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A distinctive feature of modern humans is our round (globular) skulls and brains. Researchers report that present-day humans who carry particular Neanderthal DNA fragments have heads that are slightly less rounded, revealing genetic clues to the evolution of modern brain shape and function. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2zWD4L1

Microorganisms perform key functions in ecosystems and their diversity reflects the health of their environment. Researchers use genomic tools to sequence the DNA of microorganisms in samples, and then exploit this considerable amount of data with artificial intelligence. They build predictive models capable of establishing a diagnosis of the health of ecosystems and identify species that perform important functions. This new approach will significantly increase the observation capacity of large ecosystems. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2Pzlphi

Many species of mammals have evolved what appear to be paradoxical behaviors towards their young. Like humans, most exhibit nurturing, protective behaviors, and in some circumstances even act as surrogate parents. However, virgin males often engage in infanticide as a strategy to propagate their own genes. How are these conflicting social behaviors controlled? from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2S3tBZr

Brain scientists have plenty of ways to track the activity of individual neurons in the brain, but they're all invasive. Now, researchers have found a way to literally watch neurons fire -- no electrodes or chemical modifications required. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2EgZ5XQ

In pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 1b, two key biological structures are blocked from binding to one another -- which ultimately stunts critical brain growth. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2LefKwG

Children with elevated levels of callous traits -- such as a lack of remorse and disregard for other people's feelings -- show widespread differences in brain structure compared with children with lower levels of the traits, according to a new study. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2EuzXNZ

Scientists introduce ORTHOSCOPE, a new web-based tool capable of inferring gene function, estimating gene trees and identifying sets of ancestral genes in just minutes. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2QwEeqI