General-relativistic precession in a black-hole binary.

The general-relativistic phenomenon of spin-induced orbital precession has not yet been observed in strong-field gravity. Gravitational-wave observations of binary black holes (BBHs) are prime candidates, as we expect the astrophysical binary population to contain precessing binaries. Imprints of precession have been investigated in several signals, but no definitive identification of orbital precession has been reported in any of the 84 BBH observations so far by the Advanced LIGO and Virgo detectors.

An evolutionary analysis of antigen processing and presentation across different timescales reveals pervasive selection.

The antigenic repertoire presented by MHC molecules is generated by the antigen processing and presentation (APP) pathway. We analyzed the evolutionary history of 45 genes involved in APP at the inter- and intra-species level. Results showed that 11 genes evolved adaptively in mammals.

A 175 million year history of T cell regulatory molecules reveals widespread selection, with adaptive evolution of disease alleles.

T cell activation plays a central role in immune response and in the maintenance of self-tolerance. We analyzed the evolutionary history of T cell regulatory molecules. Nine genes involved in triggering T cell activation or in regulating the ensuing response evolved adaptively in mammals.

Evolutionary analysis of the contact system indicates that kininogen evolved adaptively in mammals and in human populations.

Activation of the contact system leads to the cleavage of kininogen by plasma kallikrein resulting in kinin release and in the initiation of the intrinsic pathway of coagulation. Proteolysis of kininogen also generates antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and can be induced by diverse pathogens. Thus, the contact system is regarded as a branch of innate immunity.