Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Naiana Suter, Sophie Stebel, Carmela Rianna, Manfred Radmacher, Dorothea Bruegemann
Summary: Current knowledge on cell-biomaterial interactions is largely based on 2D cell culture systems, but transferring results to 3D protein scaffolds with biomimetic nanofiber structures remains a challenge. By fabricating binary collagen scaffolds with variable thickness and topographies, researchers were able to observe differences in cell responses to different protein topographies, indicating potential for further understanding topography-dependent cell recognition processes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Urbanska, Andrzej Kamocki, Malgorzata Kirschenstein, Malgorzata Ozgo
Summary: The Chinese pond mussel Sinanodonta woodiana s.l. has successfully established a self-sustaining population in suboptimal thermal conditions, indicating a potential future dominance over native mussels. Its broad tolerance towards bottom sediments and intentional introductions of adult individuals may facilitate its further spread. Urgent inclusion of S. woodiana in invasive species monitoring and management programmes is recommended.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sankalpa Venkatraghavan, Sathvik Anantakrishnan, Karthik Raman
Summary: Microbial consortia exhibit spatiotemporal organization through bacterial communication. Simulations show that secretion rates play a key role in controlling the behavior of the coupled consortia. These models provide a simplified and controllable approach to pattern formation in synthetic biology.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jae Jung Kim, Mehdi Jorfi, Rudolph E. Tanzi, Doo Yeon Kim, Patrick S. Doyle, Daniel Irimia
Summary: Brain spheroids are valuable in vitro models for accelerating research in various diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. However, challenges remain in studying the progression of AD and the propagation of pathogenic proteins in the brain spheroids model. To address this, researchers have designed a microfluidic system to connect different brain spheroids and promote the accumulation of pathogenic proteins within the spheroids.
Article
Microbiology
Edward Higgins, Thomas B. Parr, Caryn C. Vaughn
Summary: Microbiomes are recognized as important regulators of function in organisms and ecosystems. However, the influence of animals on the structure and function of environmental microbiomes has been less studied. A comparative field study on freshwater mussels reveals a relationship between their microbiomes and the surrounding environment. The study suggests that local habitat conditions and mussel behavior influence the composition of environmental microbial communities.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
N. Jahnsen-Guzman, N. A. Lagos, M. A. Lardies, C. A. Vargas, C. Fernandez, V. A. San Martin, L. Saavedra, L. Antonio Cuevas, P. A. Quijon, C. Duarte
Summary: Estuarine ecosystems are characterized by wide physical-chemical variations, which may be exacerbated in the future under global change scenarios. This study investigated the performance of juvenile mussels settled at different water depths in southern Chile, with factors like salinity, saturation state and CO3 content being key in explaining the differences in growth and calcification rates. The results provide insights into how estuarine organisms respond to small-scale changes in water column characteristics and the potential impacts of climate change.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Juan Liang, Chen Liu, Gui-Quan Sun, Li Li, Lai Zhang, Meiting Hou, Hao Wang, Zhen Wang
Summary: Vegetation pattern can serve as an early warning for desertification, and nonlocal interaction is a key mechanism for the formation of vegetation pattern.
APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sheng Wang, Jordi Garcia-Ojalvo, Michael B. Elowitz
Summary: This article demonstrates that a single morphogen is sufficient to generate stable spatial patterns in multicellular development and identifies key factors for robust pattern formation.
Article
Ecology
Al Alder, Andrew Jeffs, Jenny R. Hillman
Summary: The study found that in the restoration of mussel reefs, cultured subadult and juvenile mussels need to be fully protected from mobile predators after being transferred to the seafloor. Wild subadult mussels, on the other hand, demonstrated a certain level of resilience with a high survival rate, indicating possible directions for restoration efforts.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Bradley M. Skelton, Paul M. South, Andrew G. Jeffs
Summary: The inefficient conversion of seed mussels into market-ready mussels is a major problem for mussel aquaculture worldwide. This study focuses on the Greenshell (TM) mussel industry in New Zealand and reveals a significant decline in the conversion efficiency over the past 30 years. Improving production efficiency is crucial for the industry's growth.
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
John R. Hipp, Lyndsay Boggess, Alyssa Chamberlain
Summary: This study proposes a novel reverse spatial patterning (RSP) strategy that estimates where offenders may live based on the spatial locations of crime events. The study finds that the RSP strategy provides better predictions of offender locations and future crime incidents compared to existing strategies.
