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From the history of the study of Sheki toponyms

Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s Palace — 2025 — WHE5817C083F8

A comprehensive analysis of Sheki's toponyms reveals the region's rich linguistic heritage, with a focus on its Azerbaijan-Turkish origins and historical significance. The study synthesizes findings from previous research by historians, geographers, and linguists, examining the structure, semantic features, and artistic aspects of place names in literature. Key insights include the layered history of Sheki's toponyms, which have attracted scholars across disciplines, and their role in reflecting cultural and linguistic evolution. The research employs a critical review of existing scholarly works to highlight patterns and unique characteristics of this toponymic system.

From theory to practice

Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville — 2025 — WHE02E50EF5F9

Spanish military engineers in the Gulf of Mexico during the eighteenth century adapted European theoretical fortification techniques to local conditions, creating a 'learning place' that surpassed academic training. This adaptation was driven by the unique demands of the Caribbean and regional authorities. The study analyzed archival documents from the Archivo General de Indias (Seville) and compared them with preserved projects and European treatises to demonstrate this practical divergence.

Fromia eusticha Fisher 1913

Ogasawara Islands — 2025 — WHE6A680829D2

A new species of sea star, Fromia eusticha, has been described with distinct morphological traits, including a strongly stellate body, elongate arms, and unique plate arrangements. The species exhibits a high ratio of arm length to disc radius (R/r=4.4–4.8), acute interradial arcs, and a convex abactinal surface covered by granules. Actinal pedicellariae are most abundant around the oral region, with 1 to 8 bivalve types present. The study highlights morphological similarities between Fromia eusticha and another species, Fromia baruna sp. nov., emphasizing the importance of pedicellariae distribution in taxonomy. Distribution records confirm its occurrence across the Ogasawara Islands (Japan), Sulu Archipelago (Philippines), Bikini Atoll (Indonesia), and intertidal zones at depths ranging from 44 to 149 meters.

Functioning of cultural attractors in Beijing as elements of urban green infrastructure

Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing — 2025 — WHE6BC71309FC

Cultural attractions in Beijing, such as the Temple of Heaven and other UNESCO-listed parks, serve as critical drivers for urban green infrastructure (GI), balancing ecological resilience with historical preservation. These sites, which constitute up to 43% of GI in Beijing's historic core, integrate eco-friendly solutions like green drainage and waste segregation, mitigating the impact of high visitor traffic while maintaining their cultural significance. The study introduces an innovative 'eco-cultural balance' concept, demonstrating that adaptive management can harmonize recreational, ecological, and historical priorities. Using a novel assessment algorithm combining landscape metrics with social functions, researchers analyzed spatial connectivity, composition, and compensatory properties through GIS modeling (MSPA) and high-resolution satellite imagery, alongside field observations. This approach offers a model for sustainable urban development in heritage-rich cities.

Fungi and Myxomycetes of the Tehuacán‐Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve, Mexico: A Comprehensive Review and Future Perspectives

Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: originary habitat of Mesoamerica — 2025 — WHE14E2BBF1D2

The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve in Mexico hosts 436 taxa of fungi and myxomycetes, including 266 fungal species and 170 myxomycete taxa, many adapted to arid conditions. This first comprehensive inventory highlights their role as bioindicators for ecosystem health and climate resilience, with potential applications in drug discovery and agricultural sustainability. The study combines mycological literature reviews and biodiversity databases to document these organisms' variability and adaptive strategies under environmental stress. Interdisciplinary research is proposed to leverage fungi's polyextremotolerant traits for conservation and climate mitigation efforts.

Furniture Design in Historic Residences: Balancing Modernity and Cultural Heritage Respect (Case Study: Old Town of Hebron).

Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town — 2025 — WHE45E20CD511

A harmonious balance between modernity and heritage preservation is achievable through thoughtful furniture design in historic residences, as demonstrated by case studies from Hebron's Old Town. The research reveals that modern functional requirements—such as ergonomics and technological integration—can be met without compromising architectural authenticity or cultural identity. Findings highlight the importance of material sustainability, user-centric perspectives (ranging from minimal intervention to broader modifications), and careful restoration practices to maintain historical integrity while improving living standards. This study provides a practical framework for integrating contemporary needs with heritage conservation, offering insights that could inspire sustainable urban development in similar World Heritage Sites.

Gagea kotuchovii (Liliaceae) a new species from the Karatau Mountains (western Tian Shan, Kazakhstan) evidenced by morphological and molecular analyses

Western Tien-Shan — 2025 — WHE1693637E72

Researchers have identified and described Gagea kotuchovii, a new narrow endemic species of the Liliaceae family, exclusive to the Karatau Mountains in South Kazakhstan. This discovery was supported by both morphological and molecular analyses, including phylogenetic studies using nuclear DNA (ITS) and genome-wide sequencing (DArT). The species is distinguished by its unique bulb with a densely woolly sheath and the presence of multiple stolons of varying lengths on a single vegetative individual. Additionally, the study provides an identification key for Asian Gagea species with stolons, facilitating morphological differentiation. Phylogenetic analyses also revealed the species' isolated position while confirming its relation to morphologically similar taxa, contributing to the understanding of intergeneric organization in Kazakhstan and Middle Asia.

Gastronomic Evaluation, Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Microbiological Quality of Indigenous Dishes in Selected Ecotourism Destinations in South-West Nigeria

Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove — 2025 — WHEB42230EBA5

A study reveals that indigenous dishes from ecotourism destinations in South-West Nigeria, such as Ikogosi warm spring and Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, are rich in nutrients like crude fiber (up to 10.74%), protein (up to 47.34%), and essential minerals including sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and copper. These dishes also exhibit significant antioxidant activity, with some samples showing a scavenging ability of up to 42.03% for DPPH radicals. The research highlights the nutritional superiority of traditionally prepared foods over modern cooking methods, with traditional dishes like 'Owowo' containing notably higher vitamin A levels (1247.50 mcg/g) compared to modern preparations. Additionally, microbial counts were generally low, ranging from 2 to 20 CFU/ml, indicating good microbiological quality. The study recommends integrating these indigenous dishes into ecotourism offerings to preserve cultural heritage and enhance destination branding.

Gateway to the east: the Palaspata temple and the south-eastern expansion of the Tiwanaku state

Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture — 2025 — WHE13C4539F6C

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of the Tiwanaku state's southeastern expansion, revealing a strategic gateway complex 215km from Tiwanaku. The Palaspata temple, featuring a modular design and sunken courtyard akin to Tiwanaku terraced platforms, demonstrates significant state investment and control over inter-regional trade routes between the Andes highlands and Cochabamba's eastern valleys. This discovery suggests that the Tiwanaku state materialized its power through infrastructure, effectively managing traffic and commerce during the second half of the first millennium AD.

Genetic Algorithm Based on Trip Priority Optimization and Its Application in Tourism Path Planning

Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor — 2025 — WHE8C5F8B727F

A genetic algorithm based on trip priority optimization significantly enhances tourism path planning efficiency, achieving over 90% time efficiency and superior solution quality compared to traditional models. At the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, this approach reduced travel time to just 6.03 minutes, outperforming other methods like ant colony optimization (7.86 min) or no path planning (16.25 min). The model's robustness in dynamic environments—such as sudden tourist flow changes or weather disruptions—was further validated through improved parallel thread utilization and higher average solution quality (ranging from 82.31 to 85.36) across training and testing datasets. This study demonstrates the potential of hybrid optimization algorithms to revolutionize smart tourism decision-making by providing real-time, adaptive path solutions.

