In this second and final installment of the ‘Highlights of 2023’ series, we give our readers a glance of another 3 most visited posts in this year.
To view the posts covered in the first installment, please click on the following link:-
Highlights of 2023 (Part 1): https://ecotox-blog.uni-landau.de/best-posts-2023-part-1/
1. The Impact of Pesticides on Biodiversity: A Case Study of Banana Production in Costa Rica
Carsten Brühl discusses a collaborative review with colleagues from the Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances (IRET) at Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica, addressing pesticide use in banana plantations and its implications for environmental and human health. Focusing on Costa Rican banana production, the blog highlights the extensive history of pesticide use, emphasizing the high documented exposure in aquatic systems and humans. The review underscores the need for tailored research in tropical ecosystems, considering both population-level ecological impacts and human health risks, and advocates for sustainable farming practices to minimize the negative consequences of pesticide use.
To read more about his work, please follow the links given below:-
2. Bio-QSARs: the inclusion of physiological trait information in machine learning QSARs allows predictions across species
Jochen Zubrod discusses the development of an innovative machine learning approach for ecotoxicity predictions, specifically focusing on acute pesticide toxicity in freshwater organisms. The multi-step modeling strategy, incorporating physiological variables based on Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory, resulted in highly predictive models (Bio-QSARs) for both fish and invertebrates. These models demonstrate cross-chemical and cross-species predictive capabilities, offering flexibility and applicability for environmental risk assessment and pesticide research and development. The study represents a significant advancement in predictive ecotoxicology, showcasing impressive accuracy and interpretability.
To read more about his work, please follow the link given below:-
3. Exploring Australia’s Mangroves: A Research Journey
Emma Yenney shares her journey from Germany to Australia, where she pursued a research project on plastic contamination in mangrove ecosystems at the University of Queensland’s Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS). Detailing her experiences, including securing a scholarship, navigating the rental market, and conducting fieldwork and lab analysis, the blogpost highlights the transformative power of international research experiences, offering opportunities for personal and academic growth beyond one’s home country.
To read more about her work, please follow the link given below:-