Articles in 2011

Mutations in the maternal copy of the UBE3A gene cause a neurodevelopmental disorder known as Angelman syndrome. Drugs that activate the normally silenced paternal copy of this gene may be of therapeutic value. See Letter p.185

Philip Ball celebrates the fourth centenary of Johannes Kepler's ice-crystal analysis.

With an ingredients list that includes rhino horn and tiger bone, traditional Asian medicine is on a collision course with wildlife preservation.

Nature's mentoring awards honour three scientists in France.

In mammals, molecular clocks regulate transcription and glucose homeostasis. One way they do so is by controlling glucocorticoid-receptor signalling, which suggests that clocks are embedded in liver metabolism. See Letter p.552

Bill tops up health, energy and translational-science spending.

President Barack Obama's stance on an emergency contraceptive betrays his promised principles of scientific integrity and sets a troubling precedent for political interference in 'inconvenient' science.

The practice of traditional medicine in Japan includes many modern techniques but faces numerous challenges — including political pressure from China.

Postdoc committees can give insight into industry career paths, argue Christopher Tsang and Michael Fisher.

A planetary system has been found in a startlingly tight orbit around an evolved star. The finding challenges the idea that close-in planets are destroyed as their host star evolves. See Letter p.496

Traditional plant-based remedies are not risk-free. Doctors and patients need to be informed about the possible side effects, says Masatomo Sakurai.

Adapted extracts from selected News & Views articles published this year.

Transmission of infectious parasites slows with rising temperatures, researchers find.

The major threats to amphibian species include pandemic disease and changes in climate and in land use. A study of the global distributions of these threats predicts that they will affect most amphibians by 2080. See Letter p.516

The past year has shown how prone a highly networked society is to abrupt change. The future of our complex world, says Philip Ball, depends on becoming resilient to shocks.

Anti-cancer drug holds potential as a treatment for genetic-imprinting disorder.

Systems science can provide guidance in capturing the complementary approaches to healthcare, says Jan van der Greef.

Biologist who revolutionized our view of early cell evolution.

Can Western guidelines govern Eastern herbal traditions?