Species bounty programs, much like bounty hunters charged to bring fugitives to justice, enlist the public to locate and remove unwanted species through financial incentives. With the goal of reducing population sizes, these programs address perceived ecological and economic damage caused by target species. In this study, we provide the first global assessment of species bounty programs, drawing on evidence from both historical and contemporary efforts across diverse regions and cultural contexts over the past eight centuries. We uncovered a long history of bounty programs involving at least 283 species-mammals, birds, fish, plants, reptiles, mollusks, insects, amphibians, and crustaceans-across 449 programs in 60 countries. Using this collective knowledge, we offer five perspectives on species bounty programs. First, bounty programs are launched for a variety of reasons, including economic (livestock, crops, fisheries, infrastructure), ecological (species, ecosystems), and social (human health) considerations related to unwanted species. Second, bounty programs vary in their design and implementation, ranging from well-planned operations with clear management and conservation objectives to ad hoc operations with limited articulation and investigation of project outcomes. Third, evidence points to unintended consequences, in which bounty programs result in the incidental removal of non-target species or in effects that may inadvertently benefit target species. Fourth, while not always the case, fraudulent activities have been reported, compromising the management outcomes of some programs. Fifth, public perception of bounty programs is highly dynamic and ensuring program engagement remains a persistent challenge. By reviewing the scattered narratives of past and present bounty programs globally, this review seeks to inform the evolving role of this management strategy.
A common pitfall in wildlife population monitoring is targeting effort towards locations which are easily accessible due to logistical and resource constraints. This can limit nuanced understandings of population dynamics for species which experience varying stressors through space. The only long-term monitoring programmes for New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) in New Zealand have occurred within central areas of their nationwide range, and colonies in the sub-Antarctic have been particularly neglected. The last population assessment for New Zealand fur seal on the Bounty Islands was in 1994, when ∼21,500 animals were estimated. This population suffers high by-catch rates in commercial fisheries and may be at elevated risk of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza due to cohabitation with wide-ranging pelagic seabirds. This study uses imagery collected by an unmanned-aerial-vehicle (UAV) to estimate pup abundance in the 2023/24 breeding season from the Main Group of the Bounty Islands. A total of 4,168-4,256 pups (mean ± SD) were manually counted from high resolution orthomosaics, with pups recorded on eight of the 13 islands/rocks assessed. After accounting for pups that may have been obscured from the UAV images, two established population multipliers were adopted to convert pup production estimates into rough total population estimates for the islands assessed, giving estimates of 20,237-20,663 and 20,832-21,271 respectively. While these results are similar to the 1994 estimate, direct comparisons are constrained by differences in methodologies and survey timing. In addition to providing an important new baseline for an understudied New Zealand fur seal population facing multiple threats, this research demonstrates the benefits of UAVs for population monitoring in regions where traditional methods cannot be easily implemented.
The rise of antibiotic resistance has created an urgent need for novel antimicrobial agents. Marine ecosystems, particularly marine-derived fungi, have emerged as a rich resource of structurally diverse and complex secondary biometabolites demonstrating promising antibacterial capabilities. These microorganisms thrive in extreme environments, facilitating the synthesis of unique biologically active molecules not commonly found in terrestrial sources. The present review attempts to furnish a bird's eye view of antibacterial compounds derived from marine fungi, highlighting their structural diversity and pharmacological attributes for potential use against drugresistant pathogens. A study of relevant literature has been conducted using Google Scholar, a freely accessible web search engine, and various databases, including PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, ScienceDirect, and SciFinder. Published literatures on marine fungal metabolites with antibacterial properties were analyzed, focusing on their chemical classes, fungal sources, and bioactivity against clinically relevant bacteria. Additionally, the influence of marine habitats on metabolite production and on innovative discovery approaches, such as co-cultivation, was examined. The review provides an overview of the classification of ocean-sourced fungi and explores various mechanisms of action of antibacterial compounds derived from marine fungi, including blocking cell wall formation, damaging bacterial membranes, inhibiting protein synthesis, and interfering with quorum sensing. It provides an extensive overview of diverse biologically active compounds obtained from oceanic fungi belonging to Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and other genera, with antibacterial potential. These metabolites encompass polyketides, alkaloids, terpenoids, peptides, diketopiperazines, and other compound classes identified from marinederived fungi. Notably, several compounds have demonstrated selective activity against drugresistant pathogens, emphasizing their pharmaceutical significance. Additionally, the review highlights the advantages of marine fungi-derived antibacterial agents and addresses the challenges associated with their discovery and development. Marine fungi serve as a promising yet underexplored resource for antibiotic discovery. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, summarizing key findings and offering insights into promising marine fungal metabolites. Moreover, it guides future research by identifying existing knowledge gaps and highlighting cutting-edge approaches to optimizing the identification and development of antibacterial compounds derived from marine fungi.
