Latest news with #Trepanier
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers sound alarm about common yard product after discovering potential link to cancer in dogs: 'Highly toxic'
An animal welfare organization warned pet owners to be on their guard after multiple studies suggested that a lawn treatment raises the cancer risk for dogs. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the culprit is "the most dangerous pesticide you've never heard of" — and it's still widely used. In 2023, Humane World for Animals broke down how the herbicide 2,4-D raised the alarm among researchers after a 1991 study found that dogs whose owners used 2,4-D had up to a 200% higher risk of developing malignant lymphoma. While a follow-up study (with links to the chemical industry) refuted the findings, another study in 2012 supported the first study's claims. Dr. Lauren Trepanier, a professor of internal medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, suggested there may be one reason our furry friends could be particularly at risk compared with humans. "We're not all going out and rolling on our lawns after we put herbicides on it," Trepanier said. On the other hand, dogs roll around, sniff, dig, and pick up debris with their mouths. In 2016, Kristi Pullen, a staff scientist in NRDC's health program, warned in an article from the nonprofit that rising rates of 2,4-D use could "create a perfect storm of hazard and exposure coming together." 2,4-D can linger in the environment and harm biodiversity, contributing to food insecurity and economic losses. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the chemical can be "highly toxic to fish and other aquatic life" relied upon by millions for food and income. The International Agency for Research on Cancer also classifies 2,4-D as "possibly carcinogenic" to humans, per the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Several studies found that farm workers and professional herbicide applicators had an increased risk of certain cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, after high levels of exposure. Despite the aforementioned findings, 2,4-D is still widely used to treat turf lawns, food crops, aquatic and forestry sites, and more, according to the EPA, which decided in 2004 and 2014 that it didn't have enough data to discontinue 2,4-D. Do you worry about pesticides in your food? All the time Sometimes Not really I only eat organic Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Researchers are still investigating 2,4-D's connection to cancer, but NRDC senior scientist Jennifer Sass advised in 2016 that it is "better to take precautions to prevent possible cancers than to wait for more evidence." Dr. Barbara Hodges, program director of advocacy and outreach for the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, has a similar mindset. "I advise my clients about the risks of cancer from these products and recommend that they not use lawn chemicals — for the sake of their pets and the human animals in their families, and also for the sake of wildlife species and the overall environment," Hodges, a practicing veterinarian, told Humane World for Animals. Planting trap crops is one effective method of chemical-free pest control in gardens, while choosing cost-effective native plants reduces the need for pesticides overall. Trepanier also cautioned pet owners to be wary of walking their dogs in vibrant green parks during hot, dry seasons, as those parks likely used chemical herbicides and pesticides. If you supplement your dog's diet with fruits and vegetables that aren't homegrown and guaranteed to be pesticide-free, also make sure to wash the produce first (while, of course, keeping in mind that some fruits and veggies, such as grapes and onions, aren't safe for your pets). Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Researchers keeping close eye on multiple factors that could influence hurricane season
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways With hurricane season on the horizon, researchers say they are keeping a close eye on a number of factors that could influence whether this hurricane season will brew up much tropical activity. One of those factors is the sea surface temperature, which is among the primary fuels for tropical development. Of initial interest, while plenty of warm water currently exists throughout the Gulf and the Caribbean, the water in the eastern Atlantic is cooler than it was this time last year, according to LSU professor and hurricane climatologist Jill Trepanier. Something A Bit Unusual Is Happening In The Tropics Less Than A Month Until Hurricane Season Begins "A lot of that has to do with the Bermuda High and trade winds really pushing warm ocean water to the west, and leaving upwelling from colder ocean water on the eastern side," Trepanier said. She noted that, while these conditions might not directly contribute to tropical development that will impact the Gulf and eastern coastlines, they may affect the development of storms near Africa. And it could warm the waters closer to home. "Because that warm water that would normally sit over the Main Development Region is being pushed closer to mainland (U.S.) and that's something that we want to