Journals
2026 EN
Deanna Rocío · Hvalj Aleksej Vladimirovič · Martinetto Edoardo
+12 more
Abstract The fossil record for Solanaceae has a complex taxonomic history, with many species originally described in the family being subsequently shown to belong in other plant families. In this work, we present an in‐depth analysis of the nightshade seed fossil record, which corresponds to the largest amount of fossil material for the family. We re‐examined 110 fossil seeds previously assigned either to one of the six described taxa or unplaced within the family. All fossils were imaged and measured for 15 discrete and continuous characters, and a subset of 22 well‐preserved specimens was additionally subjected to micro‐CT scanning. In parallel, we scored the same set of characters for seeds from 354 extant taxa of Solanaceae. We carried out a multivariate analysis of the combined extinct and extant dataset to visualize the placement of fossil seeds within Solanaceae seed morphospace. This analysis revealed a wide spread of fossils across morphospace, including a variety of shapes, sizes and testal wall features. For one fossil‐taxon ( Hyoscyamosperma daturoides gen. & sp. nov . ), the micro‐CT images confirmed the presence of an elaiosome, otherwise only known in the family from the genus Datura . Based on these analyses, we recircumscribe two specie, describe six new species and six new genera, doubling the number of fossil seed species in the family. The broad geographic and stratigraphic distribution of these diverse taxa, from Eocene North America and Europe to Pleistocene Eurasia, support the notion that the Solanaceae is likely a family of a Late Cretaceous origin that attained nearly a cosmopolitan distribution by the Eocene.
Journals
2026 EN
Han Hyeondae · Oh Youngjae · Jang Yoon Jeong
+12 more
Abstract Phytophthora crown rot, caused by Phytophthora cactorum , is a soilborne disease with broad impacts on cultivated strawberry ( Fragaria × ananassa ). A resistance locus, RPc2 , was previously identified in octoploid strawberries, but the underlying genomic architecture and causal genes remained uncharacterized. In this study, we fine‐mapped RPc2 from a 1.12 Mb interval to a 546 kb region containing 92 genes by genotyping an association panel of 339 accessions with high‐resolution subgenome‐specific markers. To discover candidate genes, a chromosome‐scale haplotype‐phased genome of the resistant breeding line FL16.33‐8 was assembled and validated with a high‐density genetic map and comparative analyses with high‐quality phased octoploid reference genomes, Florida Brilliance and Royal Royce. Transcriptome profiling following pathogen inoculation combined with comparative genomics identified wall‐associated kinase 1 ( WAK1 ) and cyclic nucleotide‐gated channel ( CNGC1 CNGC2 ) as strong candidates within the RPc2 region. Using an efficient Agrobacterium ‐mediated transient expression assay, we confirmed their role in resistance to P . cactorum in strawberry. RNA interference knockdown of these genes increased disease severity, while overexpression of WAK1 or CNGC1 reduced crown rot symptoms in susceptible backgrounds. Furthermore, population analyses of 1029 global accessions revealed that the predominant‐resistant haplotype ( RPc2 ‐ H3 ) is common in modern cultivars and shows evidence of positive selection in breeding programs. Taken together, our study refines the genomic region of RPc2 , identifies and functionally validates WAK1 and CNGC1/2 for the resistance to Phytophthora crown rot, and demonstrates that RPc2‐H3 has been selected globally. These findings from this study would facilitate the advancement of genome‐assisted breeding strategies for resistance to Phytophthora crown rot in strawberry.
Journals
2026 EN
Oh Claris · Chah Kim Tien · Lotter Kian
+2 more
ABSTRACT The high demand for cystoscopies performed for bladder cancer diagnosis or surveillance imposes a significant burden on regional centres with limited capacity. Cxbladder is a urinary biomarker test that estimates the likelihood of bladder cancer. International and Australian studies suggested its utility in excluding patients for bladder cancer, reducing unnecessary cystoscopies. We conducted a prospective observational study to validate the performance of Cxbladder Triage (CxT) and Cxbladder Monitor (CxM) in patients undergoing cystoscopies for haematuria workup or bladder cancer surveillance at a regional Australian centre. Patient demographics were retrieved from electronic records, and a single urine sample was collected and analysed. Diagnostic performance metrics including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated. We also conducted a narrative review of the literature to examine the existing research efforts in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) in the urinary‐based diagnostic space for bladder cancer. One hundred and fifty‐four patients were eligible for analysis. CxT demonstrated NPV 100% (95% CI 83.2−100) and sensitivity of 100% (95% CI 15.8−100) but low specificity (26%, 95% CI 16.6−37.2) and PPV (3.4%, 95% CI 0.4−11.7). Similarly, CxM had high NPV (96%, 95% CI 87.3−99.6), specificity (78.9%, 95% CI 67.0−87.9) and sensitivity (77.8%, 95% CI 40.0−97.2), but low PPV (33.3%, 95% CI 14.6−57.0). The narrative review showed that there have been extensive efforts within ANZ for the validation of Cxbladder, supporting its integration into clinical protocols. Cxbladder is useful to exclude bladder cancer as a cause of haematuria and reduces the need for diagnostic and surveillance cystoscopies. Future research should prioritise large multicentre trials, head‐to‐head biomarker comparisons and cost‐effectiveness assessments to facilitate integration into standard clinical practice in ANZ.
