Jackfruit waste, though abundant in tropical regions, is underutilized due to its low biodegradability, limiting its potential for bioenergy production. This study investigated the impact of co-digesting jackfruit (JF) waste with cow dung (CW) and poultry manure (PM) on biogas production and digestate quality for use as fertilizer. Anaerobic co-digestion was conducted at 37 °C using a water bath, with five treatments: 75% JF:25% PM, 50% JF:50% PM, 75% JF:25% CW, 50% JF:50% CW, and 100% JF (control), each replicated three times. Biogas production was measured using the water displacement method, while digestate nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents were analyzed using calorimetric, modified Olsen-P, and flame photometric methods, respectively. Results showed that the 75% JF:25% PM mixture achieved the highest biogas yield (373.0 mL/gVS), followed by 50% JF:50% PM (339.3 mL/gVS), while 100% JF produced significantly less (82.3 mL/gVS). The 50% JF:50% PM digestate had the highest nutrient content, with N, P, and K levels of 45.44, 28.42, and 32.57 g/kg, respectively, all significantly higher than the 100% JF digestate (p ≤ 0.05). To meet the nitrogen requirement for maize (50 kg N ha−1), 1.089 t of 50% JF:50% PM digestate per hectare would be needed, generating 43.2 m3 of biogas, equivalent to 864 MJ of energy, replacing 26.78 t of firewood. The study concludes that co-digesting jackfruit waste with poultry manure and cow dung enhances biogas yield and digestate quality, supporting sustainable waste management, renewable energy, and soil fertility. Adoption of co-digestion by farmers and biogas operators should be encouraged through policies and training. Future research should focus on efficient and cost-effective pre-treatment methods to improve jackfruit waste biodegradability and process efficiency.

Targeted herbicide applications have the potential to reduce herbicide inputs but pose an inherent risk of missing weeds resulting in late-season escapes. Furthermore, relying on targeted residual herbicides may increase weed emergence relative to broadcast applications. Research was conducted over a three-year period in Keiser, AR, to compare traditional broadcast applications to targeted postemergence applications in glyphosate-, glufosinate-, and dicamba-resistant soybean. The herbicide program was consistent across treatments with a broadcast-applied preemergence residual, and a postemergence program including glufosinate + glyphosate + S-metolachlor followed by glufosinate + acetochlor, both broadcast- or target applied at the highest and lowest spray sensitivities. The soil seedbank was similar at trial initiation across treatments, and there was no increase over three years for broadcast and targeted applications at the highest sensitivity. Averaged over application timing, the lowest sensitivity increased the weed density from 867 plants ha-1 to 2,870 plants ha-1 in year two, to 11,300 plants ha-1 in year three. This response is likely due to more Palmer amaranth escapes at harvest (averaged over years) with >1,000 plants ha-1 compared to the highest sensitivity and broadcast treatments. Targeted applications did improve profitability by reducing herbicide use and increasing application efficiency, providing averaged savings of USD $43.22 ha-1 to $129.19 ha-1 relative to broadcast postemergence cost of $227.22 ha-1. Area sprayed was reduced by 20% to 90%, with the average at early-postemergence being 41.3% and 57.9% and at mid-postemergence equaling 48.1% and 49.3% for the lowest and highest sensitivities, respectively. The only difference in the area sprayed between sensitivity settings occurred early postemergence. Based on the results of this experiment, producers could utilize targeted applications postemergence in soybean to increase profitability, but the lowest sensitivity resulted in unacceptable increases to the weed seedbank, which could impact management in future years.

