Contents
Vol 331, Issue 6018
Special Issue
Dealing with Data
Introduction to Special Issue
News
- Rescue of Old Data Offers Lesson for Particle Physicists
Old data tends to get forgotten as physicists move on to new and better machines. The tale of the JADE experiment suggests that they should be more careful.
- Is There an Astronomer in the House?
With biomedical researchers analyzing stars and astronomers tackling cancer, two unlikely collaborations creatively solve data problems.
- May the Best Analyst Win
Exploiting crowdsourcing, a company called Kaggle runs public competitions to analyze the data of scientists, companies, and organizations.
Perspectives
Contents
This Week in Science
Editorial
Editors' Choice
Podcasts
- Science Podcast
The show includes genomic and climate data challenges, the world's data capacity, and more.
Products & Materials
- New Products
A weekly roundup of information on newly offered instrumentation, apparatus, and laboratory materials of potential interest to researchers.
News of the Week
- Around the World
In science news around the world this week, Pfizer is cutting its R&D spending, the U.S. Congress has sworn off earmarks, one of the Channel Islands has been named the world's first "dark sky island," a Japanese volcano is gathering steam, the Great Barrier Reef escaped being battered by the recent hurricane, drillers still have not reached subglacial Lake Vostok, and European research funding is being revamped.
- Random Sample
A research expedition in New Zealand has once again caught sight of a lost natural wonder; U.K. archaeologists are protesting new restrictions on excavations; and a new survey tallies up the impact of an uncertain political environment on stem cell research. In this week's numbers: U.S. budget cuts, safeguarding specimens of threatened North American plant species, and a new science documentary film initiative.
- Newsmakers
Newsmakers this week include Boston neurologist Seward Rutkove, who has scored $1 million for developing a new way to track the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and German anesthesiologist Joachim Boldt, who may have as many as 90 of his papers retracted as a result of an ongoing investigation of his work.
Findings
News & Analysis
- Pfizer's Shakeup Means Less Money for Research
The pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has announced it will lay off thousands of workers and cut its research and development budget by between $1.5 billion and $2 billion in 2012.
- From Nuclear Watchdog to the Maelstrom of Cairo
Mohamed ElBaradei, the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, recently became a central figure in the antigovernment protests in Egypt and is on a steering committee of opposition leaders.
- The Genome Project: What Will It Do as a Teenager?
The 10th anniversary of the completion of the draft human genome sequence has been a time for celebration—and also for sober stock-taking. Eric Green, director of the U.S. National Human Genome Research Institute, discussed the institute's 10-year map with Science in an interview.
- Ending Earmarks Also Means the End Of Many Research Projects
The last pillar supporting congressional earmarks crumbled last week, dooming the controversial practice for at least the next 2 years. Turning off the spigot will have a dramatic impact on scientists who receive the money and perhaps also on the societal problems they are tackling.
News Focus
- What Would You Do?
As technology makes it easier to sequence people's DNA for research, scientists are facing tough decisions over what information to give back.
- Will Computers Crash Genomics?
New technologies are making sequencing DNA easier and cheaper than ever, but the ability to analyze and store all that data is lagging.
- Coming Soon to a Lab Near You: Drag-and-Drop Virtual Worlds
Researchers at Microsoft hope to convince scientists that transparent, easy-to-tweak numerical simulations are as straightforward as clicking a mouse.
Letters
Books et al.
- Is New Madrid Dead?
Stein argues that earthquake risks from the New Madrid fault have been overestimated and thus have led to a misallocation of research and preparation funds.
- Bounds and Vision
This book and the associated continuing exhibition comprise a rather diverse collection of visualizations of the structure, contents, and concepts of science and technology.
- Books Received
A listing of books received at Science during the week ended 04 February 2011.
Essays on Science and Society
- A Celebration of the Genome, Part II
This week's commentaries explore the impacts of sequence information on our understanding of ourselves, as well as looking at future directions for research and medicine.
- Genome Literacy
The transition from knowing small patches of the genome to having whole human genomes available to explore has been a unique experience.
- Personal Genomes: For One and for All
A personal genome benefits not only one individual, but all humanity.
