Monkeypox continues spreading Over the past few weeks, 288 people in the Netherlands have tested positive for monkeypox. The number of new daily infections seems to be slowly increasing. Science Photo Library / ANP
Current knowledge on microplastics in the soil is still inadequate A literature review carried out by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has concluded that reliable standard techniques should be developed to analyse microplastics in the soil.
6 people in the Netherlands with monkeypox There are now 6 cases of monkeypox in humans in the Netherlands. Science Photo Library / ANP
First patient with monkeypox in the Netherlands This afternoon, a patient with monkeypox was confirmed in the Netherlands for the first time. RIVM researchers confirmed that the person has monkeypox with a PCR test. Science Photo Library / ANP
From 1 June 2022, heel prick test also screens for muscle disease SMA, bringing number of screened diseases to 26 From 1 June 2022, the heel prick test for Dutch newborns will also screen for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). SMA is a serious hereditary muscle condition. Detecting this disease at an early stage enables early treatment.
Tailor-made information will help immigrants make decisions on taking part in screening programmes Immigrants are relatively less likely to take part in preventive screening programmes, such as cancer screening. This is partly due to the language barrier and a lack of knowledge, according to a doctoral thesis by Nora Hamdiui.
RIVM calls for increased involvement of scientific community in solving plastic crisis Industry and policymakers are not availing themselves enough of the available scientific knowledge when it comes to smarter ways of dealing with plastics.
Nature Nanotechnology publishes RIVM research on plastics On Thursday 20 January, Nature Nanotechnology published the article Quantitative tracing of uptake and transport of submicrometre plastics in crop plants using lanthanide chelates as a dual-functional tracer.
New WHO Collaborating Centre hosted by RIVM combines laboratory preparedness and biorisk RIVM has been designated WHO Collaborating Centre for Laboratory Preparedness and Response for High Threat Pathogens and Biorisk by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Levels of salt, saturated fat, and sugar in most foods has remained the same or decreased The levels of salt, saturated fat, and sugar in most processed foods has remained the same or decreased since 2018.