Journals
2026 EN
O’Rourke Patrick · Mig Bryan K. · Binsted Matthew
+5 more
Abstract Hydrogen could help to decarbonize hard‐to‐electrify end uses in future energy systems. While increased hydrogen production, transmission, distribution, and use may lead to an increase in hydrogen emissions, both greenhouse gas (GHG) and non‐GHG emissions could decline as hydrogen displaces incumbent fuels and energy carriers. The full suite of potential climate forcing changes from hydrogen deployment has not been fully examined, in part because it requires combining information from different fields. This study addresses this gap by using a well‐known integrated assessment model (the Global Change Analysis Model) to combine (1) credible hydrogen deployment scenarios that illustrate which fuels and energy carriers could be displaced by hydrogen; (2) information about emissions of hydrogen and other forcers by technology, sector, region, and time; and (3) a simple climate model capable of translating relevant emissions into changes in radiative forcing. Across all scenarios considered, when compared to a scenario without expanded hydrogen deployment, reduced forcing from lower CO 2 emissions is larger than other forcing changes by 2050 even after accounting for hydrogen and other indirect forcers. Forcing attributable to methane emissions may increase or decrease depending on how much hydrogen is produced with natural gas and how much natural gas is displaced as a fuel. Lastly, the net forcing change from changes in emissions of the indirect forcers CO, NOx, NMVOC, and H 2 , including their impact on methane's lifetime, is always small and in most cases negative at midcentury. These findings raise important questions for technology assessment regarding the treatment of indirect forcers and aerosols.
Journals
2026 EN
Wang Ankun · Klassert Christian J. A. · Karutz Raphael
+12 more
Abstract Developing regions face critical water security challenges driven by rapid urban growth, economic development, and climate change. In India, these issues are particularly evident in Pune, the country's 9th most populated city. It is evolving into a sprawling urban agglomeration expected to grow from 7 to 11 million residents by mid‐century. The city's aging water‐supply system is ill‐equipped to ensure water access during droughts lasting 2–3 years, particularly for residents in informal settlements. We present a policy‐evaluation model to assess options for addressing future urban freshwater insecurity. The model uses a coupled multi‐agent systems approach that integrates human‐environment interactions and responses to future drought, population, and economic conditions. Under business‐as‐usual for a mid‐century, multi‐year drought, major reservoirs dry up and groundwater levels decrease dramatically. The water use Gini coefficient exceeds 0.5, indicating severe inequality where most low‐income individuals face: (a) unaffordable water costs (10%–18% of income), (b) vulnerability (<40 L daily), and (c) prolonged shortages (>6 continuous months). Comprehensive interventions, combining supply‐ and demand‐side measures, cut the water use Gini coefficient in half and lower water costs by two‐thirds. Implementing a strategic subset of interventions creates synergies that significantly enhance water security, yet remains insufficient for the low‐income population. This study highlights how growing inequalities in urban water access exacerbate water security challenges, even under a suite of mitigating measures. In all scenarios, additional drought emergency supply will be required to address water insecurity of the lowest 10% income population.
Journals
2026 EN
Azad Shams · Stahl Mason O. · Erickson Melinda
+9 more
Abstract In the United States, private wells are not federally regulated, and many households do not test for Arsenic (As). Chronic exposure is linked with multiple health outcomes, and risk can change sharply over short distances and with well depth. Coarse maps or sparse sampling often miss exceedances. Most existing models operate at ∼1 km resolution and use groundwater chemistry or detailed geologic logs, which limits their use in undersampled areas where improved guidance is most needed. We overcome these limitations by developing a machine learning model for Minnesota, USA, that predicts As exposure risk using only surficial variables from remote sensing and global data sets. Variables related to surface water hydrology and geomorphology are selected based on mechanistic links that control redox conditions and As mobilization. Local training was essential, and surficial geology variables that are more sensitive to local conditions were needed to maximize model accuracy. The resulting complete model was sufficiently sensitive to generate accurate and detailed risk maps and depth profiles of As concentrations above the 10 μg/L maximum contaminant level. Accuracy depended on local training data density. We identified a training data density of 0.07 wells/km 2 as a practical target for stable county‐level performance. Maps of exceedance probabilities highlight priority areas for testing that are particularly important in rural communities that have received less sampling. These results support public health action by guiding where to install wells and where to test them, how much new sampling is needed, and where treatment outreach is most urgent.
