This study investigated the photosynthetic responses of the CAM ornamental plant Schlumbergera truncata ‘Pink Dew’ under low-temperature greenhouse conditions to evaluate the potential for energy-saving cultivation. Greenhouse production requires substantial energy for heating, and reducing temperature is a possible strategy to save energy. However, low temperatures can suppress photosynthesis and plant growth. CAM plants, which absorb CO2 mainly at night, may respond differently to temperature, making it important to determine temperature ranges that maintain carbon assimilation while reducing energy use. Plants were grown in a greenhouse at average temperatures of 15/11°C (January, early flowering) and 21/12°C (March, late flowering). Gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), and growth characteristics were measured, with comparisons made between top and second phylloclades. Results showed that during the early-flowering period, total net CO2 uptake was negative, indicating suppressed carbon assimilation under low temperature. During the late-flowering period, net CO2 uptake became positive, suggesting recovery of photosynthetic activity as temperatures increased. The second phylloclades generally exhibited higher CO2 uptake than the top phylloclades. The maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) increased from early to late flowering but remained below optimal values, indicating that plants experienced low temperature stress but maintained moderate photosynthetic function, suggesting some degree of acclimation. Morphological observations showed phylloclade discoloration and occasional lesions, which were consistent with symptoms of cold stress, although plants continued to grow and produce flower buds. Overall, the results indicate that low temperatures below the optimal range can suppress photosynthesis in S. truncata, but the plants retain a capacity for acclimation and recovery. These findings contribute to understanding the temperature sensitivity of CAM photosynthesis and may help define energy-saving temperature strategies in greenhouse cultivation.

This study analyzed the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates in both the natural habitat and artificial habitat of Sohan Stream, the only known habitat of Prasiola japonica in Korea, and investigated their relationship with the changes of P. japonica. During the survey period, Sohan Stream exhibited an average flow velocity of 1.34 m s-1, a slightly alkaline water quality with a pH of 8.00, and a substrate dominated by cobble, providing a suitable environment for the growth of P. japonica. A total of 29 species were identified in the natural habitat, and 31 species were observed in the artificial habitat, with Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera as the dominant taxa in both habitats. Notably, as the habitat area of P. japonica decreased, the abundance of Ephemeroptera also declined, whereas the abundance of Trichoptera showed an opposite trend by increasing. This suggests that Trichoptera larvae may have a competitive advantage over P. japonica for space, potentially impacting the growth of P. japonica. The findings provide important ecological baseline data for the conservation of natural habitats and the development of strategies for the artificial propagation of P. japonica.

장미 ‘Sahara’는 국립원예특작과학원에서 2022년에 육성한 분홍톤 아이보리 스프레이 장미 품종으로 2013년 빨간색 스프레 이 품종 ‘Fangfare’에 아이보리색 스프레이 품종 ‘Vivien’을 부본으로 인공 교배 하였다. 총 73개의 교배 실생을 얻었으며 2015년부터 1, 2, 3차 특성검정을 통해,화색과 화형이 안정적이 며 생산성 및 절화 특성이 우수한 ‘원교 D1-360’을 최종 선발하 여 2022년 ‘Sahara’로 명명하고 국립종자원에 품종보호 출원· 등록하였다(등록번호 제9771호). 장미 ‘Sahara’ 품종은 분홍톤 크림색(155D)의 꽃잎수는 71.5매인 겹꽃으로 화폭과 화고는 각각 4.9, 3.1cm이며 소화수가 7.4개/줄기인 스프레이 장미이 다. 장미 ‘Sahara’ 품종의 절화장은 평균 73.8cm로 대조 품종 ‘Pink shin’56.9cm 대비 길며, 절화 수명은 약 17.8일로 ‘Pink shin’ 15.6일 보다 2일 정도 길다. ‘Sahara’는 절화 생산량은 연간 168본/m2로 ‘Pink Shine’ 140본 대비 생산량이 많다. 전자코를 이용한 PCA분석결과 주성분1과 2는 각각 99.3%와 0.6%로 전체 변이량의 99.9%를 반영하고 있다. Rader plot 분석결과 P10/2,P40/1 및 T30/1 센서 반응이 높았으며 총 6개 센서에서 모두 ‘Sahara’는 대조품종 ‘Pink Shine’에 비해 반응이 낮았다. 절화용 스프레이 장미 ‘Sahara’ 품종은 파스텔톤 의 중형 소화로, 균일한 절화 품질 및 우수한 수량으로 재배농가 의 선호도가 높아 국내에서 많이 재배될 것으로 기대된다.

Bone-related diseases (e.g., osteoporosis) represent a significant health challenge, prompting research for effective therapeutic agents, particularly from natural sources. The edible mushroom, Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii has attracted interest due to its wide range of biological activities. Cytotoxicity assays revealed no significant toxicity of the M. aitchisonii water extract (MAWE) up to 50 μg/mL. MAWE significantly promoted dose-dependent osteoblast differentiation with ALP activity and mineralization increase by 109.17 % and 23 %, respectively, compared with the differentiation-only group. Moreover, MAWE significantly upregulated osteoblast-related gene expressions, including that of type I collagen (COL1A), osterix (Osx), and osteopontin (OPN). Furthermore, MAWE treatment significantly increased AMPK phosphorylation. This effect was further confirmed by demonstrating that the AMPK inhibitor compound C suppressed AMPK phosphorylation, and subsequent MAWE treatment restored it. In summary, these results demonstrate that MAWE possesses potent osteoblast differentiation-promoting efficacy, primarily through AMPK signaling pathway activation.

