Bacteria are known to colonize the insect gut and determine a positive effect on their host’s fitness, for example, by providing essential nutrients or improving digestion efficiency. However, information on the colonization of the insect gut by fungi and their nutritional contribution is still scarce and fragmentary. In this study, the presence of Candida tropicalis, a fungus abundant in the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, BSF) larvae’s gut and environment, was determined in the different gut regions. In addition, metabolites present in larvae fed with a fungus-containing diet were determined by untargeted metabolomics and compared to the C. tropicalis metabolic composition and metabolic changes in the feeding substrate supplemented with the microorganism. Our results indicate that C. tropicalis ceased to be present in the BSF gut after its supplementation in the feeding substrate was stopped, indicating that C. tropicalis does not colonize the gut. Larvae that were reared on diet supplemented with C. tropicalis displayed an increase in the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway, due to an increase in the palmitic and myristic acids that are abundant in C. tropicalis. The presence of C. tropicalis in the substrate caused an increase in threonine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis pathways in the larvae and suggests indirect feeding from the fungal excretions in the substrate. In addition, the lysozyme activity in the larval gut was reduced by the presence of C. tropicalis, suggesting the fungal involvement in the digestive process for increasing fungal survival. This study suggests indirect symbiotic interactions, in which C. tropicalis thrives in the BSF larvae’s environment and manipulates BSF digestive enzyme production to survive in this environment, but on the other hand, BSF larvae benefit metabolically from the C. tropicalis presence in its surrounding environment.

ABSTRACTLarge mammalian herbivores influence grassland ecosystems through plant consumption, return of excreta and trampling, and by altering nutrient cycles and soil properties. These herbivore‐mediated changes impact other animals in the habitat, particularly plant‐dwelling arthropods. While plant‐mediated effects of large mammalian herbivores on arthropod populations are well documented, direct effects, such as incidental ingestion of arthropods, remain understudied. Large mammalian herbivores incidentally ingest a variety of plant‐dwelling arthropods; however, it remains unclear how this interaction is influenced by the dietary choices of different mammal species within the same habitat. Using a DNA metabarcoding analysis of fecal samples, we investigated the ingestion of plant‐dwelling arthropods by sheep and cattle grazing in northeast Asian grasslands. Fecal samples were collected from replicated plots throughout the grazing season, including previously grazed and ungrazed plots. A COI marker was used to amplify arthropod DNA, followed by high‐throughput sequencing. Results revealed that both sheep and cattle ingest a variety of plant‐dwelling arthropods, including herbivores, parasitoids, and predators, with a high proportion of endophages (species developing in plant tissue). Significant differences were observed in ingestion between sheep and cattle—sheep (selective grazers) ingested a wider variety of plant‐dwelling arthropods compared to cattle, whose diet consisted primarily of grasses, highlighting the impact of dietary choices on arthropod ingestion. Grazing regime influenced the ingestion of plant‐dwelling arthropods in sheep, with differences observed between previously grazed and ungrazed plots. Our findings demonstrate that the ingestion of plant‐dwelling arthropods by large mammalian herbivores is a dynamic and widespread phenomenon, varying across mammalian species and seasons.

Erwinia amylovora is the causal pathogen of fire blight, a contagious disease that affects apple and pear trees and other members of the family Rosaceae. In this study, we investigated the community dynamics of the pear flower microbiome in an agricultural setting during the naturally occurring infection of E. amylovora. Five potential factors were considered: collection date, the flower's phenological stage, location on the tree, location within the orchard, and pear cultivar. The phenological stage and the collection date were identified as the most important factors associated with pear flower microbiome composition, while the location of the tree in the orchard and the flower's location on the tree had a marginal effect. The leaf microbiome reflected that of the abundant phenological stage on each date. The flower microbiome shifted toward E. amylovora dominating the community as time and phenological stages progressed, leading to a decreased community diversity. The E. amylovora population was represented almost exclusively by six amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) with similar proportions throughout the entire collection period. Other taxa, including Pseudomonas, Pantoea, Lactobacillus, and Sphingomonas, were represented by dozens of ASVs, and different succession patterns in their populations were observed. Some of the taxa identified include known antagonists to E. amylovora. Overall, our results suggest that flower physiology and the interaction with the environment are strongly associated with the pear flower microbiome and should be considered separately. Taxon-specific succession patterns under E. amylovora spread should be considered when choosing candidates for antagonist-based treatments for fire blight.IMPORTANCEThe spread of pathogens in plants is an important ecological phenomenon and has a significant economic impact on agriculture. Flowers serve as the entry point for E. amylovora, but members of the flower microbiome can inhibit or slow down the proliferation and penetration of the pathogen. Knowledge about leaf and flower microbiome response to the naturally occurring spread of E. amylovora is still lacking. The current study is the first to describe the Rosaceae flower microbiome dynamics during the naturally occurring infection of E. amylovora. Unlike previous studies, the study design enabled us to evaluate the contribution of five important environmental parameters to community composition. We identified different ASV succession patterns across different taxa in the flower consortia throughout the season. These results contribute to our understanding of plant microbial ecology during pathogen spread and can help improve biological treatments for fire blight.

