Avian eggs reflect life-history trade-offs, yet shrikes (Laniidae) lack a modern cross-species synthesis of egg morphology. Using historical oological collections spanning 1888–1973, we quantified inter- and intraspecific variation in egg morphology and clutch size in four shrike species: red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio), woodchat shrike (L. senator), lesser grey shrike (L. minor), and great grey shrike (L. excubitor). Clutch size increased over time only in the lesser grey shrike, whereas no robust temporal change was detected in the other species. Where temporal trends in egg morphology occurred, size-related traits generally declined, whereas shape descriptors, including sphericity and shape index, remained comparatively stable. Among species, the great grey shrike laid the largest eggs but the smallest clutches, whereas the red-backed shrike laid the smallest eggs, consistent with a broad size–number trade-off in reproductive allocation. Within species, spatial variation in egg-size traits was evident, particularly in the red-backed shrike and woodchat shrike, whereas evidence for a size–number relationship was weak. Overall, temporal change in shrike reproductive traits was limited and species-specific, while museum collections proved valuable for reconstructing long-term patterns of reproductive variation.

Small carnivores fulfill important ecological roles in forest ecosystems, yet their diel activity patterns and habitat requirements in subtropical forests remain insufficiently documented. Using 116,800 camera-trap days (2021–2024) at the Chebaling National Nature Reserve, Guangdong Province, China, we characterized the diel activity rhythms and habitat selection of four sympatric small carnivore species: the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), crab-eating mongoose (Urva urva), spotted linsang (Prionodon pardicolor), and masked palm civet (Paguma larvata). Kernel density estimation revealed distinct diel strategies among the four species. The crab-eating mongoose was strictly diurnal, while the leopard cat, spotted linsang, and masked palm civet were all nocturnal. Temporal overlap was high among nocturnal species (Δ = 0.695–0.899) but low between the diurnal mongoose and each nocturnal species (Δ = 0.074–0.371). Seasonal comparisons showed that all species except the crab-eating mongoose maintained highly consistent activity rhythms between the growing and non-growing seasons. MaxEnt modelling indicated that all four species preferred gently sloping terrain with high vegetation cover (NDVI > 0.43) near water sources. However, they differed in aspect preference, habitat breadth, and sensitivity to anthropogenic disturbance. The leopard cat occupied the largest area of suitable habitat (29.08 km²) and favored shaded slopes; the spotted linsang showed notable avoidance of roads; and the masked palm civet exhibited the broadest ecological tolerance. These results suggest that diel activity divergence between the diurnal and nocturnal guilds, together with species-specific differences in microhabitat selection among the nocturnal species, may contribute to reducing interspecific competition within this assemblage. Our findings provide baseline ecological data for the conservation management of small carnivore communities in subtropical forest ecosystems of southern China.

Lateral Flow Assays (LFAs) have become the foundation of point-of-care (POC) diagnostics, valued for their user-friendly format, cost-effectiveness, and rapid turnaround time. However, despite their widespread success, most notably in pregnancy testing and infectious disease monitoring, conventional colorimetric LFAs often suffer from insufficient sensitivity, limiting their utility for the early-stage detection of low-abundance biomarkers. This review provides a critical analysis of recent strategies have been developed to improve the sensitivity of these assays. Enhancement strategies are systematically classified into six distinct domains: (i) flow modulation techniques that optimise reaction kinetics; (ii) sample preconcentration methods; (iii) advanced signal transduction reporters beyond traditional gold nanoparticles; (iv) chemical signal amplification including nanozyme and enzymatic catalysis; (v) structural strategies for maximising label accumulation; and (vi) the engineering of aptamers as programmable recognition elements. Special emphasis is placed on ”reagent-free” and ”equipment-free” innovations that boost performance without compromising the inherent simplicity of the device. Finally, the emerging transition from passive biological selection to active molecular engineering is discussed, outlining the future trajectory of ultra-sensitive next-generation LFAs.

