Researchers have discovered that the molecule S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) is a key player in the microbial production of methylmercury, a highly toxic form of mercury that accumulates in fish and poses significant health risks. Using advanced X-ray spectroscopy at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, the study identified SAM as the methyl donor in the conversion process, challenging previous assumptions. This finding could inform new strategies for environmental remediation of methylmercury contamination.
A 30-year-old man in Germany was sentenced to 13 years in prison for attempting to murder his 1-year-old daughter by injecting mercury into her foot, while his girlfriend received a 12-year sentence for her involvement. The man sought revenge on the child's mother, who had left him after the girl's birth. Both defendants initially denied the charge but later admitted to injecting the mercury, intending to cause severe pain to the toddler. The child suffered a severe infection and rash, and the mercury was discovered during a subsequent surgery.
A 30-year-old man in Germany has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for attempting to murder his 1-year-old daughter by injecting mercury into her foot, while his girlfriend received a 12-year sentence for her involvement. The man sought revenge on the child's mother, who had left him after the girl's birth. The couple admitted to the crime before the trial ended, and the child suffered severe infection and rash as a result. The defendants can appeal the ruling, and their names, as well as the victim's, were not released in accordance with German privacy policy.
An astronaut on board the International Space Station captured a photo of gold prospecting pits in eastern Peru, highlighting the problem of illegal gold mining and its devastating impact on the environment and Amazonian communities. The mining involves destructive processes that lead to extensive deforestation and the release of mercury and its toxic cousin methylmercury into the ecosystem. Despite efforts to crack down on illegal mining, the problem continues to persist across South America.
