This study investigated the relationships among classroom social climate, L2 willingness to communicate (WTC) and L2 grit, with particular attention to the mediating role of L2 grit, in a Turkish EFL context. Drawing on socio-contextual and intrapersonal perspectives on L2 learning, the study aimed to bridge interpersonal classroom dynamics and learner-internal characteristics within a single mediation framework. Data were collected from 227 undergraduate EFL learners using self-report measures of perceived classroom climate, L2 grit, and L2 WTC. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the hypothesized relationships, and mediation was further tested using bootstrap procedures. The results indicated that classroom social climate had a significant positive direct effect on L2 WTC and also exerted an indirect effect through L2 grit. Classroom social climate significantly predicted L2 grit, which in turn emerged as a strong predictor of L2 WTC. The significant direct and indirect effects provided evidence for a partial mediating role of L2 grit in the relationship between classroom social climate and WTC. These findings suggest that supportive classroom climates promote learners' willingness to communicate both directly and by strengthening their L2 grit, highlighting the interplay between contextual and learner-internal factors in L2 communication. The study offers pedagogical implications for fostering supportive learning environments and sustaining learner engagement.
There is a significant need for funders and policymakers to more systematically integrate gender and nutrition across sectors, especially within climate and food systems. In 2025, the Paris Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit included, for the first time, a dedicated thematic area on gender equality. This research report analyzes the integration of gender, food systems, and climate action within the 2025 N4G commitments. Of the 631 commitments analyzed, 69.7% were categorized as having "No indicated connection to gender." Among those with a specific gender focus (177/631, 28%), the vast majority (83.1%) were "Targeted," viewing women primarily as recipients. Within this group, 21.1% framed women's nutrition only in relation to their reproductive roles and for the benefit of children. Only 2.5% of all commitments were "Inclusive," recognizing women as agents of change, and 2.2% were "Transformative," addressing the root causes of inequality. While nearly two-thirds of all commitments (63.5%) were related to food systems, only 13.2% addressed climate, indicating poor integration of climate with nutrition policymaking. Further, 65.8% of commitments related to food systems and/or climate did not incorporate gender. However, commitments categorized as "Inclusive" or "Transformative" demonstrated strong integration with food systems approaches. To address gender inequality across nutrition, food systems, and climate action, N4G commitments must move beyond targeting women as beneficiaries and instead focus on entry points identified by this review: community, male, and private sector engagement, multi-sectoral actions across food, education, health, economic, WASH, and social protection systems, strengthening policy environments, data systems, and advocacy.
Climate change induced temperature and pH shifts can alter aquatic environments, potentially intensifying antibiotic toxicity, disrupting the physiological balance of aquatic organisms. Few studies have examined combined effects of these abiotic environmental stressors and antibiotics on aquatic ecosystems in a potential climate change scenario. This study evaluated the toxicity of environmentally relevant concentrations of sulfamethoxazole (150 µg SMX/L), trimethoprim (30 µg TRIM/L), and their mixture (MIX: 150 µg SMX/L + 30 μg TRIM/L) in Danio rerio under two scenarios: standard (26 °C, pH 7.5) and climate changed (28 °C, pH 9.0). A multi-biomarker approach was performed to evaluate oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, neurotransmission, energy metabolism, and DNA damage. Integrative assessment of an organism's health showed that increasing pH and temperature intensified SMX and TRIM toxicity, shifting from marginally to highly toxic. Meanwhile, MIX toxicity increased from marginally to moderately toxic. Under standard conditions, SMX and TRIM caused major alterations (affecting antioxidant/detoxification mechanisms), while MIX induced severe alterations in D. rerio's health status. Under a climate-changed scenario, all antibiotics led to severe alterations (lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and energy metabolism disruption). These findings suggest that under a climate-changed scenario (higher temperature and pH increase), both individually and in mixtures, antibiotic toxicity leads to more severe effects on D. rerio. Given this, it is crucial to consider environmental factors when assessing antibiotic toxicity, as shifts in temperature and pH can significantly amplify their harmful effects. Understanding these interactions is essential for developing effective regulatory and conservation strategies to safeguard aquatic ecosystems from long-term ecological imbalances.
