Predicting pairwise species interactions in bipartite networks is a longstanding challenge in community ecology. In pollination networks, the shape of flowers often matches the mouthparts of their animal pollinators. This trait matching facilitates the task of forecasting which flower-insect links exist within a given network. I predicted that trait matching would also vary across entire flower-bee communities. I combined a database of European pollination networks across 122 sites (latitude range 36.6-67.7º N) with information on bee (n=392 species) and flower (n=260 species) traits. I tested for correlations between the average depth and symmetry of visited flowers and the average proboscis length, inter-tegular distance, and sociality of their wild bee visitors. Communities of mostly shallow and radial flowers interacted with more bee species, and had fewer interactions with eusocial bees, than communities dominated by deep and bilateral flowers. Furthermore, communities of shallow radial flowers were visited by smaller and shorter-tongued wild bees. Including flower interactions with honey bees in the analyses weakened the trait matching. Leveraging the broad geographical range of the pollination networks in the database, I tested for macroecological trends in bee traits, flower traits, and their matching. The wild bees’ proboscis length and the proportions of eusocial species in the networks significantly increased with latitude, while their functional diversity declined. Floral depth, symmetry, and functional diversity were not predicted by latitude. Bee tongues tended to be shorter than floral corolla tubes in southern Europe, and longer than the corolla tubes in northern Europe. This work illustrates how integration of species-level traits can increase our understanding of macroecological patterns in plant-pollinator interaction networks.

Background and Purpose: Consumption of cannabis during pregnancy has increased, especially oral administration. Given that cannabis compounds readily cross the placenta, there could be unintended developmental consequences, especially when exposed to the modern obesogenic food environment. We explored the long-term effects of maternal voluntary cannabis consumption on adult offspring’s emotional behavioral and microbiota response to high fat diet (HFD) consumption. Experimental Approach: Pregnant mice voluntarily consumed cannabis extract equivalent to 5 mg/kg/day Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol from gestational day 1.5 until postnatal day (PD) 10. Male and female offspring (PD49) consumed a HFD or low-fat control diet (LFD) for 12 weeks. We measured a battery of emotional behavioral tasks (elevated plus maze, light dark box, open field test, social interaction), changes in gut microbiota in dams and offspring, and inhibitory synaptic transmission in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC). Key Results: Pre- and perinatal cannabis exposure (PPCE) did not influence weight gain of offspring on a HFD. Male offspring receiving HFD had decreased risk-taking behaviours that were exacerbated by PPCE. HFD exposure and PPCE had opposing effects on locomotor activity in male mice. Female mice were protected from PPCE influence on emotional behaviour as well as HFD-induced synaptic depression in the lOFC. Changes in offspring microbiota were associated with PPCE-altered maternal-offspring microbial transmission, particularly from maternal fecal microbiota during late gestation. Conclusion and Implications: PPCE sex-dependently influences HFD-induced anxiety and the gut microbiota of offspring. This raises concerns about differential effects of those exposed to gestational cannabis in the modern food environment.

Title: Rare case of Dutasteride induced reversible acute necrotising myopathyDr. Sujatha Kamalaksha 1, 2, Professor Catriona McLean3, Dr. H. M. Meththananda Herath2, 4Affiliations1 - Consultant Rheumatologist, Southwest Healthcare, Warrnambool, VIC Australia 32802 – Affiliate Senior Lecturer; Deakin Clinical School Warrnambool campus, VIC, Australia 32803 - Professor and Head Department of Anatomical Pathology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia4 – Consultant Physician, Southwest Healthcare, Warrnambool, VIC, Australia 3280