Almost a decade has passed since a DEFRA consultation concluded that existing legislation governing the UK puppy trade was “outdated, inflexible, incompatible with current welfare legislation and cumbersome for both enforcers and businesses”. The rapid outgrowth of the trade’s governing legislature, fuelled by contemporary consumer culture and the high degree of trader anonymity provided by the internet, has enabled a high-volume, untraceable and profit-driven market to evolve. Increased demand for puppies, exacerbated by social media trends and the COVID-19 pandemic, is sustained by an online medium that both encourages and capitalises upon modern-day ‘click-and-collect’ purchase behaviour. Moreover, the internet has only intensified the demand for pedigree and designer crossbreeds, many of which are shown to suffer lifelong physiological disorders caused by the positive phenotyping selection necessary to achieve breed standards. These factors have made puppies an attractively lucrative, low-risk commodity. Evidence of multi-level fraud and organised crime involvement has been revealed along the supply chain, resulting in systemic canine health and welfare issues. Whilst large-scale breeding operations reportedly smuggle unvaccinated puppies onto the British market from endemic (rabies, Leishmania) countries, high densities of pet dogs in urban areas is reportedly leaving high faecal-saturation levels, spreading anthelmic- and antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Meanwhile, unsafe concentrations of ectoparasiticides are detected in rivers and lakes. This review collates evidence from available sources that illustrate the current nature and impact of inadequate regulation in the UK puppy trade, aiming to support stakeholders in their efforts for essential and comprehensive regulatory reform.

Sea urchins can have considerable ecological impacts on benthic habitats through grazing and bioerosion and many are exploited as fisheries resources. Of the abundant temperate sea urchins, Centrostephanus tenuispinus is among the least studied. We determined the reproductive seasonality of C. tenuispinus off western Australia at Hall Bank where a high density (2.94 ± 0.14 individuals m−2) of small to medium size (66.23 ± 0.24 mm mean test diameter) urchins has been found to suppress macroalgae recruitment and facilitate hard coral dominance of the benthos and at Minden Reef where, typical of most reefs in the region, a low density (0.14 ± 0.01 individuals m−2), larger sized (100.69 ± 0.45 mm) population occupies a habitat dominated by dense macroalgae. Centrostephanus tenuispinus exhibited a clear synchronized annual reproductive cycle. Gametogenesis began in autumn coincident with lowering sea water temperature and decreasing day length and spawning occurred in late winter and spring. The larger urchins from Minden Reef had significantly larger gonads and a higher % GSI (percentage gonadosomatic index) value than Hall Bank Reef. % GSI increased significantly at both sites between winter and summer, but the magnitude of the increase was much greater at Minden Reef (76%) compared to Hall Bank (10%). The results indicate that both populations have the same reproductive cycle but raise questions about the relative contribution the two populations make to the reproductive output of the species in southwestern Australia.

Human eye, skin and hair color pigmentation are highly heritable traits influenced by hundreds of genetic loci. The heritability and genetic etiology of the hyperpigmentation trait pregnancy-related linea nigra (PLN), where a dark but usually temporary vertical line develops on the abdomen, is unknown, and our understanding of its relationships with other pigmentation traits is limited. We conducted a genetic study of self-reported PLN in women of European ancestry, using a genome-based restricted maximum likelihood (GREML) method to estimate PLN heritability, performing a genomewide association study (GWAS) to explore the genetic factors underlying PLN, and calculating polygenic risk scores (PRS) to assess whether this trait shares genetic liability with two other skin pigmentation phenotypes, skin colour and mole count. We found 35% of the variance in developing PLN was explained by common genetic variation. The GWAS revealed four genomic loci suggestively associated (p values ≤ 1 × 10-6) with PLN: rs1263154 near the UPP2 gene (p = 9.0 × 10-7), rs26331 near SEMA6A (p = 6.6 × 10-7), rs78371540 in OLFM3 (p = 5.5 × 10-7), and rs72693263 near FLRT2 (p = 1.1 × 10-7). Of these genes only OLFM3 has been previously associated with pigmentation. Our PRS results provide the first evidence that genetic factors underlying skin color and mole count also contribute to the development of PLN in women of European ancestry.

