Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Tammy Steeves @testeeves.bsky.social · 13h

What are the ‘social dimensions’ of moving species for conservation and why does engaging with them matter?

This is the focus of our new paper doi.org/10.1016/j.tr... published in @cp-trendsecolevo.bsky.social olevo.bsky.social led by ever talented @aisrayne.bsky.social

📷 Kevin Parker

Whimsical photo of a karure | kakaruia | Chatham Island black robin courtesy of Kevin Parker. Features as a wee black bird with four leg bands: white over orange on the left leg and red over white on the right leg. Sneaky tufts of feathers peak out from otherwise borb-like body, encouraged by the unseen wind.

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

Olivia Guest · Ολίβια Γκεστ @olivia.science · 15d

"But it exposed how the system works: extract specialist knowledge at low cost and mostly without giving credit, repackage it into global claims and call it collaboration. I declined." @darmenteras.bsky.social

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Equity in science is a beautiful lie — and I’m done pretending

Science isn’t really moving towards equity; institutions are just perfecting the appearance of equity. We need to build an alternative system.

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

Dr. Arun Sethuraman @arunsethuraman.bsky.social · 22d

New manuscript out today in @ecol-evol.bsky.social, led by my grad student Anais. We collated data from thousands of recent animal pop-gen studies to test 3 simple hypotheses: does genomic (1) diversity decrease (yes), (2) differentiation increase (yes), both with increased IUCN-endangerment?

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

Te Pūnaha Matatini @tepunahamatatini.bsky.social · 28d

In an inaugural lecture, newly-minted professors often talk about their journey. But our co-director @cillaw.bsky.social used hers to challenge us to reimagine who we are as New Zealanders, and how that relates to the work we do as researchers and scientists → www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPcK... 🧪 🧵

Inaugural Professorial Lecture – Professor Priscilla Wehi

YouTube video by University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

Aryn Wilder @arynwilder.bsky.social · Aug 21

Excited to share our new paper on genetic rescue in the Pacific pocket mouse! To conserve this endangered species, we sought to understand whether small populations at risk of outbreeding depression are better managed in isolation or with gene flow. @science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Fitness benefits of genetic rescue despite chromosomal differences in an endangered pocket mouse

Two-thirds of Earth’s species have undergone population declines, leaving many vulnerable to genomic erosion and inbreeding depression. Genetic rescue can boost the fitness of small populations, but p...

www.science.org

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

bioRxiv Evolutionary Biology @biorxiv-evobio.bsky.social · Aug 11

SLiM 5: Eco-evolutionary simulations across multiple chromosomes and full genomes https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.07.669155v1

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bioprotection.bsky.social @bioprotection.bsky.social · Jul 23

Recognised as a changemaker, our Director, Professor Amanda Black opens a brand-new series from the Nature podcast team — and how science, Indigenous knowledge, and leadership can shape the future of our ecosystems.

🎧 Listen now: zurl.co/aV3mu

The Māori values that make good sense in science

The Indigenous beliefs underpinning soil chemist Amanda Black's approach could deliver a more inclusive research culture, she says. The Indigenous beliefs underpinning soil chemist Amanda Black's approach could deliver a more inclusive research culture, she says.

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

E-Tangata @etangata.bsky.social · Jul 19

“The census is about so much more than counting people. It is fundamentally about making people count.” — Professor Tahu Kukutai.

Census change — can we make it work for us? | E-Tangata

“The census is about so much more than counting people. It is fundamentally about making people count.” — Professor Tahu Kukutai.

e-tangata.co.nz

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

Te Pūnaha Matatini @tepunahamatatini.bsky.social · Jul 17

A new paper in The Lancet Microbe lays the groundwork for a global science-policy body to tackle pandemic threats — modeled after the IPCC for climate change 🧪🧵

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · Jul 15

We're looking for a new media advisor who's keen to help us provide essential plain-langauge context for reporters whenever science is in the headlines.

