Recent studies illuminate critical intersections between environmental factors, microbiomes, and human health. Research connects proximity to microplastic-contaminated oceans with elevated cardiometabolic disease risk among coastal U.S. populations. Investigations into the gut microbiome link diversity loss and food insecurity with increased risk of cognitive decline in adults. Groundbreaking findings also elucidate the mystery behind Earth's magnetic field fluctuations correlating with atmospheric oxygen levels, with implications for planetary habitability. Furthermore, studies document rapid groundwater depletion in the U.S. Southwest linked to climate shifts. These insights underscore the complex interplay between environmental changes and human health outcomes.