Article
Biology
Anne Hildenbrand, Gregor Austermann, Dirk Fuchs, Peter Bengtson, Wolfgang Stinnesbeck
Summary: Hildenbrand, Austermann et al. present new fossil material from the early Cambrian of Newfoundland that could push back the evolution of cephalopods to a time before the appearance of euarthropods. The material shows close alignment with Cephalopoda, suggesting significant implications for the origin of this molluscan group.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael Steiner, Ben Yang, Simon Hohl, Da Li, Philip Donoghue
Summary: In Mongolia, researchers have discovered a new assemblage of Cambrian eggs, embryos, and early postembryonic stages, shedding light on the development and evolution of ancient bilaterian animals.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Feiyang Chen, Timothy P. Topper, Christian B. Skovsted, Luke C. Strotz, Jian Shen, Zhifei Zhang
Summary: The Guanshan Biota in the Cambrian Stage 4 reveals an ecological transition from trilobite-dominated to brachiopod-dominated communities. The presence of parasitic tube worms associated with palaeoscolecidomorphs and brachiopods provides evidence of biological interactions in the ecosystem. This study highlights the complexity of early Cambrian ecosystems and the role of brachiopods as ecosystem engineers.
Article
Biology
Huaqiao Zhang, Shuhai Xiao, Mats E. Eriksson, Baichuan Duan, Andreas Maas
Summary: This study reports the exceptional preservation of cycloneuralian introvert musculature in Fortunian rocks of South China, indicating a possible affinity with scalidophorans or priapulans and evolution during the early Cambrian Period.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jie Yang, Tian Lan, Xi-guang Zhang, Martin R. Smith
Summary: The origins of animal phyla and their body plans can be traced back to a burst of evolution during the Cambrian period. However, the fossil remains of the phylum Bryozoa, known as colonial 'moss animals', have been difficult to identify due to their similarities with other animal and algal groups. The phosphatic microfossil Protomelission is currently the strongest candidate for Bryozoa fossils, but new findings suggest that it may actually be the earliest dasycladalean green alga and not a bryozoan.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yaqin Qiang, Jiaxin Peng, Zuchen Song, Jie Sun, Xiaofang Zhao, Guoxiang Li, Jian Han, Junfeng Guo
Summary: New well-preserved specimens of Anabarella were found in the Yanjiahe Formation in the Three Gorges area, confirming the presence of A. plana and revising the taxonomy of the genus in South China. The microstructures of A. plana suggest that it may have had a semi-infaunal mode of life and indicate its potential ancestral relationship with Watsonella.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Mihaela Melinte-Dobrinescu, Gabriel Ion, Eliza Anton, Vlad Apotrosoaei, Andrei Briceag, Constantin Lazar
Summary: This study investigates a marlstone and claystone succession in the Eastern Carpathians, finding evidence of the second oceanic anoxic event (OAE2). The study shows a significant change in the calcareous nannofossil assemblages and a decrease in their abundance and diversity during OAE2. Additionally, the study identifies some nannofossil species related to mid- and high-latitudes.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Guangyou Zhu, Tingting Li, Kun Zhao, Chao Li, Meng Cheng, Weiyan Chen, Huihui Yan, Zhiyao Zhang, Thomas J. Algeo
Summary: This study reports on the Mo isotopic compositions and iron speciation data of black shales from the Tarim block during the early Cambrian, providing insights into the paleoenvironment and oxygenation conditions in the ancient seawater.
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA BULLETIN
(2022)
Review
Geography, Physical
Ziheng Li, Min Zhang, Zhong-Qiang Chen, Thomas J. Algeo, Laishi Zhao, Feifei Zhang
Summary: The co-evolution of marine redox conditions and early animals during the early Cambrian was crucial to the development of the modern Earth ecosystem. Geochemical proxies and fossil records from Burgess Shale-type fossil Lagerstatten in South China reveal a dynamic euxinic wedge controlling redox variations in the Nanhua Basin, with expansion and contraction influencing the emergence of early animals like those in the Chengjiang and Qingjiang biotas. Global marine oxygenation may have facilitated ecologic complexity and biodiversification of early animals during Cambrian Age 3.
