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Plasmodium falciparum immunodetection in bone remains of members of the Renaissance Medici family (Florence, Italy, sixteenth century)

Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany — 2010 — WHE0FB1504AD7

A groundbreaking study provides the first modern laboratory evidence of Plasmodium falciparum infection in the skeletal remains of four members of the Renaissance Medici family, confirming historical accounts that tertian malarial fevers caused their deaths. Using immunological investigations to detect ancient proteins (PfHRP2 and PfLDH) in bone samples, researchers validated the clinical diagnoses issued by court physicians over 450 years ago. This method, successfully applied to skeletal remains for the first time, opens new avenues for investigating large archaeological series beyond mummified tissues. The findings underscore the Medici family's high exposure to malaria due to their hunting activities in endemic areas of Tuscany.

Platinum-Group Minerals from a Placer Deposit in Burwash Creek, Kluane Area, Yukon Territory, Canada

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek — 2010 — WHE0F7CF38D17

Researchers discovered five unique platinum-group mineral (PGM) grains, including previously unconfirmed Pt–Fe alloys and rare sulfides, in a placer deposit at Burwash Creek, Kluane area, Yukon. These minerals exhibit elevated levels of Pd, Rh, Ir, and Fe, along with notable silicate melt inclusions enriched in large-ion lithophile elements. The findings suggest an association with Alaskan–Uralian-type mineralization rather than the local Triassic ultramafic–mafic complex. The study employed electron-microprobe analysis (EMP) and laser-ablation ICP–MS to characterize the PGMs and their geochemical context, providing insights into the geological processes underlying this remote placer deposit.

Political Structure, Military Training, and Ideology at Chichen Itza

Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza — 2010 — WHE23405CD210

A paramount king, identified with the sun, ruled tenth-century Chichen Itza alongside a high priest and a political-military elite symbolized by an S-shaped serpent. The Temple of the Wall Panels reveals the initiation and afterlife journey of jaguar-warriors, paralleling Aztec warrior beliefs described by Sahagún. These warriors, depicted transforming into birds or butterflies, suggest shared Teotihuacan ideologies. The temple's architecture and iconography imply it served as a warrior residence, distinct from atelpochcalli, highlighting the community's collective military and religious roles.

Pollen foraging behaviour of solitary Hawaiian bees revealed through molecular pollen analysis

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — 2010 — WHEBA1105054D

Endemic Hawaiian Hylaeus bees exhibit remarkable pollen foraging fidelity, predominantly collecting native plant species despite the availability of multiple floral resources. Molecular genetic analysis revealed that at high elevations in Haleakala, 86% of pollen samples from bee crops originated from the Hawaiian silversword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum), while lower elevations exclusively featured pukiawe (Leptecophylla tameiameiae) pollen. This selective foraging behavior was consistent across 21 Hylaeus specimens, with 100% of identified pollen loads being native. The study employed molecular methods to bypass traditional palynological challenges, offering a high-throughput approach for assessing pollinator-plant interactions without specialized expertise. These findings highlight the potential for similar analyses to inform conservation strategies and expand our understanding of global pollination dynamics.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorine pesticides in surface soils from the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau

Qinghai Hoh Xil — 2010 — WHE4C9BE12CDA

Research reveals that surface soils on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) contain significantly lower levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), such as DDXs and HCHs, compared to eastern China. PAH concentrations were 1-2 orders of magnitude lower, while OCPs varied by 2-7 times across four sub-areas. The study found that PAHs in remote western QTP regions, including the Hoh Xil Mountains, likely originate from long-range transport and represent background levels for East Asia, serving as a critical receptor area for global atmospheric studies. In contrast, elevated PAH and OCP levels in Lhasa and east Qinghai were primarily locally sourced, with additional contributions from adjacent urban areas like Lanzhou. The research used soil sampling, emission density analysis, and air mass trajectory modeling to correlate pollutant levels with population density, soil organic carbon content, and geographic distribution.

Polymorphism Study of the Insulin Receptor Substrate IRS1 and IRS2 Genes Associated with Type 2 Diabetes in Ethnic Groups of Djerba Island

Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory — 2010 — WHE88638F36A9

A study on Djerba Island, Tunisia, found no association between specific genetic variants (Gly972 Arg and Ala513Pro in IRS1, Gly1057 Asp in IRS2) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Arab and Berber ethnic groups. The research compared genotype and allelic frequencies between T2DM patients and healthy controls using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Despite examining these insulin receptor substrate gene polymorphisms, no significant differences were observed, suggesting these variants do not contribute to T2DM risk in the studied populations.

