Natural Sciences

Bacterial pathogens deliver effector proteins into host cells by deploying sophisticated secretion systems. This effector translocation during host‐pathogen interactions is a prerequisite for the manipulation of host cells and organisms and is important for pathogenesis. Analyses of dynamics and kinetics of translocation, subcellular localization, and cellular targets of effector proteins lead to understanding the mode of action and function of effector proteins in host‐pathogen interplay. This review provides an overview of biochemical and genetic tools that have been developed to study (...) protein effector translocation qualitatively or quantitatively. After introducing the challenges of analyses of effector translocation during host‐pathogen interaction, we describe various methods ranging from static visualization in fixed cells to dynamic live‐cell imaging of effector protein translocation. We show the main findings enabled by the approaches, emphasize the advantages and limitations of the methods, describe recent approaches that allow real‐time tracking of effector proteins in living cells on a single molecule level, and highlight open questions in the field to be addressed by application of new methods. (shrink)

Obesity paradoxically advances cancer progression while enhancing certain immunotherapies, like anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1. Bader et al. discovered that obesity‐driven factors increase PD‐1 on tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs), suppressing anti‐tumor responses. Remarkably, anti‐PD‐1 therapy reverses this metabolic dysfunction, boosting immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) effectiveness by reactivating PD‐1+ TAMs.

Intron retention (IR), a well‐conserved form of alternative splicing, is widespread among eukaryotic organisms. It serves as an orchestrated program for regulating gene expression. A previously reported role of IR is to induce intron‐retained transcript (IRT) degradation via the nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway, resulting in the downregulation of gene expression. However, accumulating evidence indicates that most IRTs are detained in the nucleus, and thus, IR can downregulate gene expression through the storage of IRTs in the nucleus. Although the importance (...) of IRTs in gene expression regulation is well established, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we propose a potential model to explain how IRTs are retained in the nucleus and respond to environmental changes or developmental transitions. Plenty of future studies are still ahead of us to fully dissect the biological function of IR and the underlying mechanisms. (shrink)

Genetic diversity of viral populations is almost unanimously attributed to the build‐up of random mutations along with accidental recombination events. This passive role of viruses in the selection of viable genotypes is widely acknowledged. According to the hypothesis presented here, populations of steady‐state error copies of a master viral sequence would have a dominant mutant rather than a random pool of heterogeneous viral genomes with changes scattered uniformly without any preferential distribution. It would let viruses face the selection stage of (...) host surveillance having a preceding set of potential survivors or “guard” genomes among an ordinary cloud of random quasispecies. (shrink)

Neurons degenerate in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), causing progressive and inevitably fatal neurological decline. The best therapeutic strategies target underlying disease mediators, but after decades of intensive research, the causes of these neurodegenerative diseases remain elusive. Recently, coordinated activities of large consortia, increasing open access to large datasets, new methods such as cryo‐transmission electron microscopy, and advancements in high‐resolution omics technologies have offered new insights into the biology of disease that bring us closer to understanding mechanisms (...) of neurodegeneration. In particular, improved understanding of the roles of the key pathological protein TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP‐43) in disease has revealed intriguing new opportunities that provide hope for better diagnostic tools and effective treatments for ALS and FTD. (shrink)

Although genome‐scale analyses have provided insights into the connection between genetic variability and complex human phenotypes, much trait variation is still not fully understood. Genetic variation within repetitive elements, such as the multi‐copy, multi‐locus ribosomal DNA (rDNA), has emerged as a potential contributor to trait variation. Whereas rDNA was long believed to be largely uniform within a species, recent studies have revealed substantial variability in the locus, both within and across individuals. This variation, which takes the form of copy number, (...) structural arrangement, and sequence differences, has been found to be associated with human phenotypes. This review summarizes what is currently known about human rDNA variation, its causes, and its association with phenotypic outcomes, highlighting the technical challenges the field faces and the solutions proposed to address them. Finally, we suggest experimental approaches that can help clarify the elusive mechanisms underlying the phenotypic consequences of rDNA variation. (shrink)

