Northwest Mexico Research Articles

Pharmaceutical Residues in Sediments of a Coastal Lagoon in Northwest Mexico—Occurrence and Environmental Risk Assessment

Pharmaceutical Residues in Sediments of a Coastal Lagoon in Northwest Mexico—Occurrence and Environmental Risk Assessment

Land-Use-Change-Driven Erosion and Sediment Transport in the Yaqui River Sub-Basin (Mexico): Insights from Satellite Imagery and Hydraulic Simulations

Soil erosion and sediment transport are significant concerns in the Yaqui River sub-basin in northwest Mexico, driven by land use changes and environmental degradation. This study aims to evaluate erosion processes between 2000 and 2020 using a combination of satellite imagery and numerical simulations with Iber software (Version 2.5.2). The primary objective is to assess the impacts of land use changes, particularly the conversion of forest to grassland, on erosion rates and sediment transport. Satellite images from 2000 and 2020 were analyzed to detect land cover changes, while Iber’s sediment transport module was used to simulate erosion patterns based on the Meyer–Peter and Müller equation for bedload transport. Hydrological and topographical data were incorporated to provide accurate simulations of flow velocity, depth, and erosion potential. The results reveal a 35.3% reduction in forest cover, leading to increased erosion and sediment transport in steep areas. Simulation predictions highlighted areas with high future erosion potential, which are at risk of further soil loss if current trends continue. Flow velocity increased, contributing to riverbank destabilization and higher sediment yield, posing a risk to infrastructure such as the Álvaro Obregón Dam. This study underscores the need for targeted erosion control measures and sustainable land management practices to mitigate future risks and protect vital infrastructure in the Yaqui River Basin.

Granulometric and Geochemical Distribution of Arsenic in a Mining Environmental Liability in a Semi-arid Area.

This study focuses on the "El Lavadero" tailings deposit, a mining environmental liability (MEL) located near the town of San Felipe de Jesús, Sonora, in northwest Mexico. The objective was to determine the total arsenic (As) content, its granulometric and geochemical distribution, as well as its mobilization capacity and bioavailability. The results from oxidized and unoxidized tailings showed low potential of hydrogen (pH) values (2.4-5.7) and high concentrations of total arsenic (8235-36,004mgkg-1), predominantly in the finer granulometric fractions (< 0.05mm). Arsenic also prevails in the finest fraction of agricultural soil (> 2mm). These fine particles could present adverse environmental effects due to their potential to be transported by leaching and water suspension. In contrast, arsenic in the effluent sediments is primarily found in the coarser fraction (> 2mm). A significant proportion of arsenic in the tailings (5-40%) was found in the non-residual geochemical fractions (I + II + III) (1106-7675mgkg-1), indicating potential for mobilization and bioavailability. Depending on environmental conditions (redox potential and pH), arsenic can redissolve and exhibit high mobility in abiotic media, which may ultimately impact the environment and human health. Therefore, it is crucial to rehabilitate the "El Lavadero" MEL to prevent further environmental damage. This study provides useful information to understand some phenomena in other global mining environmental liabilities, such as mobilization and bioavailability of arsenic and its possible impact on the surrounding environment and biota, contributing to the worldwide research of ecosystems polluted by mining activity, especially in arid and semi-arid climates.

Present and Future Actions of CETYS University to Mitigate Climate Action

The strategic location of CETYS University, in Baja California state in the northwest of Mexico, gives it exceptional conditions for the use of renewable energies. With an installed photovoltaic solar energy capacity of 1.37 MW, it is the academic institution with the greatest generation potential in Latin America. The importance that CETYS University gives to the subject has stimulated the institution since 2015 to offer a degree and master's degree in renewable energy to have greater and better collaboration with solar and wind energy technology companies located in the state. With a vision of the future, in 2023 the CETYS Institute for Sustainability Studies (ISS) was created to promote and coordinate, among other actions, those related to energy and climate change. With a planning horizon until 2036, the ISS, looking forward, has proposed the following actions: a) an internal audit to increase the energy efficiency of their buildings and classrooms; b) support for research projects to build on-campus operational small-scale wind energy systems; c) the deployment of the 300 x 500 program, which seeks to plant at least 300 native trees in the region with low water consumption each year, to offset the atmospheric emissions of 500 vehicles; d) a policy to achieve 80% carbon neutrality, and e) the incorporation of CETYS to the network of Mexican universities for climate action. Among many others, these actions position CETYS as a leading institution in sustainable development at the regional level.