Population Genetic Structure of Aldabra Giant Tortoises

Aldabra Atoll — 2010 — WHE0C732AB7C7

Aldabra giant tortoises exhibit significant population structure despite no variation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences, suggesting allopatric divergence driven by geographical barriers and ecological partitions. This study analyzed mtDNA control region sequences and microsatellite loci from three locations on Aldabra's two major islands, revealing reduced genetic variability likely due to a founding event during the last interglacial period and historical bottlenecks. While mtDNA showed no variation, nuclear markers indicated population subdivisions, highlighting the influence of ecological factors on tortoise movement and population dynamics in this isolated terrestrial ecosystem.

Population history, phylogeography, and conservation genetics of the last Neotropical mega-herbivore, the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris)

Central Amazon Conservation Complex — 2010 — WHED08E77000E

A groundbreaking study on the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), the last Neotropical mega-herbivore, reveals that its population history and phylogeography were significantly shaped by Pleistocene climatic events, parapatric speciation, Andean foothill divergence, and the Amazon River's role as a gene flow barrier. The research, using mitochondrial Cytochrome b gene variation, suggests a late Pleistocene divergence for lowland tapir, aligning with fossil records, and proposes western Amazonia—particularly the ecological gradient between Andean subcloud forests and Amazon lowland forests—as a critical region for tapir diversification. Contrary to conservation priorities, genetic structure does not correspond with proposed ecogeographic regions, questioning their effectiveness for vagile species. The study underscores the complex evolutionary history of lowland tapirs and highlights the need for further research with broader sampling and loci to refine conservation strategies.

Population Structure ofAegialitesBeetles (Coleoptera, Salpingidae) on the Coasts of Hokkaido, Northern Japan

Shiretoko — 2010 — WHE2F9870CCB0

A molecular phylogeographic analysis of flightless Aegialites beetles from Hokkaido's coasts revealed two distinct genetic lineages with divergent population structures and histories. Lineage A, found on the Sea of Japan and Okhotsk coasts, showed rapid population expansion, while lineage B, predominantly on the Pacific coast and Shiretoko Peninsula, exhibited higher genetic divergence among populations. Despite their unidimensional habitat, no correlation was observed between genetic differentiation and geographic distance in either group. The study suggests allopatric divergence of these lineages during the Pliocene, providing insights into their evolutionary trajectories.

Porosité des frontières spatiales, ambiguïté des frontières identitaires : le cas des cités-États swahili de l’archipel de Lamu (vers 1600-1800)

Lamu Old Town — 2010 — WHE80BEF830ED

A fluid, porous identity characterizes the Swahili civilization of Lamu's archipelago (1600–1800), challenging rigid notions of spatial and cultural boundaries. Despite urban centers like Lamu functioning as integrative hubs with strong ties to inland regions, their social hierarchies reflect a dynamic, permeable identity—one that defies static definitions. This study reveals how the interplay between coastal cities and their hinterlands exposes the ambiguity at the heart of Swahili identity, emphasizing its adaptability over time.

Potamonautes lipkei, a new species of African freshwater crab (Decapoda, Potamonautidae) from Senegal

Niokolo-Koba National Park — 2010 — WHEFE63BAEBBE

Researchers have identified and described Potamonautes lipkei, a new species of freshwater crab from the Potamonautidae family, found in Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal. This discovery expands the diversity of West African freshwater crabs, with P. lipkei distinguished by unique morphological traits such as its carapace, chelipeds, thoracic sternum, and gonopods. The species was collected from burrows along small streams and the Gambia River, highlighting its habitat preferences. The study compares this new species to other Potamonautidae crabs in West Africa, contributing to the understanding of the genus's broad distribution across sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile Basin.

Predicting the effects of woodcutting and moose browsing on forest development in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Canada

Gros Morne National Park — 2010 — WHE8CADA54D41

A study predicts that moose browsing, without hunting regulation, could significantly reduce forest growing stock by 12% to 32% over 160 years in Gros Morne National Park (GMNP), Newfoundland. Specifically, balsam fir and white birch populations are projected to decline sharply, while black spruce and grassland cover expand. In contrast, domestic woodcutting, even at current levels, is unlikely to impact forest growing stock or old-growth forests but may further threaten already low white birch populations. The research used long-term scenario analysis comparing GMNP-specific conditions—where hunting is prohibited—to neighbouring industrial forests with regulated moose populations. Four scenarios were tested, including combinations of timber harvesting and browsing, revealing that moose browsing poses a greater threat to forest composition than woodcutting.

Predicting the impact of lava flows at Mount Etna, Italy

Mount Etna — 2010 — WHE30739EDF9C

A new methodology for predicting the impact of lava flows at Mount Etna, Italy, has been developed, offering high-resolution susceptibility maps that can adapt to real-time scenarios. This approach combines a computational model simulating lava flows with a validation procedure to assess accuracy in the study area. The research provides critical tools for civil defense planning and land use management, enabling authorities to quantify potential damage from eruptions and evaluate protective measures efficiently. By extracting specific scenarios from simulation databases, this method supports both long-term strategic planning and immediate response during imminent eruptions.

