Search Results (949)

The integration of sustainable development into biology education has been a growing area of interest. Biology education for sustainability is considered through competencies and skills, taking different dimensions of knowledge into account. Solving problems requires not only knowledge but also communicative and strategic activity. Thus, biology education must emphasize the main visions of scientific literacy proposed in the literature, supporting students to understand society and everyday socioscientific challenges at the local as well as at the global level, and to deal with differing scientific results and uncertain information. However, there are very few studies from a holistic didactic viewpoint on the implementation of sustainable education (SE) in biology education in the context of teacher education and school education for promoting a sustainable future. This study addresses this gap via a bibliometric and content analysis of the literature (n = 165 and 131, respectively) based on the categories of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), subject aims, learning objectives, content knowledge, teaching methods, competencies and skills, and assessment methods. The literature analyzed emphasizes the environmental and social SDGs, the development of students’ factual and conceptual knowledge and learning, interactive teaching and learning methods, critical thinking and reflection, and summative and formative assessment methods. There is much less attention on economic and institutional SDGs, scientific skills, environmental attitudes, knowledge creation, strategic thinking and empathy, and diagnostic assessment methods. Compared to earlier studies performed in the 2010s, teaching and learning methods have become more diverse in contrast to the earlier focus on teacher-centered methods. Overall, the conclusion is that biology education must evolve beyond content mastery to integrate ethical, technological, and transdisciplinary dimensions—empowering learners not only to understand life but to sustain it—aligned with quality education (SDG 4), good health and well-being (SDG 3), and life on land (SDG 15). The findings also suggest that powerful knowledge needs to be emphasized for providing essential insights into ecosystems, biodiversity, and the processes that sustain life on Earth. They also highlight the importance of regular evaluations of teaching and learning for detecting how pedagogical and didactic approaches and strategies have supported students’ learning focused on sustainable development. Full article

Advance care planning (ACP) is fundamentally important for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM), a highly aggressive primary brain tumor with a grim prognosis. The urgency for early ACP is profoundly amplified by the characteristic, progressive neurocognitive decline that frequently impairs critical reasoning and leads to the loss of decisional capacity. ACP is a proactive process ensuring that future medical interventions align with a patient’s deeply held values and goals. Proactive ACP discussions are associated with less aggressive end-of-life (EOL) care, improved quality of life for patients and care partners, earlier hospice enrollment, and reduced psychological distress for surrogate decision makers. Despite guidelines recommending early integration, ACP prevalence remains low due to clinician discomfort with EOL discussions, a perceived lack of adequate training, and a widespread “culture of shared avoidance”. Experts recommend initiating ACP at or shortly after diagnosis, normalizing it as standard cancer care. Using structured communication strategies, such as the REMAP tool, and empowering allied health providers to champion these conversations are key integration strategies. Ultimately, early and skillful ACP is an ethical imperative that safeguards patient autonomy and minimizes the burden on loved ones. Full article

The main goal of this review is to comprehensively present the properties of silicon, germanium, and silicon-germanium systems and analyze current possibilities of producing fibers based on them for applications as a photovoltaic fabric for a future soldier. The vision of the future is to produce a feather-light photovoltaic optic fiber, exhibiting mechanical properties typical of Kevlar, enabling power/recharging of portable electric devices while simultaneously protecting against mechanical damage and explosions. This article analyzes, in detail, issues such as the occurrence and mobility of germanium in the environment, the life cycle of SiGe photovoltaic fabrics, ecotoxicological and human health implications, sustainable development strategies and policy implications, and analytical challenges due to low concentrations in the environment. Moreover, the advantages and disadvantages of silicon-based solar cells are analyzed, taking into account various factors, including environmental factors. Finally, the soldier of the future is analyzed. Full article

Organic pig farming in Europe is endorsed as a promising route to more sustainable livestock production, but its ultimate contribution to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a contested matter. This study takes a critical perspective on the potential of organic pig farming to contribute to SDGs that may include SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Organic farming systems delivered better animal welfare outcomes and positive benefits for biodiversity, soil health, and rural employment. Continued improvements in sourcing feed, greenhouse gas emissions per unit of product, animal health, and market could improve their contributions to agricultural sustainability. This study concludes that organic pig farming does not represent a guarantee of sustainable livestock production, but it could represent credible sources of sustainable livestock innovation if sufficient policy, practice, cost accounting, and sustainable metrics are organized together to support organic systems. Organic pig farming focused on innovation and policy support can make it a role model for the transition of European livestock sector towards the 2030 Agenda. Full article

