Announcements

MDPI is excited to collaborate with the University of Salamanca, Spain, to host an exclusive scientific publishing exchange aimed at empowering researchers with the knowledge and tools needed for successful scientific publishing exchange. This workshop will cover key aspects of MDPI’s open access publishing model, including journal selection, editorial workflow, and publication ethics. Participants will receive practical tips on improving their scientific writing and addressing reviewer comments, guided by experienced editors. To learn more about this event please visit our webpage: https://sciforum.net/event/SPE-1.

Date: 28 April 2025
Time: 13:00–14:30
Venue: University of Salamanca, Spain
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cmQCOYRqTH6MEPT7qtNyfQ#/registration

Schedule:

Chair:

Speaker:

22 March marks World Water Day, a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of water resources. The theme for World Water Day 2025, “Glacier Preservation”, underscores the critical role glaciers play in sustaining life on Earth. Glaciers are vital natural reservoirs, providing meltwater that is essential for drinking water, agriculture, industry, clean energy production, and the health of ecosystems. However, the rapid melting of glaciers due to climate change is creating uncertainty in water availability, with profound consequences for communities, economies, and the planet.

As glaciers shrink, the world faces increasing risks of water scarcity, disruption to ecosystems, and heightened vulnerability to natural disasters. Protecting these frozen water resources is not just an environmental imperative but a necessity for ensuring a sustainable future.

Echoing the mission of safeguarding glaciers for generations to come, MDPI’s established journals in the Environmental and Earth Sciences field serve as leading platforms for scientific communication. By sharing cutting-edge research and practical solutions, MDPI contributes to global efforts to address the water crisis and protect these invaluable natural assets.

Join us in celebrating World Water Day 2025 and supporting initiatives that prioritize glacier preservation. Together, we can work toward a future where water resources are protected, ecosystems thrive, and communities are resilient in the face of climate challenges.

Feel free to register for this webinar here!

“Physical Vulnerability of The Gambia’s Coastline in the Context of Climate Change”
by Muhammad Leroy Albert Gomez, Kissao Gnandi, Chrétien Ngouanet, Ibrahima Pouye and Joshua Ntajal
World 2025, 6(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/world6010017

“Segmentation of Glacier Area Using U-Net through Landsat Satellite Imagery for Quantification of Glacier Recession and Its Impact on Marine Systems”
by Edmund Robbins, Robert D. Breininger, Maxwell Jiang, Michelle Madera, Ryan T. White and Nezamoddin N. Kachouie
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(10), 1788; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12101788

“Evaluating Rainwater Harvesting Systems for Water Scarcity Mitigation in Small Greek Islands under Climate Change”
by Elissavet Feloni and Panagiotis T. Nastos
Sustainability 2024, 16(6), 2592; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062592

“Snow Water Equivalent Monitoring—A Review of Large-Scale Remote Sensing Applications”
by Samuel Schilling, Andreas Dietz and Claudia Kuenzer
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(6), 1085; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16061085

“Ecosystem Services Supply from Peri-Urban Watersheds in Greece: Soil Conservation and Water Retention”
by Stefanos Stefanidis, Nikolaos Proutsos, Vasileios Alexandridis and Giorgos Mallinis
Land 2024, 13(6), 765; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060765

“Comparison of Multiple Methods for Supraglacial Melt-Lake Volume Estimation in Western Greenland During the 2021 Summer Melt Season”
by Nathan Rowley, Wesley Rancher and Christopher Karmosky
Glacies 2024, 1(2), 92-110; https://doi.org/10.3390/glacies1020007

“Microbial Community Abundance and Metabolism Close to the Ice-Water Interface of the Blomstrandbreen Glacier (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard): A Sampling Survey Using an Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle”
by Maria Papale, Gabriella Caruso, Giovanna Maimone, Rosabruna La Ferla, Angelina Lo Giudice, Alessandro Ciro Rappazzo, Alessandro Cosenza, Filippo Azzaro, Roberta Ferretti, Rodolfo Paranhos et al.
Water 2023, 15(3), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15030556