Plant–frugivore mutualisms are shaped by suites of fruit traits that evolve in tandem with the preferences of seed dispersers, a concept encapsulated by the dispersal syndrome hypothesis. While morphological characteristics (e.g., size, color, firmness) have been extensively studied, the nutritional dimension, and particularly sugar profiles, remains comparatively understudied. This is despite its role as a primary reward influencing frugivore foraging decisions and despite the fact that these are the primary attractants driving animal feeding and ultimately seed dispersal. Here, we investigated the evolutionary and ecological drivers of sugar profile diversity in the ripe fruits of 15 animal-dispersed wild fig (Ficus) species. We sampled 1019 ripe fruit samples of 50 individual trees at 4 different field sites in Madagascar. Fruits were oven-dried and analyzed using High‑Performance Liquid Chromatography to quantify the abundances of sugars. We addressed three questions: (Q1) Are sugar-composition profiles species-specific? (Q2) Is the sugar profile phylogenetically conserved? (Q3) Do sugar profiles covary with other fruit traits in ways that support dispersal syndromes? Our results demonstrate fig species exhibit certain distinct sugar profiles, alongside substantial intraspecific variability; we did not find a phylogenetic signal in sugar profiles, suggesting that sugar profiles are not strongly constrained by shared ancestry but have likely diverged under ecological selection; and sugar profiles covary significantly with other fruit traits. Species with smaller fruits, different/multiple coloration, and mixed aromatic profiles rich in terpene and ester exhibited elevated sucrose concentrations, whereas larger, more conspicuous, and ester-rich fruits tended to contain higher fructose levels. Together, these findings lend support for the dispersal syndrome hypothesis by demonstrating that sugar profile, like other non-sugar traits, such as morphology, has evolved in association with frugivore preferences.

1. Urbanization influences ecological and evolutionary processes, including gene flow and survival. Understanding how genetic and demographic rates respond to urbanization is therefore essential for wildlife viability in human-dominated landscapes. We tested whether population genetic di-versity, genetic structure, and apparent survival of Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) vary in concert along an urbanization gradient. 2. We combined a multi-year capture–mark–recapture study with microsatellite-based population genetic analyses at three sites in Berlin, Germany, representing increasing levels of urbanization. 3. Genetic diversity was broadly comparable among sites, indicating no strong genetic erosion in urban populations. However, weak heterozygote deficits and subtle differences in individual het-erozygosity suggest mild restrictions to gene flow along the urban gradient. Bayesian clustering analyses identified two genetic clusters, broadly corresponding to study sites, revealing emerging fine-scale population structure despite the small spatial extent of the study area. 4. Apparent survival did not differ clearly among sites. Several predictors received similar support, highlighting substantial uncertainty in the drivers of survival in this system. 5. By integrating genetic and demographic data, our study demonstrated that fine-scale genetic structuring can emerge in urban wildlife populations without translating into detectable short-term differences in apparent survival. These findings highlight that genetic and demographic re-sponses to urbanization can be decoupled and emphasize the importance of integrated approach-es for understanding population survival in human-modified environments.

Sexually selected weapons used in intra-sexual competition for mates are among the most striking animal features, but how their evolution affects life history traits closely correlated with fitness is not well understood. Here, we selected for or against the prevalence of a lethal weapon in a male-dimorphic mite Sancassania berlesei, and investigated how life-histories evolve in populations with high vs. low proportion of weaponized, aggressive males called fighters and non-weaponized, non-aggressive males called scramblers. After 25 generations of selection, females from fighter-selected lines showed higher early fecundity compared to females from lines selected for non-aggressive scrambler males. Furthermore, while fighter males took longer to reach adult stage compared to scrambler males in general, both the morphs and sexes matured earlier in fighter-selected lines compared to scrambler-selected ones. Larvae-to-adult survivorship was not affected by such selection treatment. Finally, we investigated whether adult survivorship under temperature stress was influenced by such selection treatment, and we found no difference between fighter-selected and scrambler-selected lines. Our results demonstrate that selection for male weapon and/or consequent prevalence of costly intra-sexual aggression leads to an increase in key components of fitness, with likely consequences for population dynamics. However, we found no evidence that the response to such selection affects how individuals cope with environmental challenge.

