20 December 2007 Volume 450 Number 7173, pp 1127 - 1276
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Terrestrial ancestors of whales
The marine mammals known as cetaceans - whales, dolphins and porpoises
- originated about 50 million years ago in south Asia, but their
terrestrial ancestor is something of a mystery. A paper in this week's
Nature suggests that it is likely to have been a raccoon-sized animal
from India known as a raoellid, which probably took to the water in
times of danger.
Watch this week's videos on whale ancestry or
www.nature.com/nature/videoarchive
listen to the free Nature Podcast.
www.nature.com/nature/podcast
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----------------------
EDITORIALS
----------------------
Newsmaker of the Year p1127
Nature is pleased to name Rajendra Pachauri, the Indian engineer and
economist, and chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,
as our inaugural Newsmaker of the Year.
doi:10.1038/4501127a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1C0El
A policy of drift pp1127 - 1128
British physics faces an unnecessary squeeze.
doi:10.1038/4501127b
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1D0Em
Welcome Nature Geoscience p1128
doi:10.1038/4501128a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1E0En
----------------------
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
----------------------
Research highlights 2007 pp1130 - 1133
As an end of the year round-up, we asked Nature's editors to nominate
favourite papers published elsewhere this year. For a pick of
favourites from Nature itself, see page 1131.
doi:10.1038/4501130a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1F0Eo
This year in Nature p1131
Nature's manuscript editors made a selection of 'favourites' from the
papers we published in 2007.
doi:10.1038/4501131b
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1G0Ep
----------------------
NEWS
----------------------
News 2007 pp1134 - 1135
The year in which?
Daniel Cressey
doi:10.1038/4501134a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1H0Eq
Climate deal agreed in Bali showdown pp1136
Gruelling session brings the United States back to the table.
Olive Heffernan
doi:10.1038/4501136a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1I0Er
Exchange rate hits US researchers pp1136
Weak dollar threatens to undermine involvement in foreign projects.
Daniel Cressey
doi:10.1038/4501136b
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1J0Es
Snapshot pp1136
Bumper cone crop
Emma Marris
doi:10.1038/4501136c
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1K0Et
Q&A: Siti Fadilah Supari pp1137
Indonesia has been hit by more human deaths from the H5N1 bird-flu
virus than any other country, yet it refuses to share its virus samples
with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Declan Butler talks to Indonesia's health minister.
doi:10.1038/4501137a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1L0Eu
Physicists make ripples with their 'magic carpet' pp1138
Tiny rug gets off to a flying start.
Philip Ball
doi:10.1038/4501138b
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1M0Ev
Sidelines pp1138
Scribbles on the margins of science.
doi:10.1038/4501138a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj220EV
UK government claims half of MRC's patent profits p1140
doi:10.1038/4501140a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1O0Ex
Pasteur Institute fined over patent dispute p1140
doi:10.1038/4501140b
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1P0Ey
Congress tightens rules on fuel standards for cars pp1140
doi:10.1038/4501140c
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1Q0Ez
CERN names its next head as collider is set to go online pp1140
doi:10.1038/4501140d
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1R0E1
Science appoints Bruce Alberts as editor-in-chief pp1140
doi:10.1038/4501140e
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1S0E2
Springtime outburst on Mars pp1140
doi:10.1038/4501140f
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1T0E3
----------------------
COLUMN
----------------------
Small advances pp1141
Most people agree that the environmental and health effects of
nanoparticles need a lot more study.
David Goldston looks at why so little progress has been made.
doi:10.1038/4501141a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1U0E4
----------------------
BUSINESS
----------------------
Regulator under siege pp1143
Science at the Food and Drug Administration is in need of a revamp,
as Meredith Wadman reports.
doi:10.1038/4501143a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1V0E5
----------------------
NEWS FEATURES
----------------------
Newsmaker of the Year: Rajendra Pachauri pp1150 - 1155
In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change delivered its
most thorough and authoritative assessment yet — and shared a Nobel
prize for its efforts.
Gabrielle Walker profiles its indefatigable leader.
doi:10.1038/4501150a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1X0E7
2007 Gallery: Images of the Year pp1144 - 1149
Many formulations of the scientific method begin with observations.
