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Premise Of The Study: Sexual reproduction often requires more energy and time than clonal reproduction. In marginal arctic conditions, species that can reproduce both sexually and clonally dominate. Plants with this capacity may thrive because they can alter reproduction depending on environmental conditions. Bistorta vivipara is a circumpolar herb that predominately reproduces clonally, but certain environmental conditions promote higher investment in flowers (and possible sexual reproduction). Despite largely reproducing clonally, the herb has high levels of genetic variation, and the processes underlying this paradoxical pattern of variation remain unclear. Here we identified environmental factors associated with sexual investment and examined whether sexual reproduction is associated with higher levels of genetic variation.•
Methods: We sampled 20 populations of B. vivipara across the high Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. In each population, we measured reproductive traits, environmental variables, and collected samples for genetic analyses. These samples permitted hypotheses to be tested regarding sexual investment and ecological and genetic correlates.•
Key Results: Increased soil nitrogen and organic matter content and decreased elevation were positively associated with investment in flowers. Increased investment in flowers significantly correlated with more genotypes per population. Linkage disequilibrium was consistent with predominant clonality, but several populations showed higher genetic variation and lower differentiation than expected. There was no geographical genetic structure.•
Conclusions: In B. vivipara, sexual investment is positively associated with habitat quality. Bistorta vivipara predominantly reproduces clonally, but occasional outcrossing, efficient clonal reproduction, and dispersal by bulbils can explain the considerable genetic variation and weak genetic structure in B. vivipara.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3732/ajb.1400431 | DOI Listing |
J Midwifery Womens Health
January 2025
Sexual Health and Reproductive Equity Program, School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley, California.
As access to doula services expands through state Medicaid coverage and specific initiatives aimed at improving maternal health equity, there is a need to build and improve upon relationships between the doula community, hospital leaders, and clinical staff. Previous research and reports suggest rapport-building, provider education, and forming partnerships between community-based organizations and hospitals can improve such relationships. However, few interventions or programs incorporating such approaches are described in the literature.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Infect Dis
January 2025
Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of gonorrhoea, causes significant morbidity worldwide and can have long-term impacts on reproductive health. The greatest global burden of gonorrhoea occurs in low- and middle-income settings. Global public health significance is increasing due to rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which threatens future gonorrhoea management.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFContracept Reprod Med
January 2025
School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Background: Female Condoms are 90-95% effective against HIV transmission when correctly and consistently used and are also cost-effective. In general, condoms prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies. Although the COVID-19 pandemic had the potential to undermine routine healthcare services delivery and utilisation, there is limited evidence about the pandemic's effect on Female Condom uptake in Gauteng, one of the hardest-hit provinces in South Africa.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Public Health
January 2025
Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Introduction: The utilization of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services by males globally is significantly low despite their considerable sexual and reproductive health needs. This study aimed to understand the factors that influence the utilization of male sexual and reproductive health SRH services.
Methods: We used an explanatory sequential mixed methods research design, with qualitative description to explore the perceptions of males (15-49years) on the utilization of male SRH services in Anambra State, Nigeria.
Commun Biol
January 2025
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Species that coexist in hybrid zones sexually isolate through reproductive character displacement, a mechanism that favours divergence between species. In Drosophila, behavioural and physiological traits discourage heterospecific mating between species. Recently, social network analysis revealed flies produce strain-specific and species-specific social structures.
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