“Projected Future Flooding Pattern of Wabash River in Indiana and Fountain Creek in Colorado: An Assessment Utilizing Bias-Corrected CMIP6 Climate Data”
by Swarupa Paudel, Neekita Joshi and Ajay Kalra
Forecasting 2023, 5(2), 405-423; https://doi.org/10.3390/forecast5020022

“Mountain Cryosphere Landscapes in South America: Value and Protection”
by Sebastián Ruiz-Pereira, Voltaire Alvarado Peterson and Darío Trombotto Liaudat
Conservation 2023, 3(1), 232-246; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation3010017

“Diversity and Variability of the Course of Ice Phenomena on the Lakes Located in the Southern and Eastern Part of the Baltic Sea Catchment Area”
by Rajmund Skowron, Pavel Kirvel, Adam Choiński and Ivan Kirvel
Limnol. Rev. 2023, 23(1), 33-49; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev23010003

The International Day of Forests, observed annually on 21 March, highlights the indispensable role forests play in sustaining life on Earth. Forests are pillars of global food security and nutrition, providing livelihoods for millions of families worldwide. They are a vital source of essential foods for indigenous and rural communities, offering fruits, nuts, and other resources that are integral to their diets and cultures. Beyond food, forests are a cornerstone of sustainable energy, agriculture, and environmental health. They support pollinators, enrich soil, regulate the climate, and conserve biodiversity, making them critical to the balance of our planet's ecosystems. 

However, deforestation, climate change, and unsustainable practices threaten forests and the countless benefits they provide. In alignment with the 2025 theme for International Day of Forests, “Forests and Food” and Goal 13 of the SDG Publishers Compact: Climate Action,  MDPI’s established journals in Section “Environmental and Earth Sciences” serve as vital platforms for scientific communication to recognize the urgent need to protect and restore these natural treasures. 

Join us in celebrating International Day of Forests and supporting initiatives that protect these vital ecosystems. Together, we can work toward a future where forests continue to nourish and sustain life for generations to come. 

Invited speakers: 

  Feel free to register for this webinar here! 

“Forest Fire Prediction: A Spatial Machine Learning and Neural Network Approach”
by Sanjeev Sharma and Puskar Khanal
Fire 2024, 7(6), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7060205 

“High-Severity Wildfires Alter Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Foraging Assemblage Structure in Montane Coniferous Forests and Grasslands in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico, USA”
by Jonathan Knudsen, Robert Parmenter, Theodore Sumnicht and Robin Verble
Conservation 2024, 4(4), 830-846; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4040049 

“Aboveground Biomass and Carbon Storage in Mangrove Forests in Southeastern Mexico”
by Carlos Roberto Ávila-Acosta, Marivel Domínguez-Domínguez, César Jesús Vázquez-Navarrete, Rocío Guadalupe Acosta-Pech and Pablo Martínez-Zurimendi
Resources 2024, 13(3), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13030041 

“A Nature-Based Approach Using Felled Burnt Logs to Enhance Forest Recovery Post-Fire and Reduce Erosion Phenomena in the Mediterranean Area”
by Giuseppe Bombino, Daniela D’Agostino, Pasquale A. Marziliano, Pedro Pérez Cutillas, Salvatore Praticò, Andrea R. Proto, Leonardo M. Manti, Giuseppina Lofaro and Santo M. Zimbone
Land 2024, 13(2), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13020236 

“Effects of Climate Change on Greek Forests: A Review”
by Panagiotis P. Koulelis, Nikolaos Proutsos, Alexandra D. Solomou, Evangelia V. Avramidou, Ermioni Malliarou, Miltiadis Athanasiou, Gavriil Xanthopoulos and Panos V. Petrakis
Atmosphere 2023, 14(7), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14071155 

“Assisted Migration of Sequoiadendron Genotypes for Conservation and Timber: Performance and Morphology in a Warmer Climate Outside of Their Range”
by Christopher M. Valness, William J. Libby and John-Pascal Berrill
Conservation 2023, 3(4), 543-568; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation3040035 