And the images here are indeed exciting observations -- new pictures
from Earth and space that will serve as the starting points for great
science. But often the most arresting scientific images are captured
at the end of the process, in the form of a solution. Such pictures
represent the culmination of months of tireless work in the laboratory
and have a still, completed quality. The structure of a protein or
material, the high-resolution image revealing microscopic handiwork,
the elegant visualization of data. Whether from the start or the end
of an investigation -- or from somewhere in between -- these images are
some of the most striking from 2007.
Emma Marris
doi:10.1038/4501144a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1W0E6
----------------------
CORRESPONDENCE
----------------------
Come all ye scientists, busy and exhausted. O come ye, O come ye,
out of the lab p1156
Richard J. Ladle, Ana C. M. Malhado and Peter A. Todd
doi:10.1038/4501156a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1Y0E8
Public control could be a nightmare for researchers p1156
Dan Graur
doi:10.1038/4501156b
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1Z0EA
A brief proposal, 150 words p1156
Alice Flaherty
doi:10.1038/4501156c
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1a0EH
Tracking early arrivals on the Nature trail p1156
Helmut Zacharias
doi:10.1038/4501156d
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1b0EI
Space travel's no problem, but mice? They're scary p1156
Eng H. Lo
doi:10.1038/4501156e
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1c0EJ
----------------------
COMMENTARY
----------------------
Professor's little helper pp1157 - 1159
The use of cognitive-enhancing drugs by both ill and healthy
individuals raises ethical questions that should not be ignored,
argue Barbara Sahakian and Sharon Morein-Zamir.
doi:10.1038/4501157a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1d0EK
----------------------
BOOKS AND ARTS
----------------------
Our social roots pp1160 - 1161
We share many behavioural traits with our primate relatives -- some
disquietingly nasty.
Sarah F. Brosnan reviews Gorilla Society: Conflict, Compromise and
Cooperation Between the Sexes by Alexander H. Harcourt and
Kelly J. Stewart, Macachiavellian Intelligence: How Rhesus Macaques
and Humans Have Conquered the World by Dario Maestripieri and
Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex Among Apes by Frans de Waal
doi:10.1038/4501160a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1e0EL
Taxonomy on trial p1161
Henry Nicholls reviews Trying Leviathan: The Nineteenth-Century New
York Court Case That Put a Whale on Trial and Challenged the Order
of Nature by D. Graham Burnett
doi:10.1038/4501161a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1f0EM
Magic squares and circles p1162
Jared Wunsch reviews Benjamin Franklin's Numbers by Paul C. Pasles
doi:10.1038/4501162a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1g0EN
Fruits of their labour pp1162 - 1163
Susan J. Mazer reviews Status of Pollinators in North America
doi:10.1038/4501162b
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1h0EO
Glitter bugs p1163
Nick Thomas reviews The bioart sculptures of Mike Libby
doi:10.1038/4501163a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1i0EP
Multicultural legacy pp1163 - 1164
George Gheverghese Joseph reviews The Mathematics of Egypt,
Mesopotamia, China, India, and Islam: A Source Book
doi:10.1038/4501163b
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1j0EQ
New science-art award pp1163 - 1164
doi:10.1038/4501163c
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1k0ER
Technology: Earliest known non-lithic tool p1164
doi:10.1038/4501164a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1l0ES
----------------------
ESSAY
----------------------
The demise of the lone author p1165
As the average number of contributors to individual papers continues
to rise, science's credit system is under pressure to evolve.
Mott Greene
doi:10.1038/4501165a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1m0ET
----------------------
NEWS AND VIEWS
----------------------
Physics: A quantum less quirky pp1167 - 1168
What physicists want for Christmas is a solution to the philosophical
conundrums of quantum mechanics. They will be disappointed, but work
that dissolves one aspect of quantum weirdness is some consolation.
Seth Lloyd
doi:10.1038/4501167a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1n0EU
Cancer diagnostics: One-stop shop pp1168 - 1169
Detecting cancer early and monitoring its progress non-invasively are
high on oncologists' agenda. So the design of a neat device that
detects and counts cancer cells shed into the blood by tumours is a
welcome advance.
Jonathan W. Uhr
doi:10.1038/4501168a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1o0EV
Planetary science: A younger Moon pp1169 - 1170
The most recent study of lunar rocks indicates that the Moon formed
later than previously thought -- a conclusion that requires our view
of the early history of the inner Solar System to be revised.
