Search Results (4,799)

The southeastern Yunnan region in the southwestern Nanpanjiang Basin is one of the most important manganese enrichment zones in China. Manganese mineralization is mainly confined to marine mud–sand–carbonate interbeds of the Middle Triassic Ladinian Falang Formation (T₂f), which contains several medium to large deposits such as Dounan, Baixian, and Yanzijiao. However, the geological processes that control manganese mineralization in this region remain insufficiently understood. Understanding the tectonic evolution of the basin is therefore essential to unravel the mechanisms of Middle Triassic metallogenesis. This study investigates how rift-related tectonic activity influences manganese ore formation. This study integrates global gravity and magnetic field models (WGM2012, EMAG2v3), audio-frequency magnetotelluric (AMT) profiles, and regional geological data to investigate ore-controlling structures. A distinct gravity low–magnetic high belt is delineated along the basin axis, indicating lithospheric thinning and enhanced mantle-derived heat flow. Structural interpretation reveals a rift system with a checkerboard pattern formed by intersecting NE-trending major faults and NW-trending secondary faults. Four hydrothermal plume centers are identified at these fault intersections. AMT profiles show that manganese ore bodies correspond to stable low-resistivity zones, suggesting fluid-rich, hydrothermally altered horizons. These findings demonstrate a strong spatial coupling between hydrothermal activity and mineralization. This study provides the first identification of the internal rift architecture within the Nanpanjiang Basin. The basin-scale rift–graben system exerts first-order control on sedimentation and manganese metallogenesis, supporting a trinity model of tectonic control, hydrothermal fluid transport, and sedimentary enrichment. These insights not only improve our understanding of rift-related manganese formation in southeastern Yunnan but also offer a methodological framework applicable to similar rift basins worldwide. Full article

Cassiterite polymetallic sulfide ore exhibits a complex mineral composition and significant variations in mineral properties, which frequently lead to issues such as the over-grinding of cassiterite and under-grinding of sulfide minerals during the grinding process. These issues consequently impair liberation performance in subsequent beneficiation stages. Among these factors, the grinding media ratios stand as one of the critical factors influencing grinding efficiency. Based on these, the paper adopts the single-factor test method to systematically study the influence law of factors such as grinding time, mill rotational rate, and mill filling rate on the particle size composition of ore grinding products and the grinding technology efficiency under different media conditions; in addition, it is compared with the influence law of different conditions of media ratios on the grinding efficiency of ore. The results show that the optimal parameters of the grinding operation are obtained at the grinding time of 4 min, the mill rotational rate of 60%, and the filling rate of 35%. The grinding time and mill filling rate have a relatively more significant effect on the product particle size distribution, while the effect of the mill rotational rate is relatively less significant. When the parameters of grinding operations are optimal, the yield of qualified particle size and grinding technical efficiency are used as the evaluation indices, respectively. Overall, the order of the grinding effect of different media conditions was as follows: steel ball combination of Φ20 mm and Φ25 mm > steel balls of three single sizes > steel ball combination of Φ20 mm and Φ30 mm. The optimal grinding media ratios are Φ20 mm and Φ25 mm (the percentage of the Φ20 mm ball is 90%). The reasonable media ratios will effectively coordinate the optimal grinding effect between different media. The research results can provide the necessary basic data for the subsequent grinding optimization of cassiterite polymetallic sulfide ores. Full article

For mineral exploration, an increasing number of geophysical instruments have adopted unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as their carrier platforms. The effective fusion of multi-modal geophysical information will be conducive to further enhancing the reliability of exploration results. However, the integration degree of UAVs and geophysical equipment is still low, and the advantages of UAVs as robots have not been fully exploited. In addition, the existing fusion methods are still difficult to use to establish the spatial distribution model of ore-bearing rock. Therefore, we reviewed the development status of UAVs and the geophysical instruments. We believe that only by integrating the system, designing the observation plan in accordance with the requirements of the fusion method, and treating the hardware part as an external extension of the algorithm, can high-matching data be provided for fusion. Subsequently, we analyzed the progress of the fusion methods, leading us to believe that the cross-dimensional and cross-abstract-level issues are major challenges in the algorithm aspect. Meanwhile, the fusion should be carried out simultaneously with the generation of the ore-bearing rock model, that is, to establish an integrated system of fusion and generation. It is hoped that this research can promote the development of UAV-borne multi-modal observation technology. Full article