Human activities are driving unprecedented increases in atmospheric CO2 concentrations, resulting in global warming, with a higher frequency of marine heat waves (MHWs), and ocean acidification (OA) that represent a critical threat to coastal seagrass habitats. To assess the potential impacts and to deepen the knowledge on the long-term adaptive responses to these stressors, Posidonia oceanica meadows have been investigated in natural CO2 vent systems of Ischia (Italy) and Panarea (Aeolian Archipelago, Italy) islands, where continuous volcanic gas emissions create chronically acidified conditions, with CO2 concentrations comparable to those projected by the IPCC report of 2023 for 2030, as well as to examine the combined effects of OA and MHW on P. oceanica and its associated fauna. In this context, a meta-analysis was conducted to quantify the relative contributions of OA, MHW and hypersalinity (a climate driver strictly related with higher temperature, affecting shallowest ecosystems and already affecting some habitats due to brine discharges) to the impact on the responses of P. oceanica studied in mesocosms with long-term exposures and natural laboratories. This study aims to summarise the physiological and cellular responses (excluding genetic analysis) to the aforementioned stressors, to underline the interactions between them, and their impacts on P. oceanica, and to focus attention where future studies should be directed. The results of the meta-analysis highlight a consistent negative pattern in P. oceanica growth due to the analysed stressors, a strong negative impact on calcifying associated fauna due to OA, and an important negative effect on photosynthesis caused by hypersalinity. At the same time, there is clear evidence of a substantial gap in the study of response variables associated with the impact of warming and MHW. These findings emphasize the possible future consequences and highlight the importance of deepening knowledge of multiple-stressor exposure effects and developing conservation programs.

Is division of marine animals into macrofauna and meiofauna merely an arbitrary convenience, or, as has been claimed, does their size difference render them distinct and independent entities evolved under different ecological constraints? To investigate this, the ecological patterns of meiofaunal distribution, abundance and composition were investigated across the disparate regions of Knysna estuarine bay (South Africa). The locality was represented by ten specific seagrass and bare-sediment sites at which the equivalent macrofaunal characteristics had recently been established. Thus it was possible to compare meiofaunal and macrofaunal responses to the same suite of contrasting situations. Nematodes, copepods and ostracods, totalling 95.7% of numbers, dominated the epibenthic meiofauna which showed low (but not necessarily locally atypical) abundance: per core sample values of 19-886 (mean 211) 10 cm-2. Numbers were subequal or greater in seagrass beds than in bare sediment, and peaked in the clean delta sands of the mouth. Relative abundance of total macro- and meiofauna showed a comparable pattern along the system’s longitudinal axis, but each major component taxon, whether macrofaunal or meiofaunal, responded differently to the gradients concerned and no common within-group or contrasting between-group macrofaunal or meiofaunal responses were apparent. Indeed the strongest correlation was between distribution and abundance of the meiofaunal harpacticoids and macrofaunal gastropods. The macrofaunal ’opportunistic polychaete to amphipod’ and meiofaunal ’nematode to copepod’ indices of ecological quality yielded differing (but in both cases unrealistic) results. The Knysna macro- and meiofauna did not behave as distinct and discrete ecological entities, their individual component taxa displaying disparate patterns independent of their allocation into the two size classes.

Aims Despite advances in health research and digital innovation, many African countries continue to face substantial resource constraints, fragmented capacity-building efforts, and a shortage of skilled professionals in medicines development and regulatory science. This review aims to examine current gaps and evaluate collaborative approaches to strengthening capacity in this field. Methods A narrative review was conducted to assess capacity-building initiatives in medicines development and regulation across Africa. Particular focus was placed on the contributions of the Fundisa African Academy of Medicines Development, in collaboration with partners including academia, clinical research sites, industry, and regulatory authorities. Results Capacity-building efforts across the continent remain heterogeneous and are often implemented in a fragmented manner. Collaborative initiatives, such as those led by the Fundisa African Academy of Medicines Development and its partners, illustrate the potential to mitigate these gaps through accredited training, targeted skills development, and experiential learning programmes. Such initiatives support the strengthening of competencies along the entire medicines development continuum, spanning drug discovery, clinical research, and regulatory and health economic evaluation. Conclusions Sustainable capacity strengthening in Africa requires coordinated, context-specific approaches that address the full health research value chain, from investigators to regulatory assessors. Integration of digital health platforms as force multipliers, adoption of standardised competency frameworks such as the WHO Global Competency Framework, and development of centralised systems to monitor capacity-building activities are essential to reduce fragmentation and promote regional collaboration.

Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb., locally known as Bijaysal, is a high-value tropical deciduous tree with a restricted and fragmented distribution in Nepal. We integrated 129 spatially occurring records with climatic, anthropogenic, edaphic, and topographic variables in an ensemble species distribution modelling framework (biomod2) to project current and future (2050s and 2090s) habitat suitability under four shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP) scenarios. Minimum temperature of the coldest month and precipitation seasonality were the dominant climatic drivers, followed by soil organic carbon, bulk density, and human footprint. The current suitable habitat is limited (11,154 km²; 7.6 % of Nepal) and confined to the western and central lowlands. Future projections indicate habitat expansion ranging from 40 % (SSP1-2.6 2090s) to 313 % (SSP2-4.5 2050s) with consistent southeastward centroid shifts (46–127 km), reflecting both northward expansion into the mid‑hills and eastward reorganization within the lowlands. However, these projections should be interpreted with caution, as actual migration may be limited by seed dispersal mechanisms and soil suitability in high-elevation zones. The unimodal response to human footprint challenges the conventional protected-area paradigm and indicates that well-managed community forests can serve as critical climate refugia. These findings suggest that well‑managed community forests can complement protected areas by maintaining intermediate disturbance and provide a spatially explicit roadmap for assisted colonization into the mid‑elevation zones.

• As climate change accelerates, increasing ocean temperatures and altered herbivory pressure are reshaping temperate marine ecosystems dominated by macrophyte foundation species. Despite the importance of these processes, it remains unclear how reduced above-ground biomass, due to anticipated in-creased herbivory, will affect the thermal performance of macrophytes. • We simulated herbivory by clipping the leaf length of two temperate seagrass species, Posidonia australis and Heterozostera tasmanica, and grew them at temperatures spanning their thermal range (6-32 °C). We assessed the effects of leaf size on thermal performance by quantifying growth, photosynthetic rates, leaf nutrient content and pigment concentrations. • Responses to clipping treatment and growing temperature were species-specific. Highly clipped P. australis showed higher photosynthetic rates and nutrient concentrations at 32 °C, relative to low-clipped and control plants, while growth did not differ between clipping treatments and survival was high across treatments. In H. tasmanica, clipping lowered optimal growth temperatures, and survival declined sharply at 32 °C across treatments. • Our results suggest that smaller leaf size can increase thermal resilience in P. australis, whereas high herbivory of H. tasmanica is likely to increase its sensitivity to thermal stress. Increased herbivory pressure under climate change may therefore have positive implications for some seagrasses, highlighting the importance of considering species-specific responses when predicting the future resilience of seagrass ecosystems.

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are central to insect waterproofing and chemical communication, yet their broad evolutionary pattern in termites has not been synthesized comprehensively. Here, we present a systematic review of termite CHCs with emphasis on worker profiles, caste-level comparisons, and ecological interpretation in a phylogenetic context. The qualitative synthesis included 28 studies, whereas the filtered statistical dataset comprised 37 worker profiles representing 37 species. Across the reviewed literature, termite cuticles contained a recurrent but variable combination of n-alkanes, n-alkenes, alkadienes, alkatrienes, mono-, di-, and trimethylalkanes. Species-level mapping showed that saturated and methyl-branched hydrocarbons are broadly distributed across the termite tree, whereas unsaturated compounds are more unevenly represented and recur in multiple lineages. Genus-level synthesis further showed that dominant worker chemistry is not tightly constrained by phylogeny: methyl-alkane-dominated, olefin-dominated, and mixed profiles all occur across distantly related taxa. Quantitative comparison of selected worker profiles highlighted broad chemistry in Mastotermes darwiniensis, strong methyl-branched dominance in Coptotermes formosanus, dimethyl-rich profiles in Nasutitermes corniger and N. ephratae, and marked alkatriene dominance in Parvitermes wolcotti. Caste-resolved studies showed that workers, soldiers, nymphs, and reproductives usually share the same broad CHC classes, with caste differentiation arising mainly through quantitative shifts, although reproductives in some taxa also express caste-associated compounds. Exploratory ecological analyses indicated that nesting life type explained part of the worker CHC variation: drywood/enclosed wood nesters showed fewer dimethylalkanes and more frequent alkatrienes than other life types. Overall, termite CHC evolution is best interpreted as repeated lineage-specific reweighting of a shared chemical toolkit shaped by both ecology and phylogeny.

