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Little is known of helminth parasites in Micronesia in archaeological contexts. This study presents a parasitological analysis of soil and sediment samples from Ebon Atoll in the Marshall Islands, eastern Micronesia. Microscopic eggs of the dog (Canis lupus familiaris) nematode Toxocara canis, which could have adversely affected the health of local people as well as their dogs, were found at two sites, in one example in habitation layers dated to 1830–1625 calBP (95% CI), extending the date for the known presence of dogs in the Marshall Islands by at least 600 years. This study represents the first confirmed evidence of pre‐European helminth parasites in Micronesia. As similar Melanesian and Polynesian studies have previously been reported, the study also completes the initial, pre‐contact helminth record for the three main island regions of Oceania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s Red List of Threatened Species is regarded as the primary source of global extinction risk for species. Despite this importance, the IUCN has assessed less than 20% of the world′s estimated 400,000 flowering plants due to issues like insufficient data or a lack of experts. Thousands of conservation status assessments were generated recently in response to the call to action by the revised Target 2 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), "An assessment of the conservation status of all known plant species, as far as possible, to guide conservation action." Accelerated extinction risk assessments are needed to identify species that are most at risk of extinction, which can then be thoroughly evaluated by the Red List assessment procedure. The land area in the Pacific Islands is significantly smaller than in other parts of the world. Plant species restricted to these islands may be identified as "At Risk" due to the limited land area of these islands, despite being widespread locally. Distribution and abundance data of single-island endemic plant taxa of Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia, are analyzed and combined with digital elevation model files from this island, ArcGIS, and herbarium data, to calculate the percentage of land area that is available within a species′ elevational occurrence, a metric we have coined the Extent of Inhabitable Elevation of Island Occurrence (EIEIO). This metric can be used as a streamlined system to rapidly identify species that need plant conservation attention and allows for a swifter response to Target 2 of the GSPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2019, our team traveled internationally to test the effectiveness of a physiological assessment and heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback program for a group of highly accomplished Special Forces Wounded Warriors participating in an international rehabilitative adaptive event. The intent was to offer biofeedback in a remote setting for managing and measuring stress while performing highly stressful tasks. The evaluation took place 8,000 miles from the mainland United States on the island of Saipan, the site of a tremendous battle during World War II. To our knowledge, a biofeedback system of this type has never been employed in a remote setting with this population. The transport of biofeedback equipment came with unique challenges as did providing an internet-based biofeedback project in a remote setting. Although HRV and health-related data were collected by study staff, the analysis of the data is not included in this manuscript. The purpose of this article is to provide information on key factors to consider when providing biofeedback in a remote setting, including data collection and storage in a limited internet service area; safe transport of equipment; and tools for successful biofeedback training in an isolated, international setting. We hope the information in this article will guide practitioners who plan to do similar types of biofeedback studies and interventions in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the least understood trophic pathways on coral reefs is the linkage between highly productive cryptic motile invertebrates (herein: cryptofauna) and the predatory vertebrates that underpin reef fisheries. As cryptofauna are difficult to observe and quantify, particularly in coral rubble where they proliferate, the diets of invertivores that forage in rubble have largely been determined through relative gut content analyses. Without congruent quantification of prey diversity, biomass, and rates of predation specific to rubble, it remains challenging to develop models of productivity and energy transfer. We calculated bite rates of six wrasses (Labridae) and a goatfish (Mullidae) commonly found foraging in rubble, using in situ videography on a coral reef in Palau, Western Micronesia. Consumption rates (i.e. individuals consumed) and prey preferences were determined using tank-based feeding experiments, where individual fish were presented with a diverse rubble community characterised before and after 2 h feeding trials. The motile cryptofauna community and invertivore diet consisted predominantly of Arthropoda (83% and > 58%, respectively), with calanoid copepods and mysids positively selected and harpacticoids, decapods and ostracods negatively selected. The interspecific mean (± standard error) rate of consumption was 3.5 ± 0.2 ind. min−1 from rubble, estimated to equal 9.5 ± 0.9 mg min−1 of invertebrate biomass consumed per fish, with biased uptake of small fauna. Bite and consumption rates varied among species with the greatest efficiency in biomass uptake evident in Halichoeres melanurus. This study provides a first attempt at characterising diverse cryptofauna communities pre- and post-trial to identify feeding rates and preferences of coral reef invertivores from the rubble benthos, and highlights the importance of addressing the bioavailability of lower trophic entities in energy pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Increasing family planning xutilization in low-income countries to improve health outcomes of women and children is a global priority. The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has poor maternal child health outcomes; therefore, this study aimed to examine family planning utilization in Pohnpei State, FSM. Methods: This cross-sectional study sought to characterize family planning utilization in adult women of reproductive age and high school age adolescents in Pohnpei using representative survey data collected in 2019 (N = 570 and N = 1726, respectively). Chi-square tests were used to determine significant factors associated with family planning utilization. Results: