Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael A. Zeller, Jordan Ma, Foong Ying Wong, Sothyra Tum, Arata Hidano, Hannah Holt, Ty Chhay, San Sorn, Dina Koeut, Bunnary Seng, Sovanncheypo Chao, Giselle G. K. Ng, Zhuang Yan, Monidarin Chou, James W. Rudge, Gavin J. D. Smith, Yvonne C. F. Su
Summary: Swine are a primary source for the emergence of pandemic influenza A viruses. Effective surveillance is essential to uncover emerging virus strains. This study revealed the co-circulation of multiple lineages of genetically diverse swine influenza A virus (swIAV) in Southeast Asia and identified a novel reassortant variant. The findings highlight the importance of genomic surveillance for early warning of disease emergence and prevention of future pandemics.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Zikun Jiang, Ning Tian, Yongdong Wang, Ya Li, Shaolin Zheng, Aowei Xie, Yanbin Zhu
Summary: This study presents an anatomically preserved fossil wood of the Sciadopityaceae from the Jurassic period in East Asia. The new genus Zhangoxylon may represent petrified wood similar to Sciadopitys, providing insights into the early evolutionary history of the Sciadopityaceae and the Jurassic Yanliao Biota in East Asia.
GEOLOGICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tristan Salles, Claire Mallard, Laurent Husson, Sabin Zahirovic, Anta-Clarisse Sarr, Pierre Sepulchre
Summary: Physiographic changes, such as river catchment drainage reorganisations, played an important role in Quaternary species diversification in Sundaland, Southeast Asia, according to simulations using combined landscape evolution and connectivity models. The changes have fragmented the environment into multiple habitats connected by migratory corridors. These results support the theory that rapidly evolving physiography could foster Quaternary biodiversification across Southeast Asia.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaowei Mao, Hucai Zhang, Shiyu Qiao, Yichen Liu, Fengqin Chang, Ping Xie, Ming Zhang, Tianyi Wang, Mian Li, Peng Cao, Ruowei Yang, Feng Liu, Qingyan Dai, Xiaotian Feng, Wanjing Ping, Chuzhao Lei, John W. Olsen, E. Andrew Bennett, Qiaomei Fu
Summary: Modern humans have been living in Northern East Asia as early as 40,000 years ago, as demonstrated by the Tianyuan individual. The genetic continuity of human populations in the Amur region has been maintained since 14ka, representing the closest East Asian source known for Ancient Paleo-Siberians. This study provides insights into the population dynamics of Northern East Asia.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sebastian Perez-Diaz, Monica Ruiz-Alonso, Jose Antonio Lopez-Saez, Alfonso Alday, Ana Cava-Almuzara
Summary: The strategic aim of research into climate change is to address contemporary challenges of global warming. Key topics of environmental research today include understanding ecosystem adaptation, evaluating the impacts of environmental change on human communities, and identifying regions more or less sensitive to climate change. This study explores the long-term changes in vegetation cover and human settlements in the upper Ebro river basin using palaeoenvironmental sequences from archaeological sites. The findings suggest a shift from open landscapes with pines and deciduous woods during the late Pleistocene to deciduous forest cover with few open areas and fewer pinewoods during the early Holocene.
VEGETATION HISTORY AND ARCHAEOBOTANY
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Guangjiu Ling, Chunmei Ma, Qing Yang, Zhujun Hu, Hongbo Zheng, Bin Liu, Ningyuan Wang, Minghui Chen, Ye Zhao
Summary: The Liangzhu culture, considered as the testimony of Chinese civilization's five thousand year history, remains a topic of intense debate regarding its rise, fall, and disappearance. Through sedimentological analysis, researchers reconstructed the landscape evolution of the Liangzhu Ancient City area, showing that it transitioned from being widely exposed in the early Holocene to becoming a swamp and saline area in the late Holocene.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Alejandro Fabian Zucol, Gustavo Martinez, Gustavo A. Martinez, Rodrigo Costa Angrizani
Summary: The El Tigre archaeological site in Argentina's Buenos Aires province reveals a sedimentary sequence that reflects the evolution of vegetation and soil formation over the past 1,000-400 years. Climate changes during this period significantly impacted the types of vegetation and soil processes observed at the site.
