Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hartati Hartati, Subaer Subaer, Hasri Hasri, Teguh Wibawa, Hasriana Hasriana
Summary: The objective of this study is to synthesize and characterize Fe3O4@Chitosan-AgNP nanocomposites and determine their antibacterial activity. The successful synthesis of the nanocomposites was demonstrated, followed by their characterization. The results show the formation of Fe3O4@Chitosan-AgNP nanocomposites and their antibacterial activity.
Review
Ecology
Phuong N. Nguyen, Sandra M. Rehan
Summary: Anthropogenic activities and increased land use directly and indirectly affect pollinators by altering habitats, floral availability, and microbial composition. Bees rely on their microbiota for physiological functions and immunity, making their health vulnerable to altered environments. This review examines the impact of sociality, geographic distribution, temperature, precipitation, floral resources, agriculture, and urbanization on bee microbiota, highlighting the role of microbiota in plant-pollinator relationships and urban ecology. Understanding bee microbiota provides opportunities for sustainable land use restoration and wildlife conservation.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yanan Li, Zhihai Liu, Shuming Li, Pei Nian, Nan Xu, Haiyu Luo, Yibin Wei
Summary: A novel MXene-based NF membrane with high water permeability and stability was developed by intercalating Ag nanoparticles into the laminar structure of Ti(3)C(2)Tx MXene with HPEI crosslinking. The prepared HPEI-AgNP@Ti(3)C(2)Tx MXene membrane exhibited competitive water permeabilities and nearly 100% rejections for various dyes and excellent NF performance for salts. The NF separation mechanisms were elucidated based on the unique physicochemical structure of the HPEI-AgNP@Ti(3)C(2)Tx MXene membrane.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Argo Orumaa, Ahto Agan, Sten Anslan, Tiia Drenkhan, Rein Drenkhan, Karin Kauer, Kajar Koster, Leho Tedersoo, Marek Metslaid
Summary: This study investigated the long-term effects of forest fires on the dynamics of soil fungal community in hemiboreal Scots pine stands. The results showed significant effects of fires on soil and fungi, with soil saprotrophs and ectomycorrhizal fungi dominating the fungal communities. Fire had a significant impact on fungal species richness and composition, and soil pH also played a role in determining fungal species composition.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Georgia S. Seyfried, James W. Dalling, Wendy H. Yang
Summary: Research suggests that slower leaf litter decomposition rates in forests dominated by ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi compared to arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi may be more related to litter phosphorus content rather than the mycorrhizal type. The quality of litter and environmental conditions play a significant role in the manifestation of slower decomposition rates in ECM-dominated stands.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Philippe J. Thomas, Genevieve Perono, Franca Tommasi, Giovanni Pagano, Rahime Oral, Petra Buric, Ines Kovacic, Maria Toscanesi, Marco Trifuoggi, Daniel M. Lyons
Summary: The widespread presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in aquatic and terrestrial environments has raised concerns about their toxicity to plants, wildlife, and human health, potentially leading to severe outcomes such as increased mortality rates and genetic damage. While there is abundant literature on the effects of MP and NP in aquatic biota, reports on terrestrial environments are still limited. Comparative studies on different types of MPs and NPs are necessary to understand their respective effects.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Rekha Rose Koshy, Arunima Reghunadhan, Siji K. Mary, Sandeep Sadanandan, Seno Jose, Sabu Thomas, Laly A. Pothen
Summary: Biodegradable biopolymer films with antibacterial properties were prepared by incorporating silver nanoparticles and chitin nano whiskers. The addition of these nanoparticles and nano whiskers improved the mechanical strength and thermal stability of the films, while reducing their moisture content. This technology has significant commercial potential in the food packaging industry.
FOOD PACKAGING AND SHELF LIFE
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Rekha Rose Koshy, Arunima Reghunadhan, Siji K. Mary, Sandeep Sadanandan, Seno Jose, Sabu Thomas, Laly A. Pothen
Summary: Biodegradable substitutes are in high demand as packaging materials. Active bio-composite films incorporating silver nanoparticles (AgNP) obtained from soy-protein isolate are sought after in the food packaging industry for extending shelf life of fresh foods. By using an environmentally friendly method, carbon dot (CD) from soy protein isolate was utilized to prepare AgNPs, which when added with chitin nano whisker (CNW) to the soy protein isolate, resulted in improved mechanical strength, thermal stability, and reduced moisture content, enhancing the antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties of the SPI film for extending the shelf life of packed food material.
