Journal of Natural Science Review

Natural Radioactivity Levels in Groundwater Sources and Their Health Impact Assessment on the Consumers

Kayode Ogungbemi — 2025-10-04

Groundwater is one of the significant sources of drinkable water in our society today. Groundwater samples were collected from various locations and then prepared for a coaxial high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector for analysis. These studies measured the activity of 232-Th, 226-Ra, and 40-K in groundwater sources; then estimated the total annual effective radiation dose in groundwater and the lifetime cancer risk to the populace. The results show that the mean activity of 40-K from Egbeda, Ipaja, and Ije Ododo is 2.534, 1.713, and 1.931 Bq/l, respectively. These values were higher than the mean activity of 232-Th, which was 0.342, 0.364, and 0.402 Bq/l for Egbeda, Ipaja, and Ije Ododo, respectively. The mean activity of 226-Ra from Egbeda, Ipaja, and Ije Ododo is 1.191, 0.735, and 0.490 Bq/l, respectively. Hence, the mean total effective doses from Ipaja are 0.218 μSv/year for adults, 0.246 μSv/year for children, and 0.219 μSv/year for infants. In adults, the annual effective radiation doses were highest in EG1, with a value of 0.429 μSv/year, and EG4 had a value of 0.455 μSv/year. PA4 had a value of 0.344 μSv/year, and the lowest was recorded from JE3, with a value of 0.076 μSv/year. The obtained values were lower in Ipaja and Ije Ododo; this may not pose any significant health problems. Samples from Egbeda show significantly higher values of annual effective dose and may pose health problems for the consumers in the long term due to bioaccumulation

Impact of Changes in Agriculture Import Tariffs on Afghanistan's Food Availability and Macroeconomic Factors

Ayaz Khan Naseri — 2025-10-04

Afghanistan grappled with a severe food insecurity crisis, with two out of every five individuals experiencing acute food insecurity. The country heavily relied on imports, with cereals accounting for 66 percent of imports and wheat accounting for 73 percent of calories. This study scrutinized the influence of changing agricultural import tariffs on macroeconomic variables and food availability. The short-term impact of agricultural import tariffs was evaluated using GAMS software, utilizing a computable general equilibrium model and a social accounting matrix. Four diverse scenarios were investigated, focusing on changes in import tariffs for various agricultural products. The findings revealed that lower tariffs resulted in augmented imports and declined domestic output, whereas the opposite trend occurred with tariff upsurges. Scenario C analysed the effect of a 50 percent change on the agricultural import tariff rate of 6.12 percent. Wheat imports increased nearly 1 percent with a decline in tariffs, while they diminished by almost 22 percent with a surge in tariffs. All agricultural categories were affected, except for opium and forestry. The study volumes, lower labor and capital sharing rates, higher supply prices, and lower domestic output. To ensure food security, the government needed to advocate for scenarios that reduced tariffs, particularly through a comprehensive liberalization policy.

Effects of Humic Acid Applications on Growth and Yield of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Mirwais Khan Afghan — 2025-10-04

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops and a common culinary spice used daily by most people around the world. Humic acid can enhance garlic growth and yield, and previous studies have reported that its application improves these traits. Although the effects of humic acid combined with other nutrients on the growth and quality of garlic have been studied, further comprehensive investigations are still needed, especially in Afghanistan's bioclimatic conditions. Therefore, the study aimed to examine the effects of humic acid on the growth and yield of garlic. The specific objective of the study was to determine the optimal amount of humic acid for promoting the growth and yield of garlic in Kandahar. A filed experiment was conducted at the research farm of Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU), using Randomized Complete Block Desing (RCBD) with five treatments T0 (no Humic acid), T1 (10 Kg ha^-1 Humic acid), T2(15 Kg ha^-1 Humic acid), T3 (20 Kg ha^-1 Humic acid), and T4 (25 Kg ha^-1 Humic acid) each replicated trice. The results showed that plant height, No. Leaves of plant^-1, and leaves length increased significantly by 30.40%, 28.21%, and 19.97% respectively, compared to the control at harvest; moreover, Bulb weight, bulb polar diameter, bulb equatorial diameter, No. Of cloves bulb^-1, cloves weight, cloves length, clove diameter, and bulb yield also significantly increased by 68.79%, 59.42%, 20.72%, 17.38%, 26.50%, 36.36%, 47.28%, 71.09 %, respectively, in comparison to the control. It is concluded that the highest growth and yield of garlic was recorded in the treatment where 25 kg ha^-1 Humic acid was applied.

Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate (ZnSO₄·H₂O) Toxicity in Medaka Embryos: Impacts of Water Type on Lethal Concentration

Naweedullah Amin — 2025-10-04

Zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) is widely used in industrial and agricultural applications; however, its release into the environment raises concerns about its potential toxicity to the aquatic ecosystem. This study assesses the acute toxicity of zinc sulfate monohydrate (ZnSO₄·H₂O) on Javanese medaka (Oryzias javanicus) embryos by examining mortality across three water types: pure water, deionized water, and dechlorinated tap water. Embryos were exposed to ZnSO₄ concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 mg/L for 96 hours, with mortality recorded at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. Mortality increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with no deaths observed in control groups. Toxicity was highest in pure water (LC₅₀ = 0.6676 mg/L), followed by dechlorinated tap water (LC₅₀ = 0.9583 mg/L), and lowest in deionized water (LC₅₀ = 1.021 mg/L). Water chemistry significantly influences ZnSO₄ toxicity, as ionic composition affects zinc uptake and its toxic effects. These results underscore the importance of site-specific water quality assessments in aquatic risk assessments. Further studies on long-term sublethal effects and metal bioaccumulation are needed to improve ecotoxicological risk assessments.

Optimization of One-Dimensional Functions Using the Golden Section Search Method

Hamidullah Noori — 2025-10-04

This paper addresses the problem of one-dimensional function optimization using the Golden Section Search Method. The primary objective is to determine the point at which a given unimodal function achieves its minimum within a bounded interval. The importance of such methods lies in their applicability to various scientific and engineering problems where analytical solutions may be complex or intractable. The study aims to explore both the theoretical background and practical implementation of the method, supported by an illustrative example. The research method involves analytical derivation of conditions for extrema, an explanation of unimodality, and step-by-step application of the Golden Section technique. The expected result is an accurate approximation of the function's minimum point with a specified level of precision, demonstrating the effectiveness and efficiency of the method in minimizing unimodal functions without requiring derivative information.

Impacts of Humic Acid on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Tomato: A Review

Rahimullah Himatkhwah — 2025-10-04

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most adaptable, popular, and widely consumed vegetable crops in the world. However, current production levels of tomatoes fall short of consumer needs. Enhancing soil fertility presents a viable solution to address the issue of low productivity in tomato cultivation. Humic acids (HA) are organic molecules that significantly improve soil characteristics, plant growth, yield, and quality. There was limited information available in previous studies regarding the issue; therefore, the review was conducted to investigate the issue in greater detail. The review aims to consolidate existing knowledge on the topic and encourage further investigation to refine agricultural practices and enhance crop production. In the narrative literature, keywords related to the topic investigated in popular databases over the last three decades were screened for relevant papers, and the information was presented in different sections of the manuscript. The application of humic acid has positively influenced several parameters, including growth, development, yield, and quality of tomatoes. Humic acid increased the stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, and plant height. Additionally, humic acid topically improved fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit number per plant, and yield. Furthermore, skin color, lycopene content, fruit juice acidity, ascorbic acid, and total soluble solids were all markedly improved by applying humic acid. The information synthesized here may benefit policymakers, agricultural advisors, and experts in the field, supporting the development of effective strategies for sustainable tomato production using humic acid.

