News Feature in 2007

In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change delivered its most thorough and authoritative assessment yet — and shared a Nobel prize for its efforts. Gabrielle Walker profiles its indefatigable leader.

After decades of war, looting and destruction, Afghanistan's archaeologists are scrambling to restore their country's cultural heritage. Rex Dalton visited Kabul to see how they are faring.

Accustomed to adapting to nature's whims, gardeners are more prepared than most to take on the challenge of climate change. Emma Marris asks them what to grow in a greenhouse world.

Are their brains not wired to feel what others feel, or do they just not care? Alison Abbott joins researchers looking into normal neurobiology through the scope of psychopathy.

The capacity of the United States to monitor Earth's vital signs is being stymied by tight budgets and poor coordination. Alexandra Witze reports.

Technology will soon allow the world to be mapped in near-real time and at high resolution. Declan Butler investigates the potential for operational monitoring of the planet.

Hanging bright in the morning sky, Venus's allure is obvious; but its blasted surface looks too hot to handle. Eric Hand investigates the difficulties of returning to the closest planet - and new plans to reap the rewards of doing so.

Are ageing and disease two sides of the same coin? Erika Check Hayden reports from an institute that is betting that they are.

With keen immunological insight and a knockout mouse 'factory', Shizuo Akira leads by quiet example. David Cyranoski visits the world's most-cited scientist as he prepares to run one of Japan's premier research centres.

Far below the surface of the ocean, beyond the reach of the Sun's rays, organisms still have eyes. Mark Schrope investigates seeing without sunlight.

The next US president could lead the country into meaningful action on controlling greenhousegas emissions, but only if he, or she, can seize the moment. Jeff Tollefson reports.

For the first time, the US Congress has begun crafting comprehensive legislation to tackle global warming. Naturebrought together five experts with various backgrounds to discuss the current political climate as the United States moves towards mandatory emissions caps. A full transcript of this discussion can be downloaded here .

If you want to lead the free world, you'd better know your physics. That's the lesson from a popular undergraduate class, called 'Physics for future presidents', taught by Richard A. Muller at the University of California, Berkeley. Here he sets some typical questions. An interactive version of this quiz with extended answers is online at http://www.nature.com/news/specials/climatepolitics/index.html

Climate is shaping up as an issue in the 24 November Australian elections, as Stephen Pincock reports.

Ocean wave energy is trying to break into the renewable-energy market, but many challenges remain. Ewen Callaway reports.

Not all species can be saved from extinction. Emma Marris talks to conservation biologists about prioritization and triage.

The Japanese make few charitable donations. David Cyranoski meets a patient advocate and scientist working to change a cultural reticence about giving.

When most people look at lobsters, they see dinner. Eve Marder saw a key to the theoretical underpinnings of animal behaviour. Ishani Ganguli reports.