INSTRUCTIONS
Read through the abstracts and take note of the topics and central research questions. Then scroll down and click on the links for each artist. Review the artworks and descriptions.
- Which art projects match with the scientific abstracts?
- How did the artists engage with the scientific information? Is their interpretation illustrative, data visualization, or conceptual?
- How does the artwork make you feel? What insights do you gain?
- Who may be the target audience for this work?
ABSTRACTS
Unraveling the evolutionary complexity of Lycoris: Insights into chromosomal variation, genome size, and phylogenetic relationships
Shu, X., Lu, R., Heslop-Harrison, P., Schwarzacher, T., Wang, Z., Qin, Y., … & Zhang, F. (2025). Plant Diversity, 47/6. 931-943. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2025.06.010
Abstract
Hybridization and polyploidy are key drivers of species diversity and genome variation in Lycoris, but their cytological and evolutionary consequences remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated chromosome numbers and genome sizes in 64 accessions representing the morphological diversity across the genus. Chromosome numbers ranged from 12 to 33, with seven accessions newly identified, including L. chunxiaoensis (2n = 33), two putative L. guangxiensis (2n = 19), and five natural hybrids (2n = 16, 18, 29, 33). Genome sizes varied from 18.03 Gb (L. wulingensis) to 32.62 Gb (L. caldwellii). Although no significant correlation was found between genome size and chromosome number across all accessions, a strong correlation within ploidy-level groups (i.e., diploid or aneuploid) suggested roles for post-polyploid diploidization, aneuploidy, and dysploidy in speciation. Phylogenetic analyses based on chloroplast genomes and nuclear DNA sequences revealed significant discordance, indicating a complex reticulate evolution and historical hybridization, which may complicate morphological classification. Chromosome number aligned more closely with morphological groups, underscoring the necessity of integrating cytological, molecular, and morphological data for accurate taxonomy, particularly in large-genome taxa. Based on this evidence, we propose a putative speciation pathway involving multiple hybridization and polyploidization events, with allopolyploidy playing a predominant role. Furthermore, our results indicate that the species L. insularis and L. longifolia are geographic populations of L. sprengeri and L. aurea, respectively, and confirmed the distribution of L. traubii and L. albiflora in mainland China. These findings offer new insights into the mechanisms underlying speciation, interspecific relationships, and the evolutionary history of Lycoris.
How the geysers, tidal stresses, and thermal emission across the south polar terrain of Enceladus are related
Porco, C., DiNino, D., & Nimmo, F. (2014). The Astronomical Journal, 148(3), 45. DOI: 10.1088/0004-6256/148/3/45
Abstract
We present the first comprehensive examination of the geysering, tidal stresses, and anomalous thermal emission across the south pole of Enceladus and discuss the implications for the moon’s thermal history and interior structure. A 6.5 yr survey of the moon’s south polar terrain (SPT) by the Cassini imaging experiment has located ∼100 jets or geysers erupting from four prominent fractures crossing the region. Comparing these results with predictions of diurnally varying tidal stresses and with Cassini low resolution thermal maps shows that all three phenomena are spatially correlated. The coincidence of individual jets with very small (∼10 m) hot spots detected in high resolution Cassini VIMS data strongly suggests that the heat accompanying the geysers is not produced by shearing in the upper brittle layer but rather is transported, in the form of latent heat, from a sub-ice-shell sea of liquid water, with vapor condensing on the near-surface walls of the fractures. Normal stresses modulate the geysering activity, as shown in the accompanying paper; we demonstrate here they are capable of opening water-filled cracks all the way down to the sea. If Enceladus’ eccentricity and heat production are in steady state today, the currently erupting material and anomalous heat must have been produced in an earlier epoch. If regional tidal heating is occurring today, it may be responsible for some of the erupting water and heat. Future Cassini observations may settle the question.
