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Papers
86 resultsShowing papers from The University of Sydney
ClearEffects of Microplastic Exposure on Human Digestive, Reproductive, and Respiratory Health: A Rapid Systematic Review
This systematic review examined studies on how microplastic exposure affects human digestive, reproductive, and respiratory health. Early evidence suggests links to gut inflammation, reproductive issues, and lung irritation, though the review notes that more high-quality human studies are urgently needed.
Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses
This umbrella review of epidemiological studies examines the health effects of ultra-processed foods, which are a significant source of human microplastic exposure due to plastic packaging. Ultra-processed foods have been linked to a wide range of adverse health outcomes in population studies. The connection between processed food packaging and microplastic contamination adds another dimension to why reducing ultra-processed food consumption may benefit health.
Earth at risk: An urgent call to end the age of destruction and forge a just and sustainable future
This broad review argues that humanity faces converging crises including climate change, pollution, ecosystem destruction, and inequality, all driven by extractive economic practices. Plastic and chemical pollution are highlighted as part of a larger pattern of environmental destruction that disproportionately harms vulnerable populations. The authors call for systemic economic transformation, including replacing exploitative capitalism with models that prioritize sustainability and justice.
Detection of Various Microplastics in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery
In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers found microplastics inside the human heart and surrounding tissues of 15 cardiac surgery patients, identifying nine different plastic types with particles up to 469 micrometers across. Some plastics were found deep within heart tissue in ways that could not be explained by surgical contamination, providing direct evidence that microplastics can reach even fully enclosed internal organs.
Microplastic pollution: a review of specific blood-tissue barrier breaches and health effects
This review summarizes how microplastics and nanoplastics can breach the body's protective blood-tissue barriers -- including the blood-brain barrier, blood-testis barrier, and placental barrier -- to reach vulnerable organs. The evidence shows these particles can damage the tight junctions that normally protect organs, potentially allowing toxins to enter the brain, reproductive system, and developing fetus.
Microplastics and Nanoplastics as Environmental Contaminants of Emerging Concern: Potential Hazards for Human Health
This review covers how microplastics and nanoplastics enter humans through food, air, and skin contact, accumulating in the body over time. Inhaled particles can damage the lungs from the upper airways down to the deepest air sacs, and prolonged exposure has been linked to chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease, atherosclerosis, and cancer. The authors call for source reduction, material substitution, and better filtration to reduce exposure.
Ecotoxicological effects of plastics on plants, soil fauna and microorganisms: A meta-analysis
Meta-analysis of 2,936 observations from 140 studies found that plastics caused substantial detrimental effects to plants and soil fauna, but had less impact on microbial diversity. Larger plastics (>1 um) impaired plant growth and germination while nanoplastics primarily increased oxidative stress, and soil fauna reproduction and survival were more adversely affected by smaller particles.
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.
Accumulation of Microplastic on Shorelines Woldwide: Sources and Sinks
Researchers found microplastic contamination on shorelines across all six continents, with higher concentrations near densely populated areas. A major source appears to be synthetic clothing fibers released during laundry, with a single garment shedding over 1,900 fibers per wash that pass through wastewater treatment and end up in the ocean.
The ecological impacts of marine debris: unraveling the demonstrated evidence from what is perceived
This systematic review critically examined the evidence for ecological damage caused by marine debris, including plastic pollution. Researchers found 366 perceived environmental threats from marine debris, and when tested, 83% of those threats were confirmed through scientific studies. This large-scale confirmation of marine debris impacts reinforces concerns about microplastics harming ocean ecosystems that humans depend on for food.
Identification and removal of micro- and nano-plastics: Efficient and cost-effective methods
This review covers current methods for detecting and removing micro- and nanoplastics from the environment, including techniques like FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry for identification. Researchers also evaluated treatment technologies, including membrane filtration systems, for removing plastic particles from water sources. The study highlights the need for efficient, cost-effective solutions as plastic pollution continues to spread through water, soil, and living organisms.
Leveraging AI to improve evidence synthesis in conservation
This review examines how large language models and other AI tools can accelerate systematic evidence synthesis in conservation science, which is traditionally expensive and slow. While not specific to microplastics, the approach is directly relevant to the growing challenge of synthesizing the rapidly expanding body of microplastic research literature.
Infection prevention and control programme priorities for sustainable health and environmental systems
Researchers highlight a paradox in healthcare: infection prevention programs that protect patients and workers from disease also generate significant plastic waste and environmental harm. Addressing this trade-off is essential for building health systems that are both safe and truly sustainable.
