cutoff point
Hello!
What is the meaning of, "more papers on the subject have been published since 2013, the cutoff point for the group’s analysis" as well as "cutoff point"?

"But a lot of ocean debris is ‘microplastic’, or pieces smaller than five millimeters. These may be ingredients used in cosmetics and toiletries, fibers shed by synthetic clothing in the wash, or eroded remnants of larger debris. Compared to the number of studies investigating large-scale debris, Rochman’s group found little research on the effects of these tiny bits. ‘There are a lot of open questions still for microplastic,’ Rochman says, though she notes that more papers on the subject have been published since 2013, the cutoff point for the group’s analysis." (IELTS 14 Tests)

Question

cutoff point
Hello!
What is the meaning of, "more papers on the subject have been published since 2013, the cutoff point for the group’s analysis" as well as "cutoff point"?

"But a lot of ocean debris is ‘microplastic’, or pieces smaller than five millimeters. These may be ingredients used in cosmetics and toiletries, fibers shed by synthetic clothing in the wash, or eroded remnants of larger debris. Compared to the number of studies investigating large-scale debris, Rochman’s group found little research on the effects of these tiny bits. ‘There are a lot of open questions still for microplastic,’ Rochman says, though she notes that more papers on the subject have been published since 2013, the cutoff point for the group’s analysis." (IELTS 14 Tests)

Answer

It means the end point of the data in the science study. The group only analysed data up to 2013 but other scientists have published about this since then (after 2013).

Answers · 2

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