by Amjad Mizyed

Received: 23 December 2024;  Published: 21 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2502007

Water scarcity is one of the most pressing global challenges, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. In this context, the Gaza Strip, where groundwater is the only available natural water resource, faces severe water stress due to overexploitation and drought conditions. This study aimed to review the recent water budget for the Gaza Strip by collecting data for the years (2021-2022) which was analyzed, discussed, and compared with other studies. The results showed a sharp deterioration in the Gaza Strip in te [...]

by Mojtaba Ehsanifar  , Akram Gholami  and Alireza Esmaeili

Received: 27 October 2024;  Published: 18 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2502285

There is growing scientific concern regarding how endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) impact central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Both anecdotal and preclinical studies suggest a link between EDC exposure and major depressive disorder (MDD), potentially leading to neurodegenerative outcomes. EDCs primarily exhibit their biological effects by interacting with hormone receptors. Nonetheless, there is scientific evidence pointing to dysfunction in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal-adrenal axis, which is linked t [...]

by Fabian Banda  , Leonard Simukoko  , Mulenga Kalumba  and Mwansa Kaoma

Received: 26 September 2024;  Published: 17 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2502020

Aquatic weeds present significant ecological and socio-economic challenges in the Bangweulu Wetlands of northern Zambia, where their proliferation disrupts aquatic ecosystems, impedes fishing activities, and affects local livelihoods. Despite these challenges, aquatic weeds also offer a unique opportunity for sustainable biochar production, a clean alternative cooking fuel that can alleviate pressure on diminishing forest resources. This study explores the application of machine learning (ML) techniques to estimate [...]

by M. Lourdes Mourelle  and Leonel Pereira

Received: 26 January 2025;  Published: 17 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2502308

The increasing consumer demand for cosmetic products has led to the widespread use of synthetic substances, which are inexpensive and readily available but can sometimes harm the skin and body. Examples include hydroxybenzoic acid esters (parabens) and phthalates, which are considered endocrine disruptors, and synthetic fragrances that may cause irritation or allergies. Consequently, there has been a shift in consumer preferences towards natural cosmetic products. In response to this demand and the expanding market [...]

by Michael J Eiswerth  and Joel Wedd

Received: 30 November 2024;  Published: 17 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2502247

The prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) has increased in the last two decades. ALD is currently the most common indication for both waitlist additions and liver transplant (LT) in the United States, including alcohol-associated cirrhosis, alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH), and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). ALD also has a significant global disease burden. LT in ALD is a complex paradigm that poses both medical and ethical challenges, requiring a multidisciplinar [...]

by Matthieu Tshanga  , Faidance Mashauri  and Pierre Mashala

Received: 19 September 2024;  Published: 16 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2502019

This study examines the hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in the Mutoshi mining environment in Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo, addressing gaps in understanding the impact of mining on water quality. Despite the DRC's vast water resources, only 26% of the urban population has access to safe drinking water, with the Mutoshi aquifer, providing over a quarter of Kolwezi's drinking water, facing deterioration due to underlying copper and cobalt-rich geological formations. Groundwater and geological sam [...]

by Kajsa Landgren  , Hólmfríður Margrét Bjarnadóttir  , Helga Sif Friðjónsdóttir  and Jóhanna Bernharðsdóttir

Received: 19 December 2024;  Published: 15 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502018

Depression, insomnia, cravings, and anxiety are significant and often long-lasting health problems. As medication has limited effect and often side effects, complementary methods such as ear acupuncture are used in mental health care. To describe mental health care users' experiences of ear acupuncture, including ratings of sleep, anxiety, depression, stress, pain, and cravings. This mixed methods study included in- and outpatients at a mental health rehabilitation service in Iceland. Standardized ear acupuncture ( [...]

by Mojtaba Ehsanifar  and Alireza Esmaeili

Received: 14 January 2025;  Published: 15 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2502284

Neurotoxicity occurs when exposure to a biological, chemical, or physical agent, especially a neurotoxin, alters the normal activity of the nervous system in a way that results in permanent or reversible damage to neurons and nerve tissue and disrupts the functioning of the brain and nervous system. Chlorpyrifos is a broad-spectrum organophosphorus insecticide that has been used worldwide for more than 50 years and can damage the nervous system of insects by creating neurotoxicity. Epidemiological studies show that [...]

by Ayub Nor Hanin  , Mat Yunus Abdul Masani  , Ong-Abdullah Janna  , Omar Abdul Rasid  and Ghulam Kadir Ahmad Parveez

Received: 18 December 2024;  Published: 15 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2502292

Oil palm is the most productive vegetable oil crop compared to other oil-bearing crops because it produces the highest oil yield per hectare. Palm oil is very versatile since it is used for producing food and beverages, personal care and cosmetics, cleaning products, biofuel, and bioenergy. To cater to the increasing demand in the global palm oil market, much research has been done to improve the oil's yield and modify its quality in addition to the oil palm height through breeding. Due to its long breeding cyc [...]

by Stefan Hardy Lung  and Thomas Lung

Received: 30 November 2024;  Published: 14 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2502307

Cellular senescence (aging) is a physiological process that plays a role in tissue remodeling, wound healing, and embryogenesis. Prolonged senescence of cells can have detrimental effects and trigger a secretory phenotype (SASP, senescence-associated secretory phenotype), degenerative disorders, cancer, and age-related diseases. Suitable biomarkers and a range of different laboratory methods are used to investigate these complex relationships in vitro and in vivo. Since a universal biomarker for cell senescence has [...]