Testosterone identifies hatchling sex for Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii).

The threatened Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) exhibits temperature-dependent sex determination, and individuals appear externally sexually monomorphic until sexual maturity. A non-surgical sex identification method that is suitable for a single in situ encounter with hatchlings is essential for minimizing handling of wild animals. We tested (1) whether plasma testosterone quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay differentiated males from females in 0-3 month old captive hatchlings, and (2) whether an injection of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) differentially elevates testosterone in male hatchlings to aid in identifying sex.

It's always both: Changing individuals requires changing systems and changing systems requires changing individuals.

s-Frames and i-frames do not represent two opposed types of intervention. Rather they are interpretive lenses for focusing on specific aspects of interventions, all of which include individual and structural dimensions. There is no sense to be made of prioritizing either system change or individual change, because each requires the other.

Genomic mechanisms and consequences of diverse postzygotic barriers between monkeyflower species.

The evolution of genomic incompatibilities causing postzygotic barriers to hybridization is a key step in species divergence. Incompatibilities take 2 general forms-structural divergence between chromosomes leading to severe hybrid sterility in F1 hybrids and epistatic interactions between genes causing reduced fitness of hybrid gametes or zygotes (Dobzhansky-Muller incompatibilities). Despite substantial recent progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary origins of both types of incompatibility, how each behaves across multiple generations of hybridization remains relatively unexplored.

Deriving new mixing ratios for Venus atmospheric gases using data from the Pioneer Venus Large Probe Neutral Mass Spectrometer.

We present the first published method to convert data obtained by the Pioneer Venus Large Probe Neutral Mass Spectrometer (LNMS) into units of mixing ratio (ppm) and volume percent (v%) against CO and N, the dominant Venus atmospheric gases, including conversion to density (kg m). These unit conversions are key to unlocking the untapped potential of the data, which represents a significant challenge given the scant calibration data in the literature. Herein, we show that our data treatments and conversions yield mixing ratios and volume percent values for HO, N, and SO that are within error to those reported for the gas chromatograph (LGC) on the Pioneer Venus Large Probe (PVLP).

The genus Pupa Röding, 1798 (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Acteonidae) in New Caledonia with notes on Recent species.

The study of newly collected, live specimens of Pupa (Acteonidae) from New Caledonia and French Polynesia, revealed the presence of six distinct species in this region, including an undescribed species. All these species are re-described and/or named using molecular and morphological evidence as well as a review of the literature and examination of photographs of the type material of described species. Moreover, a review of the literature and type material suggests the existence of six additional species from other geographic regions across the Indo-Pacific.

Deliberative panels as a source of public knowledge: A large-sample test of the Citizens' Initiative Review.

Evolving US media and political systems, coupled with escalating misinformation campaigns, have left the public divided over objective facts featured in policy debates. The public also has lost much of its confidence in the institutions designed to adjudicate those epistemic debates. To counter this threat, civic entrepreneurs have devised institutional reforms to revitalize democratic policymaking.

Mosaic assembly of regulatory programs for vascular cambial growth: a view from the Early Devonian.

Evidence for secondary growth extends into the Early Devonian, 407 million years ago, raising questions about tempo and mode of origination of this key developmental feature. To address such questions, we analyze anatomy in the four oldest fossil plants with well-characterized woody tissues; one of these represents a new genus, described here formally. The new fossil is documented using the cellulose acetate peel technique and associated methods.

Group size and mating system predict sex differences in vocal fundamental frequency in anthropoid primates.

Vocalizations differ substantially between the sexes in many primates, and low-frequency male vocalizations may be favored by sexual selection because they intimidate rivals and/or attract mates. Sexual dimorphism in fundamental frequency may be more pronounced in species with more intense male mating competition and in those with large group size, where social knowledge is limited and efficient judgment of potential mates and competitors is crucial. These non-mutually exclusive explanations have not been tested simultaneously across primate species.

Feedback loops between 3D vegetation structure and ecological functions of animals.

Ecosystems function in a series of feedback loops that can change or maintain vegetation structure. Vegetation structure influences the ecological niche space available to animals, shaping many aspects of behaviour and reproduction. In turn, animals perform ecological functions that shape vegetation structure.

Positive interactions between mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria are widespread and benefit plant growth.

Bacteria, ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi, and land plants have been coevolving for nearly 200 million years, and their interactions presumably contribute to the function of terrestrial ecosystems. The direction, stability, and strength of bacteria-EcM fungi interactions across landscapes and across a single plant host, however, remains unclear. Moreover, the genetic mechanisms that govern them have not been addressed.

Evolution, divergence, and convergence in the mandibles of opossums (Didelphidae, Didelphimorphia).

Didelphid marsupials are considered a morphologically unspecialized group with a generalist diet that includes vertebrates, invertebrates, and plant matter. While cranium and scapula variation has already been examined within Didelphidae, variation in mandible shape, usually associated with diet or phylogeny in other mammalian groups, has not yet been properly assessed in the family. We evaluated the variation in mandible shape and size of didelphids (2470 specimens belonging to 94 species) using 2D geometric morphometrics.

Black Mothers' Concern for Their Children as a Measure of Vicarious Racism-Related Vigilance and Allostatic Load.

