2008 Top 10

Nature China published 303 research highlights in 2008. This is a list of the top ten most downloaded highlights from the international website of Nature China of that year, taking into account the time at which they were published. The chart does not rank the quality, scientific significance or citation impact of the content. However, it may bring articles to your attention that you might not have otherwise noticed. We hope you enjoy them.

1. Research Highlights

   Nutrition: How eating vegetables can be bad for you -

   A vegetable-rich diet has been linked to a higher risk of obesity in Chinese people

   Published online: 19 March 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.58

   See also: Int. J. Obes. Vegetable-rich food pattern is related to obesity in China

2. Research Highlights

   Shape-memory polymers: Made in chain -

   Shape-memory polymers embedded with chains of nickel powder have enhanced electrical conductivity

   Published online: 30 January 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.24

   See also: Appl. Phys. Lett. Electrical conductivity of thermoresponsive shape-memory polymer with embedded micron sized Ni powder chains

3. Research Highlights

   Pollination strategy: Speedy domination -

   A new orchid species found in China shows that self-pollination is a brilliant strategy for flowering plants to dominate a habitat

   Published online: 1 October 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.227

   See also: Acta Ecol. Sinica Chenorchis, a new orchid genus, and its eco-strategy of ant pollination

4. Research Highlights

   Traditional Chinese medicine: Ancient formula in modern times -

   Modern biochemical analysis gives an insight into how major ingredients of an ancient Chinese remedy work in harmony to treat diseases

   Published online: 26 March 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.64

   See also: Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA Dissection of mechanisms of Chinese medicinal formula Realgar-Indigo naturalis as an effective treatment for promyelocytic leukemia

5. Research Highlights

   Optical devices: Window replacement -

   A narrow window filled with cleverly engineered materials can let light into the room in the same way as a wide window

   Published online: 6 August 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.181

   See also: Opt. Express Transformation media that turn a narrow slit into a large window

6. Research Highlights

   Epigenetics: Blooming time -

   Heritable changes in gene activity without altering the DNA sequence can affect the flowering properties of weeds

   Published online: 14 May 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.110

   See also: PLoS Genet. Small RNA-directed epigenetic natural variation in Arabidopsis thaliana

7. Research Highlights

   Plant immunity: Born to cheat -

   Plants have evolved disguise proteins to cheat pathogenic bacteria

   Published online: 23 January 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.16

   See also: Curr. Biol. Pseudomonas syringae effector AvrPto blocks innate immunity by targeting receptor kinases

8. Research Highlights

   Gut microbiota: Scanning the belly -

   Scientists have mapped out the genome of gut microbes and their metabolic pathways

   Published online: 5 March 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.47

   See also: Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA Symbiotic gut microbes modulate human metabolic phenotypes

9. Research Highlights

   Encryption: Quantum code-breaker -

   Quantum computers can implement new mathematics that could quickly break our most sophisticated encryption codes

   Published online: 11 June 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.136

   See also: Phys. Rev. Lett. Experimental demonstration of a compiled version of Shor's algorithm with quantum entanglement

10. Research Highlights

    Colour structures: Beetle blue -

    The iridescent colours on beetle wings are caused by microstructures that could be replicated for camouflage technology

    Published online: 6 February 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.30

    See also: Phys. Rev. E Inconspicuous structural coloration in the elytra of beetles Chlorophila obscuripennis (Coleoptera).

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