Oil rig study reveals vital role of tiny hoverflies

University of Exeter

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A marmalade hoverfly on the oil rig

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Credit: Craig Hannah

A study of migratory hoverflies on a North Sea oil rig has revealed their vital role as long-distance pollen transporters.   

Researchers studied 121 marmalade hoverflies that landed on an oil rig in the Britannia oil field, 200km off the coast of Scotland.

Pollen was found on 92% of the hoverflies and – with no vegetation on the rig, and no land nearby – this shows they can transport pollen over great distances, potentially linking plant populations that are hundreds of kilometres apart.

The hoverflies carried pollen from up to 14 different plant species, including many common crops – highlighting their important role in agriculture.

The study was led by the University of Exeter.

“By analysing the pollen samples and wind patterns, we estimate that many of the hoverflies had flown from places including the Netherlands, northern Germany and Denmark – over 500km away,” said Toby Doyle, from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation on Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall.

“The most common pollen types were common nettle, black elder and meadowsweet – but they also carried pollen from crops including vegetable, legume, cereal, nut and fruit species.”

Dr Eva Jimenez-Guri, also from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation, added: “By flying all over Europe – from northern islands and Norway to Spain and Portugal – these migratory hoverflies are probably providing a range of vital benefits both to humans and to plant biodiversity.

“As well as being beneficial pollinators, marmalade hoverflies are also natural pest controllers – eating prey including aphids, helping to reduce crop damage.”

The hoverflies in the study landed on the oil rig in June (probably during northward migrations) and July (when migrations are mostly to the south).

Preferring to fly with the wind, the hoverflies wait for wind to blow in their desired migratory direction before taking off.

They probably landed on the oil rig to rest, or in the hope of finding food.

Dr Karl Wotton added: "The results highlight the important role of migratory hoverflies in long-distance gene flow. The next stages of investigation should look at the ecological and agricultural implications of this phenomenon at the continental scales at which these species move.”

The study was funded by the Royal Society.

The paper, published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, is entitled: “Long range pollen transport across the North Sea: Insights from migratory hoverflies landing on a remote oil rig.”

The Britannia platform in the North Sea

Credit

Craig Hannah

Marmalade hoverfly

Credit

Will Hawkes

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Journal

Journal of Animal Ecology

DOI

10.1111/1365-2656.70126 

Article Title

Long range pollen transport across the North Sea: Insights from migratory hoverflies landing on a remote oil rig.

Article Publication Date

18-Sep-2025

 

New review unveils breakthroughs in soil nitrogen cycle research from microbial pathways to global sustainability

Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University

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Uncovering the soil nitrogen cycle from microbial pathways to global sustainability

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Credit: Xiaoyuan Yan, Jun Shan, Xiaomin Wang, Baozhan Wang, Shuang-Jiang Liu, Ping Zhang, Yan Zhang, Jinrui Ling, Ouping Deng, Chen Wang & Baojing Gu

A comprehensive review published in Nitrogen Cycling highlights significant advances in understanding the soil nitrogen cycle, emphasizing the critical role of microbial processes and innovative technologies in achieving global nitrogen sustainability.

The study, led by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, and Zhejiang University, synthesizes a decade of progress in quantifying nitrogen transformation processes, identifying novel microbial pathways, and developing sustainable management strategies.

“Nitrogen is essential for life, but its mismanagement has led to severe environmental issues,” said corresponding author Dr. Xiaoyuan Yan. “Our review bridges the gap between microbial mechanisms and global nitrogen governance, offering science-based solutions for sustainable nitrogen use.”

Key findings include:

• Advanced Methodologies: New techniques such as 15N tracing models, robotic incubation systems (Robot and Roflow), and membrane inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS) now allow precise measurement of gross nitrogen transformation rates, denitrification, and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). These tools have revealed unexpected processes, including aerobic nitrogen gas production and the significant role of heterotrophic nitrification.

• Novel Microbial Pathways: The discovery of complete ammonia-oxidizing (comammox) bacteria and direct ammonia oxidation to nitrogen gas (dirammox) has reshaped understanding of nitrification. These microbes operate efficiently under low-nitrogen conditions, offering potential pathways to reduce nitrogen losses and nitrous oxide (N2​O) emissions.

• Integrated Modeling and Management: Coupled Human and Natural Systems (CHANS) models, combined with remote sensing and artificial intelligence, enable high-resolution tracking of nitrogen flows across scales. Field practices like Integrated Soil-Crop System Management (ISSM) and policy instruments such as Nitrogen Credit Systems (NCS) have demonstrated increased nitrogen use efficiency and reduced environmental impacts.

• Global Implications: The review calls for stronger international cooperation to integrate nitrogen management into global sustainability frameworks, including the Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“We are now equipped to not only understand but also manage the nitrogen cycle with unprecedented precision,” said Dr. Yan. “The next step is to translate these insights into actionable strategies that balance agricultural productivity with environmental health.”

The study underscores the need to incorporate microbial processes into large-scale models and policies, enabling targeted interventions that reduce nitrogen pollution while enhancing food security.

