2020-02-28

封面图描绘的是基因编辑技术就像一把分子剪刀一样被用来编辑DNA。虽然通过基因改良的T细胞颠覆了对癌症的治疗，但它并不能成功地治疗所有的病人。研究人员利用CRISPR从晚期癌症患者的T细胞中切出了3个基因的DNA片段。这种对基因组编辑的开创性治疗应用为下一代以细胞为基础治疗人类疾病铺平了道路。

CRISPR-Cas9 technology acts as molecular scissors to edit DNA. Genetically modified T cells are revolutionizing cancer therapy but do not successfully treat all patients. Researchers used CRISPR to cut out sections of DNA on three genes in T cells from patients with advanced cancer. This pioneering therapeutic application of genome editing paves the way for next-generation cell-based therapies for human disease.

2020-03-06

封面图展示的是一个复合三维活性向列型液晶的荧光显微图像。光片照明显微技术揭示出了向错缺陷的结构和动力学原理，这是向列型液晶和其他具有定向序流体的基本特征。

Fluorescence microscopy image of a composite three-dimensional active nematic liquid crystal. Light-sheet microscopy reveals the structure and dynamics of disclination defects, which are fundamental features of nematic liquid crystals and other fluids with orientational order.

2020-03-13

封面图上拍摄的是巴黎圣母院的塔尖在一团烟雾中坍塌。2019年4月15日，一场大火席卷了阁楼的木材，熔化了铅质屋顶，毁坏了石头墙壁，这座巴黎地标几乎被毁于一旦。现在科学家正在指导圣母院的修复工作。通过开放大教堂进行检验，也可以对那场大火开展新的历史研究。

The spire of Notre Dame cathedral collapses in a cloud of smoke. The Paris landmark was nearly destroyed on 15 April 2019, after a fire swept through attic timbers, melted its lead roof, and damaged stone walls. Scientists are now guiding its restoration. By opening the cathedral up to inspection, the fire is also enabling new historical research.

2020-03-20

封面图展示的是来自南极洲的一座冰山漂浮在南大洋上。在气候变暖的情况下，无论是冰山的崩解还是融化，南极冰盖的大量损失将帮助我们确定未来海平面高度的变化。在未来几十年到几个世纪的时间里，冰原的变化将取决于它的结构、动态，以及与大气和周围海洋的相互作用等。

An iceberg from Antarctica drifts in the Southern Ocean. Mass loss from the Antarctic Ice Sheet, whether by iceberg calving or melting, will help determine the future of sea level in our warming climate. How the ice sheet changes over the coming decades to centuries will depend on its structure, dynamics, and interactions with the atmosphere and surrounding ocean.

（陶 陶　编译）■