Catálogo de publicaciones - revistas

<jats:title>Building circuits, one synapse at a time</jats:title> <jats:p> As the brain develops, neurons build new connections that are refined by pruning. Gour <jats:italic>et al.</jats:italic> used electron microscopy to build a high-resolution study of mouse postnatal brain development. The survey reveals the details of how circuits are built to incorporate inhibitory neurons in the somatosensory cortex. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:italic>Science</jats:italic> , this issue p. <jats:related-article xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" ext-link-type="doi" related-article-type="in-this-issue" xlink:href="10.1126/science.abb4534">eabb4534</jats:related-article> </jats:p>

<jats:title>Identifying transcript location in cells</jats:title> <jats:p> Identifying where specific RNAs occur within a cell or tissue has been limited by technology and imaging capabilities. Expansion microscopy has allowed for better visualization of small structures by expanding the tissues with a polymer- and hydrogel-based system. Alon <jats:italic>et al.</jats:italic> combined expansion microscopy with long-read in situ RNA sequencing, resulting in a more precise visualization of the location of specific transcripts. This method, termed “ExSeq” for expansion sequencing, was used to detect RNAs, both new transcripts and those previously demonstrated to localize to neuronal dendrites. Unlike other in situ sequencing methods, ExSeq does not target sets of genes. This technology thus unites spatial resolution, multiplexing, and an unbiased approach to reveal insights into RNA localization and its physiological roles in developing and active tissue. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:italic>Science</jats:italic> , this issue p. <jats:related-article xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" ext-link-type="doi" related-article-type="in-this-issue" xlink:href="10.1126/science.aax2656">eaax2656</jats:related-article> </jats:p>

<jats:title>A dsRNA detector in the immune toolkit</jats:title> <jats:p> Nod-like receptor (NLR) proteins recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns within cells, which triggers the formation of signaling complexes called inflammasomes. These complexes then initiate pyroptosis, a highly inflammatory form of cell death. Recent work has shown that a rhinovirus protease can activate the human NLRP1 inflammasome, but it was unclear whether this is the only pathogen-derived trigger for NLRP1. Bauernfried <jats:italic>et al.</jats:italic> report that long, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) generated in the course of Semliki Forest virus infection binds and activates NLRP1 in epithelial cells. dsRNA binding triggered NLRP1 to acquire adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity, a common feature of activated NLR proteins. Thus, in addition to its ability to recognize viral protease activity, human NLRP1 can act as a genuine sensor of virus-associated nucleic acids. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:italic>Science</jats:italic> , this issue p. <jats:related-article xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" ext-link-type="doi" related-article-type="in-this-issue" xlink:href="10.1126/science.abd0811">eabd0811</jats:related-article> </jats:p>

<jats:title>Maintaining muscle</jats:title> <jats:p> Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), an eicosanoid that mediates inflammatory responses, also supports the function of muscle stem cells. Palla <jats:italic>et al.</jats:italic> found that loss of PGE2 in aging mice contributes to loss of muscle and appears to be a consequence of increased activity of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH), an enzyme that degrades PGE2 (see the Perspective by Becker and Rudolph). Restoring PGE2 concentrations by inhibiting 15-PGDH in older mice improved muscle function. Decreased activity of 15-PGDH in older animals had beneficial effects that included decreased proteolysis and transforming growth factor–β signaling and increased mitochondrial function and autophagy. The findings reveal a potential therapeutic strategy to help maintain muscle mass and function during aging. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:italic>Science</jats:italic> , this issue p. <jats:related-article xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" ext-link-type="doi" related-article-type="in-this-issue" xlink:href="10.1126/science.abc8059">eabc8059</jats:related-article> ; see also p. <jats:related-article xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" ext-link-type="doi" issue="6528" page="462" related-article-type="in-this-issue" vol="371" xlink:href="10.1126/science.abf9566">462</jats:related-article> </jats:p>

<jats:title>Miniaturizing spectrometers</jats:title> <jats:p> Optical spectroscopy is a widely used characterization tool in industrial and research laboratory settings for chemical fingerprinting and analysis. High-end spectrometers are typically benchtop based with bulky optical components, moving parts, and long path lengths, and they can deliver a wealth of information with ultrahigh precision and bandwidth. There is, however, a drive toward miniaturization of spectrometers, in which concepts in nanophotonics are used to control light on much smaller scales. Yang <jats:italic>et al.</jats:italic> reviewed recent developments in spectrometry systems, including various fabrication approaches of nanophotonics systems and the software that computationally determines the spectra, that strive to shrink their footprint and open up applications in portable spectroscopy. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:italic>Science</jats:italic> , this issue p. <jats:related-article xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" ext-link-type="doi" related-article-type="in-this-issue" xlink:href="10.1126/science.abe0722">eabe0722</jats:related-article> </jats:p>

<jats:p>Will the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris—a transition made “orderly” with barbed wire, National Guard soldiers, and the closure of downtown Washington, D.C.—be remembered as an inflection point? After 4 years of boorish incivility, incendiary nativist extremism, a crippling pandemic, resurgent racism, and riotous mobs incited to attack the Capitol, can the United States rebuild its civic and moral infrastructure? To repair the damage and prepare the next generation of citizens and leaders requires a new spirit of cooperation between the science and civics education communities.</jats:p>

<jats:p>As the United States steadies itself, recovering from COVID-19 and preparing for future crises, it must draw upon what Eric Lander, the nominee for director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), called “America's greatest asset…our unrivaled diversity.” To achieve this goal, OSTP must have the resources and authority to go beyond eloquent words and deliver solid accomplishments for the nation and world.</jats:p>

<jats:p>A roundup of weekly science policy and related news.</jats:p>