Papers

3D Plasmonic Gold Nanopocket Structure for SERS Machine Learning‐Based Microplastic Detection

Researchers developed a new paper-based detection system that uses gold nanostructures and machine learning to quickly identify microplastics in water samples. The device works like a filter and sensor combined, capturing microplastics and identifying their type without complex sample preparation. This portable technology could make it much easier to test drinking water and environmental samples for microplastic contamination on-site.

Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics causes brain abnormalities in progeny

When pregnant mice were exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics, their offspring showed abnormal brain development including changes in neural stem cell function, altered brain structure, and cognitive problems. The effects were gender-specific, with some deficits appearing more strongly in one sex. This study raises concerns that nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy could increase the risk of neurodevelopmental problems in children.

Transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis unveils nanoplastic-induced gut barrier dysfunction via STAT1/6 and ERK pathways

Researchers used transcriptomics and metabolomics in mice to show that orally consumed nanoplastics disrupt gut barrier integrity by activating STAT1, STAT6, NF-κB, and ERK signaling pathways, reducing tight junction proteins and increasing intestinal permeability in ways that worsen chemically induced colitis.

Dual-wavelength metalens enables Epi-fluorescence detection from single molecules

Researchers developed an ultra-thin lens device — thinner than a human hair — that can detect and track individual fluorescent molecules and nanoparticles, including those ranging from just a few nanometers to hundreds of nanometers in size. This technology could enable portable, miniaturized sensors for environmental monitoring of nanoscale pollutants like nanoplastics.

Immune–Epigenetic Effects of Environmental Pollutants: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Transgenerational Impact

This review examines how environmental pollutants, including microplastics, heavy metals, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, can alter immune function through epigenetic changes that modify gene expression without changing DNA itself. Researchers identified common molecular pathways through which these pollutants trigger inflammation and immune disruption. The study also highlights evidence that some of these epigenetic changes may be passed to future generations.

Effect of polystyrene nanoplastics and their degraded forms on stem cell fate

Researchers studied how polystyrene nanoplastics and their degraded forms affect human bone marrow-derived stem cells. They found that both intact and degraded nanoplastics showed reactive oxygen species scavenging activity, enhanced mitochondrial fusion, and promoted cell proliferation and fat cell differentiation. However, the degraded nanoplastics showed higher long-term cytotoxicity, suggesting that as nanoplastics break down in the environment, their biological effects on human cells may change.

Microplastics induced developmental toxicity with microcirculation dysfunction in zebrafish embryos

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene microplastics (1 micrometer) and nanoplastics (0.4 micrometer) to assess developmental toxicity. They found that nanoplastics caused significantly higher mortality and more severe microcirculation dysfunction than microplastics, despite being less visible in solution. The study indicates that smaller plastic particles may pose greater developmental risks to aquatic organisms during early life stages.

Long-term low-dose exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces morphological and transcriptional reprogramming to enhance metastatic potential of colorectal cancer cells

Researchers exposed colorectal cancer cells to low doses of 20-nanometer polystyrene nanoplastics over an extended period and found that the cells underwent significant morphological and genetic changes that enhanced their ability to migrate and metastasize. The nanoplastic-treated cells showed increased markers for cancer stem cell properties and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Zebrafish models confirmed that nanoplastic exposure accelerated the spread of colorectal cancer cells, suggesting nanoplastics may contribute to cancer progression.

Fragmentation of nanoplastics driven by plant–microbe rhizosphere interaction during abiotic stress combination

In rhizosphere experiments, plant-microbe interactions under combined cadmium and nanoplastic stress generated fragmented nanoplastics that were taken up by plant roots, demonstrating that biotic soil processes can alter nanoplastic size and enhance plant exposure.

Spider Webs as Passive Monitors of Microplastic and Its Copollutants in Indoor Environments

Researchers tested indoor spider webs as passive monitors for microplastic contamination and found significantly higher microplastic concentrations in webs (up to 33,570 particles per gram) compared to household dust. A strong correlation between microplastic levels in webs and dust suggests spider webs are effective bioindicators of indoor plastic pollution. The study also detected chemical co-pollutants like bisphenol A and phthalates in both webs and dust, highlighting the complex mixture of contaminants in indoor environments.