- The Landscape of Human Evolution
A current challenge is how to link candidate genetic loci with our evolution.
- My Genome, My Identity, My Health
While the human genome sequence is a reservoir for ground-breaking science and personal reflection, humans are much more than a genome.
- What Will Drive Genomics Over the Next 10 Years?
Most thought that the ability to predict an individual’s risk of developing diseases would drive the use of genomic information. That did not turn out to be so.
- An Anniversary Party
The genome anniversary being celebrated commemorates an important announcement, but we still do not have a complete sequence.
- First Steps on a Long Road
We have learned that the human genome is much more dynamic than previously thought.
Policy Forum
- Measuring the Results of Science Investments
Science agencies and research institutions are building the infrastructure to evaluate results of federal funding of scientific research.
Perspectives
- The Eukaryotic Ribosome
New crystal structures break impasse, offer insight into how eukaryotes synthesize proteins.
- Learning from Nature
The developmental biology of a fly's bristles leads to a better computer network algorithm.
- The Lives of Proteins
A new method to measure protein dynamics in living cells reveals how protein removal regulates cell physiology.
- The Genetics of Primary Aldosteronism
Adrenal gland tumor growth and increased aldosterone production are linked to mutations in a potassium channel.
- Astronomy in the Time Domain
Coordination between various instruments provides a real-time aspect to observing transient astrophysical events.
- Unusual Thermoelastic Properties of Methanol Monohydrate
A simple material can shrink in one direction when heated, and expand in that direction when squeezed by hydrostatic pressure
Research Article
- Crystal Structure of the Eukaryotic 40S Ribosomal Subunit in Complex with Initiation Factor 1
The structure provides insight into how protein synthesis is initiated and into the evolution of the eukaryotic ribosome.
Reports
- Discovery of Powerful Gamma-Ray Flares from the Crab Nebula
Gamma-ray observations of the Crab Nebula by two different space telescopes challenge particle acceleration theory.
- Gamma-Ray Flares from the Crab Nebula
Gamma-ray observations of the Crab Nebula by two different space telescopes challenge particle acceleration theory.
- Negative Linear Compressibility and Massive Anisotropic Thermal Expansion in Methanol Monohydrate
At low temperatures, a simple molecular crystal can shrink along one axis when heated and expand along it when compressed.
- Increasing Solar Absorption for Photocatalysis with Black Hydrogenated Titanium Dioxide Nanocrystals
An amorphous surface layer on titantium dioxide nanoparticles creates electronic states that allow longer-wavelength photoexcitation.
- Complete Fourth Metatarsal and Arches in the Foot of Australopithecus afarensis
A long bone of the foot of an early human indicates that its foot was stiff and arched, as in modern humans.
- Embryological Evidence Identifies Wing Digits in Birds as Digits 1, 2, and 3
Digit identities in living birds are the same as in three-fingered dinosaurs, in agreement with paleontological evidence.
- Structure of MyTH4-FERM Domains in Myosin VIIa Tail Bound to Cargo
Structural data suggest how mutations in a myosin tail cause deafness in humans.
- HSPC117 Is the Essential Subunit of a Human tRNA Splicing Ligase Complex
The human enzyme that joins transfer RNA exons together is discovered.
- Proteome Half-Life Dynamics in Living Human Cells
In times of stress, long-lived proteins increase their durability.
- K+ Channel Mutations in Adrenal Aldosterone-Producing Adenomas and Hereditary Hypertension
Potassium channel mutations drive both cell growth and hormone production in an adrenal tumor that causes severe hypertension.
- Retrieval Practice Produces More Learning than Elaborative Studying with Concept Mapping
Two different ways of thinking through texts are compared for learning value.
- Leishmania RNA Virus Controls the Severity of Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis
An RNA virus of a parasite binds to human Toll-like receptor 3 and modulates host immune responses to the parasite.
- Posttranslational Modification of Pili upon Cell Contact Triggers N. meningitidis Dissemination
Regulated deaggregation allows meningitis-causing bacteria to propagate to new host cells and migrate across epithelia.
