Article
Environmental Sciences
Sebastian Kuehr, Noemi Diehle, Ralf Kaegi, Christian Schlechtriem
Summary: The study revealed that bivalves can transfer nanomaterials to benthic species, potentially causing ecotoxicological effects. Exposure to feces enriched with gold nanoparticles significantly affected the growth of amphipods. These findings raise concerns about the accumulation and transfer of nanomaterials in aquatic environments, and the associated ecological risks to invertebrates.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Yadolah Fakhri, Mansour Sarafraz, Amene Nematollahi, Vahid Ranaei, Moussa Soleimani-Ahmadi, Van Nam Thai, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah
Summary: The study analyzed the concentration and prevalence of birds' egg's mycotoxins from different countries, parts of eggs, and types of mycotoxins, indicating that the concentration of mycotoxins in China and Cameroon was higher than in other countries. Monitoring programs to reduce mycotoxins in bird eggs consumed in these countries should be considered.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ana Caroline Jaski, Francielle Schmitz, Rayta Paim Horta, Larissa Cadorin, Bruno Jose Goncalves da Silva, Jurgen Andreaus, Maria Cristina Dias Paes, Izabel C. Riegel-Vidotti, Lizandra Maria Zimmermann
Summary: This review provides an overview of the applications of zein, a corn-derived protein, in various fields such as food packaging, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. It also discusses new insights into its biomedical, textile, and environmental applications, as well as the challenge of obtaining zein through a more efficient and sustainable production chain.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Pablo M. Vergara, Andres Fierro, Alberto J. Alaniz, Mario A. Carvajal, Marlene Lizama, Jose L. Llanos
Summary: The study indicates that forest degradation affects invertebrates and insectivorous birds differently, while also highlighting the importance of food availability for birds and the interactions between food availability and forest degradation.
Article
Ecology
Jan Kovanda
Summary: This article applies a newly developed method (EW-MSA) to analyze the flow of food-related primary materials and products in the economic system, and discusses it in relation to Czech policies. The results show that the Czech Republic is self-sufficient in the manufacturing of food-related products, but has lower self-sufficiency in the use of these products. To reduce environmental impacts, the Czech Republic needs to increase environmental efficiency or decrease food exports, while also increasing waste recycling.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sari Ramo, Minna Kahala, Vesa Joutsjoki
Summary: This study shows that certain starter lactic acid bacteria have the potential to reduce background mycotoxin risks and improve food safety. Lactic acid fermentation can mitigate aflatoxin risk in plant-based foods. The use of selected strains of lactic acid bacteria as starters in fermentation can enhance the availability of safer and nutritious food, particularly in low-income countries.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Miriam Cabello-Olmo, Padmanaban G. Krishnan, Miriam Arana, Maria Oneca, Jesus V. Diaz, Miguel Barajas, Maristela Rovai
Summary: This study aimed to develop a new bread product using a fermented food product and evaluate its physical characteristics, color indices, quality properties, protein content, digital image analysis, and sensory characteristics. The results showed that the fermented food product significantly affected all studied parameters and had a dose-response effect. Although bread with high levels of the fermented food product received lower ratings in sensory attributes, all groups received acceptable scores and there is a possible niche in the market for these improved versions of bread products.
Article
Biology
Catherine Sheard, Sally E. Street, Caitlin Evans, Kevin N. Lala, Susan D. Healy, Shoko Sugasawa
Summary: The evolution of behavior can both influence and be influenced by morphology. This study investigates the relationship between beak shape and nest building materials in birds using a global database and random forest models. The results show that beak morphology, diet, and access to materials can predict nest material use with moderate to high accuracy, although the relationship is influenced by phylogenetic signal and sampling biases.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Marissa C. Applegate, Dmitriy Aronov
Summary: This study reveals the use of memory-guided and memory-independent strategies in navigation by chickadees. The results also demonstrate the combination of opportunistic foraging and spatial biases in the bird's navigation, as well as the utilization of precise memory to identify cache locations and previously checked sites.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yan-Sheng Zhao, Aya Samy Eweys, Jia-Yan Zhang, Ying Zhu, Juan Bai, Osama M. Darwesh, Hai-Bo Zhang, Xiang Xiao
Summary: Fermentation can increase the bioactive compounds and functional properties of plant-based food materials, improving antioxidant activity and reducing the risk of diseases caused by oxidative damage.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Luan Ramos Silva, Jose Ignacio Velasco, Farayde Matta Fakhouri
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the hydration behavior of different rice types and their suitability for the production of plant-based milks. The effects of pasteurization and sterilization on the nutritional and physical characteristics of the products were examined. The results showed that black rice-based products had higher phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activity. The residues from rice processing were found to be suitable for enrichment in new food products.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Louise Laustsen, Joan E. Edwards, Gerben D. A. Hermes, Nanna Luthersson, David A. van Doorn, Supattra Okrathok, Theresa J. Kujawa, Hauke Smidt
Summary: The hindgut microbiota of horses with free faecal water (FFW) did not show significant differences compared to healthy horses, but faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) temporarily alleviated FFW symptoms without causing lasting changes in the hindgut microbiota. Further studies with controls are needed to confirm the effectiveness of FMT in treating FFW.