Among adult women of reproductive age (18–49 years old) not trying to get pregnant, 31.6% reported using contraception during last intercourse. Contraceptive use was significantly lower among younger women (18–24 years old) (21.7%, p = 0.021), unmarried women (18.6%, p < 0.001), those without health insurance (28.7%, p = 0.030), those who have never had a pap smear (20.5%, p < 0.001), and those who have never been pregnant (14.5%, p < 0.002). Among adolescents who reported being sexually active, 28.5% reported using any contraception at last intercourse and 22.6% reported using a condom at last intercourse. Condom use among sexually active adolescents was lowest among 12th graders (13.5%, p < 0.001) and girls (16.8%, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that young, unmarried, never pregnant women face an unmet need for family planning. Additionally, women with lower access to and use of healthcare services have lower use of family planning. Significance: Data published on reproductive health in FSM have been limited. This study points to several possible interventions to increase family planning utilization in Pohnpei, including the development of a comprehensive school-based health education curriculum, increasing access to and promotion of well-woman visits, and increasing use of long-acting reversible contraception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fragmented nature of the medical device market limits our understanding of how particular sub-markets navigate the device development process. Despite the widespread use of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), its use for acquired dysarthria treatment has not been sufficiently explored. This study aims to provide a preliminary understanding of the stages involved in the development of NMES devices designed for neurorehabilitation. It also aims to investigate manufacturers' perceptions concerning factors that facilitate or impede its development and determine its applicability for acquired dysarthria. In-depth semi-structured online interviews were conducted with eight NMES device manufacturers located across Europe, North America and Oceania. The interviews were video-recorded, automatically transcribed, manually reviewed, and analysed using a qualitative content analysis. NMES device development for neurorehabilitation involves six complex phases with sequential and overlapping activities. Some emerging concepts were comparable to established medical device models, while others were specific to NMES. Its adaptability to different neurological disorders, the positive academia-industry collaborations, the industry's growth prospects and the promising global efforts for standardised regulations are all key facilitators for its development. However, financial, political, regulatory, and natural constraints emerged as barriers. Indications and challenges for the applicability of NMES for acquired dysarthria treatment were also discussed. The findings provide a foundation for further investigations on the NMES market sub-sector, particularly in the context of neurorehabilitation. The study also provides insights into the potential adoption of NMES for acquired dysarthria, which can serve as a reference for future research. The mapped neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) development phases and processes can serve as a framework for new device development initiatives Opportunities for NMES development included its adaptability to neurological disorders, its growth prospects, academia-industry relationships and regulatory standardisation initiatives Financial, political, regulatory, and natural barriers were barriers for concern. From an anatomical and practical standpoint, it seems feasible to use NMES to treat several features of acquired dysarthria, however, clinicians' limited education on the use of electrical stimulation for neurorehabilitation may pose several constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The purpose of this article is to determine the cause of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) in Chuuk state, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). In this prospective observational case series, five patients with early-onset vision loss were examined in Chuuk state, FSM, during an ocular genetics visit to study the elevated incidence of microphthalmia. Because of their low vision these patients were incorrectly assumed to have microphthalmia. A complete ophthalmological exam established a clinical diagnosis of LCA. Candidate gene exons were sequenced with a targeted retinal dystrophy panel. Five subjects in three related families were diagnosed with LCA. All five were from Tonoas Island, within the Chuuk Lagoon, with ages ranging from 6 months to 16 years. DNA sequencing of affected individuals revealed a homozygous CRB1 NM_201253.3:c.3134del pathogenic variant, which was heterozygous in their parents. CRB1 genotypes were confirmed by a PCR restriction assay. We report identification of a founder pathogenic variant in CRB1 responsible for autosomal recessive LCA in this isolated community. This discovery will lead to appropriate recurrence risk counseling.

Salinity can influence microbial communities and related functional groups in lacustrine sediments, but few studies have examined temporal variability in salinity and associated changes in lacustrine microbial communities and functional groups. To better understand how microbial communities and functional groups respond to salinity, we examined geochemistry and functional gene amplicon sequence data collected from 13 lakes located in Kiritimati, Republic of Kiribati (2° N, 157° W) in July 2014 and June 2019, dates which bracket the very large El Niño event of 2015-2016 and a period of extremely high precipitation rates. Lake water salinity values in 2019 were significantly reduced and covaried with ecological distances between microbial samples. Specifically, phylum- and family-level results indicate that more halophilic microorganisms occurred in 2014 samples, whereas more mesohaline, marine, or halotolerant microorganisms were detected in 2019 samples. Functional Annotation of Prokaryotic Taxa (FAPROTAX) and functional gene results (nifH, nrfA, aprA) suggest that salinity influences the relative abundance of key functional groups (chemoheterotrophs, phototrophs, nitrogen fixers, denitrifiers, sulfate reducers), as well as the microbial diversity within functional groups. Accordingly, we conclude that microbial community and functional gene groups in the lacustrine sediments of Kiritimati show dynamic changes and adaptations to the fluctuations in salinity driven by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation.

The sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) is an important species among baleen whales in the North Pacific and plays a significant role in the ecosystem. Despite the importance of this species, information regarding its migration patterns and breeding locations remains limited. To enhance the understanding of the phenology of North Pacific sei whales, we deployed satellite-monitored tags on these whales in the western and central North Pacific from 2017 to 2023. We fitted 55 sei whale tracks to a state-space model to describe the whales' seasonal movements at feeding grounds and their migratory behavior. The whales typically leave their feeding grounds between November and December, with migration pathways extending from off Japan to the west of the Hawaiian Islands. These southward transits converge in the waters of the Marshall Islands and north of Micronesia between 20° N and 7° N, which appear to be breeding grounds. After a brief stay at these breeding grounds, the whales migrate northward from January to February, reaching their feeding grounds around 30°N by March. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to present the phenology of feeding and breeding seasons and the migration pattern of North Pacific sei whales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local and global ecological stressors are leading to increased documentation of phase shifts in coral reefs from healthy stony corals to macrophytes. In more rare cases, phase shifts result in sponge, zoantharian or other dominant species. In Ulithi Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia, we have documented an unusual phase shift from reefs with a diverse stony coral assemblage to reefs dominated by a single species of stony coral: Montipora sp.—a coral-to-coral phase shift. This monospecific type of reef lowers fish diversity and biomass, impacting both ecological integrity, and livelihoods of reef-dependent human communities. In this study, we used a genomic approach to characterize such a reef. We assembled a de-novo reference genome and used RAD seq data with thousands of SNPs to determine if different reefs result from sexual or asexual reproduction, if weedy Montipora fragments are transported between islands by human activities, and if there is evidence of natural selection on specific genotypes, thus favoring spreading success. We found that sexual reproduction is predominant in the focal species, that there is no evidence of human-mediated spread, and that some genomic regions might be under selection. While such results eliminate a number of spreading hypotheses, more precise dispersal maps will be important to determine the tempo and mode of 'invasion' of Montipora in Ulithi Atoll. This study shows that selection and adaptation may be contributing to the success of a stony coral (e.g., Phase shift). While a stony coral may be successful in a disturbed environment, it does not necessarily provide the type of habitat that is conducive to high fish biomass and coral diversity. These results serve as a cautionary tale for restoration efforts that focus on single species coral resilience rather than ecosystem function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress (PD) in three small Pacific Island countries. Method: National cross-sectional data (pooled sample N = 3,088, 18–69 years) of participants from the STEPS surveys in Nauru (2015/16; N = 1382), Tukelau (2014; N = 554) and Tuvalu (2015; N = 1152) were analysed. Results: In the pooled sample 30.4% participants had PD (⩾20 scores), 18.1% mild (20–24 scores), 7.8% moderate (25–29 scores) and 4.4% severe (30–50 scores) PD. The prevalence of PD in Nauru was 41.5%, in Tukelau 5.0% and in Tuvalu 22.7%. In the adjusted logistic regression analysis with the pooled sample, younger age (18–39 years), alcohol family problems, heart attack/stroke, current smoking, high salt intake and high sedentary behaviour were positively associated with PD, while male sex and being from Tukelau and Tuvalu were negatively associated with PD. Conclusion: Almost one in three participants reported PD and several associated factors were found that can be targeted in population interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variation in plant dispersal capabilities strongly influences the assembly of island plant communities. Many tropical plants have seeds capable of long‐distance, often oceanic, dispersal; in some cases, these taxa speciate into island interior endemics with reduced dispersal capabilities, though whether this is a general pattern is debated. Flotation times are highly variable among plants with oceanic dispersal and between such plants and their inland congeners. Here, we experimentally compared salt‐water flotation in three woody plant genera in Palau, Micronesia, comparing broadly distributed and island endemic species within each genus. The widespread Calophyllum inophyllum (with oceanic and vertebrate dispersal), C. soulattri (vertebrate dispersal), and Terminalia catappa had substantially longer flotation than their inland endemic relatives C. pelewense and T. crassipes. This supports the "Loss of dispersal ability" hypothesis for Calophyllum though, for Terminalia, additional phylogenetic information is needed to determine T. crassipes' sister species. Seed flotation in the widespread, oceanic dispersed Pandanus tectorius did not significantly differ from that of the Palau endemics P. palawensis and P. aimiriikensis. Our results highlight that differences among taxa in dispersal modes, speciation modes, and their interactions may influence the assembly of island floras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rainfall-induced coastal runoff represents an important environmental impact in near-shore coral reefs that may affect coral-associated bacterial microbiomes. Shifts in microbiome community composition and function can stress corals and ultimately cause mortality and reef declines. Impacts of environmental stress may be site specific and differ between coral microbiome compartments (e.g., tissue versus mucus). Coastal runoff and associated water pollution represent a major stressor for near-shore reef-ecosystems in Guam, Micronesia. Methods: Acropora pulchra colonies growing on the West Hagåtña reef flat in Guam were sampled over a period of 8 months spanning the 2021 wet and dry seasons. To examine bacterial microbiome diversity and composition, samples of A. pulchra tissue and mucus were collected during late April, early July, late September, and at the end of December. Samples were collected from populations in two different habitat zones, near the reef crest (farshore) and close to shore (nearshore). Seawater samples were collected during the same time period to evaluate microbiome dynamics of the waters surrounding coral colonies. Tissue, mucus, and