Medicine & Health
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 30-Mar-2026 23:15 ET (31-Mar-2026 03:15 GMT/UTC)
"Forever chemicals" create boom-and-bust cycle in soil, disrupting global carbon processes
Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural UniversityNew research from the Wuhan University of Technology reveals the complex and contradictory effects of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," on soil ecosystems. A team led by authors Yulong Li and Lie Yang demonstrated that contaminants PFOA and PFOS trigger a dramatic two-phase response in soil. Initially, the chemicals stimulate a rapid release of carbon, but this is followed by a prolonged period of suppression, posing significant questions about the long-term health of contaminated soils and their role in the global carbon cycle.
The widespread presence of PFOA and PFOS in the environment is a growing concern due to their persistence and bioaccumulation. While many investigations have focused on their distribution and toxic effects on plants and animals, their influence on the fundamental geochemical processes within soil has been less understood. This inquiry sought to determine how these specific contaminants alter the mineralization of soil organic carbon (SOC), a vital process where microorganisms break down organic matter and release carbon, which influences both soil fertility and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
- Journal
- Carbon Research
- Funder
- Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province, China, National Natural Science Foundation of China
From ashes to assets: Unpacking the dual role of fire residues in Earth's carbon cycle and environmental health
Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural UniversityA team of researchers from Kunming University of Science and Technology, Peking University, and the University of Massachusetts has published a comprehensive review detailing the complex environmental role of pyrogenic carbonaceous materials (PCMs). These carbon-rich residues, produced from the incomplete combustion of biomass during wildfires and fuel burning, are widely distributed across the globe. The analysis synthesizes current knowledge on how these materials contribute to long-term carbon sequestration in soils while simultaneously posing ecological risks due to associated contaminants. The findings provide a critical overview for environmental scientists and policymakers navigating the intersection of climate change, soil health, and pollution.
- Journal
- Carbon Research
- Funder
- National Natural Science Foundation of China, Major Science and Technology Projects in Yunnan Province
Understanding biochar's complex interactions in farmland soils for sustainable carbon management
Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural UniversityScientists have long recognized biochar's potential to enhance soil fertility and sequester carbon. However, the precise dynamics of how black carbon (BC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) accumulate and persist in different agricultural environments following varying biochar applications have remained unclear. A recent investigation, conducted by a team including Jun Zhang, Yinghui Wang, and Junjian Wang from the Southern University of Science and Technology, addresses this critical knowledge gap, offering nuanced insights into long-term biochar effects. This research provides a crucial foundation for optimizing biochar use in farming to maximize its environmental benefits while minimizing potential risks.
- Funder
- National Natural Science Foundation of China, Key Platform and Scientific Research Projects of Guangdong Provincial Education Department, Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province, Science and Technology Development Fund Project of Shenzhen, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control
Air pollution alerts deliver big health benefits for Chinese cities
University of BirminghamPeer-Reviewed Publication
First-of-a kind study provides clear evidence that alerts cut health risks from urban air pollution
- Journal
- PNAS Nexus
SFU joins forces with Queen’s University to build secure, made-in-Canada supercomputing capability
Simon Fraser UniversityBusiness Announcement
Simon Fraser University (SFU) and Queen’s University are partnering to design and build a national sovereign, secure and sustainable high-performance supercomputing system that will keep Canadian data and intellectual property in Canadian hands.
The two universities have signed a memorandum of understanding, seizing the opportunity to combine unrivalled national expertise to provide world-leading high-performance computing and services for academia, government, and industry.
Artificial intelligence (AI) supercomputers are the powerful engines that train AI models, analyze massive amounts of information, and support innovations in areas such as health care, clean energy, defence, manufacturing, dual-use technology and public safety. As demand for AI grows, so does the need for strong computing infrastructure that keeps data secure and ensures it stays within Canadian borders.
PSMA therapy delays hormone therapy in prostate cancer
Radboud University Medical CenterPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- The Lancet Oncology