2017-07-21

封面图展示的是在地中海里游弋的大西洋蓝鳍金枪鱼。科学家发现金枪鱼的鱼鳍具有液压控制机能，这一发现掲示了脊椎动物的淋巴系统前所未知的功用。这种鱼鳍的控制机制可能会为“智能”控制界面的设计带来灵感，使其具有可变换的外形及刚度，从而提髙无人驾驶的机载和水下车具的机动性能。

Atlantic bluefin tunain the Mediterranean Sea. The hydraulic control of fins discovered in tunas indicates a previously unknown role of the lymphatic system in vertebrates. This fin control mechanism may inspire the design of "smart” control surfaces with changeable shape and stiffness that could enhance the maneuvering performance of unmanned airborne and underwater vehicles.

2017-07-28

封面上展示的是一个细胞的细胞核内部染色质的概念插图。DNA被组装成核染色质，是为了融入细胞核和有丝分裂的染色体，其结构决定了我们基因组的功能。研究人员通过将带有一个DNA结合染料的染色细胞在DNA表面沉积金属粉尘，就能够将人类基因组的染色质结构形象化。

Conceptual illustration of chromatin inside a cells nucleus. To fit in the nucleus and mitotic chromosomes， DNA is assembled into chromatin， the structure of which determines the functions of our genome. By painting cells with a DNA binding dye that deposits a metal dusting on the surface of DNA， Ou et al. were able to visualize the chromatin structure of the human genome.

2017-08-04

封面图展示的是通过艺术手法表现的合成大分子阶梯支架片断，在一种天然产物结构的启发下，这个片断在机械力的作用下通过开环反应打开。接踵而至的绝缘聚合物结构的机械化学变形转化成半导体聚乙炔纳米线，随即快速地转变了材料的内在特性及功能。

Artistically rendered segment of a synthetic macromolecular ladder scaffold， inspired by a natural product structure， that unzips through ring-opening in response to mechanical force. The ensuing mechanochemical metamorphosis of the insulating polyladderene structure into semiconducting polyacetylene nanowires rapidly transforms the material's intrinsic properties and functions.

2017-08-11

在14000多年前，首批人類到达美洲，旅途中，他们可能乘船通过了像封面图中俄勒冈州海岸这样的风景地貌。考古学家们正在试图追寻他们的脚步。

The first humans to arrive in the Americas，more than 14000 years ago， may have traveled by boat through landscapes such as this one on the coast of Oregon. Archaeologists are now trying to trace their steps.endprint