2019-11-29

封面图展示的是来自1只小鼠大脑的神经细胞，这些细胞在这个体量中密集地重建。1个世纪以来，大脑皮层的神经元重建仅在约1/1 000的神经细胞（图中黑色部分）中显现出来。如今，研究人员可以使用3D电子显微镜，以及基于人工智能的图像分析重建所有这些细胞（图中灰色部分）。如此一来，就会对大脑回路的形成模式，以及在神经网络中可能出现的学习印记产生深刻的见解。

Nerve cells from the mouse brain, densely reconstructed in this volume. For a century, neuron reconstruction in the cerebral cortex showed only ~1 in 1 000 nerve cells (black); now researchers can use 3D electron microscopy and AI-based image analysis to reconstruct all of them (gray). The connectivity matrix between thousands of axons and dendrites can be measured, yielding insights about the formational patterns of brain circuits and possible imprints of learning in the neuronal network.

2019-12-06

封面图展示的是在基拉韦厄火山顶峰，哈雷茂茂火山口熔岩湖的火光在夜色中形成了一片烟羽。在2018年，利用卫星和地面监测等手段，科学家对峰顶火山喷发和火山喷口崩塌进行了监测。这些观测结果对长达几个月的火山喷发的实时危害评估及应对具有重要意义。

The Halema'uma'u crater lava lake illuminates a plume within Kīlauea's volcanic summit. The 2018 volcanic eruption and caldera collapse event at the summit were monitored using satellite and ground-based methods. The observations were important for real-time hazard assessment and response during the several-month-long eruption.

2019-12-13

在海洋发展史中，巨人症进化了很多次，特别是在滤食性生物中。对于须鲸类来说，例如封面图上的这头座头鲸，就代表了巨型滤食性动物的最新进化成果，也是有史以来最大的动物之一。研究人员可以通过对其进食表现，以及猎物质量的直接测量，确定在体型极大的情况下，鲸鱼所面临的活力驱动因素及限制等。

Gigantism evolved multiple times in the oceans, especially among filter-feeding organisms. Baleen whales, such as this humpback whale, represent the most recent radiation of gigantic filter feeders and rank among the largest animals ever. Researchers used direct measures of feeding performance and prey quality to determine the energetic drivers and limits that whales encounter at extremely large body sizes.

2019-12-20

封面图展示的是在《科学》杂志2019年的年度突破中，视界望远镜拍摄到的超热物质环绕在M87星系超重黑洞周围。在这张图中我们可以看到，来自于一个假想的周边行星上发出的发光光环勾勒出了它的轮廓。从它的极点喷射出炽热的气体和辐射，而它巨大的引力将背景上的恒星拉伸成所谓的爱因斯坦环。该项目的科学家Dimitrios Psaltis对这幅插图提出了一些建议。

In Science's 2019 Breakthrough of the Year, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) imaged superheated matter ringing the supermassive black hole in the galaxy M87. Here it is seen, outlined by the glowing ring, from an imaginary nearby planet. Hot gas and radiation jet from its pole, and its titanic gravity stretches background stars into so-called Einstein rings. Dimitrios Psaltis, EHT project scientist, advised on the illustration.