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THIS WEEK IN edited by Stella Hurtley and Phil Szuromi
the anti-autoinducer binds to the target cell and allows the autoinDetailed information on the electronic properties of liquids ducer to accumulate to the threshold level required for quorum inand amorphous metals is difficult to come by because the lack of duction of the cytolysin operon. The anti-autoinducer is itself a long-range order in these materials limits the usefulness of toxin component and effectively tags the target for destruction. most usual experimental probes. Baumberger et al. Organics on Jovian Orbiters (p. 2221, published online Diversity with Less Competition 25 November 2004; see Amalthea and Thebe are small and irregularSpecies diversity has recovered from some the Perspective by Petroff) ly shaped satellites of Jupiter that orbit very mass extinctions rapidly, within 1 million get around the lack of near the planet. Takato et al. (p. 2224) obyears or so. However, mass exlong-range order by looking tained infrared spectra of the satellites tinctions may also greatly efat a monolayer of lead defrom the Subaru and Infrared Telescope fect ecosystems by altering posited on a copper subFacility on Hawaii. The spectra show the interactions among species, strate. As the temperature presence of hydrous minerals or organic and these effects may be is raised through the meltmaterials on the surface of more long lasting and cryping point of the lead layer, Amalthea. Such materials could tic. Dietl et al. (p. 2229) examthe underlying order of the not have survived if the satellites ined the effects of a late copper substrate provides a formed from the circumjovian Pliocene extinction (about 3 surrogate for the energy nebula, so these satellites million years ago) on the feedand momentum informaprobably are leftovers or reming behavior of marine snails. In tion lost in the liquid lead nants of the organic-rich buildan experi