Jhum cultivation is a traditional agricultural practice, which continues to support the livelihood of indigenous communities in Northeast India while also serving as an important on-farm conservation of crop genetic resources. In Mon district of Nagaland, over 93% of the population depends on jhum for subsistence. This study documents traditional rice cultivation practices, associated cultural values, socio-economy and conservation status of landrace rice under jhum farming systems. Rice germplasm collection and semi-structured personal interviews were conducted across 24 villages, involving 120 farmers in 8 administrative blocks of Mon district. Results from this study document the critical role of traditional jhum cultivation in livelihood generation and socio-cultural life of the Konyak community living in Mon district. The study resulted in the collection of 147 traditional rice accessions. Some of the landrace rice were linked with cultural practices, medicinal uses and ritual significance. Rice such as ‘Vumchong’ and ‘Wang-tsahyan’ holds deep historical and ceremonial importance. Pests and diseases pressure, limited external inputs and climatic factors were some concerns that influence rice production. However, farmers continue to safeguard their unique germplasm through traditional methods of seed selection and preservation. This research underscores rich genetic diversity conserved through traditional agricultural practice and the urgent need for conservation, participatory breeding and policy interventions.

Hormone exposure in utero affects male- and female-typical behavior in animals, and these effects may persist in the next generation. Prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES), a potent estrogen and endocrine disruptor, has been associated with a tendency toward greater heterosexual behavior in women, but the association in the next generation has not been studied. We evaluated the associations of maternal prenatal DES exposure with sexual behavior, sexual identity, and gender identity in 982 female offspring participating in the National Cancer Institute’s DES Third Generation Study, a cohort born to mothers who were prenatally exposed and unexposed to DES. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated from logistic regression models that included birth year. The ORs were 0.71 (CI 0.46–1.1) for DES in relation to non-heterosexual compared with heterosexual behavior, and 0.99 (CI 0.55–1.8) for non-heterosexual identity, compared with heterosexual identity. Results were similar after additional adjustment for education. Only three individuals reported a gender identity distinct from what was reported by the mother at cohort inception, preventing meaningful quantitative analysis of DES and gender identity. These data do not provide evidence of differences in sexual behavior and sexual identity in female offspring of mothers with and without prenatal exposure to DES.

Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins Sousa chinensis face multiple anthropogenic threats in the coastal waters of Langkawi and the adjacent Perlis–Kedah mainland in north-west Peninsular Malaysia. The area is recognized by the IUCN as an Important Marine Mammal Area and harbours a significant population of humpback dolphins. Understanding their social structure is crucial for identifying conservation units to guide targeted management to preserve the species’ ecological processes, particularly for a species in the data-deficient Southeast Asia region. Association patterns and network analysis from a decade of photo-identification surveys (2010–2020) revealed a fission–fusion society defined by frequent changes in group membership and size, and characterized by loose associations between individuals. Association strength was generally low, although some non-random long-term associations persisted for 5 months to several years. Unusually large groups of humpback dolphins (81–204 individuals) were often observed, comprising travelling mother–calf pairs and functioning as nursery groups. The grouping plasticity and social dynamics reflect the species’ survival strategies in response to local environmental conditions, notably resource availability and predation pressure. Most importantly, our findings confirm that the humpback dolphin population in this region constitutes a stable and well-connected single conservation unit, necessitating coordinated protection by different governmental administrators across the extensive study area. The insights from our study should inform tailored management strategies for humpback dolphins and promote early detection of anthropogenic threats that may impact social-ecological processes and the overall survival of the population.