Wind plays an important role in many of the biological processes that imply movements, such as plant dispersal or migration of flying species. Birds are known to select favorable wind conditions – usually tailwinds –and this selection is sometimes even indispensable to fly across long barriers, as the wind largely impacts the cost of flight. Therefore, it can be expected that wind also has an influence on the movement patterns of birds during their dispersal period, especially on raptors, whose large size and weight require them to be as energetically-efficient as possible when flying . Here we assess the effects of wind on juvenile dispersal movements in a long-lived large-sized bird of prey, the Spanish Imperial Eagle. In particular, we use high spatio-temporal resolution information from GPS-GSM tags in order to determine the effects of wind speed and direction on: (1) the first flight at independence (i.e., when juveniles definitely leave the natal territory), (2) the wandering dispersal flights, and (3) the flight speed of the species during the juvenile dispersal period. Our findings show that the direction and intensity of the wind influenced the onset of independence and the patterns of subsequent long-distance movements during juvenile dispersal in the endangered Spanish Imperial Eagle. The observed effects varied according to movement parameters and among natal subpopulations with different geographic and landscape features. Interestingly, low- to moderate winds (i.e., 2-5 m/s) were also found to be responsible for longer distances and a faster flight during the daily dispersal movements. This wind-related influence on the timing and movements of dispersals can have important consequences on individual fitness and population dynamics.

Planck-Scale Periodicity C. R. Gimarelli (December 25, 2025) \affiliation Independent Researcher The recovery of low-grade waste heat remains a critical challenge in global energy management, with efficient energy conversion technologies still in their infancy. pH-sensitive thermally regenerative cells (pH-TRCs) offer a promising solution by harnessing temperature-induced pH gradients within carbonate electrolytes to drive electrochemical power generation. However, existing research has mainly focused on short-term, batch-mode characterizations, leaving the electrochemical dynamics under practical continuous-flow conditions unclear. In this study, a two-dimensional transient multiphysics model is developed to couple fluid dynamics, multicomponent ion transport, carbonate–bicarbonate buffer chemistry, and electrode kinetics for simulating the discharge performance of a continuous-flow pH-TRC. The model is validated against experimental data, achieving average relative deviations of 3.36% for voltage and 4.87% for power density. Simulation results reveal a transition from initial polarization to a stable steady state, where the cell delivers a current density of 18.8 A·m⁻² and a power density of 1.61 W·m⁻². Parametric analysis indicates that elevating the operating temperature from 283 to 373 K enhances ion transport and reaction kinetics, boosting power density from 0.72 to 3.96 W·m⁻². These findings provide essential theoretical insights and design criteria for advancing continuous-flow pH-TRCs toward scalable low-grade heat recovery applications.

Background and Purpose: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting BCR-ABL1 have revolutionized the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia, but their use is associated with cardiovascular toxicity, recently linked to activation of the innate immune response. Although zebrafish are widely used to study drug mechanisms, they are rarely applied to assess endothelial function. Here, we present a methodology to evaluate TKI-induced endothelial dysfunction in zebrafish larvae. Experimental Approach: Endothelial effects of TKIs were examined in zebrafish larvae by measuring vascular permeability and vasoconstriction in the dorsal aorta. Cardiac toxicity was evaluated through assessment of pericardial oedema and cardiac performance (fractional shortening and fractional area change). Expression of inflammatory and endothelial activation markers was analysed, and the contribution of innate immune cells was tested using genetic ablation of leukocytes (neutrophils and macrophages). Key Results: Ponatinib (third-generation TKI) induced vascular hyperpermeability and vasoconstriction in the dorsal aorta, accompanied by pericardial oedema and reduced cardiac fractional shortening and fractional area change. Nilotinib (second-generation TKI) also increased vascular permeability and caused vasoconstriction and pericardial oedema, but without cardiac dysfunction. Imatinib (first-generation TKI) had minimal effects on vascular tone. However, imatinib and asciminib were not effectively absorbed by static immersion in zebrafish larvae. Ponatinib-induced endothelial effects were associated with increased vcam and icam expression and slightly elevated il-1β and tnfa levels. Genetic ablation of leukocytes did not modify ponatinib-induced vasculotoxicity. Conclusion and Implications: Endothelial profiling in zebrafish larvae provides a quantitative in vivo approach to predict vascular toxicity of anti-cancer drugs. Ponatinib showed the strongest detrimental effects on endothelial function, independent of innate immune cell–driven inflammation.