Journals
2026 EN
Schwartz Steven J. · Trattner Karlheinz J. · Raptis Savvas
+8 more
Abstract Shocks in collisionless astrophysical plasmas redistribute some of the incident flow energy into both thermal and non‐thermal energy. Quantifying the partition of that energy amongst various particle species or their sub‐populations, and electromagnetic energy, represents a fundamental goal of shock physics. It embodies the role of the equation of state for the system. Here we apply a framework to assess all the incident and downstream energy fluxes at a crossing of Earth's bow shock for which the upstream magnetic field was roughly aligned with the shock normal direction. Such quasi‐parallel shocks are known to be non‐steady and to produce significant populations of suprathermal particles. We quantify the evolution of all the important carriers of energy flux through the shock region. We sub‐divide the proton population into thermal, suprathermal, and energetic components in order to investigate the shock's efficiency in energizing the nonthermal particles. While the largest energy fluxes are found in the incident proton ram energy and downstream proton thermal enthalpy fluxes, a significant suprathermal population pervades the regions both up‐ and downstream. We also evaluate the energy fluxes attributable to fluctuations in the fluid and field parameters.
Journals
2026 EN
Samsonov Andrey · Carter Jennifer Alyson · Sembay Steven
+4 more
Abstract Soft X‐rays are emitted in the magnetosheath and cusps because of solar wind charge exchange. The soft X‐ray Imager (SXI) on board Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) will measure these X‐rays. We developed a new method for finding the magnetopause standoff distance from simulations that reproduce the expected X‐ray images using software developed by the SXI instrument team. We consider three points near the SMILE apogee. We apply this method to a three‐hour interval with an interplanetary shock and a southward interplanetary magnetic field turning when the magnetosphere was moderately compressed. The results show that the magnetopause position can be reconstructed with an accuracy better than 0.5R E${R}_{E}$ for a five‐minute integration time, which matches the SMILE scientific requirements. Moreover, we can even determine the magnetopause position using one‐minute integration when the magnetosphere is strongly compressed and the spacecraft's position and SXI's orientation are favorable for magnetopause observations.
Journals
2026 EN
Hung RueiJiun · Weingarten Matthew · Ma Shuo
+1 more
Abstract Hydrologic observations and experimental studies indicate that inelastic dilation from coseismic fault damage can cause substantial pore pressure reduction, yet most near‐fault hydromechanical models ignore such inelastic effects. Here, we present a 3‐D groundwater flow model incorporating the effects of inelastic dilation based on an earthquake dynamic rupture model with inelastic off‐fault deformation, both on pore pressure and permeability enhancement. Our results show that inelastic dilation causes mostly notable depressurization within ∼1 km off the fault at shallow depths (<3 km). We found agreement between our model predictions and recent field observations, namely that both sides of the fault can experience large‐magnitude (∼tens of meters) water level drawdowns. For comparison, simulations considering only elastic strain produced smaller water level changes (∼several meters) and contrasting signs of water level change on either side of the fault. The models show that inelastic dilation is a mechanism for coseismic fault depressurization at shallow depths. While the inelastic dilation is a localized phenomenon which is most pronounced in the fault zone, the pressure gradients produced in the coseismic phase have a broader effect, increasing fluid migration back into the fault zone in the postseismic phase. We suggest field hydrologic measurements in the very‐near‐field (<1 km) of active faults could capture damage‐related pore pressure signals produced by inelastic dilation, helping improve our understanding of fault mechanics and groundwater management near active faults.
Journals
2026 EN
Canales J. Pablo · Moffat Lucky · Laletsang Kebabonye
+5 more
Abstract The Okavango Rift Zone (ORZ) is an incipient continental rift in Botswana at the terminus of the Southwestern Branch of the East African Rift System. The lack of syn‐rift magmatism and tectonic processes overprinting pre‐rift structures provide an opportunity to investigate incipient‐stage rift processes and the role of pre‐existing structures in rift initiation and strain localization. We present SEISORZ, a ∼450‐km‐long wide‐angle seismic transect across the ORZ and neighboring tectonic terranes. A 2.5‐D V P tomographic inversion reveals crustal thinning within a ∼130‐km‐wide section of the Damara Belt hosting the ORZ where Moho depth is 38.7 ± 3.4 km, shallower than in other Damara Belt terranes (46.3 ± 1.4 km) and the Kalahari Craton (45.6 ± 2.0 km). Mantle V P is consistent with ultramafic lithologies without evidence for metasomatism, partial melt, or elevated temperatures. Crustal V P is variable but consistent with geological information and with lower‐crustal mafic lithologies. However, beneath the rifting region, the model shows low crustal velocities (Δ V P = −0.26 ± 0.05 km/s) that we interpret as damage from rift‐related faulting and deformation, and to a lesser extent elevated temperatures possibly from excess radiogenic heat production. Upper crustal heterogeneity correlates with known and newly detected intra‐rift faults, suggesting that pre‐existing structures promoted strain localization and establishment of the rift border fault system. Collectively, all these factors point to a rheologically weak section in the Ghanzi‐Chobe zone which is more susceptible to deformation in response to far‐field stresses than neighboring terranes, explaining why incipient rifting is localizing there and not across any other of the terranes that compose the Damara Belt.