Adipose tissue (AT) inflammation, a hallmark of the metabolic syndrome, is triggered by overburdened adipocytes sending out immune cell recruitment signals during obesity development. An AT immune landscape persistent throughout weight loss and regain constitutes an immune‐obesogenic memory that hinders long‐term weight loss management. Lipid‐associated macrophages (LAMs) are emerging as major players in diseased, inflamed metabolic tissues and may be key contributors to an obesogenic memory in AT. Our previous study found that LAM abundance increases with weight loss via intermittent (...) fasting (IF) in obese mice, which is driven by adipocyte p53 signalling. However, the specific signals causing LAM accumulation in AT under IF remain unknown. In this piece, we hypothesise on a range of adipocyte‐secreted signals that can harbor immune‐attractive features upon fasting/refeeding cycles. We highlight possible mechanisms including cell death signalling, matrikines, and other damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), as well as adipo(‐cyto)kines, lipid mediators, metabolites, extracellular vesicles, and epigenetic rewiring. Finally, we consider how advances in mechanisms of AT LAM recruitment gleaned from preclinical models might be translatable to long‐term weight management in humans. Thus, we provide vantage points to study signals driving monocyte recruitment, polarisation towards LAMs, and LAM retention, to harness the therapeutic potential of modulating AT LAM levels by impacting the immune‐obesogenic memory in metabolic disease. (shrink)

Waterfalls may be beautiful to behold—but they are also quietly accelerating greenhouse gas emissions. A new study in Communications Earth & Environment reveals that waterfalls can significantly increase regional methane (CH₄) emissions by allowing the gas to escape the water before microbes have a chance to break it down.

Over the 12-month span ending in June 2024, global surface temperatures remained at or above 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels—a milestone often associated with the upper limit set by the Paris Agreement. But does this signify that the world has already breached the long-term climate goal? A new study by climate scientist Alex J. Cannon, published in Nature Climate Change, addresses this pressing question with fresh insight from climate model projections.

As biodiversity continues to decline across the globe, Europe faces a pressing question: can private finance help close the yawning gap in conservation funding? A recent study by zu Ermgassen et al. (2025) examines the state of biodiversity finance in Europe, revealing both promise and peril in efforts to mobilize private investment.

Botanic gardens and arboreta are more than just beautiful green spaces—they are living repositories of plant diversity. A new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution offers the most comprehensive global analysis to date of these “ex situ” (outside of its natural environment) living plant collections, drawing on a century of data from 50 institutions across five continents.

As climate extremes intensify, rivers—critical conduits for global carbon and nutrient cycles—are increasingly vulnerable. A new study by Lyu et al. (2025) reveals how a record-breaking drought-heatwave event in the summer of 2022 dramatically disrupted aquatic plankton communities in China’s Yangtze River, threatening biodiversity, stability, and carbon balance.

In 2024, Earth’s average surface temperature surpassed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time—a symbolic and scientific milestone that grabbed global attention. But does a single hot year mean we have failed to meet the Paris Agreement’s target?

Water is essential not only for the sustenance of life but also as a pivotal element in sustainable development. This crucial resource affects nearly every aspect of the environment and society, influencing health, agriculture, and energy production. The effective management and preservation of water resources are imperative as we face global challenges such as climate change, pollution, and growing urban populations.

Australia is home to a remarkable array of biodiversity, with a high proportion of species found nowhere else on Earth. However, this unique natural heritage is under serious threat. Since European colonization, Australia has lost at least 97 species, including 34 mammals—about 10% of its native terrestrial mammal fauna. This extinction rate far exceeds global averages and is accelerating due to a convergence of threats.

In the face of environmental crises like climate change and biodiversity loss, it’s no surprise that many people experience anxiety, guilt, or even despair. But could taking action for the planet also improve our emotional well-being?

India is at a critical juncture—tasked with feeding over 1.4 billion people while navigating the intertwined crises of air pollution and climate change. Recent studies reveal a worrying reality: rising levels of air pollution are significantly undermining agricultural productivity, especially for rice and wheat, the country’s staple food crops.

Ethiopia, a nation historically affected by climate variability and soil degradation, is reviving an age-old yet scientifically validated agricultural practice—intercropping. This method involves cultivating two or more different crops together, capitalizing on their complementary traits to improve soil health, boost productivity, and ensure long-term sustainability.

China’s groundwater is facing a severe crisis driven by rapid economic growth, urbanization, and climate change. This vital resource supplies nearly half of the world’s drinking water, particularly in rural regions, and is crucial for industrial activities and irrigation across China. However, decades of pollution, over-extraction, and inadequate management have led to alarming levels of degradation.