Agriculture is one of the most sensitive sectors towards climate change. Therefore, farmers are forced to adapt their production to climatic changes. To understand farmers' adaptation behavior, it is important to acknowledge heterogeneity among farmers that affects their management decisions and adjustments to production practices. We conducted a latent class analysis of farmers in southern Germany to identify distinct farmer classes with respect to climate change adaptation intentions. The four identified farmer groups showed varying levels of interest in climate change adaptation. Older farmers managing small farms have low awareness of climate change and low adaptation intentions. Livestock farms intend to intensify production, while cash crop farms tend towards extensification. The majority of farms demonstrate selective adaptation, adopting only practices that are easy to implement. Since these are not always the most promising practices, targeted incentive models should attempt to close this gap in the future.
Climate mitigation actions can deliver numerous health cobenefits, providing opportunities to frame greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions in terms of their immediate benefits to human life. Health effects of mitigation (HEM) modelling studies help to evidence these human health benefits, driving progress towards net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. However, HEM modelling studies often contain inappropriate heterogeneity, resulting in inefficiencies in evidence development, synthesis, and use, thus hindering policy implementation. We developed the guidance for health effects of mitigation modelling studies (GHEMMS) checklist after performing an umbrella review of HEM research and existing guidance, consulting interest holders, conducting iterative testing on HEM modelling literature, and piloting. This novel checklist is a tool to guide best practice for the design, conduct, and reporting of HEM modelling studies. The GHEMMS checklist contains 30 items divided into seven main categories: (1) planning and protocol, (2) background context, (3) defining the scenarios, (4) GHG modelling, (5) health modelling, (6) validity, and (7) reporting. The GHEMMS checklist addresses methodological heterogeneity and nontransparency in current HEM research. It provides a structured approach for modelling the GHG impact and health cobenefits of climate mitigation actions, thereby enhancing comparability, clarity, and policy relevance.
This study aimed to project the potential distribution and habitat suitability dynamics of seven Astilbe species in China from 2000 to 2080. MaxEnt modelling was employed under the ACCESS-CM2 climate model and the SSP1-2.6 emission scenario, integrating field survey data, herbarium records, and 23 environmental variables, under the assumption of static soil and elevation conditions. The results indicated that annual precipitation (bio12) and elevation (DEM) had the strongest statistical associations with the geographic distribution of the genus, while temperature and soil factors played secondary roles. Under current climatic conditions, the core suitable areas are concentrated mainly in Northeast and Southwest China, with pronounced interspecific spatial differentiation: A. rubra had the greatest suitable habitat area, whereas A. longicarpa had the smallest. Under future scenarios, the total suitable habitat area of the six species expanded, with A. longicarpa being the sole exception. The direction of centroid displacement varied among species: A. grandis, A. rivularis, A. longicarpa, and A. macroflora shifted towards higher latitudes, whereas A. chinensis, A. rubra, and A. macrocarpa shifted towards lower latitudes. At the genus level, habitat redistribution exhibited pronounced interspecific variation and directional heterogeneity. A. longicarpa and A. macroflora were identified as the most potentially vulnerable species, given their extremely restricted suitable areas, the absence of highly suitable habitat under current conditions, and their continued confinement largely to Taiwan Province. For these range-restricted taxa, strengthened population monitoring within existing native ranges and assessments of ex situ conservation feasibility are warranted. These findings provide spatially explicit information to guide conservation planning for medicinal plant resources under climate change.
Social and emotional skills (SES) are key predictors of students' academic success and well-being, yet how these skills cluster and vary across student groups remains underexplored in non-Western contexts. This study identified distinct SES profiles among Turkish adolescents and examined which demographic characteristics and school climate factors are associated with these profiles, as well as their links to achievement in reading, mathematics and science. The analyses used nationally representative data from 7250 15-year-old students in Türkiye participating in PISA 2022. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted using students' self-reported SES indicators. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine predictors of profile membership, and achievement differences across profiles were tested using the Bolck-Croon-Hagenaars (BCH) method with pooled Wald chi-square tests. Five distinct SES profiles were identified: Empathic but Overwhelmed, Withdrawn and At-Risk, Average Majority, Assertive Explorers and Compassionate Collaborators. Gender and socioeconomic status were significant predictors: girls were more likely to belong to empathy- and collaboration-oriented profiles, while students from advantaged families were overrepresented in adaptive groups. Immigration-related variables showed limited significant relations. Strong teacher-student relationships and a sense of belonging were linked to higher SES profiles. The Assertive Explorers and Compassionate Collaborators achieved the highest scores across all subjects, whereas the Withdrawn and At-Risk group had the lowest. The findings demonstrate that adolescents' SES clusters into distinct, context-sensitive configurations that shape their academic performance. Tailored educational strategies that foster self-regulation, perseverance and a sense of belonging may enhance both emotional well-being and learning outcomes.