VEGETATION HISTORY AND ARCHAEOBOTANY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yannis Kappelmann, Hildegard Westphal, Dominik C. Kneer, Henry C. Wu, Andre Wizemann, Jamaluddin Jompa, Thomas Mann
Summary: The sediment deposits in Indonesian lagoons provide geological evidence that the morphological development of reef systems and habitable coastal areas are strongly affected by fluctuations in sea level and dominant wind direction, which can be influenced by changing environmental conditions in the context of global warming.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Raquel Pique, Marta Alcolea, Ferran Antolin, Marian Berihuete-Azorin, Anna Berrocal, David Rodriguez-Anton, Maria Herrero-Otal, Oriol Lopez-Bulto, Laura Obea, Jordi Revelles
Summary: This paper assesses whether human activities or climate were the main driver of vegetation changes during the Middle Holocene by studying archaeobotanical data from three case studies in Northeast Iberia. During the early Neolithic, settlement surroundings were intensively exploited for various resources, mainly from deciduous and pine forests, as well as riparian zones. The combination of plant exploitation with other agropastoral activities led to the expansion of colonizing species and increased biodiversity at a local scale.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiaohu Zhang, Shugang Yang, Peng Lu, Yaping Li, Panpan Chen, Zhengkai Xia
Summary: This study investigates the interaction between early human activities and landscape evolution in the piedmont of Taihang Mountain in China. The findings reveal that the region experienced extensive floodplains during the early-middle Holocene. With river downcutting and fixation, the flooded area shrank, providing suitable conditions for human settlement. This led to the development of culture and the flourishing of early civilization.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Tanghua Li, Stephen Chua, Fangyi Tan, Nicole S. Khan, Timothy A. Shaw, Jedrzej Majewski, Aron J. Meltzner, Adam D. Switzer, Patrick Wu, Benjamin P. Horton
Summary: This study investigates the sensitivity of mid-Holocene highstand properties to different Earth and ice model parameters using the relative sea level records of Southeast Asia. The study finds that variations in the Earth model only affect the magnitude of the highstand, while variations in the ice model can change both the timing and magnitude of the highstand. A treasure map of the mid-Holocene highstand is also produced to guide future data collection efforts in Southeast Asia.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
David Oldack Barcelos Ferreira Machado, Heloisa Helena Gomes Coe, Dione Da Rocha Bandeira, Rosa Souza, Giliane Gessica Rasbold, Karina Ferreira Chueng, Raphaella Rodrigues Dias, Jessica Ferreira, Celso Voos Vieira, Julio Cesar De Sa
Summary: This study analyzes the archaeological materials from the Casa de Pedra shell mound rock shelter in southeastern Brazil, to study aspects of the paleoenvironment. The findings reveal that the predominant phytoliths in the shell mound are from grasses, with some trees and palms present. There was no variation in vegetation type during the occupation period, but a slight increase in tree cover density was identified, possibly indicating an increase in precipitation.
VEGETATION HISTORY AND ARCHAEOBOTANY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Maurizio D'Orefice, Piero Bellotti, Tiberio Bellotti, Lina Davoli, Letizia Di Bella
Summary: This study investigates the landscape evolution of the Tuscany, Latium, and Campania coasts in Italy over the past 8000 years. The research reveals the significant impact of sea level rise, human activities, and natural forces on the morphological changes of the studied areas.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yajie Dong, Naiqin Wu, Fengjiang Li, Dan Zhang, Yueting Zhang, Caiming Shen, Houyuan Lu
Summary: Analyzing terrestrial mollusk assemblages from northern China, we found that the long-term warming trend and seasonal bias explanation observed in climate simulations during the Holocene does not align with the independent evidence from mollusk records. Summer and winter temperatures have a greater contribution to the mean annual temperature (MAT) than spring and autumn temperatures.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Paleontology
Ilaria Mazzini, Giuseppe Aiello, Peter Frenzel, Anna Pint
Summary: Ostracoda, with their calcitic shells, are versatile proxies in geoarchaeological contexts. They can provide detailed information about palaeoenvironments and anthropogenic impacts, as well as provenance analyses and stratigraphical investigations. In addition, they are ideal for studying sediment cores and smaller samples due to their small size and high abundance. Fossil ostracods can also provide valuable information about climate, sea level, and water constructions in archaeological contexts.