A continental-wide decline of occupancy and diversity in five Neotropical carnivores

The Neotropics are a global biodiversity hotspot that has undergone dramatic land use changes over the last decades. However, a temporal perspective on the continental-wide distributions of species in this region is still missing. To unveil it, we model the entire area of occupancy of five Neotropical carnivore species at two time periods (2000–2013 and 2014–2021) using integrated species distribution models (ISDMs) in a Bayesian framework. The carnivores are the jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), margay (Leopardus wiedii), maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), tayra (Eira barbara), and giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). We mapped the temporal change, the areas where gains and losses accumulated for all species (hotspots of change) and calculated the temporal species turnover and change in spatial turnover. We show that (1) most carnivore species have declined their area of occupancy (i.e., range size) in the last two decades, (2) their diversity has decreased over time, mostly in the Chaco region, and (3) that hotspots of fast species composition turnover are in Chaco, the Caatinga region, and northwest of Mexico. We discuss how these newly identified hotspots of change overlap with regions of well-known and pronounced land use transformation. These estimated patterns of overall decline are alarming, more so given that four out of the five species had been classified as not threatened by IUCN. The official global threat status of these species may need to be re-evaluated. All this would be invisible if standard forecasts, local expert knowledge, or static threat criteria, such as range size, were used. We thus provide a new approach to evaluate past species range dynamics based on multiple lines of evidence, which can be employed over more species in the future, particularly in under-sampled regions.

Parasitoid wasps associated with Antigastra catalaunalis (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) in Northern Sinaloa, Mexico

New records of Hymenoptera parasitoids of the sesame webworm, Antigastra catalaunalis Duponchel (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), are presented for Northwest Mexico. Taxonomic assignation was based on morphological features. Partial sequences of the COI region from the most common parasitoids were deposited in GenBank. Six species of wasps were obtained: Bracon (Habrobracon) platynotae Cushman (Braconidae), Eiphosoma dentator Fabricius (Ichneumonidae), Perilampus platigaster species group (Perilampidae), Brachymeria annulata Walker, Conura side Walker, Conura maculata Fabricius (Chalcididae) and Goniozus punctaticeps Kieffer (Bethylidae). Partial sequences of the COI region obtained from the most common parasitoids helped to confirm at genus level but not species. This is the first record of the association of all these parasitoid species with A. catalaunalis.

First report of Oreochromis niloticus in the Sonora River, Mexico

Commercial farming of tilapia species has been spread to many countries worldwide to meet the need for animal protein at an affordable price, which has led tilapias to invade natural areas. Consequently, tilapias have established wild populations, causing a great negative impact on native biodiversity. The Sonora River, located in northwest Mexico, has an approximate length of 400 km, and at least four native fish species inhabit it. Nevertheless, the Sonora River has been severely reduced and contaminated by open-pit mining. According to existing knowledge, the presence of tilapias is not reported in the Sonora River; hence, the present study is the first report of the presence of the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus in a site near the town of Baviácora, Sonora, Mexico. The presence of this invasive species may represent a severe threat to the biotic component of this ecosystem, which is already affected by mining pollution.

Frequency of rs1051338 and rs116928232 Variants in Individuals from Northwest Mexico.

LIPA, situated on chromosome 10q23.2-q23.3, encodes the enzyme lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) (EC 3.1.1.13). Genetic alterations in LIPA lead to lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LALD), an inborn error causing lipid metabolism anomalies and impairing cholesterol and triacylglyceride degradation. Over 40 LIPA variants have been documented, yet this study focuses on just two. The rs1051338 variant (NM_000235:c.46A>C) affects the signal peptide in Exon 2, whereas rs116928232, located in Exon 8, alters the splice site (NM_000235:c.894G>A), impacting lysosomal acid lipase activity. Considering the diverse clinical manifestations of LALD and the rising hepatic steatosis prevalence in Mexican population, mainlydue to diet, these variants were investigated within this demographic to uncover potential contributing factors. This study aimed to reveal the frequency of rs1051338 and rs116928232 among healthy mestizo individuals in Northwest Mexico, marking a significant genetic exploration in this demographic. Three hundred ten healthy mestizo individuals underwent PCR-RFLP analysis for both variants, and Sanger sequencing was performed for variant rs116928232. Bioinformatic analysis was also performed to predict protein changes. Allele frequencies for rs1051338 (FA = 0.39, p value = 0.15) and rs116928232 (FA = 0.0016, p value = 0.49) aligned with reported data, while bioinformatic analysis allowed us to identify the protein alteration observed in both variants; finally, the variants showed no linkage between them (normalized D' = 1.03, p value = 0.56). Allelic frequencies closely matched reported data, and protein structure analysis confirmed variant impacts on LAL enzyme function. Notably, this study marks the first analysis of rs1051338 and rs116928232 in a healthy Mexican mestizo population.

