Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad class of synthetic organofluorine compounds characterized by carbon chains that are fully or partially fluorinated, conferring exceptional thermal, chemical, and surfactant stability. As a research topic, PFAS encompasses their environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, complex transport and transformation pathways, and emerging toxicological profiles, including interactions with lipid metabolism, endocrine signaling, and immune function. Investigations address analytical challenges in ultra-trace detection, structural diversity (e.g., legacy vs. replacement PFAS), mixture effects, and the development of remediation technologies and regulatory frameworks, making PFAS a central focus in environmental chemistry, exposure science, and risk assessment.
When fire tore through Los Angeles County in January 2025, westerly winds blew most of the smoke and ash over the Pacific, keeping the main measure of air quality, total mass of particles smaller than 2.5 microns, at or near ...
Environment
May 21, 2026
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What do a thriving coral reef and a bustling city neighborhood have in common? More than you might think. A Perspective by Federico Botta and colleagues published in PNAS Nexus proposes a method for measuring urban vibrancy ...
Environment
May 19, 2026
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Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called "forever chemicals," are now found almost everywhere scientists look. They have been detected in rivers, oceans, wildlife, food and even human blood.
Ecology
May 19, 2026
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The fresh air, picturesque vistas and pristine bush of the Blue Mountains west of Sydney draw millions of visitors a year. Unfortunately, the Blue Mountains are also the site of a controversial investigation into water contamination ...
Environment
May 15, 2026
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A large study of London's tap water has revealed that trace amounts of PFAS "forever chemicals" are present, but their levels are within U.K. and EU safety limits. The analysis, led by researchers at Imperial College London ...
Environment
May 12, 2026
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A new study has unveiled a new method to cost-effectively and practically test for "forever chemicals" in water, potentially revolutionizing environmental PFAS monitoring. Led by Griffith University, the novel PFAS detection ...
Environment
May 6, 2026
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PFAS, often called "forever chemicals," are notoriously difficult to remove from the environment. Their extreme chemical stability means they can persist in water and the human body for decades, creating a major global pollution ...
Environment
May 4, 2026
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In 2025, Konstanz scientists looked very closely at rotting fruit in local orchards, and observed what no one had before—worms, hundreds of them, twisting skyward into self-assembled living structures known as "towers." It ...
Plants & Animals
May 4, 2026
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Vast online archives of photos, videos and sound recordings collected by the public are reshaping how scientists study the natural world, allowing researchers to answer questions that were once out of reach. A new study led ...
Plants & Animals
Apr 23, 2026
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Researchers have found that a group of chemicals known as PFAS can be transferred from mother dolphins to their nursing calves, adding to the evidence that these persistent contaminants can be transferred from mothers to ...
Ecology
Apr 18, 2026
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