Dr. Scott Coffin

a couple of birds in a cage with one sitting on top of a coconut ALT: a couple of birds in a cage with one sitting on top of a coconut

Just learned a #nonviolent replacement for the phrase, "Kill two birds with one stone" that I am totally in love with.
"Feed two birds with one scone"

Disappointing to see that scientists are still conflating gender and sex in the literature. The reviewers or editors really should have caught this glaring error in the title of this 2016 paper!

Thank you to authors:
@magdalenammair.bsky.social @analeticiav.bsky.social, Stephanie Kennedy, Anna Kukkola, Ezra Miller, Andrew Yeh, Towsif Ahmed, Lidwina Bertrand, Andrew Barrick, Win Cowger, and Darragh Doyle

Huge thanks to all collaborators who made this possible. This project was truly a labor of love - no funding, 100% volunteer-run, with authors from all over the world!
More to come soon! 🌎✨

The Toxicity of Microplastics Explorer (ToMEx) 2.0 - Microplastics and Nanoplastics In 2021 the Toxicity of Microplastics Explorer (ToMEx, https://microplastics.sccwrp.org ) was released as an open source, open access database and web application for microplastics toxicity. Since the...

Some good news-

By harmonizing data across particle types, exposure conditions, species, and effect endpoints, we created the most comprehensive quality-assured dataset to date for microplastic ecological risk assessment (i.e., ToMEx 2.0)!
microplastics.springeropen.com/articles/10....

This means we can't judge a book by it's cover (or it's age)! High-quality microplastic effects data remain relatively rare, and just because a paper is newer or is published in a 'good' journal doesn't mean it's reliable!

We also found that while 'better' journals (i.e., ⬆️impact factor & Altmetric score) correlate with higher quality studies, there are MANY exceptions, with some of the best studies in mid-impact journals like ES&T and STOTEN.

• Widespread issues with particle characterization, dose reporting, and experimental design.

• Many studies lack the information needed to determine whether observed effects are real, reproducible, or relevant for risk assessment.

What we found: despite explosive growth in the literature, only a small fraction of studies meet minimum standards for use in health-protective risk assessment.

We found:
• A significant negative trend in study quality over time, despite more papers being published each year :/

New paper out! 🎉
Our team published “A Quality-Assured Global Database and Multidimensional Analysis of #Microplastic #Toxicity Studies” in STOTEN.
We evaluated 286 microplastic ecotoxicity studies using quality criteria developed to support #California’s regulatory needs under SB 1263.

Looking to apply high-throughput and automated #microplastics analysis techniques in your laboratory for sediment, water, or air? Attend this 5-day intensive by the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research!

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Biofiltration BMPs found to remove microplastic particles - Southern California Coastal Water Research Project A two-year study examining whether biofiltration BMPs (best management practices) can efficiently remove microplastics from Southern California runoff has found that these stormwater control measures ...

A two-year study by SCCWRP reveals that biofiltration #stormwater BMPs remove ~72% of #microplastic particles from runoff. Engineered media in biofilters - used to trap sediment, nutrients, metals - also work well for microplastics - a multi-benefit intervention!
www.sccwrp.org/biofiltratio...

This collaborative project was borne out of the 2019 #PFASDatathon I led with colleagues at the
California State Water Board and CDPH.
Kudos to Toki Fillman and Kathleen Attfield for spearheading this groundbreaking work, and the many others who contributed!
waterboards.ca.gov/pfas/pfas_da...

Among 563 adults, those served by water systems with PFAS detections had up to 80% higher serum PFHxS and elevated PFOA, PFOS, and ∑5 PFAS.
These links persisted even in communities without industrial PFAS sources.
#PFAS #DrinkingWater #PublicHealth

Just published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology (@springernature.com)!

Our multi-agency team examined links between #PFAS in public drinking water and levels in people’s blood across #SouthernCalifornia.

#openAccess link ->
doi.org/10.1038/s413...

How mRNA Vaccines Can Help Fight Cancer Turning "cold" tumors "hot"

How do mRNA vaccines help fight cancer?
A @nature.com paper today tells the story, one with big implications, as reviewed here
erictopol.substack.com/p/how-mrna-v...

