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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Science
- Express Tribune
Keeping cool with colours
Many European cities are choosing greenery and lighter paint to mitigate the effects of intense heat. photo: file Equipped with an infrared thermometer, Austrian artist Jonas Griessler measures the sweltering heat in an inner courtyard in the centre of Vienna. Thanks to his collective's art work covering the black asphalt with a multitude of bright colours, the ground temperature has dropped from 31C to 20C. Initiated by the museum showing the private collection of late Austrian billionaire Heidi Horten, the project combines creativity, science and urban planning as Europe suffocates under the latest heatwave. "The childish tones reflect the lightness and inconsistency with which our society addresses this issue" of climate change, Griessler, 25, an artist with the Holla Hoop collective, told AFP. With more intense, longer and more frequent heatwaves a direct consequence of climate change according to scientists, European cities are trying to change their urban planning. Many have been opting for more greenery and also lighter paint that reflects solar rays, trying to avoid dark material, which retains heat. "We wanted to slightly improve the quality" of visitors' stays and "promote awareness," said curator Veronique Abpurg, happy that tourists are "attracted by this visually pleasing palette". While each coloured surface represents a year, they each contain small dots. Each dot represents a billion tons of CO2 emissions, and the number of dots on each surface are equivalent to the worldwide emissions of that year. This way one can visualise the increase in emissions due to human activity between 1960 and 2000. "The blocks gradually fill up," lamented the artist, whose background is in graffiti art. "It starts with nine dots, and at the end, there are three times more," he said. "It's a piece of the mosaic for adapting to urban heatwaves," said Hans-Peter Hutter, an environmental health specialist at the Medical University of Vienna, who supports the initiative. AFP
The Star
4 days ago
- Science
- The Star
Keeping cool with colours - Vienna museum paints asphalt to fight heat
To fight extreme heat attributable to climate change, an artist collective, featuring Griessler (pic), has covered the asphalt with reflective paints to lower the temperature, as part of an innovative project in Europe combining art, science, and urban development. Photo: AFP Equipped with an infrared thermometer, Austrian artist Jonas Griessler measures the sweltering heat in an inner courtyard in the centre of Vienna. Thanks to his collective's art work covering the black asphalt with a multitude of bright colours, the ground temperature has dropped from 31C to 20C. Initiated by the museum showing the private collection of late Austrian billionaire Heidi Horten, the project combines creativity, science and urban planning as Europe suffocates under the latest heatwave. "The childish tones reflect the lightness and inconsistency with which our society addresses this issue" of climate change, said Griessler, 25, an artist with the Holla Hoop collective. With more intense, longer and more frequent heatwaves a direct consequence of climate change according to scientists, European cities are trying to change their urban planning. Griessler, a member of artist group Holla Hoop, and Prof Hans-Peter Hutter (right) sit on the ground over the colourfully painted courtyard of the Heidi Horten museum in Vienna, Austria. Photo: AFP Many have been opting for more greenery and also lighter paint that reflects solar rays, trying to avoid dark material, which retains heat. "We wanted to slightly improve the quality" of visitors' stays and "promote awareness," said curator Veronique Abpurg, happy that tourists are "attracted by this visually pleasing palette". While each coloured surface represents a year, they each contain small dots. Each dot represents a billion tons of CO2 emissions, and the number of dots on each surface are equivalent to the worldwide emissions of that year. This way one can visualise the increase in emissions due to human activity between 1960 and 2000. "The blocks gradually fill up," lamented the artist, whose background is in graffiti art. "It starts with nine dots, and at the end, there are three times more," he said. "It's a piece of the mosaic for adapting to urban heatwaves," said Hans-Peter Hutter, an environmental health specialist at the Medical University of Vienna, who supports the initiative. A lower temperature on the asphalt means that buildings surrounding the courtyard will need less cooling, reducing air conditioning usage, Hutter said. "We need to communicate better on the subject (of climate change) so that people don't lose hope" and see adaptation measures as a fun activity, he added. - AFP
Business Times
5 days ago
- Science
- Business Times
Keeping cool with colours, Vienna museum paints asphalt to fight heat
[VIENNA] Equipped with an infrared thermometer, Austrian artist Jonas Griessler measures the sweltering heat in an inner courtyard in the centre of Vienna. Thanks to his collective's artwork covering the black asphalt with a multitude of bright colours, the ground temperature has dropped from 31 to 20 deg C. Initiated by the museum showing the private collection of late Austrian billionaire Heidi Horten, the project combines creativity, science and urban planning as Europe suffocates under the latest heatwave. 'The childish tones reflect the lightness and inconsistency with which our society addresses this issue' of climate change, Griessler, 25, an artist with the Holla Hoop collective, said. With more intense, longer and more frequent heatwaves a direct consequence of climate change, according to scientists, European cities are trying to change their urban planning. Many have been opting for more greenery and also lighter paint that reflects solar rays, trying to avoid dark material, which retains heat. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 12.30 pm ESG Insights An exclusive weekly report on the latest environmental, social and governance issues. Sign Up Sign Up 'We wanted to slightly improve the quality' of visitors' stays and 'promote awareness', said curator Veronique Abpurg, happy that tourists are 'attracted by this visually pleasing palette'. While each coloured surface represents a year, they each contain small dots. Each dot represents a billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, and the number of dots on each surface are equivalent to the worldwide emissions of that year. This way, one can visualise the increase in emissions due to human activity between 1960 and 2000. 'The blocks gradually fill up,' lamented the artist, whose background is in graffiti art. 'It starts with nine dots, and at the end, there are three times more,' he said. 'It's a piece of the mosaic for adapting to urban heatwaves,' said Hans-Peter Hutter, an environmental health specialist at the Medical University of Vienna, who supports the initiative. A lower temperature on the asphalt means that buildings surrounding the courtyard will need less cooling, reducing air conditioning usage, Hutter said. 'We need to communicate better on the subject (of climate change) so that people don't lose hope' and see adaptation measures as a fun activity, he added. AFP
Arab Times
06-08-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Are your plastic containers putting you at risk for lung cancer?
