Search Results (10,604)

Recent advances in forensic genetics are rapidly transforming the field from traditional DNA profiling toward integrative and predictive genomic approaches. While short tandem repeat (STR)-based typing remains the gold standard for human identification, emerging technologies such as massively parallel sequencing (MPS), forensic genetic genealogy (FGG), and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven bioinformatics are expanding the scope of forensic investigations, with MPS also widely established in clinical genomics, further supporting its application in complex and unresolved cases. This article presents a structured narrative and conceptual review of next-generation forensic genomics, based on selected peer-reviewed studies, technical guidelines, and recent review articles relevant to MPS-based marker analysis, FGG, DNA phenotyping, ancestry inference, AI-supported bioinformatics, validation, and ethical/legal issues. We discuss the transition from STRs to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and microhaplotypes enabled by MPS, emphasizing their applications in mixture deconvolution, kinship analysis, and degraded DNA samples. The role of FGG in cold case resolution is examined, alongside methodological, legal, and ethical considerations related to the use of public genetic databases. Furthermore, we explore recent developments in DNA phenotyping and ancestry inference, focusing on predictive models of externally visible characteristics (EVCs) and their forensic utility. Particular attention is given to the growing impact of AI and machine learning in data interpretation, probabilistic genotyping, and pattern recognition across complex genomic datasets. Finally, we address current limitations, including technical standardization, population biases, data privacy concerns, and the need for robust validation frameworks. Rather than providing a systematic review, this work aims to synthesize current developments into an operational framework for integrated forensic genomics, distinguishing forensic intelligence, probabilistic interpretation, confirmatory testing, and evidentiary use. By integrating technological, analytical, and ethical perspectives, this review proposes a conceptual framework for integrated forensic genomics, in which genomic data are used not only for identification but also for forensic intelligence generation. Full article

Weak-lensing observations of the Perseus Cluster now indicate a massive sub-halo associated with NGC 1264 and a connecting mass bridge in a system long treated as a benchmark relaxed cool-core cluster. Perseus is also known from X-ray observations to host large-scale gas sloshing and an ancient cold front extending to several hundred kiloparsecs. This paper uses Perseus as a motivation for a narrower population question: do nominally relaxed clusters retain merger history information in residual mass–gas offsets after the obvious signatures of an active merger have faded? A candidate remnant stress–energy interpretation is introduced as one possible covariant language for such a long-lived structure, but the empirical test does not require acceptance of that interpretation. The work then carries out a literature-based pilot test using the cold front outer radius as an independent merger history proxy, published mass–gas or gas tracer offsets for relaxed/cool-core systems, and a separate control cohort of actively dissociative mergers. The resulting three-regime comparison separates young active mergers, relaxed low-offset systems, and relaxed systems with sourced offsets above 5 kpc. For all seven Regime 3 (relaxed, offset $>5$ kpc) systems with vetted cold front/history proxies and sourced mass–gas offset measurements, the directional rank-order association has the predicted sign, ${\rho }_s=0.68$, with $p_{\mathrm{one}-\mathrm{sided}}\approx 0.047$ ($p_{\mathrm{two}-\mathrm{sided}}\approx 0.094$, $N=7$). The one-sided statistic crosses the conventional $5\%$ threshold. The sample mixes lensing–X-ray centroid offsets, BCG/X-ray peak offsets, and weak-lensing sub-halo separations, and the result is not a decisive population detection: it is a suggestive directional signal in a small heterogeneous archival pilot. Its significance is that a framework-derived directional diagnostic, specified before the sample was assembled, is non-zero in the predicted sense and can now be tested with a homogeneous weak-lensing/X-ray/SZ survey. Full article

Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the major killers among malignant conditions worldwide, affecting one out of 10 women in industrialized countries and being the leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in women. The relationships between risk factors and breast cancer development are not exactly known. The selection of the UBC9 gene and its c.73G>A polymorphism (rs11553473) in breast cancer studies is justified by the gene’s critical role in sumoylation, its impact on DNA repair, and its association with aggressive tumor characteristics. UBC9 (SUMO-conjugating enzyme) is frequently overexpressed in breast cancer, often 5–8-fold higher than in normal tissues, where it promotes tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, often in a sumoylation-independent manner. Aim: In the present work, the association of polymorphism in the UBC9 genes c.73G>A with breast cancer risk was investigated. Materials and Methods: In the reported study, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue was collected from women with lymph node-negative (n = 59) and lymph node-positive (n = 41) ductal breast carcinoma. Samples from age-matched, cancer-free women (n = 100) served as controls. The genotypes of the UBC9 c.73G>A polymorphism were determined by ASO-PCR methods. Results: In the present work, a significant positive association between the UBC9 c.73G>A G/A genotype and breast cancer is demonstrated. The variant A allele of UBC9 increased breast cancer risk. Some correlation was observed between the genotypes of UBC9 polymorphism and breast cancer invasiveness. A statistically significant increase was observed regarding G/A heterozygote frequency in stage II patients, according to Bloom–Richardson classification. There were no significant differences in genotype distribution among subgroups defined by TNM stage, histological grade, hormone receptor status, or HER-2 expression. Conclusions: In conclusion, the reported study indicates that the polymorphisms of the UBC9 gene may be positively associated with the incidence of breast cancer. However, further research is needed on larger study populations. Full article

Programs aimed at reducing the CO₂e footprint associated with the residential building stock should be informed by several key elements, including the expected evolution of the occupied housing stock, projected population dynamics driven by socio-economic and cultural factors, available implementation budgets, and the specific costs of intervention measures. However, in regions characterized by high seismic hazard, the occurrence of a major earthquake may substantially alter the projected outcomes of emission-reduction programs, as seismically vulnerable buildings may experience severe structural damage. This paper presents the results obtained by applying an integrated methodology for assessing the CO₂e footprint associated with residential buildings. The methodology accounts for emissions related to building operation (space heating), energy-renovation interventions, and seismic retrofitting works. While the proposed approach is applicable to other seismically exposed regions, the results presented herein refer specifically to the residential building stock in Romania and its local seismic conditions. The methodology integrates information on the existing building stock, the projected evolution of population and the built environment, energy consumption associated with building operation, changes in the energy fuel mix, construction practices across different historical periods with respect to energy efficiency and seismic protection, and the CO₂e footprint associated with energy renovation and seismic retrofitting. In addition, the analysis explicitly considers the potentially negative effects of a major earthquake, particularly the disruption of greenhouse-gas emission-reduction programs. The assessment is conducted at the building stock level and is based on combining building stock evolution with average, representative CO₂e intensity values for heating, energy renovation, and seismic retrofitting. The results demonstrate that when the sole objective is to reduce the CO₂e footprint associated with space heating, renovation of the energy fuel mix represents the most effective measure. At the same time, the analysis shows that the CO₂e footprint generated by construction works for energy renovation and/or seismic retrofitting represents only a small fraction of the emissions associated with building operation. The occurrence of a major earthquake is likely to jeopardize overall environmental objectives by increasing emissions related to building operation, energy renovation, reactive seismic retrofitting, and replacement of severely damaged buildings. Conversely, systematic preventive seismic retrofitting of the building stock does not lead to an increase in cumulative CO₂e emissions over the program implementation period. Full article

Depopulation and structural demographic challenges affect social and territorial cohesion in Europe, a phenomenon that is particularly evident in rural municipalities in Spain, where the loss of the working-age population and the concentration of older adults threaten sustainability. This study analyzes the case of Pescueza (Cáceres, Spain) using a mixed-methods design that combines longitudinal demographic analysis (2000–2024) with a qualitative evaluation of the community project “Quédate con nosotr@s,” which focuses on comprehensive care and intergenerational participation. The results are critical regarding the demographic structure, with an aging index of 500% and dependency levels three times higher than the national average, although a slight demographic recovery linked to local initiatives is observed. This project has positive effects on social cohesion, community capital, and resilience in the face of demographic challenges, establishing itself as a replicable model for rural micro-territories. The study proposes a strategic framework based on the SWOT-CAME matrix and social sustainability indicators, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and European territorial cohesion policies. It concludes that social innovation, collaborative governance, and multilevel cooperation are key elements for addressing rural aging, and recommends public policies aimed at stable funding, inclusive digitalization, attracting young people, specialized training, and the creation of adapted infrastructure. Full article

