Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Felipe Cerezer, Cristian Dambros, Marco Coelho, Fernanda Cassemiro, Elisa Barreto, James Albert, Rafael Wueest, Catherine Graham
Summary: By studying speciation rates in South American freshwater fishes, this research uncovers key associations between body size evolution, especially rapid changes in uplands, and accelerated speciation. It highlights the importance of integrative approaches that consider the interplay of biotic and abiotic factors in generating macroecological patterns of species diversity.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arnold Sullivan, Wenxiu Zhong, Gian Luca Eusebi Borzelli, Tao Geng, Chloe Mackallah, Benjamin Ng, Chi-Cherng Hong, Wenju Cai, An-Yi Huang, Roger Bodman
Summary: The study demonstrates that the triggering mechanism of westerly wind bursts is quantifiable physical processes rather than atmospheric stochastic signals, and are the result of nonlinear interactions on seasonal, interannual, and decadal time scales. The East Asian monsoon and cross-equatorial flow in the Australian monsoon region are essential sources of high-frequency winds in the western Pacific, while the interannual wind component is closely related to El Nino occurrences.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Leah A. Jackson-Blake, Francois Clayer, Elvira de Eyto, Andrew S. French, Maria Dolores Frias, Daniel Mercado-Bettin, Tadhg Moore, Laura Puertolas, Russell Poole, Karsten Rinke, Muhammed Shikhani, Leon van der Linden, Rafael Marce
Summary: This study examines the value of seasonal forecasting for decision-making in extratropical regions and highlights the need to reduce forecast uncertainty and develop practical experience before incorporating forecasts into operational decision-making.
HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Elisabetta Venturini, Lara Fusani, Antonia Mantella, Leila Bianchi, Alberto Antonelli, Carlotta Montagnani, Elena Chiappini, Michele Spinicci, Alessandro Bartoloni, Gian Maria Rossolini, Lorenzo Zammarchi, Luisa Galli
Summary: A study in Italy found that Strongyloidiasis in children is often asymptomatic, but infected children need to be identified and treated promptly. Special attention should be paid to high-risk groups such as immigrants and international adoptees.
Review
Microbiology
Sara Caldrer, Tamara Ursini, Beatrice Santucci, Leonardo Motta, Andrea Angheben
Summary: This narrative review discusses the association between different helminthic infections and anaemia, emphasizing the importance of recognizing this relationship even in non-endemic countries. The review provides comprehensive information on the epidemiology, lifecycle, clinical spectrum, and diagnostic approach of anaemia, with a particular focus on helminthic infections.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ernest T. Y. Wu, Yang Liu, Linda Jennings, Shanshan Dong, T. Jonathan Davies
Summary: Glacial refugia have played a significant role in shaping diversity gradients outside the tropics. Mosses in Haida Gwaii, a putative glacial refugium, exhibit a phylogenetic structure that is likely influenced by glacial history, highlighting the importance of glacial refugia in maintaining extratropical moss diversity.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yali Liu, Meng Qu, Han Jiang, Ralf Schneider, Geng Qin, Wei Luo, Haiyan Yu, Bo Zhang, Xin Wang, Yanhong Zhang, Huixian Zhang, Zhixin Zhang, Yongli Wu, Yingyi Zhang, Jianping Yin, Si Zhang, Byrappa Venkatesh, Olivia Roth, Axel Meyer, Qiang Lin
Summary: The study reveals the association between male pregnancy in seahorses and specific immunological adaptations. Amino acid replacement in the tlx1 transcription factor is linked to asplenia in seahorses, indicating the loss of spleen is related to the immune system. Comparative genomics also suggests that the complexity of immune system gene repertoire decreases as parental care intensity increases.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nathan M. Michielsen, Steven M. Goodman, Voahangy Soarimalala, Alexandra A. E. van der Geer, Liliana M. Davalos, Grace Saville, Nathan Upham, Luis Valente
Summary: Many unique species in Madagascar are at risk of extinction, and the long-term impact of these extinctions in terms of evolutionary history is unknown. By analyzing the phylogenetic dataset of Madagascar's non-marine mammals, researchers estimated the natural rates of extinction, colonization, and speciation. The results showed that the extinction of currently threatened species would have a much greater impact on evolution than previous extinctions since human arrival. Immediate conservation actions are needed to prevent an imminent extinction wave with significant evolutionary consequences.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Yihang Zhou, Haifeng Wang, Congcong Liu, Binyu Liao, Ye Li, Yanjie Zhu, Zhangqi Hu, Jianxiang Liao, Dong Liang
Summary: Three-dimensional MRI is becoming increasingly popular in clinical applications due to its improved through-plane spatial resolution, which enhances the detection of subtle abnormalities and provides valuable clinical information. However, the long data acquisition time and high computational cost present significant challenges. This comprehensive review summarizes the latest advancements in accelerated 3D MR techniques, covering over 200 research studies conducted in the past 20 years, and explores the development of MR signal excitation and encoding, advancements in reconstruction algorithms, and potential clinical applications.
