Abstract This study examines eco-geomorphic changes on the exposed reef flat of Funafuti Atoll over the past 120 years to assess the relative influence of sea-level rise and storm events on reef flat and adjacent environments. Despite a documented sea-level rise of approximately 0.45 m during this period, we find no evidence of long-term structural or ecological alteration on the reef flat itself. We attribute this stability to emergent properties that may buffer against sea-level–driven impacts observed elsewhere. By contrast, significant geomorphic adjustments occurred at the reef flat margins: spur destruction on the seaward edge and increased island elevation landward. These changes reflect cyclone-induced disturbances combined with relative submergence of the reef flat. Notably, this research provides the first empirical evidence linking rising sea levels to increased atoll island elevation. Our findings suggest that future trajectories of reef flats and islands will depend on site-specific interactions among eco-geomorphic inheritance, sea-level rise rates and storm frequency. While these results are broadly applicable to emergent reef flats typical of Indo-Pacific atolls, further comparative studies across diverse reef flat types are essential to refine predictions of atoll resilience under accelerating climate change.
AbstractUnderstanding the taxonomic affinity of putative avialan teeth is essential to assessing the geographic range and richness of Late Cretaceous toothed birds. Isolated teeth attributed to Avialae are known from numerous North American Late Cretaceous microfossil assemblages. However, because only a select few of these tooth types are known from teeth preserved in jaws, their taxonomic affinities remain uncertain. Several key morphologies used to diagnose avialan teeth are also present in non-avialan theropods and crocodyliforms, leading some to question whether many such isolated teeth belong to birds. Here, we provide detailed descriptions and high-resolution images of avialan teeth from the Late Cretaceous Prince Creek Formation (PCF) of northern Alaska. A total of 105 isolated teeth were identified as avialan and can be divided into seven distinct morphotypes. Crucially, decades of extensive microfossil sampling have failed to produce any evidence of crocodyliforms in the PCF, allowing us to rule out this possible identity. Further, the teeth described here can be distinguished from those of all non-avialan theropods known in the PCF. Our morphotypes thus provide an important framework for identifying bird teeth in other Late Cretaceous microfossil assemblages as well as understanding avialan diversity before the K–Pg extinction.
AbstractSustainably closing agricultural yield gaps remains a central challenge for advancing global food security while conserving biodiversity. This article develops a theoretical perspective on why sustainable intensification (SI) is limited in many lower-income countries, despite the technological feasibility of improving yields in these places. It explores these constraints to SI through two case studies of expanding commodity frontiers: (i) beef in the Brazilian Amazon and Cerrado and (ii) cocoa in West Africa. We find similar barriers to SI across the cases, including limited tenurial, financial, knowledge and cultural support, community-level risks to investment and cheap land favouring agricultural expansion. At the same time, both cases reveal potential for rapid intensification, as demonstrated by success in selected locations. The analysis helps explain why many promising SI strategies have achieved limited uptake in countries where land for expansion is still relatively abundant. The article also identifies a more optimistic pathway: ambitious economic and institutional reforms, well-funded community-level technical and financial investments, and smart conservation policies could unlock joint gains for food security and biodiversity. Global policy and finance changes have opened windows for this coordinated policy agenda, but improved demand-side policies are also needed to tip low-yielding agricultural systems onto new trajectories.
AbstractMirror life presents a low-likelihood but high-severity global biosecurity threat that has attracted the attention of bioscientists, governments and international security organizations. However, current analytical techniques are not fit to identify mirror life biohazards. Herein, we propose the first assay method for screening against mirror life. This approach is based upon optical circularly polarized luminesce (CPL) signatures generated by fluorescent probes, which bind to subcellular targets (e.g. membranes, organelles, nucleic acids, etc.). Probes can either be achiral or be intrinsically chiral. We set out why a multi-probe reporter panel approach incorporating many CPL-generating probes is necessary to identify mirror life with a high degree of confidence (i.e. avoiding false positives). The distinct CPL signatures can be analysed via recent innovations in CPL detection, i.e. rapid CPL spectroscopy, CPL microscopy (enantioselective differential chiral contrast, EDCC, imaging) and CPL EDCC cameras. While these are advanced technologies, they share the same fundamental optical principles as three-dimensional cinema glasses and so are amenable to scaling and portable applications. The CPL assay approach to mirror life screening could be a useful tool for screening against mirror life biohazards and ensuring compliance with any potential future international legislation against mirror-life research.
AbstractLoot boxes are randomized rewards in video games. Meta-analyses suggest relationships between loot box spending and problem gambling symptomatology, and early longitudinal evidence suggests loot box purchasers migrate into conventional gambling at higher rates than non-purchasers. Regulatory responses vary across jurisdictions, and even in jurisdictions that have banned loot boxes, evidence suggests their presence in games remains common. Consequently, consumers are often responsible for regulating their own, and their children’s, loot box purchasing. To effectively achieve this, consumers must first be able to identify loot boxes. Here, we investigated consumer accuracy in identifying critical features of loot boxes. Participants were tasked to identify basic facts about, pictures of, and receipts generated by loot boxes. Parents and non-gamers, compared with non-parents and gamers, respectively, were poorer at identifying loot boxes. Our results suggest that parents and non-gamers may be less equipped to make informed loot box purchasing decisions compared with non-parents/non-guardians and gamers, respectively. This may pose risks for parents and unaware incipient gamers. These are the first findings providing objective evidence about the relative ability of consumers to identify, and thus self-regulate purchases of, loot boxes and suggest that parents and non-gamers may require support to ensure informed purchasing decisions.