NEW YORK, Aug 6: Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna have, for the first time, directly linked microplastics to malignant changes in lung cells that are associated with cancer development, according to a recent media release. While it has long been recognized that microplastics adversely affect lung health — causing inflammation, oxidative stress, and diminished lung function—scientists at MedUni Vienna have now uncovered a direct connection between microplastics and cancerous changes in lung cells. Their study, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, investigated how polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics interact with various lung cell types. Polystyrene is a widely used plastic, commonly found in foam food packaging such as take-out containers and grocery store meat trays. The researchers observed that exposure to these microplastic particles caused healthy lung cells to exhibit increased migration, DNA damage, oxidative stress, and activation of signaling pathways that encourage cell growth and survival—key early indicators of cancerous transformation. Co-leader of the study, Balazs Döme, remarked, 'The current data provide initial evidence that healthy lung cells respond in a way that is indeed cause for concern.' Microplastics are increasingly recognized as a serious threat to human health, linked not only to lung issues but also to liver fibrosis, abnormal lipid accumulation, and hormonal disruption. Although the effects of microplastic exposure can be gradual and hard to detect, long-term consequences are expected to be severe. Beyond human health, plastic pollution severely affects wildlife. Marine creatures often become entangled in discarded fishing gear and plastic debris, leading to injury, starvation, and death. Terrestrial animals and birds mistake plastic waste for food, resulting in harmful accumulation that can stunt development, cause disease, or prove fatal. Microplastics have infiltrated nearly every ecosystem on the planet, largely due to the pervasive use of plastics in modern life. Even those who avoid plastics as much as possible often encounter microplastics inadvertently. Scientists are actively pursuing innovative methods to address this growing threat. For instance, a recently developed blood filtration technique—similar to dialysis—shows promise in removing microplastics from the human body, potentially lessening their health impacts. On the prevention side, the Cleaner Seas Group has introduced a home water filtration device named Indi, designed to attach to household washing machines and filter microplastics from laundry wastewater before it contaminates water supplies.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Microplastics found in brain, ovaries, and placenta: Experts warn of silent threat to vital organs
1 2 Nagpur: As 'Plastic Free July' begins, experts are raising an alarm over emerging evidence that microplastics — tiny fragments smaller than 5 millimetres — are infiltrating the human body and lodging themselves in vital organs, potentially altering human health in ways science is only beginning to grasp. Recent studies detected microplastics not only in blood and lung tissue but disturbingly in the brain, ovaries, placenta, and even testicular tissue. Scientists fear these microscopic invaders could spark a cascade of health consequences, from neurological disorders to reproductive challenges and cancer. "It's terrifying to think that the plastic we use every day may be silently making its way into our brain and reproductive organs," said Malvvika Fulwani, clinical dietician, adding, "Beyond reducing plastic waste for the planet, 'Plastic Free July' is now a call to protect our own bodies." In March 2024, researchers from the Medical University of Vienna revealed that micro and nano plastic (MNP) can cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) — a protective shield that normally keeps harmful substances out of the brain. This raises fears of neuroinflammation, impaired memory, and degenerative brain conditions. "The brain is uniquely vulnerable because any inflammatory reaction or cellular damage can be irreversible," warned Dr Ninad Shrikhade, a neurologist. "Neuro inflammation linked to microplastics might one day be implicated in diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. It's a serious public health concern," he added. Equally concerning is the detection of micro plastics in the ovarian tissue. A 2023 study published in the 'Environmental Health Perspectives' found microplastics embedded in the ovaries of women undergoing surgery, suggesting possible disruption of egg maturation, hormone production, and fertility. "Microplastics may carry endocrine-disrupting chemicals like phthalates and bisphenols," explained Dr Sanjay Deshpande, senior sexologist. "These chemicals mimic hormones, leading to early puberty in girls, reduced sperm counts in men, thyroid dysfunction, and even increased risks of hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate cancer." According to the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) framework, exposure to microplastics during pregnancy — particularly endocrine disruptors — could affect a child's metabolism, immunity, and brain function later in life. Beyond hormonal disruption, microplastics may be implicated in cancer development. Scientists suspect they can carry carcinogens, cause DNA damage, and provoke chronic inflammation — all known pathways to cancer. "Cancer is a multi-hit process," said Dr Riya Ballikas, hemato oncologist, adding, "Microplastics might not be the single cause, but they could be one more dangerous hit our cells don't need." Experts have urged people to limit single-use plastic, especially in food packaging, cosmetics, and baby products. Choosing glass, steel, or paper alternatives, reducing packaged foods, and supporting plastic-free initiatives are small but crucial steps. "This 'Plastic Free July', remember it's not just about oceans and turtles," Fulwani said. "It's about what's ending up in our own organs — and in the next generation." WHAT TO DO IN PLASTIC FREE JULY * Carry a cloth bag instead of accepting plastic bags * Switch to steel or glass bottles for water * Buy loose grains, pulses, and spices rather than plastic-packed products * Say no to plastic straws and cutlery when eating out * Choose bar soaps and shampoos instead of products in plastic bottles * Store leftovers in steel or glass containers instead of disposable plastic boxes Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
