Seed germination ecology of Bidens pilosa and its implications for weed management
- Chauhan, Bhagirath, Ali, Hafiz, Florentine, Singarayer
- Authors: Chauhan, Bhagirath , Ali, Hafiz , Florentine, Singarayer
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 9, no. 1 (2019), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: It is now widely recognized that Bidens pilosa has become a problematic broadleaf weed in many ecosystems across the world and, particularly in the light of recent climate change conditions, closer management strategies are required to curtail its impact on agricultural cropping. In this investigation, experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of environmental factors on the germination and emergence of B. pilosa, and also on the response of this weed to commonly available post-emergence herbicides in Australia. The environmental factors of particular interest to this current work were the effect of light and temperature, salinity, burial depth and moisture on B. pilosa since these are key management issues in Australian agriculture. In addition, the effects of a number of commonly used herbicides were examined, because of concerns regarding emerging herbicide resistance. In the tested light/dark regimes, germination was found to be higher at fluctuating day/night temperatures of 25/15 °C and 30/20 °C (92–93%) than at 35/25 °C (79%), whilst across the different temperature ranges, germination was higher in the light/dark regime (79–93%) than in complete darkness (22–38%). The standard five-minute temperature pretreatment required for 50% inhibition of maximum germination was found to be 160 °C, and it was further shown that no seeds germinated at temperatures higher than 240 °C. With regard to salinity, some B. pilosa seeds germinated (3%) in 200 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) but all failed to germinate at 250 mM NaCl. Germination declined from 89% to 2% as the external osmotic potential decreased from 0 to −0.6 MPa, and germination ceased at −0.8 MPa. Seeding emergence of B. pilosa was maximum (71%) for seeds placed on the soil surface and it was found that no seedlings emerged from a depth of 8 cm or greater. A depth of 3.75 cm was required to inhibit the seeds to 50% of the maximum emergence. In this study, application of glufosinate, glyphosate and paraquat provided commercially acceptable control levels (generally accepted as >90%) when applied at the four-leaf stage of B. pilosa. However, none of the herbicide treatments involved in this study provided this level of control when applied at the six-leaf stage. In summary, B. pilosa germination has been clearly shown to be stimulated by light and thus its emergence was greatest from the soil surface. This suggests that infestation from this weed will remain as a problem in no-till conservation agriculture systems, the use of which is increasing now throughout the world. It is intended that information generated from this study be used to develop more effective integrated management programs for B. pilosa and similar weeds in commercial agricultural environments which are tending toward conservation approaches. © 2019, The Author(s).
- Authors: Chauhan, Bhagirath , Ali, Hafiz , Florentine, Singarayer
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 9, no. 1 (2019), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: It is now widely recognized that Bidens pilosa has become a problematic broadleaf weed in many ecosystems across the world and, particularly in the light of recent climate change conditions, closer management strategies are required to curtail its impact on agricultural cropping. In this investigation, experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of environmental factors on the germination and emergence of B. pilosa, and also on the response of this weed to commonly available post-emergence herbicides in Australia. The environmental factors of particular interest to this current work were the effect of light and temperature, salinity, burial depth and moisture on B. pilosa since these are key management issues in Australian agriculture. In addition, the effects of a number of commonly used herbicides were examined, because of concerns regarding emerging herbicide resistance. In the tested light/dark regimes, germination was found to be higher at fluctuating day/night temperatures of 25/15 °C and 30/20 °C (92–93%) than at 35/25 °C (79%), whilst across the different temperature ranges, germination was higher in the light/dark regime (79–93%) than in complete darkness (22–38%). The standard five-minute temperature pretreatment required for 50% inhibition of maximum germination was found to be 160 °C, and it was further shown that no seeds germinated at temperatures higher than 240 °C. With regard to salinity, some B. pilosa seeds germinated (3%) in 200 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) but all failed to germinate at 250 mM NaCl. Germination declined from 89% to 2% as the external osmotic potential decreased from 0 to −0.6 MPa, and germination ceased at −0.8 MPa. Seeding emergence of B. pilosa was maximum (71%) for seeds placed on the soil surface and it was found that no seedlings emerged from a depth of 8 cm or greater. A depth of 3.75 cm was required to inhibit the seeds to 50% of the maximum emergence. In this study, application of glufosinate, glyphosate and paraquat provided commercially acceptable control levels (generally accepted as >90%) when applied at the four-leaf stage of B. pilosa. However, none of the herbicide treatments involved in this study provided this level of control when applied at the six-leaf stage. In summary, B. pilosa germination has been clearly shown to be stimulated by light and thus its emergence was greatest from the soil surface. This suggests that infestation from this weed will remain as a problem in no-till conservation agriculture systems, the use of which is increasing now throughout the world. It is intended that information generated from this study be used to develop more effective integrated management programs for B. pilosa and similar weeds in commercial agricultural environments which are tending toward conservation approaches. © 2019, The Author(s).
