Ancient DNA reveals differences in behaviour and sociality between brown bears and extinct cave bears.

Ancient DNA studies have revolutionized the study of extinct species and populations, providing insights on phylogeny, phylogeography, admixture and demographic history. However, inferences on behaviour and sociality have been far less frequent. Here, we investigate the complete mitochondrial genomes of extinct Late Pleistocene cave bears and middle Holocene brown bears that each inhabited multiple geographically proximate caves in northern Spain.

Genome-Wide Analysis of PAPS1-Dependent Polyadenylation Identifies Novel Roles for Functionally Specialized Poly(A) Polymerases in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The poly(A) tail at 3' ends of eukaryotic mRNAs promotes their nuclear export, stability and translational efficiency, and changes in its length can strongly impact gene expression. The Arabidopsis thaliana genome encodes three canonical nuclear poly(A) polymerases, PAPS1, PAPS2 and PAPS4. As shown by their different mutant phenotypes, these three isoforms are functionally specialized, with PAPS1 modifying organ growth and suppressing a constitutive immune response.

Accumulation of apocarotenoids in mycorrhizal roots of leek (Allium porrum).

Colonization of the roots of leek (Allium porrum L.) by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices induced the formation of apocarotenoids, whose accumulation has been studied over a period of 25 weeks. Whereas the increase in the levels of the dominating cyclohexenone derivatives resembles the enhancement of root length colonization, the content of mycorradicin derivatives remains relatively low throughout.

[Relation of vocational orientation/vocational education and illness status].

A cross-sectional analysis was carried out to examine factors exercising an effect on the sickness rate among trainees. The study comprised 389 boys and 217 girls in their first or second years of apprenticeship. The sickness rate was found to be lower among young people with a high level of motivation and achievement than among those achieving less well.

[Relation of occupational demands and stresses, health status and work incapacity of young workers].

A cross-sectional analysis was carried out comprising 620 boys and 294 girls active in their jobs between one and six years after leaving school to examine the influence of physical conditions and job-related stress and exposures on the frequency of their absenteeism from work due to illness. The frequency is rather high in young workers with chronic disorders or people who have to work under adverse hygienic conditions. This can be seen as a result of both psychic and social factors as well as chronic disorders or job-related stress and exposures, the latter influencing heavily the time a worker may be unfit for work.