Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-06"
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- Social media as a driver of physical activity: a snapshot from sport sciences studentsPublication . López-Carril, Samuel; Bae, Deukmook; Alguacil, Mario; Ribeiro, TiagoSocial media has become integral to daily life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these digital tools enabled people to maintain physical activity at home despite restrictions, positively impacting public health. This study examines whether the trend of using social media to support physical activity has continued post-pandemic. A questionnaire was administered to 251 university sport sciences students to gauge their perceptions of social media's role in guiding and promoting physical activity. The findings indicate that participants engage with social media daily, viewing platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok as valuable for visualizing and promoting physical activity. However, they report a lack of professional training in social media use at the university level. These results carry practical implications for health policymakers, educational institutions, faculty, students, and sport industry professionals, highlighting the importance of targeted training in social media management and the development of relevant policies to harness the potential of social media in promoting physical activity.
- A long photoperiod following a short one, and low temperature, stimulate gametogenesis in the sea cucumber Holothuria arguinensisPublication . Marquet, Nathalie; Canario, AdelinoTemperature and photoperiod are critical regulators of reproduction. However, few studies have evaluated experimentally their specific effects on gametogenesis in sea cucumbers. We tested the effect on gametogenesis of combinations of photoperiod and temperature: "accelerated" (long days following short days; a 12 degrees C deep in temperature), "constant" (constant short photoperiod; constant Spring/Summer temperature) and "natural" conditions (natural photoperiod and temperature). Experiment 1 started in mid-November (after gametogenesis began) and lasted until March. Experiment 2 started in September, after the spawning season (before gametogenesis started), with gonadal biopsy and spawning trials between March and May. In both experiments, the most advanced gonad development was found in accelerated photoperiod and temperature, with more than 50 % of the sea cucumbers reaching maturity and having the longest and thickest gonadal tubules. However, gametogenesis could not progress in sea cucumbers (i.e., shortest and thinnest gonad tubules) under constant short photoperiod combined with accelerated temperature. This indicates that a constant short photoperiod inhibits gametogenesis and that an accelerated thermal cycle cannot trigger gonad development alone. When accelerated photoperiod was combined with either accelerated or constant temperature, gametogenesis progressed, advancing faster in accelerated than constant temperature, with spawning only seen in these two treatments. This highlights that long days following short days are required for gametogenesis and that temperature has a modulatory role rather than a trigger, with a cool winter period being stimulatory. Altogether, our study provides essential information into environmental factors in sea cucumber reproduction, valuable for broodstock management and sustainable aquaculture.
- Seagrasses in coastal wetlands of the Algarve region (southern Portugal): past and present distribution and extentPublication . Ito, Paula; Martins, Márcio; von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha, Simon; Santos, Rui; Barrena de los Santos, CarmenThe global biodiversity crisis urges to update the distribution maps of natural habitats, especially those that are in rapid decline and play a key role in ecosystem functioning, such as seagrasses. In Portugal, seagrass meadows have declined substantially since the 1980s and are considered one of the most endangered marine habitats. Here we aimed to 1) compile records on the distribution and area extent of seagrass meadows in the four wetlands of the Algarve region (southern Portugal) with historical occurrence of seagrasses, based on a systematic review, and 2) update the distribution maps and area extent of seagrass meadows in this region using a combination of manual and machine learning mapping techniques. The systematic review showed a general lack of data on the distribution of seagrass meadows in the Algarve, with patchy information at different times and using incomparable mapping techniques. Based on the updated mapping from 2019 to 2023, well-developed seagrass meadows were only found in the Ria Formosa lagoon and the Guadiana estuary. In the Ria de Alvor, some sparce scattered patches of seagrass were observed in the intertidal zone, while no seagrass was found in the Arade estuary. The total extent of seagrass in the Algarve region was estimated at 1231 ha, with nearly all (99 %) occurring in the Ria Formosa, where 85 % was intertidal. Although assessing temporal trends remains challenging due to methodological differences and data limitations, the estimated 20 % decline and ongoing pressures on seagrass meadows in Algarve wetlands underscore the urgent need for continuous, standardized monitoring of their distribution, extent, and condition.
- An extremely acidic environment microalga from Tinto River as a novel source of anti-inflammatory activityPublication . Robles, María; Viegas, Carla; Torronteras, Rafael; Garbayo, Inés; Vega, José M.; Simes, Dina; Vílchez, CarlosCoccomyxa onubensis (C. onubensis) is an acidotolerant microalga isolated from the extremely acidic Tinto River (Huelva), which contains high levels of metals in solution, mainly Fe and Cu. This makes C. onubensis an adequate candidate to easily cope with high levels of oxidative stress by increasing the levels of certain molecules and enzymes, which helps them elicit an adequate antioxidant biochemical response. Thus, C. onubensis is a promising source of bioactive compounds which exhibit in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, including fatty acids, (poly)phenolic compounds and carotenoids. In this study, the correlations between the antioxidant response and anti-inflammatory activity of cell extracts obtained from Fe (III)-stressed microalgal cultures were analyzed. The results suggested a direct relationship between the antioxidant capacity of the microalgal extracts and Fe (III) concentration in the culture medium. Consequently, the production of some of the target antioxidant molecules, including carotenes, xanthophylls and (poly)phenols, increased. The levels of these molecules increased the most in cell extracts obtained from microalgal cultures at 0.25 mM of Fe (III), which was correlated with a 50 % increase in the anti-inflammatory activity of the microalgal extracts in THP-1 differentiated human macrophages. Fe (III)-modulated oxidative stress allowed us to define culture conditions that can enhance the antiinflammatory activity of C. onubensis extracts, which are enriched in valuable antioxidant molecules. Overall, this study highlighted the utility of a microalgal species from a highly acidic environment as a novel, natural source of anti-inflammatory agents, based on its ability to cope with the oxidative conditions of its habitat.
