Pollution News and Research

Latest Pollution News and Research

Long-term exposure to air pollution associated with early signs of heart damage

Researchers using cardiac MRI have found that long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with early signs of heart damage, according to a study that was published today in Radiology, a journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

1 Jul 2025

Global effort enters an active growth phase to preserve the Earth's microbial heritage

A global effort to create a "microbial Noah's Ark" to preserve the world's diverse collection of healthy microbes before they disappear is now entering an active growth phase.

27 Jun 2025

Prenatal air pollution exposure linked to higher childhood obesity risk

Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy, specifically to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), may increase the risk of childhood overweight or obesity.

25 Jun 2025

Wildfire smoke exposure linked to increased heart failure risk

Long-term exposure to wildfire smoke may increase the risk of heart failure (HF), especially in older adults, women and vulnerable populations, according to a study published today in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology.

23 Jun 2025

Common bacterium can turn everyday plastic waste into paracetamol

Paracetamol production could be revolutionized by the discovery that a common bacterium can turn everyday plastic waste into the painkiller, a study reveals.

23 Jun 2025

Zebrafish study reveals hidden dangers in recycled plastic

A single pellet of recycled plastic can contain over 80 different chemicals. A new study with researchers from University of Gothenburg and Leipzig shows that recycled polyethylene plastic can leach chemicals into water causing impacts in the hormone systems and lipid metabolism of zebrafish larvae.

23 Jun 2025

Higher ocean microplastics linked to more diabetes, stroke, and heart disease

A new ecological study links high marine microplastic levels near US coastlines with significantly greater prevalence of type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and stroke. The findings raise concerns about environmental exposure through seafood, groundwater, and air in vulnerable coastal communities.

19 Jun 2025

Chemical pairing of BPA and retinoic acid disrupts brain development

Synthetic chemicals and plastics are useful and indispensable in our lives. On the other hand, the world is grappling with plastic pollution-clogging oceans, threatening wildlife, and leaching into ecosystems.

19 Jun 2025

Wildfire smoke and heat stress impact birth outcomes in vulnerable communities

Exposure to wildfire smoke and heat stress can negatively affect birth outcomes for women, especially in climate-vulnerable neighborhoods, according to a recent study led by USC postdoctoral researcher Roxana Khalili, PhD.

19 Jun 2025

New screening method for Parkinson's analyzes odors in ear wax

Most treatments for Parkinson's disease (PD) only slow disease progression. Early intervention for the neurological disease that worsens over time is therefore critical to optimize care, but that requires early diagnosis.

18 Jun 2025

Living near microplastic polluted waters linked to higher risk of heart and metabolic diseases

Living in a U.S. coastal county bordered by ocean waters with very high concentrations of microplastics may increase the risk of heart and metabolic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease and stroke.

18 Jun 2025

Global warming fuels an alarming increase in obstructive sleep apnea cases

Global warming significantly raises the risk and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), especially on hotter nights. A multinational sensor-based study links temperature-driven OSA increases to major losses in healthy life years and billions in economic costs.

17 Jun 2025

Digital inhalers show promise in predicting COPD flare-ups

Digital inhalers may help predict impending acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study.

17 Jun 2025

Black tea helps in one Parkinson’s type, but soda and pesticides worsen another

A large longitudinal study found that pesticide exposure and caffeinated soda intake were linked to more severe motor symptoms in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (iPD). In contrast, black tea consumption was associated with milder symptoms in patients with LRRK2-related Parkinson’s disease (LRRK2-PD).

16 Jun 2025

Healthier lifestyle choices could mitigate telomere length-associated brain disease risks

Scientists from Mass General Brigham explored the associations between telomere length-which decreases as a person ages or is exposed to unhealthy environments-and the risk for age-related brain diseases.

12 Jun 2025

Prenatal air pollution exposure related to subtle fetal brain changes

Fetuses more exposed to certain air pollutants show changes in the size of specific brain structures, particularly during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

11 Jun 2025

Lung cells in COPD patients show higher levels of soot-like carbon deposits

Cells taken from the lungs of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a larger accumulation of soot-like carbon deposits compared to cells taken from people who smoke but do not have COPD, according to a study published today (Wednesday) in ERJ Open Research.

10 Jun 2025

Would you trust a life form engineered in a lab? Here’s why it matters

A new report from Rice University’s Baker Institute outlines six core ethical challenges in synthetic biology, including risks, equity, and environmental impacts.

9 Jun 2025

Asthma sufferers could be at greater risk if Trump cuts health program

Esther Bejarano's son was 11 months old when asthma landed him inhh the hospital. She didn't know what had triggered his symptoms — neither she nor her husband had asthma — but she suspected it was the pesticides sprayed on the agricultural fields near her family's home.

6 Jun 2025

Scientists identify genetic clues linking air pollution to neurodegeneration

This review highlights how air pollution and occupational inhalation exposures may contribute to neurodegenerative disorders by triggering epigenetic changes. The authors stress the urgent need for advanced research to identify early biomarkers and guide protective health strategies for high-risk populations.

6 Jun 2025