Jean-Luc Jung

🌲 Salzmann’s pine in France faces serious threats from wildfires and hybridisation with other black pine subspecies. To preserve its unique genetic diversity, researchers from INRAE - Ecologie Des Forêts Méditerranéennes (#URFM) in Avignon, France, have developed a new conservation strategy that combines in-situ protection with ex-situ conservation efforts. Using genetic data from individual trees, the team identified five distinct genetic groups in #France, essential for targeted conservation efforts. They also pinpointed 80 native, non-hybridised trees to form the foundation of an ex-situ collection, safeguarding this endangered species in controlled environments. This innovative approach not only secures the future of Salzmann’s pine but offers a cost-effective model for conserving other at-risk species. The research highlights the importance of #genetic diversity in making species more resilient to environmental changes and extinction risks. #Conservation #Biodiversity #ForestGenetics Learn more about it and read the full paper here! 👇 https://lnkd.in/gT6dr-MR

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FULLY FUNDED CORAL PHD: The morphological and genomic diversity of protists in the coral holobiont - The Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE) The Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE) is a joint Institute of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), located in Barcelona. IBE’s research is focused on the processes and mechanisms that generate biodiversity and on understanding the genetic basis of evolution. The IBE is part of the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), a stimulating international research environment with state-of-the-art facilities. Corals face threats from ocean acidification and heat waves due to the climate crisis. Coral reefs and coralligenous habitats are biodiversity hotspots that provide ecosystem services and coastal protection. Losing corals would severely impact biodiversity and coastal communities' livelihoods. The coral holobiont, consisting of corals and their microbiome, influences the host's evolution, physiology, and ecological functions. While zooxanthellae (Symbiodiniaceae) are well-studied, the role of other protists has been neglected. Protists contribute significant hidden genomic diversity in microbial habitats, including coral holobionts. Ignoring this diversity limits our understanding of protists' functions in corals and their impact on resilience to climate change. Our preliminary data reveal three times more coral protist symbiont diversity than previously reported, and that their community composition can predict coral responses to heat stress. The CORALPROS project aims to describe the morphological and genomic diversity of protists in the coral holobiont and map their distribution using advanced techniques. Including protists in coral holobiont studies will transform our understanding of hostmicrobe interactions, impacting our knowledge of coral responses to climate change. See here for full details: https://lnkd.in/esgEys9z #coralreefs #phds #coralphd #phdopportunity #careers #careerdevelopment #coralholobiont #coralscience #coralecology #marineecology #marinebiology

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#paperalert# Another paper (free to download) by our -with Fabienne Delfour- PhD student Pamela Carzon on dolphin's behaviour in contact with scuba-divers. The bold ones might be the most exposed to deleterious effects of repeated close interactions and such repeated interactions should be better managed. #sustainablemarineecotourism #dolphinsconservation École Pratique des Hautes Études Université PSL https://lnkd.in/edBgZD3P

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1.A Brittle star (Phylum: Echinodermata) On a piece of coral 2.euplectella aspergillum (Venus' flower basket) 3.limulus polyphemus (Atlantic horseshoe crab) 📍Marine Biology Lab , University of Science and Research .... #marinebiology #biology #coralreefs #porifera #marinesponge #marineinvertebrates

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In this week's #DICESpotlight posts, we are featuring two of our postdoctoral researchers. Firstly, we have Nicolas. Nicolas is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Conservation Science at DICE and this is what he had to say about his work: “I am a quantitative ecologist specialising in the application of innovative statistical techniques to address prominent conservation concerns affecting the world’s tropical biodiversity. My research focuses on disentangling the impacts of socio-ecological change on mammals within Southeast Asia’s tropical forests. Effective conservation requires accurate wildlife population estimates, which can be challenging to obtain for threatened mammals. To address this challenge, I integrate remote technologies with advanced analytical methods to optimise species monitoring and design cost-effective wildlife surveys. I am particularly interested in scaling up wildlife surveys to establish regional monitoring networks capable of guiding coordinated conservation action. Through applied research in collaboration with NGOs, I strive deliver scientific findings that are accessible to conservation practitioners to ensure that science is better integrated into environmental policy.” #Conservation #Ecology #ConservationScience #Environment