MARINE MICROPALEONTOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
M. C. Daly, P. Green, A. B. Watts, O. Davies, F. Chibesakunda, R. Walker
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2020)
Article
Geography, Physical
Mehdi Torabi, Morteza Fattahi, Hamideh Amini, Mohammad R. Ghassemi, Nasrin Karimi
QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL
(2020)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Q. Ou, G. Kulikova, J. Yu, A. Elliott, B. Parsons, R. Walker
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2020)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
John Dale B. Dianala, Romain Jolivet, Marion Y. Thomas, Yo Fukushima, Barry Parsons, Richard Walker
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2020)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Jingxing Yu, R. T. Walker, E. J. Rhodes, Peizhen Zhang, Chaopeng Li, Siyu Wang, Yizhou Wang, Fangbin Liu, Yuqi Hao
Summary: This research analyzed the late Quaternary tectonic activity in the Tacheng Basin, focusing on the East Tacheng fault zone using field observations and satellite imagery interpretations. The study revealed that the East Tacheng and Wuerkashier faults are nearly pure left-lateral subvertical strike-slip faults, with estimated horizontal slip rates. The findings suggest that regional crustal shortening controls the tectonic activity in the western Junggar Basin, with reactivated Paleozoic fault zones transferring deformation northeastward.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
X. Feng, J. Ma, Y. Zhou, P. England, B. Parsons, M. A. Rizza, R. T. Walker
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2020)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Simon Daout, Barry Parsons, Richard Walker
Summary: Surface observations and kinematic models of folding provide valuable insights into fault slip and earthquake hazards within thrust systems. The study in the North Qaidam thrust system shows long-term transient uplift and shortening post-earthquake, indicating anelastic fold buckling as a contributing factor to topography growth. The findings suggest a discrepancy between expected surface displacements and actual rates of deformation, highlighting the role of distributed aseismic deformation in shaping landscapes.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
R. T. Walker, Y. Bezmenov, G. Begenjev, S. Carolin, N. Dodds, C. Gruetzner, J. A. Jackson, R. Mirzin, Z. Mousavi, E. J. Rhodes
Summary: The study presents the first measurement of strike-slip and shortening rates along the Main Kopetdag Fault in Turkmenistan, revealing a high earthquake hazard potential. The rapid slip-rate estimated on the fault indicates a zone of high earthquake risk, despite the relatively low recent seismic activity.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ruth M. J. Amey, John R. Elliott, Ekbal Hussain, Richard Walker, Marco Pagani, Vitor Silva, Kanatbek E. Abdrakhmatov, C. Scott Watson
Summary: This study explores the seismic hazard and risk for Almaty, Kazakhstan through historical earthquake scenarios and simulations to evaluate potential damages and losses. It shows that a fault located to the north of Almaty city could be the most damaging scenario, as it is close to the city and much of the population and buildings are situated directly above the fault at depth.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Lizzie Knight, Alex Copley, Claudia Bertoni, R. Alistair Sloan, Richard Walker
Summary: The study found that changes in seismic thickness along the southern foreland are correlated with gradients in lithosphere thickness, likely due to the effects on the temperature structure of the crust. This variation in foreland strength results in thrust faulting in the east but intact foreland in the west. The recent tectonic reorganization in western New Guinea is likely attributed to increasing curvature in the Banda Arc and the impingement of continental material on the subduction zone.
GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Nicholas Dodds, Geldy Begenjev, Yevgeney Bezmenov, Christoph Gruetzner, Robert Mirzin, Edward Rhodes, Richard T. Walker, Paul Wordsworth
Summary: The Main Kopetdag fault in Turkmenistan is a long and rapidly straining fault in the Arabia-Eurasia collision zone. Despite low seismicity, field observations suggest recent activity and a potential hazard to populated regions of Turkmenistan and northeast Iran.
BULLETIN OF THE SEISMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
N. Dodds, S. Daout, R. T. Walker, G. Begenjev, Y. Bezmenov, R. Mirzin, B. Parsons
Summary: The Main Kopetdag Fault (MKDF) is a predominantly right-lateral strike-slip fault located on the northern edge of the Kopetdag mountains, dividing Turkmenistan and Iran. It plays a crucial role in the deformation caused by the Arabia-Eurasia collision and facilitates the motion of the South Caspian Basin (SCB). By analyzing InSAR time-series data, we obtained the interseismic motion across the MKDF and the path delays, which provided insights into the slip rate, locking depth, and compression rate of the fault system.
GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Mehdi Torabi, Morteza Fattahi, Mohammad R. Ghassemi, Ali Amiri, Mashalla Mohammad Saffar
Summary: This study aims to reconstruct the past climate by modeling the subsurface of playas. 3D models were created based on drilling cores from two large playas in central Iran. The models show that layers of mud formed in wetter-than-present surfaces and suggest at least four periods of severe climate change in central Iran.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2023)
Article
Geology
Azra Khosravichenar, Morteza Fattahi, Alireza Karimi, Hassan Fazeli Nashli, Hans Von Suchodoletz
E&G QUATERNARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Azra Khosravichenar, Morteza Fattahi, Hamideh Amini, Hans von Suchodoletz