Maureen Agnew

Dr. Maureen Agnew


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

24Years (2003-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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4 June 2003 in Area
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
PWP J Wood
P J Wood
MGM T Greenwood
M T Greenwood
MAMaureen Agnew
Maureen Agnew
Ponds are common landscape features but have been poorly studied compared to other freshwater habitats in the UK, despite their high frequency of occurrence. In the last century, many ponds have been lost and those that remain face increasing pressure due to agricultural land drainage, pollution and urban development. However, ponds provide important habitats for diverse floral and faunal communities, including a number of rare taxa of conservation interest. This paper examines the biodiversity and wider environmental value of ponds, with particular reference to the aquatic invertebrate and amphibian communities they support, and the adverse impact of anthropogenic activity on their aquatic habitats.

1 September 2019 in Science of The Total Environment
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
NJNatalia Jones
Natalia Jones
MAMaureen Agnew
Maureen Agnew
IBIvana Banic
Ivana Banic
CSCarlota Grossi Sampedro
Carlota Grossi Sampedro
FCFelipe J Colon-Gonzalez
Felipe J Colon-Gonzalez
ILIain Lake
Iain Lake

MAMaureen Agnew
Maureen Agnew
IBIvana Banic
Ivana Banic
ILIain Lake
Iain Lake
CGClare Goodess
Clare Goodess
CSCarlota Grossi Sampedro
Carlota Grossi Sampedro
MTMirjana Turkalj
Mirjana Turkalj
Ragweed allergy is a major public health concern. Within Europe, ragweed is an introduced species and research has indicated that the amounts of ragweed pollen are likely to increase over Europe due to climate change, with corresponding increases in ragweed allergy. To address this threat, improving our understanding of predisposing factors for allergic sensitisation to ragweed and disease is necessary, specifically focusing upon factors that are potentially modifiable (i.e., environmental). In this study, a total of 4013 children aged 2–13 years were recruited across Croatia to undergo skin prick tests to determine sensitisation to ragweed and other aeroallergens. A parental questionnaire collected home environment, lifestyle, family and personal medical history, and socioeconomic information. Environmental variables were obtained using Geographical Information Systems and data from nearby pollen, weather, and air pollution stations. Logistic regression was performed (clustered on school) focusing on risk factors for allergic sensitisation and disease. Ragweed sensitisation was strongly associated with ragweed pollen at levels over 5000 grains m–3 year−1 and, above these levels, the risk of sensitisation was 12–16 times greater than in low pollen areas with about 400 grains m–3 year−1. Genetic factors were strongly associated with sensitisation but nearly all potentially modifiable factors were insignificant. This included measures of local land use and proximity to potential sources of ragweed pollen. Rural residence was protective (odds ratio (OR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55–0.98), but the factors underlying this association were unclear. Being sensitised to ragweed doubled (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.59–2.96) the risk of rhinoconjunctivitis. No other potentially modifiable risk factors were associated with rhinoconjunctivitis. Ragweed sensitisation was strongly associated with ragweed pollen, and sensitisation was significantly associated with rhinoconjunctivitis. Apart from ragweed pollen levels, few other potentially modifiable factors were significantly associated with ragweed sensitisation. Hence, strategies to lower the risk of sensitisation should focus upon ragweed control.

26 December 2012
Verified
Book Chapter
Closed access
PDF file
MAMaureen Agnew
Maureen Agnew
CGClare M. Goodess
Clare M. Goodess
DHDebbie Hemming
Debbie Hemming
CGChristos Giannakopoulos
Christos Giannakopoulos
MBMarco Bindi
Marco Bindi
ATAnnalisa Tanzarella
Annalisa Tanzarella

26 December 2012
Verified
Book Chapter
Closed access
PDF file
MAMaureen Agnew
Maureen Agnew
CGClare M. Goodess
Clare M. Goodess
DHDebbie Hemming
Debbie Hemming
CGChristos Giannakopoulos
Christos Giannakopoulos
SSSkander Ben Salem
Skander Ben Salem
MSMohamed Senouci
Mohamed Senouci

26 December 2012
Verified
Book Chapter
Closed access
PDF file
MAMaureen Agnew
Maureen Agnew
CGClare M. Goodess
Clare M. Goodess
DHDebbie Hemming
Debbie Hemming
CGChristos Giannakopoulos
Christos Giannakopoulos
SSSkander Ben Salem
Skander Ben Salem
ATAnnalisa Tanzarella
Annalisa Tanzarella