Content by The Scientist

An illustration depicting the damaging effects of a tumor (red) on structural connections within the brain

A maturing mouse gut nervous system (shown in orange), a mesh-like system of neurons that regulates digestion and gastrointenstial function, runs from the stomach through the intestines.

This nanoparticle cloaked in leukocyte (white blood cell) membranes may deliver cancer drugs to their targets without triggering an immune response.

Scanning electron micrograph of the ventral surface of the mandibles of a larval antlion, otherwise known as a "doodlebug"

Mouse hair follicles (green/blue) and the arrector pili muscles (red/pink) that pull hair upright in cold weather to produce ‘goose bumps’

The horn-like rhinophores on this spotted sea slug (Phyllidiopsis papilligera) are chemoreceptors that allow it to "smell" dissolved chemicals in the water and locate food sources.

A time-lapse, confocal micrograph captures the swirled cell division of a (HeLa) cancer cell with its cell membrane shown in cyan and DNA in red.

February 2013's selection of notable quotes

Though it’s considered to be the second most poisonous vertebrate in the world, this puffer fish (Arothron hispidus) seems harmless enough, kissing a camera lens off the coast of Hawaii.

The fruit of the South American tropical plant, Margaritaria nobilis, commonly called "bastard hogberry" (shown here floating in water) changes its apparent color and has inspired a new type of photonic fiber.

A tangential slice of mahogany wood (Swietenia macrophylla), shown using a bright field micrograph

The white Mexican rose, Echeveria elegans, is a water-storing, evergreen perennial with tight rosettes that bear yellow-tipped, pink flowers in the winter and spring.

This scanning electron micrograph shows a hostile looking moth fly (Psychodidae), also known as a drain fly for their penchant for swarming bathroom sinks and other damp places.

The model organism Arabidopsis thaliana flaunts its flower in this confocal micrograph, showing its membranes dyed red and DNA stained blue.

Above a delicate tarsal pad, the menacing tarsal claws and fine, hooked hairs allow the horsefly (Tabanus sulcifrons) to grip and hold onto animal fur.