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Ancient parchment reveals historical evolution of destructive sheeppox virus

Some of Europe's most well-known historic manuscripts, including the York Gospels, have proven to be biological time capsules for uncovering the 3,500-year history of the sheeppox virus (SPPV).

4 Sep 2026

Freshwater swimming linked to doubled risk of skin problems and stomach bugs

People swimming in rivers and lakes could be putting themselves at risk of nasty skin conditions and stomach bugs, according to a new study from the University of East Anglia.

27 Aug 2026

Chronic illnesses are more common in high-income, contaminated California area

Superfund sites typically cluster in low-income communities, where 62% of households earn less than $50,000 annually.

26 Aug 2026

The certification illusion: Why safety seals miss hidden chemical hazards

None of the certification programs consumers rely on to find safer personal care products require laboratory testing of the products they certify, according to a new peer-reviewed analysis.

25 Aug 2026

Pet food may be a contributor to long-chain PFAS exposure in dogs and cats

Researchers at the Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, have published two linked studies on PFAS exposure in companion animals.

21 Aug 2026

The role of UV-Vis in biopharma QC

UV-Vis and fluorescence support faster QC of nucleic acid and protein concentration.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific – Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Solutions 20 Aug 2026

Dry cleaner proximity associated with increased Parkinson's disease risk

People living near dry cleaners may have a higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease according to a new nationwide study led by researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.

19 Aug 2026

A New York skincare survey found mercury where consumers might not expect it

Targeted surveillance of 197 skin-lightening and skincare products purchased in New York City from 2009 to 2022 found detectable mercury in 29%, with 18% exceeding the FDA’s 1 ppm limit and concentrations reaching 27,000 ppm. All mercury-positive products were manufactured abroad, mercury was rarely disclosed on labels, and the findings highlight regulatory, health-equity, and environmental justice concerns.

18 Aug 2026

Superstorm Sandy reshaped indoor fungal communities, with an unexpected asthma result

and lower fungal diversity than non-damaged homes. Despite these persistent but variable fungal changes, researchers found no statistically significant increase in asthma morbidity, impaired lung function, or airway inflammation among children with relatively mild asthma.

13 Aug 2026

A study of 60 popular Chinese teas found reassuring results and one important warning

Researchers analyzing 60 best-selling online teas in China found that concentrations of six harmful elements remained within Chinese national limits and modeled noncarcinogenic risks were below concern thresholds.

13 Aug 2026

Contaminated soil can bring hazardous lead dust into homes

Lead contamination in soil tracked inside homes can cause dangerous indoor lead dust levels even in residences with no interior lead-based paint, according to researchers with the Rutgers Environmental, Occupational and Health Sciences Institute in collaboration with community scientists from the East Trenton Collaborative.

11 Aug 2026

Heavy rainfall and flooding raise infectious disease risks across Europe

A rapid review of 14 studies found that heavy rainfall and flooding were associated with outbreaks and increased incidence of several infectious diseases across Europe, particularly campylobacteriosis and leptospirosis. The authors highlighted major evidence gaps and called for stronger One Health surveillance, public health communication, sanitation, and flood-response planning.

10 Aug 2026

H5N1 infections remain rare among workers exposed to infected birds

A two-year cohort study of 428 people exposed to H5N1-infected birds in England found fewer than 1% met criteria for infection, with no severe disease or secondary human transmission. The findings support continued PPE use, biosecurity, and targeted surveillance while highlighting challenges around occupational exposure, mucosal contamination, and pandemic preparedness.

10 Aug 2026

Machine learning predicts pathogen risks in drinking water sources

Safe drinking water depends not only on treatment, but also on knowing when harmful microorganisms may be present in source waters.

7 Aug 2026

Living near a dry cleaner may come with an unexpected Parkinson’s disease link

A nationwide case-control study of older U.S. Medicare beneficiaries found that living closer to a dry-cleaning establishment was associated with higher odds of incident Parkinson’s disease, with the strongest association among people living within 0.1 mile.

7 Aug 2026