The sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) is a critically endangered species, whose spatial ecology in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean remains poorly understood. This study is the first regional attempt to elucidate the habitat conditions linked to the distribution and occurrence of this migratory coastal shark, using the largest regional dataset for the Southwest Atlantic. An ensemble of species distribution models was applied to assess various environmental predictors of habitat suitability for C. taurus. Our occurrence data was obtained throughout the species’ distribution range along Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. These data were compiled mainly from artisanal and recreational fishing records, and are linked to research, reporting efforts and projects. Results indicated that bathymetry, bottom temperature, primary productivity, and salinity were important environmental factors linked to the species occurrence and suitable habitats. These factors were mainly associated with coastal and estuarine habitats. Areas with high suitability for C. taurus were identified in Northern Argentina, the entirety of the La Plata River estuarine mouth and extended shelf, between Uruguay and Southern Brazil, and Southeast Brazil, indicating these subregions as priority areas for the species’ conservation. Ensemble forecasting projections showed a habitat suitability retraction in colder months for southern latitudes. Our study also gathered novel insights on the species' biology and occurrence from unpublished data.
Agricultural intensification and land-use changes have led to an increase in monocultures, reducing the diversity of polliniferous resources. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are particularly sensitive to this reduction, which has been associated with large-scale colony losses worldwide. Reduced pollen diversity impairs nutrient intake and leads to nutritional stress. Eucalyptus grandis monocultures offer a suitable context to study this problem, as their pollen is nutritionally poor, with low protein and lipid content, and a deficiency in essential amino acids. In these environments, colonies suffer nutritional stress, become infected with the microsporidium Nosema ceranae, and weaken, which may lead to colony loss. In this study, we evaluated strategies to mitigate the impact of nutritional stress. Five groups of colonies were placed in an E. grandis plantation and received different protein supplements: Apiprot, Feedbee, and a novel nutritional formulation (UFP). Two control groups were included: one without supplementation and the other supplemented with polyfloral pollen patties. Besides that, all colonies had access to the environmental pollen (mainly E. grandis pollen). Protein supplementation increased brood and adult populations, as well as honey production, compared to negative controls. Interestingly, RNA viral levels were higher in supplemented colonies, although no negative effects on colony strength were observed. These findings suggest that protein supplementation is an effective strategy to mitigate nutritional stress in E. grandis plantations. This work contributes to a better understanding of the impacts of land-use intensification on honey bee health and offers tools for mitigation.
Emerging adults represent a uniquely developmental stage that is vulnerable to the consequences of inadequate sleep quality, due to ongoing brain maturation processes. Rumination has been found to negatively impact sleep quality, whereas resilience is increasingly recognized as a protective factor for both sleep quality and rumination. This study investigated the relationship between sleep quality and rumination, as well as the mediating role of resilience in emerging adults from Uruguay. A sample of 835 participants (mean age 21.52 ± 2.23) completed a web-based survey that included the Socioeconomic Status Index, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Ruminative Responses Scale, and the Connor and Davidson Resilience Scale. Linear regression models and mediation analysis were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that higher levels of rumination were associated with poorer sleep quality (β = 0.107, SE = 0.007, p < 0.001), and higher levels of resilience were associated with better sleep quality (β=-0.069, SE = 0.007, p < 0.001). Moreover, rumination decreased as resilience increased (β=-0.478, SE = 0.058, p < 0.001), especially in those with a higher socioeconomic status (p = 0.04). Finally, resilience partially mediated the association between rumination and sleep quality, with a direct association remaining. These correlational results refine understanding of their interplay and highlight rumination reduction and resilience enhancement as promising targets to be tested in longitudinal and experimental research.
En las últimas décadas, América Latina ha visto un fuerte crecimiento en la educación superior, promoviendo su democratización. En este contexto, la Universidad de la República de Uruguay incluyó en su Plan Estratégico 2020-2024 la meta de generalizar el acceso universitario. La investigación se centra en analizar las políticas de articulación entre la educación media y superior en el Noreste de Uruguay, una zona históricamente rezagada en términos de desarrollo humano. Se exploran prácticas de articulación como orientación, cursos de preparación académica y mentoría. A través de un enfoque cualitativo, se identificaron problemas como la falta de información sobre carreras, dificultades académicas y una desconexión entre la oferta educativa y los intereses de los jóvenes. Aunque se han implementado algunas prácticas de apoyo, la falta de coordinación curricular entre la educación media y superior sigue siendo un desafío central para la transición y permanencia de los estudiantes en la universidad.
This study aims to identify the social and healthcare needs of patients with rare diseases (RD) and their physicians within a Universal Health Care System. It seeks to provide valuable insights for policymakers, patient organizations, and healthcare professionals while informing about these diseases, raising awareness, and designing strategies to improve access to quality, timely medical care, including therapies and medication at a local and regional level. Two semi-structured surveys were conducted between May 2023 and August 2024, targeting family members of patients with RD (N = 64) and physicians (N = 56) in Uruguay. Surveys were self-administered via email or conducted by an interviewer, and were disseminated through healthcare professionals, RD associations, and social media, using “snowball” methodology and word-of-mouth references. Uruguay faces significant deficiencies in access to diagnosis and treatment for rare diseases, leading to a prolonged “diagnostic odyssey” for families and multiple barriers for physicians, ranging from lack of training to limited access to specialized tools. The low reporting rate to the National Registry of Congenital Defects and Rare Diseases and the lack of updates to the Comprehensive Health Care Plan exacerbate inequities in access to diagnosis and treatment. A key finding is inequality in access to whole-exome sequencing (WES), despite its proven effectiveness in reducing diagnostic times and improving accuracy. Its use remains restricted due to high costs and lack of universal coverage, highlighting the need for a national genomic medicine strategy and medical training in molecular diagnosis. The survey results indicate that RDs have a significant physical, emotional, and economic impact on patients and families. The main concerns raised include diagnostic delays, partly due to difficulties accessing specific tests and treatments. The medical community also acknowledges these issues. The healthcare system needs to update its coverage to include genomic diagnostics, improve medical training, strengthen coordination, and ensure equitable treatment access. These results mimic what is seen in other countries in Latin America and the Southern Cone. They call for a comprehensive, formalized framework for diagnosis, treatment, and care of rare diseases at local and regional levels, accounting for family experiences and prioritizing family wellbeing.