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📢 **New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness** 🧠 Recent consensus highlights the potential for conscious experience across various animal groups: 1️⃣ Strong evidence supports consciousness in mammals and birds. 🐦🐒 2️⃣ Vertebrates and many invertebrates, including cephalopods and insects, may also possess conscious experiences. 🦑🐜 3️⃣ It's crucial to consider these possibilities responsibly in decision-making affecting animal welfare. 🌍💡 #AnimalConsciousness #AnimalWelfare #ScienceResearch link: https://shorturl.at/lmpsO

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If you are coming to EPSC in September, take a look at our session below. Abstract submission is currently open!

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200 Dives 🤿 – A Journey from Beginner to Scientific Diver in Corsica Since I first started scuba diving in the autumn of 2022, it’s been an incredible journey. Reaching 200 dives feels like a satisfying milestone, and I’ve been so lucky to be able to achieve this through my work as a marine biologist at the STARESO marine station on the island of Corsica. This video is a little celebration of that journey, and a glimpse into the stunning marine life that makes this island—known as the "Island of Beauty"—so beautiful. All the footage was filmed during a single night dive, where I had the privilege of being an underwater guide and species videographer for a short sequence in the Belgian television series "Le Jardin extraordinaire." It was a night that reminded of my progression in a pretty short time, from being completely new to diving to now working in the field as a professional diver. One thing I’ve learned through this journey is that, while technology is advancing rapidly and we’re using more and more automated tools in marine research, nothing can replace the experience of being there in the water yourself. As divers, we feel the environment in a way that machines can’t replicate. The human body, with all its senses, combined with our intuition and experience, makes us a vital part of the research process. Diving gives you a better understanding of the world you’re studying and opens your eyes to behaviors and moments you wouldn’t otherwise see. My background in working with models and statistics has shown me that fieldwork brings a deeper and better understanding to the data we collect and analyze. So whether you’re a scientist or just someone passionate about the ocean, I encourage you to get out there and experience it firsthand—whether free diving, scuba diving, or enjoying the sea/ocean !

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Daily News: Presence of Weed Killer Glyphosate in Human Sperm Elevates Debate on Pesticide Threats to Human Survival The presence of the herbicide glyphosate in human sperm has been documented by a team from Pôle Santé LEONARD DE VINCI, Université de Tours, and CHU de Limoges. Of 128 French male participants—with an average age of 36 years—who tested positive for glyphosate in their blood, 73 were found to also have glyphosate in their seminal plasma at rates nearly four times higher. Glyphosate disrupts a crucial pathway for manufacturing aromatic amino acids in plants—but not animals—and, therefore, many have assumed that it does not harm humans. However, it is lethal to bacteria that inhabit the human digestive tract—the gut's microbiota, which is essential for good health. Environmental groups, including BEYOND PESTICIDES, have consistently urged the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to follow in the footsteps of the European Union by adopting the precautionary principle—which withholds registration when data on product safety is missing—and focusing on safer alternative practices and products that are proven effective, such as organic agriculture, which prohibits the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. 📣 To stay informed and learn more about ways to take action, sign up for our listserv here: https://ow.ly/ejaV50S8LqQ Daily News Blog Post: https://ow.ly/a6nT50S8LqS

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60 new genomes of brown algae analysed (France Génomique Project “Phaeoexplorer”) An international team of researchers, led by the CNRS and the CEA and funded by France Génomique, analyzed 60 new genomes of brown algae, an essential group of marine ecosystems. Published in Cell (https://lnkd.in/eUCSPH9z), this study reveals key genomic innovations that have enabled the adaptation of brown algae to coastal environments subject to tides. These advances shed new light on the evolution of these “underwater forests” which play a crucial role in carbon sequestration and the resilience of coastal ecosystems.