Obesity is associated with multiple comorbidities and therefore requires a multidisciplinary approach. Particular attention is given to the role of visceral adiposity and its impact on quality of life. Childhood obesity, in particular, is a major global public health challenge with physical, psychological, and social consequences extending into adulthood. Within the framework of personalized medicine, assessing physical fitness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) offers valuable insight for defining individualized therapeutic goals. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between physical fitness and HRQoL in children with simple obesity and to highlight the potential value of personalized approaches in pediatric obesity management. Methods: This study included 123 patients aged 8–16 years with simple obesity who were hospitalized at the Children’s Memorial Health Institute in Warsaw. Obesity was diagnosed according to CDC growth charts (OLAF study). Physical fitness was assessed using the EUROFIT test battery (8 trials), and HRQoL was measured with the Kidscreen-52 questionnaire (10 domains). Results: The overall EUROFIT test performance in the study group was significantly lower compared with population norms (p < 0.001). Similarly, HRQoL scores reported by both children and their parents were significantly below reference values (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Reduced physical fitness is strongly associated with impaired quality of life in children with obesity. Personalized interventions aimed at improving motor performance may represent an effective strategy in the prevention and treatment of pediatric obesity. Full article

Sustainability in the agri-food sector has become a cornerstone of global efforts to combat climate change, ensure food security through climate-smart agriculture, and strengthen economic resilience. Sustainability reporting within agri-food systems has gained increasing regulatory significance with the introduction of mandatory frameworks such as the Turkish Sustainability Reporting Standards (TSRSs). This article searches for the sustainability reports of agri-business firms listed in BIST in Turkey. Although TSRS reporting is not yet mandatory for the agribusiness sector, this study examines the first TSRS-aligned sustainability reports published by eight agri-food companies, excluding the retail sector. The analysis assesses how effectively these reports address sector-specific environmental and social challenges defined in the GRI 13 Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fishing Sector Standard and their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using a structured content analysis approach, disclosure patterns were examined at both thematic and company levels. The findings indicate that TSRS-aligned reports place strong emphasis on environmental and climate-related disclosures, particularly emissions, climate adaptation and resilience, water management, and waste. In contrast, agro-ecological and land-based impacts—such as soil health, pesticide use, and ecosystem conversion—are weakly addressed. Economic disclosures are predominantly framed around climate-related financial risks and supply chain traceability, while social reporting focuses mainly on occupational health and safety, employment practices, and food safety, with limited attention to labor and equity issues across the broader value chain. Company-level results reveal marked heterogeneity, with internationally active firms demonstrating deeper alignment with GRI 13 requirements. From an SDG alignment perspective, high levels of coverage are observed across all companies for SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). By contrast, SDGs critical to agro-ecological integrity and social equity—namely SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 15 (Life on Land)—are weakly represented or entirely absent. Overall, the results suggest that while TSRS-aligned reporting enhances transparency in climate-related domains, it achieves only selective alignment with the SDG agenda. This underscores the need for a stronger integration of sector-specific sustainability priorities into mandatory sustainability reporting frameworks. Full article

Amid escalating ecological degradation, social fragmentation, and rising mental health challenges—especially in rural and agricultural communities—there is an urgent need to reimagine systems that support both planetary and human flourishing. This viewpoint examines an emerging paradigm in agriculture that emphasizes the role of farmers’ inner development in fostering practices that enhance ecological health, community well-being, and a resilient food system. A key goal is to draw more academic attention to growing community calls for more holistic, relational, and spiritually grounded approaches to food systems as an important focus for ongoing research. Drawing on diverse case studies from Japan, India, and Europe, we examine how small-scale and natural farming initiatives are integrating inner development, universal human values, and ecological consciousness. These case studies were developed and/or refined through a program led by the Conscious Food Systems Alliance (CoFSA), an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that seeks to integrate inner transformation with sustainable food systems change. The initiatives are intended as illustrative examples of how agriculture can transcend its conventional, anthropocentric role as a food production system to become a site for cultivating deeper self-awareness, spiritual connection, and regenerative relationships with nature. Participants in these cases reported significant shifts in mindset—from materialistic and extractive worldviews to more relational and value-driven orientations rooted in care, cooperation, and sustainability. Core practices such as mindfulness, experiential learning, and spiritual ecology helped reframe farming as a holistic process that nurtures both land and life. These exploratory case studies suggest that when farmers are supported in aligning with inner values and natural systems, they become empowered as agents of systemic change. By linking personal growth with planetary stewardship, these models offer pathways toward more integrated, life-affirming approaches to agriculture and future academic research. Full article

