Plastic products are ubiquitous in our food supply chain, shedding microplastics into every part of the human ecosystem. As they degrade, microplastics break down into even smaller fragments called nanoplastics — tiny particles that can affect biological molecules in ways not fully understood. In a new study, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examined what happens when nanoplastics interact with Salmonella, potentially affecting food safety and human health.

People experiencing homelessness often live with chronic illness, mental health conditions and substance use disorders, while facing significant barriers to accessing and managing health care. With a new five-year, $1 million federal grant, the University of Oklahoma is addressing this challenge by launching a Street Medicine and Advocacy Pathway at the OU College of Medicine to train medical residents in delivering compassionate, comprehensive care to this vulnerable population.

The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology will host a free, public webinar on Monday, March 16, 2026, from 1 pm to 2 pm CT showcasing key cancer research from Alliance investigators presented at the 2025 American Society of Hematology (ASH) and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) meetings. The virtual meeting will highlight recent clinical advances impacting treatment for people living with breast cancer, multiple myeloma, and leukemia. 

Afew years ago, researcher Maya Gislason’s young child came home from school with her crayon drawing of the Earth in 2020 and 2050. “The first was blue and green; the second was a planet on fire,” she says. “Her question to me was: How old will I be when I die in 2050?” 

At Center for BrainHealth during its annual BrainHealth Week, scientists announced the launch of the Society for Brain Health, serving as a formal body of scientists, educators and policymakers focused on enhancing cognitive capacity, longevity, and proactive health optimization and poised to address a critical gap in the global health landscape.