More info and apply here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

Work with us! Kaimanaaki Pāpāho | Media Advisor – Science Media Centre

The Science Media Centre is looking for a media advisor to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in…

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz

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Tammy Steeves @testeeves.bsky.social · Jul 15

upvote for wgs; re imputation for low coverage wgs, we and @annasanture.bsky.social have used it for genetically depauperate threatened birds that had existing high coverage wgs data from aligned projects (for the truth set) so will need to factor that in if you havent already got those data 🤓

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Veronika Meduna @veronikameduna.bsky.social · Jul 11

My latest for @science.org looks into Colossal's claim that the plan to "resurrect" moa is "completely a Māori initiative" with Ngāi Tahu research centre, Te Tira Whakamātaki @nicrawlencenz.bsky.social
www.science.org/content/arti...

Effort to revive New Zealand’s extinct moa stirs controversy

Suggestions that nation’s Indigenous Māori wholeheartedly back project draws criticism

www.science.org

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

Erin Harrington @ladyhorrors.bsky.social · Jul 11

Applications for the UC / Creative NZ Ursula Bethell Writer in Residence positions for 2026 have opened today. Ōtautahi based, $84500pa pro rata across 2 x 6 month positions, closes 3 August. Please share with your writerly friends.

jobs.canterbury.ac.nz/jobdetails/a...

Writer in Residence - University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

jobs.canterbury.ac.nz

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

Hayley @writagal.bsky.social · Jul 9

Finally, someone reported it - thanks Māni Dunlop 🙌

“The final number of submissions for this iteration is yet to be confirmed, but Te Ao Māori News understands it could exceed 150,000.”

Submissions on the RSB are the second highest on a NZ bill - ever - making the minimising even more alarming.

‘Throw it in the Bin’ Legal experts and iwi leaders reject Regulatory Standards Bill

Critics warn the bill could have far-reaching consequences for how governments govern amid many other issues.

www.teaonews.co.nz

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

Veronika Meduna @veronikameduna.bsky.social · Jun 19

Also for @nzgeo.bsky.social Bill Morris wrote this story about kōura and their freshwater homes - images for this and Kate's story on red-billed gulls by @depth-nz.bsky.social www.nzgeo.com/stories/worl...

World building: The story of kōura

Crayfish are the great creators and cleanup crew of their freshwater homes. They burrow into banks, unstick gummy sediment, and deal with anything that ends up dead in the water. Plus, they’re delicio...

www.nzgeo.com

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · Jun 17

We attempt artificial insemination in #kakapo mainly to maintain genetic diversity. A new study describes how in 2019, with a team of German experts from @jlugiessen.bsky.social, we were successful for the first time in a decade. #conservation #parrots dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...

A male kākāpō standing on the ground in day time. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

Hernán E. Morales @hernmoral.bsky.social · Jun 13

🚀 En route to #ICCB2025!
Excited to be part of Symposium 122: "Applying Genomics to Biodiversity Conservation"
📅 Wednesday, June 18 | 🕑 2:00 PM | 📍 Room M9
Joining forces with Carolyn Hogg, Christina Hwilson & Laura Bertola. See you there! #ConservationGenomics #ConsGen

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Tammy Steeves @testeeves.bsky.social · Jun 15

💯 this and this from @peterkdearden.bsky.social: "If you don’t want to spend millions of dollars managing the last of a species- don’t destroy their habitat for a quick buck."

Peter Dearden @peterkdearden.bsky.social · Jun 15

Yes. Money is being spent on snails. These are unique, remarkable and of huge scientific importance. If we hadn’t destroyed their environment we wouldn’t have to spend the money. And yes Genomics Aotearoa is doing genetic analyses to support effective management.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

DOC spends hundreds of thousands to care for snails after mining destroys home

But an OIA reveals hundreds of thousands of dollars has been spent to do so.

www.rnz.co.nz

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

Te Pūnaha Matatini @tepunahamatatini.bsky.social · Jun 12

If you're in Torino on Monday come along to @isi.it to hear @mluczak.bsky.social and @cillaw.bsky.social speak about how we're using complex systems research as a pathway toward more inclusive, just and resilient futures → www.isi.it/seminars/202...

