Article
Plant Sciences
Eduardo Fernandez-Pascual, Angelino Carta, Andrea Mondoni, Lohengrin A. Cavieres, Sergey Rosbakh, Susanna Venn, Annisa Satyanti, Lydia Guja, Veronica F. Briceno, Filip Vandelook, Efisio Mattana, Arne Saatkamp, Haiyan Bu, Karen Sommerville, Peter Poschlod, Kun Liu, Adrienne Nicotra, Borja Jimenez-Alfaro
Summary: Assumptions about the germination ecology of alpine plants are currently based on individual species and local studies, but a meta-analysis of primary data across four continents suggests that most alpine plants have similar seed germination patterns, with strong requirements for cold stratification and positive responses to temperature and light cues.
Review
Plant Sciences
Na Wang, Zhonghua Zhang, Wenhua Xu, Huakun Zhou, Rongchun Ning
Summary: This article mainly introduces the characteristics and functions of Kobresia, analyzes the factors that lead to low germination rate of Kobresia seeds, and proposes methods to alleviate dormancy. The article provides suggestions for future research, aiming to provide information support for planting Kobresia and theoretical and technical guidance for ecosystem restoration and livestock development.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jennifer Auld, Susan E. Everingham, Frank A. Hemmings, Angela T. Moles
Summary: The study reveals that Australian alpine plant species are shifting rapidly to higher elevations in response to climate change. This could potentially help the species to adapt and persist, but if current warming trends continue, several species within the Australian alpine zone may lose suitable habitat in the future.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Szymon Jastrzebowski, Joanna Ukalska, Adam Guziejko, Radoslaw Puchalka
Summary: The study found that both current and future predicted winter warm spells have a negative impact on the early germination stage (GE and GC) of Douglas fir seeds, while they will not negatively affect the late germination stage (FGC).
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Muhammad Awais Farooq, Wei Ma, Shuxing Shen, Aixia Gu
Summary: The successful germination of seeds is crucial for maximizing crop production, and it requires a precise balance of phytohormones, light, and temperature. The interaction between plant hormones inside the seed and external temperature and light signals leads to the rupture of the seed testa and promotes successful seed germination.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Joshua S. Lynn, Tom E. X. Miller, Jennifer A. Rudgers
Summary: This study found that mammalian herbivores are key drivers of the low-elevation range limits of alpine plants. Exclosures can increase plant population growth rates, with a more significant effect in novel habitats, implying that novel interactions may have negative impacts on plant populations.
Article
Horticulture
Alvaro Delgado, Jose A. Egea, Eike Luedeling, Enrique Dapena
Summary: In the context of global warming, analyzing historic temperature records is crucial to understand climate change impacts on spring phenology. Despite significant temperature increase since 1978, local apple cultivars in northwestern Spain showed minor changes in bloom dates. This might be due to the small effect of temperature changes on chill accumulation and possible delay in endo-dormancy onset, counteracting the phenology-advancing effects of warming. High chill accumulation in the area indicates it's not a limiting factor for flowering and fruit quality.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Angelino Carta, Eduardo Fernandez-Pascual, Margherita Gioria, Jonas Mueller, Stephane Riviere, Sergey Rosbakh, Arne Saatkamp, Filip Vandelook, Efisio Mattana
Summary: This study used germination data from European plants to investigate the role of climate and phylogenetic relatedness in shaping the germination niche of temperate plants. The results showed that climate and phylogenetic relatedness play important roles in determining the germination responses of plants. In warm and dry climates, seed germination is inhibited by cold and alternating temperature, while in climates with high temperature seasonality, opposite responses can be observed. Additionally, germination responses are influenced by seed mass but not climate. There is a phylogenetic signal in the response of seeds to experimental conditions, but phylogenetically distant lineages exhibit similar germination responses under similar climates.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shikui Dong, Shuai Li, Yudan Xu, Hao Shen, Houjuan Song, Zhaofei Wu, Shengnan Wu, Bingrong Zhou, Fu Li
