Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest types of tumors. A team at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has discovered that pancreatic tumors exploit the body’s nervous system by forming so-called pseudosynapses. Through a specific receptor, the cancer cells take up the neurotransmitter glutamate, which drives tumor growth. The researchers now hope to identify drugs that can block this process in patients.

On 2 December 2025, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) are hosting a consumer protection forum entitled "Microplastics – What do we know today?". The event will highlight the current state of scientific knowledge and promote the dialogue between experts from the fields of research, society, business and politics. "Research on microplastics has made enormous progress in recent years," says PD Dr Johannes Pleiner-Duxneuner, Managing Director of AGES. "Nevertheless, there are still gaps in the data that need to be clarified." Current studies detect microplastics in numerous human organs and link them to various diseases – but how reliable are these studies? Are there methodological shortcomings? Are the particles detected really microplastics? According to the current state of scientific knowledge, microplastics pose a relatively low health risk to humans. "Most particles cannot be absorbed or processed by the body, and the amounts that are absorbed are probably too small to cause any harm to health," says the BfR President Professor Dr Andreas Hensel. "At the same time, further research is needed – particularly with regard to the exact mechanisms of action of microplastics in the human body." The forum provides a platform for bringing together different perspectives, drawing possible conclusions and addressing concerns among the general public.