FOOD PACKAGING AND SHELF LIFE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Rashaduz Zaman, Federico Antonioli, Ateeq T. Shah, Aziz Ullah, Courtney May, Jennifer G. G. Klutsch, Nadir Erbilgin
Summary: We investigated the effects of different pathogenic fungi on the defense chemistry of lodgepole pine trees. The research showed that different fungal species can alter the terpene chemistry of the trees differently. It highlights the importance of considering specific biotic stress agents in tree susceptibility or resistance to subsequent attacks by insect herbivores.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hatem Fouad, Guiying Yang, Ahmed A. El-Sayed, Guofeng Mao, Diab Khalafallah, Mahmoud Saad, Hassan Ga'al, Ezzeldin Ibrahim, Jianchu Mo
Summary: In this study, silver nanoparticles were successfully prepared using two different ligands, showing potential as effective insecticides in pest management programs, particularly for the protection of rice plants from pests like the brown planthopper. The results indicate that the synthesized AgNPs may be a safe and cheaper alternative to chemical insecticides.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Xu Lu, Ting Cao, Trang Thi Thu Nguyen, Hai-Sheng Yuan
Summary: Six new species of the basidiomycetous genus Tomentella from central Vietnam in Southeast Asia are described and identified based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses. The phylogenetic positions of these new species were confirmed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses. The host plant for these new species were speculated based on phylogenetic analyses and the tree species information of the investigated forests.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Songbai Xu, Guangxin Zhang, Meng Wang, Tie Lin, Wei Liu, Yicun Wang
Summary: Nanocarriers, including bacteriophages, have been widely utilized in the prevention and treatment of fungi. Bacteriophages have flexible genetic engineering properties and can easily carry proteins and drugs. They can be modified through phage display technology to target specific fungi and can also be conjugated with other nanoparticles for precise detection. Moreover, bacteriophages can reduce drug toxicity, prolong drug circulation, and exhibit anti-fungal effects.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Fangyuan Shen, Ning Liu, Yujiao Wang, Huifeng Liu, Haikuan Jia, Lixue Yang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of Korean pine and Manchurian walnut monocultures and mixed plantations on soil microbial diversity, composition, and functional groups in Northeast China. It found that the diversity of fungal and bacterial communities was higher in Manchurian walnut monocultures compared to Korean pine monocultures. The composition of fungal communities was more influenced by plantation type, while bacterial communities were minimally affected. Soil available nutrient content was identified as the most important factor shaping microbial community structures and functional groups.
Article
Forestry
Sam Fox, Melanie K. Taylor, Mac Callaham Jr, Ari Jumpponen
Summary: This study investigated the impact of different fire frequencies on soil systems and found that only the A horizon was significantly affected by the prescribed fire interval manipulation. The richness and composition of microbial communities in the A horizon differed between the burned treatments and the unburned control. Soil chemistry changes were also observed in the A horizon, with higher levels of certain nutrients in the burned treatments compared to the fire exclusion treatment. The results indicate that long-term changes in fire frequencies can induce shifts in the soil microbial community.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Anqi Zhang, Zhanchen Guo, Ge Ge, Zhen Liu
Summary: This study investigates the effects of in vivo environmental factors on single-cell quantification of biomolecular interactions and immunorecognition. The study finds that molecular crowding greatly affects these processes, while spatial confinement has negligible effects. The use of a calibration curve with standard solutions can offset the effect of intracellular crowding and improve the accuracy of single-cell analysis.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maha J. Cziesielski, Carlos M. Duarte, Nojood Aalismail, Yousef Al-Hafedh, Andrea Anton, Faiyah Baalkhuyur, Andrew C. Baker, Thorsten Balke, Iliana B. Baums, Michael Berumen, Vasiliki I. Chalastani, Brendan Cornwell, Daniele Daffonchio, Karen Diele, Ehtesaam Farooq, Jean-Pierre Gattuso, Song He, Catherine E. Lovelock, Elizabeth McLeod, Peter I. Macreadie, Nuria Marba, Cecilia Martin, Marcelle Muniz-Barreto, Kirshnakumar P. Kadinijappali, Perdana Prihartato, Lotfi Rabaoui, Vincent Saderne, Sebastian Schmidt-Roach, David J. Suggett, Michael Sweet, John Statton, Sam Teicher, Stacey M. Trevathan-Tackett, Thadickal V. Joydas, Razan Yahya, Manuel Aranda
Summary: The coastal and marine ecosystems in the unique environment of the Red Sea have adapted and flourished for millennia, providing socio-economic and environmental benefits to the bordering coastlines and countries. While the coral reef ecosystems in the Red Sea appear to be relatively healthier compared to global trends, they are still vulnerable to stressors such as increasing ocean temperature, acidification, and pollution. Degradation of marine habitats in many regions, coupled with increasing population pressure and coastal development projects, poses environmental costs and significant economic losses. Investment in blue natural capital and strategic development model focusing on the health of natural ecosystems can safeguard the sustainable development of the Red Sea.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Michael Sweet, Alfred Burian, Mark Bulling
Summary: The concept of 'One World - One Health' aims to incorporate linkages between the environment and human society into wildlife and human health care. Marine environments, particularly coral reefs, are considered crucial components of this framework due to their significant contributions to ecosystem services and direct links to human well-being. They also provide ideal study systems to assess links, impacts, and feedback mechanisms affecting human and ecosystem health, given their sensitivity to climate change and the emergence of diseases.
JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
James Fifer, Bastian Bentlage, Sarah Lemer, Atsushi G. Fujimura, Michael Sweet, Laurie J. Raymundo
Summary: The health of coral reefs globally is deteriorating due to factors like increasing sea surface temperature, with conspecific colonies showing varying responses based on factors such as water flow. High flow provides corals with health benefits and resilience to heat stress, resulting in better survival and recovery rates during bleaching events.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alfred Burian, Quentin Mauvisseau, Mark Bulling, Sami Domisch, Song Qian, Michael Sweet
Summary: Global declines in biodiversity have led to a growing need to monitor threatened species effectively. Molecular survey methods such as eDNA detection have provided new tools for conservation, but are not without errors. Recent advances in data processing tools, occupancy models, and integration of metabarcoding data aim to improve the reliability of eDNA assessments and decision-making processes in conservation planning.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christopher R. Troth, Michael J. Sweet, Jen Nightingale, Alfred Burian
Summary: In this study, we found that the concentrations of environmental DNA are influenced by seasonal variability, degradation rates, and micro-habitat heterogeneity, which can result in uncertainties in across-site and time comparisons using environmental DNA.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michael Sweet, Mark Bulling, Dorsa Varshavi, Gavin R. Lloyd, Andris Jankevics, Lukas Najdekr, Ralf J. M. Weber, Mark R. Viant, Jamie Craggs
Summary: Coral reefs are facing unprecedented declines in health globally, prompting suggestions for human-assisted evolution or gene flow to restore reefs effectively. Research on coral metabolomes, especially on Scleractinian corals, is limited, highlighting the need for further exploration of metabolic responses to climate change.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thomas Baudry, Quentin Mauvisseau, Jean-Pierre Gout, Alexandre Arque, Carine Delaunay, Juliette Smith-Ravin, Michael Sweet, Frederic Grandjean
Summary: The recent introduction of the Australian redclaw crayfish in the Lesser Antilles archipelago has posed significant threats to the local ecosystem. The use of eDNA detection method proved to be more reliable in assessing crayfish distribution compared to traditional trapping methods, highlighting its potential for future large-scale surveys.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Alfred Burian, Daisy Pinn, Ignacio Peralta-Maraver, Michael Sweet, Quentin Mauvisseau, Ozge Eyice, Mark Bulling, Till Roethig, Pavel Kratina
Summary: Experimental manipulation of protozoan predation pressure in activated sludge communities had strong and positive effects on bacterial diversity components, with responses leveling off at higher predation pressure levels. While predator intensity positively impacted taxa richness, predator diversity had mixed effects on bacterial diversity. Reduction in top-down control by predators negatively affected taxa associated with treatment efficiency, particularly nitrogen removal. The study highlights distinct mechanisms linking protozoan predation with bacterial diversity and community composition in activated sludge communities.