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CORAL REEF POSTDOC OPPORTUNITY: Marine Microbial Interactions (University of Perpignan Via Domitia) Coral reef ecosystems are critically threatened by the effects of global climate change. As corals are long-lived organisms, it is likely that the current rate of climate change is rapidly outpacing the capacity for genetic adaptation in reef-building corals. In recent years, non-genetic mechanisms of adaptation, such es epigenetic mechanisms, phenotypic plasticity, or changes to the microbial communities and metabolisms, have increasingly shifted into the focus of coral reef research. Reef-building corals are complex holobionts that associate with intracellular algae (Symbiodiniaceae), bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses. Decades of functional research are testament to the importance of the coral-algae symbiosis, a reciprocal nutrient-exchange relationship that forms the functional basis of coral reef formation. However, our understanding of the functions of the other microbes in the coral holobiont remains limited. Increasingly, microbial roles are considered in the health, resilience, and acclimatization of coral holobionts to global environmental change. As such, the molecular and metabolic interactions of bacteria in the coral holobiont remain poorly understood, and experimental data supporting the mutualistic lifestyles of bacteria in corals are largely lacking. A motivated postdoc on a research engineer contract will develop hypothesis-driven research of microbial interactions and functions in cnidarian health and stress responses in the context of global climate change using a reduced model system approach. The postdoc will develop a research project using dinoflagellate, bacterial and fungal co-cultures to identify crosstalk, i.e. specific molecular pathways and metabolites involved in the interactions of different microbial partners. You will further assess how this crosstalk is affected by the effects of global climate change. The recipient of this postdoctoral contract will have access to microbial cultures to establish the work. Required Experience: - Experience in microbial ecology (ideally marine) - Experience with aseptic technique and cultivation of (marine) microbes (of at least one of the following groups: dinoflagellate algae, bacteria, fungi) - Experience in molecular biology (PCR; nucleic acid extraction, library preparation) - Experience with or keen interest to work on metabolomics - Experience in bioinformatics, specifically analysis of gene expression and/or metabolomics data is desirable - English language skills are required, French language skills are an advantage If you are interested in applying please submit your CV and a motivation letter outlining your skills and interests in the framework of the proposed project to Dr. Claudia Pogoreutz: [email protected] #coralreefs #postdoc #careers #careerdevelopment #jobs #jobopportunity #holobiont #microbial #marinescience #coralscience #marineecology

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Wanna go for #seagrass #restoration? Here, a scientific-based manual that provide clear guidelines is available as an output from the WG of Mediterranean Posidonia Network.

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In collaboration with the International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC) and Biogéosciences - UMR CNRS uB EPHE, Université de Bourgogne and Museum national d'Histoire naturelle, we published a paper in 2023 providing a more complete picture of the complex processes taking place in Houbara reproduction. A female houbara can mate with multiple males during the same fertility period, making the sperm from different males compete to fertilise the eggs. In this publication, the focus lies on different factors deciding which male will successfully fertilise the eggs. For this study, we discovered that there might be other factors that could be just as important in breeding success. There were 14 different factors analysed then ranked by importance and two emerged as the most vital: The most recent male to mate and how old the sperm had stayed in the female’s reproductive tract. Read the full article by Gabriele Sorci et al. (2023): https://lnkd.in/dwDAirEe . . #Reneco #IFHC #avianreproduction #anatomy #research #science #fertility #conservation #wildlifeconservation #houbara #bustard

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[Press Release] The HelEx project presents promising advances for more tolerant sunflowers. During this second general meeting, researchers presented the results achieved over the past year, highlighting progress in integrating genomic traits from wild Helianthus species and gathering data to measure the impact of such sunflower species on biodiversity, agricultural landscape, and economy. The first results are starting, especially regarding the production and screening of climate-smart sunflowers in Spain, Romania and France. Over 30 genes linked to pollinator attractiveness, protein content, or seed quality and adapted to extremely hot and dry US locations are identified. These genes will be tested and validated to improve commercial sunflower seeds within the next two years. Thanks to all partners : ENSFEA Toulouse Hiphen IFVCNS INNOLEA SAS AGRO Toulouse-Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Toulouse-ENSAT Toulouse INP - Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse INRAE INRAE Transfert SAS Julius Kühn-Institut JOANNEUM RESEARCH Carinthia University of Applied Sciences / Fachhochschule Kärnten MAS Seeds NapiFeryn BioTech RN20 Syngenta The University of British Columbia The University of Georgia University of California, Berkeley Wageningen University & Research

