Researchers have documented their use of a new RNA sequencing technology to uncover molecular drivers of cellular differentiation that could lead to better regenerative therapies. In addition to being used in the lab, the technique, Rapid Precision Run-On Sequencing (rPRO-seq), has the potential to help doctors understand patients’ disease states and response to treatment in real time.

California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) raise their young in crazy places. Cliffsides or rockfall on the sides of mountains are the typical haunts of condor families, making nest monitoring difficult for even the most intrepid field biologists to achieve. A new paper titled “Modeling Individual-level and Population-level Nest Success of California Condors from Movement Data,” published in the Journal of Raptor Research, demonstrates the efficacy of using statistical modeling paired with GPS tracking to remotely determine whether condor nests are successful. The methods featured in this study proved correct in assessing nest fate for 63 out of 65 nests, an accuracy of 97%. The species is expanding its range and nesting further afield from condor management hubs, often on private or inaccessible land. For a species still dependent on human management, tools like these could prove highly useful in keeping a close eye on the health of wild populations and better informing conservation decisions. Additionally, these methods could be applicable for other tracked wildlife species that are difficult to monitor in the field.