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Cover Story

Fat's Immune Sentinels
Justin Odegaard and Ajay Chawla | Dec 1, 2012 | 10 min read
Certain immune cells keep adipose tissue in check by helping to define normal and abnormal physiological states.

Features

Metabolism and the Brain
Danielle S. Cha, Oksana Kaidanovich-Beilin, and Roger S. McIntyre | Dec 1, 2012 | 10+ min read
Evidence for the role of insulin in mediating normal and abnormal brain function may lead
to new treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Top 10 Innovations 2012
The Scientist Staff | Dec 1, 2012 | 10+ min read
The Scientist’s 5th installment of its annual competition attracted submissions from across the life science spectrum. Here are the best and brightest products of the year.

Contributors

Contributors
Contributors
Contributors
Meet some of the people featured in the December 2012 issue of The Scientist.

Editorial

In the Long Run
In the Long Run
In the Long Run
Can emulating our early human ancestors make us healthier?

Speaking of Science

Speaking of Science
Speaking of Science
Speaking of Science
December 2012's selection of notable quotes

Notebook

Polly Wanna Genome?
Polly Wanna Genome?
Polly Wanna Genome?
Puerto Rican businesses and residents come together to support the genomic sequencing of the island’s only native parrot species, hoping to help protect the endangered bird.
Deleted Forever
Deleted Forever
Deleted Forever
By tapping local knowledge among African pastoralists and veterinarians, researchers successfully eradicated a deadly livestock virus—and are looking to replicate their success to halt other epidemics.
Genomics 101
Genomics 101
Genomics 101
Undergraduate students delve into genomics and synthetic biology thanks to a new breed of technologically advanced courses.
Searching for Snails
Searching for Snails
Searching for Snails
A graduate student rediscovers a snail species officially declared extinct in 2000.

Critic at Large

Genomic Inequality
Genomic Inequality
Genomic Inequality
To successfully use a patient’s genetic makeup in a clinical setting, we must better understand the incredible diversity of human genomes.
 
The Value of Your Genome
The Value of Your Genome
The Value of Your Genome
Genome sequencing: it’s not for everyone

Modus Operandi

Microchannel Masterpiece
Microchannel Masterpiece
Microchannel Masterpiece
A precision microfluidic system enables single-cell analysis of growth and division.

The Literature

How Plants Feel
How Plants Feel
How Plants Feel
A hormone called jasmonate mediates plants' responses to touch and can boost defenses against pests.
The Plastic Genome
The Plastic Genome
The Plastic Genome
The poxvirus stockpiles genes when it needs to adapt.
Waking Cancer Cells
Waking Cancer Cells
Waking Cancer Cells
A protein called Coco rouses dormant breast cancer cells in the lung.

Profile

An Epi Phenomenon
An Epi Phenomenon
An Epi Phenomenon
While exploring the genetics of a rare type of tumor, Stephen Baylin discovered an epigenetic modification that occurs in most every cancer—a finding he’s helping bring to the clinic.

Scientist to Watch

Neil Bence: Manipulating Degradation
Neil Bence: Manipulating Degradation
Neil Bence: Manipulating Degradation
Senior Scientist, Millennium Pharmaceuticals: The Takeda Oncology Company Age: 39

Lab Tools

Hit Parade
Hit Parade
Hit Parade
Cell-based assays are popular for high-throughput screens, where they strike a balance between ease of use and similarity to the human body that researchers aim to treat.
High on High Content
High on High Content
High on High Content
A guide to some new and improved high-content screening systems

Careers

Lab 2.0
Lab 2.0
Lab 2.0
Apps and software for improving lab productivity

Reading Frames

Playing the Field
Playing the Field
Playing the Field
The role of field biologists is changing as conservation biology evolves and ecological challenges mount.

Capsule Reviews

Capsule Reviews
Capsule Reviews
Capsule Reviews
Unusual Creatures, Extinct Boids, The Mating Lives of Birds and A World in One Cubic Foot

Foundations

The Look of Emotion, circa 1868
The Look of Emotion, circa 1868
The Look of Emotion, circa 1868
Researchers at Cambridge recreate an experiment first performed by Charles Darwin to understand how humans interpret facial expressions.
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