RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT 24 April 2026 Relatively high levels of micro- and nanoplastics around brain tumours might indicate breakdown of the blood–brain barrier. Levels of microplastic particles (examples pictured; artificially coloured) are lower in healthy brain tissue than in tissue around brain tumours. Credit: Steve Gschmeissner/Science Photo Library Scientists have found higher levels of minuscule plastic particles in brain tissue surrounding tumours than in samples of healthy brain 1 . Access options Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription $32.99 / 30 days cancel any time Subscribe to this journal Receive 51 print issues and online access $199.00 per year only $3.90 per issue Rent or buy this article Prices vary by article type from $1.95 to $39.95 Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Additional access options: Log in Learn about institutional subscriptions Read our FAQs Contact customer…