AtNPF5.5, a nitrate transporter affecting nitrogen accumulation in Arabidopsis embryo
- Leran, Sophie, Garg, Bharti, Boursiac, Yann, Corratge-Failli, Claire, Brachet, Chantal, Tillard, Pascal, Gojon, Alain, Lacombe, Benoit
- Authors: Leran, Sophie , Garg, Bharti , Boursiac, Yann , Corratge-Failli, Claire , Brachet, Chantal , Tillard, Pascal , Gojon, Alain , Lacombe, Benoit
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 5, no. (2015), p. 1-7
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Dipeptide (Leu-Leu) and nitrate transport activities of 26 Arabidopsis NPF (NRT1/PTR Family) proteins were screened in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Xenopus laevis oocytes, respectively. Dipeptide transport activity has been confirmed for 2 already known dipeptide transporters (AtNPF8.1 and AtNPF8.3) but none of the other tested NPFs displays dipeptide transport. The nitrate transport screen resulted in the identification of two new nitrate transporters, AtNPF5.5 and AtNPF5.10. The localization of the mRNA coding for NPF5.5 demonstrates that it is the first NPF transporter reported to be expressed in Arabidopsis embryo. Two independent homozygous npf5.5 KO lines display reduced total nitrogen content in the embryo as compared to WT plants, demonstrating an effect of NPF5.5 function on the embryo nitrogen content. Finally, NPF5.5 gene produces two different transcripts (AtNPF5.5a and AtNPF5.5b) encoding proteins with different N-terminal ends. Both proteins are able to transport nitrate in xenopus oocytes.
- Authors: Leran, Sophie , Garg, Bharti , Boursiac, Yann , Corratge-Failli, Claire , Brachet, Chantal , Tillard, Pascal , Gojon, Alain , Lacombe, Benoit
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 5, no. (2015), p. 1-7
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Dipeptide (Leu-Leu) and nitrate transport activities of 26 Arabidopsis NPF (NRT1/PTR Family) proteins were screened in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Xenopus laevis oocytes, respectively. Dipeptide transport activity has been confirmed for 2 already known dipeptide transporters (AtNPF8.1 and AtNPF8.3) but none of the other tested NPFs displays dipeptide transport. The nitrate transport screen resulted in the identification of two new nitrate transporters, AtNPF5.5 and AtNPF5.10. The localization of the mRNA coding for NPF5.5 demonstrates that it is the first NPF transporter reported to be expressed in Arabidopsis embryo. Two independent homozygous npf5.5 KO lines display reduced total nitrogen content in the embryo as compared to WT plants, demonstrating an effect of NPF5.5 function on the embryo nitrogen content. Finally, NPF5.5 gene produces two different transcripts (AtNPF5.5a and AtNPF5.5b) encoding proteins with different N-terminal ends. Both proteins are able to transport nitrate in xenopus oocytes.
Altered populations of unconventional T Cell lineages in patients with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
- Mitchell, Jenée, Kvedaraite, Egle, von Bahr Greenwood, Tatiana, Henter, Jan-Inge, Pellicci, Daniel, Berzins, Stuart, Kannourakis, George
- Authors: Mitchell, Jenée , Kvedaraite, Egle , von Bahr Greenwood, Tatiana , Henter, Jan-Inge , Pellicci, Daniel , Berzins, Stuart , Kannourakis, George
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 8, no. 1 (2018), p. 1-13
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) lesions are defined by the presence of CD1a+/CD207+ myeloid cells, but many other immune cells are present including unconventional T cells, which have powerful immunoregulatory functions. Unconventional T cell lineages include mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, type I natural killer T (NKT) cells and gamma-delta (γδ) T cells, which are associated with many inflammatory conditions, although their importance has not been studied in LCH. We characterized their phenotype and function in blood and lesions from patients with LCH, and identified a deficiency in MAIT cell frequency and abnormalities in the subset distributions of γδ T cells and NKT cells. Such abnormalities are associated with immune dysregulation in other disease settings and are therefore potentially important in LCH. Our study is the first to recognize alterations to MAIT cell proportions in patients with LCH. This finding along with other abnormalities identified amongst unconventional T cells could potentially influence the onset and progression of LCH, thereby highlighting potential targets for new immune based therapies.
