Publications by authors named "P A Vickers"
Article Synopsis
- An international network is being developed to survey scientists continuously, gathering extensive datasets about their opinions over time.
- Local coordinators at participating institutions will send out brief survey invitations to scientists, utilizing a simple 10-second survey format with a single statement and a five-point Likert scale.
- A recent study successfully engaged over 20,000 scientists, receiving 6,807 responses, which demonstrates the feasibility of quickly measuring global scientific opinion, potentially aiding in policy-making and enhancing public understanding.
The term has become increasingly prevalent in astrobiology literature as our ability to search for life advances. Although this term has been useful to the community, its definition is not settled. Existing definitions conflict sharply over the balance of evidence needed to establish a biosignature, which leads to misunderstanding and confusion about what is being claimed when biosignatures are purportedly detected.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPotential biosignatures that offer the promise of extraterrestrial life (past or present) are to be expected in the coming years and decades, whether from within our own solar system, from an exoplanet atmosphere, or otherwise. With each such potential biosignature, the degree of our uncertainty will be the first question asked. Have we really identified extraterrestrial life? How sure are we? This paper considers the problem of unconceived alternative explanations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Activation of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is linked to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), with a strong association between LIF expression and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). MSC-1 (AZD0171) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds with high affinity to LIF, promoting antitumor inflammation through TAM modulation and cancer stem cell inhibition, slowing tumor growth. In this phase I, first-in-human, open-label, dose-escalation study, MSC-1 monotherapy was assessed in patients with advanced, unresectable solid tumors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Laboratory bioassays using treated leaf disks of peach were conducted to determine the efficacy of nine insecticides against the green peach aphid (GPA), Myzus persicae (Sulzer). The effects of these insecticides on aphid feeding behaviors and rates of transmission of Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) to potted rutabaga plants were also determined.
Results: Median lethal concentration (LC ) values after 48 h feeding varied considerably, ranging from lows of 1.