Related Concept Videos
01:18Rise of Liquid in a Capillary Tube
3.2K
When very thin cylindrical tubes, called capillaries, are dipped in a liquid, the liquid rises or falls in the tube compared to the surrounding liquid. This phenomenon is called capillary action. Capillary action occurs due to the combination of two opposing forces: the cohesive forces of the liquid, which cause it to stick to itself and form a rounded shape, and the adhesive forces between the liquid and the walls of the container, which cause the liquid to be attracted to the container walls.
3.2K
02:23The Soil Ecosystem
24.6K
Plants obtain inorganic minerals and water from the soil, which acts as a natural medium for land plants. The composition and quality of soil depend not only on the chemical constituents but also on the presence of living organisms. In general, soils contain three major components:
24.6K
01:50Global Climate Change
28.7K
Throughout its ~4.5 billion year history, the Earth has experienced periods of warming and cooling. However, the current drastic increase in global temperatures is well outside of the Earth’s cyclic norms, and evidence for human-caused global climate change is compelling. Paleoclimatology, the study of ancient climate conditions, provides ample evidence for human-caused global climate change by comparing recent conditions with those in the past.
28.7K
01:10Nature and Nurture
22.2K
Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience,...
22.2K
01:31Taxonomy
85.2K
Taxonomy is the science of defining and naming groups of biological organisms based on shared characteristics. It uses a hierarchy of increasingly inclusive categories with Latin names. The smallest units of taxonomy, species and genus, are used to assign a formal, taxonomic name to each species in a system. This classification system, referred to as binomial nomenclature, was formalized by Carolus Linnaeus in the 18th century.
Hierarchy of Taxonomy
The hierarchy that Carolus Linnaeus first...
Hierarchy of Taxonomy
The hierarchy that Carolus Linnaeus first...
85.2K
01:59Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
21.5K
Crop cultivation has a long history in human civilization, with records showing the cultivation of cereal plants beginning at around 8000 BC. This early plant breeding was developed primarily to provide a steady supply of food.
21.5K
You might also read
Related Articles
Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.
Sort by
Same author
Seed Oils as a Hypothesized Contributor to Heart Disease: A Narrative Synthesis.
Cureus·2026
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026
08:27
Sampling and Identification of Microplastics in Groundwater
Published on: November 7, 2025
990
From Bakelite to Biohazard: The Century-Long Rise of Microplastics.
1Independent Research, Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Downers Grove, USA.
Cureus
|January 20, 2026
Summary
Plastic production has led to widespread microplastic pollution, posing potential health risks. Further research and policy are needed to understand and mitigate these effects on human health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- The invention of Bakelite initiated the synthetic polymer era, resulting in massive plastic production and subsequent microplastic (MP) pollution.
- MPs (<5 mm) contaminate ecosystems and human tissues, with emerging evidence linking them to reproductive and cardiovascular health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical trajectory of plastic production, environmental dissemination of micro- and nanoplastics, human health impacts, development of safer polymers, and policy responses.
- To identify key prevention strategies, evidence gaps, and priorities for future research and policy interventions regarding micro- and nanoplastic pollution.
Main Methods:
- A narrative review synthesizing data from a targeted literature search (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, 2010-2025) on plastic production, pollution, human exposure, health effects, and policy.
- Inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed, English-language articles reporting primary data, quantitative syntheses, or policy analysis relevant to human health outcomes. Major reports from UNEP and WHO were also consulted.
Main Results:
- Global plastic production surged from 2 million metric tons (1950) to over 450 million metric tons (2018), with low recycling rates (9-20%).
- An estimated 4.8-12.7 million metric tons of plastic enter oceans annually, fragmenting into MPs and nanoplastics that bioaccumulate and carry co-pollutants.
- Human tissues (blood, placenta, lungs, plaques) now contain MPs/nanoplastics, with observational studies suggesting links to cardiovascular events, endocrine disruption, and reduced sperm quality.
Conclusions:
- Plastic production and design decisions drive widespread micro- and nanoplastic exposure, with plausible links to cardiovascular, endocrine, and reproductive health issues.
- While evidence suggests potential health consequences, causal pathways remain incompletely defined, necessitating longitudinal and mechanistic research.
- Coordinated strategies involving safer polymer design, exposure reduction, robust health research, and international policy are crucial to address micro- and nanoplastic contamination and protect human health.