The evolution and genetic basis of a functionally critical skull bone, the parasphenoid, among Lake Malawi cichlids.

Adaptive radiation, whereby a clade pairs rapid speciation with rapid phenotypic evolution, can result in an uneven distribution of biodiversity across the Metazoan tree. The cichlid fishes of East Africa have undergone multiple adaptive radiations within the major rift lakes. Cichlid radiations are marked by divergence across distinct habitat gradients producing many morphological and behavioural adaptations.

Work and life in dynamic equilibrium.

We reframe the idea of balancing career and non-career interests for ecologists specifically. We introduce the concept of a dynamic work-life equilibrium (WLE) and draw parallels between ecological processes and processes affecting our continuously fluctuating sense of balance, with an aim at encouraging self-reflection and improving WLE mentoring in ecological disciplines.

Public engagement to refine a whole-school intervention to promote adolescent mental health.

Background: Despite high rates of adolescent mental health problems, there are few effective school-based interventions to address this. Whole-school interventions offer a feasible and sustainable means of promoting mental health, but few have to date been evaluated. Previously we trialled the Learning Together intervention comprising local needs assessment, student and staff participation in decision-making, restorative practice, and a social and emotional skills curriculum.

Qualitative study of the feasibility and acceptability of implementation, and potential mechanisms of Learning Together for Mental Health, a whole-school intervention aiming to promote mental health and wellbeing in secondary schools.

Background: Despite high rates of adolescent mental-health problems, there are few effective whole-school interventions to address this. Whole-school interventions offer a feasible and sustainable means of promoting mental health. We previously evaluated the Learning Together (LT) intervention which was effective in preventing bullying (primary outcome), promoting mental well-being, psychological functioning, and reducing substance use (secondary outcomes).

Elevated levels of peripheral and central nervous system immune markers reflect innate immune dysregulation in autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Evidence suggests dysregulated immune functions in the pathophysiology of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although specific immune mechanisms are yet to be identified.

Methods: We assessed circulating levels of 25 immune/neuroinflammatory markers in a large ASD sample (n = 151) and matched controls (n = 72) using linear models. In addition, we performed global brain transcriptomics analyses of relevant immune-related genes.