Global Increase Research Articles

Perturbation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa peptidoglycan recycling by anti-folates and design of a dual-action inhibitor.

To combat the alarming global increase in superbugs amid the simultaneous scarcity of new drugs, we can create synergistic combinations of currently available antibiotics or chimeric molecules with dual activities, to minimize resistance. Here we show that older anti-folate drugs synergize with specific cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors to kill the priority pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Anti-folate drugs caused a dose-dependent loss of rod cell shape followed by explosive lysis, and synergized with β-lactams that target D,D-carboxypeptidases required to tailor the cell wall. Anti-folates impaired cell wall recycling and subsequent downstream expression of the chromosomally encoded β-lactamase, AmpC, which normally destroys β-lactam antibiotics. Building on the anti-folate-like scaffold of a metallo-β-lactamase inhibitor, we created a new molecule, MLLB-2201, that potentiates β-lactams and anti-folates and restores meropenem activity against metallo-β-lactamase-expressing Escherichia coli. These strategies are useful ways to tackle the ongoing rise in dangerous bacterial pathogens.

The global, regional, and national burden of oral cancer, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

PurposeThis epidemiological study leverages data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database spanning from 1990 to 2021 to analyze the global burden of oral cancer. The research aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASDR), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for oral cancer, examining trends over three decades.MethodsThe study used age standardized rate (ASRs) as an indicator of oral cancer epidemiological data. Trend analysis uses estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) to track changes in oral cancer indicators.ResultsThe study identifies a global increase in oral cancer incidence, mortality, and DALYs. From 1990 to 2021, the global incidence rate increased significantly from 3.26 (95% UI 3.14–3.41) to 5.34 (95% UI 4.94–5.70), the global mortality rate rose from 1.83 (95% UI 1.73–1.92) to 2.64 (95% UI 2.42–2.84), and the global estimate of DALYs increased from 55.05 (95% UI 52.38–57.97) to 74.44 (95% UI 67.50–80.44). High-risk regions include Palau and certain areas in Asia. Middle SDI regions show the most significant growth, while economically underdeveloped areas like parts of Africa show less significant trends.ConclusionThe research underscores the need for heightened awareness, surveillance, and prevention efforts, especially in regions with high oral cancer incidence. Policymakers are urged to implement screening programs and public health education to combat the disease.

Association between estimated glomerular filtration rate, urinary albuminuria-creatinine ratio, and stroke prevalence in patients with chronic kidney disease

Background With the global increase in chronic diseases, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and stroke have become major public health concerns. This study aims to investigate the relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), and the incidence of stroke in a CKD population. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed the relationship between eGFR, UACR, and prevalence of self-reported stroke in 6,037 participants using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2018. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of eGFR, UACR with the incidence of stroke, and smoothing curve fitting was applied to explore the linear relationship between eGFR and stroke. To further explore the effect of eGFR on stroke risk, we performed subgroup analyses of demographic factors. Results After adjusting for confounding factors, eGFR was found to be significantly negatively associated with stroke risk. Compared with participants with an eGFR ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m2, the risk of stroke was increased in those with an eGFR of 60–90 (OR = 1.78; 95% CI = 1.18–2.69), 30–60 (OR = 2.26; 95% CI = 1.49–3.44), and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (OR = 3.14; 95% CI = 1.74–5.65). In the unadjusted model, patients with UACR of 30–300 mg/g had a slightly lower risk of stroke than those with UACR < 30 mg/g (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.57–0.86); however, this association was not seen after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusions This study identified a negative linear correlation between eGFR and stroke in CKD patients.

Modeling Return Levels of Non-Stationary Rainfall Extremes Due to Climate Change

Global warming increases evaporation and atmospheric water vapor, leading to more extreme events in both spatial and temporal domains. This study conducts a non-stationary extreme value analysis of the annual daily maximum at 36 meteorological stations over Iran from 1960 to 2021. We applied stationary and non-stationary Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) models within a Bayesian framework to estimate return levels for rainfall extremes, along with 90% confidence intervals. Our findings indicate that non-stationary models are not prominently evident based on AIC at most stations; however, non-stationary Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) models outperform stationary models based on RMSE and NSE evaluation criteria that sufficiently capture variations in extremes. Furthermore, most observed changes in extreme events exhibit a non-stationary pattern. Non-stationary analysis indicates that the frequency and severity of rainfall extremes have shown both increasing and decreasing trends, characterized by inconsistent spatial patterns.