국립원예특작과학원에서는 밝은 화색과 안정적인 화형의 생 육이 우수한 빨간색 스탠다드 장미 품종을 육성하기 위해 진한 적색 스탠다드 장미 품종 ‘엔드리스러브(Endless Love)’를 모 본으로, 꽃잎수가 많고 안정적으로 가시가 적은 밝은 노란색 ‘페니레인(Penny Lane)’ 품종을 부본으로 인공교배하였다. 37 개의 교배실생을 양성해 1, 2, 3차에 걸친 특성검정 및 현장실증 을 통해 꽃이 크고 화형이 안정적이며, 재배안정성 및 생산성, 절화특성이 우수한 ‘원교 D1-390’을 최종 선발하였다. 2023년 ‘루비레드(Ruby Red)’로 명명하여 국립종자원에 품종보호출원·등록되었다. ‘루비레드’ 품종은 밝은 적색(R53C)을 가졌으 며, 꽃잎수가 32.8매, 화폭과 화고는 각각 10.9, 5.9cm로 대조 품종보다 크다. 절화장은 평균 71.7cm, 절화수명은 약 16.7일, 수량은 연간 168대/m2로 대조품종인 ‘레드스퀘어(Red Square)’ 대비 절화장이 길고 절화수명도 2배 이상 길며, 수확량도 1.4배 우수하다. 2023년 국내 육성 장미 품종 서울식물원 관람객 대상 공동평가회에서 스탠다드 장미 중 우수한 평가를 받았으며, 현 장 실증 결과 농가별로 균일하고 우수한 수량과 절화품질을 보 였다. 절화용 장미 ‘루비레드’ 품종은 밝은 적색과 우수한 화형 을 가지는 품종으로 해외 대체 품종으로 국내에서 많이 재배될 것으로 기대된다.

Unlike companion cats raised at home, feral cats are more likely to be infected with parasites. Feral cats can transmit parasites not only to other cats but also to pets and people. This study was conducted to investigate prevalence intestinal parasites prevalence through the fecal examination of feral cats in Gunsan City. After making a suspension in Sheather's Sucrose solution, the feces were mixed and centrifuged, and then examined under a microscope. The results were revealed mostly unsporulated oocysts and sporulated oocysts of coccidia, followed by pinworm's eggs, which showed a relatively high infection rate. Scabies and mites were also found in the feces. Due to the behavioral characteristics of cats, they tend to remove the foreign objects from their fur through grooming, which is why a lot of hairs were observed in the feces, and it is thought that this is why scabies and mites were also found in the fecal examination results. The results of this study confirm that feral cats are exposed to those parasites. It is also thought that consideration should be given to expanding the TNVR (trap-neuter-vaccinate-release) program, which can reduce the number of feral cats.

Schlumbergera truncata absorbs CO2 through its mature phylloclades during the night, and can use a substantial amount of CO2 without requiring ventilation. This study investigated the growth and photosynthetic responses of S. truncata ‘Red Candle’ at two CO2 levels—ambient (≈ 400 μmol･mol-1) and elevated (≈ 1000 μmol･mol-1). At 0–8 weeks after treatment (WAT), width and length of mature phylloclade and length of immature phylloclade did not differ significantly among the CO2 treatments. At 4–8 WAT, number of branches and phylloclades were significantly greater in plants grown under ambient CO2 than those under elevated CO2. Net CO2 uptake was highest in mature phylloclades of plants grown under ambient and elevated CO2 regimes at night, at 2.51 and 1.30 μmol·CO2·m-2·s-1, respectively. However, no statistically significant variation was observed at 6 WAT, and stomatal conductance was significantly affected only by CO2 uptake time at 6 and 8 WAT. Water-use efficiency of mature and immature phylloclades at night increased with increase in CO2 levels (r = 0.7462 and 0.9312, respectively). At 123 days after treatment, plants grown under elevated CO2 had 82.7 floral buds, compared to 72.1 buds in those under ambient CO2. However, this difference was not statistically significant. Moreover, S. truncata grown under elevated CO2 exhibited decreased growth and photosynthesis, whereas the number of floral buds did not exhibit any significant differences among the treatments.

많은 연구에 따르면 Tenebrio molitor은 유충 단계에서 플라스틱을 섭취할 수 있다고 보고되었다. 이 연구의 목적은 T. molitor 유충의 성장과 발달에 발포폴리스티렌 섭취가 미치는 영향을 조사하는 것이다. 밀기울을 섭취한 유충의 성장률은 발포폴리스티렌을 섭취한 유충의 성장률보다 더 좋았고(p < 0.001) 발포폴리스티렌을 섭취한 유 충의 번데기로 전환되는 기간은 밀기울을 섭취한 유충의 번데기로 전환되는 기간보다 더 빨랐다(p < 0.001). 하지만 두 처리구간 생존율은 유의미한 차이가 없었다(p = 0.786). 이 결과에 따르면 발포폴리스티렌을 섭취한 유충은 체중 감소와 짧은 발육기간이 특징이지만 생존하는 것에는 문제가 없었다. 따라서 우리는 T. molitor가 플라스틱 폐기물 의 지속 가능하고 친환경적인 제거를 위한 주요 자원이라는 결론을 내렸다.

The clearwing moth, Synanthedon bicingulata (Staudinger, 1887), is a pest that infests various species of cherry trees. However, genetic information regarding the genus Synanthedon including S. bicingulata, is limited. In this study, we sequenced a complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the species. The 16,255 bp of S. bicingulata mitogenome differs from the typical gene arrangement formed in Lepidoptera: trnQ-trnS2-trnM-trnI arrangement between the A+T-rich region and the ND2 junction. Moreover, the genome has untranslated repetitive sequences in the intergenic space between lrRNA and trnV, as well as the CGA start codon in COI and the TTG start codon in ATP8. Similar observations are noted in species belonging to the tribe Synanthedonini within the genus Synanthedon.