Objective: to evaluate the empirical use of medicinal plants for the treatment of bacterial infections, compared to the theoretical-scientific foundations, according to the literature. Theoretical framework: medicinal plants play a very important role in human history. Through empiricism, many lives were saved and in this process Science evolved, transforming popular knowledge into scientific fact. Resistance of microorganisms, especially bacteria, to conventional drugs is a recurring problem that can be solved with the use of active principles present in vegetables that provide the same environmental pressure as microorganisms and, therefore, may be a viable option. Method: from a qualitative and quantitative approach, using the interview as a data collection method, the research approached respondents in three municipalities, present in three states (RS, SC and PR) that represent the southern region of the country. The method used is known as snowball sampling, or "snowball". The data obtained were compared with the scientific literature, in order to justify or rectify the information provided by the interviewees. Results and conclusion: the research on the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of bacterial infections resulted in a large number of species mentioned by the interviewees. These were grouped and statistically analyzed in order to understand the importance they represent for the population of the studied states. In addition, comparing the data from the interviews with the knowledge already discovered by science, it was found that popular and cultural knowledge has a scientific basis and that technology can be used in this area so that alternative treatments can be obtained in the future for the most diverse symptoms and symptoms. human health problems. The analyzes showed that the most mentioned plants throughout the study were: Boldo (Plectranthus ornatos), Plantain (Plantago major), Malva (Malva sylvestris L.) and Macela (Achyrocline satureoides). Research implications: the structure and composition of the work involve a series of issues related to the population, its values, customs and refer directly to the environmental factors that shape and support human life. The social space, in addition to being respected, must constantly evolve and add technology as a facilitator to the essence of knowledge. The expansion of the open science model is essential for these discussions to be expanded and open space for evolution. Brazil is a large country and this makes the logistics of research that cover the entire territory difficult. Thus, partnerships are needed that involve institutions from different states that can support data collection. Originality/value: this scientific production approached, in an innovative way, relevant facts that can provide a healthy discussion between scientists and the population. The article brings original data, which brings together practical and theoretical research, the universe of popular and scientific knowledge to give evidence to knowledge that is forgotten and goes unnoticed by the academic community. From this debate, there is an attempt to promote more research that adds to this publication and increasingly deepens the scientific facts about the therapeutic potential of bioactives. In addition, ancient knowledge, which has transcended generations and still saves lives, needs to be respected and improved so that scientific institutions return values to citizens, in the form of knowledge, as a way to gratify the role that each person has in managing the environment. Social. Las plantas medicinales juegan un papel muy importante en la historia humana. A través del empirismo se salvaron muchas vidas y de este proceso evolucionó la Ciencia, transformando el conocimiento popular en un hecho científico. La resistencia de los microorganismos, especialmente de las bacterias, a los fármacos convencionales es un problema recurrente que puede solucionarse mediante el uso de principios activos presentes en los vegetales que aporten la misma presión ambiental que los microorganismos y, por tanto, puede ser una opción viable. En el presente trabajo se consideran las principales concepciones del conocimiento empírico del uso de las plantas medicinales en sus formas de uso, para recuperar el sable popular y promover el conocimiento científico a través de la comparación de resultados con la literatura de apoyo. A partir de un enfoque cualitativo y cuantitativo, utilizando la entrevista como método de recolección de datos, la encuesta abordó encuestados en tres municipios, presentes en tres estados (RS, SC y PR) que representan la región sur del país. El método utilizado se conoce como muestreo de bola de nieve, o "Snowball". Los resultados muestran un total de 70 plantas mencionadas. Además, los análisis mostraron que las plantas más adecuadas en todo el estudio fueron: Boldo (Plectranthus ornatos, Tanchagem (Plantago major), Malva (Malva sylvestris L.) y Macela (Achyrocline satureoides), Asteraceae, con once plantas. As plantas medicinais têm um papel muito importante na história humana. Por meio do empirismo, muitas vidas foram salvas e a partir desse processo a Ciência evoluiu, transformando o conhecimento popular em fato científico. A resistência de microrganismos, principalmente bactérias, aos fármacos convencionais é um problema recorrente que pode ter como solução o uso de princípios ativos presentes em vegetais que sofrem a mesma pressão ambiental que os microrganismos e, portanto, podem ser uma opção viável. No presente trabalho, são apresentadas as principais concepções sobre o conhecimento empírico da utilização das plantas medicinais em suas formas de uso, com intuito de resgatar o saber popular e promover o conhecimento científico...

