Articles in 2010

A song from the stars.

Nature looks at what key events may come from the research world in 2010.

There are many ways in which the understanding and treatment of conditions such as schizophrenia are ripe for a revolution.

Clear cell renal carcinoma, the most common form of adult kidney cancer, is often characterized by the presence of inactivating mutations in the VHL gene. A large survey for somatic mutations now identifies inactivating mutations in two genes encoding enzymes involved in histone modification, highlighting the role of mutations in components of the chromatin modification machinery in human cancer.

After fertilization in mammals, the maternal and paternal genomes undergo epigenetic reprogramming to prepare for the transition from germ cell to somatic cell transcription programs. One of the events that takes place is the demethylation of the paternal genome. To identify the factors involved in this process, a live cell imaging system is now used to monitor the paternal DNA methylation state in zygotes; Elp3, a component of the elongator complex, is found to have an important role.

Renewable energy is not a viable option unless energy can be stored on a large scale. David Lindley looks at five ways to do that.

For the first issue of the new decade, Nature asked a selection of leading researchers and policy-makers where their fields will be ten years from now. We invited them to identify the key questions their disciplines face, the major roadblocks and the pressing next steps.

The differentiation of an embryonic stem cell (ESC) requires both suppression of the self-renewal process and activation of the specific differentiation pathway. The let-7 family of microRNAs (miRNAs) are now shown to suppress the self-renewal program in cells that are normally unable to silence this program, whereas introduction of ESC cell cycle regulating miRNAs blocks the action of let-7. Thus, the interplay between these two groups of miRNAs dictates cell fate.

Early data hint at discoveries to come in the hunt for Earth-like worlds.

Talented amphibians urinate foreign objects implanted in their body cavities.

Research council says it wants independence from ministry.

Naturalistic approach vindicated as sponge molecule yields to synthesis in the lab.

Srikumar Banerjee, head of India's Atomic Energy Commission, outlines plans for the country's energy supply.