“Analysis of Accelerometer Data Using Random Forest Models to Classify the Behavior of a Wild Nocturnal Primate: Javan Slow Loris (Nycticebus javanicus)”
by Amanda Hathaway, Marco Campera, Katherine Hedger, Marianna Chimienti, Esther Adinda, Nabil Ahmad, Muhammed Ali Imron and K. A. I. Nekaris
Ecologies 2023, 4(4), 636-653; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies4040042 

“Pinus contorta Alters Microenvironmental Conditions and Reduces Plant Diversity in Patagonian Ecosystems”
by Rafael A. García, Eduardo Fuentes-Lillo, Lohengrin Cavieres, Ana J. Cóbar-Carranza, Kimberley T. Davis, Matías Naour, Martín A. Núñez, Bruce D. Maxwell, Jonas J. Lembrechts and Aníbal Pauchard
Diversity 2023, 15(3), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030320 

“Characterizing the Change of Annual Cone Production in Longleaf Pine Forests”
by Xiongwen Chen and John L. Willis
Seeds 2023, 2(2), 220-231; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds2020017 

“Physiological Potential of Seeds of Handroanthus spongiosus (Rizzini) S. Grose (Bignoniaceae) Determined by the Tetrazolium Test”
by Jailton de Jesus Silva, Raquel Araujo Gomes, Maria Aparecida Rodrigues Ferreira, Claudineia Regina Pelacani and Bárbara França Dantas
Seeds 2023, 2(2), 208-219; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds2020016

Conference: ASM Microbe 2025
Date: 19–23 Jun 2025
Location: Los Angeles, USA

MDPI will be attending the ASM Microbe 2025 conference as an exhibitor. We welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit us and share their latest ideas.

Established in 1899, ASM is the home for microbial scientists from around the globe to connect, learn, discover and prepare for the future. ASM and its over 37,000 members partner with global organizations to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. They connect with millions of experts and harness their science to serve humanity. From climate change and antimicrobial resistance to industrial, basic and applied microbiology, ASM is a leader in scientific publishing, stands for open science and advocates for evidence-based public policies.

The organizers have curated groundbreaking scientific sessions on topics that are shaping the future of humanity. From microbial solutions to global problems to artificial intelligence (AI) research, we have something for everyone.

The following is a list of just a few of the cutting-edge topics at the conference:

• Microbes in the wild;
• Early Career research;
• Innovative methods for discovery;
• Microbial chemistry;
• Microbes and human health from a basic science perspective;
• omics.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Microorganisms;
• JoF;
• Fermentation;
• MPs;
• J;
• Microbiology Research;
• Vaccines;
• Biology;
• Bacteria;
• CIMB;
• Antibiotics.

If you are planning to attend this conference, please do not hesitate to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://asm.org/Events/ASM-Microbe/Home.

World Wildlife Day celebrates the beauty and diversity of wild animals and plants, and also provides an opportunity to raise public awareness and enable the public to gain a deeper understanding of the many benefits of protecting wildlife for humans.

The theme of World Wildlife Day 2025 is “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet”, highlighting the importance of supporting wildlife conservation through financial investment. The theme calls on the global community to increase investment in conservation projects to ensure the health and sustainable development of ecosystems. Protecting wildlife is not only to maintain biodiversity but also to safeguard the future of mankind. By investing in conservation projects, we can reduce the risk of species extinction, improve ecological conditions, and create sustainable economic opportunities for communities. Financial support can be used to establish protected areas, combat illegal trade, restore habitats, and promote scientific research. Investing in wildlife conservation is investing in the future of humanity and the planet, ensuring we can coexist in harmony with nature.

In order to jointly explore methods and possibilities for wildlife protection, we have brought together research results from multiple MDPI journals on the relationship between wildlife and human sustainable development and provided an open communication platform. All results are open access, and we hope that researchers and the public around the world can obtain the latest scientific knowledge and promote innovative research and practice in wildlife conservation.

