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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences


Mother's scent triggers face-selective responses in infants

Research using electroencephalography found that exposure to maternal odors facilitates categorization of face-like objects in infants' brains. This study suggests that the right occipitotemporal cortex plays a key role in this process, potentially indicating an earlier emergence of hemisphere advantages for face recognition.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 17, 2021

Autonomous robot learning

Researchers developed a modular robot that autonomously adapts to its environment, achieving optimal behavior without a central controller. The robot learned to navigate and maintain behavior even with damage, paving the way for miniaturized robotic materials for various applications.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 10, 2021

How the oral microbiome evolved

A recent study analyzed 124 dental biofilm metagenomes from various primate species, revealing 10 core bacterial genera that have been maintained throughout African hominid evolution. These microbial groups played a key role in oral biofilms for over 40 million years and adapted to starch-rich diets early in human evolution.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 10, 2021

Interglacial summer warmth and the Greenland Ice Sheet

A study analyzing hydrogen isotopic composition of marine sediments found interglacial summer warmth influences Greenland Ice Sheet (GIS) retreat more strongly than maximum temperatures. This research suggests persistently high summer temperatures will be more harmful to the ice sheet's long-term stability under climate change.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 10, 2021

Aurora records and historical magnetic fluctuations

A study of historical equatorial auroral records from Seoul, South Korea, suggests that the West Pacific Anomaly may be an analog to the current South Atlantic Anomaly. The record shows strong fluctuations centered around 1590 and 1720, indicating changes in regional magnetic field strength not captured by current geomagnetic models.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 10, 2021

White matter structural hubs and cognitive impairment

Damage to densely-packed white matter regions is strongly associated with cognitive impairment compared to gray matter regions; this suggests that white matter hubs are crucial for cognition. The study's findings provide insights into how brain damage affects cognitive abilities and may help explain differences in cognitive decline.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 3, 2021

Resurrecting Judean date palms

Researchers successfully germinated seven ancient Judean date palm seeds from archaeological sites, gaining genetic insights into the evolution of crops. The study suggests that hybridization between date palms and wild Cretan palms occurred over 2,200 years ago, influencing agricultural practices.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 3, 2021

Greenhouse warming of early Mars

A global climate model simulation suggests that a cloud greenhouse effect could have warmed early Mars to support liquid surface water, with low clouds and warm stable climates emerging near surface water-ice patches. The results are consistent with geological data indicating a warm, arid early climate for the planet.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2021