Nature
Disease: Plague is an ancient pathogen
Disease: Plague is an ancient pathogen
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). doi:10.1038/526613a
Plague was plaguing humanity thousands of years earlier than previously thought, but in a less transmissible form.Yersinia pestis bacteria, which are thought to have been behind the Black Death that killed millions in the fourteenth century, have previously been found in burial sites
Stem cells: Molecular menu creates neurons
Stem cells: Molecular menu creates neurons
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). doi:10.1038/526613b
Astrocyte cells in the brain can be reprogrammed into neurons using a precise sequence of molecules. The technique may one day be useful in brain repair.Similar cells have previously been reprogrammed into neurons using viruses, but Gong Chen and Gang-Yi Wu at Pennsylvania State
Lab tools: Superconducting sensors warm up
Lab tools: Superconducting sensors warm up
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). doi:10.1038/526613c
An extremely sensitive, superconductor-based magnetic sensor can work at around 77 kelvin, a temperature achievable with liquid nitrogen rather than the expensive liquid helium required by typical existing devices, which operate at just above absolute zero.Superconducting quantum-interference devices (SQUIDs) can sense individual quanta of
Atmospheric science: Arctic snow is not becoming dirtier
Atmospheric science: Arctic snow is not becoming dirtier
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). doi:10.1038/526613d
Dust and soot might not be behind the observed darkening of the Greenland ice sheet (pictured).Tiny particles of dirt absorb sunlight that would be reflected into space by ice — contributing to local warming. Satellite measurements suggest that the amount of sunlight
Super-fast Antarctic drills ready to hunt for oldest ice
Super-fast Antarctic drills ready to hunt for oldest ice
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/526618a
Author: Alexandra Witze
Next-generation machines can penetrate kilometres below surface in days rather than years.
Cancer-fighting viruses win approval
Cancer-fighting viruses win approval
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/526622a
Author: Heidi Ledford
US regulators clear a viral melanoma therapy, paving the way for a promising field with a chequered past.
Before we drown we may die of thirst
Before we drown we may die of thirst
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/526624a
Author: Kenneth R. Weiss
The island nation of Kiribati is one of the world's most vulnerable to rising sea levels. But residents may have to leave well before the ocean claims their homes.
How to make the most of carbon dioxide
How to make the most of carbon dioxide
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/526628a
Author: XiaoZhi Lim
Researchers hope to show that using the gas as a raw material could make an impact on climate change.
Photography: Sedition in the stores
Photography: Sedition in the stores
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). doi:10.1038/526637a
Author: Laura Spinney
Laura Spinney extols Robert Doisneau's haunting images of the Paris natural history museum under occupation.
Scientific method: Tales of the unexpected
Scientific method: Tales of the unexpected
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). doi:10.1038/526638a
Author: Stuart Firestein
Stuart Firestein relishes Helga Nowotny's study of uncertainty in science and society.
Books in brief
Books in brief
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). doi:10.1038/526639a
Author: Barbara Kiser
Barbara Kiser reviews five of the week's best science picks.
China: Engage the public to stop bear trafficking
China: Engage the public to stop bear trafficking
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). doi:10.1038/526640a
Authors: Zhengrong Yuan, Yingying Han & Qiang Weng
Last month, authorities in China confiscated 100 kilograms of bear paws. Many of the animals had been massacred in Russia, then the paws smuggled into China. Neither country is managing to control this monstrous trade.Bear paws are a coveted delicacy in China, fetching up
2015 awards: China Nobel stirs up attack on academies
2015 awards: China Nobel stirs up attack on academies
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). doi:10.1038/526640b
Author: Xin Miao
The first Nobel prize to be awarded to a researcher in China has sparked heated debate in the country (see Nature526, 174–175;10.1038/nature.2015.185072015). This centres on the public's long-term dissatisfaction with the Chinese academy system, which consistently failed
Bovine tuberculosis: Badger-cull targets unlikely to reduce TB
Bovine tuberculosis: Badger-cull targets unlikely to reduce TB
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). doi:10.1038/526640c
Authors: Christl A. Donnelly & Rosie Woodroffe
Two months ago, the government-advice body Natural England approved further licensed badger culls in parts of the United Kingdom in 2015. The aim is to reduce local badger densities by at least 70% to prevent the spread of tuberculosis (TB) to cattle (see go.nature.com/iiutvj).
Genetic gain of function: EU report advises on contentious research
Genetic gain of function: EU report advises on contentious research
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). doi:10.1038/526640d
Authors: Robin Fears & Volker ter Meulen
The United States has a de facto moratorium on genetic gain-of-function experiments that could increase the transmissibility or pathogenicity of potentially pandemic agents such as the H5N1 avian influenza virus. In Europe, opinion among scientists is divided on the benefits and risks of such research
Emissions estimates: Make raw emissions data public in China
Emissions estimates: Make raw emissions data public in China
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). doi:10.1038/526640e
Authors: Dabo Guan, Zhu Liu & Wei Wei
China's carbon emissions need to be estimated more accurately if the country is to meet its climate targets and participate in a nationwide emissions-trading scheme after 2017 (see F.TengNature525, 455;10.1038/525455c2015). Accounting errors will prevail until the nation's
Networking: Hello, stranger
Networking: Hello, stranger
Nature (2015). doi:10.1038/nj7575-729a
Author: Emily Sohn
Conferences are great for career development, but miscalculated moves can foil future prospects.
Turning point: Alaina Levine
Turning point: Alaina Levine
Nature (2015). doi:10.1038/nj7575-731a
Author: Julie Gould
Friendly mathematician describes scientists' natural advantages for meeting new colleagues.
Staff meeting, as seen by the spam filter
Staff meeting, as seen by the spam filter
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). doi:10.1038/526734a
Author: Alex Shvartsman
Message intercepted.