We invite everyone to join this important movement and contribute to the protection of wildlife and the future of our planet and people.

MDPI World Wildlife Day Webinar
3 March 2025, 3:00 p.m. (GET)
Free to register for this webinar!
Recordings will be available on Sciforum shortly afterward.

“Birds of Game Abundances in Evergreen Forests in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche, Mexico”
by Héctor M. J. López-Castilla, Fernando M. Contreras-Moreno, Daniel Jesús-Espinosa,
José M. Méndez-Tun, Khiavett Sánchez-Pinzón, Pedro Bautista-Ramírez, Lizardo Cruz-Romo
and Sandra Petrone
Wild 2025, 2(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/wild2010003

“Vulnerability of Agricultural Households to Human–Wildlife Conflicts around Pendjari Biosphere Reserve in Northern Benin”
by Sylvain Efio, Etotépé A. Sogbohossou, Yves Z. Magnon, Bertrand Hamaide, Rigobert C. Tossou
and Brice A. Sinsin
Land 2024, 13(9), 1473; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091473

“Managing Landscape Urbanization and Assessing Biodiversity of Wildlife Habitats: A Study of Bobcats in San Jose, California”
by Yongli Zheng, Yuxi Wang, Xinyi Wang, Yuhan Wen and Shuying Guo
Land 2024, 13(2), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13020152

“Description of Bisbalus, a New Genus for the Gray Brocket, Mazama cita Osgood, 1912 (Mammalia, Cervidae), as a Step to Solve the Neotropical Deer Puzzle ^†”
by Eluzai Dinai Pinto Sandoval, Wlodzimierz J˛edrzejewski, Jesús Molinari, Miluse Vozdova,
Halina Cernohorska , Svatava Kubickova, Agda Maria Bernegossi, Renato Caparroz
and José Mauricio Barbanti Duarte
Taxonomy 2024, 4(1), 10-26; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy4010002

“Biomass Quantification of the Critically Endangered European eel from Running Waters Using Environmental DNA”
by Sara Fernandez, Álvaro Gutiérrez, Dumas Deconinck, Jose Luis Martinez, Almudena Alvarez,
Isabel Marquez, Gonzalo Machado-Schiaffino and Eva Garcia-Vazquez
Fishes 2023, 8(6), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8060279

“Genomic Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus in Wildlife”
by Carmen Martínez-Seijas, Patricia Mascarós, Víctor Lizana, Alba Martí-Marco,
Alberto Arnau-Bonachera, Eva Chillida-Martínez, Jesús Cardells, Laura Selva, David Viana,
and Juan M. Corpa
Animals 2023, 13(6), 1064; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13061064

“Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on the At-Risk Species Anaxyrus microscaphus (The Arizona Toad): A Local and Range-Wide Habitat Suitability Analysis”
by Sam M. Driver, Cord B. Eversole, Daniel R. Unger, David L. Kulhavy, Christopher M. Schalk
and I-Kuai Hung
Ecologies 2023, 4(4), 762-778; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies4040050

“Identification of Urban and Wildlife Terrestrial Corridor Intersections for Planning of Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Mitigation Measures”
by Andrius Kuˇcas, Linas Balˇciauskas and Carlo Lavalle
Land 2023, 12(4), 758; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040758

“Spatiotemporal Patterns of Wolves, and Sympatric Predators and Prey Relative to Human Disturbance in Northwestern Greece”
by Maria Petridou, John F. Benson, Olivier Gimenez and Vassiliki Kati
Diversity 2023, 15(2), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020184

Special Issues

“Global Trends in Climate Suitability of Bees: Ups and Downs in a Warming World”
by Ehsan Rahimi and Chuleui Jung
Insects 2024, 15(2), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15020127

“Monarch Butterflies in Western North America: A Holistic Review of Population Trends, Ecology, Stressors, Resilience and Adaptation”
by David G. James
Insects 2024, 15(1), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15010040