Biodegradable chito-beads replacing non-biodegradable microplastics for cosmetics

Biodegradable microbeads were prepared by reacetylation of chitosan as a direct substitute for synthetic polymer microbeads in cosmetic exfoliators. The chitosan-based beads demonstrated suitable mechanical properties and high cleansing efficiency, offering a viable biodegradable alternative to conventional microplastic microbeads.

Adsorptive chito-beads for control of membrane fouling

Researchers fabricated chitosan microbeads (32–283 µm) as a plastic-free alternative to microplastic-based scrubbers for cleaning reverse osmosis membranes, finding that smaller beads achieved higher fouling removal efficiency through physicochemical attraction to humic acid foulants, offering a biodegradable approach to industrial membrane maintenance.

Sustainable Lignin-Based Nano Hybrid Biomaterials with High-Performance Antifungal Activity

This paper is not directly about microplastics — it investigates lignin-based nano hybrid biomaterials as antifungal agents against Aspergillus species in agricultural settings, with no connection to microplastic pollution.

Cytotoxic effect and mechanism of nano-sized polystyrene degraded by Rhodococcus ruber C208

Electrokinetic-assisted filtration for fast and highly efficient removal of microplastics from water

Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics causes brain abnormalities in progeny

Researchers found that maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics caused brain abnormalities in offspring, demonstrating that nanoplastics can cross maternal barriers and affect neurological development in progeny with implications for developmental toxicology.

In-situ observation of the initiation of plasticity by nucleation of prismatic dislocation loops

Researchers used an electron microscope to directly watch, in real time, how tiny gold nanowires begin to deform plastically when poked — a process driven by the sudden creation and movement of crystal defects called dislocation loops. The observations revealed that these loops cross-slip into new configurations as the deformation area grows, providing new insight into how nanoscale metals yield under pressure.

Ice‐Templated Synthesis of Mixed Ion‐Electron Conductors for Functional Interlayers in Lithium Batteries

Researchers developed an ice-templated synthesis approach for mixed ion-electron conducting interlayers composed of hierarchically porous conducting polymer nanosheets with lithium-ion-conducting nanoparticles, achieving simultaneous high electrical (6.0 S/cm) and ionic conductivity (0.22 mS/cm) to enhance battery performance. When applied to lithium-organic and lithium-sulfur batteries, the interlayers significantly improved specific capacity and cycling stability by confining soluble redox-active species within the porous architecture.

Smartphone-based holographic measurement of polydisperse suspended particulate matter with various mass concentration ratios

Researchers built a low-cost smartphone-based microscope that uses holographic imaging and AI to measure airborne and waterborne particle pollution in real time, achieving reasonable accuracy and pointing toward affordable hand-held pollution monitors as alternatives to expensive laboratory instruments.

Porous charged polymer nanosheets formed via microplastic removal from frozen ice for virus filtration and detection

Researchers developed porous charged polymer nanosheets — created by freezing and removing microplastics from ice — that can filter viruses including SARS-CoV-2 with 96% efficiency. This innovative technique uses microplastics as a template to produce functional filtration materials while simultaneously removing plastic particles.

Microstructural characterization of HIP consolidated NiTi–nano Al2O3 composites

Observations on the Nonlinear Unloading Behavior of Advanced High Strength Steels

Fabrication and Evaluation of Biodegradable Alginate Bead Controlled Release Fertilizer for the Controlled Release on Nitrogen

Researchers developed biodegradable calcium alginate bead fertilizers for controlled nitrogen release, aiming to replace petroleum-based coatings in conventional controlled-release fertilizers. The bio-based beads showed good performance while avoiding the soil contamination risks associated with non-degradable polymer coatings.

Quantitative Structural Analysis of Polystyrene Nanoparticles Using Synchrotron X-ray Scattering and Dynamic Light Scattering

Researchers used synchrotron X-ray scattering and dynamic light scattering to precisely characterize the size, structure, and shell properties of polystyrene nanoparticles. This detailed structural analysis helps advance the understanding of engineered nanoplastic particle behavior in aqueous environments.