Search Results (329)

In northwestern Ecuador, where more than 90% of the original forest cover has been lost, it is unknown how soil chemistry influences bat diversity. This study evaluated bat diversity, non-herbaceous plant community structure, and soil nutrients in 30 plots distributed across crops on two farms separated by 32 km. Soil analyses revealed variations in organic matter and nutrients, identifying calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron as the most influential. A total of 1662 individuals of 24 non-herbaceous plant species and 193 individuals of 16 bat species were recorded, dominated by frugivorous and nectarivorous guilds. Generalized linear mixed models showed significant relationships between bat diversity indices and soil nutrients. These elements improve tree growth, fruiting, and flowering, which increases the quality and availability of food resources for bats. In return, these mammals provide key ecosystem services such as pollination, seed dispersal, and insect control. Our findings highlight that soil chemistry indirectly regulates bat communities by influencing vegetation structure and resource availability. This integrated approach underscores the importance of soil–plant–animal interactions in tropical agricultural landscapes, offering practical guidance. Full article

Background/Objectives: The mammalian microbiota constitutes a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), which can be shaped by environmental and anthropogenic factors. Although bat-associated bacteria have been reported to harbor diverse ARGs globally, the ecological and evolutionary determinants driving this diversity remain unclear. Methods: To characterize ARG diversity in wildlife exposed to contrasting levels of human influence, we analyzed homologs of resistance mechanisms from the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database in shotgun metagenomes of bat guano. Samples were collected from a colony exposed to continuous anthropogenic activity in Spain (Salamanca) and from a wild, non-impacted bat community in China (Guangdong). Metagenomic analyses revealed marked differences in taxonomic and resistome composition between sites. Results: Salamanca samples contained numerous hospital-associated genera (e.g., Mycobacterium, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium), while Guangdong was dominated by Lactococcus, Aeromonas, and Stenotrophomonas. β-lactamases and MurA transferase homologs were the most abundant ARGs in both datasets, yet Salamanca exhibited higher richness and functional diversity (median Shannon index = 1.5; Simpson = 0.8) than Guangdong (Shannon = 1.1; Simpson = 0.66). Salamanca also showed enrichment of clinically relevant ARGs, including qacG, emrR, bacA, and acrB, conferring resistance to antibiotics critical for human medicine. In contrast, Guangdong exhibited a more restricted resistome dominated by β-lactamase and MurA homologs. Beta diversity analysis confirmed significant compositional differences between resistomes (PERMANOVA, R² = 0.019, F = 1.33, p = 0.001), indicating ecological rather than stochastic structuring. Conclusions: These findings suggest that anthropogenic exposure enhances the diversity and evenness of resistance mechanisms within bat-associated microbiomes, potentially increasing their role as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance. Full article

Bats provide essential ecosystem services, particularly in regulating insect populations within agricultural landscapes. However, research on bat–insect interactions in Malaysian rice fields remains limited. This study examined bat diversity and insect abundance in the rice field area of Gunung Keriang, Kedah, using two harp traps, two mist nets and a light trap at three selected sites. A total of 2499 bats representing 27 species were captured, alongside 161,539 insects from 11 orders. Rhinolophus pusillus was the dominant bat species across all seasons. During the dry season, Chilo polychrysus (stem borer) was the dominant insect pest, whereas Nilaparvata lugens (brown planthopper) prevailed during the wet season. Insects from the order Coleoptera, dominant in the dry season, are likely consumed by larger bat species with stronger bite forces. Bat foraging activity peaked concurrently with insect emergence, corresponding to periods of high food availability. Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between bat activity, temperature, and rainfall, but not insect abundance. These findings underscore the ecological importance of bats as natural pest regulators in rice field ecosystems and highlight their potential role in promoting sustainable, ecosystem-based agricultural management. Full article

Precision medicine has reshaped the clinical management of prostate cancer by integrating comprehensive genomic profiling, biomarker-driven patient stratification, and the development of molecularly targeted therapeutics. Advances in next-generation sequencing have uncovered diverse genomic alterations—including homologous recombination repair defects, MSI-H/MMRd, PTEN loss, BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations, ATM alterations, SPOP mutations, and molecular hallmarks of neuroendocrine differentiation—that now inform individualized treatment decisions. This review synthesizes established clinical evidence with emerging translational insights to provide an updated and forward-looking overview of precision oncology in prostate cancer. Landmark trials of PARP inhibitors and PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy have redefined treatment standards for biomarker-selected patients. Concurrently, efforts to optimize immune checkpoint inhibition, AKT pathway targeting, and rational combinations with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors continue to expand therapeutic possibilities. Rapidly evolving investigational strategies—including bipolar androgen therapy (BAT), immunotherapeutic approaches for CDK12-altered tumors, targeted interventions for SPOP-mutated cancers, and epigenetic modulation such as EZH2 inhibition for neuroendocrine prostate cancer—further illuminate mechanisms of tumor evolution, lineage plasticity, and treatment resistance. Integrating multi-omics technologies, liquid biopsy platforms, and AI-assisted imaging offers new opportunities for dynamic disease monitoring and biology-driven treatment selection. By consolidating current clinical practices with emerging experimental directions, this review provides clinicians and researchers with a comprehensive perspective on the evolving landscape of precision medicine in prostate cancer and highlights future opportunities to improve patient outcomes. Full article