- Metamorphosis-associated immune system maturation in Senegalese solePublication . Silva, Sandra; Correia, Teresa; Manchado, Manuel; Power, Deborah MaryThe thyroid hormones (THs) are proposed as putative regulators of immune system maturation in developing teleost fish. To gain insight into this process the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) that has a well-characterized TH-driven metamorphosis was used. Differential gene expression analysis was performed across developmental stages (n = 3 per stage): pre-metamorphosis, onset of metamorphosis, metamorphosis, early climax, climax, and post-metamorphic juveniles. Metamorphosis is a massive gene-oriented developmental process, involving the differential expression of 8145 genes. Clustering analysis was used to identify immune-related genes with similar expression patterns to hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis-related genes. TH-regulated candidate immune genes were identified (133) and analysis of their promoter region revealed 84 contained putative TH receptor (TR) binding sites (TREs). Two consensus TRE sequences were identified in the candidate genes, 5 '-ntgnGntCacan (exclusive to TR alpha), and 5 '-nnntGgtCannn (common to both TRs). TR alpha-exclusive TREs were less common than those that bound interchangeably TR alpha and TR beta. In the promoter region, TR alpha-exclusive TREs were always accompanied by the pan-TRE consensus sequence, never occurring independently.
- Exopolysaccharides from porphyridium cruentum as a reinforcing agent for chitosan biopolymer-based filmPublication . Lazzarotto Cristofoli, Nathana; Ribeiro Lima, Alexandre; Costa, Sebastião; Silva, Carlos Manuel; Varela, João; Vieira, MargaridaMicroalgae exopolysaccharides (EPS), extracted from exhausted culture medium of Porphyridium cruentum, a rhodophyte able to grow in marine environments, may be useful as reinforcing agents in chitosan-based films produced by casting, using glycerol as a plasticizer. EPS were added at 1 and 2 % (w/v). The resulting hydrophilic films, EPS1 and EPS2, respectively, were opaquer than the control (CTR) chitosan-based films without EPS, resulting in increased thickness and solubility, and decreased moisture and water contact angle. EPS1 and EPS2 showed 1.5 and 2.0-fold higher tensile strength and a 2.9- and 16.3-fold higher Young’s modulus, respectively, compared to CTR. Conversely, elongation decreased by 1.9- and 8.2-fold for EPS1 and EPS2 compared to CTR. EPS1 and EPS2 showed a homogeneous matrix surface upon SEM analysis, presenting some aggregated particles with increasing EPS concentration. FTIR histograms were not influenced by the EPS concentration used. Thermal analysis showed film degradation occurred in three phases, with no significant enhancement in thermal stability. Soil biodegradability confirmed all films degraded within 35 days. This study demonstrated the feasibility of using industrial microalgae byproducts, such as EPS, as film reinforcement agents, primarily enhancing mechanical strength, thus increasing the possibilities of using these raw materials to produce sustainable food films.
- Recuperación de la historia olvidada y protección del patrimoninio: la huella de la esclavitud en el algarvePublication . López Romeo, María Ángeles; Ribeiro de Almeida, Claudia; Rodrigues Gonçalves, AlexandraEl Algarve es una de las regiones más turísticas de Europa, según el Observatório para o Turismo Sustentavel (INSTO) recibió más de cinco millones de visitantes en el último año". Además de un turismo estacional, con variaciones en el flujo de visitantes según la temporada de invierno o verano, nuestros municipios cuentan con una población procedente de distintos países de Europa que habitan de forma permanente o temporal haciendo de nuestra región un lugar multicultural y cosmopolita. La diversidad de culturas enriquece las sociedades modernas, pero el turismo también tiene algunos efectos negativos en relación con la cultura, a los cuales concedemos menor importancia tendiendo a priorizar los beneficios económicos y efectos sociales positivos, como la creación de empleo y riqueza que este genera. Entre los impactos negativos del turismo se encuentra la pérdida de identidad cultural, que se manifiesta en distintas facetas como son: la desaparición paulatina del comercio local tradicional artesanal y la aparición de comercios de producción estandarizada para consumo de turistas; la pérdida de la gastronomía local y la aparición de empresas multinacionales de comida rápida; la desaparición de tradiciones y costumbres relacionadas o no con la religión o con la forma de convivencia y participación de la ciudadanía en la vida social de los municipios, consecuencia inevitable de la temporalidad en el espacio habitado, que desvincula al ciudadano con su entorno social. La identidad cultural se refiere a las características más relevantes y autóctonas de una región, un pueblo о una comunidad. Aquello que hace de un territorio un lugar único con personalidad, y todo esto gracias al patrimonio inherente a dicho territorio, un patrimonio tangible, como monumentos obras de arte, parajes naturales, etc., y otro intangible, como la lengua, las costumbres, el folclore, etc. Es fundamental que una comunidad sea a capaz de reconocer todo lo que les identifica, valorarlo y conservarlo (Cepeda, 2018). Se debe potenciar el patrimonio cultural como factor de identidad de los pueblos frente a los procesos de globalización que padece el planeta, y fomentar la creación de productos de turismo cultural basados en el ocio activo y el patrimonio para hacer frente a la necesaria reconversión del sector turístico. La Carta Europea de Turismo Cultural (2022) advierte, que algunos aspectos de la evolución del turismo han dado lugar a usos fundamentalmente insostenibles de los recursos planetarios, incluyendo en ellos al patrimonio cultural y natural.
