Table of contents
Volume 406 Number 6792 pp109-218
Opinion
A health warning on bioterrorism p109
Scientists should be careful not to exaggerate the usefulness of biological agents as terrorist weapons, and focus their efforts on developing an effective international verification regime.
doi:10.1038/35018226
Genome sequencing for all p109
The successful sequencing of a plant pathogen by Brazilian researchers is a political as well as a scientific achievement.
doi:10.1038/35018228
News
German agencies sound alarm on risks of broad gene patents... p111
Quirin Schiermeier
doi:10.1038/35018230
...as spending goes up for research p111
Quirin Schiermeier
doi:10.1038/35018233
Internet publishing camps renew hostilities p112
Colin Macilwain
doi:10.1038/35018235
US scientists seek more funds for high-tech equipment p112
Paul Smaglik
doi:10.1038/35018238
Mbeki gives AIDS scientists the cold shoulder p113
Michael Cherry
doi:10.1038/35018241
UK studentships get funding boost p113
Natasha Loder
doi:10.1038/35018244
Tangled tale of a lost, stolen and disputed coelacanth p114
Heather McCabe and Janet Wright
doi:10.1038/35018247
Sweden streamlines research administration p115
Declan Butler
doi:10.1038/35018250
Scientists back GM for Third World p115
David Dickson
doi:10.1038/35018253
News Feature
Chemistry meets computing p118
If individual molecules can be made to process information, they could be the answer to the computer industry's prayers. Philip Ball examines the field of molecular logic, which is at last recording some significant achievements.
Philip Ball
doi:10.1038/35018259
Correspondence
Landsat reveals China's farmland reserves, but they're vanishing fast p121
Karen C. Seto, Robert K. Kaufmann and Curtis E. Woodcock
doi:10.1038/35018267
Please don't downgrade the sequencers' role ... p121
Michael Gottlieb, Victoria McGovern, Patricia Goodwin, Stephen Hoffman and Ayo Oduola
doi:10.1038/35018270
... when public-interest science needs solidarity p122
Tomasino Pace
doi:10.1038/35018272
The search continues for Kármán's St Christopher p122
Robert Gibbs
doi:10.1038/35018274
Book Reviews
Quantum weirdness p123
How much of the strangeness lies in Feynman's legacy of catchphrases?
Peter Holland reviews The Strange World of Quantum Mechanics by Daniel F. Styer
doi:10.1038/35018141
Genes, free will and intracranial musings p124
David L. Hull reviews Alas, Poor Darwin: Arguments against Evolutionary Psychology
doi:10.1038/35018144
Crushed by the Frankenstein monster p125
Howard P. Segal reviews Inventing Ourselves Out of Jobs? America's Debate over Technological Unemployment, 1929–1981 by Amy Sue Bix
doi:10.1038/35018147
Shelling out the facts p126
David L. Strayer reviews The Ecology of Freshwater Molluscs by Robert T. Dillon
doi:10.1038/35018150
All clammed up p126
doi:10.1038/35018152
Millennium Essay
The structure of matter p127
Like science, teaching should be the result of independent ideas converging.
Harry J. Lipkin
doi:10.1038/35018174
Futures
The Oort crowd p129
The gods truly are moving in mysterious ways.
Ken MacLeod
doi:10.1038/35018177
News and Views
Segmentation in silico p131
A new mathematical biology is emerging. Building on experimental data from developing organisms, it uses the power of computational methods to explore the properties of real gene networks.
Peter Dearden and Michael Akam
doi:10.1038/35018180
Laser physics: The smallest random laser p132
Smaller laser sources could be used in all-optical devices or for secret marking of documents. A special type of microlaser that uses disordered materials to create laser light may provide a simple and cheap option.
Diederik Wiersma
doi:10.1038/35018184
100 and 50 years ago p133
doi:10.1038/35018188
Apoptosis: The little devil of death p135
There are 'roadblocks' at several points in the signalling pathways that control programmed cell death. When the cell needs to die, these roadblocks must be removed, and a vertebrate protein that removes one such block has now been identified.
Vincenzo De Laurenzi and Gerry Melino
doi:10.1038/35018190
Atmospheric chemistry: Rock signature from the sky p136
What was Earth's atmosphere like at different times in the past? Studies of sulphate-rich rocks, which are found to contain an unusual oxygen-isotope signature derived from chemical interactions in the atmosphere, may provide a new tool to tackle the question.
Robert N. Clayton
doi:10.1038/35018193
Neurodegeneration: One-hit neuronal death p137
Statistical analyses of neuronal death rates in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders indicate that a 'one-hit' model of cell death may be common to all of them. In this model, affected neurons are in an abnormal state in which there is a higher chance that a rare catastrophic event will lead to cell death.
Nathaniel Heintz
doi:10.1038/35018196
Pulsar astronomy: Older than they look p139
A pulsar that has 'escaped' from the supernova remnant where it was born is helping astronomers redefine their understanding of pulsar ages. It appears that many apparently young pulsars are in fact older than they seem.
