Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Shipped through the Suez Canal: cargo vessels and sea currents are carrying Indo-Pacific fish into the Mediterranean

Pensoft Publishers

Global shipping, sea currents and habitat factors are driving the spread of Indo-Pacific fish species in the Mediterranean Sea, according to a new study published in the open-access journal NeoBiota.

The construction of the Suez Canal in the 19th century connected two marine regions previously separated for 16 million years, initiating major ecological changes that continue to this day. Now more than 100 fish species native to the Indo-West Pacific Ocean have crossed to become established in the Mediterranean Sea.

Researchers from the American University of Beirut and the American University in Dubai analysed how invasive fish from the Indo-Pacific region colonise the Mediterranean. Combining ocean current modelling, shipping data, and environmental analysis, they examined records of 136 fish species to map the natural and human-driven factors that enable these invaders to thrive.

The findings indicate that the primary drivers for the initial entry of invasive fish into the Mediterranean are proximity to the Suez Canal and sea currents transporting fish larvae into nearby eastern Mediterranean regions. However, while sea currents play an important role early in the invasion stage, they cannot explain how species cross into the western Mediterranean.

Indeed, cargo shipping has become increasingly influential, with focal points like Malta acting as key stepping stones for the spread of non-native fish, especially to western Mediterranean areas. The odds of a region being colonised via shipping have grown significantly over time.

Additionally, local conditions such as high salinity in Mediterranean waters boost the likelihood of invasive species establishing permanent populations, as these fish tend to be pre-adapted to saline environments from their native habitats.

“Scientists have long suspected that the anti-clockwise spread of invasive species in the eastern Mediterranean is due to currents and the high number of first records in Malta is due to shipping,” says Heinrich zu Dohna, lead author of the paper. “Our use of sea current simulations and shipping data could confirm these conjectures and provide quantitative estimates of the effects.”

Logistic regression models indicate that in some regions shipping leads to a sixfold increase of the odds of receiving invasive species, indicating targeted management and monitoring is needed at major shipping hubs.

Better data on ballast water release and ship movements in the Mediterranean are needed, as cargo shipping’s impact on biological invasions is now clear. Malta’s role as a major shipping hub makes it a particular hotspot for secondary introductions and warrants special attention by policymakers and marine managers.

Original source

zu Dohna H, Lakkis I, Bariche M (2025) The spread of Indo-Pacific origin fish species in the Mediterranean Sea is influenced by sea currents, habitat factors, and increasingly by shipping. NeoBiota 101: 73-89. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.101.157775

Journal

NeoBiota

DOI

10.3897/neobiota.101.157775

Article Title

The spread of Indo-Pacific origin fish species in the Mediterranean Sea is influenced by sea currents, habitat factors, and increasingly by shipping

Article Publication Date

16-Sep-2025

3D-printed fuel cells may power future aerospace technologies

DTU researchers rethink fuel cells with 3D printing and ceramic, coral-inspired design, unlocking new potential for P2X and power generation in aerospace and beyond.

]

Technical University of Denmark

A team of researchers at DTU may have cracked one of the toughest nuts in sustainable energy: how to make fuel cells light and powerful enough for aerospace applications.

In an interdisciplinary collaboration between DTU Energy and DTU Construct they have developed a radical redesign of the so-called solid oxide cells (or SOCs), using 3D printing and gyroid geometry. This intricate structure is mathematically optimised to improve surface area in a given volume and is employed both by engineers for heat exchangers and by nature in structures such as butterfly wings. Gyroidal architecture is structurally robust, has a large surface area, and is lightweight. For the first time, DTU scientists have shown how to use the gyroid to make electrochemical conversion devices such as SOCs.

To power a commercial aeroplane today, you need jet fuel. If you retrofit a regular jet, replacing its 70 tons of fuel with Li ion batteries of similar capacity, its weight would be 3,500 tons. And so, it wouldn't take off.

The same has been true for fuel cells, mostly confined to flat, heavy stacks that rely on metal parts for sealing and connectivity. So, those are heavy, too. Metal components make up more than 75 % of a fuel cell system's weight, severely limiting their mobility and consequently, their usefulness in, for example, aerospace applications.

Sustainable flight?

In a new paper published in Nature Energy, DTU scientists may have flipped the script. Professor Vincenzo Esposito from DTU Energy, Senior Researcher Venkata Karthik Nadimpalli from DTU Construct, and several colleagues from both departments have designed a new fuel cell that is fully ceramic and is built by 3D printing. The printed structure is known as a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) and is mathematically optimised for maximum surface and minimum weight.

