Table of contents for Issue 9 in NatureVolve

Peatlands cover a small proportion of land area on the planet, but are monumental in reducing the release of greenhouse gases that would otherwise be released and contribute to climate change. Yet, not enough is being done to restore and protect these fragile environments, which host a diversity of unique vegetation and wildlife. RE-PEAT are a worldwide collective of students, researchers, artists and activists who are raising awareness of what peatlands offer, and the importance of protecting them. They communicate key facts, figures and insights through creative media, from digital materials to events. © RE-PEAT. All rights reserved. Q & A -Bethany Copsey & team (RE-PEAT) Please share some the most interesting and important facts you know about peat: Peat is really slow to form - at the rate of…

Mexican science illustrator and researcher Leonora Martinez-Nunez creates 2D and 3D visuals that tell a story about hidden biological processes around us. Leonora was inspired by the desire to combat human diseases growing up, having later pursued life sciences studies at university with a focus on microbiology. Now a postdoctoral researcher, Leonora Martinez-Nunez focuses on membrane trafficking and structural biology in the US. Driven by a curiosity around cells and micro-organisms, she illustrates key microbiological processes by using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. As a scientific illustrator, we can see here how she artistically captures the hidden beauty of the microbiological world. Leonora shares some of her works with us here and tells us about these fascinating tiny worlds. © 2020 Leonora Martinez-Nunez. All rights reserved Q & A - Leonora…

SHE-ensya is a site and channel dedicated to sharing fun information about research in the Philippines and all over the world. It is a platform used to encourage critical thinking about current events that affect and are affected by science so pretty much everything!. It discusses art, literature and popular media within the sci-fan genre. It is also an advocacy that seeks to empower women in science, and to encourage more young women all over the world to join the field of STEM. It’s creator, Dr. Chona Camille VinceCruz-Abeledo, is a Filipina scientist and educator. She loves science so much, and hopes more people would love it too. Artwork Why STEM (top, right) © Chona Camille Abele. All rights reserved. Why STEM? - Why STEM? is a photo series that…

© Emma Theresa Jude. It is hard to say when I was born exactly, whether in a spinning mass of superheated gas, or in the kernel of a sprouting-seed earth, or when I was thrust up to the surface during continental collision. Births and rebirths, but in my current form I know I became myself in deep abyss, a hadal firth where sunlight cannot penetrate. I formed in mass flows, guided by deep-sea channels, a trillion shimmering fragments of quartz tumbling irresistible to gravity’s lure, pulled from the continental shelf to fan out on abyssal plain. In Lower Cretaceous sea, I became me. As time crept on, my languor sealed me in stifling shales. A growing heat, fluid flow from above and below changed my silica bones, altered my very…

The internal structure of fossils can be explored through the nondestructive technique of X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT). Tissues of different densities (e.g. bone, tooth enamel, tooth dentine) or cavities left by nerves or blood vessels are translated into different levels of gray on the computer, which allows the paleontologist to select (“segment”) similar tissues through all the sections of a 3D object. The segmented specimen can then be visualized as a 3D model and the scientist can “navigate” through it, rotating the object, hiding certain tissues or cutting off the fossil at a given point to see its internal structure in section. A recent study on a prehistoric fish made some discoveries new to science. A contributor to the study, Lea Léuzinger, shares more about the techniques used and the…

Managers of wildlife are faced with decisions and issues that are increasingly complex. A strong evidence base is needed to support these complex decisions. Genomics research – a relatively new field of scientific knowledge – uses genome-wide information (complete systematic mapping of DNA) that can be applied to conserve biodiversity and manage species and populations. Conservation genomics is often promoted as a beneficial management tool for management. However, we found that in the case of managed Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fisheries in the Canadian province of British Columbia a “conservation genomics gap” persists between fundamental research and applicable solutions for conservation practitioners. Bio Andrew Kadykalo is a PhD Candidate in the department of Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. He is…

Geology is a very visual subject, as a geologist’s eye can classify rocks and unearth their million-year histories based on intricate details. While Eirini Poulaki actively pursues a geoscience PhD, she simultaneously creates geo-art. Many of her paintings are based on what is observed under the microscope in rock thin sections -where mosaics of minerals light up the view. Different types of rocks have their own distinct group of minerals to be found, which can therefore be used as indicators of different rock types - such as the garnet mica schist seen to the right. Context is important too, Eirini shows rock outcrops in their surrounding landscape as well, presenting not only mineralogy and petrography on the micro-scale, but structural geology and the environment on the meso-scale. © Eirini Poulaki.…

Amanda Durkin is an immunology scientist and artist. She is a PhD candidate in Biomolecular Sciences at Laurentian University, performing immunology-based research at Health Sciences North Research Institute. She is also the artist and maker behind Amandatomical Art, where she combines her passion for science and art by creating anatomical depictions to educate others about science. She uses charcoal to draw or digitally illustrates anatomical organs to create art prints, stickers, enamel pins, notebooks, and greeting cards. She is constantly inspired by the science and beauty behind anatomy and the various ways it can be visualized. After spending many years in school studying the scientific details of the human body, she wanted to be able to illustrate this information through art. She works to ensure that each body of work…

