Papers

Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains

Researchers found microplastics in human brain, liver, and kidney tissue samples, with plastic levels significantly higher in samples from 2024 compared to 2016. The brain contained especially high levels of polyethylene, and brains from people with dementia had even more plastic accumulation. These findings suggest that microplastics are building up in human organs over time, raising urgent questions about potential health effects.

Author Correction: Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains

Social exposome and brain health outcomes of dementia across Latin America

This study examined how social factors like education, food insecurity, financial status, and healthcare access over a lifetime affect brain health and dementia risk across six Latin American countries. While not directly about microplastics, the research is relevant because environmental exposures, including pollutants, are part of the broader exposome that shapes long-term health outcomes. The findings emphasize that cumulative social and environmental disadvantages may increase vulnerability to neurological disease.

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.

Bio-Based Polymeric Membranes: Development and Environmental Applications

This review examined bio-based polymeric membranes as environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil-derived materials for water treatment, discussing polymer selection, preparation methods, green solvents, and their effectiveness in removing organic and inorganic contaminants.

Association between Cervical Cancer and Dietary Patterns in Colombia

This ecological study examined dietary patterns in relation to cervical cancer risk in Colombia, identifying associations between specific food consumption patterns and cervical cancer incidence.

Waste-Derived Nanoparticles: Synthesis Approaches, Environmental Applications, and Sustainability Considerations

This review examines how industrial, electronic, and plastic waste can be repurposed as inputs for producing nanoparticles used in water treatment and environmental remediation. It calls attention to toxicological and lifecycle challenges that must be addressed before waste-derived nanoparticles can be scaled up safely.

Emerging organic pollutants in aqueousenvironments: Detection, monitoring, andremoval techniques

This review covers detection, monitoring, and removal techniques for emerging organic pollutants in aquatic environments, including microplastics, surveying analytical advances and treatment technologies developed over recent decades.

Assessment of low-density polyethylene and poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) capability for the uptake Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in atmospheric passive sampling devices

Researchers evaluated EVA and low-density polyethylene polymers for uptaking persistent organic pollutants in passive atmospheric samplers, finding that EVA showed higher absorption capacity for organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls than LDPE.

Solid-state photocatalysis for plastics abatement: A review

This review examines solid-state photocatalysis as a promising technology for degrading plastic waste and microplastics in the environment, highlighting recent advances in photocatalytic materials and their potential to address the surge in plastic pollution intensified by COVID-19-related single-use plastic use.

The Interaction of Toxic Chemicals with Micro/Nanoplastics

Restoring degraded microbiome function with self-assembled communities

This review examined current biofertilisation technology for restoring degraded soil microbiome function, identifying two key deficiencies: the difficulty of designing complex multispecies biofertilisers and the bottleneck in scaling their production. Researchers proposed self-assembled microbial communities as a novel strategy to overcome the inconsistent success of single-strain inoculants and synthetic consortia.

Spatial Distribution of Microplastics in Mangrove Sediments of a Polluted Embayment in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

Researchers monitored microplastic presence and spatial distribution in intertidal mangrove sediments at four stations in Buenaventura Bay, Colombian Pacific over two years (2018 and 2021), finding microplastics in all sediment samples with a significant increase in average particle abundance between years and notable differences across sampling stations.

Green nanomaterials as a sustainable technological alternative for the mitigation of the impact of plasticizers

Microplastics as Vectors for Microbial Transport: Experimental Interaction with Escherichia Coli

Microplastics as Vectors for Microbial Transport: Experimental Interaction with Escherichia Coli

Potential Uses of Musaceae Wastes: Case of Application in the Development of Bio-Based Composites

This review examines the potential of banana plant (Musaceae) waste to produce biodegradable composite materials that could replace petroleum-based plastics in packaging and other applications. Replacing fossil-fuel-derived plastics with plant-based alternatives could reduce long-term microplastic accumulation in the environment.

High density polyethylene microplastics biodegradation by bacteria isolated from a landfill in Cali, Colombia

Researchers isolated bacteria from a landfill in Cali, Colombia, and evaluated their ability to biodegrade high-density polyethylene (HDPE) microplastics, addressing gaps in knowledge about microbial degradation of persistent plastic particles. The study identified bacterial strains capable of accelerating HDPE breakdown, demonstrating the potential of landfill-derived microorganisms for bioremediation.

Development of a composite based on polylactic acid and lignocellulosic waste: new packaging for meat food storage

Researchers developed food packaging from polylactic acid (a biodegradable bioplastic) combined with plant-derived lignin and incorporated antimicrobial agents to extend meat shelf life. Replacing conventional plastic food packaging with biodegradable alternatives could reduce the microplastics shed from packaging into food and the environment.

ELECTROCHEMICAL BEHAVIOR OF A COMPOSITE MATERIAL OF SOLID BIOPOLYMER ELECTROLYTE FROM CASSAVA STARCH / GRAPHENE OXIDE PREPARED AT DIFFERENT pH

This study examines the electrochemical behavior of a composite material made from cassava starch biopolymer electrolyte combined with graphene oxide at different pH levels. The research explores potential applications of this composite in organic electronics.

Creación de valor con prácticas de economía circular en la producción de viche

This Spanish-language study examines how circular economy practices can create economic, environmental, and social value in the traditional production of viche, a distilled spirit made by Afro-Colombian communities. It explores how waste streams from artisanal distillation can be repurposed to improve sustainability and local livelihoods.

Las grandes manchas de plásticos en los océanos

This Spanish-language paper describes the formation and characteristics of ocean plastic accumulation zones, known as garbage patches, where ocean current convergence concentrates floating plastic debris. It reviews how these large plastic accumulations form and their environmental significance.

Caracterización de huella espectral de biopolímeros y matrices biopolímericas asociadas con alimentos y productos agrícolas mediante "functionally-enhanced derivative spectroscopy (feds)"

This Spanish-language study applied functionally-enhanced derivative spectroscopy (FEDS) to characterize the spectral fingerprints of biopolymers and biopolymer matrices associated with foods and agricultural products. No further abstract detail is available.