“Illuminating Firefly Diversity: Trends, Threats and Conservation Strategies”
by Sara M. Lewis, Wan F. A. Jusoh, Anna C. Walker, Candace E. Fallon, Richard Joyce
and Vor Yiu
Insects 2024, 15(1), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15010071

“Optimizing Wildlife Habitat Management in Socio-Ecological Systems: An Evolutionary Game Theory Approach”
by Rui Wang, Wenhui Chen and Xingyue Liang
Forests 2023, 14(10), 1940; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14101940

“Edible Halophytes and Halo-Tolerant Species in Apulia Region (Southeastern Italy): Biogeography, Traditional Food Use and Potential Sustainable Crops”
by Rita Accogli, Valeria Tomaselli, Paolo Direnzo, Enrico Vito Perrino, Giuseppe Albanese,
Marcella Urbano and Gaetano Laghetti
Plants 2023, 12(3), 549; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030549

“Crop Wild Relatives: A Valuable Source of Tolerance to Various Abiotic Stresses”
by Aliki Kapazoglou, Maria Gerakari, Efstathia Lazaridi, Konstantina Kleftogianni, Efi Sarri, Eleni Tani and Penelope J. Bebeli
Plants 2023, 12(2), 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020328

“The Societal Value of the Modern Zoo: A Commentary on How Zoos Can Positively Impact on Human Populations Locally and Globally”
by Phillip J. Greenwell, Lisa M. Riley, Ricardo Lemos de Figueiredo, James E. Brereton,
Andrew Mooney and Paul E. Rose
J. Zool. Bot. Gard. 2023, 4(1), 53-69; https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg4010006

Special Issues

In commemoration of World Wildlife Day 2025, MDPI is organizing a special webinar to bring together researchers and experts to discuss the crucial role of biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices in preserving our ecosystems for future generations. This webinar will provide a platform for meaningful discussions and knowledge exchange on the importance of wildlife protection and the responsible management of natural resources.

We are looking forward to seeing you at the MDPI World Wildlife Day Webinar 2025. Please find an up-to-date outline of the presenters below.

Date: 3 March 2025 at 03:00 p.m. CET | 09:00 a.m. EST | 10:00 p.m. CST Asia

Webinar ID: 823 4465 5373

Webinar announcement: https://sciforum.net/event/MWWDW2

Register for free!

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will inform you when the recording is available.

Keynote Speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Marko Sabovljevic, ¹ University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; ² Center of Plant Biotechnology and Conservation (CPBC), Belgrade, Serbia; ³ Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Košice, Slovakia;
• Prof. Dr. Edward L. Braun, Department of Biology, University of Florida, United States;
• Dr. Nucharin Songsasen, Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, United States.

Journals’ Sections—Wildlife & Conservation

If you have an interest in wildlife and conservation research, we invite you to explore our relevant journals’ Sections that cover a wide range of topics in this field:

• “Wildlife” (Section of Animals);
• “Ecology and Conservation” (Section of Animals);
• “Conservation Biology and Biodiversity” (Section of Biology);
• “Plant Genetic Resources” (Section of Plants);
• “Land, Biodiversity, and Human Wellbeing” (Section of Land).

Our journals publish high-quality, peer-reviewed research on biodiversity, ecosystem management, conservation strategies, and the impact of climate change on wildlife.

If you are interested in submitting your work or learning more, please do not hesitate to reach out. We would be happy to discuss potential collaborations or publishing opportunities.

