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Daily Record
25-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
The three best dog breeds for allergic owners including one fluffy friend
It may seem impossible to own your own dog if you suffer from allergies, but some breeds are less likely to send you sneezing than others. Getting a dog is a huge decision for anyone. And if you're someone who is allergic to four-legged friends, you may think that it's not possible to own a dog of your own, unless you commit to a lifetime of sneezing and red eyes. But actually, some dog breeds are less likely to cause allergic reactions than others. Dog allergies affect a significant number of people in the UK. Symptoms can range from mild sneezing and itchy eyes to more severe respiratory reactions, which are typically triggered by proteins found in a dog's dander, saliva, or urine. Allergies to cats and dogs affect 10–20 per cent of the global population, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). And Allergy UK highlights that spending more time indoors, where allergens like pet dander, dust mites, and mould can build up, can make symptoms worse, especially for those with asthma or hay fever. And as pet ownership continues to rise in popularity in the UK, understanding how to manage allergens while enjoying the companionship of a dog is more important than ever. With the right knowledge on hypoallergenic breeds, allergy sufferers can enjoy life with a dog, just like anyone else. Experts at A&T Trained Dogs have looked into the causes of dog-related allergies and breeds known for producing fewer allergens, curating a short list of the dogs least likely to cause reactions in allergy sufferers. Tarik Jayousi, founder of A&T Trained Dogs, said: 'There's a common misconception that people with allergies can't live with dogs. With the right breed and proper care, many families can enjoy life with a dog. Our goal is to guide them to make the best choice for their lifestyle and health.' Here are the dog breeds the experts found are the best for those with allergies. The top three dog breeds for allergy sufferers Poodle The low-shedding, curly coat of a poodle traps dander, making them a top hypoallergenic breed, according to the experts. Poodles are known for their intelligence, being bred as water retrievers, specifically for retrieving waterfowl during hunting expeditions. They are highly trainable and excel in various activities like agility, obedience, and tracking. Schnauzer The Schnauzer's wiry, non-shedding coat helps keep dander airborne to a minimum, keeping allergies from flaring up. Their double coats are typically dense and hard with a soft undercoat, common in colours of 'salt and pepper,' grey, black or white. Shih Tzu These little dogs have long, silky hair that rarely sheds, which is ideal for allergy sufferers. The Shih Tzu has also made our list of the calmest dog breeds, so if you're an allergy sufferer who also loves a peaceful life, this could be the perfect match for you. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Inside town where Elon Musk's AI supercomputers have left residents struggling to breathe
Elon Musk has installed 35 methane gas turbines that power his AI supercomputers in South Memphis, Tennessee, and it is reported that the town now leads the state in medical visits for asthma Elon Musk's supercomputers for his artificial intelligence company are producing smog without pollution controls in place in a town where residents claim they are becoming ill as a result. The tech billionaire set up an artificial intelligence company in South Memphis, Tennessee, and the town now leads the state in emergency medical visits for asthma, it is reported. And it claimed that none of the 35 methane gas turbines that power Musk's xAI supercomputers have pollution controls normally required by federal law. The company has been running at the site for less than a year with nearby residents saying they "can't breathe at home" and that "it smells like gas outside." The company does not have any Clean Air Act permits and has become one of the largest emitters of the pollutant nitrogen oxide, according to environmental groups, reports Politico. Memphis has been found to have the highest number of cases by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America with the area already having poor air quality before the arrival of Musk's company, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Turbines now spew out an estimated 1,200 to 2,000 tonnes of nitrogen oxides further contributing to the smog issue in the area. And the Southern Environmental Law Center reportedly estimates that these emissions are far higher than the gas-fired power plant or the oil refinery both nearby. Musk said the turbines were necessary to get the third version of the company's AI chatbot up and running in time when he spoke at the launch in February, adding: 'We have generators on one side of the building, just trailer after trailer of generators until we can get the utility power to come in.' He has not publicly addressed concerns about pollution. Three miles away from the plant is Boxtown - a deprived area that has a further 17 industrial facilities on its doorstep. More than 90 per cent of those living in Boxtown nowadays are Black, according to the Census Bureau, with a median household income of $36,000 (£26,900). 'I can't breathe at home, it smells like gas outside,' Boxtown resident Alexis Humphreys said through tears, holding up her asthma inhaler during a public hearing about the turbines on April 25. 'How come I can't breathe at home and y'all get to breathe at home?' "They put our lungs and our air on the auction block and sold us to the richest man in the world," said Rep Justin Pearson at a protest last month. While Musk has referred to his AI programme Grok as 'the most fun AI in the world', residents in Boxtown say they are paying for the images it generates with their health. At the public hearing on April 25, numerous residents described cases of asthma and cancer in their families which they claim are due to air pollution as they asked the Shelby County Department of Health deny xAI's permit and shut down the turbines. Jasmine Bernard, a Boxtown resident just 15-years-old said: "The way they have come into the city, it's like, oh, you think we are unintelligent, you think that the people in these communities aren't able to comprehend what you are ding and will take this assault on our health lying down." The turbines Musk has installed are only temporary, meaning they don't require federal permits for their emissions of pollutants including NOx and formaldehyde, xAI's environmental consultant Shannon Lynn said. But the damage they can do is considerable. As residential pressure built in January, xAI applied for permits for 15 of its turbines that will allegedly be permanent. Mr Lynn said, however, that the company will wait until the application process is approved before pollution control is installed on those turbines. The friction between Memphis residents and xAI could paint a picture of the future for many Americans, as more artificial intelligence centres are planned. Artificial intelligence requires more electricity than regular internet searches, even to complete basic tasks. Across the US, utility supplies have struggled to keep up with deamnds of 'hyper users', such as data centres, which are often left to find their own power sources.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pollen level in Jackson better than most metros: report
