Papers

Species-specific accumulation of microplastics in different bird species from South China: A comprehensive analysis

Across 24 bird species in South China, insectivorous birds accumulated significantly more small microplastics (under 0.1 mm) than other feeding guilds, while piscivorous birds accumulated more large microplastics (over 1 mm). Diet source was a stronger predictor of microplastic contamination than trophic level or body weight, with polypropylene and PET as the dominant polymer types found.

Activation of gut metabolite ACSL4/LPCAT3 by microplastics in drinking water mediates ferroptosis via gut–kidney axis

This study found that polystyrene microplastics carrying the pollutant benzo[a]pyrene caused kidney damage in mice by triggering a type of cell death called ferroptosis through disrupted fat metabolism. The damage occurred through a gut-kidney pathway, where the pollutant-laden microplastics first affected intestinal cells before impacting the kidneys. These findings reveal how microplastics in drinking water could act as carriers for other toxins, amplifying harm to the kidneys.

Exposure to Polystyrene Nanoplastics Compromise Ovarian Reserve Function and Endometrial Decidualization in Early Pregnant Mice

Female mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics for 90 days before pregnancy had fewer successful pregnancies, smaller pups, and damaged ovaries with reduced egg counts. The nanoplastics disrupted key reproductive hormones and interfered with the uterine process needed for embryo implantation. This study raises concerns that nanoplastic exposure through food and water could harm female fertility and pregnancy outcomes in humans.

Chronic exposure to low concentrations of microplastics causing gut tissue damage but non-significant changes in the microbiota of marine medaka larvae (Oryzias melastigma)

Marine medaka fish larvae exposed to low concentrations of polyethylene and polylactic acid microplastics for 60 days showed no changes in growth or survival, but their intestinal tissue was visibly damaged with inflammation and loss of gut lining. The gut microbiome remained largely intact despite the physical tissue damage. This study suggests that microplastics can cause hidden gut injury even at low levels that do not affect outward signs of health, raising concerns about subtle damage going undetected.

The potential effects of microplastic pollution on human digestive tract cells

Researchers tested polystyrene particles of four different sizes on human colon and small intestine cells to assess the potential effects of microplastic ingestion. They found that the smallest nanoscale particles were more readily taken up by cells and caused greater reductions in cell viability and increased oxidative stress. The study suggests that smaller plastic particles may pose a greater risk to the human digestive tract than larger ones.

Multi-omics reveals that Bifidobacterium breve M-16V may alleviate the immune dysregulation caused by nanopolystyrene

Researchers used multi-omics analysis to examine the effects of nanopolystyrene exposure on mice and whether Bifidobacterium breve M-16V could alleviate those effects. The study found that nanopolystyrene caused microbial alterations, metabolic disorders, and immune disturbances after 28 days of exposure. Evidence suggests that supplementation with Bifidobacterium breve M-16V may help alleviate the immune dysregulation caused by nanoplastic exposure.

Stressful Effects of Individual and Combined Exposure to Low-Concentration Polylactic Acid Microplastics and Chromium on Marine Medaka Larvae (Oryzias melastigma)

Researchers exposed marine medaka fish larvae to low concentrations of biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics and chromium, both individually and together, for 14 days. The combined exposure caused more severe intestinal damage, oxidative stress, and disruption of gut bacteria than either pollutant alone. The study suggests that even biodegradable microplastics can worsen the effects of heavy metal pollution on young fish in marine environments.

Efficacy and safety of percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with negative pressure suction in the treatment of renal calculi: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This meta-analysis found that percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with negative pressure suction significantly reduces operation time, postoperative complications, fever, and intraoperative blood loss compared to the procedure without negative pressure, without increasing the risk of septic shock. The technique improves both safety and efficiency of kidney stone removal surgery.

Polystyrene nanoplastics impair endometrial decidualization via cell cycle arrest and JNK-MAPK pathway-mediated oxidative stress in early pregnant mice

Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt uterine lining preparation for embryo implantation in early pregnant mice by blocking cell cycle progression and triggering oxidative stress via the JNK-MAPK signaling pathway, with JNK pathway inhibition partially restoring normal decidualization and improving embryo implantation outcomes.

