Microplastics are everywhere. They're in our water, our food, and even the air we breathe. But what happens when these tiny plastic bits get into our bodies? A recent study looked at how different types of microplastics affect brain cells, especially the ones that protect our nervous system. The st
Silver selenide quantum dots, or Ag2Se QDs, are tiny particles with amazing optical properties. They're great for imaging tumors, but their small size lets them sneak past the brain's protective barrier. This raises concerns about potential harm to the central nervous system. To tackle this issue, s
Ever heard of manganese? It's a metal that our body needs in small doses, but an overdose can cause big trouble. Overexposure to manganese can lead to brain damage, making it behave like Parkinson's disease. Astrocytes, which are like assistants in the brain, are supposed to clean up a protein calle
You know those tiny pieces of plastic that pollute our oceans and rivers? They're not just a problem for the environment, but also for the creatures living in it, like zebrafish. We found out that when these little plastic bits, called nanoplastics, are very small (about 20 nanometers), they can do
Aluminum is a common toxin in our environment that can harm our brains. This study looked at how aluminum affects the brain using rats and nerve cells called PC12 cells. The researchers wanted to understand how a small RNA called miR-98-5p affects a protein called insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2)
When we think about survival after severe poisoning, we often focus on immediate recovery. But what happens to the brain long after the worst is over? That's what scientists wanted to find out using a mouse model of paraoxon (POX) poisoning. POX is an organophosphorus compound that can cause serious
When it comes to making fluorinated materials, hexafluoropropylene oxide oligomer acids (HFPOs) are becoming the go-to option. These substances are popping up more often in aquatic environments, including in zebrafish habitats. But what do we know about their safety? Not much, it turns out. This stu
Imagine if we could predict how drugs might harm our nerves before they're even tested on people? That's what a new study is doing with a special system that mimics our body's tiny environments. Scientists used human nerve cells, grown from stem cells, and put them in a tiny structure called a micro