Alan Brandon
doi:10.1038/4501169a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1p0EW
50 & 100 Years Ago p1170
doi:10.1038/4501170a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1q0EX
Structural biology: The dance of domains pp1171 - 1172
Static crystal structures provide only clues about the way large
biological molecules work. A recently developed spectroscopic
technique also reveals details of their molecular motion, as shown
for an RNA molecule from HIV.
Joseph D. Puglisi
doi:10.1038/4501171a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1r0EY
Photonics: Charge of the light brigade pp1172 - 1173
The latest study of fluorescence in nanowires shows that it can be
controlled by electric fields. This finding suggests the presence of
mobile charge carriers, which could be useful for designing
nanoelectronic devices.
David J. Nesbitt
doi:10.1038/4501172a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1s0EZ
Neuroscience: Neighbourly synapses pp1173 - 1175
Experiences shape our behaviour, memories and perception.
Mechanistically, they also influence the brain's circuitry, and
cooperativity between neuronal contacts during learning may
contribute to this process.
Bernardo L. Sabatini
doi:10.1038/4501173a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1t0Ea
Technology: The art of illumination p1175
Liesbeth Venema
doi:10.1038/4501175a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1u0Eb
Metrology: New generation of combs pp1175 - 1176
To measure an optical frequency, you are best off using an optical
frequency comb. A radical approach shakes up how these combs are
produced, and will permit their closer integration into optical-fibre
technology.
Steven T. Cundiff
doi:10.1038/4501175b
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1v0Ec
Correction p1176
doi:10.1038/4501176a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1w0Ed
----------------------
REVIEWS
----------------------
Superconductivity without phonons pp1177 - 1183
P. Monthoux, D. Pines and G. G. Lonzarich
doi:10.1038/nature06480
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1x0Ee
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1y0Ef
After a dozen years of progress the origin of angiosperms is still a
great mystery pp1184 - 1189
The discovery of many fossil plants and clues from molecular genetics
is starting to shed light on the relationship between angiosperms and
other plants, and the sequence in which the unique features of
angiosperms evolved.
Michael W. Frohlich and Mark W. Chase
doi:10.1038/nature06393
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj1z0Eg
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj110ET
----------------------
BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS ARISING
----------------------
Stem cell treatment of dystrophic dogs pE23
Allan H. Bretag
doi:10.1038/nature06437
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj120EU
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj130EV
Sampaolesi et al. reply ppE23 - E25
Maurilio Sampaolesi, Stephane Blot, Roberto Bottinelli and Giulio Cossu
doi:10.1038/nature06438
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj140EW
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj150EX
----------------------
ARTICLES
----------------------
Whales originated from aquatic artiodactyls in the Eocene epoch of
India pp1190 - 1194
J. G. M. Thewissen et al.
doi:10.1038/nature06343
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj160EY
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj170EZ
Locally dynamic synaptic learning rules in pyramidal neuron dendrites
pp1195 - 1200
Use of neuronal imaging and photoactivation techniques on hippocampal
pyramidal dendrites has shown that after long-term potentiation
induction at individual synapses, neighbouring synapses become more
easily potentiated, and across a broader time window. These results
offer a new scale of information integration available for those
modelling the cellular processes underlying brain function.
Christopher D. Harvey and Karel Svoboda
doi:10.1038/nature06416
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj180Ea
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2A0Ek
Structural basis for gate-DNA recognition and bending by type IIA
topoisomerases pp1201 - 1205
The crystal structure of the part of yeast topoisomerase II that binds
DNA and catalyses breakage formation in complex with a gate DNA is
solved. The enzyme sharply bends the DNA, which brings the DNA near
the catalytic site and breaks a dimer interface of the protein,
thereby opening a protein gate.
Ken C. Dong and James M. Berger
doi:10.1038/nature06396
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2B0El
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2C0Em
----------------------
LETTERS
----------------------
Late formation and prolonged differentiation of the Moon inferred from
W isotopes in lunar metals pp1206 - 1209
M. Touboul et al.
doi:10.1038/nature06428
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2D0En
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2E0Eo
Internal motions of a quasiparticle governing its ultrafast nonlinear
response pp1210 - 1213
This paper reports a study of polarons in a GaAs crystal subject to a
strong electric field. In addition to the overall drift motion of the
polaron, an oscillatory internal motion is observed in which the
electron is impulsively moved away from the centre of the surrounding
lattice distortion. Such quantum coherent processes directly affect
high-frequency transport in nanostructures.