PHYSICS IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Business
R. Rajakumar, Kaushik Sekaran, Ching-Hsien Hsu, Seifedine Kadry
Summary: This paper introduces a novel SI algorithm, Accelerated Gray Wolf Optimization (AGWO), which incorporates the enhanced hierarchy into GWO technique. The algorithm strengthens the local and global search process by introducing a mathematical model and proposes a diversity measure to eradicate the local confinement while maintaining a perfect balance between intensification and diversification process. The proposed methodology also includes a parameter tuned strategy to speed up the convergence rate and is tested on various benchmark problems, showing better performance compared to other algorithms.
TECHNOLOGICAL FORECASTING AND SOCIAL CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tingru Mao, Yewei Liu, Mariana M. Vasconcellos, Marcio R. Pie, Gajaba Ellepola, Chenghai Fu, Jian Yang, Madhava Meegaskumbura
Summary: This study used RADseq to investigate the evolution of Sinocyclocheilus fishes in China. The results revealed the evolutionary relationships and mechanisms of troglomorphism in Sinocyclocheilus, showing that this species has evolved multiple derived cave-adapted traits. Six major clades were identified within Sinocyclocheilus, providing valuable insights for future research on the evolution and adaptation of cave life in this fish genus.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biology
Shinichi Morita, Kazuki Sakura, Hiroki Gotoh, Douglas J. Emlen, Teruyuki Niimi
Summary: The exaggerated horns of beetles are ideal models for studying the origin of novel traits and morphological evolution. Different closely related species show significant differences in the size, number, shape, and body region of their horns. Beetle horns also exhibit nutrition-dependent phenotypic plasticity, with the largest and best-condition individuals showing disproportionate growth of their horns, while poor-condition individuals have much smaller or even stunted horns. Recent research using genome sequencing has revealed these exciting phenomena in beetle horns.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Debajit Das, Dhanawantari L. Singha, Ricky Raj Paswan, Naimisha Chowdhury, Monica Sharma, Palakolanu Sudhakar Reddy, Channakeshavaiah Chikkaputtaiah
Summary: Precise genome engineering approaches are the second paradigm for targeted trait improvement in crop plants, overcoming the limitations of conventional CRISPR/Cas technology. Enhancing stress tolerance and productivity in crops is crucial for global food production. CRISPR/Cas technology and its derivatives have revolutionized plant molecular biology and have significant implications for crop genetic improvement.
Article
Developmental Biology
Guopeng Liu, Chunxiao Zhang, Yuting Wang, Guangyi Dai, Shu-Qun Liu, Wenshuai Wang, Yi-Hsuan Pan, Jianping Ding, Haipeng Li
Summary: The study identified accelerated evolution events in the ancestral lineage of placental mammals, suggesting that structural changes in NRK may have occurred, potentially affecting its function and activity.
