- Nanorobots DeliverDNA aptamers are short strands that have high binding affinity for a target protein that can be used as triggers for releasing cargo from delivery vehicles. Douglas et al. (p. … [Read more]
- Supramolecular Polymers ExplainedWhile polymers are constructed from chemically bonded units, supramolecular polymers arise through reversible linkages, such as hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. Recent advances in the field of supramolecular polymer science … [Read more]
- Life of LiBecause lithium primarily exists in silicate minerals on continents, the variations of Li isotopes in marine sedimentary rocks reflect the degree of silicate weathering and formation of new sediments on … [Read more]
- Driving ForcesThe physical properties that control the motions of Earth's tectonic plates are difficult to predict accurately on a global scale. Large-scale geodynamic models are continually becoming more powerful, but controversies … [Read more]
- Defective Gene DetectiveIdentifying genes that give rise to diseases is one of the major goals of sequencing human genomes. However, putative loss-of-function genes, which are often some of the first identified targets … [Read more]
- Toward Quantum ComputingQuantum computers are expected to be able to tackle problems that would take classical computers many lifetimes to solve. Nonabelian states of matter can store quantum information in their topology, … [Read more]
- From Plant to PlasticPetroleum is primarily used as fuel, but it is also used in the production of plastics. Thus, if biomass were to replace petroleum as society's carbon feedstock, a means of … [Read more]
- Plastid OriginsThe glaucophytes, represented by the alga Cyanophora paradoxa, are the putative sister group of red and green algae and plants, which together comprise the founding group of photosynthetic eukaryotes, the … [Read more]
- Adapting to the ColdThe gating of potassium channels is temperature sensitive, suggesting that these channels must adapt to function efficiently in the extreme cold. Garrett and Rosenthal (p. 848, published online 5 January; … [Read more]
- From NO to ComplementTo complete their development in the mosquito, ookinetes—reproductive stages of the malaria parasite Plasmodium—must traverse the midgut epithelium and avoid being detected and lysed by the mosquito complement system thioester-containing … [Read more]
- Flagellin Takes Its TollThe immune system recognizes bacterial infections by binding to conserved molecular fragments derived from the invading bacteria. Molecular mimics of these bacterial determinants have the potential to boost the immunogenicity … [Read more]
- Faculty FatesAcademic careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) include challenges that may differ depending on gender. Kaminski and Geisler (p. 864) analyzed the retention rates for tenure-track faculty at … [Read more]
- A Lipid-Sensing GPCRSphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a sphingolipid that binds to the G protein–coupled receptor subtype 1 (S1P1) to activate signaling pathways involved in regulation of the vascular and immune systems. Hanson … [Read more]
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