The European Geosciences Union hosted a virtual annual general assembly from 19 to 30 April 2021. As part of the many scientific sessions organized, Kelly, Daniel, Konstantin and Louise convened one of the largest yet science-art sessions at this event: “Exploring the Art-Science Interface” on 28 April. This session aimed to give a voice to science-art collaborations that play a pivotal role in raising awareness of the fragile stability of our planet. Copyright applies. All rights reserved. EGU’s science-art events The European Geosciences Union (EGU) is an interdisciplinary association of geoscientists. It has been hosting a yearly general assembly for the last two decades. The sessions organized cover a range of topics, including space, atmospheric and water sciences. In the last few years, science-art initiatives have been increasing at these…

ANNOUNCEMENT We hope you enjyoed issue 9! You can get free copies of issues and stay updated by joining the mailing list at naturevolve.com/subscribe if you haven’t already. Want to get in touch? If interested in sending in your feedback or being featured, you can contact register interest at naturevolve.com/submission-form You can also find us on social media with the handle@naturevolve or the #naturevolve hashtag. Another big thank you to all contributors to our issues, joining us in our mission to bridge the sciences and arts for our planet. This includes our dedicated readers, members, contributors and followers.…

Petrified trunk of a Triassic tree (below) Image taken by Josefina Bodnar. ©Josefina Bodnar. All rights reserved. The petrified trunk is preserved in a rock stratum from Barreal locality, at the San Juan Province, central-western Argentina. It corresponds to a tree which lived during the Triassic Period of the Mesozoic Era, about 245 million years ago. The petrified stem anatomy can be studied as in extant trees, because minerals filled the cavities of plant tissues preserving cellular details. The peculiar lobed and fragmented anatomy of this Triassic trunk allowed to interpret that it was a tree of a totally extinct seed plant group called “corystoperms” which was adapted to seasonal and dry climates. About Josefina Bodnar, PhD, is a paleontologist dedicated to the study of morphology and evolution of fossil…

Parasites can be indicators of major threats to animal conservation. Parasite prevalence and assemblages have been used to determine the natal origin or stock of an animal which is an important aspect of managing harvest. The relatively high evolutionary rate of parasite genomes can be used to infer contact among animals and movement across landscapes to infer connectivity in fragmented habitats as well as to indicate the origin of invasive species. Parasites can also be biological control agents to reduce or eliminate invasive species. Parasite sensitivity to environmental conditions can be assessed as an early indication of climate change. Bio Roderick “Erick” Gagne is an Assistant Professor of Wildlife Disease Ecology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Erick is a part of the Wildlife Futures Program, a…

The Royal Mint, the original maker of UK coins launched a new commemorative coin collection celebrating Mary Anning - historic fossil collector and paleontologist. This is the second coin collection in The Royal Mint’s series ‘Tales of the Earth’. The first coin released shows Temnodontosaurus, one of the largest of the ichthyosaurs. This apex predator once roamed the ocean that covered much of southern Britain. The other coins show more of Anning’s discoveries Plesiosaurus and Dimorphodon. We can see Plesiosaurus to the bottom right - a genus of large marine reptiles from the early Jurassic, known to be found in the Lias rocks exposed along the ‘Jurassic coast’ of England. Many have long associated the Plesiosaurus with the mythical ‘Loch Ness Monster’. Plesiosaurus is a genus of extinct, large marine…

Thomas Brasch is a dedicated teacher and photographer who is completely self-taught. This has not stopped him from showcasing his works at exhibits in North America. Seeing photography as being both an art and a science, he blends his multidisciplinary background across the sciences and arts in his photographic pursuits. Taking a look at his pieces here, mandala-like geometric visuals are common themes, but with deep, symbolic meanings. © Thomas Brasch. All rights reserved. Q & A - Thomas Brasch Out of your diverse background spanning science, languages, education and business, what led you to pursue photography? Photography has always been an influential part of my life. My father, my paternal grandmother, as well as my maternal great uncle, were all photographers. They documented by taking pictures of events and…

Sonic Biogenesis: Genomics and Mutant Jungles is a solo show at Beacon Gallery in Boston, Massachusetts on view through May 2, 2021. It features Galindo’s “genome scores” which consist of graphic representations of his musical compositions and artwork merging textures of plants, animals and microbes. Guillermo Galindo is an experimental composer, sonic architect, performance artist and visual media artist. His work focuses on redefining the conventional limits between music, the art of music composition and the intersections between art disciplines, politics, humanitarian issues, spirituality and social awareness. Beacon Gallery, located in SoWa, Boston’s art and design district, focuses on curating shows with an eye towards activism and social justice. Artwork PS 13 (pretiscarida carnosa), (above) © Guillermo Galindo. PS 13 (pretiscarida carnosa) is made up of printed aluminum with a…