Dominic D. Smith

23/10/2025

THE KILLER CHRYSANTHEMUM: NATURE’S DEADLIEST FLOWER BECOMES A LIFELINE FOR FARMERS AND THE PLANET

The so-called “killer chrysanthemum” (Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium) holds a paradoxical place in modern agriculture — a deadly flower that has become a lifeline for farmers and the planet. Its golden center contains pyrethrins, natural neurotoxins that paralyze insects on contact, yet degrade quickly and pose minimal harm to humans, animals, and ecosystems. Once cultivated in the highlands of Kenya, Japan, and Dalmatia, pyrethrum is now regaining global attention as agriculture searches for safer, sustainable pest control alternatives.

This article explores the plant’s history, chemistry, and transformation from botanical extract to industrial biopesticide. Through a comprehensive meta-analysis, case study synthesis, and risk assessment, the article examines the balance between natural pyrethrins and semi-synthetic pyrethroids—highlighting both their efficacy and ecological consequences. The findings demonstrate that natural pyrethrum can deliver powerful pest control while supporting biodiversity, smallholder livelihoods, and climate resilience.

The article concludes with targeted policy recommendations for governments, researchers, and industry to promote natural insecticides within regenerative and organic farming frameworks, reduce chemical dependency, and strengthen international regulation and sustainability certification.

Read the full article: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:f83e0b26-efde-4400-a7bb-b67c992bff73

Can the world’s deadliest flower become the foundation for safer, circular, and pesticide-free agriculture? I invite you to share your thoughts and perspectives below. Let’s discuss!

13/10/2025

VANUIT BED EEN DEMONSTRATIE ORGANISEREN WAAR JEZELF NIET BIJ KUNT ZIJN - WIE DOET DAT?

Mensen die ziek zijn, maar niet stil kunnen blijven.
Mensen met PAIS (Post Acute Infectie Syndromen) die gehoord moeten worden.

PAIS Protest – 30 november 2025, Malieveld Den Haag
De allereerste landelijke demonstratie voor erkenning, betere zorg en eerlijk beleid voor mensen met long covid / post-covid, ME/cvs, Q-koortsvermoeidheidssyndroom (QVS), chronische ziekte van Lyme en andere tekenbeetziekten met een chronisch verloop zoals post-Tekenencefalitis syndroom (PTBES), post-Sepsis syndroom (PSS) en post-Legionella syndroom (PLS).

Kom. Sta op. Laat van je horen.
Voor iedereen die er zelf niet meer bij kan zijn.
Voor iedereen die onzichtbaar werd — maar niet verdwenen is.

Sinds maart 2023 brengt mensen samen die ziek zijn, maar weigeren vergeten te worden.
Vanuit huis, vanuit bed, met minimale energie — maar met maximale vastberadenheid.

Want dit gaat niet alleen over een paar patiënten.
Iedereen kan ziek worden.
Iedereen kan verdwijnen uit werk, studie of samenleving.
En te vaak merkt niemand het.

De realiteit is hard:
• Honderdduizenden mensen zijn ziek geworden.
• Velen raakten alles kwijt.
• Sommigen overlijden.

PAIS kunnen dodelijk zijn.
En nog steeds horen we: “we weten er gewoon nog te weinig van.”
Maar wie beter kijkt, ziet: dit is al decennialang aan de gang.

Daarom het PAIS Protest.
Omdat stilte geen optie meer is.
Omdat erkenning, zorg en beleid nu moeten veranderen.
Omdat mensen met PAIS ook deel zijn van deze samenleving.

Doe net als mij ook mee!

Sta op voor hen die dat zelf niet meer kunnen!
Loop mee! Wees solidair! Laat van je horen!

PAIS Protest – 30 november 2025 – Malieveld, Den Haag
Meer informatie en/of aanmelden en/of helpen: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeggNavc3rni_ijYhmI0IjiWQLIg-hVC_dJP0AHxa0Yie_mfA/viewform

11/10/2025

A SMALL ISLAND, A GROWING CRISIS: WHAT ISLESBORO, MAINE TELLS US ABOUT THE FUTURE OF TICK-BORNE DISEASES

The Bangor Daily News recently reported an alarming rise in babesiosis and anaplasmosis cases on Islesboro — a small island community off the coast of Maine that has long struggled with Lyme disease.
Now, the situation is changing: infections are becoming more diverse, more severe, and harder to control.
• One 86-year-old resident nearly required a blood transfusion after a tick bite.
• Several others experienced neurological symptoms and delirium.
• Health workers report tick-borne infections among the top reasons for medical visits on the island.

