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The potential utility of Species Distribution Models (SDMs) in conservation is apparent. One application for rare or highly cryptic taxa is using model predictions to increase the efficiency of sampling effort. Though this method is potentially powerful, the accuracy of model predictions is rarely tested in the field. Further, uncertainty remains about whether validation statistics reflect true model performance, particularly for species of high conservation concern. We assessed the usefulness of SDMs for predicting the distribution of six species of lizards in the Mackenzie Basin (Te Manahuna), Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). We built MaxEnt models using readily available occurrence data and a publicly available suite of environmental predictors. We validated model performance using both data partitioning and independent occurrence records collected in the 2022/23 austral summer. Cross‐validation suggested that the top models for each species generated reasonably accurate predictions; however, for common species, predictive accuracy decreased notably when validating with independent data. Models for rare species performed more variably when validated with independent data; however, these models were overfit and based on few data, making it difficult to have confidence in the resulting ions. We suggest that limitations in historical occurrence data, current knowledge of species ecology and low resolution of predictor data likely restrict the relevance of predictive modelling for NZ lizard species. Whilst attractive to species managers and easy to generate, predictive models should be subject to ground‐truthing with temporally relevant data prior to being used to inform sampling effort. We ground‐truthed MaxEnt Species Distribution Models for six species of New Zealand lizards. Cross‐validation suggested that top models for each species generated reasonably accurate predictions; however, predictive accuracy was low for common species when validating with independent data. Whilst attractive to species managers and easy to generate, models should be ground‐truthed with temporally relevant data prior to their use in informing species management of sampling effort.

Species distribution models (SDMs) can be used to predict distributions in novel times or space (termed transferability) and fill knowledge gaps for areas that are data poor. In conservation, this can be used to determine the extent of spatial protection required. To understand how well a model transfers spatially, it needs to be independently tested, using data from novel habitats. Here, we test the transferability of SDMs for Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori), a culturally important (taonga) and endangered, coastal delphinid, endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. We collected summer distribution data from three populations from 2021 to 2023. Using Generalised Additive Models, we built presence/absence SDMs for each population and validated the predictive ability of the top models (with TSS and AUC). Then, we tested the transferability of each top model by predicting the distribution of the remaining two populations. SDMs for two populations showed useful performance within their respective areas (Banks Peninsula and Otago), but when used to predict the two areas outside the models' source data, performance declined markedly. SDMs from the third area (Timaru) performed poorly, both for prediction within the source area and when transferred spatially. When data for model building were combined from two areas, results were mixed. Model interpolation was better when presence/absence data from Otago, an area of low density, were combined with data from areas of higher density, but was otherwise poor. The overall poor transferability of SDMs suggests that habitat preferences of Hector's dolphins vary between areas. For these dolphins, population‐specific distribution data should be used for conservation planning. More generally, we demonstrate that a one model fits all approach is not always suitable. When SDMs are used to predict distribution in data‐poor areas an assessment of performance in the new habitat is required, and results should be interpreted with caution. Species distribution models (SDMs) are commonly used to predict habitat and distribution for species in data poor areas, under the assumption that habitat use is the same across space. We tested the transferability of SDMs for Hector's dolphin, revealing differences in habitat use between populations. These results indicate that to understand habitat use of Hector's dolphin, local data is required for the model building process.

Little is known about the impacts of fire on New Zealand’s lizard fauna. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the direct impact of fire and subsequent loss of habitat are drastically negative for arboreal and grassland species. The impact of fire on saxicolous (ground-dwelling) species is less understood and difficult to presume given we understand little about the protective nature of rocky refugia and species’ reliance on fire-susceptible habitat. In September 2023 a large scrub fire burnt through Pukaki Scientific Reserve (Mackenzie Basin, South Island), which is home to a population of Woodworthia “Southern Alps” geckos. Having completed sampling for geckos in the reserve prior to the fire and at a similar nearby reserve that remained unburnt, we investigated the impact of the fire on the gecko population by conducting systematic searching pre- and post-event. We employed a simple Before After Control Impact study design to control for unmeasured variation. We report a decrease in the catch per unit effort of geckos at the fire-affected site and provide evidence of direct mortality from fire. More work is needed to fully quantify the lasting impacts of drastic habitat loss on the gecko population, especially considering projected increases in wildfire frequency.

Captive-rearing of wildlife for release has been used with variable success in the conservation management of a range of species. These programmes protect individuals through a vulnerable life stage with the aim of releasing them to re-enforce wild populations once threats are minimised. To maximise the effectiveness of captive-rearing, species’ managers must understand how management decisions and procedures affect individual outcomes during both the rearing phase and post-release. We used management records for 1177 kakī (Himantopus novaezelandiae; black stilt) eggs and 846 released individuals collected from 2013 to 2020 to investigate: (1) effects of parentage, clutch characteristics, and embryo age on hatchability; and (2) impacts of release variables, captive-rearing conditions, supplementary feeding, and individual health on post-release survival. Multivariate generalised additive models were created to explore these relationships. Top models showed that, in general, highest hatchability was associated with eggs that were heavier, from intermediatesized clutches, with longer parental incubation, and that were laid by dams 12 to 18 years of age. We show that intensive egg pulling from nests does not have a negative impact on the hatchability of subsequent clutches (up to three). While it is important to maximise hatchability outcomes where possible, hatchability rates for the period are high and comparatively larger gains for the species can be made addressing low survival of released individuals. Trends in survivability show that individuals released as sub-adults, that used supplementary food more often, and that were less inbred, had the best survival outcomes. Having had (but recovered from) encephalitis and/or pododermatitis in captivity reduced an individual’s probability to survive once released. These trends can be used to inform best practice species management and provide rationale for further study of kaki hatchability and survivability.

High-grade serous ovarian cancers have low survival rates because of their late presentation with extensive peritoneal metastases and frequent chemoresistance 1 , and require new treatments guided by novel insights into pathogenesis. Here we describe the intrinsic tumour-suppressive activities of interferon-ε (IFNε). IFNε is constitutively expressed in epithelial cells of the fallopian tube, the cell of origin of high-grade serous ovarian cancers, and is then lost during development of these tumours. We characterize its anti-tumour activity in several preclinical models: ovarian cancer patient-derived xenografts, orthotopic and disseminated syngeneic models, and tumour cell lines with or without mutations in Trp53 and Brca genes. We use manipulation of the IFNε receptor IFNAR1 in different cell compartments, differential exposure status to IFNε and global measures of IFN signalling to show that the mechanism of the anti-tumour activity of IFNε involves direct action on tumour cells and, crucially, activation of anti-tumour immunity. IFNε activated anti-tumour T and natural killer cells and prevented the accumulation and activation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells. Thus, we demonstrate that IFNε is an intrinsic tumour suppressor in the female reproductive tract whose activities in models of established and advanced ovarian cancer, distinct from other type I IFNs, are compelling indications of potential new therapeutic approaches for ovarian cancer. Interferon-ε is a tumour suppressor expressed in the epithelial cell of origin of ovarian cancer, which it restricts by direct action on tumour cells and especially by activation of anti-tumour immunity.

We investigate the bright CO fundamental emission in the central regions of five protostars in their primary mass assembly phase using new observations from JWST’s Near-Infrared Spectrograph and Mid-Infrared Instrument. CO line emission images and fluxes are extracted for a forest of ∼150 rovibrational transitions from two vibrational bands, v = 1−0 and v = 2−1. However, 13CO is undetected, indicating that 12CO emission is optically thin. We use H2 emission lines to correct fluxes for extinction and then construct rotation diagrams for the CO lines with the highest spectral resolution and sensitivity to estimate rotational temperatures and numbers of CO molecules. Two distinct rotational temperature components are required for v = 1 (∼600 to 1000 K and 2000 to ∼104 K), while one hotter component is required for v = 2 (≳3500 K). 13CO is depleted compared to the abundances found in the interstellar medium, indicating selective UV photodissociation of 13CO; therefore, UV radiative pumping may explain the higher rotational temperatures in v = 2. The average vibrational temperature is ∼1000 K for our sources and is similar to the lowest rotational temperature components. Using the measured rotational and vibrational temperatures to infer a total number of CO molecules, we find that the total gas masses range from lower limits of ∼1022 g for the lowest mass protostars to ∼1026 g for the highest mass protostars. Our gas mass lower limits are compatible with those in more evolved systems, which suggest the lowest rotational temperature component comes from the inner disk, scattered into our line of sight, but we also cannot exclude the contribution to the CO emission from disk winds for higher mass targets.

