Georgia

Georgia Southern biologist predicts delayed but strong allergy season | Newsroom

Published

1 year ago

February 26, 2025

Press Room

Georgia Southern biologist predicts delayed but strong allergy season | Newsroom

February 26, 2025

Alan Harvey, Ph.D., explains how the recent snowfall will affect 2025 allergy sufferers.

Spring allergy sufferers in Georgia may experience a delayed, but still potent pollen season in 2025, according to Alan Harvey, Ph.D., biology professor at Georgia Southern University.

This year, according to Harvey, Georgia’s allergy season is expected to start later than usual due to the cold snap and snowfall.

“That blanketing of snow is definitely going to delay the onset of pollen production,” he said. “Pollen production is particularly sensitive to cold stress, so it’s more likely that we’ll see less pine pollen than usual over the coming weeks. Plants that produce pollen later in the season might not be so affected.”

The southeastern region of Georgia has three native pine trees: slash, longleaf and loblolly. Each of these trees releases pollen at different times throughout the spring season, contributing to the yellow dust-like covering that lingers for several months. Slash pine pollen generally comes in late January into February, followed by loblolly in late February through March, and then longleaf beyond that in March into May.

Despite a common misconception, pine pollen isn’t a significant allergen, explains Harvey. The grains are too large, and they also lack the surface proteins and other compounds that trigger allergic responses in other wind-borne pollen.

“People notice and complain about pine pollen because pines produce so much of these very large grains,” he said. “However, the allergies they experience at this time are from trees like oak which have smaller, lighter and more allergen-producing pollen grains.”

Harvey explains the overall trend remains clear: allergy seasons are getting longer and more intense. He attributes this to rising temperatures and increased carbon dioxide levels. Those factors contribute to earlier plant growth, extended pollen production and higher daily pollen counts.

“Plants are limited by temperature when it’s cold, and their metabolism runs too slow for them to really be able to do things like produce flowers and make pollen,” he explained. “So the warmer it is, the earlier the plants can get going, and their metabolism ramps up and they start producing more pollen. When it stays warmer for longer periods of time, we have a much longer season for plants to grow and to crank out pollen.”

Separate from its warming role as a greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide is essential for photosynthesis, and higher carbon dioxide levels are known to lead to greater plant growth and pollen production.

Another persistent misconception about seasonal allergies, according to Harvey, is the blame placed on the wrong plants. Many assume that large, colorful flowers contribute to allergy symptoms. In fact, these plants rely on insect pollination and don’t release significant amounts of airborne pollen. Instead, the real culprits are trees with small, inconspicuous flowers—especially oak trees, grasses and ragweed in the southeastern United States.

For more information on the myths and misunderstandings of seasonal allergies, and a mural that Harvey and his colleagues installed at Georgia Southern to raise educational awareness of pollen, click here.

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Georgia

Injured US military veterans find relief and awe swimming with a whale shark at Georgia Aquarium – The Boston Globe

Published

5 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Press Room

Injured US military veterans find relief and awe swimming with a whale shark at Georgia Aquarium – The Boston Globe

ATLANTA (AP) — Swimming with manta rays, giant groupers, and even a whale shark brought joy and excitement to a group of injured U.S. military veterans who got to experience the healing power of water and wildlife at the Georgia Aquarium.

The swim Wednesday at the aquarium in Atlanta also gave the U.S. service people who are part of the Wounded Warrior Project a much needed respite from their recovery and the stresses of life. The organization works with injured and wounded veterans and their families.

“It gives them, you know, 30 or 40 minutes to just relax,” said Jason Bush, manager of the aquarium’s Military Salute program, which once a week brings members of the armed forces to swim or dive with marine animals.

Quentin Collins, with the Wounded Warrior Project, prepared to swim at the Georgia Aquarium.Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

A person took a video of the participants with the Wounded Warrior Project swimming at the Georgia Aquarium, on Wednesday.Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

“Whether it’s swimming in the water or scuba diving in particular, you’re weightless,” he added. “So physically, it takes away even for a moment physical pain that you feel when you’re on land.”