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Isovitexin, a natural flavone C-glycosylated derivative, displays a wide range of biological activities and holds significant application potential. However, a comprehensive review summarizing the existing knowledge on isovitexin is currently lacking. This review aims to provide an extensive synthesis of current research on isovitexin to enhance scientific understanding and support future investigations. Relevant literature on isovitexin was collected and analyzed from several databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. The current knowledge on isovitexin is summarized below, focusing on key aspects. First, isovitexin is widely distributed and can be separated from numerous plants, such as Colocasia esculenta, mung bean, and Lespedeza cuneata G. Don. Second, pharmacokinetic studies indicate that following oral administration, only a small portion of isovitexin is directly absorbed, while the majority is transferred to the intestine and metabolized by gut microbiota. Isovitexin demonstrates diverse biological activities, including immunomodulatory, antioxidant properties, anticancer activity, neuroprotection, regulation of bone homeostasis, and hepatoprotective effects. These activities are mediated through multiple mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of the Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, antioxidant effects by suppression of myeloperoxidase activity and the scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and anticancer activity by promoting autophagy and apoptosis. In conclusion, isovitexin is a promising natural plant-derived compound with abundant sources and a broad spectrum of physiological activities.
The family-level placement of the species Pacificana cockayniHogg, 1904 (Araneae, Miturgidae) has been ambiguous for over a century, with the monotypic genus Pacificana initially placed in Agelenidae, later transferred to Amaurobioidinae (Anyphaenidae), and presently in Miturgidae. A recent work describing the male and molecular data consisting of a single mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, confirmed that the species is part of the marronoid clade; however, these data did not result in a conclusive family-level placement. Here, we use low-coverage whole genome sequencing (lcWGS) combined with data from the Sequence Read Archive to infer a phylogeny from ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and six legacy Sanger loci. Indications of potential family placements from prior work and the topologies from this study support a transfer of Pacificana Hogg, 1904 to Cycloctenidae Simon, 1898 (new family placement).
Investigations into the bioactive components of plant-based natural products indicate promising therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD). The loss and dysfunction of neurons characterize these disorders. Effective therapeutic guidelines are still elusive despite advances in our comprehension of NDs, in part because of unanswered questions about the safety and efficacy of natural therapies. On the other hand, preclinical models have shown that natural products-such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and phytoconstituents found in freshwater and marine flora-have neuroprotective effects. These substances have the ability to work through a variety of pathways, halting cell death and reinstating neuronal activity. According to recent research, adding these phytoconstituents to nanocarriers, such as nanoparticles, can improve their selectivity and stability, possibly boosting the effectiveness of treatment. By making these agents more specific to target sites, nanotechnology presents a promising treatment option for NDs. Clinical trials assessing the efficacy of these natural compounds in treating neurological conditions are becoming more common as research advances, underscoring their potential as neuroprotective drugs. This study primarily focuses on the therapeutic efficacy of specific natural compounds and their bioactive components, which exhibit neuroprotective benefits in conditions associated with undiagnosed depression. Several preclinical models have demonstrated better results when natural derivatives are used, which has led to an increase in the use of natural therapies for treating NDs. Overall, despite ongoing difficulties, natural products have a great deal of promise for treating and preventing NDs; however, more research is needed to determine safe and effective treatment modalities.
