點擊科學

2017-07-21

封面圖展示的是在地中海里游弋的大西洋藍鰭金槍魚。科學家發現金槍魚的魚鰭具有液壓控制機能，這一發現掲示了脊椎動物的淋巴系統前所未知的功用。這種魚鰭的控制機制可能會為“智能”控制界面的設計帶來靈感，使其具有可變換的外形及剛度，從而提髙無人駕駛的機載和水下車具的機動性能。

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

封面上展示的是一個細胞的細胞核內部染色質的概念插圖。DNA被組裝成核染色質，是為了融入細胞核和有絲分裂的染色體，其結構決定了我們基因組的功能。研究人員通過將帶有一個DNA結合染料的染色細胞在DNA表面沉積金屬粉塵，就能夠將人類基因組的染色質結構形象化。

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

封面圖展示的是通過藝術手法表現的合成大分子階梯支架片斷，在一種天然產物結構的啟發下，這個片斷在機械力的作用下通過開環反應打開。接踵而至的絕緣聚合物結構的機械化學變形轉化成半導體聚乙炔納米線，隨即快速地轉變了材料的內在特性及功能。

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，首批人類到達美洲，旅途中，他們可能乘船通過了像封面圖中俄勒岡州海岸這樣的風景地貌。考古學家們正在試圖追尋他們的腳步。

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