John H. Seiradakis
doi:10.1038/35018198
Plant pathology: The bugs from Brazil p140
The list of organisms whose genomes have been sequenced is growing fast. The latest addition comes from a Brazilian consortium: the organism concerned is Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterium that attacks citrus trees.
Michael Bevan
doi:10.1038/35018202
Developmental biology: Bringing two hearts together p141
During the development of the vertebrate heart, two 'primordia' form - one on each side of the body - and must then migrate to the centre and find each other. The characterization of a zebrafish gene essential for this process, called miles apart, sheds light on the underlying molecular circuitry.
Wolfgang Driever
doi:10.1038/35018205
Atmospheric physics: Polar lights in the Caribbean p141
Auroras are spectacular light shows rarely seen outside the polar regions. Users of the world's largest radio telescope in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, have created their own artificial aurora by stimulating the lower ionosphere with intense radio waves.
Sarah Tomlin
doi:10.1038/35018208
Daedalus: Jet-age cleaning p142
Daedalus is inventing a new cleaning hose, which launches a beam of ultrasound along with a water jet. The 'Ultrajet' will dislodge dirt with great vigour, and will abolish many tedious cleaning jobs.
David Jones
doi:10.1038/35018211
Brief Communications
A self-extending paediatric leg implant p143
This device spares the need for surgical intervention by simulating natural limb growth.
Rainer Kotz, Reinhard Windhager, Martin Dominkus, Bernd Robioneck and Holger Müller-Daniels
doi:10.1038/35018155
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (199K)
Insect metabolism: Preventing cyanide release from leaves p144
Helene S. Engler, Kevin C. Spencer and Lawrence E. Gilbert
doi:10.1038/35018159
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (115K)
Microbiology: A triclosan-resistant bacterial enzyme p145
Richard J. Heath and Charles O. Rock
doi:10.1038/35018162
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (123K)
Materials science: Diffusion of a polymer 'pancake' p146
Svetlana A. Sukhishvili, Yan Chen, Joachim D. Müller, Enrico Gratton, Kenneth S. Schweizer and Steve Granick
doi:10.1038/35018166
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (96K)
Progress
Transcranial magnetic stimulation and the human brain p147
Mark Hallett
doi:10.1038/35018000
Abstract | Full Text | PDF (159K)
Article
The genome sequence of the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa p151
A. J. G. Simpson, F.C. Reinach, P. Arruda, F. A. Abreu, M. Acencio, R. Alvarenga, L. M. C. Alves, J. E. Araya, G. S. Baia, C. S. Baptista, M. H. Barros, E. D. Bonaccorsi, S. Bordin, J. M. Bové, M. R. S. Briones, M. R. P. Bueno, A. A. Camargo, L. E. A. Camargo, D. M. Carraro, H. Carrer, N. B. Colauto, C. Colombo, F. F. Costa, M. C. R. Costa, C. M. Costa-Neto, L. L. Coutinho, M. Cristofani, E. Dias-Neto, C. Docena, H. El-Dorry, A. P. Facincani, A. J. S. Ferreira, V. C. A. Ferreira, J. A. Ferro, J. S. Fraga, S. C. França, M. C. Franco, M. Frohme, L. R. Furlan, M. Garnier, G. H. Goldman, M. H. S. Goldman, S. L. Gomes, A. Gruber, P. L. Ho, J. D. Hoheisel, M. L. Junqueira, E. L. Kemper, J.P. Kitajima, J. E. Krieger, E. E. Kuramae, F. Laigret, M. R. Lambais, L. C. C. Leite, E. G. M. Lemos, M. V. F. Lemos, S. A. Lopes, C. R. Lopes, J. A. Machado, M. A. Machado, A. M. B. N. Madeira, H. M. F. Madeira, C. L. Marino, M. V. Marques, E. A. L. Martins, E. M. F. Martins, A. Y. Matsukuma, C. F. M. Menck, E. C. Miracca, C. Y. Miyaki, C. B. Monteiro-Vitorello, D. H. Moon, M. A. Nagai, A. L. T. O. Nascimento, L. E. S. Netto, A. Nhani, Jr, F. G. Nobrega, L. R. Nunes, M. A. Oliveira, M. C. de Oliveira, R. C. de Oliveira, D. A. Palmieri, A. Paris, B. R. Peixoto, G. A. G. Pereira, H. A. Pereira, Jr, J. B. Pesquero, R. B. Quaggio, P. G. Roberto, V. Rodrigues, A. J. de M. Rosa, V. E. de Rosa, Jr, R. G. de Sá, R. V. Santelli, H. E. Sawasaki, A. C. R. da Silva, A. M. da Silva, F. R. da Silva, W. A. Silva, J. F. da Silveira, M. L. Z. Silvestri, W. J. Siqueira, A. A. de Souza, A. P. de Souza, M. F. Terenzi, D. Truffi, S. M. Tsai, M. H. Tsuhako, H. Vallada, M. A. Van Sluys, S. Verjovski-Almeida, A. L. Vettore, M. A. Zago, M. Zatz, J. Meidanis and J. C. Setubal
doi:10.1038/35018003
Abstract | Full Text | PDF (543K) | Supplementary information
See also: News and Views by Bevan
Letters to Nature
A large age for the pulsar B1757-24 from an upper limit on its proper motion p158
B. M. Gaensler and D. A. Frail
doi:10.1038/35018010
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (196K)
See also: News and Views by Seiradakis
Realignment of the flux-line lattice by a change in the symmetry of superconductivity in UPt3 p160