Feeding the world's future population while still facing a variety of socioeconomic and climate change scenarios with uncertain outcomes is a key global societal concern that should be addressed in a science-based manner. Ethiopia boasts a great diversity of wild edible plant species (WEPS), but millions of its citizens still suffer from chronic hunger every year. In this context, we here document the use and conservation of WEPS in the Awi Agäw community, Northwestern Ethiopia. We performed a cross-sectional study from October 2021 to June 2022. Ethnobotanical and conservation status data were collected via semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, field walks and market surveys. A total of 374 respondents from three districts (Guangua, Jawi and Ankasha) were purposely selected for the study. Descriptive statistics, including preference rankings, frequencies and direct matrix rankings, were employed for the data analysis. We identified a total of 39 WEPS plant taxa distributed among 26 families and 32 genera. The Moraceae and Rosaceae had the greatest numbers of plants, with five and three species, respectively. The WEPS are regularly consumed in the study area to alleviate hunger. However, threats such as habitat loss, agricultural expansion, deforestation for firewood and other reasons, and pesticide use threaten WEPS availability. Therefore, community-based conservation interventions need to be encouraged to safeguard WEPS and associated traditional knowledge. Furthermore, nutritional quality analysis is recommended for the selection of promising WEPS candidates.
A large number of people annually lose their lives to tuberculosis (TB), which is an age-old disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The global spread of TB is a concern for all regions. The south-east Asian region recorded 46% of all new TB cases in 2021, followed by the African and western Pacific regions with 23% and 18%, respectively. Researchers are always searching at natural substances for potential alternative therapeutics to tackle the worrisome growth in multi-drug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis due to the high costs associated with developing new treatments and unfavourable side effects of currently used synthetic pharmaceuticals. Phytochemicals show promising results as a future health aid due to their multi-targeting ability on pathogen cells. In the search for new drug leads, the Ayurvedic and Siddha medical systems have made an extensive use of ethnomedicinal tools, including the use of plants like Amalaki (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia willd.), Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus R.Br.), Kustha (Saussurea lappa Falc.), turmeric (Curcuma longa Mal.) and Green tea (Camellia sinensis Linn.). These sources are high in flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins and catechins, has been shown to reduce the risk of TB. In this overview, we look at how natural sources like plants, algae and mushrooms have helped researchers to find new drug leads, and how to back these natural sources through mapping the molecular approaches and other approaches has helped them to defeat MDR.
In the past few years, non-native blue crab has been expanding its range in the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas. However, when non-indigenous species establish a lasting presence in a novel ecosystem and actively expand into other regions, posing potential risks to local biodiversity and economic harm, they are classified as invasive species. For this study, two different batches of blue crabs were collected: one from the Mediterranean Sea and the other from the Adriatic coast area. Considering the negative ecological impact that blue crab has had and continues to have on the Italian coasts, this work was aimed to evaluate the characteristics of the Adriatic Sea "variant"; another goal was to propose the potential use of blue crab as a commercially profitable source due to its organoleptic characteristics. Data obtained revealed a high protein content, a good lipid profile, a low number of plastic particles, and the absence of toxic metals and pathogenic microorganisms. A deep statistical analysis was conducted to compare different portions of blue crab from the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas. The results suggest that Callinectes sapidus is beneficial for human consumption and represents a valuable seafood, and its carapace could be used as compliant feed for aquaculture due to its metal composition and microbiological content.
This paper explores the potential of flavonoid alkaloids, a unique class of compounds that contain both flavonoid and alkaloid structures, as emerging targets for drug discovery. These compounds exhibit diverse biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic effects, which are attributed to the combination of different flavonoid scaffolds and alkaloid groups. Flavonoid alkaloids have attracted researchers' attention due to their diverse structures and important bio-activities. Therefore, this review summarizes recent advances in the extraction, purification, structural characterization, synthesis pathways and biological activities of flavonoid alkaloids from natural sources. Finally, the potential prospects and challenges associated with this class of compounds in pharmacological research are discussed along with details of a mechanistic investigation and future clinical applications in this research field.
