Identifying the environmental drivers of the distribution of carbon isotopes in global inland waters.

High-throughput image-based pupal sex classification in Aedes aegypti using convolutional neural network models for sterile insect technique applications.

Neural network-based prediction of water contamination dynamics in a rapidly developing tropical region

Molecular detection and epidemiological characterization of dengue and malaria coinfection in the Guiriko region, Burkina Faso.

We summarised active surveillance data to identify patterns and ecological factors correlated with AIV detection in wild birds, through a systematic review and meta-analysis. We screened 2851 articles from the PubMed and Scopus databases, out of which 197 met our eligibility criteria and were selected for further analysis. The dataset encompassed 367 wild bird species from 72 avian families. The pooled prevalence of sampled birds was 4.80% (95% CI: [3.91-5.77%]) across 900,469 samples collected during the period 1971-2023, with substantial heterogeneity ( ) across studies. Among continents, Central America displayed the highest prevalence at 9.89% (95% CI: [2.25-21.99%]), albeit based on relatively few samples (n=4205). In temperate regions, prevalence peaked in autumn, at 5.82% (95% CI: [3.84-8.15%]), while in tropical regions, prevalence was notably higher during the dry season (2.33%, 95% CI: [0.38-5.54%]) than during the wet season (0.22%, 95% CI: [0.00-0.90%]). Prevalence varied significantly across avian families, with Anatidae, the most extensively sampled family, exhibiting a prevalence of 6.19% (95% CI: [5.10-7.37%]). Migratory species and those associated with freshwater habitats also exhibited higher AIV detection. Moreover, meta-regression analyses revealed that seasonal patterns of AIV detection differed across regions. Despite this, high heterogeneity across studies remained, likely driven by differences in surveillance intensity, diagnostic methods, and unmeasured ecological factors. This meta-analysis highlights key spatial, taxonomic, and temporal patterns in AIV prevalence among sampled birds. The findings underscore the need for harmonised, representative surveillance to better anticipate emerging avian influenza risks.

Aural myiasis is an uncommon form of human myiasis characterized by infestation of the external auditory canal by dipterous larvae. Although myiasis is predominantly reported in tropical and subtropical regions, otologic involvement remains rare and has been only exceptionally documented in Morocco, where the published data are scarce and largely limited to isolated case reports. We report the case of a 77-year-old Moroccan woman with a 17-year history of Alzheimer's disease who presented with an asymptomatic aural myiasis. The diagnosis was incidentally made after family members observed live larvae in the right external auditory canal. Otoscopic examination revealed multiple larvae with an intact tympanic membrane. All larvae were successfully removed under endoscopic guidance following topical lidocaine application, and the diagnosis of Wohlfahrtia magnifica infestation was confirmed by parasitological examination. The patient received adjunctive oral ivermectin and remained asymptomatic, with no recurrence at 9-month follow-up. Aural myiasis should be considered in elderly or cognitively impaired patients, even in the absence of otologic symptoms. Early recognition and prompt mechanical removal remain essential to prevent complications and ensure favorable outcomes.

Morpho-molecular identification of heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) in domestic dogs in the Sucre canton, Ecuador.

Most studies of the chemical ecology of plant-pollinator interactions emphasize the role of pollinator-mediated selection in shaping floral scent composition. Nevertheless, phylogeny may constrain the metabolic pathways underlying these profiles, thereby influencing the evolutionary trajectory of the emitted signals. To investigate whether phylogenetic history constrains plant chemical communication, we used the obligate fig-fig wasp mutualism. We collected floral scents from receptive figs of 32 Ficus species, representing diverse lineages across tropical and subtropical regions, using dynamic headspace extraction. Chemical compositions were analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and evaluated for the phylogenetic signal using multivariate analyses. Our results revealed a strong phylogenetic signal in the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by receptive figs. Conversely, using the same analysis, we found no relationship between the scent profile and the pollinator phylogeny. Our findings demonstrate, across diverse Ficus lineages, that phylogenetic constraints play a significant role in the diversification of VOC signals emitted by receptive flowers, suggesting constraints in the biosynthetic pathways of volatile compounds.

