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ningkeqing

木虫 (正式写手)

[交流] Nature Contents 23 February 2006 (Vol. 439 pp.891-1030)

[自然要览]

(选自英国Nature杂志,2006年2月23日出版)


封面故事:冥王星两个卫星的发现过程
Discovery of two new satellites of Pluto/ A giant impact origin for Pluto's
small moons and satellite multiplicity in the Kuiper belt
2005年5月,冥王星所处位置非常适合观测,“哈勃太空望远镜”的勘测照相机对准了
这个方向。结果是,两个以前未知的卫星被发现,现在它们分别被称为S/2005 P 1和
S/2005 P 2,从而使冥王星成为第一个已知有多个卫星的“柯伊伯带”天体。本期
Nature上两篇论文详细介绍了这一里程碑事件。Weaver等人描述了这一发现的过程,初
步推断了它们的轨道,并估计了它们的大小。Stern 等人介绍了他们关于两颗新卫星源
自形成Charon的碰撞过程的可能性、关于冥王星存在一个环体系的可能性、关于“柯伊
伯带”还有很多其他多卫星天体的可能性的研究工作。本期封面上,“冥王星-Charon
体系”在5月15日的照片(上面)和三天后的照片显示,新发现的两个天体处在运动
中。在两张照片上,Charon还从冥王星的一边运动到了另一边。(Letters pp. 943,
946; nature.com/podcast; nature.com/nature/videoarchive)


生命起源的科学探索(Life choices)
In the beginning
在《创世纪:关于生命起源的科学探索》一书中,Robert M. Hazen为我们奉献了我们
的书评人所碰到过的“对非专业读者来说关于生命起源领域的最好的概述。”因为这个
书评人是Leslie Orgel,是这一领域中已经出名了40年的专家,所以这个评语应当是非
常恰当的。 尤其是,本书作者Hazen 成功地将不相容基因第一的“原始汤”理论与代
谢第一的、涉及地热环境的表面化学的理论协调了起来。(Books & Arts p.915)


日本鳗鲡的产卵区域(Where Japanese eels go to)
Oceanic biology: Spawning of eels near a seamount
日本鳗鲡的生殖周期涉及一个引人注目的旅程。现在,研究人员已经非常精确地确定了
这种鳗鱼的产卵区域,它在菲律宾海中的一座海山周围,与它们所生存在的淡水河流相
距数千公里。这一产卵区域的面积之小和定位之精确,与吸引欧洲和美国鳗鲡的“马尾
藻海”中面积大得多的产卵区域形成对比。这个小的产卵区域的形成,可能是为了将这
种鳗鱼小而透明的卵放在洋流中,由洋流将它们送到其在东亚的生长环境中。这些鳗鱼
是日本菜中一种流行的美味,上个世纪90年代因需求增长,它们的种群数量减少到了崩
溃的程度。更好地了解这些鳗鱼迄今神秘的产卵模式,可能有助于它们的保护。
(Brief Communication p. 929)


很多放射性碳测年结果可能偏短(How times change)
A new radiocarbon revolution and the dispersal of modern humans in Eurasia
放射性碳测年领域两个最新进展在科学界引起了一阵骚动。第一,骨头样品的超滤的采
用基本上消除了碳污染物;第二, 来自“卡里亚科海盆”的深海沉积物的新数据,大
大提高了“绝对”日历日期和放射性碳年龄之间的校准水平。其中最重大的一些修正覆
盖非常关键的3万-4万年的时间范围,当时现代人类到达了欧洲,发展了我们今天认为
是艺术和文化的东西。Paul Mellors结合这些新数据对文献资料进行了分析,并提出,
现代人类在欧洲定居的速度要比我们以前所认为的快得多,他们与“穴居人”共存的时
期要比以前所认为的短。他冷静地得出这样的结论:过去40年里发表的放射性碳测年结
果很多都可能低估了样品的真实年龄。(Review p.931)


不用计算就能知道结果(An off day for computing)
Discovery of two new satellites of Pluto
有人曾提出,反事实计算是量子力学的一个逻辑结果。该理论认为,利用适当的算法,
应当有可能不用实际去运行计算机就能推断出一个量子计算的结果来。现在,Hosten等
人报告说,实验结果证实,这种情况的确能发生。实验中,他们的全光学量子计算机被
置于一个“超级位置”,在这个位置,它同时处于与一个算法发生相互作用的状态和不
与这个算法发生相互作用的状态。即使在光子没有与该算法发生相互作用的时候,他们
就获得了关于相互作用结果的信息。令人吃惊的是,反事实方法比随机猜测答案效果更
好。应当有可能将一种类似的方法用在其他系统中,包括在量子计算架构中常用的束缚
离子。(Letter p. 943; News and Views)