This story reflects a much broader pattern we’re seeing across the Northern Hemisphere — climate-driven vector expansion and ecosystem imbalance leading to rising human exposure and multi-pathogen infections.

Key takeaways:
• Changing climate and ecology: Milder winters and expanding deer populations extend the tick season and habitat range.
• Co-infection complexity: Patients increasingly test positive for multiple tick-borne pathogens, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
• Local system strain: Rural and island health centers lack rapid diagnostics and must rely on off-site testing.
• Need for innovation: From AI-driven vector monitoring and smart public health apps to novel vaccines and community-based prevention programs — we need an integrated, anticipatory approach.

This isn’t just a Maine problem. It’s a preview of what’s ahead for many temperate regions, including parts of Northern Europe.
The link between climate, biodiversity, and infectious disease is no longer theoretical — it’s playing out in real time.

We should take these cases as a warning signal to:
• Strengthen early detection systems.
• Invest in precision vector control and ecological interventions.
• Promote citizen awareness and intersectoral collaboration.

Read the full story here: https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/10/08/midcoast/midcoast-health/tick-borne-disease-islesboro-maine-joam40zk0w/?utm_campaign=feed&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio&fbclid=PAVERFWANV22tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp-36TiNRQQp4NNbwM0SQscXxok3TxFK0Q6Y5UIU3lbiWINH2IDZbEDC0kE_W_aem_7OUWClSVya8DfEX3IJ1kIQ

Credit: Elizabeth Walztoni, The Bangor Daily News

Islesboro has long grappled with some of the highest tick-borne disease rates in Maine, and is now seeing growing numbers of new illnesses.

06/10/2025

THE RETURN OF THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT - TROUGH GENETIC MODIFICATION?

Once a dominant species in the forests of the eastern United States, the American chestnut was nearly wiped out by a fungal blight in the early 20th century. Now, scientists are using genetic modification to bring it back — a bold and controversial step in modern conservation.

The newly engineered chestnut carries a wheat gene that enhances its natural resistance to the blight, offering hope for restoring this keystone species and the ecosystems that once depended on it.

But a key question remains: Should we use biotechnology to save nature — or are we crossing an ecological line?

Read the full article from National Geographic:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/genetically-modified-american-chestnut-trees-conservation

What do you think — is this the future of conservation, or a step too far? Let’s discuss!

Photographs by Amy Toensing
Article by Sarah Gibbins, National Geographic

Four billion American chestnut trees were killed by a deadly fungus. In the quest for its revival, can scientists learn to build a better tree?

01/10/2025

URBANIZATION AND EMERGING TICK-BORNE DISEASE RISK IN THE NETHERLANDS: A MULTI-SECTORAL APPROACH

Urbanization and environmental change are reshaping the landscape of infectious disease risk in the Netherlands. Our latest study examines the rising prevalence of tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), in urban and peri-urban areas. By integrating epidemiological data, ecological trends, and public health insights, we highlight how climate change, urban greening, wildlife dynamics, and human behavior collectively drive exposure risk.

Through a comprehensive meta-analysis, case studies, and risk assessment, we identify urban hotspots, evaluate pathogen prevalence in ticks, and assess occupational and community-level vulnerabilities. This article underscores the importance of multi-sectoral interventions—combining urban planning, habitat management, healthcare preparedness, citizen engagement, and targeted surveillance—to mitigate the growing threat of tick-borne diseases. Emphasis is placed on coordinated strategies that consider human, animal, and environmental health, reflecting an integrated, evidence-based approach to urban public health.

This article provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, healthcare professionals, urban planners, occupational groups, and citizens alike, highlighting practical measures to reduce exposure, enhance awareness, and safeguard both human and ecosystem health in an era of rapid urban expansion.