Explore barriers to using the internet for health information access in African countries: A systematic review.

The Internet is a crucial source of health information, providing access to vast volumes of high-quality, up-to-date, and relevant healthcare information. Its impact extends beyond information access, influencing medical practice through the widespread adoption of telemedicine and evidence-based medicine. Despite the significant global increase in internet usage, Africa lags in internet penetration, particularly in utilizing the internet for health information. This study aims to systematically review the literature to explore barriers to accessing health information on the Internet in African countries. The study was conducted from January 1 to February 28, 2023. It followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline to systematically review published studies investigating the utilization of the Internet for health information in African countries. A comprehensive search was conducted across various databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Hinari, CINAHL, and Global Health. The inclusion criteria were applied, resulting in the selection of six studies that formed the basis for our analysis. This systematic review identifies eleven barriers to accessing health information on the internet. These include a lack of ownership of smart electronic devices, infrequent internet use, limited internet access, low E-health and computer literacy, slow internet connection, high cost of internet access, insufficient information search skills, residing in rural areas, dealing with diverse fields, and having low perceptions. Improving our understanding of barriers to accessing health information online is essential for policymakers, governments, academics, and healthcare professionals. To enhance the use of the Internet for health information and strengthen the overall health system, policymakers should prioritize increasing Internet accessibility, reducing costs, improving connections, offering basic computer skills training, and ensuring the availability of electronic devices in all institutions.

A comprehensive analysis of trends in the burden of gout in China and globally from 1990 to 2021

Gout is a prevalent metabolic disorder characterized by urate crystal accumulation in joints, leading to acute arthritis and tophi formation. Despite advancements in management, the incidence and prevalence of gout have been increasing globally, particularly in China. This study analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease Injuries and Risk Factors Study (GBD) to evaluate trends in gout from 1990 to 2021. Statistical analyses were conducted using R and Joinpoint software, while the ARIMA model was employed for forecasting future trends. Our findings revealed a global increase in gout incidence from 93.097 per 100,000 in 1990 to 109.075 per 100,000 in 2021, with cases rising from 3,983,109 to 9,401,585. In China, incidence increased from 122.522 to 151.612 per 100,000, with cases growing from 1,182,498 to 3,079,836. Similarly, global prevalence rose from 536.545 to 653.816 per 100,000, while in China, it increased from 640.679 to 810.359 per 100,000. Disability metrics, including YLDs and DALYs, also demonstrated significant increases both globally and in China. Our analysis indicated that middle-aged and elderly populations, particularly males, are at higher risk for gout. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced prevention and management strategies, specifically targeting high-risk populations. Effective public health policies and interventions are crucial to mitigate the escalating burden of gout and improve the quality of life for affected individuals. This study relied on secondary data from the GBD, which may be subject to biases in data collection and reporting. Additionally, variations in diagnostic practices and healthcare access across regions could influence the accuracy of reported trends. Future research should address these limitations by incorporating primary data and exploring region-specific factors contributing to gout prevalence and incidence.

Epidemiology of metabolic syndrome.

The global increase of overweight and obesity in children and adults is one of the most prominent public health threats, often accompanied by insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The simultaneous occurrence of these health problems is referred to as metabolic syndrome. Various criteria have been proposed to define this syndrome, but no general consensus on the specific markers and the respective cut-offs has been achieved yet. As a consequence, it is difficult to assess regional variations and temporal trends and to obtain a comprehensive picture of the global burden of this major health threat. This limitation is most striking in childhood and adolescence, when metabolic parameters change with developmental stage. Obesity and related metabolic disorders develop early in life and then track into adulthood, i.e., the metabolic syndrome seems to originate in the early life course. Thus, it would be important to monitor the trajectories of cardio-metabolic parameters from early on. We will summarize selected key studies to provide a narrative overview of the global epidemiology of the metabolic syndrome while considering the limitations that hinder us to provide a comprehensive full picture of the problem. A particular focus will be given to the situation in children and adolescents and the risk factors impacting on their cardio-metabolic health. This summary will be complemented by key findings of a pan-European children cohort and first results of a large German adult cohort.