The Food Environment and Its Association With Obesity in Women From Northwest Mexico

The Food Environment and Its Association With Obesity in Women From Northwest Mexico

Percepción y uso de la medicina herbaria en Hermosillo, Sonora (noroeste de México)

Using herbal resources for medicinal purposes has persisted across diverse cultures, harnessing potential bioactivities. Despite the availability of commercial drugs, populations, including those in Mexico, continue to integrate herbal medicine into their healthcare practices. This study on Hermosillo, city in Northwest Mexico, exploring the prevalence and patterns of herbal medicine use. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to September 2023, surveying 441 residents through a structured questionnaire. Demographic characteristics, awareness, and experiences with herbal medicine were assessed. Most participants were female (67.57 %), aged 30 years old or younger (67.57 %), and urban residents (90.70 %). The family was the primary source of knowledge for herbal medicine (73.92 %), emphasizing cultural continuity. Most participants (93.65 %) used herbal medicine when regarded as necessary, with 57.59 % reporting partial success. Despite reservations about safety (41.59 %), concurrent use with conventional treatments was common. The study underscores the persistent cultural connection to herbal medicine in Mexican families. Awareness campaigns emphasizing responsible herbal medicine use, especially in vulnerable groups, are crucial. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of herbal medicine trends and practices, emphasizing the importance of local perspectives.

Post-COVID-19 Changes in Eating Patterns and Diet Quality Among Women in Northwest Mexico

Post-COVID-19 Changes in Eating Patterns and Diet Quality Among Women in Northwest Mexico

Macroplastic and Microparticle Pollution in Beach Sediments from Urias Coastal Lagoon (Northwest Mexico).

This study investigates the occurrence and characteristics of macroplastic and polymer microparticles in the Urias coastal lagoon's beach sediments, in northwest Mexico. Coastal lagoons, productive and vulnerable ecosystems, are impacted significantly by anthropogenic activities, leadings to their pollution by various contaminants, including plastics. Our research involved sampling sediments from four sites within the lagoon that were influenced by different human activities such as fishing, aquaculture, thermoelectric power plant operations, industrial operations, and domestic wastewater discharge. Our methodology included collecting macroplastics and beach sediment samples, followed by laboratory analyses to identify the plastic debris' size, shape, color, and chemical composition. The results indicated a notable presence of macroplastic items (144), predominantly bags, styrofoam, and caps made of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The polymer microparticles were mainly fibers, with cotton and polyester as the most common polymers, suggesting a significant contribution from clothing-related waste. The dominant colors of the microparticles were blue and transparent. High densities were observed in areas with slower water exchange. Our findings highlight the urgent need for better waste management practices to mitigate plastic pollution in coastal lagoons, preserving their ecological and economic functions.

Unveiling Stereotypes: A Study on Science Perceptions Among Children in Northwest Mexico

Unveiling Stereotypes: A Study on Science Perceptions Among Children in Northwest Mexico

Using Unmanned Aerial System Photogrammetry to Map La Playa, Sonora, Mexico (SON F:10:3)

La Playa is a significant archaeological site in Northwest Mexico that contains deposits from over 10,000 years of continuous occupation. Significantly, it contains the earliest definable Trincheras Tradition deposits as well as one of the best-preserved deposits from the Early Agricultural Period. The Proyecto La Playa, a long-term collaborative research project between archaeologists from the U.S. and Mexico, has worked at the site since 1995. One of the project priorities has been to document features in danger of the severe erosion currently affecting the site. To better document site components and support spatial analysis of the features, I used Unmanned Aerial System photogrammetry to create several geospatial datasets for La Playa. With this data I identified a part of the site that appears to have mound features in an area that has not yet been surveyed. This article documents the process of using new technologies to develop these spatial datasets.

Future sea-level rise in northwest Mexico is projected to decrease the distribution and habitat quality of the endangered Calidris canutus roselaari (Red Knot)

