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Physics: A tabletop neutron source
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Physics: A tabletop neutron source
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). doi:10.1038/494009b
Researchers interested in using neutrons to probe materials currently need access to particle accelerators or fission reactors, but a tabletop neutron-imaging device may be on the way. Markus Roth at the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany, and his colleagues used a 200-terawatt laser at the
Categories: Literature
Evolution: Bird behaviour spurs evolution
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Evolution: Bird behaviour spurs evolution
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). doi:10.1038/494009c
Shifts in environmental conditions are thought to drive evolutionary change, but biologists have debated whether the way that animals interact with their environment also plays a part. A study of pigeons and doves suggests that changes in behaviour can drive alterations in the birds' shapes.
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Reproductive biology: Puberty controlled by DNA changes
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Reproductive biology: Puberty controlled by DNA changes
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). doi:10.1038/494009d
Sexual maturation in female mammals is controlled by specific changes to the chemical groups attached to DNA — a type of 'epigenetic' change — which results in the coordinated action of multiple genes.Puberty begins with a rise in the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Categories: Literature
Molecular biology: Protein production on the clock
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Molecular biology: Protein production on the clock
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). doi:10.1038/494009e
Highly read on www.plosbiology.org in JanuaryThe molecular clock not only controls the rhythmic expression of genes with physiological roles, but also regulates the creation of ribosomes — molecular machines that translate messenger RNA into protein.Frédéric Gachon at the University of Lausanne in
Categories: Literature
Seven days: 1–7 February 2013
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Seven days: 1–7 February 2013
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/494010a
The week in science: Richard III skeleton discovery confirmed; South Korea launches first satellite from home soil; and a keenly watched TB booster vaccine fails a major clinical trial.
Categories: Literature
Landsat 8 to the rescue
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Landsat 8 to the rescue
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/494013a
Author: Jeff Tollefson
NASA prepares to launch satellite that will continue historic record of global change.
Categories: Literature
Quake fears rise at Japan’s reactors
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Quake fears rise at Japan’s reactors
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/494014a
Author: David Cyranoski
Commissioners say that geological faults make some reactors too dangerous to restart.
Categories: Literature
Alert over South Korea toxic leaks
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Alert over South Korea toxic leaks
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/494015a
Author: Soo Bin Park
Government moves to tighten oversight after string of hydrogen fluoride accidents.
Categories: Literature
LHC set to halt for upgrades
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
LHC set to halt for upgrades
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/494016a
Author: Geoff Brumfiel
Maintenance, improvement work and data analysis will keep scientists busy as collider’s planned closure begins.
Categories: Literature
Translational research: Medicine man
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Translational research: Medicine man
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/494024a
Author: Meredith Wadman
As director of the NIH's bold new translational research centre, Christopher Austin has to show that he can jump-start a tortuous drug-discovery process.
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Chemistry: Ten things we need to know about ice and snow
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Chemistry: Ten things we need to know about ice and snow
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). doi:10.1038/494027a
Author: Thorsten Bartels-Rausch
Understanding the molecular behaviour of frozen water is essential for predicting the future of our planet, says Thorsten Bartels-Rausch.
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Renewable resources: Build a biomass energy market
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Renewable resources: Build a biomass energy market
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). doi:10.1038/494029a
Author: Heinz Kopetz
Governments must offer incentives to drive a switch to biofuels and other renewables, argues Heinz Kopetz.
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In retrospect: On Growth and Form
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
In retrospect: On Growth and Form
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). doi:10.1038/494032a
Author: Philip Ball
Philip Ball celebrates a classic work on the mathematics that shape living structures, from antlers to cells.
Categories: Literature
Books in brief
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Books in brief
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). doi:10.1038/494033a
How comfortable are we with our corporeal selves? Hugh Aldersey-Williams, whose best-seller on the periodic table eulogized the elements, here turns a cultivated eye to the body eclectic, limbs, liver, lungs and all. He roves from Rembrandt's The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp
Categories: Literature
Q&A: Chronicler of conflict
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Q&A: Chronicler of conflict
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). doi:10.1038/494034a
Author: Jascha Hoffman
Historian Richard Rhodes writes on the roots of violence and warfare, in particular the development of nuclear weapons. He talks about Reykjavik — his play on nuclear disarmament — and his upcoming book on the Spanish Civil War, That Fine Place.
Categories: Literature
Science communication: Royal Institution is ever more relevant
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Science communication: Royal Institution is ever more relevant
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). doi:10.1038/494035a
Author: Gail Cardew
You mischaracterize the impact and continued relevance of the Royal Institution of Great Britain (RI) by presenting an incomplete picture (Nature493, 452; 201310.1038/493452a).In 2012 the RI delivered 87 evening events. Of the 46 held in the Faraday Theatre,
Categories: Literature
Experimental biology: Sometimes Bayesian statistics are better
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Experimental biology: Sometimes Bayesian statistics are better
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). doi:10.1038/494035b
Authors: Stefan Herzog & Dirk Ostwald
David Vaux argues that experimental biologists should be better versed in classical statistics (Nature492, 180–181; 201210.1038/492180a). We suggest that they might also join the shift to Bayesian statistics that is already under way in many other areas
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Taxonomy: Species splitting puts conservation at risk
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Taxonomy: Species splitting puts conservation at risk
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). doi:10.1038/494035c
Author: Frank E. Zachos
A worrying trend over the past decade has been the taxonomic splitting of mammal species, mostly by raising subspecies to species. Because of its potential bearing on conservation, we advise caution in this practice, which we maintain should be based solely on peer-reviewed evidence of
Categories: Literature
International Linear Collider: Another collider is not the way forward
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
International Linear Collider: Another collider is not the way forward
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). doi:10.1038/494035d
Author: Tommy Ohlsson
You encourage the international particle-physics community to support Japan's offer to host the next big particle collider, the International Linear Collider (ILC; Nature492, 312; 201210.1038/492312a). But the case for the ILC is not strong at this point, considering that the
Categories: Literature
Brigitte Askonas (1923–2013)
Nature - Wed, 02/06/2013 - 01:00
Brigitte Askonas (1923–2013)
Nature 494, 7435 (2013). doi:10.1038/494037a
Author: Anne O'Garra
The 'grand dame' of immunology.
Categories: Literature