Methane oxidation coupled to sulfate reduction is the dominant process restricting methane release from cold seeps. Methane oxidation can also be coupled to nitrate/nitrite reduction, thereby linking the cycles of CH4, CO2, and N2O. However, how this coupling shifts during seep development and its impact on N2O production remains poorly understood. Here, we integrated geochemical profiling, 14C-based labeling, and omics-based analyses to quantify the process rates, identify the key microbial mediators, and assess the net N2O production across the developmental stages of cold seeps in the South China Sea. In an early-stage, polychaete-dominated seep, the depth-integrated, potential nitrate/nitrite-coupled methane oxidation rate reached 21.9 ± 3.0 mmol C/m2/day, accounting for 36%-73% of the total methane oxidation. By contrast, in a typical epifauna-prevalent mature seep, this contribution diminished to ~1% (0.62 ± 0.16 mmol C/m2/day), while sulfate-dependent methane oxidation became dominant. Omics data identified the predominant methane-oxidizing bacteria Methyloprofundus and QPIN01 (relative abundances of 7%-24%) as the potential mediators of nitrate/nitrite-coupled methane oxidation in the early-stage seep sediments. Consistent with the absence of N2O-reduction gene nosZ in these lineages, simultaneous nitrate and methane amendments significantly stimulated net N2O production by 14%-46% in the early-stage seep sediments. This increase correlated strongly with the potential nitrate/nitrite-coupled methane oxidation rate and was estimated to offset 41% ± 9% of the climate benefit gained through methane oxidation. These findings revealed the previously unrecognized successional dynamics of dominant methane oxidation pathways and necessitate the incorporation of nitrate/nitrite-coupled methane oxidation into assessments of greenhouse-gas release from these globally distributed ecosystems.IMPORTANCECold seep biota are widely regarded as a critical "biofilter" that restricts seafloor methane emission, mainly through coupled methane and sulfur cycling. This study refines this prevailing view by demonstrating a major shift in the dominant methane oxidation pathway during seep ecosystem development. Contrasting to the dominance of sulfate-coupled methane oxidation in mature seep systems, the early-stage seep is dominated by nitrate/nitrite-coupled methane oxidation, a process primarily mediated by methane-oxidizing bacteria. Crucially, these organisms possess a truncated denitrification pathway that leads to the production of nitrous oxide (N2O), a greenhouse gas with nearly 10 times the warming potential of methane. The resulting net N2O production thereby substantially offsets the climate benefit achieved by methane consumption. This study highlights the dual role of cold seep microbiota in regulating climate-active gases, underscoring that accurate assessment of their environmental impact requires a holistic understanding of temporal changes in coupled carbon and nitrogen cycles.
Marine forests formed by canopy-forming brown algae of the former Cystoseira complex are key habitat-forming components of Mediterranean coastal ecosystems, supporting biodiversity and multiple ecosystem functions. However, many populations have declined in recent decades due to increasing anthropogenic pressures and climate change, raising concerns about the persistence of these foundational species. Identifying the environmental drivers that shape their distribution is therefore essential for predicting future changes and guiding conservation actions. Here, we applied species distribution models to evaluate the environmental determinants, present habitat suitability, and potential future distribution of two emblematic fucoid species, Gongolaria usneoides and Ericaria selaginoides, in the Strait of Gibraltar-Alboran Sea region, a major Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot and climatic transition zone. Present-day models were projected to the end of the century under two contrasting climate scenarios (SSP1-1.9 and SSP5-8.5). Mixed layer depth was the dominant predictor structuring species distributions, highlighting the role of water column stratification and hydrographic dynamics in regulating benthic habitats. The two species exhibited contrasting responses: Gongolaria usneoides occupied a narrow environmental niche and showed spatially heterogeneous future responses, including localized suitability increases around the Strait of Gibraltar and western Alboran sectors together with suitability declines across portions of the eastern coastline under both climate scenarios. In contrast, Ericaria selaginoides showed broader environmental tolerance and generally positive, although spatially heterogeneous, suitability responses across large portions of the region. These results suggest that future environmental change may restructure Mediterranean marine forests through species-specific responses rather than through uniform decline.