Review
Microbiology
Raquel S. Peixoto, Christian R. Voolstra, Michael Sweet, Carlos M. Duarte, Susana Carvalhol, Helena Villela, Jeantine E. Lunshof, Lone Gram, Douglas C. Woodhams, Jens Walter, Anna Roik, Ute Hentschel, Rebecca Vega Thurber, Brendan Daisley, Blake Ushijima, Daniele Daffonchio, Rodrigo Costa, Tina Keller-Costa, Jeff S. Bowman, Alexandre S. Rosado, Gregor Reid, Christopher E. Mason, Jenifer B. Walker, Torsten Thomas, Gabriele Berg
Summary: Global biodiversity loss and mass extinction of species have become crucial environmental issues, leading to disruptions in various ecosystems and human health. Microbiome-targeted interventions, such as probiotics and microbiome transplants, are emerging as potential options to reverse biodiversity deterioration and enhance wildlife and ecosystem resilience. However, implementation of these interventions is urgently needed. This article summarizes concepts, challenges, and ethical aspects of microbiome stewardship, which involves managing ecosystem resources responsibly to restore organisms and ecosystem functions. A framework guiding the application of environmental and wildlife probiotics is proposed, with consideration of risks versus the consequences of inaction. Careful and responsible microbiome management is critical to counteract biodiversity loss, but practical and regulatory obstacles must be addressed to maximize its effectiveness.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jie Li, Yiyang Zou, Jian Yang, Qiqi Li, David G. Bourne, Michael Sweet, Cong Liu, Anjie Guo, Si Zhang
Summary: Improving the availability of representative isolates from the coral microbiome is essential for investigating symbiotic mechanisms and applying beneficial microorganisms to improve coral health. In this study, a total of 395 bacterial strains were isolated from the coral Pocillopora damicornis, with most of them representing potential novel species or genera. Genomic information derived from the isolates identified putative metabolic functions and various genes associated with establishing association with the coral host. This work expands on the existing culture collection of coral-associated bacteria and provides important information on the metabolic potential of these isolates.
Review
Microbiology
Giulia Puntin, Michael Sweet, Sebastian Fraune, Monica Medina, Koty Sharp, Virginia M. Weis, Maren Ziegler
Summary: Stony corals form the foundation of coral reefs, which are significant ecosystems in both ecological and economic aspects. However, climate change and other human-induced stressors pose threats to the existence of these ecosystems, leading to coral bleaching, disease, and ultimately coral mortality. Despite extensive research, the underlying mechanisms and potential solutions to these destructive phenomena are still not fully understood.
MICROBIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Giulia Puntin, Jamie Craggs, Roisin Hayden, Kara E. E. Engelhardt, Shelby McIlroy, Michael Sweet, David M. M. Baker, Maren Ziegler
Summary: Reef-building corals rely on symbiosis with unicellular algae for their evolutionary success, but frequent heat waves cause coral mass-bleaching events, posing a serious threat to reef ecosystems. Understanding the functioning, breakdown, and prevention of coral-algal symbiosis remains incomplete due to difficulties in experimental handling and manipulating the association. The study identifies the stony coral species Galaxea fascicularis as a novel candidate coral model system, which allows for genotype studies and experimental investigation of the symbiosis.
Review
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Anthony M. M. Bonacolta, Bradley A. A. Weiler, Teresa Porta-Fito, Michael Sweet, Patrick Keeling, Javier del Campo
Summary: Many corals have a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic dinoflagellates, but the role of microeukaryotes like protists and fungi in the coral holobiont and reef ecosystems is not well understood. Recent advances in metabarcoding have highlighted the importance of microeukaryotes in corals, and it is necessary to present the current knowledge before further studies are conducted.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Joana de Carvalho Baptista, Neil Duncan Gray, Miriam Buchler Tarumoto, Ian Singleton, Clare Maria McCann, David Andrew Charles Manning
Summary: This study identified microbial communities associated with alkali feldspar surfaces and found that Actinobacteria play a key role in the weathering of these rocks, potentially impacting nutrient release and agronomic benefits.
PESQUISA AGROPECUARIA BRASILEIRA
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Christian R. Voolstra, David J. Suggett, Raquel S. Peixoto, John E. Parkinson, Kate M. Quigley, Cynthia B. Silveira, Michael Sweet, Erinn M. Muller, Daniel J. Barshis, David G. Bourne, Manuel Aranda
Summary: Anthropogenic climate change and environmental degradation are causing global degradation of coral reefs.
This Review explores how the natural adaptive capacity of coral holobionts can be utilized to combat the ongoing loss of coral reefs.
Emerging approaches such as standardized acute thermal stress assays, selective sexual propagation, coral probiotics, and environmental hardening show promise for feasible and scalable solutions.
NATURE REVIEWS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
