Science, August 29, 2008

Cover
A black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) drinks nectar from a flower of wild tobacco (Nicotiana attenuata).
Nicotine in the nectar moderates its consumption by the hummingbird and
protects against predators; the flower lip produces benzyl acetone,
which attracts pollinators. Together, the repellent and attractant
maximize the plant's reproductive fitness.

Ancient Earthmovers of the Amazon
The forested
western Amazon was once thought barren of complex human culture. But
researchers are now uncovering enigmatic earthworks left by large,
organized societies that once lived and farmed here.

The Western Amazon's "Garden Cities"
A U.S.-Brazilian
research team reports finding a set of "garden cities" built in the
forests of the south-central Amazon as early as 1250 C.E.

A Controversial Bid to Thwart the "Cantonese Cancer"
Zeng
Yi has spent 3 decades probing a connection between Epstein-Barr virus
and nasopharyngeal cancer. A new vaccine should show whether he is on
the right track.

Mortality Survey Offers Mixed Message
Cancer has
become the number one killer in urban China, causing one in four
deaths, although screening and prevention programs have reduced
mortality rates for some cancers.

Life After Death
How is a dead massive star still able to energize extremely relativistic particles?

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