The growing worldwide challenges of climate change, environmental degradation with biodiversity loss, and systemic inequities call for accessible, transformative, and impactful planetary health education that embraces a global perspective. However, traditional international learning experiences favor those with financial advantages, limiting equitable access to (planetary health) knowledge, intercultural collaboration competencies, and leadership opportunities. To address this challenge, the University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht in the Netherlands and St. Luke's Medical Center College of Medicine's Planetary and Global Health Program (PGHP) in the Philippines developed a joint online course on Planetary Health and Climate-Resilient Health Systems, combining synchronous and asynchronous learning activities. This novel approach allowed for collaboration between Dutch and Filipino medical students, integrating international perspectives while providing an opportunity to solve local problems and offering equitable access to education. The course incorporated online modules, workshops, and mentorshipblending expertise from educators from the Netherlands and the Philippines. Through the course, participants engaged in intercultural teamwork, focusing on student-identified planetary health priority issues such as eco-anxiety, fast fashion, and healthcare waste management. This initiative illustrates the importance and feasibility of collaborative, glocal approaches to planetary health education, with learners gaining insights into localized solutions for global issues. It also showed how the values of decolonizing global health education and bidirectional knowledge exchange can turn intercultural learning into educational practice. Future iterations will expand the course to involve more countries, refine the use of interactive tools, address time-zone challenges, and incorporate education research to further study the learning process and outcomes. Institutional support is essential to scale this educational model, ensuring planetary health education remains accessible and impactful.
High child mortality in low-and middle-income countries is compounded by rising temperatures and climate variability. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of singleton live births from DHS birth histories (IPUMS-DHS) linked to gridded climate reanalysis across 31 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa. The analytical sample comprised births to mothers aged 15-49 years from 1990 to 2018. Using survey-weighted multilevel logistic regression with cluster-level random intercepts, we examined associations between prenatal exposure to average maximum temperature (°C) and its variability with neonatal, infant, and under-5 mortality. Each additional degree of cumulative exposure was associated with 2.7% higher under-5 mortality odds (OR = 1.027; 95% CI: 1.023-1.030; p < 0.001). A dose-response pattern emerged, with the highest temperature quintile associated with 38.3% higher under-5 odds (OR = 1.383; 95% CI: 1.330-1.437; p < 0.001). Infant mortality showed similar trimester-specific associations (from OR = 1.008; 95% CI: 1.005-1.011; p < 0.001 to OR: 1.013; 95% CI: 1.006-1.012; p < 0.001), and neonatal mortality smaller but significant ones. Variability showed divergent associations: positive deviations (>0.5σ) with higher under-5 mortality (OR = 1.033; 95% CI: 1.016-1.051; p < 0.001) but lower neonatal odds (OR = 0.966; 95% CI: 0.941-0.991; p < 0.01). Prenatal heat was consistently associated with higher child mortality, with the first and third trimesters as critical windows and risk intensifying at upper quintiles. These findings underscore the limitations of mean-temperature metrics and support embedding heat-alert counseling and affordable cooling within maternal and child health services.
