Articles in 2010

Genomic analysis shows split happened much earlier than previously thought.

Four-year budget protects grants but cuts capital spending.

From volcanoes to graphene — and more.

Biofuel subsidy sees limited extension in US tax bill as opposition grows.

Top emerging economies are forging research collaborations to help the less well-off.

Mixed reviews greet White House guidelines for preventing political interference in US government science.

This year showed that good communication can make you a leader, and a better scientist, says Nancy Baron.

To shed light on the natural history of Precambrian life, the evolutionary history of almost 4,000 gene families across the three domains of life are mapped onto a geological timeline. Over one-quarter of modern gene families arose during a period of rapid diversification of bacterial lineages. Functionally, these genes are likely to be involved in electron transport and respiratory pathways, whereas those that arose later are implicated in functions consistent with an increasingly oxygenating biosphere.

She set out to revolutionize US ocean management — but first she faced the oil spill. Jane Lubchenco is Nature 's Newsmaker of the Year.

Pathogenic Escherichia coli translocate many proteins into the host cell to promote virulence. It is now shown that one of these proteins, EspG, which is present in enterohaemorrhagic E. coli, interferes with the host signalling network.

In the retina, highly selective wiring from inhibitory cells contributes to determine the direction-selection characteristics of an individual ganglion cell, yet how the asymmetric wiring inherent to these connections is established was unknown. Here, two independent studies using complementary techniques, including pharmacology, electrophysiology and optogenetics, find that although inhibitory inputs to both sides of the direction-selective cell are uniform early in development, by the second postnatal week, inhibitory synapses on the null side strengthen whereas those on the preferred side remain constant. These plasticity changes occur independent of neural activity, indicating that a specific developmental program is executed to produce the direction-selective circuitry in the retina.

Plans for a major underground science facility are dealt a blow by divisions within the US National Science Foundation.

Medical research in the British military soldiers on despite defence cuts.

California contest looks to boost software that can analyse genetic data.

Scientists express concern as UK government axes its forensic service.

Synthetic biology needs oversight not over-regulation, commission finds.

Famed oceanographic workhorse gets US$40-million upgrade.

'Culturomics' uncovers fame, fortune and censorship from more than a century of words.

Rare species and ecosystem services make uneasy bedfellows, discovers Emma Marris.