Plastic pollution has emerged as one of our most pervasive and pressing environmental issues, impacting ecosystems, wildlife, and even human health globally. Microplastic research has primarily focused on oceans, whether in water, sediments, or organisms, generating a significant gap in understanding their presence and impact on other environments like rivers, which is a concern worldwide, and of paramount importance for us in Latin America and the Caribbean. To address this situation, we examined the current research on microplastics in South American rivers by conducting a Google Scholar search with keywords and Boolean operators, which allowed us to recover a series of articles related to this topic. We reviewed 49 articles published in 2023 to know methods for collecting and analyzing river samples. Our findings revealed limited information on microplastics in South America, with data only from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru. Additionally, we found considerable variations in sample collection and analysis methods, hindering study comparisons. Bridging this knowledge gap is crucial for comprehending the extent of plastic pollution in the region. Since rivers are major microplastic contributors to oceans, this research will significantly aid in environmental protection efforts, emphasizing the global relevance of addressing riverine plastic pollution.

At high soil concentrations, copper (Cu) is toxic to plant development. Symbiosis carried out between microorganisms and plant species are alternatives to minimize plant toxicity in copper contaminated soil. The present study aimed to select species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for the development of wheat plants in copper contaminated soil. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 4 × 6 factorial arrangement, with four sources of inocula: three species of arbuscular mycorrhizae (Acaulospora colombiana, Gigaspora Margarita and Rhizophagus clarus) and one without inoculum (control), and six doses of copper in the soil (0, 80, 160, 240, 320, and 400 mg kg -1), with seven replications. Plant height, root length, root volume, root dry mass, specific surface area, average root diameter, root, shoot and grain Cu content and mycorrhizal colonization rate were evaluated. Root dry mass and mycorrhizal colonization were negatively affected by high Cu doses in the soil. The mycorrhizal isolates Acaulospora Colombiana and Gigaspora Margarita provide greater wheat height, root length and specific surface area and lower Cu content. Mycorrhizal colonization with the fungi Acaulospora Colombiana, Gigaspora Margarita and Rhizophagus clarus results in lower copper content in wheat shoots and grains.

This study aimed to verify the linear associations between the physical, chemical and microbiological variables of spring water. The research was developed from two seasons of spring water sample collections and evaluated physical–chemical variables such as temperature, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total alkalinity, total hardness, total ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, true and apparent colors, total phosphorus, fluoride and total iron, and microbiological variables—total coliforms and Escherichia coli. The variables’ total alkalinity, total hardness, and electrical conductivity have a strong positive correlation among them (r > 0.50), which is similar to what occurs with the variables’ turbidity, apparent color, true color, and total iron, between nitrite and total iron, and between the turbidity and total coliforms. These correlations occur as a function of the interaction that water has with the soil and the compounds found, thus altering the quality. The springs do not have masonry protection, they only have plant protection. Moreover, this water is exposed and accessible to animals in these areas. In addition, the result of the surface and sub-surface flow effect of spring water must be considered.

The sowing time is of fundamental importance for achieving high yields in the sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) crop, reducing risks and losses and maximizing the crop yield. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of the sowing time on morphological (plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter and head diameter) and production (1,000-achene weight and total yield) traits. The experiment was conducted in the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 crop seasons, using a randomized blocks design, in a 3 × 2 bi-factorial scheme, with three sowing times (October 20, November 19 and December 22) and two hybrids (BRS 321 and BRS 323). A negative interference from the environment and sowing time was observed for all the analyzed variables. The third sowing time (December 22), in both crop seasons, resulted in a drastic reduction in the morphological and production traits of the cultivars, with a 50 % reduction in the yield of achenes.

O presente texto tem por objetivo inter-relacionar os temas Responsabilidade Social e Educação Ambiental na educação escolar, através de uma discussão das relações envoltas entre sociedade e o meio ambiente, fundamentada em pesquisa bibliográfica e legislação, de abordagem qualitativa. Como resultados, infere-se que os conceitos que envolvem a Educação Ambiental são aplicáveis quando compreendidos na complexidade, contextualizados e desmistificados do ponto de vista ambiental, social e econômico, e são necessários para a efetiva compreensão e aplicação da Responsabilidade Social. Ainda que a orientação legal imponha limites e responsabilidades ao uso dos recursos naturais, esse deve ser também consciente e estar intimamente ligado ao ensino-aprendizagem escolar.