Browse Articles

Citizen science substantiates jellyfish occurrence in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract In recent decades, gelatinous plankton blooms have attracted media attention due to their damaging effects on fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, human health and power/desalination plants. The scientific community often failed to recognize the rise of jellyfish, due to difficulties in monitoring their appearances and disappearances. In Italian waters, a citizen science approach was employed to monitor the presence and distribution of gelatinous zooplankton over wide spatio-temporal scales. From 2009 to March 2016, citizens identified 27 jellyfish taxa and documented their geographical distribution and seasonal occurrence across the Italian Seas. The main blooming species was Pelagia noctiluca (30% of total sightings), mainly distributed in the western Mediterranean, followed by Rhizostoma pulmo (28% of total sightings), showing a more widespread distribution. Mnemiopsis leidyi, the main Non-Indigenous Species (NIS), initially reported in the western Mediterranean, since 2016 expanded its distribution to the east. Jellyfish blooms were recorded year-round, mainly between late spring and autumn. Jellyfish hotspots were identified in the northern and southern Tyrrhenian, Ligurian Sea, and northern Adriatic regions. Citizen Science enables the detection of phenomena that can be studied more in-depth by professional scientists, leading to the discovery of previously unknown species and a better understanding of the occurrence of bloom events.

High efficiency of laser energy conversion with cavity pressure acceleration

Biased birth sex ratios of mammals and birds in zoos

Abstract Birth sex ratio biases can amplify extinction risks, especially in small, zoo-maintained populations which is of particular concern in species under threat of extinction. Thus, understanding the drivers of such biases is critical for conservation outcomes. We analysed birth records from 129 avian and 324 mammalian species in zoos worldwide between 1980 and 2021. Using Bayesian phylogenetic models, we found a phylogenetic signal in birth sex ratios (BSR), with substantial variation across clades. Penguins, falcons, and parrots showed slightly male-biased BSRs; ungulates showed female-biased BSR, and primates male-biased BSR. Across birds, variation in BSRs was predicted by sexual size dimorphism and clutch size, whereas in mammals, mating system was the main predictor of BSR. We identified 30 conservation flagship species with significantly biased BSRs, raising concern for the demographic sustainability of their captive populations. These results highlight the role of both evolutionary history and life-history traits in shaping sex ratio variation across taxa. Our findings underscore the importance of integrating phylogenetic and biological predictors into conservation planning and breeding program design. They also call for further research into the biological and management processes—that include sexual selection, parental investment, housing, and sexing practices—that may contribute to sex ratio variation in zoo populations.

Effects of Paeoniae Radix Rubra on lowering lipid via bioinformatics and gut microbiome

Pharmacovigilance study of drug-induced eye movement disorder based on FDA adverse event reports from 2004 to 2024

Quality of life of informal caregivers 50 years old and older in Spain by household living status: a descriptive study

Killer whale call detection rates vary among subspecies and populations in the North Pacific

Benchmarking metabolic RNA labeling techniques for high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing

Abstract Metabolic RNA labeling with high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) enables precise measurement of gene expression dynamics in complex biological processes, such as cell state transitions and embryogenesis. This technique, which tags newly synthesized RNA for detection through induced base conversions, relies on conversion efficiency, RNA integrity, and transcript recovery. These factors are influenced by the chosen chemical conversion method and platform compatibility. Despite its potential, a comprehensive comparison of chemical methods and platform compatibility has been lacking. Here, we benchmark ten chemical conversion methods using the Drop-seq platform, analyzing 52,529 cells. We find that on-beads methods, particularly the meta-chloroperoxy-benzoic acid/2,2,2-trifluoroethylamine combination, outperform in-situ approaches. To assess in vivo applications, we apply these optimized methods to 9883 zebrafish embryonic cells during the maternal-to-zygotic transition, identifying and experimentally validating zygotically activated transcripts, which enhanced zygotic gene detection capabilities. Additionally, we evaluate two commercial platforms with higher capture efficiency and find that on-beads iodoacetamide chemistry is the most effective. Our results provide critical guidance for selecting optimal chemical methods and scRNA-seq platforms, advancing the study of RNA dynamics in complex biological systems.

Engineered PW12-polyoxometalate docked Fe sites on CoFe hydroxide anode for durable seawater electrolysis

Abstract Seawater electrolysis driven by offshore renewable energy is a promising avenue for large-scale hydrogen production but faces challenges in designing robust anodes that suppress surface chlorine reactions and corrosion at high current densities. Here we report a strategy by selectively docking PW12-polyoxometalate (PW12-POM) onto Fe sites of CoFe hydroxide anode to modulate the electronic structure of adjacent Co active centers and regulate Cl⁻/OH⁻ adsorption for efficient alkaline seawater oxidation. Our CoFe-based anode achieves low overpotentials, high catalytic selectivity, and notable durability, with continuous operation at 1 A cm⁻² for over 1300 hours and at 2 A cm⁻² more than 600 hours. Theoretical calculations and ex situ/in situ analyses reveal that PW12-POM coordination at Fe sites stabilizes Fe, suppresses its leaching, modulates Co acidity, promotes OH⁻ adsorption, and protects metal sites from Cl⁻ corrosion.

MO-2097 inhibits EMT and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer by targeting RAF/MEK/ERK signaling

CXCL10-induced regulatory T cells and adenosine signaling promote immunosuppression and progression of epithelial ovarian cancer

Extra intestinal manifestations may increase the risk of synchronous and metachronous development of other extraintestinal manifestations in patients with Crohn’s disease

GIS-driven evaluation of energy infrastructure vulnerability to coastal inundation in Qatar

miRNA centered regulatory networks identify FN1 and miR27b as metastatic drivers in HPV negative head and neck cancer

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the Kampo formula daiobotanpito combined with antibiotic therapy for acute diverticulitis

Study on the migration mechanism of heterogeneous cuttings in long-reach horizontal wells

Camellia sinensis powder rich in epicatechin and polyphenols attenuates isoprenaline induced cardiac injury by activating the Nrf2 HO1 antioxidant pathway in rats

Non-canonical nuclear function of glutaminase cooperates with Wnt signaling to drive EMT during neural crest development

The global seafood trade, embodied nutrients, and nutritional affordability

Helical Columnar Liquid Crystal Exhibiting Both Polarization Retention and Ferroelectric Switching at Room Temperature

Abstract Ferroelectric columnar liquid crystals (FCLCs) with switchable bistable axial polarizations are promising candidates for high‐density ferroelectric random‐access memory (FeRAM). However, FCLCs simultaneously exhibiting uniform polarization arrangement and ferroelectric switching at room temperature (RT) remain elusive. Herein, we report an RT‐operable FCLC based on C 3 ‐symmetric star‐shaped mesogen with polar linkers. Two CLCs, 1 and 2 , were synthesized incorporating 1,2,3‐triazole and amide linkers, respectively. 1 undergoes a ferroelectric‐to‐paraelectric transition accompanied by a structural change from helical to a nonhelical columnar phase. Notably, the ferroelectric switching is operable down to RT, with complete retention of its axial macrodipole after removal of the electric field. In contrast, 2 forms only a nonhelical columnar LC phase, displaying paraelectric behavior. The contrasting self‐assembly and dielectric properties are attributed to the differences in the polar unit size. This study demonstrates that the mesogen extension with a bulky 1,2,3‐triazole linker enables the realization of an FCLC operable at RT, offering significant potential for high‐density FeRAM applications.