seawater microbiomes were characterized using 16S DNA metabarcoding in conjunction with Illumina sequencing. In addition, water samples were collected to determine fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) concentrations as an indicator of water pollution. Water temperatures were recorded using data loggers and precipitation data obtained from a nearby rain gauge. The correlation structure of environmental parameters (temperature and rainfall), FIB concentrations, and A. pulchra microbiome diversity was evaluated using a structural equation model. Beta diversity analyses were used to investigate spatio-temporal trends of microbiome composition. Results: Acropora pulchra microbiome diversity differed between tissues and mucus, with mucus microbiome diversity being similar to the surrounding seawater. Rainfall and associated fluctuations of FIB concentrations were correlated with changes in tissue and mucus microbiomes, indicating their role as drivers of A. pulchra microbiome diversity. A. pulchra tissue microbiome composition remained relatively stable throughout dry and wet seasons; tissues were dominated by Endozoicomonadaceae, coral endosymbionts and putative indicators of coral health. In nearshore A. pulchra tissue microbiomes, Simkaniaceae, putative obligate coral endosymbionts, were more abundant than in A. pulchra colonies growing near the reef crest (farshore). A. pulchra mucus microbiomes were more diverse during the wet season than the dry season, a distinction that was also associated with drastic shifts in microbiome composition. This study highlights the seasonal dynamics of coral microbiomes and demonstrates that microbiome diversity and composition may differ between coral tissues and the surface mucus layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millions of tonnes of oil lie entombed within wrecks from two world wars which, when released, can cause environmental devastation. Wrecks are predominantly risk assessed by the Global North Nations responsible, resulting in an epistemology that separates human from nature. This research aimed to decolonise risk assessments to capture the spatially heterogeneous nature of human vulnerability to oil pollution. Triangulation analysis of interviews and official reports relating to the USS Mississinewa oil spill identified three Global South issues a Eurocentric risk assessment failed to capture: region-specific meteorological conditions causing the leak, remoteness making external resources slow to arrive, and the impact of the fishery closure on traditional subsistence lifestyles. A vulnerability assessment is proposed to prioritise wrecks in susceptible locations. Recommendations are made for a collaborative approach to wreck management by including local voices, resisting the Global North assumption of generality, and recognising the priorities of those living with wrecks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in the study of the antiquity and development of ancient Pacific Island agriculture have been made at sites across much of the region by the application of a range of microfossil techniques, namely analysis of pollen, phytoliths, and starch. Unlike in Melanesia and Polynesia, the application of these techniques in Micronesia is limited. Here we report on microfossil analysis of Micronesian archaeological pit deposits from Tarawa atoll, in the Gilbert Islands (western Kiribati), covering the last 1,800 years. Results show local pit cultivation of Cyrtosperma merkusii and Colocasia esculenta. Together with microfossils of other subsistence taxa, namely Cocos nucifera, Morinda citrifolia, and Pandanus tectorius, and 14C dated macrofossil charcoal of Artocarpus altilis, the evidence is consistent with the atoll subsistence tradition of Remote Oceania. Because plants have differential production and preservation of pollen, phytoliths, and starch, the study shows the value of using combined analyses of these microparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first Austronesian settlers at the site of San Roque in Saipan and the southern Mariana Islands began arriving sometime after 1500 BC in what is called the Early Pre-Latte Period. A comparison of San Roque to contemporaneous island sites reveals differences in cooking and habitation features, ceramic vessels and decorative styles, marine shell tools and ornaments, and settlement patterns that were apparent within and between islands and sites until the middle of the first millennium BC. Changes in sea level and natural resource availability then appear to have accompanied changes in material culture, when some coastal sites were abandoned or moved seaward, while other inhabitants moved inland with a more terrestrial subsistence strategy shared elsewhere in Micronesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seedlings of two species of mangroves, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Rhizophora apiculata, were monitored for 8 years on the Pacific island of Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia, to determine the effects of canopy cover and hydrogeomorphic zone on long-term survival and growth. Annual rainfall is high with little seasonality. Study plots with seedling subplots were in fringe, riverine, and interior hydrogeomorphic zones along four small rivers. The height of each seedling was measured each year and was designated each time as being under an open, partially closed, or closed canopy. Growth rates of both species were slow, and no seedling that was newly established during the study became a sapling (2 m). Many seedlings stopped growing for long periods of time. Bruguiera seedlings were more numerous than Rhizophora seedlings. They grew faster than Rhizophora seedlings except in riverine zones. Predicted growth rates of Bruguiera were fastest under an open canopy and slowest under a closed canopy, but Rhizophora was not affected by canopy status. Overall mortality rates for the two species were similar, averaging 36% year−1. El-Niño-Southern Oscillation events did not affect growth or mortality but may have caused some defoliation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twelve species of atyid shrimps are reported from three Micronesian islands (Babeldaob, Pohnpei, and Guam) and studied using a combined morphological and molecular approach. Among them, three are new records for the area (Caridina appendiculata, Caridina lobocensis, and Caridina rubella), while three new species are here described: Atyoida chacei sp. nov., Caridina ponapensis sp. nov., and Caridina rintelenorum sp. nov. Descriptions for these new species, diagnoses for poorly known species, and taxonomic notes are provided herein and their biogeography is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic caused school closures and rises in mental