From straw to soil signals: How humification reshapes microbial life and resistance genes

Maximum Academic Press

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By simulating lignocellulose transformation at different temperatures, they found that high-temperature humic substances stimulate microbial carbohydrate-active enzyme genes and viral auxiliary metabolic functions. Meanwhile, elevated phenolic compounds from lignin breakdown strongly correlate with increased antibiotic resistance gene abundance.

Humification of lignocellulosic biomass is fundamental to soil fertility, microbial stability, and carbon sequestration, generating humic substances that act as long-term carbon reservoirs and energy sources. Yet organic matter composition also shapes microbial competition, viral interactions, and stress responses. Certain compounds, such as phenols, can induce oxidative stress and promote antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) transfer. Soil viruses further influence these dynamics through the “Piggyback the Winner” strategy, transferring auxiliary metabolic genes that enhance host carbon metabolism and competitiveness. Despite their ecological importance, the environmental consequences of lignocellulose-derived compounds during humification—particularly the link between phenolic compounds and ARG enrichment—remain insufficiently understood.

A study (DOI:10.48130/aee-0025-0013) published in Agricultural Ecology and Environment on 05 December 2025 by Xiangdong Zhu’s team, Chinese Academy of Sciences, reveals how lignocellulose-derived humification simultaneously enhances soil carbon metabolism and drives antibiotic resistance gene enrichment, highlighting a critical ecological trade-off in agricultural residue management.

To simulate natural humification and investigate its ecological consequences, the researchers first synthesized artificial humic substances from rice straw using hydrothermal liquefaction at 210, 270, and 330 °C, thereby selectively decomposing hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. These materials (HL210, HL270, HL330) were adjusted to equal total organic carbon concentrations and added to paddy soils to isolate compositional effects from carbon quantity. Chemical characterization was conducted using excitation–emission matrix spectroscopy, GC–MS, and ESI FTICR MS to determine molecular composition and structural transformation. The results showed that higher temperatures (270 and 330 °C) promoted lignin decomposition, increased fatty acids, humic-like substances, and phenolic compounds, and shifted molecular structures from lignin/CRAM-like compounds toward lipids and aliphatic molecules with lower O/C ratios and reduced polarity. Soil total carbon content increased in all treatments without altering basic soil properties such as pH and cation exchange capacity. Metagenomic analysis based on the CAZy database was then performed to assess microbial carbon metabolism. Following humic substance addition, glycoside hydrolase (GH) genes significantly increased from 60.95% to 83.71%, particularly in HL330-treated soils, while glycosyl transferases (GT) and carbohydrate-binding modules (CBM) decreased proportionally. Enrichment of specific GH, GT, CBM, and CE families—largely contributed by Proteobacteria—indicated enhanced degradation of polysaccharides, hemicellulose, cellulose, and cell wall components. Viral auxiliary metabolic genes encoding GH and GT classes were also markedly enriched at 270 and 330 °C, supporting the “Piggyback the Winner” strategy that strengthens host carbon metabolism. Finally, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were quantified, revealing a temperature-dependent increase: 2.3-fold (HL210), 2.5-fold (HL270), and 4.6-fold (HL330) compared to controls. ARG enrichment strongly correlated with higher phenolic concentrations, with efflux- and multidrug-related genes predominating. Metagenome-assembled genomes confirmed Proteobacteria dominance, with notable enrichment of Pseudomonadaceae sp. upd67 and Enterobacter kobei in HL330-treated soils, demonstrating that intensified humification reshapes microbial metabolism while concurrently promoting ARG proliferation.

In conclusion, this study reveals that lignocellulose-derived humification exerts dual ecological effects in agricultural soils. While the transformation of crop residues enhances soil organic carbon accumulation, stimulates CAZyme-mediated carbon metabolism, and strengthens microbial adaptability, it also promotes the enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes, particularly under higher phenolic concentrations. This trade-off underscores the need for balanced residue management strategies. Optimizing composting and soil amendment practices to enhance carbon sequestration while mitigating resistance risks will be critical for sustaining soil health and minimizing long-term ecological and public health impacts.

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References

DOI

10.48130/aee-0025-0013

Original Souce URL

https://doi.org/10.48130/aee-0025-0013

Funding information

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 22276040).

About Agricultural Ecology and Environment

Agricultural Ecology and Environment (e-ISSN 3070-0639) is a multidisciplinary platform for communicating advances in fundamental and applied research on the agroecological environment, focusing on the interactions between agroecosystems and the environment. It is dedicated to advancing the understanding of the complex interactions between agricultural practices and ecological systems. The journal aims to provide a comprehensive and cutting-edge forum for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders from diverse fields such as agronomy, ecology, environmental science, soil science, and sustainable development.