The military veterans snorkeled or swam with the giant whale shark, Yushan, stingrays, and a variety of other marine animals. After being rescued from a Taiwanese fish market several years ago, Yushan is the only whale shark in captivity in the Western Hemisphere, according to aquarium officials.

“They go in nervous and they come out saying it’s the best experience they’ve had in their life,” Bush said.

William Mund, a U.S. Marine gunnery sergeant who was wounded in Iraq, said the water helps with his blood flow. His swim with the whale shark was a “once-in-a-lifetime thing,” he said.

U.S. Army Col. Quentin Collins was wounded twice in Iraq – once by a mortar and then a second time when he drove over an improvised explosive device. Collins, who is paralyzed, said his favorite part was “surfing” with the whale shark.

Lee Menzies, with the Wounded Warrior Project, swam on Wednesday.Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Antwain D'Angelo Vaughn — Antwain D’Angelo Vaughn “Dee” with the Wounded Warrior Project participated in the Veterans Immersion Program on Wednesday.Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

“Actually, its wake pulled me with it,” a joyous Collins said. “So I was swimming forward and the next thing I know, I’m going backwards and I realized the whale shark is right below me.”

Quentin had not been in the water since 2020 because of his injuries. His son, Ian Collins, got to witness his it.

“It’s a wonderful thing to see my dad being able to enjoy things he couldn’t anymore,” he said. “It’s a great thing to see.”

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Georgia

America at 250: Georgia cities like Eatonton restore our faith in democracy

Published

17 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Press Room

America at 250: Georgia cities like Eatonton restore our faith in democracy

Opinion

Seven small and rural Peach State cities are hosting exhibits as part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street ‘Voices and Votes’ program.

Georgia’s inaugural “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” exhibit launched Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Putnam County Administrative Building. This is a partnership of Georgia Humanities, Georgia Writers Museum and the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street initiative. (David Plazas/AJC)

Our soon-to-be 250-year-old democratic republic endured major stress tests recently that shook the faith of citizens across the political spectrum.

A presidential assassination attempt at the April 25 White House Correspondents’ Association dinner engendered conspiracy theories on social media that further pushed people into their corners.

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Celebrate your republic across the state

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AJC Opinion Editor David Plazas (center) stands with Georgia Writers Museum board member Chip Ward (left) and board president Lou Benjamin (right) at the inaugural “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” exhibit in Eatonton, Georgia on April 25, 2026.

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Civility is more than mere politeness

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David Plazas joined the AJC as opinion editor in 2025. His goal is to create the ultimate platform for conversations, debates and idea exchanges in the South. He spent 25 years at the USA TODAY Company working his way from reporter at The News-Press in Fort Myers, Florida, to statewide opinion and engagement editor at The Tennessean in Nashville.

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Georgia

Tracking storm line headed to North Georgia

Published

1 day ago

May 6, 2026

Press Room

Tracking storm line headed to North Georgia

Flood Watch

from WED 4:00 PM EDT until THU 8:00 AM EDT, Walton County, Haralson County, Newton County, Lamar County, Henry County, Fannin County, Troup County, Pike County, Bartow County, Meriwether County, Clayton County, Heard County, Dawson County, Douglas County, Jasper County, Gwinnett County, Banks County, South Fulton County, Carroll County, Butts County, White County, Union County, Fayette County, Upson County, Walker County, Catoosa County, Cherokee County, North Fulton County, Cobb County, Paulding County, Lumpkin County, Gilmer County, Polk County, Hall County, Whitfield County, Murray County, Forsyth County, Spalding County, Jackson County, Gordon County, Barrow County, Floyd County, Towns County, Dade County, Pickens County, Coweta County, Rockdale County, DeKalb County, Chattooga County

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