Objectives. To integrate clinical and economic evidence on the main non-pharmacological interventions aimed to reduce the burden of caregivers of people with dementia, with specific attention to stated preference measures (SPM), Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) and Willingness-to-Accept (WTA), alongside other cost-effectiveness indicators (ICER, QALY). Methods. A systematic review was conducted on randomized and quasi-experimental evaluations, economic models, and preference studies concerning psychoeducational/coping interventions, activity-centered/occupational programs (TAP), technological solutions and tele-support, and goal-oriented cognitive rehabilitation (CR). For each study, the following indexes were extracted: design, sample size, psychological outcomes (anxiety/depression, burden, engagement), utility per QALY, costs per perspective (the health–social and the broader societal perspectives), ICER, WTP/WTA, and sensitivity results. Results. Psychoeducational programs and CR show consistent benefits on distress, anxiety/depression, and caregiver quality of life; TAP reduces caregiver burden and patient behavioral problems, with favorable signs of cost–effectiveness; results on the effects of technologies are heterogeneous, but online modules with telephone support improve psychological morbidity. QALY improvement is generally modest, but the probability of cost-effectiveness remains high when costs do not differ significantly from treatment as usual, or when, from a societal perspective, the unpaid caregiving time of the caregiver is valued. Preference studies indicate positive WTP for additional hours of home care, health–social integration, and facilitated groups; evidence on WTA is scarcer and methodologically variable. Conclusions. Short, structured interventions with a human support component offer good value-for-money; the adoption of societal perspectives and the systematic use of WTP/WTA can better capture the value perceived by caregivers. Heterogeneity issues persist. Full article

The paper introduces ‘transformative’ curriculum initiatives such as education for sustainable development (ESD) and global citizenship education (GCED), which address ‘macro’ challenges such as climate change, together with ‘holistic’ approaches to student learning such as ‘social and emotional learning’ (SEL) and education for ‘life skills’, ‘21st century skills’, ‘transversal competencies’, AI-related ethics, and ‘health and well-being.’ These are reflected in Section 6 of the 2023 UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development. It is suggested that such broad goals put forward at global policy level may serve as inspiration for national context-specific programming, while also needing better integration of national insights and cultural differences into global discourse. The paper aims to provide insights to education policy-makers responsible for national curriculum, textbooks and other learning resources, teacher training and examination processes, helping them to promote the human values, integrity and sense of agency needed by students in a time of multiple global and personal challenges. This requires an innovative approach to curricula for established school subjects and can be included in curricula being developed for AI literacy and related ethics. Research into the integration of transformative and holistic dimensions into curricula, materials, teacher preparation, and assessment is needed, as well as ongoing monitoring and feedback. AI-supported networking and resource sharing at local, national and international level can support implementation of transformative and holistic learning, to maintain and strengthen the human dimensions of learning. Full article

Background/Objective: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have received widespread attention as effective obesity treatments. However, limited research has examined the perspectives of patients contemplating GLP-1RAs. This study explored perceptions, motivations, and barriers among individuals considering GLP-1RA therapy for obesity treatment, with the goal of informing patient-centered care and enhancing clinician engagement. Methods: Adults completed surveys and interviews between June and November 2025. In this pragmatic mixed-methods study, both survey and interview questions explored perceived benefits, barriers, and decision-making processes. Qualitative data, describing themes based on the Health Belief Model, were analyzed using Dedoose (version 9.0.107), and quantitative data were analyzed using SAS (version 9.4). Participant characteristics included marital status, income, educational attainment, employment status, insurance status, age, race/ethnicity, and sex. Anticipated length on GLP-1RA medication and selected self-reported health conditions (depression, anxiety, hypertension, heart disease, back pain, joint pain), reported physical activity level, and perceived weight loss competency were also recorded. Results: Among the 31 non-diabetic participants who were considering GLP-1RA medication for weight loss, cost emerged as the most significant barrier. Life course events, particularly (peri)menopause among women over 44, were commonly cited as contributors to weight gain. Participants expressed uncertainty about eligibility, long-term safety, and treatment expectations. Communication gaps were evident, as few participants initiated discussions and clinician outreach was rare, reflecting limited awareness and discomfort around the topic. Conclusions: Findings highlight that individuals considering GLP-1RA therapy face multifaceted emotional, financial, and informational barriers. Proactive, empathetic clinician engagement, through validation of prior efforts, clear communication of risks and benefits, and correction of misconceptions, can support informed decision-making and align treatment with patient goals. Full article

The dairy cattle sector is a critical source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and must transition to low-carbon farming to meet global climate goals. However, a systematic synthesis of the evolution and future trajectories of GHG emissions research in this field is still lacking. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a bibliometric analysis to elucidate the research evolution, hotspots, and future trends in GHG emissions from dairy cattle farming. The results showed a steady linear increase in publications (R² = 0.80), with the highest average annual growth rate of approximately 45.9% (2009–2014). The United States (91), Italy (68), the Netherlands (58), Germany (51), and Ireland (45) were the most productive countries, accounting for 60.2% of the global total. Both institutional (0.0347) and author (0.0069) collaboration densities in the global network are low, indicating a lack of a tightly integrated collaborative framework. The research hotspots evolved from foundational themes (e.g., agriculture, grasslands; 2005–2010) to environmental pressures and mitigation (2010–2020). A recent thematic shift (2020–2025) is evident towards specific mitigation strategies like rumen fermentation, sustainability, and fertility, indicating a field oriented toward low-carbon, high-efficiency transformation. The analysis underscores the critical perspective provided by life cycle assessment for this transition. This study provides a comprehensive map of the research landscape, highlighting future priorities. Grounded in a holistic life cycle assessment framework, future work should integrate technology, management, and policy to steer the global dairy industry towards a sustainable future that balances environmental health with economic viability. Full article

