Papers

Nature-derived hydrogel for microplastic removal

Scientists developed a nature-based hydrogel made from chitin and lignin that can remove nanoplastics from wastewater with very high efficiency, absorbing up to 1,791 milligrams of plastic per gram of material. This sustainable, reusable filter could help reduce the amount of tiny plastic particles that reach drinking water and ultimately the human body.

Fast Detection and Classification of Microplastics below 10 μm Using CNN with Raman Spectroscopy

Researchers combined artificial intelligence with Raman spectroscopy to rapidly detect and classify microplastic particles smaller than 10 micrometers -- a size range that is especially concerning because these tiny particles can penetrate human tissues. The AI-based method dramatically reduced the time needed to identify plastic types compared to traditional approaches, making it more practical to monitor the smallest and most potentially harmful microplastics.

Microplastics: An emerging environmental risk factor for gut microbiota dysbiosis and cancer development?

This review examines how microplastics may disrupt the gut microbiome and immune system in ways that could promote cancer development. Evidence from recent studies suggests microplastics can cause chronic inflammation, alter the balance of gut bacteria, and trigger molecular pathways linked to several cancer types including lung, liver, breast, and colon cancer. While more human research is needed, the review highlights a concerning connection between microplastic exposure, gut health, and cancer risk.

Hybrid Oxidation of Microplastics with Fenton and Hydrothermal Reactions

Researchers developed a method combining two chemical processes (Fenton reaction and hydrothermal treatment) to break down microplastics in water, achieving over 98% destruction in 24 hours. The process works by inserting oxygen-containing groups into the plastic chains, making them break apart more easily. Importantly, the leftover liquid showed no toxic effects, suggesting this could be a safe and effective approach for removing microplastics from water.

Novel Single-Particle Analytical Technique for Inhalable Airborne Microplastic Particles by the Combined Use of Fluorescence Microscopy, Raman Microspectrometry, and SEM/EDX

Researchers developed a new method combining fluorescence microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and electron microscopy to analyze individual airborne microplastic particles small enough to inhale. The technique can identify both the polymer type and chemical composition of particles under 10 micrometers found in urban air samples. Better tools for characterizing breathable microplastics are essential for understanding respiratory exposure risks.

Microplastics and biobased polymers to combat plastics waste

This review covers the health risks of microplastics and examines how biobased polymers like polylactic acid and other plant-derived plastics could help reduce plastic pollution. While these alternatives show promise for replacing conventional plastics, the review notes that some bioplastics still produce microplastics as they break down. The takeaway is that switching to biobased materials is part of the solution, but it will not eliminate microplastic pollution entirely.

Advanced oxidation processes for microplastics degradation: A recent trend

This review examined advanced oxidation processes as technologies for breaking down microplastics, including UV treatment, ozone, photocatalysis, and plasma methods. Researchers found that while these approaches can effectively degrade various types of microplastics, the breakdown mostly occurs on particle surfaces, and complete removal remains challenging. The study also warns that partially degraded microplastics may actually become more effective at absorbing and carrying other pollutants.

Cationic nanoplastic causes mitochondrial dysfunction in neural progenitor cells and impairs hippocampal neurogenesis

This study found that positively charged nanoplastics accumulated in the mitochondria of brain stem cells, causing energy depletion and stopping cell growth. In mice, 10 days of exposure impaired the formation of new brain cells in the hippocampus, a region critical for memory, and reduced memory retention. The findings suggest that nanoplastic exposure could deplete the brain's supply of stem cells, potentially contributing to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative conditions.

Characterization of tire and road wear microplastics and phthalates in inhalable PM10 road Dust: Implications for urban air pollution

Researchers conducted the first combined analysis of tire wear microplastics and phthalate chemicals in breathable road dust from Seoul, Korea. They found higher concentrations in industrial areas compared to residential zones, and smaller airborne particles showed different rubber compositions than larger dust, suggesting they come from different wear processes. The study raises concerns about inhalation exposure to tire-derived microplastics and associated chemicals in urban settings.

Assessing the acute differential toxicity of polystyrene microplastic particles and comparing the impacts of bead-shaped versus fragmented particles on Daphnia magna

Researchers compared the toxicity of polystyrene microplastic fragments versus beads on tiny freshwater crustaceans (Daphnia magna) and found that jagged fragments were more harmful than smooth beads, causing greater mortality and triggering more stress-related genes — suggesting that the shape of a microplastic particle matters as much as its chemical makeup.

