Reviews & Analysis

A novel ganglioside-bound form of the amyloid β-protein is discovered in Alzheimer's disease (pages 1062–1066), but is it the long-sought initiator of the earliest brain lesions?

A new study suggests that stimulating TGF-β production protects against atherosclerosis (1067–1073). But other studies have shown that TGF-β overproduction can cause tissue fibrosis.

The application of new technologies to ageing brains supports the role of diet in cognitive function.

High salt intake is believed to have adverse effects on blood pressure levels in humans. Now, for the first time, it has been shown to increase blood pressure in chimpanzees (pages 1009–1016).

Non-enzymatic glycation, cellular receptors and oxidant stress together have implications for the pathogenesis of cellular dysfunction in diabetes and beyond (pages 1057–1061).

Control of cancer by gene therapy will require choosing the right genes (1052–1056).

Although many genes have been linked to inherited retinal disorders, it is difficult to explain how specific mutations can cause such a wide variety of phenotypes.

Knowing how aspirin interacts with its target may make it all better.

A recent paper suggests that supplementing the diet with large amounts of vitamin A may overcome some inherited blindness. But it also raises some serious questions.

The long search for a second HIV receptor, though not over, may be closer to a finish with new studies of CD26 (pages 919–926).

As knowledge about the importance of the p53 protein grows, so do the number of potential options for successful treatment of cancer.

Predicting how proteins fold from their amino acid sequence is largely a matter of guesswork. But the rules may be written into the genetic code (pages 894–901).

The neurological pathways of pain are likely to be more complex — and interesting — than previously suspected (pages 910–913).

Many obstacles to successful gene therapy remain to be overcome. Now one of them may be less imposing (pages 890–893).

The molecular and neural bases for pain have proven elusive, but new studies approach an explanation from different directions (pages 766–773 and pages 774–780).

A mathematical approach to the transmission dynamics of tuberculosis offers a new understanding of past epidemics and suggests future interventions (pages 815–821).

Previous studies that suggested that lens-wearing may affect eye growth are supported now by primate studies, which raises questions about the use of eyeglasses in children (pages 761–765).

Even though diagnosis of prostate cancer can be made earlier than in the past, prognosis is still difficult. The discovery of new metastatic markers should aid in treatment design.

The importahce of preserving biodiversity extends beyond the discovery of new drugs to understanding how other species have dealt with medical problems we currently face.

The introduction of novel genes into mosquitoes and malaria parasites is now feasible, raising hopes for an effective attack on malaria.