Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
J. Howard Choat
Summary: A novel approach has revealed that the coelacanth can live up to a hundred years, highlighting the importance of measuring life-history traits that determine fish population demographics.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guangjie Cui, Yunbo Liu, Di Zu, Xintao Zhao, Zhijia Zhang, Do Young Kim, Pramith Senaratne, Aaron Fox, David Sept, Younggeun Park, Somin Eunice Lee
Summary: This study presents a nonbleaching phase intensity nanoscope (PINE) that can overcome the problem of photobleaching in bioimaging. By separating phase and intensity, PINE enables dynamic imaging of sub-10 nm cellular architectures over 250 h and reveals synchronized nanoscopic rearrangements with macroscale shape changes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rodrigo T. T. Figueroa, Danielle Goodvin, Matthew A. A. Kolmann, Michael I. I. Coates, Abigail A. M. Caron, Matt Friedman, Sam Giles
Summary: The study focuses on the brain and cranial nerve preservation of a 319-million-year-old ray-finned fish, Coccocephalus wildi. The findings reveal a more complex pattern of brain evolution in ray-finned fishes than previously thought, providing insights into the deep evolutionary assembly of major anatomical systems. The research highlights the importance of ancient soft tissue preservation for understanding the evolution of anatomical structures beyond skeletal tissues.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Deepak Adhikari, John Carroll
Summary: To ensure the health of the next generation and prevent unwanted mutations, egg cells have discovered a mechanism to avoid damage caused by harmful reactive oxygen species. The production of reactive oxygen species is minimized in oocytes.
Article
Ecology
Scott Lidgard, Emma Kitchen
Summary: The concept of living fossils has been continuously driving integrative research since Darwin used the term in 1859. This concept has been applied to a wide range of biological entities and has led to the emergence of primary criteria for designating living fossil status. In this paper, the authors conduct a comprehensive analysis of the use of the term 'living fossil' from 1860 to the present, examining patterns of change in phylogenetic diversity, taxonomic ranks and groups, subject areas, and criteria used. Their analyses reveal the expanding and diversifying nature of living fossils, as well as the increasing complexity of challenges faced in this field.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wil V. Srubar
Summary: The field of engineered living materials (ELMs) at the intersection of synthetic biology and materials science has become a new, standalone discipline, where the fusion of bioengineering and classical materials science has led to significant breakthroughs in the synthesis of complex materials. However, the transdisciplinary nature and rapid growth of the field have made it challenging for holistic comprehension of achievements related to ELM tools, techniques, and applications across disciplines.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Renxing Liang, Zhou Li, Maggie C. Y. Lau Vetter, Tatiana A. Vishnivetskaya, Oksana G. Zanina, Karen G. Lloyd, Susan M. Pfiffner, Elizaveta M. Rivkina, Wei Wang, Jessica Wiggins, Jennifer Miller, Robert L. Hettich, Tullis C. Onstott
Summary: By combining DNA repair protocols with high throughput sequencing, 52 metagenome-assembled genomes were reconstructed from ancient microbial DNA trapped in Siberian coastal permafrost. The genomes from different sediment layers revealed the evolutionary history and adaptive strategies of microbes to long-term survivability in ancient permafrost. The study provides insights into microbial successions and long-term survival mechanisms under cryogenic conditions, with potential applications in studying ancient non-permafrost environments and search for extraterrestrial life on Mars.
Article
Plant Sciences
Tania Lindner Dutra, Leandro C. A. Martinez, Thiers Wilberger
Summary: A new genus and species of Leguminosae wood has been discovered and described, and its classification was established through detailed comparisons among living subfamilies and a revision of fossil woods. By examining the presence of some wood characters and using modern related forms, it was inferred that seasonal palaeoclimatic conditions existed in Northeast Brazil at the end of the Oligocene.
REVIEW OF PALAEOBOTANY AND PALYNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xinyue Liu, Maria Eugenia Inda, Yong Lai, Timothy K. Lu, Xuanhe Zhao
Summary: Living biological systems have inspired the field of engineered living materials, which brings together engineered living cells and nonliving matrices. By designing the functionalities of cells and the structures of matrices, engineered living materials can detect environmental variability and adjust their functions accordingly. This technology has potential applications in health monitoring, disease treatment, and environmental remediation. Hydrogels, a type of soft and biocompatible material, have been widely used as matrices for engineered living cells.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mingle Li, Kalayou Hiluf Gebremedhin, Dandan Ma, Zhongji Pu, Tao Xiong, Yunjie Xu, Jong Seung Kim, Xiaojun Peng
Summary: The article introduces a conditionally activatable photoredox catalysis method, which achieves more effective tumor treatment through site-specific photoredox. This approach enables control of photoresponsivity while ensuring biocompatibility and safety.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Claire J. Weaver, Aleena L. Patel, Stanislav Y. Shvartsman, Michael S. Levine, Nicholas Treen
Summary: This study investigates the regulation of transcription factor condensates by ERK signaling in embryos of a simple proto-vertebrate. The authors demonstrate that ERK signaling induces changes in the localization of transcriptional repressor ERF and observe dynamic assembly and dissociation of condensates during interphase. These findings provide insights into the regulation of gene activity and cell signaling.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Di Li, Kenny Jandausch, Hans Pohl, Margarita I. Yavorskaya, Xingyue Liu, Rolf G. Beutel
Summary: This study examines the 1st instar larvae of Dilar montanus and provides live observations for the first time. The larvae display features associated with their underground lifestyle and possess intrinsic antennal muscles and Johnston's organ. The function of the ovipositor and the egg-laying behavior in adult females are also described.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Norbert Juergens, Imke Oncken, Jens Oldeland, Felicitas Gunter, Barbara Rudolph
Summary: Welwitschia mirabilis, a unique plant species, is found in northern Namib Desert in Angola and Namibia, with high genetic divergence and possibly two subspecies. The study reveals the presence of multiple unique gene pools within the species, indicating the evolution of diversity within the refuge of the northern Namib Desert.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Una Matras, Ian Salter, Karin Margretha H. Larsen, Eilif Gaard, Petur Steingrund
Summary: The growth of Arctica islandica, a bivalve species, is found to be correlated with various climatic, oceanographic, and biological variables. It is negatively correlated with the volume transport of the Faroe Current and a zooplankton biomass index, while positively correlated with an index of primary production and the biomass of the fish species Melanogrammus aeglefinus. These findings suggest that A. islandica growth could serve as a proxy for pelagic-benthic coupling and be used to link variability in pelagic ecosystem dynamics to demersal fish stocks.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zane Walker, Gar W. Rothwell, Ruth A. Stockey
Summary: An anatomically preserved fossil fern sporeling has been found in Vancouver Island, Canada, providing insights into the growth patterns of an extinct species. The study reveals the occurrence of a new species and shows evidence of developmental changes as the sporeling increased in size.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
