Jimma University (JU) is a public research university located in Jimma, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. It is recognized as the leading national university, as ranked first by the Federal Ministry of Education for four successive years (2009–2012). The establishment of Jimma university dates back to 1952 when Jimma college of Agriculture was founded. The university got its current name in December 1999 following the amalgamation of Jimma College of Agriculture (founded in 1952) and Jimma Institute of Health Sciences (founded in 1983).
Lung cancer, a global concern with high mortality rates, has multiple causative factors, including exposure to air pollution. This risk extends to microplastics, now recognized as constituents of particulate matter, a well-known carcinogen for lung cancer. Numerous studies have consistently shown the prevalence of microplastics originating from various sources, accumulating in the lungs upon inhalation. However, their direct influence on lung carcinogenesis remains less explored, highlighting the urgent need for high-priority research. This comprehensive review aims to analyze the effects of microplastics on lung carcinogenesis, drawing insights from a wide range of research studies. It addresses the sources and transport of microplastics infiltrating humans from indoor environments, leading to inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, genomic instability, and immune modulation—factors closely associated with lung cancer development. The review also emphasizes pertinent in vitro and in vivo studies on microplastic exposure and their potential implications for lung cancer. Furthermore, it delves into the least explored and complex interplay between microplastics and particulate matter in the context of lung cancer, based on global cohort studies and meta-analyses. This review provides critical insights into microplastic and particulate matter exposure, emphasizing the need for extensive, long-term investigations across diverse human populations and regions to inform public health policies. Such research endeavors are essential for developing effective intervention strategies to mitigate the risks associated with these environmental contaminants.
Abstract Camel production plays a crucial role in supporting the livelihoods and food security of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities across Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. This review systematically synthesizes peer-reviewed studies and regional reports published between 2000 and 2026, identified through structured database searches and screened using defined inclusion criteria, to evaluate camel milk production systems, traditional utilization, physicochemical and nutritional quality, safety, and value chain dynamics across the region. Camel milk is widely consumed raw or fermented and serves as a key dietary resource. Traditional practices across the region involve spontaneous fermentation for product formation, the production of sour milk products and camel milk tea, and the incorporation of camel milk into various local dishes; however, systematic documentation of these practices remains limited. Compared with bovine and caprine milk, camel milk generally contains lower fat and lactose levels, higher vitamin C and mineral concentrations, and distinct protein characteristics, including lower κ-casein content and the absence of β-lactoglobulin, which influence digestibility and processing properties. Reported fat content ranges from approximately 2.5 to 4.5% and protein from 2.5 to 3.9%, while vitamin C levels substantially exceed those of bovine milk. These features confer nutritional advantages but also create technological challenges, such as weak coagulation and extended fermentation time. Despite increasing urban and cross-border demand, the sector remains constrained by feed shortages, limited veterinary services, inadequate processing facilities, informal marketing systems, and hygiene limitations that contribute to microbial contamination. Key gaps include a lack of harmonized quality standards, limited comparative data on milk composition and microbiological safety, weak cold-chain infrastructure, and poor value-chain coordination. Strengthened hygiene, standardized quality protocols, improved processing and cold-chain systems, and coordinated institutional support are essential to enhance commercialization, safety, and regional integration.
Streamflow in semi-arid regions, the Melka Wakana River in southeastern Ethiopia, is highly vulnerable to climate change; yet hydrological assessment remains limited due to data scarcity and ungauged basin outlets. This study integrates the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) with bias-corrected multi-model ensemble projections from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) to assess streamflow dynamics using spatiotemporal hydrometeorological and climate datasets. The CMIP6 projects relatively stable mean annual precipitation during mid-century, followed by substantial declines by late-century under both SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. In contrast, annual maximum and minimum temperatures are projected to increase consistently, with stronger warming under SSP5-8.5. Under SSP5-8.5 (2040-2069), the mean flow is projected to decrease by 27%, accompanied by reduced seasonal variability and an increased probability of low flows (about 17%). Paradoxically, monthly scale flows are expected to increase under SSP2-4.5 (2040-2069), likely due to enhanced orographic rainfall. Overall, late-century projections under high-emission pathways indicate flattened flow seasonality, prolonged dry season, and heightened hydrological drought risks. These findings highlight increasing water scarcity, soil moisture depletion, and seasonal hydrological redistribution, underscoring the need for proactive, climate-adaptive water resource management in the Melka Wakana River.
In Jordan and other arid and semi-arid Middle Eastern countries, water scarcity and unpredictable rainfall patterns make crop productivity difficult. Thus, breeding strategies aim to improve the stability of drought-stressed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) production. This research examined the impact of four irrigation regimes: rainfed (0%) and supplementary irrigation (SI) at 50%, 75% and 100% of field capacity (FC) on the yield, yield components and physiological parameters of two barley cultivars (Acsad176 and Yarmouk) during two growing seasons. A three-replicate split-plot design was used with irrigation treatments as the main factor and cultivars as the sub-factor. SI outperformed rainfed conditions in grain yield and water-use efficiency (WUE), especially at 75% FC, where yield and resource use were optimised. Improved physiological characteristics like chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), total chlorophyll content (measured by SPAD meter) and harvest index (HI) increased crop production. Acsad176 produced higher grain yield and WUE across all treatments, supported by its superior physiological performance and more grains per spike. At the same time, Yarmouk's earlier maturity allowed partial avoidance of terminal heat stress but resulted in lower yields. Rainfed conditions caused substantial yield reductions, highlighting SI's importance in mitigating the effects of drought. These findings demonstrate that Acsad176 is a promising cultivar for enhancing barley production in semi-arid regions and emphasise the potential of traits like SPAD and Fv/Fm as selection parameters in breeding programs to develop drought-resistant cultivars.
This study explores the structural, morphological, optical, and photocatalytic properties of pure TiO2 and silver-doped TiO2 (Ag–TiO2) nanoparticles synthesized via a simple one-step sol–gel method with Ag concentrations of 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 mol