Rising planetary temperatures and extreme heat events have led to an increased incidence of heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke, globally. Widespread adoption of measures to prevent and treat heat-related illnesses is an increasingly urgent issue given the rising global temperatures; promotion of such evidence-based strategies is needed to reduce heat-related morbidity and mortality globally. Such heat-related environmental illnesses are differentially experienced by those without access to ambient cooling and those engaged in outdoor work and recreation. Moreover, the adverse impacts of heat-related illness experienced by residents of the Global South necessitates the inclusion of high-quality recommendations around prevention and treatment into clinical and public health practice in order to address health equity and human rights considerations. The current guidance on prevention strategies and therapeutic interventions for heat-related illness has been iterated and published by the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS). In this critical appraisal, we have summarized the evidence-based guidelines and highlighted the updated recommendations that reflect evolving issues in heat illness research. Application of the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II framework has enabled a quality assessment of the guidelines to be performed, which we present herein. The adoption of evidence-based practices around heat-related illness has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve global population-level health in light of the warming climate. Full article

Social workers can play a significant role in promoting environmental citizenship to benefit vulnerable groups, such as those residing in informal settlement areas. With the proliferation of informal settlements in many African countries, the role of social workers in advocating for environmental citizenship is even more crucial. Their involvement should be evidence-based and entrenched in research that promotes an understanding of the impact of environmental degradation on human lives and their roles in environmental citizenship. Such knowledge should then inform environmental citizenship policies and programmes. Despite this crucial role as imposed by their professional mandate, policies, legislations and international treaties to address the conditions of marginalised and vulnerable people, environmental degradation continues to aggravate the vulnerability of people living in informal settlements. Furthermore, the scholarly contribution of social workers to environmental citizenship is delicate, with limited knowledge around the subject matter. Following the integrative literature review method, this paper outlines the nature of environmental citizenship, the relevance of social work to environmental citizenship, and the approach that social workers can adopt to contribute towards environmental citizenship in informal settlements. Literature around environmental citizenship in informal settlements, environmental disasters and informal settlements, and social work, as well as environmental citizenship and social justice, served as a population, from which a sample meeting predetermined inclusion criteria was purposefully drawn and analysed. The study confirms that, by its nature, environmental citizenship is central to social work and that there is a need to empower social workers around the subject matter. Full article

Cryptosporidium spp. is a widely distributed gastrointestinal pathogen in vertebrates, such as the European wild boar. Furthermore, with a fecal–oral pathway, they might spread through tainted food and water or by direct contact. Related to the presence of this parasite in wild boar populations, the handling of hunted carcasses may be a source of zoonotic transmission. This work aims to evaluate the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in 10 Portuguese hunting areas in two different locations (Northern and Central Portugal) and to preliminarily assess the risk factors of zoonotic transmission to hunting stakeholders. Cryptosporidium spp. antigens were confirmed by an immunochromatography test in the wild boars’ fecal samples from four of the 10 hunting areas analyzed (one in the North and three in the Southeast of Central Portugal). A qualitative assessment of various potential factors contributing to the persistence of infection in this wild population, but also of zoonotic risk factors related to hygiene procedures and handling of carcasses after hunting actions, was also carried out. With these potentially risky practices, it is imperative to raise awareness and establish a surveillance network in the hunting areas in order to mitigate the potential zoonotic transmission of these pathogenic agents to hunting stakeholders. Full article