Uganda is home to a rich diversity of bats, which carry high ecological and socioeconomic value through the ecosystem services that they provide. However, critical bat habitats, including caves, are facing increasing anthropogenic pressures, and the types and frequencies of disturbances to cave-roosting bats are not well understood in Uganda. Therefore, we examined the role of anthropogenic disturbances in caves to assess the threats posed to bat populations. We used the Bat Cave Vulnerability Index (BCVI) framework to score 14 caves inhabited by bats within the study region. We included qualitative surveys with human communities to better understand various aspects within the BCVI. All bat species recorded were of the IUCN category “Least Concern”. The BCVI indicated 50% of the caves (with insectivorous and frugivorous bats) require urgent conservation interventions due to high bat diversity and anthropogenic disturbances (e.g., guano collection). Most of the caves studied were highly vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbances, as assessed in the study. All the caves we studied (except two) are outside the protected area, and due to their imputed vulnerabilities, interventions ought to be implemented to balance cave conservation and human use in the Mt. Elgon area. Such interventions should integrate human factors. Full article

Bats, as the world’s second-largest mammalian order, have garnered significant attention for their ability to harbor numerous viruses without exhibiting disease symptoms. Nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing receptors (NLRs) are crucial components of the immune system. This study conducted an evolutionary analysis of the NLR gene family across 26 bat species to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying their role in viral resistance under high viral load pressure. We identified gene duplication events in multiple genes. The NLR gene family exhibited high conservation throughout evolution, which may contribute to the occurrence of gene duplication. This conserved genomic structure also ensures functional stability, safeguarding bats’ antiviral resistance. Most NLR genes primarily function within the type I interferon (IFN) signaling pathway and the NF-κB signaling pathway. The NLR gene family enhances the innate immune capacity of bats through the adaptive evolution of some genes, combining enhanced gene functionality with the maintenance of gene conservation at a low evolutionary rate. Moreover, bats employ diverse innate immune strategies, where multiple immune pathways collectively establish the innate immune barrier. The molecular evolution of this gene family provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms and functional pathways involved in the innate immune response of bats. Full article

Urban densification threatens biodiversity, yet conventional greenspace expansion is constrained by limited land availability. Living wall systems (LWS) offer potential biodiversity enhancement through vertical green infrastructure, though their ecological value remains underexplored. This study evaluated the biodiversity performance of three LWS in Plymouth, UK, using multi-taxa surveys to assess invertebrate communities, bird assemblages, and bat activity. A scoping review of 2638 publications revealed limited research on LWS biodiversity, with only 27% of biodiversity-focused papers referencing specific species. Field surveys employed standardised protocols including flower-visiting pollinator observations, spider assessments, soil invertebrate extraction using Tullgren funnels, acoustic bird monitoring, and bat emergence surveys across soil-based and hydroponic systems. Results demonstrated that soil-based LWS supported significantly higher invertebrate diversity than hydroponic systems, with 481 soil invertebrates recorded across 19 families. Plant species composition strongly influenced biodiversity outcomes, with Hedera helix, Erigeron karvinskianus, and Lonicera japonica attracting the most pollinator species (5 each). Bird abundance was significantly higher at LWS sites compared to control areas, with confirmed breeding by three species. However, current UK Biodiversity Net Gain frameworks undervalue LWS contributions due to their classification as artificial habitats. These findings indicate that appropriately designed soil-based LWS can deliver meaningful urban biodiversity benefits when integrated with strategic plant selection and species-based valuation approaches. Full article

Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) invades the skin tissue of bats, leading to severe population declines. The skin microbiome plays a crucial role in protecting hosts from fungal infection and exhibits pronounced spatiotemporal dynamics in its structure and function. Meanwhile, metabolites derived from microbial communities reflect the host physiological state and participate in microbe–pathogen interactions. In this study, we investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of skin bacterial communities and metabolites during hibernation in Rhinolophus ferrumequinum by integrating 16S rRNA sequencing with untargeted metabolomics and experimentally verified the antifungal effects of microbially derived potential metabolites against Pd. Our results revealed that the structure of the skin bacterial community varied significantly across sampling contexts, with its assembly primarily governed by stochastic processes. Bacterial diversity reached its lowest level during middle hibernation, accompanied by a simplified co-occurrence network dominated by cooperative or mutualistic interactions. Additionally, metabolomic analyses demonstrated systematic metabolic remodeling of bat skin across hibernation stages, marked by significant enrichment of multiple pathways closely involved in host antimicrobial defense. Furthermore, metabolite profiles differed across locations, and the abundance patterns of several metabolites were strongly correlated with Pd infection levels. Integrated analyses identified multiple metabolites that showed significant correlations with bacterial genera capable of synthesizing the corresponding compounds. In vitro validation confirmed that nine metabolites effectively inhibited the growth of Pd, among which melatonin exhibited the strongest antifungal activity. Collectively, this study reveals the dynamics of the skin microbiome and metabolites of R. ferrumequinum during hibernation, providing novel insights into the defensive role of skin-associated microbes and metabolites in maintaining population health and resilience against fungal pathogens. Full article

Bats have been identified as reservoir hosts for an exceptional diversity of viruses, including multiple taxa of high zoonotic concern. Over a hundred bat species inhabit Vietnam, which, combined with significant biodiversity, carry high risk of zoonotic spillover due to dense human–animal interfaces, extensive wildlife trade, and proximity to recent outbreak epicenters. This review systematically synthesizes data on the bat virome in Vietnam and neighboring Southeast Asian countries, assessing viral diversity, host species involvement, and zoonotic potential. By prioritizing virus groups with established zoonotic capacity and pandemic potential, the systematic search identified studies reporting viruses from 32 families across 13 bat families. Based on the WHO 2024 risk classification, seven of these viral families were categorized as high-risk, three as medium-risk, and twelve as low-risk. The comparatively higher viral diversity reported in neighboring countries suggests that the current study likely represents an underestimation of the true virome present in Vietnamese bat populations. We emphasize the urgent need for expanded virological studies integrating metagenomic sequencing, serological surveys, and ecological modeling to improve early detection of emerging threats, as the comparatively higher viral diversity reported in neighboring countries suggests existing research likely represents an underestimation of the true virome present in Vietnamese bat populations. Strengthening regional collaboration is critical for establishing proactive pandemic prevention strategies in this high-risk zoonotic hotspot. Full article

Florida’s bat virome remains poorly characterized despite the state’s high bat species diversity and conservation importance. We characterized viral metagenomes from rectal tissues, anal swabs, and feces of Myotis austroriparius and Tadarida brasiliensis sampled across north Florida. We recovered a near-complete Hubei virga-like virus 2 (HVLV2) genome from T. brasiliensis feces, a finding consistent with an arthropod-derived dietary signal rather than active bat infection. An Alphacoronavirus (AlphaCoV) was detected in two M. austroriparius specimens, including one with a putative co-infection involving an Astrovirus (AstV), the first detection of AstV in Florida bats to date. Parallel profiling of the M. austroriparius gut microbiome highlighted compositional differences in the co-infected individual relative to AlphaCoV-only and virus-negative bats, suggestive of potential associations between viral detection and gut microbial shifts. Our study expands the known viral diversity in Florida bat populations, and demonstrates how metagenomics can simultaneously illuminate host diet, viral exposure, and gut microbial ecology. This approach provides a scalable framework for monitoring how diet, microbiome composition, and environmental pressures shape the bat virome, and inform conservation and zoonotic risk assessments. Full article

Effective categorization of geothermal resources is essential for strategic and sustainable energy development. Despite the considerable geothermal potential in Spain, utilization remains limited, underscoring the need for advanced and practical assessment methods. This study proposes a structured framework for geothermal resource classification in Catalonia, based on a constructed matrix of features that integrates subsurface temperature, geothermal gradient, and thermal conductivity. The matrix enables resource clustering into potential classes, improving interpretability and regional assessment. The analysis employed predictions from a pretrained hybrid artificial intelligence model optimized using a modified Bat algorithm. At depths between 50 and 150 m, a 20–30% increase in temperature leads to a 30–50% rise in geothermal potential. Approximately 11.5% of sites exhibit high potential and 28.2% moderate potential, indicating the reliability of the adopted framework for geothermal energy source site prioritization. The proposed matrix offers a scalable tool for geothermal evaluation, minimizing exploration risk and supporting sustainable energy planning across diverse geological settings. Full article

