Cover Story
Viral Soldiers
Jyoti Madhusoodanan | Jan 1, 2016 | 10+ min read
Phage therapy to combat bacterial infections is garnering attention for the second time in 100 years, but solid clinical support for its widespread use is still lacking.
Features
RNA Epigenetics
Gidi Rechavi, Chuan He, and Dan Dominissini | Jan 1, 2016 | 10 min read
DNA isn’t the only decorated nucleic acid in the cell. Modifications to RNA molecules are much more common and are critical for regulating diverse biological processes.
The Evolution of Cooperation
R. Ford Denison and Katherine Muller | Jan 1, 2016 | 10+ min read
When and why individual organisms work together at the game of life, and what keeps cheaters in check
Contributors
Contributors
Contributors
Meet some of the people featured in the January 2016 issue of The Scientist.
Editorial
All Together Now
All Together Now
Understanding the biological roots of cooperation might help resolve some of the biggest scientific challenges we face.
Speaking of Science
Speaking of Science
Speaking of Science
January 2016's selection of notable quotes
Notebook
Heart-Healthy Hibernators
Heart-Healthy Hibernators
Overwintering ground squirrels survive fluctuations in body temperature that would cause cardiac arrest in nonhibernators.
Flavor Savors
Flavor Savors
Odors experienced via the mouth are essential to our sense of taste.
If It Ain't Broke . . .
If It Ain't Broke . . .
Is there room to improve upon the tried-and-true, decades-old technology of artificial hearts?
To Retain a Brain
To Retain a Brain
Exceptional neural fossil preservation helps answer questions about ancient arthropod evolution.
Critic at Large
The Age of Pharmabrewing
The Age of Pharmabrewing
We should not resist developing opiate-producing GM yeast for fear of the technology falling into the wrong hands.
Modus Operandi
Practical Proteomes
Practical Proteomes
Cell type–specific proteomic analyses are now possible from paraffin-embedded tissues.
The Literature
Managing Methylation
Managing Methylation
A long noncoding RNA associated with DNA methylation has the power to regulate colon cancer growth in vitro.
Smooth Move
Smooth Move
In the mouse lung, hardening of a blood vessel can result from just a single progenitor cell forming new smooth muscle.
Telomerase Overdrive
Telomerase Overdrive
Two mutations in a gene involved in telomere extension reverse the gene’s epigenetic silencing.
Profiles
Fearless about Folding
Fearless about Folding
Susan Lindquist has never shied away from letting her curiosity guide her research career.
Scientist to Watch
Christie Fowler: Addicted to Research
Christie Fowler: Addicted to Research
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior University of California, Irvine. Age: 39
Lab Tools
Pluripotency Bots
Pluripotency Bots
A tour of efforts to automate the production and differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells
Reveling in the Revealed
Reveling in the Revealed
A growing toolbox for surveying the activity of entire genomes
Bio Business
Picking Up the Pace
Picking Up the Pace
FDA designations promise to expedite the approval of drugs for conditions ranging from infectious disease to cancer.
Reading Frames
Logically Illogical
Logically Illogical
The most bizarre behaviors often make perfect sense in the minds of the mentally ill.
Foundations
A Century of Science on Stamps
A Century of Science on Stamps
Countries have used postage stamps to commemorate scientific achievements—sometimes with erroneous zeal—since the early 1900s.