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Pen-strep treatment rewires mechanical sensing in immune cells

Macrophages are central to mechanobiology research: their physical characteristics-stiffness, adhesion, and ECM (extracellular matrix) sensing-are inextricably linked to their phenotypic polarization and immune function.

13 Mar 2026

High fat diets allow gut bacteria to enter the brain via the vagus nerve

With more than 100 million neurons in the digestive tract, the gut is commonly known as the "second brain" in numerous cultures, including ancient Greece, Japan, China and India, linking digestion with physical and mental well-being.

12 Mar 2026

Study finds widespread microplastics in children and suggests diet may shape exposure

Researchers detected 19 types of microplastics in the urine of 10-year-old children, with particles present in over 91% of samples and a median concentration of 250 particles per milliliter. Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with shifts in specific microplastic polymers, suggesting dietary patterns may influence exposure pathways.

3 Mar 2026

Federal aid for lead cleanup is receding. That’s a problem for cash-strapped cities.

Tighter regulations and an influx of federal money in recent years have helped communities across the U.S. initiate efforts to clean up lead contamination in soil, drinking water, and older homes.

3 Mar 2026

Study finds association between groundwater age and Parkinson’s risk

People whose drinking water came from newer groundwater had a higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease than those whose drinking water came from older groundwater, according to a preliminary study released March 2, 2026, that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 78th Annual Meeting taking place April 18-22, 2026, in Chicago and online.

2 Mar 2026

Microbial cities in space: Risks and opportunities for astronauts

A global team of scientists has identified an often-overlooked biological system - biofilms - as a critical factor in the future of human space exploration.

26 Feb 2026

MRSA and E. coli detected weeks after Potomac sewage spill

Nearly a month after a wastewater pipe broke and spewed hundreds of millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River just north of Washington, D.C., the latest water testing results from the University of Maryland School of Public Health continue to show high levels of E. coli and S. aureus – commonly called staph, including antibiotic-resistant MRSA.

22 Feb 2026

Biochar adsorption of antibiotics depends on molecular structure

Antibiotic pollution in water is a growing global concern, as residues from human medicine, livestock production, and aquaculture can persist in the environment and contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance.

22 Feb 2026

As worker safety scrutiny intensifies, Mesa Labs reinforces why primary standard calibration is the only line of defense

Mesa Laboratories, Inc., a global leader in the design and manufacture of life science tools and critical quality control solutions, today announced a renewed commitment to advancing primary standard calibration technology through its DryCal product line, as occupational health and safety professionals confront rising regulatory scrutiny and a generational workforce transition that threatens the integrity of workplace exposure monitoring.

19 Feb 2026

Prenatal lead exposure linked to lower cognition six decades later

Exposure to lead before birth is associated with lower performance 60 years later on tests of thinking and memory skills in female participants, according to a study published on February 18, 2026, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

18 Feb 2026

Scientists uncover nanoplastics in brain tissue and question their role in neurological disease

Emerging evidence suggests nanoplastics accumulate in human tissues including the brain and may contribute to neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disease pathways. However, causality, exposure routes, and long-term health effects remain uncertain and require coordinated research.

17 Feb 2026

From liquid handling to sample storage

PulpFixin®, a materials science company focused on replacing single-use plastics in life science laboratories, will debut a slate of new automation-ready, compostable lab products at the 2026 SLAS International Conference and Exhibition in Boston, expanding its footprint across liquid handling, sample identification and cold storage workflows.

From PulpFixin 17 Feb 2026

Frozen in time: Ancient bacteria reveal evolution of drug resistance

Bacteria have evolved to adapt to all of Earth's most extreme conditions, from scorching heat to temperatures well below zero.

17 Feb 2026

US drinking water kiosks sometimes contain elevated lead levels

After high-profile water crises like the one in Flint, Michigan, some Americans distrust the safety of tap water, choosing to purchase drinking water from freestanding water vending machines or kiosks.

13 Feb 2026

Louisville found PFAS in drinking water. The Trump administration wouldn’t require any action.

Every day, the Ohio River sends billions of gallons of water flowing past Louisville's pumping station, where the Kentucky city's utility sucks it up to turn it into tap water.

12 Feb 2026

New AI model eliminates false positives in food testing

Researchers have significantly enhanced an artificial intelligence tool used to rapidly detect bacterial contamination in food by eliminating misclassifications of food debris that looks like bacteria.

10 Feb 2026

Novel computational framework developed for real-time, personalized heart rate variability monitoring

Real-time and early detection of minute changes in the functioning of the cardiovascular system is crucial for managing critically ill patients, such as newborns and older adults, and can significantly affect their outcomes.

10 Feb 2026

Computational method clarifies microbial signals in tumor sequencing

When scientists sequence tumor DNA, they typically find small amounts of genetic code from bacteria, viruses and fungi – microorganisms that, if actually present in tumor tissues, could influence how they grow, evade immunity or respond to treatment.

5 Feb 2026

Poison at play: Unsafe levels of lead found in half of New Orleans playgrounds

Sarah Hess started taking her toddler, Josie, to Mickey Markey Playground in 2010 because she thought it would offer a refuge from lead.