Review
Polymer Science
Masoud Tayefi, Mostafa Eesaee, Meysam Hassanipour, Said Elkoun, Eric David, Phuong Nguyen-Tri
Summary: The accelerated thermal aging of elastomeric compounds has attracted significant attention from researchers due to its impact on the properties and service life of elastomers. Many studies have focused on understanding the effect of exposure to elevated temperatures on the chemical and physical aspects of these compounds. This work aims to collect and compare research conducted over the past two decades to form a reference for future work on the accelerated aging of elastomers.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Courtney L. Davis, Robert P. Guralnick, Elise F. Zipkin
Summary: Natural history collections provide valuable information for understanding the impact of global change on biodiversity. However, using museum records to track long-term insect population trends poses challenges due to spatiotemporal biases and data sparsity. Recent advancements in methodology and integrated modeling offer opportunities to overcome these challenges and accurately estimate population trends.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhi-Yuan Du, Qiu-Yun (Jenny) Xiang, Jin Cheng, Wenbin Zhou, Qing-Feng Wang, Douglas E. E. Soltis, Pamela S. S. Soltis
Summary: This study integrates three sets of genome-wide data to investigate the evolutionary history and classification of Cornaceae (containing Cornus s.l.). The results reveal the origin and rapid diversification of Cornus into four major clades in the Northern Hemisphere during the late Cretaceous, with an eastern Asian ancestor. The study also suggests that dispersal into Africa likely occurred during the Paleogene, while dispersal into South America likely occurred during the Neogene. Thirteen well-supported clades were named following the rules of the PhyloCode.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Douglas E. Soltis, Vassiliki Betty Smocovitis, Kasey K. Pham, Maria Beatriz S. Cortez, Annika L. Smith, Pamela S. Soltis
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ingrid E. Jordon-Thaden, Jonathan P. Spoelhof, Lyderson Facio Viccini, Joseph Combs, Francisco Gomez Jr, Imari Walker, Douglas E. Soltis, Pamela S. Soltis
Summary: A study on allopolyploids and their parental species in Tragopogon genus shows that allopolyploidy results in some phenotypic changes, such as larger physical traits and increased photosynthetic capacity. However, there is no significant reproductive advantage for polyploid species. Comparison between natural and synthetic allopolyploids revealed minimal differences in traits.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Ryan A. Folk, Michelle L. Gaynor, Nicholas J. Engle-Wrye, Brian C. O'Meara, Pamela S. Soltis, Douglas E. Soltis, Robert P. Guralnick, Stephen A. Smith, Charles J. Grady, Yudai Okuyama
Summary: Applications of molecular phylogenetic approaches have revealed evidence of hybridization across various clades of life. This study focuses on the Heuchereae clade in Saxifragaceae and uses a combination of nuclear and chloroplast data to confirm previous hybridization events and identify a new one. The results suggest that past climate change and species' ecological strategies play important roles in shaping patterns of range contact and opportunities for hybridization.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Douglas E. Soltis, Evgeny V. Mavrodiev, Vladimir Brukhin, Eric H. Roalson, Dirk C. Albach, Grant T. Godden, Yuri E. Alexeev, Matthew A. Gitzendanner, Craig C. Freeman, Victor N. Suarez-Santiago, Pamela S. Soltis
Summary: Tragopogon (Asteraceae) is a genus that includes two recently formed allopolyploids, T. mirus and T. miscellus, in western North America. The introduction of diploid parents, T. dubius and T. porrifolius from Europe, played a role in the formation of these allopolyploids. In this study, we focused on the introduction of the second diploid parent, T. pratensis, into North America. Our findings show that T. pratensis as currently defined is polyphyletic, with at least four major ITS types in its native range. Two of these ITS types have been introduced from Europe into North America and are widespread in Canada and the U.S.A. The formation of T. miscellus in the western North America involved only one of these ITS types. Our research suggests that not all genotypes of T. pratensis may be capable of participating in the formation of allopolyploids. Additionally, we found that there are genetically distinct entities within T. pratensis that may be considered separate species. Further research involving phylogenetic analyses, taxonomy, morphology, and cytology are needed to fully understand the complexities of T. pratensis.
Article
Plant Sciences
Myoungbo Kang, Andre Chanderbali, Seungyeon Lee, Douglas E. Soltis, Pamela S. Soltis, Sangtae Kim
Summary: This article presents an effective HMW DNA extraction method that combines nuclei extraction and CTAB extraction, resulting in longer and purer DNA fragments compared to a commercial kit. This protocol can be widely used in plant genomic research.
