A unified phylogeny-based nomenclature for histone variants

In response to an urgent need to rationalize the current schemes for naming histone variants, researchers from over 30 institutions worldwide have developed consistent but flexible naming rules that are informative and database-searchable.

Maternal smoking affects fetal retinoid pathway

Lung development problems related to maternal smoking may be associated with a disruption in retinoic acid signaling, shown by reduced expression of retinoic acid signaling pathway elements in mice exposed to tobacco toxins via maternal smoking during lung development.

Heat-sensitive brace for scoliosis compliance

A tiny heat sensor placed in a brace to treat adolescents with scoliosis can monitor compliance of recommended prescription times, resulting more accurate self reporting and an increased patient-physician relationship.

RNA silencing: a powerful tool against plant disease

Hui-Shan Guo and colleagues review the application of RNA silencing in engineering plants that are resistant to plant viruses, viroids, insects and, more recently, fungal pathogens.

Better health care for immigrants

Mark Harris comments on a recent study in International Journal for Equity in Health, which reports US immigrants suffer disparities in access to health services such as cholesterol screening, and discusses the importance of changing this situation to benefit the long-term outcomes of immigrant health status.