One of the most significant obstacles to achieving sustainable agricultural practices and ensuring ecological sustainability is the build-up of herbicides in the soil. Paraquat is a non-selective, highly toxic, and very herbicides. The main objective of this research project was to evaluate two inexpensive & sustainable techniques to enhance the degradation of paraquat residues in the soil: soil solarization and composting. The experiment was conducted over two months (July and August). Paraquat was removed from the soil through the use of four different treatments: (i) a control group, (ii) an isolated treatment group that received only solarization, (iii) an isolated treatment group that received only compost, and (iv) a combined treatment group that used both solarization and composting. Samples were taken from each group after 14, 28, and 45 days, when a separate treatment is applied to solarization (or) compost; there has been a reduction in residue by approximately 45% (or) 50%, respectively, over 45 days. However, by combining both treatments, a success rate of more than 75% has been achieved, indicating the synergistic benefit of the two methods working together more effectively than either could do alone. The reasoning behind these findings lies in the combination of the two methods, utilizing synergistic mechanisms. First, during solarization, the plastic sheeting creates an area of increased temperature that accelerates the thermal degradation of organic matter in the soil, and second, compost provides a boost to microbial enzymatic degradation of organic matter (as opposed to solely relying on the solar effect). In conclusion, it is believed that by combining solarization with organic fertilization, there is both a practical and economic option for soil improvement (contaminated soils) and further supports the movement towards eco-friendly and sustainable practices of agricultural management.

The research included studying the anatomical characteristics of the stems of four species which belong to Papaver genus, which is one of the genera that belong to the Papaveraceae family grows in the middle of Iraq. The species are P. bornmuelleri, P. curviscapum, P. polychaetum, and P. tauricola. Species samples were collected during 2024, and 7 field turns were carried out, covering the central provinces, in addition to a comprehensive survey of herbarium samples preserved in the Iraqi National Herbarium and other university herbariums for the purpose of diagnosis. The study showed that the vascular bundle consists of bark to outside and wood to inside, as this type of unilateral vascular bundle is called Open collateral vascular bundle, which is a feature that distinguished all the studied species, as the anatomical sections of the stems grand good taxonomic importance in isolating and separating the species from each other through the shape and size of the tissues, the thickness of the bark, the Xylem and Phloem tissues, the number of vascular bundles, and the thickness of the pith.

Biological invasion is one of the biggest threats to global freshwater diversity, and large transboundary rivers are subject to human impacts. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a powerful tool as it is both non-invasive and can detect the presence of species at very low population numbers. The current research focuses on the use of eDNA to identify invasive freshwater species in the Euphrates River system through eDNA-based surveillance. This includes a focus on the Shatt al-Hillah channel within the province of Babylon, Iraq. Samples were taken from several sites along the length of the river, and metabarcoding was performed to amplify the mitochondrial genes. Results indicate that the eDNA method produced reliable signals for detecting invasive species and could be used as an early warning tool for monitoring invasive species in Middle Eastern freshwater ecosystems. These results also indicate that molecular monitoring should be integrated into biodiversity conservation strategies in the region and into river basin management frameworks.

This study focused on isolating and identifying bacteria associated with oral cavity infections and exploring the potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles as a supportive antibacterial agent. A total of 62 oral swab samples were collected from patients with oral conditions, including inflammation and ulcers. The samples were cultured on selective media, and the bacterial isolates were identified using morphological characteristics, biochemical tests, and the VITEK 2 system. The results showed that most samples (96.77%) exhibited bacterial growth, and all isolates were Gram-positive. Four main bacterial species were identified, with Streptococcus mutans being the most prevalent, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. These bacteria are commonly associated with oral infections and dental problems. The study also examined antibiotic susceptibility and the potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles to enhance antibacterial activity. The findings suggest that Gram-positive bacteria largely dominate oral infections and highlight the importance of exploring alternative strategies, such as nanomaterials, to improve the effectiveness of antibiotics and help reduce bacterial resistance.