 

 

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Journal Reference: Yan A, Shan J, Wang X, Wang B, Liu SJ, et al. 2025. Uncovering the soil nitrogen cycle from microbial pathways to global sustainability. Nitrogen Cycling 1: e002 https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/nc-0025-0005 

 

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About Nitrogen Cycling:
Nitrogen Cycling is a multidisciplinary platform for communicating advances in fundamental and applied research on the nitrogen cycle. It is dedicated to serving as an innovative, efficient, and professional platform for researchers in the field of nitrogen cycling worldwide to deliver findings from this rapidly expanding field of science.

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DOI

10.48130/nc-0025-0005 

Method of Research

Literature review

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Uncovering the soil nitrogen cycle from microbial pathways to global sustainability

Article Publication Date

16-Sep-2025

Biochar boosts black soil health and crop yields, study finds

Optimal application rate enhances microbial stability and organic matter in key agricultural regions

Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University

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Improving the stability of black soil microbial communities through long-term application of biochar to optimize the characteristics of DOM components
 

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Credit: Yu Hu, Yan Li, Kangmeng Liu, Chuanqi Shi, Wei Wang, Zhenguo Yang, Kuifeng Xu, Shuo Li, Yuxian Wang, Liang Jin, Dan Wei & Lilong Yan

A long-term field study conducted in Northeast China’s fertile black soil region has demonstrated that biochar can significantly improve soil health, stabilize microbial communities, and increase crop yields—but only when applied at the right rate.

The research, published in Biochar, reveals that a one-time application of biochar at 31.5 metric tons per hectare (t ha⁻¹) led to higher soil organic matter stability, enhanced bacterial diversity, and a 7.11% increase in crop yield. In contrast, higher doses reduced microbial stability and negatively affected soil health.

Black soils are among the world’s most productive agricultural lands, but decades of intensive farming have led to severe degradation, including organic matter loss and soil acidification. Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from biomass pyrolysis, has shown promise in restoring soil quality, but its long-term effects on soil microbial communities and dissolved organic matter (DOM) were poorly understood.

Through a six-year experiment, researchers analyzed how different biochar application rates influenced DOM composition and soil bacteria. Using advanced fluorescence spectroscopy and DNA sequencing, they found that the medium application rate promoted the formation of stable humic substances and supported a more complex and resilient microbial network dominated by beneficial bacteria such as Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria.

“These microbes play key roles in breaking down organic matter and releasing nutrients for crops,” said Dr. Lilong Yan, one of the corresponding authors. “Biochar helps create a favorable environment for these organisms, leading to healthier soil and better yields.”

However, excessive biochar (47.25 t ha⁻¹) disrupted microbial balance and reduced diversity, underscoring the importance of calibrated application.

The study also used structural equation modeling to confirm that biochar indirectly boosts crop yields by altering DOM properties and enriching microbial communities.

“Our findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing biochar use in agriculture,” said Dr. Dan Wei, another senior author. “This is especially relevant for sustaining productivity in degraded soils under climate change.”

The research was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

 

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Journal Reference: Hu, Y., Li, Y., Liu, K. et al. Improving the stability of black soil microbial communities through long-term application of biochar to optimize the characteristics of DOM components. Biochar 7, 84 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00473-z 

 

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Media Contact:
Wushuang Li
liwushuang@vip.126.com

About Biochar

Biochar is the first journal dedicated exclusively to biochar research, spanning agronomy, environmental science, and materials science. It publishes original studies on biochar production, processing, and applications—such as bioenergy, environmental remediation, soil enhancement, climate mitigation, water treatment, and sustainability analysis. The journal serves as an innovative and professional platform for global researchers to share advances in this rapidly expanding field. 

Follow us on Facebook, X, and Bluesky. 

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Journal

Biochar

DOI

10.1007/s42773-025-00473-z 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Improving the stability of black soil microbial communities through long-term application of biochar to optimize the characteristics of DOM components

 

Social risks accumulate in specialised psychiatric care – complex life situations go easily unnoticed

University of Eastern Finland

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Patients in specialised psychiatric care face a variety of social risks that are intertwined, a new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows. Social risks tend to accumulate among the most vulnerable segments of the population. They include for example financial difficulties, housing challenges and violence.

“The study sheds light on the complex life situations that patients in psychiatric care face in their daily lives. The accumulation of social risks is very common, but they may go unnoticed,” Doctoral Researcher Essi Rovamo says.

The study identified social risks across nine different categories, which included capacity to work, social relations, addictions, subsistence, violence and crime, ability to function, intergenerational transmission, housing, and renouncement and death of a loved one.

The study employed a mixed methods approach to analyse patient case records of approximately 200 patients from 2009 to 2019.

Social risks accumulate among the most vulnerable

94% of study participants experienced at least two main risk categories simultaneously. On average, patients experienced five social risk categories during their psychiatric treatment.

“Social risks were experienced by all patient groups, regardless of age, gender or family status. This indicates a high prevalence of social risks among psychiatric patients,” Rovamo says.

