Surfing the actomyosin wave: polarization of the C. elegans zygote

Many cell types rely on asymmetrically localized PAR proteins to become polarized. New evidence reveals that cortical flows powered by actomyosin contractions can mobilize PAR complexes to create distinct cortical domains.     

Restoration Ecology: Repairing the Earth's Ecosystems in the New Millennium

The extent of human‐induced change and damage to Earth's ecosystems renders ecosystem repair an essential part of our future survival strategy, and this demands that restoration ecology provide effective conceptual and practical tools for this task. We argue that restoration ecology has to be an integral component of land management in today's world, and to be broadly applicable, has to have a clearly articulated conceptual basis. This needs to recognize that most ecosystems are dynamic and hence restoration goals cannot be based on static attributes. Setting clear and achievable goals is essential, and these should focus on the desired characteristics for the system in the future, rather than in relation to what these were in the past. Goal setting requires that there is a clear understanding of the restoration options available (and the relative costs of different options). The concept of restoration thresholds suggests that options are determined by the current state of the system in relation to biotic and abiotic thresholds. A further important task is the development of effective and easily measured success criteria. Many parameters could be considered for inclusion in restoration success criteria, but these are often ambiguous or hard to measure. Success criteria need to relate clearly back to specific restoration goals. If restoration ecology is to be successfully practiced as part of humanity's response to continued ecosystem change and degradation, restoration ecologists need to rise to the challenges of meshing science, practice and policy. Restoration ecology is likely to be one of the most important fields of the coming century.     

Surfing the Korean Wave: Wonder Gays and the Crisis of Thai Masculinity

The Wonder Gays was a Thai K-pop cover-dance group. Their viral 2009 YouTube video covered the Wonder Girls’ song “Nobody” and consequently the Wonder Gays became an overnight sensation in Thailand, were signed by Zheza Records, and had a year-long tour. Their stardom however provoked questions about gender, sexuality and nationality. Wonder Gays’ effeminacy and popularity called into question their morality and their influence on other young people. Their video, performed in school uniform, on a school stage, in front of the flagpole but to a Korean song, raised concerns about the institutional and national legitimacy of their routine, and the relative status of Thailand in the world. Thus the Wonder Gays incited a gender panic about Thai masculinity.     

Models for the Millennium: Great Basin Anthropology Today

Models for the Millennium: Great Basin Anthropology Today. Charlotte Beck. ed. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1999. 314 pp.