Cover Story
Nanomedicine
Weihong Tan, Guizhi Zhu, Lei Mei | Aug 1, 2014
From bioimaging to drug delivery and therapeutics, nanotechnology is poised to change the way doctors practice medicine.
Features
A Vaulted Mystery
Eufemia S. Putortì and Massimo P. Crippa | Aug 1, 2014
Nearly 30 years after the discovery of tiny barrel-shape structures called vaults, their natural functions remain elusive. Nevertheless, researchers are beginning to put these nanoparticles to work in biomedicine.
The Body’s Ecosystem
The Scientist Staff | Aug 1, 2014
Research on the human microbiome is booming, and scientists have moved from simply taking stock of gut flora to understanding the influence of microbes throughout the body.
Contributors
Contributors
Contributors
Meet some of the people featured in the August 2014 issue of The Scientist.
Editorial
Small Packages
Small Packages
When proverbs come true
Speaking of Science
Speaking of Science
Speaking of Science
August 2014's selection of notable quotes
Notebook
Seeds of Hopelessness
Seeds of Hopelessness
Can seed banks adequately prepare for the future if wild plant populations are already lagging behind in adapting to rapid climate change?
Sequencing on the Seven Seas
Sequencing on the Seven Seas
Researchers have installed an advanced genomics lab facility aboard a boat to create a floating molecular testing facility for marine life sciences
In Old Blood
In Old Blood
The body of a supercentenarian expands science’s appreciation for the physiological limits of aging.
Say "Aaaah"
Say "Aaaah"
Scientists aim to remotely monitor Parkinson’s through voice recordings.
Critic at Large
A Matter of Size
A Matter of Size
Erroneous characterization of nanomaterials can misinform the study of a new medicine’s safety and efficacy.
Modus Operandi
Stressing and FRETing
Stressing and FRETing
Two labs have produced FRET-based systems for real-time analysis of a plant stress hormone.
The Literature
Life in the Slow Lane
Life in the Slow Lane
The speed of water flowing around coralline algae, a critical member of coral reef and coastal seaweed communities, affects their response to ocean acidification.
Seeing Red
Seeing Red
Reef fish, once thought to be unable to see red wavelengths, not only fluoresce deep red, but males of some species react to seeing their own bioluminescent pattern.
Meal Plans
Meal Plans
Bacterial populations’ differing strategies for responding to their environment can set genetic routes to speciation.
Profile
Connecting the Dots
Connecting the Dots
Extending her initial studies of social wasps, Mary Jane West-Eberhard has spent her career probing the evolutionary relationship between social behavior and developmental flexibility.
Scientist to Watch
Feng Zhang: The Midas of Methods
Feng Zhang: The Midas of Methods
Core Member, Broad Institute; Investigator, McGovern Institute; Assistant Professor, MIT. Age: 32
Lab Tools
Metagenomics Mash-Up
Metagenomics Mash-Up
A tour of the newest software and strategies for analyzing microbial and viral communities
Tailoring Your Proteome View
Tailoring Your Proteome View
Computational tools can streamline the development of targeted proteomics experiments.
Careers
Science Speak
Science Speak
Contests that challenge young scientists to explain their research without jargon are turning science communication into a competitive sport.
Reading Frames
Reanimated Chickens and Zombie Dogs
Reanimated Chickens and Zombie Dogs
In praise of weird science at the edge of life
Capsule Reviews
Capsule Reviews
Capsule Reviews
The Myth of Mirror Neurons, Curious, Shadow Medicine, and Doctored
Foundations
Tiger Hunt, 1838–1840
Tiger Hunt, 1838–1840
Zoologist John Gould undertook a financially risky expedition to document the birds of Australia—and found some unique mammals in a perilous situation.