Ecology and risks of the global plastisphere as a newly expanding microbial habitat

Plastic offers a new niche for microorganisms,the plastisphere.The everincreasing emission of plastic waste makes it critical to understand the microbial ecology of the plastisphere and associated effects.Here,we present a global fingerprint of the plastisphere,analyzing samples collected from freshwater,seawater,and terrestrial ecosystems.The plastisphere assembles a distinct microbial community that has a clearly higher heterogeneity and a more deterministically dominated assembly compared to natural habitats.New coexistence patterns—loose and fragile networks with mostly specialist linkages among microorganisms that are rarely found in natural habitats—are seen in the plastisphere.Plastisphere microbiomes generally have a great potential to metabolize organic compounds,which could accelerate carbon turnover.Microorganisms involved in the nitrogen cycle are also altered in the plastisphere,especially in freshwater plastispheres,where a high abundance of denitrifiers may increase the release of nitrite(aquatic toxicant)and nitrous oxide(greenhouse gas).Enrichment of animal,plant,and human pathogens means that the plastisphere could become an increasingly mobile reservoir of harmful microorganisms.Our findings highlight that if the trajectory of plastic emissions is not reversed,the expanding plastisphere could pose critical planetary health challenges.

Transmission of antibiotic resistance genes in agroecosystems: an overview

The use of antibiotics in human medicine andanimal husbandry has resulted in the continuous release ofantibiotics into the environment, which imposes highselection pressure onbacteria to develop antibioticresistance. The spread and aggregation of antibioticresistance genes (ARGs) in multidrug-resistant pathogensisone of the most intractable clinical challenges.Numerous studies have been conducted to profile thepatterns of ARGS in agricultural ecosystems, as this isclosely related to human health and wellbeing. This paperprovides an overview of the transmission of ARGs inagricultural ecosystems resulting from the application ofanimal manures and other organic amendments. The futureneed to control and mitigate the spread of antibioticresistance in agricultural ecosystems is also discussed,particularly from a holistic perspective, and requiresmultiple sector efforts to translate fundamental knowledgeinto effective strategies.

The inheritance dilemma and development of contemporary Qiang embroiderya

Qiang embroidery is one of the important carriers of Qiang history and culture and was listed on the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008.With the gradual advancement of urbanization,industrialization,and marketization,the traditional handicraft industry is facing a crisis of transformation.Qiang embroidery was also severely impacted by the Wenchuan earthquake,making its study and protection imperative.Through feld investi-gations in Wenchuan County,where the Qiang ethnic group is concentrated,it was found that although Qiang embroidery has received some protection from the local government,it faces practical dificulties such as a lack of inheritors,weak craft innovation(capabilities,and gradual neglect in daily life.Qiang embroidery needs to seize opportunities in the current tourism boom,cultivate more outstanding inheritors,and integrate with modern clothing design,artistic aesthetics,and other felds.This approach will help explore a new development path for Qiang embroidery that combines practicality,artistry,and cultural industry value.