Salvage biomass harvesting is increasingly recognized as a strategic approach to reduce emissions associated with spruce budworm (SBW) damage in eastern Canada by diverting biomass that would otherwise decompose in forests toward bioenergy and harvested wood products (HWP). However, its effects on overall system carbon dynamics remain poorly understood. We assessed how SBW-related salvage harvesting influences long-term (2010-2110) forest-sector carbon dynamics in the Côte-Nord region of Québec, Canada, considering net sector production (NSP), which is the sum of net carbon sequestration by ecosystem and HWP less operational emissions (harvesting, forwarding, transport, sawing, chipping, pelletization). This study evaluates the biophysical carbon balance and sector-level carbon dynamics of salvage harvesting, without accounting for substitution. We used the LANDIS-II model, its Forest Carbon Succession extension, and additional modules to simulate wind, fire, and SBW disturbances under multiple climate pathways. A no-additional-salvage reference (S0) was compared to increasing salvage areas (S1-S3) of dead snag stems. All additional salvaged biomass was directed to one of three pathways: bioenergy, sawnwood with a 35-year half-life, or sawnwood with a 60 year half-life. Salvage harvesting had minimal impact on ecosystem carbon pools but slightly reduced heterotrophic respiration by removing decomposing deadwood. The net carbon outcome depended strongly on product pathway: directing salvaged biomass to bioenergy resulted in immediate emissions and negative balance relative to the reference scenario; short-lived sawnwood (35-year half-life) increased HWP storage but accumulated decomposition emissions over time, also resulting in negative carbon balance; only long-lived sawnwood (60-year half-life) reduced total emissions sufficiently to approach/exceed carbon neutrality-and only under warmer climate scenarios (RCP4.5-RCP8.5) by late century. Operational emissions from harvesting, transport, and processing remained small relative to ecosystem and HWP carbon fluxes. Within the modeled system boundary (excluding substitution effects), the forest-sector carbon outcome of salvage harvesting depended strongly on target area, product type and their longevity; however, any benefits for reduced carbon emissions are likely to come from substitution effects unless warming dramatically increases decomposition and HWP have above-expected half-lives. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10980-026-02376-1.
Exposure to and belief in misinformation and disinformation can foster misunderstandings and misperceptions about climate change and other environmental issues, ultimately delaying essential progress and action. Against this backdrop, this special issue presents a collection of nine papers that deepen and broaden psychological insights into the content of environment-related misinformation and how people respond to it. In this introduction, we provide a brief overview of the concepts of misinformation and disinformation, followed by a discussion of the scope and contributions of the nine papers. Collectively, these papers address the heterogeneity and complexity of climate and environmental misinformation, explain how people process such misinformation, develop intervention and communication strategies, and explore the influence of social and cultural contexts. We conclude by outlining significant future research directions, emphasizing the need to understand environment-related misinformation with content- and context-sensitive approaches.
To boost nurses' sustainability consciousness and assess how that shapes their green Behavioral intentions and advocacy behaviors in their healthcare settings. A quasi-experimental research design METHODS: This study was conducted at Sohag University Hospitals, Sohag, Egypt. A total of 123 nurses were voluntarily recruited to participate. Data were collected using three instruments: the Sustainability Consciousness Scale, the Green Behavioral Intention Scale, and the Green Advocacy Scale. The study was conducted over a four-month period from April to July 2024 and a sustainability consciousness education program provide for the participants.The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, employing descriptive statistics, independent and paired t-tests, as well as the PROCESS macro technique. A statistically significant difference was found between the intervention and control groups in the mean scores of sustainability consciousness (103.76 ± 21.81 vs. 71.63 ± 22.31), green advocacy (11.50 ± 2.06 vs. 8.16 ± 2.37), and green behavioral intention (12.32 ± 2.37 vs. 7.08 ± 2.67), with all differences being highly significant (p < 0.001). The educational program for nurses was effective in increasing participants' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to sustainability consciousness. The program also positively influenced key outcomes, including green behavioral intention and green advocacy. Green behavioral intention among nurses was found to play a strong mediating role in the relationship between sustainability consciousness and green advocacy. Accordingly, it is recommended that continuous staff development programs focusing on climate change and sustainability be implemented for all nurses to empower them to act as green advocates for patients and the wider community. The future of the nursing profession depends on building well-educated and environmentally responsible nurses who are capable of addressing the risks associated with climate change. This can be achieved through continuous education for both experienced and newly graduated nurses to ensure they possess adequate knowledge, skills, and behaviors that support healthcare organizations in promoting and sustaining a green environment.
