DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e174548

Authors: Luciana Chavez Rodriguez, Guilherme Oyarzabal, Bruno Eleres Soares, Alejandra Guzmán Luna, César Marín

Abstract: A brain drain phenomenon, i.e., the migration of highly skilled professionals, has represented and still represents a severe loss of intellectual capital for Global South countries. Factors driving this migration include limited research infrastructure, funding constraints, political instability, and the lack of scientific career prospects in the Global South, and the consequences are multifaceted. While this can hinder local development in the Global South, it simultaneously enriches research ecosystems in the Global North, exacerbating existing global inequalities in science and technology. Under this scenario, scientific diasporas represent an effort to counterbalance the brain drain scenario through initiatives that aim to increase science and technology, which are led by self-organized expat professionals and scientists. While we can find some successful examples of international cooperation driven by scientific diasporas, without a proper organization and full participation of the governments of the countries of origin, scientific diasporas can become dysfunctional and can promote more migration upon training. We, five early-career scientists, discuss our perspectives and personal reflections on scientific diasporas. We describe three migration models of highly skilled professionals, starting with a brain drain model, scientific diaspora, and dysfunctional scientific diaspora, and provide some ideas to help the implementation of successful scientific diasporas. We believe that migration must be a personal decision seeking scientific growth and professional development, and not the only option we should have to pursue a fulfilling career in science.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e144181

Authors: Manfred Asiedu, Gideon Twieku, Rhoda Lims

Abstract: We propose to explore an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to malaria control by employing fish as biological agents to reduce mosquito populations. Given the rising challenges of insecticide resistance and the environmental concerns associated with chemical interventions, this project investigates the effectiveness of fish species in consuming mosquito larvae, thereby lowering the prevalence of malaria vectors. Through a combination of laboratory experiments, ecological assessments, and community engagement in malaria-endemic regions, the project will identify optimal fish species for this purpose, assess their impact on local ecosystems, and gauge community perspectives on adopting fish-based malaria control methods. Key objectives include evaluating predation efficiency, determining ecological compatibility, quantifying the reduction in malaria transmission, and fostering local involvement to enhance sustainability. This innovative approach has the potential to provide a scalable, environmentally conscious solution for malaria management, contributing to global public health efforts and advancing sustainable disease control strategies.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e113306

Authors: Karel Torres-Lozano, Milagros Cabrera-Soregui, Enrique Garcia-Candela, Victor Puicon-Niño de Guzman, Fernando Mesias-Valle

Abstract: Piaractus brachypomus is the most produced Amazonian fish in Peru; however, little is known about histological lesions that monogeneans produce in their gills. When examining 40 juveniles of P. brachypomus from two comercial fish farms, presence of Anacanthorus penilabiatus and Mymarothecium viatorum were found, with a total monogenean prevalence of 100%, with a mean intensity and mean abundance of 225.5 parasites/fish for both indices. At the level of the gill tissue, lesions identified were dilation and congestion of the central vein and hyperplasia of the secondary lamella with eosinophilic and lymphocytic infiltration. This is the first report of histopathological alterations caused by the infection of Anacanthorus penilabiatus and Mymarothecium viatorum in cultured groups of P. brachypomus in the Peruvian Amazon, and indicates the need to improve good practices and biosafety in the production of this fish to prevent or control the impact of these monogeneans.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e99679

Authors: Elena Velado-Alonso, Ignasi Bartomeus, Kira Keini, Suresh Chithathur, Anna Sapundzhieva, Alexandra Korcheva, David Kleijn

Abstract: Communication and dissemination are key elements to maximise SHOWCASE project impact and ensure long‐term effects. For that, an effective communication strategy is essential to convey the principles and best practices to integrate biodiversity in farm management to favour farmers’ livelihoods while promoting conservation in agricultural landscapes. Current discourses around biodiversity, nature conservation and farming are contradictory with each other and not always engaging for SHOWCASE stakeholders. Thus, an inspirational narrative has been developed in the first months of the project by WP4 “Communicating the benefits of agrobiodiversity through multistakeholder knowledge exchange”, task 4.1. SHOWCASE narrative explains in an effective manner 1) why people care about biodiversity; 2) what we can do, and; 3) how we can do it better.

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