Prehistoric Timbuktu and its hinterland

Timbuktu — 2010 — WHE716889F383

A new study reveals that Timbuktu, renowned for its medieval significance as a Saharan caravan hub, also possessed distinct urban characteristics during its prehistoric phase before AD 1000. By mapping settlement patterns in the region's hinterland, researchers uncovered evidence of early urbanism and explored how shifts in the Sahara's climate influenced social dynamics. This approach combines spatial analysis with environmental data to reconstruct Timbuktu's past, offering insights into the resilience and adaptability of prehistoric communities in a rapidly changing landscape.

Preindustrial reconstruction of a perhumid midboreal landscape, Anticosti Island, Quebec

Anticosti — 2010 — WHEC928A7E1B7

Research on Anticosti Island, Quebec, reveals that preindustrial balsam fir forests exhibited rare stand-initiating events over the past 160 years, challenging the conventional cyclic disturbance model. Using historical forest maps and dendrochronology, scientists reconstructed a landscape dominated by overmature softwood stands with sporadic younger inclusions, suggesting an alternative dynamics model for maritime eastern Canada's balsam fir ecosystems. This finding implies that sustainable forest management should align with this natural variability to preserve ecological integrity.

Preliminary Assessment of Freshwater Crayfish as Environmental Indicators of Human Impacts in Canyons of the Blue Mountains, Australia

Greater Blue Mountains Area — 2010 — WHECC86DB53E5

A single species of freshwater crayfish, Euastacus spinifer, was found to occur at higher altitudes than previously recorded in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The study suggests that crayfish could potentially serve as a rapid bioindicator of human impacts, such as those caused by canyoning, due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. Although no significant difference in crayfish abundance or size was observed between high and low visitation canyons, differences were noted between individual canyons. Additionally, crayfish within the same canyon exhibited consistent color morphs, indicating potential genetic selection pressures. The research proposes that with a comprehensive baseline dataset, crayfish could be used by non-specialists to assess environmental impacts and support management decisions.

Preliminary behaviour observations of the Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) based on video trap surveys in Ujung Kulon National Park

Ujung Kulon National Park — 2010 — WHEE11BBDCD72

Video camera traps have proven to be a promising tool for quantifying the behavior of the critically endangered Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) in Ujung Kulon National Park. This study, conducted on ten individuals, provides baseline behavioral data by analyzing both the duration and frequency of specific activities, offering new insights into the reclusive species' ethogram. The research suggests that video traps can effectively capture detailed behavioral observations, which are essential for understanding and conserving this endangered rhinoceros population.

Preliminary Investigations on Odonata from the Lake Ohrid (Macedonia)

Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region — 2010 — WHE1EAB9E459C

A preliminary investigation of Lake Ohrid revealed 17 species of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) from 476 adult specimens collected across 21 stations in June 2009. This study is notable for addressing a significant data gap regarding this invertebrate group in the lake, which is otherwise well-documented in other European lakes. The findings indicate a relatively low species diversity, likely influenced by the lake's mountainous location and moderate climate. Enallagma cyathigerum was the most abundant species, thriving due to its association with elodeid plants like Potamegeton perfoliatus. Four of the identified species are endemic to Southern Europe, while the rest are widespread across the continent. This research provides foundational data for understanding odonate biodiversity in Lake Ohrid and highlights the ecological significance of its unique environment.

Preliminary Studies for the Recovering of the Armstrong, Mitchell & Co. Hydraulic Crane of the Arsenal of Venice

Venice and its Lagoon — 2010 — WHE9EFCAEB2EA

A rare surviving example of 19th-century English engineering, the Armstrong, Mitchell & Co. hydraulic crane at Venice's Arsenal, is being restored to preserve its historical significance. The preliminary study identified critical causes of damage and past interventions, providing a foundation for targeted conservation efforts. This crane, one of the last remaining from its era, represents an important technological milestone and is supported by UNESCO's Venice in Peril Fund. The research combines historical analysis with structural assessment to guide restoration, ensuring the crane's longevity while maintaining its authentic character.

Present tectonics of the southeast of Russia as seen from GPS observations

Central Sikhote-Alin — 2010 — WHE13B41FEF90

GPS observations from 1997 to 2009 reveal that the Central Sikhote-Alin region in southeastern Russia exhibits internal and external stability, with no significant present-day tectonic activity detected along the Central Sikhote-Alin Fault. This challenges the notion of a unified Amurian microplate, suggesting instead a more complex structure composed of separate blocks. The study utilized GPS data from a regional geodynamic network to assess crustal velocity fields, providing insights into the region's geodynamic stability and tectonic behavior.