Socio-spatial impacts of wind energy in Brazil's Northeast: Land grabbing, green grabbing, and the role of leasing contracts and legal gaps

Recent studies of marine sediments adjacent to the Parnaíba Basin, in northeastern Brazil, have been used for continental paleoenvironmental reconstructions of the glacial epoch. As the largest basin entirely located within the Northeast region, it spans a critical transition zone between the Cerrado and Caatinga biomes. To characterize the modern pollen rain within this ecotone, we analyzed 41 surface sediment samples and compared the pollen assemblages with published botanical surveys. First, pollen assemblages were characterized using three diagrams: vegetation type, geographical location, and depositional environment. The basin presents a unique mixed signature combining Cerrado elements (e.g., Astronium- type , Tapirira- type) with Caatinga taxa ( Mimosa -type). Spatially, the Upper and Lower sectors exhibited high heterogeneity, contrasting with arboreal consistency in the Mid-Parnaíba. Distinct hydrological markers also emerged: Cyperaceae was strictly linked to lacustrine environments, whereas Mauritia indicated permanently flooded soils within gallery forests and palm swamps. Landscape analysis subsequently confirmed that Arboreal Pollen (AP) frequencies accurately track woody cover, while Borreria -type and Poaceae serve as robust proxies for landscape openness. Multivariate analyses refined these patterns: Cluster Analysis identified six specific floristic groups ( Tapirira-Astronium , mixed, Melastomataceae-Combretaceae, Borreria-Aspidosperma , mixed woody-herbaceous, and Mimosa- type assemblages), while Redundancy Analysis (RDA) identified Mean Annual Temperature (MAT) as a significant environmental driver within the explained variance. Critically, comparison with paleoecological records reveals a sharp floristic shift from cooler, humid glacial periods to the current warmer climate, marked by the scarcity of montane taxa. This study establishes a crucial baseline for interpreting fossil records and understanding ecosystem dynamics in this transition zone. • Modern pollen rain reflects vegetation patterns along the Parnaíba River gradient. • Cerrado, Caatinga, and transitional zones show distinct pollen assemblages. • Analyses reveal floristic structure influenced by edaphoclimatic gradients. • Pollen assemblages are more related to local conditions than spatial location. • Anthropization and distinct grasslands strongly influence pollen assemblages.

The Romualdo Formation, in the Araripe Basin, northeastern Brazil, is associated with a restricted marine environment related to the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean. Here, calcareous nannofossils were used as proxies for a paleoceanographic reconstruction. Two sections were studied: Santo Antônio, in the south-central portion of the basin, and Serra do Inácio, in the southwest. This study is based on a large sample of calcareous nannofossil specimens (N = 37,817), which supported reliable paleoenvironmental and paleoecological interpretations of the establishment of an epicontinental sea during the Aptian/Albian transition. The analysis of the nannofossil assemblages revealed low diversity (25 taxa) and a predominance of opportunistic taxa ( Thoracosphaera , Watznaueria , Nannoconus ). Sub-biozone NC8b was the only zone identified unequivocally, based on the Hayesites albiensis marker. Four ecozones were identified in both study sections, recording periods of stability in nutrient availability and water temperatures. The ecozones that correspond to sub-biozone NC8b are typical of the Aptian/Albian boundary, shifting from warm and oligotrophic conditions in the Aptian to cooler and more eutrophic conditions in the Early Albian. Thoracosphaera blooms were identified by correlating the ecozones at the top of the sections. Three main episodes in the evolution of the Romualdo Formation were identified: periods of instability correlated with the Aptian/Albian boundary, the stabilization of the Albian Sea, and the closure of this epicontinental sea. A number of taxa with Tethyan affinities were recognized ( Hayesites , Nannoconus , Rhagodiscus ), reflecting the influence of both the Tethys Sea and the Central Atlantic Ocean. • First quantitative approach to calcareous nannofossils in the Araripe Basin. • Paleoecological analysis of the Romualdo Formation based on nannoplankton. • Comparative approach between two stratigraphic sections of the Romualdo Formation. • First ecozonal study using calcareous nannofossils for the Albian. • Aptian-Albian boundary recorded at the base of the Romualdo Formation.

The soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC) describes water movement through plants from compartments of high to low water potential. In some cases, however, reverse sap flow may occur. Studies on reverse sap flow are scarce in seasonally dry forests, such as the Caatinga biome in northeastern Brazil. This study aimed to analyze sap flow dynamics in a representative Caatinga species, Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul., using in situ measurements during both rainy and dry seasons, to investigate the occurrence of reverse flow. Sap flow was measured using the heat ratio method (HRM) with thermocouple sensors and a heating probe. Results showed that C. pyramidalis exhibits reverse sap flow at night and predawn throughout the year. Peak sap flow occurred during transitional seasons, associated with high atmospheric demand and moderate soil moisture. Sap flow was 113% higher during the rainy season compared to the dry season. Notably, nocturnal sap flow was more significant during drier months, even in the absence of leaves, suggesting an adaptive water use regulation. • Bidirectional sap flow observed in Caatinga tree species under natural conditions. • Reverse nocturnal flow occurs even during the leafless dry season. • Transitional periods show the highest sap flow rates and hydraulic activity. • C. pyramidalis adjusts water use to balance soil moisture and atmospheric demand. • Results suggest an adaptive hydraulic regulation enhancing drought resilience.

Temperature is a key abiotic factor influencing the development and survival of ectothermic animals. Amphibians, especially those from tropical regions, are considered highly vulnerable to climate change due to their limited acclimation capacity. In this study, we evaluated the effects of thermal acclimation on the development, morphology, and survival of Pithecopus gonzagai, an anuran species endemic to the Caatinga, a tropical semiarid biome in northeastern Brazil. Tadpoles were reared under three temperature regimes: control (28.6 ± 0.7 °C), intermediate (30.8 ± 0.7 °C), and high (33.0 ± 0.9 °C), simulating present and projected future climatic conditions. Thermal acclimation significantly affected survival and metamorphic success, with the highest mortality observed at 33 °C, where no individuals completed metamorphosis. Morphological effects were transient with no clear pattern and there was no change on time to metamorphosis. Behavioral parameters, including swimming speed, mobility rate, and exploration rate, were not affected by temperature. Our findings highlight the sensitivity of early developmental stages of tropical amphibians to increased temperatures and emphasize the potential threats posed by climate change to species inhabiting already thermally challenging environments such as the Caatinga.

Integrated biostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental framework of Aptian ostracods and foraminifera from the Codó Formation (Parnaíba and São Luís Basins, Northeast Brazil)

Urban wastewater systems are reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs), increasingly recognized as emerging environmental pollutants. However, longitudinal evidence linking tourism-related human mobility to its dynamics remains limited in the Southern Hemisphere. We evaluated whether tourism seasonality, used as a proxy for transient population load, is associated with changes in the wastewater resistome, virulome, and virome in Natal (Northeast Brazil). Using year-long shotgun metagenomics (June 2021-May 2022) of 24 monthly pooled metagenomes (12 composites×2 replicates) from three wastewater treatment plants, we observed differential enrichment patterns despite stable bacterial community composition dominated by Aliarcobacter. Redundancy analysis (RDA) demonstrated that the model for bacterial community explained 40.1% of the total variance (F=1.79, p=0.039), with tourism showing marginal effects. In contrast, precipitation was not significant (p=0.262). RDA also revealed that precipitation was associated with ARG distribution (p=0.027) and that VFG composition was associated with international tourism (p=0.002). ARGs were more abundant during high-precipitation periods, whereas VFGs showed higher relative abundance during international tourism peaks. Metagenome-assembled genomes (n=95) revealed 33 multidrug-resistant hosts, including understudied taxa such as Tolumonas and the family Aquaspirillaceae, harboring plasmids (e.g., IncFIB(K)). Co-occurrence networks showed that viruses were positively correlated with ARGs and negatively correlated with VFGs, except for crAssphage, which was associated with virulence traits. These findings reveal distinct environmental and human mobility factors underlying wastewater microbial dynamics. We underscore the importance of integrating longitudinal metagenomics into seasonally adjusted surveillance frameworks to mitigate antimicrobial resistance as an emerging form of environmental pollution.

Serologic response to VDRL in infants with congenital syphilis: ceftriaxone vs. penicillin.