APPLICATIONS IN PLANT SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
C. J. Campbell, Vijay Barve, Michael W. Belitz, Joshua R. Doby, Elizabeth White, Carrie Seltzer, Grace Di Cecco, Allen H. Hurlbert, Robert Guralnick
Summary: The iNaturalist platform generates millions of research-grade biodiversity records by involving users in taxonomic identification. This article investigates the role of identifiers and their efforts in supporting data generation, finding that a small subset of highly active users play a crucial role in processing observations. The experience of identifiers determines the quality and time required to reach research-grade records, which has been greatly reduced with the use of computer vision. Although identifications are generally stable, biases still exist. Suggestions for improving identification quality and enhancing equitable credit and trust among observers, identifiers, and data users are provided.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Amanda K. Weller, Olivia S. Chapman, Sarah L. Gora, Robert P. Guralnick, Bryan S. Mclean
Summary: The digitization and open availability of life history traits measured directly from individuals provide a key means of linking organismal function to environmental and ecological contexts at fine resolution. In this study, we use digitized museum specimen and census data to investigate the impact of climate and body size on litter size in 39 small mammals across North America. Our findings show that both climate and body size have significant influences on litter size, with body size being the stronger factor. The individual-level biodiversity records improve the precision and granularity of ecological studies and contribute to a better understanding of tradeoffs between energetic supply and demand in wild mammals.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Jonathan P. P. Spoelhof, Pamela S. S. Soltis, Douglas E. E. Soltis
Article
Plant Sciences
Melanie Tietje, Alexandre Antonelli, Felix Forest, Rafael Govaerts, Stephen A. Smith, Miao Sun, William J. Baker, Wolf L. Eiserhardt
Summary: Regions with high unique phylogenetic diversity (PD) are important for conservation. The global distribution of plant PD remains poorly understood, but our analysis using a comprehensive global checklist of vascular plants identifies hotspots of unique plant PD. Our results support three hypotheses: PD is more evenly distributed than species diversity, areas of highest PD do not maximize cumulative PD, and multiple biomes are needed to maximize cumulative PD.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jun Zhang, Xiao-Qian Li, Huan-Wen Peng, Lisi Hai, Andrey S. S. Erst, Florian Jabbour, Rosa del C. Ortiz, Fu-Cai Xia, Pamela S. S. Soltis, Douglas E. E. Soltis, Wei Wang
Summary: The Arctic tundra is a relatively young and new biome that is highly susceptible to global warming. This study investigates the origin and evolutionary dynamics of the Arctic flora, finding that both long-term dispersal and in situ speciation may have contributed to its assembly, in association with landscape, climate, and sea-level changes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Case Youngflesh, Graham A. Montgomery, James F. Saracco, David A. W. Miller, Robert P. Guralnick, Allen H. Hurlbert, Rodney B. Siegel, Raphael LaFrance, Morgan W. Tingley
Summary: Changes in phenology have been observed globally, with concerns that ecological interactions may become decoupled. However, evidence for the demographic consequences of phenological asynchrony remains elusive.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Han-Yang Lin, Miao Sun, Ya-Jun Hao, Daijiang Li, Matthew A. Gitzendanner, Cheng-Xin Fu, Douglas E. Soltis, Pamela S. Soltis, Yun-Peng Zhao
Summary: This study investigates the patterns of phylogenetic diversity (PD) and phylogenetic beta diversity (PBD) of congeners disjunctly distributed between eastern Asia and eastern North America (EA-ENA disjuncts) and their associated factors. The results show that, despite having fewer disjunct species than EA, ENA disjuncts have higher standardized effect size of PD (SES-PD) at the continental scale. The SES-PD of EA-ENA disjuncts decreases with increasing latitude, with a stronger latitudinal diversity gradient in EA sites.
Article
Cell Biology
Douglas E. Soltis, Jennifer A. Tate, Pamela S. Soltis, V. Vaughan Symonds
Summary: Allopolyploidy is an important force in evolution. The compatibility hypothesis suggests that only a subset of genotypes can form viable hybrids, leading to allopolyploid formation. Evidence from natural allopolyploids in Tragopogon suggests that the compatibility model plays a significant role. The implications of this model for other allopolyploids are also discussed.
