Recent methane surges reveal heightened emissions from tropical inundated areas.

Record breaking atmospheric methane growth rates were observed in 2020 and 2021 (15.2±0.5 and 17.

Assessing the geographical diversity of climate change risks in Japan by overlaying climatic impacts with exposure and vulnerability indicators.

Understanding multifaceted climate change risks and their interconnections is essential for effective adaptation strategies, which require comprehensive assessments of both climatic impact variations and social-environmental exposures/vulnerabilities. This study examines these interconnections and creates multitier delineations of future climate risks across Japan by overlaying homogeneous impact zones (HIZs) with exposure-vulnerability complexes (EVCs). We delineated eight EVC regions, each exhibiting similar patterns of exposure and vulnerability, via multivariate clustering and similarity search on the basis of future population and land cover/use data.

Chlorophyll and topographic patterns demonstrate stress conditions drive the brightness of autumn leaf colour.

Autumn leaf colour brightness is an important cultural ecosystem service. As its spatial patterns and ecophysiological mechanisms remain unclear, we analysed relationships among autumn leaf colour brightness, late summer chlorophyll content, and topographic position in both canopy-based micro-scale analysis and site-based macro-scale analysis. Multispectral drone observations were made in three Fagus crenata forests at elevations of 300, 600, and 900 m in Niigata Prefecture, Japan.

In vivo hyperphosphorylation of tau is associated with synaptic loss and behavioral abnormalities in the absence of tau seeds.

Tau pathology is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease. However, the sequence of events and the form of tau that confers toxicity are still unclear, due in large part to the lack of physiological models of tauopathy initiation and progression in which to test hypotheses. We have developed a series of targeted mice expressing frontotemporal-dementia-causing mutations in the humanized MAPT gene to investigate the earliest stages of tauopathy.

Effects of smokeless tobacco on cancer incidence and mortality: a global systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption remains high despite policies on reduction interventions. This study aims to quantify the associations between smokeless tobacco use with cancer incidence and mortality globally.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and PROSPERO protocol (ID: CRD42023390468).

Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Organoids as a Novel In Vitro Platform for Developmental Neurotoxicity Assessment.

There has been a recent drive to replace in vivo studies with in vitro studies in the field of toxicity testing. Therefore, instead of conventional animal or planar cell culture models, there is an urgent need for in vitro systems whose conditions can be strictly controlled, including cell-cell interactions and sensitivity to low doses of chemicals. Neural organoids generated from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a promising in vitro platform for modeling human brain development.

Genetic population structure of the Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, in Japan.

The Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann (Ixodida: Ixodidae), is widely distributed across temperate East Asia, including Japan, and carries a variety of zoonotic diseases. The species includes bisexual and parthenogenetic lineages. Various aspects of these two lineages, such as their abundance ratio, genetic relationship, and population structure, remain unknown in island environments such as Japan that are isolated from the mainland.

Application of an anaerobic reactor for the treatment of sulfide-rich wastewater using biogas for HS removal.

Anaerobic treatment of sulfur-rich wastewater is challenging because sulfide greatly inhibits the activity of anaerobic microorganisms, especially methanogenic archaea. We developed an internal phase-separated reactor (IPSR) that removed sulfide prior to methanogenesis by gas stripping using biogas produced in the reactor. The IPSR was fed with synthetic wastewater containing a very high sulfide concentration of up to 6,000 mg S L with a chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 30,000 mg L.

Intestinal butyric acid-mediated disruption of gut hormone secretion and lipid metabolism in vasopressin receptor-deficient mice.

Objectives: Arginine vasopressin (AVP), known as an antidiuretic hormone, is also crucial in metabolic homeostasis. Although AVP receptor-deficient mice exhibit various abnormalities in glucose and lipid metabolism, the mechanism underlying these symptoms remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the involvement of the gut hormones including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and microbiota as essential mediators.

A morphological and molecular study of Ligia exotica Roux, 1828 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Ligiidae) from Japan, with descriptions of two new species.

Ligia exotica Roux, 1828 was originally described based on specimens collected on a ship that came from Cayenne in French Guiana, and has been known to be widely distributed in the world. In Japan this species is the most common in Ligia, and two forms of L. exotica inhabit Osaka Bay, central Japan.

Associations Between Heavy Metal Exposure from Milk and Steroid Hormones in Mothers.

Environmental exposure to heavy metals is ubiquitous. However, its relationship with steroid hormone levels is not well understood, particularly in pregnant women. This study investigated the association between prenatal heavy metal exposure and steroid hormone levels in an e-waste disposal area in China.

Feasibility assessment of Japan's fertilizer reduction target: A meta-analysis and its implications for nitrogen waste.

Reducing synthetic nitrogen fertilizer (SNF) use is critical for mitigating environmental nitrogen (N) pollution caused by excessive reactive nitrogen and lowering the cost of chemical N fertilizer inputs in agricultural management. In response, Japan has set a national target to reduce chemical fertilizer inputs, with a goal of 30% reduction in SNF use. To assess the feasibility of this target, we collected ca.