According to Sexual Strategies Theory, heterosexual individuals adjust their mate preferences to maximize reproductive success. These preferences are also shaped by environmental factors, including rivalry contexts, in which individuals compare themselves to potential competitors. This study examined mate preferences among women and men from different socioeconomic status (SES) and investigated how rival characteristics (physical attractiveness, social skills, and social status) relate to self-perception and short- and long-term partner preferences. We surveyed 1,166 participants (511 higher SES, 655 lower SES) from Northeast Brazil. Lower SES participants rated themselves as more physically attractive, whereas higher SES individuals considered themselves more socially skilled. In the same direction, higher SES individuals gave more importance to social skills while lower SES participants prioritized physical attractiveness in their long-term partners. For short-term, women reported significantly stronger preferences for general attractiveness, social skills, and social status than men. Lower SES participants expressed significantly stronger preferences for both social skills and social status in a partner compared to higher SES ones. The study also found that higher SES men gave less importance to social skills in their short-term partners than lower SES women and men and higher SES women. Additionally, exposure to high physically attractive rivals enhanced long-term partners' preference for social status, but only of low SES women. The results suggest that partner preference reflects not the weight of a single attribute, but a dynamic interplay of traits, shaped by sex and SES, consistent with Strategic Pluralism and Sexual Strategies Theories.

Microplastics in mangrove sediments in environmental protection areas of the south coast of Pernambuco, Brazil.

Ceracis kurumim sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected in Paulista, Pernambuco, in the Northeast Region of Brazil. It is the smallest known species of the genus Ceracis Mellié, 1849 and among the smallest Ciidae worldwide. We provide a detailed description and illustrations of both male and female terminalia, and briefly discuss its minute size in comparison with other similarly small ciid species.

New host report of Reighardia sternae in the pomarine jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus; charadriiformes: stercorariidae) stranded in Northeastern Brazil.

Molecular investigation of the occurrence of herpesviruses in 228 wild birds in Piauí, northeastern Brazil, identified a herpesvirus in a migratory Wilson's Plover (Charadrius wilsonia). Genetic analysis supported its classification as a new strain, tentatively named Charadrius alphaherpesvirus 1, within the genus Mardivirus, broadening the herpesvirus host range in Charadriiformes.

Abstract The Santa Marta impact structure in northeastern Brazil, recognized as a partially preserved complex crater, was investigated through an integrated geophysical study employing magnetotelluric (MT) and gravity methods. Our research provides constraints on the crater's subsurface architecture. The study utilized broadband MT data from 17 stations and gravity measurements from 226 stations distributed across the structure. The MT data revealed a distinct three‐layered resistivity profile: (i) a shallow resistive layer (100–1000 Ω·m) interpreted as impact breccias and Cretaceous sandstones, (ii) an intermediate conductive zone (1–50 Ω·m) correlated with Paleozoic shales of the Parnaíba Basin, and (3) most significantly, a deep‐seated conductive anomaly (1–20 Ω·m) beneath the central uplift. This deep conductivity anomaly likely results from impact‐induced fracturing coupled with subsequent fluid infiltration pathways. Gravity data exhibited asymmetric Bouguer anomalies (−41 to −27 mGal) that deviate from the typical circular pattern observed in impact structures. Density contrasts (0.3–1.8 g/cm 3 ) suggest substantial basement uplift and preferential erosional patterns. Dimensionality analysis of the MT data confirmed predominant 3‐D effects, necessitating 3‐D inversion techniques to accurately resolve the structure's complex geometry. The integrated resistivity and density contrast models reveal a subdivision of both the central uplift and the annular basin, and the asymmetric gravity signature may indicate postimpact deformation effects. Our results advance the understanding of the Santa Marta structure, establishing a robust geophysical framework for future investigations of similar structures in Brazil and globally. The study conclusively demonstrates that Santa Marta represents a highly complex impact structure in terms of both electrical resistivity and density distributions, directly reflecting its fundamental geological asymmetry.

Variations in transcranial doppler among pediatric patients with sickle cell disease in the Brazilian Northeast: a cross-sectional study.