Bennu's rocks could reveal origin of organic molecules and Solar System evolution.
Deep cores fulfill 60-year-old quest and could yield science bonanza.
As artificial intelligence continues to enhance biological innovation, the potential for misuse must be addressed to fully unlock the potential societal benefits. While significant work has been done to evaluate general-purpose AI and specialized biological design tools (BDTs) for biothreat creation risks, actionable steps to mitigate the risk of AI-enabled biothreat creation are underdeveloped. This paper provides policy and technology strategies collected from a diverse range of sources placed in the context of an organizing framework aligned with steps in the AI-enabled creation of a biothreat. After collating previous reports (typically on one or a small set of mitigation options) and evaluating the proposed mitigation options by projected feasibility and impact, we prioritize development of seven mitigation strategies (with a total of twelve individual mitigations): model unlearning and information removal techniques (a combination of five mitigations), classifier-based input and output filtering for BDTs, AI agents for biosecurity, safety bug bounty programs, ensuring enforcement of existing material/equipment protections, enhancing biosurveillance and bioattribution, and screening metadata/audit logs before DNA synthesis. We invite collaboration among policymakers, researchers, and technologists to refine and implement these strategies into a strong layered defense, ensuring that AI can be used safely and securely to the benefit of all.
Of the different modes of evolution affecting plant diversification - novel genes, expansion and co-option - the latter holds an especially powerful framework for integrative biology. Beyond the intricate detail of any particular plant, a large-scale consideration of the plant tree of life reveals flowing gene histories inside species conduits, morphing and making their way to Darwin's "endless forms most beautiful". A concept that was only tentatively emerging just two decades ago in the animal embryology literature, gene co-option has exploded into a myriad of examples from nature's botanical bounty. Gene co-option - the reuse of existing genes for new developmental functions - is solidifying its role as a central mechanism driving morphological innovation in plant evolution. Moreover, mounting evidence points to similar molecular toolkits being recruited independently across vast evolutionary distances, revealing deep homology of genetic modules underlying analogous structures. In plants, this phenomenon results in phenotypes as diverse as stinky flowers, carnivory, sexual deception, amphibious habit, and prickles. The growing availability of plant genomes and functional model systems across lineages is uncovering the genetic architecture of landmark developmental innovations in plant evolution. This holistic view highlights that homologous genes are being repeatedly tweaked into new networks and repurposed into novel roles, providing renewed support for a tinkering model of evolution at increasingly larger scales. We present a synthesis of diverse examples of developmental genes repurposed during land plant evolution under the unifying theme that gene co-option operates across multiple biological scales, and end with outstanding questions to further probe the genetic mechanisms underlying co-option across these expanding scales.
Fontan surgery improves outcomes in univentricular heart disease; however, some patients develop severe Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD). Even during adolescence, hepatocellular carcinoma occurs in some patients with FALD, although the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we conducted proteomic analyses of liver tissues obtained using laser capture microdissection (LCM) and serum samples to investigate FALD-related peripheral liver oncogenic factors and explore potential biomarkers. Ten-week-old mice underwent sham surgery, and age-matched mice underwent partial ligation of the suprahepatic inferior vena cava as a congestive hepatopathy (CH) model. Control liver (CL) and serum were collected from the control models, whereas peripheral congestive liver (PCL) and serum were obtained from the CH models. LCM-isolated liver and serum samples were subjected to qualitative and quantitative proteomic analyses. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified by mass spectrometry. We identified 3904 hepatic proteins and 2947 serum proteins. Cancer-related proteins were upregulated in PCL, whereas hepatoprotective proteins were reduced compared with those in CL. Enrichment analysis revealed the upregulation of oncogenic signaling pathways in PCL. Twenty DEPs (e.g., transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3, complement C1q subcomponent subunit A, and Dickkopf-related protein 3) were concurrently increased in PCL and serum of the CH models. PCL upregulated oncogenic proteins and activated oncogenic signaling pathways. DEPs detectable in the liver and serum indicate potential FALD biomarkers. These findings offer insights into the pathophysiology of FALD and hepatocarcinogenesis