A study published in the journal Communications Biology has raised alarms regarding the health of common bottlenose dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida. Researchers found that chronic exposure to toxic molecules produced by cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, may lead to brain degeneration in dolphins resembling Alzheimer’s disease in humans. The study assessed the brains of twenty stranded dolphins, revealing the presence of β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), a toxin harmful to nerve cells. Dolphins are increasingly affected by harmful algal blooms (HABs), which are exacerbated by climate change and nutrient runoff from agricultural and sewage discharges. The concentration of another algal toxin, neurolarthyrogen (2,4-DAB), was significantly higher in dolphin brains during bloom seasons, raising concerns about implications for both marine and human health.

The dolphins exhibited brain anomalies similar to those found in Alzheimer’s patients, including β-amyloid plaques and tau protein clusters. The study identified 536 differentially activated genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease in the dolphins. Previous research has indicated that a significant proportion of stranded bottlenose dolphins suffer from severe hearing loss, a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease in humans. Researchers emphasize the need for further studies to explore the relationship between algal toxins and neurological diseases in dolphins, highlighting potential risks to both marine life and human health as climate change intensifies harmful algal blooms.

In a related environmental effort, volunteers recently participated in cleanup events at three sites within the Delaware River Basin, organized by the Surfrider Foundation, an organization focused on combating plastic pollution. Approximately 900 pounds of trash were collected, providing valuable data on pollutants affecting coastal areas. The Surfrider Foundation identified single-use plastics, including cigarette butts, food wrappers, and bottle caps, as the most frequently littered items, posing significant risks to marine ecosystems and public health. A 2021 study published in Science Advances indicated that the Delaware River is the largest source of plastic pollution in North America, contributing an estimated 141 tons of plastic to the Atlantic Ocean each year.

In 2024, Surfrider's nationwide volunteer network mobilized 40,000 individuals, collectively removing 365,000 pounds of litter from beaches across the country. The organization recorded the highest number of individual trash items ever, with 870,000 pieces logged in its national cleanup database, 83 percent of which were plastic. This data is instrumental in advocating for stronger legislation aimed at reducing plastic use, such as "Skip the Stuff" bills that allow consumers to opt-out of single-use plastics in takeout orders. CeCe Carter, the Mid-Atlantic regional manager for Surfrider, emphasized the role of rivers in transporting plastic pollution to the ocean, stating that local cleanup efforts can have a global impact.

Health officials in Canada have also issued warnings regarding the upcoming flu season in North America, indicating that the flu vaccine may be less effective due to the emergence of a new variant of H3N2, referred to as subclade K. This variant has rapidly gained prominence following its emergence during the latter part of the flu season in the Southern Hemisphere. Researchers predict that subclade K will likely become one of the dominant strains in the U.S. and Canada, leading to a potential mismatch between the vaccine and circulating flu variants.

Typically, health authorities assess which flu variants are likely to circulate and formulate vaccines accordingly, a process that takes approximately nine months. However, flu viruses are known to evolve, and the emergence of new variants can lead to significant deviations from expected strains. The recent rise of H3N2 variants with concerning mutations may have contributed to a severe flu season in the U.S. last winter. While there is a possibility that subclade K may not spread widely in North America due to the presence of other circulating variants, the situation appears precarious. In the UK, health officials have reported an early start to the flu season, with a significant number of cases attributed to subclade K, prompting hospitals to prepare for increased patient loads.

The current state of public health infrastructure in the U.S. may further complicate efforts to manage the flu outbreak. Under previous administrations, there have been notable funding cuts and staffing reductions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which may hinder the response to the flu season. Despite the challenges posed by the new variant, vaccines remain a critical tool in combating the flu. The vaccine is expected to provide some level of protection against other strains, and even a mismatched vaccine can help mitigate severe outcomes, including hospitalization and death. Recent data from the UK Health Security Agency indicates that the vaccine may still be 70% to 75% effective in preventing hospitalizations in children and 30% to 40% effective in adults, underscoring the importance of vaccination. Health officials recommend that individuals receive their flu shots promptly and continue to practice good hygiene, including staying home when ill and wearing masks in high-risk situations.