Summary: Plant phenology serves as a connection between climate change and ecosystem functions. The timing coordination of interspecific and intraspecific phenology changes is an important characteristic for species coexistence. The study found that the phenological differences of three key alpine plants in response to temperature and precipitation in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were highlighted in the context of climate warming. The overlapping degree of interspecific phenological niches has increased in the past 20 years, reducing the possibility of species coexistence.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Iraj Nosratti, Nicholas E. Korres, Stephane Cordeau
Summary: Cover crops can suppress weeds through direct competition, allelopathy, or physical barriers. Farmers adopting sustainable farming practices are using cover crops to achieve weed control. Poor and unstable establishment, volunteer cover crops as subsequent cash crops, and seed costs limit cover crop adoption. This study reviews the scientific literature on seed traits to choose suitable cover crops and improve establishment and growth. Seed priming and coating, as well as proper sowing patterns and depth, can enhance cover crop establishment. Different cover crop families exhibit varying germination percentages under water-deficit conditions. Seed dormancy in some Fabaceae species limits their use. The selection of suitable cover crop cultivars is crucial for weed suppression and multiple ecosystem services in the context of climate change.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lirong Cai, Holger Kreft, Amanda Taylor, Julian Schrader, Wayne Dawson, Franz Essl, Mark Van Kleunen, Jan Pergl, Petr Pysek, Marten Winter, Patrick Weigelt
Summary: Assessing the distribution and drivers of phylogenetic endemism in seed plants worldwide, this study finds that tropical and subtropical islands and tropical mountain regions have the highest phylogenetic endemism. Tropical rainforest regions are centers of paleoendemism, while Mediterranean-climate regions show high levels of neoendemism. Factors such as warm and wet climates, geographic isolation, and long-term climatic stability are key drivers of phylogenetic endemism. The study provides insights into the evolutionary underpinnings of biogeographical patterns and identifies areas of high evolutionary and biogeographical uniqueness for global conservation priorities.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Pieter A. Arnold, Shuo Wang, Alexandra A. Catling, Loeske E. B. Kruuk, Adrienne B. Nicotra
Summary: Climate change presents challenges for plants due to increased temperature exposure. Phenotypic plasticity plays an important role in plant responses. Different traits show different responses to temperature. Temperature affects plasticity in germination, leaf, physiology, and reproductive traits, and plasticity variation among family lines is related to fitness.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
James E. Hourston, Tina Steinbrecher, Jake O. Chandler, Marta Perez, Katrin Dietrich, Veronika Tureckova, Danuse Tarkowska, Miroslav Strnad, Fridtjof Weltmeier, Juliane Meinhard, Uwe Fischer, Karin Fiedler-Wiechers, Michael Ignatz, Gerhard Leubner-Metzger
Summary: The dynamic behavior of seeds in soil seed banks depends on their ability to act as environmental sensors and adjust their germination sensitivity thresholds. A study showed that prolonged incubation of sugar beet fruits at low temperature can induce secondary non-deep dormancy in apparently nondormant crop species. The mechanisms behind this cold-induced secondary dormancy include the accumulation of abscisic acid, reduction in embryo growth potential, and a block in weakening the endosperm.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Dali Chen, Zhen Yuan, Xinping Luo, Lingjie Yang, Xianglai Chen, Zuxin Zhang, Jingjing Wang, Xiaowen Hu
Summary: The study found that seed dormancy-break in alpine and desert species requires different soil moisture content and duration of cold stratification. Alpine species have higher optimal and critical soil moisture content for dormancy-break, but cold stratification duration is not related to habitat, seed mass, or seed shape.
