating allergenic pollen from tree species. Cut twigs can flower and produce sufficient pollen in climate chambers for laboratory analysis. Warming conditions have an impact on the timing of flowering and pollen characteristics of the investigated species.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Linze Li, Dalai Hao, Xuecao Li, Min Chen, Yuyu Zhou, Dawn Jurgens, Ghassam Asrar, Amir Sapkota
Summary: Climate change impacts pollen exposure among sensitive populations, and the lack of high spatial resolution pollen data has led to a growing interest in using satellite-derived phenology information to infer key pollen events. Results show that MODIS-based SOS is more closely aligned with in-situ SPS and PPS, while Landsat-based SOS has better precision. Data products obtained using DLM processing methods tend to perform better than HPLM-based methods.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniela Bayr, Maria P. Plaza, Stefanie Gilles, Franziska Kolek, Vivien Leier-Wirtz, Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann, Athanasios Damialis
Summary: Research has shown that even in high-altitude and sparse-vegetation areas, long-range transported pollen can cause allergic symptoms, indicating a close relationship between the distance of pollen transport and allergy symptoms. Therefore, cross-border pollen monitoring is necessary to investigate the occurrence of long-distance pollen transport.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Vanitha Sampath, Juan Aguilera, Mary Prunicki, Kari C. Nadeau
Summary: Climate change is the main driver of various extreme weather events, which have direct and indirect impacts on human health, especially in terms of allergic diseases and asthma. This review examines the immune mechanisms behind the health risks associated with climate change events and explores the molecular and cellular processes involved in mediating these effects.
SEMINARS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jesus Rojo, Antonio Picornell, Jose Oteros, Matthias Werchan, Barbora Werchan, Karl-Christian Bergmann, Matt Smith, Ingrid Weichenmeier, Carsten B. Schmidt-Weber, Jeroen Buters
Summary: This study investigated the impact of climate change on the reproductive life cycles of plants and pollen seasons in Bavaria, Southern Germany. The results showed that there is a rise in temperature in Bavaria, with a trend towards a more continental climate. Different pollen types were affected differently by climate change, with wind-pollinated species showing advances in pollen seasons and herbaceous species having an earlier season. The effect of climate change on pollen seasons was more pronounced at higher altitudes.
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Khaiwal Ravindra, Akshi Goyal, Suman Mor
Summary: Pollen allergy is a significant public health issue that affects patients' quality of life. Climate change and air pollutants can impact the pollen number, morphology, and distribution, which in turn influence the prevalence and severity of allergic diseases. It is crucial to strengthen preventive and adaptive strategies to mitigate the risk of pollen-related illnesses, especially in lower and middle-income countries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2022)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Benjamin Plackett
Summary: Najat Saliba is facilitating collaborations between researchers from around the world and local communities in Lebanon.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ioana Corina Bocsan, Ioana Adriana Muntean, Nicolae Miron, Irena Pintea, Carmen Teodora Dobrican, Corina Ureche, Anca Dana Buzoianu, Diana Deleanu
Summary: Soluble ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 play important roles in allergic rhinitis (AR), and H1 antihistamines can improve AR symptoms and reduce the levels of adhesion molecules. This study found that patients with grass pollen-induced AR had higher levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 compared to healthy controls during pollen exposure. Despite antihistaminic therapy, these levels tended to remain high during pollen season.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Allergy
P. J. de Kam, S. Zielen, J. A. Bernstein, U. Berger, M. Berger, M. Cuevas, D. Cypcar, A. Fuhr-Horst, W. A. Greisner, M. Jandl, S. Lassmann, M. Worm, J. Matz, E. Sher, C. Smith, G. C. Steven, R. Moesges, M. H. Shamji, L. DuBuske, F. Borghese, K. Oluwayi, T. Zwingers, M. Seybold, O. Armfield, M. D. Heath, S. J. Hewings, M. F. Kramer, M. A. Skinner