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – How bad is pollen in Jackson? According to a recent report, not as bad as you think. This year's burst of pollen around the metro seems to make everything yellow. From cars to buildings, an onslaught of pollen is unending for many. However, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) ranked the yellow assault as better than average compared to most major metro areas. Out of 100 cities, Jacksonians have the 38th best allergy season. Based on the foundation's metrics, the state has lower-than-average pollen and higher-than-average asthma and allergy specialists. However, lower-than-average medicine use for allergies brought the state's overall ranking down. Health professionals recommend that residents do so to best manage and treat symptoms effectively. Maps show when allergy season will peak in Mississippi According to AAFA, allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United States. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mississippi children with asthma are over three times more likely to have allergies than children without the chronic disease. Asthma's impact on the state is often deadly; Mississippi has the highest asthma mortality rate nationwide. With a pollen season ranging from February to August across most of the country, suffering for months is an undesirable option. AAFA has some tips to brave past the pollen this year and beyond. Change and wash clothes worn during outdoor activities Clean bedding, floors and fabric furniture once a week Clean blinds, curtains and washable rugs once a month Cover your hair, nose, mouth and eyes while outside Dry your clothes in a clothes dryer or on an indoor rack, not on an outdoor line Keep windows closed, if possible, during pollen season or peak pollen times Limit close contact with pets that spend a lot of time outdoors Limit your outdoor activities when pollen counts are high Remove your shoes before entering your home Shower daily before going to bed Start taking allergy treatments before pollen season begins Use central air conditioning or air cleaners with a certified asthma and allergy friendly filter and/or HEPA filtration to reduce indoor airborne allergens Watch pollen counts and forecasts Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
25-04-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Pollen is hitting the Northeast and South hard - and experts say allergy season is lasting longer
Climate change is already affecting the spring allergy season across the United States, bringing record pollen counts to major cities - and scientists are warning allergy season is getting longer. Warmer weather has brought high pollen levels to New York City, which is also being inundated with wildfire smoke - and it's not expected to let up any time soon. "Experts are expecting that allergy season is going to last 180 days in the Northeast, that's 20 days longer than we're usually used to," Dr. Nidhi Kumar told CBS News. "This is one of the direct effects of climate change." On Friday, and for the week ahead, the pollen forecast for New York City is listed as 'high' on AccuWeather. Boston expected a similar scene, except for Wednesday and Thursday, when the forecast drops to 'moderate' for two days. But, it's not just the East Coast. Atlanta has broken its pollen count record and Houston just reported its highest pollen counts since 2013, when records began. Many of the worst-hit cities were expected to be in the South, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. High pollen counts can lead to runny noses and itchy eyes for approximately one in four adults, with impacts expected to extend into the summer months. Now, a report from the non-profit Climate Central says that millions of Americans in most major cities are suffering from earlier, longer, and more disruptive allergy seasons amid the effects of human-caused climate change. The analysis, which used data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said that a warmer and earlier spring has resulted in a longer growing season, giving plants more time to grow and release their allergy-inducing powder. The freeze-free growing season between 1970 and 2024 was found to have extended by 20 days in 87 percent of the 198 cities they analyzed since 1970. While all regions have seen their freeze-free growing seasons lengthen by at least 13 days on average since 1970, cities across America's Northwest and Southwest have experienced the largest average change, increasing by 24 and 20 days, respectively. 'The freeze-free growing season increased the most in: Reno, Nev. (96 more days); Las Cruces, N.M. (66 more days); Medford, Ore. (63 more days); and Tupelo, Miss. and Myrtle Beach, S.C. (both 52 more days),' the report said. Cities in the South, Southeast, Ohio Valley and Northeast have experienced the longest average freeze-free seasons, which are now at least 10 percent longer in 70 of the cities that were analyzed. The analysis comes following a previous study that found human-caused warming was a primary driver of North American pollen seasons lengthening from 1990 to 2018. Last year, the Department of Health and Human Services also noted that the changing climate has caused more frost-free days, warmer seasonal air temperatures, and more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that 'may lead to both higher pollen concentrations and earlier and longer pollen seasons.' Data from the National Phenology Network indicates that the start of spring has, on average, occurred earlier in the contiguous U.S, since 1984, and that total pollen amounts increased up to 21 percent between 1990 and 2018. The greatest increases were recorded in Texas and the Midwest. 'Some of these changes in pollen due to climate change could have major impacts on human health such as increasing individuals' exposure to pollen and their risk of having allergy and/or asthma symptoms,' it said. Climate Central also tied these changes to carbon dioxide pollution: a prevalent greenhouse gas contributing to the warming of Earth's atmosphere. 'With continued high rates of CO2 pollution, the U.S. could face up to a 200% increase in pollen production by the end of this century, according to a 2022 study,' it said.