Their fuel cell – they call it a Monolithic Gyroidal Solid Oxide Cell or The Monolith for short - delivers more than one watt per gram. Not only is this a first, but it also broadens the field of possible fuel cell applications significantly, explains Venkata Karthik Nadimpalli, a senior researcher at DTU Construct and corresponding author of the study:

"Currently, using electricity-based energy conversion, such as batteries and fuel cells, doesn't make sense for aerospace applications. But our new fuel cell design changes that. It's the first to demonstrate the Watts to gram ratio – or specific power - needed for aerospace, while using a sustainable, green technology," he says.

Extreme resilience

Fuel cells are nothing new, and their impact is evident in several sectors. While perhaps most visibly in hydrogen cars, they are, for example, also used as power supplies for hospitals and data centres, in ships, and as storage to stabilise renewable energy systems. Their ability to switch between power-generating and power-storing modes (electrolysis) makes them highly versatile in several applications.

There are many other reasons why the new fuel cells from the team of DTU scientists may be a game-changer. Apart from the weight being brought down significantly, the system allows gases to flow efficiently through the cell, improves heat distribution, and enhances mechanical stability. Switching to electrolysis mode, they produced hydrogen at nearly ten times the rate of conventional designs.

"We also tested the system in extreme conditions, including temperature swings of 100°C, and repeatedly switched between fuel cell and electrolysis modes. The fuel cells held up impressively, showing no signs of structural failure or layers separating," says Vincenzo Esposito, corresponding author and professor at DTU Energy.

The researchers explain that this kind of resilience is vital for space missions like NASA's Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment (MOXIE), which aims to produce oxygen from Mars' carbon-dioxide-rich atmosphere.

This mission currently relies on bulky stacks weighing more than six tons. The new design could deliver a similar performance at 800 kg, which would significantly lower the costs of launching the equipment up there.

What makes this design especially compelling is not only its performance but also how it's made, explains Venkata Karthik Nadimpalli:

"While conventional SOC stacks require dozens of manufacturing steps and rely on multiple materials that degrade over time, our monolithic ceramic design is produced in just five steps, where we eliminate the metal and avoid fragile seals," he says.

"Still, I believe that we can improve the system further using thinner electrolytes, cheaper current collectors, like silver or nickel instead of platinum, and even more compact designs."

FACT BOX

The research is supported by a Villum P2X Accelerator grant and carried out in close collaboration between DTU Energy and DTU Construct, merging electrochemical expertise with advanced manufacturing.

A 2024 patent filing protects the concept.

Read the paper in Nature Energy: Monolithic gyroidal solid oxide cells by additive manufacturing | Nature Energy

Also in Nature Energy, Yanhai Du, a professor at Kent State University, describes the finding in a News & Views piece, labelling it “a promising breakthrough”: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-025-01816-7

Journal

Nature Energy

DOI

10.1038/s41560-025-01811-y

Article Title

Monolithic gyroidal solid oxide cells by additive manufacturing

Paperpal leads the way for academic AI; unveils end-to-end AI-powered research and writing solutions

The trusted academic AI partner launches its ‘AI that brings out the best in you’ brand strategy to empower students, researchers, and institutions

Cactus Communications Pvt. Ltd.

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Paperpal empowers academia with 'AI that brings out the best in you'
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Credit: Paperpal

Paperpal, the leading AI research and writing assistant by Cactus Communications (CACTUS), unveils a transformative brand strategy, evolving from a writing tool to a complete AI research assistant. This new brand strategy emphasizes its commitment to equipping the academic community with trusted tools for clear, confident, and ethical writing in an era where AI is reshaping education and publishing.

This renewed approach aligns with Paperpal’s long-term vision to build future-ready AI tools designed to help academics excel. The decision to evolve was reinforced by the results of a recent Paperpal survey of 1,440 academics, which revealed that over 50% of the respondents were worried that AI tools might compromise authenticity or alter their unique perspectives. This is where Paperpal’s secure, responsible all-in-one AI toolkit comes in. Built to enhance rather than replace human expertise, Paperpal empowers students, researchers, and institutions to maximize their potential without losing their voice.

Akhilesh Ayer, CEO, Cactus Communications, said, “As the academic community continues to push the boundaries of knowledge, there remains a need for reliable tools that safeguard integrity and support diverse voices. At CACTUS, we see AI as a trusted partner that complements and magnifies human expertise. With Paperpal, we are pioneering a new era of responsible ‘AI that brings out the best in you’, designed to strengthen the foundation of academic publishing.”

From students to researchers, medical and academic institutions and beyond, Paperpal has emerged as a trusted AI assistant tailored to meet their diverse needs.

