Search Results (154)

The European honey bee (Apis mellifera) significantly contributes to Australian agriculture, especially in honey production and the pollination of key crops. However, managed bee populations are declining due to pathogens, agrochemicals, poor forage, climate change, and habitat loss. Major threats include bacteria, fungi, mites, and pests. With the increasing demand for pollination and the movement of bee colonies, monitoring these threats is essential. It has been demonstrated that honey constitutes an easily accessible source of environmental DNA. Environmental DNA in honey comes from all organisms that either directly or indirectly aid in its production and those within the hive environments. In this study, we extracted eDNA from 135 honey samples and tested for the presence of DNA for seven key honey bee pathogens and pests—Paenibacillus larvae, Melissococcus plutonius (bacterial pathogens), Nosema apis, Nosema ceranae (microsporidian fungi), Ascosphaera apis (fungal pathogen), Aethina tumida, and Galleria mellonella (arthropod pests) by using end-point singleplex and multiplex PCR assays. N. ceranae emerged as the most prevalent pathogen, present in 57% of the samples. This was followed by the pests A. tumida (40%) and G. mellonella (37%), and the pathogens P. larvae (21%), N. apis (19%), and M. plutonius (18%). A. apis was detected in a smaller proportion of the samples, with a prevalence of 5%. Additionally, 19% of the samples tested negative for all pathogens and pests analysed. The data outlines essential information about the prevalence of significant arthropod, fungal, and bacterial pathogens and pests affecting honey bees in Australia, which is crucial for protecting the nation’s beekeeping industry. Full article

The enforcement of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) may reduce the supply of natural rubber to the European Union (EU), potentially leading to price increases due to the inelastic nature of rubber demand. This study assesses the potential financial implications for smallholder producers in Ghana, considering both the opportunities and risks associated with the evolving regulatory environment under EUDR and local market access conditions. A cost–benefit analysis (CBA) was conducted to evaluate the impact of different EUDR-related export decline scenarios on the net present value (NPV) of a standard 4-hectare plantation. The results suggest that even a minor 2.5% decline in global exports to the EU could increase the NPV by 17% for an independent compliant producer. However, a simulated COVID-19-like crisis in the fifth year of production leads to a 20% decline in NPV, reflecting vulnerability to external shocks. Based on these findings, the study identifies two priorities. This first is improving the coordination and harmonization of compliance efforts across the value chain to enable more producers to benefit from potential EUDR-related price increases. The recent creation of the Association of Natural Rubber Actors of Ghana (ANRAG) presents an opportunity to support such collective mechanisms. Second, minimizing losses during demand shocks requires the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) to establish clear rules and transparent reporting for authorizing unprocessed rubber exports when factories reduce purchases due to low international prices—thus preserving market access for vulnerable producers. Together, these approaches would ensure that the potential benefits of the EUDR are realized inclusively, remain stable despite market downturns, and do not undermine value addition in domestic processing factories. Full article

The integration of shared autonomous vehicles into historic urban areas presents both opportunities and challenges. In heritage-rich environments like very old Asian (such as Suzhou old town, which serves as a use case example) or European (especially Mediterranean coastal cities) areas—characterized by narrow alleys, dense development, and sensitive cultural landscapes—shared autonomous vehicle adoption raises critical spatial and social questions. This study employs a qualitative, user-centered approach based on the ripple model to examine residents’ perceptions across four dimensions: residential patterns, parking land use, regional accessibility, and street-level infrastructure. Semi-structured interviews with 27 participants reveal five key findings: (1) public trust depends on transparent decision-making and safety guarantees; (2) shared autonomous vehicles may reshape generational residential clustering; (3) the short-term parking demand remains stable, but the long-term reuse of space is feasible; (4) shared autonomous vehicles could enhance accessibility in historic cores; (5) transport systems may evolve toward intelligent, human-centered designs. Based on these insights, the study proposes three strategies: (1) transparent risk assessment using explainable artificial intelligence and digital twins; (2) polycentric development to diversify land use; (3) hierarchical street retrofitting to balance mobility and preservation. While this study is limited by its qualitative scope and absence of simulation, it offers a framework for culturally sensitive, small-scale interventions supporting sustainable mobility transitions in historic urban contexts. Full article

