A tremella-like in situ synthesis of ZIF-67Co(OH)F@Co3O4 on carbon cloth as an electrode material for supercapacitors.

In this study, a simple in situ technique followed by hydrothermal method is used to synthesize a novel tremella-like structure of ZIF-67Co(OH)F@Co3O4/CC metal-organic framework (MOF) derived from zeolite imidazole. The in situ synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) increases their conductivity and produces more active sites for ion insertion. Their unique, scalable design not only provides more space to accommodate volume change but also facilitates electrolyte penetration into the electrode resulting in more active materials being utilized and ion-electron transfer occurring faster during the cycle. As a result, the binder-free ZIF-67Co(OH)F@Co3O4/CC supercapacitor electrode exhibits typical pseudo-capacitance behaviour, with a specific capacitance of 442 F g-1 and excellent long-term cycling stability of 90% after 5000 cycles at 10 A g-1.

Lubricated Surface in a Vertical Double-Sided Architecture for Radiative Cooling and Atmospheric Water Harvesting.

Radiative cooling significantly lowers condenser temperatures below ambient levels, enabling atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) without additional energy. However, traditional sky-facing condensers have low cooling power density, and water droplets remain pinned on surface, requiring active condensate collection. To overcome these challenges, a lubricated surface (LS) coating-consisting of highly scalable polydimethylsiloxane elastomer lubricated with silicone oil-is introduced on the condenser side in a vertical double-sided architecture. The design not only effectively doubles the local cooling power, but also eliminates contact-line pinning, enabling passive, gravity-driven collection of water. Robust AWH is demonstrated from a 30 × 30 cm2 sample in outdoor environments (of varying humidity levels and wind speeds in different months) and with no artificial flow of humidified air. In one outdoor test, the passive water collection rate of LS coating reaches 21 g m-2 h-1 double that on superhydrophobic surface, 10 g m-2 h-1. In indoor testing (20 °C and 80% relative humidity), this system achieves a condensation rate ≈87% of the theoretical limit with up to 90% of the total condensate passively collected. this approach achieves effective AWH in a decentralized approach that removes the need for piping infrastructure and external energy input.

Remediation of chromium contaminated water and soil by nitrogen and iron doped biochars.

Chromium (Cr) is a toxic and redox-sensitive contaminant that has accumulated in water and soil systems, becoming a serious issue worldwide. Producing novel remedial materials with enhanced removal efficiency from plentiful available sources is a pleasing aspect for Cr removal. This review explores valuable insights into the production of nitrogen doped biochar (N/BC), iron doped biochar (Fe/BC), and iron­nitrogen doped biochar (Fe-N/BC) and their application for Cr (trivalent (Cr(III)) and hexavalent (Cr(VI)) removal. Specifically, this review focuses on conferring knowledge about producing environmentally friendly N and Fe doped BCs with enhanced surface functionalities, physicochemical properties, and holding capacities for removing Cr(VI) through adsorption and reduction. Affecting factors for Cr(VI) removal by N/BC, Fe/BC, and Fe-N/BC through reviewing the literature on the reaction system pH, mass transfer driving forces, effect of coexisting ions, BC production conditions, and redox potential are overviewed. Notably, isotherm and kinetic models and removal mechanisms of Cr(VI) by N/BC, Fe/BC, and Fe-N/BC with the assistance of characterization analyses, experimental results, and computational modeling methods are explored. Finally, the regeneration, cost evaluation, and environmental implications, as well as the real-world applications and environmental risks of N/BC, Fe/BC, and Fe-N/BC are discussed. This review shows that N and Fe doped BCs are remedial materials that can potentially remediate Cr(VI) contaminated water and soil.

Insights into Population Status and Habitat Patches of Conservation Concern for the Endangered Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) in Nowshera District, Northwestern Pakistan.

The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) stands out among the four surviving species of Asian pangolins, being the sole species present in Pakistan and listed as endangered owing to trafficking and illicit commerce. In the present study, we explored the population status of the Indian pangolin and the existing suitable habitats in Nowshera district, Pakistan. We employed the line transect method to confirm the species presence and subsequent population estimation. In a survey effort of 156 km2, a total of 56 signs of Indian pangolin were recorded within the research area. Amongst the 56 signs, 46 were burrows (living burrows (53.57%) and feeding burrows (28.57%)). Digging was observed nine (16.07%) times, along with one direct sighting (1.7%). Our results revealed a population estimate of only 29 pangolins in the Nowshera district, with a population density of 0.013 individuals/km2. Later, MaxEnt was applied to the species' presence points, along with climatic and topographical variables. The MaxEnt model accuracy was good (AUC = 0.811). Of the total area studied, 210 km2 (12.01%) were highly suitable and 238 km2 (13.61%) were moderately suitable habitat for the Indian pangolin. To safeguard the fragile population and habitat of the Indian pangolin, we highly suggest strengthening watch and ward and law enforcement in the study area. By adopting a comprehensive approach that addresses both the direct threats to Indian pangolins and the underlying factors driving their decline, we can effectively protect this endangered species and ensure the preservation of its essential habitats for robust conservation.

Carbon based nanocomposites, surface functionalization as a promising material for VOCs (volatile organic compounds) treatment.

Urban residential and industrial growth development affects sustainable and healthful indoor environments. Environmental issues are a global problem. The deterioration of indoor air quality has prompted the creation of several air cleansing techniques. This review explains how carbon-based materials have influenced the development of air purification systems using photocatalysis. These carbon-based materials offer unique properties and advantages in VOC removal processes. Biochar, produced from biomass pyrolysis, provides an environmentally sustainable solution with its porous structure and carbon-rich composition. Carbon quantum dots, with their quantum confinement effects and tunable surface properties, show promise in VOC sensing and removal applications. Polymers incorporating reduced graphene oxide demonstrate enhanced adsorption capabilities owing to the synergistic effects of graphene and polymer matrices. Activated carbon fibers, characterized by their high aspect ratio and interconnected porosity, provide efficient VOC removal with rapid kinetics. With their unique electronic and structural properties, graphitic carbon nitrides offer opportunities for photocatalytic degradation of VOCs under visible light. Catalysts integrated with MXene, a two-dimensional nanomaterial, exhibit enhanced catalytic activity for VOC oxidation reactions. Using various carbon-based materials in VOC removal showcases the versatility and effectiveness of carbon-based approaches in addressing environmental challenges associated with indoor air pollution. Metal-organic-framework materials are carbon-based compounds. It examines the correlation between VOC mineralization and specific characteristics of carbon materials, including surface area, adsorption capability, surface functional groups, and optoelectronic properties. Discussions include the basics of PCO, variables influencing how well catalysts degrade, and degradation mechanisms. It explores how technology will improve in the future to advance studies on healthy and sustainable indoor air quality.

Leveraging Multiomics Insights and Exploiting Wild Relatives' Potential for Drought and Heat Tolerance in Maize.

Climate change, particularly drought and heat stress, may slash agricultural productivity by 25.7% by 2080, with maize being the hardest hit. Therefore, unraveling the molecular nature of plant responses to these stressors is vital for the development of climate-smart maize. This manuscript's primary objective was to examine how maize plants respond to these stresses, both individually and in combination. Additionally, the paper delved into harnessing the potential of maize wild relatives as a valuable genetic resource and leveraging AI-based technologies to boost maize resilience. The role of multiomics approaches particularly genomics and transcriptomics in dissecting the genetic basis of stress tolerance was also highlighted. The way forward was proposed to utilize a bunch of information obtained through omics technologies by an interdisciplinary state-of-the-art forward-looking big-data, cyberagriculture system, and AI-based approach to orchestrate the development of climate resilient maize genotypes.

Complete 2,4,6-trichlorophenol degradation by anaerobic sludge acclimated with 4-chlorophenol: Synergetic effect of nZVI@BMPC and sodium lactate as an external nutrient.

Ball-milled plastic char supported nano zero-valent iron (nZVI@BMPC) and their application combined with anaerobic sludge for microbial dechlorination of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) were investigated. The XRD and FTIR analysis proved composition of zero valent states of iron, and the BET and SEM analysis showed that nZVI was uniformly distributed on the surface of BMPC. Successive addition of 1000 mg/L sodium lactate and nZVI@BMPC enhanced the acclamation of anaerobic sludge and resulted in the degradation of 4-CP within 80 days. The acclimated consortium with nZVI@BMPC completely degraded 2,4,6-TCP into CH4 and CO2, and the key dechlorination route was through 4-CP dechlorinaion and mineralization. The degradation rate of 2,4,6-TCP with nZVI@BMPC was 0.22/d, greater than that without nZVI@BMPC. The dechlorination efficiency was enhanced in the Fe2+/Fe3+ system controlled by nZVI@BMPC and iron-reducing bacteria. Metagenomic analysis result showed that the dominant de-chlorinators were Chloroflexi sp., Desulfovibrio, and Pseudomonas, which could directly degrade 2,4,6-TCP to 4-CP, especially, Chloroflexi bacterium could concurrently be used to mineralize 4-CP. The relative abundance of the functional genes cprA, acoA, acoB, and tfdB increased significantly in the presence of the nZVI@BMPC. This study provides a new strategy can be a good alternative for possible application in groundwater remediation.

Designing and synthesis of perovskite nanocrystals: a promising wide-spectrum solar light-responsive photocatalyst and lead ion sensor.

Perovskites are an emerging material with a variety of applications, ranging from their solar light conversion capability to their sensing efficiency. In current study, perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) were designed using theoretical density functional theory (DFT) analysis. Moreover, the theoretically designed PNCs were fabricated and confirmed by various characterization techniques. The calculated optical bandgap from UV-Vis and fluorescence spectra were 2.15 and 2.05 eV, respectively. The average crystallite size of PNCs calculated from Scherrer equation was 15.18 nm, and point of zero charge (PZC) was obtained at pH 8. The maximum eosin B (EB) removal efficiency by PNCs was 99.56% at optimized conditions following first-order kinetics with 0.98 R2 value. The goodness of the response surface methodology (RSM) model was confirmed from analysis of variance (ANOVA), with the experimental F value (named after Ronald Fisher) of 194.66 being greater than the critical F value F0.05, 14, 14 = 2.48 and a lack of fit value of 0.0587. The Stern-Volmer equation with a larger Ksv value of 1.303710 × 10 6 for Pb2+ suggests its greater sensitivity for Pb2+ among the different metals tested.

Metagenomic unveils the promotion of mainstream PD-anammox process at lower nZVI concentration and inhibition at higher dosage.

The partial-denitrification-anammox (PdNA) process exhibits great potential in enabling the simultaneous removal of NO3--N and NH4+-N. This study delved into the impact of exogenous nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) on the PdNA process. Adding 10 mg L-1 of nZVI increased nitrogen removal efficiency up to 83.12 % and maintained higher relative abundances of certain beneficial bacteria. The maximum relative abundance of Candidatus Brocadia (1.6 %), Candidatus Kuenenia (1.5 %), Ignavibacterium (1.3 %), and Azospira (1.2 %) was observed at 10 mg L-1 of nZVI. However, the greatest relative abundance of Thauera (1.3 %) was recorded under 50 mg L-1. Moreover, applying nZVI selectively enhanced the abundance of NO3--N reductase genes. So, keeping the nZVI concentration at 10 mg L-1 or below is advisable to ensure a stable PdNA process in mainstream conditions. Considering nitrogen removal efficiency, using nZVI in the PD-anammox process could be more cost-effective in enhancing its adoption in industrial and mainstream settings.

Loss-of-function of PGL10 impairs photosynthesis and tolerance to high-temperature stress in rice.

High temperature (HT) affects the production of chlorophyll (Chl) pigment and inhibits cellular processes that impair photosynthesis, and growth and development in plants. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying heat stress in rice are not fully understood yet. In this study, we identified two mutants varying in leaf color from the ethylmethanesulfonate mutant library of indica rice cv. Zhongjiazao-17, which showed pale-green leaf color and variegated leaf phenotype under HT conditions. Mut-map revealed that both mutants were allelic, and their phenotype was controlled by a single recessive gene PALE GREEN LEAF 10 (PGL10) that encodes NADPH:protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase B, which is required for the reduction of protochlorophyllide into chlorophyllide in light-dependent tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway-based Chl synthesis. Overexpression-based complementation and CRISPR/Cas9-based knockout analyses confirmed the results of Mut-map. Moreover, qRT-PCR-based expression analysis of PGL10 showed that it expresses in almost all plant parts with the lowest expression in root, followed by seed, third leaf, and then other green tissues in both mutants, pgl10a and pgl10b. Its protein localizes in chloroplasts, and the first 17 amino acids from N-terminus are responsible for signals in chloroplasts. Moreover, transcriptome analysis performed under HT conditions revealed that the genes involved in the Chl biosynthesis and degradation, photosynthesis, and reactive oxygen species detoxification were differentially expressed in mutants compared to WT. Thus, these results indicate that PGL10 is required for maintaining chloroplast function and plays an important role in rice adaptation to HT stress conditions by controlling photosynthetic activity.

Exogenous Glycinebetaine Regulates the Contrasting Responses in Leaf Physiochemical Attributes and Growth of Maize under Drought and Flooding Stresses.

Flooding and drought are the two most devastating natural hazards limiting maize production. Exogenous glycinebetaine (GB), an osmotic adjustment agent, has been extensively used but there is limited research on its role in mitigating the negative effects of different abiotic stresses. This study aims to identify the different roles of GB in regulating the diverse defense regulation of maize against drought and flooding. Hybrids of Yindieyu 9 and Heyu 397 grown in pots in a ventilated greenhouse were subjected to flooding (2-3 cm standing layer) and drought (40-45% field capacity) at the three-leaf stage for 8 d. The effects of different concentrations of foliar GB (0, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mM) on the physiochemical attributes and growth of maize were tested. Greater drought than flooding tolerance in both varieties to combat oxidative stress was associated with higher antioxidant activities and proline content. While flooding decreased superoxide dismutase and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) activities and proline content compared to normal water, they all declined with stress duration, leading to a larger reactive oxygen species compared to drought. It was POD under drought stress and ascorbate peroxidase under flooding stress that played crucial roles in tolerating water stress. Foliar GB further enhanced antioxidant ability and contributed more effects to POD to eliminate more hydrogen peroxide than the superoxide anion, promoting growth, especially for leaves under water stress. Furthermore, exogenous GB made a greater increment in Heyu 397 than Yindieyu 9, as well as flooding compared to drought. Overall, a GB concentration of 5.0 mM, with a non-toxic effect on well-watered maize, was determined to be optimal for the effective mitigation of water-stress damage to the physiochemical characteristics and growth of maize.

Photosynthesis regulates tillering bud elongation and nitrogen-use efficiency via sugar-induced NGR5 in rice.

Rice tillering is one of the most important agronomical traits largely determining grain yield. Photosynthesis and nitrogen availability are two important factors affecting rice tiller bud elongation; however, underlying mechanism and their cross-talk is poorly understood. Here, we used map-based cloning, transcriptome profiling, phenotypic analysis, and molecular genetics to understand the roles of the Decreased Tiller Number 1 (DTN1) gene that encodes the fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase and involves in photosynthesis required for light-induced axillary bud elongation in rice. Deficiency of DTN1 results in the reduced photosynthetic rate and decreased contents of sucrose and other sugars in both leaves and axillary buds, and the reduced tiller number in dtn1 mutant could be partially rescued by exogenous sucrose treatment. Furthermore, we found that the expression of nitrogen-mediated tiller growth response 5 (NGR5) was remarkably decreased in shoot base of dtn1-2, which can be activated by sucrose treatment. Overexpression of NGR5 in the dtn1-2 could partially rescue the reduced tiller number, and the tiller number of dtn1-2 was insensitive to nitrogen supply. This work demonstrated that the sugar level regulated by photosynthesis and DTN1 could positively regulate NGR5 expression, which coordinates the cross-talk between carbon and nitrate to control tiller bud outgrowth in rice.

Advances in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diagnostics: Machine Learning and Genomic Profiling Reveal Key Biomarkers for Early Detection.

This study, utilizing high-throughput technologies and Machine Learning (ML), has identified gene biomarkers and molecular signatures in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). We could identify significant upregulated or downregulated genes in IBD patients by comparing gene expression levels in colonic specimens from 172 IBD patients and 22 healthy individuals using the GSE75214 microarray dataset. Our ML techniques and feature selection methods revealed six Differentially Expressed Gene (DEG) biomarkers (VWF, IL1RL1, DENND2B, MMP14, NAAA, and PANK1) with strong diagnostic potential for IBD. The Random Forest (RF) model demonstrated exceptional performance, with accuracy, F1-score, and AUC values exceeding 0.98. Our findings were rigorously validated with independent datasets (GSE36807 and GSE10616), further bolstering their credibility and showing favorable performance metrics (accuracy: 0.841, F1-score: 0.734, AUC: 0.887). Our functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis provided insights into crucial pathways associated with these dysregulated genes. DENND2B and PANK1 were identified as novel IBD biomarkers, advancing our understanding of the disease. The validation in independent cohorts enhances the reliability of these findings and underscores their potential for early detection and personalized treatment of IBD. Further exploration of these genes is necessary to fully comprehend their roles in IBD pathogenesis and develop improved diagnostic tools and therapies. This study significantly contributes to IBD research with valuable insights, potentially greatly enhancing patient care.

A meta-analysis of photosynthetic efficiency and stress mitigation by melatonin in enhancing wheat tolerance.

BACKGROUND: Our meta-analysis examines the effects of melatonin on wheat under varying abiotic stress conditions, focusing on photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf water status, and photosynthetic pigments. We initially collected 177 publications addressing the impact of melatonin on wheat. After meticulous screening, 31 published studies were selected, encompassing 170 observations on photosynthetic parameters, 73 on chlorophyll fluorescence, 65 on leaf water status, 240 on photosynthetic pigments. RESULTS: The analysis revealed significant heterogeneity across studies (I² > 99.90%) for the aforementioned parameters and evidence of publication bias, emphasizing the complex interaction between melatonin application and plant physiological responses. Melatonin enhanced the overall response ratio (lnRR) for photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance, transpiration rates, and fluorescence yields by 20.49, 22.39, 30.96, and 1.09%, respectively, compared to the control (no melatonin). The most notable effects were under controlled environmental conditions. Moreover, melatonin significantly improved leaf water content and reduced water potential, particularly under hydroponic conditions and varied abiotic stresses, highlighting its role in mitigating water stress. The analysis also revealed increases in chlorophyll pigments with soil drenching and foliar spray, and these were considered the effective application methods. Furthermore, melatonin influenced chlorophyll SPAD and intercellular CO2 concentrations, suggesting its capacity to optimize photosynthetic efficiency. CONCLUSIONS: This synthesis of meta-analysis confirms that melatonin significantly enhances wheat's resilience to abiotic stress by improving photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf water status, and photosynthetic pigments. Despite observed heterogeneity and publication bias, the consistent beneficial effects of melatonin, particularly under controlled conditions with specific application methods e.g. soil drenching and foliar spray, demonstrate its utility as a plant growth regulator for stress management. These findings encourage focused research and application strategies to maximize the benefits of melatonin in wheat farming, and thus contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.

Killing vector fields of locally rotationally symmetric Bianchi type V spacetime.

The classification of locally rotationally symmetric Bianchi type V spacetime based on its killing vector fields is presented in this paper using an algebraic method. In this approach, a Maple algorithm is employed to transform the Killing's equations into a reduced evolutive form. Subsequently, the integration of the Killing's equations is carried out subject to the constraints provided by the algorithm. The algorithm demonstrates that there exist fifteen distinct metrics that could potentially possess Killing vector fields. Upon solving the Killing equations for all fifteen metrics, it is observed that seven out of the fifteen metrics exclusively exhibit the minimum number of Killing vector fields. The remaining eight metrics admit a varying number of Killing vector fields, specifically 6, 7, or 10. The Kretschmann scalar has been computed for each of the obtained metrics, revealing that all of them possess a finite Kretschmann scalar and thus exhibit regular behavior.

Physiological, molecular, and environmental insights into plant nitrogen uptake, and metabolism under abiotic stresses.

Nitrogen (N) as an inorganic macronutrient is inevitable for plant growth, development, and biomass production. Many external factors and stresses, such as acidity, alkalinity, salinity, temperature, oxygen, and rainfall, affect N uptake and metabolism in plants. The uptake of ammonium (NH4 +) and nitrate (NO3 -) in plants mainly depends on soil properties. Under the sufficient availability of NO3 - (>1 mM), low-affinity transport system is activated by gene network NRT1, and under low NO3 - availability (<1 mM), high-affinity transport system starts functioning encoded by NRT2 family of genes. Further, under limited N supply due to edaphic and climatic factors, higher expression of the AtNRT2.4 and AtNRT2.5T genes of the NRT2 family occur and are considered as N remobilizing genes. The NH4 + ion is the final form of N assimilated by cells mediated through the key enzymes glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase. The WRKY1 is a major transcription factor of the N regulation network in plants. However, the transcriptome and metabolite profiles show variations in N assimilation metabolites, including glycine, glutamine, and aspartate, under abiotic stresses. The overexpression of NO3 - transporters (OsNRT2.3a and OsNRT1.1b) can significantly improve the biomass and yield of various crops. Altering the expression levels of genes could be a valuable tool to improve N metabolism under the challenging conditions of soil and environment, such as unfavorable temperature, drought, salinity, heavy metals, and nutrient stress.

Melatonin-Mediated Molecular Responses in Plants: Enhancing Stress Tolerance and Mitigating Environmental Challenges in Cereal Crop Production.

Cereal crops are crucial for global food security; however, they are susceptible to various environmental stresses that significantly hamper their productivity. In response, melatonin has emerged as a promising regulator, offering potential benefits for stress tolerance and crop growth. This review explores the effects of melatonin on maize, sorghum, millet, rice, barley, and wheat, aiming to enhance their resilience to stress. The application of melatonin has shown promising outcomes, improving water use efficiency and reducing transpiration rates in millet under drought stress conditions. Furthermore, it enhances the salinity and heavy metal tolerance of millet by regulating the activity of stress-responsive genes. Similarly, melatonin application in sorghum enhances its resistance to high temperatures, low humidity, and nutrient deficiency, potentially involving the modulation of antioxidant defense and aspects related to photosynthetic genes. Melatonin also exerts protective effects against drought, salinity, heavy metal, extreme temperatures, and waterlogging stresses in maize, wheat, rice, and barley crops by decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production through regulating the antioxidant defense system. The molecular reactions of melatonin upregulated photosynthesis, antioxidant defense mechanisms, the metabolic pathway, and genes and downregulated stress susceptibility genes. In conclusion, melatonin serves as a versatile tool in cereal crops, bolstering stress resistance and promoting sustainable development. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms and refine application techniques to fully harness the potential role of melatonin in cereal crop production systems.

Managing pregnancy-related stroke risk with known bilateral internal carotid artery webs.

Carotid webs are intraluminal shelf-like projections caused by thickening of the arterial tunica intima. Due to their projections forming a nidus for thrombus formation and subsequent embolus, they are considered to be a rare cause of ischaemic strokes. We report a case of a woman with a background of recurrent ischaemic strokes due to bilateral carotid webs who presented with a twin pregnancy. We use this case to discuss how her pregnancy-related stroke risk was subsequently medically managed.

Spatial variation in iodine content with relation to soil physicochemical properties in lower Himalayan region.

Topography of a place has a significant impact on soil characteristics that ultimately influence soil iodine levels. Lower Himalayan region (LHR) in Pakistan has a wide range of climatic and geological variations. Hence, an investigation was conducted to analyze the iodine concentration and other physicochemical properties of soils in two LHR districts, Haripur and Mansehra. Spatial analysis indicated a decrease in iodine levels in the mountainous regions in comparison to the flat portions of LHR. Soil samples obtained from different locations across Haripur had a stronger affinity for iodine due to variations in solubility and adsorption of iodine to soil clay components, which can be attributed to lower pH, higher organic matter, and a higher cation exchange capacity (CEC). In contrast to the plains of Haripur, elevated locations in the Mansehra district had decreased levels of iodine, along with a higher soil pH and reduced soil organic matter. The soil erosion and depletion of soil micronutrients in the hilly region of Mansehra may be attributed to the unfavorable soil conditions and excessive precipitation. Presence of clay, iron (Fe), and aluminum (Al) in the soil led to a rise in iodine levels. Iodine concentrations exhibited an inverse relationship with soil acidity. Study revealed a direct correlation between soil iodine levels and their cation exchange capacity (CEC) and clay content. This study aims to gather fundamental data for the chosen regions of LHR to address illnesses caused by iodine deficiency.