Galapagos (Belgium)

The new synanthropic crevice weaver spider species, from the family Filistatidae, Pikelinia floydmuraria sp. nov . (male and females) is described from the department of Tolima, Colombia. The female internal genitalia of P. fasciata from the Galapagos islands, Ecuador, is described here for the first time. Additional unidentified species of Pikelinia populations were recorded in the departments of Cauca, Quindío, and Risaralda. Dietary analysis of P. floydmuraria sp. nov . (Tolima) and Pikelinia sp. (Armenia) revealed a predominance of Hymenoptera (~35% of prey), followed by Diptera and Coleoptera. This study expands known diversity and trophic ecology of Pikelinia genus.

La cumbia, la madre cumbia, desborda los límites de lo que entendemos por un simple fenómeno musical. En esta edición 112 de Revista Cartográfica, la portada invita a sumergirnos en lo que hoy puede considerarse un verdadero movimiento cultural que atraviesa el continente americano. ...

Abstract Agricultural landscapes hold great potential for biodiversity conservation; however, this will require finding solutions that work for both people and nature. Increasingly, the conservation community is calling for more cross‐disciplinary research integrating ecological questions with social and behavioural sciences for a more complete and successful approach to conservation. Here, we used a mixed methods approach, including 53 in‐person interviews, to examine how small‐scale farmers in the Galapagos Islands perceive landbirds and their ecosystem (dis)services. We also studied farmers' motivations and hesitations in planting native trees on their farms, an action that was identified to be critical for landbird conservation in Galapagos in previous ecological studies. We found that all native landbirds provided important cultural ecosystem services (CES) to farmers, with some variation between species. We also found that perceptions around pest control and pollination services were more variable and that landbirds were generally highly liked, even those who provided disservices such as crop damage. Most farmers were willing to plant native and endemic trees on their farms, although typically only in small quantities. Farmers' main motivations for planting trees were instrumental (e.g. shade/freshness), while their primary hesitation was a perceived lack of space on their farms. The main predictor of willingness was the prior presence of native trees on their farm. Synthesis and applications : Our results suggest tree‐planting conservation efforts should be adaptive, context‐dependent, and leverage incentives and community events for farmers. As a starting point, we recommend working with larger farms and with farmers interested in agrotourism for farmland restoration, recognizing that birdwatching has untapped potential in Galapagos. We further suggest focusing conservation messaging for the local community on the CES we identify for specific Galapagos landbirds, since CES are linked to people's motivations to care for nature. Finally, more research is needed to explore what ‘Galapagos identity’ means since we found it to be associated with farmers' landbird perspectives and willingness to plant trees, and self‐identity can drive pro‐environmental behaviours. We also recommend more research to understand the pest control services landbirds may be providing, if any, in the agricultural zone. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Reliable prediction and prevention of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) remains a key challenge in the development of new medicines. Advanced mathematical and computational modelling approaches, which incorporate cutting-edge mechanistic understanding of ADRs in concert with systematically collected data addressing knowledge gaps, are integral components of model-informed drug discovery and development (MID3). These approaches provide a precise, quantitative framework for predicting and mitigating safety risks in the earliest phases of drug development. Here, we highlight recent developments in the burgeoning field of quantitative systems toxicology (QST), including insights into the current state-of-the-art, as well as outcomes from the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) 2 TransQST project. QST models that describe the disruption of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic and renal physiological functions following drug exposure are presented, along with recommendations for their application in drug discovery and development.

