The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants poses challenges to global surveillance efforts, necessitating swift actions in their detection, evaluation, and management. Among the most recent variants, Omicron BA.2.86 and its sub-lineages have gained attention due to their potential immune evasion properties. This study describes the development of a digital PCR assay for the rapid detection of BA.2.86 and its descendant lineages,...

This study analysed the anthropogenic microparticles in the stomach content of the European anchovy ( Engraulis encrasicolus ) in the Ligurian Sea (NW Mediterranean). The results showed that 30–40% of the anchovies had ingested anthropogenic microparticles (on average, 0.34 ± 0.29 fibres ind −1 and 0.12 ± 0.12 fragments ind −1 ). The fibres were probably ingested via filtration, and were significantly correlated with the gut f...

The European Interreg Italy–France 2014–2020 Maritime Project SPlasH! (Stop to Plastics in H 2 O!) focused on the study of microplastics (MPs) in the marine port environment to evaluate their presence, abundance, and mechanisms of diffusion to the open sea. In the framework of this project, a worldwide review of 74 studies was carried out, providing an overview of MP investigation techniques, focusing on sampling strategies, l...