BMC Infectious Disease:  Universal SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR admission screening over 21 months in a German tertiary care hospital: detection of asymptomatic infections

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the challenge of preventing healthcare-associated infections, particularly from asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic individuals.

A recent study published in BMC Infectious Disease examined SARS-CoV-2 admission screening data from a tertiary-care hospital in Germany between April 2020 and December 2021. Among 111,271 hospitalised patients and accompanying persons screened using RT-qPCR, 705 (0.6%) tested positive. Importantly, 236 (0.2%) were previously undiagnosed, including 110 (0.1%) asymptomatic individuals with no known contact history. The screening strategy demonstrated a specificity of 99.997%, while the mean cost of identifying one SARS-CoV-2-positive individual was €8,082.87.

These findings highlight the value of universal admission screening in identifying otherwise undetected infections and supporting infection control within healthcare settings. Although resource-intensive, the experience provides an important lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that similar screening strategies could help healthcare facilities respond effectively to future pandemics or seasonal surges of infectious pathogens.

BMC Zoology:  Enhancing the 12S rRNA reference library of South African chondrichthyans to aid in eDNA metabarcoding

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is increasingly being used to monitor biodiversity, but accurate species identification depends on comprehensive and well-curated genetic reference databases.

A recent study published in BMC Zoology expanded the 12S rRNA reference library for South African chondrichthyans, including sharks, rays and chimaeras. Researchers sequenced 36 species represented by 69 individuals from the Indian and Atlantic Ocean coastlines. The newly generated data increased regional reference coverage from 50.3% to 69.1% and added 18 species to global reference resources. Phylogenetic analyses showed that 97.2% of sequences clustered within their expected family-level lineages. Importantly, comparisons showed that the longer 12S rRNA fragment provided greater phylogenetic resolution than the shorter Elas02 region, particularly for closely related taxa.

These findings strengthen genetic resources for South African chondrichthyans and support more accurate eDNA-based biodiversity monitoring. The expanded reference library and newly developed marker could also benefit global studies by improving species identification and helping resolve previously ambiguous or unknown sequences.

 BMC Environmental Science: Mitigation and adaptation strategies to reverse biodiversity decline

Global biodiversity continues to decline despite ambitious international commitments to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, highlighting the need to address the underlying drivers of environmental change.

A recent review published in BMC Environmental Science proposes reframing biodiversity conservation around the concepts of mitigation and adaptation, similar to approaches used in climate change policy. Using food production and consumption as an example, the authors identify social transitions—including changes in diets, economic norms and equity—alongside emerging technologies such as microbial and cellular food production and waste-reduction approaches. If effectively supported and scaled, these measures could substantially reduce food-related pressures on biodiversity. In contrast, conventional conservation measures such as rewilding, restoration and agricultural de-intensification may sometimes shift demand-driven environmental pressures elsewhere rather than addressing their root causes.

The review emphasizes that reversing biodiversity loss at a global scale requires tackling the production and consumption patterns driving environmental change. Developing distinct but complementary mitigation and adaptation strategies could therefore provide a more effective framework for achieving long-term biodiversity recovery.

BMC Marine Science: Resource recovery through the creation of an artificial Acanthosepion esculentum spawning ground in Namhae-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea

 Fishing gear can provide unintended attachment surfaces for cephalopod eggs, increasing the risk of egg loss and mortality. Creating suitable artificial spawning habitats may offer a practical solution to support reproduction and population recovery.

A recent study published in BMC Marine Science evaluated artificial spawning grounds for A. esculentum off the coast of Namhae-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. From April to July 2024, researchers installed netting and bamboo structures at two sites and monitored spawning activity, egg density and spawning range over 12 weeks. Fertilized eggs of A. esculentum and Sepioteuthis lessoniana were found on the netting structures, while only S. lessoniana eggs were observed on bamboo structures. Average egg density reached 2,501 eggs/m² at Maando and 1,258 eggs/m² at Eunjeom. Hatching experiments showed high hatching rates of 92% and 85%, respectively, with an estimated 261,351 juvenile cephalopods successfully hatched.

These findings highlight the potential of artificial spawning habitats to reduce egg loss associated with fishing gear, enhance recruitment and support sustainable cephalopod population management.

 BMC Marine Science: Impact assessment of seasonal variations on the biodiversity of marine benthos from the Red Sea coast

The Red Sea supports diverse marine ecosystems but increasing environmental and human pressures make understanding how marine communities respond to changing conditions increasingly important.

A recent study published in BMC Marine Science investigated seasonal and environmental influences on benthic macrofaunal biodiversity at three sites along the Egyptian Red Sea coast. Researchers conducted seasonal surveys during spring, summer and autumn 2021 and winter 2022, alongside measurements of key environmental factors. A total of 2,942 individuals representing 60 species across seven phyla were identified. Cnidaria and Mollusca were the dominant groups, with substantial differences in abundance across seasons and locations. Statistical analyses revealed significant variation among both seasons and sites, while canonical correspondence analysis showed strong relationships between community composition and temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen.

These findings highlight the sensitivity of benthic communities to environmental fluctuations and demonstrate that both seasonal changes and local site conditions play important roles in shaping marine biodiversity. Understanding these patterns can support more effective monitoring and conservation of vulnerable Red Sea ecosystems amid increasing environmental pressures.