Category: Sem categoria

A recent study carried out as part of the European SPRINT project “Transition to more sustainable plant protection”, coordinated at national level by a team from the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies of Universidade de Aveiro (UAveiro), with researcher Nelson Abrantes at the helm, monitored the presence of pesticide residues and their metabolites in household dust from 128 farmers’ homes in ten European countries and Argentina

Several pesticide residues were found in all the dust samples (ranging from 25 to 121 residues per sample). In Portugal, where the case study was located in the Bairrada region, maximum values of 63 pesticide residues were found in a single sample.

The pesticides most frequently found in dust samples from the 11 countries were glyphosate and its degradation product AMPA, and pyrethroid-based insecticides. It was also observed that the levels and frequency of waste were lower in the homes of farmers practicing organic farming compared to those practicing conventional farming.

It should be noted that some pesticides found in dust are already banned (29 percent). In fact, the dust acts as a deposit for pesticides, both those used today and those used in the past, representing a potential risk of exposure for the inhabitants.

These results raise serious concerns about exposure to pesticides in domestic environments located in agricultural zones and highlight the need for preventive measures and stricter regulations to protect public health.

The study can be seen at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167797

Original text from https://www.ua.pt/en/noticias/9/86999

The National Science Meeting – Science 24, organized by the Science and Technology Foundation, this year has the theme “+Science for One Health and global well-being” and takes place in Porto, between the 3rd and 6th of July.
CESAM, in collaboration with the Institute of Systems and Computer Engineering – Microsystems and Nanotechnology (INESC-MN), organized a thematic session on the topic of environmental pollutants and their relationship with the One Health approach.
The session, moderated by Prof. Doctor Adelaide Almeida (CESAM) has four speakers: Catarina Caneira (INESC-MN), João Carvalho (CESAM), Susana Freitas (INESC-MN) and Susana Loureiro (CESAM).
One Health approaches mobilize multiple disciplines and communities to promote well-being and address health threats, while simultaneously addressing the need for sustainable production of safe and nutritious food, clean water and air, and to act on climate change and contributing to sustainable development.
Thus, the most recent developments in analytical methodologies that allow the adequate monitoring of environmental contaminants and pathogens are addressed; conservation and public health perspectives regarding zoonoses in wild animals in Portugal as well as approaches to developing safe and sustainable food for the future in the “Age of Insects”.

(Text by: CESAM’s Communication, Promotion and Dissemination Office)

Researchers Bruno Nunes, Principal Investigator and Olga Ameixa, Assistant Researcher, both from CESAM/DBIO and Teresa Rocha-Santos, Principal Investigator from CESAM/DQUI, have been appointed to the management committees of three COST actions: ENVIRANT – Environmental impact of anthelmintics in livestock and alternatives to minimize their use; GIN-TONIC – Group on Insect Nutrition: To Open Nutritional Innovative Challenges; and ICPLASTIC – ISO compatible, efficient and reproducible protocols/equipment for mICro-nanoPLASTIC detection through machine learning, respectively.

These researchers have been involved in the proposals since the application phase and will now take on a more active role: the Management Committee is responsible for the coordination, execution, and management of a COST Action.

The ENVIRANT action aims to advance, consolidate, and disseminate research and knowledge on the environmental occurrence and ecological impact of anthelmintics administered to livestock and propose more sustainable practices and methods to minimize their use in controlling helminth infections. Researcher Bruno Nunes was invited to participate in this action due to his work in the environmental assessment of pharmaceuticals, both human and veterinary, including some antiparasitics like ivermectin. This drug is used as an antiparasitic in animals and has been studied by Bruno Nunes through the supervision of theses and publication of studies.

The GIN-TONIC action seeks to address a current gap in the insect production industry: although the number of studies on insect nutrition has grown exponentially, the fundamental knowledge required about nutritional requirements remains deficient and, more importantly, fragmented. This project aims to create a platform where this knowledge from academic and industrial partners is grouped, synthesized, and made available. The action aims to act as a link between applied and fundamental research, promoting collective knowledge and fostering business opportunities. Researcher Olga Ameixa was invited to participate in this action due to her experience and publications in the fields of insect nutrition, physiology, feeding behavior, and the utilization of by-products from various agri-food industries for insect feeding.

