Where do microplastics gather — and why? New MIT research reveals that bare sandy areas may be hotspots for plastic buildup, while sticky biofilms created by microbes help keep these particles on the move, offering valuable insights for environmental cleanup efforts.

A squishy, reusable alternative to ice is on the horizon: researchers at UC Davis have developed “jelly ice” — a gelatin-based cooling material that keeps food and medicines cold without producing meltwater, is compostable, and can be reused across multiple freeze-thaw cycles.

New research in Brain Medicine explores how microplastics from ultra-processed foods may accumulate in the brain — and raises urgent questions about their possible role in depression, dementia, and other mental health disorders.

A research group has uncovered a significant yet often overlooked consequence of microplastic pollution: its detrimental impact on photosynthesis — a critical process underpinning Earth’s primary productivity and food security.

Scientists have developed a new cooling technology that has the potential to improve crop yields as well as introduce new crops to arid regions like Saudi Arabia at affordable costs.

Researchers have revealed that brewing tea can remove toxic heavy metals like lead from drinking water. They also mentioned that finely ground black tea leaves performed the best at removing toxic heavy metals.

MIT researchers have developed biodegradable particles that could replace harmful plastic microbeads in beauty products and beyond. These innovative materials break down into harmless sugars and amino acids, offering safer alternatives for cleansers and cosmetics.

Plastics contribute not only to environmental pollution but also to climate change and biodiversity loss, yet scientific focus on these broader impacts remains limited. A new UFZ study reveals significant research gaps and calls for a comprehensive global approach to regulating plastics and their chemicals, aligning with climate and biodiversity goals.

A new study shows that bio-based materials may pose a higher health risk to some of the planet's most crucial species than the conventional plastics they aim to replace. The research has led scientists to suggest that materials being advocated as alternatives to plastic should be tested thoroughly before they are used extensively in a range of products.

Science has provided more than sufficient evidence to inform a collective and global approach to tackle the continued spread of plastic pollution, according to a new report.