UMass Amherst Scientists See Climate Change Increasing Airborne Allergens

UMass Amherst Scientists See Climate Change Increasing Airborne Allergens

Ah-Choo! Expect Higher Grass Pollen and Allergen Exposure in the Coming Century November 5, 2014 Courtesy of:  UMass News and Media Contact: Janet Lathrop 413/545-0444 AMHERST, Mass. – Results of a new study by scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst strongly suggest that there will be notable increases in grass pollen production and allergen exposure up to 202 percent in the next 100 years, leading to a significant, worldwide impact on human health due to predicted rises in carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone (O3) due to climate change. While (CO2) stimulates reproduction and growth in plants, ozone has a negative impact on plant growth, the authors point out. In this study in Timothy grass, researchers led by environmental health scientist Christine Rogers of the UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS) determined the interactive effects of CO2 and ozone at projected higher levels on pollen production and concentrations of a Timothy grass pollen protein that is a major human allergen. Findings...
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New ECo Lecturer and Assistant Professor Positions Announced

Lecturer and Program Management Department of Environmental Conservation University of Massachusetts Amherst   The Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (http://eco.umass.edu/) seeks applications for a full-time (9-month academic-year) non-tenure-track appointment as Lecturer in Renewable Energy & Sustainability. The initial appointment will be for two years but is renewable based on performance and program need. The position will emphasize undergraduate teaching utilizing team-based learning strategies and program management. Candidates should care deeply about undergraduate education, and be a teacher, mentor, and scientist whose interests are broad and support the pedagogy that allows students to gain the ability to analyze and solve environmental problems. Teaching responsibilities include: developing and implementing two 1-credit undergraduate seminars, developing and teaching a new introductory course in Sustainable Energy, an upper level course in Environmental Leadership, and two additional courses focused on renewable energy systems and energy politics policy. Program management responsibilities will include: advising students; coordinating student advising by faculty; recruiting students; coordinating course scheduling; managing program information and website;...
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‘Raising Shrimp,’ Latest Documentary from Fish Navy Films, Named a Finalist in Blue Ocean Film Festival

‘Raising Shrimp,’ Latest Documentary from Fish Navy Films, Named a Finalist in Blue Ocean Film Festival

Courtesy: Janet Lathrop - UMass Amherst Office of News and Media Relations AMHERST, Mass. – A second documentary film, “Raising Shrimp,” from executive producer Ted Caplow at Fish Navy Films and featuring aquatic ecologist Andy Danylchuk of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has been named an official selection of the highly regarded Blue Ocean Film Festival this year, where it will be screened on Thursday, Nov. 6 in St. Petersburg, Fla. Their first film, “Fish Meat,” won an honorable mention at Blue Ocean in 2012 in Monterey, Calif. As an official selection this year, “Raising Shrimp” is automatically eligible for an advanced award at this year’s festival, Danylchuk notes. He says the new documentary, “Raising Shrimp,” offers a deeper exploration of some of the issues he and Caplow raised in “Fish Meat,” which looked at aquaculture methods and its impacts around the globe, in particular environmental concerns with fish farming. The first film touched on what consumers need to know to make informed...
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