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Web tools now allow data sharing and informal debate to take place alongside published papers. But to take full advantage, scientists must embrace a culture of sharing and rethink their vision of databases.
The first analyses of the Huygens mission to Titan are published this week. Mark Peplow charts the satellite's transition from fogbound moon to familiar landscape, and finds out why scientists long to return.
At its best, academia is a marketplace of ideas. But many scientists are reluctant to embrace the latest web tools that would allow them to communicate their ideas in new ways, says Declan Butler.
Despite clashes with publishers over copyright, Google's plan to make millions of books available online is turning the tide for efforts to digitize the world's literature. Andreas von Bubnoff tracks the demise of the printed page.
Google has launched another challenge to commercial search services — this time aimed at scientists. But is the new engine running as smoothly as its fans hope? Jim Giles investigates.
Computer simulations predict that global warming will weaken the ocean circulation that transports heat from the tropics to higher latitudes in the North Atlantic. Such an effect has now been detected.
Many of the biochemical events that occur in a cell are performed by huge complexes of proteins and nucleic acids. A cunning approach promises to show how the components convene to make a functioning ‘machine’.
How do the lipids and proteins of the cell membrane interact to create a functioning barrier for the cell? A high-resolution structure of a membrane protein reveals intimate contacts with its lipid neighbours.
The stream of revelations from Mars continues. The latest news — the discovery of clays in ancient terrains — helps to fill in the picture of the past existence of liquid water on the planet's surface.
Just under the cell surface, proteins engage in an intricate ballet to drive a transport process called endocytosis. Much is known about the individual dancers, but now the choreography is revealed.
Ion channels, stem cells and cell signalling are the focus of intense interest in both cell biology and drug discovery. Pete Moore takes a look at what's on offer for the researcher.
New tools and technologies are allowing cell biologists to take a more holistic view. To make the most of this, they are teaming up with scientists from other fields. Corie Lok reports.
Biological membranes are more complex than was first thought when the 'fluid mosaic model' was first proposed in 1972. The wealth of new data on membrane protein structures is revolutionising our understanding of membrane architecture and the principles that govern protein folding. From membrane protein biophysics to the cell biology of membrane processes, this NatureInsight introduces the most exciting research in this field.Nature carries sole responsibility for all editorial production.
