Brain functional connectivity correlates of anomalous interaction between sensorily isolated monozygotic twins.

This study examined brain functional connectivity (FC) changes associated with possible anomalous interactions between sensorily isolated monozygotic (MZ) twins. Brain FC was estimated using the Steady State Visual Evoked Potential-Event Related Partial Coherence (SSVEP-ERPC) methodology. Five twin pairs served twice as participants, with an average interval between sessions of 67 days.

Termite sensitivity to temperature affects global wood decay rates.

Deadwood is a large global carbon store with its store size partially determined by biotic decay. Microbial wood decay rates are known to respond to changing temperature and precipitation. Termites are also important decomposers in the tropics but are less well studied.

Homocysteine Modulates Brain Functional Connectivity in a Memory Retrieval Task.

Background: Homocysteine, a methionine metabolite, is a recognized risk factor for accelerated age-related cognitive decline and dementia.

Objective: In the light of studies indicating increases in brain activity and brain functional connectivity in the early stages of age-related cognitive decline, we undertook a study to examine the relationship between plasma homocysteine levels and brain functional connectivity in a group of late middle-aged males at risk of cognitive decline due to high body mass index and a sedentary lifestyle.

Methods: Brain functional connectivity was measured using the steady state visual evoked potential event related partial coherence while 38 participants performed a memory task where each trial comprised an object recognition task followed by a location memory task.

Bridge to the future: Important lessons from 20 years of ecosystem observations made by the OzFlux network.

In 2020, the Australian and New Zealand flux research and monitoring network, OzFlux, celebrated its 20 anniversary by reflecting on the lessons learned through two decades of ecosystem studies on global change biology. OzFlux is a network not only for ecosystem researchers, but also for those 'next users' of the knowledge, information and data that such networks provide. Here, we focus on eight lessons across topics of climate change and variability, disturbance and resilience, drought and heat stress and synergies with remote sensing and modelling.

Sex influences the brain functional connectivity correlates of originality.

Creative cognition is thought to involve two processes, the creation of new ideas and the selection and retention of suitable new ideas. Neuroimaging studies suggest that the Default Mode Network contributes to the creation of new ideas while left inferior frontal and parieto-temporal cortical networks mediate the selection/retention process. Higher levels of activity in the selection/retention have been shown to be associated with stricter criteria for selection and hence the expression of fewer novel ideas.