With the European Union (EU) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) regulation, Joint Clinical Assessments (JCA) are now required for oncological and advanced therapy medicinal products. The JCA assessment scope is determined through the PICO framework (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome). Given the tight JCA timelines, Health Technology Developers (HTD) must anticipate PICO elements early to prepare dossiers effectively. This study investigates whether PICO can be predicted across EU member states using publicly available information. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles. Additionally, an extensive search of publicly available HTA documents, including reports, methodological guidelines, submission templates, and market access information was performed across 29 European countries. Relevant information for PICO anticipation was extracted. For many member states, a wealth of relevant information is publicly accessible: 66% have HTA reports publicly available, 79% have HTA methodological guidelines, 69% have dossier templates, and 100% have market access status lists. Between countries, the requirements for population and outcomes are largely aligned, making comparator the central element in PICO anticipation. PICO can be anticipated reliably based on public information. HTDs must be prepared to adjust their strategies as national procedures adapt, ensuring alignment with both current and emerging EU and national requirements. Full article

Despite growing efforts to promote circular design in the built environment—supported by recent EU directives and digital innovation—the implementation of such strategies remains limited by a critical gap: the lack of reliable, structured, and accessible data on existing buildings. Although well-established in cultural heritage management, traditional inventory methods are not fully leveraged in the construction sector to support circularity. Furthermore, while Digital Twins offer the potential to address data-related challenges, their adoption is fragmented and hindered by the absence of standardised protocols and integration mechanisms. To address this gap, this paper examines the role of digital inventories in the built environment as valuable tools for promoting circular design in alignment with circular economy principles. It addresses the evolution of traditional inventories into advanced databases, emphasising their importance for informed decision-making, particularly in light of the European Commission’s emission reduction targets for the building sector. The study defines the concept of ‘digital inventory’ by analysing differences and overlaps between similar concepts used in the built environment. Through a bibliometric analysis, the research systematically organises the state of the art on the topic, identifying four main clusters to group the selected documents based on their focus. Ultimately, it analyses and compares examples of platforms for circular economy. The study concludes by advocating for open, updatable digital inventories to facilitate the integration of circular design practices within the construction industry, contributing to sustainable development in the built environment. Full article

This study explores the didactic potential of paleontological immovable heritage in Secondary Education in Spain, focusing on how paleontological sites can enrich the educational curriculum. It is based on a survey of experts to identify key aspects to consider when developing educational activities at paleontological sites, aligning learning based on the official educational curriculum with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The goal is, on the one hand, to improve awareness of natural heritage conservation and foster meaningful and interdisciplinary learning and, on the other hand, to optimize the use of paleontological sites as valuable and accessible educational resources. The research highlights the importance of direct contact of students with the natural environment, proposing activities before and after the visits that seek greater involvement of students with the territory in which they live, and that serve to consolidate and strengthen their knowledge. In this context, the key competences of the educational curriculum are also analyzed, based on the official competences proposed by the European Union, which can be reinforced in paleontological contexts, considering both the benefits and the difficulties of integrating these sites into formal education. Full article

The Canary Islands have long been a major European destination for mass tourism, often associated with ‘sun-and-beach’ vacations. Critiques of mass tourism have intensified in recent years, as reflected in the 2024 protests in the Canary Islands, which linked mass tourism to economic inequalities and concerns about sustainability. Through the case example of Icelandic tourism to the Canary Islands, this research asks two questions: (a) why mass tourism destinations are appealing, and (b) how these reasons can be more fully understood within a broader geopolitical and structural context. The research methods include a survey conducted in Iceland in 2022 and an analysis of media coverage in Iceland related to the Canary Islands from 2017 to 2022. Survey data indicate that the islands are primarily perceived as an easily accessible, well-established holiday destination. Simultaneously, an analysis of media discussions reveals a limited discourse on the islands in Icelandic media, mainly focusing on tourism. The results illustrate how specific destinations become desirable by prioritizing infrastructure associated with mass tourism, where tourism’s impact on host communities, economies, and environments tends to be invisible. Full article