Relevant Special Issues:

Animals

“Adaptations for Animal Survival: Morphological Features or Physiological Mechanisms—Second Edition”
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Roberto Cabo
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025

“Population Genetics and Conservation Genetics of Wildlife”
Guest Editor: Dr. Philip Lavretsky
Deadline for Manuscript Submissions: 10 June 2025

Biology

“Advances in Wildlife Conservation and Habitat Management in the Anthropocene”
Guest Editors: Dr. Yiannis G. Zevgolis and Prof. Dr. Panayiotis G. Dimitrakopoulos
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025

“Managing Hybridizing Populations: Threats or Opportunities for Conservation?”
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Ettore Randi and Prof. Dr. Marco Musiani
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025

Plants

“Biodiversity Management and Conservation: Exploring the Dynamics of Alien and Native Plant Species”
Guest Editors: Dr. Carmelo Maria Musarella, Dr. Carmelo Maria Musarella, Dr. Ana Cano-Ortíz and Dr. Catarina Isabel Rodrigues Meireles
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025

“Diversity, Distribution and Conservation of Bryophytes”
Guest Editor: Dr. Marta Puglisi
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2025

MDPI is pleased to share a significant milestone in its mission to advance scholarly research and promote the dissemination of knowledge—300+ MDPI journals are now indexed in Web of Science (WoS). This milestone highlights the global recognition, interdisciplinary impact and enhanced visibility of our journals. It also reflects our adherence to rigorous editorial standards, scientific integrity, and our mission to foster open scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. 

To explore the full list of our journals indexed in WoS, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/about/journals/wos. Beyond expanding the coverage of our publications in the leading academic databases, we are dedicated to ensuring that our journals are included in as many scope-specific databases as possible. This increases the visibility of our authors’ work and extends the reach of their significant data. 

This milestone would not have been possible without the efforts and expertise of our academic editors, reviewers and authors. Their commitment and collaboration have been instrumental in creating an inclusive, accessible, and impactful publishing platform. We also extend our gratitude to the global research community for their trust as we continue to break new ground in academic publishing. This milestone is not just a celebration of MDPI’s progress but also recognition of the collective strides made by researchers worldwide. 

As we celebrate this remarkable accomplishment, MDPI remains steadfast in its commitment to open access publishing and ensuring that high-quality research reaches and inspires a global audience.

MDPI, a pioneer in scholarly open access publishing, and the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), Singapore, proudly announce the successful conclusion of the first edition the MDPI Early Career Researcher Awards. The awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to medical and biomedical research, were presented to six exceptional researchers during an awards ceremony held at LKCMedicine HQ Building on 28 November 2024.

Honoring Excellence in Research

The awards recognize exceptional postdoctoral researchers and Ph.D. students who have demonstrated outstanding originality, innovation, and impact in their respective fields. We are honored to announce the winners of the 2024 edition:

Early Career Researcher (Postdoc) Award:

• Dr. Theresia Handayani Mina, “Adiposity and Metabolic Health in Asian Populations: An Epidemiological Study Using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry in Singapore”;
• Dr. Erfan Rezvani Ghomi, “Wound Healing Improvement by Novel Aligned Antimicrobial Nanofibrous 3D Scaffolds”;
• Dr. Yadollah Ranjbar Slamloo, “Functional Alterations of The Prefrontal Circuit Underlying Cognitive Aging in Mice”.

Early Career Researcher (Ph.D.) Award:

• Pritisha Rozario, “Mechanistic Basis for Potassium Efflux-Driven Activation of the Human NLRP1 Inflammasome”;

• Michelle Law Cheok Yien, “Chikungunya Virus Nonstructural Protein 1 is a Versatile RNA Capping and Decapping Enzyme”;
• Yin Ruoyu, “The Use of Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing Tools in Older Adults: A Mixed Method Study”.

Our collaboration highlights a shared commitment to recognizing exceptional talent and research within the academic community, addressing today’s healthcare challenges, and inspiring continued innovation.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Building on the success of the first edition, MDPI and LKCMedicine are excited to announce that the 2025 MDPI Early Researcher Awards will continue to celebrate excellence and innovation in medical research. The next edition promises to expand its scope, introducing new categories and providing even greater recognition for impactful research.

Further details on the 2025 awards, including nomination criteria and timelines, will be shared in the coming months. We remain committed to fostering a culture of research excellence and collaboration within the global scientific community.