With the rapid increase in global lithium demand, the exploration of newly discovered lithium in the bauxite of the Wenshan area in southeastern Yunnan has become increasingly important. However, the current research on clay-type lithium in the Wenshan area has primarily focused on local exploration, and large-scale predictive metallogenic studies remain limited. To address this, this study utilized multi-source remote sensing data from ZY1-02D and ASTER, combined with ALOS 12.5 m DEM and Sentinel-2 imagery, to carry out remote sensing mineral identification, structural interpretation, and prospectivity mapping for clay-type lithium in the Wenshan area. This study indicates that clay-type lithium in the Wenshan area is controlled by NW, EW, and NE linear structures and are mainly distributed in the region from north of the Wenshan–Malipo fault to south of the Guangnan–Funing fault. High-value areas of iron-rich silicates and iron–magnesium minerals revealed by ASTER data indicate lithium enrichment, while montmorillonite and cookeite identification by ZY1-02D have strong indicative significance for lithium. Field verification samples show the highest Li₂O content reaching 11,150 μg/g, with six samples meeting the comprehensive utilization criteria for lithium in bauxite (Li₂O ≥ 500 μg/g) and also showing an enrichment of rare earth elements (REEs) and gallium (Ga). By integrating stratigraphic, structural, mineral identification, geochemical characteristics, and field verification data, ten mineral exploration target areas were delineated. This study validates the effectiveness of remote sensing technology in the exploration of clay-type lithium and provides an applicable workflow for similar environments worldwide. Full article

This study investigates the effects of key atmospheric features on mineral dust emissions and transport in the Sahara–Sahel region, focusing on the Bodélé Depression, during June 2006 and 2011. We use a combination of high-resolution atmospheric simulations (AROME model), satellite observations (MODIS), and reanalysis data (ERA5, ECMWF) to examine the roles of the low-level jet (LLJ), Saharan heat low (SHL), Intertropical Discontinuity (ITD), and African Easterly Jet (AEJ) in modulating dust activity. Our results reveal significant interannual variability in aerosol optical depth (AOD) between the two periods, with a marked decrease in June 2011 compared to June 2006. The LLJ emerges as a dominant factor in dust uplift over Bodélé, with its intensity strongly influenced by local topography, particularly the Tibesti Massif. The position and intensity of the SHL also play crucial roles, affecting the configuration of monsoon flow and Harmattan winds. Analysis of wind patterns shows a strong negative correlation between AOD and meridional wind in the Bodélé region, while zonal wind analysis emphasizes the importance of the AEJ and Tropical Easterly Jet (TEJ) in dust transport. Surprisingly, we observe no significant correlation between ITD position and AOD measurements, highlighting the complexity of dust emission processes. This study is the first to combine climatological context and case studies to demonstrate the effects of African monsoon variability on dust uplift at intra-seasonal timescales, associated with the modulation of ITD latitude position, SHL, LLJ, and AEJ. Our findings contribute to understanding the complex relationships between large-scale atmospheric features and dust dynamics in this key source region, with implications for improving dust forecasting and climate modeling efforts. Full article

It is believed that caspases may play a significant role in the development of cancer, and the expression levels of genes encoding these proteins may influence the prognosis and clinical course of cancer. Taking into account the information presented, we examined the expression profiles of 11 genes from the caspase family in patients diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We qualified 29 patients with TNBC. A fragment of the tumor and a fragment of normal tissue surrounding the tumor were collected from each patient. Then, RNA was isolated, and the reverse transcription process was performed. The expression levels of caspase family genes were determined using the real-time PCR method. The obtained data were correlated with clinical data and compared with data from the Cancer Genome Atlas database using the Breast Cancer Gene Expression Miner v4.8 and Ualcan. Based on the results of the conducted research, it can be assumed that the levels of expression of caspase family genes may be correlated with the clinical course of cancer in patients with TNBC, and further research may indicate that profiling the expression levels of these genes may be used in selecting personalized treatment methods. Full article

Numerical simulations enable us to couple multiphase flow and geochemical processes to evaluate how sequestration impacts brine chemistry and reservoir properties. This study investigates these impacts during CO₂ storage at the San Juan Basin CarbonSAFE (SJB) site. The hydrodynamic model was calibrated through history-matching, utilizing data from saltwater disposal wells to improve predictive accuracy. Core-scale simulations incorporating mineral interactions and equilibrium reactions validated the model against laboratory flow-through experiments. The calibrated geochemical model was subsequently upscaled into a field-scale 3D model of the SJB site to predict how mineral precipitation and dissolution affect reservoir properties. The results indicate that the majority of the injected CO₂ is trapped structurally, followed by residual trapping and dissolution trapping; mineral trapping was found to be negligible in this study. Although quartz and calcite precipitation occurred, the dissolution of feldspars, phyllosilicates, and clay minerals counteracted these effects, resulting in a minimal reduction in porosity—less than 0.1%. The concentration of the various ions in the brine is directly influenced by dissolution/precipitation trends. This study provides valuable insights into CO₂ sequestration’s effects on reservoir fluid dynamics, mineralogy, and rock properties in the San Juan Basin. It highlights the importance of reservoir simulation in assessing long-term CO₂ storage effectiveness, particularly focusing on geochemical interactions. Full article

