Ocean acidification and global warming may favor blue carbon service in a Cymodocea nodosa community by modifying carbon metabolism and dissolved organic carbon fluxes.

Ocean acidification (OA) and global warming (GW) drive a variety of responses in seagrasses that may modify their carbon metabolism, including the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) fluxes and the organic carbon stocks in upper sediments. In a 45-day full-factorial mesocosm experiment simulating forecasted CO and temperature increase in a Cymodocea nodosa community, we found that net community production (NCP) was higher under OA conditions, particularly when combined with warming (i.e.

Marine heatwaves and disease alter community metabolism and DOC fluxes on a widespread habitat-forming seagrass species (Zostera marina).

Climate change and disease are two major threats to maintaining healthy seagrass habitats. Seagrasses, and the ecosystems they support, play a critical ecological role in global carbon (C) cycles, providing key ecosystem services, such as blue carbon storage. Zostera marina (eelgrass), the most widespread seagrass species globally, is increasingly affected by warming and is also regularly infected by the endophytic pathogen Labyrinthula zosterae.

Nutrient enrichment and herbivory alter carbon balance in temperate seagrass communities.

Large nutrient levels and herbivory stress, particularly when acting together, drive a variety of responses in seagrass communities that ultimately may weaken their carbon balance. An in situ three-months experiment was carried out in two contrasting seasons to address the effects of two levels of nutrient load and three levels of artificial clipping on Cymodocea nodosa plants. Nutrient enrichment shifted the community from autotrophic to heterotrophic and reduced DOC fluxes in winter, whereas enhanced community carbon metabolism and DOC fluxes in summer.

Patch age alters seagrass response mechanisms to herbivory damage.

Natural disturbances can produce a mosaic of seagrass patches of different ages, which may affect the response to herbivory. These pressures can have consequences for plant performance. To assess how seagrass patch age affects the response to herbivory, we simulated the effect of herbivory by clipping leaves of Halodule wrightii in patches of 2, 4 and 6 years.

A clinical utility evaluation of dual HIV/Syphilis point-of-care tests in non-clinical settings for screening for HIV and syphilis in men who have sex with men.

Background: Dual point-of-care tests (POCTs) for the simultaneous detection of antibodies to HIV and syphilis have been developed. Since community-based organisations (CBO) are effective providers of HIV and syphilis testing among men who have sex with men (MSM), evaluation of the utility of these dual tests at CBO testing services is a high priority. The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of performing dual HIV-syphilis POCT testing among both users and providers at these non-clinical sites.