In recent years, there has been mounting concern about the bearing of microplastics on human health and the comprehensive natural environment. These particles come from a variety of sources, such as soaps, personal care products, and the rundown of bigger plastic items. The impacts of microplastics on marine life and other ecosystems are substantial, including ingestion by marine animals, interference with their reproductive systems, and even death. The economic implications of microplastics are also significant, with industries, such as fishing and tourism being affected by the presence of microplastics in the environment. Exposure to microplastics can also pose potential health risks to humans, including respiratory and digestive problems, as well as disrupt sleep, contribute to obesity, and increase the risk of diabetes. To address this issue, policies and initiatives have been put in place to reduce microplastic pollution, but there are challenges that need to be overcome, such as lack of awareness, limited resources, and ineffective regulations. Further research is also needed to fully understand the impacts of microplastics on our health and to develop effective strategies to mitigate the problem. In this article, we have discussed the requirement of a multifaceted approach including reducing plastic use, promoting proper disposal and recycling of plastic waste, developing innovative technologies for capturing and removing microplastics from the environment, raising public awareness, and implementing effective regulations and policies. It is only through concerted efforts and collaboration between individuals, industries, and governments that the threat of microplastics can be tackled.

Sleep is a fundamental process essential for reparatory and restorative mechanisms in all organisms. Recent research has linked sleep to various pathological conditions, including cancer and neurodegeneration, which are associated with various molecular changes in different cellular environments. Despite the potential significance of various molecules, the HSPA1A or Hsp70 protein, which has possible connections with sleep and different neuropsychological and pathological disorders, has been explored the least. This paper explores the potential for manipulating and discovering drugs related to the Hsp70 protein to alleviate sleep problems and improve the prognosis for various other health issues. This paper discusses the critical role of Hsp70 in cancer, neurodegeneration, apoptosis, sleep, and its regulation at the structural level through allosteric mechanisms and different substrates. The significant impact of Hsp70's connection to various conditions suggests that existing sleep medicine could be used to improve such conditions, leading to improved outcomes, minimized research costs, and a new direction for current research. Overall, this paper highlights the potential of Hsp70 protein as a key therapeutic target for developing new drugs for the treatment of sleep disorders, cancer, neurodegeneration, and other related pathological conditions. Further research into the molecular mechanisms of Hsp70 regulation and its interactions with other cellular pathways is necessary to develop targeted treatments for these conditions.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

The sensory system gauges the external environment to maintain homeostasis and regulate the behaviour of animals. One of the sensory modalities, olfaction, has gained much attention in recent years due to its direct impact on the successful survival of animals. Research conducted on human, vertebrate and invertebrate model systems has revealed that the odor perception capability of an animal not only helps in the identification of palatable, stale or toxic items, but also regulates the entire gamut of physiological functions such as appetite, lipid storage, metabolic health, life span and immunity. Moreover, olfactory function is one of the important parameters associated with progression, susceptibility and diagnosis of various diseases. The olfactory capacity of some animals can be utilised to diagnose human diseases, while olfactory impairment may be an early indicator of underlying pathology, such as neurological and infectious diseases. Understanding the link between olfaction and animal health may help in enhancing longevity, improving diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This review summarizes the recent studies conducted on human and animal model systems, emphasizing the role of odor perception in health and disease. At the end, we have discussed the olfactory abnormalities associated with various disorders and use of olfactory function of animals in diagnosing human diseases.