Many seabird populations along the UK’s East Coast have declined over the past three decades. A key concern is reduced availability of their primary breeding season prey, sandeel (Ammodytes marinus). While some seabirds have partially switched to sprat (Sprattus sprattus), this is not universal. Studying these predator–prey dynamics requires fine-scale estimates of prey distributions that are both spatially and temporally resolved—yet such data are limited, especially for sandeel due to sampling challenges. We evaluate the utility of large-scale ICES bottom trawl surveys to model sandeel distribution, combining them with winter dredge surveys designed specifically for this species. For sprat, we combine bottom trawl data with the Herring Acoustic Survey. Using hierarchical Bayesian spatio-temporal models (R-INLA), we estimate the biomass of small and medium sandeel (<= 16 cm) and sprat across the entire North Sea from 2000 to 2020, accounting for spatial and temporal dependencies. We validate our sandeel models by comparison with other modelling approaches and ICES stock assessments. Results reveal marked regional variation: sandeel increased in Area 3 (Norwegian EEZ), declined in Areas 1 and 2, and fluctuated in Area 4. Sprat biomass increased over time, with a modest northward expansion. This study provides the first North Sea-wide, fine-scale, multi-decadal distribution models for these two key seabird prey species and identifies important regional drivers of their populations.

ECG with Anterior T-wave inversion in Caucasian Healthy Athletes: Cardiomyopathy or Athlete’s Heart?Lista Patricia1; Pin Riccardo1; Muzzarelli Stefano2; Menafoglio Andrea3; Di Valentino Marcello1-4.1 Department of Cardiology, Clinica Luganese Moncucco, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland2 Cardiocentro Ticino Institute, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6600 Locarno, Switzerland3 Cardiocentro Ticino Institute, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland4 Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, 6900 Lugano, SwitzerlandCorrespondence: Patricia Lista (patricia.lista@moncucco.ch)Keywords: ECG, athletes, T-wave inversion, cardiomyopathy

