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Showing 2681 – 2700 of 15962 publications

Persisting at the Edge of Ecological Collapse: The Impact of Urbanization on Fish and Amphibian Communities From Lake Xochimilco

Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco — 2025 — WHEA9F9A7826E

Lake Xochimilco is on the brink of ecological collapse due to urbanization, with alien fish species dominating its low-diversity ecosystem. Despite severe degradation—evidenced by pollution and habitat loss—the study reveals that native and endemic fauna, including the threatened mexclapique fish (Girardinicthys viviparus), persist undetected by traditional surveys. Environmental DNA metabarcoding identified ca. 60% of historically recorded species, highlighting the potential for restoration while underscoring the critical role of wildlife refuges in preventing extinction, as seen with the Critically Endangered axolotl (Ambystoma sp.). The research also uncovered cryptic taxonomic diversity in Lithobates frogs and demonstrated that non-native fish families thrive in polluted conditions, offering insights into urban ecosystem resilience.

Peruvian Gastronomy, Cultural Heritage, and Tourist Attraction of the Destination Peru

Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu — 2025 — WHE5776078BB5

Peruvian gastronomy has emerged as a significant cultural heritage and tourist attraction, complementing traditional material sites like Machu Picchu to drive tourism in Peru. This study demonstrates that food culture, an immaterial expression of Peruvian identity, not only holds global recognition but also motivates international travel, positioning it as both a heritage asset and an engine for social change. The research employs a mixed-method approach, combining documentary review, data registration, and indirect observation to analyze three key aspects: the evolution of Peruvian gastronomy from local tradition to worldwide acclaim; its status as a cultural heritage; and its role in tourism. Findings highlight its dual capacity to preserve heritage while fostering economic and social transformation.

Pervasive speleogenetic modification of cave passages by nitrification of biogenic ammonia

Gunung Mulu National Park — 2025 — WHE09E142EB16

Research in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, reveals a previously undocumented process of cave passage modification driven by microbial nitrification of biogenic ammonia. This study demonstrates that ammonia gas released from bat and swiftlet guano is oxidized on moist cave surfaces, producing aggressive nitric acid solutions that accelerate limestone dissolution. The resulting geomorphological features overwrite original passage morphologies, challenging traditional interpretations of speleogenesis in tropical environments. Geomorphological and geochemical evidence suggests this biogenic overprint is more widespread than previously recognized, with profound implications for understanding post-speleogenetic modification and secondary cave enlargement.

Petrified Power: An Initial Report on the Use of Hard-Stone Roman Spolia in Norman Sicily (Twelfth–Thirteenth Centuries)

Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalú and Monreale — 2025 — WHEED59018298

A significant discovery reveals that Norman Sicily's rulers, particularly King Roger II, employed Roman hard-stone spolia—especially red porphyry—in an extensive and ambitious decorative program during the 12th century. This systematic reuse of classical materials was unprecedented in medieval Europe, serving as a political propaganda tool to assert the king's sovereign power over both church and state. Four notable porphyry tombs, likely housing Norman and Hohenstaufen rulers, stand out as exceptional monuments with relief-carved decorations, though their exact dates remain challenging to determine due to scarce evidence. The study also highlights the rediscovery of medieval hard-stone carving techniques, long thought lost since the fall of the western Roman Empire.

Petrophysical and mechanical characterization of sandstones from different grottoes in China

Dazu Rock Carvings — 2025 — WHE8F18586435

A key finding from this study is that the mechanical strength of sandstones in Chinese heritage sites, such as grottoes and rock carvings, is strongly influenced by their pore structure, density, and cementation. Research shows that unimodal pore distributions—where pores are more uniformly sized—correlate with greater sandstone strength compared to multimodal distributions. The study analyzed four significant sites: Yungang Grottoes (YG), Tianlongshan Grottoes (TLS), Leshan Giant Buddha (LS), and Dazu Rock Carvings (DZ) using advanced techniques like ICP-OES, XRD, SEM, MIP, petrography, and mechanical testing. Petrographic analysis revealed that grain contact and cementation are critical in determining sandstone stability. Among the evaluated indices, the GVCM index proved particularly reliable for predicting sandstone strength, offering valuable insights for conservation efforts at these culturally significant sites.