Altered populations of unconventional T Cell lineages in patients with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
- Authors: Mitchell, Jenée , Kvedaraite, Egle , von Bahr Greenwood, Tatiana , Henter, Jan-Inge , Pellicci, Daniel , Berzins, Stuart , Kannourakis, George
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 8, no. 1 (2018), p. 1-13
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) lesions are defined by the presence of CD1a+/CD207+ myeloid cells, but many other immune cells are present including unconventional T cells, which have powerful immunoregulatory functions. Unconventional T cell lineages include mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, type I natural killer T (NKT) cells and gamma-delta (γδ) T cells, which are associated with many inflammatory conditions, although their importance has not been studied in LCH. We characterized their phenotype and function in blood and lesions from patients with LCH, and identified a deficiency in MAIT cell frequency and abnormalities in the subset distributions of γδ T cells and NKT cells. Such abnormalities are associated with immune dysregulation in other disease settings and are therefore potentially important in LCH. Our study is the first to recognize alterations to MAIT cell proportions in patients with LCH. This finding along with other abnormalities identified amongst unconventional T cells could potentially influence the onset and progression of LCH, thereby highlighting potential targets for new immune based therapies.
A novel Y-specific long non-coding RNA associated with cellular lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells and Atherosclerosis-related genes
- Molina, Elsa, Chew, Guat, Myers, Stephen, Clarence, Elyse, Eales, James, Tomaszewski, Maciej, Charchar, Fadi
- Authors: Molina, Elsa , Chew, Guat , Myers, Stephen , Clarence, Elyse , Eales, James , Tomaszewski, Maciej , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 7, no. 1 (2017), p. 1-12
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1009490
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: There is an increasing appreciation for the role of the human Y chromosome in phenotypic differences between the sexes in health and disease. Previous studies have shown that genetic variation within the Y chromosome is associated with cholesterol levels, which is an established risk factor for atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of coronary artery disease (CAD), a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, the exact mechanism and potential genes implicated are still unidentified. To date, Y chromosome-linked long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are poorly characterized and the potential link between these new regulatory RNA molecules and hepatic function in men has not been investigated. Advanced technologies of lncRNA subcellular localization and silencing were used to identify a novel intergenic Y-linked lncRNA, named lnc-KDM5D-4, and investigate its role in fatty liver-associated atherosclerosis. We found that lnc-KDM5D-4 is retained within the nucleus in hepatocytes. Its knockdown leads to changes in genes leading to increased lipid droplets formation in hepatocytes resulting in a downstream effect contributing to the chronic inflammatory process that underpin CAD. Our findings provide the first evidence for the implication of lnc-KDM5D-4 in key processes related to fatty liver and cellular inflammation associated with atherosclerosis and CAD in men.
- Authors: Molina, Elsa , Chew, Guat , Myers, Stephen , Clarence, Elyse , Eales, James , Tomaszewski, Maciej , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 7, no. 1 (2017), p. 1-12
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1009490
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: There is an increasing appreciation for the role of the human Y chromosome in phenotypic differences between the sexes in health and disease. Previous studies have shown that genetic variation within the Y chromosome is associated with cholesterol levels, which is an established risk factor for atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of coronary artery disease (CAD), a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, the exact mechanism and potential genes implicated are still unidentified. To date, Y chromosome-linked long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are poorly characterized and the potential link between these new regulatory RNA molecules and hepatic function in men has not been investigated. Advanced technologies of lncRNA subcellular localization and silencing were used to identify a novel intergenic Y-linked lncRNA, named lnc-KDM5D-4, and investigate its role in fatty liver-associated atherosclerosis. We found that lnc-KDM5D-4 is retained within the nucleus in hepatocytes. Its knockdown leads to changes in genes leading to increased lipid droplets formation in hepatocytes resulting in a downstream effect contributing to the chronic inflammatory process that underpin CAD. Our findings provide the first evidence for the implication of lnc-KDM5D-4 in key processes related to fatty liver and cellular inflammation associated with atherosclerosis and CAD in men.
