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Forests can trap... microplastics? 🌳
The waxy surface of forest canopy leaves can also trap airborne microplastics, reveals a study in Japan.
Feature of the week
How forests trap airborne microplastics 🙌
In light of the pressing issue of climate change, protecting forests has never been more critical. Studies have shown that forests provide multiple benefits to human life—from absorbing tons of poisonous carbon in the atmosphere to capturing, filtering, and storing freshwater.
A study from Japan reveals that forests can also trap airborne microplastics, potentially acting as terrestrial sinks for these deadly particles. Measuring less than 100 µm, microplastics have infiltrated every corner of our environment and pose a health hazard to animals and humans alike.
Upon studying the leaves of native konara oak trees, the researchers detected over a hundred microplastic particles that were stuck on the outer, waxy coating of the leaves.
Editorial highlights
 | ENVIRONMENT Scientists in Singapore isolated gut bacteria of super worms and demonstrated how they can help cut plastic pollution. |
 | TOP NEWS Supported by a S$270 million grant from the National Research Foundation, the National Supercomputing Center Singapore has announced its plans to support Singapore’s research community and develop the nation’s high-performance computing capabilities. |
 | HEALTH Kyushu University researchers have developed an innovative AI model for accurate osteosarcoma prognosis, thereby improving cancer detection and treatment. |
Meet the Asian Scientist 100 Community
Chulalongkorn University | Thailand 🇹🇠| Life Sciences Tor-Ngern was awarded the L’Oréal-UNESCO International Rising Talent Award 2022 for her research into the impacts of climate variability and change on water and carbon cycles in the forests of Southeast Asia. |  |
Saqib Arif →Pakistan Agricultural Research Council | Pakistan 🇵🇰 | Agricultural Sciences Arif was awarded the 2023 International Innovation Award for his research on the potential of composite flour, which combines underused grains, as a response to the worldwide rise in wheat prices and increasing sustainability concerns. |  |