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Yonghui Li, Qiyue Wu, Zhongdong Wu, Yongliang Zhuang, Liping Sun, Xuejing Fan, Tao Zhao, Lunzhao Yi, Ying Gu
Summary: Food can be contaminated by hazardous substances at every stage of the supply chain, posing various health risks. Developing sensors capable of selective analysis in complex food matrices is crucial for ensuring food safety. This review discusses biomimetic functional materials commonly used in sensor preparation, including antifouling materials and recognition receptors, and summarizes their mechanisms, advantages, limitations, and applications in food safety analysis.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jessica L. Copertino, Katherine Harris, Lyndsey Chute, Linda J. Walters
Summary: The restoration of oyster reefs in Mosquito Lagoon has successfully restored benthic invertebrate populations and bird communities to levels similar to natural reefs.
Article
Soil Science
P. Gilarte, E. Pendall, Y. Carrillo, U. N. Nielsen
Summary: In this study, the authors sampled nematode communities associated with nitrogen fixing and non-fixing tree species across a succession sequence to assess the relative importance of plant functional identity (PFI) and successional stage. Results show that nematode densities peak in the late progressive stage of succession, with K-strategists increasing in abundance. The study indicates that PFI plays a key role in structuring nematode communities within successional stages, with no interaction between PFI and successional stage observed.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Marek Dzurenko, Christopher M. Ranger, Jiri Hulcr, Juraj Galko, Peter Kanuch
Summary: Xyleborine ambrosia beetles are highly destructive pests in forests, nurseries, and plantations worldwide, mainly due to their cryptic lifestyle, fungal mutualism, and broad host range. The black timber bark beetle Xylosandrus germanus, originally from East Asia, has become a significant invasive pest in North America and Europe. Genetic analysis suggests that non-native populations of X. germanus in North America and Europe likely originated from Japan, with multiple introductions into North America but likely only one introduction into Europe.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Peter Kanuch, Asa Berggren, Anna Cassel-Lundhagen
Summary: The study on the bush-cricket Metrioptera roeselii found that establishment success in introductions is correlated with propagule size and introduction time. Larger propagule introductions had higher success rates, but genetic diversity was only partly correlated with propagule size. Over time, introduced populations became more similar to their founder populations, with differentiation in small propagule introductions disappearing.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marcel Uhrin, Greta Nusova, Peter Kanuch
Summary: The Erna cave in the Slovak Karst is an important winter hibernaculum and swarming site for the common pipistrelle bat. In the nearby urban area of Kosice, there have been occurrences of bat invasions in buildings which may be related to swarming and hibernation in the Erna cave. This study found a spatial and temporal linkage between bat activity in the urban area and the swarming site, suggesting that the short geographical distance between them is likely a factor in the frequent invasions.