Effect of Climate Change on Agriculture in Nimruz Province and its Relationship with the Development of Rural Areas

Naseer Mukhlis — 2025-10-04

Climate change poses a critical challenge to Afghanistan’s agriculture by reducing water resources, increasing temperatures, and altering rainfall patterns, all of which threaten food security and rural development. Despite the vulnerability of Afghanistan’s agricultural sector, there is limited empirical research assessing how climate change explicitly affects agriculture in Nimruz Province and its implications for rural development, leaving a critical gap in localized evidence. This study investigates the impact of climate change on agriculture in Nimruz Province. The statistical population included employees of the Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural High School, the Faculty of Agriculture at Nimruz Institute of Higher Education, and local farmers (N=100), from which 80 participants were selected using Cochran’s formula and convenience sampling. Data were collected through a 35-item questionnaire validated by agricultural experts, with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.8 confirming strong reliability. As an applied, descriptive-analytical, and survey-based study, data were analyzed in SPSS using descriptive statistical methods. The results show that climate change has a considerable impact on agriculture in Nimruz Province, with the most potent effects observed in agricultural production and the weakest in cultivation methods. The study concludes that climate change has a significant impact on agriculture in the region, and it recommends implementing sustainable resource management, promoting modern agricultural technologies, and raising farmers’ awareness to mitigate adverse effects and enhance resilience.

Hundred Medicinal Plants used as Anti-diabetic in Traditional Medicine in Afghanistan

Abdul Khalil Afghani — 2025-10-04

Diabetes mellitus remains a critical global health challenge, with Afghanistan disproportionately affected due to limited access to conventional treatments. Despite extensive traditional use of medicinal plants for diabetes management, no prior systematic review has comprehensively documented Afghanistan's anti-diabetic flora, their bioactive compounds, mechanisms of action, or preparation methods. This study bridges this gap through a PRISMA-guided systematic review of 100 medicinal plants from Afghanistan's ethnomedicine, analyzing their anti-diabetic potential using exclusively peer-reviewed ethnobotanical, pharmacological, and biomedical literature (2000–2024). Databases (PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, regional repositories) were searched with keywords: "Diabetes Mellitus," "Traditional Medicine," "Phytochemicals," "Anti-diabetic plants," AND "Afghanistan." Inclusion criteria encompassed in vitro/in vivo/clinical studies on Afghan plants; exclusions were non-peer-reviewed sources, conference abstracts, and studies lacking methodological clarity. Fabaceae (14 species), Lamiaceae (9), and Asteraceae (8) emerged as dominant families. Flavonoids (65% of plants), alkaloids (25%), and saponins (20%) were primary bioactive compounds, with key mechanisms including insulin sensitization (e.g., Trigonella foenum-graecum), α-glucosidase inhibition (e.g., Cinnamomum tamala), and antioxidant effects (e.g., Zingiber officinale). This synthesis validates Afghanistan's ethnobotanical heritage as a viable resource for diabetes management, though clinical trials and standardization protocols are urgently needed to translate traditional knowledge into evidence-based therapies.

Principles and Requirements of Battery Electrolytes: Ensuring Efficiency and Safety in Energy Storage

Reza Joia — 2025-10-04

Electrolytes lie at the heart of every battery, serving as the medium that allows ions to move between electrodes and enabling energy to be stored and released efficiently. Their properties, such as ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability, and thermal resilience, directly shape the performance, safety, and lifespan of energy storage systems. As demand for reliable batteries grows in electric vehicles, renewable energy integration, and portable devices, the design of better electrolytes has become a critical research priority. This review brings together insights from a wide range of studies to examine the principles, requirements, and limitations of five major electrolyte systems: aqueous, organic, ionic liquid, solid-state, and redox-active types. Each category demonstrates clear strengths but also important trade-offs. Aqueous electrolytes remain affordable and eco-friendly yet struggle with narrow voltage windows. Organic systems deliver high energy density but introduce flammability concerns. Ionic liquids promise exceptional stability but remain expensive and viscous. Solid-state electrolytes enhance safety and energy density, though they face manufacturing and conductivity challenges. Redox-active systems stand out for durability and scalability, particularly in grid-level applications, but lack compactness. Taken together, the findings emphasize that no single solution is universal. Instead, electrolyte design must be tailored to the context, balancing performance, safety, cost, and sustainability.