Andrew Huxley, Pierre Rodière, Donald McK. Paul, Niels van Dijk, Robert Cubitt and Jacques Flouquet
doi:10.1038/35018020
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (339K)
Shaped-pulse optimization of coherent emission of high-harmonic soft X-rays p164
R. Bartels, S. Backus, E. Zeek, L. Misoguti, G. Vdovin, I. P. Christov, M. M. Murnane and H. C. Kapteyn
doi:10.1038/35018029
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (151K)
Configurational entropy and diffusivity of supercooled water p166
Antonio Scala, Francis W. Starr, Emilia La Nave, Francesco Sciortino and H. Eugene Stanley
doi:10.1038/35018034
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (166K)
Electronic connection to the interior of a mesoporous insulator with nanowires of crystalline RuO2 p169
Joseph V. Ryan, Alan D. Berry, Michele L. Anderson, Jeffrey W. Long, Rhonda M. Stroud, Veronica M. Cepak, Valerie M. Browning, Debra R. Rolison and Celia I. Merzbacher
doi:10.1038/35018040
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (214K)
Determining the temperature of petroleum formation from the kinetic properties of petroleum asphaltenes p173
Rolando di Primio, Brian Horsfield and Mario A. Guzman-Vega
doi:10.1038/35018046
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (197K)
Anomalous 17O compositions in massive sulphate deposits on the Earth p176
Huiming Bao, Mark H. Thiemens, James Farquhar, Douglas A. Campbell, Charles Chi-Woo Lee, Klaus Heine and David B. Loope
doi:10.1038/35018052
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (167K)
See also: News and Views by Clayton
Determining multiple length scales in rocks p178
Yi-Qiao Song, Seungoh Ryu and Pabitra N. Sen
doi:10.1038/35018057
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (299K)
Cadmium toxicity among wildlife in the Colorado Rocky Mountains p181
James R. Larison, Gene E. Likens, John W. Fitzpatrick and J. G. Crock
doi:10.1038/35018068
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (128K)
Competition induces adaptive shifts in caste ratios of a polyembryonic wasp p183
Jeffrey A. Harvey, Laura S. Corley and Michael R. Strand
doi:10.1038/35018074
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (158K)
Condition-dependent signalling of genetic variation in stalk-eyed flies p186
Patrice David, Tracey Bjorksten, Kevin Fowler and Andrew Pomiankowski
doi:10.1038/35018079
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (142K)
The segment polarity network is a robust developmental module p188
George von Dassow, Eli Meir, Edwin M. Munro and Garrett M. Odell
doi:10.1038/35018085
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (342K) | Supplementary information
See also: News and Views by Dearden & Akam
A sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor regulates cell migration during vertebrate heart development p192
Erik Kupperman, Songzhu An, Nick Osborne, Steven Waldron and Didier Y. R. Stainier
doi:10.1038/35018092
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (177K) | Supplementary information
See also: News and Views by Tomlin
A one-hit model of cell death in inherited neuronal degenerations p195
Geoff Clarke, Richard A. Collins, Blair R. Leavitt, David F. Andrews, Michael R. Hayden, Charles J. Lumsden and Roderick R. McInnes
doi:10.1038/35018098
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (187K) | Supplementary information
See also: News and Views by Heintz
Genetic ablation of parathyroid glands reveals another source of parathyroid hormone p199
Thomas Günther, Zhou-Feng Chen, Jaesang Kim, Matthias Priemel, Johannes M. Rueger, Michael Amling, Jane M. Moseley, T. John Martin, David J. Anderson and Gerard Karsenty
doi:10.1038/35018111
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (350K) | Supplementary information
A cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor attenuates atherosclerosis in rabbits p203
Hiroshi Okamoto, Fumihiko Yonemori, Korekiyo Wakitani, Takashi Minowa, Kimiya Maeda and Hisashi Shinkai
doi:10.1038/35018119
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (193K)
PML regulates p53 acetylation and premature senescence induced by oncogenic Ras p207
Mark Pearson, Roberta Carbone, Carla Sebastiani, Mario Cioce, Marta Fagioli, Shin'ichi Saito, Yuichiro Higashimoto, Ettore Appella, Saverio Minucci, Pier Paolo Pandolfi and Pier Giuseppe Pelicci
doi:10.1038/35018127
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (345K)
Functional link of BRCA1 and ataxia telangiectasia gene product in DNA damage response p210
Shang Li, Nicholas S. Y. Ting, Lei Zheng, Phang-Lang Chen, Yael Ziv, Yosef Shiloh, Eva Y.-H. P. Lee and Wen-Hwa Lee
doi:10.1038/35018134
First paragraph | Full Text | PDF (256K)
New on the Market
Genome from genome p217
Genes and genomes feature in this week's new product selection.
doi:10.1038/35018169