Philipp Melanchthon’s Era in Wittenberg: Exploring Verse Inscriptions within a Multimedia Culture of Commemoration

Luther Memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg — 2025 — WHE3C0300D8A8

Almost half of the known dedications to the deceased in Wittenberg during Philipp Melanchthon's era featured verse inscriptions, predominantly in Latin, revealing their significant role in 16th-century multimedia commemoration culture. These poems, often blending historical events with topical and ancient literary references, were disseminated through printed materials like funeral sermons or university announcements, as well as on monuments. They served both to honor the deceased and to impart moral lessons to future generations, merging literary and material memorials. The study highlights Melanchthon's influence in promoting sepulchral poetry and underscores the interaction between print and inscription in commemorative practices, providing insights into the social and cultural dynamics of the time.

Phoenician-Punic urban and funerary landscapes of Carthage : the last results of the Tunisian-Italian Archaeological Mission (2021-2024) by INP-Sapienza

Archaeological Site of Carthage — 2025 — WHE0396A9AE3E

Recent excavations at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Carthage reveal a dynamic transformation of its funerary and urban landscapes. The Phoenician necropolis of Dermech, abandoned by the late 6th century BC due to its sacred status, was reoccupied in the 4th century BC as an artisan quarter, featuring Punic kilns and metallurgical workshops. This shift underscores Carthage's urban expansion and economic growth during its Mediterranean dominance. Meanwhile, the Punic necropolis on Odéon Hill uncovered monumental tombs with secondary burials disrupted by Roman construction, validating historical accounts. The findings shed light on Carthaginian funerary practices, urban development, and interactions in the pre-Roman Mediterranean.

Phosphogypsum and Organic Matter: Sustainable Solution for the Rehabilitation of Saline Lands in the Saloum Delta, Senegal

Saloum Delta — 2025 — WHEB1E409EF8B

A sustainable solution for rehabilitating saline lands in the Saloum Delta, Senegal, has been demonstrated through the use of phosphogypsum combined with organic matter such as cow dung, groundnut shell, and poultry manure. This innovative approach significantly reduced soil salinity, upgrading abandoned rice fields from extremely saline (electrical conductivity > 2000 μS/cm) to non-saline (< 500 μS/cm). The technique led to impressive rice yields, averaging 6.17 tons per hectare for the variety Sahel 108, with a total estimated production of 357.58 tons across 58 hectares. The study highlights the potential of this method to recover decades-old abandoned lands, emphasizing the need for widespread adoption and capacity-building among local stakeholders.

Phylogenetic position and stratigraphic uncertainty of a new flexible crinoid from the Ordovician–Silurian boundary of Anticosti Island (Québec, Canada)

Anticosti — 2025 — WHE5684432CDB

Researchers have identified a new flexible crinoid species, Anticosticrinus natiscotecensis, from the Ordovician–Silurian boundary of Anticosti Island (Québec, Canada), a region critical for studying the Late Ordovician mass extinction (LOME). Phylogenetic analysis places this species within the family Anisocrinidae, contributing to understanding crinoid faunal turnover during this pivotal period. The study also employed Bayesian methods to quantify stratigraphic age uncertainty, suggesting a late Hirnantian age, though not definitively resolving it. This discovery provides valuable data for evaluating extinction timing and diversification patterns in flexible crinoids, which became dominant in the Silurian.

Physico-chemical characterization of watercourses in Comoé national Park (North -East Côte d’Ivoire; West Africa)

Comoé National Park — 2025 — WHE664991F5F0

A study of watercourses in Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, reveals significant spatial and seasonal variations in physico-chemical parameters, with the Comoé River showing higher levels of degradation compared to other rivers. Key indicators such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, ammonium, nitrite, phosphate, COD, and BOD5 frequently exceeded threshold values, suggesting environmental stress. The research employed in situ measurements, field kits, and laboratory analyses over an 11-month period (May 2022–March 2023) at six sampling stations, using statistical tests to assess differences.