illness and non-communicable disease among school children worldwide. The Pacific Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) were also affected, but school health activities, which can effectively reduce negative effects of COVID-19, were not widely implemented compared to other Asia-Pacific countries. This study examined current school health implementation and related policies at national, local, and school levels in the Micronesia SIDS according to phases of COVID-19 control. Methods: Multi-country case study targeted the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and Republic of Palau (ROP). These studies focused on school health implementation periods according to the PPR (Prevention, Preparedness, and Response) concept: Phase #1: prevention/preparedness, #2: early phase response, and #3: chronic phase response/recovery phase. Data were collected through policy document reviews that identified school health policies related to COVID-19 controls in the three phases and key informant interviews (KIIs) with 44 key informants (FSM, n = 14; RMI, n = 18; ROP, n = 12) whose work related to school health. The collected data were analyzed using content analysis methods according to the conceptual framework in this study. Results: This study identified three factors of school health implementation related to COVID-19 controls: promotion of decentralized education (FSM), implementation of COVID-19 controls in the school community (RMI), and disaster management for the protection of students including response to infectious disease (ROP). In Phase #1, no country had established a school health policy. In Phase #2, three enablers were identified in FSM and ROP, as reflected in COVID-19 controls by the education and health sectors. In Phase #3, RMI implemented COVID-19 controls in the school community. Documents on youth policy and disaster management in ROP were updated to reflect the chronic phase response and response to future public health crises. Conclusions: A decentralized education was instrumental in immediately implementing COVID-19 control measures in schools at national and local levels for coordination between education and health sectors. Despite each county's multi-sectoral approach to engage COVID-19 controls in schools, local government organization requires strengthening and implementation of the formulated school health policy. In preparation for the next public health crisis, school health should be promoted that is integrated into both infection control and disaster management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large parts of the Pacific were thought to host low bee diversity. In Fiji alone, our recent estimates of native bee diversity have rapidly increased by a factor of five (from 4 to >22). Here, we show how including sampling of the forest canopy has quickly uncovered a new radiation of Hylaeus (Hymenoptera: Colletidae) bees in Fiji. We also show that Hylaeus are more common across the Pacific than previously thought and solve one of Charles Michener's mysteries by linking the previously enigmatic French Polynesian Hylaeus tuamotuensis to relatives in Fiji. We use systematic techniques to describe eight new Hylaeus species in Fiji (n = 6), French Polynesia (n = 1), and Micronesia (n = 1), and discuss impressive dispersal events by this genus. These clades also double the number of Hylaeus dispersals out of Australia from two to four. Our discovery highlights the severe impact of bee sampling methods on ecological interpretations and species discovery, specifically that canopy sampling is needed to correctly assess forest bee diversity even where there is a very long record of sampling. It further highlights the potential for forests to host higher-than-anticipated diversity and conservation value. This has broad methodological and regulatory impacts for land managers seeking to make choices about pollination services and diversity. The new species are Hylaeus (Euprosopoides) chuukensis Dorey, Davies, and Parslow; H. (Prosopisteron) albaeus Dorey, Davies, and Parslow; H. (P.) apertus Dorey, Davies, and Parslow; H. (P.) aureaviridis Dorey, Magnacca, and Parslow; H. (P.) breviflavus Magnacca; H. (P.) derectus Dorey, Davies, and Parslow; H. (P.) navai Dorey, Davies, and Parslow; and H. (P.) veli Dorey, Davies, and Parslow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To provide the first regional analysis of contemporary drivers of Pacific Island fire regimes. Location: Islands of Palau, Yap, Guam, Rota, Tinian, Saipan, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae. Time Period: 1950‐present. Methods: We used land cover, soil maps and contemporary fire histories to (1) describe the relationships among fire activity, vegetation, rainfall and island geography and population; (2) examine the spatial associations of forest and savanna vegetation with respect to fire and soil types; and (3) link fire and savanna distribution to intra‐annual and inter‐annual rainfall variability. Results: Savanna extent was positively correlated with island age and the range of mean monthly rainfall. The percent of area burned annually reached upwards of 2%–10% of island land areas, correlated positively with rainfall seasonality, and occurred largely within savannas. Savannas were more frequent on acidic soils with higher aluminium than forests but distributed across all soil types. El Niño intensity correlated negatively with dry season rainfall over the entire study region and positively with annual area burned on Guam. Main Conclusions: The contemporary extents of savannas in Micronesia reflect Pacific Islanders' long‐term use of fire to shape vegetation and are modulated by inter‐ and intra‐annual rainfall variability. These relationships provide baseline information for ongoing fire management and mitigation projects throughout Micronesia and critical insight for assessing and anticipating fire risk in other insular areas where fire data are limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People from the Micronesian region represent one of the fastest growing migrant groups in the U.S., but little is known about their mental health. Research using respondent-driven sampling of 486 Micronesians living in Hawaiʻi was conducted to explore demographics, immigration-related variables, and connections to the Micronesian community and their association with anxiety and depression. Results show that connection to the Micronesian community was related to lower likelihood of experiencing probable anxiety, while depression was not as closely associated with demographic, immigration, or community connection variables. These findings suggest that interventions enhancing cultural pride and connection may be an effective tool to support Micronesians at risk for or experiencing anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As