New research led by the University of Plymouth (UK) brought together and evaluated more than 5,000 beach litter surveys to reveal the dominant items of marine litter across all seven continents, nine ocean systems, 13 regional seas and 112 nations, a combined area representing 86% of the global population. 

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) proudly celebrates a major milestone for its global Capture the Fracture® (CTF) programme: the 1,310 Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) within the CTF network now collectively identify more than one million patients every year. Following a fragility fracture, the risk of subsequent fractures approximately doubles, with the likelihood of another fracture highest within the first one to two years after the initial event. Coordinated post-fracture care services such as Fracture Liaison Services and orthogeriatric services play a critical role in improving patient outcomes and reducing the risk of future fractures. These services help ensure that patients who experience an osteoporosis-related fracture are not simply discharged without follow-up, but instead receive timely osteoporosis assessment, appropriate treatment, and ongoing care to help prevent additional fractures. In the past five years, Capture the Fracture® has expanded three-fold and is recognized as the leading global initiative supporting the implementation of coordinated, multidisciplinary models of care for secondary fracture prevention.

Michele Carbone, M.D., Ph.D., to be honored at the 2026 NFCR Global Summit and Award Ceremonies for Cancer Research & Entrepreneurship in Washington, D.C., for his landmark discovery that mesothelioma is driven by inherited gene–environment interactions — a finding that transformed how the disease is understood, diagnosed, treated and prevented worldwide, and drove historic public policy changes that have saved lives across generations.

Researchers at the University of East London are launching a new River Thames monitoring project to investigate how microplastic pollution is changing across the river system and help inform future environmental policy. Led by Dr Ria Devereux, the study will combine new sampling data from locations between Teddington and Southend with more than three years of existing monitoring research. The project will examine how environmental and climate-related pressures may influence pollution levels and aims to support discussions around wastewater management, river protection and plastic pollution regulation. The research team will also work with stakeholders including the Environment Agency, DEFRA, the Port of London Authority, water companies and environmental organisations, with findings contributing to future policy briefings and a dedicated sustainability workshop hosted at UEL.

A review into food waste in Australia’s quick service restaurants has found order mistakes are the biggest driver of food waste, with better staff training a key part of the solution.