Peer Reviewed

Shinya Yamanaka and colleagues show how to convert adult mouse or human skin cells into cells that resemble embryonic stem cells without using the tumour-causing gene c-Myc. Elimination of c-Myc is considered a critical step in making these so-called ‘reprogrammed’ cells safe for clinical applications in patients.

Mutant mice that hop like rabbits are helping scientists to identify proteins that mediate the nervous system

A reversible reaction cycle is demonstrated for a single molecule sitting on a platinum surface

In Nature China this week - The scorpion toxin makes a fungal insecticide a lot more deadly and Computer simulations reveal how a bat uses its nostrils to emit sounds

Summaries of newsworthy papers in Nature including - Malaria: Molecular insight into clinical severity, Metabolism: New compounds offer promise for diabetes treatment, Cell biology: Architecture of the cell, Genomics: Rearranging genomes, Materials: Keeping an eye on guest behaviour, And finally... A new role for p53

The 1997 Asian financial crisis has helped to further regional financial and monetary cooperation. The purpose of this paper is to examine these efforts, their recent developments, and to predict the prospects of such cooperation.

Summaries of newsworthy papers in Nature research journals including Neural crest stem cells on tap, Mutation identified in neurodegenerative disorder, Immune delivery service and Normal cells lead tumour cell invasion

A new technique that works at normal pressures shows molecular interactions at liquid interfaces

The uptake and transport of ammonium in plants depends on a small set of highly specialized genes

A recently developed experimental system provides new insight into how tiny RNA molecules keep a rein on gene activity

In Nature China this week - The northward transport of nutrient-rich waters through the Bering Strait could act as negative feedback on global warming and plants can be genetically engineered to stunt the growth of insect pests

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Ageing: A long and happy life, Environment: Browning of lakes and streams, Feature: Grand challenges in non-communicable diseases, Genetics: Insight into wood-munching termites, Earth science: Giant landslide, giant debris and finally... Babies weigh up the social situation

Concerns about national security have induced U.S. immigration authorities to limit the number of foreign research students in universities. This study reviews how the presence of international students contributes to publications and patents awarded to universities and how key East Asian economies can take advantage of this.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include More single photons, Neural networks organise themselves, Gene prevents sudden death in mice after infection, Optimistic neurons, How the visual system grows up, Suppressing allergy and Getting attached to measles

A combination of experimental and theoretical approaches may help explain the molecular mechanics underlying each muscle contraction

Researchers isolate and devise a way to produce progenitors of cells essential for ovarian follicle maturation

A novel cyclization reaction is used to make molecules that switch between two different forms by redistributing their electrons

Though the President is attempting to brave the storm, his position is much weakened as he takes hurried measures to redress the prevailing situation. He has refused to give a date for lifting the state of emergency and said it might continue even beyond the elections because of the situation on the terrorism front.

TWAS has announced the winners of the TWAS Prizes for 2007. Each winner will receive a US$10,000 cheque and be invited to lecture about his or her research at the Academy’s Silver Jubilee anniversary celebration scheduled to take place in Mexico City from 11 to 13 November 2008.

The political impact of climate change in Australia and the United States is the focus of a collection of News Features in Nature this week.

As states encroach on Internet governance around the world, IDRC is supporting a major new initiative that will investigate the impacts of Internet censorship in Asia.

A method of reprogramming rhesus macaque adult fibroblasts into embryonic stem cells using somatic cell nuclear transfer is presented in Nature this week.

IDRC was one of the earliest development agencies to embrace information and communication technologies (ICTs) as powerful tools for reducing poverty, for combating HIV/AIDS, and for fostering good governance.

In Nature China this week, scientists in China have isolated a protein from peanut seeds that has antifungal, antibacterial and anticancer activities while scientists in Hong Kong have demonstrated the possibility of a three-dimensional cloaking device for sound.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Testing time, A new virulence mechanism for MRSA, Genetic mutation in familial aortic aneurysm, Regulating immune suppression, Stalling chemotherapy damage, Controlling protein stability in parasites

Since 2004, China has amended its treatment of foreign investments to attract higher-quality foreign investment and upgrade processing exports in order to transform itself from a world sweatshop to a global manufacturing center. The policies appear to have the intended effects.

Manila – A new international research initiative, linking the private and public sectors for the first time and launched today at the 2007 Asian Seed Congress, aims to boost the research and development of hybrid rice for the tropics.

Researchers have revealed how two closely related proteins trigger opposing effects in developing roots

Japanese researchers have identified a subset of cells they believe may induce the formation of a network of follicular dendritic cells (FDC) in the spleen and lymph nodes.

The new programme quietly introduced by the British government last week affects people from all countries outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland.