Silicon-based nanoparticles for mitigating the effect of potentially toxic elements and plant stress in agroecosystems: A sustainable pathway towards food security.

Due to their size, flexibility, biocompatibility, large surface area, and variable functionality nanoparticles have enormous industrial, agricultural, pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications. This has led to their widespread use in various fields. The advancement of knowledge in this field of research has altered our way of life from medicine to agriculture. One of the rungs of this revolution, which has somewhat reduced the harmful consequences, is nanotechnology. A helpful ingredient for plants, silicon (Si), is well-known for its preventive properties under adverse environmental conditions. Several studies have shown how biogenic silica helps plants recover from biotic and abiotic stressors. The majority of research have demonstrated the benefits of silicon-based nanoparticles (Si-NPs) for plant growth and development, particularly under stressful environments. In order to minimize the release of brine, heavy metals, and radioactive chemicals into water, remove metals, non-metals, and radioactive components, and purify water, silica has also been used in environmental remediation. Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) have become a huge threat to food security through their negative impact on agroecosystem. Si-NPs have the potentials to remove PTEs from agroecosystem and promote food security via the promotion of plant growth and development. In this review, we have outlined the various sources and ecotoxicological consequences of PTEs in agroecosystems. The potentials of Si-NPs in mitigating PTEs were extensively discussed and other applications of Si-NPs in agriculture to foster food security were also highlighted.

Microbial ecology and evolution is key to pandemics: using the coronavirus model to mitigate future public health challenges.

Pandemics are global challenges that lead to total disruption of human activities. From the inception of human existence, all pandemics have resulted in loss of human lives. The coronavirus disease caused by SAR-CoV-2 began in China and is now at the global scale with an increase in mortality and morbidity. Numerous anthropogenic activities have been implicated in the emergence and severity of pandemics, including COVID-19. These activities cause changes in microbial ecology, leading to evolution due to mutation and recombination. This review hypothesized that an understanding of these anthropogenic activities would explain the dynamics of pandemics. The recent coronavirus model was used to study issues leading to microbial evolution, towards preventing future pandemics. Our review highlighted anthropogenic activities, including deforestation, mining activities, waste treatment, burning of fossil fuel, as well as international travels as drivers of microbial evolution leading to pandemics. Furthermore, human-animal interaction has also been implicated in pandemic incidents. Our study recommends substantial control of such anthropogenic activities as having been highlighted as ways to reduce the frequency of mutation, reduce pathogenic reservoirs, and the emergence of infectious diseases.