2020-11-27

对于许多濒危物种来说，包括封面展示的这种莫哈韦沙漠地鼠龟，通过个体迁移增加种群数量是一种重要的保护策略。研究人员近期证明，个体杂合性是这些陆龟迁移成功的关键预测因素——这一发现可能对改善许多濒危物种的生存几率具有广泛影响。

For many imperiled species, including the Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), translocation of individuals to augment populations is an important conservation strategy. Researchers now demonstrate that individual heterozygosity is a key predictor of translocation success in these tortoises—a finding that may have broad implications for improving survival outcomes for many endangered species.

2020-12-04

封面图展示的是2种不同植物的根系，将它们新鲜切下来的花朵分别用红色和蓝色染料染色。为了研究植物如何对竞争作出应对，可以通过根染色为相关理论预测提供实验佐证。相邻生长的植物会在土壤空间中隔离它们各自的根系，但当竞争对手越来越靠近时，相较于单独生长时的根系，它们会长出更多的根系维持自身生长。

Root systems of two different plants, stained with red and blue dye for fresh cut flowers. Root dyeing provided experimental validation of theoretical predictions regarding plants’ response to competition. Neighbor plants segregate their root systems in the soil space but develop more roots locally when a competitor is close than when growing alone.

2020-12-11

封面图展示的是1微米大小的阴极晶体在高压下的滑动现象示意图。局部应力引起的晶体滑移是部分可逆的，并且在大量的电池循环后最终演变成为微裂隙。人们预测了一个临界晶体的尺寸大小，以防止发生这种电池阴极晶体的滑移。

Schematic representation of the gliding phenomenon in a micrometer-sized cathode crystal charged to high voltages. Crystal gliding, induced by localized stress, is partially reversible and eventually evolves into microcracks after extensive battery cycling. A critical crystal size has been predicted to prevent such gliding in battery cathode crystals.

2020-12-18

随着2020年COVID-19新冠病毒疫情大暴发，科学家集中力量进行研发和测试几十种针对新型冠状病毒的候选疫苗。许多疫苗的目标是刺激抗体对抗病毒的刺突蛋白，就是它们使病毒感染人类细胞。在极短的时间内，有几种疫苗表现出了强有力的有效性证据，为这个陷入困境的世界带来了新的希望。

As the COVID-19 pandemic exploded in 2020, scientists mobilized to develop and test dozens of candidate vaccines targeting the new coronavirus. Many aim to stimulate antibodies against the virus’s protruding spike proteins, which enable it to infect human cells. In record time, several vaccines showed strong evidence of efficacy, giving a beleaguered world new hope.