Targeting BRAF V600E in Malignant Phyllodes Tumor: Evidence for Precision Oncology in a Rare Breast SarcomaJonathan Chi, Kamalesh K. Sankhala, Amin Mirhadi, Mark AgulnikKey Words: oncology, genetics and genomics, pathology and laboratory medicine, radiology and imaging, surgeryKey Clinical Message: Comprehensive genomic profiling identified a BRAF V600E mutation in malignant phyllodes tumor, enabling effective use of BRAF/MEK–targeted therapy. This case supports precision oncology as a viable strategy to reduce tumor burden and extend disease control in rare breast sarcomas.AbstractTargeted therapies are an accepted standard transformative approach in oncology, offering precision-based treatment strategies that are both less toxic and highly effective in reducing or eradicating tumor burden. We present the case of a patient with a malignant phyllodes tumor who, following mastectomy, underwent comprehensive genomic profiling through Foundation One sequencing, which identified a BRAF V600E mutation. On this basis, she was enrolled in the Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) trial and initiated therapy with the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib in combination with the MEK inhibitor cobimetinib—an FDA established regimen for melanoma but rarely applied in the context of breast malignancies or sarcomas. This report represents one of the first documented cases evaluating the efficacy of vemurafenib-cobimetinib in a breast sarcoma subtype. In conjunction with definitive surgery, adjuvant radiation, and microwave ablation, this targeted regimen was associated with a favorable toxicity profile and a measurable reduction in tumor burden. Taken together, this case underscores the critical role of next-generation sequencing in uncovering actionable genomic alterations and highlights the expanding potential of precision oncology in a rare breast sarcoma subtype.IntroductionPhyllodes tumors (PT) of the breast are rare fibroepithelial neoplasms, often difficult to clinically distinguish from fibroadenomas due to overlapping histologic features. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies PT into three categories based on histological analysis: benign, borderline, and malignant.1 The distinguishing factors separating these categorizations are subjective, defined by stromal cellularity, stromal atypia, mitosis, stromal overgrowth, and tumor margin.2 This histologic ambiguity frequently contributes to diagnostic uncertainty and adds to existing challenges in establishing reliable primary breast sarcoma diagnosis.3The mainstay of treatment for malignant PT is surgical resection, while the role of adjuvant radiotherapy remains controversial with respect to improving disease-free survival.4 Local recurrence is a central concern with surgery alone, with results varying based on resection margins. Although a negative margin of ≥1 cm is generally considered adequate for borderline and malignant PT, this is not always surgically achievable.5 Despite optimal surgery and adjuvant radiation, malignant phyllodes tumors have a risk of metastatic disease, particularly to the lungs, though the risk is lower for borderline and benign types. A significant portion of these malignant tumors (up to 27%) can metastasize.6 And given this, there is a need for effective therapies in the metastatic setting. Current chemotherapeutic approaches are suboptimal.7,8These limitations highlight the need for novel, patient-specific therapeutic strategies to optimize outcomes.The expanding characterization of the PT genomic landscape has created opportunities for targeted therapies that may be less morbid than surgery and more tolerable than conventional sarcoma directed chemotherapy.We present a case of a patient with a malignant PT harboring a BRAF V600E mutation. This mutation results in constitutive activation of the BRAF kinase within the RTK/RAF/RAS signaling cascade. Unlike wild-type RAF isoforms, BRAF V600E signals as a monomer, bypassing the requirement for dimerization, and thereby drives persistent MAPK pathway activation, enhanced tumor proliferation, and oncogenic progression.9 Defining the clinical relevance of BRAF V600E in PT may yield actionable therapeutic insights, expand treatment options beyond chemotherapy, and further inform the development of histology-agnostic precision oncology strategies.10Case History/ExaminationWe present the case of a female who presented at age 49 with a left breast mass. Of note, the patient had a past medical history relevant for poliomyelitis, diagnosed at age 1. The patient was in her usual state of health until 2016, when she experienced bleeding from her left nipple and observed an increasing nodule in her left breast.Differential Diagnosis, Investigations, and TreatmentAn initial biopsy of the left breast mass was consistent with a benign phyllodes tumor. However, due to increased tumor growth and concern for malignancy, she underwent lumpectomy in November 2017 to excise a 7 cm malignant phyllodes tumor of the left breast and a 2.2 cm malignant phyllodes tumor of the superior left breast (Figure 3). Margins from the larger tumor were involved with disease. Patient was advised to undergo a left breast mastectomy on January 23, 2018 because of a positive margin at her initial surgery (Figure 3).In March 2018, the patient noticed 2 new nodules in her left chest wall near her prior surgical site. These enlarged rapidly. Biopsy was done and pathology confirmed recurrent sarcoma of the left breast with underlying infiltrate or sarcomatous malignancy invading into the skin dermis. This diagnosis was consistent with malignant PT with extensive sarcomatoid overgrowth.In 2018, Foundation One genetic profiling revealed a BRAF mutation in the tumor (Figure 1). The patient then enrolled in TAPUR: Testing the Use of FDA Approved Drugs That Target a Specific Abnormality in a Tumor Gene in People With Advanced Stage Cancer (TAPUR) NCT02693535. In May 2018, she initiated targeted therapy with vemurafenib (960 mg orally twice daily) in combination with cobimetinib (60 mg orally once daily, administered on days 1–21 of each 28-day cycle) (Figure 3).Figure 1Foundation 1 genetic profiling for the initial Phyllodes tumorPatient received treatment with dose reduction (vemurafenib 25% dose reduction and cobimetinib 33% dose reduction) due to recurrent skin rash. She briefly discontinued treatment in September 2018 and underwent surgery for the chest wall recurrence (Figure 3). Pathology showed no evidence of residual malignancy. The patient received adjuvant radiation therapy following surgery, to the chest wall, in October 2018 (Figure 3). Following radiation in February 2019, the patient resumed her targeted therapy with vemurafenib in combination with cobimetinib, at a modified dose until June 2019 (Figure 3). After a disease free interval of 6 months, a CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, revealed new lung metastases, confirmed on core needle biopsy to be a spindle cell tumor, consistent with metastasis from malignant Phyllodes tumor of breast (Figure 2A). She resumed vemurafenib 25% dose reduction and cobimetinib 33% dose reduction in December 2019, and underwent microwave ablation of the enlarging left upper lobe lung lesion in January 2021, showing improvement in tumor size (Figure 2B, 3)Figure 2

The Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) is one of the most endangered leopard subspecies, restricted to less than 4% of its historical range across Southeast Asia. With severe population declines driven by poaching, habitat loss and fragmentation, and prey depletion, effective recovery requires urgent, spatially-informed conservation action. This study presents the first comprehensive connectivity analysis for the Indochinese leopard across its extant and former range, aiming to identify core habitats, connectivity corridors, and opportunities for population restoration. We used resistant kernel modelling through the CoLa Decision Support System to evaluate landscape connectivity across 14 forest complexes in the extant range and 11 potential reintroduction areas, considering scenarios of extant, reintroduction, and combined range connectivity. Importance to connectivity was assessed based on kernel extent, movement density, and protected area overlap. Our results confirmed the Dawna–Tenasserim landscape, spanning parts of Thailand and Myanmar, and Peninsular Malaysia as the most critical strongholds to conserve. In the former range, our analysis revealed potential for large-scale metapopulation structural connectivity across Cambodia and Lao PDR, despite recent local extirpations. Realizing reintroduction opportunities will require complementary actions such as reducing poaching, restoring prey, and improving habitat management. In some complexes, intensive landscape restoration may be needed to reconnect major core areas with smaller reintroduction complexes that could still be critical for meta-population connectivity. Despite increasing human pressure in the region, substantial habitat and connectivity potential remain. Our framework provides a spatial foundation to prioritize actions for preventing extinction and guiding large carnivore recovery across fragmented tropical landscapes.

Parental care is a key component of reproductive strategies in many anuran species, improving offspring survival through a variety of behavioural mechanisms. Acoustic communication plays a central role in mediating social interactions in anurans, yet its function during parental care remains largely unexplored. Here, we describe acoustic communication associated with parental care in anurans, including previously unknown observations. We conducted a systematic review to compile all available records of calling during parental care. We found reports of both males and females calling while providing care, using advertisement, warning, and territorial calls. Additionally, we include two new call types associated with parental care: attendance calls, produced by leptodactylid females, and egg-feeding calls, produced by dendrobatid males. These findings expand the known repertoire of anuran vocalizations and highlight that calling during parental care may be more widespread and functionally diverse than previously appreciated.

Title: Whipple’s disease in a young Nepalese Mongolian male without rheumatological findings: A case report