Climbing has gained popularity around the world, particularly since it was added to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Unlike indoor climbing, outdoor climbing typically takes place in some kind of geological site. This aspect inherently promotes the link to the environment and geoheritage through adventure tourism. Similar documentation, description, and analysis initiatives are sparse in South America, whereas European organizations have employed geoconservation approaches to list and promote climbing sites. Our study addresses a knowledge gap by compiling a list of climbing sites in São Paulo State, Brazil. To assess the geological, sociological, and environmental aspects of the cataloged places, data were acquired using community platforms, guidebooks, and mobile applications. GIS tools were then employed to carry out data treatment and analysis. A dashboard was developed to make the inventory accessible and encourage participation of the scientific and climbing community. The findings underscore locations to apply geoconservation management strategies and draw attention to potential risks associated with outdoor recreational activities. Furthermore, this inventory serves as a valuable foundation for future research integrating geoscience and adventure tourism. Full article

Space heating consumption prediction is critical for energy management and efficiency, directly impacting sustainability and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Accurate models enable better demand forecasting, promote the use of green energy, and support decarbonization goals. However, existing models often lack precision due to limited feature sets, suboptimal algorithm choices, and limited access to weather data, which reduces generalizability. This study addresses these gaps by evaluating various Machine Learning and Deep Learning models, including K-Nearest Neighbors, Support Vector Regression, Decision Trees, Linear Regression, XGBoost, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, AdaBoost, Long Short-Term Memory, and Gated Recurrent Units. We utilized space heating consumption data from the European Central Bank Headquarters office as a case study. We employed a methodology that involved splitting the features into three categories based on the correlation and evaluating model performance using Mean Squared Error, Mean Absolute Error, Root Mean Squared Error, and R-squared metrics. Results indicate that XGBoost consistently outperformed other models, particularly when utilizing all available features, achieving an R² value of 0.966 using the weather data from the building weather station. This model’s superior performance underscores the importance of comprehensive feature sets for accurate predictions. The significance of this study lies in its contribution to sustainable energy management practices. By improving the accuracy of space heating consumption forecasts, our approach supports the efficient use of green energy resources, aiding in the global efforts towards decarbonization and reducing carbon footprints in urban environments. Full article

Fulfilling the requirements of the EU’s Nature Restoration Law in urban areas will require not only planning and administrative action but also citizen engagement. The paper at hand analyzes citizens’ willingness to change the urban environment in a study consisting of a pan-European survey with an integrated choice experiment. The majority of the 7045 respondents would support a rapid urban greening process and are willing to contribute to its financing. The latent class analysis reveals four different classes with different interests and willingness to engage: Class 1 supports the development of green areas and nature-based solutions in general and under nearly any conditions; Class 2 is sensitive to costs and accessibility disruption. For Class 3, participation will increase their interest and willingness to pay. Only Class 4 (8.6% of sample respondents) is against or disinterested in the development of urban greening. The findings demonstrate that the European goals are strongly supported by the majority of urban residents and highlight a significant interest in their implementation, to which they are also willing to contribute. These findings should encourage local initiatives and the local administration to implement the process of urban greening and the goals of the nature restauration law in a more ambitious manner. Full article

The ocean plays a vital role in our society and represents a constantly changing landscape that is not well understood and therefore needs continuous monitoring and research. Sustainable monitoring is essential to assess both the current and future state of our oceans. However, conventional monitoring faces significant challenges, including issues of accessibility, and spatial and temporal constraints. The development of digital twins of the ocean (DTO) offers an emerging technology that could revolutionise our understanding of marine and coastal environments. Current DTO have shown effectiveness in monitoring marine and coastal environments in the European context. However, there is a need for a DTO for the Southern African and Western Indian Ocean regions that addresses specific concerns that are relevant to these regions. Successful development of a DTO depends on the availability of high-quality data. Therefore, various data inputs are necessary to build an accurate digital twin. This paper explores the data that can be utilised in a DTO, detailing how different ocean variables are collected and integrated into the digital twin. As a first step towards the development of a DTO in these regions, the paper proposes a data management plan and its implementation in the development of DTO. The data management plan is based on the phases of data in a geospatial data life cycle. Challenges regarding the management of data in this DTO and possible solutions are presented in the conclusion. Full article

