Quantitative methods of identifying the key nodes in the illegal wildlife trade network.

Innovative approaches are needed to combat the illegal trade in wildlife. Here, we used network analysis and a new database, HealthMap Wildlife Trade, to identify the key nodes (countries) that support the illegal wildlife trade. We identified key exporters and importers from the number of shipments a country sent and received and from the number of connections a country had to other countries over a given time period.

Impaired colonic motility and reduction in tachykinin signalling in the aged mouse.

Ageing is associated with an increased incidence of constipation in humans. The contribution that the ageing process makes to this condition is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of age on faecal output and colonic motility in male C57BL/6J mice and to determine the role that altered tachykinin signalling plays in this process.

Global trends in emerging infectious diseases.

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are a significant burden on global economies and public health. Their emergence is thought to be driven largely by socio-economic, environmental and ecological factors, but no comparative study has explicitly analysed these linkages to understand global temporal and spatial patterns of EIDs. Here we analyse a database of 335 EID 'events' (origins of EIDs) between 1940 and 2004, and demonstrate non-random global patterns.

Emerging infectious diseases of plants: pathogen pollution, climate change and agrotechnology drivers.

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) pose threats to conservation and public health. Here, we apply the definition of EIDs used in the medical and veterinary fields to botany and highlight a series of emerging plant diseases. We include EIDs of cultivated and wild plants, some of which are of significant conservation concern.