The ICPLASTIC action aims to develop methodologies and equipment for sampling, sample preparation, and analysis of micro(nano)plastics to support ISO methods and water quality legislation, also contributing to toxicological/environmental studies to fill knowledge gaps in risk analysis/occurrence. Researcher Teresa Rocha-Santos was invited to participate in this action due to her experience and publications in the field of environmental analytical chemistry.

A COST Action funds transnational collaboration activities in a bottom-up, open-access network system for researchers in all scientific and technological domains for four years. COST Actions typically include researchers (with an emphasis on young researchers) from academia, SMEs, public institutions, and other relevant organizations and/or stakeholders. COST Actions provide an inclusive, pan-European environment where individuals at all levels of experience can develop their professional research network, boost their careers, and increase the impact of their research.

(Text by: CESAM’s Communication, Promotion and Dissemination Office)

Ricardo Calado, coordinating researcher at CESAM/DBio, has been elected President of the Supervisory Board of the Order of Biologists. The researcher from the University of Aveiro joins this body as a non-member of this professional association, affiliated with a higher education institution that academically qualifies for access to the profession organised by the Order of Biologists. This body is independent in the exercise of its functions, ensures the legality of the activities carried out by the association’s bodies, and exercises control powers, particularly in matters of regulating the practice of the profession. Without prejudice to other competencies established by law, this body is responsible for regularly monitoring the training activities of the Order of Biologists and supervising the legality and statutory and regulatory compliance of the activities carried out by the bodies of this same Order. The Supervisory Board of the Order of Biologists is also responsible for proposing the appointment of the Ombudsman for Service Recipients. Ricardo Calado states that “it is an honour and a great responsibility to preside over such a relevant body in the functioning of the Order of Biologists.” This will be the first time that the Supervisory Board of the Order of Biologists will take office, thus complying with Law no. 12/2023 of 28 March 2023, which amended the legal regime for the constitution and functioning of professional societies subject to public professional associations.

(Text by: CESAM’s Communication, Promotion and Dissemination Office)

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Staff Exchanges aim to promote the transfer of knowledge, advanced training and capacity building of human resources from universities and companies, through intersectoral, interdisciplinary and international secondments of staff involved in research activities to test new ideas and develop new products.
In the last competition, Portuguese institutions raised 3.3 million euros, which corresponds to a total of 5 projects and 4.16% of the funding to be allocated. 79 projects were selected for financing, one of which was coordinated by researcher Roberto Martins (CESAM/DBIO). The project is entitled “SAFERCOAT – A multidisciplinary and circular approach for the development of innovative, safe and (bio)degradable multifunctional coatings” and has a strong component of research, exchange and knowledge transfer. At the University of Aveiro (UA), the multidisciplinary team is made up of researchers from CESAM, CICECO, I3N, and TEMA and five departments, namely DBio, DEMAC, DFis, DAO and DEM. SAFERCOAT aims to promote personnel mobility and knowledge sharing to develop ecological polymer coating formulations with improved biodegradability for aeronautical, maritime and cultural applications, and to revalue waste at the end of the paint life cycle to develop new ecological and high added value.
This scientific effort will rely on the synergy of specialized training and intersectoral and interdisciplinary mobility between 6 universities (UA, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Univerzita Pardubice, Politécnico de Torino, Dublin City University and Universidad Nacional de la Plata) and 4 industrial partners (Smallmatek , Synpo, Colorlak and Leda Polymer) to promote the growth, transfer, dissemination and exploitation of knowledge in the field of biodegradable coatings.
The SAFERCOAT project had an overall evaluation of 96.2% out of 100%, registering the second best evaluation in the Chemistry panel and being, globally, among the top 10 out of a total of 233 proposals submitted.

(Text by: CESAM Communication, Promotion and Dissemination Office)

This month, the first issue of the InsectERA Mobilizing Agenda magazine was launched. Issue No. 1 of the magazine includes details about InsectERA, news, events, articles, products, projects, and services within the scope of the project. InsectERA is a Mobilizing Agenda coordinated by Ingredient Odissey, S.A., in which the University of Aveiro is a partner, with researchers from CESAM, CICECO, and GOVCOPP. It aims to foster the circular economy and leverage the development of new products, processes, and services based on R&D and innovation, enabling the challenge of the green transition for environmental sustainability. It is based on four vertical pillars: InFood: use of insects in food products; InFeed: use of insects in sustainable animal feed; InIndustry: use of insect-derived products for industry; InBioremediation: use of insects as a bioremediation tool.