Background: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a chronic, progressive consequence of hypoestrogenism that affects vaginal, sexual and lower urinary tract health. Treatments include local vaginal estrogen, intravaginal prasterone, oral ospemifene, hyaluronic acid preparations, moisturizers and lubricants and energy-based interventions, but direct head-to-head randomized evidence is limited. Objective: To compare the relative efficacy and safety of contemporary GSM therapies using a systematic review and class-level network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Methodology: MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP were searched from inception to 1 March 2026, with backward and forward citation searching. Randomized controlled trials enrolling postmenopausal women with GSM, vulvovaginal atrophy or atrophic vaginitis were eligible. Interventions included local vaginal estrogen, prasterone, ospemifene, hyaluronic acid, moisturizers/lubricants, carbon dioxide laser and radiofrequency. Two reviewers independently screened records and extracted data. The primary efficacy outcome was change in the most bothersome symptom or, when unavailable, dyspareunia or vaginal dryness measured closest to 12 weeks. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2. Direct and indirect evidence were synthesized using a random-effects class-level network approach. Results: Twenty-six randomized trials were included. The evidence network was anchored primarily by placebo/sham and local estrogen. In the harmonized continuous symptom network, local estrogen (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29 to 1.48) and hyaluronic acid (SMD 0.84, 95% CI 0.01 to 1.68) were superior to placebo/sham, while radiofrequency showed a large but sparse estimate (SMD 1.29, 95% CI 0.21 to 2.38). Confidence intervals crossed the null for carbon dioxide laser, moisturizer, ospemifene and prasterone. In the smaller binary responder network, both local estrogen (risk ratio [RR] 2.39, 95% CI 1.69 to 3.38) and hyaluronic acid (RR 2.32, 95% CI 1.64 to 3.29) improved response rates versus placebo/sham. Across the broader evidence base, local estrogen showed the most consistent improvement in vaginal pH and epithelial maturation; prasterone and ospemifene remained effective alternatives in dedicated placebo-controlled programs. Safety events were generally mild and infrequent, but device estimates were less stable and sparse device-related loops showed local inconsistency. Conclusions: Local vaginal estrogen remains the benchmark therapy for GSM. Prasterone and ospemifene are evidence-based alternatives, hyaluronic acid is the strongest active non-hormonal option and moisturizers/lubricants remain appropriate for symptom-focused first-line care. Carbon dioxide laser and radiofrequency should be interpreted cautiously until stronger sham-controlled and long-term data are available.

Authors:Sathesh BaskaranDr. G. Saravanakumar M.S., D.A., F.P.SAffiliation:  Madurai foot care Centre, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaCorresponding Author:Sathesh BaskaranEmail: sbaskaran@newvision.gePhone: +918754673570

This study investigates intracellular (IC) exposure to tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and its clinical determinants in experienced people living with HIV. We conducted a monocentric retrospective analysis of 86 adults treated with either Bictegravir (BIC) or dolutegravir (DTG) triple regimen. Plasma and IC trough concentrations (C trough) of tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) were examined in relation to demographic and renal parameters. A significant correlation emerged between plasma and IC TFV-DP C trough. Higher plasma TFV-DP levels were associated with older age and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate. Adherence calculated as proportion pf days covered (PDC) did not differ between regimens. These findings provide novel real‑world insights into IC TFV pharmacokinetics and suggest that BIC‑containing regimens may enhance IC drug accumulation and virological outcomes. Prospective studies are needed to clarify the clinical implications of intracellular antiretroviral concentrations.