P. Gaal et al.
doi:10.1038/nature06399
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2F0Ep
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2G0Eq
Optical frequency comb generation from a monolithic microresonator
pp1214 - 1217
A tiny disc-like structure on a silicon chip is simply illuminated by
a conventional laser diode, and the resulting interaction between the
laser light and the resonator gives rise to an optical frequency comb
that emits in the infrared. The simplicity of the scheme, and the
reduction in size, cost and power, should enhance the utility of
optical frequency combs in a broad number of fields.
P. Del'Haye et al.
doi:10.1038/nature06401
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2H0Er
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2I0Es
Environmental precursors to rapid light carbon injection at the
Palaeocene/Eocene boundary pp1218 - 1221
Exceptionally high resolution records of environmental change across
the Palaeocene/Eocene boundary from two sediment sections in
New Jersey find that the onset of environmental change and
surface–ocean warming preceded the input of greenhouse gases by
several thousand years. This sequence is consistent with the proposal
that warming of the deep ocean caused the dissociation of submarine
gas hydrates, which released massive amounts of methane.
Appy Sluijs et al.
doi:10.1038/nature06400
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2J0Et
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2K0Eu
Trench-parallel flow and seismic anisotropy in the Mariana and Andean
subduction systems pp1222 - 1225
Erik A. Kneller and Peter E. van Keken
doi:10.1038/nature06429
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2L0Ev
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2M0Ew
Allometric degree distributions facilitate food-web stability
pp1226 - 1229
A bioenergetic consumer–resource model is used to explore how and why
only particular predator–prey body-mass ratios promote stability in
tri-trophic food chains, and finds that this 'persistence domain' of
ratios is constrained by bottom-up energy availability when predators
are much smaller than their prey, and by enrichment-driven dynamics
when predators are much larger.
Sonja B. Otto, Bjorn C. Rall and Ulrich Brose
doi:10.1038/nature06359
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2N0Ex
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2O0Ey
Nanog safeguards pluripotency and mediates germline development
pp1230 - 1234
The transcription factor Nanog is considered a hallmark of
pluripotent cells in vivo and in vitro, and loss of Nanog an early
marker of differentiation. This is now revised by the demonstration
that Nanog is not essential for maintaining pluripotency, but acts in
stabilizing the pluripotent state.
Ian Chambers et al.
doi:10.1038/nature06403
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2P0Ez
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2Q0E1
Isolation of rare circulating tumour cells in cancer patients by
microchip technology pp1235 - 1239
A microfluidic platform that is capable of efficiently and selectively
separating viable circulating tumour cells (CTCs) from peripheral
blood samples has been developed. Low levels of CTCs in the peripheral
blood of patients with various cancers were identified, and it was
shown that this device could be used to monitor an individual
patient's response to anti-cancer therapy.
Sunitha Nagrath et al.
doi:10.1038/nature06385
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2R0E2
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2S0E3
Performance variability enables adaptive plasticity of 'crystallized'
adult birdsong pp1240 - 1244
Even after a motor skill is overlearned, some variation remains every
time it is performed. Such variation enables trial-and-error learning
for adult bengalese finch song. Birds rapidly learned to make adaptive
shifts in their vocalizations in response to auditory perturbations
delivered to a subset of natural variations in their songs, consistent
with the idea that motor variability is a form of exploration that can
support continuous learning and optimization of performance.
Evren C. Tumer and Michael S. Brainard
doi:10.1038/nature06390
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2T0E4
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2U0E5
High-fidelity transmission of sensory information by single cerebellar
mossy fibre boutons pp1245 - 1248
The first intracellular recordings from presynaptic boutons in the
intact mammalian brain are presented. These results contradict the
prevailing views (derived from in vitro work) on how the cerebellum
integrates sensory information to control movement, by revealing a
hitherto unexpected sensitivity of single brain connections to stimuli
from the environment.
