Inflammation

Vol. 454, No. 7203 (24 July 2008)

Inflammation forms the basis of many physiological and pathological processes. Much is known about how inflammation is initiated, develops and resolves over the short term. But less is known about the causes and consequences of chronic inflammation, which underlies many human diseases. Recent studies have extended our understanding of chronic inflammation and the cross-talk that occurs between inflammatory responses and other physiological and pathological responses.

Quantum coherence

Vol. 453, No. 7198 (19 June 2008)

Produced with support from QinetiQ

Improvements in techniques to manipulate light and matter are facilitating exciting applications of quantum mechanics. Scientists from diverse areas of research are now seeking to harness and exploit quantum coherence and entanglement for quantum simulations and quantum information processing.

Neglected diseases Free access

Vol. 449, No. 7159 (12 September 2007)

Produced with support from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, Foundation for the NIH, TDR, Burroughs Wellcome Fund and MRC for Global Health

Tropical diseases affect more than one billion people, yet there are few effective treatments. And despite much research activity, scientific innovations with therapeutic potential are not making it out of the laboratory. The articles in this Outlook examine what can be done to stimulate the development of effective medicines and deliver them to the people who need them most.

India

Vol. 436, No. 7050 (28 July 2005)

Produced with support from Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Metahelix, Avesthagen and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

India is changing: children are being immunized with affordable vaccines produced by India's own biotechnology industry and exported to poorer countries. In this Outlook, Nature examines the problems, like disease, poverty, and bureaucracy, and the opportunities that could make India a world player on the scientific and technological stage.

Year of planet Earth Free access

Supported by the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE) and the International Union of Geological Sciences

To celebrate the International Year of Planet Earth, this special supplement explores recent developments and future directions in the Earth sciences. With climate change to the fore, Earth scientists have much to offer society, and these articles explore both our understanding of the planet and how this knowledge can be used to benefit the people who live on it.

Cancer Genomics

Supported by GlaxoSmithKline Oncology

Cancer is driven by multiple genetic and epigenetic changes. In recent years, advanced high-throughput technologies have allowed researchers to survey large numbers of cancer genomes, providing an overview of the landscape of somatic mutations and copy-number alterations in human cancers. It has emerged that human tumours are more heterogeneous and carry alterations in more genes than previously thought. In addition, large-scale association studies have uncovered variations that determine the genetic susceptibility to various types of cancer. This collection highlights some of the recent studies that are shedding light on the mechanisms by which cancer genes function and are informing therapeutic choices.

Metagenomics

Vol. 453, No. 7195 pp687-691 (29 May 2008)

Advances in sequencing technology and tools for analysis are allowing researchers to unravel the environmental diversity of microbes faster and in greater detail than ever before. Nathan Blow reports.

Nanotechnology

Vol. 452, No. 7189 pp901-905 (17 April 2008)

Sophisticated technologies can now explore nano-scale forces and interactions. But most biologists are staying on the sidelines, waiting to see if these technologies can really help them. Nathan Blow reports.