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Widespread methane release from thawing Arctic gas hydrates is a major concern, yet the processes, sources, and fluxes involved remain unconstrained. We present geophysical data documenting a cluster of kilometer-wide craters and mounds from the Barents Sea floor associated with large-scale methane expulsion.Combined with ice sheet/gas hydrate modeling, our results indicate that during glaciation, natural gas migrated from underlying hydrocarbon reservoirs and was sequestered extensively as subglacial gas hydrates. Upon ice sheet retreat, methane from this hydrate reservoir concentrated in massive mounds before being abruptly released to form craters. We propose that these processes were likely widespread across past glaciated petroleum provinces and that they also provide an analog for the potential future destabilization of subglacial gas hydrate reservoirs beneath contemporary ice sheets.

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of four DNA extraction methods on a collection of 200 sub-optimally stored Ixodes ricinus ticks from Southeastern Norway (177 nymphs, 11 males and 12 females). The methods were ammoniium hydroxide hydrolysis of homogenised or intact ticks and two commercial silica membrane-based kits, the QIAGEN Blood and Tissue kit and the QIAGEN Mini kit. DNA was evaluated by spectrophotometry, fluorometry, agarose gel electrophoresis and quantitative PCR. The second aim was to compare methods of evaluating the yield and purity. All four extraction methods provided amplifiable DNA, but the yield was variable (median 151 ng, range 0.13 to 4500 ng). DNA yields were not significantly different across the methods. Nine of 200 samples were inhibitory, all of which were ammonium hydroxide extracts of homogenised ticks. DNA purity, as judged by A 260/280 ratios, was low; it was highest (mean = 1.63) for the Qiagen Blood and Tissue kit with the other methods showing values averaging 1.44. DNA yield measurements using qPCR, fluorometry (Qubit), drop spectrophotometry (NanoDrop) and gel electrophoresis (E-gels) correlated poorly, r ranging from <0 to 0.9 with no systematic pattern (average 0.4), probably reflecting the effects of low purity, low concentrations and differing amounts of single- and double-stranded DNA. Neoehrlichia mikurensis and Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. were detected in 5 and 13% of samples, respectively by qPCR. Our findings indicate that for the purposes of qPCR analysis, ammoniium hydroxide hydrolysis of intact ticks, a very cheap and simple method is as good as any of the other methods tested.

Methane seepage from the upper continental slopes of Western Svalbard has previously been attributed to gas hydrate dissociation induced by anthropogenic warming of ambient bottom waters. Here we show that sediment cores drilled off Prins Karls Foreland contain freshwater from dissociating hydrates. However, our modeling indicates that the observed pore water freshening began around 8 ka BP when the rate of isostatic uplift outpaced eustatic sea-level rise. The resultant local shallowing and lowering of hydrostatic pressure forced gas hydrate dissociation and dissolved chloride depletions consistent with our geochemical analysis. Hence, we propose that hydrate dissociation was triggered by postglacial isostatic rebound rather than anthropogenic warming. Furthermore, we show that methane fluxes from dissociating hydrates were considerably smaller than present methane seepage rates implying that gas hydrates were not a major source of methane to the oceans, but rather acted as a dynamic seal, regulating methane release from deep geological reservoirs.

Ice can sculpt extraordinary landscapes, yet the efficacy of, and controls governing, glacial erosion on geological timescales remain poorly understood and contended, particularly across Polar continental shields. Here, we assimilate geophysical data with modelling of the Eurasian Ice Sheet — the third largest Quaternary ice mass that spanned 49°N to 82°N — to decipher its erosional footprint during the entire last ~100 ka glacial cycle. Our results demonstrate extreme spatial and temporal heterogeneity in subglacial erosion, with rates ranging from 0 to 5 mm a−1 and a net volume equating to ~130,000 km3 of bedrock excavated to depths of ~190 m. A hierarchy of environmental controls ostensibly underpins this complex signature: lithology, topography and climate, though it is basal thermodynamics that ultimately regulates erosion, which can be variously protective, pervasive, or, highly selective. Our analysis highlights the remarkable yet fickle nature of glacial erosion — critically modulated by transient ice-sheet dynamics — with its capacity to impart a profound but piecemeal geological legacy across mid- and high latitudes.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is usually diagnosed based on the presence of TBE virus (TBEV)-specific IgM and IgG antibodies in serum. However, antibodies induced by vaccination or cross-reactivity to previous flavivirus infections may result in false positive TBEV serology. Detection of TBEV RNA may be an alternative diagnostic approach to detect viral presence and circumvent the diagnostic difficulties present when using serology. Viral RNA in blood is commonly detectable only in the first viremic phase usually lasting up to two weeks, and not in the second neurologic phase, when the patients contact the health care system and undergo diagnostic work-up. TBEV RNA has previously been detected in urine in a few retrospective TBE cases in the neurologic phase, and furthermore RNA of other flaviviruses has been detected in patient saliva. In this study, blood, saliva and urine were collected from 31 hospitalised immunocompetent patients with pleocytosis and symptoms of aseptic meningitis and/or encephalitis, suspected to have TBE. We wanted to pursue if molecular testing of TBEV RNA in these patient materials may be useful in the diagnostics. Eleven of the 31 study patients were diagnosed with TBE based on ELISA detection of TBEV specific IgG and IgM antibodies. None of the study patients had TBEV RNA detectable in any of the collected patient material.

