University of the Coast

This review investigates scalability, environmental performance, and socio-economic sustainability of biochar production in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on traditional/low-tech solutions. Low-tech methods, including open pits, metal drum kilns, and earth mounds, are easily accessible and reasonably priced, but they can have high emissions, uneven biochar quality, and poor thermal efficiency. Standardizing enhanced low-technology designs, putting strong quality assurance systems in place, mobilizing underutilized biomass streams, and using digital monitoring and artificial intelligence to optimize pyrolysis operations are some of the main strategies proposed to achieve scalable and sustainable biochar production in the region. Retort kilns or sophisticated pyrolysis units with gas recirculation are considered medium-to-high technology to stabilize product qualities, lower emissions, and call for a moderate amount of capital and technical know-how. Along with evaluating feedstock possibilities such as invasive species, forestry wastes, and crop residues, the review incorporates techno-economic analysis, climate-smart forestry tools, and circular economy principles. Economically viable biochar systems in Sub-Saharan African contexts require either (i) integration with existing agro-industrial waste streams (e.g., rice mills, sugarcane processing) where collection infrastructure already exists, or (ii) decentralized production using low-cost kilns (< US500 capital cost) that eliminate transport through on-farm processing. To align waste management and forest conservation with goals for negative carbon soil enhancement, the paper recommends policymakers support standardized low-technology designs, create frameworks for ensuring the quality of biochar, increase the use of underutilized biomass streams, and use digital monitoring and artificial intelligence to optimize pyrolysis processes.

In the pursuit of sustainable solutions in construction, crumb rubber (CR) emerges as a viable alternative for enhancing road infrastructure projects. This study aims to assess the replacement of coarse crumb rubber (CCR) in a granular subbase with a maximum nominal size of 37.5 mm (known as GSB38), under Colombian conditions. The evaluated replacements of CCR were 10

BACKGROUND:Enlicitide decanoate, an oral proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor, was shown to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in a phase 2 trial; longer-term data are needed. METHODS:In this multinational, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we enrolled adults with a history of a major atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease event with an LDL cholesterol level of 55 mg per deciliter or higher and those who were at risk for a first atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease event with an LDL cholesterol level of 70 mg per deciliter or higher. Participants were assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive enlicitide at a dose of 20 mg or placebo daily for 52 weeks. The primary end point was the mean percent change in LDL cholesterol level from baseline to week 24. Key secondary end points were the mean percent change in LDL cholesterol level at week 52 and the mean percent change in levels of non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein B and the percent change in lipoprotein(a) level at week 24. RESULTS:Of the 2909 participants in the intention-to-treat population, 1935 received enlicitide and 969 received placebo (5 did not receive enlicitide or placebo). The mean age of the participants was 63 years, and 39.3% were women. The mean (±SD) LDL cholesterol level at baseline was 96.1±38.9 mg per deciliter. The mean percent change in LDL cholesterol levels at week 24 was -57.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], -61.8 to -52.5) with enlicitide and 3.0% (95% CI, 0.9 to 5.1) with placebo, representing an adjusted between-group difference of -55.8 percentage points (95% CI, -60.9 to -50.7; P<0.001). The mean percent change in LDL cholesterol level at week 52, the mean percent changes in non-HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels at week 24, and the percent change in lipoprotein(a) levels at week 24 were significantly greater with enlicitide than with placebo (P<0.001 for all comparisons). The incidence of adverse events did not appear to differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS:Among participants who had a history of or were at risk for a first atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease event, treatment with the oral PCSK9 inhibitor enlicitide resulted in significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels than placebo at 24 weeks. (Funded by MSD [Rahway, NJ]; CORALreef Lipids ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05952856.).

Fungi have emerged as versatile biotechnological platforms for addressing environmental challenges with potential co-benefits for human health. Among them, Pleurotus ostreatus stands out for its ligninolytic enzyme systems (notably laccases), capacity to valorize lignocellulosic residues, and ability to form functional mycelial materials. We conducted an evidence-mapped review, based on a bibliometric analysis of the Scopus corpus (2001–2025; 2085 records), to characterize research fronts and practical opportunities in environmental remediation and sustainable bioprocesses involving P. ostreatus. The mapped literature shows sustained growth and global engagement, with prominent themes in: (a) oxidative transformation of phenolic compounds, dyes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; (b) biodegradation/bioconversion of agro-industrial residues into value-added products; and (c) development of bio-based materials and processes aligned with the circular bioeconomy. We synthesize how these strands translate to real-world contexts, reducing contaminant loads, closing nutrient loops, and enabling low-cost processes that may indirectly reduce exposure-related risks. Key translational gaps persist: standardization of environmental endpoints, scale-up from laboratory to field, performance in complex matrices, life-cycle impacts and cost, ecotoxicological safety, and long-term monitoring. A practical agenda was proposed that prioritizes field-scale demonstrations with harmonized protocols, integration of life-cycle assessment and cost metrics, data sharing, and One Health frameworks linking environmental gains with plausible health co-benefits. In conclusion, P. ostreatus is a tractable platform organism for sustainable remediation and bio-manufacturing. This evidence map clarifies where the field is mature and where focused effort can accelerate the impact of future research.

Introduction:Global mental health is a growing priority in health and development agendas. However, there is limited evidence on whether scientific research in mental health aligns with the health, societal, and developmental needs of different regions. The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between global mental health research and key indicators in science, health, mental health, and society across world regions. Methods:It was conducted a longitudinal analysis of 386,671 peer-reviewed publications on mental health (1886-2024) using data from five databases. We linked annual publication counts with 60 indicators across four domains (Economy, Development and Education; Global Health; Inequality and Poverty; and Governance and Rights). Associations were evaluated using linear regression models and standardized β₁ coefficients, stratified by World Health Organization regions. Results:Significant regional differences were observed in both publication volume and coherence with contextual indicators. Africa and South-East Asia, despite lower publication rates (<5%), showed strong associations between research output and gross domestic product per capita (β = 0.125, 95% CI: 0.05-0.19, p < 0.01), average years of schooling (β = 526.05, 95% CI: 30.5-1021.5), and physician density (β = 1,289.6, 95% CI: 322.2-2,257.1). Conversely, the Americas and Europe, which accounted for >75% of publications, showed weaker or non-significant associations with mental health burden indicators such as disability-adjusted life years and suicide mortality. Discussion:There is evidence of both alignment and misalignment between global mental health research and global needs. Scientific output does not consistently correspond to indicators of mental health burden or systemic needs.