The utilisation of edible insects for human nutrition is a long-standing practice in many parts of the globe, and is being gradually introduced into countries without an entomophagic tradition as well. These unconventional sources of protein of animal origin have arisen as a sustainable alternative to other animal protein sources, such as meat. This review intends to present the compilation of data in the scientific literature on the chemical composition and nutritional value of the bee brood of A. mellifera species and subspecies as edible foods. For this, a comprehensive search of the scientific literature was carried out using the databases ScienceDirect, Scopus, Pub-Med, BOn, and SciELO. Appropriate keywords were used for the search to reach the research works that addressed the topics of the review. The results showed that bee brood has considerable quantities of protein, fat and carbohydrates. The most abundant amino acids are leucine and lysine (these two being essential amino acids) and aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and proline (these three being non-essential amino acids). As for the fatty acids, bee broods contain approximately equal fractions of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, while the polyunsaturated fatty acids are negligible. The dietary minerals present in higher quantities are potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, and the most abundant vitamins are vitamin C and niacin; choline is also present, although it is not a true vitamin. Although bee brood from A. mellifera has potential for human consumption as a nutrient-rich food, there are still many aspects that need to be further studied in the future, such as safety and hazards linked to possible regular consumption. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of CO₂ trapping mechanisms in subsurface reservoirs by integrating numerical reservoir simulations, geochemical modeling, and machine learning techniques to enhance the design and evaluation of carbon capture and storage (CCS) strategies. A two-dimensional reservoir model was developed to simulate CO₂ injection dynamics under realistic geomechanical and geochemical conditions, incorporating four primary trapping mechanisms: residual, solubility, mineralization, and structural trapping. To improve computational efficiency without compromising accuracy, advanced machine learning models, including random forest, gradient boosting, and decision trees, were deployed as smart proxy models for rapid prediction of trapping behavior across multiple scenarios. Simulation outcomes highlight the critical role of hysteresis, aquifer dynamics, and producer well placement in enhancing CO₂ trapping efficiency and maintaining long-term storage stability. To support the credibility of the model, a qualitative validation framework was implemented by comparing simulation results with benchmarked field studies and peer-reviewed numerical models. These comparisons confirm that the modeled mechanisms and trends align with established CCS behavior in real-world systems. Overall, the study demonstrates the value of combining traditional reservoir engineering with data-driven approaches to optimize CCS performance, offering scalable, reliable, and secure solutions for long-term carbon sequestration. Full article

Magnetotelluric (MT) sounding is a crucial technique in mineral exploration. However, MT data are highly susceptible to various types of noise. Traditional data processing methods, which rely on the assumption of signal stationarity, often result in severe distortion when suppressing non-stationary noise. In this study, we propose a novel, adaptive, and less parameter-dependent signal decomposition method for MT signal denoising, based on time–frequency domain analysis and the application of modal decomposition. The method uses Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) to adaptively decompose the MT signal into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs), obtaining the instantaneous time–frequency energy distribution of the signal. Subsequently, robust statistical methods are introduced to extract the independent components of each IMF, thereby identifying signal and noise components within the decomposition results. Synthetic data experiments show that our method accurately separates high-amplitude non-stationary interference. Furthermore, it maintains stable decomposition results under various parameter settings, exhibiting strong robustness and low parameter dependency. When applied to field MT data, the method effectively filters out non-stationary noise, leading to significant improvements in both apparent resistivity and phase curves, indicating its practical value in mineral exploration. Full article

For paleoenvironmental reconstruction, paleontologists prefer large, well-preserved fossils. Yet, such specimens are rare, and countless small fragments, though abundant, often go unused. These fragments lack visible internal structure, thus requiring etching, a procedure not permitted on large, intact specimens. Our research introduces a three-step method to identify the nature of these small fragments. With their structures revealed, we can then analyze the chemical composition of identified tissues. The method was tested using samples of vertebrate fossils collected in Malawi. Even with a limited number of samples, multivariate analyses (Principal Component Analyses—PCA) of these chemical data effectively differentiate fossil and recent samples, as well as bone, dentin, and enamel. This approach successfully reveals the behavior of the mineralized tissues of fossil samples. Ultimately, by leveraging microstructural and chemical data, we can study previously unidentified fragments or rare fossils. This allows for the estimation of preservation state and helps to avoid biases in paleoenvironmental reconstructions. Full article