Spermatozoa reach the fallopian tube during ovulation by traveling through the female reproductive tract mucus. This non‐Newtonian viscoelastic medium facilitates spermatozoon movement to accomplish fertilization or, in some cases, blocks spermatozoon movement, leading to infertility. While rheological properties are known to affect spermatozoon motility with in vitro models using synthetic polymers, their precise effects in vivo are understudied. This paper reviews the rheological measurements of reproductive tract mucus during ovulation in humans and model animals, focusing on viscosity and its potential (...) effect on spermatozoa. Mucus viscosity in the female reproductive tract's different compartments is poorly understood. While information on this subject is incomplete, most mammals appear to have a viscosity decrease along their female reproductive tracts. Based on this sparse information, we hypothesize that viscosity changes in female reproductive tracts may guide spermatozoa to eggs, a novel concept that could improve our understanding of reproductive biology. (shrink)

When discussing the human consequences of climate change, migration is often at the forefront—people fleeing from environmental hazards to seek safety and opportunity elsewhere. However, an often-overlooked phenomenon is involuntary immobility, when individuals wish to move but are unable to do so due to financial, legal, political, or infrastructural barriers.

Agriculture is fundamental to global food security, accounting for approximately 72% of worldwide freshwater withdrawals. As the global population grows, so does the demand for agricultural water, creating complex interactions with regional water-energy balances. The Budyko framework—a widely used hydrological model—has revealed agriculture’s substantial influence on the water cycle, demonstrating how aridity affects the partitioning of rainfall into evapotranspiration and streamflow. Notably, agricultural practices in temperate and snowy climates significantly alter the relationship between precipitation and streamflow, necessitating adaptive water management (...) strategies. (shrink)

Forests are vital to global climate stability and agricultural productivity. As climate change and food insecurity intensify, the role of forests in safeguarding food systems and enhancing climate resilience becomes increasingly critical.

Deforestation, a major driver of biodiversity loss and climate change, is primarily fueled by agricultural expansion. Between 1980 and 2000, approximately 83% of new agricultural land in tropical regions was derived from intact or disturbed forests. Given agriculture’s dominant role in forest clearance, sustainable solutions such as agroforestry are essential to mitigating these impacts.

Green hydrogen, generated through water electrolysis powered by renewable electricity, offers a promising pathway toward a sustainable future. Europe, in particular, views this energy carrier as crucial for achieving decarbonization goals in hard-to-abate sectors, including heavy industry, transportation, and chemicals. Nonetheless, the deployment of green hydrogen reveals inherent paradoxes and absurdities in contemporary environmental ambitions.

Achieving sustainability in agriculture requires more than just individual actions—it demands a fundamental shift toward environmental responsibility. Historically, destructive agricultural practices such as intensive monoculture and excessive tillage have led to severe soil degradation, threatening the long-term sustainability of food production. Joseph Russell Smith’s early advocacy for “tree crops” highlighted the profound benefits of incorporating trees into farming systems, emphasizing their role in restoring ecological balance and preserving soil integrity. Although Smith’s vision was articulated a century ago, it remains highly (...) relevant today, with agroforestry emerging as a particularly effective approach to sustainable agriculture. (shrink)

Climate change and livestock production are deeply interconnected. Livestock contributes significantly to climate change while simultaneously being heavily impacted by it, creating a critical sustainability challenge for our planet. Globally, livestock are responsible for about 14.5% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, primarily methane and nitrous oxide, which are potent warming agents. Methane, produced during the digestive process (enteric fermentation) of ruminants like cattle, sheep, and goats, accounts for a significant portion of livestock emissions. Nitrous oxide emissions mainly arise from (...) manure management and fertilization processes in feed production. Additionally, land-use changes, driven by increasing demands for grazing and feed crops, further exacerbate carbon emissions. (shrink)

Ocean dumping, the deliberate disposal of materials into marine environments, has historically been viewed negatively due to severe ecological damage. Yet today, the ocean’s immense capacity to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) is gaining attention as a potential climate change solution.

