A particle dark matter footprint on the first generation of stars
  Dark matter particles with properties identical to dark matter candidates
that are hinted at by several international collaborations dedicated to
experimental detection of dark matter (DAMA, COGENT, CRESST and CDMS-II,
although not, most notably, by LUX), and which also have a dark matter
asymmetry identical to the observed baryon asymmetry (Planck and Wilkinson
Microwave Anisotropy Probe), may produce a significant impact on the evolution
of the first generation of low-metallicity stars. The lifetimes of these stars
in different phases of stellar evolution are significantly extended, namely, in
the pre-main sequence, main sequence, and red giant phases. In particular,
intermediate-mass stars in the red giant phase experience significant changes
in their luminosity and chemical composition. The annihilations of dark matter
particles affect the interior of the star in such a way that the
$3\alpha-$reaction becomes less efficient in the production of carbon and
oxygen. This dark matter effect contradicts the excess of carbon and other
metals observed today in stars of low mass and low metallicity. Hence, we can
impose an upper limit on the dark matter halo density, and therefore on the
redshift, at which the first generation of low-metallicity stars formed.
