Body size changes in passerine birds introduced to New Zealand from the UK

One feature of global geographic variation in avian body sizes is that they are larger on isolated islands than on continental regions. Therefore, this study aims to assess whether there have been changes in body size following successful establishment for seven passerine bird species (blackbird Turdus merula, song thrush T. philomelos, house sparrow Passer domesticus, chaffinch Fringilla coelebs, greenfinch Chloris chloris, goldfinch Carduelis carduelis, yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella) introduced from the continental islands of the UK to the more isolated oceanic landmass of New Zealand in the middle of the nineteenth century. Measures of tarsus length were taken from individuals from contemporary UK and New Zealand populations of these species, and from historical specimens collected around the time that individuals were translocated from the UK to New Zealand. Analysis of Variance was used to test for size differences between contemporary UK and New Zealand populations, and between historical UK and contemporary UK and New Zealand populations. Historical UK populations have longer tarsi, on average, than 12 (7 UK and 5 New Zealand) of the 14 contemporary populations. Significant decreases in tarsus length relative to the historical populations have occurred in the UK for blackbird, chaffinch and greenfinch, and in the New Zealand blackbird population. Contemporary New Zealand house sparrows have significantly longer tarsi, on average, than both historical and contemporary UK populations. Exposure to novel environments may be expected to lead to changes in the morphology and other traits of exotic species, but changes have also occurred in the native range. In fact, contrary to expectations, the most common differences we found were between contemporary and historical UK populations. Consideration of contemporary populations alone would underestimate the true scale of morphological change in these species over time, which may be due to phenotypic plasticity or genetic adaptation to environmental changes experienced by all populations in the last 150 years

Meta-analysis of genome-wide studies identifies MEF2C SNPs associated with bone mineral density at forearm

Background: Forearm fractures affect 1.7 million individuals worldwide each year and most occur earlier in life than hip fractures. While the heritability of forearm bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture is high, their genetic determinants are largely unknown. Aim: To identify genetic variants associated with forearm BMD and forearm fractures. Methods: BMD at distal radius, measured by dualenergy x-ray absorptiometry, was tested for association with common genetic variants. We conducted a metaanalysis of genome-wide association studies for BMD in 5866 subjects of European descent and then selected the variants for replication in 715 Mexican American samples. Gene-based association was carried out to supplement the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) association test. We then tested the BMD-associated SNPs for association with forearm fracture in 2023 cases and 3740 controls. Results: We found that five SNPs in the introns of MEF2C were associated with forearm BMD at a genome-wide significance level (

Intrusive memories and depression following recent non-traumatic negative life events in adolescents

Background: Research in adults suggests that intrusive memories are not just found in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet there is little evidence concerning the phenomenology of intrusive memories in children and adolescents. The present study investigated the frequency of intrusive memories following a recent negative event in an adolescent school sample, and considered the application of cognitive theory to understanding the maintenance of intrusive memories of recent negative events, and their role in maintaining depression. Methods: High school students (aged 11-18 years; n = 231) completed questionnaires concerning affect experienced during a recent negative event, the frequency of subsequent intrusive memories, memory quality, thought suppression, post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms. Results: Most participants had experienced at least one intrusive memory in the previous week, at similar rates for traumatic events and life events. In non-trauma exposed youth, peri-event affect and memory quality accounted for unique variance in a regression model of intrusive memory frequency, while peri-event affect, memory quality, and intrusive memory frequency accounted for unique variance in a regression model of depression. Limitations: The study needs replication in younger children. Interview methods may be required to ensure that intrusive memories are being assessed and not intrusive thoughts or ruminations. Conclusions: Intrusive memories are common reaction to negative events in adolescents, and may be involved in maintaining subsequent depressed mood. The nature of event memories may have a role in the maintenance of such psychopathology, and may be a target for psychological interventions in this age group

How Does Perceived Support Lead to Better Performance? An Examination of Potential Mechanisms

This is a postprint of an article published in Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 2009, Vol. 21, pp. 421 – 429 © 2009 copyright Taylor & Francis. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology is available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/uasp20/currentUsing a high-performance sample of 118 golfers, we examined the relationship between perceived support and performance. Observed variable path analysis revealed that the beneficial effects of perceived support were primarily attributable to esteem support. High levels of esteem support were associated with appraising a competition as less of a threat. Esteem support was also positively associated with situational control, which was positively associated with challenge appraisals and negatively associated with threat appraisals. Challenge appraisals were associated with better performance and threat appraisals with poorer performance. These results highlight possible mechanisms underlying the relationship between esteem support and performance

The B-cell antigen receptor signals through a preformed transducer module of SLP65 and CIN85

The Slp65 adaptor molecule is important for B-cell receptor signalling. Here, the interactomes of SLP65 in resting and activated B cells are resolved by mass spectrometry. A number of SLP65 interacting partners, including CIN85, continuously associate with SLP65 in a stimulation-independent manner. CIN85 recruits SLP65 to the membrane and it is required for SLP65 phosphorylation

