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Australia’s interaction with forest fires highlights the interplay of geography, climate, and ecosystems. This research explores the evolution of fire management practices, from ancient Indigenous ‘firestick farming’ to modern strategies using remote sensing and predictive modelling. For millennia, Indigenous Australians used controlled burns to manage landscapes, promoting ecological health and reducing wildfire risks. The disruption of these practices by European settlers in the late 18th century, through land clearing and the introduction of non-native species, led to increased fuel loads and more severe wildfires. The 20th century brought significant technological advancements to fire management, including motorised fire trucks, aircraft, and improved communication systems. However, the real revolution came with the introduction of remote sensing and early warning systems. These technologies enabled real-time monitoring and predictive insights, significantly enhancing fire management. Today, predictive modelling and machine learning further improve fire management by enabling precise forecasting and efficient resource allocation. This research underscores the crucial role of integrating Indigenous knowledge and community engagement with modern strategies for sustainable fire management. As climate change increases wildfire risks, adapting to these challenges is more important than ever. Australia’s approach, which blends traditional wisdom with modern science, serves as a global model for effective wildfire management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) chip technology is of interest in the development of diagnostic devices and drug delivery applications. Silicon has been widely used for the fabrication of micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) and smart sensors, which are now commercially available. The aim of this work is to develop a sensor or chip for specific DNA sequences. The high sensitivity of the biochip is achieved by increasing the specific surface area of the device. Nanostructured porous silicon has high surface area that can be prepared to have large variety of pore morphologies by electrochemical etching of silicon wafer. In the present work, the immobilization of single stranded DNA and its hybridization on modified porous silicon as well as on flat silicon surface has been demonstrated. DNA immobilization on modified silicon surfaces and its subsequent hybridization was studied using gP32 labelled DNA, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectronspectroscopy (XPS). More than 70% of DNA binding was achieved on the porous silicon in comparison to the flat silicon surface which has less than 20% of DNA binding. Enhanced DNA binding on nanostructured porous silicon as compared to flat silicon surface is due to its large surface area and good molecular penetration into its pores. The high fidelity of nanostructured porous silicon surface promises substantial benefit to the emerging technology for nucleic acid-based biosensors and diagnostic chips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fasciolosis is an important disease of livestock with increasing reports of human infection, caused by the helminth parasite Fasciola. In this study, we report a preliminary approach towards the development of immunosensors based on nanostructured porous silicon for the detection of Fasciola infection. The surface of porous silicon was biofunctionalized by the deposition of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) from solution, leading to high density of amine groups covering the surface which would promote the further immobilization of biomolecules like antibodies. The antibody against bacterial collagenase IV binds with porous silicon and its variable region binds with Fasciola gigantica excretory/secretory (ES) products which were then detected by observing the apple green colour under fluorescence microscope by using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled bacterial collagenase IV antibody. In addition the FTIR study was also performed. The present study suggests the possibility of using porous silicon as immunosensors for F. gigantica infection detection with low cost and high sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

γ‐Polyglutamic acid (γ‐PGA) microgel, produced by Bacillus spp., represents a promising biomaterial with diverse industrial applications due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and nontoxic nature. This review explores the current methodologies in the industrial production of γ‐PGA microgel, emphasizing the optimization of fermentation conditions, genetic engineering of Bacillus strains, and advances in downstream processing techniques. Key applications in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and environmental management are discussed, highlighting its role in drug delivery systems, as a biocontrol agent, and in wastewater treatment. Future perspectives include enhancing production efficiency through synthetic biology, expanding its application scope, and addressing economic and regulatory challenges to facilitate broader adoption. The integration of innovative technologies and multidisciplinary approaches is crucial for the sustainable development and commercial success of γ‐PGA microgel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]