Many people know that what a mother eats or drinks during pregnancy can affect a baby's development. But what about the father? Recent studies have shed light on how a dad's health and habits can influence his child's future. One surprising factor is the medication he takes, especially during the time he is making sperm. Valproate is a drug often prescribed to manag...
Plastics are everywhere. They are in the ocean, in the soil, and even in our food. Scientists have uncovered a worrying trend: microplastics are making their way into human brains. This discovery has sparked a deeper look into how these tiny particles might be affecting our mental health. The brain is a delicate organ. It is protected by a barrier that keeps out har...
Mercury is a sneaky pollutant. It can travel far from its source and end up in unexpected places. This is a problem for freshwater turtles. They are already struggling with habitat loss and over-collection. Now, they face another threat: mercury pollution. Mercury finds its way into water bodies. It can come from industrial activities or even natural processes. Once...
The food packaging industry is under scrutiny. Chemicals lurking in these containers might be causing more harm than good. The drive for eco-friendly packaging has led to a rise in recycled materials. Unfortunately, this trend might be making things worse. Recycled plastics and paper can contain hazardous chemicals. These substances can seep into food, espe...
A woman's choice of birth control can sometimes lead to unexpected health issues. One such case involved a woman who had been using a popular injectable contraceptive called depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). This method is known for its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. However, it also has a downside. It can lower bone density over time. This can incre...
The FDA has started the process to take away fluoride pills for kids from the market. These pills are different from fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash. Kids swallow these pills, and they have never been okayed by the FDA. There's worry that swallowing fluoride can mess up the good bacteria in a child's tummy. This is a big deal because a kid's tummy bacteria are still...
The COVID-19 pandemic has made us all more aware of the need for disinfection. But, there is a hidden danger in the products we use to kill germs. Biocides, the active ingredients in disinfectants, can pose health risks if not used properly. A recent investigation looked into this issue. They wanted to find out how safe these products are and how much of a risk they ...
Ciprofloxacin, a common antibiotic, is often found in waterways. This can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria and harm both people and the environment. Scientists have been working on ways to remove ciprofloxacin from wastewater using advanced oxidation processes. One method is anodic oxidation, which uses special electrodes to break down ciprofloxacin. This metho...
Pig products are a staple in many diets, providing a rich source of protein. However, they might also be carrying unexpected hitchhikers: viruses. A recent study dug into this issue, focusing on pig livers meant for human consumption. The investigation involved collecting 140 liver samples from 14 different pig farms in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The goal was to see ...
Plastic is everywhere. It's in the water bottles we drink from, the toys we play with, and even in some of our personal care products. But did you know that some chemicals in plastics might be linked to heart disease? A recent study shed light on this issue, revealing some surprising facts. The study, which came out recently, suggested that around 350, 000 heart dis...