Appropriate soil water and nitrogen (N) management strategies are critical for achieving sustainable agricultural development in drylands. Straw mulching has been used to improve crop yield and water use efficiency (WUE), but N management strategies may need to be adjusted from conventional practice. The current study investigated the interactive effects of N application rate (conventional and high N rate), N application frequencies (single, and split N in 2 – 3 applications) and seasonal conditions on wheat population density dynamics, yield, harvest index (HI), grain protein content, water- and N-use efficiency, and residual soil N under straw mulching on the Loess Plateau of China. Nitrogen rate had no effect on yield, HI, WUE and grain protein content, but high N rate resulted in lower grain weight and nitrogen partial factor productivity (PFPN), and higher soil N residue. Splitting N applications significantly improved grain yield (7%), HI (9%), grain protein content (5%), PFPN and N harvest index, along with a reduction in soil N residue, compared to single application. However, there was no difference in above traits between split-N in 2 and 3 applications. Conventional N rate (vs. high N rate) and split N application (vs. single application) both alleviated the negative correlation between grain yield and grain protein content, and split N application increased grain N removal per unit yield compared to single N application. It is concluded that conventional N rate combined with split application in two doses, is suitable for straw mulching in drylands of the Loess Plateau, China.

There is increasing interest in enhancing weed-suppression potential from cover crop surface residues by delaying termination until at or after cash crop planting, often referred to as “planting green.” The combination of increased cover crop biomass production and application of soil-residual herbicides into living cover crops in planting green systems may significantly affect herbicide deposition to the soil surface and wash-off from residues. We conducted field studies to describe the (1) relative effects of cover crop management tactics on herbicide deposition to the soil surface at the time of application; and (2) the influence of cover crop management tactics on herbicide wash-off potential from living cover crops (0 d after termination [DAT]) and aged early postemergence residues. Pyroxasulfone was used as the test herbicide. Our results indicate that in scenarios with standing cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) below 2 Mg ha−1, herbicide deposition is reduced by approximately 35% relative to bare ground regardless of application timing (0 DAT, early postemergence). At 5 Mg ha−1, herbicide deposition is reduced by 50% regardless of application timing, but due to greater wash-off potential, concentration in soil is greater at an early postemergence application timing (70%) than in a planting green scenario (0 DAT; 55%). When roll-crimping is employed before herbicide application, deposition is reduced by approximately 70% compared with bare ground regardless of application timing. After accounting for wash-off dynamics, total recovery was greater when pyroxasulfone was applied at an early postemergence timing (55%) compared with a planting green scenario (0 DAT; 45%). Inclusion of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) in mixture with cereal rye further decreased herbicide deposition (85%) into roll-crimped residues at a 5 Mg ha−1 biomass level, but comparatively greater wash-off of pyroxasulfone resulted in similar soil concentration compared with cereal rye monocultures. Our results quantify the relative effects of cover-cropping tactics on initial concentrations of herbicides in soil.

Noug (Guizotia abyssinica L.) is among the key oilseed crops of Ethiopia and India and is valued for its tolerance to drought, with its very nutrient-dense oil being rich in essential fatty acids, protein and minerals. Despite the economic potential of noug, its production is limited by biological factors such as self-incompatibility, seed shattering, parasitic weeds and disease susceptibility. This review consolidates advances in the past decade, highlighting the transition from conventional breeding to the application of genomic tools. We critically assess how the development of self-compatible lines, transcriptome sequencing and linkage mapping are being used to produce improved germplasm. There is, however, a huge gap between research products and farmer-preferred variety development. This review suggests an integrative approach that brings genomics, phenomics and participatory breeding to realize the faster generation of high-yielding, durable noug cultivars. This is an important strategy to ensure that noug is a sustainable crop that ensures food security and financial empowerment of Ethiopian smallholder farmers.

The genus Aphelenchoides Fischer, 1894, encompasses nearly 200 species with significant ecological and economic importance, yet its taxonomy remains complex due to morphological similarities among species and limited molecular data. In this study, we describe a new species, Aphelenchoides vinhphucensis sp. n., collected from the rhizosphere of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam. The new species is distinguished by its morphological characteristics, including a slender stylet (9.6–12.7 μm), distinct lateral fields with four lines, a conical tail with a pointed mucro, and a well-developed post-uterine sac. Males feature three pairs of caudal papillae and arcuate spicules. Scanning electron microscopy provided detailed insights into surface features, complementing light microscopy observations. Molecular analyses of the D2-D3 regions of 28S rRNA and 18S rRNA supported the distinct phylogenetic placement of Aphelenchoides vinhphucensis sp. n., differentiating it from closely related species. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis confirmed its divergence, contributing to our understanding of biodiversity of the genus Aphelenchoides. This integrative approach highlights the importance of combining classical morphological methods with modern molecular tools for accurate species identification. The discovery of Aphelenchoides vinhphucensis sp. n. underscores the nematode diversity in Vietnam, especially those associated with rice cultivation.

