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Background Accumulating evidence suggests that breastfeeding exclusivity and duration are positively associated with child cognition. This study investigated whether DNA methylation, an epigenetic mechanism modified by nutrient intake, may contribute to the link between breastfeeding and child cognition. The aim was to quantify the relationship between global DNA methylation and cognition and behavior at 4 years of age. Methods Child behavior and cognition were measured at age 4 years using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, third version (WPPSI‐III), and Child Behavior Checklist (CBC). Global DNA methylation (%5‐methylcytosines (%5mC)) was measured in buccal cells at age 4 years, using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) commercial kit. Linear regression models were used to quantify the statistical relationships. Results Data were collected from 73 children recruited from the Women and Their Children's Health (WATCH) study. No statistically significant associations were found between global DNA methylation levels and child cognition or behavior (p > .05), though the estimates of effect were consistently negative. Global DNA methylation levels in males were significantly higher than in females (median %5mC: 1.82 vs. 1.03, males and females, respectively, (p < .05)). Conclusion No association was found between global DNA methylation and child cognition and behavior; however given the small sample, this study should be pooled with other cohorts in future meta‐analyses.

Protists are the most diverse eukaryotes. These microbes are keystone organisms of soil ecosystems and regulate essential processes of soil fertility such as nutrient cycling and plant growth. Despite this, protists have received little scientific attention, especially compared to bacteria, fungi and nematodes in soil studies. Recent methodological advances, particularly in molecular biology techniques, have made the study of soil protists more accessible, and have created a resurgence of interest in soil protistology. This ongoing revolution now enables comprehensive investigations of the structure and functioning of soil protist communities, paving the way to a new era in soil biology. Instead of providing an exhaustive review, we provide a synthesis of research gaps that should be prioritized in future studies of soil protistology to guide this rapidly developing research area. Based on a synthesis of expert opinion we propose 30 key questions covering a broad range of topics including evolution, phylogenetics, functional ecology, macroecology, paleoecology, and methodologies. These questions highlight a diversity of topics that will establish soil protistology as a hub discipline connecting different fundamental and applied fields such as ecology, biogeography, evolution, plant-microbe interactions, agronomy, and conservation biology. We are convinced that soil protistology has the potential to be one of the most exciting frontiers in biology.

A synthesis of work on integrating short-rotation biomass plantings into existing mixed crop and livestock farming regimes with the biomass being converted to biofuels, including aviation fuel, is provided. This agroforestry system, based on mallee eucalypt species native to Australia, provides broader environmental benefits, including biodiversity protection. These species are suited to the edaphic and climatic conditions of rainfed farming systems in southern Australia. The study focused on the Great Southern region of Western Australia, with an average annual rainfall of 400–600 mm. Compared to other locations in Australia, significantly more research and development has been conducted in this region, with a mallee biomass-to-jet fuel business case and farmer cooperation providing reliable data for assessing the viability and sustainability of commercial supply chain development. The limited capacity of Australian agricultural systems to produce biomass due to the relatively dry climate means that the available biomass resources should be directed to strategically important energy uses such as aviation fuel. Technical, economic, and environmental insights gained from these long-term studies have demonstrated that it is feasible to integrate this new production system into the overall farming enterprise and indicate strong prospects for a biomass industry in this region should political and economic uncertainties currently facing the renewable energy industry in Australia be resolved.

The ODA TC pilot project "Small scale irrigation using collector wells - Zimbabwe" began in October 1992. This report outlines progress made on all aspects during the fourth six months of work. The six project schemes are now complete. Two additional schemes for Plan International (NGO) are also near to completion. As planned, these schemes represent a range of physical, social, economic and institutional settings. The number of families obtaining domestic water from 011k-funded schemes is 1319 and the number of families with allotments on the community gardens is approximately 577. Individual socio-economic baseline surveys have been carried out for the six project communities and now provide data on social, institutional, economic and agricultural aspects of rural life before scheme installation. This information is being used in monitoring and evaluating the impacts of the schemes on the communities and in drawing up guidelines for the design and implementation of future schemes. Shortage of water is the principal problem reported by respondents at all sites. At some, the priority is for a cleaner and more reliable source of domestic water. At others, the priority is for water to allow vegetables to be grown for home consumption and for sale. Monitoring of garden performance is proceeding well. The first scheme completed in Chivi District in 1991 continues to produce high returns, recording an average gross margin of Z$19,900 per ha per year for three years of operation. First gross margins recorded at pilot project schemes are similarly high, being Z$18,204 and Z$25,444 at Muzondidya and Gokota respectively. The figure for Gokota actually represents less than one complete year and is an indication of the excellent returns possible from small areas intensively cultivated if water can be made available in these dry areas. Social and institutional "teething" problems were encountered at most of the earlier schemes. However, production figures indicate that these ha