Abstract Sea-level rise (SLR) is one of the most unequivocal consequences of climate change, yet the implications for shorebirds and their coastal habitats are not well understood, especially outside of the north temperate zone. Here, we show that by the year 2050, SLR has the potential to cause significant habitat loss and reduce the quality of the remaining coastal wetlands in Northwest Mexico—one of the most important regions for Nearctic breeding migratory shorebirds. Specifically, we used species distribution modeling and a moderate SLR static inundation scenario to assess the effects of future SLR on coastal wetlands in Northwest Mexico and the potential distribution of Calidris canutus roselaari (Red Knot), a threatened long-distance migratory shorebird. Our results suggest that under a moderate SLR scenario, 55% of the current coastal wetland extent in northwest Mexico will be at risk of permanent submergence by 2050, and the high-quality habitat areas that remain will be 20% less suitable for C. c. roselaari. What is more, 8 out of the 10 wetlands currently supporting the largest numbers of C. c. roselaari are predicted to lose, on average, 17.8% of their Highly Suitable Habitat (HSH) areas, with 2 sites completely losing all of their HSH. In combination with increasing levels of coastal development and anthropogenic disturbance in Northwest Mexico, these predicted changes suggest that the potential future distribution of C. c. roselaari (and other shorebirds) will likely contract, exacerbating their ongoing population declines. Our results also make clear that SLR will likely have profound effects on ecosystems outside the north temperate zones, providing a clarion call to natural resource managers. Urgent action is required to begin securing sufficient space to accommodate the natural capacity of wetlands to migrate inland and implement local-scale solutions that strengthen the resilience of wetlands and human populations to SLR.

Clinical and histological profiling of triple-negative breast cancer at Chihuahua´s state cancer center: An observational study.

e22529 Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 expression. This subtype is associated with a poorer prognosis and higher recurrence rates compared to other breast cancer subtypes. Understanding the histopathological and clinical characteristics of TNBC is crucial for improving early detection, clinical management, and treatment outcomes. In this context, a descriptive analysis was conducted to explore the association between TNBC and histological grade, histopathological type, and clinical stage at the State Cancer Center. Methods: A retrospective, single-center study was conducted at Chihuahua's State Cancer Center, where medical records of patients aged ≥ 18 years old diagnosed with TNBC between January 2018 and December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Data related to weight, histological grade, histopathological type, and clinical stage at TNBC diagnosis were collected. Frequency analysis was performed to determine the distribution of these characteristics in the TNBC patient population. Additionally, the association between histological grade and clinical stage at diagnosis was examined using appropriate statistical tests. Results: During the study period, 753 patients were diagnosed with breast cancer. Of these, 84 (11%) were diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer and were included in the study. The mean age was 49 ± 13 years, with a mean BMI of 28 ± 5. The most common histologic subtype in this group was invasive ductal carcinoma, accounting for 78 (93%) of the TNBC cases. At the time of diagnosis, 19 (23%) were diagnosed with stage IIA, 17 (20%) with stage IIIA, 9 (11%) with stage IV, and 4 (5%) were detected in situ. Overall, the majority were identified as grade 3 tumors (44; 52%). Finally, within the stage IIA group, the majority were grade 3 tumors (58%). Conclusions: As seen in other cohorts, we found a similar frequency of TNBC among patients with breast cancer in our facility in the northwest of Mexico. The distribution of clinical stages highlights the varying degrees of disease progression at the time of diagnosis, with a considerable portion presenting at advanced stages. Moreover, these insights underscore the urgent need for improved screening strategies and early detection methods.

Hidden in plain sight: camouflage and hiding behaviour of wild precocial chicks in an open landscape

Camouflage represents an important component of self-protection when animals cannot easily evade predators and is often altered by behavioural responses to a predation threat. The cryptic plumage of many precocial chicks inspired early theoretical work on camouflage mechanisms, but so far, limited efforts have gone towards empirically testing the crypsis of chick plumage properties in their natural environment. We studied background matching and hiding behaviour in precocial snowy plovers Charadrius nivosus in Bahia de Ceuta, Northwest Mexico. This ground-nesting wader breeds in sparsely vegetated open habitats such as salt flats and sandy beaches. The open habitats provide a challenge for young chicks to evade predator detection. Examining background matching of wild chicks for luminance, pattern and colouration at their hiding spots, we found that chicks matched the luminance of their chosen spot better than at unchosen nearby spots. Pattern and colouration matching were age-related, with the plumage of older chicks matching their hiding spots better than those of recently hatched chicks. This suggests that with increasing mobility, chicks may be better able to find hiding places that optimise camouflage. Finally, we found that chicks were more likely to hide in soil cracks than expected by chance, suggesting that chicks chose these soil features in a barren landscape as preferred hideouts. We conclude that the cryptic plumage is an understudied but essential part of the anti-predator repertoire of precocial chicks. The plumage most likely works hand-in-hand with the anti-predator behaviours of chicks and their parents to increase survival chances of precocial young.Significance statementMany chicks rely on effective camouflage to evade predators and survive until fledging. We studied how plumage characteristics and behavioural choices enable snowy plover chicks to hide effectively from approaching predators in an open landscape. These chicks leave their nest scrapes shortly after hatching, relying on their cryptic plumage for several weeks to evade predator detection. We found that chicks chose hiding spots where their plumage had a higher match in luminance and, for older chicks, a higher match in pattern and colouration than at adjacent spots. When available, chicks chose to hide in small cracks that appeared in the soil from the evaporation of moisture. This study represents the first quantitative characterisation of cryptic chick plumage features in a natural population. Our results demonstrate that plumage and behavioural responses jointly contribute to the effective camouflage of small chicks.

