Nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans) movement in sand as affected by particle size, moisture and the presence of bacteria (Escherichia coli)

The movement of bacterial-feeding nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans) through sand was investigated using a range of sand sizes, equilibrated at a range of matric potentials, in the presence or absence of an attractant source ( Escherichia coli) at the distal end of a column . In the presence of E. coli there was significantly greater movement of the nematode population towards the E. coli population, and the extent of the movement depended on the matric potential of the sand. Over time, an increasing proportion of the C. elegans population responded to the presence of the E. coli . The processes controlling these effects are discussed with respect to taxis and kinesis mechanisms of the nematode population, and with regard to the diffusive characteristics of the physical structure of the sand.     

Healthy soils for sustainable food production and environmental quality

Soil is the foundation for sustainable food production and environmental protection. Created by unsustainable land management practices and a range of social, economic and environmental drivers, soil degradation and pollution have been an ongoing threat to international food security and environmental quality. Soil degradation and pollution assessments are, however, often focused on the soil itself with little scope to devise new soil management approaches that match food production systems and/or environmental protection. This study draws lessons from an Australia-China Joint Research Center Program, Healthy Soils for Sustainable Food Production and Environmental Quality: a research platform that has brought together multi-disciplinary approaches from world-renowned universities and research organizations in Australia and China. To this end, a framework is presented for future soil management in a new way that combines excellence in research, industry and policymakers in a partnership that will ensure not only the right focus of the research but also that high-quality outputs will be transferable to industry and end-users.     

First evidence of Kunjin strain of West Nile virus associated with saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) skin lesions

Recently, the Kunjin strain of West Nile virus (WNV_KUN) has been detected using qRT‐PCR in belly skin lesions of farmed juvenile saltwater crocodiles. This follows an established association between similar lesions and West Nile virus in American alligators. The lesions present as cutaneous lymphohistiocytic aggregates in the dermal layers of both species. While these lesion do not create an obvious defect on the live crocodile, upon tanning the lesion area collapses and does not uptake the dye evenly, thus reducing its aesthetic appeal. As a result, skins are being rejected jeopardising the economic viability of the Australian crocodile industry. Over 50 skin lesions have since been confirmed as WNV_KUN‐positive and preliminary evidence of lesion restructuring is presented. Horizontal transmission of WNV_KUN by mosquitoes is well‐established but other transmission routes, such as ingestion and cloacal shedding, need further evaluation. An infection trial is currently underway to ensure WNV_KUN is the causative agent of these skin lesions.     

水稻土的渗漏性能对土壤环境更新的影响及其意义

1.试验结果表明,水稻的土壤环境宜常予更新,否则由于耕层土壤中氧气的缺少和有害物质的积累,对水稻产生不良的影响.在实践中除了一些人为措施以更新土壤环境外,工壤所具有的渗漏性能,在土壤环境更新中也起一定的作用.2.由于土壤具有渗漏性能,这样就引起了灌溉水向土层中的渗漏,从而带入了氧气和养分,促进了土层中养分的分配和移动,也稀释和排出了耕层土壤中的养分和有害物质,对土壤环境起着更新的作用.在这些作用中可分有利的和不利的两个方面,这两个方面的相对大小和转化,受到渗漏速度的制约.3.渗漏速度过慢和过快都对水稻生长产生不利的影响.渗漏速度过快虽有利于毒害物质的排除、氧气的输入等,但用水不经济,养分流失过多,反而易于引起水稻生长后期的脱肥.反之,渗漏速度过慢虽可减少水分和养分的流失,但由于毒害物质不能得到排除,也抑制了根系的活动,削弱了地上部分的生长.     

Evidence for new sources of NOX in the lower atmosphere

Laboratory studies show that the reaction of short-lived O2(B3Sigmau) molecules (lifetime approximately 10 picoseconds) with N2 and the photodissociation of the N2:O2 dimer produce NOx in the stratosphere at a rate comparable to the oxidation of N2O by O(1D). This finding implies the existence of unidentified NOX sinks in the stratosphere. The NO2 observed in this experiment is isotopically heavy with a large 15N/14N enhancement. However, photodissociation of this NO2 unexpectedly produced NO molecules with a low 15N/14N ratio. The diurnal odd-nitrogen cycle in the stratosphere will be marked by a complex isotope signature that will be imprinted on the halogen and HOX catalytic cycles.