脊椎动物现存最近的亲缘种(Show some backbone)
Tunicates and not cephalochordates are the closest living relatives of
vertebrates
对来自13种脊索动物的146个基因的蛋白序列所做的种系发生对比,获得了一个有可能
改变目前关于脊椎动物起源的理论的结果。过去,人们依据整体形态和复杂程度认为,
“头索动物”(被称为lancelets的海洋动物,在较早的生物课本中称之为amphioxus,
中文名称都是文昌鱼)是脊椎动物现存最近的亲缘种,比“被囊动物”(尾海鞘纲动
物、樽海鞘和海鞘)与脊椎动物的关系更近,后者曾被认为是最早的脊索动物分支。但
新的数据表明,“被囊动物”,而不是“头索动物”,才是脊椎动物现存最近的亲缘
种。该发现除了在脊椎动物起源方面的意义外,对于将“被囊动物”和“头索动物”作
为模型动物的发育研究工作也是有意义的。(Letter p. 965; News and Views)


寄生杂草对草地生态系统的影响(The grass is greener)
Parasitic plants indirectly regulate below-ground properties in grassland
ecosystems
几乎每个生态系统都受到寄生者的影响,但虽然我们对寄生者对其寄主的影响已经了解
很多,却对他们是怎样影响生态系统的知之甚少。因此,Bardgett等人研究了寄生植物
(最常见的寄生类群)对植物群落多样性的影响。具体来讲,就是混合型草地出现大量
寄生杂草Rhinanthus minor(也称为小佛甲草)后,植物多样性增加,植物产量减少。
这对土壤有极大的间接影响,使养分循环速度增加一倍以上。这些由寄生杂草驱动的对
植物和土壤的影响,超过了土壤固有的肥沃程度和肥料所产生的影响,后者传统上被认
为是草地特性的主要决定因素。(Letter p. 969; News and Views)


与肌肉萎缩有关的基因(Muscular dystrophy model)
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy in mice overexpressing FRG1
“面肩肱型肌肉萎缩症”是一种人类肌肉疾患,与4号染色体上一个重复单元的删除有
关。在一个实验中,研究人员让转基因小鼠过度表达与这种删除有关的三种骨骼肌基
因。结果表明,它们当中其中一个基因(FRG1)的过度表达引起肌肉萎缩症状。太多的
FRG1导致骨骼肌中pre-mRNA的异常拼接。今后的研究工作将探讨这种现象是怎样导致异
常脊柱弯曲和其他症状的。有了关于这种类型的肌肉萎缩的一个小鼠模型,对于评估治
疗方案将是有价值的。(Letter p. 973; News and Views)


确定细胞内吞作用位置的物质(Debut of the eisosome)
Eisosomes mark static sites of endocytosis
细胞内吞作用,是一个细胞的胞质膜将一种物质包围住、然后“掐下”一个细胞内囊将
该物质包在其中来运送的过程。该过程帮助细胞吸收营养物质和大型分子,循环胞质膜
成分。此前,研究人员未发现决定内吞作用将在细胞膜内什么地方发生的任何机制,也
就是说,内吞作用的发生位置仍然有可能是随机选择的。但是现在,研究人员已经在酵
母中识别出了完成这项任务的一个蛋白复合物。这个被称为“门户体”(eisosome)复
合物在细胞皮层中形成稳定的结构,它们共同确定内吞作用的位置。(Letter p.
998)


疟原虫造成抗原变异的原因(Variations on a theme)
A var gene promoter controls allelic exclusion of virulence genes in
Plasmodium falciparum malaria
疟疾寄生虫“镰刀形疟原虫”入侵红血球,将毒性因子PfEMP1沉降在它们的细胞表面。
这是疟疾寄生虫能够躲避免疫系统的关键。因为PfEMP1是由一组60个var基因编码的,
而在任何一个时间被转录的只有其中一个。“镰刀形疟原虫”是怎样造成这种抗原变异
的尚不清楚。Voss等人发现,一个活性var启动子就足以引发一个基因的转录,同时切
断其他基因的转录。该现象可由一个独特的核周腔(peri-nuclear compartment)的存
在来解释,后者帮助单个的var基因的转录。所以,只要有一个被沉寂的var启动子为占
据这一空间而前来竞争,就会出现var转录被切换、从而使PfEMP1的身份被改变的现
象。(Letter p. 1004; News and Views)