Ede A. Rancz et al.
doi:10.1038/nature05995
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2V0E6
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2W0E7
Stochastic gene expression out-of-steady-state in the cyanobacterial
circadian clock pp1249 - 1252
This paper shows how noisy gene expression causes a bacterial cell to
slowly lose track of time, as measured by its circadian clock. The
theoretical framework thus introduced breaks the ground for the
analysis of noise in other out-of-equilibrium living systems.
Jeffrey R. Chabot, Juan M. Pedraza, Prashant Luitel and Alexander van Oudenaarden
doi:10.1038/nature06395
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2X0E8
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2Y0EA
Toll-like receptor signalling in macrophages links the autophagy
pathway to phagocytosis pp1253 - 1257
Autophagy contributes to host defence against infection. Toll
like-receptor signals induce the recruitment of components of the
autophagy pathway to phagosomes and facilitate phagosome lysosome
fusion, resulting in killing of the invading organism.
Miguel A. Sanjuan et al.
doi:10.1038/nature06421
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2Z0EB
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2a0EI
Cdc48/p97 promotes reformation of the nucleus by extracting the kinase
Aurora B from chromatin pp1258 - 1262
At the onset of mitosis, the nuclear envelope is diassembled, and is
reformed at the end of the process. A mechanistic explanation for the
reformation of the nuclear envelope is provided, finding that the
chaperone p97 (an AAA ATPase) binds to an ubiquitylated form of
Aurora B, an inhibitor of nuclear envelope formation, on chromatin.
This results in extraction of Aurora B from chromatin, allowing
chromosome decondensation and nuclear envelope formation.
Kristijan Ramadan et al.
doi:10.1038/nature06388
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2b0EJ
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2c0EK
Visualizing spatially correlated dynamics that directs RNA conformational
transitions pp1263 - 1267
This paper reports an NMR approach that enables the three-dimensional
movement of two linked RNA helices to be followed for a period up to
milliseconds. The two helices move in a highly correlated manner,
demonstrating both twisting and bending. Results with different
liganded conformations demonstrate that the motions of the unstructured
RNA maps out positions within the dynamic envelope described by the
bound structures.
Qi Zhang, Andrew C. Stelzer, Charles K. Fisher and Hashim M. Al-Hashimi
doi:10.1038/nature06389
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2d0EL
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2e0EM
Segrosome structure revealed by a complex of ParR with centromere DNA
pp1268 - 1271
A crystal structure of the plasmid partition protein ParR bound to
centromeric DNA is described. ParR binds the centromeric DNA repeats
as a dimer-of-dimers, which assemble in a super-helical array to form
a large segrosome with a solenoid-shaped structure.
Maria A. Schumacher et al.
doi:10.1038/nature06392
Abstract: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2f0EN
Article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2g0EO
----------------------
ERRATUM
----------------------
The effects of molecular noise and size control on variability in the
budding yeast cell cycle p1272
Stefano Di Talia et al.
doi:10.1038/nature06511
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2h0EP
----------------------
NATURE JOBS
----------------------
Prospect
Prospect p1273
Grant review has to evolve along with the science it scrutinizes.
Gene Russo
doi:10.1038/nj7173-1273a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2i0EQ
----------------------
FUTURES
----------------------
To look too closely p1276
Scope for improvement.
Paul Grainger
doi:10.1038/4501276a
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2j0ER
------------------------------
ADVANCE ONLINE PUBLICATION
------------------------------
19 December 2007
Article
Host genome surveillance for retrotransposons by transposon-derived
proteins
Hugh P. Cam, Ken-ichi Noma, Hirotaka Ebina, Henry L. Levin &
Shiv I. S. Grewal
doi:10.1038/nature06499
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2k0ES
Letters
Behavioural report of single neuron stimulation in somatosensory cortex
Arthur R. Houweling & Michael Brecht
doi:10.1038/nature06447
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2l0ET
Sparse optical microstimulation in barrel cortex drives learned
behaviour in freely moving mice
Daniel Huber, Leopoldo Petreanu, Nima Ghitani, Sachin Ranade,
Tomás caron Hromádka, Zach Mainen & Karel Svoboda
doi:10.1038/nature06445
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eiJM0Xztnp0HjB0Bj2m0EU
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