Understanding the development and differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells during the initial stages of embryogenesis is central to a complete understanding of vertebrate heart development. In zebrafish, cardiac specification begins during gastrulation; however, the single-cell transcriptional dynamics of initial cardiac lineage commitment remain not fully defined. In this case, we integrated single-cell RNA sequencing datasets of zebrafish embryos at 4 and 6 h post-fertilisation (hpf) to investigate early cardiac lineage specification. The unsupervised clustering of the integrated dataset identified 12 distinct cell clusters, which made it possible to identify a transcriptionally distinct population of cells characterised by the coordinated expression of transcription factors associated with cardiac development. A further subclustering of the cells expressing cardiac-associated transcription factors showed a significant level of early diversification of the cardiac progenitor group. A projection onto low-dimensional embedding revealed a structured transcriptional organisation of the cardiac subclusters, marked by the differential expression of key cardiac transcription factors, including Gata5, Gata6, Hand2, Nkx2.5, and Tbx5a. A pseudotemporal trajectory analysis uncovered a continuous developmental progression within the cardiac lineage and indicated the gene-specific dynamic regulation and temporal hierarchy of cardiac transcriptional programs. Collectively, these results indicate that zebrafish cardiac progenitors are transcriptionally diverse and acquire cardiac fate through a sustained, continuous regulatory process rather than an abrupt fate transition. This work provides an informative, high-resolution model of early cardiac lineage specification and highlights the power of single-cell transcriptomics for analysing dynamic events in vertebrate embryogenesis. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between cumulative occupational exposure and ocular surface alterations in Colombian tomato farm workers, using data collected through a cross-sectional survey. In addition, the study sought to explore how occupational exposure duration may support risk stratification and targeted preventive strategies in this vulnerable population. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted involving 72 tomato farm workers in Colombia. Participants were grouped according to duration of agricultural work experience (<15 years vs. ≥15 years). Clinical assessments included slit lamp examination, tear film break-up time (BUT), Schirmer test, and fluorescein staining. Subjective symptoms were evaluated using the McMonnies Dry Eye Questionnaire. Ocular surface alterations, including conjunctival changes and Meibomian gland dysfunction, were documented and statistically analyzed between groups. Results: Workers with ≥15 years of experience reported significantly higher dry eye symptom scores (McMonnies mean = 8.19 ± 2.54) than those with <15 years (mean = 6.59 ± 2.61; p = 0.006). Schirmer test scores were lower in the experienced group (16.30 ± 11.48 mm vs. 22.71 ± 11.20 mm; p = 0.018), indicating reduced tear production. Bulbar conjunctival alterations and Meibomian gland obstruction were significantly more frequent in the experienced group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.013, respectively). No significant differences were found in BUT or eyelid findings. Conclusions: Long-term agricultural work was associated with increased dry eye-related symptoms and clinical signs of ocular surface compromise among Colombian tomato farm workers. From a personalized medicine perspective, occupational exposure duration may represent a useful risk-stratification factor to identify workers who could benefit from targeted screening, preventive counseling, protective interventions, and individualized follow-up. These findings support the implementation of tailored occupational eye health strategies to reduce cumulative ocular surface damage in vulnerable rural populations. Full article

Air quality affects large urban areas, where rapid urban development and human activities place constant pressure on ecosystems and public health. In this context, large-scale air quality assessment, supported by short-term forecasts, can provide useful information for environmental management and decision-making in urban areas, thus supporting evidence-based urban environmental management. The aim of this work is to design an affordable, smart real-time air pollution monitoring and prediction system for urban planning in overpopulated locations, which is deeply related to community health. The system focuses on real-time monitoring and forecasting of air quality. Prediction tasks were limited to gaseous pollutants CO and CO₂. Measurements were obtained over four months from a low-cost sensor platform installed in a highly populated neighborhood district in Baghdad, Iraq. Air quality prediction of gas concentrations was done using three types of time-series algorithms: Long Short-Term Memory, or LSTM; Gated Recurrent Unit, or GRU; and Temporal Convolutional Network, or TCN, models. Among these, the LSTM architecture showed more stable behavior and a higher predictive ${\mathrm{R}}^2$, ranging from 98.2% to 98.9%. Generally, the findings suggest that combining low-cost sensing technologies with artificial intelligence can offer a feasible and scalable solution for urban air quality monitoring. This approach may support cost-effective strategies for monitoring air quality in resource-constrained urban environments. Full article

Daylight Saving Time (DST) creates abrupt, externally imposed circadian disruptions that can impair sleep regulation, hormonal balance, cognitive performance, and emotional stability. Although these effects are known in the general population, individuals with chronic mental illness, whose circadian systems are often intrinsically dysregulated, may face increased neuropsychological consequences. This comprehensive review synthesizes evidence from chronobiology, psychiatry, neuroscience, and population health to examine how DST-related circadian misalignment impacts cognitive functioning, mood regulation, suicidality risk, and symptom exacerbation across psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and psychotic disorders. Following the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) guidelines, a search of PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted to identify studies published from 2000–2026 examining DST, circadian rhythm disruption, neuropsychological outcomes, and chronic mental illness. Empirical, theoretical, and mechanistic studies were included to ensure comprehensive synthesis. Across conditions, DST, particularly spring forward transitions, is associated with increased sleep disturbance, impaired executive functioning, reduced attention and working memory, heightened emotional reactivity, increased depressive symptoms, elevated risk of manic episodes, and short-term increases in suicidality. Neurobiological mechanisms include altered melatonin secretion, cortisol dysregulation, Hypothalamus Pituitary Axis (HPA-axis) activation, and clock-gene desynchrony. DST may function as a modifiable negative environmental influence capable of affecting neuropsychological functioning in vulnerable populations. These findings underscore the need for clinical awareness, preventive strategies, and policy reconsiderations, including calls to eliminate seasonal time changes. Standardizing DST-related research outcomes and expanding longitudinal, multi-site studies will be essential for advancing this emerging field. Full article

