ABSTRACT This study examines the complex relationships among climate change, resource scarcity, and conflict in Africa, focusing on the regions of Darfur, Lake Chad, and South Sudan. This highlights how climate change is a threat multiplier, intensifying socio-political challenges and worsening competition over vital resources such as water and arable land. Through a comparative analysis of these regions, this paper explores how environmental degradation, combined with weak governance and ethnic tensions, has led to conflict. In Darfur, prolonged droughts and desertification have exacerbated competition between herders and farmers. At the same time, in the Lake Chad Basin, the drastic shrinking of the lake has created fertile ground for extremist groups, including Boko Haram. In South Sudan, the impacts of erratic rainfall and water scarcity have contributed to ongoing civil conflict. This paper emphasizes the importance of addressing these climate-driven conflicts through better governance, climate adaptation, and resource management. Ultimately, this study contributes to the broader understanding of how climate change exacerbates conflict in vulnerable regions and underscores the need for coordinated international efforts to mitigate these impacts.

Fish may have different sensitivity to pollutants present in the water. We analyzed the liver histology, and P-gp expression in six species of fish from the Doce River basin. Fish were caught at six different points in the Doce River, and liver samples were taken for histological analysis. P-gp expression was analyzed using an immunohistochemical technique. In Astyanax lacustris, Hoplias intermedius, Hypostomus affinis, Trachelyopterus striatulus and Oligosarcus acutirostris, a double arrangement of hepatocyte plates was generally observed (tubular-form), while in Deutorodon taeniatus, a single arrangement of hepatocyte plates was frequently observed (cord-like). Histological changes, such as cytoplasmic vacuolation and nuclear alteration, were observed in the livers of all species analyzed, however, the species A. lacustris (34.1%) and H. affinis (33.3%) were those with the fewest individuals with histological changes. The H. intermedius, T. striatulus, and O. acutirostris were the species that presented more than 80% of their individuals with histological changes. The A. lacustris and H. affinis were the species that showed the highest P-pg immunolabeling in the liver, while the T. striatulus and O. acutirostris had the lowest levels. These results support the hypothesis that levels of P-gp expression could respond to the resistance or sensitivity of each species to environmental pollutants.

Several agriculturally valuable plants store their pollen in tube-like poricidal anthers, which release pollen through buzz pollination. In this process, bees rapidly vibrate the anther using their indirect flight muscles. The stiffness and resonant frequency of the anther are crucial for effective pollen release, yet the impact of turgor pressure on these properties is not well understood. Here, we perform three-point flexure tests and experimental modal analysis to determine anther transverse stiffness and resonant frequency, respectively. Dynamic nanoindentation is used to identify the anther's storage modulus as a function of excitation frequency. We subsequently develop mathematical models to estimate how turgor pressure changes after the anther is removed from a flower, thereby emulating zero water availability. We find that 30 minutes post-ablation, anther stiffness decreases by 60%. Anther resonant frequency decreases by 20% 60 minutes post-ablation. Models indicate turgor pressure in the fresh anther is about 0.2 - 0.3MPa. Our findings suggest that natural fluctuations in turgor pressure due to environmental factors like temperature and light intensity may require bees to adjust their foraging behaviors. Interestingly, anther storage modulus increased with excitation frequency, underscoring the need for more sophisticated mechanical models that consider viscous fluid transport through plant tissue.

"Candidatus Accumulibacter" is a unique and pivotal genus of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms prevalent in wastewater treatment plants and plays mainstay roles in the global phosphorus cycle. However, the efforts to fully understand their genetic and metabolic characteristics are largely hindered by major limitations in existing sequence-based annotation methods. Here, we reported an integrated approach combining pangenome analysis, protein structure prediction and clustering, and meta-omic characterization, to uncover genetic and metabolic traits previously unexplored for Ca. Accumulibacter. The identification of a previously overlooked pyrophosphate-fructose 6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase gene (pfp) suggested that all Ca. Accumulibacter encoded a complete Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway. A homologue of the phosphate-specific transport system accessory protein (PhoU) was suggested to be an inorganic phosphate transport (Pit) accessory protein (Pap) conferring effective and efficient phosphate transport. Additional lineage members were found to encode complete denitrification pathways. A pipeline was built, generating a pan-Ca. Accumulibacter annotation reference database, covering >200,000 proteins and their encoding genes. Benchmarking on 27 Ca. Accumulibacter genomes showed major improvement in the average annotation coverage from 51% to 82%. This pipeline is readily applicable to diverse cultured and uncultured bacteria to establish high-coverage annotation reference databases, facilitating the exploration of genomic dark matter in the bacterial domain.