COMPUTERS ENVIRONMENT AND URBAN SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
St. John Whittaker, Merritt Mcdowell, Justin Bendesky, Zhihua An, Yongfan Yang, Hengyu Zhou, Yuze Zhang, Alexander Shtukenberg, Dilhan Kalyon, Bart Kahr, Stephanie Lee
Summary: Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) crystals grown as spherulites exhibit helicoidal fibrils that twist and grow radially, forming concentric bands when viewed on films. The exposure to methanol vapor causes reorganization of the crystal structure, leading to the growth of crystalline circles with determined orientations. Crystal twisting offers a way to pattern materials spontaneously, regardless of molecular or crystal structure.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
David P. Rivas, Max Sokolich, Sambeeta Das
Summary: By using a spatially varying light pattern, we studied the difference in micromotor flux under the presence and absence of an applied magnetic field. We found that the magnetic field enhanced the flux by straightening the micromotor trajectories. We also demonstrated the spatially patterned light-induced aggregation of the micromotors and studied its time evolution.
Review
Cell Biology
Sonia Q. Sen
Summary: During the development of the nervous system, spatial regionalization of gene expression leads to the specification of distinct pools of neural stem cells. These stem cells divide asymmetrically to generate different neuron types, undergoing transitions in gene expression with aging.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Rafael Romero-Garcia, Ayan S. Mandal, Richard A. Bethlehem, Benedicto Crespo-Facorro, Michael G. Hart, John Suckling
Summary: This study investigates the spatial patterns of brain tumour occurrence and identifies the functional connectivity and transcriptomic correlates of vulnerability to low-grade glioma and glioblastoma multiforme. By combining open-access data from various sources and analyzing MRI and mRNA transcription data, the researchers reveal the associations between grade-related frequency, expression, and brain network features. These findings shed light on the mechanisms underlying brain tumour occurrence and provide insights into potential therapeutic targets.
Article
Ecology
Olivier Beauchard, Sebastiaan Mestdagh, Leo Koop, Tom Ysebaert, Peter M. J. Herman
Summary: The biological traits of benthic macroinvertebrates in the North Sea were studied to examine the habitat occupancy in contrasting hydrodynamic seascapes. The study found that the heterogeneity of habitats was associated with specific benthic life strategies and the geomorphology of seascapes had an impact on functional patterns and diversity of communities.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2022)
Article
Oceanography
H. Holzhauer, B. W. Borsje, P. M. J. Herman, C. A. Schipper, K. M. Wijnberg
Summary: In response to climate change and sea-level rise, new nourishment strategies have been developed for low-lying sandy coasts, which can affect the habitat quality of coastal ecosystems. By studying the relationship between benthic fauna and their environment, researchers can design sustainable management strategies for these ecosystems. A unique dataset of benthic and sediment samples collected at the ebb-tidal delta of Ameland, The Netherlands allowed for an investigation into the distribution of macrobenthic fauna and its correlation with morphological features. The findings revealed distinct species assemblages along gradients of physical stress and exposure, which were reflected in the sediment characteristics. Additionally, the functional characteristics of the benthic fauna showed clear contrasts between exposed and sheltered areas, suggesting different recovery rates in response to disturbance.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
P. W. J. M. Willemsen, B. P. Smits, B. W. Borsje, P. M. J. Herman, J. T. Dijkstra, T. J. Bouma, S. J. M. H. Hulscher
Summary: Salt marshes are important for coastal protection, and their width is crucial for their effectiveness. This study uses numerical modeling to examine how sediment availability and hydrodynamic forcing affect the retreat and expansion of salt marshes. The results show that salt marshes are sensitive to physical stress, with higher stress leading to retreat and lower stress enabling expansion. Additionally, sediment supply plays a role in determining the behavior of salt marshes forced by higher waves.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Jill Leonarda Josepha Hanssen, Bram Christiaan van Prooijen, Nicolette Dominique Volp, Paul Lodewijk Maria de Vet, Peter Maria Jozef Herman
Summary: Although tidal flats may appear uniform, this study found that there are morphological variations driven by physical and/or biological processes. By analyzing aerial pictures and LiDAR data, the researchers discovered that convex-up intertidal flats with a sharp transition between the upper and lower parts are favorable for the occurrence of creeks, which in turn affect the configuration of tidal flats.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ken Schoutens, Marte Stoorvogel, Mario van den Berg, Kim van den Hoven, Tjeerd J. Bouma, Stefan Aarninkhof, Peter M. J. Herman, Jantsje M. van Loon-Steensma, Patrick Meire, Jonas Schoelynck, Patrik Peeters, Stijn Temmerman
Summary: This study investigates the stability of tidal marshes under high flow velocities through flume tests. The results show that erosion of the marshes is minimal and the vegetation can recover quickly even under high flow conditions. These findings provide initial evidence for considering tidal marshes as part of flood defense measures.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Jeroen W. M. Wijsman, Johan A. Craeymeersch, Peter M. J. Herman
Summary: This study compares samples of macrobenthos (epifauna and infauna) obtained simultaneously by a Van Veen grab and a quantitative benthic dredge, and finds remarkable similarities in terms of spatial variation and development between the two methods.
