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Propagule dispersal is a crucial aspect of the survival and reproduction of sessile organisms, such as plants and fungi. As such, the colours of fleshy fruits serve as a visual cue for animal dispersers. However, little is known about how, or whether, specific traits of fungal fruiting bodies, such as colour or shape, attract animal dispersers, and additionally the identities of fungal dispersers are poorly understood. Globally, most truffle-like fungi are dull-coloured, subterranean, and likely have scents that are attractive to mammalian dispersers. In Aotearoa-New Zealand, however, brightly coloured truffle-like fungi that emerge from the forest floor have seemingly proliferated. This proliferation has prompted the hypothesis that they are adapted to dispersal by a bird-dominated fauna. In our study, we used the literature and citizen science data (GBIF) to explore whether colourful species occur at a higher proportion of the total truffle-like fungi flora in Aotearoa-New Zealand than elsewhere in the world. In addition, we tested for a relationship between biotic factors (avian frugivory and forest cover) and abiotic factors (precipitation, radiation, and temperature) and the prevalence of brightly coloured truffle-like fungi across the world. The most colourful truffle-like fungi are in three defined regions: Australia, South and Central America and the Caribbean, and Aotearoa-NZ. Potential dispersers and the environment both relate to the distribution of truffle-like fungi: we found that increasing levels of frugivory were associated with higher proportions of colourful truffle-like fungi. This finding provides new insights into drivers of certain fungal traits, and their interactions between birds and fungi. Unique ecosystems, such as Aotearoa-NZ's bird-dominated biota, provide fascinating opportunities to explore how plants and fungi interact with the sensory systems of animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) recycling may occur multiple times during the life of the pavement. This study investigates the effect of multiple recycling on binder properties by employing a virgin 3045 PEN grade binder that was aged in the laboratory intended to simulate aging of binders in RAP. The aged binder was rejuvenated using two bio-oils and one softer binder. The doses of the bio-oils and softer binder were determined by matching the continuous high-temperature performance grade (PGH) of the rejuvenated RAP binder to that of the virgin binder. This aging and rejuvenation cycle was repeated three times. Finally, fatigue and rutting performance of the binder was evaluated for the three reuse levels. Results indicate that the material can be reused up to three cycles keeping good performance on fatigue or rutting. However, care should be taken regarding the cumulative effect of bio-oils causing an over-softening effect on the of the RAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing interest in supporting human psychological wellbeing in the workplace should be applauded. Within the animal health industry, especially in veterinary and welfare sectors, the need to support staff has perhaps never been more salient. One support method that can be appealing for organisations is to offer interventions that are group based. Groups can be viewed as cost effective by delivering help to a number of people at one time; however, they are often wrongly perceived as a quick and cheap option. Moreover, groups are commonly believed to be pleasant places which, by their very nature, will be social, kind and healing – but this can be a misplaced belief. Groups may provide few or none of the intended outcomes, or even cause more harm than good. Just as a medication can have unwanted and sometimes harmful side effects, so too can psychological and social interventions. Leaning on our experience of running formal groups in a number of different ways, in this article we aim to share thinking about what is needed to run groups to support staff wellbeing. We also cover factors to consider before embarking on this type of intervention to ensure that groups help staff rather than harm them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grassland degradation is challenging the health of grassland ecosystems globally and causing biodiversity decline. Previous studies have demonstrated the impact of grassland degradation on the abundance and behavior of small mammals. Little is known about how it affects the genetic structure of gregarious mammals in the wild. This study explores the effects of grassland degradation on the genetic structure of a small burrowing mammal, plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae). We used nine microsatellite loci to analyze the genetic diversity and genetic differentiation between colonies and genetic relatedness between individuals within the colony. We found that pikas in severely degraded grasslands had a significantly higher genetic diversity within colonies, a higher level of gene flow between colonies, and a lower genetic differentiation between colonies compared to pikas in less degraded grasslands. Individuals within colonies had a significantly lower genetic relatedness in severely degraded grasslands than in less degraded grasslands. This study has provided potential evidence of a significant impact of grassland degradation on the genetic structure of pikas, which has caused a breakdown of their kin‐selected colony structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Shielding was introduced to protect clinically extremely vulnerable people during the COVID‐19 pandemic. For junior doctors who had to shield, this meant pausing in‐person clinical duties to protect their health. There is limited literature regarding this, and the available evidence is predominantly surveys or blogs that describe mainly negative experiences including guilt, isolation, inadequate support and Return To Work (RTW) concerns. Exploring the experiences of this group is valuable to understand the impact on them, and their support needs moving forward. Methods: This was a qualitative study using individual semi‐structured interviews. Three junior doctors were recruited using volunteer and snowball sampling. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Seven themes were finalised: (1) Professional value, (2) Threatened autonomy, (3) Self‐motivated, (4) Educational impact, (5) Mental health, (6) Inadequate support and (7) Return To Work concerns. Discussion: Participant experiences largely reflected the evidence base including increased skill and knowledge acquisition, alongside guilt, isolation and inadequate support whilst shielding and upon RTW. These findings add valuable qualitative data to a scarcity of literature. However, caution should be applied when transferring these findings to other junior doctors, noting the small sample and regional setting. A small research grant has been secured for further research with a larger sample size incorporating the supervisor perspective. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that shielding was a challenging experience for these junior doctors including impacts on mental health and insufficient support. This lack of support requires further attention to refine and strengthen available support structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, grassland degradation is an acute ecological problem. In alpine grassland on the Tibetan Plateau, increased densities of various small mammals in degraded grassland are assumed to intensify the degradation process and these mammals are subject to lethal control. However, whether the negative impact of small mammals is solely a result of population size or also a result of activity and behavior has not been tested. In this study, we use plateau pika as a model to compare population size, core area of colony, and the number of burrow entrances and latrines between lightly and severely degraded grassland. We test whether the alleged contribution of pika to grassland degradation is a result of increased population size or increased burrowing activities of individuals in response to lower food abundance. We found that grassland degradation resulted in lower plant species richness, plant height, and biomass. Furthermore, the overall population size of pika was not significantly affected by location in lightly and severely degraded grassland. However, pika core areas in severely grassland degradation were significantly larger and had significantly higher densities of burrows and latrines. Our study provides convincing evidence that habitat‐induced changes in the behavior of small, burrowing mammals, such as pika, can exacerbate grassland degradation. This finding has significant implications for managing small mammals and restoring degraded grassland ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]