A way to determine how partial charges of atoms in a molecule are distributed Summary Researchers report an experimental method that uses electron diffraction to determine how partial charges are…
Flies evolved a shock-absorber tissue used during embryonic development Summary The cephalic furrow — a fold of tissue that separates the head from the trunk in Drosophila embryos — has…
This is the world’s largest ‘mosquito factory’: its goal is to stop dengue Summary The Wolbito do Brasil factory in Curitiba is breeding Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with the harmless…
Ancient DNA clarifies the early history of the Slavs Summary Gretzinger et al. present ancient DNA evidence that sheds new light on the emergence and spread of the Slavs in…
Compression causes cancer cells to start spreading Summary This research briefing summarises a study using a zebrafish skin-cancer model that shows mechanical compression from surrounding tissue can flip melanoma cells…
Depriving brain tumours of an amino acid could enhance chemotherapy Summary New analysis of glioblastoma metabolism shows these tumours scavenge the amino acid serine and divert glucose-derived carbon into pathways…
The diversity of microbial enzymes that turn a pollutant into an inert gas Summary Reductase enzymes catalyse the conversion of nitrous oxide (N2O) — a potent greenhouse gas — into…
Damaged bridges flex and twist to prevent collapse Summary Steel truss bridges — made from connected frameworks of members — can sometimes survive the sudden failure of a load-bearing element…
Cocaine-activated ion channels engineered to break the loop of addiction in rats Summary Researchers have created ion channels that are selectively activated by cocaine and used them to control neuronal…
‘Almost unimaginable’: these ants are different species but share a mother Summary Queen Iberian harvester ants (Messor ibericus) can produce males that are genetically a different species (Messor structor). The…