JOURNAL OF SEA RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
A. Colina Alonso, D. S. van Maren, P. M. J. Herman, R. J. A. van Weerdenburg, Y. Huismans, S. J. Holthuijsen, L. L. Govers, A. I. Bijleveld, Z. B. Wang
Summary: This study aims to increase the understanding of processes driving the sediment composition in tidal basins, and shows that bed sediments in the Wadden Sea tend to be either mud-dominated or sand-dominated, resulting in a bimodal distribution of the mud content. The bimodality is not only specific to the Wadden Sea but can also be expected in other systems worldwide.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
R. K. James, L. M. Keyzer, S. J. van de Velde, P. M. J. Herman, M. M. van Katwijk, T. J. Bouma
Summary: Seagrass meadows provide valuable ecosystem services including coastal protection and chemical habitat formation. However, sea level rise and habitat degradation threaten the provision of these services. Our study quantified the relationships between hydrodynamic forces, vegetation density, and the provision of these services, and predicted the impacts of end of the century conditions and coral reef degradation scenarios. Loss of seagrass leads to increased sediment grain size, unstable seafloor, and disappearance of chemical habitat, impacting the entire community and increasing vulnerability to erosion and ocean acidification.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Gijs G. Hendrickx, Jose A. A. Antolinez, Peter M. J. Herman
Summary: In recent years, coastal management has faced new challenges due to socio-economic growth and climate change. Predictive tools such as process-based models are necessary for testing and quantifying the resilience of coastal systems to projected changes. However, these models are computationally expensive, hence alternative techniques like input and model reduction and empirical models have been used. This paper proposes a hybrid workflow that combines statistical and machine learning with a process-based numerical model to provide sensitivity analyses on complex systems, using salt intrusion in estuaries as an example.
COASTAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Jeroen W. M. Wijsman, Theo C. Prins, J. J. Simeon Moons, Peter M. J. Herman
Summary: Sand nourishment is a management strategy to protect sandy coasts, and its impact on macrobenthic community is dependent on sediment composition. This study investigates the effects of nourishment on sediment composition and macrobenthos in the Holland coast, showing that the presence of coarser sediments at the nourished site has hindered the recovery of macrobenthic community.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Celine E. J. van Bijsterveldt, Peter M. J. Herman, Bregje K. van Wesenbeeck, Sri Ramadhani, Tom S. Heuts, Corinne van Starrenburg, Silke A. J. Tas, Annisa Triyanti, Muhammad Helmi, Femke H. Tonneijck, Tjeerd J. Bouma
Summary: Human-induced land subsidence causes coastal areas to sink and exacerbates relative sea level rise. While cities can invest in coastal infrastructure, rural areas depend on protective coastal ecosystems. A study in Indonesia found that while water levels in villages rose rapidly, the protective mangroves experienced slower changes in sea level rise. However, the landward retreat of the shoreline led to the displacement of rural communities.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Brecht Stechele, Marie Maar, Jeroen Wijsman, Dimitry Van der Zande, Steven Degraer, Peter Bossier, Nancy Nevejan
Summary: This study examines the life history traits and strategies of European flat oysters and Pacific cupped oysters in response to environmental changes. The slow growth and low reproductive output of European flat oysters are attributed to low assimilation rates and high energy allocation to soma, while the fast growth, high starvation tolerance, and high reproductive output of Pacific cupped oysters are explained by high assimilation rates, low investment in soma, and extremely low reserve mobility.
CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jim van Belzen, Gregory S. Fivash, Zhan Hu, Tjeerd J. Bouma, Peter M. J. Herman
Summary: The paper investigates the establishment of young organisms in harsh environments and proposes the concept of a window of opportunity (WoO). A coherent theoretical framework is developed to explain when the WoO opens or closes. The study reveals that understanding the intrinsic timescales of organisms and the environment is crucial for predicting establishment success.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2022)