Societal Impact Statement Plastic pollution is of increasing societal concern, particularly with regard to aquatic environments, where it has received widespread news media attention. However, plastic and plastic byproducts also pollute terrestrial ecosystems, and the potential impacts on organisms are currently poorly understood. Here, we show that a microplastic type used in artificial sport turfs may have negative effects on plant growth. Given the scale of plastic pollution, urgent research is needed to determine the impact of microplastics on terrestrial organisms and their communities, as well as an exploration of alternative, biodegradable materials and measures to reduce the spread of microplastics in nature. Summary The Anthropocene is, among other factors, characterized by the accumulation of plastic in the environment. While studies on the consequences of plastic pollution for animals, particularly in aquatic environments, have increased in recent years, much less is known about potential effects of plastic pollution on plants in terrestrial environments. Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) is a microplastic used in artificial sport turfs. Here, we tested in two separate experiments the effects of different concentrations of EPDM on the performance of Plantago lanceolata and on competition between seven grassland‐plant species. At very low concentrations of the EPDM granules, growth of P. lanceolata was slightly improved, but at concentrations of 5% and higher there were strong negative effects on survival and growth. These negative effects were found under low and high nutrient conditions, and for all tested species. The EPDM granules also negatively affected the root weight ratio, which indicates that the root system was more strongly affected than the shoot. Due to the strong negative effects on plant growth, the granules also reduced the competitive interactions between plants. Our study shows that it is not only animals in aquatic environments that may be affected by plastic pollution, and that this may also be the case for wild plants in terrestrial ecosystems.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against the spike of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are effective therapeutic options to combat infections in high-risk patients. Here, we report the adaptation of SARS-CoV-2 to the mAb cocktail REGN-COV in a kidney transplant patient with hypogammaglobulinemia. Following mAb treatment, the patient did not clear the infection. During viral persistence, SARS-CoV-2 acquired three novel spike mutations. Neutralization and mouse protection analyses demonstrate a complete viral escape from REGN-COV at the expense of ACE-2 binding. Final clearance of the virus occurred upon reduction of the immunosuppressive regimen and total IgG substitution. Serology suggests that the development of highly neutralizing IgM rather than IgG substitution aids clearance. Our findings emphasise that selection pressure by mAbs on SARS-CoV-2 can lead to development of escape variants in immunocompromised patients. Thus, modification of immunosuppressive therapy, if possible, might be preferable to control and clearance of the viral infection.

<p>Sedimentary ancient DNA has by now become a recognized source of information on past biodiversity change, but our understanding of its dynamics and taphonomy is still limited. While for environmental DNA in water, dedicated investigations on its provenance and degradation are being increasingly carried out, we know very little about sedimentary DNA, in particular with respect to aquatic organisms. We are therefore conducting investigations on the distribution of DNA in surface sediments and a short sediment core, with a focus on aquatic communities in the large and heterogeneous Lake Constance. Targeted organisms range from phyto- and zooplankton to fish and waterbirds. Initial results and comparison with sightings of rare species indicate that the DNA is not distributed uniformly or widely across the lake, especially for multicellular animals, but rather linked to the local presence of the organisms. This has implications for our understanding of how DNA enters the sediment and for paleoecological inferences derived from these records.</p>

<p>Lake sedimentary ancient DNA has become a recognized source of information on past biodiversity change, but our understanding of its distribution and taphonomy is still limited. Here we collected 40 surface sediment samples from Lake Constance in southern Germany and characterized sedimentary DNA (sedDNA) heterogeneity through four metabarcoding PCRs on general eukaryotes, vascular plants, cyanobacteria and copepods.  We observed the variability of overall sedDNA being strongly correlated with sediment sample geographical locations, although this pattern varies within taxonomic groups. Specifically, geographical coordination and water depth explain 10.7% variability of terrestrial vascular plant sedDNA distribution, but the distribution of copepods is patchy and not correlated with sampling locations. Out study indicates that sedDNA is not distributed uniformly across the lake but rather linked to the movement of lake water and the local presence of the organisms.</p>