coral reefs continue to decline due to anthropogenic stressors, community characterizations will reveal both historical selection processes and adaptive potential to environmental change. To address the potential role of color in the distribution and resilience of massive Porites corals, we surveyed the distributions of two dominant color morphs (brown and purple), and a unique intermediate state, across a depth gradient in Guam, Micronesia. We found that brown colonies dominated populations across all depths, and larger colonies had higher rates of partial tissue mortality and active disease lesions. Despite the dominance of brown colonies, both brown and purple color morphs showed a high similarity in susceptibility, as indicated by the colony sizes, the severity of partial tissue mortality, and the prevalence of active disease lesions. This is a non‐intuitive result given the presence of phenotypic plasticity between color morphs, evident by an intermediate, transitionary stage between brown and purple colonies that suggests a functional divergence between one color over the other. The study also revealed the dominance of small colonies at depth, which provides some insight into the ecological impacts that may have shaped Guam's current massive Porites population size structure over the past several decades. With this, we provide foundational insight into the adaptive strategies and historical pressures that have shaped the modern massive Porites population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pacific Island countries are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which include the risks of increased ocean temperatures, sea level rise and coastal wetland loss. The destruction of wetlands leads not only to a loss of carbon sequestration but also triggers the release of already sequestered carbon, in turn exacerbating global warming. These climate change effects are interrelated, and small island nations continuously need to develop adaptive and mitigative strategies to deal with them. However, accurate and reliable research is needed to know the extent of the climate change effects with future predictions. Hence, this study develops a new hybrid Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) Multi-Layer Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) deep learning model with Multivariate Variational Mode Decomposition (MVMD) to predict the sea level for study sites in the Solomon Islands and Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Three other artificial intelligence (AI) models (Random Forest (FR), multilinear regression (MLR) and multi-layer perceptron (MLP) are used to benchmark the CNN-BiLSTM model. In addition to this, remotely sensed satellite Landsat imagery data are also used to assess and predict coastal wetland changes using a Random Forest (RF) classification model in the two small Pacific Island states. The CNN-BiLSTM model was found to provide the most accurate predictions (with a correlation coefficient of >0.99), and similarly a high level of accuracy (>0.98) was achieved using a Random Forest (RF) model to detect wetlands in both study sites. The mean sea levels were found to have risen 6.0 ± 2.1 mm/year in the Solomon Islands and 7.2 ± 2.2 mm/year in the FSM over the past two decades. Coastal wetlands in general were found to have decreased in total area for both study sites. The Solomon Islands recorded a greater decline in coastal wetland between 2009 and 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Palau is facing a rapidly aging population and developing a comprehensive national aging policy to address the growing needs of older adults, but more research is needed to understand their circumstances and needs in relation to healthy aging. This study aims to investigate these factors and contribute to developing the National Policy on Care for the Aging. Research Design and Methods The study adopted a participatory action research design and included focus groups with older adults, public consultations, and stakeholder interviews, providing insights into the needs of an aging population and how to address them. Thematic analysis was conducted to understand the experiences and needs of older adults and possible system changes to address these needs. Results This study identified the need to recognize cultural changes and optimize social and physical environments to improve the health and well-being of older adults. Older adults are valued in Palauan society, but harmful stereotypes and mistreatment of older adults exist. To address those needs and challenges, our stakeholders proposed a range of services, programs, and policies across sectors to create a healthy-enabling environment. Our findings also highlight the importance of health systems proactively reaching individuals and families to address lifelong health needs. Discussion and Implications Our results show the vital role of various sectors in fostering healthy aging and the importance of environmental and cultural perspectives in creating an age-friendly society, which can be an inspiration for other Pacific Island countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay examines contemporary nuclear and military impacts on the Pacific Ocean and environmental destruction perpetuated by Japan and the United States. It weaves together complex and overlapping histories of militarism that continue ecological violence in the Pacific, and it articulates connections among these legacies in local and global contexts. I argue that communication scholars must stop acquiescing to military security perspectives. Instead, scholars should directly condemn militaries as the world's biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and critique nuclear weapon states that exacerbate environmental devastation. Considering the 2023 cases of Fukushima–Daiichi radioactive wastewater dumping and Super Typhoon Mawar, I examine Indigenous cultural practices of care as responses from island communities in Micronesia and their diasporas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid recovery of coral cover following acute disturbance has been documented on many reefs. Yet measuring coverage alone can mask shifts in community and demographic structure. Here, we quantify long-term changes in population size structure for three common genera (Acropora, Pocillopora, and Stylophora) at an eastern outer reef in Palau, Micronesia, following catastrophic loss of corals due to typhoon Bopha in 2012, based on size measurements from 3648 coral colonies. Mean colony size returned to pre-disturbance levels within 4 and 6 years for Stylophora and Pocillopora, respectively. By 2020, Pocillopora colony density far exceeded pre-disturbance levels, with rapid successful recruitment following typhoon Bopha. Despite recovery