The study investigates the heavy metal contamination in the topsoil around the Sahiwal Coal Fired Power Plant (SCFPP) in Sahiwal, Pakistan. Elevated levels of copper, lead, and iron were found in the soil, with concentrations significantly higher than background values, indicating pollution from the power plant. The contamination poses risks to the environment, flora, fauna, and human health, with potential impacts including genotoxicity, reproductive issues, and various health conditions. Remediation techniques such as bioremediation are suggested to mitigate the pollution. The study highlights the need for further research and preventive measures to address the contamination.

A case study conducted in the Punjab province of Pakistan assessed the attitudes of rural youth towards sustainable agriculture and the contributing factors. The study used a cross-sectional quantitative research design and face-to-face interviews with a sample of 413 young rural individuals from three selected districts. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. Findings indicate that rural youth in Punjab lack non-formal education to acquire or maintain skills and interests in agriculture. Unemployment and limited agricultural income are significant challenges they face. However, there is a strong inclination among rural youth to opt for sustainable agriculture if supported by a network. The study suggests that to achieve sustainability goals in a changing environment, rural youth need continuous training, communication sources, and membership in organizations promoting innovative agricultural initiatives.

The study aims to predict fracture density (FD) in basement metamorphic rocks using gene expression programming (GEP) when image logs and core samples are unavailable. The research focuses on two types of gneiss, sillimanite- and garnet-bearing biotite gneiss (SG) and orthogneiss (OG), in the Mezősas field, Hungary. The study uses conventional well-log data as input variables for GEP, achieving high R2 values for the model. The significant parameters for predicting FD include spectral gamma ray, resistivity, and porosity logs. The study validates the GEP model using discriminant function analysis, confirming its reliability for FD predictions in the absence of image logs and core samples.

The study reports the first detection and molecular characterization of Avian Metapneumovirus subtype B (aMPV-B) in US poultry, affecting both turkeys and chickens. The outbreak, which began in January 2024, was confirmed through metagenomic sequencing and real-time RT-PCR, revealing a high prevalence of aMPV-B across multiple states. The assembled genomes showed high nucleotide identity, indicating clonal expansion. Unique amino acid changes in the G protein suggest potential adaptation of the virus in US poultry. The findings underscore the need for further research into the virus's genotypic characterization, pathogenesis, and evolutionary dynamics, as well as the development of new vaccines.

Microplastics (MPs) contaminate various environments, including agricultural lands. This study collected soil samples from peri-urban agricultural lands of Lahore, Pakistan, and analyzed them using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) protocol. The highest contamination was found at Sagian with 876 ±194 MPs/kg of soil, while the lowest was at Punjab University with 672 ±235 MPs/kg of soil. The predominant shape of MPs was fibers, followed by sheets, fragments, and foam particles. Most MPs were less than 2 mm in size, with a significant portion being transparent. Six types of polymers were identified, including Polyethylene (PE) and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The study highlights the diversity of MPs sources and their potential implications on the agricultural ecosystem.

The unusual winter weather in Punjab, Pakistan, has benefited strawberry farmers like Jameel Hussain, leading to early fruiting and reduced pest attacks. The crop, fetching up to Rs 400 per kilogram, is gaining popularity in regions near the Ravi River and beyond. Despite its sour taste limiting its export potential, strawberries are widely used in various food products domestically. USAID's attempt to develop sweeter varieties in Sindh was unsuccessful. Globally, the United States leads in strawberry production, followed by Turkey and Spain.

Cities contribute significantly to global CO2 emissions, with urban areas responsible for nearly 70% of emissions from energy consumption. The study examines the impact of urbanisation on CO2 emissions, highlighting the variability in emission trends across different cities. It identifies urban area expansion, population density, and per capita emissions as key contributors to emission trends. The analysis reveals that while urbanisation generally increases emissions, the relationship between urban form and emissions is complex. The study underscores the importance of mitigation policies targeting urban areas to manage future national emission trends.

Literacy, encompassing the skills of reading, writing, speaking, calculating, and problem-solving, is crucial for daily life and is synonymous with reading. However, the reading interest in Indonesia is alarmingly low, particularly among students, which is a concern for the country's future literacy rates. The lack of student visits to school libraries, especially in rural areas, highlights this issue. The rise of gadgets as a primary need has also contributed to the decline in reading books at libraries.

The study evaluates the health risks associated with iron contamination in food crops irrigated with wastewater in the District Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan. It finds that while iron levels in soil and crops are within WHO permissible limits, wastewater irrigation leads to significant soil contamination. The research highlights the need for regular monitoring and treatment of wastewater to prevent health risks from iron accumulation in the food chain. The study underscores the importance of educating farmers and implementing protective measures to safeguard public health.

The 2022 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders highlights a significant increase in media polarization, both within and between countries, exacerbating social and political tensions. The report underscores the deteriorating state of press freedom in various regions, with authoritarian regimes like China and Russia tightening control over information. The Index also notes improvements in countries like Moldova and Bulgaria due to government changes. The article calls for urgent measures to protect democratic information spaces and emphasizes the critical role of journalists, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.