调控细胞周期的基因(Cell-cycle paths)
Identification of pathways regulating cell size and cell-cycle progression
by RNAi
最近在对真核细胞周期控制方式的认识上的进展,依靠的是对单细胞酵母所做的“功能
丧失分析”。但在多细胞生物中,还有其他控制机制调控G1阶段的细胞周期进程、确定
生物的大小及其组成器官。现在,对在果蝇体内调控细胞大小和细胞周期的通道所做的
一次RNAi(RNA干涉)筛选分析,识别出了专门控制细胞大小、胞质分裂和细胞死亡/凋
亡的基因。参与细胞周期调控的一组基因,将成为用系统生物学方法分析后生动物细胞
周期的基础。(Letter p. 1009)
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ningkeqing

木虫 (正式写手)

----------------------
NEWS AND VIEWS
----------------------
Quantum information: To compute or not to compute?
Quantum physics aims another blow at common sense: a simple quantum computer
gives the right answer, even when it is not run. (Traditionalists be
comforted: the computer must be turned on.)
Jonathan P. Dowling
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7079/full/439919a.html

Neurobiology: Efficiency measures
The nervous system translates sensory information into electrical impulses.
The neural /`code/' involved seems to represent natural sounds and images
efficiently, using the smallest number of impulses.
Michael R. DeWeese and Anthony Zador
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7079/full/439920a.html

Particle physics: Quarks on a gravitational string
Quantum chromodynamics, the theory of the strong nuclear force, is
notoriously intractable. An alternative approach brings gravity to bear, and
produces fairly accurate predictions of some physical quantities.
Nick Evans
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7079/full/439921a.html

Evolution: Careful with that amphioxus
The textbook tale of vertebrate origins is brought into question by
phylogenetic analyses of new genomic data. But the amphioxus, long viewed as
a precursor to fish, remains a central character in events.
Henry Gee
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7079/full/439923a.html

Planetary science: Pluto's expanding brood
Pluto is no lone ranger in the farthest expanses of the Solar System [mdash]
its travelling companions now number three. And if Pluto can have so many,
why shouldn't other objects in the distant, icy Kuiper belt?
Richard P. Binzel
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7079/full/439924a.html

50 & 100 years ago
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7079/full/439925a.html

Marine biology: Spawning spot
Rosalind Cotter
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7079/full/439926a.html

Parasitology: Switching like for like
To remain hidden from its host's immune system, the malaria parasite must
vary the proteins on the surface of the infected cell. The genes encoding
these proteins are very similar, so how does the parasite express just one
at a time?
Piet Borst and Paul-Andre Genest
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7079/full/439926b.html

Corrections
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7079/full/439927a.html

Corrections
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7079/full/439927b.html

Corrections
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7079/full/439927c.html

Obituary: Nicholas Shackleton (1937-2006)
A founding father of palaeoclimatology, and an avid clarinettist.
Gerald H. Haug and Larry C. Peterson
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7079/full/439928a.html

----------------------
BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS
----------------------
Oceanic biology: Spawning of eels near a seamount
Tiny transparent larvae of the Japanese eel collected in the open ocean
reveal a strategic spawning site.
Katsumi Tsukamoto
Abstract: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7079/abs/439929a.html
Article: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7079/full/439929a.html

----------------------
REVIEW
----------------------
A new radiocarbon revolution and the dispersal of modern humans in Eurasia
Paul Mellars
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04521.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04521.html

----------------------
ARTICLE
----------------------
Adaptive filtering enhances information transmission in visual cortex
Tatyana O. Sharpee, Hiroki Sugihara, Andrei V. Kurgansky, Sergei P. Rebrik,
Michael P. Stryker and Kenneth D. Miller
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04519.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04519.html

----------------------
LETTERS
----------------------
Discovery of two new satellites of Pluto
H. A. Weaver, S. A. Stern, M. J. Mutchler, A. J. Steffl, M. W. Buie, W. J.
Merline, J. R. Spencer, E. F. Young and L. A. Young
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04547.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04547.html