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DOI

10.48130/aee-0025-0013 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Genotype identity overrides domestication status in shaping microbial diversity and functions in the rice rhizosphere and phyllosphere

 

Brief interventions reduce risk of renewed suicide attempt

University of Zurich

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People who have already attempted suicide once are at much greater risk of making further. At the same time, only around a third of them receive any follow-up treatment after they have attempted to take their own life. This is where there’s a vital role for brief interventions and contacts – structured measures for a limited period immediately after a suicide attempt. Examples include safety plans, brief psychotherapy measures such as problem-solving therapy, psychoeducational elements and regular contact by phone or letter.

A team led by psychologists from the University of Zurich (UZH) has now studied whether brief interventions and contacts after a suicide attempt can prevent further attempts. In addition, the team investigated whether they reduce suicidal thoughts, reduce instances of self-harm and help to improve the link to psychiatric or psychological care.

Significantly fewer re-attempts

To do this, the researchers analyzed 36 randomized controlled studies from 1993 to 2025 with a total of around 9,500 adult participants from Europe, America, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. A total of 33 studies were included in the overall statistical evaluation. All the participants had made at least one attempt at suicide.

The key finding was that people who received a brief intervention were 28 percent less likely to re-attempt suicide than people who just received the usual medical care. On average, the participants then received follow-up observation over a period of around 10 months.

Suicidal thoughts also declined. This effect was particularly evident in the first few months after the intervention and diminished somewhat over time. By contrast, there was no evidence of any clear effects in relation to self-harm without suicidal intent or of the link to psychiatric or psychological care. Fewer studies were available to evaluate these aspects.

Easily accessible, scalable, practical

“Just a single structured session can be effective,” says lead author Stephanie Homan from the Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy section at UZH’s Department of Psychology. “These brief interventions are particularly relevant in emergency departments, on psychiatric wards or in outpatient care – so in any setting where there’s a limited supply of staff and financial resources.” They are suitable, for example, after emergency treatment or after a patient is discharged from hospital. At the same time, Homan emphasizes that brief interventions are no substitute for more intensive therapies. Rather, they can provide initial, rapidly available support and form part of comprehensive prevention strategies.

Better research into mechanisms of action and long-term effects

More research is needed to establish which specific aspects of these brief interventions are particularly effective and which groups of people can gain the most benefit from them. To clarify this, more studies on a sufficiently large scale are needed to directly compare different forms of intervention, better understand the underlying mechanisms of action and identify target groups more precisely. In addition, it is important to clarify how the effects can be stabilized over the long term and what role digital formats may play in this process.

Based on the findings that have already been obtained, the research team is currently developing new interventions to provide even more targeted support in future to people who have attempted suicide.

Literature

Homan et al. Effectiveness of brief interventions and contacts after suicide attempt: a systematic review and meta-analysis. eClinicalMedicine. March 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.103824

Contact

Stephanie Homan, PhD
Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy
Department of Psychology
University of Zurich
Phone +41 58 384 28 02
E-Mail: stephanie.homan@bli.uzh.ch

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Journal

EClinicalMedicine

DOI

10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.103824 

Method of Research

Data/statistical analysis

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Effectiveness of brief interventions and contacts after suicide attempt: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Article Publication Date

17-Mar-2026

 

Multilateral development banks fall short in safeguarding green hydrogen projects

Study shows that the current guidelines lack hydrogen-specific criteria

Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) – Helmholtz Centre Potsdam

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Multilateral development banks have emerged as major financiers of green hydrogen production in emerging markets and developing countries. However, a new study published in The Journal of Environment & Development finds that their approach to managing environmental and social risks often falls short. Despite the existence of sustainability frameworks, the research shows that critical risks—such as biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and community displacement—are inadequately addressed, calling into question the sector’s ability to deliver on its climate and development promises.

Industrialised countries are largely relying on imports from countries in the Global South to secure their future supply of green hydrogen. Since private financiers often perceive hydrogen projects as highly risky, most projects are currently being financed by multilateral development banks. The mandate of multilateral development banks includes ensuring that these investments contribute to sustainable development in the exporting countries. “Green hydrogen could help developing countries increase export revenues and reduce energy poverty, but only if it is developed fairly. This means, for example, that banks must ensure that projects foster local job creation and capacity development”, says study author Lai Yee Choy of the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS). With her study, she wanted to find out how effectively the banks are delivering on their mandate.

Current policies lack hydrogen-specific criteria

Choy focused on seven green hydrogen projects in developing countries that are financed by multilateral development banks and operate within established environmental and social policy frameworks and have comprehensive, publicly available documentation. Five banks satisfy these criteria: the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Inter American Development Bank.

For her analysis, Choy categorized 20 environmental and social risk areas, such as land use, indigenous rights, and air and water pollution. She then evaluated the effectiveness of current guidelines, including environmental and social standards and project-specific policies, in mitigating these risks. Her key conclusion: Current sustainability policies, originally crafted for conventional energy projects, lack hydrogen‑specific criteria needed to manage its unique water, supply‑chain, emissions and land‑use risks. This leaves a critical policy gap.