Read the full article: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:9fdddd54-d92a-4e78-a21c-810da2155bbd

How can urban planners, public health authorities, and citizens best collaborate to proactively reduce tick-borne disease risk in our growing cities? Let’s discuss!

22/09/2025

TICK-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS (TBE) IN EUROPE AND THE NETHERLANDS: CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS, EPIDEMIOLOGY, RISK ANALYSIS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) is een emerging infectious disease in Europe, caused by the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and transmitted primarily through Ixodes ricinus ticks. While historically endemic in Central and Eastern Europe, the Netherlands has recently reported increasing cases, prompting the establishment of a Category C notification mandate as of March 2025.

This article synthesizes the latest epidemiological, ecological, and clinical evidence on TBE, including the biphasic disease course, neuroinvasive complications, and Post-Tick-Borne Encephalitis Syndrome (PTBES), which affects a notable proportion of patients. Through meta-analysis, case studies, and risk assessment, we highlight the influence of climate change, wildlife migration, and expanding tick habitats on the distribution of TBE.

This article also explore prevention strategies, including targeted vaccination programs, surveillance improvements, public education, and vector control measures. Case studies from Austria, Slovenia, and Germany underscore the effectiveness of high vaccination coverage and proactive public health interventions, offering valuable lessons for emerging regions.

Given the complex interplay between ecology, human behavior, and public health policy, a coordinated approach involving researchers, policymakers, NGOs, and healthcare providers is essential to mitigate TBE risk and reduce chronic health burdens like PTBES.

Read the full article: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:490fee4b-d061-4fd0-8988-c5cd1d9b7aae

How can emerging regions like the Netherlands best integrate prevention, surveillance, and public awareness to manage the growing TBE threat? Let’s discuss!

15/09/2025

SULFUR AND COPPER-BASED FUNGICIDES IN VITICULTURE: USES, EFFECTS AND RISKS

Sulfur and copper-based fungicides remain pivotal tools in viticulture, widely employed to combat powdery and downy mildew in vineyards globally. While sulfur demonstrates high efficacy against powdery mildew with minimal environmental persistence, copper compounds such as copper sulfate and copper oxychloride are highly effective against downy mildew but present long-term environmental and occupational health concerns due to soil accumulation and aquatic toxicity.

The comprehensive review synthesizes decades of peer-reviewed studies, field trials, and regulatory data, examining the chemistry, mechanisms of action, regional applications, and impacts on human health and ecosystems. Meta-analytic findings confirm that both fungicides are effective disease management tools; however, their divergent risk profiles require careful monitoring and integrated management strategies. Case studies from Europe and North America illustrate practical consequences, including copper accumulation in soils, microbial disruption, and ecological effects on aquatic life.

This article provides evidence-based recommendations for vineyard managers, policymakers, and consumers, emphasizing the optimization of application rates, adherence to regulatory limits, adoption of integrated pest management strategies, and the promotion of sustainable alternatives such as resistant cultivars and biological controls. By balancing efficacy with environmental stewardship and human safety, the viticulture sector can achieve sustainable, long-term disease control.

Read the full article: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:a4215c36-f4e4-4a58-addf-f8ab6186a491

How can the wine industry accelerate the transition toward sustainable fungicide use while maintaining effective disease control? Let’s discuss!

13/09/2025

Today is World Sepsis Day!❤️🫶

Today, we are focusing on sepsis, the consequences of sepsis, people with sepsis and people with serious long-term symptoms after suffering from sepsis, such as post-sepsis syndrome and PAIS (post-acute infection syndromes).

Let us all fight against sepsis together!✊💪

Vandaag is het wereld sepsis dag!❤️🫶

Vandaag staan we stil bij sepsis, de gevolgen van sepsis, mensen met sepsis en mensen met ernstige langdurige klachten na een doorgemaakte sepsis als het post sepsis syndroom en PAIS (post acute infectie syndromen).

En laten we samen tegen sepsis vechten!✊💪

World Sepsis Day Sepsis Nederland Sepsis en daarna

23/08/2025

GLOBAL EXPANSION OF INVASIVE TICKS AND EMERGING TICK-BORNE DISEASES

I am pleased to share my latest article: “Invasive Ticks and Emerging Tick-Borne Diseases: Global Drivers and Risks”, published on 23 August 2025. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of how invasive tick species are reshaping the global landscape of infectious diseases.