All-in-one academic toolkit: Built for academics, Paperpal’s best-in-class toolkit helps them read, write, cite, edit, collaborate, and submit with confidence, offering reliable support at every step.
Focus on responsible AI use: With tools to track and disclose AI use correctly, and in-built guardrails and nudges to encourage transparency and authenticity, Paperpal helps authors deliver their best, original work faster.
Secure-by-design ecosystem: Paperpal implements robust encryption, privacy-first measures, and follows a policy of never using author data to train its AI, providing reliable research and writing assistance without security risks.
Regulatory compliance: Paperpal also adheres to global compliance regulations and is fully aligned with FERPA requirements and EAA and WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards to support inclusive AI adoption.
Multi-platform access: Paperpal is available on the Web, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Overleaf, and as a Chrome extension, making real-time assistance accessible across these platforms.

Nishchay Shah, Group CTO and EVP, Products & AI, Cactus Communications, added, “We know the future of academic AI isn’t about speed alone; it’s about trust, responsibility, and advanced technology purpose-built for the scholarly community. At Paperpal, we’re combining cutting-edge industry-best AI with dedicated academic-specific capabilities spanning research, writing, collaboration, and compliance, while keeping user experience at the heart of everything we build. The result is a secure, intuitive, end-to-end ecosystem that empowers every student and researcher to realize their full potential. Every step we take comes back to one central promise: AI that brings out the best in you.”

As academia adapts to an increasingly competitive and fast-paced environment, Paperpal continues to set new standards for responsible, human-centered AI in education and research. Apart from serving individual users, Paperpal is also working with several leading institutions to provide their scholarly community with powerful future-ready AI tools for research excellence.

Experience ‘AI that brings out the best in you,’ explore Paperpal at https://paperpal.com/

AI-powered insights reveal how bamboo ages under heat and humidity

New research combines multiscale experiments and machine learning to predict storage life of Moso bamboo

Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts

As the global community searches for alternatives to plastics, bamboo has attracted widespread attention for its renewability, high strength, and biodegradability. However, its sensitivity to temperature and humidity during storage and service life has long posed challenges for reliable use in construction, furniture, and consumer products.

A new study, titled “Hydrothermal Aging of Moso Bamboo: Degradation Mechanisms and Storage Life Prediction,” published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, provides critical insights into how Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) degrades under fluctuating hygrothermal conditions. The research, conducted by Hao Jia, Wenhui Su, Bin Huang, and colleagues, systematically explored the effects of moist heat cycling over 100 days on the material’s physical, mechanical, and chemical stability.

The team designed four simulated storage environments: two moist heat cycling regimes, a constant temperature–humidity condition, and a warehouse control. Results revealed that moisture absorption and desorption cycles cause dramatic fluctuations in bamboo’s mass, dimensions, and appearance. Under high humidity, bamboo swelled and darkened due to chemical and microbial processes, while low humidity accelerated shrinkage and cracking. The elastic modulus declined by up to 44%, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy showed significant changes in hemicellulose and lignin structures, signaling chemical degradation at the molecular level.

Notably, the study integrated machine learning for predictive analysis. By applying a Random Forest (RF) model to thousands of experimental datapoints, researchers achieved over 92% accuracy in forecasting changes in compressive strength and color difference under different environmental conditions. The model identified cellulose crystallinity and dimensional stability as the strongest predictors of mechanical deterioration. This pioneering use of AI for bamboo storage quality opens new possibilities for intelligent warehouse management, optimized stock rotation, and extended service life.

The authors argue that current storage practices often fail to prevent degradation, emphasizing the need for climate-controlled solutions. Their findings provide a scientific foundation for bamboo storage standards and highlight data-driven approaches to managing material performance. Beyond immediate applications, this research underscores bamboo’s potential as a green substitute for plastics, aligning material innovation with sustainability goals.

As demand for durable and eco-friendly materials rises, these insights are expected to inform industry practices, from manufacturing to construction, ensuring bamboo products maintain performance and longevity across diverse environments.

See the article:

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobab.2025.09.002

Original Source URL

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2369969825000623

Journal

Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts

Journal

Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts

DOI

10.1016/j.jobab.2025.09.002

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Hydrothermal Aging of Moso Bamboo: Degradation Mechanisms and Storage Life Prediction

Article Publication Date

15-Sep-2025

Submerging forearms in water may help protect older adults during extreme heat

Immersion of hands and forearms helps lower core body temperature, according to a new study from researchers in the Penn State Department of Kinesiology

Penn State

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — When air conditioning is not available during extreme heat, millions of older adults and other people become vulnerable to cardiac problems and other heat-related illnesses, according to researchers in the Penn State Department of Kinesiology. A new study by those researchers demonstrated that submerging hands and forearms in room-temperature tap water — around 68 degrees Fahrenheit — can be an effective, low- or no-cost method for cooling older adults and reducing their heart rate during extreme heat.

