Papers

Unveiling the impacts of microplastics on cadmium transfer in the soil-plant-human system: A review

A meta-analysis found that microplastics significantly increase soil cadmium bioavailability by 6.9% and cadmium accumulation in plant shoots by 9.3%, through both direct surface adsorption and indirect modification of soil pH and dissolved organic carbon. This enhanced cadmium mobility through the soil-plant-human food chain amplifies health risks, as co-ingestion of microplastics and cadmium increases cadmium bioaccessibility and tissue damage.

Marine mammal conservation: over the horizon

This review examines the conservation status of marine mammals, which play important ecological roles and serve as indicators of ocean health. The researchers found that at least 25% of marine mammal species are classified as threatened, facing risks from climate change, fisheries bycatch, pollution, and maritime development. The study outlines research priorities and conservation strategies needed to protect at-risk species while building on recent recovery successes.

Phospholipidomics in Clinical Trials for Brain Disorders: Advancing our Understanding and Therapeutic Potentials

Researchers reviewed how phospholipidomics — the detailed study of fatty molecules called phospholipids in the brain — is advancing the understanding and diagnosis of neurological diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Specific phospholipid patterns may serve as early biomarkers, potentially leading to better diagnostic tools and targeted treatments.

Low-cost IoT based system for lake water quality monitoring

This study built a low-cost sensor system using Internet of Things technology to monitor basic water quality parameters like turbidity, pH, and dissolved oxygen in lakes. While not focused on microplastics specifically, affordable real-time water monitoring tools like this could eventually be adapted to track microplastic contamination. Better water quality monitoring is an important step toward understanding and reducing the pollutants, including microplastics, that end up in drinking water sources.

Moving from symptom management to upstream plastics prevention: The fallacy of plastic cleanup technology

This paper argues that plastic cleanup technologies, while helpful at a local scale, cannot solve the global plastic pollution crisis and may distract from more effective solutions. The authors present evidence that reducing plastic production upstream is far more efficient and economical than trying to remove plastic from the environment after it has been released. The findings are important for human health because preventing plastic pollution at the source would reduce the microplastics that end up in food, water, and air.

Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives

Researchers surveyed United Nations delegates involved in developing the Global Plastics Treaty to understand how human health evidence is being considered in policy decisions. They found that most delegates support health-based measures and see scientific evidence as essential, but face challenges translating research into actionable policy. The study underscores the importance of making health research accessible and relevant to policymakers working on international plastic pollution agreements.

Toxicity and bioconversion: Meta-analytical insights into microplastic effects on black soldier fly rearing

This meta-analysis found that microplastics in organic waste can reduce black soldier fly larval growth and survival, though larvae demonstrated some capacity to biodegrade certain plastic polymers. The findings are important because black soldier fly larvae are increasingly used for sustainable waste processing, and microplastic contamination in waste streams could compromise this approach.

Microfibres and health: State of the evidence and research gaps

This review examined how textile microfibres, both plastic and non-plastic, may affect human health beyond just the respiratory system. Researchers found that gastrointestinal effects and upper airway problems may also result from microfibre exposure, and that non-plastic fibres can be just as harmful as plastic ones. The findings suggest that current safety guidelines, which focus only on respirable inorganic fibres, may be too narrow to protect public health.

Plastics pollution as waste colonialism in Te Moananui

Through interviews with nineteen key decision-makers, researchers examined how Pacific Island nations are affected by plastics pollution through the lens of waste colonialism. The study argues that the flow of plastic waste from wealthy nations to Pacific communities represents a form of environmental injustice, with island nations bearing disproportionate impacts from pollution they did not create.

The Strengths and Weaknesses of Pacific Islands Plastic Pollution Policy Frameworks

A desktop policy gap analysis across 52 documents from 10 Pacific Island nations found substantial weaknesses in plastic pollution governance, including poor vertical and horizontal policy integration and limited access to current science on microplastics and human health.

