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Title: Uncovering Microplastics' Impact: 14-Year-Old Discovers Tumor-Like Structures in Humans

Microplastics, tiny fragments of plastic, have emerged as a worldwide predicament. An insightful adolescent, Anushka Sable, has uncovered a startling discovery: these particles can contribute to the development of tumors within our bodies.

Title: Microplastics in Food: An Unseen Danger
Title: Microplastics in Food: An Unseen Danger

Title: Uncovering Microplastics' Impact: 14-Year-Old Discovers Tumor-Like Structures in Humans

Microplastics in our food, soil, and bodies have become a worldwide concern, with unknown consequences for human health. An eighth grader named Anushka Sable took it upon herself to investigate how these plastics influence human blood immune cells. The Dutch scientific community discovered microplastics in 77% of blood samples tested in 2022, drawing global attention to the gravity of plastic pollution.

Anushka hypothesized that microplastic exposure would cause an increase in white blood cell activation, cell aggregation, adhesion, and inflammation, potentially leading to tumor-like structures. With approval from her school's science fair, a review committee, and Emory University's institutional review board, she conducted her research in a lab under the guidance of a mentor.

Finding that monocytes were taking up microplastics, she developed a 3D cell culture, a plasticome, to study the particles' cancer-causing potential. Her observations revealed tumor-like structures, proving her hypothesis correct. Anushka's project earned her a spot among the 30 finalists in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, offering both a cause for concern and a glimmer of hope for the future.

Her research indicated the presence of harmful chemicals in microplastics, which could be studied to discover treatments. Anushka's work demonstrated the dangers of microplastic exposure, supporting future research efforts. She also proposed that her 3D cell culture platform could be used to investigate other substances like asbestosis and silicosis and reduce the use of animals in microplastic research.

Looking forward, Anushka aims to enhance her 3D cell culture platform by incorporating additional cell types such as epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and the extracellular matrix. She hopes this development will reveal larger tumor-like structures and provide more data for therapeutic screenings to prevent or treat microplastic-induced cellular disorders.

Exposure to microplastics can impact human white blood cells by trapping them in blood vessels, leading to inflammation and coagulation, and potentially causing DNA damage and promoting carcinogenesis. Bioaccumulation and endocrine disruption further underline the risks associated with microplastic exposure.

The discovery of microplastics in 77% of blood samples by the Dutch scientific community highlights the need for more research in the field of science, potentially leading to innovative ways to combat this issue. Anushka's findings about the formation of tumor-like structures in her 3D cell culture reveal the innovative potential of using such models in microplastic research, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treatment options.

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