Summary: The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a modified grass allergen subcutaneous immunotherapy for grass-pollen allergic rhinitis/rhinoconjunctivitis. The results showed clinically relevant and statistically significant improvements in symptom and medication scores, as well as a good safety profile.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Phoebe L. Zarnetske, Jessica Gurevitch, Janet Franklin, Peter M. Groffman, Cheryl S. Harrison, Jessica J. Hellmann, Forrest M. Hoffman, Shan Kothari, Alan Robock, Simone Tilmes, Daniele Visioni, Jin Wu, Lili Xia, Cheng-En Yang
Summary: Various approaches for climate intervention have been proposed as anthropogenic climate change worsens, with solar radiation modification (SRM) being one potential method. However, there is limited research on the impacts of SRM on ecological systems, which would vary based on implementation scenarios, geographic regions, and ecosystems. Collaboration between ecologists and climate scientists is essential to better understand and communicate the potential impacts and risks of SRM on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Joshua Coupe, Alan Robock
Summary: The study explores the Northern Hemisphere wintertime circulation response to volcanic eruptions using climate models. It finds that in nuclear war simulations, stratospheric aerosol heating by soot plays a key role in enhancing the stratospheric polar vortex and the surface temperature response.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-ATMOSPHERES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gal Hochman, Hainan Zhang, Lili Xia, Alan Robock, Aleti Saketh, Dominique Y. van der Mensbrugghe, Jonas Jagermeyr
Summary: This study examines the impact of a nuclear war on global food availability, emphasizing the importance of economic models and biophysical drivers. It finds that trade instability amplifies the negative effects of land productivity shocks on food availability. Additionally, high-latitude regions would experience significant adverse effects on farmers' ability to substitute inputs and products due to climate disruptions.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Colin J. Carlson, Rita Colwell, Mohammad Sharif Hossain, Mohammed Mofizur Rahman, Alan Robock, Sadie J. Ryan, Mohammad Shafiul Alam, Christopher H. Trisos
Summary: Solar geoengineering could increase malaria risk for one billion people, highlighting the need for health sector planning. The impact of geoengineering on human health is largely unknown.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fei Liu, Chaochao Gao, Jing Chai, Alan Robock, Bin Wang, Jinbao Li, Xu Zhang, Gang Huang, Wenjie Dong
Summary: The study shows that the East Asian summer monsoon significantly intensifies in the first summer after tropical volcanic eruptions, with a higher frequency of El Ninos being a contributing factor.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Oceanography
Joshua Coupe, Cheryl Harrison, Alan Robock, Alice DuVivier, Elizabeth Maroon, Nicole S. Lovenduski, Scott Bachman, Laura Landrum, Charles Bardeen
Summary: A large-scale nuclear war could lead to rapid global climate change due to the injection of soot into the stratosphere. In climate model simulations, global cooling causes expansion of sea ice in the Northern Hemisphere, but in the Southern Hemisphere, sea ice initially expands and then suddenly loses 30% of its volume in a single melting season in the largest nuclear war simulation.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Fabio Florindo, Valerio Acocella, Ann Marie Carlton, Paolo D'Odorico, Qingyun Duan, Andrew Gettelman, Jasper Halekas, Ruth Harris, Gesine Mollenhauer, Alan Robock, Claudine Stirling, Yusuke Yokoyama
Summary: Reviews of Geophysics is an AGU journal that publishes comprehensive review articles across various disciplines within the Earth and Space Sciences. It is a highly ranked journal in the fields of Geochemistry and Geophysics, with a high Journal Impact Factor (JIF). The journal's review papers provide crucial context for current work, establishing a framework for comprehensive understanding of research progress and interconnections between different communities.
