Articles tagged with Toxins
A new study found that Gloeotrichia echinulata, a type of cyanobacterium, from clean lakes shows little toxic potential, with some genes producing geosmin. The study suggests that this species may not deserve its maligned reputation and provides valuable insights into its growth and behavior.
A survey by the BfR Federal Institute for Risk Assessment found that mould toxins in food are not destroyed during cooking or baking. The survey also revealed gaps in knowledge about mould and its potential health risks, with many people unaware that mycotoxins can occur in food without visible signs of mould.
Liver injuries from xenobiotics increased by nearly 400% between 2000 and 2024, with acetaminophen being the top driver. More than 80% of cases required inpatient care, highlighting the importance of poison centers in toxico-surveillance.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University are developing a sustainable, AI-guided system to remove excess phosphorus from freshwater systems, preventing harmful algal blooms. The technology combines durable 3D-printed structures with AI-powered monitoring and optimization.
Researchers found specific combinations of blood proteins from western diamondback rattlesnakes provided unprecedented neutralizing power against multiple dangerous snake species. Combining several FETUA proteins dramatically increased ability to neutralize venom's damaging effects.
Researchers found that prenatal and early-life exposure to PFAS is associated with increased intestinal inflammation in childhood, as measured by elevated fecal calprotectin levels. This study suggests that environmental exposures during critical stages of development may influence long-term intestinal health and future inflammatory bo...
A new study published in Nature Communications finds that a protein called saxiphilin can neutralize the potent neurotoxin saxitoxin, preventing and even reversing paralytic shellfish poisoning. The discovery could have important public health implications as saxitoxin accumulates in shellfish and causes poisoning when consumed.
Colorado State University researchers propose strategies to immobilize toxic metals and prevent plant uptake in rice grains, protecting food security and public health. The approach aims to reduce arsenic, cadmium, and mercury contamination in rice paddies using nanomaterials and chemical reactions.
Researchers suggest that the evolution of toxin accumulation in poison dart frogs occurred gradually, with at least four phenotypes representing stages in this process. These phenotypes include species that sequester alkaloids or modify them, while others metabolize toxins without accumulating them.
A study of 6,165 Salmonella samples identified 128 types of toxins, including 45 previously unknown. The toxins act in competition among microorganisms and may inspire antibiotic development and biotechnological applications.
A new study found that nearly every person in the US has multiple man-made chemicals, known as PFAS, in their system. The study examined over 10,500 samples and found that 98.8% contained at least one PFAS, with many carrying multiple types.
A recent study found that lycopene protects porcine intestinal epithelial cells from DON-induced damage by inhibiting PGAM5-mediated mitophagy-dependent ferroptosis. Lycopene increases tight junction proteins, reduces ROS levels, and stabilizes mitochondrial function, restoring barrier integrity.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health found that high levels of a toxic molecule in the gut may trigger lupus nephritis. The study suggests using antibiotics as an alternative treatment instead of immunosuppressants.
Scientists at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a suite of AI-powered tools, called YuelDesign, YuelPocket and YuelBond, to transform how new drugs are created. These tools can design drug molecules tailored to fit their protein targets exactly, even accounting for protein flexibility.
Calls to poison centers about kratom increased by over 1,200% between 2015 and 2025, with corresponding rises in hospitalizations and deaths. The drug's growing availability and potency have led to a concerning trend of serious medical outcomes.
A study by Professor Bryan Fry and Sam Campbell from the University of Queensland found that scorpion venom activates major clotting factors in human blood, particularly Factors VII and X. The research also identified small-molecule metalloprotease inhibitors that can neutralize the procoagulant effect.
Rutgers researchers helped establish a link between burn pit exposure and respiratory illnesses in veterans, enabling the VA to adopt new rules implementing the PACT Act. The new methodology assigns graded levels of confidence, providing a path forward for evaluating service-related illnesses.
Researchers at UC San Diego identified a distinct biological pattern of chronic rhinosinusitis in veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins. The study found that mast cells play a key role in this condition, which has no FDA-approved treatments.
Experts warn that nicotine-containing products, including vapes, heated tobacco, and shisha, cause cardiovascular damage regardless of delivery system. The report highlights a rapid rise in youth addiction fueled by flavours and social media marketing.
