Bárbara Pinho

Not just a marine issue, new research shows microplastics are also changing agricultural land. Bárbara Pinho finds out how and what we can do to prevent it affecting our food
When we think of farmland, we might imagine a landscape of lush green meadows or golden fields of cereal crops. But in reality, these landscapes are probably darker, and that’s thanks to the plastic mulch used everywhere.
Plastic mulch has become an important part of the way farmers grow food. It protects the soil from p...

The world’s aquaculture industry is booming. And it’s no wonder—overfishing in the open ocean has caused populations of many commercially caught fish to plummet. To keep up with the world’s growing demand for seafood, aquaculture, or the rearing of aquatic plants and animals for food, is the obvious alternative.
According to the 2024 United Nations State of the World Fisheries and Aquaculture report, the amount of seafood produced in 2022 from aquaculture exceeded the amount produced from cap...

Although US coal consumption has fallen dramatically since 2005, the country still consumes millions of tons a year, and exports tons more—much of it transported by train. Now, new research shows that these trains can affect the health of people living near where they pass.

Biodegradable plastic that gets broken down into microplastics may decrease soil nitrogen levels more than conventional ones, which stunts plant growth

Researchers have added nitrogen-hungry bacteria to farm soils, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A recent study highlights how vulnerable many marine animals are to rising sea temperatures

Our content is free to read but not free to produce. If you can help, support us today. Donate
Blog
We know that humans have caused the extinction of many bird species, but the number may surprise you.
Humans have not been good for the bird population. We know that Homo sapiens has caused the extinction of hundreds of species, as indicated by fossils and written records. However, most of this data was recorded after the 1500s, so our ability to estimate accurately has been limited.
Now, a tea...

Scientists studied pandemic babies to test our common assumption that excessive hygiene is driving allergies
We’re becoming more allergic to things. It is estimated that the global incidence of food allergy rose from around 3 per cent of the population in 1960 to around 7 per cent in 2018. More patients are ending up in hospitals, too. Between 2013 and 2019, the number of admissions for children in England due to anaphylaxis, a severe reaction to allergies, rose by 72 per cent.
Why is this ha...

Optical sensors could help farmers better monitor beetle populations in oilseed rape fields.

Deadly bites could surge as venomous snakes migrate into unprepared countries as the climate changes

Studies suggest that our fruit and vegetables are losing nutrients. Bárbara Pinho examines the evidence and looks at the implications of a ‘nutrient collapse’
Viewed from above, the agricultural fields around Rothamsted’s estate look like any other farm in the surrounding countryside of Hertfordshire, England. But despite the seemingly ordinary landscape, these fields tell the story of a great scientific experiment – the longest running scientific experiment in the world.
In 1843, John Bennet...

Skin cancer is on the rise in many countries around the world, but so are the methods to treat it. Bárbara Pinho reports

New research sheds light on the influence of microplastics on cellular processes

An analysis of foetal liver tissue offers new insight into the metabolic effects of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The findings show that exposure to these ‘forever chemicals’ alters lipid metabolism in unborn children, and could increase the risk of metabolic disease later in life.
While PFAS are associated with negative health impacts, the metabolic pathways linking PFAS exposure to human disease are unclear, and most studies into these effects have focused on exposure in adults. Scient...

A decade ago, in a field of orange trees in southern Greece, Stéphane Tawil realized that he had lost his sense of smell—completely.
Tawil was with friends who were remarking on the perfumed scent of oranges. But he couldn't smell anything.