While community energy initiatives and pilot projects have demonstrated technical feasibility and economic benefits, their site-specific nature limits transferability to systematic, scalable investment models. This study addresses this gap by proposing a modular framework for Renewable Energy Valleys (REVs), developed from real-world Community Energy Lab (CEL) demonstrations in Crete, Greece, which is an island with pronounced seasonal demand fluctuation, strong renewable potential, and ongoing hydrogen valley initiatives. Four modular business schemes are defined, each representing different sectoral contexts by combining a baseline of 50 residential units with one representative large consumer (hotel, rural households with thermal loads, municipal swimming pool, or hydrogen bus). For each scheme, a mixed-integer linear programming model is applied to optimally size and operate integrated solar PV, wind, battery (BAT) energy storage, and hydrogen systems across three renewable energy penetration (REP) targets: 90%, 95%, and 99.9%. The framework incorporates stochastic demand modeling, sector coupling, and hierarchical dispatch schemes. Results highlight optimal technology configurations that minimize dependency on external sources and curtailment while enhancing reliability and sustainability under Mediterranean conditions. Results demonstrate significant variation in optimal configurations across sectors and targets, with PV capacity ranging from 217 kW to 2840 kW, battery storage from 624 kWh to 2822 kWh, and hydrogen systems scaling from 65.2 kg to 192 kg storage capacity. The modular design of the framework enables replication beyond the specific context of Crete, supporting the scalable development of Renewable Energy Valleys that can adapt to diverse sectoral mixes and regional conditions. Full article

This study investigates the phylogenetic relationships, genetic diversity, and biogeographic structure of Pipistrellus species in Türkiye using mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) sequences from 156 specimens collected across 26 localities. Our primary aim was to clarify taxonomic boundaries of morphologically cryptic species and elucidate the evolutionary role of Anatolia in the Western Palearctic. Analyses strongly confirmed that molecular data are mandatory for defining taxonomic boundaries. Crucially, all individuals morphologically identified as P. pygmaeus were genetically determined to be P. pipistrellus, highlighting the inadequacy of external traits for cryptic species. We resolved deep intraspecific divergence across the genus. In P. pipistrellus, two major lineages (Eastern and Western) were identified, partially separated by the Anatolian Diagonal. Their co-occurrence in multiple localities confirms Anatolia’s function as a secondary contact zone. Similarly, P. kuhlii populations represent a transition zone where two distinct lineages, one of Asiatic origin (P. k. lepidus) and one Mediterranean-Levantine (P. k. kuhlii), meet. Furthermore, while P. nathusii is largely associated with migratory European lineages; a genetically distinct, potentially resident lineage was revealed in southwestern Anatolia. Divergence time estimations indicate that this diversification was shaped by major climatic events from the Miocene to the Pleistocene. This study demonstrates that Anatolia is more than just a geographic bridge; it is a dynamic center of evolution, functioning critically as both a glacial refugium and a secondary contact zone for Palearctic bat fauna. Full article

Bats are widely recognized as reservoirs of diverse bacterial pathogens with important implications for human health. Recent zoonotic disease outbreaks have intensified interest in bat microbiomes, with high-throughput sequencing increasingly used to assess microbial diversity. In this article, we review literature from the past five years on bacterial species associated with bats and their potential clinical relevance. Using automated searches and manual filtering, we extracted data from 47 peer-reviewed studies. Most research has focused on guano samples, though interest in skin microbiomes is rising, particularly in relation to Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the agent of white-nose syndrome. China leads in the number of publications, followed by the United States, and amplicon sequencing remains the predominant metagenomic method. Across studies, 4700 bacterial species were reported, including several known human pathogens capable of aerosol transmission or opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. Many of these taxa are classified as global priority targets for antimicrobial drug development by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Given the clinical severity of diseases linked to some species, bats should be integrated into epidemiological surveillance systems. However, the lack of standardized reporting practices significantly limits the comparability and utility of bat microbiome data for robust ecological and epidemiological analyses. Full article

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are vital to a wide range of applications, spanning from environmental monitoring to safety-critical systems. Ensuring dependable operation in these networks critically depends on selecting an optimal node scheduling algorithm; however, this remains a major challenge since no single approach performs best under all conditions. To address this issue, this paper proposes an AI-driven framework that evaluates scenario-specific functional requirements—such as coverage, connectivity, and network lifetime—to identify the optimal node scheduling algorithm from a pool that includes Hidden Markov Models (HMMs), BAT, Bird Flocking, Self-Organizing Maps (SOFMs), and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks. The framework was evaluated using a neural network trained on simulated data and tested across five real-world scenarios: healthcare monitoring, military operations, industrial IoT, forest fire detection, and disaster recovery. The results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework in identifying the most suitable algorithm for each scenario. Notably, the LSTM algorithm frequently achieved near-optimal performance, excelling in critical objectives such as network lifetime, connectivity, and coverage. The framework also revealed the complementary strengths of other algorithms—HMM proved superior for maintaining connectivity, while Bird Flocking excelled in extending network lifetime. Consequently, this work validates that a scenario-aware selection strategy is essential for maximizing WSN dependability, as it leverages the unique advantages of diverse algorithms. Full article