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1. Evolution in Cities

   https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-012021-021402  

   Diamond, Sarah E.; Martin, Ryan A. (November 2021, Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics)

   Although research performed in cities will not uncover new evolutionary mechanisms, it could provide unprecedented opportunities to examine the interplay of evolutionary forces in new ways and new avenues to address classic questions. However, while the variation within and among cities affords many opportunities to advance evolutionary biology research, careful alignment between how cities are used and the research questions being asked is necessary to maximize the insights that can be gained. In this review, we develop a framework to help guide alignment between urban evolution research approaches and questions. Using this framework, we highlight what has been accomplished to date in the field of urban evolution and identify several up-and-coming research directions for further expansion. We conclude that urban environments can be used as evolutionary test beds to tackle both new and long-standing questions in evolutionary biology. 

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2. Binary stellar evolution yields in galactic chemical evolution calculations

   https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202554912  

   Kemp, Alex; Kaur, Tejpreet (September 2025, Astronomy & Astrophysics)

   Context.Galactic chemical evolution (GCE) models aim to bring together stellar yields and galactic evolution models to make predictions for the chemical evolution of real stellar environments. Until recently, stellar yields accounting for binary stellar evolution were unavailable, leading to an inability for GCE calculations to account for most binary stellar evolution effects. Fortunately, effective stellar yields that account for binary stellar evolution at a population level can be pre-computed and then used as if they were single yields. Aims.We present a framework for the computation of effective stellar yields that accounts for a mixed population of binary and single stars under an adjustable mix of binary evolution settings: the binary fraction, the accretion efficiencies of winds, Roche-lobe overflow, and supernovae. We emphasise the critical need for more complete yield coverage of the binary nucleosynthesis and evolution, without which the ability to make accurate predictions on the true role of binarity on GCE calculations is hamstrung. We also provide clear guidelines for future stellar modelling works to ensure their results are maximally useful to the wider community. Methods.We compute effective stellar yields using detailed binary stellar yields accounting for binary induced mass-loss from a solar-metallicity donor star. We study the effect of varying the binary mixture and accretion efficiencies, and consider a range of models for the treatment of accreted material on the secondary in detail. Results.In the absence of detailed binary yields for the secondary, we put forth a model for the composition of accreted material that preserves the signature of the primary’s nuclear processing within the post-mass-transfer secondary yields. This model includes special treatment for isotopes of the light elements Li, Be, and B and accreted radioisotopes. Among the binary parameters, we find that the binary fraction, which determines the ratio of binary and single star systems, has the most significant effect on the effective stellar yields, with widespread impact across most isotopes. In contrast, varying the accretion efficiencies produces comparatively minor changes. We also find that the binary fraction has a significant influence on the logarithmic elemental abundance ratios relative to H present in the effective yield; this impact is the largest for the lower-mass primaries. Conclusions.Comprehensive coverage of binary systems is essential for advancing our understanding of the role of binary stellar evolution in galactic chemical evolution. Priority areas include low-mass stellar evolution, binary mergers, and supernova yields coupled with the evolution of their binary progenitors with nuclear post-processing. The low-metallicity regime is also largely unexplored, offering great opportunity for novel and impactful research in this area. 

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3. Evolution in changing seas

   https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.2443  

   Lotterhos, Katie E.; Albecker, Molly; Trussell, Geoffrey C. (December 2021, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences)
4. Experimental Evolution in Tetrahymena

   https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10020414  

   Plum, Karissa; Tarkington, Jason; Zufall, Rebecca A. (February 2022, Microorganisms)

   Experimental evolution has provided novel insight into a wide array of biological processes. Species in the genus Tetrahymena are proving to be a highly useful system for studying a range of questions using experimental evolution. Their unusual genomic architecture, diversity of life history traits, importance as both predator and prey, and amenability to laboratory culture allow them to be studied in a variety of contexts. In this paper, we review what we are learning from experimental evolution with Tetrahymena about mutation, adaptation, and eco-evolutionary dynamics. We predict that future experimental evolution studies using Tetrahyemena will continue to shed new light on these processes. 

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5. Emerging Topics in Cancer Evolution

   https://doi.org/10.1142/9789811250477_0036  

   El-Kebir, Mohammed; Morris, Quaid; Oesper, Layla; Sahinalp, S. Cenk (November 2021, Proceedings of the Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing 2022)