The efforts to achieve early detection of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are becoming increasingly important due to the high prevalence that continues to persist globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other official institutions agree that in marginalized regions, it is urgently necessary to develop effective alternatives and methods to improve the quality of life of children and their families. This study presents an integrated model for the early detection of ASD, based on the analysis of parental observations and supported by validated diagnostic tools. The proposed approach consists of four sequential modules, aiming to improve early detection through techniques such as natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) metrics. Records from two Latin American countries were standardized, thereby consolidating a single database comprising 153 records of children aged 2 to 6 years. The Parent Interview Instrument (PII) was administered by specialists to caregivers and subsequently compared with standardized tests. Encouraging results were obtained from the support vector machine (SVM) classification algorithm, yielding an accuracy range of 89.88–91.34%, a maximum precision of 90.02%, a recall of 89.02%, and a maximum F-measure of 91.12%. The results of the case study allow us to identify disorders related to autism, such as the repetition of behaviors, difficulties in social interaction, and issues with verbal expression. This contribution aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3, which promotes health and well-being. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to mental health worldwide, raising the need to identify stable psychological resources that promote sustainable well-being. This longitudinal study examined whether character strengths predict well-being, post-traumatic growth, and mental health over a 13-month period. Participants (N = 146) completed online measures of character strengths, mental health, life satisfaction, affect, and post-traumatic growth at two time points. First, we tested whether a single general factor of character predicted later mental health and whether life satisfaction, affect, and post-traumatic growth mediated this relationship. Then, we repeated this model but with five different character strengths factors as predictors. Results showed that character predicted all mediators and mental health over time, but only the affective components of well-being mediated the relationship between character and mental health, especially positive affect. When looking at the five character strengths factors, although the majority predicted higher well-being and better mental health over time, goodness and interpersonal and fortitude strengths yielded the strongest effects. These findings suggest that character strengths contribute to sustainable well-being by fostering affective resilience in the face of adversity, aligning with the goals of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Full article

Rivers and groundwater supply 88% of Europe’s freshwater and are critical for public health. We examined whether cross-country differences in arsenic, lead, mercury, and nickel concentrations in groundwater and rivers are associated with disease burden. In an ecological cross-sectional study of 24 European countries, nationally aggregated concentrations from the European Environment Agency’s Waterbase Water Quality (2016–2019) were linked to cause-specific disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 for six disease groups. Variables were z-standardized. Associations were assessed using Pearson correlations and linear regression with Benjamini–Hochberg correction. Missing concentrations were addressed via multiple imputation by chained equations using 1980–2025 monitoring records, and models were sequentially adjusted for health system, demographic, and economic indices. In groundwater, lead was positively associated with diabetes and kidney disease DALYs and remained significant after imputation and adjustment (β = 0.60, p = 0.011). In rivers, arsenic was positively associated with all-cause, cardiovascular, and neoplasm DALYs in unadjusted analyses but attenuated after adjustment and/or imputation. No consistent associations were observed for mercury or nickel. These continent-wide, non-causal findings can help prioritize monitoring and risk management and support progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6. Full article

The PICO framework determines the scope of the Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) under the EU HTA Regulation (EU HTAR), with PICO consolidation being a critical final step of the scoping process. Due to limited clarity on how consolidation works in practice, Health Technology Developers (HTDs) may simulate PICO scoping as a strategic tool to guide the development of robust JCA submissions. A review of 14 publications, representing 35 individual PICO exercises across 20 indications (74% in oncology), showed an average of 7 countries participating per exercise and 8 consolidated PICOs per analysis. A separate PICO scoping simulation focused on a first-line immuno-oncology treatment for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) generated 67 PICOs, reflecting the anticipated perspectives of 25 countries, largely driven by biomarker and histology-based sub-populations. The limited number of published examples and country participation restricts the ability to draw clear conclusions or confidently predict the output of PICO scoping in a real life JCA processes. The simulation also raised questions about whether all sub-populations should be included or consolidated further. Overall, there is a need for greater clarity in the JCA PICO scoping process, in particular the consolidation step, to facilitate high-quality evidence generation and support the EU HTAR to meet its goals of efficiency, transparency, and equity in health technology evaluation across Europe, along with more consistent patient access. Full article