Fresh Vegetables as a Source of Multidrug Resistant Pathogens

Background: Global increase of fresh vegetables consumption as a healthy food, often eaten raw, raises concerns about foodborne illnesses and the spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens due to contamination through various sources. Objective: To determine the microbial quality of common vegetables in the Gaza Strip and the antimicrobial resistance of bacteria recovered from vegetables samples. Methods: One-hundred and fifty vegetable samples consisting of ten types (10 samples of Cabbage, 20 Red cabbage, 20 Cucumber, 20 Tomato, 10 Parsley, 20 Eruca, 10 Green mint, 10 Lettuce, 20 Radish, and 10 Green onion) were collected from local farms and markets. Standard microbiological techniques were used to quantify (total viable count, coliform, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas and Enterococcus) and identify bacteria. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (disk diffusion and microbroth dilution) was performed in accordance to clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI document). Results: Most samples (98%) were positive for coliforms, followed by Pseudomonas (94%), Staphylococcus aureus (89.3%), and Enterococcus (81.3%). High levels of antibiotic resistance were observed across various bacterial species. Enterobacteriaceae showed the highest resistance to ceftriaxone (76.2%) and the lowest resistance to amikacin (8.2%). Staphylococcus aureus had the highest resistance to penicillin (92.6%) and the lowest resistance to clarithromycin/levofloxacin (22.8%). Enterococcus spp. displayed the highest resistance to penicillin (94.4%) and the lowest resistance to norfloxacin (21.6%). Finally, Pseudomonas exhibited the highest resistance to ertem (70.9%) and the lowest resistance to amikacin (25.4%). Conclusion: Microbial contamination and antimicrobial resistance in vegetables pose a significant public health threat in the Gaza Strip. Improved agricultural practices, enhanced food safety, responsible antimicrobials use, and continuous monitoring are crucial to mitigate these risks.

Empagliflozin in diabetic cardiomyopathy: elucidating mechanisms, therapeutic potentials, and future directions.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) represents a significant health burden, exacerbated by the global increase in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This condition contributes substantially to the morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes, primarily through myocardial dysfunction independent of coronary artery disease. Current treatment strategies focus on managing symptoms rather than targeting the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, highlighting a critical need for specific therapeutic interventions. This review explores the multifaceted role of empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor, in addressing the complex etiology of DCM. We discuss the key mechanisms by which hyperglycemia contributes to cardiac dysfunction, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, and inflammation, and how empagliflozin mitigates these effects. Empagliflozin's effects on reducing hospitalization for heart failure and potentially lowering cardiovascular mortality mark it as a promising candidate for DCM management. By elucidating the underlying mechanisms through which empagliflozin operates, this review underscores its therapeutic potential and paves the way for future research into its broader applications in diabetic cardiac care. This synthesis aims to foster a deeper understanding of DCM and encourage the integration of empagliflozin into treatment paradigms, offering hope for improved outcomes in patients suffering from this debilitating condition.

The safety and efficacy of cannabinoids for the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

There has been a global increase in the use of cannabinoids as a treatment for mental health (MH) and substance use disorders (SUD). In 2016, an Australian government-funded review found that although medicinal cannabinoids accounted for a small reduction in MH symptoms, the results varied according to study design. There has since been a rise in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) aiming to examine the efficacy of cannabinoids for the treatment of MH and SUD. Therefore, the current systematic review will (a) identify all RCTs examining the efficacy of cannabinoids in treating MH and SUD, (b) provide a quantitative or narrative synthesis of the evidence examining efficacy, and (c) synthesise adverse event data to examine evidence of harm. Electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Embase) were searched from 1980 to 24 May 2023. The study adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Guidelines. Articles will be screened to capture peer-reviewed RCTs evaluating the efficacy of plant-based and pharmaceutical cannabinoids in reducing or treating MH and SUD among people of any age. The Cochrane risk of bias tool 2.0 will be used to assess bias, while the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool will be used to assess the quality of evidence for each outcome. Study findings will be disseminated through published manuscripts, conferences, and health policy guidelines.Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42023392718.