Japan Today
23-04-2025
- Health
- Japan Today
Spring allergies are back. Here's how to check pollen levels and keep from sneezing
FILE - An oak tree with new leaf growth also shows pollen hanging amongst the branches at a park in Richardson, Texas, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File) By KENYA HUNTER Allergy season can be miserable for tens of millions of Americans when trees, grass, and other pollens cause runny noses, itchy eyes, coughing and sneezing. Where you live, what you're allergic to and your lifestyle can make a big difference when it comes to the severity of your allergies. Experts say climate change is leading to longer and more intense allergy seasons, but also point out that treatments for seasonal allergies have become more effective over the last decade. Here are some tips from experts to keep allergy symptoms at bay — maybe even enough to allow you to enjoy the outdoors. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America issues an annual ranking of the most challenging cities to live in if you have allergies, based on over-the-counter medicine use, pollen counts and the number of available allergy specialists. This year, the top five cities are: Wichita, Kansas; New Orleans; Oklahoma City; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Memphis. There are three main types of pollen. Earlier in the spring, tree pollen is the main culprit. After that grasses pollinate, followed by weeds in the late summer and early fall. Some of the most common tree pollens that cause allergies include birch, cedar, cottonwood, maple, elm, oak and walnut, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Grasses that cause symptoms include Bermuda, Johnson, rye and Kentucky bluegrass. Pollen trackers can help you decide when to go outside. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology tracks levels through a network of counting stations across the U.S. Counts are available at its website and via email. The best and first step to controlling allergies is avoiding exposure. Keep the windows in your car and your home closed, even when it's nice outside. If you go outside, wearing long sleeves can keep pollen off your skin to help ward off allergic reactions, said Dr. James Baker, an allergist at the University of Michigan. It also provides some sun protection, he added. When you get home, change your clothes and shower daily to ensure all the pollen is off of you — including your hair. If you can't wash your hair every day, try covering it when you go outside with a hat or scarf. Don't get in the bed with your outside clothes on, because the pollen will follow. It's also useful to rinse your eyes and nose with saline to remove any pollen, experts said. And the same masks that got us through the pandemic can protect you from allergies — though they won't help with eye symptoms. Over-the-counter nasal sprays are among the most effective treatments for seasonal allergies, experts said. But the vast majority of patients use them incorrectly, irritating parts of the nose, said Dr. Kathleen Mays, an allergist at Augusta University in Georgia. She suggested angling the nozzle outward toward your ear rather than sticking it straight up your nose. Over-the-counter allergy pills like Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec are helpful, but may not be as effective as quickly since they're taken by mouth, experts said. Experts also said that if your allergy symptoms are impacting your quality of life, like causing you to lose sleep or a lack focus at work or school, it might be time to consider an allergist appointment for immunotherapies. Some remedies for allergy relief that have been circulating on social media or suggested by celebrities — like incorporating local honey into your diet to expose yourself to pollen — have been debunked. Dr. Shayam Joshi, an allergist at Oregon Health and Science University, said that's because the flowers that bees pollinate typically don't contain the airborne pollen that causes allergy symptoms. With climate change, winters are milder and growing seasons are longer, meaning there's more opportunity for pollen to stay in the air, resulting in longer and more severe allergy seasons. In many areas across the country, pollen counts have broken decades of records. In late March, the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Center measured a pollen count of over 14,000 grains per cubic meter, which is considered extremely high. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