Understanding the biogeography and genetics of the invasion of oceanic islands by invasive pest species can provide insights into how to limit such incursions. The invasive pasture pest weevil, Listronotus bonariensis, has established in both New Zealand and some of its offshore islands, causing significant economic damage. The opportunity was therefore taken to compare both the species’ morphology and genetics of populations collected from the New Zealand mainland, Stewart Island (30 km offshore) and Chatham Island (860 km offshore). The L. bonariensis individuals from both of the offshore populations were found to be significantly smaller than those of the mainland populations. However, based on classical and molecular taxonomy, no associated species-level differences were found, and it was concluded that the island’s smaller populations were the result of relatively poor habitat quality. Further, no significant genetic differences were detected between Stewart Island and mainland populations, indicating a close and frequent connection. Conversely, at the genomic level, the Chatham Island population was significantly different from the two other populations, and this was attributed to probable founder effects. The evidence points to a small subset of what was still a recently-established New Zealand L. bonariensis population early in the 20th century, being inadvertently transported to the Chatham Islands. Thereafter, this founding subset expanded such that more recent introductions have had little effect on the founding genetics of weevils on the island. This study indicates that irregular, unintended human transportation of species to isolated islands can lead to the occupation of previously uninhabited niches, with founder effects leading to genetic divergence from conspecific populations elsewhere.

Polysphinctine wasps are exclusively koinobiont ectoparasitoids of spiders and have the unique ability to manipulate the web construction behaviour of their hosts. Most interactions between polysphinctine wasps and spiders are species-specific. However, recent studies have predicted that these associations are not as narrow as previously thought. Therefore, records on the ecology and biology of new interactions are required to confirm this hypothesis. Herein, we report the Darwin wasp Hymenoepimecis pinheirensis manipulating the behaviour of the tetragnathid spider Leucauge argyra in an urban area in southeastern Brazil (Campinas, São Paulo). We monitored a population of L. argyra in 2021-24 and collected data on the biology of the wasp-spider interaction. Of a total of 5.416 spiders, 6.85% (N=376) were parasitised by H. pinheirensis, with a higher frequency of attack in young individuals. Eggs are laid anterodorsally on the spider’s abdomen and hatch after 2-3 days. The larva of H. pinheirensis has three instars and develops on the host over approximately 12 subsequent days. Between the second and third instar, the parasitoid induces the host spider to build a cocoon web with a reduced number of radii (some of them V-shaped), the absence of viscid lines and hub loops, and three-dimensional structures consisting of lines above and below the hub attached to multiple sites on the substrate. Here, we add a second host for H. pinheirensis and a second parasitoid for L. argyra, which helps to elucidate the entangled web of interactions involving polysphinctine wasps and spiders.

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation is a sustainable approach for freshwater production; however, its reliability is limited by the fluctuating solar intensity and complex water contaminants. This study produces a synergistic strategy that integrates magnetocaloric-mediated thermal compensation within a hierarchically structured aerogel. Iron-based nanoparticles derived from waste self-heating patches are incorporated into a konjac glucomannan/polyvinylpyrrolidone (KPF) aerogel with vertically aligned channels, yielding an adaptive photothermal–magnetocaloric coupled evaporation system capable of operating under diverse conditions. The KPF evaporator achieves an evaporation rate of 4.5 kg m -2 h -1 under one-sun illumination, increasing to 5.6 kg m -2 h -1 upon activation of an alternating magnetic field. Notably, under overcast and low-light conditions, comparable evaporation performance is maintained through magnetic-field-induced energy compensation. Molecular dynamics simulations and Raman spectroscopy reveals that magnetocaloric heating disrupts the ordered hydrogen-bond network of water, increasing the free water content and facilitating evaporation. The intrinsic underwater superoleophobicity of the KPF aerogel enables a coupled interception and evaporation mechanism for high-concentration oily wastewater, achieving a purification efficiency of 99.9%. Moreover, the magnetocaloric-enhanced Marangoni flow promotes salt ion migration, ensuring long-term stability in high-salinity environments. This dual-response strategy provides a universal platform for designing adaptive and efficient water treatment systems.