Wooden pallets often accumulate as waste, potentially causing environmental problems such as pest infestation, soil and water pollution, and large-scale waste accumulation. Efficient waste management methods such as recycling are needed to reduce these impacts, especially in industrial environments. This study aims to explore the potential utilization of wood pallet waste as a hydrocarbon spill sorbent through processing with wood cutting machines at PT AMM Jobsite Mifa Bersaudara. This research involves the collection and processing of wood pallet waste using a wood chipper machine. The process includes sorting, cleaning, crushing, and packaging wood waste into powder. The tools and materials used are wood pallet shredder, hammer, crowbar, and personal protective equipment. This research follows a systematic flow from problem identification to evaluation and analysis of results. Results of the study showed that the application of wood pallet shredder machine significantly reduced the volume of wood pallet waste. From January to May 2024, the unutilized waste accumulated to 4.67 tons. After introducing the shredding process in June and July 2024, waste utilization increased, achieving an 80% reduction in solid waste. The processed wood powder was effectively used to absorb hydrocarbon spills, optimize resource use, and reduce disposal costs. This research has implications for the feasibility of converting industrial wood waste into useful products, contributing to environmental conservation and cost efficiency. It emphasizes the importance of sustainable waste management practices in reducing the environmental footprint of industrial activities while fostering employee awareness on environmental protection.

The Litany River has encountered severe environmental pollution. This study focused on assessing the pollution level in the upper basin of the Litany River by monitoring seasonal variation of water quality and testing physicochemical parameters and microbial qualities. A total of 72 freshwater samples were taken from six sites for 1 year during the four seasons. The microbiological parameters included total coliform, fecal coliform, and Escherichia coli counts. The physicochemical parameters comprised pH, total dissolved solids, nitrate, sodium, potassium, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. The microbiological quality of samples was evaluated by comparing the fecal pollution indicators loads to the SEQ-EAUX2003 standard for irrigation, and the physicochemical analyses were assessed according to Lebanese Standards Institution (LIBNOR) NL161: 2016 and the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for Water Quality. The results revealed that most physicochemical parameters are not within the permitted limit of LIBNOR and WHO, especially in sites S2, S3, and S6 during the dry seasons. The pH ranged between 6 and 8.16. The total dissolved solids reached 1948 mg/L. The nitrate, sodium, and potassium ranged between 0 and 253 mg/L. The total nitrogen and total phosphorous reached 103 and 5.16 mg/L, respectively. The chemical oxygen demand reached 2210 mg/L, and the biochemical oxygen demand reached 732 mg/L. Concerning the microbiological analysis, fecal pollution was detected in all sites during all seasons, with detectable higher values during the dry seasons, and all samples were considered to be non-conforming, with significant spatiotemporal variation of most parameters. Our results highlight the need to take measures to prevent the high level of pollution. This could be achieved by monthly water quality monitoring of the upper basin and introducing appropriate guidelines to detect pathogens and toxic chemicals that affect the entire ecosystem and lead to severe public health issues.

ABSTRACT The Neotropical region exhibits a remarkable diversity of freshwater fish, with the Upper Grande River in the La Plata basin emerging as a significant yet underexplored hotspot. However, this region is confronted with escalating threats from human activities, such as hydroelectric damming and urbanization, which jeopardize its ichthyofauna. This research conducted a comprehensive inventory of the ichthyofauna in the Upper Grande River, covering diverse environments and sub-basins. Fish sampling at 185 sites revealed over 94 species, indicating a high richness and abundance of migratory fish, as well as the presence of two endangered species. While the study provides valuable insights into fish species richness and distribution, accumulation curves suggest the need for additional sampling efforts. The presence of non-native species, especially in the Aiuruoca and Grande sub-basins, raises conservation concerns. The study underscores the Upper Grande River’s critical role as an area for fish diversity, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing monitoring, conservation efforts, and additional sampling to fully uncover the extent of its ichthyofauna.