Article
Ecology
Peter Kanuch, Anna Cassel-Lundhagen, Sonja Preuss, Goran Nordlander, Asa Berggren
Summary: This study investigates the colonization success and genetic structure of Roeseliana roeselii, an invasive bush-cricket species in Europe. The findings reveal that different genetic lineages of the species have coexisted without significant gene flow, contradicting the hypothesis of admixture. The presence of separate lineages suggests independent adaptation to local conditions, possibly resulting in loss of locally adapted genotypes and less viable hybrid offspring. The study also highlights the role of human transportation of agricultural goods in aiding the species' spread in the study area.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Romana Ruzinska, Denisa Lobbova, Peter Kanuch
Summary: This study recorded swarming activity of a maternity colony of bats near their roosts using PIT and automatic readers, and found differences in swarming behavior among different individuals, including age, gender, and kinship.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Peter Kanuch, Tomas Kasanicky, Romana Ruzinska, Jan Zelenka
Summary: Logging poses a significant threat to global biodiversity, especially considering the importance of forests as habitats for bats. However, the impact of logging on bat populations is not well understood, particularly in terms of the density of suitable tree cavities. This study used a computer model to simulate the effects of cavity tree removal on the population size of Leisler's bats. The results suggest that preserving potential bat roosts in mature forest stands is crucial, and non-intensive logging and management practices can be beneficial for tree-dwelling bats.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Viktoria Vargova, Monika Balogova, Maria Figurova, Andrej Bockay, Natalia Pipova, Peter Kanuch, Marcel Uhrin
Summary: This study assessed the environmental health of European green toad populations from urban and rural habitats by measuring morphological traits and using fluctuating asymmetry as a bio-indicator. The results showed that, although urban populations had higher levels of asymmetry in their limbs, overall fluctuating asymmetry did not indicate higher environmental stress in urban populations.
Article
Forestry
Marco Basile, Anton Kristin, Grzegorz Mikusinski, Simon Thorn, Michal Zmihorski, Gilberto Pasinelli, Eckehard G. Brockerhoff
Summary: Wildfires, wind storms, and pest outbreaks generate large amounts of deadwood in forests. Salvage logging, which removes deadwood following disturbance events, affects woodpeckers by reducing food availability and nest sites. A meta-analysis found that salvage logging significantly impacts woodpecker abundance and reproduction. Deadwood should be retained to conserve woodpeckers and forest biodiversity.
CURRENT FORESTRY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Benjamin Jarcuska, Anton Kristin, Peter Kanuch
Summary: Elevational gradients are important for assessing species' adjustments to climatic and environmental factors. Our study on dark bush-crickets found genetically-based differences between populations, but these differences were not associated with elevation. Instead, we observed environmentally-induced phenotypic plasticity in locomotor and body-size traits. The greater environmental heterogeneity in the wild compared to the lab environment may explain the lower repeatability in wild populations.
EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Christer Solbreck, Anna Cassel-Lundhagen, Ane T. Laugen, Peter Kanuch
Summary: This study analyzed the post-glacial colonization process of a parasitic insect on white swallowwort in northern Europe. The results showed that the insect's reproductive behavior is influenced by environmental changes, host plant distribution, insect population dynamics, and life history, and it exhibits high levels of local inbreeding and low within-population heterozygosity.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Viktoria Vargova, Damiana Guziova, Monika Balogova, Natalia Pipova, Marcel Uhrin, Peter Kanuch
Summary: Heavily urbanized areas can hinder dispersal and gene flow between amphibian populations, affecting genetic variation and population structure. In this study, the effects of the urban environment on the European green toad in eastern Slovakia were examined. Urban populations had lower genetic variability and higher genetic differentiation compared to rural populations. The city park showed admixture with rural populations, suggesting historical gene flow, while other urban sites showed genetic isolation. Understanding local genetic variation and structure is important for conservation plans in urban environments.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sona Nuhlickova, Jan Svetlik, Peter Kanuch, Anton Kristin, Benjamin Jarcuska
Summary: This study investigates the movement patterns of the critically endangered Bei-Bienko's Plump Bush-cricket and finds that it is a short-distance disperser. The authors recommend improving habitat quality to protect this species.
JOURNAL OF INSECT CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Peter Adamik, Joanna B. Wong, Steffen Hahn, Anton Kristin
Summary: By deploying loggers on birds from a declining Slovak breeding population, the study provides the first direct evidence for non-breeding grounds, loop migration, stopover sites and the timing of annual cycle events of the Lesser Grey Shrike. The tracked birds migrated in an anti-clockwise loop to South Africa, with autumn migration going through the Balkan Peninsula, Mediterranean Sea towards Libya and spring migration taking routes along East African countries. Flight altitudes were higher during barrier crossing and the last phase of spring migration, with the most extreme event recorded at 4530 m asl. Rating: 8/10.
JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Zoltan Kenyeres, Norbert Bauer, Thomas Zuna-kratky, Mate Magyari, Josip Skejo, Anton Kristin
Summary: The number of records of Acrida ungarica in novel habitats and places where it was considered extinct has increased, possibly due to warming climate. The presence of A. ungarica was unrelated to survey intensity, and significant increasing trends were found in summer heat accumulation. This suggests that A. ungarica distribution is expanding due to global warming.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
