Criticality in international higher education research: A critical discourse analysis of higher education journals

The purpose of this study is to critically and systematically examine current discourse within scholarship on the internationalization of higher education. Our study engages critical discourse analysis to review articles from four top-tier higher education academic journals published between 2000 and 2016. Findings across journals/articles demonstrate the absence of a clear definition of the concept of internationalization, a strong Western focus, and often inexplicit recommendations for practical application of research findings. Through critical discourse analysis, we explore the orientation of higher education research towards equity and inclusivity and challenge the perception of international higher education research and its distribution through academic journals as value-neutral. By continuing to recognize, articulate, and critique biases in research development and dissemination, higher education researchers and discourse may become more accountable and continue to develop a more critical lens for promoting globally inclusive scholarship. This study contributes to the ways in which discourse both shapes and is shaped by knowledge production in the higher education landscape, and future directions for this field

Experimental Evidence for Reduced Rodent Diversity Causing Increased Hantavirus Prevalence

Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases have become a major global environmental problem with important public health, economic, and political consequences. The etiologic agents of most emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, and anthropogenic environmental changes that affect wildlife communities are increasingly implicated in disease emergence and spread. Although increased disease incidence has been correlated with biodiversity loss for several zoonoses, experimental tests in these systems are lacking. We manipulated small-mammal biodiversity by removing non-reservoir species in replicated field plots in Panama, where zoonotic hantaviruses are endemic. Both infection prevalence of hantaviruses in wild reservoir (rodent) populations and reservoir population density increased where small-mammal species diversity was reduced. Regardless of other variables that affect the prevalence of directly transmitted infections in natural communities, high biodiversity is important in reducing transmission of zoonotic pathogens among wildlife hosts. Our results have wide applications in both conservation biology and infectious disease management

Transdisciplinary Research Priorities for Human and Planetary Health in the Context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Ebi KL, Harris F, Sioen GB, et al. Transdisciplinary Research Priorities for Human and Planetary Health in the Context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2020;17(23): 8890.Human health and wellbeing and the health of the biosphere are inextricably linked. The state of Earth's life-support systems, including freshwater, oceans, land, biodiversity, atmosphere, and climate, affect human health. At the same time, human activities are adversely affecting natural systems. This review paper is the outcome of an interdisciplinary workshop under the auspices of the Future Earth Health Knowledge Action Network (Health KAN). It outlines a research agenda to address cross-cutting knowledge gaps to further understanding and management of the health risks of these global environmental changes through an expert consultation and review process. The research agenda has four main themes: (1) risk identification and management (including related to water, hygiene, sanitation, and waste management); food production and consumption; oceans; and extreme weather events and climate change. (2) Strengthening climate-resilient health systems; (3) Monitoring, surveillance, and evaluation; and (4) risk communication. Research approaches need to be transdisciplinary, multi-scalar, inclusive, equitable, and broadly communicated. Promoting resilient and sustainable development are critical for achieving human and planetary health

Does land-use change increase the abundance of zoonotic reservoirs? Rodents say yes

Land-use change can raise the risk of human exposure to zoonotic diseases by increasing abundance of reservoir hosts. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis on the associations between land-use change and the abundance of rodent species in relation to their reservoir status for rodent-borne diseases. Using the PREDICT database, we analyzed 58 case studies comprising 54 species from eight countries. In general, rodent reservoirs were significantly more abundant in modified habitats (anthropogenically altered sites), whereas non-reservoir species were more abundant in non-modified habitats. To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis that evaluates the response of rodents to land-use change with a focus on the potential implications for epidemiological risks. Our findings give further evidence that land-use change generally impacts biodiversity in ways that might imply higher risk of zoonotic pathogen transmission.Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (CONICYT), CONICYT FONDECYT: 3160037. CONICYT + PAI Convocatoria Nacional de Subvención a la Instalación en la Academia 2018: PAI77180009. CONACyT MSc scholarship. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Characterization of Salmonella spp. and E. coli Strains Isolated from Wild Carnivores in Janos Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

Enterobacteriaceae are considered one the most important zoonotic pathogens. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of E. coli and Salmonella spp. strains present in carnivores from Janos Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. These microorganisms had been isolated from a wide range of domestic and free-range animals, including wild carnivores. Fifty-five individuals were sampled, and the presence of Salmonella and E. coli was determined by bacteriological standard methods. Strains isolated were characterized by molecular methods and in vitro infection assays. Eight different species of carnivores were captured, including coyotes (Canis latrans), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), desert foxes (Vulpes macrotis), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), hooded skunks (Mephitis macroura), lynxes (Lynx rufus), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and badgers (Taxidea taxus). Salmonella spp. and E. coli were isolated from four species of carnivores. Five Salmonella spp. strains were isolated, and their molecular characterization revealed in three of them the presence of fimbrial and virulence genes associated with cell invasion. In vitro evaluation of these strains showed their capability to invade human Hep2 cells. Sixty-one E. coli strains were isolated; different serotypes and phylogroups were observed from these strains. Additionally, the presence of virulence genes showed differently

Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs, Cattle, and the Conservation of North America’s Arid Grasslands

<div><p>Prairie dogs (<i>Cynomys</i> spp.) have been eliminated from over 95% of their historic range in large part from direct eradication campaigns to reduce their purported competition with cattle for forage. Despite the longstanding importance of this issue to grassland management and conservation, the ecological interactions between cattle and prairie dogs have not been well examined. We address this issue through two complementary experiments to determine if cattle and prairie dogs form a mutualistic grazing association similar to that between prairie dogs and American bison. Our experimental results show that cattle preferentially graze along prairie dog colony edges and use their colony centers for resting, resembling the mutualistic relationship prairie dogs have with American bison. Our results also show that prairie dog colonies are not only an important component of the grassland mosaic for maintaining biodiversity, but also provide benefits to cattle, thereby challenging the long-standing view of prairie dogs as an undesirable pest species in grasslands.</p></div