Volcanoes, during their explosive and post-explosive phases, as well as through continuous degassing processes, release a range of pollutants hazardous to human health, including toxic gases, fine particulate matter, and heavy metals. These emissions impact over 14% of the global population living in proximity to volcanoes, with effects that can persist for days, decades, or even centuries. Living conditions in these regions often involve chronic exposure to contaminants in the air, water, and soil, significantly increasing the risk of developing neurological disorders. Prolonged exposure to elements such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd), among others, results in the accumulation of metals in the brain, which increases oxidative stress and causes neuronal damage and severe neurotoxicity in animals. An examination of metal accumulation in brain cells, particularly astroglia, provides valuable insights into the developmental neurotoxicity of these metals. Moreover, microglia may activate itself to protect from cytotoxicity. In this review, we consider the implications of living near an active volcano for neurotoxicity and the common neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, we encourage governments to implement public health strategies and mitigation measures to protect vulnerable communities residing near active volcanoes.

Neuroinflammation is a process related to the onset of neurodegenerative diseases; one of the hallmarks of this process is microglial reactivation and the secretion by these cells of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNFα. Numerous studies report the relationship between neuroinflammatory processes and exposure to anthropogenic air pollutants, but few refer to natural pollutants. Volcanoes are highly inhabited natural sources of environmental pollution that induce changes in the nervous system, such as reactive astrogliosis or the blood‐brain barrier breakdown in exposed individuals; however, no neuroinflammatory event has been yet defined. To this purpose, we studied resting microglia, reactive microglia, and TNFα production in the brains of mice chronically exposed to an active volcanic environment on the island of São Miguel (Azores, Portugal). For the first time, we demonstrate a proliferation of microglial cells and an increase in reactive microglia, as well an increase in TNFα secretion, in the central nervous system of individuals exposed to volcanogenic pollutants.

Vision is considered the most important of the five primary senses in birds, particularly in raptors, and the relatively large size of the avian eye reflects its importance. This study provides a morphological and histomorphometric characterisation of the eye and retina of the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), a diurnal raptor with bifoveate retinal organisation. Two adult Common Kestrels, obtained through a wildlife rehabilitation programme, were examined. Eye morphology was characterised using the ratio between corneal diameter and transverse eye diameter, while retinal morphology and layer thickness were evaluated using conventional histological procedures, and opsin expression was examined in both foveae. The eyes showed a globose morphology with a strongly protruding cornea and anterior segment, within the range reported for diurnal birds of prey. Marked regional variation in retinal morphology was observed, with the central retina displaying the greatest overall thickness (254.4 ± 27.04 µm), compared with 108.6 ± 15.58 µm in the peripheral retina. Two distinct foveae were identified: a deep convexiclivate fovea within the area centralis and a temporal fovea with a deep pit and steep walls. Both foveae showed displacement of the inner retinal layers and reduced thickness at the foveal pit. The central and temporal foveae exhibited depths of 217.66 µm and 106.38 µm, respectively. S- and L/M-opsin immunoreactivity was detected in both foveae, and the absence of rhodopsin immunoreactivity in the central foveal pit suggests that high-acuity vision in both foveae is predominantly mediated by cones.

Bacterioruberin (BR), a C₅₀ carotenoid produced by halophilic archaea, is emerging as a bioactive molecule with potential anticancer relevance, but its activity in solid tumour and multidrug-resistant (MDR) models remains poorly defined. This in vitro study evaluated the cytotoxic, antiproliferative and growth-inhibitory effects of a chemically characterized bacterioruberin-rich carotenoid extract (BRCE) from Haloferax (H.) mediterranei in A549 lung adenocarcinoma, BT-549 triple-negative breast cancer and WM115 melanoma cells, as well as in paired sensitive/multidrug resistant (MDR) lung cancer models. Metabolic activity and proliferation were assessed by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFDA-SE) assays, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H₂DCFDA) staining, and apoptosis-associated morphology by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining. Growth inhibition in A549/A549-CDR2 and NCI-H460/NCI-H460/R cells was analysed by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, while P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function and expression were examined using Rhodamine 123 (Rh123) accumulation and Western blotting. BRCE reduced metabolic activity and proliferation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, increased intracellular ROS levels, and induced apoptosis-associated morphological changes in A549 cells. In MDR models, BRCE retained comparable growth-inhibitory activity in sensitive and resistant cells and partially attenuated P-gp-related drug efflux. These findings support further mechanistic investigation of BR in solid tumour and MDR cancer models.

Digital escape rooms are increasingly used as active learning tools in higher education, yet evidence from preclinical biomedical subjects and comparisons across academic years remains limited. This study examined students’ perceptions of digital escape rooms implemented in four compulsory Biology courses: Cell Biology (Year 1), Histology (Year 2), General Immunology (Year 3) and Immunopathology (Year 4). A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was applied. Students completed an 11-item Likert-scale questionnaire assessing educational impact, interactivity, motivation and overall perception, together with one open-ended question. A total of 123 students participated. All dimensions received positive ratings, but differences emerged between courses. Histology obtained the highest scores across dimensions, Cell Biology the lowest, and the Immunology courses intermediate values. Significant differences were mainly observed between Histology and the other courses, and between Cell Biology and advanced subjects. Correlations between dimensions were moderate to strong (r = 0.54–0.67). Qualitative analysis identified five themes: deep but topic-specific learning, creativity and interactivity as motivational drivers, high workload relative to assessment weight, technical issues requiring clearer guidance, and variable group dynamics. Overall, digital escape rooms perceived usefulness depended on disciplinary alignment, academic level and workload. Structured scaffolding is essential for integration into biomedical curricula.