Dr. Luke Woodford (left) and Prof. Richard Quilliam, with a basket full o' caged microbeadsUniversity of StirlingAlthough people often associate microplastics with environmental hazards, researchers now propose that these particles can actually serve a useful role by helping detect sewage contamination in waterways.Turning a Weakness into a StrengthOne of the main concerns about microplastic...
Gum gets some of its chewiness from polymers similar to those used in car tires. Credit: DepositphotosResearchers reported on Tuesday that chewing gum releases hundreds of tiny plastic particles directly into the mouth, while also highlighting the environmental pollution caused by the rubber-based treat.This small study comes amid growing evidence of microplastics—tiny plastic fragments—being...
Brain tissue from dementia patient (left) with glints of plastic (right). (Nihart, Nature Medicine, 2025)A recent study reveals that postmortem brain samples collected last year contain significantly more microplastics than those analyzed nearly a decade ago, suggesting these synthetic particles accumulate in vital organs over time.Researchers led by University of New Mexico health scientist Alexander...
Credit: PixabayMuch like a salmon returning to its spawning grounds, ocean plastic is making its way back to its source.In the Pacific Northwest, a region famous for its seafood, researchers have discovered particles from human waste and pollution in the edible tissue of nearly every fish and shellfish they sampled.Out of the 182 fish...
Credit: DepositphotosFrequent ScienceAlert readers are likely aware of how widespread microplastics are—found in human tissue, ancient rocks, and bottled water—but they may be surprised by the sheer number of these tiny particles hiding in a single tea bag.However, researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) in Spain have discovered that a single tea...
No part of the body is immune to microplastic contamination.Image credit: SIVStockStudio/Komsan Loonprom/Shutterstock.com; modified by IFLScienceMicroplastics are omnipresent, wreaking havoc on the environment and infiltrating our bodies, including the brain. A new preprint study, not yet peer-reviewed, raises concerns about the extent of microplastics in the human brain and potential health risks.The study analyzed...
Dr. Tianxi Yang (left) and student Peter Yang work with the tool they created (behind red cup)Martin DeeWith the growing concern about microplastic pollution in drinking water, many are worried about something that, until now, is difficult to check for themselves. However, that may soon change if a new prototype device goes into production....
A recent study on mice reveals that microplastics might lead to changes in behavior. Image credited by EuroNewsAccording to a fresh investigation, microplastics could be as prevalent inside the body as they are in the environment.In the study, scientists exposed mice to varying amounts of microplastics through drinking water and observed how these particles...
Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic found almost everywhere, even in human placentas. A new study looked at how common these microplastics are and what types are present. Researchers started by breaking down 62 placenta samples to find the microplastics. They used a machine called an ultracentrifuge to separate them out and then heated...