From Complexity to Possibility: Complex Systems Research at Te Pūnaha Matatini - ISI Foundation

ABSTRACTTe Pūnaha Matatini is a national Centre of Research Excellence for complex systems based in Aotearoa New Zealand. In this talk, we will share the vision and evolving approach that guide our tr...

www.isi.it

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

Birds New Zealand (OSNZ) @birdsnewzealand.bsky.social · Jun 8

We are offering 2 AOC Student Travel Grants of $700 each to #AoNZ postgrads presenting research at the AOC2025 aoc.org.au, Perth, 18-20 Nov.

Grant details available at www.birdsnz.org.nz/awards-and-p.... Applications close 20 June, so get in quick! #NZBirds #ornithology 🪶

AOC Student Grants - Birds New Zealand

The Australasian Ornithological Conference (AOC) is the primary conference for BirdLife Australia and Birds New Zealand, and the largest biennial gathering of enthusiastic amateur and professional orn...

www.birdsnz.org.nz

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

Laurie Winkless @lauriewinkless.bsky.social · Jun 5

My latest @forbes.com article is a slightly different topic for me, but one that I'm very invested in 🙂 I hope you enjoy it #nz 🧪👩‍🔬

Urban Rewilding Makes Cities More Biodiverse And Better For Our Health

From parrots in Wellington to beavers in London, efforts to re-wild global cities are gaining traction. And the benefits of such programs go beyond improving biodiversity

www.forbes.com

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

Anja Westram @anjamwestram.bsky.social · Feb 23

Believe it or not, Littorina 🐚 not only have the SNPs and inversions we talk about all the time, but also indels! 🧬 For his PhD, Samuel Perini analysed them and asked whether they could be used as markers just like SNPs. The answer is... in the paper.
#Evolution
#Genomics
#Snails

Journal of Evolutionary Biology @jevbio.bsky.social · Feb 20

Short insertions and deletions are abundant but are they useful markers in genome scans for divergent selection? Hybrid zones in Littorina suggest they can add to information from SNPs, despite stronger purifying selection:

doi.org/10.1093/jeb/...

Perini, Butlin and @anjamwestram.bsky.social

Short INDELs and SNPs as markers of evolutionary processes in hybrid zones

Abstract. Polymorphic short insertions and deletions (INDELs ≤ 50 bp) are abundant, although less common than single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Evide

doi.org

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

E-Tangata @etangata.bsky.social · May 31

“The bill may very well open the door for corporations to force Māori to pay for their own exploitation and the erasure of their Indigenous rights and lands.” — Ryan Ward.

How the Regulatory Standards Bill gives companies more rights than the public | E-Tangata

“The bill may very well open the door for corporations to force Māori to pay for their own exploitation and the erasure of their Indigenous rights and lands.” — Ryan Ward.

e-tangata.co.nz

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Veronika Meduna @veronikameduna.bsky.social · May 27

My latest for @science.org on NZ's "shuffling of deck chairs" science and innovation budget, with @nzscientists.bsky.social et al and excellent editing by @mattbwarren.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...

New Zealand, betting on innovation and economic growth, cuts existing science funds

Scientists warn that chronic underfunding and diverting support away from fundamental research may undermine efforts to boost the economy

www.science.org

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Reposted by Tammy Steeves

Rob Waterhouse @rmwaterhouse.bsky.social · May 25

Pangenomes are not just for humans 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧, livestock 🐮🐷, and crops 🌾🌱 --- highlight yours by adding it below! #biodiversity #genomics
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...

Pan‐genome analysis highlights the role of structural variation in the evolution and environmental adaptation of Asian honeybees

The Asian honeybee, Apis cerana, is an ecologically and economically important pollinator. Mapping its genetic variation is key to understanding population-level health, histories and potential capac...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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