This study developed a copper mineral prospectivity map for the Koldar massif, Kazakhstan, using an integrated approach combining geophysical and satellite methods. A strong spatialgenetic link was identified between faults and hydrothermal mineralization, with faults acting as key conduits for ore-bearing fluids. Lineament analysis and density mapping confirmed the high permeability of the Koldar massif, indicating its structural prospectivity. Hyperspectral and multispectral data (ASTER, PRISMA, WorldView-3) were applied for detailed mapping of hydrothermal alteration (phyllic, propylitic, argillic zones), which are critical for discovering porphyry copper deposits. In particular, WorldView-3 imagery facilitated the identification of new prospective zones. The transformation of magnetic and gravity data successfully delineated geological features and structural boundaries, confirming the fractured nature of the massif, a key structural factor for mineralization. The resulting map of prospective zones, created by normalizing and integrating four evidential layers (lineament density, PRISMA-derived hydrothermal alteration, magnetic, and gravity anomalies), is thoroughly validated, successfully outlining the known Aktogay, Aidarly, and Kyzylkiya deposits. Furthermore, new, previously underestimated prospective areas were identified. This work fills a significant knowledge gap concerning the Koldar massif, which had not been extensively studied using satellite methods previously. The key advantage of this research lies in its comprehensive approach and the successful application of high-quality hyperspectral imagery for mapping new prospective zones, offering a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional ground-based investigations. Full article

Background: Uterine fibroids (UFs) and endometriosis are gynecological conditions that significantly increase morbidity among women of reproductive age. Relugolix, a novel gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist, is approved in combined therapy for the management of symptoms related to these disorders. However, its potential impact on bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis risk should be considered when using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effects of daily relugolix intake in monotherapy and combination therapy on BMD, ensuring safe long-term management. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Searches were performed in PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library. Relevant clinical guidelines from international societies were also reviewed. Studies assessing the impact of relugolix on BMD were selected, and data on treatment efficacy, adverse effects, and bone health outcomes were synthesized. Results: Relugolix monotherapy has been associated with significant BMD loss due to its potent estrogen-suppressing effect. To mitigate this, combination therapy with estradiol and norethisterone acetate has been developed. Although initial monotherapy before transitioning to combination therapy results in transient BMD reduction, clinical trials have demonstrated that relugolix combination therapy maintains BMD over two years while effectively reducing endometriosis- and UF-related symptoms. Conclusions: Relugolix combination therapy is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for UFs and endometriosis, minimizing the risk of hypoestrogenism-related bone loss while maintaining clinical benefits. Although monotherapy may lead to transient BMD reduction, combination therapy appears to stabilize bone health. Full article

Dialium guineense (velvet tamarind), Parkia biglobosa Jacq. (African locust bean) and Adanosonia digitata L. (baobab) are fruits from African plants whose nutritional potential remains poorly characterised. As such, their pulps and seeds were analysed for colour (CIELab system), moisture, ash, protein, fat, soluble and insoluble dietary fibre, free sugars (HPLC-RI), organic acids (HPLC-PDA), macro and microelements (XRF analyser) and amygdalin (HPLC-PDA). The colours of their pulps differed considerable (ΔE > 38 between the velvet tamarind and African locust bean) and the moisture content was lower in seeds (about 7%) compared to pulps (9–13%). Seeds were more concentrated in protein (20–28%) and fat (5–22%), whereas pulps were richer in sugar (1–12%). African locust bean pulp was the sweetest (39% total sugar), while baobab pulp contained the highest soluble fibre (>30%) and citric acid (3.2%), and velvet tamarind pulp was distinguished by its tartaric acid content (3.4%). Seeds of the African fruits presented higher Ca, P, S and Fe contents, whereas pulps had higher K content. No amygdalin (<6.34 mg per 100 g of dry weight) or toxic heavy metal contents were detected. The PCA segregated samples by pulp and seed and the PC1 explains the sugar and moisture of the pulps, while protein, fat and minerals are associated with the seeds. These data confirm that African fruit pulps and seeds have distinct functional profiles, are safe for food use and can be consumed, which is important for efforts to promote the conservation of these tropical plant species. Full article

The layering of the lower layered kakortokite in the per-alkaline Ilímaussaq complex has been interpreted as an orthocumulus rock. Petrographic observation and mineral chemical data from the topmost and the lowest part of the layered kakortokite show signs that indicate massive metasomatic overprint. The occurrence of globular structures in the top part of kakortokite and fine-grained inclusions in the lower layered kakortokite are interpreted as the precursor of kakortokite and the result of a subsolidus reaction between a fluid phase and the underlying rock, respectively. Two different processes led to the formation of kakortokite, a precursor where a clear repetitive layering occurs and a chemical reaction between a fluid phase and the underlying rock where different kakortokite types are randomly interstratified. Both metasomatic events led to a higher rare earth element (REE) grade of the original REE mineralization. Full article