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the Manchester Maternity Assessment Triaging Tool (MMATT) on the number and risk profile of women assigned to the higher-risk (orange) triage category. Design: Quality improvement study. Setting: Three maternity hospitals, UK. Population: All attendances maternity triage February-2024 to August-2025. Methods: Comparative analysis of triage attendances using Birmingham Symptom-specific Obstetric Triage system (BSOTS) and MMATT. Main Outcome Measures: Proportion, profile, patient journey and triage occupancy for each triage category. Results: Data from maternity triage attendances (n=42,019 BSOTS, n=23,066 MMATT) were included. The number of women with an orange triage category was reduced from 25% to 22% (p<0.0001) using MMATT, and the proportions presenting with reduced fetal movements were 42% vs 14%, and with suspected labour 23% vs 63% (p<0.001) for BSOTS and MMATT, respectively. Triage occupancy differed significantly between BSOTS and MMATT, with women categorised as orange making up a smaller proportion of triage occupancy using MMATT (p < 0.0001). The likelihood of achieving ongoing care within 15 minutes increased by 19% (OR 1.19[1.07-1.33]; p=0.002). For women in the lower-risk yellow/green categories, there was a significant reduction in the number of births (within four hours) in theatre following implementation of MMATT (p=0.012) and the number of women transferred for high dependency care (within six hours) appeared comparable between the two time periods. Conclusions: Implementation of MMATT positively influenced both the characteristics and care pathways of women categorised as higher risk (orange); further evaluation of this revised triage tool in other hospitals is justified.

Alpine landscapes are increasingly affected by pastoral abandonment and shrub encroachment, threatening biodiversity and specialist species dependent on habitat mosaics. We investigated how female Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) select brood-rearing habitat in the French Alps, where green alder (Alnus viridis) expansion is rapidly transforming semi-open landscapes into closed shrubland. We GPS-tracked 10 females across five breeding seasons (2017–2021), yielding 14 unique individual-years combination with high-resolution movement data. Using LiDAR-derived habitat maps (1 m² resolution) and integrated Step-Selection Analysis, we quantified habitat selection across multiple spatial scales and tested how reproductive status (brood-rearing vs. solitary) influenced fine-scale movement decisions. Habitat selection operated hierarchically. At the landscape scale, females established home ranges with 25–50% shrub cover—higher than expected from availability alone. Within home ranges, brood-rearing hens selected areas with balanced shrub-meadow proportions at a 900 m² scale, corresponding to relatively small alder patches. At the microsite scale, hens with and without brood used patch edges intensively, remaining in average respectively within 0 m and 4 m inside shrub boundaries while accessing adjacent open areas. Movement patterns reflected reproductive constraints: brood-rearing females exhibited shorter, more tortuous steps within shrub habitat compared to solitary hens, indicating deliberate persistence in covered areas. Our findings suggest a multiscale predation-foraging trade-off mediated by reproductive status. Brood-rearing hens prioritise shrub cover likely for chick protection while maintaining access to herbaceous foraging areas through edge-oriented movements. Conservation efforts should focus on maintaining structural heterogeneity with 30–50% shrub cover distributed as small patches embedded within meadows. This configuration optimises edge density and habitat complementarity, supporting Black Grouse persistence and broader typical alpine biodiversity under ongoing landscape change.

Virtual reality (VR) and digital visualization tools offer new opportunities for science education and community outreach by increasing the accessibility and transparency of controlled-access laboratory spaces, such as ancient DNA (aDNA) clean room environments for paleogenomics research. These visualization methods provide a critical intervention for the field of paleogenomics by combining public science outreach efforts with digital tools to support engagement with descendant communities, the public, or other communities of care. Here, we present the creation of a 360° Tour of the Ancient DNA Laboratory at the University of Connecticut (360° Tour). The virtual environment was developed using 3DVista software and hosts interactive audio, images, and videos that allow users to engage with aDNA laboratory workflows in the spaces where they are executed. Interactive elements are organized into three thematic categories: Orientation Audio, which introduces the laboratory spaces and their functions; Information Hotspots, which provide contextual information about equipment or processes; and Embedded Skills Videos, which demonstrate core aDNA methods. We present the 360° Tour’s web integration and detail its use for public outreach in collaboration with Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation’s Bioarchaeology Program. Overall, VR tools such as the 360° Tour offer a transferable framework to improve accessibility and transparency in laboratory research, enhancing community engagement and education efforts for paleogenomics and science more broadly.