Genetic and historical perspectives on the early medieval inhumations from the Menga dolmen, Antequera (Spain)

Antequera Dolmens Site — 2025 — WHE9044CA0CAA

A groundbreaking genetic analysis of ancient DNA from the Menga dolmen, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Antequera, Spain, reveals that this Neolithic monument, built around 4000 BCE, was reused as a burial site during the early medieval period (8th–11th centuries CE). The study identified distinct North African and Levantine ancestry contributions in one individual, Menga1, alongside typical European uniparental lineages. This finding highlights complex migration patterns in medieval Iberia and underscores the cultural significance of prehistoric monuments in later historical contexts. The research employed SNP-enrichment techniques to extract highly degraded DNA, offering new insights into the genetic diversity and historical reuse of this iconic site.

Genetic Deep Dive: Testing Harappan Flight and Return Hypothesis

Dholavira: a Harappan City — 2025 — WHEF480C70FAF

A groundbreaking interdisciplinary study proposes that the undeciphered Indus script encodes administrative and trade systems, with Sign 391 ('Fire Wheel') marking celestial events linked to Bronze Age catastrophic impacts. The research identifies a synchronous cluster of five impact craters (e.g., Kaali in Estonia) dated to ~4200 years ago, correlating with the collapse of multiple ancient civilizations—including the Indus Valley—and climate disruptions like megadroughts. It also links these events to the Taurid meteor swarm's 7:2 Jupiter resonance cycle, predicting a close Earth encounter in 2028 (not 2032). Methodologically, it introduces the 'Looting Bias Principle' to address archaeological biases and a three-tier certainty framework for interpreting ancient texts. The study suggests cultural narratives like the Kalevala and Ragnarök may preserve memories of these impacts.

Genetic Diversity and Distribution of Italian Cave Crickets (Dolichopoda): Toward a Better Understanding of Lineage Structure

Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines — 2025 — WHEA6520948B9

Research on Italian cave crickets (Dolichopoda) reveals two previously unrecognized lineages within the species D. geniculata, refining our understanding of their genetic diversity and distribution across the Apennines. By sequencing mitochondrial markers (cox1 and 16S) from 18 populations, scientists identified distinct lineages and updated the known ranges for D. geniculata, D. letitiae, and D. schiavazzii in the northern Apennines. These findings contribute to ongoing efforts toward a taxonomic revision of the group, highlighting the importance of cave crickets as key indicators of subterranean biodiversity. The study underscores the need for further exploration to unravel the complex lineage structure of these species.

Genetic purging in an island-endemic pigeon recovering from the brink of extinction

Ogasawara Islands — 2025 — WHE76921DD4B8

A critically endangered pigeon, the red-headed wood pigeon, endemic to Japan's Ogasawara Islands, has defied expectations by recovering rapidly after predator removal despite extreme genetic inbreeding. Genomic analysis reveals that over 80% of its genome is homozygous, yet it harbors fewer highly deleterious mutations than widespread conspecifics—a phenomenon attributed to historical demographic shifts. Linkage disequilibrium suggests the population shrank from several thousand to under a hundred by the early 20th century due to human impacts, with gradual inbreeding likely purging harmful mutations over centuries. This study underscores how historical demography can mitigate mutation load in bottlenecked populations, offering critical insights for conservation strategies.

Geochemical Assessment of Macro- and Microelements Content in the Soil–Plant System in the Conditions of the Selenga Aimag in Northern Mongolia

Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape — 2025 — WHE9EE8472C0D

A geochemical assessment of the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape reveals significant variations in macro- and microelement content within its soil-plant system. The study found that while elements like cobalt, copper, chromium, iron, and cadmium exceed their Clarke values, arsenic and mercury show particularly high concentrations, with arsenic levels up to six times higher and mercury up to 600 times higher than baseline values. Despite these elevated soil levels, wheat grain in the region exhibits lower-than-expected arsenic and mercury content, suggesting a protective mechanism in plants that limits toxic element uptake. The research used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to analyze 14 elements across soils and wheat grains, identifying correlations between element accumulation and agrochemical soil properties such as humus content, acidity, and salinity. These findings underscore the need for further investigation into plant physiological responses to environmental contaminants in this ecologically significant landscape.

