Issue | April 2013 | A Clear View of Cancer

Cover Story

Joan K. Heath, Richard White, Kirsten C. Sadler, and David Langenau | Apr 1, 2013 | 10+ min read

Researchers are taking advantage of small, transparent zebrafish embryos and larvae—and a special strain of see-through adults—to understand the development and spread of cancer.

Features

After Chemo

Ellen A. Walker | Apr 1, 2013 | 10+ min read

Research into how the brain suffers as a result of chemotherapy is revealing potential avenues for ameliorating cognitive decline.

Best Places to Work Postdocs 2013

The Scientist | Apr 1, 2013 | 7 min read

This year’s survey concludes more than a decade of highlighting the institutions that treat postdoctoral researchers as valued members of the scientific community.

Contributors

Meet some of the people featured in the April 2013 issue of The Scientist.

Editorial

Making Cancer More Transparent

A decade into the age of genomics, science is generating a flood of data that will help in the quest to eradicate the disease.

Speaking of Science

April 2013's selection of notable quotes

Notebook

Speed-Sensitive Denticles

Tooth-like structures on the skin of a South American fish might serve as high-velocity water-flow detectors.

An Ear for Home

Pigeons may use ultra-low-frequency sounds to navigate—a strategy that could steer them off course in the face of infrasonic disturbances, such as sonic booms.

Catching Criminals

A tactic designed to nab repeat offenders also pinpoints the source of infectious diseases and invasive species.

The Cancer-Test Kid

After a family friend died of pancreatic cancer, high school sophomore Jack Andraka invented a diagnostic strip that could detect the disease in its early stages.

Critic at Large

Cancer Clinical Trials of Tomorrow

Advances in genomics and cancer biology will alter the design of human cancer studies.

Border Buffers

Protected areas help to conserve imperiled tropical forests, but many are struggling to sustain their resident species.

Modus Operandi

Mimicking Mussels

Scientists develop a gel that mimics mollusc glue to coat the insides of blood vessels.

The Literature

Branching Out

Satellites of the Golgi apparatus generate the microtubules used to grow outer dendrite branches in Drosophila neurons.

Smurf-y Old Age

Flies turning blue help researchers link the deterioration of the intestinal barrier to age-related death.

Mighty Modifications

Histone acetylation levels keep intracellular pH in check.

Profiles

Up, Up, and Array

By scrutinizing gene expression profiles instead of individual oncogenes, Todd Golub launched a powerful platform for diagnosing, classifying, and treating cancer.

Scientist to Watch

Sarkis Mazmanian: Microbe Machinist

Professor, Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology. Age: 40

Lab Tools

Pluripotent Until Needed

Microarrays help keep induced pluripotent stem cell lines in check, from start to finish.

Structure by Feel

Applying the sensitive touch of atomic force microscopy to DNA, cells, and proteins

Careers

Start It Up

Young researchers who left the academic path to transform their bright ideas into thriving companies discuss their experiences, and how you can launch your own business.

Reading Frames

The Roots of Violence

Archaeology can shine needed light on the evolution of our aggressive tendencies.

Capsule Reviews

Leopold, The Drunken Botanist, Beautiful Whale, and Between Man and Beast

Foundations

"White-Blooded" Icefish, 1927

A bizarre group of Antarctic fishes lost their red blood cells but survived to tell their evolutionary tale, revealing a fundamental lesson about the birth and death of genes.