| 1. |
- Kattge, Jens, et al.
(författare)
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TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access
- 2020
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Ingår i: Global Change Biology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1354-1013 .- 1365-2486. ; 26:1, s. 119-188
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives.
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| 2. |
- Wright, Graham D., et al.
(författare)
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Recognising the importance and impact of Imaging Scientists: Global guidelines for establishing career paths within core facilities
- 2024
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Ingår i: JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY. - 0022-2720 .- 1365-2818. ; 294:3, s. 397-410
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the dynamic landscape of scientific research, imaging core facilities are vital hubs propelling collaboration and innovation at the technology development and dissemination frontier. Here, we present a collaborative effort led by Global BioImaging (GBI), introducing international recommendations geared towards elevating the careers of Imaging Scientists in core facilities. Despite the critical role of Imaging Scientists in modern research ecosystems, challenges persist in recognising their value, aligning performance metrics and providing avenues for career progression and job security. The challenges encompass a mismatch between classic academic career paths and service-oriented roles, resulting in a lack of understanding regarding the value and impact of Imaging Scientists and core facilities and how to evaluate them properly. They further include challenges around sustainability, dedicated training opportunities and the recruitment and retention of talent. Structured across these interrelated sections, the recommendations within this publication aim to propose globally applicable solutions to navigate these challenges. These recommendations apply equally to colleagues working in other core facilities and research institutions through which access to technologies is facilitated and supported. This publication emphasises the pivotal role of Imaging Scientists in advancing research programs and presents a blueprint for fostering their career progression within institutions all around the world. In the exciting world of scientific research, imaging core facilities are essential hubs where scientists use advanced technologies to conduct experiments and uncover fascinating discoveries. What makes these facilities remarkable is that multiple scientists can access and utilise a variety of instruments for a wide range of multidisciplinary research projects, fostering collaboration and innovation. At the forefront of this scientific adventure are Imaging Scientists, experts who play a crucial role in planning experiments, preparing materials, adapting and acquiring technologies, collecting data, training and supporting researchers, analysing images and forming conclusions. Despite their pivotal contributions, there are challenges in recognising the importance of Imaging Scientists and ensuring they have ample opportunities to advance in their careers. These challenges include a mismatch between the typical academic career path and the unique roles and responsibilities of Imaging Scientists, a lack of widespread understanding of their value plus financial constraints, insufficient training opportunities, and difficulties in attracting and retaining talented individuals. To address these issues, Global BioImaging (GBI; www.globalbioimaging.org) has brought together Imaging Scientists from around the world to develop a generally applicable set of recommendations in three key areas: highlighting the significance and value of Imaging Scientists, making it easier to recruit and retain them, and supporting their ongoing learning and professional growth. A notable concept is to reimagine the traditional separation between academic roles and technical support roles. GBI envisions that these recommendations will not only benefit imaging facilities but also prove valuable for research institutions housing diverse technologies organised into core facilities. Recognising the diverse nature of research performing institutions globally, the GBI community sees this guide as a starting point that will initiate dialogue and instigate change, which should be periodically updated as the needs of Imaging Scientists change. This initial version lays a solid foundation for future enhancements, contributing to the acknowledgement and support of the invaluable work done by Imaging Scientists on a global scale.
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| 3. |
- Hoffmann, Thomas J, et al.
(författare)
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Genome-wide association study of prostate-specific antigen levels in 392,522 men identifies new loci and improves cross-ancestry prediction
- 2023
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- We conducted a multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in 296,754 men (211,342 European ancestry; 58,236 African ancestry; 23,546 Hispanic/Latino; 3,630 Asian ancestry; 96.5% of participants were from the Million Veteran Program). We identified 318 independent genome-wide significant (p≤5e-8) variants, 184 of which were novel. Most demonstrated evidence of replication in an independent cohort (n=95,768). Meta-analyzing discovery and replication (n=392,522) identified 447 variants, of which a further 111 were novel. Out-of-sample variance in PSA explained by our new polygenic risk score reached 16.9% (95% CI=16.1%-17.8%) in European ancestry, 9.5% (95% CI=7.0%-12.2%) in African ancestry, 18.6% (95% CI=15.8%-21.4%) in Hispanic/Latino, and 15.3% (95% CI=12.7%-18.1%) in Asian ancestry, and lower for higher age. Our study highlights how including proportionally more participants from underrepresented populations improves genetic prediction of PSA levels, with potential to personalize prostate cancer screening.
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| 4. |
- Kachuri, Linda, et al.
(författare)
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Genetically adjusted PSA levels for prostate cancer screening
- 2023
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Ingår i: Nature Medicine. - 1546-170X. ; 29:6, s. 1412-1423
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer remains controversial because it increases overdiagnosis and overtreatment of clinically insignificant tumors. Accounting for genetic determinants of constitutive, non-cancer-related PSA variation has potential to improve screening utility. In this study, we discovered 128 genome-wide significant associations (P < 5 × 10 -8) in a multi-ancestry meta-analysis of 95,768 men and developed a PSA polygenic score (PGS PSA) that explains 9.61% of constitutive PSA variation. We found that, in men of European ancestry, using PGS-adjusted PSA would avoid up to 31% of negative prostate biopsies but also result in 12% fewer biopsies in patients with prostate cancer, mostly with Gleason score <7 tumors. Genetically adjusted PSA was more predictive of aggressive prostate cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 3.44, P = 6.2 × 10 -14, area under the curve (AUC) = 0.755) than unadjusted PSA (OR = 3.31, P = 1.1 × 10 -12, AUC = 0.738) in 106 cases and 23,667 controls. Compared to a prostate cancer PGS alone (AUC = 0.712), including genetically adjusted PSA improved detection of aggressive disease (AUC = 0.786, P = 7.2 × 10 -4). Our findings highlight the potential utility of incorporating PGS for personalized biomarkers in prostate cancer screening.
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