European Code against Cancer 4th Edition:Diet and cancer

AbstractLifestyle factors, including diet, have long been recognised as potentially important determinants of cancer risk. In addition to the significant role diet plays in affecting body fatness, a risk factor for several cancers, experimental studies have indicated that diet may influence the cancer process in several ways. Prospective studies have shown that dietary patterns characterised by higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods, and lower intakes of red and processed meats and salt, are related to reduced risks of death and cancer, and that a healthy diet can improve overall survival after diagnosis of breast and colorectal cancers. There is evidence that high intakes of fruit and vegetables may reduce the risk of cancers of the aerodigestive tract, and the evidence that dietary fibre protects against colorectal cancer is convincing. Red and processed meats increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Diets rich in high-calorie foods, such as fatty and sugary foods, may lead to increased calorie intake, thereby promoting obesity and leading to an increased risk of cancer. There is some evidence that sugary drinks are related to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.Taking this evidence into account, the 4th edition of the European Code against Cancer recommends that people have a healthy diet to reduce their risk of cancer: they should eat plenty of whole grains, pulses, vegetables and fruits; limit high-calorie foods (foods high in sugar or fat); avoid sugary drinks and processed meat; and limit red meat and foods high in salt

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

Genome-wide association analyses of physical activity and sedentary behavior provide insights into underlying mechanisms and roles in disease prevention

Although physical activity and sedentary behavior are moderately heritable, little is known about the mechanisms that influence these traits. Combining data for up to 703,901 individuals from 51 studies in a multi-ancestry meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies yields 99 loci that associate with self-reported moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity during leisure time (MVPA), leisure screen time (LST) and/or sedentary behavior at work. Loci associated with LST are enriched for genes whose expression in skeletal muscle is altered by resistance training. A missense variant in ACTN3 makes the alpha-actinin-3 filaments more flexible, resulting in lower maximal force in isolated type IIA muscle fibers, and possibly protection from exercise-induced muscle damage. Finally, Mendelian randomization analyses show that beneficial effects of lower LST and higher MVPA on several risk factors and diseases are mediated or confounded by body mass index (BMI). Our results provide insights into physical activity mechanisms and its role in disease prevention.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

New Relics

Tim Ellis and Kate Terry curated New Relics and exhibited works with Ian Monroe. The term relic is used to describe something that has survived the passage of time, especially an object or custom whose original culture has disappeared, but also an object cherished for historical value such as a keepsake or heirloom…… New Relics presents a diverse range of contemporary positions in sculpture from a cross generational group of international artists. The exhibition demonstrates the multiple directions and potentials of sculpture and how it is continually shifting and being reinterpreted. The themes and concepts illustrated show the depth of the medium and the alluring power of materials to conjure new meanings and interpretations. New Relics is an opportunity to engage with these potentials that have come to encapsulate, and exist within, the definition of Sculpture. A group show of contemporary sculpture including the artists: Salvatore Arancio, Vasilis Asmakopoulos, Andy Bannister, Olivia Bax, Dominic Beattie, Katie Bethune-Leamen, Gabriel Birch, Hannah Birkett, Simona Brinkmann, Daryl Brown, Hannah Brown, Bettina Buck, Stewart Cliff, Clare Burnett, Matt Calderwood, Lotti V Closs, Benjamin Cohen, Gary Colclough, Katie Cuddon, Blue Curry, Rosalind Davis, Alexander Devereux, Dexter Dymoke, Tim Ellis, Brian Griffiths, Lilah Fowler, Holly Hendry, Justin Hibbs, Fred Hunt, Andrea Jespersen, Paul Johnson, Evy Jokhova, Ana Kazaroff, Vera Kox, Lucy LeFeuvre, Alan Magee, Eva Masterman, Ian Monroe, Rupert Norfolk, Roula Partheniou, Harrison Pearce, Hamish Pearch, Mark Pearson, Chris Poulton, Frances Richardson, Michael Samuels, Alex Scarfe, Zoe Schoenherr, Amy Stephens, Karen Tang, Kate Terry, Jonathan Trayte, Finbar Ward, Elaine Wilson, Sarah Kate Wilson, Andrea V Wright, Ben Woodeso

Baseline greenhouse gas emissions and removals for forest and rangelands in Arizona

The project in this report sought to quantify the baseline of changes in carbon stocks on forest and agricultural lands in Arizona for the 1990s. These baselines provide an estimate of the emissions and removals of greenhouse gases attributable to changes in the use and management of land and are useful for identifying where major opportunities could exist in Arizona for enhancing carbon stocks and/or reducing carbon sources to potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions.&nbsp;&nbsp; The analysis revealed that forests were responsible for a net removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere of 0.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year (MMTCO2/yr) between 1987 and 1997, and that agricultural lands were responsible for a net emission of 0.04 MMTCO2/yr. On non‐federal lands emissions from forests caused by development were estimated at 0.0145– 0.0152 MMTCO2/yr, and between 1990 and 1996 154,000 acres of forest and rangeland were burned by fires with an estimated emission of 0.47 MMTCO2eq/yr. Nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions (in CO2 eq) from agricultural lands are more than 100 times higher than carbon emission due to land‐use change.&nbsp