National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium

The sea turtle is an indicator organism used in marine conservation to identify the health status of ecosystems in various marine regions. In the past, researchers had to review an 8 h underwater video every day to monitor and count sea turtle appearances. However, since sea turtles often appear for only short periods, traditional approaches of manual searching and counting require significant labor and time to ensure accurate periods of their appearance. To address this issue, we adopted the You Only Look Once (YOLO) model for object detection, utilizing real underwater videos captured from three different areas in the Taiwan Keelung City Chaojing Bay Aquatic Plants and Animals Conservation Area for training and testing. To overcome limitations, such as underwater blur, sediment interference, obstructions from other fish, and distant targets that are challenging to identify, we applied data augmentation techniques, including scaling, rotation, and depth blur, with labeled data of different fish species to improve generalization capability. The experimental results of this study showed that this method achieves a 99.4% accuracy in sea turtle detection. After 60 days of deployment across the three areas, the model reduced search time by over 99%, significantly improving efficiency and reducing workload.

The clinical efficacy of targeted cancer therapies is persistently undermined by the emergence of acquired resistance. While secondary genetic mutations are well-characterized, increasing evidence implicates non-genetic metabolic reprogramming as a primary driver of survival during the initial phase of treatment. This review elucidates the concept of "Metabolic Shapeshifters"-specifically, drug-tolerant persister cells (DTPs) that dynamically adapt their bioenergetic machinery to evade therapeutic stress. We examine the plasticity between the classical Warburg Effect and the Reverse Warburg Effect, describing how DTPs shift from a glucose-addicted proliferative state to a quiescent phenotype strictly reliant on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and fatty acid oxidation. Crucially, we highlight a paradigm shift from intracellular reprogramming to intercellular "organelle parasitism." Recent breakthroughs demonstrate that DTPs actively hijack functional mitochondria from infiltrating immune cells and the stromal network via tunneling nanotubes (TNTs). This predatory behavior not only restores the tumor's respiratory capacity but also induces metabolic exhaustion in T cells, thereby orchestrating immune evasion. Finally, we delineate emerging therapeutic strategies designed to dismantle this metabolic fortress. By targeting the "Achilles' heel" of mitochondrial dependency, disrupting the physical infrastructure of organelle hijacking, and revitalizing immunometabolism, we propose a multi-pronged framework to eradicate DTPs and prevent clinical relapse.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a longstanding history in the treatment of fatigue-related conditions, and is increasingly recognized as a foundation for novel therapeutic approaches. The Panax genus, extensively utilized in the fundamental TCM principles to enhance vitality, modulate immune function, and stimulate Yang energy, is a key resource in managing both physiological and pathological fatigue. This study provides a comprehensive synthesis of recent advancements in plant-derived metabolites from various Panax species with an emphasis on their structural diversity and structure-activity relationships. Notably, this represents the first systematic exploration of Panax metabolites with potential antifatigue effects. A systematic literature review was conducted using major scientific databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. The search query "(scientific name of herbal medicine in the Panax genus) AND ("antifatigue")" was employed. Additionally, classical herbals, botanical literature, and pharmacopoeias were reviewed to contextualize the findings. Comprehensive analysis of 105 studies elucidated 16 predominant metabolites exhibiting antifatigue activity. These metabolites primarily originated from Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolium, and Panax notoginseng. Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 demonstrated the most substantial pharmacological efficacy in experimental models, in particular by ameliorating metabolic perturbations and mitigating oxidative stress in vivo. Clinical trials predominantly relied on subjective patient-reported measures, such as the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and yielded largely positive outcomes. These findings substantiate fundamental TCM principles and reinforce the therapeutic potential of Panax species in fatigue management. The integration of traditional knowledge with contemporary biomedical research enhances the understanding and clinical applicability of Panax species in addressing fatigue-related disorders.

A rare coral-reef dwarf goby was collected recently from Taiping Island, South China Sea. The new species, Trimma taipinensis, can be well distinguished from other congeners by the following unique combination of features: (1) fin ray counts D2 I/7, A I/7, P 17, V with complete sucking disc; (2) squamation including LR 29–30, TR 9, SDP 9, PreD 7, opercle with large scales; (3) no any canal pores; and (4) distinctive colouration: body pale white background with lower half entirely orange yellow. Three cross bands in front of first dorsal fin origin; seven major vertical crossing bands after origin of first dorsal fin. Head with one red bar crossing snout to both jaws, another one vertical red stripe below eye, a vertical red band crossing the edge of preopercle. Nape with two orange red bands. Pectoral fin pinkish to orange, its basal region with two rounded snow white marks. Caudal fin entirely pinkish orange. No any black blotch on caudal fin base. A brief comparison with related species will also be provided.