The interrelation between renewable energy (RE) deployment and environmental sustainability is increasingly critical for sustainable development in Iraq, Iran, and Turkey. Iraq possesses abundant solar irradiation and favorable wind corridors, yet renewable energy contributes less than 2% of electricity generation due to policy gaps, financial constraints, and technical limitations. In contrast, Iran and Turkey have implemented structured policies, feed-in tariffs, and private sector engagement, resulting in more significant renewable adoption. Renewable energy offers substantial environmental benefits, including greenhouse gas mitigation, improved air quality, water conservation, and promotion of circular economy practices through biomass and waste-to-energy systems. Effective implementation requires coherent policy frameworks, financial incentives, technical capacity building, and public awareness. Integration of hybrid systems, smart grids, and GIS-based site selection enhances reliability and efficiency, mitigating intermittency challenges. Strategically expanding renewable energy in Iraq can transform the national energy system into a low-carbon, decentralized, and resilient infrastructure. Such a transition supports socio-economic development by creating jobs, improving energy access, and reducing dependence on fossil fuels while contributing to long-term environmental sustainability. Comparative insights from Iran and Turkey provide practical pathways for policy, technology, and institutional development to accelerate Iraq’s renewable energy adoption.

Background: One of the most common intestinal parasites affecting people, especially children, is Hymenolepis nana. Aim of the Study: The purpose of this study was to determine the risk variables linked to hymenolepiasis in children and to evaluate its prevalence. This study also evaluated blood glucose, insulin, iron, copper, zinc, and selenium. Materials and Methods: 584 stool samples were collected from children who visited pediatric outpatient clinics in Samarra city from July 2023 to the end of March 2024. Result: The results showed an infection rate of 3.9%, with 57.4% diagnosed by flotation and sedimentation and 42.5% diagnosed by direct examination. Symptomatic infection was present in 72.2% of the children, while 27.7% were asymptomatic. The highest infection rate was among children aged 7-9 years (40.7%). The current study showed non-significant differences in the level of insulin between infected children and control (p-value > 0.05). Blood glucose, selenium, zinc, and iron levels decreased in children infected with H. nana that were (92.04±21.2 mg/dl, 189.74±59.12 µg/dL, 48.31±5.52 µg/dL, 85.36±9.28 µg/dL) as compared with control that were (115.12±32.4 mg/dl, 253.61±20.77 µg/dL, 74.63±10.71 µg/dL, 145.91±16.53 µg/dL, respectively, at a p-value < 0.05. While statistically increasing the level of copper in infected children as compared with the control (219.27±17.61 and 116.89±23.74 µg/dL, respectively) at a p-value < 0.05. Conclusion: The prevalence of H. nana infection is influenced by factors such as age, sex, and source of water. Furthermore, there is an association between infection with H. nana and iron, zinc, and selenium deficiency.

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the rs10046 locus in the aromatase gene CYP19A1 and certain biochemical variables, and their connection to the occurrence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Ninety (90) samples, aged 16-45 years, were collected for this study between November 1, 2022, and March 1, 2023. The samples were divided into two groups: 60 patients and 30 healthy individuals. Samples were collected from gynecology clinics at Tikrit Teaching Hospital and outpatient gynecology clinics. The results showed a significant increase in LH concentrations in patients compared to healthy individuals across all genotypes. The highest mean LH concentration was 18.97 in patients with the GG genotype, while the lowest mean LH concentration was 6.57 in healthy individuals with the GL genotype, While no significant differences were observed between the genotypes in the healthy group, as all were within the normal range for LH, a high standard deviation was noted in the GL and GG genotypes among the patients. This indicates a significant variation in the severity of hormonal imbalance between cases, which is common in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) due to varying degrees of hypothalamic hyperactivity in the brain. The results also suggest that the presence of the G allele in the GL and GG genotypes may be associated with increased activity of the hormonal pathways regulating LH secretion or with increased ovarian sensitivity to it. The LH/FSH ratio showed a gradual increase from the AA genotype (2.51 ± 2.93) to the GA genotype (3.33 ± 2.81) and then to the GG genotype (3.90 ± 4.94): AA → GA → GG. In contrast, the control group showed proportions within physiological limits, with mean values of 0.91 ± 0.35, 1.18 ± 0.50, and 1.49 ± 0.46 for AA, GA, and GG genotypes respectively. These results support the multifactorial nature of polycystic ovary syndrome, which includes both genetic predisposition and hormonal changes.