The migration period has started. Millions of birds are migrating now.

But birds face a variety of threats during migration—collisions with windows, communications towers and wind turbines; light pollution that disorients them; habitat loss or degradation in their migration stopover areas; human disturbance while feeding at stopover areas; predators; and storms.

Artificial light is one of the biggest dangers for birds traveling at night. It can confuse or attract them toward buildings, where they may crash into windows.

Birds collide with windows when they can't see them or, even worse, are attracted to them because of reflections of plants or the sky.This happens during the day, as well as at night during migration when lights disorient birds or if fog is causing them to fly low.

That's why people have an important role to play, say experts. The three most important things you can do for birds this time of year are to keep cats indoors, turn your lights off and use window mitigation.

Turn off unnecessary outdoor lighting at night or use motion sensors and timers so lights are only on when needed. If you must leave a light on, use warm-colored lights with shields that face downward.

Homeowners can also help reduce window collisions by: Placing bird feeders within three feet of windows or more than 30 feet away

Using window screens, UV tape or hanging cords to make glass visible

Closing blinds to limit reflections

Leaving fallen logs or stick piles in yards to give birds shelter as they stop to rest.

Enjoy these visitors as they pass through. But feed responsibly! Clean your feeders regularly, follow window guidance, and keep your cats indoors.

Nanoplastics detected in farm animal cells: Study warns of possible human consequences

Scientists at the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) in Dummerstorf and the University of Udine have detected the uptake of nanoplastics in farm animal cell cultures. The results provide evidence of potential risks to animal health, meat production and also human food safety.

Plastic bags, packaging, yogurt lids—items that are carelessly thrown away decompose over years into tiny plastic particles. They end up in soil, waterways and ultimately in our food chain. Although numerous studies have already shown that microplastics can harm marine animals, birds and insects, the effects of nanoplastics on livestock have hardly been researched to date.

Unlike microplastics (1 µm–5 mm), there are currently few adequate methods for detecting nanoplastics (< 1 µm) in humans and animals. However, researchers assume that these small particles can also accumulate in tissue.

In a new study, researchers have demonstrated the uptake of nanoplastic particles made of polystyrene into cultured cells from cattle and pigs. This absorption led to changes that could impair the cell function and health of the animals in the long term.

The study examined granulosa cells from cattle, which play an important role in reproduction, and myoblasts from pigs, which are used to form muscle tissue. Even low concentrations led to microscopically visible accumulations. These could impair the fertility of the animals and their products.
Farm animals are part of the human food chain. Direct health risks to consumers cannot be inferred at present. Nevertheless, the researchers urge for more detailed investigations into the long-term consequences of microplastics and nanoplastics.

Francesca Corte Pause et al, Exploring the influence of polystyrene-nanoplastics on two distinct in vitro systems in farm animals: A pilot study, Science of The Total Environment (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179378

Do plastics have toxic effects on the heart? Higher exposure linked to changes in heart rhythms

We've all heard warnings about BPA—a chemical found in plastics and personal care products. Studies show that nearly millions of people around the world have detectable levels of BPA in their bodies. Now, new research has revealed this everyday exposure is tied to changes in the heart's electrical system.

Phenols are a wide variety of chemicals. The best-known example is BPA.

BPA can be found in water bottles, food can linings, cash register receipts, eyeglass lenses, even baby bottles and makeup. These are environmental phenols—chemicals in products we touch every day.

 So researchers studied 600 people. Urine tests and EKGs found higher exposure was linked to changes in heart rhythms.

The electrical conduction literally keeps us alive. If it gets altered in any way, you could die immediately, say cardiologists.

Healthy individuals should not be affected by this. But if you find a person that's genetically predisposed, that is older, these can lead to potential changes.

https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2025/10/do-plastics-have-toxic-eff...