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About one sixth of global cropland is contaminated by toxic heavy metals, researchers have estimated, with as many as 1.4 billion people living in high-risk areas worldwide. From a report: Approximately 14 to 17% of cropland globally -- roughly 242m hectares -- is contaminated by at least one toxic metal such as arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, nickel or lead, at levels that exceed agricultural and human health safety thresholds. The analysis, which was conducted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and published in the journal Science, collected data from more than 1,000 regional studies across the globe, as well as using machine learning technology. Dr Liz Rylott, a senior lecturer in the department of biology at the University of York, who was not involved in the research, said: "These findings reveal the deeply worrying extent to which these natural poisons are polluting our soils, entering our food and water, and affecting our health and our environment. Often collectively called heavy metals, these elements cause a range of devastating health problems, including skin lesions, reduced nerve and organ functions, and cancers." Toxic metal pollution in soil originates from both natural and human activity. Contaminated soil causes significant risks to ecosystems and human health as well as reducing crop yields, jeopardising water quality and food safety owing to bioaccumulation in farm animals. Toxic metal contamination can persist for decades once pollution has been introduced into soil.

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After provoking the animal, the King's Guard sitting on the horse then calls the emergency bell several times while trying to calm his horse.

His family paid an emotional tribute to him: 'He will be missed for his sense of humour, his kindness, his love of his family and the Fens, his level-headedness and his ability to work with others.'

The personal trainer behind Ralph Fiennes remarkable and now viral physical transformation for his new film The Return has shared the common-sense secrets that unlocks potential for everyone.

Manchester City defender Ruben Dias ' response to a recent Maya Jama Instagram post has gained attention amid the pair's secret romance.

An aggressive strain of the disease is now thought to be spreading across the UK countryside - sparking fears for Britain's bunnies.

In the city nicknamed 'dust central' there isn't a road in the area without a dealer or clusters of people lying on the ground, arms covered in welts and crack pipes around their necks unable to move.

On the surface, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have a lot in common. Marrying into perhaps the most famous family in the world no doubt came as a shock to both of them.

Catherine truly had her hands full during Trooping the Colour in 2024. Not only was she making her first public appearance since revealing her cancer diagnosis, but she was left to look after Prince Louis.

Chocolate fans are rushing to stores dotted across the country as major supermarkets slash Easter egg prices ahead of Sunday.

The council, which is run by the Liberal Democrats, made the block at Latchmere Recreation Ground in south London gender neutral.

A high school track athlete broke down in tears at a school board meeting when she recalled a 'beyond traumatizing' locker room experience.

The fire burned for hours before being brought under control

Phoenix, from the United Kingdom, is often whipping up vibrant, innovative recipes on his TikTok and Instagram pages and particularly enjoys baking supersized versions of small food.

EXCLUSIVE: Father Ted writer Graham Linehan, 56, hailed the Supreme Court decision that trans women are not women but said the war on woke has only just begun.

Oh. You expected serious suggestions?

It isn't just devices unable to upgrade to Windows 11 that are headed to digital landfill this year. The first version of Microsoft's Surface Hub is also destined for the tech trashcan as Windows 10 support ends. So, what do you do with a big black wall ornament?…

Researchers at UC Berkeley claim to have induced a previously unseen color by using lasers to stimulate only the M cones in the retina, creating a visual experience beyond the natural limits of human perception. Called olo, the color is described as a highly saturated blue-green but is only visible through direct retinal manipulation. The Guardian reports: "We predicted from the beginning that it would look like an unprecedented color signal but we didn't know what the brain would do with it," said Ren Ng, an electrical engineer at the University of California, Berkeley. "It was jaw-dropping. It's incredibly saturated." The researchers shared an image of a turquoise square to give a sense of the color, which they named olo, but stressed that the hue could only be experienced through laser manipulation of the retina. "There is no way to convey that color in an article or on a monitor," said Austin Roorda, a vision scientist on the team. "The whole point is that this is not the color we see, it's just not. The color we see is a version of it, but it absolutely pales by comparison with the experience of olo." The findings have been published in the journal Science Advances.

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A man is due to appear in court on theft charges for items valued at more than £800,000 which allegedly took place in Brentwood.

A psychic dubbed Japan 's 'Baba Vanga' has issued a terrifying prophecy set to wreak havoc across the world. (Baba Vanga pictured)

It comes after the company (pictured, file photo) realised the product might contain milk and sulphites - which were not declared on the packaging.