Parenteral administration of factor Xa/IIa inhibitors limits experimental aortic aneurysm and atherosclerosis
- Moran, Corey, Seto, Sai-Wang, Krishna, Smriti, Sharma, Surabhi, Jose, Roby, Biros, Erik, Wang, Yutang, Morton, Susan, Golledge, Jonathan
- Authors: Moran, Corey , Seto, Sai-Wang , Krishna, Smriti , Sharma, Surabhi , Jose, Roby , Biros, Erik , Wang, Yutang , Morton, Susan , Golledge, Jonathan
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 7, no. (2017), p. 1-12
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Intraluminal thrombus is a consistent feature of human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Coagulation factor Xa (FXa) catalyses FII to thrombin (FIIa). We examined the effect of FXa/FIIa inhibition on experimental aortic aneurysm in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE '/') mice infused with angiotensin II (AngII). The concentration of FXa within the supra-renal aorta (SRA) correlated positively with SRA diameter. Parenteral administration of enoxaparin (FXa/IIa inhibitor) and fondaparinux (FXa inhibitor) over 14 days reduced to severity of aortic aneurysm and atherosclerosis in AngII-infused ApoE '/' mice. Enteral administration of the FIIa inhibitor dabigatran had no significant effect. Aortic protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2 expression increased in response to AngII infusion. Fondaparinux reduced SRA levels of FXa, FIIa, PAR-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2, Smad2/3 phosphorylation, and MOMA-2 positive cells in the mouse model. FXa stimulated Smad2/3 phosphorylation and MMP2 expression in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in vitro. Expression of MMP2 in FXa-stimulated VSMC was downregulated in the presence of a PAR-2 but not a PAR-1 inhibitor. These findings suggest that FXa/FIIa inhibition limits aortic aneurysm and atherosclerosis severity due to down-regulation of vascular PAR-2-mediated Smad2/3 signalling and MMP2 expression. Inhibition of FXa/FIIa may be a potential therapy for limiting aortic aneurysm. © The Author(s) 2017.
- Authors: Moran, Corey , Seto, Sai-Wang , Krishna, Smriti , Sharma, Surabhi , Jose, Roby , Biros, Erik , Wang, Yutang , Morton, Susan , Golledge, Jonathan
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 7, no. (2017), p. 1-12
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Intraluminal thrombus is a consistent feature of human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Coagulation factor Xa (FXa) catalyses FII to thrombin (FIIa). We examined the effect of FXa/FIIa inhibition on experimental aortic aneurysm in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE '/') mice infused with angiotensin II (AngII). The concentration of FXa within the supra-renal aorta (SRA) correlated positively with SRA diameter. Parenteral administration of enoxaparin (FXa/IIa inhibitor) and fondaparinux (FXa inhibitor) over 14 days reduced to severity of aortic aneurysm and atherosclerosis in AngII-infused ApoE '/' mice. Enteral administration of the FIIa inhibitor dabigatran had no significant effect. Aortic protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2 expression increased in response to AngII infusion. Fondaparinux reduced SRA levels of FXa, FIIa, PAR-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2, Smad2/3 phosphorylation, and MOMA-2 positive cells in the mouse model. FXa stimulated Smad2/3 phosphorylation and MMP2 expression in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in vitro. Expression of MMP2 in FXa-stimulated VSMC was downregulated in the presence of a PAR-2 but not a PAR-1 inhibitor. These findings suggest that FXa/FIIa inhibition limits aortic aneurysm and atherosclerosis severity due to down-regulation of vascular PAR-2-mediated Smad2/3 signalling and MMP2 expression. Inhibition of FXa/FIIa may be a potential therapy for limiting aortic aneurysm. © The Author(s) 2017.
Reduced renal function may explain the higher prevalence of hyperuricemia in older people
- Wang, Yutang, Zhang, Wanlin, Qian, Tingting, Sun, Hui, Xu, Qun, Hou, Xujuan, Hu, Wenqi, Zhang, Guang, Drummond, Grant, Sobey, Chris, Charchar, Fadi, Golledge, Jonathan, Yang, Guang
- Authors: Wang, Yutang , Zhang, Wanlin , Qian, Tingting , Sun, Hui , Xu, Qun , Hou, Xujuan , Hu, Wenqi , Zhang, Guang , Drummond, Grant , Sobey, Chris , Charchar, Fadi , Golledge, Jonathan , Yang, Guang
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 11, no. 1 (2021), p.
