A ship's container lost at sea resulted in printer cartridges washing up on coastlines from Florida to Norway, contaminating the environment with metals like titanium and copper. The study used social media sightings and ocean modeling tools to track the spread of the cargo, highlighting the speed and reach of ocean currents.
A new study reveals that critically ill patients' cells adapt to their conditions by producing energy more efficiently, with differences observed in survivors versus non-survivors. The research found that cell complexes transport electrons more effectively in those who survived, suggesting a possible key to human resilience.
Researchers found that virtual reality can reduce types of pain typically seen in patients with nerve injuries, including prickling and touch-related pain. The study also showed that VR can boost the body's natural pain inhibiting process by enhancing conditioned pain modulation.
Researchers at the University of Plymouth have discovered a biomarker, Fibulin-2 (FBLN2), that can distinguish between grade I and II meningioma tumours. This breakthrough could spare surgery for up to 85% of patients with lower-grade tumours, reducing the need for high-risk treatments.
Scientists have discovered rare metals in 24 of 31 products tested, including single-use food packaging and children's toys. The study suggests REEs are ubiquitous and pervasive contaminants of consumer plastics.
Researchers found that managing pot fishing intensity at an optimum level increases quality of catch, benefits environment, and makes industry more sustainable. The study provides evidence of a 'threshold' for pot fishing intensity, highlighting compatibility with marine conservation when managed correctly.
Researchers found that exposure to common antiviral and antiretroviral drugs reduced lettuce biomass by over a third. The chemicals were also detected in leaves and roots, highlighting potential ecological consequences.
Researchers estimate that the Ganges Brahmaputra Meghna River Basin releases 1-3 billion microplastics daily. The study found most microplastics were fibres from clothing materials like rayon and acrylic.
A new study proposes a cost-benefit analysis to guide the management of non-indigenous species in the Mediterranean, highlighting their potential benefits. The research suggests policy reforms for sustainable fisheries management, while also promoting commercial over-fishing and NIS-specific licences.
An international team of scientists is calling for a dedicated decade-long programme to greatly advance discovery in the remote regions of the world's oceans. The programme, named Challenger 150, aims to generate new data through global cooperation and application of new technology.
A four-year project aims to assess the breakdown of biodegradable plastics in open environments, exploring their impact on species and ecosystems. The study will also examine the effects of chemicals added to plastics on organisms and wider ecosystems.
Researchers found substantial quantities of polyester, acrylic, nylon, and polypropylene fibres in snow samples from Mount Everest. The high-altitude discovery suggests microplastics could have been transported from lower altitudes by extreme winds or fragmented during expeditions.
A new study found that plastic bottles colonize with diverse bacterial communities, while elevated CO2 levels negatively impact certain species. Researchers warn of the increasing threat posed by plastics and ocean acidification to marine biodiversity.
A survey of over 4,000 UK emergency care doctors found their median average 'need for recovery' score was 70, higher than previous studies. Factors like reducing antisocial shift patterns and improving access to leave could help alleviate wellbeing issues.
People living in areas with high proportions of greenspace are 20% less likely to be current smokers. Additionally, those living in greener neighbourhoods are up to 12% more likely to have successfully quit smoking, according to a study published in Social Science & Medicine.
Researchers found that in fights resolved by judges' decisions, winners tended to fight more vigorously than losers. Conversely, fighting skills were essential for winning in fights determined by knockout or technical knockout. The study suggests that the rate of attack is a dominant factor in determining success in combat sports.
A team of international coastal scientists disagrees with a paper predicting half the world's beaches will disappear by 2100 due to sea-level rise. They argue that beaches can migrate landward and retain their shape as long as they have space to move, but those backed by cliffs or seawalls are unlikely to survive.
Research reveals that 14 out of 18 species observed suffered damage from pot fishing, including indicators of general health in the marine environment. The study highlights the need for authorities and fishing communities to balance ecology with social and economic considerations.
Researchers exposed blue mussels to current and future levels of ocean acidification and warming, finding that warming alone led to increased shell growth, while both together resulted in decreased growth. Warming also caused increased brittleness, threatening the mussels' survival, but acidification mitigated some effects.
New research reveals laundry lint can cause significant tissue damage in Mediterranean mussels, including deformity, swelling, and digestive tubule loss. The study also finds reduced filtering ability and increased DNA strand breaks.
Research reveals Procerodes littoralis flatworm can regenerate and repair itself under changing sea water conditions. The species has extended its salinity tolerance range over the past century, suggesting evolutionary rescue in response to climate change.
Researchers aim to quantify tyre particle concentrations in rivers and oceans, exploring their impact on sea life. The TYRE-LOSS project uses advanced techniques to model dispersal and estimate risks to marine life at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Native broadleaf trees planted in upland areas can absorb rainwater more efficiently, reducing peak river flow and flood risk. This nature-based solution is an effective and natural flood management tool that can be maximized with careful placement.
Researchers successfully estimated the size of bottlenose dolphin populations using unique signature whistles, with results matching traditional photographic mark-recapture methods. The technique has potential applications in tracking other species, including endangered humpback dolphins.
A new study suggests that treating COVID-19 patients with antibiotics could lead to increased antimicrobial resistance in the wider population. The research, published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, found that high levels of antibiotics in rivers and coastal waters may result in an increase in resistant bacteria.
