The presence of different strains of grass pollen in the atmosphere can help predict when hay fever and asthma could strike researchers have found. A team led by the University of Queensland (UQ) researchers tracked grass pollen for seasonal variations and found it was released into the atmosphere later in areas further from the equator. Using this method we may be able to better predict when allergenic pollen is present and allow people affected by asthma chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and rhinitis to more effectively manage their condition said Nicholas Osborne Associate Professor at UQ's School of Public Health.