- Relation: https://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1062671
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This study aimed to investigate the contribution of renal dysfunction to enhanced hyperuricemia prevalence in older people. A cohort of 13,288 Chinese people aged between 40 and 95 years were recruited from January to May 2019. Serum uric acid concentration and estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] were measured. The associations between age or eGFR and serum uric acid or hyperuricemia were analyzed using linear or binary logistic regression adjusting for risk factors. Uric acid concentration and prevalence of hyperuricemia were greater in older participants. Adjustment for reduced renal function (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) eliminated the associations between older age and higher uric acid concentration and between older age and higher prevalence of hyperuricemia diagnosis, whereas adjustment for other risk factors did not change those associations. Lower eGFR was associated with higher uric acid concentration both before (β = − 0.296, P < 0.001) and after adjustment for age (β = − 0.313, P < 0.001). Reduced renal function was associated with hyperuricemia diagnosis both before (odds ratio, OR, 3.64; 95% CI 3.10–4.28; P < 0.001) and after adjustment for age (adjusted OR, 3.82; 95% CI 3.22–4.54; P < 0.001). Mean serum uric acid and prevalence of hyperuricemia were higher in people with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 than those with eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. The prevalence of reduced renal function increased with older age (P < 0.001). This study suggests that reduced renal function can explain the increased uric acid levels and hyperuricemia diagnoses in older people. © 2021, The Author(s).
- Authors: Wang, Yutang , Zhang, Wanlin , Qian, Tingting , Sun, Hui , Xu, Qun , Hou, Xujuan , Hu, Wenqi , Zhang, Guang , Drummond, Grant , Sobey, Chris , Charchar, Fadi , Golledge, Jonathan , Yang, Guang
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 11, no. 1 (2021), p.
- Relation: https://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1062671
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This study aimed to investigate the contribution of renal dysfunction to enhanced hyperuricemia prevalence in older people. A cohort of 13,288 Chinese people aged between 40 and 95 years were recruited from January to May 2019. Serum uric acid concentration and estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] were measured. The associations between age or eGFR and serum uric acid or hyperuricemia were analyzed using linear or binary logistic regression adjusting for risk factors. Uric acid concentration and prevalence of hyperuricemia were greater in older participants. Adjustment for reduced renal function (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) eliminated the associations between older age and higher uric acid concentration and between older age and higher prevalence of hyperuricemia diagnosis, whereas adjustment for other risk factors did not change those associations. Lower eGFR was associated with higher uric acid concentration both before (β = − 0.296, P < 0.001) and after adjustment for age (β = − 0.313, P < 0.001). Reduced renal function was associated with hyperuricemia diagnosis both before (odds ratio, OR, 3.64; 95% CI 3.10–4.28; P < 0.001) and after adjustment for age (adjusted OR, 3.82; 95% CI 3.22–4.54; P < 0.001). Mean serum uric acid and prevalence of hyperuricemia were higher in people with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 than those with eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. The prevalence of reduced renal function increased with older age (P < 0.001). This study suggests that reduced renal function can explain the increased uric acid levels and hyperuricemia diagnoses in older people. © 2021, The Author(s).
National income inequality predicts cultural variation in mouth to mouth kissing
- Watkins, Christopher, Leongómez, Juan, Bovet, Jeanne, Żelaźniewicz, Agnieszka, Korbmacher, Max, Varella, Marco, Fernandez, Ana, Wagstaff, Danielle, Bolgan, Samuela
- Authors: Watkins, Christopher , Leongómez, Juan , Bovet, Jeanne , Żelaźniewicz, Agnieszka , Korbmacher, Max , Varella, Marco , Fernandez, Ana , Wagstaff, Danielle , Bolgan, Samuela
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 9, no. 1 (2019), p. 1-9
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Romantic mouth-to-mouth kissing is culturally widespread, although not a human universal, and may play a functional role in assessing partner health and maintaining long-term pair bonds. Use and appreciation of kissing may therefore vary according to whether the environment places a premium on good health and partner investment. Here, we test for cultural variation (13 countries from six continents) in these behaviours/attitudes according to national health (historical pathogen prevalence) and both absolute (GDP) and relative wealth (GINI). Our data reveal that kissing is valued more in established relationships than it is valued during courtship. Also, consistent with the pair bonding hypothesis of the function of romantic kissing, relative poverty (income inequality) predicts frequency of kissing across romantic relationships. When aggregated, the predicted relationship between income inequality and kissing frequency (r = 0.67, BCa 95% CI[0.32,0.89]) was over five times the size of the null correlations between income inequality and frequency of hugging/cuddling and sex. As social complexity requires monitoring resource competition among large groups and predicts kissing prevalence in remote societies, this gesture may be important in the maintenance of long-term pair bonds in specific environments.
