Environmental Sciences and Engineering Research
Could an app help scientists understand wildfire smoke’s impact on cognition?
August 16, 2022 With help from the brain training app Lumosity, environmental health scientists found that adult attention spans are significantly lower in the hours and days after exposure to fine particulate matter and wildfire smoke. This finding was especially prominent in the western U.S., where wildfires have been increasing.
Gillings faculty complete innovative Round 6, COVID-19 GILs
August 12, 2022 Gillings faculty have recently completed four GILs, including two from Round 6 of GIL funding and two from the special COVID-19 round of funding. The results of their work have furthered our understanding of energy storage, brain health, environmental exposures, viral transmission, pandemic response and more.
Risk of death rises as climate change causes nighttime temperatures to climb
August 8, 2022 Mortality rates from excessively hot nights caused by climate change are predicted to increase up to 60% across three countries by the end of the century, according to a new study that includes climate research from Dr. Yuqiang Zhang at the Gillings School.
The Abstract: July 25, 2022
July 25, 2022 Gillings researchers are recognized for work in pharmacoepidemiology, public health leadership and marine environmental sciences, and a recent alumnus receives outstanding dissertation honors.
Fourth-generation vaping devices increase risk to immune cells
July 7, 2022 With the FDA ordering Juul to stop selling their e-cigarette devices, UNC researchers, led by Dr. Ilona Jaspers, published the first study to compare the respiratory immune health effects of different types of devices.
Climate warming could deepen environmental injustice in urban areas
July 6, 2022 Extreme heat events could become more intense and frequent, increasing the risk of harm to health and global economies and deepening climate injustices, according to new research from Dr. Yuqiang Zhang at the Gillings School.
Sanitation innovation holds promise but must consider risks to users
May 27, 2022 In an invited perspective written earlier this year, UNC Gillings faculty member Dr. Joe Brown weighs innovative strategies for more productive use of human and animal waste with potential negative side effects.
Cooperation rewards water utilities
May 25, 2022 Mark Twain is attributed with the quote, “Whisky is for drinking, and water is for fighting over!” But what if, when it comes to urban water utilities, cooperation yields more benefits than going it alone?
How would electric school bus charging benefit the power grid and environment?
May 25, 2022 In a recent study, faculty member Dr. Noah Kittner contributed to an innovative model that demonstrates how electric school bus charging schedules could aid in energy storage.
Floor waxing could be an important source of PFAS contamination, with increased occupational health risks for workers
May 25, 2022 There’s a special satisfaction that comes from walking on perfectly shined floors — but is it worth the potential risk to floor waxing workers? A study published earlier this year measured per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in dust and airborne particulate matter during professional floor stripping and waxing. Researchers concluded that significantly higher levels of PFAS were present during floor waxing.