Carbon credits have become popular as a corporate strategy to combat climate change, but their effectiveness and ethical implications remain contested. A carbon credit is a certificate representing one tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions removed or reduced, typically issued through projects like reforestation, renewable energy, or methane capture. -/- The voluntary carbon market enables companies to offset emissions by purchasing these credits, ostensibly balancing their carbon footprint. According to recent research, corporate claims about “net zero” and “carbon neutrality” increasingly (...) depend on these voluntary markets. Yet, concerns persist about the authenticity of these claims and whether they genuinely contribute to mitigating climate change or merely provide a façade for continued emissions. (shrink)

For decades, climate advocacy has framed carbon as the ultimate villain. Common phrases like “fighting carbon emissions,” “combatting climate change,” and “decarbonizing the economy” depict carbon as a pollutant that must be eradicated. This warlike language has shaped policies centered on capturing, sequestering, and eliminating carbon—treating it as an adversary to be subdued rather than an essential element of life. However, this framing is misleading, as Paul Hawken argues. Carbon itself is not the problem; it is the fundamental building block (...) of all living organisms. The real issue lies in the excessive accumulation of carbon dioxide due to human activities, disrupting Earth’s natural balance. By treating carbon as a toxic entity rather than an integral part of life’s cycles, we risk alienating people from the living world instead of fostering holistic solutions. (shrink)

Resumo: Diante da preocupação e diminuição do uso de antimicrobianos como promotores de crescimento, aumentaram-se as buscas por aditivos que os substituam. Portanto, objetivou-se avaliar o uso de tanino condensado de Acácia-negra (Acacia mearnsii) na dieta de galinhas poedeiras na fase de cria (1 a 5 semanas) sob a biometria dos órgãos. Foram utilizadas 432 pintainhas de postura da linhagem Hy-line W80, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em 3 tratamentos com 8 repetições de 18 aves cada, sendo os tratamentos: dieta (...) sem aditivos; dieta com inclusão de bacitracina metileno disalicilato e dieta com inclusão de 1,00 kg/t de tanino condensado de Acácia-negra. Ao final, duas aves por unidade experimental foram selecionadas dentro do peso médio e eutanasiadas por deslocamento cervical para coleta e pesagem dos seguintes órgãos: baço, bursa, cecos, coração, fígado, timo, intestino, pâncreas e moela cheia e vazia, bem como realizada a mensuração do comprimento do intestino, bem como os cecos com fita métrica. Os dados obtidos foram analisados pelo procedimento GLM do programa SAS versão 9.4, e as médias comparadas pelo método de contrastes ortogonais (p≤0,05). Não foram encontrados efeito entre os tratamentos experimentais para o peso do baço, timo, bursa, pâncreas, coração, moela cheia e vazia, bem como para o comprimento do intestino. Houve efeito de tratamento para peso de fígado (p<0,0144) e intestino (p<0,0397); em relação ao comprimento houve efeito de tratamento para o ceco direito (p<0,0149) e ceco esquerdo (p<0,0159), onde as médias mostraram que os órgãos foram mais pesados e maiores no tratamento com adição de tanino condensado de Acácia-negra em comparação com os demais tratamentos. Diante disso, o tanino condensado de Acácia-negra se destaca como um bom substituto da bacitracina metileno disalicilato, pois proporcionou maior peso de fígado e maior comprimento intestinal. -/- . (shrink)

The traditional view of aging as a gradual, progressive process is increasingly being challenged. A growing body of evidence suggests the existence of abrupt transitions in the aging process, marked by sudden molecular shifts. Interestingly, the data indicates that such transitions occur not only in late life but also throughout the entire lifespan. Further research on the nature of such events could enhance our understanding of aging and pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies, including personalized medicine. We propose that (...) these abrupt molecular shifts could serve as biomarkers, dividing the lifespan into distinct stages and providing the foundation for a much‐needed staging system for aging. Furthermore, we argue that the sudden changes may be the hallmarks of aging tipping points, that is, points in time where aging processes are quickly amplified after surpassing critical biological thresholds. (shrink)

Abstract -/- The Recursive-Collapse-Recombination (RCR) Model is a metastable, autopoietic, non-hierarchical, non-binary, and non-linear framework that defines reality as a continuously generative process. It describes how recursion (self-reinforcing structures), collapse (destabilization and phase shifts), and recombination (adaptive restructuring) interact to produce emergent, dynamic systems. Unlike equilibrium-based models, RCR establishes metastability as the core condition of reality, ensuring ongoing transformation rather than static resolution. The model is mathematically formalized to apply across domains, from physics and cognitive science to social structures and (...) AI systems. By framing reality as an interplay of recursion, collapse, and recombination, RCR reveals why deterministic reductionism fails and why reality remains an open-ended generative structure rather than a closed, finite system. -/- Keywords -/- Recursive-Collapse-Recombination (RCR) -/- Metastability -/- Phase Transitions -/- Nonlinear Systems -/- Emergence -/- Self-Organization -/- Autopoiesis -/- Indeterminacy -/- Reality Structuring -/- Generative Systems -/- --- -/- License (CC BY 4.0) -/- This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). -/- ✔ Share — Copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format. ✔ Adapt — Remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. -/- Attribution Requirement: You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. This must be done in a reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests endorsement by the original author. -/- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. (shrink)

