West Nile virus causes no symptoms in most people, but in a small number of cases infection develops into serious illness. Credit: Science Picture Co./SPL
Research Highlights
Selections from the scientific literature by Nature's news team
- Volume 556
- Issue 7699
A breast tumour (right) whose signals to nearby connective tissue have been blocked has more cells with oestrogen receptors (brown) than a tumour (left) that can communicate freely with its neighbours. Credit: P. Roswell et al./Nat. Med.
The Kepler spacecraft spotted a dazzling flare that scientists say is the briefest supernova ever observed. Credit: NASA Ames/JPL-Caltech/T Pyle
Astronomy and astrophysics
Supernova’s disappearing act sets a record
Marine mammals such as the 40,000-kilogram Bryde’s whale, seen here with common dolphins, might have evolved their large size to minimize heat loss. Credit: Jordi Chias/NPL/Getty
This mask or headdress was placed near a lake at the Star Carr community after a severe cold spell. Credit: Neil Gevaux
Anthropology
How early Britons weathered two climate calamities
A miniaturized lens can be used to observe an ion that serves as a sensor. Credit: Griffith University Centre for Quantum Dynamics
Applied physics
A sensor too small to see sizes up force fields
Slides hold samples from the Pap test for cervical cancer. Credit: Mauro Fermariello/SPL
The bootlace worm usually measures 1–5 metres in length, but the longest specimen stretched to roughly 50 metres. Credit: www.aphotomarine.com
Merino sheep owe their curls to two types of hair cell. Credit: Dmitry Serebryakov/TASS/Getty
Cell biology