Use of the Green Fluorescent Protein and Its Mutants in Quantitative Fluorescence Microscopy
Patterson, G. H., Knobel, S. M., Sharif, W. D., Kain, S. R., & Piston, D. W. (1997). Biophysical journal, 73(5), 2782-2790. https://www.cell.com/biophysj/pdf/S0006-3495(97)78307-3.pdf
Abstract
We have investigated properties relevant to quantitative imaging in living cells of five green fluorescent protein (GFP) variants that have been used extensively or are potentially useful. We measured the extinction coefficients, quantum yields, pH effects, photobleaching effects, and temperature-dependent chromophore formation of wtGFP, aGFP (F99S/ M153TN1/63A), S65T, EGFP (F64US65T), and a blue-shifted variant, EBFP (F64US65T/Y66H/Y145F). Absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy showed little difference between the extinction coefficients and quantum yields of wtGFP and aGFP. In contrast, S65T and EGFP extinction coefficients made them both -6-fold brighter than wtGFP when excited at 488 nm, and EBFP absorbed more strongly than the wtGFP when excited in the near-UV wavelength region, although it had a much lower quantum efficiency. When excited at 488 nm, the GFPs were all more resistant to photobleaching than fluorescein. However, the wtGFP and aGFP photobleaching patterns showed initial increases in fluorescence emission caused by photoconversion of the protein chromophore. The wtGFP fluorescence decreased more quickly when excited at 395 nm than 488 nm, but it was still more photostable than the EBFP when excited at this wavelength. The wtGFP and aGFP were quite stable over a broad pH range, but fluorescence of the other variants decreased rapidly below pH 7. When expressed in bacteria, chromophore formation in wtGFP and S65T was found to be less efficient at 370C than at 280C, but the other three variants showed little differences between 370C and 280C. In conclusion, no single GFP variant is ideal for every application, but each one offers advantages and disadvantages for quantitative imaging in living cells.
Extreme Rainfall Associated With Hurricane Maria Over Puerto Rico and Its Connections to Climate Variability and Change
Keellings, D., & Hernández Ayala, J. J. (2019). Geophysical Research Letters, 46(5), 2964-2973. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL082077
Abstract
Hurricane Maria was associated with record‐breaking rainfall over Puerto Rico and caused unprecedented flooding and landslides. Here we analyze the extreme rainfall produced by Hurricane Maria using 35 stations with daily precipitation data from 1956–2016. A covariate‐based extreme value analysis point process approach that accounts for natural climate variability and long‐term climate change influences on extreme rainfall is applied. Hurricane Maria produced the single largest maximum rainfall event since 1956 and had the highest total averaged precipitation of 129 storms that have impacted the island since 1956. Return periods for an event of Hurricane Maria’s precipitation magnitude decreased in 48.6% of stations across Puerto Rico and at least halved when averaged across the island. Within the most affected areas it is likely that the probability of precipitation of Maria’s magnitude has increased by a factor greater than 1 (best estimate 4.85) as a result of long‐term climate trends.
ARTISTS
Nathalie Miebach
Nathalie Miebach explores the intersection of art and science by translating scientific data related to meteorology, ecology and oceanography into woven sculptures and musical scores/ performances. Her main method of data translation is that of basket weaving, which functions as a simple, tactile grid through which to interpret data into 3D space.
https://www.nathaliemiebach.com
Eduardo Kac
Eduardo Kac is recognized for his work in contemporary art and poetry. Kac coined the term “Bio Art,” igniting the development of this new art form.
https://www.ekac.org
https://www.ekac.org/2
Xin Liu
Xin Liu is an artist and engineer interested in the conceptual and material framework for understanding the transformation, circulation, and degradation of matter across technological and planetary systems.
https://xinliu.art
https://slowimmediate.com
Walter B. Myers
In creating images of the Earth and other worlds, Myers tries to adhere as closely as possible to what is known about these environments, while at the same time making something nice to look at. His goal is to recreate an impression of what a human visitor to one of these exotic worlds or eras would experience, if not actually see.