and support the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Pursuant to patient desires of alternatives to injectable gonadotropins, a plethora of attempts have identified, characterized, and demonstrated efficacy of small molecules that activate (agonists) gonadotropin receptors. Discoveries have also been made of small molecule gonadotropin receptor inhibitors (antagonists), which have potential as useful alternatives to steroid hormone-based contraception. Implementation of these small molecules in advanced testing systems not necessarily used in screening, which identified lead compounds, has yielded a bounty of wonders. It is likely that a richer understanding of the role of signaling platforms and conformation-dependent molecular assemblies are likely to emerge. Several small molecule agonists have been observed to function as conformational boosters that can rescue receptor trafficking defects, or initiate internalization of receptors without bound hormone. Still others have revealed insights into the role of molecular platforms in persistent signaling. Unexpectedly, such antagonists, like molecular scalpels, can ablate certain signaling pathways and not others leading to discovery of biased signaling in gonadotropin receptors. That seminal observation has led to studies of nuanced signaling and, consequently, nuanced gene expression. Gonadotropin receptor structure-based design for better specificity and potency of agonists and antagonists has been provided by new cryo-EM structures of the gonadotropin receptors, demonstrating proof of concept. Structural determination of downstream supramolecular assemblies will be necessary to validate and fully understand these complicated receptors and how their interaction with other proteins and when occupied by hormone and allosteric modulators, nuances their actions and, ultimately, fertility.
Identifying contemporary population structure and genetic connectivity among seabird populations is essential for developing conservation plans for threatened species, especially as factors like philopatry, non-breeding behavior, and oceanographic features might limit gene flow between isolated populations and influence changes in genetic diversity over time. Here, we characterize the population structure of three closely related crested penguin species in New Zealand: Tawaki (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus; Fiordland penguins), erect-crested penguins/tawaki nana hī (Eudyptes sclateri), and eastern rockhopper penguins/tawaki piki toka (Eudyptes filholi). Whereas tawaki populations appear to be stable, the erect-crested and eastern rockhopper penguin populations have seen dramatic declines in the recent historical record. To understand the genetic implications of these differences in population trajectories, we assessed genetic connectivity among multiple colonies using thousands of nuclear autosomal loci. Our results indicate that tawaki are a single, genetically diverse population without colony-based structure, which is consistent with the currently observed stable or increasing population of tawaki. However, conservation efforts should continue to prioritize protecting marine habitats to safeguard this species. In contrast, we identified two genetically distinct populations of erect-crested penguins corresponding to the Antipodes Islands and the Bounty Islands groups. The Antipodes Islands eastern rockhopper population exhibited high levels of coancestry and low genetic diversity, consistent with population decline and limited immigration. The lack of gene flow and genetic diversity in both erect-crested and eastern rockhopper penguins on the Antipodes Islands raises concerns and highlights the need for continued research to identify the causes of declines to inform conservation efforts of these penguins.
Cistus villosus L., a beloved tea herb, contains a treasure trove of potent antioxidants. Our research unveils this ancient ally's potential to shield against oxidative stress, a modern health threat. Antioxidant assays were conducted to evaluate the potency of ethyl acetate extract. IC50 values were determined for the extract in various antioxidant assays. Furthermore, molecular docking was employed for the examination of the 22 compounds analyzed through LC-HRMS. Additionally, ADMET and PASS investigations were conducted to evaluate their capability as antioxidants and inhibitors of oxidant formation. Each identified compound boasts a history of antioxidant prowess, building the natural defense arsenal of C. villous. Antioxidant assays showed the potency of the ethyl acetate fraction with an IC50 value of 5.30 mg/L in the DPPH• test, which is better than that of the studied standard, α-tocopherol (36.35 mg/L). The pharmacokinetic profiles demonstrated good properties for the identified compounds. The PASS study unveiled their potential as antioxidants, and molecular docking showed their effectiveness as inhibitors of oxidant formation in the human body by blocking the studied targets. This herb, a timeless testament to nature's bounty, stands poised to become a powerful weapon in our fight against oxidative stress, promising a future of natural well-being.