The quality and efficiency of operating room nurses' work are directly related to patient safety, surgical success rates, and the overall medical quality of the hospital. In the context of a global shortage of nursing human resources, enhancing the job performance of operating room nurses is critically important. Team psychological safety, occupational coping efficacy, and job satisfaction are important factors affecting the job performance of operating room nurses. However, limited research has examined the interrelationships among these factors specifically within this specialized group. This study aims to explore the impact of team psychological safety on the job performance of operating room nurses, with a particular focus on the potential mediating roles of occupational coping efficacy and job satisfaction. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among operating room nurses from six general hospitals in southern China. A total of 308 questionnaires were distributed, and 303 valid responses were included in the final analysis (response rate: 98.38%). Data were collected using the Team Psychological Safety Climate Scale, Occupational Coping Self-Efficacy Scale, Job Satisfaction Scale, and Nurse Job Performance Scale. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using AMOS 25.0. Mediation effects were tested using the Bootstrap method. Operating room nurses reported a high level of job performance (mean = 4.12, SD = 0.49). Team psychological safety was positively associated with occupational coping self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and job performance (r = 0.222-0.339, all P < 0.01). The structural equation model showed a good fit (χ2/df = 1.175, CFI = 0.989, RMSEA = 0.024). Team psychological safety significantly predicted job performance (β = 0.226, P < 0.01), with occupational coping self-efficacy and job satisfaction forming a significant serial mediation pathway (β = 0.247, P < 0.01). Team psychological safety significantly enhances the job performance of operating room nurses, both directly and indirectly through occupational coping self-efficacy and job satisfaction. These findings suggest that improving the psychological safety climate within teams may be an effective strategy to boost nursing performance in high-stakes clinical environments.
This paper explores the ethical entanglements and tensions that arise when using a decolonial feminist approach to digital participatory action research (DPAR) within the context of bicycling, mobilit(ies), and gender justice in rural Nicaragua. Grounded in a reflexive feminist ethics of care and relational mobilities, I reflect on a collaborative DPAR project with co-researchers that aimed to address the intertwined issues of mobility justice, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and climate change. Through digital methods - such as photovoice and participatory GIS mapping using GoPro cameras - co-researchers mapped specific community spaces marked by SGBV and environmental precarity, revealing the layered dynamics of gendered, racialized and ecological injustice that shaped their everyday mobilities. Drawing on these experiences, I offer critical reflections on the possibilities and tensions of decolonial feminist DPAR, including (1) the necessity of a feminist reflexive ethics of care; and (2) the ethical entanglements involved in using technological interventions that may inadvertently reproduce structural inequalities. While digital technologies may pry open opportunities for collective storytelling and community advocacy, I contend that their use must be guided by ongoing ethical considerations to ensure that relational mobilities and accountabilities - and the voices of co-researchers in DPAR projects - remain central.
Obesity is a global health threat, especially among women of reproductive age, and it adversely affects the health of both mothers and their children. This study aimed to identify and analyze the causes and management challenges of maternal obesity in Iran from the perspectives of key informants. This is a qualitative study. We conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 20 experts, from September to December 2023. We analyzed data using Leichter's (1979) framework through an inductive-deductive approach, facilitated with MAXQDA 2020 software. We identified challenges in managing maternal obesity and categorized them into 10 main categories and 21 sub-categories, grouped within five constructs according to Leichter's framework: Situational factors (climate changes and international sanctions), Structural factors (high prevalence of overweight and obesity among women and unfavorable economic conditions), Socio-cultural factors (misconceptions and misuse of traditional Iranian medicine), Environmental or International factors (social norms and values, and the limited influence of international organizations), and Governance and Executive factors (weak governance by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME) and poor inter-sectoral cooperation). Addressing maternal obesity is essential to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Current challenges such as food insecurity, economic decline, and insufficient maternal awareness threaten maternal health in relation to obesity. Tackling these issues requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach involving healthcare system strengthening, public awareness campaigns, and empowerment of women and families. Prioritizing maternal obesity within national health agendas is critical for an effective response. Further research on maternal obesity in Iran is recommended to uncover root causes and develop effective interventions, providing policymakers with the evidence needed for informed decision-making.