ObjectiveTo compare the distribution of specific causes of death occurring during psychiatric and non-psychiatric hospitalizations in the state of Ceará, Brazil, over an 11-year period.MethodA retrospective matched case-case study was conducted using data from the Brazilian Mortality Information System from 2012 to 2022. A total of 115 deaths occurring in psychiatric hospitals were identified. For each psychiatric hospital death, 5 comparison deaths from non-psychiatric hospitals were randomly selected and matched by year of death, sex, and exact age.ResultsCardiovascular diseases were the most frequent cause of death in psychiatric hospitals (39.1%) and were more frequent than in non-psychiatric hospitals (18.3%) (OR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.87-4.42). Deaths attributed to mental and behavioral disorders (OR = 7.72, 95% CI = 2.87-20.75), ill-defined natural causes (OR = 3.12, 95% CI = 1.39-7.01), and events of undetermined intent (OR = 28.60, 95% CI = 8.13-100.59) were also comparatively more frequent in psychiatric settings, whereas neoplasms were markedly less frequent (OR = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.00-0.26).ConclusionsCardiovascular diseases were the most common specific cause of death during psychiatric hospitalization. The comparatively higher frequency of diagnostically broad categories suggests challenges in clinical monitoring, diagnostic capacity, cause-of-death certification, as well as potential stigma-related influences on the classification of deaths of undetermined intent, including possible suicides, in psychiatric inpatient settings. These findings underscore the need for closer integration between psychiatric and general medical care.

ABSTRACT A new species of Myriopus (Heliotropiaceae), Myriopus chrysocalyx J.I.M. Melo & L.G. Sá, hitherto recorded for the Brazilian Northeastern is described and illustrated. Myriopus chrysocalyx can be readily recognized by its branches strigose to villous, and, mainly, for presenting leaf blade chartaceous to subfleshy, congested inflorescences, a golden calyx, tomentose, stigma sessile with stigmatic head conical, glabrous, ring sinuous with thickened margin, and pubescent fruit. A distribution map with known occurrence records as well as data on the habitat, morphological diagnostic characters, and reproductive phenology are provided. A key to the Brazilian species of Myriopus is presented. In addition, the conservation status of M. chrysocalyx is preliminary assessed according to IUCN criteria and has been classified as Vulnerable (VU).

Emergence of Dirofilaria immitis in humid coastal zones: Epidemiological predictors and molecular characterization.

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in the Brazilian public healthcare system, particularly due to limited access to advanced diagnostic tools and disease-modifying therapies. A retrospective chart review was conducted, including patients diagnosed with CMML from 2015 to 2025 at a university hospital in northeastern Brazil. Fourteen patients were identified, with a mean age of 58.7 years, and 50% were male. At diagnosis, 57.1% were in the chronic phase and 42.9% in the acute phase. Only two patients (14.3%) received hypomethylating agents, and four (28.6%) underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. The median overall survival for the cohort was 25 months. Patients diagnosed in the acute phase had a shorter median overall survival compared to those diagnosed in the chronic phase (8 vs. 25 months). A trend toward improved survival was observed among transplanted patients (25 vs. 8 months). Compared with contemporary data, patients in this cohort had lower exposure to hypomethylating therapy, although transplant-related characteristics and early engraftment outcomes were similar. Structural and therapeutic limitations within the public healthcare system may impact disease management and outcomes, reinforcing the importance of improving access to diagnostic resources, disease-modifying therapies, and timely referral for transplantation.

This article presents a preliminary analysis of the 2024 Réveillon of Fortaleza, the capital of the state of Ceará, located in northeastern Brazil. The study is grounded in the premise that the festivity, aligned with tourism development policies, outlines specific features in the city’s landscape. In this sense, the discussion addresses the re-signification of Fortaleza as the “city of the sun,” a symbolic framework structured through selected media discourses and the economic interests that permeated public policies during the 1980s. The research draws on the observation of strategies implemented by the Fortaleza City Hall during the official launch of the Réveillon of Fortaleza—an event relocated to the city of São Paulo (SP)—and their reproduction in the discourse disseminated on the digital platforms of the newspapers Diário do Nordeste and O Povo. The reflections indicate a shift in the imagery that defines the “city of the sun” toward the imagery of a “festive metropolis.” In this way, the cultural landscape perspective established by Denis Cosgrove contributed to understanding the symbolic construction involved in the reproduction of landscapes in geographic space. It is concluded that the strategies of the municipal administration for the 2024 Réveillon of Fortaleza reinforce the construction of a festive identity for the city, although still grounded in representations of Ceará’s coastal character.