The Challenges and Opportunities of Protein Coronas for Nanoscale Biomolecular Sensing
Researchers reviewed how protein layers that naturally form around nanoscale objects in biological fluids affect the performance of tiny biosensors. They found that this protein coating can block sensors from detecting target molecules, but new strategies are emerging to work around or even take advantage of this effect. The study is relevant to understanding how nanoplastics behave in the body, since similar protein layers form around plastic nanoparticles and influence their biological interactions.
From Plastic Waste to Green Hydrogen and Valuable Chemicals Using Sunlight and Water
This review examines how solar-powered photoreforming technology can convert plastic waste into valuable chemicals and green hydrogen using sunlight and water. Researchers found that while the approach shows significant promise as an alternative to landfilling, there is currently no standardized way to compare results across different studies. The study proposes guidelines for more consistent evaluation of photocatalyst performance to help advance this technology toward practical application.
Sustainable energy from waste organic matters via efficient microbial processes
This review examined the potential for converting waste organic matter, including microplastics, from water and soil sources into sustainable energy through microbial processes. Researchers discussed how anaerobic digestion and other wastewater treatment technologies can help address the environmental challenge of organic waste while producing useful bioenergy and other primary metabolites.
One hundred research questions in conservation physiology for generating actionable evidence to inform conservation policy and practice
A collaborative effort identified 100 priority research questions across 10 themes in conservation physiology, including pollution, human-wildlife interactions, and climate adaptation. The study suggests that conservation physiology is well positioned to identify mechanisms behind population declines and test intervention strategies, providing actionable evidence to inform biodiversity management and policy decisions.
Soil metabolomics: Deciphering underground metabolic webs in terrestrial ecosystems
Researchers reviewed how studying the chemical building blocks (metabolites) in soil can reveal how nutrients cycle through ecosystems and how soil health responds to pollution and climate stress. This approach helps scientists better understand the invisible underground networks that keep soils fertile and functioning.
Emerging Solutions to Return Nature to the Urban Ocean
Researchers identified emerging strategies for restoring nature in heavily urbanized ocean environments, which impact 1.5% of global exclusive economic zones. They describe approaches including greening gray infrastructure, restoring habitats, and developing biotechnologies to reduce urban pressures like pollution. The study highlights how better design and management of urban ocean spaces can address challenges such as plastic pollution while supporting ecosystem services and human needs.
Bidirectional Phase Transformations in Multi‐Principal Element Alloys: Mechanisms, Physics, and Mechanical Property Implications
This review examines a unique behavior in certain advanced metal alloys where the crystal structure can switch back and forth between two phases, which enhances their mechanical properties. Researchers explored the atomic mechanisms driving these transformations and their effects on strength, ductility, and fatigue resistance. The work has implications for designing next-generation high-performance materials for demanding engineering applications.
A trait‐based framework for assessing the vulnerability of marine species to human impacts
Researchers developed a trait-based framework to assess the vulnerability of over 44,000 marine species across 12 taxonomic groups to 22 anthropogenic stressors including pollution and climate change. They found that mollusks, corals, and echinoderms had the highest overall vulnerability, while biomass removal from fishing posed the greatest threat across species. The framework provides a systematic approach for predicting how marine biodiversity will respond to human pressures, which can help guide conservation priorities.
Linking effects of anthropogenic debris to ecological impacts
Researchers reviewed the links between anthropogenic debris exposure and ecological impacts, arguing that most studies focus only on sublethal responses to plastic debris. The study suggests that researchers have overlooked medical insights about how debris effects at lower biological levels can escalate to disease and mortality, and calls for policy to recognize the hazardous nature of marine debris.
Assessment tools for microplastics and natural fibres ingested by fish in an urbanised estuary
Researchers quantified microplastic and natural fiber ingestion in three benthic fish species from Sydney Harbour, Australia, using gut content analysis and spectroscopic identification. They found ingested debris including synthetic and natural fibers as well as synthetic fragments across all species examined. The study demonstrates the value of combining visual analysis with chemical identification techniques like FTIR and Raman spectroscopy to accurately distinguish true microplastics from natural materials in fish gut contents.
Multiple stressors affect function rather than taxonomic structure of freshwater microbial communities
Researchers exposed freshwater pond communities to nutrient pollution and salt stress and found that while the types of bacteria present barely changed, how those communities functioned — specifically how they processed carbon — declined sharply and did not recover. This means standard species surveys may miss serious ecological damage happening at the functional level.