Background: Mosquito-borne viruses pose a serious threat to humans worldwide. There has been an upsurge in the number of mosquito-borne viruses in Europe, mostly belonging to the families Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus (Sindbis, Chikungunya), Flaviviridae (West Nile, Usutu, Dengue), and Peribunyaviridae, genus Orthobunyavirus, California serogroup (Inkoo, Batai, Tahyna). The principal focus of this study was Inkoo (INKV) and Sindbis (SINV) virus circulating in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and some parts of Russia. These viruses are associated with morbidity in humans. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding reservoirs and transmission. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence of INKV and SINV in blood sucking insects and seroprevalence for INKV in semi-domesticated Eurasian tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Norway. Materials and methods: In total, 213 pools containing about 25 blood sucking insects (BSI) each and 480 reindeer sera were collected in eight Norwegian reindeer summer pasture districts during 2013–2015. The pools were analysed by RT-PCR to detect INKV and by RT-real-time PCR for SINV. Reindeer sera were analysed for INKV-specifc IgG by an Indirect Immunofuorescence Assay (n=480, IIFA) and a Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (n=60, PRNT). Results: Aedes spp. were the most dominant species among the collected BSI. Two of the pools were positive for INKV-RNA by RT-PCR and were confrmed by pyrosequencing. The overall estimated pool prevalence (EPP) of INKV in Norway was 0.04%. None of the analysed pools were positive for SINV. Overall IgG seroprevalence in reindeer was 62% positive for INKV by IIFA. Of the 60 reindeer sera- analysed by PRNT for INKV, 80% were confrmed positive, and there was no cross-reactivity with the closely related Tahyna virus (TAHV) and Snowshoe hare virus (SSHV). Conclusion: The occurrence and prevalence of INKV in BSI and the high seroprevalence against the virus among semi-domesticated reindeer in Norway indicate that further studies are required for monitoring this virus. SINV was not detected in the BSI in this study, however, human cases of SINV infection are yearly reported from other regions such as Rjukan in south-central Norway. It is therefore essential to monitor both viruses in the human population. Our fndings are important to raise awareness regarding the geographical distribution of these mosquito-borne viruses in Northern Europe.

Heart transplantation is the preferred treatment for selected patients with end stage heart failure. Kidney function often declines after heart transplantation. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) slow the decline in eGFR in different populations. However, the effect of SGLT2i on kidney function in heart transplant recipients is unknown. The Dapagliflozin for Renal protection in Heart Transplant recipients (DAPARHT) trial is an investigator initiated, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial designed to assess dapagliflozin’s effect on kidney function in heart transplant recipients. Adults heart transplanted at least one year prior to randomization are eligible. Exclusion criteria include an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <25 mL/min/1.73 m2, diabetes type I, and contraindication to study medication. Four hundred and thirty patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive 12 months blinded treatment with dapagliflozin 10 mg o.d. or placebo, followed by 24-months open-label treatment. The primary endpoint is the chronic slope of the eGFR from two weeks to 12 months after starting randomized treatment. The open-label phase evaluates dapagliflozin’s long-term effects on kidney function, clinical outcomes, safety, and tolerability. Enrolment began in June 2022. As of December 18, 2024, 300 patients were enrolled. The mean baseline creatinine was 104 ± 28 µmol/L with corresponding eGFR of 66 ± 22 mL/min/1.73 m2. Estimated last patient visit is in September, 2028. The DAPARHT trial will test whether dapagliflozin improves eGFR slope compared to placebo during one year of follow-up, providing the first randomized evidence of the efficacy of SGLT2i in heart transplant recipients. Dapagliflozin for Renal protection in Heart Transplant recipients (DAPARHT), NCT05321706, clinicaltrials.gov.