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This new #publication using ICT International's Stem #Psychrometer by Louis Delval, François Jonard and Mathieu Javaux focuses on understanding how #grapevines respond to drought by examining the interconnections between belowground, trunk, and canopy hydraulics.  Grapevines coordinate short-term hydraulic responses with long-term growth and these adjustments are specific to the soil texture. Read the article to learn more 👉 https://lnkd.in/gi_Gy87h

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🚀 [PRACTICE ABSTRACT] - The wildplants that grow in the orchards and the margins that often surround them are part of what is known as ecological infrastructures. They harbor a great diversity of parasitoids, providing predators and pollinators that find shelter or alternative food sources. Both provide, therefore, numerous ecosystem services. Among them, the promotion of the role of the auxiliar entomofauna that exerts a natural control of crop pests species. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ekitkf3W #innovation #sustainableagriculture #pesticides #environment IRTA José M. Campos Rivela

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🇫🇷 In 1906, French scientists Jacques-Arsène d'Arsonval and his assistant Frédéric Bordas pioneered the first modern #freezedryer. By employing a vacuum pump, they removed air from the drying chamber, causing the product inside to freeze as the chamber cooled. They then applied heat to sublime the ice directly into vapor. Although their process was slow and inefficient by today’s standards, it marked a significant milestone in the evolution of freeze-drying technology.  🧊 Early applications of this technology focused on medicine, such as in 1911, when researchers developed a freeze-drying method for preserving live rabies virus, ultimately leading to the development of the first rabies vaccine. During World War II, the commercial application of this technology developed rapidly, significantly improving the efficiency of wartime medical treatment. 💉 Through the early 20th century, a series of theoretical and experimental breakthroughs transformed freeze-drying from a lab innovation to a practical tool. Its adoption expanded into fields like food preservation, medicine, and materials science, solving critical challenges of the time and paving the way for future advancements. 🚀 🤓Curious for more #freezedryinghistory? Stay tuned for next week’s post! 📷Image:  Wikipedia #freezedryingscientists

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🚨 **New Research Alert!** 🚨 We are thrilled to share a groundbreaking study published in the *Biodiversity Data Journal* titled **"A non-native fish species reaches the south-western European waters: the Atlantic croaker, Micropogonias undulatus (Acanthuriformes, Sciaenidae) and its invasion history in Europe"** by Gustavo Freire de Carvalho-Souza, Cristóbal Lobato Gómez, and Enrique González-Ortegón. This research highlights the significant expansion of the Atlantic croaker into European waters, marking its southernmost occurrence in the Gulf of Cadiz. The study emphasizes the critical need for effective monitoring and management efforts to control non-native species in the region. One of the pivotal elements in this research was the precise molecular identification of the species. Thanks to the advanced Bioer GeneExplorer™ PCR thermal cycler, the team was able to amplify and analyze the mitochondrial DNA of the specimens, confirming their identity with high accuracy. Key highlights of the study include: - Comprehensive review of historical non-native distribution records. - Detailed morphological and molecular analysis. - Implications of the species' expansion on local biodiversity. This research is a testament to the importance of cutting-edge technology in advancing our understanding of biological invasions and their impacts on ecosystems. 🔗 Read the full article (https://lnkd.in/gV2_TDni) #Research #Biodiversity #MarineBiology #Bioer #PCR #EnvironmentalScience #InvasiveSpecies

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The brief video sequence captures the larval development of Hermetia illucens, more commonly known as the black soldier fly, demonstrating its impressive capabilities in organic waste valorization. This larval stage is characterized by robust metabolism and efficient digestion, showcasing the species' ability to effectively convert a variety of organic substrates into valuable biomass such as proteins and lipids. These observations underscore the strategic importance of H. illucens in contemporary initiatives for bioconversion and sustainable management of organic residues.

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