be mindful of," Trepanier said. What's The Difference Between A Tropical Depression, Tropical Storm And Hurricane? Another factor to consider in the upcoming tropical season is that this will be an ENSO-neutral year. This means that neither El Niño, which is known to inhibit tropical development, nor La Niña, which can promote tropical development, will play much of a role. What Is A Neutral Pattern? "The neutral (ENSO) effectively means that things are just kind of, well, regular, kind of normal," she said. "And with that in mind, we can get really extreme events that happen in those years, even when the setup isn't exactly prime time. So I think it's important to keep an eye out, especially for those storms that form really close to a coastline, because they will have the energy available, and it won't necessarily matter whether El Niño or La Niña is in effect." Model ENSO forecast from February 2025. How To Watch Fox Weather Lastly, a factor that is a bit up in the air is Saharan dust, which blows off of the Saharan desert and into the Atlantic. Trepanier said it has the potential to limit tropical development as the dust sucks up the moisture tropical storms require to form. "I think what's important to realize is because those same winds that are pulling that warm ocean water to the west are going to be the same winds that impact the Sahara and pull that dust to the west as well," Trepanier said. "And if we do have dust present, it's likely to inhibit some formation of tropical cyclones and hurricanes in that space." Currently, the forecast models are conflicting about how much Saharan dust will play a role during hurricane season. "We'll certainly keep an eye on it," Trepanier said. The official start date for hurricane season is June 1, and the season runs through Nov. 30. Original article source: Researchers keeping close eye on multiple factors that could influence hurricane season
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
LSU climatologist warns DOGE NOAA cuts may disrupt weather forecasting
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) – Additional cuts have been handed down to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), reducing the department by a total of about 20%, according to the Associated Press. A Louisiana State University professor and department chair believes this could mean trouble when it comes to providing up to date weather information. NOAA has had to cut about 2,000 positions as part of the DOGE cuts to federal spending. The organization is known as the most trusted place for climate and weather data. They not only forecast major storms, but aid in commerce and disaster preparation. All the National Weather Service offices across the country rely on their data for their forecasts. Federal watchdog DOGE terminates Louisiana agency leases as part of nationwide cost-cutting effort 'People might perceive that that weather app on their phone and access to the Weather Channel don't go away with NOAA, however, the data that they are utilizing on those platforms and on those sites by and large is coming from the National Weather Service Connected Network,' LSU Hurricane Climatologist Jill Trepanier said. Trepanier believes those cuts could mean major disruptions in how weather is forecasted and gaps in data that people need to determine how to care for their homes and bodies and when to evacuate an area. 'We need to make sure that we're spending money the way that we're supposed to,' Trepanier said. 'But it's a dangerous thing if you start taking it from places where that is a public service that need to try to maintain their success in their day to day.' Some more rural areas across the country that already have coverage gaps are even more short-staffed. Some are cutting back on releasing weather balloons that collect critical data. 'If we reduce that spatial resolution and we start getting gaps in between coverage in time and space, that only perpetuates to more error,' Trepanier said. 'The weather never stops moving, never stops flowing. And so if we have a big, say, blank spot in what we thought would happen overnight, we then are catching up the next morning.' 'In DOGE we trust': House GOP governs by embracing Trump's effort to cut government With hurricane season around the corner, there could be new challenges with getting information out to the community with the more limited resources. 'If that goes away, the ability to plan ahead for happy things and to be prepared for less than happy and much more severe things starts to get diminished. And I see problems with safety,' Trepanier said. Even in the places where staff may be prioritized, such as areas along the Gulf, if there are reductions Trepanier said if there isn't 24 hour monitoring then it could lead to increased danger for the public. Trump makes third term remark during event with Irish prime minister Democrats are heading to GOP districts for town halls: 'We're filling a void' EPA signals it will slash climate and pollution rules, including for cars and power plants Louisiana attorney general files motion to resume Jessie Hoffman execution LSU climatologist warns DOGE NOAA cuts may disrupt weather forecasting Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
