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The scene floor of the forest theatre consists of a green mat of small plants. For most people it is quite anonymous and un-noticed, but several hundreds of species could thrive in this environment. In my research, I try to understand aspects of this hidden world of mosses and liverworts, including their relations to other plants and animals.
Viruses that infect single-celled algae strongly regulate microalgae growth and community composition through cell lysis, enable nutrient recycling in marine ecosystems, and offer valuable insights into early stages of viral evolution. One major group, the Bacilladnaviridae family of single-stranded DNA viruses, infects diatoms in marine environments. Here, we present the capsid structure of Ch
The biogeophysical forcing resulting from the change in land-surface properties (such as albedo) is of particular interest as it can increase, decrease, or offset the biogeochemical forcing resulting from the changes in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations due to deforestation, forest management, or reforestation/afforestation (i.e., land-use/land-cover change, LULCC). Moreover, the biogeophy
In situ geologic context mapping based on rover and helicopter observations provides documentation of a nearly continuous record of geology and exposed surface structure over a 120 m-wide corridor along the traverse of the Mars 2020/Perseverance rover. The results record the geologic context of Mars 2020 campaign sites and sample sites, including the local extent of bedrock outcrops, stratigraphy,
dolescents with an immigrant background have poorer educational performance than their native counterparts, which may partly be explained by the quality of their neighbourhood area upon immigration to Sweden. An important part of neighbourhood quality is neighbourhood socioeconomic status (NSES). This study examines the impact of initial NSES on subsequent school grades in refugees by using a natuAdolescents with an immigrant background have poorer educationalperformance than their native counterparts, which may partly be explainedby the quality of their neighbourhood area upon immigration to Sweden. Animportant part of neighbourhood quality is neighbourhood socioeconomicstatus (NSES). This study examines the impact of initial NSES on subsequentschool grades in refugees by using a natural
Natural history collections hold immense global significance – not only as historical archives but also as precious resources for novel scientific discoveries. These collections, housed in museums and institutions worldwide, are (or should be) accessible and open for study. In this paper, we provide a brief history of the fossil collections at Lund University, Sweden, tracing their origins, key hi
Modified ZYMO DNA/RNA miniprep extraction protocol written in a user friendly way to reduce in-process-decisions and process time. Sample type is organic soil, peat, from a degraded rich fenThis protocol includes modifications to tackle clogged filters. Samples were centrifuged for 45 seconds instead of 30 seconds in first pass through filters as 100 ul to 200 ul sample remained trapped above filt
Background: MicroRNA-379 (miR-379) has been reported to play a tumour-suppressing role in several cancer types. Our previous work demonstrated that miR-379 overexpression attenuates the metastatic spread of prostate cancer (PCa) both in vitro and in vivo. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Methods: To elucidate the mechanisms by which miR-379 affects metastases, we pe
Who conducts biological research, where they do it and how results are disseminated vary among geographies and identities. Identifying and documenting these forms of bias by research communities is a critical step towards addressing them. We documented perceived and observed biases in movement ecology, a rapidly expanding sub-discipline of biology, which is strongly underpinned by fieldwork and te
Human-induced habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation are among the leading causes of species decline worldwide. This is particularly true in tropical forests, where unique, often highly specialized fauna is under threat. By altering resource availability, anthropogenic habitat change can impose resource constraints on animals and may influence their allocation of resources to competing life h
When infected with a pathogen, a host may respond with an acute phase response to increase its chances of survival. Previous research shows that one fundamental component of the acute phase response, adjustments of body temperature, may differ depending on ambient temperature, social settings and energy availability. However, we do not know much about how such a response is modulated during work-i
Cancer is a disease of the genome caused by oncogene activation and tumor suppressor gene inhibition. Deep sequencing studies including large consortia such as TCGA and ICGC identified numerous tumor-specific mutations not only in protein-coding sequences but also in non-coding sequences. Although 98% of the genome is not translated into proteins, most studies have neglected the information hidden
Coleoid cephalopods (octopus, squid and cuttlefish) have unusually complex nervous systems. The coleoid nervous system is also the only one currently known to recode the majority of expressed proteins through A-to-I RNA editing. The deamination of adenosine by adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR) enzymes produces inosine, which is interpreted as guanosine during translation. If this occurs in
Background: Despite its prominent role in contemporary biology and science, the theory of evolution is still contested by many social groups, showing a deficient understanding of its central postulates and low acceptance rates in many countries. A region traditionally understudied in this respect is Latin America. Within this region, Ecuador stands out as a key territory in the history of evolutio
The coleoid cephalopods display unusually extensive mRNA recoding by adenosine deamination, yet the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Because the adenosine deaminases that act on RNA (ADAR) enzymes catalyze this form of RNA editing, the structure and function of the cephalopod orthologs may provide clues. Recent genome sequencing projects have provided blueprints for the full compleme
Colour clines constitute an interesting topic of study for evolutionary ecologists as they allow for the testing of different hypotheses on the adaptive value of colour variation. One possible explanation for the selective advantage of colouration is crypsis. In Littorina saxatilis from the Rías Baixas (northwest Iberian Peninsula), a temporally stable and spatially recurrent colour cline has been
Since their inception, ecology and evolutionary biology have been filled with controversies. While controversies are generally beneficial, they can sometimes hinder meaningful communication and, ultimately, decelerate scientific advancement. A clear example is when scientific rivals enter a point-scoring mode in which proving the opponent wrong sidelines objective assessments. To counter this, we
