1. |
- Seehausen, Ole, et al.
(author)
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Genomics and the origin of species
- 2014
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In: Nature reviews genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-0056 .- 1471-0064. ; 15:3, s. 176-192
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Speciation is a fundamental evolutionary process, the knowledge of which is crucial for understanding the origins of biodiversity. Genomic approaches are an increasingly important aspect of this research field. We review current understanding of genome-wide effects of accumulating reproductive isolation and of genomic properties that influence the process of speciation. Building on this work, we identify emergent trends and gaps in our understanding, propose new approaches to more fully integrate genomics into speciation research, translate speciation theory into hypotheses that are testable using genomic tools and provide an integrative definition of the field of speciation genomics.
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2. |
- Smith, Mathew, et al.
(author)
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THE EFFECT OF WEAK LENSING ON DISTANCE ESTIMATES FROM SUPERNOVAE
- 2014
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 780:1, s. Art.nr.-UNSP 24
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Using a sample of 608 Type Ia supernovae from the SDSS-II and BOSS surveys, combined with a sample of foreground galaxies from SDSS-II, we estimate the weak lensing convergence for each supernova line of sight. We find that the correlation between this measurement and the Hubble residuals is consistent with the prediction from lensing (at a significance of 1.7 sigma). Strong correlations are also found between the residuals and supernova nuisance parameters after a linear correction is applied. When these other correlations are taken into account, the lensing signal is detected at 1.4 sigma. We show, for the first time, that distance estimates from supernovae can be improved when lensing is incorporated, by including a new parameter in the SALT2 methodology for determining distance moduli. The recovered value of the new parameter is consistent with the lensing prediction. Using cosmic microwave background data from WMAP7, H-0 data from Hubble Space Telescope and Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Baryon acoustic oscillations measurements, we find the best-fit value of the new lensing parameter and show that the central values and uncertainties on Omega m and w are unaffected. The lensing of supernovae, while only seen at marginal significance in this low-redshift sample, will be of vital importance for the next generation of surveys, such as DES and LSST, which will be systematics-dominated.
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3. |
- Clarkson, Chris, et al.
(author)
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Photon gas dynamics in the early universe
- 2008
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In: Physics Letters B. - Amsterdam : Elsevier. - 0370-2693 .- 1873-2445. ; 659:1-2, s. 54-57
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Quantum electrodynamics predicts that photons undergo one-loop scattering. The combined effect of this on the behaviour of a photon gas for temperatures above similar to 10(10) K results in a softening of the equation of state. We calculate the effect this has on the effective equation of state in the early universe, taking into account all the species of the Standard Model. The change to the dynamics of the early universe is discussed.
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4. |
- Mörtsell, Edvard, et al.
(author)
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Model independent constraints on the cosmological expansion rate
- 2009
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In: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics. - : IOP Publishing. - 1475-7516. ; 01, s. 044-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We investigate what current cosmological data tells us about the cosmological expansion rate in a model independent way. Specifically, we study if the expansion was decelerating at high redshifts and is accelerating now, without referring to any model for the energy content of the universe, nor to any specific theory of gravity. This differs from most studies of the expansion rate which, e.g., assumes some underlying parameterised model for the dark energy component of the universe. To accomplish this, we have devised a new method to probe the expansion rate without relying on such assumptions. Using only supernova data, we conclude that there is little doubt that the universe has been accelerating at late times. However, contrary to some previous claims, we can not determine if the universe was previously decelerating. For a variety of methods used for constraining the expansion history of the universe, acceleration is detected from supernovae alone at >5σ, regardless of the curvature of the universe. Specifically, using a Taylor expansion of the scale factor, acceleration today is detected at >12σ. If we also include the ratio of the scale of the baryon acoustic oscillations as imprinted in the cosmic microwave background and in the large scale distribution of galaxies, it is evident from the data that the expansion decelerated at high redshifts, but only with the assumption of a flat or negatively curved universe.
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