The article addresses comments from Sun et al. on a study about microplastics and nanoplastics released from plastic containers and food pouches during microwave heating. It acknowledges the complementary findings of Sun et al., which support the original study's conclusions about temperature's role in releasing microplastics. The article emphasizes the need for caution when using microwaves to heat food in plastic containers due to potential health risks.

This study screened SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences to identify recombination events and co-infections with various strains of the virus detected in Russia from February 2020 to March 2022. The research included 9336 genomes and used an algorithm developed by the group to identify viral recombination variants and cases of co-infections. The approach allowed for the identification of recombinant variants of strains BA.1 and BA.2, including a new recombinant variant, as well as previously discovered ones. The results are the first evidence of the spread of recombinant variants of SARS-CoV-2 in Russia. The study also identified cases of coinfection, with eight containing the genome of the Omicron line as one of the variants, six with the genome of the Delta line, and two with the genome of the Alpha line.

The study examines the release of microplastics and nanoplastics from plastic containers and reusable food pouches under various conditions, finding that microwave heating significantly increases particle release compared to refrigeration or room-temperature storage. Polyethylene-based pouches release more particles than polypropylene containers. Exposure modeling indicates high daily intake levels for infants and toddlers consuming microwaved products. In vitro tests reveal significant cell death in human embryonic kidney cells due to microplastic and nanoplastic exposure.

In the summer of 2017, Andrey Romanenko, CEO of Russia's largest online cash register manufacturer 'Evotor', jokingly challenged his employees to open a small business to understand how their online cash registers work as an analytical tool. Alexandra Volkova, the 31-year-old chief editor of the company's corporate blog, inspired by a sarcastic comment from a blog reader, decided to take up the challenge. She approached Romanenko for funding to open a test business, which she did not yet know what it would be, but dreamed of documenting the life of her business in the blog as a form of gonzo journalism, which would be useful for both her and the 'Evotor' developers testing the software.