Sunlight can make water pollution worse. There are chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. They are found in water and can harm aquatic life. The problem is, when UV light from the sun hits these chemicals, they can become even more toxic. This is a big deal because we don't know
Teenager girl experiences serious liver issues after taking a popular pain killer. She was feeling miserable. Migraines are no joke. So, she turned to something many of us do when pain strikes: she took acetaminophen. The teenager’s body was already fighting off the Epstein-Barr virus (EB
Some bugs can tell us a lot about pollutants in water. It does not matter if they are metals like zinc or tough to break down plastic derived insecticides like methomyl, or "forever" chemicals like PFOA; these chemicals can mess with how freshwater amphipods like gammarus fossarum eat Norma
A small marine creature, the mysid (Americamysis bahia), is used to test the long-term harm of pesticides. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US requires these tests for pesticide registration. The current testing guidelines, which were last updated in 1996, have some issues. With the
Imagine you are tackling an illness that requires you to take steroids. These steroids are strong fighters against inflammation, but they can also cause problems. Metformin, a well-known diabetes medication, might just be the superhero we need to protect us from these side effects. Typically, it is
First, let's talk about PFAS. These are chemicals that are used in various products, including Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFFs). AFFFs are made up of complex mixtures and are used to fight fires. They are designed to save lives, but they have a dark side. Firefighters rely on AFFFs to put out
It is tragic but true. Malaria, especially during pregnancy, can be extremely dangerous for both the mother and the unborn child. But finding drugs that are safe for pregnant women, especially during the first three months, has always been a challenge. Researchers have long been trying to
Laetrile and amygdalin are sometimes called vitamin B17, but are they really miracle cancer fighters? Let’s break it down. Laetrile is a man-made version of amygdalin, a natural substance found in certain plants. Both have a special part called a nitrile group, which releases a toxic gas called hydr
You might think polylactic acid (PLA) is a safe bet for the environment. After all, it's biodegradable and often touted as an "eco-friendly" alternative to traditional plastics. But hold on! Recent studies have found that PLA microplastics (PLA-MPs) could be causing trouble for male mice. Imagine i
Cinnamic acid sugar esters, or CASEDs, are natural compounds known for their various biological benefits. But have you ever thought about using them in sunscreen? A recent study dived into this idea, creating a bunch of new cinnamic acid esters using glucose, ribose, and lactose. These compounds wer