Devonian stromatoporoid collections have been added to the Natural History Museum, London (UK) for over 100 years. The characteristics and systematic position of these specimens, however, have received little attention. In this study, 297 Devonian stromatoporoid specimens comprising material documented by H. A. Nicholson from the UK, Germany, United States, and Canada, plus specimens described by E. A. Ripper from Australia, were re-examined. Overall, 50 species belonging to 29 genera were systematically redescribed based on recent progress, mainly including Actinostroma, Petridiostroma, Stictostroma, Pseudotrupetostroma, and Parallelopora. Three-dimensional reconstructions reveal stromatoporoid architectural patterns, crucial for enhancing understanding and revision of stromatoporoid identification. This study underscores the significance of three-dimensional reconstruction in taxonomic research on stromatoporoids. The NHMUK material is combined with data from publications and the Paleobiology Database (PBDB) to perform a network analysis of the global occurrence of Devonian stromatoporoids at the generic level; this reveals a close relationship of the global stromatoporoid fauna during the Early Devonian, indicating a widespread distribution, despite this interval being regarded as a time of global stromatoporoid contraction. The Middle Devonian assemblage shows a much higher cosmopolitan occurrence in the context of the subsequent Eifelian–Givetian global stromatoporoid proliferation, consistent with the known pattern from other studies of Middle Devonian stromatoporoids. Overall, the NHMUK collections are a valuable resource to help understand the global occurrence of Devonian stromatoporoids.

Technological enrichment, such as motion sensors, touchscreens, and response-independent feeders, offer innovative ways to enhance animal welfare in captivity by promoting species-appropriate behaviours and cognitive stimulation. A scoping review of 22 publications comprising 25 studies identified various technologies, with computers being the most common, and sensory enrichment the most frequent type implemented. Positive or neutral welfare outcomes were common, though some negative effects were also reported. Primates and carnivores were the most frequently studied groups. Despite increasing research since 2012, gaps remain, including limited peer-reviewed studies and a need for standardised methodologies to better evaluate the impact of technological enrichment.

Indaziflam is a long-term residual weed control option for Georgia pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] growers. As a nonselective cellulose biosynthesis inhibitor, indaziflam has a niche for broad-spectrum weed control with long residual activity in various perennial cropping systems. Indaziflam’s soil persistence and chemical behavior at various temperatures have not been fully evaluated; therefore, the objectives of these experiments were to: (1) quantify indaziflam soil dissipation under field conditions in two common Georgia soils and (2) evaluate indaziflam molecular stability as affected by temperature and time using laboratory techniques. Indaziflam soil dissipation followed first-order kinetics and was adequately described by the exponential decay equation. Indaziflam half-life in Greenville sandy clay loam and Faceville loamy sand was 96 and 78 d, respectively. Indaziflam half-life and soil clay content had a direct relationship, while indaziflam half-life and microbial biomass had an inverse relationship. Aqueous solutions of indaziflam were exposed to temperatures that ranged from 20 to 70 C for up to 672 h, with results indicating that temperature had no influence on indaziflam’s molecular stability.

Dinoflagellates play a key ecological role in marine environments, contributing significantly to primary production and, in some cases, causing harmful algal blooms (HABs). They exhibit diverse morphologies and ecological strategies to colonize a wide range of habitats. Research has predominantly focused on HAB-forming species due to their associated health risks, potentially underrepresenting benthic diversity. In this study, we bring the first report of the unarmored benthic dinoflagellate Bispinodinium angelaceum from a sandy-bottom tide pool in Tenerife, Canary Islands. Morphological identification was based on the observation of live cells using light microscopy (LM) to identify diagnostic features such as dorsoventral cell flattening, a centrally located epicone with a circular apical groove, symmetrical cingulum, brownish-yellow lobular chloroplasts, and a U-shaped spinoid apparatus connecting two lateral pyrenoids. B. angelaceum specimens from Tenerife were slightly larger when compared to previous descriptions but exhibited consistent proportions and structural organization which likely reflected methodological rather than taxonomical differences. This new record extends the known geographic range of the species and provides valuable baseline data for future ecological and taxonomic studies of benthic dinoflagellates, emphasizing the need to better explore and document the hidden diversity of non-HAB taxa.