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Xing Wang, Jean Vannier, Xiaoguang Yang, Lucas Leclere, Qiang Ou, Xikun Song, Tsuyoshi Komiya, Jian Han
Summary: Although there is little direct information available on the muscle systems of early animals, this study describes exceptionally preserved muscles in benthic olivooid medusozoans from the basal Cambrian, providing the oldest record of a muscle system in cnidarians. These muscles likely helped early Cambrian jellyfish to develop jet-propelled swimming within the water column.
Article
Biology
James D. Holmes, John R. Paterson, Diego C. Garcia-Bellido
Summary: Analyzing the growth dynamics of trilobites revealed significant changes in post-embryonic axial growth at different developmental stages, which are closely related to sexual maturity in extant euarthropods. The observed body segmentation patterns in trilobites suggest a complex series of changing growth controls, indicating a more complex development than previously thought.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Peiyun Cong
Summary: Genic and genomic data have reshaped our understanding of the Cambrian Evolutionary Radiation, not only by rearranging phylogenetic topologies but also by deciphering deep homologies. The study of problematic fossils from early Cambrian Lagerstatten, like the Chengjiang biota, reveals controversies in their interpretation and impacts on understanding early animal evolution. Despite difficulties, a testable method for interpreting fossils has emerged, making Cambrian problematic fossils valuable in the parsing tree of animal evolution.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geology
Haiying Yang, Zhifang Zhao, Yong Xia, Jiafei Xiao
Summary: The research found that REY in the Zhijin phosphorite mainly exists in apatites by isomorphous substitution, adsorbed by Fe-/Mn oxides/hydroxides or organic matters. Nd and Ce-anom plots indicate lower sedimentation rates of REY, allowing sufficient time for REY absorption in seawater. Apart from variations in ocean chemistry, constrained paleogeography provided a suitable space for REY entering apatite crystals.
SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Xiao-yu Yang, Jean Vannier, Jie Yang, Deng Wang, Xi-guang Zhang
Summary: Researchers have discovered egg clusters of the tube-dwelling priapulid worm from the Cambrian period, providing insights into the unchanged structure of female tubular gonads over half a billion years. These findings offer key information on the reproductive organs and strategies of early ecdysozoans, shedding light on the significance of ecology in the reproductive strategies and lifestyles of modern and Cambrian worms.
GEOSCIENCE FRONTIERS
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Software Engineering
Alessia Marcolini, Nicole Bussola, Ernesto Arbitrio, Mohamed Amgad, Giuseppe Jurman, Cesare Furlanello
Summary: This study introduces histolab, a Python package for standardizing the preprocessing of whole slide images in digital pathology. The package is supported by automated testing and provides functionalities such as building tile datasets, augmentation and morpho-logical operators, tile scoring framework, and stain normalization methods.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
T. Amdur, A. R. Stine, P. Huybers
Summary: The sensitivity of global surface temperature to solar variability is contentious, with various estimates ranging from 0.02 to 0.18 K (W m(-2))(-1). The study suggests a best estimate sensitivity of 0.05 K (W m(-2))(-1) based on lagged multiple linear regression. Revised estimates indicate a relatively modest role for solar cycle variability in driving global surface temperature variations.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tamma Carleton, Jules Cornetet, Peter Huybers, Kyle C. Meng, Jonathan Proctor
Summary: The study found that UV radiation has a significant effect on the daily growth rates of COVID-19 cases, while temperature and humidity do not show significant cumulative effects. Simulations illustrate how seasonal changes in UV have influenced regional patterns of COVID-19 growth rates, indicating that UV has a smaller effect on disease spread compared to social distancing policies.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Duo Chan, Peter Huybers
Summary: The study suggests that the warm anomaly in sea surface temperature during World War II may be attributed to observational biases, particularly data from U.S. and U.K. naval observations. Adjusted SST estimates after systematic corrections provide a more stable record of historical warming trends, with the WW2 SST anomaly falling within the range of internal variability found in model simulations.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicole E. Kogan, Leonardo Clemente, Parker Liautaud, Justin Kaashoek, Nicholas B. Link, Andre T. Nguyen, Fred S. Lu, Peter Huybers, Bernd Resch, Clemens Havas, Andreas Petutschnig, Jessica Davis, Matteo Chinazzi, Backtosch Mustafa, William P. Hanage, Alessandro Vespignani, Mauricio Santillana
Summary: The study found that changes in digital data stream activity can anticipate increases in confirmed cases and deaths of COVID-19 by 2 to 3 weeks, and confirmed cases and deaths also decrease 2 to 4 weeks after implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Combining health and behavioral data may help in identifying disease activity changes in advance.
