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Volume 481 Issue 7381, 19 January 2012

Philanthropic research funding has become increasingly important in recent years, but much of it comes at a cost: charities rarely pay the full overheads of research, and agenda-driven funding sources may skew research priorities. In a Comment piece, Patrick Aebischer argues that universities should levy ‘full economic costs in their dealings with charities in order to cover additional expenses such as buildings, maintenance and staff. Cover art: 2&3 Illustration.

Editorial

  • Researchers need to cement the bond between science and the South Pole if the region is to remain one of peace and collaboration.

    Editorial

    Advertisement

  • The UK government and funding agencies must address research misconduct.

    Editorial
  • A word to the wise on getting that much-needed research funding.

    Editorial
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World View

  • Scientists wanting to implement change must collaborate between disciplines. An ambitious Amazon study shows them how, says Paulo Artaxo.

    • Paulo Artaxo
    World View
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Research Highlights

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Seven Days

  • The week in science: US authorities crack down on plagiarism; failed Mars probe splashes down in the Pacific; and chemical firm BASF shifts its transgenic-plant operations out of Europe.

    Seven Days
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News

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News Feature

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Comment

  • A proposal to restrict the planned publication of research on a potentially deadly avian influenza virus is causing a furore. Ten experts suggest ways to proceed.

    Comment
  • Philanthropists should pay their fair share of research costs, says Patrick Aebischer.

    • Patrick Aebischer
    Comment
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Books & Arts

  • Pedro Ferreira explores Alan Lightman's latest novel — a magical-reality take on the origins of the Universe.

    • Pedro Ferreira
    Books & Arts
  • Colin Martin celebrates a London exhibition revealing the research legacy of Robert Scott's final journey.

    • Colin Martin
    Books & Arts
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Correspondence

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Obituary

  • Chemist and arms-control advocate who unravelled the structures of biomolecules.

    • Stuart A. Rice
    • Robert Haselkorn
    Obituary
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News & Views

  • Molecular helicity affects many of the bulk properties of materials. A study finds that helicity also controls the self-assembly of colloidal particles, opening the door to a new generation of functional materials. See Letter p.348

    • Volker Schaller
    • Andreas R. Bausch
    News & Views
  • Genomic analyses of tumours of the childhood cancer retinoblastoma reveal a low mutation rate, challenging the view that genomic instability is crucial for its progression. The work also identifies a new therapeutic target. See Article p.329

    • Julien Sage
    • Michael L. Cleary
    News & Views
  • Molecular machines containing related protein subunits are common in cells. Reconstruction of ancient proteins suggests that this type of complexity can evolve in the absence of any initial selective advantage. See Letter p.360

    • W. Ford Doolittle
    News & Views
  • Astronomers value the smallest galaxies for the clues they can provide about how galaxies form. But only those nearest to us are easily detectable. A neat technique has allowed one such object to be found at a large distance. See Letter p.341

    • Robert W. Schmidt
    News & Views
  • The orchestration of cell division requires a programme of events choreographed by protein modification. A study shows that the relative activity of a phosphatase enzyme towards its substrates imposes order during the final act of division.

    • Curt Wittenberg
    News & Views
  • Any chemist will tell you that amide compounds are renowned for their stability, yet a family of amides has been discovered that is surprisingly unstable. The cause of this phenomenon is even more surprising.

    • Jonathan Clayden
    News & Views
  • On binding to its target hormone, the oestrogen-receptor protein modulates the expression of many genes. Changes in the receptor's interaction with DNA have now been linked to clinical outcome in patients with breast cancer. See Letter p.389

    • Geneviève Deblois
    • Vincent Giguère
    News & Views
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Editorial

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Review Article

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Article

  • The crystal structure of histone deacetylase HDAC3 bound to the co-repressor SMRT is reported, and suggests that inositol tetraphosphate could act as a regulator of HDAC3; this has therapeutic implications, because HDACs are emerging targets of anti-cancer drugs.

    • Peter J. Watson
    • Louise Fairall
    • John W. R. Schwabe
    Article
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Letter

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Feature

  • Hosting guests on research trips can give scientists a chance to showcase their work — but it can also cause distractions.

    • Lucas Laursen
    Feature
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Career Brief

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Futures

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Insight

  • The regular Insight 'Frontiers in Biology' covers important developments in biology. Reviews include innate immune signalling in tissue homeostasis, the DNA damage response in cancer treatment, therapeutic promise of patient-derived pluripotent stem cells, clonal evolution in cancer and the impact of mouse genetics on the study of bone physiology.

    Insight
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