Intra‐strand base pairing is possible when double‐stranded DNA contains inverted repeats, but vanishingly improbable without so‐called negative superhelicity. This superhelicity itself is conditional upon whether the molecule can retain torsional stress—a question of “topology.” This principle has been uncontroversial to biophysicists since the 1980s but has proven challenging for outsiders to grasp and retain. For those in AAV research, this constitutes a decades‐long missed connection. AAV is one of a multitude of viruses bearing secondary‐structure‐forming elements on their termini. Its “inverted (...) terminal repeats” (ITRs) can self‐anneal into relatively large hammerhead structures on both ends of the dynamically structured genome and are central to numerous host interactions that drive the viral lifecycle. A standalone article such as this is therefore warranted to promote an understanding of these ideas in the AAV research community and highlight their significance in the basic biology of the virus and its vector gene delivery system. (shrink)

Plant cytokinesis results in the formation of the cell plate by the phragmoplast which contains dynamic microtubules serving as the track for the delivery of cell wall builders included in Golgi vesicles. During the centrifugal process of cell plate assembly, new microtubules are assembled and bundled at the leading edge to prepare for vesicle transport while older microtubules are disassembled at the lagging edge upon the completion of vesicle delivery. The turnover of phragmoplast microtubules in this process is thought to (...) be regulated by phosphorylation of the key microtubule bundling factor MAP65. A recent study revealed a surprising role of the α‐Aurora kinase, which is typically known for its role in governing the formation of the bipolar spindle apparatus, in phosphorylating the primary microtubule bundler MAP65‐3 in Arabidopsis. This phosphorylation positively contributes to the expansion of the phragmoplast. The phragmoplast midzone is also the hub for other cytokinesis‐important kinases. It is intriguing how these kinases are targeted and how they may crosstalk with each other to orchestrate the expansion of the phragmoplast. (shrink)

The Hard Problem of consciousness—explaining why and how physical processes are accompanied by subjective experience—remains one of the most challenging puzzles in modern thought. Rather than attempting to resolve this issue outright, in this paper I explore whether empirical science can be broadened to incorporate consciousness as a fundamental degree of freedom. Drawing on Russellian monism and revisiting the historical “relegation problem” (the systematic sidelining of consciousness by the scientific revolution), I propose an extension of quantum mechanics by augmenting the (...) Hilbert space with a “consciousness dimension.” This framework provides a basis for reinterpreting psi phenomena (e.g., telepathy, precognition) as natural outcomes of quantum nonlocality and suggests that advanced non– human intelligence (NHI) technology might interface with a quantum–conscious substrate. For a detailed mathematical exposition of this framework, see my preprint [3]. I demarcate the philosophical issues from the empirical ones and propose several experimental strategies— including entanglement–based psi research, quantum–enhanced neuroimaging, and quantum sensor applications—to test the model. Although this framework does not resolve the Hard Problem, it offers a rigorously formulated, historically informed, and empirically testable approach to integrating subjective experience into the scientific study of mind. (shrink)

Until, 1971, articles were not freely accessible to everyone online. Project Gutenberg made the dream a reality. Exorbitant increases in the cost of print journals have forced publishers to reduce their publications and turn them from the print to the electronic journal (e-journal) medium. Higher visibility of Open Access (OA) leads to a higher number of citations, better h-index of authors and the Impact Factor (IF) of journals, which gains the popularity of e-journals. However, authors face a problem in predatory (...) journals, Article Processing Charges (APC), etc. It is not late to write this article for in-depth understanding of e-journals and the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academic scholarships, especially for novice readers, authors, and researchers. This article also depicts what important things you need to keep in mind when publishing your article to go to a higher level in the era of electronic publication. (shrink)