Promotional graphic for PLOS Webinar titled 'Open 2.0', featuring a butterfly on a monochromatic flower on the left and colorful abstract shapes on the right, discussing the progress of open science through case studies.

There is still time to register for our next Open 2.0 webinar exploring how #OpenScience monitoring helps track and understand open science in practice.

📅 Oct 31, 2.30 PM CET
📝 plos.io/3WnuNJM
🤝 Speakers: @sabinaleonelli.bsky.social, @ismaelrafols.bsky.social and Antónia Correia.

@efsa.europa.eu just released a literature review of >1,700 publications reporting #microplastics occurrence in food contact materials. Unfortunately, methodological shortcomings and inadequate reporting prevents reliable exposure estimation.

#LiteratureReview
www.efsa.europa.eu/en/supportin...

10-22: Don['t miss this free virtual #conference: the 2025 Great Lakes #Microplastics Summit!

From cutting-edge research to real-world challenges, this summit dives into the latest knowledge on microplastics in #surfaceWater and #drinkingWater.

Register free ->
egle.idloom.events/2025-Micropl...

Evidence keeps accumulating for the environmental toxin exposure link to Parkinson's disease, beyond pesticides. Today on trichloroethylene (TCE), used in dry cleaning
www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/...

As new treatments for microplastics emerge, here’s the evidence on how well they work Entrepreneurs aim to remove microplastics from the body, but the cost can be steep and the clinical benefit remains uncertain.

Peddling expensive, unproven treatments vs microplastics
wapo.st/4nX0A0d

Chicago No Kings

Today, millions of Americans sent a message to the Trump regime.

We are not scared.

We will keep fighting.

We will organize, we will mobilize, and we will resist—over and over again—until this corrupt wannabe authoritarian regime is removed from power.

Because in America, we have No Kings.

Unfortunately this behavior is far too common. While I understand the desire for researchers to sometimes commercialize their science (especially in this funding climate), if a publication claims their data will be made available upon request, it should be honored or amended!

Paper: 'Low-cost, portable, rapid #microplastics sensor can lower barriers to address #plasticPolluton'! 😍🥳✌️

Me: "what an incredible scientific beeakthrough! Now let's apply it!

Paper: "Data will be made available upon request"

Me: kindly requests data from authors

The authors:

Please join Beyond Plastics Science Director @trishavv.bsky.social, @amizota.bsky.social
of Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, and Ryan Babadi of @toxicfreefuture.bsky.social on Nov. 12 for a free webinar about toxic chemicals in plastics.

www.beyondplastics.org/events/toxic...

Mapping the invisible world of #microplastics?
Try #OpenSpecy, #siMPle, and #FLOPP-E (with its brand-new RShiny viewer) - open tools that turn raw FTIR/Raman spectra into clear polymer IDs.

Which spectral tool do you use most?

🔗 www.plastiverse.org/tools?_resou...

#PlasticPollution #Spectroscopy

Home » Plastiverse Plastiverse is a hub for assets and information exchange on plastic pollution research. A live, crowd-sourced repository for tools, databases, protocols, and information related to micro- and macro-pl...

New on Plastiverse.org: two open, classroom-ready tools for detecting microplastics with Nile Red 🎉🔬
Both Open Data + Open Source. Perfect for secondary schools & citizen science. Details below 👇
#Microplastics #STEM #OpenSource #OpenData

Sacramento Science on Tap: Chemical Tinker Toys — California Groundbreakers Have the most fun evening of your week — learn about science in laypeople's terms by our local experts. ENLIGHTENMENT is partnering with Capital Science Communicators to host Sacramento Scienc...

Don't miss Sacramento Science on Tap at New Helvetia Brewing Co. tonight! 🍻 The first event of the new series welcomes as its inaugural speaker none other than Jared Shaw, host of the long-running Davis Science Cafe.
#KeepScienceSpicy🌶️

The Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research
is seeking a visionary and compassionate leader to serve as Executive Director of their laboratory. Truly an incredible opportunity to work with some of the world's leading researchers on #microplastics!
Apply by October 31st! <- lnkd.in/g2u_pJxs