Physics-Based Simulation of Seismic Collapse in Heritage Masonry Churches of Bohol, Philippines

Baroque Churches of the Philippines — 2025 — WHE5B4D54B057

Physics-based simulations reveal that Baroque masonry churches in Bohol, Philippines, remain structurally intact under Intensity VIII earthquakes but experience progressive collapse at higher intensities (IX and X), mirroring damage observed during the 2013 Bohol earthquake. The study leveraged open-source Blender software with the Bullet Constraints Builder (BCB) add-on to model seismic response with reduced computational demands compared to traditional finite element methods. This approach offers a rapid, data-efficient tool for assessing structural vulnerability and failure mechanisms in heritage masonry, supporting disaster risk reduction and preservation efforts in seismically active regions.

Pigments from Pasargadae and Persepolis in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NY): recent scientific investigations on four paper squeezes

Pasargadae — 2025 — WHE16041389B3

Recent scientific analysis of paper squeezes from UNESCO World Heritage Sites Pasargadae and Persepolis has identified new evidence of lazurite as a blue pigment and magnetite as black, alongside confirming previously known red pigments. These findings, derived from microscopic investigations, imaging techniques, and chemical analyses, provide deeper insights into the ancient polychromatic contexts of these sites. The study examined architectural fragments, including an anthropomorphic ear relief from Palace P in Pasargadae and a Hebrew-inscribed stone block from Persepolis' Tachara, revealing the complexity of pigment use in Achaemenid art and architecture.

Pigs, pannage, and the solstice: isotopic insights from prehistoric feasting at Newgrange

Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne — 2025 — WHE7E97CC8CE6

A new study reveals that feasting at Newgrange, the iconic Neolithic monument within the UNESCO-listed Brú na Bóinne complex, was likely tied to the winter solstice for centuries after its construction. Using isotopic analysis of pig remains, researchers found evidence of rapid weight gain through pannage (foraging) followed by slaughter, suggesting a seasonal pattern around 2600–2450 BC. This indicates that later activities at Newgrange maintained the original monument's solstice-focused significance. Additionally, a unique isotopic signature linked to mast (tree nuts) provides insights into prehistoric pig diets and human-woodland interactions across Europe.

Pilgrimage, Trade and Empire: A GIS Investigation of Pre-Hispanic Roads in the Ocoña and Chorunga Valleys of Peru

Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System — 2025 — WHE542E79E8CD

A GIS investigation of pre-Hispanic roads in the Ocoña and Chorunga Valleys, Peru, reveals that long-established Andean landscape perceptions, trade patterns, and land use influenced Inca territorial expansion. The study found that the Inca state reused pre-Inca trails and sacred sites for state-sanctioned spiritual activities, potentially legitimizing their power and claim to abundant mineral resources in the region. The analysis of roads and associated sites, using data from excavations, pedestrian surveys, and drone imagery, suggests a strategic connection between these valleys and broader Andean history. A notable finding is the huaca Corral Redondo, a rare low-elevation Inca capacocha offering site, which may exemplify this phenomenon.

Pilgrimages and Other Spiritual Journeys

Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France — 2025 — WHE3A97D7DA82

Pilgrimages, whether religious or secular, can evoke profound spiritual experiences akin to awe and transcendence. A study on the Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrimage route from Southern France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, reveals that even non-religious individuals ('nones') engage with such journeys for their spiritual significance. Interviews conducted along the route highlight diverse motivations, ranging from secular to deeply religious, underscoring the multifaceted nature of pilgrimage experiences. The research extends this insight by comparing the Camino de Santiago to other secular pilgrimage sites like Walt Disney World and the Vietnam War Memorial, suggesting that these locations also foster a sense of awe comparable to religious feelings. This dual perspective challenges traditional notions of spirituality, proposing that transcendence is not exclusive to religious contexts but can emerge in various cultural and historical settings.

