MDPI Articles Cited in the News: January 2026
January’s roundup of MDPI articles cited in the news highlights research mentioned in prominent news outlets such as The Atlantic, The Conversation, and BBC News. We learn more about dental modifications in populations from parts of Africa and how stress impacts immune system responses. We also hear about the latest research on the pathology and treatment of hangovers presented at the 14th Alcohol Hangover Research Group meeting, as well as how fruit and vegetables bought from supermarkets are contaminated with microplastics.
Intentional Dental Modifications in the African Population
Published in Oral | Mentioned by The Atlantic
The practice of intentionally modifying our bodies has been around for centuries, dating back to ancient civilisations.
A study published in the Open Access journal Oral explores dental modifications within African populations, providing a comprehensive summary of the prevalence, cultural significance and forensic implications of certain dental adaptations.
The study, mentioned by The Atlantic, comprises a scoping review of data from PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus, yielding 30 studies from 1969-2020 of intentional, nontherapeutic dental modifications in Africa.
These modifications include dental filing, shaping and extraction as well as the tradition of soft tissue modification called gingiva tattooing – a practice of tattooing the inside of the lips and areas of the mouth. Oral piercings are also common, with the insertion of oral plates being a deep-routed cultural practice among the Surma and Mursi people of Southwestern Ethiopia.
The result of the study shows that most of the modifications occurred on hard tissue (82.3%) and reasons for modifications include the practice of traditional medicine, preserving tradition, ethnic affiliation, self-expression and individualism.
Research on like this provides a greater understanding of these deeply preserved cultural practices.
Immunology of Stress: A Review Article
Published in Journal of Clinical Medicine | Mentioned by The Conversation
How does stress impact our immune system? A review published in the Open Access Journal of Clinical Medicine explores the relationship between the two, analysing the key pathways linking stress and immune responses: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system.
The review provides a comprehensive understanding of the different ways stress is linked to the complex network that is the immune system.
Triggering a physiological stress response can cause a cascade of downstream reactions, including the elevation of specific inflammatory components. This may increase the potential of activating viruses that lay dormant in our bodies.
Furthermore, being in a consistent state of flight or fight may decrease the body’s ability to defend against pathogens due to the release of cortisol. This important steroid hormone is known as the body’s stress regulator and is a key component of the flight or fight response. However, it also leaves the body vulnerable by suppressing the function of key immune cells that help fight off infection.
The review highlights the importance of effective stress management to improve the body’s ability to fight infection and maintain wellbeing. A proven and effective method of managing stress includes practicing .
The research also explores the relationship between chronic stress and its potential role in the development of autoimmune disorders.
Proceedings of the 14th Alcohol Hangover Research Group Meeting in Glasgow, UK
Published in Proceedings | Mentioned by BBC News
Research on alcohol hangovers have also shown that, like stress, drinking too much alcohol can suppress immune system responses.
Proceedings from the 14th Alcohol Hangover Research Group meeting explored the current knowledge of hangovers, discussing its causes, consequences and treatments.
The proceedings included research presented by Sam Royle from the University of Salford, UK. Here, they showed how the severity of a hangover could be determined by an individual’s daily diet, baseline personality and any underlying or chronic health conditions present, such as diabetes, asthma, or cardiovascular disease.
Furthermore, the meeting also included presentation of innovative technologies by Gabril Sperrer from the University of Vienna, Austria, to create awareness of excessive alcohol consumption and the health risks it poses, and to encourage responsible drinking. This technology consists of a personalised mobile phone app which can be used to monitor alcohol consumption and drinking habits in real-time, while providing reminders to drink water.
Various other researchers presented their findings of the current knowledge of the pathology of hangovers and the effectiveness of supplements and other treatments in reducing the severity of hangovers.
Microplastics Contamination on the Surfaces of Fruits and Vegetables: Abundance, Characteristics, and Exposure Assessment
Published in: Microplastics | Mentioned by The Mirror
Recently, there has been much attention drawn to microplastics and their impact on the environment, human health, and disease.
A study published in the journal Microplastics explores the extent to which microplastics contaminate fruit and vegetables. This includes commonly consumed fruit and vegetables: tomatoes, apples, grapes and cucumbers purchased from different supermarkets.
The researchers measured the amounts and types of microplastics present of the surface of fruits and vegetables using different microscopic techniques, such as stereomicroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersion detectors. These different methodologies were used to characterise the different aspects of the microplastics, including the size, abundance, shape, colour, and composition.
The researchers found various levels of contamination in all fruits and vegetables, noting that although the levels of surface contamination were low, there seems to be no current regulation on the safety thresholds of microplastic food contamination.
This study is a foundation for further research on microplastic contamination and food safety. Future research and collaboration with food policy makers is essential to ensure that efficient safety guidelines are established in regard to microplastic contamination for clear and practical food safety guidelines.
To read more exciting new research across a diverse range of science topics, access MDPI’s full journal list.
