1. Engaging the public in plant science : communication facilitators and barriers of scaling up a citizen science campaignKristiina Gibson, Monika Suškevičs, Baiba Prūse, Marta Barberis, Sara A. O. Cousins, Živa Fišer, Margaux Julien, Marianne Kivastik, Marcin Miroslav Klisz, Attila Lengyel, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Volunteers have been involved in nature observations for decades through citizen science initiatives, providing large data sets as well as problem identification that allow a more complete understanding of many natural phenomena. Although communication is a core component in citizen science, the key factors that determine its effectiveness in national and transboundary campaigns aimed at broad audiences have remained unclear. Using the pan-European citizen science campaign ‘Looking for Cowslips’ spanning across 31 European countries as an example, we explored the main communication facilitators and barriers campaign organisers face in different European regions when engaging the public in citizen science. To do so, we conducted interviews, questionnaires and discussion groups with the campaign organisers. The results indicate that communication in citizen science initiatives poses a challenge, particularly for researchers, who often do not have sufficient time or means for the necessary engagement and communication efforts. In addition to the ecological characteristics of the focal species in the different regions of Europe, the key aspects that need to be considered for planning effective communication in transboundary citizen science projects include various socio-cultural factors, such as the traditions related to citizen science in different countries as well as local indigenous knowledge. Our study shows that collaboration between academic institutions and environmental non-governmental organisations, but also the contribution by local co-organisers at the national level, is crucial for the effectiveness of international citizen science campaigns. In addition, facilitators and barriers of communication need to be considered in each region separately as even at the European scale, we observed a high variability of environmental and socio-cultural settings. Synthesis. In an era of detrimental consequences of human activities on natural ecosystems, it is vital to include society in observations to determine the impact of environmental change on biodiversity through citizen science approaches. Substantial advances in technological tools have helped to foster these initiatives across vast spatial scales. Nevertheless, it is also crucial to select the right pathways for communication to compete with vast amounts of other information and to reach potential participants in varying socio-cultural contexts of different countries.
Keywords: citizen science, communication, community science, Europe, fragmentation, grasslands, landscape change, Primula veris
Published in RUP: 08.09.2026; Views: 122; Downloads: 6
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3. Uporaba umetne inteligence med osnovnošolskimi učiteljiMonika Mithans, Milena Ivanuš-Grmek, Sabina Ograjšek, 2026, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: Umetna inteligenca vse bolj zaznamuje sodobno izobraževanje, saj se uveljavlja kot orodje z velikim potencialom za izboljšanje pedagoške prakse. Kljub temu rezultati naše raziskave kažejo, da jo učitelji v osnovnošolskem prostoru uporabljajo le v omejenem obsegu. V prispevku analiziramo pogostost in kontekste uporabe umetne inteligence ter pogostnost uporabe orodij umetne inteligence med osnovnošolskimi učitelji v Sloveniji, pri čemer so nas zanimale razlike v uporabi umetne inteligence glede na predmetno področje učitelja. Rezultati kažejo, da osnovnošolski učitelji umetno inteligenco najpogosteje uporabljajo za profesionalni razvoj in zasebno življenje, redkeje pa pri pouku in ocenjevanju znanja. Uporaba je izraziteje prisotna pri učiteljih računalništva, najmanj pa pri učiteljih razrednega pouka. Najpogosteje uporabljena orodja so generativni klepetalniki, medtem ko so druga orodja manj razširjena. Ugotovitve nakazujejo potrebo po nadaljnjem ozaveščanju in podpori učiteljev pri učinkoviti ter smiselni rabi umetne inteligence v osnovnošolskem prostoru.
Keywords: digitalne kompetence, umetna inteligenca, izobraževanje, učitelji, osnovna šola
Published in RUP: 29.07.2026; Views: 283; Downloads: 9
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7. Chemical and bioactivity profiling of extractives from tropical wood residues : Ipe, Merbau, and JatobaAmina Selmanović, Wojciech Pajerski, Kamil Drożdż, Monika Brzychczy-Wloch, Andreja Kutnar, Rene Alexander Herrera Diaz, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Wood residues and by-products from the furniture industry represent an underutilized resource with strong potential for integration into circular economy strategies. Extractives derived from these materials are rich in bioactive compounds, making them attractive candidates for bio-based product development. Although the functional properties of wood extractives are well recognized, their systematic recovery and characterization remain insufficiently explored in the context of green chemistry and sustainability. This study investigated the chemical composition and bioactivity of extractives obtained from industrial residues of three tropical hardwoods: Ipe (Handroanthus spp.), Merbau (Intsia spp.), and Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril). Extractives were obtained via Pressurized Solvent Extraction (PSE) and characterized using gas chromatography (GC-FID and GC-MS). Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was subsequently applied for bioactivity evaluation. Green metrics, including the simple E-factor (sEF) and unit energy (UEC), were calculated to assess basic environmental efficiency. Gravimetric results showed a predominance of hydrophilic fractions (up to 97 % in Merbau), with major constituents including phenolics, fatty acids, flavonoids, and resin acids. Merbau and Jatoba extracts exhibited strong antioxidant capacity (IC50 < 75 μg/mL), while preliminary antimicrobial screening indicated selective activity of Merbau and Ipe against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, with Ipe also inhibiting Streptococcus pyogenes. These findings highlight tropical wood residues as renewable sources of bioactive compounds and support their valorisation in sustainable bio-based applications.
Keywords: tropical wood valorisation, green extraction, antioxidant capacity, bioactivity
Published in RUP: 26.01.2026; Views: 839; Downloads: 6
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8. An Olynthus mill from Kaštelir above Korte near Izola (southwestern Slovenia)Monika Zorko, Andrej Preložnik, 2025, review article Keywords: Olynthus mill, volcanic rock, Greek import, Hellenistic period, Kaštelir above Korte, Slovenia, Istria and Dalmatia
Published in RUP: 23.01.2026; Views: 684; Downloads: 5
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10. Digital competencies of future teachersMilena Ivanuš-Grmek, Sabina Ograjšek, Monika Mithans, 2025, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: The present article deals with the importance of digital competencies of future teachers, highlighting the role of ICT in education. The research was conducted on a convenience sample of 328 students of the Faculty of Education, University of Maribor, in the academic year 2023/2024. The data was obtained through an online questionnaire. The results show that students feel most confident performing basic digital tasks such as searching for information on social media and using digital calendars. However, they feel less confident performing advanced tasks such as web design and using licences. Overall, students of elementary education feel more competent than students of preschool education. The findings of the research highlight the necessity of enhancing digital literacy by providing further education and training for future teachers across all levels and disciplines. Only through such initiatives can the full potential of contemporary technology in education be achieved.
Keywords: digital competencies, ICT in education
Published in RUP: 22.12.2025; Views: 766; Downloads: 3
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