The multilevel dimensions of sustainable diets associating food systems, public health, environmental sustainability, and culture are presented in this paper. It begins by defining sustainable diets as those that are healthful, have low environmental impacts, are affordable, and culturally acceptable. The discussion includes the history of research on sustainable diets, from initial studies focused on environmental impacts to more recent, comprehensive frameworks that integrate affordability, cultural relevance, and nutritional adequacy as key dimensions of diet sustainability. In addition, the paper highlights recent innovations, such as the Planetary Health Diet of EAT–Lancet and the SHARP model, and the conflicts and optimum trade-offs between sustainability and nutrition, particularly within low- and middle-income countries. Case descriptions of Mediterranean Diet with a focus on Traditional Lebanese Diet, and African Indigenous Foods demonstrate culturally confined dietary patterns associated with sustainability objectives. These examples show that sustainable diets are not a single set of prescriptions, but a series of multiple pathways that are shaped by local food environments, ecological belts, and sociocultural heritages. The paper also describes major policy and governance activities necessary to promote sustainable diets. Finally, the paper addresses measurement challenges and advocates for better indicator options to measure sustainable food systems in all their facets and for participatory and context-specific approaches. The discussion concludes that fairer and culturally diverse inclusion strategies, system change, and political determination are imperative in achieving sustainable diets. Diets able to sustain are posited as agents capable of driving the 2030 agenda, enhancing planetary health and social integrity.

A systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to predict the effect of prepartum energy level on postpartum energy metabolism and milk production in dairy cows. In this systematic review, the criteria of PRISMA guidelines were followed: in vivo experimental evaluation of diets with different prepartum energy levels; presentation of initial, final, and/or total results; statement of treatment period including the last 21 days of the prepartum of period; and description of dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, blood parameters and feed efficiency data. A descriptive analysis was performed for better visualization of the data, and Pearson's correlation was used between the collected variables and the prepartum energy intake. The acquired data were subsequently analysed, employing a link function in a polynomial regression model. Prepartum energy intake does not influence DMI or energy balance in the postpartum phase. A higher-energy diet prepartum increased feed efficiency postpartum, accompanied by an increase in blood levels of BHB and NEFA. However, it also resulted in a decrease in milk production and blood glucose.

Growing environmental concerns and the rise of pesticide resistance have prompted a critical need to develop alternatives to synthetic chemical insecticides. In this context, mineral-based products offer a promising solution for integrated pest management. This study examines the potential of a granite dust product as a control agent for two-spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acariformes: Tetranychidae), on grapevines, Vitis spp. (Vitaceae). Using two-choice repellency, repulsiveness, and no-choice bioassays involving substrate, foliar, and combined applications, the dust was found to effectively deter mites from moving from control leaves to treated leaves in repulsiveness tests; however, in repellency tests, some but not all mites moved from treated leaves to control leaves. Significantly higher mite mortality was observed across all dust treatments in both bioassays than in control treatments, suggesting that contact exposure to the dust and potentially the accumulation of silica in cell walls in plants treated with rock dust as a substrate amendment could render the cell walls resistant to piercing by spider mite mouthparts. The findings improve the understanding of this product’s potential for pest management.

The Mediterranean Diet (Med Diet) has long been shown to be associated with lower cardiovascular mortality in epidemiological studies. However, the direct effect of the dietary pattern on cardiovascular risk factors is less clear. Furthermore, the effect of Med Diet interventions in non-Mediterranean populations on cardiovascular and metabolic risk is variable. A Cochrane Review in 2019 concluded there was low to moderate evidence of a modest benefit but noted that there were still ongoing trials. Since 2019, there have been a number of published trials that have not shown a benefit of the Med Diet over other interventions or usual care. It is possible that dietary factors such as quality or quantity of carbohydrate and energy restriction are more important factors, along with the degree of weight loss, than the Med Diet itself. There are also many other factors that influence the uptake and effectiveness of the Med Diet in populations that have a different traditional or habitual diet. This review paper examines a selection of 20 Med Diet intervention trials specifically looking at clinical outcomes of glucose metabolism: fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, development of type 2 diabetes or need for hypoglycaemic medications, with or without other cardiometabolic risk factors. These trials are a mix of randomised controlled trials, crossover studies and cohort studies of greater than 8 weeks duration with more than 25 participants. There is heterogeneity in study designs and outcomes, making comparison difficult, but there is no clear benefit of the Med Diet presented.