You can download the first issue of the magazine here.

(Text by: CESAM’s Communication, Promotion and Dissemination Office)

The Order of Pharmacists (OF) created a new Working Group dedicated to the impact of medicines on the environment. The Order intends to lead the discussion on the contribution of pharmacists to environmental management, to promote good practices and sustainable pharmaceutical services.

Having been in existence for a year, this working group includes researcher Bruno Nunes (CESAM/DBIO), in the field of Environmental Toxicology. The group includes a total of seven pharmaceutical researchers from different organizations and recognized experience in the area.  Since then, the working group has been building a new framework on the contribution of pharmacists to environmental sustainability.

(Original text: here; Adapted by: CESAM Communication, Promotion and Dissemination Office)

On June 5th, at the Carlos Borrego Auditorium, the 3rd Edition of the Schools Project – World Environment Day took place, a joint initiative between DAO, CESAM, and IDAD. The event began with a welcome address from Professor Fátima Alves, Director of DAO. This initiative involved primary and secondary school students from the Aveiro region, specifically from the municipalities of Ovar, Ílhavo, Aveiro, and Vagos. During the event, students presented initiatives they developed in the field of Environment. Seven environmental sustainability projects completed during the school year as part of their school projects were showcased.

At the end, awards were given to the best projects presented:
1st Prize – Automatic irrigation system with Micro:Bit by the Esmoriz – Ovar Norte School Group
2nd Prize – Eco“Site” by the Vagos School Group
3rd Prize – Think green, live better by the Dr. Jaime Magalhães Lima Secondary School in Esgueira
Honourable Mention – Guardians of the Environment by the Maceda Primary School – Esmoriz – Ovar Norte School Group

(Text by: CESAM’s Communication, Promotion and Dissemination Office)

The Horizon Europe (HE) Work Programme has introduced the Hop On Facility mechanism, designed to facilitate the inclusion of entities from low performing research and innovation (R&I) countries, including Portugal, into already selected collaborative R&I actions. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between R&I actors from more advanced countries and those from developing countries, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Success Stories at CESAM
CESAM recently had three projects approved under the Hop On Facility, demonstrating the commitment of our integrated members to R&I and their ability to leverage this initiative to advance their research objectives, as well as to expand their international collaboration network.

Bio-Uptake: A Sustainable Transformation
The Bio-Uptake project, funded under the topic HORIZON-CL4-2021-TWIN-TRANSITION-01-05, aims to ensure the sustainable adoption of bioplastic composites, driving a twin green and digital transformation in the European manufacturing industry. In this context, the project will develop flexible manufacturing processes, using a circular-by-design approach, to produce bio-based products for the construction, medical, and packaging sectors. The CESAM team, coordinated by Isabel Lopes (CESAM/DBIO), contributes to Bio-Uptake with the safe-by-design paradigm, characterising the safety of bio-based materials, intermediate and final products for Environmental and Human Health, allowing Bio-Uptake to comply with sustainability principles.

BMREx: A Biocatalytic Solution for Micro/Nanoplastic Degradation
The BMREx project, funded by the EIC Pathfinder Open 2022, aims to develop a biocatalyst-based membrane reactor technology to remove micro/nanoplastics from domestic and industrial wastewater effluents. The CESAM team, under the scientific coordination of Helena Oliveira (CESAM/DBIO), will contribute to assessing the human health risks associated with exposure to micro and nanoplastics and their degradation products, expanding the project’s focus to encompass human health implications.

Re-MEND: Enhancing Mental Health Resilience
Additionally, the Re-MEND project, funded under the topic HORIZON-HLTH-2021-STAYHLTH-01-02, focuses on building resilience against mental illness during endocrine-sensitive life stages. The CESAM team, led by Rosário Domingues (CESAM/DQUI), will play a crucial role in assessing the plasticity of the lipidome and the contribution of lipid oxidation and nitration in the pathophysiology of mental illness throughout the life course, identifying relevant biomarkers for accurate and early diagnosis, monitoring disease state and progression, predicting disease severity, as well as relapsing-remitting episodes. This will be instrumental in opening new avenues for personalised medicine.

The Hop On Facility is currently open, with the next cut-off date scheduled for 26 September 2024. For more information, please visit this link.

(Text by: CESAM’s Science Management and Knowledge Transfer, and Communication, Promotion, and Dissemination Offices)