Great Britain has a temperate climate, but like other countries, its weather patterns have already been profoundly affected by climate change, and the changes are very likely to continue for decades. It also has an older building stock than most other countries, which may mean it is more difficult to adapt the built environment to reduce vulnerability to climate hazards. However, Great Britain has excellent mapping and buildings data. The built environment is better described than most other countries, and the authors’ work on the National Buildings Database for Great Britain, which draws together the most reliable sources of data covering non-domestic buildings in England, Scotland and Wales, provides an unparalleled opportunity to evaluate how many people will be affected by climate hazards. There has been considerable research effort assessing how housing will be affected by climate change, but so far much less systematic assessment of impacts on non-domestic buildings. Here, the authors examine three aspects of climate hazard affecting people in non-domestic buildings in Great Britain: (1) Overheating—How many and what types of non-domestic buildings are vulnerable to overheating risks in a heat wave? What total floor area is affected, and how many people typically occupy these buildings? (2) Flooding—How many and what types of non-domestic buildings are threatened by flooding now and in 2080? How much floorspace is threatened, and how many people typically occupy these buildings? (3) Safe space—How much air-conditioned ‘safe space’ is available where people vulnerable to overheating risks could retreat to in an emergency overheating event (e.g., schools or hospitals)? How many people could be accommodated, and what fraction of the total GB working population does this represent? We propose five new metrics to assess two of the immediate hazards posed by climate change (overheating and flooding) and to begin to assess to what extent Great Britain could find temporary accommodation for people displaced by these hazards. Full article

Rising antibiotic resistance necessitates alternatives such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which exhibit bactericidal activity via multi-target mechanisms (e.g., membrane disruption, ROS production). While resistance to chemically synthesized AgNPs exists, the potential for resistance to green-synthesized AgNPs, such as those from reishi mushroom, is unknown. This study compared S. aureus resistance development against both AgNP types using experimental evolution by analyzing genomic and morphological changes. Additionally, this work evaluated potential cross-resistance responses to ionic silver and investigated how adaptation to green-synthesized AgNPs affects sensitivity to chemically synthesized AgNPs (and vice versa). Rapid resistance, along with cross-resistance to silver ions, emerged in bacteria following 14 days of sublethal exposure to silver nanoparticles, regardless of whether they were chemically or biologically synthesized. While green-synthesized AgNPs demonstrated a substantial resistance to chemical variants (p < 0.05), the reverse effect was not as strong, and resistant populations showed distinct morphological adaptations. Genomic analysis highlighted convergent hard selective sweeps, identifying common mutations across both chemical and green AgNP-treated populations, with limited unique mutations found for either. These findings enhance our understanding of bacterial resistance mechanisms to nanomaterials, contributing to the development of safer, eco-friendly, and high-efficacy treatments against multidrug-resistant infection. Full article

The Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve, the largest natural urban wetland on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, plays a critical role in maintaining regional ecological balance and biodiversity. However, the baseline biodiversity of this reserve remains unclear because of the extensive temporal span of historical records, shifts in taxonomic systems, and inconsistent survey methodologies, which impedes a robust scientific understanding of its ecological dynamics. This study systematically compiled and taxonomically verified species records from over 50 sources spanning the 1950s to the present. The records cover plants, fish, birds, and amphibians/reptiles, thereby resolving issues of synonyms, homonyms, and misidentifications. Each species record is annotated with its original survey time, allowing users to distinguish historically reported occurrences from those recorded in recent surveys. Species accumulation curves were constructed for major taxa and compared with 45-year climatic trends (1979–2023) and socioeconomic indicators for Lhasa City. A total of 438 vascular plant species (82 families, 251 genera) and 311 animal species (39 orders, 98 families), including 30 fishes, 174 birds, and 11 amphibians/reptiles, were documented. Invasive species comprised 55 alien plants and 13 alien fishes, while 4 plant and 46 animal species are under national protection. Temporal synchrony between increases in alien taxa and anthropogenic pressures (gross domestic product (GDP) and population growth, infrastructure development) suggests that human activities may be a potential driver of biodiversity change, but formal causal inference is precluded by heterogeneity in survey methods and sampling effort. This work provides a structured dataset of the biodiversity baseline of the Lhalu Wetland and offers a descriptive assessment of its temporal patterns in relation to climate and human disturbance, while explicitly acknowledging data limitations. It provides essential data and theoretical support for the scientific management and targeted conservation of plateau urban wetlands. Full article