Institut Français de la Mer

Malnutrition is common among hospitalised older adults, and weight may continue to decline after discharge without nutritional support. Post-discharge home visit programmes by dieticians show positive outcomes, but not all participants experience improvement of their nutritional status. We compared participant’s characteristics according to weight change groups in a 3-month public community programme of dietician home visits. This observational retrospective study included older adults at risk of malnutrition or malnourished in geriatric acute care wards and discharged home. Hospital data included pre-hospital basic (ADL) and instrumental (IADL) activities of daily living, comorbidity (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatric), plasma albumin and CRP, and oral nutritional supplement prescription at discharge. The programme consisted in four or five home visits over three months, depending on the first full home Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) score. Dieticians provided individualised counselling and recorded weight, appetite, energy and protein intake, ADL, IADL, handgrip strength (HS), self-perceived health status (SPHS), and quality of life (QoL). The number of family or professional caregivers was noted. Participants were classified according to weight change between the first and last visit: gain > 1 kg, loss > 1 kg, or stability. Among 351 participants (mean age 87.3 ± 6.1), 197 (56%) completed ≥ 2 visits, weight change was available for 189 (54%), and 149 (42%) completed all planned visits. A higher number of caregivers at home was associated with completing ≥ 2 visits (1.9 ± 1.3 vs. 1.6 ± 1.1; p = 0.01). Between the first and last visit, 46% gained weight, 33% remained stable, and 21% lost weight. No baseline characteristic was significantly different between weight change groups. Over time, weight (median + 0.9 kg; Q1–Q3 [0.5–1.2]), appetite, QoL, SPHS, MNA, and HS improved significantly (all p < 0.01). Almost half of participants gained weight during the dietician-led home visit programme. Baseline geriatric assessment did not allow discrimination between weight change groups. In older adults discharged from geriatric acute care, factors influencing dietary counselling efficacy remains to be identified in order to support individualised care plans. (ClinicalTrials.gov):NCT04016532

Environmental risks are intensified by the growing interaction between human-induced pressures and climate change (CC), leading to biodiversity loss and ecosystem changes that threaten the resilience and health of marine and coastal ecosystems, along with their ability to provide services. The increasing risks posed by CC require appropriate adaptation actions that can boost biodiversity while also benefiting people. In this setting, nature-based solutions (NBSs) play a crucial role in coping with climate impacts by improving ecosystem resilience, thereby protecting and restoring natural ecosystems while providing benefits for human wellbeing. Current literature mainly focuses on NBSs in terrestrial environments, while knowledge on their implementation (and effectiveness) in marine and coastal environments remains limited. In particular, the analysis of suitable conditions for their successful implementation is lacking in marine and coastal areas when environmental, socio-economic, and governance aspects are considered, and the concept of ‘suitability’ itself is characterized by the absence of a consolidated and widely recognized definition. Through a systematic approach, this review work aims to reduce uncertainty surrounding the concept of suitability by providing clear guidance for its consistent interpretation and application in real-world NBS design and implementation. To this aim, we assess the state-of-the-art scientific literature on methodologies, modeling tools, analytical frameworks, and approaches used to evaluate NBS suitability in marine and coastal ecosystems. Based on a pool of 26 papers covering the 2011–2025 timeframe, a period selected to align with the emergence and formalization of the NBS concept, the review confirms that a unique and shared definition of suitability is missing. Within the framework of this work, the concept has, therefore, been extrapolated from a selection of key papers drawn from the literature. Furthermore, the review results reveal that environmental indicators (e.g., slope, depth, and sea surface temperature) are most commonly used to analyze suitability, followed by socio-economic indicators (e.g., land use and distance from the coast, which act as proxies for human activities or infrastructure). However, the socio-economic and governance dimensions remain poorly explored in the analyzed publications; instead, methodological approaches mainly focused on environmental aspects that define the optimal physical, ecological, and chemical conditions for NBS implementation. Overall, the literature suggests that suitability models represent an essential decision-making tool for guiding nature-based adaptation in marine and coastal areas as they are fundamental to ensuring the success of implemented NBSs and the restoration and preservation of ecosystems.

