Papers

How do plastics, including microplastics and plastic-associated chemicals, affect human health?

Micro- and nanoplastics in agricultural soils: Assessing impacts and navigating mitigation

This review summarizes how tiny plastic particles from plastic mulch films and treated sewage end up in farm soil, where they can harm soil health, change how water moves through dirt, and interfere with plant growth. Because these plastics can be absorbed by crops, there is a potential pathway for microplastics to reach humans through the food we eat.

Interactions between microplastics and insects in terrestrial ecosystems—A systematic review and meta-analysis

This meta-analysis with phylogenetic control found that microplastic exposure impairs key biological traits of insects, primarily behavior and reproduction, with effects varying by polymer type and particle size. Field evidence confirmed that insects ingest and transfer microplastics along food chains, and also contribute to bio-fragmentation of larger plastic debris into smaller particles.

The quest for nanoparticle-powered vaccines in cancer immunotherapy

This review explores how nanoparticles are being developed as cancer vaccine delivery systems to train the immune system to fight tumors more effectively. While focused on cancer immunotherapy rather than microplastics, the research highlights that understanding how nanoparticles interact with the immune system is crucial -- the same principles apply to understanding how nanoplastics may affect immune responses in the body.

Stress-induced phase separation in plastics drives the release of amorphous polymer micropollutants into water

Scientists discovered that internal stress built up during plastic manufacturing forces tiny droplets of low-weight plastic to migrate to the surface and release into water. This means everyday items like plastic water bottles are shedding a previously unrecognized type of plastic pollutant, especially from high-stress areas like bottle necks, which could increase human exposure through drinking water.

International consensus guidelines for the definition, detection, and interpretation of autophagy-dependent ferroptosis

This scientific review provides guidelines for understanding a specific type of cell death called autophagy-dependent ferroptosis, where cells essentially digest their own protective components and then die from iron-driven damage. While not directly about microplastics, this process is relevant because microplastics and nanoplastics have been shown to trigger oxidative stress and iron-related cell damage in tissues. Understanding these cell death pathways helps researchers assess how plastic particle exposure could harm organs like the liver, brain, and lungs.

Soil contamination in nearby natural areas mirrors that in urban greenspaces worldwide

A global study found that soil contamination in natural areas is just as bad as in nearby urban green spaces, with similar levels of heavy metals, pesticides, microplastics, and antibiotic resistance genes. Human activity was the main driver of contamination regardless of whether the area was urban or natural. The findings show that microplastic pollution and other contaminants have spread far beyond cities, potentially affecting soil health and the food grown in these areas.

A Comprehensive Review on the Thermochemical Treatment of Plastic Waste to Produce High Value Products for Different Applications

This review summarizes methods for converting plastic waste into valuable products using high-temperature chemical processes like pyrolysis and plasma technology. These approaches can produce hydrogen fuel, carbon nanotubes, and other useful materials from plastic that would otherwise become pollution. Reducing plastic waste through better recycling technology is important because most microplastic pollution originates from improperly managed plastic products.

Evidence for the transportation of aggregated microplastics in the symplast pathway of oilseed rape roots and their impact on plant growth

Researchers discovered that polystyrene microplastics are absorbed by oilseed rape roots not as individual particles but as clumps, and they travel through the plant's living cell network into the root vascular system. The microplastics caused oxidative stress that affected photosynthesis and plant growth, though the plants activated defense mechanisms to partially cope. This study shows how microplastics can enter food crops through the roots, potentially introducing plastic particles into the food supply.

Nanoparticles in Agriculture: Enhancing Crop Resilience and Productivity against Abiotic Stresses

This review examines how engineered nanoparticles can help crops withstand environmental stresses like drought, salinity, and heavy metal contamination. While not focused on microplastics directly, it discusses how nanotechnology interacts with similar biological pathways that microplastics disrupt in plants. The review also raises important concerns about the potential toxicity and environmental impact of adding more nanoparticles to agricultural systems.

Assessing exposure of the Australian population to microplastics through bottled water consumption

Researchers analyzed 16 brands of bottled water sold in Australia and found microplastics present across all samples tested. The study identified polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene particles, with concentrations varying between brands and water sources. The findings provide the first assessment of microplastic exposure through bottled water consumption for the Australian population and raise questions about the safety of this common drinking water source.

The occurrence of microplastic in specific organs in commercially caught fishes from coast and estuary area of east China

Researchers studied how polyethylene microplastics interact with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin in aquatic environments and found that the plastic particles can absorb and concentrate the drug on their surface. The adsorption capacity increased with weathering of the plastic, suggesting that aged microplastics in the environment are more effective carriers of pharmaceutical pollutants. The findings raise concerns that microplastics could transport antibiotics through water systems, potentially contributing to antimicrobial resistance.

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.

