| 1. |
- Jarvis, Erich D., et al.
(author)
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Whole-genome analyses resolve early branches in the tree of life of modern birds
- 2014
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In: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 346:6215, s. 1320-1331
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To better determine the history of modern birds, we performed a genome-scale phylogenetic analysis of 48 species representing all orders of Neoaves using phylogenomic methods created to handle genome-scale data. We recovered a highly resolved tree that confirms previously controversial sister or close relationships. We identified the first divergence in Neoaves, two groups we named Passerea and Columbea, representing independent lineages of diverse and convergently evolved land and water bird species. Among Passerea, we infer the common ancestor of core landbirds to have been an apex predator and confirm independent gains of vocal learning. Among Columbea, we identify pigeons and flamingoes as belonging to sister clades. Even with whole genomes, some of the earliest branches in Neoaves proved challenging to resolve, which was best explained by massive protein-coding sequence convergence and high levels of incomplete lineage sorting that occurred during a rapid radiation after the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction event about 66 million years ago.
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| 2. |
- Zhang, Guojie, et al.
(author)
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Comparative genomics reveals insights into avian genome evolution and adaptation
- 2014
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In: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 346:6215, s. 1311-1320
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Birds are the most species-rich class of tetrapod vertebrates and have wide relevance across many research fields. We explored bird macroevolution using full genomes from 48 avian species representing all major extant clades. The avian genome is principally characterized by its constrained size, which predominantly arose because of lineage-specific erosion of repetitive elements, large segmental deletions, and gene loss. Avian genomes furthermore show a remarkably high degree of evolutionary stasis at the levels of nucleotide sequence, gene synteny, and chromosomal structure. Despite this pattern of conservation, we detected many non-neutral evolutionary changes in protein-coding genes and noncoding regions. These analyses reveal that pan-avian genomic diversity covaries with adaptations to different lifestyles and convergent evolution of traits.
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| 3. |
- Bentley, Michael J., et al.
(author)
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A community-based geological reconstruction of Antarctic Ice Sheet deglaciation since the Last Glacial Maximum
- 2014
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In: Quaternary Science Reviews. - : Elsevier BV. - 0277-3791 .- 1873-457X. ; 100, s. 1-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A robust understanding of Antarctic Ice Sheet deglacial history since the Last Glacial Maximum is important in order to constrain ice sheet and glacial-isostatic adjustment models, and to explore the forcing mechanisms responsible for ice sheet retreat. Such understanding can be derived from a broad range of geological and glaciological datasets and recent decades have seen an upsurge in such data gathering around the continent and Sub-Antarctic islands. Here, we report a new synthesis of those datasets, based on an accompanying series of reviews of the geological data, organised by sector. We present a series of timeslice maps for 20 ka, 15 ka, 10 ka and 5 ka, including grounding line position and ice sheet thickness changes, along with a clear assessment of levels of confidence. The reconstruction shows that the Antarctic Ice sheet did not everywhere reach the continental shelf edge at its maximum, that initial retreat was asynchronous, and that the spatial pattern of deglaciation was highly variable, particularly on the inner shelf. The deglacial reconstruction is consistent with a moderate overall excess ice volume and with a relatively small Antarctic contribution to meltwater pulse la. We discuss key areas of uncertainty both around the continent and by time interval, and we highlight potential priorities for future work. The synthesis is intended to be a resource for the modelling and glacial geological community.
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| 7. |
- Brown, Caleb M., et al.
(author)
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Evidence for taphonomic size bias in the Dinosaur Park Formation (Campanian, Alberta), a model Mesozoic terrestrial alluvial‐paralic system
- 2013
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In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. - : Elsevier. - 0031-0182 .- 1872-616X. ; 372:SI, s. 108-122
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A study of the distribution of dinosaurian body masses in the Dinosaur Park Formation (DPF; Campanian; southern Alberta), reveals a prominent negative skew; a pattern distinct from those of modern terrestrial faunas. We find a direct and robust correlation between taxon size (estimated live body mass) and known completeness. There is a clear dichotomy between large and small-bodied taxa at around 60 kg, in which taxa less than 60 kg are significantly less complete (mean completeness = 7.6%) than those with an estimated mass of 60 kg or greater (mean = 78.2%). Along with completeness, there is also a strong association of body size and taphonomic mode, with small taxa known largely from isolated and occasionally associated remains, and large taxa known from articulated skeletons. In addition, there is a significant correlation between taxon body mass and both date of discovery and of description, with taxa < 60 kg taking an average of 65.9 and 75.6 years to discover and describe, respectively, compared to 33.6 and 34.1 years for taxa > 60 kg. The rates of both cumulative discovery and description for large taxa are best described by a logarithmic curve nearing an asymptote, whereas small taxa show either a linear or power increase through time. This suggests that our current knowledge of the large-bodied dinosaur assemblage is reasonably representative of the true biological fauna with few discoveries likely to be made in the future. However, small taxa are greatly underestimated in both their diversity and abundance, with many more potential discoveries to be made. Given that (1) the sedimentary deposits and fossil assemblages in the DPF together represent one of the best studied examples of a Mesozoic alluvial‐paralic (terrestrial) ‘palaeoecosystem,’ and (2) similar patterns have been suggested (but not documented) for other Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystems in the Western Interior of North America, we suggest that this pattern of size bias may typify vertebrate fossil assemblages in terrestrial Mesozoic systems. If so, such biases must be considered before patterns of diversity in dinosaur communities through time can be considered accurate, or used to compare and interpret Mesozoic palaeoecosystems.
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| 8. |
- Field, Christopher B., et al.
(author)
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Summary for Policymakers
- 2014
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In: Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Part A: Global and SectoralAspects.. - 9781107415379 ; , s. 1-32
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)
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| 9. |
- Mattsson, Niklas, 1979, et al.
(author)
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The Alzheimer's Association external quality control program for cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers.
- 2011
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In: Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association. - : Wiley. - 1552-5279. ; 7:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers amyloid β (Aβ)-42, total-tau (T-tau), and phosphorylated-tau (P-tau) demonstrate good diagnostic accuracy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there are large variations in biomarker measurements between studies, and between and within laboratories. The Alzheimer's Association has initiated a global quality control program to estimate and monitor variability of measurements, quantify batch-to-batch assay variations, and identify sources of variability. In this article, we present the results from the first two rounds of the program.
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| 10. |
- Postmus, Iris, et al.
(author)
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Pharmacogenetic meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of LDL cholesterol response to statins.
- 2014
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In: Nature communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Statins effectively lower LDL cholesterol levels in large studies and the observed interindividual response variability may be partially explained by genetic variation. Here we perform a pharmacogenetic meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in studies addressing the LDL cholesterol response to statins, including up to 18,596 statin-treated subjects. We validate the most promising signals in a further 22,318 statin recipients and identify two loci, SORT1/CELSR2/PSRC1 and SLCO1B1, not previously identified in GWAS. Moreover, we confirm the previously described associations with APOE and LPA. Our findings advance the understanding of the pharmacogenetic architecture of statin response.
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