Geochemistry-based machine learning approach applied to an archaeological provenance study: the obsidian blades of Tulūl al-Baqarat (Iraq)

Nemrut Dağ — 2025 — WHE867611DE0B

A groundbreaking study identifies Nemrut Dağ stratovolcano (Southeastern Turkey) as the likely source of obsidian blades found at the 4th millennium BCE archaeological site of Tulūl al-Baqarat in Iraq. Using a geochemistry-based machine learning approach, researchers analyzed nine non-destructive obsidian tools and compared their compositional data with volcanic sources across the Near East. Key elements like Zr and Rb, combined with principal component analysis (PCA) modeling, revealed that these blades match volcanic glasses from Nemrut Dağ, excluding most Turkish and Armenian outcrops. This finding provides compelling evidence for ancient trade networks linking Turkey to the Persian Gulf region during the 4th millennium BCE.

Geodesy, Surveying, 3D Modelling, and AI Virtual Reconstruction in the Archaeological Sites and Monuments of the Former Settlement of Ribeira Grande in Cidade Velha (Santiago Island, Cape Verde)

Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande — 2025 — WHEA29371C778

Researchers successfully employed geodesy, surveying, and 3D modeling to document the ruins of Ribeira Grande's Cathedral within Cidade Velha. Despite limited time, equipment, and prior knowledge, they established a robust geodetic network and created detailed 3D models. Notably, the study utilized generative AI engines to virtually reconstruct the cathedral's original appearance, producing evocative images that offer new insights into its historical significance. This approach demonstrates the potential of combining traditional surveying techniques with AI for archaeological documentation in challenging fieldwork conditions.

Geodiversity as a Driver of Tourism: A study of Sri Lankan Geological Heritage

Ancient City of Sigiriya — 2025 — WHE1AF33CE511

Sri Lanka's geodiversity emerges as a powerful driver of tourism, significantly influencing tourist motivations, perceptions, and experiences. This study reveals that unique geological features such as Adam’s Peak, Horton Plains, and Sigiriya not only attract visitors but also foster strong emotional connections, with themes of awe and wonder prominently featured in tourist narratives. While pre-visit awareness remains a gap, geodiversity enables diverse tourism activities, from adventure to cultural exploration, thereby diversifying Sri Lanka's tourism offerings and promoting sustainable development. The research underscores the potential for geotourism to attract niche markets while emphasizing the need for improved geoconservation practices, targeted educational initiatives, and stakeholder collaboration. By aligning with global sustainable goals, Sri Lanka can position itself as a premier geotourism destination, balancing economic benefits with ecological and cultural preservation.

Geographical imaginaries of escape: Discourses of escapism in the Tasmanian archive

Tasmanian Wilderness — 2025 — WHE484BCF9C48

Geographical imaginaries of escape, rooted in colonialism and exacerbated by climate crisis anxieties, shape contemporary perceptions of pristine wilderness refuges. This study reveals how these imaginaries manifest in Tasmania through a critical discourse analysis of online news articles, travel blogs, and historical texts. Key sites like Martin Polin’s bunker, the Earth’s Black Box project, tourism, and tree-change illustrate the unequal distribution of desirable place identities and their ties to apocalypticism and migration. The research highlights opportunities for similar analyses in other settler colonies and wilderness areas while initiating conversations about decolonizing escapist narratives.

Geographical Names of Objects of the Saryarka Nature Reserve Fund

Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan — 2025 — WHEACDCBDB537

Geographical names of objects within the Saryarka Nature Reserve Fund significantly influence tourism development by reflecting natural, historical, and cultural features. A comparative analysis revealed that these toponyms shape visitor perception more effectively than those in other regions of Kazakhstan or neighboring countries. The study compiled a map of toponyms to illustrate recreational resources, using geological, natural-geographical, historical, and linguistic data. Etymological investigations uncovered how names preserve regional identity while enhancing ecological tourism potential.