A giant impact origin for Pluto's small moons and satellite multiplicity in
the Kuiper belt
S. A. Stern, H. A. Weaver, A. J. Steffl, M. J. Mutchler, W. J. Merline, M.
W. Buie, E. F. Young, L. A. Young and J. R. Spencer
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04548.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04548.html

Counterfactual quantum computation through quantum interrogation
Onur Hosten, Matthew T. Rakher, Julio T. Barreiro, Nicholas A. Peters and
Paul G. Kwiat
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04523.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04523.html

Quantum supercurrent transistors in carbon nanotubes
Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, Jorden A. van Dam and Leo P. Kouwenhoven
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04550.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04550.html

Magnetic-field-induced shape recovery by reverse phase transformation
R. Kainuma, Y. Imano, W. Ito, Y. Sutou, H. Morito, S. Okamoto, O. Kitakami,
K. Oikawa, A. Fujita, T. Kanomata and K. Ishida
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04493.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04493.html

Aluminium control of argon solubility in silicate melts under pressure
M. Ali Bouhifd and Andrew P. Jephcoat
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04583.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04583.html

Tunicates and not cephalochordates are the closest living relatives of
vertebrates
Frederic Delsuc, Henner Brinkmann, Daniel Chourrout and Herv?(c) Philippe
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04336.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04336.html

Parasitic plants indirectly regulate below-ground properties in grassland
ecosystems
Richard D. Bardgett, Roger S. Smith, Robert S. Shiel, Simon Peacock, Janet
M. Simkin, Helen Quirk and Phil J. Hobbs
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04197.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04197.html

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy in mice overexpressing FRG1
Davide Gabellini, Giuseppe D'Antona, Maurizio Moggio, Alessandro Prelle,
Chiara Zecca, Raffaella Adami, Barbara Angeletti, Patrizia Ciscato, Maria
Antonietta Pellegrino, Roberto Bottinelli, Michael R. Green and Rossella
Tupler
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04422.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04422.html

Efficient auditory coding
Evan C. Smith and Michael S. Lewicki
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04485.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04485.html

Fast vesicle reloading and a large pool sustain high bandwidth transmission
at a central synapse
Chiara Saviane and R. Angus Silver
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04509.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04509.html

NMDA receptors mediate calcium accumulation in myelin during chemical
ischaemia
I. Micu, Q. Jiang, E. Coderre, A. Ridsdale, L. Zhang, J. Woulfe, X. Yin, B.
D. Trapp, J. E. McRory, R. Rehak, G. W. Zamponi, W. Wang and P. K. Stys
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04474.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04474.html

Purification and unique properties of mammary epithelial stem cells
John Stingl, Peter Eirew, Ian Ricketson, Mark Shackleton, Francois Vaillant,
David Choi, Haiyan I. Li and Connie J. Eaves
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04496.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04496.html

Eisosomes mark static sites of endocytosis
Tobias C. Walther, Jason H. Brickner, Pablo S. Aguilar, Sebasti??n Bernales,
Carlos Pantoja and Peter Walter
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04472.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04472.html

A var gene promoter controls allelic exclusion of virulence genes in
Plasmodium falciparum malaria
Till S. Voss, Julie Healer, Allison J. Marty, Michael F. Duffy, Jennifer K.
Thompson, James G. Beeson, John C. Reeder, Brendan S. Crabb and Alan F.
Cowman
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04407.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04407.html

Identification of pathways regulating cell size and cell-cycle progression
by RNAi
Mikael Bjorklund, Minna Taipale, Markku Varjosalo, Juha Saharinen, Juhani
Lahdenpera and Jussi Taipale
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04469.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04469.html

CORRIGENDUM
Corrigendum: Genetic and developmental basis of evolutionary pelvic
reduction in threespine sticklebacks
Michael D. Shapiro, Melissa E. Marks, Catherine L. Peichel, Benjamin K.
Blackman, Kirsten S. Nereng, Bjarni Jonsson, Dolph Schluter and David M.
Kingsley
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04500.html

Corrigendum: Genomic perspectives in microbial oceanography
Edward F. DeLong and David M. Karl
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04573.html

Corrigendum: Highly variable Northern Hemisphere temperatures reconstructed
from low- and high-resolution proxy data
Anders Moberg, Dmitry M. Sonechkin, Karin Holmgren, Nina M. Datsenko,
Wibjorn Karlen and Stein-Erik Lauritzen
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04575.html
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