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Conferences are an integral part of academia, providing researchers with the opportunity to collaborate and disseminate their research. Traditionally these conferences have been in-person, but COVID-19 restrictions and growing recognition of systematic barriers have led many academic societies to reimagine the conference format. Social media platforms are often used to promote and broadcast in-person academic conferences, so with the development of online conferences they have naturally become hosting platforms. For example, during the peak of COVID-19 restrictions, when in-person meetings were not possible, Twitter conferences, like the first Global Animal Behaviour Conference (#AnimBehav2021), provided a much needed platform to collaborate and share science. Recently, conferences have returned to an in-person format. In addition, a change in ownership of Twitter led to widespread restructuring of the Twitter workforce and misinformation management policies that resulted in a massive exodus of academics from the platform. During these changes, we organized and held the second Global Animal Behaviour Twitter Conference (#AnimBehav2023) in January 2023. In this paper, we report (1) how engagement in the Twitter conference changed as a result of return to in-person conferences and changes in Twitter ownership, (2) how the community views online conferences in general and Twitter conferences in particular and (3) reflect on how online conferences can be organized moving forward. Given the widespread benefits of and need for online conferences, we urge academic societies and researchers to continue systematically exploring these alternative conference formats to ensure inclusivity and accessibility in academic spaces. • We evaluated the reach of the #AnimBehav2023 Twitter Conference. • We assessed engagement after in-person conferences returned and Twitter changed. • Presenting at a Twitter conference has greater reach than in-person conferences. • Global participation remained high despite alternative options and Twitter changes. • Despite continued enthusiasm, Twitter may no longer be the suitable platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Vocalizations Help Distinguish Male and Female Brown-Headed Nuthatches (Sitta pusilla) in the Field" discusses the discovery of sex-based vocalizations in the Brown-Headed Nuthatch, a cooperatively breeding species found in mature pine forests of the southeastern United States. The researchers have observed distinct vocalizations that can be used to differentiate between males and females in the field. Female nuthatches produce higher-pitched serial vocalizations with frequent peeps and multiple-syllable twitters, while male vocalizations lack these characteristics. This finding provides valuable insights into the behavior and ecology of this species and highlights the benefits of long-term field studies. [Extracted from the article]

The article looks at the state of public art in California. It is based on a virtual roundtable discussion with Maya Emsden of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, art consultant Gail Goldman, public art manager Barbara Goldstein, art consultant Marc Pally, arts planner Julie Silliman, and art consultant Donna Graves. The ongoing disconnect between the field and the huge pool of well-educated artists that pay almost no attention to public art has been emphasized by Pally. Emsden notes that there is a convergence of factors that created an opportunity for public art in the state that is distinguishing.

The article focuses on the role of the public in Transit Art. The Metro Rail system of Los Angeles is a 400-mile network of subway and light-rail lines that will connect the region's sprawling neighborhoods in a new way. Art will offer a unique opportunity for those connections to be cultural, spiritual, as well as physical. Artists, who are working on more than 60 stations, have been given broad guidelines and are encouraged to explore all aspects of the station. Community participation is important in the design process because it encourages increased support for the design program.