Oxidative stress on the male reproductive organs of wild mice collected from an area contaminated by radioactive materials in Fukushima.

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident caused the release of large amounts of radioactive material into the environment. Radiation from radionuclides cause DNA lesions, mainly via oxidation, which adversely affect wild organisms by damaging their germ cells. Here, we investigated the effects of radiation on the reproductive organs of Japanese field mice (Apodemus speciosus) by estimating the dose rate of radiation exposure, the accumulation of DNA lesions, and the expression of DNA repair enzymes.

Association of attachment with level of physical activity among dog owners: A cross-sectional study.

This cross-sectional study examined the association of attachment with the frequency of dog walking and physical activity level among dog owners. We analyzed data collected in an internet survey conducted by the Japan Pet Food Association in 2023. Valid data were obtained from 1041 dog owners.

Deciphering decadal urban ozone trends from historical records since 1980.

Ozone pollution is a major environmental threat to human health. Timely assessment of ozone trends is crucial for informing environmental policy. Here we show that for the most recent decade (2013-2022) in the northern hemisphere, warm-season (April-September) mean daily 8-h average maximum ozone increases much faster in urban regions with top ozone levels (mainly in the North China Plain, 1.

Insights from the international workshop on "Adapting agriculture to climate change and air pollution".

An international workshop on "Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change and Air Pollution" took place at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, China, during 23-27 October, 2023. Experts working in various multi-disciplinary areas of agroecosystem and environmental research gathered for academic communication and discussions. Two discussion groups focused on "agriculture under air pollution and climate change: current challenges and priorities for the future" and "adapting agriculture to air pollution and climate change: current status and next steps.

Contribution of irrigation to the production of maize, wheat, and rice in the major global producing countries.

This study offers new insights into the heterogeneity behind the widely accepted notion that irrigated crops contribute 40% to global food production. It also highlights the potential of irrigation to mitigate the negative effects of climate change on crop yields.

Adherence to Healthy Prepregnancy Lifestyle and Risk of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To quantify the association between a combination of modifiable prepregnancy lifestyle factors and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs).

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

A pilot study to directly estimate radiation-induced mutation in large Japanese field mouse duo sample, mother and offspring, excluding unknown father, using ddRAD sequencing.

DNA mutations are one of the effects of radiation exposure. A large amount of radioactive materials was released into the environment from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant after a major earthquake and tsunami. Wild animals and plants living in highly radiation-contaminated areas are constantly exposed to high doses of radiation, and concerns occur about its effects on their health and the next generations.

Common Food Sources for Macrobenthic Communities in Different Bottom Covers: Submerged Macrophytes and Benthic Cyanobacteria in a Japanese Temperate Lake.

Macrobenthic communities in a lake are affected by the type of bottom cover such as macrophytes or algae. In the southern basin of Lake Biwa, mats of the benthic cyanobacteria (BC) widely cover the lake bottom and are interspersed with submerged macrophytes (SMs). Because different macrobenthos species appear to occur at those bottoms, we investigated the composition of the communities.

Meteorological factors, population immunity, and COVID-19 incidence: A global multi-city analysis.

Objectives: While COVID-19 continues to challenge the world, meteorological variables are thought to impact COVID-19 transmission. Previous studies showed evidence of negative associations between high temperature and absolute humidity on COVID-19 transmission. Our research aims to fill the knowledge gap on the modifying effect of vaccination rates and strains on the weather-COVID-19 association.

Molecular characteristics of CTX-M β-lactamase-producing and quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli among deer in a popular tourist spot in Japan.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global concern. Clonal lineages of CTX-M β-lactamase-producing (CTXE) and quinolone-resistant (QREC) were disseminated among the deer population in a famous tourist destination (Nara Park; NP) in Japan. The molecular characteristics of CTXE or QREC isolates, which could pose a threat to public health, have not been elucidated.

Rapid decline in extratropical Andean snow cover driven by the poleward migration of the Southern Hemisphere westerlies.

Seasonal snow in the extratropical Andes is a primary water source for major rivers supplying water for drinking, agriculture, and hydroelectric power in Central Chile. Here, we used estimates from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) to analyze changes in snow cover extent over the period 2001-2022 in a total of 18 watersheds spanning approximately 1,100 km across the Chilean Andes (27-36°S). We found that the annual snow cover extent is receding in the watersheds analyzed at an average pace of approximately 19% per decade.

Association between prenatal mercury exposure and pediatric neurodevelopment: The Japan environment and children's study.

Mercury pollution, including from its use during gold mining and refining, remains an important problem worldwide. In particular, methylmercury, a microbial alteration of mercury released into the environment, is a major environmental neurotoxicant. Although there has been growing concern about the health hazards of exposure to low levels of mercury, the effects of prenatal mercury exposure on neurodevelopmental outcomes in children have remained controversial.