Predictability and evolutionary determinism - the search for quantitative explanationquantitative explanation.

Physics describes reality through the understanding and elucidation of physical laws. From these laws, the universe is predictable. It has indeed been suggested that explanation of observable phenomena comes from our ability to predict these events, through our understanding of physical laws and causal processes.

Selective Hydroxylation of C(sp )-H Bonds in Steroids.

Steroids are highly prevalent structures in small-molecule therapeutics, with the level of oxidation being key to their biological activity and physicochemical properties. These C(sp )-rich tetracycles contain many stereocentres, which are important for creating specific vectors and protein binding orientations. Therefore, the ability to hydroxylate steroids with a high degree of regio-, chemo- and stereoselectivity is essential for researchers working in this field.

Population Genetics: How Many Variable Genes Affect Variable Traits?

How many genes control a given trait? And are genes with defined knockout phenotypes affecting a given trait the same genes that also underlie population-wide variation in that trait? A new study in Drosophila melanogaster has some surprising answers.

Alternative evolutionary outcomes following endosymbiont-mediated selection on male mating preference alleles.

In many arthropods, intracellular bacteria, such as those of the genus Wolbachia, may spread through host populations as a result of cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Here, there is sterility or reduced fertility in crosses between infected males and uninfected females. As the bacterium is maternally inherited, the reduced fertility of uninfected females increases the frequency of the infection.