Physical Activity, Steps, and Cardiovascular Disease: A Literature Review

Abstract Despite decades of literature on the benefits of physical activity (PA) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other health outcomes, rates of physical inactivity and sedentary time remain alarmingly high and are likely contributing to the global increase in CVD. Roughly one-third of the world’s population does not meet the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline recommended levels of aerobic PA, defined as ≥ 150 min of moderate-intensity PA or ≥75 min of vigorous-intensity PA, or an equivalent combination of both. This is in addition to recommending individuals perform at least 2 days of muscle-strengthening activities per week involving all major muscle groups, which provide additional CVD benefits beyond aerobic PA. Disparities by sex and between high- and low-income countries persist, with modeling studies suggesting a direct global economic cost of $5 billion dollars. To combat the global health crisis of physical inactivity, the WHO implemented a global action plan on PA in 2013, which set a target of a 15% relative reduction in physical inactivity by 2030. Barriers to attaining adequate PA levels are abundant, however, step counting represents a relatively novel metric of PA with a growing body of literature supporting their utility given mounting evidence of CVD benefits, with trends that mirror intensity-centric metrics of PA that are used in WHO guidelines. This manuscript provides an up-to-date review of the evidence on the benefits of PA, steps, and cardiovascular outcomes.

An update on ocular effects of anti-diabetic medications.

The global increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes has led to the development and implementation of new classes of anti-diabetic medications, introducing advanced therapeutic options for the management of the disease. These new medications, though primarily designed to regulate blood glucose levels, also have applications in weight management, potentially transforming the current approaches to diabetes treatment. Newer medications, however, have ophthalmic side effects with controversies in trials and real-life data. We conducted a comprehensive assessment of the ocular benefits and adverse effects of both traditional and newer-generation anti-diabetic drugs. Our primary focus is on how these newer medications affect the stage of diabetic retinopathy. Additionally, we explore the associations between these medications and other ocular conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, orbital conditions, and diseases impacting the ocular surface. Furthermore, we provide contextual background by discussing the ocular effects of traditional anti-diabetic drugs.

Low back pain trends attributable to high body mass index over the period 1990–2021 and projections up to 2036

BackgroundHigh body mass index (BMI) is a crucial determinant in low back pain (LBP) incidence and progression. However, the effect of increased BMI on LBP has been largely overlooked at the global, regional, and national levels. This research aimed to use data from the 2021 global burden of disease (GBD) study to determine trends associated with LBP due to high BMI from 1990 to 2021, thereby providing evidence for developing targeted policies.MethodsEpidemiological data on the association between high BMI and LBP is obtained from the GBD 2021. Disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) attributable to high BMI-related LBP are stratified by year, age, country, and socio-demographic index (SDI). The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated to evaluate the trends from 1990 to 2021. A Bayesian age-period cohort (BAPC) model was used to assess the corresponding trends from 2022 to 2036. Additionally, statistical models, such as decomposition analysis and frontier analysis, were used.ResultsAccording to the GBD 2021, the number of DALYs caused by LBP attributed to high BMI reached 8,363,759 in 2021, which is an increase of 170.97% since 1990. The age-standardized rate of disability-adjusted life years (ASDR) for LBP caused by high BMI has been increasing from 1990 to 2021, with an EAPC of 1.14%. Among the five SDI regions, ASDR has increased. High-income North Americans exhibited the highest risk of LBP caused by high BMI, with Hungary being the most affected. Frontier analysis highlights the urgent need for intervention in countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, and Canada. Finally, the burden of LBP related to high BMI will continue to rise from 2022 to 2036.ConclusionBetween 1990 and 2021, there was a global increase in lower back pain due to high BMI, with a projected continuation of this trend. Monitoring BMI is crucial for developing region-specific and national strategies, and research emphasizes the urgency of reducing the health burden of high BMI and improving the quality of life for the global population.

Investigation of cardiac remodeling and cardiac function on fetuses conceived via artificial reproductive technologies: a review.

The prevalence of artificial reproductive technologies (ART), such as intra-uterine insemination (IUI), invitro fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), has surged in response to the global increase in infertility rates, now impacting 17.5 % of couples. With over nine million babies born through ART, the safety and efficacy of these methods are largely recognized; however, emerging concerns regarding their association with prenatal and long-term health risks, especially cardiovascular disease (CVD), necessitate a thorough examination. This review synthesizes recent findings on the cardiac remodeling observed in ART-conceived fetuses, highlighting the potential for sub-clinical dysfunction and subsequent cardiovascular anomalies that may extend into adolescence. It delves into the perinatal complications linked to ART and examines the contribution of the Renin-Angiotensin System, epigenetic modifications, and altered microRNA expressions to fetal cardiovascular development. The analysis further differentiates the cardiac effects of fresh vs. frozen ART cycles and investigates the enduring nature of these changes beyond birth. Addressing the elevated CVD riskamong ART individuals, the review suggests proactive measures, including lifestyle adjustments initiated early in life, to mitigate potential adverse outcomes. It emphasizes the critical need for ongoing research and intervention strategies to safeguard the cardiovascular health of the increasing number of ART-conceived individuals.