Nanostructured bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) single-phase nanoparticles with 76.2% crystallinity and 100% perovskite structure were synthesized using a co-precipitation method. The X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the perovskite structure of BFO, and Rietveld refinement demonstrated the presence of a triclinic structure with the P1 space group. The Scherrer and Williamson-Hall equations were used to calculate the crystallite size (63 and 83 nm, respectively) with a grain size of almost 246 nm and an activation energy of 0.53 eV. The accumulation of free charges at interfaces, which correlate with the sample bulk and the interface between the compound and electrode space-charge polarization, was the reason behind the high values of ε'. As the frequency increased up to 1000 Hz, both dielectric constant ε' and dielectric loss ε' fell quickly. In contrast, at high frequencies, the ε' became more frequency-independent, notably when ε' increased with a temperature of up to 423 K. The sample exhibited considerable soft ferromagnetic-like activity due to the acquired nanoscale structure that promotes spin coating in the BiFeO3 antiferromagnetic phase. The significant coercivity 2624.5 Oe provides each materials in permanent magnetic and transformers. Photocatalytic activity of the BiFeO3 nanocomposite under UVA-light irradiation was performed using Congo red dye. The maximum photocatalytic degradation efficiency after 200 min for CR was 66%. The exceptional electrical and magnetic characteristics of nanostructured BiFeO3 provide new possibilities for its use in potential technological applications, i.e., spintronics, data storage microelectronics, and water treatment.

In modern conditions due to the intense anthropogenic impact on the ecosystem, and accordingly on the habitats of valuable fish species, there is a landslide reduction in spawning populations of thorn in the Ili-Balkhash basin. The issue of preserving this species is discussed through the formation of repair and breeding herds from “wild” individuals, domestication in controlled conditions of fish farms. Only under controlled conditions are there opportunities for the formation of productive herds of endangered fish species. The production facilities of Halyk Balyk LLP were used to carry out work on the reproduction of young thorns and the formation of repair and brood stock of thorns. Throughout the entire period of thorn cultivation, direct-flow water supply from an artesian well was used in the pools of Nalyk Balyk LLP. The water temperature in the pools ranged from 15.0 to 15.50 °C. To increase the immune status in order to prevent stress, courses of vitamin C, B vitamins, and viusid - vet feed additives were regularly administered as needed. The use of such a feeding scheme allows to increase the growth rate of fish, increases the survival rate of fish and improves their physiological condition, fish become more resilient. The adaptation of “wild” individuals of the thorn takes place in a shorter time. Based on the determination of the growth and dynamics of the mass of adaptable individuals, it was found that the habituation to new conditions and artificial feeds is slow, only in the second month the fish begins to eat fruitfully. The survival rates of the domesticated thorn for the entire growing period were 100%.

Rainwater is a source of freshwater that affects the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and consequently human health. Since potential toxic elements (PTEs) have been found in rainwater in Southern Europe, its quality should be evaluated. This review assesses the current knowledge of the quality of rainwater in Southern Europe concerning PTEs, as well as its impact on the environment and human health. The presence of PTEs in rainwater poses challenges and simultaneously an opportunity for innovation in environmental management, particularly in water management. Further monitoring of rainwater quality, research, and policy development are needed to ensure that rainwater remains a viable and safe water resource. The challenges of rainwater quality regarding PTEs and of rainwater harvesting as a measure of drought mitigation, as observed in Southern Europe, require investing in rainwater treatment technologies. The treatment of rainwater harvested in Southern Europe can reduce environmental and health risks posed by PTEs, while enhancing the region’s resilience to climate change and water scarcity.