Investigating sustainability tensions and resolution strategies in the plastic food packaging industry—A paradox theory approach

This study investigates the sustainability tensions faced by plastic food packaging companies as they try to balance business goals with environmental responsibility. Using paradox theory, researchers found that companies navigate competing demands around food waste reduction, resource use, and climate impact through various resolution strategies.

The Potential Impact of Long-Term Copper Fungicide Sprays on Soil Health in Avocado Orchards

Researchers assessed copper accumulation in avocado orchard soils after years of copper-based fungicide application in New Zealand. Five of six farms had total copper concentrations above background levels for native land, though the relationship between copper levels and soil microbial activity was not straightforward, suggesting that other soil factors like pH and carbon content also play a role.

Goals in Nutrition Science 2020-2025

This editorial perspective from Frontiers in Nutrition reviewed progress in nutrition science from 2015 to 2020 and outlined research priorities for 2020–2025, emphasizing microbiome science, gut-brain connections, sustainable food systems, and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Review: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R1/PR8

Researchers surveyed 27 UN delegates developing the Global Plastics Treaty about their views on human health evidence, preferred mitigation strategies, and research priorities. Human health was the top-ranked concern, reducing plastics production and eliminating harmful chemicals were the top mitigation strategies, and recycling was considered the least protective approach for health.

Review: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R0/PR3

A survey of UN government delegates developing the Global Plastics Treaty found that most recognized escalating human health risks from plastic pollution across its lifecycle, and the study provides evidence-based recommendations for integrating health evidence into high-ambition treaty language.

Review: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R0/PR2

This survey of UN delegates engaged in Global Plastics Treaty negotiations found widespread recognition of plastics' lifecycle health risks and broad support for incorporating robust human health evidence into treaty text, with delegates identifying specific research priorities needed to fill current knowledge gaps.

Recommendation: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R1/PR9

Researchers surveyed 27 UN delegates developing the Global Plastics Treaty about their views on human health evidence, preferred mitigation strategies, and research priorities. Human health was the top-ranked concern, reducing plastics production and eliminating harmful chemicals were the top mitigation strategies, and recycling was considered the least protective approach for health.

Decision: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R1/PR10

Researchers surveyed 27 UN delegates developing the Global Plastics Treaty about their views on human health evidence, preferred mitigation strategies, and research priorities. Human health was the top-ranked concern, reducing plastics production and eliminating harmful chemicals were the top mitigation strategies, and recycling was considered the least protective approach for health.

Regulating chemicals globally is key to a successful plastics treaty

This review argued that a successful global plastics treaty must regulate the more than 16,000 chemicals used across the plastic life cycle, not just the plastics themselves, as thousands of these chemicals meet criteria for persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity yet remain largely unregulated.

Current Understanding on the Heterogenous Expression of Plastic Depolymerising Enzymes in Pichia pastoris

This review assessed the use of Pichia pastoris as a heterologous expression platform for plastic-degrading enzymes, finding it a promising system for producing secreted depolymerases at scale, while highlighting remaining challenges in yield and activity for industrial enzymatic plastic degradation.

Decision: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R0/PR5

A survey of UN government delegates developing the Global Plastics Treaty found broad recognition of mounting health risks from plastics, with delegates prioritizing pollution mitigation strategies and identifying key gaps in human health research needed to inform strong treaty language.

Recommendation: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R0/PR4

A survey of UN delegates working on the Global Plastics Treaty found that policymakers broadly prioritize human health evidence but differ on preferred mitigation strategies, with the study offering recommendations for streamlining research to better inform treaty negotiations.

Review: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R1/PR7

Researchers surveyed 27 UN delegates developing the Global Plastics Treaty about their views on human health evidence, preferred mitigation strategies, and research priorities. Human health was the top-ranked concern, reducing plastics production and eliminating harmful chemicals were the top mitigation strategies, and recycling was considered the least protective approach for health.

Responses of rice (Oryza sativa L.) plant growth, grain yield and quality, and soil properties to the microplastic occurrence in paddy soil