J. Heinze

Biotic challenges in the city: Dietary restrictions and body fat content of female sexuals in urban ant populations

This study examines dietary restrictions and body fat content in urban and rural ant colonies, finding lower carbohydrate availability in urban areas and higher body fat in rural female sexuals.

Variability of immune gene expression among different groups within ant colonies shows a multifaceted response to infection by a non-lethal ectoparasitic fungus

The paper examines immune gene expression variability in ant colonies infected by a non-lethal fungus, finding differing responses among workers, queens, and larvae.

Darwin's "neuters" and the evolution of the sex continuum in a superorganism

The paper identifies three phenotypic entities in ant embryos, including 'neuters', and proposes that haplodiploidy enables a third dimension on the sex continuum in Cardiocondyla obscurior.

Fungal infection alters collective nutritional intake of ant colonies

This study shows that fungal infection in ants changes their dietary choices to support immune responses, even though the diet is harmful in the long term.

Sex- and caste-specific developmental responses to juvenile hormone in an ant with maternal caste determination

This study investigates the effects of juvenile hormone treatment on caste development in Cardiocondyla obscurior ants, finding no impact on female caste ratios or body sizes but increased male size.

A fast-slow trait continuum at the level of entire communities

The paper shows that slow and fast functional strategies manifest at the ecosystem level, driven by disturbance and resource availability in grassland communities.

The indispensable soma of Cardiocondyla obscurior ants

This study shows that workers and queens of Cardiocondyla obscurior ants age at the same rate and shape, challenging the idea that worker lifespan is shorter due to their sterile status.

Pharmacological inhibition of bromodomain and extra-terminal proteins induces NRF-2-mediated inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication and is subject to viral antagonism

This study shows JQ-1 inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication via NRF-2 activation but is counteracted by viral antagonism, leading to transient antiviral effects.

Post-entry, spike-dependent replication advantage of B.1.1.7 and B.1.617.2 over B.1 SARS-CoV-2 in an ACE2-deficient human lung cell line

The paper shows that B.1.1.7 and B.1.617.2 SARS-CoV-2 variants have a replication advantage over B.1 in ACE2-deficient lung cells, suggesting reliance on alternative cellular factors.

Evidence for a conserved queen-worker genetic toolkit across slave-making ants and their ant hosts

The paper shows that queen-worker gene expression differences are more consistent across ant species than lifestyle differences, supporting a conserved genetic toolkit for caste determination.

Maternal control over caste allocation in the ant Cardiocondyla obscurior

The paper shows that queens control caste allocation in Cardiocondyla obscurior, with caste fate determined irreversibly in the egg stage and no caste-specific traits in late development.

Characterization of gut microbiome and metabolome in Helicobacter pylori patients in an underprivileged community in the United States

This study characterizes the gut microbiome and metabolome of H. pylori patients in an underprivileged community, finding altered microbial diversity and fatty acid profiles associated with the infection.

Late-life fitness gains explain the absence of a selection shadow in ants

The paper shows that ants avoid senescence by increasing late-life reproduction, which maintains selection strength and counteracts the selection shadow.

Cytoplasmic incompatibility between Old and New World populations of a tramp ant

The paper identifies cytoplasmic incompatibility between Old and New World populations of Cardiocondyla obscurior ants, revealing a symbiont-induced reproductive isolation mechanism.

Relative value perception in an insect: positive and negative incentive contrasts in ants

The paper shows ants exhibit relative value perception, adjusting food acceptance based on prior experience and social cues, with implications for collective decision-making.