Bioscience Technology at Holland College

⏰ The countdown is officially on... classes start September 8th! 🎉📚

Stick with us all August long! We'll be sharing everything you need to kick off the semester, including information on:

✅ College Kickstart
✅ Student support and academic services
✅ Athletics
✅ Welcome events and important dates
.. and so much more!

Get a head start by visiting our Welcome Hub for everything you need to prepare for your first day, from program orientation details to helpful resources and key dates. 🔗 https://bit.ly/4yPeveK

PS. Before the semester begins, make sure you've registered for your courses if you haven't already.

Paper coffee cups release significant amounts of microplastics and chemicals when filled with hot beverages. Most disposable paper cups feature a thin polyethylene (PE) or similar plastic lining to prevent leakage, as uncoated paper quickly absorbs liquid. When hot coffee or tea, typically around 85–90°C, contacts this lining, the plastic film begins to degrade rapidly.

This degradation causes the release of thousands of tiny plastic particles into the drink. Research shows that within just 15 minutes—the typical time to consume a cup—approximately 25,000 micron-sized microplastic particles can leach into 100 ml of hot liquid.

Even smaller nanoplastics may also enter the beverage in much higher numbers. Alongside these particles, the process releases ions such as fluoride, chloride, and sulfate, plus trace heavy metals like lead, chromium, and cadmium that were present in the lining.

Regular consumption of hot drinks from these cups could therefore lead to unintended daily intake of microplastics. These particles raise health concerns because they may accumulate in the body, potentially contributing to inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of endocrine function, although long-term effects in humans require further study.

The heat accelerates breakdown, making hot beverages far more problematic than cold ones. Many people unknowingly ingest these contaminants multiple times daily through routine coffee or tea purchases. Switching to reusable glass, ceramic, or stainless steel alternatives offers a practical way to reduce exposure while enjoying favorite drinks.

Source: Ranjan, V.P., Joseph, A., & Goel, S. "Microplastics and other harmful substances released from disposable paper cups into hot water." Journal of Hazardous Materials, 404, 124118.

☀️ Summer Series is BACK☀️

Join us throughout July and August for our Summer Series, designed to help you prepare for your student journey.

Each session will introduce you to the services, supports, and resources available to you as a Holland College student. From career services and financial literacy to student supports, degree pathways, and more, you'll have the opportunity to learn from our teams and get answers to your questions before classes begin.

📅 New sessions every Wednesday from July 8 to August 26.

Whether you're joining us from across the Island, across the country, or around the world, these sessions will help you feel informed, connected, and ready for September.

Stay tuned for session details and registration information!

Turmeric is everywhere these days. It is touted as a superfood, with its curcumin extract being sold in supplement form as protection against everything from hay fever and arthritis to symptoms of menopause. But what does the science say? Columnist Alice Klein digs into the rise of turmeric’s medicinal uses and finds that much of its popularity comes from research that has now been retracted. Plus, taking high doses of curcumin can even be risky.

We are thrilled to announce FutureWorks PEI, a transformational new initiative aimed at strengthening PEI’s economy by equipping learners for in-demand careers and supporting businesses to innovate and grow.

Made possible by a philanthropic gift from the Weston family, FutureWorks PEI will expand trades training, strengthen applied research and advance digital technologies with a new post-graduate certificate in cybersecurity.

We are ready to help shape PEI’s future by enhancing our collaboration between education, applied research and industry in sectors that are critical to PEI’s economy.

More details on our website: https://bit.ly/42Qf1KK

"Biologists have long suspected that different groups of humans have evolved genetic adaptations in response to their diets, but there are very few cases where the evidence is this strong." 🥔🥔🥔
https://www.sciencealert.com/humans-in-the-andes-have-evolved-a-strange-digestive-superpower

Your Cup of Tea Could Contain Billions of Microplastics From One Source We know that microplastics are leaking into our drinks from bottles, beverage cups, and packaging, and now researchers have shown that plastic kettles can contribute to our daily intake of plastics, too.

Biocatalysts build a big molecule on a big scale Merck & Co. scientists use a suite of enzymes to manufacture the cholesterol-lowering drug candidate enlicitide