Talin, a key integrin activator, is essential for cellular adhesion, signal transduction, and mechanical stability. Its transition between autoinhibited and active conformations allows dynamic regulation of adhesion in response to environmental cues. Cholesterol‐rich membrane microdomains, such as lipid rafts, organize and stabilize signaling platforms, influencing talin and integrin conformational states. Cholesterol is a switch modulating talin activation, integrin binding, and adhesion. Environmental pollutants, including heavy metals and air toxins, disrupt cholesterol homeostasis, destabilize lipid rafts, and interfere with talin–integrin interactions. These (...) disruptions impair adhesion, tissue repair, and signaling fidelity, contributing to atherosclerosis and cancer metastasis. Understanding talin's interaction with cholesterol‐rich domains offers critical insights into adhesion regulation and reveals the broader impact of environmental toxicants on cellular function. This framework emphasizes the importance of membrane composition, particularly cholesterol, in mediating the effects of environmental stressors and suggests potential therapeutic interventions. (shrink)

Climate change and biodiversity loss are interconnected crises that demand integrated solutions. While mitigation strategies such as reforestation and afforestation, renewable energy development, and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) are essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, they also pose risks to ecosystems, specifically biodiversity. This review examines the biodiversity impacts of these key mitigation strategies, identifying potential trade-offs and opportunities for synergy. Large-scale forest plantations can sequester carbon but often reduce biodiversity when implemented as monocultures. Renewable energy expansion, (...) particularly wind and solar farms, contributes to decarbonization but can disrupt habitats and wildlife migration. BECCS, though promoted for negative emissions, requires extensive land conversion, threatening biodiversity and food security. To balance climate action with ecological integrity, this study advocates for an eco-surplus culture, where mitigation strategies not only minimize harm but actively enhance biodiversity. Nature-based solutions, such as restoring native forests and integrating biodiversity-conscious renewable energy planning, offer pathways to maximize co-benefits. Policy frameworks must prioritize biodiversity safeguards, promote sustainable land use, and ensure community participation. Addressing climate and biodiversity goals together through holistic, long-term planning is essential for fostering environmental resilience and achieving genuinely sustainable climate solutions. (shrink)

Animals comprise hundreds of cell types, each with specialized biological functions. However, many genes expressed in each cell type belong to widely conserved gene families with ancestrally ubiquitous expression. This raises a paradox: how have these genes evolved to shape cell type‐specific traits without compromising their ancestral function in all other cells? This can be achieved through gene duplication and the origin of regulated, alternatively spliced exons, which generate new related proteins in the form of paralogous genes and alternative isoforms, (...) respectively. Here, we explore how such new related proteins can contribute to the evolution of specific cell types while preserving broader ancestral roles. Specifically, we separately classify possible expression and functional fates for new related proteins and discuss their interplays and evolutionary likelihood. Our primary hypothesis is that expression specialization, mostly coupled with functional specialization, is the predominant fate for both paralogous genes and alternative isoforms throughout animal evolution. (shrink)

This thesis uses a biosocial anthropological approach to explore the wide variety of human-environmental interactions exhibited by the Shuar of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Based on 10 months of ethnographic inquiry and deploying a comparative and evolutionary perspective, this thesis focuses primarily on the holistic nature of ancient subsistence patterns. I delve into the adaptive strategies exhibited by the contemporary Shuar and attempt to delineate the socio-ecological, ritual and cosmological significance of these patterns of behaviour. I suggest how subsistence adaptations, like (...) hunting, which have been greatly diminished in the Shuar communities, nevertheless reveal particular forms of cross-species interactions likely deeply rooted in coevolutionary processes. As clearly indicated by informants' oral histories, hunting patterns and meat-eating behaviour show complex trophic, socio-structural and ritual associations between humans and animal taxa. I then hypothesise that food taboos against eating particular animals (mostly large mammals) may have functioned as mechanisms for the preservation of prey and likely arose from ancient relationships with extinct megafauna. Further, concerning horticulture, a subsistence strategy still practised by the Shuar, I reveal how specific forms of human-plant interactions, such as those with Manihot esculenta Crantz and Guadua spp., inform patterns of patterns of growth, fertility and reproduction. This Amazonian form of human-plant coevolution exhibited by traditional horticulture underscores, in principle, basic and higher-order relational processes exemplified by the biosocial, ritual, ontological, and myth-cosmological associations between organismic kingdoms. Concerning the use of medicinal and psychoactive plants, I show how these kinds of botanical knowledge frequently intersect, thus representing adaptive behaviours highly dependent on embodied and cognitive engagements with plant materials. Both conceived as elementary forms of cure and primary triggers of metaphysical formulations, relationships with these elements of the plant kingdom are likely to be well-embedded in our evolutionary history. Lastly, the thesis' attempt at cross-species comparisons linked to different evolutionary periods (i.e., archaic hominins, extant forager-horticulturalists and non-human primates) may shed new light on the nature of complex adaptive patterns exhibited by Indigenous peoples in general and the Shuar in particular. (shrink)

