Remediation strategies for micro/nanoplastic pollution using magnetic nanomaterials.

The widespread presence of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in the terrestrial and aquatic environments is posing a great threat globally. MPs/NPs pervade our environment in different forms and sizes. Their widespread presence can negatively affect aquatic organisms, soil, wildlife, birds, and humans.

Oral microflora of snakes in a biodiversity hotspot of North Eastern India.

Background: A significant number of snake bites are reported every year from Mizoram, the majority of which are considered to be The occurrence of deaths from deadly venomous to mildly venomous snake bites has also been reflected in records. Even if the bites are not fatal, they cause a significant problem as they are often associated with secondary bacterial infection. This is believed to significantly contribute to complications in addition to the effect of venom.

Overexpression of cytochrome P450 and esterase genes in pyrethroid-resistant wild Culex quinquefasciatus populations from sub-Himalayan West Bengal, India.

Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) is an important vector that spreads a number of diseases like lymphatic filariasis, Rift Valley fever, West Nile fever, Zika virus, and Saint Louis encephalitis. Due to long-term exposure to insecticides applied during vector control programs, these mosquito populations exhibit varying degrees of resistance in response to distinct selection pressures. Therefore, it is imperative to assess their resistance status before deploying any control programs.

Protective role of root-derived betulinic acid from Artocarpus heterophyllus against arsenic-induced neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster.

Exposure to arsenic (As) has several adverse health effects, including cognitive deficits in humans and animals. In the present study, neuroprotective effect of Artocarpus heterophyllus root derived purified (98 %) betulinic acid powder (BAP) was examined against As induced neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster (Oregon K, wild type). BAP was well characterized using HPTLC and LC-MS.

Revolutionising agricultural land suitability and water accessibility assessment using remote sensing: a case study of Jeypore Block, Koraput, Odisha.

This study aims to delineate and evaluate zones suitable for sustainable agricultural development in the Jeypore Block of Koraput District, Odisha, India. A systematic approach to land use planning is essential for minimizing the impact of human activities on natural resources and ensuring sustainable land utilization. The adaptability of cropland is critical for meeting the growing food demands driven by population growth, climate change and environmental degradation.

Understanding the pandemic potential of the avian influenza Virus- key insights into pathogenesis, transmission, and host immunity.

Avian influenza virus (AIV) can infect domestic and wild birds, and recent trends have shown an alarming transmission to non-avian hosts, including humans. The AIV infection is associated with fowl deaths and huge economic losses, besides having high pandemic potential, as per the reports of the WHO. The emergence of new virus subtypes, especially H5N1, driven by rapid mutation rates and genomic reassortments, has been linked to frequent transmission and adaptation to mammalian hosts, posing a significant global threat.

Advancing knowledge on the biogeography of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to support Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are fundamental to planetary health, enhancing plant nutrient uptake, stabilizing soils, and supporting biodiversity. Due to their prevalence and ecological importance, AM fungi are critical to achieving the environmental targets within the United Nations (UN) Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) framework, including SDG 15: Life on Land. Despite these fungi engaging in the most widespread and ancient plant-microbe symbiosis, many fundamental aspects of the biogeography of AM fungi remain poorly resolved.

A fine balancer: commemorating 40 years of the 's revival.

The , started by William Bateson in 1910, played a distinguished role in the early years of genetics. However, it stopped publishing in 1978. The Indian Academy of Sciences revived it in 1985, and has published it regularly since then.

Fluorosis among wild fauna of India: assessing toxicity and its effects on the ecosystem.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that plays a significant role in environmental health. It is present in various environmental components due to both natural processes and anthropogenic activities. Extended exposure to fluoride in animals can result in toxicity, leading to adverse health outcomes and fluorosis.

Knockdown-resistance (kdr) mutations in Indian Aedes aegypti populations: Lack of recombination among haplotypes bearing V1016G, F1534C, and F1534L kdr alleles.

Background: Knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) gene are a key mechanism of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. In Asian Aedes aegypti populations two main VGSC haplogroups with kdr mutations have been identified: one carrying the F1534C mutation and another with V1016G and/or S989P mutations. Previous functional studies have demonstrated that these three mutations on a single haplotype confer up to a 1100-fold increase in pyrethroid resistance, underscoring the importance of monitoring these triple mutations in distinct populations.

Regional population genetics and global phylogeography of the widely distributed golden jackal (Canis aureus): Implications for conservation management.

In the current era, many terrestrial carnivore populations confront a multitude of threats and are rapidly shifting their ranges in response to human-induced modifications. Monitoring changes in genetic diversity and structure of such species in response to changing environmental conditions is important for understanding species' responses and designing effective conservation management strategies. In this study, we investigated the genetic status of the golden jackal, a widely distributed canid inhabiting human-dominated landscapes and exhibiting high dispersal capability.

Status of endangered large prey predators following civil unrest in a biodiversity hotspot of India.

Biodiversity hotspots, often located in regions of armed conflict face severe threats. Manas National Park, at the confluence of Indo-Burma and Himalaya hotspots, suffered two decades of civil unrest (late 1980s to early 2000s), causing habitat destruction and wildlife declines, including local extinction of the greater one-horned rhinoceros and near-extirpation of swamp deer. Using elephant-back line transect distance sampling and camera trap-based spatially explicit capture-recapture in 2022 and 2023, we assessed post-conflict recovery of endangered prey-predator guilds.

Effects of mutations on MUC1-C/ED protein stability and antibody Binding: Structural insight.