The study found that especially psychosis and substance use disorders were associated with social risks, suggesting that risks tend to accumulate among those in the most vulnerable positions.

The findings offer valuable insight for developing psychiatric care. Addressing social risks could help alleviate the burden patients experience in their everyday lives. The results also underscore the importance of health social work in psychiatric care.

“In Finland, the development of psychiatric care seems to be increasingly focused on short-term psychotherapies. However, it is impossible to concentrate on therapy if the basic conditions of life are not provided for. With the recent cutbacks in health social work in Finland, it is concerning that complex social problems may go unnoticed in psychiatric care. I hope this study will, for its part, highlight the need to promote patients’ comprehensive well-being,” Rovamo concludes.

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Journal

Nordic Social Work Research

DOI

10.1080/2156857X.2025.2554878 

Article Title

Accumulating social risks in psychiatric care

Article Publication Date

8-Sep-2025

Study shows increasing ‘healthy competition’ between menu options nudges patients towards greener, lower-fat hospital food choices

University of Bristol

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University of Bristol researchers explain the canteen-style menu dish swap technique

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Credit: University of Bristol

New research has shown hospital patients could reduce the carbon footprint and saturated fat content of their selected meals by up to almost a third – if the weekly menu featuring the same dishes is cleverly reorganised.

The study, led by the University of Bristol, features in a special issue of the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, which sets out innovative ways to help make the UK’s food healthier, fairer, and more sustainable.

The researchers developed a cunning way to redesign weekly set menus so healthier, greener dishes weren’t competing so much with typically more popular, less healthy options, boosting the likelihood of them being picked more often in hospitals across the UK.

Their cunning theory was already proven to work with students, having been tested in a university canteen, and this study indicates patients and the planet also stand to reap rewards from a reshuffled menu.

Study lead author Dr Annika Flynn, Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, said: “Rather than penalising healthy options, like lentil curry, by putting them alongside really popular choices, like meaty lasagne, we simply switched around their place on a weekly menu to give them a better chance of being selected.

“Creating healthier competition between dishes resulted in great benefits both in terms of significantly reducing patients’ carbon footprint and their saturated fat intake.”

The study modelled the strategic dish swap technique using weekly menus from 12 NHS hospitals across the UK. For each hospital menu, 50 people from that hospital catchment area reported their preference for 15 dishes offered on the weekly menu. Using data from their preferences, the researchers reorganised the weekly menu to create an optimised menu.

Dr Flynn explained: “The key thing is that the optimised menu features the same 15 dishes as the original, just reorganised on different days to boost uptake of the more sustainable, healthier options.”

Results indicated that in 11 of the 12 hospitals, the menu reorganisation approach worked. Overall, the optimised menus were predicted to reduce carbon footprint between 9.1% and 29.3% and reduce saturated fat intake among patients between 5.0% and 26.5%.

Dr Flynn said: “The findings are really exciting because they show the menu swapping method could work in different settings and on a large scale. Hospital food often gets criticised and of course, especially when you’re unwell it’s important to have a range of options. If in that process patients can be steered towards making healthier choices, which are also more sustainable from an environmental perspective, without even noticing it’s a huge win-win.”

The researchers developed and tested their hypothesis as part of a project called SNEAK (Sustainable Nutrition, Environment, and Agriculture, without Consumer Knowledge), supported by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Transforming UK Food Systems (TUKFS), which aims to improve people’s health in environmentally-sustainable ways.

Some 42% of UK workers report using a canteen, and millions of children and young people are served meals daily at schools and universities, so there is strong potential for the menu manipulation method to make positive health and environmental inroads  in various settings.

Study co-author Jeff Brunstrom, Professor of Experimental Psychology at the University of Bristol and NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, said: “People don’t like change, so implementing successful behavioural change interventions can be challenging and costly. This modelling study shows our low-cost ‘sneaky’ technique presents an enticing opportunity to make people’s diets greener and healthier without them even realising it.”

The promising findings are among a raft of pioneering measures and related policy recommendations to feature in the journal special issue, called ‘Transforming terrestrial food systems for human and planetary health.’

Professor Guy Poppy, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Bristol and Director of TUKFS, edited the special issue.

Prof Poppy said: “Food is at the heart of our health, our environment, and our economy.

“It’s great to see Bristol researchers at the forefront of innovative solutions, which could help support healthier, more sustainable food choices for people of all ages in a wide range of public procurement contexts, including schools, hospitals and care homes.

“These different settings form a big proportion of all the food we eat, so effective changes like the dish swap formula could make a tangible, affordable difference at population-level, fuelling better, greener diets for all.”

The research was funded by UKRI TUKFS and is also supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (Bristol BRC).

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Journal

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )

DOI

10.1098/rstb2024.0512 

Article Title

Strategic menu optimisation could reduce carbon emissions and saturated fat consumption: A simulation modelling study of UK hospital inpatient meals’

Article Publication Date

18-Sep-2025

Image of strategic menu optimisation study lead author Dr Annika Flynn, Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, and study co-author Jeff Brunstrom, Professor of Experimental Psychology at the University of Bristol.