Pilgrims from the Province of Scythia

Abu Mena — 2025 — WHEC8B46ABF53

Archaeological evidence from eight ampullae unearthed in Scythia reveals sustained Christian pilgrimage activity during the late 6th and early 7th centuries, despite political instability. These small ceramic containers, likely used to transport holy water or oil from Abu Mena (Egypt) and Asia Minor, were found across five urban centers along the Lower Danube limes and Black Sea coast. The discovery underscores the resilience of pilgrimage traditions in Scythia during a turbulent period, challenging assumptions about its decline amid the fall of the Danubian limes.

Pinguicula panfetiae (Lentibulariaceae), a new Caribbean butterwort from eastern Cuba

Alejandro de Humboldt National Park — 2025 — WHEE070146FAD

Researchers have identified Pinguicula panfetiae, a new species of carnivorous butterwort endemic to eastern Cuba, specifically within the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park. This discovery, previously misidentified as Pinguicula albida or P. jaraguana, is distinguished by its smaller rosettes with obovate leaves, non-involute leaf margins, and unique floral traits, including flowers up to 1–1.3 cm in size and distinct seed morphology (0.6–0.7 mm long, 0.18–0.22 mm wide). The species thrives on serpentine-derived ferritic soils in semi-arid montane shrublands, a habitat characterized by full sun exposure. Using morphological analysis and statistical comparisons with related species, the study confirms its novelty and assesses its conservation status as Critically Endangered (CR) under IUCN criteria, marking the 15th Pinguicula species recorded in Cuba.

Planning and layout of tourism and leisure facilities based on POI big data and machine learning

Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital — 2025 — WHE3F0C0BDE45

A machine learning approach identifies optimal locations for tourism and leisure facilities along Beijing's Central Axis, achieving 83.5% accuracy in predicting suitable sites based on existing POI data. The study reveals that accommodation availability, shopping, and transportation infrastructure are key factors influencing facility placement, with a notable centralization pattern aligned to the urban core. Predictive analysis suggests new developments should prioritize densely populated areas currently lacking such amenities, offering a data-driven strategy to enhance urban planning while reducing subjectivity in decision-making.

Plant growth promotion and pathogen protection by the desert endophyte Pseudomonas grandensis R4-79

Wadi Rum Protected Area — 2025 — WHE6F4C4F5CEA

A strain of Pseudomonas grandensis, R4-79, isolated from the arid Wadi Rum Protected Area in Jordan, demonstrates significant potential as a biocontrol agent for sustainable agriculture. This desert endophyte, associated with Ifloga spicata, exhibits plant growth-promoting attributes and effectively suppresses key phytopathogens, including Botrytis cinerea, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000, and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita). Genomic analysis revealed a 6.18 Mbp chromosome with gene clusters for siderophores, phenazines, hydrogen cyanide, phytohormones, and multiple secretion systems, indicating its multifunctional role in pathogen protection and plant growth promotion. The study highlights the potential of P. grandensis R4-79 to enhance crop yield under harsh environmental conditions, offering a promising strategy for sustainable agriculture.

Plant Species Composition, Richness, and Diversity in Areas Invaded by Non-Native Plants in the Lower Montane Forest of Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania

Kilimanjaro National Park — 2025 — WHE7065D84C3A

Invasive non-native plants significantly reduce plant species diversity and density in the lower montane forests of Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania. Research found that natural forests exhibit the highest species richness (13.8 ± 1.7) and tree density (774 ± 111 stems/ha), while areas invaded by Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii), Mexican weeping pine (Pinus patula), or Eucalyptus spp. show marked declines in both metrics, with P. patula sites having the lowest density (12.7 ± 6.9 stems/ha). The study, conducted across 60 plots at four sites, identified 168 plant species but highlighted the negative impact of invasive species on native biodiversity. Sustainable management strategies, including invasive species control and forest enrichment, are recommended to mitigate these effects.