Fatty acids in eleven species of blue-green algae: geochemical significance

Analyses of the total lipids of 11 species of blue-green algae showed a simple but qualitatively variable fatty acid composition. The species can be grouped in three categories on the basis of their oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acid content. One species was unusual in that the ten-carbon acid accounts for one-half of its total fatty acid. Branched chain acids are absent in the algae, but are major components of marine bacteria. The geochemical significance of the data is discussed.     

"Pliocene-Pleistocene" Boundary in Deep-Sea Sediments

Changes in planktonic microfossil assemblages in Atlantic sediment cores, at approximately the beginning of the Quaternary, correspond in a general way with those recognized in Pacific cores. How closely the horizon marked by these changes approximates to the Pliocene-Pleistocene boundary is not yet established.     

Dynamics of mammalian chromosome evolution inferred from multispecies comparative maps

The genome organizations of eight phylogenetically distinct species from five mammalian orders were compared in order to address fundamental questions relating to mammalian chromosomal evolution. Rates of chromosome evolution within mammalian orders were found to increase since the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary. Nearly 20% of chromosome breakpoint regions were reused during mammalian evolution; these reuse sites are also enriched for centromeres. Analysis of gene content in and around evolutionary breakpoint regions revealed increased gene density relative to the genome-wide average. We found that segmental duplications populate the majority of primate-specific breakpoints and often flank inverted chromosome segments, implicating their role in chromosomal rearrangement.     

Pyroclastic activity at Home Plate in Gusev Crater, Mars

Home Plate is a layered plateau in Gusev crater on Mars. It is composed of clastic rocks of moderately altered alkali basalt composition, enriched in some highly volatile elements. A coarsegrained lower unit lies under a finer-grained upper unit. Textural observations indicate that the lower strata were emplaced in an explosive event, and geochemical considerations favor an explosive volcanic origin over an impact origin. The lower unit likely represents accumulation of pyroclastic materials, whereas the upper unit may represent eolian reworking of the same pyroclastic materials.