This study investigates the relationship between allostatic load and a novel form of altruistic racism-related fear, or concern for how racism might harm another, which we term Using a subsample of Black mothers from the African American Women's Heart & Health Study (N = 140), which includes detailed health and survey data on a community sample of Black women in the San Francisco Bay Area, this study investigates the relationship between Black mothers' experiences with racism-related vigilance as it relates to their children and allostatic load-a multisystem metric of underlying health across multiple biological systems. Findings indicate that vicarious racism-related vigilance was positively associated with allostatic load (i.e.

Allopatric speciation is more prevalent than parapatric ecological divergence in a recent high-Andean diversification ( Asteraceae).

Elucidating how species accumulate in diversity hotspots is an ongoing debate in evolutionary biology. The páramo, in the Northern Andes, has remarkably high indices of plant diversity, endemicity, and diversification rates. A hypothesis for explaining such indices is that allopatric speciation is high in the páramo given its island-like distribution.

Bone bending strength and BMD of female athletes in volleyball, soccer, and long-distance running.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine whether sports training comprised of (1) high-impact loading sport in volleyball (VOL), (2) odd impact loading sport in soccer (SOC), and (3) low impact sport in distance running (RUN) were associated with tibial bending strength and calcaneus bone mineral density (BMD), and ulnar bending strength and wrist BMD.

Method: Female athletes comprised of 13 VOL, 22 SOC, and 22 RUN participated in the study. Twenty-three female non-athletes (NA) served as the comparison group.

Trends in adults' energy imbalance gaps over two decades in Belgium using system dynamics modelling.

Background: The energy imbalance gap (EIG) represents the average daily difference between energy intake and energy expenditure. The maintenance energy gap (MEG) captures the increased energy intake needed to maintain a higher average bodyweight compared with an initial distribution of bodyweight. This study quantified the dynamics of the EIG and MEG over time and across different genders/regions/BMI groups for Belgian adults.

Carbapenem resistance in the food supply chain.

Carbapenems are critically important antibiotic agents because they are considered the "last-resort" antibiotics for treating serious infections. However, resistance to carbapenems is increasing throughout the world and has become an urgent problem. Some carbapenem-resistant bacteria are considered urgent threats by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Seven new "cryptic" species of Discodorididae (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Nudibranchia) from New Caledonia.

The study of a well-preserved collection of discodorid nudibranchs collected in Koumac, New Caledonia, revealed the presence of seven species new to science belonging to the genera , , , and , although some of the generic assignments are tentative as the phylogeny of Discodorididae remains unresolved. Moreover, a poorly known species of originally described from New Caledonia is re-described and the presence of in New Caledonia is confirmed with molecular data. All the species described herein are highly cryptic on their food source and in the context of the present study the term "cryptic" is used to denote such species.

Female-female aggression in the Gila monster ().

Historically, the role of aggression in the social lives of animals overwhelmingly focused on males. In recent years, however, female-female aggression in vertebrates, particularly lizards, has received increasing attention. This growing body of literature shows both similarities and differences to aggressive behaviours between males.

Highly diverse and unknown viruses may enhance Antarctic endoliths' adaptability.

Background: Rock-dwelling microorganisms are key players in ecosystem functioning of Antarctic ice free-areas. Yet, little is known about their diversity and ecology, and further still, viruses in these communities have been largely unexplored despite important roles related to host metabolism and nutrient cycling. To begin to address this, we present a large-scale viral catalog from Antarctic rock microbial communities.

Demographic diversity of genetic databases used in Alzheimer's disease research.

For several years, experts have warned about the lack of diversity in genetic research databases, and researchers have devoted time and resources to recruiting subjects from underrepresented subgroups. In this study, we review published reports in academic journals of genetic studies of Alzheimer's disease to note whether demographic diversity was indicated in the reports and, if so, the extent of representation of non-European subjects over the period from 1997 to 2022. We use multivariate regression analysis to analyze changes over time and to explain variation across studies.

Northern spotted owl nesting habitat under high potential wildfire threats along the California Coastal Redwood Forest.

Large and severe wildfires, exacerbated by climate change and human behavior, are occurring more frequently in many forests across the western United States. While wildfire is a natural part of most terrestrial ecosystems, rapidly changing fire regimes have the potential to alter habitat beyond the adaptive capabilities of species. Spatial assessments of wildfire risks to species habitat may allow managers to pinpoint locations for management activities.

Primate-conserved carbonic anhydrase IV and murine-restricted LY6C1 enable blood-brain barrier crossing by engineered viral vectors.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) presents a major challenge for delivering large molecules to study and treat the central nervous system. This is due in part to the scarcity of targets known to mediate BBB crossing. To identify novel targets, we leverage a panel of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) previously identified through mechanism-agnostic directed evolution for improved BBB transcytosis.

"If you have light, your heart will be at peace": A qualitative study of household lighting and social integration in southwestern Uganda.

Background: Expanding electrification and access to other clean and affordable energy, such as solar energy, is a critical component of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where 70% of people are energy insecure. Intervention trials related to access or less polluting household energy alternatives have typically focused on air quality and biological outcomes rather than on how an intervention affects the end user's lived experiences, a key determinant of uptake and adoption outside of a research setting. We explored perceptions of and experiences with a household solar lighting intervention in rural Uganda.