The study was recently published in Experimental Physiology.

“Older adults are more vulnerable to heat than younger people,” said Rachel Cottle, who earned her doctorate in kinesiology from Penn State earlier this year and was lead author of this study. “They do not sweat as efficiently as younger people, and they cannot pump blood to their skin as well, either. Because these important cooling mechanisms decline as we age, older people die much more frequently during extreme heat.”

The researchers tested hand and forearm immersion because it has previously been shown to be effective for mitigating heat stress in young adults in the military, but it had never been studied in older adults. Other similar interventions, like submerging feet in water or dousing oneself with water were found to be ineffective in previous studies.

The goal of this work, Cottle said, was to see if hand and forearm immersion could limit the rate at which temperature increases in the body’s core. Increasing core temperature increases heart rate and puts strain on the cardiovascular system. It can also lead, over time, to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, resulting in injury or death.

The researchers recruited 12 healthy adults over 65 years old. Participants were exposed to two hours of heat stress at 93 degrees Fahrenheit and 77% humidity, which is hot enough to cause older adults’ core temperatures to rise progressively over time, according to a previous study by the same team.

In half of the trials, participants were provided with a basin of approximately 68 degrees Fahrenheit water — the typical temperature for tap water — after one hour. They submerged their hands and arms up to their elbows in the water for 10 minutes. They then removed their hands and forearms from the water and repeated the process again 20 minutes later.

In other experiments, the same participants sat in the hot chamber with no cooling intervention. All participants completed the experiment four times — twice with forearm and hand immersion and twice without the intervention.

This experiment was designed to simulate a person filling their sink with tap water once and using that water repeatedly. During a power outage, people have no access to air conditioning or electric fans, but most people still have running water, the researchers said.

Results demonstrated that immersing one’s hands and forearms in tap water reduced both heart rate and the rise in core temperature.

“Core temperature was reduced by about half a degree Fahrenheit,” said Cottle, who is now a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. “This may sound like a small amount, but it is enough to matter if someone is in danger of overheating. Of course, this will not keep someone safe indefinitely, but it could extend the amount of time before heat causes harm.”

Perhaps even more important, according to Cottle, was the reduction in heart rate. Because most heat-related deaths in older men and women are due to cardiac events, reducing the strain on the heart may keep people safer.

Despite the success of immersing hands in water, Larry Kenney, Cottle’s graduate adviser and senior author of this study, said that should not be people’s first strategy during a heat wave.

“The first thing people should do is reduce the heat burden on their bodies, if at all possible,” said Kenney, professor of physiology and kinesiology and Marie Underhill Noll Chair in Human Performance at Penn State.

Kenney said there are many simple steps people can take to cool themselves.

“If possible, people should move to spaces with air conditioning — a friend’s house, a shopping mall, a library or a cooling center,” Kenney said. “People should be sure to stay hydrated, and — if air conditioning is not available, and they are not able to relocate — hand and forearm immersion is a good strategy.

Electric fans can help cool people but have limitations, according to the researchers. During a power failure, electric fans do not work. Additionally, fans can help people lower their core temperature only in certain conditions. At very high temperatures, fans blow hot air that can actually increase core temperature.

All these strategies are needed because extreme heat is becoming more frequent and severe, the researchers said. Additionally, due to increased demand for electricity to run air conditioners, heat waves frequently cause power failures.

“One in eight people in the United States live without air conditioning,” Cottle said. “And, obviously, almost no one has air conditioning during a power outage. When we face extreme heat, if everyone takes precautions and looks out for older friends, family members and neighbors, we can protect many of the most vulnerable people among us.”

Penn State kinesiology graduate students Kat Fisher and Olivia Leach; Lacy Alexander, professor of kinesiology at Penn State; and David Conroy, professor of applied exercise science at University of Michigan, also contributed to this research.

Journal

Experimental Physiology

DOI

10.1113/EP092789

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Intermittent hand and forearm immersion in 20°C water attenuates thermal, cardiovascular, and perceptual strain in older adults during heat stress

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Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Shipped through the Suez Canal: cargo vessels and sea currents are carrying Indo-Pacific fish into the Mediterranean

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DOI

Article Title

Article Publication Date

3D-printed fuel cells may power future aerospace technologies

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DOI

Article Title

Paperpal leads the way for academic AI; unveils end-to-end AI-powered research and writing solutions

AI-powered insights reveal how bamboo ages under heat and humidity

Journal

DOI

Method of Research

Subject of Research

Article Title

Article Publication Date

Submerging forearms in water may help protect older adults during extreme heat

Journal

DOI

Method of Research

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