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The brown macroalgae of the species Rugulopteryx okamurae has reached European waters and the Strait of Gibraltar as an invasive species. The proliferation and colonization of the species in subtidal and intertidal zones of these regions imposes significant threats to local ecosystems and additionally represents a significant socioeconomic burden related to the large amounts of biomass accumulated as waste. As a way to minimize the effects caused by the accumulation of algae biomass, investigations have been made to employ this biomass as a raw material in value-added products or technologies. The present review explores the potential uses of R. okamurae, focusing on its impact for biogas production, composting, bioplastic and pharmaceutical purposes, with potential anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and α -glucosity inhibitory activities being highlighted. Overall, this species appears to present many attributes, with remarkable potential for uses in several fields of research and in various industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People's proclivity for favoring their ingroups over outgroups has negative consequences for individuals, groups, and societies. Social psychologists have explored a variety of techniques to reduce these intergroup biases. Emerging research suggests that mindfulness may be effective for this purpose. Mindfulness is defined as present-moment attention and awareness with an accepting attitude, and it is often cultivated through meditation. Our systematic review of the mindfulness-intergroup literature suggests that, across the heterogeneity of paradigms, mindfulness attenuates intergroup bias. Supporting this supposition, for all studies in the current review, regardless of operationalization of mindfulness (i.e., mindfulness-based intervention, brief mindfulness induction, expert meditators, dispositional mindfulness), the overall effect size was g = +.29 (k -number of studies = 36; 95% CI [0.20, 0.39]; Z = 5.94, p <.0001), suggesting a small but significant effect of mindfulness on improved levels of intergroup bias. In the current work, we review the eligible studies and their findings in detail and conclude by discussing critical issues and implications for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of the book "Bitter Orange," by Claire Fuller, is presented.

Cohen explains that food and integrity were connected through concepts like character - a human virtue and material property that was one of the most sought-after traits in the nineteenth century and a direct link to the emergence of the pure food movement (34-40). Whereas butter was the product of grasslands and lake-fed watersheds, margarine was the product of slaughterhouses and new urban environments (88). Finally, Cohen's thematic framing enriches the structure, particularly in his chapters on butter, cottonseed oil, and glucose. [Extracted from the article]

A review of the book, "Fire Is Your Water," by Jim Minick, is presented.

A review of the book "Cloudmaker," by Malcolm Brooks, is presented.

A review of the book "Inland: A Novel," by Téa Obreht, is presented.

A review of the book "Virgil Wander," by Leif Enger, is presented.

A review of the book "Gods of Howl Mountain," by Taylor Brown, is presented.