The major global challenges of our time, like climate and environmental crises, rising inequality, the emergence of disruptive technologies, etc., demand interdisciplinary research for effective solutions. A clear understanding of value is essential for guiding socio-cultural and economic transitions to address these issues. Despite numerous attempts to define value, existing approaches remain inconsistent across disciplines and lack a comprehensive framework. This paper introduces a novel perspective on value through the lens of granular interaction thinking theory, proposing an informational entropy-based notion (...) of value. Grounded on quantum mechanics, Shannon’s information theory, and the mindsponge theory, this framework integrates both subjective and objective considerations and is highly compatible with interdisciplinary research. The informational entropy-based notion of value effectively bridges diverse concepts of value, including use and exchange value in economics, personal values in psychology, and cultural, moral, ethical, and aesthetic values in society. By offering a unifying perspective, granular interaction thinking theory provides a valuable framework for translating insights from quantum mechanics into socio-cultural, economic, and psychological contexts, enriching theoretical discourse and enhancing analytical effectiveness. (shrink)

Trong bối cảnh cạnh tranh toàn cầu ngày càng gay gắt, khoa học đứng trước thách thức lớn trong việc tối ưu hóa nguồn lực hữu hạn. Các trung tâm quyền lực khoa học hàng đầu như Liên minh châu Âu (EU), Hoa Kỳ và châu Á đang chạy đua để củng cố vị thế dẫn đầu. Trước áp lực đó, các nền kinh tế mới nổi cần tập trung nâng cao hiệu suất đầu tư khoa học. Quan trọng hơn, (...) vấn đề không chỉ nằm ở mức ngân sách dành cho khoa học mà ở cách sử dụng nguồn lực sao cho hiệu quả nhất. Để đạt được những mục tiêu này, việc phát triển khoa học xã hội và nhân văn đóng vai trò cốt lõi trong việc giúp định hình các thước đo giá trị và thế giới quan khoa học. Cuối cùng, khoa học phải khẳng định giá trị của mình thông qua đổi mới sáng tạo và giải quyết các thách thức toàn cầu, góp phần thúc đẩy phát triển bền vững. (shrink)

Để hiện thực hóa các mục tiêu của phát triển kinh tế bền vững, TP. Hà Nội đã từng bước có những bước tiến chuyển đổi từ ngành nông nghiệp thâm dụng nhiều tài nguyên, thiên nhiên làm đầu vào cho quá trình sản xuất hàng hóa sang tích cực ứng dụng công nghệ cao vào quá trình sản xuất nông nghiệp để hình thành các mô hình sản xuất nông nghiệp theo hướng xanh hóa, bền vững, hữu cơ, tuần (...) hoàn và sinh thái thích ứng với biến đổi khí hậu toàn cầu. Bài viết phân tích thực trạng phát triển nông nghiệp xanh trên địa bàn Hà Nội, từ đó đề xuất giải pháp đẩy mạnh mô hình này trong thời gian tới. (shrink)

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of postpartum diseases and body condition score (BCS) on the reproductive performance of dairy herds. Cows were monitored during the postpartum to diagnose diseases and changes in BCS. The cows were divided into those with no disease and those with one or more diseases. The incidence of diseases, pregnancy rate (PR) at the first postpartum service, number of days open, percentage of pregnant cows at 150d, and gestational loss were analyzed. No difference was observed (...) between healthy and diseased cows in the PR at the first service or for days open. Diseased cows showed greater gestational loss and the percentage of pregnant cows at 150d postpartum was higher among healthy cows. Cows with a BCS ≥ 3.0 at prepartum had a lower PR at the first service and shorter days open. In conclusion, dairy herds affected by diseases during postpartum show impaired reproductive efficiency Keywords: dairy cattle, postpartum diseases, transition period, pregnancy rate. (shrink)

Amazon Book Review Series of “Better Economics for the Earth”.

Amazon Book Review Series of “Better Economics for the Earth”.

Amazon Book Review Series of “Better Economics for the Earth”.