Species interact with habitat based on their functional traits, but it is unclear how specific traits interact with the multiple components of habitat structure. To address this knowledge gap for forest-dwelling bird communities, we leveraged forest structure information from NASA's Global Ecosystems Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) spaceborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) mission alongside broad-scale observations of bird occurrence from eBird. Using a custom implementation of the hierarchical modelling of species community (HMSC) approach, we estimated relationships between functional traits and the responses of bird populations to vertical and horizontal forest structure. Although variable importance indicated that climate and elevation explained the most variation in bird occurrence, we discovered two strong signals of trait interactions with species' responses to forest structure: specialized foraging strategies explained birds' responses to vertical structure, while larger bodied birds with high flight efficiency showed weaker responses to both vertical and horizontal structure. Other functional traits such as diet and nest height were also associated with responses to vertical and horizontal structure, but with greater uncertainty. Our results demonstrate the explanatory power of functional traits in describing birds' interactions with habitat and suggest that functional traits may play a role in structuring species' responses to forest structure. The use of broad-scale forest structure and bird occurrence data clarifies the impact of behaviour and morphology on habitat use, better quantifying the relationships between birds and their environment.
Accurate monitoring of agronomic phenology is essential for yield estimation and food security assessment. However, currently available maize phenology datasets usually represent only a limited number of growth stages, restricting their application in process-based crop modeling and stage-specific agricultural management. Here, we present a high-resolution maize phenology dataset for Northeast China spanning 2001-2024 at 500-m spatial resolution and daily temporal resolution. By coupling MODIS spectral information with meteorological drivers in an energy-driven XGBoost framework, we retrieved eight key agronomic stages: Emergence, Three-leaf, Seven-leaf, Jointing, Flowering, Silking, Milking, and Maturity. Validation against observations from 91 agrometeorological stations during 2009-2024 demonstrates robust performance, with an overall RMSE of less than 5 days and R² values greater than 0.63 across all stages. Beyond overall accuracy, the dataset shows strong spatial consistency and temporal stability, preserves coherent regional phenological gradients, and captures interannual variations over the 24-year period. This long-term, multi-stage dataset provides a valuable benchmark for crop model calibration, climate change impact assessment, and the development of adaptive agricultural strategies in one of the world's major maize-producing regions.
As the Gulf of Maine warms, characterizing seasonal baseline levels of the human pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) in Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) is crucial, along with synoptic environmental data, to develop predictive capacity and risk management strategies. In Maine, USA, from May to November 2023, oyster samples were collected from Scarborough River, Maquoit Bay, and the Damariscotta River. Vp was quantified using the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved three-tube most-probable-number (MPN) real-time PCR method, detecting the presence of total Vp (i.e., tlh gene) and potentially pathogenic Vp (i.e., tdh and/or trh genes). tlh was detected at all sites once water temperatures reached 16°C, with densities ranging from <3 to >1,100 MPN g-1. Generalized additive models revealed significant positive relationships between both potential pathogenic markers (tdh and trh) and sea surface temperature. tdh in the Damariscotta River, the largest oyster-growing area in northern New England, was the most responsive to water temperature, and trh in Maquoit Bay was the most responsive to salinity. Statewide Vp regulations for harvesting and handling oysters were implemented in Maine in 2024, and these baseline data already demonstrate the importance of maintaining cold chain storage, as potentially pathogenic strains were detected at all three sites. Given the growing number of Vp-associated illnesses and the clear response of Vp to warming conditions in the region, these baseline data provide timely insights for harvesters and inform policies to safeguard public health.IMPORTANCEThe Gulf of Maine is both a hotspot for expanding aquaculture production and one of the fastest warming marine regions in the world. Rising numbers of vibriosis illnesses in warmer months associated with consumption of raw oysters, including Maine's first outbreak in 2023, highlight critical gaps in baseline data on the human pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) (State of Maine, Department of Marine Resources, Vibrio parahaemolyticus control plan, chapter 115.02.a, 2016). The state of Maine requires up-to-date baseline information on Vp in productive growing areas to respond effectively to future illnesses and potential growing area closures. Our results support the need for a statewide Vp control plan that addresses harvest and post-harvest practices, particularly minimizing temperature abuse of live oysters. As climate change continues to warm coastal waters and alter estuarine conditions, systematic data on Vp abundance and seasonality are increasingly essential for managing the public health dimensions of shellfish aquaculture in Maine and similar high-latitude regions.