Investigating Protostellar Accretion is a Cycle 1 JWST program using the NIRSpec+MIRI integral field units to obtain 2.9–28 μm spectral cubes of five young protostars with luminosities of 0.2–10,000 L ⊙ in their primary accretion phase. This paper introduces the NIRSpec 2.9–5.3 μm data of the inner 840–9000 au with spatial resolutions from 28 to 300 au. The spectra show rising continuum emission; deep ice absorption; emission from H2, H i, and [Fe ii]; and the CO fundamental series in emission and absorption. Maps of the continuum emission show scattered light cavities for all five protostars. In the cavities, collimated jets are detected in [Fe ii] for the four <320 L ⊙ protostars, two of which are additionally traced in Brα. Knots of [Fe ii] emission are detected toward the most luminous protostar, and knots of [Fe ii] emission with dynamical times of <30 yr are found in the jets of the others. While only one jet is traced in H2, knots of H2 and CO are detected in the jets of four protostars. H2 is seen extending through the cavities, showing that they are filled by warm molecular gas. Bright H2 emission is seen along the walls of a single cavity, while in three cavities narrow shells of H2 emission are found, one of which has an [Fe ii] knot at its apex. These data show cavities containing collimated jets traced in atomic/ionic gas surrounded by warm molecular gas in a wide-angle wind and/or gas accelerated by bow shocks in the jets.

IntroductionRecurrent pulmonary exacerbations lead to progressive lung damage in cystic fibrosis (CF). Inhaled medications (mucoactive agents and antibiotics) help prevent exacerbations, but objectively measured adherence is low. We investigated whether a multi-component (complex) self-management intervention to support adherence would reduce exacerbation rates over 12 months.MethodsBetween October 2017 and May 2018, adults with CF (aged ≥16 years; 19 UK centres) were randomised to the intervention (data-logging nebulisers, a digital platform and behavioural change sessions with trained clinical interventionists) or usual care (data-logging nebulisers). Outcomes included pulmonary exacerbations (primary outcome), objectively measured adherence, body mass index (BMI), lung function (FEV1) and Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R). Analyses were by intent to treat over 12 months.ResultsAmong intervention (n=304) and usual care (n=303) participants (51% female, median age 31 years), 88% completed 12-month follow-up. Mean exacerbation rate was 1.63/year with intervention and 1.77/year with usual care (adjusted ratio 0.96; 95% CI 0.83 to 1.12; p=0.64). Adjusted mean differences (95% CI) were in favour of the intervention versus usual care for objectively measured adherence (9.5% (8.6% to 10.4%)) and BMI (0.3 (0.1 to 0.6) kg/m2), with no difference for %FEV1 (1.4 (−0.2 to 3.0)). Seven CFQ-R subscales showed no between-group difference, but treatment burden reduced for the intervention (3.9 (1.2 to 6.7) points). No intervention-related serious adverse events occurred.ConclusionsWhile pulmonary exacerbations and FEV1 did not show statistically significant differences, the intervention achieved higher objectively measured adherence versus usual care. The adherence difference might be inadequate to influence exacerbations, though higher BMI and lower perceived CF treatment burden were observed.

The earliest stages of star formation are highlighted by complex interactions between accretion, outflow, and radiative processes, which shape the chemical and physical environment of the emerging protostar. James Webb Space Telescope observations of the low-mass, low-luminosity Class 0 protostar IRAS 16253–2429 (I16253) reveal a central compact source. This object exhibits a rich mid-IR emission spectrum of OH pure rotational lines and CO2 rovibrational lines. Unusually for a young stellar object, it has no mid-IR line emission from H2O to match the other molecules. We demonstrate that the emitting OH molecules arise from UV photodissociation of H2O in its second absorption band at λ = 114–145 nm, and that the OH emission is a fluorescent cascade starting with highest-excitation rotational states. This situation offers the opportunity of using the IR OH spectrum to measure the UV flux from the central protostar. Thereby, we determine the disk-to-star accretion rate to be 3 × 10−10 M⊙ yr−1, and demonstrate that the system luminosity arises mostly from the protostar’s photosphere rather than from accretion luminosity. The result is in accord with the measured outflow rate of I16253 and lies within the outflow/accretion-flow rate trend often inferred for protostars, and with episodic accretion as the dominant mechanism by which this protostar has grown.