The number of studies on submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and the evidence of its significance in biogeochemical cycling and potential impacts on the chemical and ecological status of coastal waters is increasing globally. Here, we briefly present SGD studies from the Baltic Sea identified along the coastlines of Denmark, Finland, Germany, Poland, Sweden and Russia in the southwestern, southern and north–northeastern parts of the Baltic Sea. We introduce a digital SGD map viewer and information platform enabling easy overview and access to information on identified SGD sites in the coastal areas of the Baltic Sea. SGDs potentially transport critical pollutants from urban and agricultural areas on land to the marine environment. The pollutants include nutrients, dissolved organic and inorganic carbon, metals, pharmaceuticals, and other emerging contaminants, potentially harming marine ecosystems and biodiversity and possibly contributing to the poor chemical or ecological status of coastal waters, affecting human and environmental health. We focus on case studies from Finland, Germany, Poland and Denmark that include the results and interpretations from the applied geochemical, geophysical and geological methods, as well as bionic autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for locating, investigating, modelling and visualizing SGD sites in 2D and 3D. The potential Pan-European or even global SGD information platform established within the European Geological Data Infrastructure (EGDI) enables the easy combination and comparison of map layers such as seabed sediment types and coastal habitats. The EGDI map viewer provides easy access to information from SGD studies and may serve as an entry point to relevant information on SGDs, including contents of pollutants, for the scientific community and policy-makers. The information potentially includes the results of model simulations, data from near real-time sensors at permanently installed monitoring stations and surveys in time and space conducted by AUVs. The presented digital SGD information platform is particularly pertinent to the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 14, which focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources. Full article

The focus of manufacturers preparing for implementation of the EU HTA Regulation (HTAR) in 2025 has understandably been on their market access teams, and how they can be best equipped to adapt to this significant change. Considering the critical nature of market access in ensuring innovation reaches patients, it should be no surprise that the EU HTAR will have impacts far beyond this function. Here, we utilize published EU HTAR guidance, a pragmatic literature review, internal analysis, and insights from engagements with manufacturers, to outline some of the key cross-functional considerations arising from JSC and JCA, and how manufacturers should account for these in their EU HTAR readiness plans. Full article

Our study examines the regulatory challenges and opportunities of asset tokenization within the context of the European Union (EU), emphasizing the balance between technological innovation and investor protection in the digital economy. Focusing on 2023 EU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation and its application in Latvia, we utilize comparative legal and integrative literature review methodologies to explore how regulatory frameworks can enhance investor accessibility, liquidity, and transparency in digital transactions. Our findings emphasize the importance of strong legal frameworks in promoting economic growth and protecting investors, thereby contributing to a more inclusive financial ecosystem. By examining the regulatory landscape for distributed ledger technology, we provide insights into how regulations can balance innovation in asset management with the imperative of investor protection. We offer a broad analysis of the intersection between legal frameworks and technological advancements in Latvia, illustrating how diverse regulatory approaches can support both economic development and investor interests. Our research originality lies in its focus on the EU’s regulatory diversity, particularly in Latvia, and its implications for broader European and international regulatory environments. Our study contributes to ongoing discussions on optimizing regulatory strategies to facilitate secure and advantageous financial technologies, reflecting the diversity of legal and economic approaches across Europe. Full article

Background/Objectives: Biomedical progress has extended the lifespan of patients with incurable diseases, sparking debates about their desire to live under certain conditions. This study examines the ethical and legal challenges surrounding end-of-life issues in Europe, including informed consent, the refusal of treatment, the right to health, self-determination, advance directives, assisted suicide, and euthanasia. European countries exhibit different interpretations and regulations of these practices, leading to patient “migrations” seeking favorable legal environments. Methods: This study analyzes end-of-life legislation across European countries in a comparative and qualitative way, highlighting differences, commonalities, and the potential for uniform regulation. The data were collected from the literature published between 2000 and 2024, focusing on the EU member states, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Results: The examination of the norms governing end-of-life practices in various European countries revealed significant differences in legislative frameworks, reflecting diverse cultural, ethical, and legal perspectives. These variations have led to patient migrations in search of suitable legal environments to end their lives with dignity. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for a harmonized approach to end-of-life legislation in Europe to ensure equitable access to end-of-life care and to uphold human dignity. Continuous legal updates and comparative studies are essential to balance medical advancements with ethical considerations. The findings emphasize the importance of autonomy and self-determination, which are fundamental human rights that should be respected in the context of end-of-life decisions. Full article