ABSTRACT Digital learning processes in higher learning have become critical for the success of academic institutions. In a targeted action carried out at a college in northern Israel, lecturers were accompanied by pedagogical personal guides between 2019 and 2022. A tested methodology was developed to measure the level of digitisation, and an analysis of the lecturers’ courses in the organisational learning system was carried out. A significant increase in the digital level of teaching was identified over the years. In addition, it seems that the personal guidance system for the lecturer is an important contribution to the increase in digital level.

The SIX Cs model, a neuropsychological framework for psychological first aid, addresses acute stress responses that may lead to functional failure and heighten the risk for posttraumatic stress disorder. Unlike emotional interventions, this model prioritizes Cognitive Communication to diminish emotional overwhelm and bolster cognitive functioning. It introduces a Challenge for active engagement, Control for cognitive management of situations, Commitment from the helper to reduce loneliness, and Continuity to ensure narrative coherence. This study evaluates the SIX Cs model's effectiveness in an experimental setup to alleviate acute stress reaction symptoms. Sixty-three participants voluntarily participated. They were randomly assigned to the SIX Cs intervention (experimental) or to supportive emotional expression (control). They listened to a 3-min audio recording of a real emergency 911 phone call. Interventions were provided before and after listening to the recording. Before, immediately after, and 5 min later (recovery), participants' anxiety, heart rate variability, and mental resilience levels were measured. For all three outcomes, the Time × Group interactions were statistically significant. Follow-up analyses revealed that the SIX Cs participants showed lower anxiety and less reductions in heart rate variability and resilience than controls immediately after the stressor. Furthermore, the SIX Cs participants recovered faster on all three outcomes compared to controls. The results demonstrate the superior effect of the psychological first aid based SIX C's protocol over control in all outcomes, immediately after a simulated stressor and 7 min later as well as possible contribution for posttraumatic stress disorder risk reduction. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

This case study of professional military women examines the impact of women-based Virtual Communities of Practice (VCoPs) on changing gender dynamics in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Through interviews and focus groups with 14 community members, we explored how a virtual community evolved to influence military culture and practices. Our findings revealed three main themes: First, the community had a profound impact on military mothers’ professional lives through mutual support and knowledge sharing. Second, the community influenced existing organizational narratives by creating frameworks for personal solutions and expanding professional networks. Third, the transition from covert information sharing to becoming an influential voice in military discourse involved complex dynamic. The study highlights the significant role of VCoPs in leading gender-oriented organizational change and furthering the understanding of gender dynamics and bottom-up change in organizations. This case study demonstrates how informal networks can effectively influence organizational practices while operating within institutional boundaries.

Ambient air pollution causes 4.2 million premature deaths annually. Ozone (O3), a secondary pollutant, is prevalent in urban areas with high transportation/industrial emissions. Chronic exposure to ozone is associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and with metabolic disorders, such as type-2 diabetes (T2D). This study examined the relationship between chronic exposure to ground-level ozone, socioeconomic status, and T2D incidence. We found a significant positive correlation between ozone exposure and the T2D incidence in Israel’s urban population (municipalities with ≥20,000 residents). Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that exposure to ground-level ozone significantly contributed to the T2D morbidity, mostly in ages ≥ 45 years. Our results emphasize the relationship between chronic ozone exposure and T2D in Israel’s unique heterogeneous populations and highlight health risks associated with ozone exposure. While socioeconomic status is a significant determinant of T2D, as shown in the current study, our findings suggest that environmental factors, such as exposure to ground-level ozone, exert independently potent effects. This emphasizes the need to consider both socioeconomic and environmental factors in public health strategies. Stricter air quality regulations and targeted public health interventions are essential, particularly in high-ozone areas. Reducing ambient ozone levels could also help mitigate the T2D burden, particularly among vulnerable populations.

ABSTRACT The study investigated the impact of the collaborative teacher training process within the ‘Class-Academy Program’ on the integration and retention of novice teachers in Israel. Specifically, it examined the influence of the program on novice teachers’ sense of professional self-efficacy and pedagogical practices, as well as their intention to remain in the teaching profession. By way of doing so, the study analysed data from 436 teachers trained in education and teaching across 28 academic institutions in Israel. The results reveal that participants in the ‘Class-Academy Program’ exhibit higher levels of self-efficacy and are better equipped for school integration. Yet they also show higher rates of burnout with 18.4% expressing intentions to leave the profession within three years.

ABSTRACT Given the evolving landscape of sports and shifting gender norms, an increasing number of women are embracing their identity as sports enthusiasts. However, in the stands of stadiums and arenas, the practice of fandom and the human needs it fulfils meet cultural gender concepts and social constrictions. This article explores the personal subjective experiences of fourteen female Israeli basketball fans by utilising a narrative qualitative methodology. The study’s findings indicate three central themes that underlie female fandom: wellbeing, sexuality, and identity (personal and social), which includes the evolution of sports fandom in terms of the role of family members as socialising agents.