Background Acquired brain injury (ABI) is a leading cause of disability in adults worldwide, often resulting in long-term impairments that hinder community integration. While advancements in acute care have improved ABI survival rates, significant gaps remain in long-term follow-up. These gaps are exacerbated in rural areas, where dispersed populations, long distances, and limited access to rehabilitation professionals pose challenges. Although team-based approaches are crucial for effective ABI rehabilitation, these approaches have yet to be fully integrated into long-term care, thus highlighting the need for innovation. This study explores the potential of team-based organisation in improving long-term rehabilitation services for individuals with ABI in the rural context of North Norway. Methods This study employed a collaborative knowledge generation framework inspired by Experience-based Co-design, wherein researchers work with stakeholders to align research efforts and service development. Data were generated during a full-day workshop during which two focus groups comprising health and welfare professionals ( n  = 10) and individuals with ABI ( n  = 3) explored the potential of team-based organisation in improving long-term ABI rehabilitation services in a rural context. The data were analysed using a predominantly inductive approach to thematic analysis. Results Four key themes were identified: (1) establishing municipal ‘core teams’ at the primary healthcare level to strengthen local rehabilitation services; (2) enhancing care continuity through ongoing collaboration between the core teams and existing specialist ambulatory rehabilitation teams; (3) sharing the management of long-term rehabilitation trajectories between teams; and (4) using teams as platforms for professional learning and knowledge sharing. These themes informed the construction of a framework designed to guide the development and application of team-based long-term ABI rehabilitation. Conclusions This study highlights the potential of team-based organisation in enhancing long-term rehabilitation services for individuals with ABI in rural contexts. Establishing core teams within municipalities and fostering ongoing collaboration between these teams and specialist healthcare teams can bridge service gaps to promote community integration and self-management. The proposed framework can guide the development and application of team-based long-term ABI rehabilitation in rural regions. Further research is needed to evaluate the framework’s real-world applicability and impact on rehabilitation outcomes, professional development, and overall service effectiveness.

Background Urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder (UCB) is the 4 th most common cancer type in men in developed countries, and tumor recurrence or progression occurs in more than half of the patients. Previous studies report contradictory trends in incidence and survival over the past decades. This article describes the trends of UCB incidence and survival from 1981 to 2014, including both invasive and non-invasive UCB using data from the Cancer Registry of Norway. Methods In Norway, 33,761 patients were diagnosed with UCB between 1981 and 2014. Incidence and 5-year relative survival were calculated, stratified by sex, morphology, stage, age and diagnostic period. Age-period-cohort models were used to distinguish period- and cohort effects. Temporal trends were summarized by calculating the average absolute annual change in incidence and relative survival allowing for breaks in this trend by incorporating a joinpoint analysis. Excess mortality rate ratios (EMRR) quantify the relative risks by using a proportional excess hazard model. Results The incidence of UCB in men increased from 18.5 (1981-85) to 21.1 (1991-95) per 100 000 person-years and was rather stable thereafter (1996–2014). The incidence rates of UCB were lower in women increasing linearly from 4.7 to 6.2 over the past 34 years ( p  = 5.9 · 10 -7 ). These trends could be explained by an increase of the incidence rates of non-invasive tumors. Furthermore, the observed pattern seemed to represent a birth cohort effect. Five-year relative survival increased annually with 0.004 in men ( p  = 1.3 · 10 -6 ) and 0.003 in women ( p  = 4.5 · 10 -6 ). There is a significant increase over the past 34 years in survival of UCB in both genders for local tumors but not for advanced stages. Conclusions Increasing and stable incidence trends mirror little improvement in primary and secondary prevention of UCB for more than three decades. Survival proportions increased only marginally. Thus, any changes in treatment and follow-up care did not lead to notable improvement with respect to survival of the patients. High estimates of preventable cases together with large recurrence rates of this particular cancer type, demand more research on prevention guidelines, diagnostic tools and treatment for UCB.

Massive injection of 13C depleted carbon to the ocean and atmosphere coincided with major environmental upheaval multiple times in the geological record. For several events, the source of carbon has been attributed to explosive venting of gas produced when magmatic sills intruded organic-rich sediment. The concept mostly derives from studies of a few ancient sedimentary basins with numerous hydrothermal vent complexes (HTVCs) where craters appear to have formed across large areas of the seafloor at the same time, but good examples remain rare in strata younger than the Early Eocene. We present geophysical data documenting at least 150 large (km-scale) craters on the modern seafloor across ∼148,000 km2 of Scan Basin in the southern Scotia Sea, a remote region offshore Antarctica. Seismic and bathymetric information reveals the craters relate to vertical fluid pipes extending above dome-shaped forced folds and saucer-shaped igneous sills. Presumably, magmatic intrusions deform overlying sediment and produce thermogenic gas, where buoyant hydrothermal fluids migrate upwards from sill flanks through V-shaped gas chimneys to the seafloor. Fluid expulsion, driven by excess pore pressure, enhances vertical conduits and creates collapse structures on the seafloor. Age estimates for sill emplacement and crater formation come from correlations of seismic reflectors with bore hole data collected on IODP Expedition 382. Sills intruded into sediment at least two times, first about 12–13 Ma (Middle Miocene), which occurred with deep intrusions of stacked composite sills, and once about 0.9 Ma and associated with volcanism along Discovery Bank, which may have reactivated previous fluid venting. Crater reactivation has occurred since 0.9 Ma, although probably episodically. Importantly, at present-day, numerous craters related to sills and fluid pipes populate the seafloor above a young sedimentary basin, and the ocean and atmosphere are receiving massive quantities of 13C depleted carbon. The two phenomena are unrelated but, with changes in global climate and sedimentation, the craters could be filled simultaneously and give an impression in the rock record of rapid and coeval formation coincident with carbon emission. Interpretations of ancient HTVCs and their significance to global carbon cycling needs revision with consideration of modern seafloor regions with HTVCs, notably Scan Basin.