Front Matter

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• News Feature: Prehistoric animals, in living color
  Paleontologists are looking beyond bones to reveal the hues of prehistoric animals that vanished millions of years ago. But the young field has its share of disagreements. Image courtesy of Michael DiGiorgio (artist).

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• Opinion: NIH must support broadly focused basic research
  The institute’s traditional charge has had numerous payoffs. But recent initiatives suggest that it’s veering away from this mission of broad, species-diverse research. Image courtesy of Carnegie Institution for Science.

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• Science and Culture: The value of a good science hack
  As part of Science Hack Day, scientists, artists, programmers,and others gather for 24 hours to make myriad creations, no matter how silly, serious, or strange. Image courtesy of Flickr/Matt Biddulph.

PNAS in the News

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• Neuronal density and bird intelligence
  Researchers report that parrot and songbird brains had greater neuronal density and a greater proportion of neurons in the forebrain than in mammalian brains of similar mass, suggesting a basis for the advanced cognitive abilities of certain birds.
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• Electric field might aid manufacture of low-fat chocolate
  Application of an electric field along the flow direction of a chocolate suspension might help manufacturers produce low-fat chocolate, a study suggests.
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• Refugees and the local economy
  Refugees might benefit the economies of host countries, a study suggests.
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