A roundup of weekly science policy and related news.

Reanalyzing same data, paper challenges controversial study casting doubt on use of mouse models.

Statistical agencies worldwide are trying to meet demand for cost-savings without harming quality.

Studies of individual animals in the wild suggest that higher cognition has evolutionary trade-offs.

Catalytic approach could eliminate CO₂ emissions from the key step in making fertilizer.

Biologists debate whether “genomic islands” are real and mark a first step in the formation of new species.

Microprocessors modeled on networks of nerve cells promise blazing speed at incredibly low power—if they live up to hopes.

A listing of books received at Science during the week ending 01 August 2014.

Regulatory gaps must be filled before gene drives could be used in the wild

Advanced cryo–electron microscopy yields high-resolution structures of proteins

A quantum mechanical calculation of the lattice energy of benzene represents a milestone in accuracy [Also see Report by Yang et al.]

Radiometric studies can probe the pre-birth conditions of the solar system [Also see Report by Lugaro et al.]

Local biosynthesis and mutual inhibition between plant hormones pattern root tissues [Also see Research Article by De Rybel et al.]

Reconfigurable machines and internally structured materials can be created through folding [Also see Reports by Felton et al. and Silverberg et al.]

Drugs that modulate RNA splicing are potential therapeutics for spinal muscular atrophy [Also see Report by Naryshkin et al.]

A genetic network integrates hormonal inputs to establish a stable tissue pattern within a growing plant tissue. [Also see Perspective by Mellor and Bishopp]

An electrochemical route offers preliminary prospects for making the ammonia in fertilizer purely from renewable resources.

Theoretical calculations of molecular packing in crystals attain sufficient accuracy to distinguish polymorphs. [Also see Perspective by Price]

Origami techniques are used to develop crawling robots that self-fold from flat-pack designs.

Origami folded sheets can be structurally altered by adding defects to control the mechanical properties. [Also see Perspective by You]

Revised estimates of nucleosynthesis in AGB stars allow a consistent timeline for the last presolar enrichment events. [Also see Perspective by Bizzarro]

Spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy reveals the magnetic ordering of a strongly correlated material.

Inelastic neutron scattering detects an anisotropy in the spin fluctuations of a family of iron-based superconductors.

Projections from the frontal cortex control stimulus processing in the visual system in mice.

A large-scale computer chip mimics many features of a real brain.

Methanogenic microorganisms living in water droplets may contribute to the degradation of oil reservoirs.

Denitrification and ammonification compete for nitrate based on environmental pressures.

Antiviral immune responses induce an oxysterol that suppresses interleukin-1–mediated inflammation.

In an EF4-ribosome complex, the ribosome is in a state that remodels the decoding center.

Small molecules that alter splicing of a specific messenger RNA have beneficial effects in a model of a motor neuron disease. [Also see Perspective by Vigevani and Valcárcel]

Certain membrane lipids adapt their conformation to membrane curvature, facilitating membrane deformation and fission.

On this week's show: Making computers more like brains.

A weekly roundup of information on newly offered instrumentation, apparatus, and laboratory materials of potential interest to researchers.