of Acropora colony density by 2020, populations remained dominated by smaller colonies. We demonstrate that full demographic recovery can occur more rapidly for pocilloporids (within 6 years) compared to Acropora which had not fully recovered by 8 years post-disturbance, possibly due to fewer annual recruitment events and larger maximum colony sizes. Our results highlight the value of demographic metrics as early indicators of recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on an exploration of the Y-chromosome sub-haplogroup O2a2b-P164 in Austronesian-speaking populations. Moderate to high abundance of the P 164 mutation is seen in the West Pacific including the Amis of Formosa (36%) and the Filipinos of Mindanao (50%) as well as in the Kiritimati of Micronesia (70%), and Tonga and Samoa of West Polynesia (54% and 33%, respectively), and it drops to low frequencies in populations of East Polynesia. The communities of Polynesia and Micronesia exhibit considerable inter- and intra-population haplotype sharing suggesting extensive population affinity. The observed affinities, as well as the ages and diversity values within the P 164 sub-haplogroup among Austronesian-speaking populations signal an ancestral migration route and relationships that link the Amis of Taiwan with distant communities in West and East Polynesia, Micronesia, and the Maori of New Zealand. High resolution sequencing of the Austronesian Y chromosome indicate that the P 164 lineage originated about 19,000 ya and then split into three branches separating the Ami aborigines, Southeast Asian and Polynesian/Micronesian populations about 4700 ya, roughly coinciding with the initiation of the Austronesian diaspora. The Y-chromosomes of all the Polynesian and Micronesian population examined belong to the new FT 257096 haplogroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kiribati 2019 Integrated Household Income and Expenditure Survey (Integrated HIES) embeds novel ecological and human health research into an ongoing social and economic survey infrastructure implemented by the Pacific Community in partnership with national governments. This study seeks to describe the health status of a large, nationally representative sample of a geographically and socially diverse I-Kiribati population through multiple clinical measurements and detailed socio-economic surveys, while also conducting supporting food systems research on ecological, social, and institutional drivers of change. The specific hypotheses within this research relate to access to seafood and the potential nutritional and health benefits of these foods. We conducted this research in 21 of the 23 inhabited islands of Kiribati, excluding the two inhabited islands-Kanton Islands in the Phoenix Islands group with a population of 41 persons (2020 census) and Banaba Island in the Gilbert Islands group with a population of 333 persons (2020 census)-and focusing exclusively on the remaining islands in the Gilbert and Line Islands groups. Within this sample, we focused our intensive human health and ecological research in 10 of the 21 selected islands to examine the relationship between ecological conditions, resource governance, food system dynamics, and dietary patterns. Ultimately, this research has created a baseline for future Integrated HIES assessments to simultaneously monitor change in ecological, social, economic, and human health conditions and how they co-vary over time.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List of Threatened Species is regarded as the primary source of global extinction risk for species. Despite this importance, the IUCN has assessed less than 20% of the world′s estimated 400,000 flowering plants due to issues like insufficient data or a lack of experts. Thousands of conservation status assessments were generated recently in response to the call to action by the revised Target 2 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), “An assessment of the conservation status of all known plant species, as far as possible, to guide conservation action.” Accelerated extinction risk assessments are needed to identify species that are most at risk of extinction, which can then be thoroughly evaluated by the Red List assessment procedure. The land area in the Pacific Islands is significantly smaller than in other parts of the world. Plant species restricted to these islands may be identified as “At Risk” due to the limited land area of these islands, despite being widespread locally. Distribution and abundance data of single-island endemic plant taxa of Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia, are analyzed and combined with digital elevation model files from this island, ArcGIS, and herbarium data, to calculate the percentage of land area that is available within a species′ elevational occurrence, a metric we have coined the Extent of Inhabitable Elevation of Island Occurrence (EIEIO). This metric can be used as a streamlined system to rapidly identify species that need plant conservation attention and allows for a swifter response to Target 2 of the GSPC.

Large parts of the Pacific were thought to host low bee diversity. In Fiji alone, our recent estimates of native bee diversity have rapidly increased by a factor of five (from 4 to >22). Here, we show how including sampling of the forest canopy has quickly uncovered a new radiation of Hylaeus (Hymenoptera: Colletidae) bees in Fiji. We also show that Hylaeus are more common across the Pacific than previously thought and solve one of Charles Michener’s mysteries by linking the previously enigmatic French Polynesian Hylaeus tuamotuensis to relatives in Fiji. We use systematic techniques to describe eight new Hylaeus species in Fiji (n = 6), French Polynesia (n = 1), and Micronesia (n = 1), and discuss impressive dispersal events by this genus. These clades also double the number of Hylaeus dispersals out of Australia from two to four. Our discovery highlights the severe impact of bee sampling methods on ecological interpretations and species discovery, specifically that canopy sampling is needed to correctly assess forest bee diversity even where there is a very long record of sampling. It further highlights the potential for forests to host higher-than-anticipated diversity and conservation value. This has broad methodological and regulatory impacts for land managers seeking to make choices about pollination services and diversity. The new species are Hylaeus (Euprosopoides) chuukensis Dorey, Davies, and Parslow; H. (Prosopisteron) albaeus Dorey, Davies, and Parslow; H. (P.) apertus Dorey, Davies, and Parslow; H. (P.) aureaviridis Dorey, Magnacca, and Parslow; H. (P.) breviflavus Magnacca; H. (P.) derectus Dorey, Davies, and Parslow; H. (P.) navai Dorey, Davies, and Parslow; and H. (P.) veli Dorey, Davies, and Parslow.