The effects of warming on loggerhead turtle nesting counts.

Global trends in marine turtle nesting numbers vary by region, influenced by environmental or anthropogenic factors. Our study investigates the potential role of past temperature fluctuations on these trends, particularly whether warmer beaches are linked to increased nesting due to higher female production (since sea turtles have temperature-dependent sex determination). We selected the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) due to its wide distribution, strong philopatry and vulnerability to environmental changes. We compiled nest counts per year on 35 globally significant rookeries, analysing trends at regional and individual beach levels. We compiled air (CHELSA) and land surface (MODIS) temperature data sets spanning the last four decades (1979-2023) for each location. To analyse temporal trends in nest counts and temperatures, we used generalised additive models and Mann-Kendall trend tests. Additionally, we correlated nest counts with lagged air temperature variables. We found significant warming at 33 nesting locations, 23 of which also showed significant increases in nest counts. Our results suggest that rising temperatures may be boosting nest numbers in regions of the Caribbean, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean (sites in Cayman, Mexico, Brazil, Cyprus and Turkey). Furthermore, while some regions temporarily benefit, continued warming could precipitate long-term population declines. This regional variability helps predict species responses to climate change, with the general global increase in nest counts already indicating short-term warming effects. Nesting count trends might reflect a combination of natural ecological phenomena, conservation efforts, and warming effects. Long-term studies are needed to assess global trends in the sex ratio of hatchlings and the extent to which feminisation is driving nest numbers.

Clinician's guide to the management of azoospermia induced by exogenous testosterone or anabolic-androgenic steroids.

Azoospermia, defined as the absence of sperm in the ejaculate, is a well-documented consequence of exogenous testosterone (ET) and anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use. These agents suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, leading to reduced intratesticular testosterone levels and impaired spermatogenesis. This review examines the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying azoospermia and outlines therapeutic strategies for recovery. Azoospermia is categorized into pretesticular, testicular, and post-testicular types, with a focus on personalized treatment approaches based on the degree of HPG axis suppression and baseline testicular function. Key strategies include discontinuing ET and monitoring for spontaneous recovery, particularly in patients with shorter durations of ET use. For cases of persistent azoospermia, gonadotropins (human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] and follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH]) and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as clomiphene citrate, are recommended, either alone or in combination. The global increase in exogenous testosterone use, including testosterone replacement therapy and AAS, underscores the need for improved management of associated azoospermia, which can be temporary or permanent depending on individual factors and the type of testosterone used. Additionally, the manuscript discusses preventive strategies, such as transitioning to short-acting testosterone formulations or incorporating low-dose hCG to preserve fertility during ET therapy. While guidelines for managing testosterone-related azoospermia remain limited, emerging research indicates the potential efficacy of hormonal stimulation therapies. However, there is a notable lack of well-structured, controlled, and long-term studies addressing the management of azoospermia related to exogenous testosterone use, highlighting the need for such studies to inform evidence-based recommendations.

Global increase in the occurrence and impact of multiyear droughts.

Persistent multiyear drought (MYD) events pose a growing threat to nature and humans in a changing climate. We identified and inventoried global MYDs by detecting spatiotemporally contiguous climatic anomalies, showing that MYDs have become drier, hotter, and led to increasingly diminished vegetation greenness. The global terrestrial land affected by MYDs has increased at a rate of 49,279 ± 14,771 square kilometers per year from 1980 to 2018. Temperate grasslands have exhibited the greatest declines in vegetation greenness during MYDs, whereas boreal and tropical forests have had comparably minor responses. With MYDs becoming more common, this global quantitative inventory of the occurrence, severity, trend, and impact of MYDs provides an important benchmark for facilitating more effective and collaborative preparedness toward mitigation of and adaptation to such extreme events.