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a transformative approach in cancer therapy, combining the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with targeted delivery of potent cytotoxic drugs to tumors. Discovery of novel antigens has been the hallmark for development of ADC therapeutics and MUC1 is one such oncoprotein, which has garnered renewed interest recently. The 3D1 antibody, engineered to bind specifically to the alpha 3 (α3) helix of the MUC1-C/extracellular domain, is being actively developed towards clinical translation.

Enhancing Human Post-Exposure Rabies Prophylaxis in Canine Rabies Endemic Regions With an Interactive Web Solution.

Despite the availability of effective biologics, rabies continues to impact several low- and middle-income countries. More than 50,000 people succumb to rabies every year due to the lack of timely and appropriate post-bite care. Biologics used in post-exposure prophylaxis, such as rabies vaccine, rabies immune globulins, and rabies monoclonal antibodies, are not readily available and often in short supply in the developing world, especially in Asia and Africa, where rabies is endemic in domestic dog populations and poorly controlled.

First Report of Dual Infection of Hepatopancreatic Parvovirus and Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei in Wild and Farmed Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

The freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii is widely farmed in India, and except for Macrobrachium nodavirus (MrNV), no significant pathogens infecting this species have been reported. In this perspective, a histology- and PCR-based screening of M. rosenbergii was carried out for pathogens such as hepatopancreatic parvovirus (HPV), Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) and infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV).

Feathers, folklore, and eco-literacy: Stories ascribe cultural keystone status to avian scavengers in South Asian cities.

We examined the cultural significance of commensal avian scavenger species-vultures, kites, and crows-and their exploitation of anthropogenic resources and sentiments within Delhi's urban landscapes. For this, we investigated the intrinsic values attributed to these birds by people, which are indicative of complex, rapidly urbanizing social-ecological systems. Semi-structured interviews revealed folk perceptions intertwined with socio-cultural narratives and traditions, shaped by observations of avian morphology, ecology, and behavior.

Functional models from limited data: A parametric and multimodal approach to anatomy and 3D kinematics of feeding in basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus).

Basking sharks, Cetorhinus maximus (Gunnerus, Brugden [Squalus maximus], Det Kongelige Norske Videnskabers Selskabs Skrifter, 1765, vol. 3, pp. 33-49), feed by gaping their mouths and gill slits, greatly reorienting their cranial skeletons to filter food from water.

Ivory or Bone? discrimination using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and chemometrics.

Elephant ivory is one of the most priced items/products in the illegal wildlife trade. Its increased demand and the dwindling population of elephants have led to a heavy influx of many natural and artificial elephant ivory substitutes in the illegal wildlife market. Identification of genuine elephant ivory and distinguishing it from substitutes is mandatory forsubsequent legal proceedings and successful implementation of the related laws.

Biochemical, nutritional, and nutraceutical properties of cactus pear accessions.

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill.) is a resilient fruit species gaining importance due to its nutritional and health-promoting properties, especially in arid and semi-arid regions like Türkiye. Despite its growing significance, limited comprehensive research exists on the variability in its biochemical and nutraceutical traits.

Global tracking of marine megafauna space use reveals how to achieve conservation targets.

The recent Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) sets ambitious goals but no clear pathway for how zero loss of important biodiversity areas and halting human-induced extinction of threatened species will be achieved. We assembled a multi-taxa tracking dataset (11 million geopositions from 15,845 tracked individuals across 121 species) to provide a global assessment of space use of highly mobile marine megafauna, showing that 63% of the area that they cover is used 80% of the time as important migratory corridors or residence areas. The GBF 30% threshold (Target 3) will be insufficient for marine megafauna's effective conservation, leaving important areas exposed to major anthropogenic threats.

Balancing act: persistence of the red fox in the dog-dominated landscapes of the Trans-Himalaya.

Free-ranging dogs pose a growing threat to wildlife globally. In the Indian Trans-Himalaya, growing populations of dogs raise concerns about their impact on native carnivores. Red foxes in Spiti Valley share spatial and dietary niches with dogs, despite intraguild killing pressure.

Natural dispersal is better than translocation for reducing risks of inbreeding depression in eastern black rhinoceros ().

Due to increasing anthropogenic impacts, many species survive only in small and isolated populations. Active conservation management to reduce extinction risk includes increasing habitat connectivity, translocations from captive populations, or intensive surveillance of highly protected closed populations. Advances in sequencing technology mean that it is now possible to consider the genomic impacts of such strategies, as a proxy for variation in individual fitness.

Muskrat Island: Behavioral Shifts of an Insular Muskrat () Population in the Gulf of Maine.

The aftermath of the North American fur trade resulted in the depletion of many furbearing mammal populations in their native North American range while simultaneously creating invasive populations of these species through translocations worldwide. Here, we document the ongoing results of this mass ecological experiment by describing the natural history of a remnant fur colony of muskrats () putatively introduced to the Isles of Shoals archipelago in the Gulf of Maine in the early 20th century. Through a combination of intensive surveys and camera trapping, we document how muskrats have been influenced by insular conditions under expectations of island biogeographic theory.

Bird mortality at wind farms in a tropical desert.

The global aspiration for clean energy needs to accommodate biodiversity concerns. While India's wind energy has grown annually by ~ 15% in recent past, their ecological impacts have not been assessed systematically. We studied bird mortality at wind farms in Thar Desert; a renewable energy hotspot, harboring ~ 300 bird species including critically endangered vultures and bustards.

Investigating the RelA Gene's role in African Swine fever tolerance: a study of Indian pigs.

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious transboundary viral disease affecting domestic pigs worldwide, often resulting in nearly 100 % mortality due to the lack of effective vaccines. However, wild species such as warthogs (Phacochoerus sp.) and bush pigs (Potamochoerus sp.