BioScience最新文献

Specimen-associated biodiversity data are crucial for biological, environmental, and conservation sciences. A rate shift is needed to extract data from specimen images efficiently, moving beyond human-mediated transcription. We developed Hespi (for herbarium specimen sheet pipeline) using advanced computer vision techniques to extract authoritative data applicable for a range of research purposes from primary specimen labels on herbarium specimens. Hespi integrates two object detection models: one for detecting the components of the sheet and another for fields on the primary specimen label. It classifies labels as printed, typed, handwritten, or mixed and uses optical character recognition and handwritten text recognition for extraction. The text is then corrected against authoritative taxon databases and refined using a multimodal large language model. Hespi accurately detects and extracts text from specimen sheets across international herbaria, and its modular design allows users to train and integrate custom models.

There is growing recognition that tropical forest restoration is key for sequestering carbon and enhancing ecosystem resilience. Soils, roots, and soil biota are central to ecosystem function and services, but belowground recovery is largely overlooked in restoration monitoring frameworks. Here, we outline current understanding of the links between above- and belowground recovery in tropical forests by examining how belowground properties before and after intervention influence recovery; by evaluating whether aboveground recovery can serve as a proxy for belowground dynamics; and by proposing a blueprint for monitoring dynamic soil physical (bulk density, aggregate stability), chemical (organic matter or carbon, pH), and biological properties (decomposition rate, macrofauna abundance) in resource-constrained projects. Although we highlight some aboveground proxies for assessing belowground recovery, a better understanding of relationships between above- and belowground indicators across diverse restoration interventions remains essential. Overall, we provide an actionable path toward integrating belowground recovery into restoration design and assessment.

Turtles are renowned for their extreme longevity and tremendous range in body size. Theoretically, large, long-lived organisms should face higher cancer risks because of increased cell numbers and lifetime cellular turnover, yet cancer appears to be exceptionally rare in turtles. In the present article, we synthesize the current knowledge on cancer prevalence in turtles, drawing from zoo necropsies, pathology reports, and comparative oncology studies, and present new data spanning additional species that reinforce this pattern. Emerging molecular evidence suggests that turtles possess high resistance to oxidative stress and protein dysregulation, which may contribute to cancer resistance. Given their extreme lifespans and unique physiology, turtles represent a promising but underexplored model for studying the evolution of longevity and natural cancer suppression mechanisms.

Experiencing nature offers numerous health and well-being benefits, particularly for urban residents. Although the benefits of visiting natural environments are well documented, less is known about the health effects of experiencing nature without going outdoors-in particular, viewing it through building windows. This meta-analysis synthesizes findings from 28 studies encompassing 104 results to examine the relationship between window views of nature and human health. Improvements were reported across various physiological, psychological, and physical health measures, with most studies focused on psychological outcomes. The meta-analytic results indicate consistently positive effects, with particularly strong benefits in studies using physiological health measures and focusing on nature in urban settings. Although some publication bias was detected, correcting for it did not change the overall conclusions. These findings highlight the potential of integrating nature views into built environments as a practical strategy for enhancing public health, particularly in urban areas.

Coral bleaching is the largest global threat to coral reef ecosystem persistence this century. Advancing our understanding of coral bleaching and developing solutions to protect corals and the reefs they support are critical. In the present article, we, the US National Science Foundation-funded Coral Bleaching Research Coordination Network, outline future directions for coral bleaching research. Specifically, we address the need for embedded inclusiveness, codevelopment, and capacity building as a foundation for excellence in coral bleaching research and the critical role of coral-bleaching science in shaping policy. We outline a path for research innovation and technology and propose the formation of an international coral bleaching consortium that, in coordination with existing multinational organizations, could be a hub for planning, coordinating, and integrating global-scale coral bleaching research, innovation, and mitigation strategies. This proposed strategy for future coral bleaching research could facilitate a step-function change in how we address the coral bleaching crisis.

Plenary speakers serve as role models for early-career scholars, and these talks advance the speakers' careers while celebrating the important scientific contributions of women. Professional conferences are an ideal venue for assessing progress toward equity goals across disciplines. We examined gender disparities among distinguished speakers at North American ecology conferences from 2000 to 2023. We found that women's representation as speakers has increased, especially in the past decade, but they remain underrepresented relative to their proportion among graduate students. Disparities persist across institutions, disciplines, and career stages, particularly for women in later career stages. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic did not notably affect women's representation, and nonbinary genders remain minimally represented, underscoring ongoing challenges in achieving inclusive representation. Although the gender gap has not yet closed, this emerging positive trend for women speakers at professional ecology conferences is encouraging.

Storytelling is an essential part of science writing. To craft compelling stories, scientists are taught to think of their variables as characters. A common narrative tool within ecology and conservation writing is the hero-villain trope, where a heroic protagonist faces off against an antagonistic villain. Although it is an evocative structure, we argue that this narrative structure inherently assigns moral blame to the "villains," oversimplifies complex ecological interactions and processes, and embeds subjective values into the narrative. We then provide several solutions, including ways to deploy the hero-villain trope correctly and effectively, as well as other narrative tools that can be used in ecology and conservation writing. In fostering a more intentional approach to narrative construction, we aim to elevate the stories we tell about the natural world.

Plankton, a diverse group of aquatic organisms, make Earth livable, regulate aquatic life, and provide benefits to human societies such as access to clean water, food security, and well-being. They also support economies and inspire biotechnological innovations. This article aims to raise awareness of the value of plankton to humanity and serves as an informative guide for aquatic professionals, policymakers, and anyone interested in plankton. We present the value of plankton across six themes of human interest: biogeochemistry; ecology; climate; the evolution of science; economy; and culture, recreation, and well-being. Guided by the 2022 Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services values assessment, we introduce the six themes under the Life Framework of Values to offer a comprehensive summary of the significance of plankton to humanity. In addition, we provide examples of plankton variables used in policy frameworks and recommendations for enhancing understanding of their value through long-term sustainable research and monitoring.

Biologists represent data in visual forms, such as graphs, to aid data analysis and communication. However, students struggle to construct effective graphs. Although some studies explore these difficulties, we lack a comprehensive framework of the knowledge and skills needed to construct graphs in biology. In the present article, we describe the development of the Graph Construction Competency Model for Biology (GCCM-Bio), a framework of the components and activities associated with graph construction. We identified four broad knowledge areas for graph construction in biology: data selection, data exploration, graph assembly, and graph reflection. Under each area, we identified activities undertaken when constructing graphs of biological data and refined the GCCM-Bio through focus groups with experts in biology and statistics education. We also ran a scoping literature review to verify that these activities were represented in the graphing literature. The GCCM-Bio could support instructors, curriculum developers, and researchers when designing instruction and assessment of biology graph construction.