Retrieving the atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane from the European Copernicus CO2M satellite mission using artificial neural networks

Abstract. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are the most important anthropogenic greenhouse gases and the main drivers of climate change. Monitoring their concentrations from space helps detect and quantify anthropogenic emissions, supporting the mitigation efforts urgently needed to meet the primary objective of the Paris Agreement, adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2015, to limit the global average temperature increase to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. In addition, satellite observations can be used to quantify natural sources and sinks, improving our understanding of the carbon cycle. Advancing these goals is one key motivation for the European Copernicus CO2 monitoring mission CO2M. The necessary accuracy and precision requirements for the measured quantities XCO2 and XCH4 (the column-averaged dry-air mole fractions of CO2 and CH4) are demanding. According to the CO2M mission requirements, the spatial and temporal variability of the systematic errors (or spatio-temporal systematic errors) of XCO2 and XCH4 must not exceed 0.5 ppm and 5 ppb, respectively. The stochastic errors due to instrument noise must not exceed 0.7 ppm for XCO2 and 10 ppb for XCH4. Conventional so-called full-physics algorithms for retrieving XCO2 and/or XCH4 from satellite-based measurements of reflected solar radiation are typically computationally intensive and still usually require empirical bias corrections based on supervised machine learning methods. Here we present the retrieval algorithm Neural networks for Remote sensing of Greenhouse gases from CO2M (NRG-CO2M), which derives XCO2 and XCH4 from CO2M radiance measurements with minimal computational effort using artificial neural networks (ANNs). In addition, NRG-CO2M also provides estimates of both the noise-driven uncertainties and the averaging kernels of XCO2 and XCH4 for each sounding. Since CO2M will not be launched until 2026, our study exploits simulated measurements over land surfaces from a comprehensive observing system simulation experiment (OSSE) that includes realistic meteorology, aerosols, surface bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF), solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF), and CO2 and CH4 concentrations. We created a novel hybrid learning approach that combines advantages of simulation-based and measurement-based training data to ensure coverage of a wide range of XCO2 and XCH4 values, making the training data representative of future concentrations as well. The algorithm's postprocessing is designed to achieve a high data yield of about 80 % of all cloud-free soundings. The spatio-temporal systematic errors of XCO2 and XCH4 are 0.44 ppm and 2.45 ppb, respectively. The average single sounding precision is 0.41 ppm for XCO2 and 2.74 ppb for XCH4. Therefore, the presented retrieval method has the potential to meet the demanding CO2M mission requirements for XCO2 and XCH4. While the presented results are a solid proof of concept, the actual achievable quality can only be determined once NRG-CO2M is trained on real data, where it is confronted, e.g., with unknown instrument effects and systematic errors in the training truth.

The effect of addressing the top 10 global causes of death on life expectancy in 2019: a global and regional analysis.

The life expectancy (LE) index reflects health changes in society, highlighting trends in health quality and quantity. This study focused on analysing the impact of the top 10 causes of death on the global increase in LE in 2019. Data on the top 10 causes of death in 2019 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease website and a period life table was used to assess how eliminating these causes would impact LE. At the global level, eliminating deaths from ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections, neonatal conditions, lung cancers, Alzheimer's disease, diarrheal diseases, diabetes mellitus and kidney diseases resulted in an increase in LE at birth of 2.44, 1.64, 0.75, 0.80, 4.06, 0.48, 0.36, 0.52, 0.36 and 0.35y, respectively. The analysis reveals a gender gap in LE influenced by specific causes of death and regional differences. Therefore, public health policies should be customized for each area to target reductions in deaths that significantly improve LE.

Access to Emerging Technologies and Techniques in the Nigerian Solid Minerals Sector: A Cost-Benefit Analysis

As the global population increases, the scale and impacts of mining have increased exponentially, and there are emerging trends when considering the sector’s future. Therefore, countries are transcending to modern forms of technology to achieve scale economies, decarbonisation, mine health and safety and environmental sustainability through leveraging on Automation, Big Data Analytics, Digital Innovations, and Artificial Intelligence. These innovations have human, social and economic impacts, which can negatively and positively affect the principle of shared value. These complex interdependencies are reshaping the industry on a global scale, and for Nigeria to leverage her mining sector and expand to regional and global value chains, there is a need to scale up access to modern forms of technologies and techniques through linkage optimization, research and development, national and sectoral policies, government intervention, sustainable practices which will ultimately lead to resource-based industrialization. While abundant literature exists on the emergence of technologies in the solid minerals sector, this study, using a desktop and library-based analytical review, finds a dearth of research on the cost-benefit analysis of emerging technologies in the Nigerian mining landscape. This will ensure that technological disruptions are a win-win for communities and stakeholders to drive growth and global competitiveness for the sector. Therefore, Nigeria’s mining laws and policies must be reformed to adapt to these trends and interdependencies