Article
Statistics & Probability
Chenguang Dai, Duo Chan, Peter Huybers, Natesh Pillai
Summary: Accurate estimates of historical changes in sea surface temperatures are crucial for understanding climate change. This study proposes a Bayesian framework to quantify position errors in historical SST estimates, focusing on data from 1885. The uncertainties in ship positions due to dead reckoning and celestial correction play a significant role in SST estimations.
ANNALS OF APPLIED STATISTICS
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Aleyda M. Trevino, Alexander R. Stine, Peter Huybers
Summary: Neural networks have been found to be more skillful than linear methods in reconstructing the self-calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI) in the contiguous United States. The improved skill of the neural network reconstructions is attributed to capturing non-linear growth-climate relationships. The results suggest less severe and more stable incidences of drought in the U.S. Southwest over the past two centuries.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Parker Liautaud, Peter Huybers
Summary: Study analyzes the sensitivity of sea level to CO2 changes during different ice sheet dynamics in late Pleistocene and early Pleistocene, indicating that the sea level response to radiative forcing was less sensitive in the early Pleistocene compared to the late Pleistocene.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Duo Chan, Angela Rigden, Jonathan Proctor, Pak Wah Chan, Peter Huybers
Summary: The variability of summertime temperature and its implications for climate adaptation and mitigation are important. CMIP5 simulations suggest a compound risk of extreme hot temperatures due to both warming and increasing temperature variance, while CMIP6 simulations indicate a moderate increase in temperature variance unrelated to warming. Sensitivity to forcing increases with local warming in both CMIP5 and CMIP6, while forcing variance remains stable in CMIP5 but decreases in CMIP6 with warming. The stability of CMIP6 temperature variance is a result of offsetting changes in sensitivity and forcing variance.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Peter Huybers
Summary: Spectral analysis of the GISP2 delta O-18 record revealed a 1/(1470 yr) peak, which was later found to be insignificant after adjustments and multiple hypothesis testing. The study highlights the importance of considering higher-order ARMA processes in evaluating spectral significance.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Angela J. Rigden, Christopher Golden, Peter Huybers
Summary: This study quantitatively analyzes the relationship between soil moisture and food production in Madagascar using historical data. Strong correlations are found between soil moisture and rice production, while additional factors need to be considered for predicting cassava, maize, and sweet potato production. This research provides scientific evidence for improving food security among subsistence farmers in Madagascar.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peter Huybers, Parker Liautaud, Cristian Proistosescu, Bridgit Boulahanis, Suzanne M. Carbotte, Richard F. Katz, Charles Langmuir
Summary: It is found that changes in sea level can influence the pattern of bathymetry flanking midocean ridges, and this influence is related to the periodic variations in melt supply. The analysis of bathymetry across different midocean ridge regions supports the predictions from the faulting model, and also reveals a connection between the sea floor fabric and the periods of Pleistocene sea-level variability and Earth's variations in axial tilt.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Parker Liautaud, Peter Huybers
Summary: Despite recent advances in empirical and modeling studies, uncertainties remain regarding atmospheric CO2 concentrations during the early Pleistocene. Using a Bayesian paleoclimate model, it was inferred that CO2 concentrations averaged 241 ppm between 2 and 0.8 Ma. Uncertainty estimates accounted for various factors including orbital forcing and age uncertainties.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna Lea Albright, Peter Huybers
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
T. Amdur, P. Huybers
Summary: Differences in total solar irradiance (TSI) estimates were found during the ACRIM Gap of 1989-1991, when satellite-based observations were inconsistent in trend without on-board calibration. By using the Bayesian hierarchical model for TSI (BTSI), TSI during the ACRIM Gap was inferred from both satellite-based observations and proxies of solar activity. The results showed a minimal change of 0.01 W/m(2) in TSI across the Gap, consistent with other reconstructions.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-ATMOSPHERES
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jonathan Proctor, Angela Rigden, Duo Chan, Peter Huybers
Summary: This study uses satellite-based measurements to estimate the influence of root zone soil moisture and surface air temperature on global crop productivity. The results show that models using soil moisture as a proxy for water supply explain more of the interannual yield variation compared to models using precipitation. The study also demonstrates the importance of accurately representing water supply for predicting changes in global agricultural productivity and designing adaptation strategies.