Endangered River Animals Eating Plastic and Trash
Scientists in Spain discovered that a rare, endangered water mammal called the Iberian desman is accidentally eating plastic and other human-made trash. …
Read Moremicroplastics
All content tagged with "microplastics"
Blue Crabs Are Eating Plastic in the Mediterranean Sea
Scientists studied blue crabs living in two different parts of the Mediterranean Sea to understand what they eat and whether they're swallowing tiny pieces of …
Read MoreTiny Plastic Particles in Food May Harm Your Gut
Scientists fed mice a realistic mixture of microplastics—tiny plastic fragments found in our environment and food—to see what happens in the digestive system. …
Read MoreTiny Plastics Make Sea Creatures Work Harder to Stay Healthy
Scientists fed tiny plastic particles to small sea creatures called amphipods over five weeks to see what would happen. The creatures ate the plastics and …
Read MoreTiny Plastic Fibers Change Fish Gut Bacteria in Unexpected Ways
Scientists fed European sea bass different amounts of rayon microfibers—tiny plastic-like particles found in ocean water—and watched how it affected the …
Read MoreHow a Natural Fat Helps Fish Fight Plastic Pollution
Tiny plastic particles are getting into fish and damaging their immune systems, making them sick and weak. Scientists discovered that when fish are exposed to …
Read MoreTiny Plastic Particles May Harm Your Gut More if You Eat Fatty Foods
Scientists discovered that microscopic plastic particles found in our environment may damage the protective lining of your intestines, but only if you eat a …
Read MoreTiny Plastic Pieces Are Harming Bugs and Insects Worldwide
Scientists have discovered that tiny plastic particles called microplastics are building up inside insects and other arthropods (like crustaceans and spiders) …
Read MoreTiny Plastics in Water May Mess With Fish's Appetite and Digestion
Scientists discovered that tiny plastic particles floating in freshwater are affecting how fish eat and digest food. When pond loach fish were exposed to …
Read MorePlastic Particles in Fish Food May Carry Harmful Chemicals
Scientists discovered that tiny plastic particles floating in our oceans can pick up and carry harmful chemicals that act like estrogen (a natural hormone). …
Read MoreCan Probiotics Protect Male Fertility From Plastic Pollution?
Tiny plastic particles called microplastics are everywhere in our environment, and scientists worry they might harm male reproductive health. A new study found …
Read MoreTiny Plastic Pieces Harm Fish Growth and Digestion
Scientists studied what happens when fish eat tiny pieces of acrylic plastic (the same material used in some consumer products). They fed tropical gar fish …
Read MoreWhy Bigger Insects Eat More Plastic (And Why That Matters)
Scientists studied how crickets interact with tiny plastic particles called microplastics as they grow. They discovered that crickets don't avoid eating …
Read MoreHow Tiny Plastic Pieces Harm Mussels (And How Algae Might Help)
Scientists discovered that microplastics—tiny pieces of plastic pollution in the ocean—damage the gills of mussels, which are the organs they use to breathe …
Read MoreWhat Damages Male Fertility? Scientists Find Common Causes
Researchers analyzed over 200 studies involving thousands of lab mice to understand what damages male fertility and why. They looked at nine different things …
Read MoreTiny Plastic Particles Are Everywhere—Here's What You Need to Know
Scientists are increasingly concerned about microscopic plastic particles called micro- and nano-plastics that are polluting our soil, water, and food. These …
Read MoreTiny Plastics and Heavy Metals May Change Kids' Gut Bacteria
Researchers looked at the poop samples of 68 young children to see what happens when they're exposed to two pollutants at the same time: tiny plastic pieces …
Read More