Burden of cancer attributable to occupational asbestos exposure in the Americas, 1990-2023: an analysis using the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023.

High burden and spatial clustering of canine hemoparasitic infections in southern Thailand: A molecular survey of free-roaming dogs.

Research advances in chikungunya virus: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and control.

Geodata fusion and deep learning-based improved lithological mapping: A case study from the autonomous district of Yamoussoukro

Trajectories of meteorological and air pollution exposures during pregnancy and risk of childhood asthma: A population-based cohort study.

Integrative genomic analysis and gene expression patterns reveal a cardio-neuroendocrine signaling network for heat adaptation in geographically diverse chickens.

AI-assisted surface water dynamics analysis in the Indochina Peninsula integrating Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 imagery

Various factors can trigger water stress in plants, particularly in those growing in dry tropical regions. To survive under such conditions, plants produce metabolites with adaptive functions. However, metabolomic data on the leaves of Malpighiaceae species cultivated in both dry and humid tropical areas of Brazil remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate seasonal water stress in 10 species (from 7 genera) of Malpighiaceae inhabiting contrasting Brazilian biomes: Cerrado and Caatinga (dry areas), and Atlantic and Amazon Forests (humid areas). Metabolic profiles obtained by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry were compared using Variable Importance in Projection Scores from Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis. The results revealed a clear distinction between the leaf metabolites from dry versus humid environments. Cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside (positive ionization mode) and 3,4-di-O-galloylquinic acid (negative ionization mode) were identified as key discriminant compounds. Additionally, 15 previously unreported metabolites were annotated in the chromatographic profiles of Malpighiaceae leaves. This is the first study to demonstrate the influence of water availability on metabolomic synthesis across multiple species of Malpighiaceae. By integrating chromatographic and chemometric approaches, this study proposes a novel analytical strategy capable of revealing how environmental conditions shape metabolomic synthesis, thereby reinforcing its methodological relevance within analytical science.

In tropical peatland regions, direct chlorination of peat water is a common household practice to improve clarity and ensure microbial safety. However, this simple treatment can produce toxic disinfection by-products (DBPs) due to the high organic matter and acidity of peat water. This perspective examines the dual nature of chlorination-its effectiveness in removing bacteria and reducing color, versus its role in generating hazardous halogenated compounds. Chlorine reacts with humic and fulvic substances, yielding trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, and other DBPs with mutagenic and carcinogenic potential. In the absence of controlled dosing and residual monitoring, households often use excessive chlorine, allowing prolonged reactions and increasing DBP concentrations. Field observations in Indonesian peatland communities indicate that chlorination is typically guided by visual cues rather than quantitative control, leading to a false sense of safety. The paper highlights the urgent need for risk awareness, simple pre-treatment steps to remove precursors, and practical dosing guidance to balance microbial and chemical safety. Future efforts should emphasize locally appropriate technologies such as biochar filtration, natural coagulants, or hybrid UV-chlorination systems. Ensuring safe drinking water for peatland populations requires integrating scientific understanding, community education, and policy action to reduce DBP exposure without compromising microbial protection.

The cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus is a major constraint to livestock production in tropical regions, causing substantial economic losses and driving intensive acaricide use. Despite its importance, the role of pasture composition in shaping off-host tick populations remains poorly understood. This study evaluated whether forage grass species create distinct microenvironments that influence the seasonal abundance and persistence of R. microplus larvae in a tropical region. Larval abundance was higher overall in the dry season than in the rainy season, with a significant interaction between grass and season. Grass cultivars differed markedly during the dry season. Two Megathyrsus maximus cultivars supported the highest larval densities and the longest recovery windows, whereas two Urochloa sp. cultivars showed the lowest larval densities. Differences in larval abundance were not significant during the rainy season across grasses (P = 0.13). Minimum temperature and minimum relative humidity were the most influential microclimatic predictors of larval abundance. The interaction between forage species and seasonal climate influences R. microplus population dynamics, particularly under dry conditions. Although pasture composition alone is unlikely to determine infestation levels under grazing conditions, and larval abundance in pasture does not necessarily translate directly into infestation levels on cattle, certain grass cultivars may contribute to microenvironments less favorable for tick survival. These findings highlight the potential of forage species to influence off-host tick dynamics, acting as a complementary component of the integrated R. microplus management. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Radix natalensis, a gastropod, serves as an intermediate host of Fasciola gigantica in tropical and subtropical regions, causing fascioliasis, a disease of public health and veterinary importance worldwide. Predicting disease burden requires understanding how climate change influences its life-history traits. This study investigated the effects of temperature on the life-history traits of R. natalensis. Snails were exposed to six temperature treatments (15.5 ℃, 19.5 ℃, 20.3 ℃ (control), 24.6 ℃, 29.8 ℃, and 35.1 ℃). For each treatment, 10 jars served as replicates, each containing two snails. Observations were conducted over two follow-up periods (2 weeks and 9 weeks). Data analysis was performed using repeated-measures ANOVA, the Kruskal -Wallis test, and the log-rank test. In the first two weeks of the study, shell height was highest among snails exposed to 24.6°C (4.14 ± 0.56mm) and least among those at 35.1°C (3.90 ± 0.50mm. A significant increase in shell height was observed to be associated with the interaction between temperature and time (RM Anova F6,72 = 4.51, p < 0.001). In contrast, the effect of temperature alone was not statistically significant (RM Anova F5,72 = 1.95, p = 0.092). For the duration of the experiment, snails maintained at 19.5℃ attained a higher mean shell height (5.43 ± 1.04mm) compared to those at 15.5°C (4.85 ± 0.89mm); however, the overall effect of temperature on shell height was not statistically significant (F3,512 = 0.07; p = 0.978). On the other hand, there were notable differences in reproductive production between temperature treatments. Egg masses were substantially higher in snails kept at 19.5°C: 22 (11) than in those kept at 15.5°C: 6 (8); (z = - 2.762; p = 0.003). Survival probability declined with increasing temperature, particularly at 29.8°C and 35.5°C. Overall, survival rates differed significantly across the temperature treatments (Log-rank test: p < 0.0001). Radix natalensis's survival and reproductive performance are temperature-dependent, whereas snail growth is influenced by the combination of incubation conditions and time. These findings imply that temperature fluctuations will play a critical role in shaping the future transmission dynamics of fascioliasis.

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is an economically and nutritionally important crop in tropical and subtropical regions, with global production reaching 11.2 million tonnes annually. Although tender pods are widely consumed, mature okra is often discarded because of its fibrous texture, contributing to a global food waste crisis that carries a true economic impact of USD 2.6 trillion when environmental costs are factored in. With increasing global emphasis on waste reduction and circular resource utilisation, identifying high-value applications for underused agricultural waste is essential. This review addresses the critical gap in waste valorisation by specifically examining the physiological shifts that occur during pod maturation, as well as the industrial applications of okra, particularly its utilisation in bakery products. Evidence indicates that, as okra transitions to the mature stage, its functional components significantly increase, with the mucilage content increasing from 14.74% to 20.99% and cellulose levels increasing from 1.09% to 2.7%. These enhancements facilitate high-value applications in functional foods, biodegradable materials, water purification and renewable energy. The findings highlight mature okra not only as agricultural waste, but also as a superior, cost-effective bioresource. Valorising this underutilised material aligns with circular economy goals and offers strategic economic opportunities for farmers and industries. Further research is warranted to optimise processing and bridge the gap between laboratory validation and industrial implementation. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.