Scientists at Leibniz-HKI discovered an enzyme called BurK that cleaves the toxic molecule malleicyprol in human pathogenic bacteria. This mechanism regulates toxin levels and renders it harmless to humans, offering a potential therapeutic approach for antibiotic-resistant infections.
A Stanford University-led study found that gas stoves emit significant amounts of nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant linked to health issues such as asthma and lung cancer. Replacing gas stoves with electric ones reduces nitrogen dioxide exposure by over a quarter on average across the US.
A study found that lowered arsenic exposure was associated with a decrease in mortality rates from chronic diseases among populations exposed to contaminated drinking water. The findings support the importance of reducing arsenic levels in drinking water for public health benefits.
Researchers at UC Riverside discovered that two toxic chemicals can form when propylene glycol is heated, harming human lung cells. The chemicals, methylglyoxal and acetaldehyde, disrupt cell functions and cause damage even at low levels.
A study at University of Queensland found that mamba venom attacks two points in the nervous system, causing flaccid paralysis and spastic paralysis. Current antivenoms can treat flaccid paralysis but not spastic paralysis.
A review of hundreds of studies found a link between childhood plastic exposure and long-term health concerns like heart disease, obesity, and asthma. Parents can take simple steps to limit their children's plastic exposure, such as replacing plastic containers with glass or stainless steel.
The Kavli Foundation and NSF have announced new grants to explore how nervous systems respond, resist, or recover from the challenges of a changing world. This research aims to uncover fundamental principles of neurobiology and reveal how animals adapt cognitively and behaviorally to a changing world.
A University of Queensland study suggests the antivenom given to people bitten by Eastern Brown Snakes may not be as effective as it could be due to geographic variations in venom. The research found that venom from southern Australia has a strong, stable blood clot, while northern populations trigger fragile but rapid clots.
A new study found that adolescents with higher blood levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) prior to bariatric surgery regained more weight and had greater increases in waist circumference up to five years after surgery. Researchers believe PFAS exposure disrupts endocrine and metabolic processes, leading to weight regain.
Researchers found that injecting botox directly into the TMJ alleviated TMD-related pain, hypersensitivity, and neural activity, while preserving movement abilities. The study suggests avoiding muscle tissue to overcome botox side effects and offers new hope for treating jaw disorders.
Researchers at Rice University have engineered E. coli to act as living multiplexed sensors, detecting multiple environmental toxins simultaneously by converting biological responses into readable electrical signals. The system can detect combined hazards more efficiently and accurately, with potential applications in biocomputing.
A study by University of Notre Dame researchers found that almost a third of reusable menstrual products contain PFAS, despite being marketed as eco-friendly. The presence of these toxic fluorinated compounds poses risks to both users and the environment when disposed of.
The article discusses how emerging contaminants like agricultural pesticides and medicines are impacting water quality in developing countries. The presence of these pollutants is linked to toxic effects on humans and ecosystems, with many being undetected or under-regulated.
A cohort study found that lower-than-recommended lead levels were associated with worse academic grades, suggesting the need to reconsider current blood lead reference values for further interventions. The findings support lowering these values to improve outcomes for children and adolescents.
A new study found that PFAS exposure remains a concern for California adults, with drinking water, seafood, eggs, and brown rice identified as contributors. While dietary associations are lower than previous studies, the findings highlight the need to regulate PFAS in drinking water.
A study published in JAMA Neurology found no evidence supporting a diagnosis of the New Brunswick neurological syndrome of unknown cause, highlighting the need for independent clinical evaluations. The data revealed presence of several neurodegenerative and non-neurodegenerative conditions instead
A scientific initiative is underway to prevent harmful Prymnesium algal blooms from occurring in the Broads, which threaten fish stocks and local biodiversity. Researchers are working to identify environmental triggers and develop strategies to safeguard the waterways.
A recent study by Arizona State University researchers found high levels of Fusarium mycotoxins in illicit cannabis samples seized in Arizona and California, posing potential health risks to consumers. The study highlights the unregulated nature of black-market cannabis and the need for further research into its health impacts.
A new study reveals that PFAS are found in larger volumes than before, with a significant increase in the livers of wading birds. The researchers used a new method called the Total Oxidizable Precursor (TOP) assay to detect these substances.
Researchers found that combining ultraviolet light with chlorine significantly enhances toxin degradation in water without generating harmful byproducts. The study suggests using UV/chlorine as a final barrier against toxins from algal blooms, minimizing unintended toxic consequences.