REVIEWS OF GEOPHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Brendan Clark, Lili Xia, Alan Robock, Simone Tilmes, Jadwiga H. Richter, Daniele Visioni, Sam S. Rabin
Summary: This study analyzes the impacts of 11 different stratospheric aerosol intervention scenarios on maize, rice, soybean, and wheat production. The results show that higher-latitude nations produce the most calories under unabated climate change, while midlatitude nations maximize calories under moderate stratospheric aerosol intervention and equatorial nations produce the most calories from crops under high levels of intervention.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alan Robock, Lili Xia, Cheryl S. Harrison, Joshua Coupe, Owen B. Toon, Charles G. Bardeen
Summary: The direct effects of nuclear war are terrible, but it can also lead to a nuclear winter, which would have catastrophic consequences for global food supplies. The theory of nuclear winter played a role in ending the nuclear arms race and led to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in 2017, for which the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons received the Nobel Peace Prize.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Daniele Visioni, Ben Kravitz, Alan Robock, Simone Tilmes, Jim Haywood, Olivier Boucher, Mark Lawrence, Peter Irvine, Ulrike Niemeier, Lili Xia, Gabriel Chiodo, Chris Lennard, Shingo Watanabe, John C. Moore, Helene Muri
Summary: The Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP) is a coordinating framework that aims to understand the physical processes and impacts of solar geoengineering. It has conducted numerous experiments and published over 100 studies. This critical assessment discusses its successes, missed opportunities, contributions to geoengineering research and climate science, and provides recommendations for future experiments and activities.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Lili Xia, Alan Robock, Kim Scherrer, Cheryl S. Harrison, Benjamin Leon Bodirsky, Isabelle Weindl, Jonas Jagermeyr, Charles G. Bardeen, Owen B. Toon, Ryan Heneghan
Summary: This study estimates the impact of nuclear war on food shortages and calorie availability using models. It finds that atmospheric soot loadings from nuclear weapon detonation would disrupt the Earth's climate and greatly reduce food production. The study also highlights that soot injections larger than 5 Tg would lead to mass food shortages in almost all countries, with limited effectiveness of adaptation measures in increasing available calories.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Lauren R. Marshall, Elena C. Maters, Anja Schmidt, Claudia Timmreck, Alan Robock, Matthew Toohey
Summary: Volcanic eruptions have been extensively studied for their climatic effects, but uncertainties still remain regarding the evolution of volcanic aerosol cloud and regional impacts. Recent advances in satellite measurements, proxy reconstructions, and aerosol-climate modeling have provided new insights. Future research should focus on co-emissions, tropical hydroclimate, Northern Hemisphere winter climate, and long-term climate change. Improved observation of large-magnitude explosive eruptions will be crucial for filling knowledge gaps.
BULLETIN OF VOLCANOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chaochao Gao, Francis Ludlow, John A. Matthews, Alexander R. Stine, Alan Robock, Yuqing Pan, Richard Breen, Brianan Nolan, Michael Sigl
Summary: The study reveals a systematic association between explosive volcanic eruptions and dynastic collapse in Chinese history over the past two millennia. Smaller volcanic climatic shocks may act as the ultimate cause of collapse during high pre-existing stress, while larger shocks may act as proximate causes. Post-collapse warfare tends to diminish rapidly, and collapse itself may act as an evolved adaptation tied to the concept of the mandate of heaven.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joshua Coupe, Samantha Stevenson, Nicole S. Lovenduski, Tyler Rohr, Cheryl S. Harrison, Alan Robock, Holly Olivarez, Charles G. Bardeen, Owen B. Toon
Summary: The climate impacts of smoke from fires ignited by nuclear war could lead to global cooling and crop failure, threatening food security. Furthermore, post-nuclear war climate changes could result in a large and sustained El Nino-like response in the equatorial Pacific, significantly affecting marine phytoplankton productivity.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antara Banerjee, Amy H. Butler, Lorenzo M. Polvani, Alan Robock, Isla R. Simpson, Lantao Sun
Summary: Research suggests that future stratospheric sulfate geoengineering could result in winter warming over Eurasia and a positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation, with potential side effects such as precipitation changes and seasonal surface responses.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2021)