Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)

A study based on models and data concludes that adverse health effects related to plastic emissions could more than double by 2040 if current practices do not change. The authors note that their model could not assess the potential impacts associated with many chemicals contained in plastics, nor with the microplastics and nanoplastics that form throughout their life cycle, due to a lack of data and “a serious lack of transparency regarding their composition.” The results are published in The Lancet Planetary Health. 

A new report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) toughens the discourse on the current water emergency by referring to an era of "global water bankruptcy". According to the report, the terms "water stress" or "water crisis" are no longer sufficient, as we find ourselves in a situation that goes beyond a temporary crisis, characterised by irreversible losses of natural water resources and the inability to return to historical levels. The report points out that, although not all basins are in water bankruptcy, "enough critical systems around the world have crossed these thresholds" and are interconnected through trade, migration, climate or geopolitics.

When a rhinovirus, the most common cause of the common cold, infects the lining of our nasal passages, cells work together to fight it off by activating an arsenal of antiviral defences. An article published in the journal Cell Press Blue demonstrates how they do this and suggests that it is the body's defences, rather than the virus itself, that determine whether we catch a cold or not, as well as the severity of the symptoms. 

Although extensive livestock farming has increased in some regions, it has also decreased in 42% of pastures dedicated to this purpose, according to a study published in the journal PNAS that analyses data from 1999 to 2023. The decline has occurred in wealthy areas of the world, such as Europe, North America and Australia, where consumption trends have shifted towards animals such as pigs and chickens. The increase was seen in poorer areas, specifically in Africa, Asia, South America and Central America. The authors of the study, one of whom is Spanish, state that ‘reductions in livestock stocking rates can have significant ecological consequences at regional and global scales,’ affecting biodiversity and fire regimes.

The sequencing of the DNA of the virus found in wild boars infected with African swine fever in Catalonia and its comparison with the DNA of 17 of the 19 samples being investigated at the Animal Health Research Centre (IRTA-CReSA) has revealed that they do not match, according to a press conference held this morning by representatives of the scientific team in charge of the study and the Catalan Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. They consider the leak from the laboratory to be ‘highly unlikely’, although further studies are still ongoing. The research, led by the IRB, suggests that it could belong to a new strain not described in the scientific literature.

An international team has estimated global vaccination coverage and the incidence of 104 diseases transmitted by cattle, poultry and pigs in 203 countries and territories over the last two decades. Their conclusions are that current vaccination coverage of global livestock populations may be insufficient to prevent various diseases, such as anthrax, rabies and contagious nodular dermatosis, of which 17 outbreaks have been recorded in Spain. The results are published in PNAS.

Science journal has published a global map showing exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through the consumption of fish products. PFAS are substances that are difficult to break down, meaning they can accumulate in the body, and some are linked to health problems. The authors collected data over 20 years from PFAS measurements in the marine environment and fisheries, and mapped the concentrations of these compounds in more than 200 species of marine fish. The study shows that international fish trade redistributes the risk of PFAS exposure from highly polluted regions to less exposed areas, with European trade playing a key role in increasing the risk of exposure to these substances. 

A team from the United States has used data from health studies to analyze the extent to which prestigious journals capture or ignore science considered influential. Their findings indicate that most of the most cited articles—thus considered most influential—are published in journals not ranked among the most prestigious. According to the study, approximately half of all researchers never publish in a journal with an impact factor above 15, which, according to certain evaluation systems, could exclude them from opportunities. However, overall, traditional journal-based measures may only recognize between 10% and 20% of influential work. The results are published in Plos Biology. 

Restrictions on mobility and activity imposed during the covid-19 pandemic had an impact on the beaks of a species of bird, specifically the dark-eyed junco, which lived in urban areas of Los Angeles (USA). This is shown in a study published in the journal PNAS, which reveals how birds born during these lockdowns had beaks similar to their counterparts in the wild. With the return of human activity, the beak returned to its pre-pandemic shape. The authors argue that this change was mainly due to an adaptation to the food available, as the birds no longer had access to human food waste. 

An international team has analyzed data from nearly 60 studies involving more than 48,000 children with different types of diets and compared the nutritional profile and various health parameters between those following vegan, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, and omnivorous diets. The results indicate that plant-based diets, if well-planned, can promote healthy growth with benefits such as a better cardiovascular profile and lower cholesterol levels. However, they may have difficulty achieving adequate levels of vitamins D and B12, calcium, iron, and zinc. According to the authors, the findings underscore the need for careful planning and supplementation in children following these types of diets. The study is published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.