Jonathan Lambert

It can cause painful skin lesions, fever, and sometimes death.

But little was known about long-lasting symptoms.

Researchers studied over 150 MPOX patients in the U.S.

for many months after they were first infected.

The most common lingering symptom was scarring, but about 13% had ongoing physical problems, including difficulty urinating or defecating.

Many reported lasting psychological issues, too, from depression to difficulty socializing.

The results were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Jonathan Lambert, NPR News.

Each year, humanity produces over a billion tons of plastic.

Much of that plastic ends up as trash.

A study in the journal Nature Communications reveals that many households in low-income countries are burning that plastic trash to heat their homes or cook their food.

Across more than two dozen countries, nearly one in three people surveyed by researchers reported being aware of households burning plastic.

Sixteen percent said they'd done it themselves, either as a cheap source of fuel or just as a way of dealing with all that excess waste.

Burning plastic can create toxic fumes that harm health and contaminate food.

With plastic waste on track to triple by 2060, the problem will likely get much worse.

Jonathan Lambert, NPR News.

Each year, humanity produces over a billion tons of plastic.

Much of that plastic ends up as trash.

A study in the journal Nature Communications reveals that many households in low-income countries are burning that plastic trash to heat their homes or cook their food.

Across more than two dozen countries, nearly one in three people surveyed by researchers reported being aware of households burning plastic.