Decision-science navigates trade-offs between environmental and socio-economic objectives for marine debris mitigation

Researchers applied decision-science methods to evaluate marine debris management strategies across Southeast Asia, balancing environmental protection with socio-economic impacts. They found that structured decision-making helped identify the best sites and approaches for reducing plastic exposure to marine ecosystems and coastal communities. The study demonstrates how systematic frameworks can navigate the complex trade-offs involved in tackling ocean plastic pollution.

Tuning Cellular Perception in Pluripotent Stem Cells through Topography, Stiffness, and Patterning

Researchers reviewed how physical surface features like texture, stiffness, and micro-scale patterns influence how stem cells grow and specialize. They found that carefully engineered surface cues can guide stem cell development without chemical signals, which has implications for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. While not directly about microplastics, the study is relevant to understanding how micro-scale particles in the body might interact with cells at the physical level.

The potential risk of microplastics accumulation in farmland soils and vegetables from the development of rural tourism

Researchers compared microplastic levels in farmland soils and vegetables in tourism-developed versus traditional rural areas near Erhai Lake in China. Tourism-developed areas had roughly four times more microplastics in their soils and significantly higher contamination in locally grown vegetables. The study estimates that adults in tourism-developed areas ingest about 14,100 more microplastic particles per year through vegetables alone, highlighting how tourism-driven plastic waste can contaminate the local food supply.

Engineering Polymer Interfaces: A Review toward Controlling Triboelectric Surface Charge

Researchers reviewed how modifying the surface properties of polymer insulators can enhance their ability to generate electrical charge through contact, a principle used in triboelectric nanogenerators. They found that altering a polymer's mechanical, thermal, chemical, and surface texture properties can directly boost charge generation. The study provides a roadmap for engineering more efficient polymer-based devices that convert mechanical energy into electricity.

A Hidden Pathway for Human Exposure to Micro- and Nanoplastics—The Mechanical Fragmentation of Plastic Products during Daily Use

This review examines a commonly overlooked source of human microplastic exposure: the mechanical wear and fragmentation of everyday plastic products during normal use. Researchers found that activities like opening containers, using cutting boards, and handling plastic items release significant quantities of micro- and nanoplastics directly into our immediate environment. The study highlights that this daily fragmentation pathway may contribute more to personal microplastic exposure than previously appreciated.

Assessing the ecotoxicological effects of novel cellulose nanocrystalline glitter compared to conventional polyethylene terephthalate glitter: Toxicity to springtails (Folsomia candida)

Researchers compared the ecological effects of conventional plastic glitter made from polyethylene terephthalate with a newer cellulose-based alternative on soil-dwelling springtails. They found that both types of glitter had minimal toxic effects at the concentrations tested, though the conventional glitter showed some impact on reproduction at high doses. The findings suggest that cellulose-based glitter may be a safer, more sustainable replacement for traditional plastic glitter.

Causes, Responses, and Implications of Anthropogenic versus Natural Flow Intermittence in River Networks

Researchers reviewed the differences between natural and human-caused flow intermittence in rivers, examining how anthropogenic drivers such as dams and water diversions alter drying patterns compared to natural seasonal cycles. They found that human-caused flow intermittence produces distinct ecological impacts because the affected organisms have not evolved adaptations to these artificial drying regimes. The study emphasizes that failing to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic intermittence could undermine river management and increase risks to downstream ecosystems.

Microplastic pollution in wild populations of decapod crustaceans: A review

Researchers reviewed the occurrence and characteristics of microplastics found in wild populations of decapod crustaceans including crabs and shrimps. They found that fibrous microplastics smaller than 1 mm were the most commonly detected type, and that edible portions generally contained fewer microplastics than non-edible parts. The review highlights the importance of understanding microplastic contamination in commercially valuable crustaceans for both ecological and food safety assessments.

Infectious disease ecology and evolution in a changing world

This study examines how changing environmental conditions, particularly thermal shifts, can influence infectious disease dynamics. The research suggests that temperature conditions can strongly affect both host and pathogen traits related to infection.

Microplastics in different tissues of historical and live samples of endangered mega-fish (Acipenser sinensis) and their potential relevance to exposure pathways

Researchers examined microplastics in the tissues of the critically endangered Chinese sturgeon for the first time, analyzing both preserved museum specimens and live fish. They found microplastics in gut, gill, blood, and mucus samples, with fibers and fragments being the most common types. The findings suggest that this endangered species faces ongoing microplastic exposure through multiple pathways in the Yangtze River Basin.

How to Build a Microplastics‐Free Environment: Strategies for Microplastics Degradation and Plastics Recycling

This review examines strategies for degrading microplastics and recycling plastic waste to build a microplastic-free environment. Researchers evaluated approaches including biodegradation, photocatalytic degradation, advanced oxidation processes, and chemical recycling methods. The study highlights that while promising technologies exist, no single method can yet achieve complete microplastic elimination, and a combination of prevention, removal, and recycling strategies will be needed.