Iron-rich minerals, such as hematite (α-Fe2O3), are prominent constituents of the Martiansurface; theyare considered to be potential indicators of past aqueous activityand habitability. This study investigated the interaction betweenthe extremophilic black fungus Rhinocladiella similis LaBioMMi 1217 and hematite under simulated laboratory conditionson Mars, focusing on redox-mediated dissolution processes, metabolicadaptations, and biosignature formation. The fungus was cultivatedwith powdered and polished hematite substrates, and mineral alterationwas monitored through physicochemical measurements and scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM). Genome mining was performed to identify and mapgenes involved in iron metabolism. The metabolic profile of the fungusunder hematite treatment was assessed via untargeted metabolomics.Over 15 days, the cultures exhibited marked acidification (pH decreasedfrom 7.0 to 4.7) and a 10-fold increase in the dissolved Fe2+ ion concentration (26–270 mg/L), indicating metabolicallydriven iron reduction. SEM revealed surface etching and localizedroughening consistent with microbially induced weathering, whereasthese changes were absent in the abiotic controls. Genes linked tosiderophore biosynthesis (sidA, sidC, sidD, sidF, sidH, sidI, and sidL) and reductiveiron assimilation (FET3, FTR1, and FRE1) were identified. Untargeted metabolomics confirmedthe secretion of organic acids, iron-chelating siderophores (e.g.,ferrichrome C), and redox-active aromatic compounds in the presenceof hematite, supporting a multifaceted strategy that combines acidification,chelation, and redox mediation. Collectively, these results show thatthe fungus actively promotes hematite dissolution through organicmolecule-mediated mechanisms. Such interactions hold astrobiologicalrelevance, as fungal modification of hematite might lead to the productionof diagnostic chemical and mineralogical biosignatures, informingfuture life-detection strategies on Mars.

Abstract Background The pelagic environment may present a mosaic of biogeographical domains that regional oceanographic processes can influence. Here, a coastal-to-open ocean microbiome investigation was conducted on 64 water samples from the Santos Basin (SB), South Atlantic Ocean. Using metagenomics and machine learning approaches, we assessed the diversity and distribution of pelagic microbes, identified key bacterial and archaeal taxa, and inferred their ecosystem functions. Results Unsupervised machine learning revealed a clear spatial and vertical (light availability) distribution pattern across SB, with some indicator taxa previously observed in other marine waters. Supervised learning further revealed that environmental variables, notably phosphate, salinity, and nitrate, which are key markers of local upwelling and the La Plata River plume, are primary drivers of microbial community structure. Furthermore, we recovered 307 metagenome-assembled genomes with 45% of Archaea and 42% of Bacteria possible new taxa. In terms of functionality, the SB dataset revealed a pelagic ecosystem resembling typical marine (e.g., Atlantic Ocean) waters, with photoautotrophs and nitrogen fixers in the photic zone and different autotrophic pathways in the aphotic environment. Surprisingly, the SB dataset revealed genes for CO bio-oxidation and algal dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) degradation at all depths. Furthermore, we observed potential non- cyanobacterial diazotrophs in dark water. Conclusions Our results revealed that the SB represents a unique ecosystem with local oceanographic processes shaping the distribution of diverse and uncharacterized microbiomes. Additionally, these findings highlight the importance of mixotrophic microbes in SB biogeochemical cycles. This massive investigation of the SB pelagic microbiome provided knowledge-based data for understanding local ecosystem health, services, and dynamics, which are essential for future sustainable ocean management.

Elasmobranch fishes (i.e., sharks, skates, and rays) exhibit remarkable wound‐healing capabilities and consistently maintain a high capacity for tissue regeneration throughout their lives. This high capacity for wound healing may be particularly important for neonatal elasmobranchs that are still developing their immune system. However, little is known about the costs associated with wound healing and the potential influence of environmental variables or life history. In this study, we explore (1) the impact of minor, external injuries on the growth and body condition of neonatal blacktip reef (Carcharhinus melanopterus) and sicklefin lemon (Negaprion acutidens) sharks using a long‐term fisheries‐independent dataset from Moorea, French Polynesia, (2) the influence of ambient temperature on healing rates in neonatal blacktip reef sharks at two experimental temperatures (25°C and 29°C), and (3) variations in umbilical wound‐healing rates between blacktip reef and sicklefin lemon sharks using an additional long‐term dataset from St. Joseph Atoll, Seychelles. We found no impact of minor, external injuries on growth and body condition in neonatal blacktip reef and sicklefin lemon sharks, accelerated umbilical wound healing in neonatal blacktip reef sharks exposed to elevated ambient temperatures, and distinct umbilical wound‐healing rates between neonatal blacktip reef and sicklefin lemon sharks. Enhancing our understanding of sharks' healing capabilities and the influence of environmental factors on this process is crucial for informing handling practices aimed at improving post‐release survival rates of captured sharks under current and future oceanic conditions.

In the published article, there was an error in the legend for Supplementary material Table S1 Step 3 as published. Where acknowledgement of the work was omitted from the legend caption. The corrected legend appears below.For the cluster analysis the chlorophyll signal from satellite data was decomposed into an interannual signal, a seasonal signal and a residual signal. The interannual signal can indicate long-term trends or regime shifts. The seasonal signal is an indication whether the blooms occur each year systematically in the same season or not. The residual signal gives an indication of the remaining variability and can give an indication of strongly varying conditions between years and seasons. With a statistical analysis using the various signals, Areas with similar phytoplankton dynamics in satellite data (courtesy of Xavier Desmit and Dimitry Van der Zande, unpublished results)&quot; can be identified and merged (Figure A.3.1). Largely similar areas appeared in an analysis of patterns in primary production derived from satellite data.The authors apologize for this error and state that this does not change the scientific conclusions of the article in any way. The original article has been updated.