First Account of Epibiotic Diatom Taxa from the Carapaces of Green Swimming Crab Callinectes bellicosus (Stimpson 1859) (Decapoda, Portunidae)

Diatoms are among the most common epibionts and have been recorded on the surfaces of various living substrates, either plants or animals. However, studies on them are still scarce in view of the many substrata available. In this study, epibiotic diatoms living on Callinectes bellicosus were identified for the first time from a subtropical coastal lagoon in Northwest Mexico. We tested the null hypothesis that the diatom flora living on the carapaces of C. bellicosus would not be similar to that recorded for mangrove sediments, its typical habitat. The epibiotic diatoms were brushed off from the carapaces of two specimens, acid-cleaned, mounted in synthetic resin, and identified based on frustule morphology. This way, 106 taxa from 46 genera were recorded, including 25 singletons, and 6 new records for the Mexican northwest region. The best-represented genera were Nitzschia (10 taxa), Mastogloia (9), Diploneis (8), Navicula (7), Amphora (5), Cocconeis (5), Tryblionella (4), and Gyrosigma (4). Species composition included 93% of local taxa, thus refuting the proposed hypothesis and supporting the alternate one. Although the estimated species richness was lower than that in sediments, it deems the green crab carapace a favorable substrate for the growth of benthic diatoms.

Geodiversity Assessment in the Midriff Islands Region of the Gulf of California (Northwest Mexico)

A concurrent qualitative-quantitative assessment of geodiversity was carried out within the Midriff Islands, a priority region within the Gulf of California that stands out for its geological, ecological, and cultural importance. This study is carried out on the coast of central Sonora, where the Comcaac indigenous community has lived for more than a thousand years imbuing their territory with material and symbolic values. The objective of this study was to highlight the elements of geodiversity and contribute to the management and conservation strategies that are carried out in the area. The qualitative approach consisted of detailed fieldwork and a descriptive-documentary assessment of the geodiversity attributes of the study area, which led to the preparation of geomorphological and geological maps. The quantitative approach consisted of the elaboration of a geodiversity index map using an adapted methodology that considered some sites of cultural value due to their relationship with abiotic natural elements of geodiversity. As a result of both approaches, several localities and zones of high to medium geodiversity were identified mainly located along the mountain ranges and the coast. Coastal areas, although not having the highest geodiversity, could be considered the most relevant in terms of geological heritage and geoconservation, because they comprise a variety of rocky outcrops and extraordinary landforms with scientific interest, as well as cultural and aesthetic values. In addition, the concurrent assessment was favorable to recognize localities where geoconservation and sustainable use strategies, such as geotourism, can be implemented.

Efficient water use in family farming in northwest Mexico

Actualmente existe agotamiento de recursos naturales debido a los excesivos hábitos de consumo y patrones de producción en el mundo entero; por tal motivo, es necesaria la concientización del uso eficiente del agua en los diferentes ámbitos. En México, el 76 % del agua se utiliza en la agricultura; 14 % en el abastecimiento público; 5 % en las termoeléctricas y 5 % en la industria. La presente investigación se enfocó en “Empresas Familiares Agrícolas”, ubicadas en Santiago Ixcuintla, Nayarit, México; donde 64 % de la superficie utiliza el riego en cultivos como: frijol, tabaco, caña y hortalizas; el objetivo es identificar los factores que influyen para que estas empresas utilicen eficientemente el agua, así como, la problemática y las expectativas de los empresarios en cuanto a las áreas de desarrollo y mejora de su empresa. En los resultados se obtuvieron 25 mil observaciones derivadas de 91 encuestas a empresarios agrícolas, se observó que en las actividades productivas las empresas no utilizan eficientemente el agua, ya que se considera que este recurso es abundante. Asimismo, los empresarios están considerando regresar al riego por gravedad, dado que las nuevas tecnologías de riego generan mayores costos de producción; sin embargo, la edad, el nivel de escolaridad y la generación a la que pertenecen los integrantes de las empresas, influyen positivamente en el uso eficiente del agua, pues una mayor educación permite a los productores tener mayor conciencia sobre los problemas medioambientales en general. Las ayudas públicas facilitan la incorporación de nuevas tecnologías y las expectativas que tienen los productores sobre su empresa en los próximos años es positiva.