A physically active lifestyle benefits cellular aging, however the mechanisms linking physical activity (PA) with longevity remain unclear. PA is associated with longer telomere length (TL), while shorter TL has been associated with increased cellular aging. Some research suggests increased levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), are associated with telomere dysfunction. We tested the hypothesis that...

In the Southern Hemisphere and northern Indian Ocean, there are at least five populations of pygmy blue whales, Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda , residing in the Northwest Indian Ocean (NWIO, Oman), central Indian Ocean (CIO, Sri Lanka), Southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO, Madagascar to Subantarctic), Southeast Indian Ocean (SEIO, Australia to Indonesia), and Southwest Pacific Ocean (SWPO, New Zealand). Each population produces a d...

Depression is linked with oxidative stress and inflammation, where key players include nitric oxide (NO), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), and Heme Oxidase-1 (HO-1). Augmenting the efficacy of antidepressants represents a compelling avenue of exploration. We explored the potential of vitamins C and D as adjuncts to escitalopram (Esc) in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-ind...

The homing behaviour of salmon is a remarkable natural phenomenon, critical for shaping the ecology and evolution of populations yet the spatial scale at which it occurs is poorly understood. This study investigated the spatial scale and mechanisms driving homing as depicted by spawning site‐choice behaviour in pink salmon ( Oncorhynchus gorbuscha ) in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Molecular pedigree analyses of over 30,000 ad...

Manipulation of host phenotypes by parasites is hypothesized to be an adaptive strategy enhancing parasite transmission across hosts and generations. Characterizing the molecular mechanisms of manipulation is important to advance our understanding of host–parasite coevolution. The trematode ( Levinseniella byrdi ) is known to alter the colour and behaviour of its amphipod host ( Orchestia grillus ) presumably increasing predat...

Main conclusion Using petrolatum gel as an antitranspirant on the flowers of California poppy and giant bindweed, we show that transpiration provides a large contribution to floral humidity generation. Abstract Floral humidity, an area of elevated humidity in the headspace of flowers, is believed to be produced predominantly through a combination of evaporation of liquid nectar and transpirational water loss from the flower. H...

The northern acorn barnacle ( Semibalanus balanoides ) is a robust system to study the genetic basis of adaptations to highly heterogeneous environments. Adult barnacles may be exposed to highly dissimilar levels of thermal stress depending on where they settle in the intertidal (i.e., closer to the upper or lower tidal boundary). For instance, barnacles near the upper tidal limit experience episodic summer temperatures above...

Diego Garcia is the largest atoll within the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Since the 1960s it has been a military base, populated only by military and support personnel. Infrastructure includes sewage treatment works, a waste disposal facility and an airbase. Lagoon use includes boating and large vessel anchorage. Current pollution levels by inorganic nutrients and other contaminants are unknown. A field study was un...

Floral guides are signal patterns that lead pollinators to floral rewards after they have located the flower, and increase foraging efficiency and pollen transfer. Patterns of several floral signalling modalities, particularly colour patterns, have been identified as being able to function as floral guides. Floral temperature frequently shows patterns that can be used by bumblebees for locating and recognising the flower, but...