Consistent standards reduce uncertainty for borrowers

According to Choy’s analysis, current due diligence tools are well structured and successfully capture many traditional environmental and social risks, yet they are not fully adequate for the emerging, technology specific challenges of green hydrogen projects. “Given the expected expansion of green hydrogen investment, the banks may benefit from developing dedicated environmental and social standards for hydrogen projects, including: risk categories, mitigation requirements, procedural steps with regard to stakeholder engagement, grievance handling and monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms”, says Choy. Consistent standards reduce uncertainty for borrowers, and strengthen risk management for emerging hydrogen technologies.

Choy sees even more need for improvement with regard to economic impacts on local communities in host countries, which currently receive significantly less attention than environmental and social considerations. This oversight risks widening disparities between countries that export and import green hydrogen, calling for a stronger focus on fair access to jobs and resources.

Failure to meet standards should be penalized

The study also finds that the banks tend to prioritize policies that measure or minimize risks, but rarely implement policies that require specific mitigation actions. “This means that the banks usually ask borrowers to measure and try to reduce impacts, but they seldom require them to meet firm, verifiable performance thresholds or to provide reactive compensation and/or offsets for residual impacts —yet those ‘hard’ requirements are exactly what is needed to protect high impact risks”, explains Choy. Although all banks have systems in place for addressing complaints, their guidelines do not specify penalties for failing to meet their own standards, suggesting an enforcement gap. Choy concludes that multilateral development banks should move toward clearer normative commitments and equitable burden-sharing. By closing the governance gaps, the banks can help to maximize the benefits of green hydrogen development for global climate goals and the economic development of both importing and producing countries.

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Journal

The Journal of Environment & Development

DOI

10.1177/10704965261418543 

Method of Research

Content analysis

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Evaluating Multilateral Development Banks’ Environmental and Social Policies for Green Hydrogen Projects: A Content Analysis

Escaping the bubble trap: Plant-inspired 3D electrodes unlock ultra-fast hydrogen production

International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing

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image: 

Myriophyllum verticillatum performs photosynthesis underwater, wherein the generated oxygen is transported along the stems and leaf veins to the tip regions through the combined effects of gravity and the leaf bubble membrane, ultimately detaching from the Myriophyllum verticillatum surface.

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Credit: By Zhaolong Wang*, Xiaolong Wang, Mingzhu Xie, Yong Shuai* and Qi Ge*

Chinese scientists have developed a new, highly efficient electrode that rapidly ejects gas bubbles during water electrolysis. The results were striking: the three-dimensional, plant-inspired design yielded up to 172.1% more hydrogen than standard flat electrodes of the same size.

Published in the International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, the system proved capable of running continuously outdoors for a week on solar power.

Hydrogen fuel is considered a vital clean energy source for the future. But producing it by splitting water faces a stubborn physical hurdle: the hydrogen bubbles generated tend to stick to the electrode's surface.

No matter how advanced the catalyst is, these trapped bubbles block the liquid from reaching the reaction sites, creating dead zones that severely stall production. Identical electrodes in a factory electrolyzer will eventually lose efficiency as bubbles accumulate within their structural networks. Scientists know that clearing these blockages is essential, but doing so without disrupting the continuous surface of the electrode has remained incredibly difficult.

One-way street

To solve this, researchers turned to Myriophyllum verticillatum, an aquatic plant that efficiently channels oxygen bubbles to the tips of its leaves. The engineering team replicated this biological trick by combining a wavy and 3D-printed catalytic base with a specialized functional membrane.

Using projection microstereolithography, a high-precision 3D printing technique, they crafted a "Janus" membrane, a material that features a gradient wettability designed to capture and transport gas. When the electrode generates a hydrogen bubble, the membrane acts like a one-way turnstile. It actively grabs the bubble and pulls it through to the collection side in just six milliseconds, instantly exposing the reaction site to fresh water.

Factory ready

The rapid detachment speeds translate directly into massive performance gains. During testing, the 3D electrode achieved a current density eight times higher than common one-dimensional flat electrodes, and 2.5 times greater than that of two-dimensional curved versions at the same voltage. Because the wavy 3D geometry ensures the gas meets almost zero resistance as it detaches, the system collected 53.9% more hydrogen than a 2D electrode and 172.1% more than a flat 1D electrode with the exact same active catalyst area.

To prove the technology can handle industrial demands, the team scaled their design into a 400-square-centimeter panel reactor. Coupled directly to a commercial solar panel and placed outdoors, the system maintained highly stable hydrogen production over a continuous one-week run.

Because this modular, stackable architecture operates efficiently in an open liquid setup without requiring expensive proton exchange membranes, the researchers suggest it provides a highly simplified and durable blueprint for large-scale commercial green hydrogen manufacturing.

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International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing (IJEM, IF: 21.3) is dedicated to publishing the best advanced manufacturing research with extreme dimensions to address both the fundamental scientific challenges and significant engineering needs.

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Journal

International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing

DOI

10.1088/2631-7990/ae3cd4 

Article Title

Bionic stacked 3D engineered functional electrodes for ultra-high efficient hydrogen production

Article Publication Date

11-Mar-2026