Researchers have developed a new pipeline using artificial intelligence to predict which proteins natural toxins will affect, with implications for ecological research and drug development. The method uses AI models to analyze water molecule movement around potassium channels, identifying specific targets of the cone snail toxin.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are developing a new way to detect sulfur mustard, a highly toxic chemical warfare agent, using nucleic acid molecular recognition and dendrimers.
A recent study found that autophagy, a natural defense mechanism in cells, is less efficient in female eggs with moderate or severe DNA damage. Boosting autophagy can improve egg quality and reduce the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. The study's findings offer new directions for improving reproductive health.
A recent study suggests that prolonged exposure to low-dose traffic-derived PM2.5 particles can cause fatty liver disorder in mice. The study found changes in liver function, inflammation, and scar tissue formation, highlighting the potential health risks of air pollution on the liver.
Research reveals that wildfire smoke can carry contaminants hundreds of kilometers, leaving a toxic and lingering footprint. Urban landscapes accumulate
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology found that biochar significantly reduces DDT uptake by earthworms in contaminated soil, halving the toxin's presence. This method could enable farming on land deemed unusable due to environmental risks.
The study found that clouds contain significantly more arsenic on average than rainwater, and biological processes play a key role in the global distribution of arsenic. The researchers also detected various types of arsenic compounds in rainwater samples, including methylated forms formed by bacteria and plants.
Scientists have discovered a way to remove toxic compounds from potatoes, making them safer to eat and easier to store. By engineering plants to control when and where these compounds are produced, researchers envision crops that can be stored without risk of toxicity.
Researchers discovered that serine inhibits the cell wall remodeling necessary for Clostridium perfringens to form spores, preventing food poisoning. The study provides insights into the underlying mechanism of spore formation and may lead to new strategies for preventing foodborne illnesses.
Researchers found lower incidence rates of soft tissue sarcomas among young U.S. active-duty military servicemen compared to the general population, likely due to better health and early detection within the military health system. In contrast, middle-aged servicemen showed higher rates, possibly due to greater cumulative exposure to t...
A study published in the Journal of Raptor Research found that turkey vultures in southern California are still exposed to anticoagulant rodenticides, even with recent bans in place. The researchers recommend continued monitoring and adherence to legislation regarding rodenticide use.
Researchers identified acute effects of cigarette and e-cigarette smoking on vascular function, including decreased blood flow velocity and venous oxygen saturation. The study found that vaping with and without nicotine led to significant changes in vascular function, highlighting the potential harm of vaping even without nicotine.
Researchers developed biocompatible polymethyl methacrylate microspheres for controlled antigen delivery. The formulation resulted in efficient uptake by macrophages and other antigen-presenting cells, eliciting a notable immune response.
A new study by Brown University researchers found that using personal care products during pregnancy is associated with higher concentrations of PFAS in blood plasma and breast milk. The study suggests that people concerned about their exposure may benefit from cutting back on these products.
Researchers call for a phase-out of lead by 2035 due to its health and economic costs, with a focus on reducing exposure in marginalized communities. Alternative technologies like lithium-ion batteries hold promise for replacing lead-acid batteries, but accessibility remains a challenge.
A new chromosome-scale reference genome of grass pea has been published, improving on earlier draft assemblies and offering potential for climate-smart agriculture. The updated genome allows for improved breeding and gene editing to develop varieties with improved agronomic characteristics or low toxin content.
Muscarine is stored as a phosphorylated precursor and only released when mushrooms are injured, increasing the danger of certain types of fungi.
A study from Goethe University Frankfurt reveals that venomous crustaceans, specifically remipede crabs in Mexican cenote caves, contain a variety of toxins with pharmacological potential. The xibalbines peptides effectively inhibit potassium channels and activate signaling pathways involved in pain sensitization.
Researchers found that certain proteins called killer toxins produced by brewer's yeast can suppress diastatic strains and prevent spoilage. Adding these killer yeasts at the point of contamination may be a remediation procedure to curb the issue.
Researchers detected over 120 organic micropollutants in the River Oder, amplifying the effect of algal toxins on fish biomass. The mixture of pollutants caused significant stress and potential harm to aquatic organisms.
A school-based citizen science program collects well water samples for analysis, revealing alarming levels of arsenic in private water sources. The initiative boosts awareness and drives action to protect public health, leading to increased testing rates and policy changes.