Editorials

Nature and Nature Research Journals start offering anonymity to authors during the peer-review process.

The long-held view that the primary role of RNA is to code for proteins has been severely undermined. This Focus explores the remarkable functional diversity of RNA in light of recent breakthroughs in noncoding-RNA biology.

Ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins have central roles in regulating cellular processes and homeostasis. This Focus examines our understanding of the ubiquitination reaction and the mechanisms by which ubiquitin and related modifications affect protein and cellular functions.

As 2014 begins, we look back at our performance over the previous year.

Nature journals' updated editorial policies aim to improve transparency and reproducibility.

The dynamic nature of functional information present in the genome—such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and chromatin organization—is beginning to be uncovered, along with the relationship between epigenomic patterning and developmental decisions or disease.

In this issue of NSMB, we have opened our pages to the research community to express their thoughts about the importance of the Biological Magnetic Resonance Bank as it copes with budget cuts and faces the termination of its funding from the National Library of Medicine in 2014.

Recent research efforts have made great strides in elucidating the process, machinery and mechanisms that control how mRNAs are decoded by ribosomes in the process of protein translation.

Every issue of NSMB is special to us, but this one marks the end of 2011 with two features that deserve extra attention: a Commentary and an Essay Collection. These pieces and the research articles presented in this issue illustrate what NSMB is all about.

As the season changes, daylight shifts and a new year looms, we consider cycles and the intrinsic clock that drives us.

Scientists frequently hear the charge that we need to communicate more effectively with the public. Here are a few ways to facilitate that interaction.

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but ensuring that those words make sense is important, especially in the context of a scientific figure. Here are some tips for making your figures count.

“What do cells, genes, transposons, telomeres, RNA silencing and DNA recombination have in common? They were all discovered in plants.” This is how Rob Martienssen emphasizes the contributions of plant research. We asked plant scientists whether their field is getting adequate support and proper recognition and heard a resounding “no.”

While we all make mistakes almost every day of our lives, we try to keep those errors to a minimum—at least in the pages of our journals. Here are a few ways in which Nature journals try to keep the creep of errors at bay.

For many reasons, scientists take a career break lasting from months to several years. Many eventually return but lose their place on the career ladder, working at a level far below their qualifications and talents. Signs of improved access for returners are hugely encouraging.

Signals to and within the cell are integrated at many levels to facilitate a meaningful outcome. In this issue of Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, we present, in conjunction with Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, an in-depth look at the mechanisms underlying such integration.

Our recent web focus on virology and several articles in this issue prompt us to ask how a molecular understanding of the host-pathogen interaction can lead to the development of novel strategies to combat infectious diseases.

Your paper went out to review, and after anxious waiting, you receive the letter asking for a revised paper. However, those ever-demanding editors and reviewers want more. One of the most important elements of a revision is the point-by-point response. Here are some tips for making it more effective.

In some countries, science funding has seen a cash boost intended to stimulate long-term research efforts and competitiveness in response to the global economic crisis; in others, researchers and university employees are being forced to tighten their belts to accommodate budget deficits.

Less is more when it comes to writing a good scientific paper. Tell a story in clear, simple language and keep in mind the importance of the 'big picture'.