- Authors: Watkins, Christopher , Leongómez, Juan , Bovet, Jeanne , Żelaźniewicz, Agnieszka , Korbmacher, Max , Varella, Marco , Fernandez, Ana , Wagstaff, Danielle , Bolgan, Samuela
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 9, no. 1 (2019), p. 1-9
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Romantic mouth-to-mouth kissing is culturally widespread, although not a human universal, and may play a functional role in assessing partner health and maintaining long-term pair bonds. Use and appreciation of kissing may therefore vary according to whether the environment places a premium on good health and partner investment. Here, we test for cultural variation (13 countries from six continents) in these behaviours/attitudes according to national health (historical pathogen prevalence) and both absolute (GDP) and relative wealth (GINI). Our data reveal that kissing is valued more in established relationships than it is valued during courtship. Also, consistent with the pair bonding hypothesis of the function of romantic kissing, relative poverty (income inequality) predicts frequency of kissing across romantic relationships. When aggregated, the predicted relationship between income inequality and kissing frequency (r = 0.67, BCa 95% CI[0.32,0.89]) was over five times the size of the null correlations between income inequality and frequency of hugging/cuddling and sex. As social complexity requires monitoring resource competition among large groups and predicts kissing prevalence in remote societies, this gesture may be important in the maintenance of long-term pair bonds in specific environments.
Response of Chloris truncata to moisture stress, elevated carbon dioxide and herbicide application
- Weller, Sandra, Florentine, Singarayer, Mutti, Navneet, Jha, Prashant, Chauhan, Bhagirath
- Authors: Weller, Sandra , Florentine, Singarayer , Mutti, Navneet , Jha, Prashant , Chauhan, Bhagirath
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 9, no. 1 (2019), p. 1-10
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Herbicide resistance has been observed in Chloris truncata, an Australian native C4 grass and a summer-fallow weed, which is common in no-till agriculture situations where herbicides are involved in crop management. To investigate the role of drought and increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in determining weed growth, three trials were conducted using a ‘glyphosate-resistant’ and a ‘glyphosate-susceptible’ biotype. The first two trials tested the effect of herbicide (glyphosate) application on plant survival and growth under moisture stress and elevated CO2 respectively. A third trial investigated the effect on plant growth and reproduction under conditions of moisture stress and elevated CO2 in the absence of herbicide. In the first trial, water was withheld from half of the plants prior to application of glyphosate to all plants, and in the second trial plants were grown in either ambient (450 ppm) or elevated CO2 levels (750 ppm) prior to, and following, herbicide application. In both biotypes, herbicide effectiveness was reduced when plants were subjected to moisture stress or if grown in elevated CO2. Plant productivity, as measured by dry biomass per plant, was reduced with moisture stress, but increased with elevated CO2. In the third trial, growth rate, biomass and seed production were higher in the susceptible biotype compared to the resistant biotype. This suggests that a superior ability to resist herbicides may come at a cost to overall plant fitness. The results indicate that control of this weed may become difficult in the future as climatic conditions change. Supplementary information accompanies this paper at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-47237-x.
- Authors: Weller, Sandra , Florentine, Singarayer , Mutti, Navneet , Jha, Prashant , Chauhan, Bhagirath
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 9, no. 1 (2019), p. 1-10
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Herbicide resistance has been observed in Chloris truncata, an Australian native C4 grass and a summer-fallow weed, which is common in no-till agriculture situations where herbicides are involved in crop management. To investigate the role of drought and increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in determining weed growth, three trials were conducted using a ‘glyphosate-resistant’ and a ‘glyphosate-susceptible’ biotype. The first two trials tested the effect of herbicide (glyphosate) application on plant survival and growth under moisture stress and elevated CO2 respectively. A third trial investigated the effect on plant growth and reproduction under conditions of moisture stress and elevated CO2 in the absence of herbicide. In the first trial, water was withheld from half of the plants prior to application of glyphosate to all plants, and in the second trial plants were grown in either ambient (450 ppm) or elevated CO2 levels (750 ppm) prior to, and following, herbicide application. In both biotypes, herbicide effectiveness was reduced when plants were subjected to moisture stress or if grown in elevated CO2. Plant productivity, as measured by dry biomass per plant, was reduced with moisture stress, but increased with elevated CO2. In the third trial, growth rate, biomass and seed production were higher in the susceptible biotype compared to the resistant biotype. This suggests that a superior ability to resist herbicides may come at a cost to overall plant fitness. The results indicate that control of this weed may become difficult in the future as climatic conditions change. Supplementary information accompanies this paper at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-47237-x.
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