The adult sex ratio (ASR) is a key demographic parameter that shapes sexual selection and social interactions. However, whether parental experience of ASR variation influences offspring development across generations remains unclear. Such effects fall under the unifying framework of transgenerational plasticity (TGP), which encompasses two core, non-mutually exclusive non-genetic pathways: pre-zygotic germline-mediated epigenetic inheritance, and post-zygotic effects via behavioural adjustments to parental care. Using the dung beetle Onthophagus taurus, we conducted an egg-transplantation experiment to disentangle these two pathways of TGP. Parents were assigned to female-biased, unbiased, and male-biased treatments. We first quantified contest and courtship behaviours to confirm ASR-driven social effects. Eggs from naturally produced brood balls were then transplanted into standardized artificial brood balls to isolate effects via the germline-mediated TGP pathway, while the original brood mass was weighed to assess parental investment via the behavioural TGP pathway. Results revealed that ASR strongly modulated adult interactions: male-biased treatments exhibited the highest contest intensity, whereas female-biased treatments displayed the highest courtship frequency, significantly surpassing the male-biased group. Despite these pronounced behavioural responses, parental ASR experience had no significant effect on offspring development speed, emerging weight, or developmental stage duration. Moreover, parental investment did not differ among treatments. These findings demonstrate that although ASR reliably predicts contest and courtship intensity in parents, such social pressures do not necessarily propagate to offspring metamorphic development via either core pathway of TGP within a single generation. This study underscores a dissociation between adult behavioural plasticity and intergenerational outcomes, suggesting that transgenerational ASR effects may require longer timescales or stronger selective pressures to manifest.

Parasites impose strong selective pressures on animals, influencing traits from behavior to reproductive strategies. In particular, parasite-mediated selection has been proposed as a major driver of sexual reproduction, as genetic recombination can generate variation that facilitates rapid evolutionary responses to parasites. Accordingly, asexual vertebrates are predicted to be more susceptible to parasites, yet some persist over longer than expected evolutionary timescales. The Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa) is a gynogenetic, clonal fish that occurs sympatrically with its sexual parental species, including the Sailfin molly (P. latipinna). Here we investigate the link between behavioral differences and parasite infection in wild-caught Amazon and Sailfin mollies across two populations. Fish were exposed to a simulated predator attack, and space-use behavior was quantified as time spent in open versus sheltered areas. We subsequently determined their infection status and parasite load via dissection. We found that Amazons and Sailfins differed in their qualitative, but not quantitative resistance to parasites. Amazons had worse qualitative resistance (i.e. were more likely to be infected with at least one parasite) [JS2.1][KS2.2]and spent more time in the open, riskier portion of the arena. However, consistent with previous studies, Amazons and Sailfins did not differ in quantitative resistance (i.e. parasite load). Parasite prevalence and load differed between our two collection sites, suggesting an important role for environmental context. These results suggest that there is a correlation between behavior and parasite exposure in Amazons, while immune or physiological traits may allow them to limit parasite loads once infected. While the scope of this study makes it difficult to tell whether increased risk-taking behavior leads to parasite exposure or vice versa our results still highlight important differences between sexual and asexual species in parasite-laden environments.

Fish body depth is a common axis of phenotypic diversification. We investigated the evolutionary relationships between postcranial skeletal divergence and body depth evolution in the Nicaraguan Midas cichlid fish species complex (Amphilophus spp.). This lineage of at least 13 species has rapidly differentiated and repeatedly ecologically diverged across several crater lake habitats over the past <20,000 years. We used X-ray images to examine the osteological axial skeleton of all named Midas species, as well as several genetically distinct Midas populations endemic to isolated crater lakes. Vertebrae numbers and 14 linear size-adjusted axial skeletal measurements were used for phylogenetically controlled correlations to evaluate whether these traits were highly associated with body depth evolution. Vertebrae morphometric and meristic traits showed little correlation with body depth in these Central American cichlids. However, the depth of the pectoral girdle, several fin proximal pterygiophores, and the hemal and neural spines associated with the axial skeleton were all significantly correlated with Amphilophus body depth. These traits could reflect functional axes along which the Midas cichlid species complex has rapidly and adaptively diversified.