Sorgoleone, an allelochemical exuded from root hairs of grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], has proven herbicidal activity on several weeds and crops. Due to its hydrophobic nature and affinity for organic matter, sorgoleone can persist in the soil for a long period. Although sorghum residues are beneficial for weed suppression, growers in the southeastern United States have raised concerns that these residues may negatively affect wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) emergence in double-crop systems. Two independent laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate sorgoleone activity: (1) weed species/wheat variety study, which included four weed species, Italian ryegrass [Lolium perenne L. ssp. multiflorum (Lam.) Husnot], large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.], sicklepod [Senna obtusifolia (L.) Irwin & Barneby], and velvetleaf [Abutilon theophrasti Medik.], and two wheat varieties, ‘USG3251’ and ‘Shirley’; and (2) wheat variety and group study, which included a total of 20 varieties distributed in four wheat groups. In both studies, sorgoleone was applied at 0.025, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, and 0.30 g L−1 to seeds grown in petri dishes under laboratory conditions. In Study 1, sorgoleone activity had a stronger effect on grass weeds than on broadleaf weeds. Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum was the most susceptible weed, showing 77% growth reduction at 0.3 g L−1 of sorgoleone. At the same concentration, D. sanguinalis showed the second-highest response, with a 32% growth reduction, followed by A. theophrasti and S. obtusifolia, with reductions of 23% and 20%, respectively. No effect of sorgoleone was observed on wheat varieties. In Study 2, growth reduction was only observed for six wheat varieties at the highest sorgoleone concentrations. Furthermore, in between group comparisons, Hard Red wheat presented higher response to sorgoleone. These findings demonstrate strong herbicidal activity of sorgoleone on grass weeds, particularly L. perenne ssp. multiflorum, while having minimal effects on most wheat varieties.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a serious disease and increasingly prevalent in children. MASLD is associated with health consequences such as type 2 diabetes and CVD. While vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that has been proposed to improve liver function and cardiometabolic health including liver markers, lipid profile, glycaemic control and anthropometric measurements. A comprehensive search was conducted up to March 2025. Data on anthropometric measures, liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT)), glycaemic indices (fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)), lipid profiles (total cholesterol (TC), TAG, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol) and serum vitamin E levels were extracted. Statistical analyses were performed using a random-effects model. Eleven randomised controlled trials involving 665 participants were included in this study. Vitamin E significantly reduced ALT (weighted mean difference (WMD) = −5·23 U/L; 95 % CI: −7·72, −2·75; P < 0·001) and AST (WMD = −3·00 U/L; 95 % CI: −4·59, −1·41; P < 0·001), reflecting improved liver function. It also decreased TC (WMD = −5·77 mg/dl; 95 % CI: −11·46, −0·09; P = 0·04) and HOMA-IR (WMD = −0·82; 95 % CI: −1·28, −0·37; P < 0·001), while significantly increasing serum vitamin E levels (WMD = 9·16 mg/l; 95 % CI: 3·29, 15·03; P = 0·002). No significant changes were observed in the BMI, GGT, FBS, insulin, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol or TAG levels. Vitamin E supplementation in paediatric MASLD appears to favourably influence key liver enzymes such as ALT, AST and certain metabolic factors including TC, and HOMA-IR levels, supporting its potential role as adjunctive therapy.