The COVID-19 lockdown impact on air quality: A Case Study of Two Districts in Kabul City, Afghanistan

Asmatullah Usmani — 2025-10-04

The COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly worldwide, causing millions of deaths. To curb transmission, many countries imposed lockdowns, leading to a noticeable improvement in air quality. During the peak of the pandemic, Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital and one of the world’s most polluted cities, enforced a three-month lockdown. This study evaluates the impact of the lockdown on Kabul’s air quality by analyzing variations in pollutant concentrations (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, CO, NO₂, SO₂, and O₃) across two districts before and during the lockdown. Air quality data from the National Environmental Protection Agency was evaluated using a paired-samples t-test. The results revealed a significant decline in pollution levels. Pre-lockdown, Kabul’s air quality was severely degraded, with PM₂.₅ (334–362 µg/m³) and PM₁₀ (491–518 µg/m³) exceeding standards by 4.5× and 3×, respectively, while NO₂ peaked at 565 µg/m³ (7× the limit). During Lockdown, concentrations of PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, NO₂, and SO₂ dropped, nearing permissible levels. This suggests that reduced human activities lead to cleaner air. These findings highlight the benefits of strategic emission controls, offering policymakers actionable insights for improving Kabul’s air quality.

Energy Production Potential of Afghanistan: Balancing Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy for National Electrification and Energy Independence

Lutfullah Safi — 2025-10-04

The world is transitioning towards renewable energy sources to decarbonize the energy supply and meet the growing global energy demand. In 2023, the global investment in renewable energy reached $1.8 trillion. The progress towards renewable energy in Afghanistan is unclear, and its potential is not clearly identified when compared to non-renewable energy sources. Additionally, the country relies heavily on imported electricity, leading to numerous negative trade-offs in its energy policies and infrastructure. Therefore, this review aims to analyze Afghanistan's energy sector, encompassing demand, access, production, and development, as well as its renewable energy resources, performance, and sustainable impact on the nation. Findings show that Afghanistan has also made progress in small-scale solar projects, as the share of solar energy reached 9.64% in 2022. However, the per capita access to electricity is only 100 kWh, the lowest in the world, and only 20 percent of electricity comes from domestic resources, which are dominated by hydropower. Afghanistan's renewable energy resource potential, including solar, hydro, wind, geothermal, and biomass power, exceeds 300,000 MW. This potential not only meets domestic electricity demand but also could be exported to neighboring countries. Among all these resources, solar energy is the most efficient and cost-effective. Afghanistan is accelerating its renewable energy transition, and the country's authorities must put a strong focus on solar energy, hydropower, and natural gas power sources for a sustainable future and energy security, rather than coal-fired power sources. The information gathered will help policymakers focus on domestic renewable energy to enhance Afghanistan's energy independence

Investigating the Performance of 5G Signals in Modeling Processing Algorithms in a Semi-Active Radar System

Sayed Sarwar Ibtikar — 2025-10-04

The present research investigates the feasibility of utilizing standard 5G communication signals in semi-active radar systems (SARS). With the development of communication technologies, 5G signals have been considered as an illumination source for semi-active radars. With the limited expansion of 5G networks, conducting experimental studies in this field is challenging. Therefore, signal processing modeling is considered an essential solution to advance research in this field. The use of 5G signals can open new horizons in the development of high-resolution semi-active radar systems. The aim of this paper, focusing on the analysis of 5G-downlink signal characteristics and signal processing modeling in PALS, is to evaluate the capabilities and identify the system in providing high resolution in two dimensions (range and speed). To achieve the research objectives, the semi-active radar (PARL), standard, and structure (PARL) models, as well as the 5G signal propagation channel model, were based on the principles of signal processing theory. Computer modeling was used to calculate the PARL mutual uncertainty function using 5G signals. The results of the simulations showed that the semi-active radar system using 5G signals is capable of detecting targets with high resolution in both dimensions (range and speed). This system showed good performance in different scenarios. Therefore, 5G signals as an illumination source can be a suitable option for the development of PALS systems. It is suggested that, with the expansion of 5G networks, experimental studies should be conducted to validate the results of this al administration is necessary to optimize withdrawal guidelines.