World Pulses Day, observed annually on 10 February, celebrates the significant role of pulses in achieving sustainable food systems, enhancing global nutrition, and supporting environmental resilience. Recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, this day builds on the momentum of the 2016 International Year of Pulses, which highlights their critical value for health, food security, and the environment.

Pulses, such as lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peas, are nutrient-dense powerhouses that offer high protein content, soluble fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. Their benefits extend beyond human health, contributing to soil fertility, biodiversity, and climate change mitigation. Farmers worldwide rely on pulses for economic stability and sustainable agricultural practices, making them an indispensable crop for feeding the world while preserving the planet.

In recognition of World Pulses Day, we invite you to explore a selection of articles, Special Issues, and journals spanning fields such as agriculture, agronomy, biology, foods, and plants. By sharing these findings, we hope to celebrate these remarkable crops and their vital contributions to a healthier, more sustainable future.

“Cereal-Legume Mixed Residue Addition Increases Yield and Reduces Soil Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Fertilized Winter Wheat in the North China Plain”
by Md Raseduzzaman, Gokul Gaudel, Md Razzab Ali, Arbindra Timilsina, Fiston Bizimana, Stepphan Okoth Aluoch, Xiaoxin Li, Yuming Zhang and Chunsheng Hu
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1167; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061167

“The Potential of Three Summer Legume Cover Crops to Suppress Weeds and Provide Ecosystem Services—A Review”
by Stavros Zannopoulos, Ioannis Gazoulis, Metaxia Kokkini, Nikolaos Antonopoulos, Panagiotis Kanatas, Marianna Kanetsi and Ilias Travlos
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1192; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061192 

“Cereal–Legume Intercropping: Which Partners Are Preferred in Northwestern Europe?”
by Sofie Landschoot, Valérie Claeys, Eva Wambacq, Kevin Dewitte, Geert Haesaert and Joos Latré
Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1551; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071551

“Identification of Fusarium spp. Associated with Chickpea Root Rot in Montana”
by Swarnalatha Moparthi, Oscar Peres-Hernandez, Mary Eileen Burrows, Michael J. Bradshaw, Collins Bugingo, Monica Brelsford and Kevin McPhee
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 974; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14070974

“Environmental Effects during Early Life-History Stages and Seed Development on Seed Functional Traits of an Australian Native Legume Species”
by Fernanda C. Beveridge, Alwyn Williams, Robyn Cave, Sundaravelpandian Kalaipandian, Mirza M. Haque and Steve W. Adkins
Biology 2024, 13(3), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13030148  

“Insights into Cold Plasma Treatment on the Cereal and Legume Proteins Modification: Principle, Mechanism, and Application”
by Bin Li, Lianxin Peng, Yanan Cao, Siyao Liu, Yuchen Zhu, Jianguo Dou, Zhen Yang and Chenguang Zhou
Foods 2024, 13(10), 1522; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13101522

“Thaumatin-like Proteins in Legumes: Functions and Potential Applications—A Review”
by Lanlan Feng, Shaowei Wei and Yin Li
Plants 2024, 13(8), 1124; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13081124 

“Do Conservative Agricultural Practices Improve the Functional Biological State of Legume-Based Cropping Systems?”
by Amira Aschi, Wassila Riah-Anglet, Sylvie Recous, Caroline Bailleul, Michaël Aubert and Isabelle Trinsoutrot-Gattin
Agriculture 2023, 13(6), 1223; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13061223

“A Comprehensive Review of Pea (Pisum sativum L.): Chemical Composition, Processing, Health Benefits, and Food Applications”
by Ding-Tao Wu, Wen-Xing Li, Jia-Jia Wan, Yi-Chen Hu, Ren-You Gan and Liang Zou
Foods 2023, 12(13), 2527; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12132527

“Contribution of Biofertilizers to Pulse Crops: From Single-Strain Inoculants to New Technologies Based on Microbiomes Strategies”
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Plants 2023, 12(4), 954; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12040954

“Recent Advances in Legume Crop Protection”	“Recent Research on Processing Technologies and Functional Properties of Cereals and Legumes”
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