Papers

Current trends, limitations and future research in the fungi?

This broad review of modern mycology (the study of fungi) covers emerging fungal diseases, drug discovery from fungi, genomics advances, and how fungi can be used in construction and circular economies. While not directly about microplastics, some fungi show promise for biodegrading plastic waste, making mycology research relevant to addressing microplastic pollution.

Utilization of plastic waste in hot mix asphalt using dry mixing processes: Laboratory assessment of airborne microplastics

Researchers tested whether using recycled plastic waste in asphalt road construction releases harmful airborne microplastics during mixing, laying, and use. Lab tests confirmed that the recycled plastic asphalt did not produce detectable airborne microplastic particles, and pollutant emissions like fine particulate matter and volatile organic compounds stayed within acceptable limits. The findings suggest this recycling approach can safely reduce plastic waste without creating new airborne microplastic health risks.

Polyethylene microplastics disrupt renal function, mitochondrial bioenergetics, redox homeostasis, and histoarchitecture in Wistar rats

Researchers gave rats polyethylene microplastics orally for 28 days and found dose-dependent kidney damage, including impaired filtration, electrolyte imbalances, and tissue inflammation. The microplastics depleted antioxidant defenses, increased oxidative stress markers, and disrupted mitochondrial energy production in kidney cells, identifying the kidneys as a critical target of microplastic toxicity.

Extraction and Characterization of Cellulose from Agricultural By-Products of Chiang Rai Province, Thailand

Researchers extracted and characterized cellulose from four Thai agricultural by-products including rice straw, corncob, and pineapple leaves, finding that alkaline extraction with prior bleaching yielded high-purity cellulose suitable as a sustainable alternative to synthetic materials.

Testicular mitochondrial redox imbalance and impaired oxidative phosphorylation underlie microplastic-induced testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats

Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics affect male reproductive function in rats by examining testicular mitochondrial health. The study found that microplastic exposure disrupted mitochondrial redox balance and impaired oxidative phosphorylation in testicular tissue, providing mechanistic evidence for how microplastics may contribute to male reproductive toxicity.

Preliminary study of polyethylene microplastics disrupting energy Metabolism, redox Balance, and prefrontal cortex structure in Wistar rats

Researchers examined the neurotoxic effects of polyethylene microplastics on the prefrontal cortex of rats over a 28-day oral exposure period. The study found that microplastic exposure disrupted energy metabolism, impaired mitochondrial redox balance, and triggered inflammatory responses in brain tissue, suggesting that microplastics may pose risks to neurological function.

Global Research Trends on Nanoplastics in Food: A Bibliometric Analysis of Human Health Concerns

A bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed publications from 2015 to 2024 examined global research trends on nanoplastics in food and human health. Publications increased sharply after 2019, with China as the top contributor, and identified gut toxicity, food packaging, and seawater contamination as the most active research clusters.

Microplastic pollution in urban Lake Phewa, Nepal: the first report on abundance and composition in surface water of lake in different seasons

Surface water from Lake Phewa, Nepal's second-largest lake, was analyzed for microplastics across seasons in the first such study from Nepal, finding plastics present in all samples with concentrations varying seasonally. The results establish a baseline for freshwater microplastic monitoring in a South Asian developing country context and raise concerns about impacts on a lake important for tourism and local livelihoods.

Low-Density Polyethylene Film Biodegradation Potential by Fungal Species from Thailand

Thirty fungal species from Thailand were screened for low-density polyethylene biodegradation ability, with several showing measurable weight loss and surface modification of PE films over a 90-day incubation period, and Aspergillus and Trichoderma species among the most effective degraders, supporting further development of fungal-based plastic bioremediation.

Microplastic pollution in lakeshore sediments: the first report on abundance and composition of Phewa Lake, Nepal

The first study of microplastic pollution in Phewa Lake sediments in Nepal found an average abundance of 100.5 items per kg dry weight, with fibres dominating at 78% and polypropylene as the main polymer, establishing a baseline for freshwater microplastic research in the country.

High-Efficiency Antimicrobial Air Filter Electrospun ZnO/Biochar/PAN Nanofiber

Global consortium for the classification of fungi and fungus-like taxa

Researchers established an international consortium of over 550 mycologists from 55 countries to develop a standardized electronic classification system for fungi and fungus-like taxa, publishing biannual updates to resolve controversial taxonomic debates and promote a more stable global fungal taxonomy.

Polyethylene Microplastics Disrupt Cardiopulmonary Homeostasis via Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Crosstalk, and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Wistar Rats

Microbial degradation of low-density polyethylene by Neopestalotiopsis phangngaensis

Researchers screened 65 fungal strains for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) biodegradation and identified Neopestalotiopsis phangngaensis as the most effective degrader, achieving 54.34% LDPE weight loss over 90 days through laccase, manganese peroxidase, and lignin peroxidase enzyme activity confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and the Sturm test.

Microplastic Pollution in Urban Lake Phewa, Nepal: The First Report on Abundance and Composition in Surface Water of Lake in Different Seasons

Researchers conducted the first survey of microplastics in Lake Phewa, a major freshwater lake in Nepal, finding plastic particles in surface water across all seasons. Fiber microplastics were most abundant, consistent with laundry and textile sources. This study provides baseline data for microplastic monitoring in Nepal, where freshwater microplastic research has been largely absent.

Dynamic-chance-constrained-based Fuzzy Programming Approach for Optimizing Wastewater Facultative Ponds for Multi-period Case

This study developed a dynamic chance-constrained fuzzy programming model to optimize the operation of facultative ponds used for domestic wastewater treatment. The model maximizes treated wastewater volume while meeting water quality standards, offering a tool to improve treatment efficiency under uncertain real-world conditions.