Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Karin Kvale
Summary: This article reports the discovery of a microplastic soup extending thousands of meters below the South Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, uncovering the underestimation of low microplastic size fraction in net sampling and the particular tendency of small microplastics to reach below the surface. However, the findings also raise several new questions.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Markus H. Schmidt, Claudio L. A. Bassetti
Summary: Three papers published in SLEEP using different mouse models of narcolepsy indicate significant gender differences in the expression of narcolepsy symptoms. Female mice exhibit more cataplexy events and greater overall cataplexy expression compared to males. Additionally, female mice in the neurotoxic DTA mouse model experience cataplexy symptoms earlier than males during the loss of Hcrt cells. Furthermore, the occurrence of cataplexy is twice as frequent during the estrous phase in females. These findings highlight the need for further research on gender differences in human narcolepsy.
Article
Allergy
Anna Schober, Linda Tizek, Emma K. Johansson, Agneta Ekebom, Jan -Erik Wallin, Jeroen Buters, Simon Schneider, Alexander Zink
Summary: Pollen allergies are a significant global public health concern. This study found that internet search data can serve as a reliable indicator of allergic rhinitis disease activity. The study also revealed increasing interest in pollen allergies in Germany and Sweden, as well as unmet medical needs.
WORLD ALLERGY ORGANIZATION JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Sue E. Moore
Summary: I describe my path from childhood in the US Midwest to a 45-year career focused on cetacean behavior and ecology. My early interest in the ocean and dolphins led me to switch to biology during college. I worked for the US Navy's marine mammal laboratory and later the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, where I developed the idea that marine mammals can serve as sentinels of ocean variability, and emphasized the importance of including Indigenous Knowledge and the experiences of sea-dependent communities in marine science discourse. My advice to students and young professionals is to follow their passion and seek diverse perspectives.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Tonghua Liu, Shuo Cao, Shuai Ma, Yuting Liu, Chenfa Zheng, Jieci Wang
Summary: In this paper, a new method (eta(zi)/eta(zj)) is proposed to test the cosmic distance duality relation (CDDR) by using the measurements of ultra-compact structure in radio quasars (QSO) and the latest observations of type Ia supernovae (SN Ia). By directly observing SN Ia and QSOs, uncertainties caused by the calibration of absolute magnitudes and linear sizes can be eliminated. The analysis shows no evidence for the deviation and redshift evolution of CDDR up to z = 2.3.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kathleen Mahoney, Tim Driscoll, Julia Collins, Justine Ross
Summary: Exposure to asbestos fibres leads to asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Australia has experienced high levels of asbestos use and is still facing ongoing concerns about potential exposure sources from past use. Without targeted actions, Australians will continue to be exposed to legacy asbestos and develop ARDs. It is important to understand and prevent ongoing exposures to effectively manage risks and develop sustainable policies and practices for preventing future diseases.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Teresa Maycas-Cepeda, Pedro Lopez-Ruiz, Cici Feliz-Feliz, Lidia Gomez-Vicente, Rocio Garcia-Cobos, Rafael Arroyo, Pedro J. Garcia-Ruiz
Summary: Amimia is correlated with motor and nonmotor symptoms, cognitive status, depression, and quality of life in PD patients. Blinking frequency is associated with amimia and motor symptoms. Amimia could serve as a useful marker of overall disease severity in PD, including cognitive decline.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Johannes Gensheimer, Alexander J. Turner, Ankit Shekhar, Adrian Wenzel, Frank N. Keutsch, Jia Chen
Summary: Research suggests that there may be significant errors in estimating emissions using mobility data, with differences exceeding 60%. There is a lack of general functional relationship between mobility data and traffic flow in different regions, resulting in higher deviations when using such data.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-ATMOSPHERES
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Flora Douglas
Summary: Poor dietary patterns leading to poorer health and increased healthcare usage have long affected people in disadvantaged economic circumstances in the UK. However, the perspectives and experiences of those living with food insecurity are often overlooked in obesity prevention policies and interventions. This review paper uses qualitative research findings to shed light on the socio-economic factors that food-insecure individuals face on a daily basis and how this impacts their health. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of this research for food-insecure households containing individuals with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, and families with young children in the UK.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NUTRITION SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Onkar S. Marway, Parky H. Lau, Nicole E. Carmona, Colleen E. Carney
Summary: This study investigates the factors influencing insomnia severity perception and the reliability of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) after Cognitive Behavioral Insomnia Therapy (CBT-I). The findings suggest that post-CBT-I ISI scores are associated with pre-treatment ISI scores, as well as changes in fatigue and generalized anxiety symptoms. Clinicians should consider these factors when using the ISI as a treatment outcome measure.