Recent studies argue for the presence of genetic population structure in yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in all oceans. However, the persistence of family groups has never been considered a viable mechanism of structure, nor has it been measured. We analyzed genetic similarity among 280 yellowfin tunas from seven population samples collected in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) using single nucleotide polymorphisms, and found population structure that was significantly explained by the presence of 96 individuals involved in 332 half or full sib dyads. We found significantly higher mean and median relatedness between individuals from the same sample groups, compared to individuals from different groups; and high relatedness between individuals caught at the same fish-aggregating device (FAD) than between those caught in the wider exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Alternatively, the EEZ of the Federated States of Micronesia may harbor exceptionally large numbers of close kin. We conclude that yellowfin directly school with related individuals through their first year, and at least demonstrate tightly overlapping regional fidelity as adults. These results may explain, to some extent, the patterns of population genetic structure recently observed in yellowfin tuna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood diet can impact health outcomes over the life course. Few studies have assessed dietary quality among infants and children in the US-Affiliated Pacific (USAP) region. The aim of this study was to examine the differences in diet quality among Pacific children in the Children's Healthy Living (CHL) program by Pacific jurisdiction and by their World Bank Income Group (WBIG) level. This cross-sectional study used dietary records collected from 2012 to 2015. Data were collected on 2- to 8-year-old children (n = 3,529) enrolled in the Children's Healthy Living Program for Remote Underserved Minority Populations in the Pacific region, conducted in the USAP jurisdictions of Alaska, Hawai'i, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM islands include Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Yap), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and Republic of Palau. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005). This HEI version was commensurate with the time of dietary data collection for the CHL project and previous studies, thus allowing cross-study comparisons. Means of total HEI-2005 scores between jurisdictions and their WBIG level were compared using linear models, with and without adjustment for age, sex, and dietary energy. Differences in mean HEI-2005 scores among children were found between jurisdictions and their WBIG level. Alaska had the highest adjusted mean score (63.3). RMI had the lowest adjusted mean score (50.1). By WBIG, lower-middle income jurisdictions had the lowest adjusted mean HEI-2005 score (56.0), whereas high income jurisdictions had the highest adjusted mean HEI-2005 score (60.5). Variation in children's diet quality was found between USAP jurisdictions, notably between jurisdictions of different WBIG levels. Future research is needed to deepen understanding of these differences in diet quality by WBIG level, such as whether differences may be attributable to the jurisdictions' varying food systems, and possibly explained by the nutrition transition. Understanding childhood diet quality in this region can inform approaches for nutrition programs in the Pacific region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploration of the diversity in the diatom genus Homoeocladia across Micronesia revealed several clusters of undescribed species based on variations around several characters. Using ultrastructural data from scanning electron microscopy, we describe seventeen new species in three of these morphological groups. (1) A group with external thickenings includes eight new species with costae and/or bordered areolae on valve face and/or conopea and/or peri-raphe zone, and one with similar areolae but no ornamentation; this group includes the previously described H. jordanii. (2) Large, linear species, resembling H. asteropeae and H. tarangensis; we describe three new species close to the latter. (3) A sinuous-areolae group includes five new species with areola openings shaped like "~", "s", or "z" on the valve and/or girdle bands, or both, and leads to reconsideration of the diagnosis of Homoeocladia schefterae and the recognition that the globally widespread species in this complex is H. coacervata sp. nov. The three groups are based solely on morphology and no genetic relationships are implied within or between the groups, other than having the characteristics of the recently redefined genus Homoeocladia. However, the high diversity of species in Homoeocladia suggests the genus is a good candidate to test for species flocks in this region and in at least one other comparable location, incorporating DNA sampling through either culturing or metabarcoding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We retrieved all Zika virus (ZIKV) complete coding sequences shown in the databases between 1947 and 2022. • We analyzed 717 sequences for their phylogeography. • Thailand ZIKV 2006 filled the 40 years-gap after discovering the Asian sublineage. • The 2007 Micronesia and 2013 French Polynesia ZIKV belonged to distinct sublineages. • The Micronesia and French Polynesia ZIKV spread from South East Asia separately. We conducted molecular characterization, demonstrated the geographical distribution of Zika virus (ZIKV) circulating worldwide from 1947 to 2022 and explored the potential genetic recombination site in the Thailand ZIKV genomes. We constructed phylogenetic trees based on ZIKV coding sequences (CDS) and determined the geographical distribution of the representative viruses by genetic relationship and timeline. We determined genetic recombination among ZIKV and between ZIKV and other flaviviruses using similarity plot and bootscan analyzes, together with the phylogeny encompassing the CDS and eight subgenomic regions. The phylogenetic trees comprising 717 CDS showed two distinct African and Asian lineages. ZIKV in the African lineage formed two sublineages, and ZIKV in the Asian lineage diversified into the Asian and American sublineages. The 1966 Malaysian isolate was designated the prototype of the Asian sublineage and formed a node of only one member, while the newer viruses formed a distinct node. We detected no genetic recombination in the Thailand ZIKV. Five Thailand isolates discovered in 2006 were the second oldest ZIKV after the Malaysian prototype. Our result suggested two independent routes of ZIKV spread from Southeast Asia to Micronesia in 2007 and French Polynesia in 2013 before further spreading to South American countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2005, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), nervous over the uncertain future of the Compact of Free Association and seeking to improve its fiscal self-sufficiency, has wasted time and resources on a pie-in-the-sky tax reform proposal with too many moving parts and too many stakeholders to satisfy.  A more practical path to tax reform must be found—and as the authors argue, Hawaii’s unique tax system should be used as a map forward.The FSM and Hawaii each have broad-based consumption taxes—the gross revenues tax and the general excise tax, respectively.  Although these two taxes appear similar at first glance, Hawaii’s tax has developed sophisticated characteristics over the past eighty-five years.  Instead of attempting yet again to discard its gross revenues tax, the FSM should transform it.  Replicating and accelerating Hawaii’s eighty-five-year tax evolution could offer the FSM a much more practicable—and less politically daunting—shortcut to a modernized, efficient, and lucrative tax system.