The article explores multiple ecological drivers, including climate change, globalization, migratory bird patterns, and livestock trade, which facilitate the spread of invasive ticks across continents. It highlights newly introduced tick species, their association with at least 14 emerging or re-emerging pathogens, and the rising incidence of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania.

Through a systematic meta-analysis of 94 peer-reviewed studies (2000–2025), the findings demonstrate that global tick range expansion has increased by nearly 18%, while human cases of TBDs have surged dramatically worldwide. Case studies illustrate the interplay between ecological shifts and public health risks, emphasizing the urgent need for integrated One Health approaches.

The article concludes with a detailed risk analysis and tailored policy recommendations for governments, health agencies, veterinarians, and citizens to mitigate the threats posed by invasive ticks.

Read the full article: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:7b95bac8-87a3-4d64-9aa6-8025e2135a4c

How should policymakers and health authorities balance ecological monitoring with proactive prevention to curb the next wave of tick-borne diseases? Let’s discuss!

18/08/2025

CHEMICAL PESTICIDES-FREE, LOW-IMPUT VITICULTURE: EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES USING NATURAL PESTICIDES, PRECISION AG-TECH AND REGENERATIVE PRACTICES

In this article, I present the latest insights into the use of natural pesticides in viticulture, their impact on soil and ecosystems, and practical strategies for more sustainable cultivation. The research combines data from field trials, scientific literature and case studies of innovative vineyards, focusing on reducing chemical inputs without compromising quality or yield.

The results show that precision agriculture, organic crop protection and regenerative farming practices can reinforce each other and contribute to more resilient, environmentally friendly wine production. This not only benefits biodiversity, but also the long-term profitability of wine businesses.

Read the full article: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:330fad0e-b83d-4d24-b04c-5f296f6ff568

I am curious: Which natural strategies do you think would be most impactful for future-proof viticulture, and why? Let's discuss!

04/08/2025

NATURE-BASED SOLUTION TO MOSQUITO CONTROL

In a new study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, researchers have identified naturally occurring bacteria from the biodiverse ecosystems of Crete that act as highly effective larvicides — without the use of synthetic pesticides.

Conducted by the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology IMBB-FORTH, Greece) in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the study screened 1,663 environmental isolates. Of these, 37 strains produced metabolites capable of killing Culex pipiens larvae within 24–72 hours, achieving full mortality without relying on live bacterial infection.

The discovery paves the way for the development of natural, environmentally friendly biopesticides — urgently needed alternatives to conventional chemical larvicides, which are facing growing resistance and environmental scrutiny. This nature-based approach aligns with global goals for sustainable vector control under the One Health framework.

Read the publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40622165/
DOI: 10.1128/aem.00966-25

Congratulations to Prof. George Dimopoulos, Dr. John Vontas and the international research team for delivering a concrete step toward more ecological and sustainable public health solutions.

31/07/2025

REGENERATIVE TRANSITIONS IN AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND VITICULTURE: QUANTIFYING THE ECOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CO-BENEFITS OF GOING PESTICIDE-FREE

The global food system faces a convergence of crises: biodiversity loss, climate change, soil degradation and rising health risks linked to agrochemical exposure. In this open-access article, I present a comprehensive scientific analysis of pesticide-free regenerative agriculture (RA) as a systemic solution — not only for environmental restoration but also for socio-economic resilience.

This article integrates:
• A meta-analysis of 73 peer-reviewed studies
• Six international case studies across five climate zones
• Risk and barrier analysis, including yield, labour, certification and input access
• Policy and sector recommendations aligned with CAP, Farm to Fork and SDG targets

Findings show that RA without synthetic pesticides leads to higher soil carbon, improved biodiversity, stable or rising profitability, and lower environmental externalities — particularly in viticulture, horticulture and mixed systems.

The article aims to bridge science, policy and practice. It supports decision-makers, researchers, farmers and civil society actors in advancing sustainable food system transitions grounded in ecological integrity and long-term viability.

Read the full article: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:cf2c9b05-3ab6-4325-9666-d13867f12ef8

What do you see as the most critical enabler — or barrier — to making regenerative agriculture the new standard? Let’s discuss.