Featured
-
-
News & Views |
Let sleeping DNA lie
In hereditary breast and ovarian cancers caused by absence of the BRCA1 protein, genomic instability may ensue from the 'awakening' of repetitive DNA sequences in structurally condensed chromosomal regions. See Article p.179
- Ashok R. Venkitaraman
-
News Feature |
Biodefence since 9/11: The price of protection
Since the anthrax attacks in 2001, some $60 billion has been spent on biodefence in the United States. But the money has not bought quite what was hoped.
- Erika Check Hayden
-
News Q&A |
A radical approach to mental illness
Daniel Weinberger on why he left the National Institutes of Health to join the Lieber Institute for Brain Development.
- Alison Abbott
-
News |
NIH centre faces spell in limbo
Congressional paralysis threatens to stall translational medicine initiative.
- Meredith Wadman
-
Research Highlights |
Long-term fix for SCID kids
-
News & Views |
Tumour-fighting virus homes in
An early clinical trial demonstrates the delivery and replication of a cancer-killing virus in metastasized tumour tissue. These promising results could provide a foundation for systemic virotherapy for patients with cancer. See Letter p.99
- Evanthia Galanis
-
News & Views |
Dry solution to a sticky problem
Sticking plasters revolutionized the protection of minor wounds, but they're not ideal for fragile skin. A material that mimics the adhesive properties of certain beetles' feet might provide a solution.
- Jeffrey M. Karp
- & Robert Langer
-
News Feature |
Neuroscience vs philosophy: Taking aim at free will
Scientists think they can prove that free will is an illusion. Philosophers are urging them to think again.
- Kerri Smith
-
News Feature |
Work ethic: The 24/7 lab
Working weekends. Leaving at midnight. Friday evening meetings. Does science come out the winner?
- Heidi Ledford
-
News & Views |
50 & 100 years ago
-
Research Highlights |
Beyond the bullseye
-
News |
Growth of egg freezing blurs 'experimental' label
Older women who use the procedure are not treated as trial participants despite unknowns.
- Alison Motluk
-
News |
Toxic antibodies blitz tumours
Tightly targeted cancer therapy receives marketing approval.
- Heidi Ledford
-
News & Views |
50 & 100 years ago
-
Feature |
Clinical science: Research and repair
Maintaining a research focus is among the challenges facing aspiring physician-scientists.
- Jeffrey Perkel
-
Editorial |
Who watches the watchmen?
Some commercial firms that oversee the ethics and scrutiny of clinical trials have been found wanting. Human volunteers in research deserve better.
-
Research Highlights |
Alzheimer's in a dish
-
News Feature |
Experimental therapies for Parkinson's disease: Why fake it?
How 'sham' brain surgery could be killing off valuable therapies for Parkinson's disease.
- Alla Katsnelson
-
News |
Gene-therapy enzymes make unpredicted errors
Techniques show mistakes of 'highly specific' molecular tools.
- Heidi Ledford
-
Editorial |
Safe, not secure
A legal victory for US stem-cell research will not end the uncertainty over this disputed field.
-
News |
Court quashes stem-cell lawsuit
US judge throws out case meant to halt federal funding, but research remains vulnerable.
- Meredith Wadman
-
-
Comment |
Regulate research at the animal–human interface
The time is right, says Martin Bobrow, to improve the governance of research involving animals that contain human genetic or cellular material.
- Martin Bobrow
-
News |
Paper on genetics of longevity retracted
Technical problems mar study of centenarians.
- Heidi Ledford
-
Editorial |
With strings
Researchers should shrug off their fears and welcome the concept of venture philanthropy.
-
-
News |
Charities seek cut of drug royalties
Non-profits that support medical research are angling for a share of the proceeds and intellectual-property rights.
- Heidi Ledford
-
Outlook |
Vaccines: Chasing the dream
After a decade of disappointments, hopes for a successful Alzheimer's vaccine that ameliorates symptoms and ultimately prevents the disease are rising again.
- Jim Schnabel
-
Outlook |
Perspective: In search of biomarkers
New methods to follow changes in the brain or blood associated with Alzheimer's disease are critical for developing and testing drugs, says Neil S. Buckholtz.
- Neil S. Buckholtz
-
Outlook |
Dementia: A problem for our age
As the number of Alzheimer's cases rises rapidly in an ageing global population, the need to understand this puzzling disease is growing.
- Alison Abbott
-
Outlook |
Perspective: Prevention is better than cure
Attempts to reduce amyloid-β in the brain have yet to show clinical benefits. Starting treatment early is the best hope, says Sam Gandy
- Sam Gandy
-
Comment |
Genomics for the world
Medical genomics has focused almost entirely on those of European descent. Other ethnic groups must be studied to ensure that more people benefit, say Carlos D. Bustamante, Esteban González Burchard and Francisco M. De La Vega.
- Carlos D. Bustamante
- , Francisco M. De La Vega
- & Esteban G. Burchard
-
Outlook |
Biomarkers: Warning signs
The hunt is on for biomarkers that signal the descent into Alzheimer's disease. One initiative is leading the pack.
- Ruth Williams
-
-
-
News Q&A |
NIH cancer chief wants more with less
Harold Varmus discusses his first year at the National Cancer Institute.
- Meredith Wadman
-
Letter |
Direct conversion of mouse fibroblasts to hepatocyte-like cells by defined factors
- Sayaka Sekiya
- & Atsushi Suzuki
-
Letter |
In vivo genome editing restores haemostasis in a mouse model of haemophilia
- Hojun Li
- , Virginia Haurigot
- & Katherine A. High
-
News |
Vaccine trial's ethics criticized
Collapsed trial fuels unfounded vaccine fears.
- Priya Shetty
-
News |
Drug buddies
The pharmaceutical industry is seeking stronger ties with academia in a bid to speed up drug development.
- Heidi Ledford
-
Editorial |
Great ape debate
Researchers should contribute to a US analysis of the case for chimpanzee research.
-
Comment |
Democratizing clinical research
Keith Lloyd and Jo White commend a way for patients, clinicians and scientists to set priorities jointly.
- Keith Lloyd
- & Jo White
-
News |
Mouse library set to be knockout
Global effort to disable every mouse gene nears completion.
- Elie Dolgin
-
-
Feature |
Biomedical research: Growing with the flow
A US court case is making stem-cell researchers nervous. But the field continues to thrive.
- Meredith Wadman
-
Spotlight |
Spotlight on Stem Cell Research
-
News & Views |
How common is autism?
Autism spectrum disorders vary greatly in severity. By including children in regular education who received no special help, an epidemiological study has found these disorders to be up to three times more prevalent than thought.
- Catherine Lord
-
News |
Scientists hopeful over election of new Peruvian president
Science and technology may grow under Ollanta Humala.
- Elie Gardner
-
News Q&A |
A healthier Japan
Yusuke Nakamura explains the purpose of his fledgling biomedical office.
- David Cyranoski