Researchers are testing Functional Imagery Training (FIT) to help patients with alcohol-related liver disease stop drinking. FIT teaches people to create motivational imagery themselves, which can support long-term behavior change.
A recent study found that coastal cities' street lights can permeate all areas of the water column, posing a significant threat to coastal species. Biologically important artificial light pollution reached 76% and 70% of the seafloor in green and blue wavelengths, respectively.
A new study reveals fibre-catching devices can significantly reduce microplastic particles in wastewater, with some devices reducing fibres by up to 78%. The research suggests that designing garments to last longer and shedding less fibres is crucial for long-term environmental benefits.
A study has described how teleportation can be used to create a high-tech jamming session between a human musician and a quantum computer. The result is a unique performance piece combining live human and computer-generated sounds.
Research by Bangor University and University of Plymouth reveals artificial lighting disrupts lunar compass used by sand hoppers and other marine species, leading to altered migration patterns and potential ecosystem impacts.
New research suggests coral reef islands can respond to sea level rise by evolving through natural processes, potentially supporting near-term habitability. Islands composed of gravel material can raise their crest as sea level rises, with additional management challenges involved.
An international team of scientists warns that artificial structures and reclaimed land in coastal urban areas can cause more harm than good, even with green technologies. They advocate for caution and rigorous evaluation of claims over biodiversity gain to prevent 'greenwashing'.
A new study found that chicks' distress calls can predict flock-level behavior, growth rate, and mortality rate, making it a potential 'iceberg indicator' for welfare issues. The researchers developed a simple method to measure these calls, which could act as an early-warning signal to farmers.
Researchers found a 50% decline in North East Atlantic plankton over the past 60 years, with tiny picophytoplankton replacing more nutritious species. This shift affects fish, seabirds, and marine mammals, threatening shelf sea food webs.
A study led by the University of Plymouth found that sea snakes' vision has been modifying genetically over millions of generations, enabling them to adapt to new environments. The research reveals that diving sea snakes share their adaptive properties with some fruit-eating primates.
A UK government-funded study identifies tyre particles as a major source of microplastics in the marine environment, contaminating rivers and coastal waters. Researchers estimate that around 100 million square meters of river network and 50 million square meters of estuarine and coastal waters are at risk of contamination.
Researchers found that mussel reefs slow sea water flowing over them, increasing turbulence and tripling the amount of ingested plastic. The study suggests natural reef structures are natural sinks for plastics, posing a problem for commercially valuable species like blue mussels.
Scientists have discovered a 200-million-year-old fossil showing a squid-like creature attacking its prey, including a herring-like fish. The fossil, dated to the Sinemurian period, suggests a violent predation event that ultimately led to the death and preservation of both animals.
A new study suggests that lionfish, an invasive species first identified in the Mediterranean in 2012, are thriving and well-established in the region. The species' generalist diet and rapid spread may disrupt the already stressed marine environment, leading to further ecological damage.
New research found that elevated CO2 concentrations cause profound changes in marine habitats, dominating them with opportunistic algae. This shift leads to a loss of coral-associated species and rearranges feeding behavior, resulting in a 45% decrease in fish diversity.
A new study reveals that human activity led to Europe's forests being replaced with agricultural landscapes during the Bronze Age, contrary to previous assumptions about the Neolithic period. The research suggests that the Yamnaya steppe peoples' rapid expansion had a greater impact on vegetation than the earlier Neolithic farmer migra...
A new study found profound long-term changes in plankton communities, which are the base of the marine food web. Changes in sea surface temperature have led to a significant reorganisation of plankton populations, with some species increasing in abundance while others decrease.
A new study found that chlorhexidine mouthwash significantly increases the abundance of lactate-producing bacteria, leading to lower salivary pH and buffering capacity. This may increase the risk of tooth damage. The research also showed reduced microbial diversity in the mouth.
Researchers estimate that LEGO bricks can endure for anywhere between 100 and 1,300 years in the marine environment. The study found that weathered LEGO bricks had smoothed and discolored, with some structures having fractured and fragmented.
A major international study has shed light on the mechanisms triggering deep earthquakes up to 40km below the Earth's surface. The research suggests that interaction between creeping shear zones loads stiff rocks, causing them to snap and generate earthquakes.
A study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that wearing clothes can release up to 400 microfibers per gram of fabric during normal activity, while washing clothes can release up to 4,000. This suggests that one person could release almost 900 million polyester microfibers per year through simply wearing garments.
A team of marine scientists has called on the UK government to overhaul its approach to marine conservation management, citing declining biodiversity and the need for more effective habitat repair and integration with fisheries management. The researchers recommend four key changes to increase ambition and support the UK's target of be...
Researchers found that reconnecting with nature enhances human health and encourages environmental protection. People who visit natural spaces weekly report better wellbeing, while also being more likely to engage in eco-friendly activities.
New research highlights the crucial role of coastal plants in shoreline defences, which are under threat from climate change-induced rising sea levels and extreme storm events. The study calls for integration of long-term monitoring with flood risk models to predict the impact of storms on coastal ecosystems.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE has shown that the human brain's ability to recall simple movements is significantly affected by previous actions. The research found that actual physical movement had a greater influence on success than mere observation, suggesting that consistent lead-in movements are crucial for optimal recall. T...