Farm-Level Economic Assessment of Watermelon Production in Nangarhar Province

Abdul Wahid Sultani — 2025-10-04

Watermelon is a significant cash crop that provides a good source of income and contributes to employment generation in Nangarhar province. This research aims to analyze the socio-economic characteristics and cost and return of watermelon. This study was carried out in Nangarhar province. The research is quantitative in nature, utilizing both primary and secondary data A purposive sampling design was used to select a sample of 130 respondents for the survey. Primary data were collected through a well-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and cost and return analysis were used for data analysis. The results revealed that the average age of the selected farms was 39 years, and the percentage of respondents was educated, which fortunately included a percentage of bachelor's degree holders. The majority of the respondents, 59.76 percent, are living in households. At the same time, 42.62 percent of the farmers had between 5 and 10 years of watermelon production experience, with an average of 7 years. Furthermore, approximately 78 percent of respondents have annual incomes exceeding $100,000. The cost and return analysis showed that the average per jerib cost for large-scale farmers (17,274 AF) is lower than that for medium-scale farmers (18,057 AF) and small-scale farmers (19,307 AF). Moreover, fertilizer costs constitute the highest proportion of total production costs across all categories. Based on per-jerib costs, the expenses associated with the Black Master variety amount to 22,505 AF, which is approximately 6,000 AF higher than the Extreme F₁ variety. The average per-jerib yield in Nangarhar province is 855 man (7 Kg), generating a gross income of 40,117 AF and a net income of 21,904 AF. The study recommended the extreme F₁ variety as it is more profitable in the study area.

Evaluation of Iodine Status Among 6–12-Year-Old Children and Iodized Salt Quality in Khogiani District, Afghanistan

Bashir Ahmad Bashir — 2025-10-04

Despite reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighting iodine deficiency in various regions of Afghanistan, empirical data for the Khogiani district remain scarce, despite clinical signs suggesting its presence. "This study aimed to assess the prevalence of iodine deficiency among children aged 6–12 years and to evaluate the quality of iodized edible salt in the Khogiani District” A cross-sectional community-based and experimental design was employed. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured using the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction (spectrophotometric method), while iodine levels in salt samples were determined via iodometric titration. The sample size was calculated using the Cochrane formula, and data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Participants were selected via convenience sampling. The overall prevalence of iodine deficiency (UIC: 50–99 µg/L) was 13%, with 1.8% of children exhibiting palpable goiter (grades 1–2). The highest deficiency rates were observed in Wazir and Pirakhel villages. Additionally, 75.1% of salt samples had inadequate iodine content (<15 ppm), with powdered salt being particularly unreliable. Mild iodine deficiency persists among children in Khogiani, and a significant proportion of iodized salt fails to meet the required standards. Public health interventions should prioritize stricter salt iodization monitoring and alternative strategies to ensure adequate iodine intake.

Thiosemicarbazone Ligands and TheirTransition Metal Complexes as Antioxidants: A Review

Qumars Poladian — 2025-10-04

Antioxidant molecules prevent the harmful reaction of oxidants inside the body by providing a single electron or hydrogen atom based on their mechanism. Different forms of oxidants such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) or reactive nitrogen species (RNS) could harm the proteins, lipids, and DNA. Due to the chain reactions of oxidants in the medium that exist, unwanted consequences could happen inside the body. The antioxidants by reacting with oxidants prevent the damages caused by the chain reaction of oxidants. Natural antioxidants are a well-known group of matters such as vitamins, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. The antioxidant capacity/activity of natural antioxidants is studied comprehensively and reported in the literature. Synthetic antioxidants such as thiosemicarbazones either in the form of ligand or their metal complexes, could exhibit potent antioxidant capacity/activity comparable or sometimes more potent compared to the natural antioxidant. The existence of different electron donor groups in the structure of thiosemicarbazones such as hydroxyl and amine groups, could appear in the form of antioxidant capacity or activity. In the literature, various methods of determining the antioxidant capacity/activity of compounds such as thiosemicarbazones are reported. Among them, the three methods such as CUPRAC (CUPric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity), DPPH (2,2-di(4-tert-octyl phenyl)-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-acid) are well-known methods for the evaluating of antioxidant capacity/activity of thiosemicarbazones. In this review, the antioxidant capacity/activity of thiosemicarbazones by the last three methods is studied and the relationship between the structure of thiosemicarbazone ligands and their corresponding metal complexes with their antioxidant capacity/activity is analyzed.