Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders, characterized by underlying cognitive features such as early-onset deficits in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and highly restricted interests [1, 2]. Autism is often diagnosed and characterized on a spectrum, as its range of severity is wide and can co-occur with other symptoms such as intellectual disability, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, epilepsy, delayed motor development, and more [3].
In Drosophila melanogaster, the highest number of novel gene expression phenotypes have been observed in male reproductive tract tissues. Recent discovery of a novel testis expression by a gene, CG14662, in D. melanogaster but not sister species suggests a possible newly-evolved association with male fecundity. This study examined whether CG14662 is associated with reduced male fertility in D. melanogaster. with the use of RNAi knockdown.
In the zombie-apocalypse video game and hit TV series The Last of Us, a fungus infects humans and takes control of their minds, mutating them into putrid monsters. This was was inspired by Ophiocordyceps, a genus of parasitic fungi that infects ants. Even though this fungus cannot affect humans, other parasites can. Studying the processes that underlie Ophiocordyceps infection can help us enhance our understanding of human parasites and other pathogens. This review will compile known factors and mechanisms involved in Ophiocordyceps’ manipulation of its host, from initial infection to death.
As climate change and agricultural landscapes continue to intensify concurrently, it is important to understand how we can conserve biodiversity in human-dominated landscapes now and in the future. There is some evidence that the presence of thermally buffered habitats such as patches of trees and other natural habitats can help organisms cope with increasingly common heat waves. It is therefore important to understand how temperature extremes can affect the fitness of organisms in agriculture, where the majority of natural habitat is often removed. In this study, we sought to examine how thermally buffered habitats can help mitigate the impacts of heat waves on songbirds in vineyards across California’s Napa Valley. We captured 55 breeding Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana) and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), tracked their movements with GPS, and then examined how temperature and land cover within their home ranges influenced their body condition. We found that both species lost weight as temperatures increased, but the effects of temperature were mediated by the amount of vineyard and thermally-buffered habitat within their home ranges. Specifically, decreases in weight in response to temperature were diminished in areas with greater proportions of thermally-buffered habitat and lower proportions of vineyards. Together, our work suggests that maintaining and/or restoring natural habitats in agricultural landscapes could help buffer the effects of climate change on wildlife in human-dominated landscapes.
Circadian rhythms in mammals are orchestrated by a highly prevalent timing system, at the heart of which lies a complex molecular process regulated by a central clock in the brain. Similar to other physiological systems, the circadian system undergoes degradation with age. This article aims to introduce the definition of circadian rhythm, delve into its fundamental principles, and explore the correlation between changes in circadian rhythm and the aging process.
One important aspect of stem cells is their high activity of the Wnt signaling pathway. In the animal Hydra vulgaris this pathway is active in some capacity at all times and is very active during regeneration. It is also active during the growth of ectopic heads, which are heads that grow on the wrong part of the Hydra or in addition to an already established head. Hydra is a model organism for studying countless molecular processes due to its structural simplicity and incredible regenerative abilities making it an ideal tool for studying the Wnt signaling pathway. This review will describe new research on the activity of β-catenin, GSK-3β, and general Wnt signaling during regeneration and ectopic head formation and prevention in Hydra.
Some of California’s iconic freshwater fishes such as sturgeon, salmon, and trout are anadromous. This means that they are born in freshwater, migrate to the ocean as adults, and return to freshwater to spawn. Several species face extinction or severe decline within the next century, an endangerment facilitated by the presence of man-made dams. This review will discuss how dams affect anadromous fishes through habitat fragmentation, reduction in water quality, and the spread of disease.
Maddie is a PhD candidate in her 5th year working with Dr. Rachael Bay. Maddie uses genomics, transcriptomics, and developmental biology techniques to investigate the evolutionary implications of urban stressors on marine invertebrates, using Pacific Purple Sea Urchins as her model organism.
The recent deaths of large groups of vultures in the 2020s via anthropogenic toxins have sparked concern and highlighted the need for urgent action to protect one of the most endangered avian groups in the world. Understanding the underlying reasons why vulture poisonings occur and how the decline of vultures impacts wildlife and human communities helps inform what steps we can take to protect and restore their populations. One of the most well-documented vulture declines is that of the South Asian vulture population in 2012, which primarily impacted three Old-World species of vulture endemic to the region. Understanding the South Asian vulture population collapse and the subsequent conservation efforts can help prevent the same from happening to other vulture populations around the world.
Owning to the millennia-long relationship between dogs and humans, there is a wealth of research on the impacts of human-dog interactions, or Human-Animal Interactions (HAI). Most studies focus on the biopsychosocial model, which describes biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors as interrelated and interdependent aspects of human welfare. While research has shown that HAI improves psychological and social welfare, studies have yielded contrasting results regarding the physical health benefits of canine presence. This review addresses both cohesive and contradictory findings regarding the impact of dogs on humans, as well as potential explanations for the dramatic variation in conclusions.
