Researchers said the study is the 1st to look at [how] the…variety of #environmental problems can compound #disease risks. It combined hundreds of studies & thousands of observations of …— #humans & other mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, worms & arthropods — & all kinds of #pathogens, such as #viruses, #bacteria & #fungi.
The analysis reinforced…findings…: a hotter world of ravaged #ecosystems is one that is more hospitable to many #parasites, & less so to humans & other #life.
Here is Stephen Lecce politicizing #Ontario education ...
"We progressive Conservatives REDUCED the fuel tax by 10 cents/litre.
The Liberals will INCREASE the carbon tax by 23%. As if it isn't expensive enough to live."
👉 It appears that the Ontario Minister of Education doesn’t know how to convert percentages to cents-a-litre.
Narrator: It’s 3 cents a litre.
It also appears that clean air, both inside & outside the classroom, is not #DougFord's agenda.
Interested in #honey#bee health? Come do a #PhD in our group in University College Dublin on 'Protecting Irish bees through field trials and genomics-informed strategies'
Primarily supervised by Dr Julia Jones in the School of Biology and Environmental Science, in collaboration with Drs Dara Stanley and Nicholas Brereton
Researchers sound alarm after making concerning connection between #plastic and the spread of #pathogens: ‘Urgent need for intensified monitoring’
Story by Juliana Marino
January 28, 2024
"New studies have revealed the dangers of microplastics. These tiny plastic particles are not only a major #environmental threat but also a serious health risk.
"A recent study in the 2023 Volume 2 issue of Eco-Environment & Health has identified the hidden dangers of microplastics spreading in bodies of water.
What’s happening?
"Microplastics are tiny plastic particles — no bigger than 5 millimeters — that come from industrial materials and the breakdown of plastic products. They have become a growing environmental concern due to their widespread presence throughout marine and freshwater ecosystems worldwide.
"The new study reveals the alarming health risks associated with the spread of microplastics. According to the research findings, pathogens can adhere to microplastics, using plastic waste particles as a medium for transmission.
"Researchers who worked on the study underscored the 'urgent need for intensified monitoring of microplastic contamination.' The study also calls for additional research investigations examining the 'role of microplastics in pathogen transmission, along with the health risks that ensure.''
Why are microplastics concerning?
"Microplastics pose severe health risks to living organisms. Scientists have found microplastics in the stomachs of a variety of organisms, from small invertebrates to large mammals like bears, whales, and deer. When organisms ingest microplastics, the plastic waste particles build up and can cause #inflammation, #neurotoxicity, and #GutImbalances.
"From an environmental standpoint, microplastics leach toxic substances into the #soil, #air, and #water. Since microplastics are made of synthetic materials, they do not break down, remaining in the environment and our bodies indefinitely.
"Plastic pollution threatens the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems especially, as scientists have already identified 24.4 trillion pieces of microplastics in the ocean. However, the total number of microplastics floating through the ocean is estimated to be much higher.
What’s being done about microplastic pollution?
"Countries across the globe are taking action by developing policies to prevent further plastic leakage into soil and water sources.
"Scientists are also developing methods for effectively removing existing microplastics from contaminated bodies of water. One promising technique uses a magnetic nano-pillared absorbent to extract tiny plastic particles. This approach removes microplastics at a much faster rate than previous methods.
"Individually, we can stop adding to plastic pollution by changing small habits that make a big difference."
"E. coli and S. enterica were found to survive in low- and non-alcoholic beer at all temperatures, pH, and % ABV under study. L. monocytogenes was observed to be less resilient, with population size declining below the detection limit after a few days."
The gut #microbiome protects us against #pathogens, but @Mor_Zigdon@Mucus_Man &co show that #Salmonella triggers IL-1β production, inducing the host to kill protective microbiota, helping Salmonella colonize, and driving mortality during sepsis #PLOSBiologyhttps://plos.io/421XEp3
Why do people seem to be getting #sick more often now?
For yet another year we are already seeing earlier and significantly higher #hospital#admissions for #respiratory#illness than pre-pandemic levels. Are there new mysterious #pathogens starting to attack us now? 🧵 1/
This week on STEAM Powered, our conversation is with Eleonora Moratto, the Biology Ballerina.
A common thread between the arts and the sciences is storytelling. In both scenarios you’re building worlds, and creating an understanding of the mechanisms that make the system work (or not work), and the relationships within that bubble.
Eleonora Moratto is the Biology Ballerina. She is a freelance professional ballet dancer, and is currently completing her PhD in plant pathogen interactions. Join us as we speak about Eleonora’s work exploring electrical fields and plant immune systems, and her journey as a sciartist.
"Walsh had an ambitious goal: develop apples that were heat-tolerant but also fire blight-resistant, and on trees short enough to be easily pruned or harvested from the ground."
‘It is well-established that #N95s offer more protection than surgical masks against breath-emitted #airborne#pathogens and #wildfire smoke, which are micron-size fine particles.’ Recommended reading and references @TheWHN#CovidIsAirborne
‘It is well-established that #N95s offer more protection than surgical masks against breath-emitted #airborne#pathogens and #wildfire smoke, which are micron-size fine particles.’ Recommended reading and references @TheWHN#CovidIsAirborne
Climate change is an immediate threat to the majority of the world's population.
We need a local, regional, state, national, and international "moon shot" type of concentration of effort using available resources while developing and advancing new science and technologies to counteract the damage humans have caused.
Without this type of all-out, universal cooperation, human civilization, and perhaps humanity itself, are in imminent danger of extinction.
"I refuse to think that it's too late...I'm working my ass off to work on ways to fix this."
#ClimateChange is already changing where #insects and wild #animals live, spreading the range—and sometimes increasing the lethality—of "modern" #pathogens while also releasing human-infectious, long frozen (up to a million years, so far) pathogens we're unfamiliar with, and against which we may have no #ImmuneDefenses.
Everything, Everywhere All at Once solutions, now.
A #biological testing device company and industrial #graphene manufacturer are collaborating on large-scale production of graphene #biosensors for widespread use.
Ancient pathogens released from melting ice could wreak havoc on the world, new analysis reveals (phys.org)
Science fiction is rife with fanciful tales of deadly organisms emerging from the ice and wreaking havoc on unsuspecting human victims.