Selection on sporulation strategies in a metapopulation can lead to coexistence.

In constant environments the coexistence of similar species or genotypes is generally limited. In a metapopulation context, however, types that utilize the same resource but are distributed along a competition-colonization trade-off, can coexist. Much thought in this area focuses on a generic trade-off between within-deme competitive ability and between-deme dispersal ability.

Testing the adaptive value of sporulation in budding yeast using experimental evolution.

Saccharomyces yeast grow through mitotic cell division, converting resources into biomass. When cells experience starvation, sporulation is initiated and meiosis produces haploid cells inside a protective ascus. The protected spore state does not acquire resources and is partially protected from desiccation, heat, and caustic chemicals.

Analysis of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Content in Fish Oil Products.

Background: Omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosehexaenoic acid (DHA), often found in fish oil supplements, have been linked to cardiovascular benefits in proper doses.

Objectives: Quantify serving sizes and EPA and DHA content of fish oil products and determine which products contain appropriate amounts of EPA and DHA per serving to lower cholesterol.

Methods: Products were identified through the National Institutes of Health's Dietary Supplement Label Database using the search term "fish oil.

The Proton-activated Receptor GPR4 Modulates Intestinal Inflammation.

Background And Aims: During active inflammation, intraluminal intestinal pH is decreased in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. Acidic pH may play a role in IBD pathophysiology. Recently, proton-sensing G-protein coupled receptors were identified, including GPR4, OGR1 [GPR68], and TDAG8 [GPR65].

Gestational experience alters sex allocation in the subsequent generation.

Empirical tests of adaptive maternal sex allocation hypotheses have presented inconsistent results in mammals. The possibility that mothers are constrained in their ability to adjust sex ratios could explain some of the remaining variation. Maternal effects, the influence of the maternal phenotype or genotype on her developing offspring, may constrain sex allocation through physiological changes in response to the gestational environment.