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An ancient arrowhead that belonged to people associated with the Clovis culture, an early group of settlers in the Americas.Credit: Carolina Biological Supply Co/Visuals Unlimited/SPL
Ancient genomics paints messy picture of America’s first settlers
Ancient genomics is finally beginning to tell the history of the Americas — and it’s looking messy. An analysis of a huge trove of DNA from prehistoric inhabitants suggests the populations sped across the continent, moving fast and frequently. The findings indicate that North America was widely populated over a few hundred years, and South America within one or two thousand years by related groups. The peopling of the Americas looks to have been complex and convoluted — more so than the broad brushstrokes early work on the subject had painted.
Sanger whistle-blowers dispute findings of bullying investigation
Six current and former employees are challenging one of the world’s top genomic centres to reopen an investigation that cleared management of bullying, gender discrimination and misuse of grant money. On the basis of an external investigation, the Wellcome Sanger Institute in Hinxton, UK, had dismissed allegations against the institute and its head, geneticist Mike Stratton. But people who gave evidence to the investigation have called into question the level of evidence considered during the process, and its transparency. The institute says that it stands by its findings.
A “Magna Carta for the Web”
Computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee, who invented the World Wide Web, has launched a global campaign to temper some of the negative effects of his creation. Berners-Lee is calling on governments and companies to pledge to make connectivity more affordable while protecting privacy, democracy and mental health. Facebook and Google are among the early signatories of the “Contract for the Web”.
Whales seen exhaling from space
A high-resolution satellite can detect signs of whales splashing and pooping in the oceans — and can even identify some large whale species down to the flipper. Researchers examined images from the WorldView-3 satellite, which captures images in much higher resolution than did its predecessors.
Nature Research Highlights | 1 min read
Reference: Marine Mammal Science paper
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FEATURES & OPINION
What I learnt pulling a straw out of a turtle’s nose
Three years ago, marine biologist Christine Figgener uploaded an upsetting video of her research team removing a 10-centimetre section of a disposable plastic drinking straw from the nose of a distressed sea turtle. The video went viral and became an emblem of the anti-straw movement, thrusting Figgener into a world of high-profile advocacy she never expected to enter. She outlines the challenging, uncomfortable and ultimately highly effective experience of communicating to non-scientists.
Podcast: Bottom-up biology
Technical advances are allowing researchers to reconstruct biological processes by building life-like cells from scratch. Discover how the process is illuminating the boundaries that separate life from non-living matter. Also in this week’s Nature podcast, meet Breakthrough prizewinner Angelika Amon and discover why researchers are penetrating eyeballs with tiny corkscrew robots.
Nature Podcast | 25 min listen
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BOOKS & ARTS
Hoverflies’ large compound eyes give them a very large field of view.Credit: USGS-BIML
All about eyes
A new book by neurobiologist Michael Land reveals the astonishing variety of vision, starting with his 1960s discovery of the scallop’s bizarre telescope-like reflecting mechanism. Despite some instances of outdated scholarship, the book offers an enjoyable meander through a wide-ranging field, says evolutionary biologist Todd Oakley.
Five best science books this week
Barbara Kiser’s pick of the top five science books to read this week covers the US opioid epidemic, a kaleidoscopic celebration of ice, and exploring ancient Egypt’s known unknowns.
SCIENTIFIC LIFE
Why take a European-agency post
European agencies can offer scientists job security, work–life balance and the opportunity to profoundly influence policies that affect millions of people. Nature explores the types of roles available for both experienced and early-career researchers.
How to get that fellowship
A winning fellowship proposal shouldn’t focus just on your current research — it should also outline your specific goals for career development and training. Two scientists who advise applicants share their formula for gaining a fellowship that gets you where you want to go.
IMAGE OF THE WEEK
A Chinese mountain cat (Felis bieti) is caught on camera with her two kittens near Yushu, in China’s Qinghai province. The feline is notoriously camera-shy, but staff at the ShanShui Conservation Center used camera traps to capture hours of footage of the mother and her young.Credit: Xinhua/ZUMA Wire