The dual role of alginate extracellular polymeric substances in cleaner flotation of marine microplastics: Modulating microplastic hydrophilicity and microbubble stability

Microplastic Pollution and Its Ecological Risks in the Xisha Islands, South China Sea

Researchers assessed microplastic pollution across sediments, soil, water, fish, and seabirds at the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea, finding contamination in all environmental media. Soil samples showed the highest concentrations at nearly 93 items per kilogram, while the overall pollution load was classified as slightly polluted with a high polymer hazard index. The study provides a comprehensive baseline for understanding microplastic ecological risks in this remote island chain.

Targeting EGFR-binding protein SLC7A11 enhancing antitumor immunity of T cells via inducing MHC-I antigen presentation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Researchers found that a protein called SLC7A11, stabilized by the cancer-driving protein EGFR, blocks cancer cells from being recognized and destroyed by the immune system in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and showed that the drug sorafenib can reverse this immune evasion by targeting SLC7A11.

Polystyrene nanoplastics and benzo(a)pyrene synergistically induce lung fibrosis and inflammation via relaxin signalling in mice

Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene nanoplastics, benzo(a)pyrene, or their combination over 16 weeks and found that only combined exposure produced significant lung inflammation and fibrosis, with transcriptomic analysis identifying the Relaxin signaling pathway — acting through PI3K-AKT, MAPK, and calcium-dependent macrophage trap formation — as a key mediator of the synergistic toxicity.

Health assessment based on exposure to microplastics in tropical agricultural soil

Researchers assessed human health risks from microplastic exposure in tropical agricultural soils on Hainan Island, China, finding an average abundance of over 1,100 particles per kilogram of soil. The study found that using mass-based measures of microplastic intake provides a more reliable health risk assessment than particle counts alone, though smaller particles may pose greater concern. These preliminary findings contribute to building health risk assessment frameworks for soil microplastic exposure.

Comparative Assessment of Microplastics in Surface Water and Sediments of Meishe River, Haikou, China

Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in China's Meishe River, finding contamination levels of 3-10 items per liter in surface water and 61-205 items per 100g in sediments, predominantly polyethylene fibers that may eventually flow into nearby seas.

Tracking Microplastics Contamination in Drinking Water Supply Chain in Haikou, China: From Source to Household Taps

Researchers tracked microplastic contamination throughout the entire drinking water supply chain in Haikou, China, from source water to household taps. They found that while water treatment reduced some microplastic content, treated water actually showed higher concentrations than raw water, suggesting contamination during the treatment process itself. The study provides a health risk assessment indicating that microplastic exposure through tap water warrants continued monitoring.

Flash elimination of nano-/microplastics from complex matrices with record efficiency and sustainability

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Improves Neuropathy and Oxidative Stress Levels in Rats with Experimental Cerebral Infarction through the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment of rats with experimentally induced cerebral infarction reduced neurological deficits, lowered oxidative stress markers, and increased expression of the Nrf2 and HO-1 protective pathway proteins, suggesting that rTMS exerts neuroprotective effects after ischemia-reperfusion injury partly through antioxidant signaling.

Occurrence characteristics and environmental risk of microplastics in tropical China depend on land use patterns

Health Exposure Assessment of Microplastic in Tropical Agricultural Soil: Results from the Occurrence Characteristics of Microplastic Pollution on Hainan Island

Interspecific Difference in Foliar Retention and Translocation of Nanoplastics by Typical Salt-Secreting and Salt-Excluding Mangrove Drives Species-Specific Photosynthetic Impairment Mechanisms

Researchers found that nanoplastics landing on mangrove leaves behave very differently depending on the species: salt-secreting mangroves accumulate nanoplastics in their salt glands and transport them deep into leaf tissues, disrupting the carbon-fixing dark reactions of photosynthesis, while salt-excluding mangroves trap particles on the leaf surface instead, blocking light capture. This matters because salt-secreting mangroves act as biological concentrators of airborne nanoplastics, potentially undermining the carbon storage function of coastal ecosystems.

Knowledge mapping of research on the mitochondrial unfolded protein response: a bibliometric and visual analysis

This bibliometric and visual analysis maps the global research landscape on the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), identifying key contributing countries, institutions, and authors, and calling for stronger international collaboration in this growing field.

Analysis of microplastics released from plastic take-out food containers based on thermal properties and morphology study

This study measured microplastics released from three types of plastic take-out food containers — polypropylene, polyethylene, and expanded polystyrene — when filled with hot water. Expanded polystyrene released the most particles by far (up to 2.8 million per liter), and over 96% of particles from all containers were smaller than 10 micrometers, small enough to be absorbed into the gut.