Article
Plant Sciences
Christian Rixen, Sonja Wipf, Sabine B. Rumpf, Justyna Giejsztowt, Jules Millen, John W. Morgan, Adrienne B. Nicotra, Susanna Venn, Shengwei Zong, Katharine J. M. Dickinson, Gregoire T. Freschet, Claudia Kurzbock, Jin Li, Hongli Pan, Beat Pfund, Elena Quaglia, Xu Su, Wei Wang, Xiangtao Wang, Hang Yin, Julie R. Deslippe
Summary: Climate warming is causing the distributions of mountain plant species to shift to higher elevations, increasing pressure on cold-adapted plant species from lower elevation competitors. Intraspecific trait variation within a species can indicate its ability to adjust its anatomy and morphology to persist in a changing environment. Species from lower elevations and with larger range sizes show greater intraspecific trait variation, suggesting a greater ability to respond to environmental changes.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Shuo Wang, Wei-Wei Feng, Ming-Chao Liu, Kai Huang, Pieter A. Arnold, Adrienne B. Nicotra, Yu-Long Feng
Summary: This study reveals that different estimators can lead to different rankings of plasticity between groups. The choice of estimator also affects the magnitude of inter-group plasticity differences. This finding highlights the importance of carefully selecting the estimator when comparing groups' plasticity.
Article
Ecology
Joshua A. Hodges, Jodi N. Price, Adrienne B. Nicotra, Lydia K. Guja
Summary: The critically endangered grasslands and grassy woodlands in south-eastern Australia have seen their area drastically reduced due to European land use. The use of smoke and heat cues can increase germination speed and percentage for the majority of grassy ecosystem species, which has positive implications for conservation and restoration efforts.
ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Christian Rixen, Sonja Wipf, Sabine B. Rumpf, Justyna Giejsztowt, Jules Millen, John W. Morgan, Adrienne B. Nicotra, Susanna Venn, Shengwei Zong, Katharine J. M. Dickinson, Gregoire T. Freschet, Claudia Kurzbock, Jin Li, Hongli Pan, Beat Pfund, Elena Quaglia, Xu Su, Wei Wang, Xiangtao Wang, Hang Yin, Julie R. Deslippe
Summary: Climate warming is causing the distributions of mountain plant species to shift to higher elevations, increasing pressure on cold-adapted plant species from lower elevation competitors. Intraspecific trait variation within a species can indicate its ability to adjust its anatomy and morphology to persist in a changing environment. Species from lower elevations and with larger range sizes show greater intraspecific trait variation, suggesting a greater ability to respond to environmental changes.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Rebecca B. Walsh, Anthony Mwingwa, Nateiya M. Yongolo, Sanjura M. Biswaro, Manasseh Joel Mwanswila, Clive Kelly, Blandina T. Mmbaga, Faith Mosha, William K. Gray, Emma McIntosh, Richard W. Walker
Summary: Background: Musculoskeletal diseases are a significant contributor to global disease burden, but there is a lack of epidemiological data in low- and middle-income countries. Aim: To assess the spectrum and burden of pediatric musculoskeletal diseases in a hospital in Tanzania. Results: In 2017, 163 confirmed cases of pediatric musculoskeletal diseases were admitted, accounting for 21.2% of all admissions of children aged 5-18 years. Conclusion: The majority of pediatric musculoskeletal diseases were related to fractures, followed by osteo-articular infections, while cases of rheumatic diseases were rare. Larger studies are needed to inform resource allocation.
PAEDIATRICS AND INTERNATIONAL CHILD HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Y. Anopa, L. M. D. Macpherson, A. D. McMahon, W. Wright, D. Conway, E. McIntosh
Summary: An economic evaluation was conducted to explore the additional preventive value of fluoride varnish application compared to treatment as usual in nursery schools. The results indicate that applying fluoride varnish in nurseries may not be cost-effective given current UK thresholds.
JDR CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Pieter A. Arnold, Shuo Wang, Alexandra A. Catling, Loeske E. B. Kruuk, Adrienne B. Nicotra
Summary: Climate change presents challenges for plants due to increased temperature exposure. Phenotypic plasticity plays an important role in plant responses. Different traits show different responses to temperature. Temperature affects plasticity in germination, leaf, physiology, and reproductive traits, and plasticity variation among family lines is related to fitness.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rocco F. Notarnicola, Adrienne B. Nicotra, Loeske E. B. Kruuk, Pieter A. Arnold
Summary: This study investigates the effects of climate warming on the trade-off between seed size and number in an alpine plant. The results show that warming during parental growth reduces both seed size and number, but does not affect germination. This highlights the detrimental effect of warming on parental fitness and the potential risk of climate change for alpine plant communities.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Ping-Hsuan Hsieh, Claudia Geue, Olivia Wu, Emma McIntosh, Stefan Siebert
Summary: The presence of multiple long-term conditions in early rheumatoid arthritis patients significantly increases the disease burden, including direct and indirect costs. These costs increase with the number of long-term conditions, with patients with only rheumatoid arthritis incurring the lowest costs.