Article
Biophysics
Jiri Slaby, Jiri Homola
Summary: In this study, we analyze the performance of label-free optical biosensors in detecting analyte-induced refractive index changes. We propose an analytical model that relates the refractive index resolution to the parameters of the optical platform. Our findings demonstrate that the widely used figure of merit (FOM) is not suitable for guiding the design or predicting the performance of label-free optical biosensors. Therefore, we propose an extended definition of FOM to address its limitations. The validity of our approach is confirmed through numerical simulations and experiments, and we show that the analytical model not only predicts the performance of biosensors but also provides strategies for achieving optimal performance.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marin Pompa-Garcia, Eduardo D. Vivar-Vivar, Jose A. Sigala-Rodriguez, Jaime R. Padilla-Martinez
Summary: Forest structure and composition are changing rapidly worldwide, with a trend towards more younger trees. This study investigates the radial growth of twelve conifer species in a diverse region and finds that climate affects species differently based on elevation. The results show that forests at mid-elevations are more impacted by drought and have greater restrictions on growth.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Emily Marques, Marisa Pfohl, Wei Wei, Giuseppe Tarantola, Lucie Ford, Ogochukwu Amaeze, Jessica Alesio, Sangwoo Ryu, Xuelian Jia, Hao Zhu, Geoffrey D. Bothun, Angela Slitt
Summary: It has been found that certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with hepatic steatosis. Shorter chain PFAS and alternative PFAS are more potent gene inducers and should be evaluated for their potential health effects in humans.
TOXICOLOGY AND APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
B. Blake Levitt, Henry C. C. Lai, Albert M. M. Manville II
Summary: This paper discusses the potential impacts of anthropogenic non-ionizing electromagnetic fields on non-human species, highlighting the unique physiology and sensitivity of these species to EMF. It suggests that artificial EMF in low intensities may adversely affect fauna and flora. The current exposure standards for humans do not protect wildlife.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wei Zheng, Lei Hu, Zekai Chen, Jun Tang, Yuliang Pan, Wende Yan, Xiaoyong Chen, Yuanying Peng, Lijun Chen
Summary: Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are a class of new persistent organic pollutants widely found in the environment. This study examined the effects of two typical PFCs, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), on the composition and diversity of soil microorganisms and the availability of soil macronutrients in urban forest ecosystems. The results showed that PFOA and PFOS application significantly increased soil nitrate and ammonium content, while total phosphorus content remained unchanged. Total potassium content decreased in PFOA treatments but increased in PFOS and PFOA-PFOS combined treatments. The dominant bacterial phylum shifted from Chloroflexi to Acidobacteria with increasing PFCs concentrations. Fungal community composition did not change significantly in response to PFCs treatments. Soil bacterial richness decreased but diversity increased, while fungal richness and diversity generally decreased with increasing PFCs concentrations. Soil fungal community was found to be more sensitive to PFCs pollutants than bacterial communities. Structural equation modeling revealed that PFCs exposure indirectly affected the diversity and richness of soil bacteria and fungi by directly impacting nitrate and ammonium content. The concentration of PFCs pollutants played a primary role in determining the composition, richness, and diversity of forest soil microbial communities.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Lei Gong, Siyi Jiang, Jia Tian, Yong Li, Wansu Yu, Lubo Zhang, Daliao Xiao
Summary: Exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus during pregnancy can lead to the development of a neonatal brain hypoxia/ischemia-sensitive phenotype. The PTEN/AKT/mTOR/autophagy signaling pathway plays a role in this process.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Sudipta Dutta, Kirthiram K. Sivakumar, John W. Erwin, Jone A. Stanley, Joe A. Arosh, Robert J. Taylor, Sakhila K. Banu
Summary: This study found that exposure to hexavalent chromium disrupts follicle development and causes apoptosis by altering epigenetic marks in the ovary.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Yuxin Li, Xianzhi He, Bin Sun, Nannan Hu, Jiamin Li, Ruolan You, Feiyan Tao, Lei Fang, Yuanyuan Li, Qingfeng Zhai
Summary: This study investigated the toxic effects and mechanism of beta-CYP and EMB on the reproductive system of female rats. The results showed that exposure to these pesticides led to changes in hormone and gene expression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, as well as alterations in oxidative damage indicators. The findings support the evaluation of the adverse effects of pesticide exposure on reproductive health in greenhouse operations.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Ran Lee, Won-Young Lee, Hyun-Jung Park
Summary: This study investigates the toxicity of diuron on fetal mouse testes and finds that diuron has a negative impact on the development of fetal Leydig cells, while not affecting germ cells and Sertoli cells.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY
(2024)
