Microplastics on the Mind, Superstrong Shrimp and Bird Flu Transmission
Feb 10, 2025
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A worrying discovery reveals that microplastics may be lodging in our brains. Researchers find that moods fluctuate throughout the day, with mornings being the most uplifting. The mantis shrimp showcases its remarkable punching abilities, intriguing scientists with its unique dactyl club. Additionally, the moon’s canyons were shaped by a dramatic cosmic event, prompting discussions about potential asteroid impacts in the future. As a bonus, bonobos have shown an impressive knack for recognizing when humans are confused and attempting to assist.
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Quick takeaways
The recent emergence of the D1.1 variant of H5N1 bird flu in U.S. cattle underscores serious concerns about zoonotic disease transmission.
Alarming findings reveal significant levels of microplastics in the human brain, raising potential risks to neurological health that require further research.
Deep dives
Emerging Bird Flu Variants in Cattle
The recent spread of the H5N1 bird flu in U.S. cattle raises significant concerns, especially with the emergence of the D1.1 genotype found in six Nevada herds. This variant highlights that the outbreak likely involves multiple spillover events from birds to cattle, complicating efforts to understand its transmission. Notably, the D1.1 variant has been linked to severe human infections and was responsible for the first death in the U.S. from H5N1. Given these implications, further research is crucial to determine the extent of D1.1 in cattle and its potential risks to human health.
Microplastics Found in Human Brains
Recent research has shown alarming levels of microplastics present in human brain tissue, with concentrations significantly higher than in other organs like the kidneys and livers. A study analyzing tissue samples from 52 cadavers found that the average amount of microplastics in the brain increased by 50% between 2016 and 2024. The findings suggest that the amount of microplastics found in a brain could weigh as much as a plastic spoon, raising concerns about the potential neurological impacts. While the specific effects on human health remain uncertain, the presence of such materials in the brain is likely to pose risks that warrant further investigation.
A subtype of H5N1 bird flu that has been found in cattle for the first time suggests that the virus jumped from birds to the animals twice. A headline-making study estimates that we have a spoon’s worth of microplastics in our brain. Streams of rock from a cosmic impact created the moon’s two deep canyons, Vallis Schrödinger and Vallis Planck. A large study shows that people feel their best in the morning and their worst at midnight. Bonobos can tell when humans don’t know something—and try to help us.
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Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Madison Goldberg, Naeem Amarsy and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was hosted by Rachel Feltman. Our show is edited by Naeem Amarsy with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.