- Food processing and sustainability: Exploring new multidisciplinary perspectivesPublication . Fardet, Anthony; Boland, Mike; Hong-Minh, Hoang; Delgado, Amélia; Halawany-Darson, Rafia; Germond, Arnaud; Nedelciu, Claudiu Eduard; Kopsahelis, Nikolaos; Diemeri, Arnaud; Baritaux, Virginie; Galli, Francesca; Rock, EdmondUntil now, the main targets for improving food system sustainability have been food production and consumers’ behaviors (the first and the last links in the agri-food chain). Food processing has been less studied. This perspective paper aims at addressing food processing as a relevant lever to improve food system sustainability, from producers to consumers. The conclusions and perspectives presented here are based on six round-tables carried out during the 2020-2021 period with an international and multidisciplinary consortium, including French, Portuguese, Norwegian, Greek and New Zealander researchers. Beyond the identification of four emerging topics as perspectives about food processing and sustainability, the consortium reached the following generic conclusions: 1) Highly processed diets have serious impacts on nutrition, public health and the environment on a global scale. Thus, the major challenge today is to develop less processed foods that are tasty, health, safe, accessible, ethical, socially and culturally accepted for nearly ten billion people by 2050 while preserving the environment and limiting wastes; 2) Therefore, food processing sustainability improvements should not only include the optimization of processes via siloed approaches, but also holistic changes, i.e., including all dimensions of healthy sustainable processed foods, and that should be locally co-created with other actors of the agri-food chain. This would mean to importantly relocate food processing at a small scale.
- Protocol for isolating nuclei from frozen fish heart tissue for single-cell genomic assaysPublication . Wei, Chaoguang; Jia, Ruonan; Canario, Adelino; Chen, Liangbiao; Xu, Qianghua; Hu, PengUnbiased isolation of intact single nuclei from complex tissues, such as cryopreserved hearts, for massively parallel single-cell genomic assays is particularly challenging. Here, we present a protocol for isolating high-quality nuclei from the heart tissue of Trematomus bernacchii, an Antarctic fish species with notoriously challenging tissue for nuclear extraction. We describe steps for pulverizing frozen heart tissue, library construction, and sequencing. This protocol can provide a valuable reference for isolating nuclei from other cryopreserved marine fish tissues.
- Scales of toolstone transport in the Armenian Highlands during MIS 3: The contribution of Ararat-1 Cave (Ararat Depression) to reconstructing opportunities for social interactionsPublication . Frahm, Ellery; Cabrita Nora, David André; Gasparyan, Boris; Petrosyan, Artur; Malinsky-Buller, ArielMarine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3, ranging from around 57,000 to 29,000 years ago, is a period of significant archaeological interest due to notable transitions in lithic technology and hominin populations. In Europe, this time saw the replacement of Middle Palaeolithic (MP) technologies associated with Neanderthals by Upper Palaeolithic (UP) technologies linked to anatomically modern humans (AMHs). This technological shift is conventionally attributed to a demographic turnover; however, the timing of this transition varied regionally. The presence of Neanderthals and AMHs in the Levant, western Europe, and elsewhere over extended periods complicates the narrative, suggesting asynchronous and regionally diverse associations of hominin species and lithic technologies. This study shifts the attention to potential technological and cultural transmissions among MP- and UP-making groups, emphasizing the roles of social and exchange networks. Recent data from the obsidian-rich Armenian Highlands enable us to consider the mobility and land use of these groups without the added complication of toolstone with different knapping qualities, so patterns more clearly reflect mobility patterns, land use strategies, and potential social connections of foraging groups. These results suggest that, while MP-making groups in MIS 3 had overlapping territories, the UP-making groups at Aghitu-3 had smaller movements on the landscape. In contrast, MIS 2 sites with UP lithic assemblages have resource territories that apparently overlapped much like those of the MIS 3 MP sites. The findings hint at the possibility that differing mobility and land use during MIS 3 might have contributed to the coexistence of distinct lithic technologies, potentially through social transmission rather than a direct replacement of hominin populations.