In Colombia, monitoring biodiversity studies is hindered due to logistical, economic and security issues due to armed conflict. This study aimed for the application of environmental DNA (eDNA) to monitor mammalian diversity following riparian outlets along the Colombian Pacific coast. Fieldwork was conducted during two different periods, August to November 2021 and February to May 2022. A total of five orders of terrestrial mammals were recorded, distributed in ten families and 17 species. The most abundant orders were Rodentia and Didelphimorphia, with a total of six and five species each. Our methodology can detect relevant and emblematic terrestrial species reported for the region with traditional methods, such as Chironectes minimus and Cabassous centralis, as well as species that had not been confirmed to occur in that area, like Speothos venaticus. Our results demonstrate the high potential for the development of the eDNA tool in Colombia for detection of vulnerable species and, in the future, supporting conservation processes.

The aim of this study was to examine the potential mediating role of intuitive eating in the relationship between food insecurity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. A total of 1039 adults aged between 20 and 64 years living in Niğde, Türkiye, were evaluated using a questionnaire. The questionnaire included items on participants’ general characteristics, dietary habits, the Household Food Security Survey Module – Short Form, the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener and the Intuitive Eating Scale-2. Intuitive eating was found to play a partial mediating role in the relationship between food insecurity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Food insecurity was directly and negatively associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and this association remained significant even after the inclusion of intuitive eating as a variable in the model. In conclusion, food insecurity was found to negatively affect adherence to the Mediterranean diet not only directly but also indirectly by weakening intuitive eating skills. Interventions aimed at promoting intuitive eating may help mitigate unhealthy dietary behaviours associated with food insecurity; however, improving food access and living conditions remains essential for a long-term solution.

Dairy cow longevity affects production economy, climate footprint, and cow welfare. Based on data from the Danish Cattle Database, this research paper evaluates the relationship between early-life risk factors associated with the period before first calving and cow longevity, including data from all Danish dairy cows culled in 2019–2023. Explanatory variables for linear mixed models included calf size, twinning, and age at first calving. Information about the length of productive life (LPL) (mean: 1,074 days) and lifetime milk yield (mean: 32,088 kg energy-corrected milk) was available for 767,305 and 716,120 cows, respectively. Milk yield per day of life increased from 7 kg in cows culled during the first lactation to more than 20 kg in cows culled in their fifth or later lactations. For cows born as singletons, LPL was one month longer for cows born as large calves than for medium-sized calves, and 2 months longer than for small calves. Cows born as twins had 2 to 3 months shorter productive lives compared to cows born as singletons. For singletons, lifetime milk yield was 1,200 kg higher for large calves than for medium-sized calves, and 2,100 kg higher than for small calves. Lifetime milk yield was 1,500 to 3,500 kg lower in cows born as twins. Cows being among the third quartile of age at first calving had an estimated productive life 2.5 months longer, and a lifetime milk yield more than 2,600 kg higher than cows calving among the first quartile of age. The results from this study clearly demonstrate the importance of ‘a good start’.

Snapmelon is an indigenous crop of Indian origin that has contributed resistance genes against major melon diseases. Despite its importance, Snapmelon is an under-utilized crop, and its cultivation may be limited due to its very short post-harvest life, fruit-bursting on maturity and very thin pericarp that is unsuitable for long-distance transportation. Studies on the inheritance of melon fruit bursting are scanty, and according to the available literature, it is due to complementary gene action. The inheritance of fruit bursting in Snapmelon in our work was studied through an inter-botanical cross between Snapmelon (IC632170, bursting fruit type) and Chandalak melon (Kashi Madhu, non-bursting fruit type). F2 and backcross populations were developed, and all three populations were evaluated for fruit bursting under polyhouse conditions for two seasons. Chi-square analysis indicated non-significant deviations from the expected 3:1 Mendelian ratio for non-bursting: bursting type fruits in the F2 population, suggesting the monogenic control of fruit bursting. The backcross with parent Kashi Madhu exhibited 1:0 (non-bursting: bursting) ratios, while the backcross with parent IC632170 revealed 1:1 (non-bursting: bursting) ratio. Selective genotyping in the F2:3 population of Kashi Madhu x IC632170 using 86 polymorphic Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers revealed the association of the marker CMCT505 for fruit bursting at maturity. Knowledge on the genetic basis of fruit bursting is crucial for designing effective breeding strategies aimed at developing non-bursting Snapmelon varieties suitable for commercial cultivation and improved post-harvest handling.