Article
Plant Sciences
Rosalie J. Harris, Callum Bryant, Melinda A. Coleman, Andrea Leigh, Veronica F. Briceno, Pieter A. Arnold, Adrienne B. Nicotra
Summary: Foundation seaweed species are declining and facing extinctions due to unstable sea surface temperatures. Existing methods for characterizing seaweed thermal tolerance are time-consuming and hinder comparisons between species. A new method using temperature-dependent fluorescence curves offers a high-throughput approach for rapidly assessing photosynthetic thermal tolerance of seaweeds.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Su Vin Lee, Tammy Aplin, Aida Sefidani Forough, Kathryn J. J. Steadman
Summary: This study compares the usability of various tablet-crushing devices in individuals with and without limited hand functions. Hand-held twist-action crushers with an ergonomic grip received the highest usability scores among both groups. Preferences regarding electronic crushers significantly changed once the cost was revealed.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shakti Shrestha, Arjun Poudel, Ayda S. Forough, Kathryn J. Steadman, Lisa M. Nissen
Summary: This study reviewed deprescribing tools for older adults with limited life expectancy and assessed the rigor of their development and validation. The findings indicate that there is a limited number of consensus-validated deprescribing tools available for use in this population. These tools target specific disease medications or medication classes guided by the GRADE framework, or a list of medications irrespective of disease, developed using various approaches and validated using the Delphi method.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shakti Shrestha, Arjun Poudel, Kathryn J. Steadman, Lisa M. Nissen
Summary: Developed and validated a Deprescribing Tool for Older People with Limited-life Expectancy (De-TOPPLE) through expert consensus and feedback. The tool addresses risk and benefit evaluation, distinguishing medication types, following deprescribing process, and stepwise approach. Version 1 of De-TOPPLE was developed after two rounds of the Delphi process.
BASIC & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Stephanie Courtney K. Jones, Sonya R. Geange, Anca Hanea, James Camac, Victoria Hemming, Ben Doobov, Andrea Leigh, Adrienne B. Nicotra
Summary: This article introduces how IDEAcology aids in preparing for and implementing structured expert elicitation using the IDEA protocol. The IDEAcology interface is designed to be a central portal for scientists and practitioners to easily implement structured expert elicitation projects, while also facilitating data management.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ahsan Saleem, Kathryn J. Steadman, Adam La Caze
Summary: This study investigated the health literacy of Pakistani migrants residing in Australia. The findings showed that while Pakistani respondents scored high in certain domains of health literacy, they scored low in others. Factors such as education, age, language proficiency, and residency status were associated with variations in health literacy among this community.
HEALTH PROMOTION JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Laura M. M. Thompson, Lindsey L. L. Thurman, Carly N. N. Cook, Erik A. A. Beever, Carla M. M. Sgro, Andrew Battles, Carlos A. A. Botero, John E. E. Gross, Kimberly R. R. Hall, Andrew P. P. Hendry, Ary A. A. Hoffmann, Christopher Hoving, Olivia E. E. LeDee, Claudia Mengelt, Adrienne B. B. Nicotra, Robyn A. A. Niver, Felipe Perez-Jvostov, Rebecca M. M. Quinones, Gregor W. W. Schuurman, Michael K. K. Schwartz, Jennifer Szymanski, Andrew Whiteley
Summary: Resource managers have not often considered evolutionary dynamics in climate change adaptation strategies. This study aims to bridge the gap between research and management communities by identifying challenges and opportunities for using evidence from evolutionary science to enhance species' evolutionary potential. The study proposes additional attributes, beyond genetic diversity, for decision-making in the absence of genetic data and provides decision-making frameworks for comparing alternative strategies for supporting evolutionary potential.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)