Environment

Changing environment, changing health
Our environment and health are closely intertwined, and we must equip future generations with adaptive capacities to achieve sustainable human wellbeing on all fronts. One such environment is our chemical one. It is present in the products we use, the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Human biomonitoring is ...

The Microbiome gut brain axis and the rise of psychobiotics
Communication between our gut and our brain is a two-way street. A large part of the signals being sent from our intestines to our brain is thanks to the bacteria living inside us, our microbiome. Our gut microbes have been linked to anxiety and depression. Research is ongoing to see if we can manipulate our bacterial populations to benefit our mental health.

Urban health: making cities sustainable and healthier for all
The current Covid-19 pandemic draws attention to the need to integrate health equity into urban planning. It encourages behaviours that both protect the environment and promote health.

Is microbial protein the answer to the quest for ‘meatless meat’?
Can you imagine producing agri-products without having to use land? Finnish scientists and researchers have produced protein, manufactured by microbes, using electricity, water, nutrients and air.

The Oceans of Plastics – Plastisphere: A new term for the marine environment
Every minute, the equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic waste enters the oceans. Plastics pollution is so ubiquitous that scientists have coined a new term for the marine environment: the plastisphere.