Abstract Patients with homozygous SMARCA4 loss of function (LOF) aberrations represent a high unmet medical need. Occurring in ∼5% of non-small-cell-lung-cancer (NSCLC) patients, SMARCA4 deficiency represents a distinct molecular subset that is mutually exclusive with most other oncogenic drivers and associated with resistance to radiotherapy, chemotherapy and PD-L1 treatment. SMARCA4 LOF aberrations can co-occur with KRAS-G12C oncogenic mutations in NSCLC, leading to resistance to KRAS targeted therapies. Interestingly, loss of SMARCA4 activity results in a complete dependency on SMARCA2, creating a unique synthetically lethal relationship that has been validated by both genetic and pharmacological approaches. Though developing selective SMARCA2 inhibitors has been challenging due its similarity with SMARCA4, selectivity over SMARCA4 is essential. Multiple Phase 1 clinical trials exploring the SMARCA4/2 dual inhibitor FHD-286 in different indications were discontinued, flagging safety concerns. Thus, there is a clear need to develop a highly potent & selective SMARCA2 small molecule inhibitor to fully unlock the therapeutic potential of this target. At Onco3R Therapeutics, our patient centric approach, integrating deep translational science with rational, structure-based and AI-augmented drug design, has led to the identification of novel SMARCA2 selective small molecule inhibitor series with a best-in-class potency and selectivity profile. Our lead series inhibits SMARCA2 activity with sub-nanomolar potencies while exhibiting over 35-fold selectivity against SMARCA4 in a KRT80 qRT-PCR assay using SMARCA2 or SMARCA4 isogenic cells. Anti-proliferative activity was confirmed in SMARCA4 deficient SK-MEL5 cells. Moreover, Onco3R series exhibit favourable in vitro ADME-safety properties and good PK profiles, enabling robust in vivo characterization. Oral dosing achieved sufficient target coverage to lead to tumor regression in a SMARCA4 deficient RERF-LC-A1 based cell line derived xenograft (CDX) mouse model. Here, we identified unique SMARCA2 selective inhibitor series with a best-in-class potency and selectivity profile. Thorough characterization and optimization efforts are ongoing to identify clinical development candidates with the ultimate goal of achieving greater efficacy along with enhanced safety, providing meaningful benefits to patients diagnosed with SMARCA4 deficient cancer. Citation Format: Lijs Beke, Sandrine Grosse, Shaun Martin, Godelieve Lammens, Pieter Peeters, Bart Stoops, Sandrine Vendeville, Stéphane de Cesco, Pierre Raboisson, Sara Musch, David Moreno Delgado, Line Oste, Francois Gonzalvez. Discovery of novel SMARCA2 small molecule inhibitors with best-in-class potency and selectivity for the treatment of SMARCA4-mutant cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2025 Oct 22-26; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2025;24(10 Suppl):Abstract nr C011.

Abstract Urbanization threatens the unique biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands; nevertheless, urban green spaces (UGs) may play a crucial role in the recovery of native and endemic species in urban areas. Given the fragile state of the archipelago’s flora, it is crucial to examine how UGs can support plant recovery by improving their ecological quality and accessibility. Research on this topic specific to the Galápagos Islands is limited. In particular, UG planning in Puerto Ayora, the largest city in the archipelago with the highest urbanization rate, requires further investigation. This study aims to explore how UG’s in Puerto Ayora can enhance efforts to the use of native and endemic species by: (1) Examining the spatial distribution of native, endemic and introduced species. (2) Investigating the richness of native and endemic species in UGs related to habitat type and UG size. (3) Assessing the spatial distribution of UGs to determine their effectiveness in facilitating nature interactions and increasing resident support for native and endemic species conservation. The main findings of this study indicate that the ecological quality and accessibility of UGs in Puerto Ayora are limited, and that their current designs may not effectively reintroduce native and endemic species to the landscape. Given the influence of habitat type and UG size on native and endemic species richness, it is of great importance to include these factors in urban expansion projects. In densely built areas where UG expansion is not feasible, the focus should be on converting UGs into green space types that feature a high richness of native and endemic species, such as ecological gardens.

Confirmed presence of a population of the Critically Endangered shrub Scalesia retroflexa after 29 yearsScalesia retroflexa is a shrub, up to m tall, with hairy stems and leaves, endemic to the Galpagos Islands.It is one of the species of Scalesia, endemic to islands.It shows intermediate morphological traits with Scalesia affinis, suggesting potential hybrid ancestry.Scalesia retroflexa is restricted to the rocky south-east coast of Santa Cruz Island.It was assessed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List in , but was categorized as Critically Endangered in Ecuador's Red Book of Endemic Plants in because of its small population and habitat degradation by invasive goats.The first collections were in , and there were thcentury herbarium records, mostly from the south-east coast.After a collection in , no new specimens were collected until .In , individuals were fenced at Punta Nez, but no collections were made and their status remained unmonitored for over decades.In May , we confirmed this population persists, documenting adults and seedlings.Goat activity was observed in the area, and the original fence had collapsed.In , a fence was installed around an area of , m .Tetrazolium viability tests showed low germination (.% in and .% in ), indicating major restoration challenges as a result of limited seed viability.In November , we confirmed a second population at El Garrapatero Beach, a site known to have harboured S. retroflexa historically, but where no individuals had been recorded for years.We tagged individuals, collected seeds and deposited herbarium specimens at the Charles Darwin Research Station.Goat scat confirmed ongoing threats to this population.Both sites are characterized by proximity to the shoreline, low elevation and rocky terrain, often in association with species such as Opuntia echios, Lantana peduncularis, Castela galapageia, Scutia spicata, Croton scouleri, Maytenus orbicularis, Lycium minimum and Bursera graveolens.Historical records describe other populations in locations with similar ecological conditions.The total number of individuals remains unknown, and a broader survey of the south-east coast of Santa Cruz is planned for , to clarify the species' current distribution and status.Conservation efforts include propagation and habitat restoration to support species survival.