Comparison of Microplastics between Lung Tissues and Intestinal Contents in Finless Porpoises (<i>Neophocaena asiaeorientalis</i>)

Researchers analyzed both lung tissue and intestinal contents of 11 deceased finless porpoises, marking the first study to examine microplastic inhalation in this species. They found microplastics in both respiratory and digestive systems, with intestinal concentrations roughly 2.5 times higher than those in the lungs. The study demonstrates that marine mammals face microplastic exposure through both breathing and eating, expanding our understanding of how these pollutants accumulate in aquatic wildlife.

Complementary Therapeutic Effect of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Ulcerative Colitis after the Response to Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Agent Was Lost: A Case Report

This case report describes a patient with ulcerative colitis who lost response to anti-inflammatory biologic therapy and was then treated with fecal microbiota transplantation as a complementary approach. The patient showed improvement after the transplant, suggesting that restoring gut bacterial balance may help manage inflammatory bowel disease. The study highlights the growing interest in microbiome-based therapies for digestive conditions.

A comparative study on the distribution behavior of microplastics through FT-IR analysis on different land uses in agricultural soils

Researchers compared microplastic distribution in agricultural soils under different land uses, including soil mulching, plastic housing, and sewage sludge composting. Using FT-IR analysis, the study found that plastic particles smaller than 100 micrometers were present across all conditions, highlighting the widespread and persistent nature of microplastic contamination in agricultural environments.

Establishing freshwater sediment sample pretreatment methods for monitoring microplastics and its challenges

This review evaluates the various sample preparation methods used to extract microplastics from freshwater sediment, which contains more organic matter and debris than other environmental samples. Researchers compared different digestion, density separation, and filtration techniques and found that no single standardized approach exists. The study highlights the urgent need for consistent protocols so that microplastic monitoring results from different locations can be meaningfully compared.

Advances in Materials and Technologies for Gas Sensing from Environmental and Food Monitoring to Breath Analysis

This review examines recent advances in gas sensing materials and technologies across environmental monitoring, food quality control, and medical breath analysis applications. Researchers highlight how nanostructured and composite sensing materials are enabling improved device performance and opening new application areas. The study discusses emerging trends in sensor development that could impact environmental pollution detection and healthcare diagnostics.

Biodegradation behavior of polyesters with various internal chemical structures and external environmental factors in real seawater

Researchers tested how different types of biodegradable polyester plastics break down in real ocean conditions off the coast of South Korea. They found that the chemical structure of each polyester, particularly its crystallinity and glass transition temperature, significantly influenced how quickly it degraded. The study provides practical guidance for designing biodegradable plastics that will actually break down effectively in marine environments.

Metal-free AAO membranes function as both filters and Raman enhancers for the analysis of nanoplastics

Scientists developed a simple, metal-free aluminum oxide membrane that works as both a filter and a signal-enhancing surface for detecting nanoplastics using Raman spectroscopy. The approach successfully identified plastic particles as small as 200 nanometers across six common polymer types, without complex sample preparation. This dual-function tool could offer a cost-effective and practical way to analyze nanoplastic contamination in environmental samples.

Machine learning-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for fast nanoplastic detection at low SNR

Photocatalytic Degradation of Polyethylene, Polypropylene, and Sulfathiazole Using a UV/TiO2/Oxidant System

Unveiling nanoplastic release from single-use eyedrop vials: A particle-based approach for identification and quantification

Researchers used advanced analytical techniques to detect and quantify nanoplastics released from single-use disposable eyedrop containers. They found that thousands of micro- and nanoplastic particles were released simply upon opening the containers, with 88% of particles falling in the nanoscale range. The findings raise concerns about direct ocular exposure to nanoplastics from a common medical product.

Microplastic Contamination of a Benthic Ecosystem in a Hydrothermal Vent

Researchers documented microplastic contamination in a deep-sea hydrothermal vent at the Central Indian Ridge for the first time. The study found microplastics in seawater, sediments, and all six major benthic species examined, with polypropylene, PET, and polystyrene fragments being the most common types, demonstrating that plastic pollution has reached even extreme deep-sea environments.

Biodegradation of micro-polyethylene particles by bacterial colonization of a mixed microbial consortium isolated from a landfill site

A bacterial consortium isolated from a municipal landfill, dominated by Bacillus and Paenibacillus species, was shown to reduce the dry weight of polyethylene microplastic particles by 14.7% and particle diameter by 22.8% after 60 days of incubation. The study provides evidence that landfill-adapted bacteria can biodegrade PE microplastics under mesophilic conditions.

Pretreatment methods for monitoring microplastics in soil and freshwater sediment samples: A comprehensive review

This review comprehensively evaluates pretreatment methods for analyzing microplastics in soil and freshwater sediments, finding that density separation with sodium or zinc chloride followed by hydrogen peroxide oxidation are the most commonly used approaches, though no universal standard method exists.

Nanoplastic detection with surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy: Present and future