'Same old names on this comments board, I see.

Just goes to show you really are better off reading a quality publishing publication than the electronic fast food junk. The blogroll is one consonant too long methinks.

Sven Eriksson'

I don't disagree with the sentiment and I don't take offence but I do object to the author's anonymity. If s/he wants to make a point s/he should be identified. So in future I'll take down all anonymous comments asap. I hope you don't think this is unwarranted censorship.

Another day another launch. This evening in Madrid sees a celebration for Nature Publishing Group Ibero-America a project we've been working on for a year. It is another part of the Grupo Macmillan jigsaw as we develop materials of all sorts for Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking markets. And the timing could not have been better...

This announcement was made yesterday. Two scientific journals, Science and Nature, shared the hugely important Prince of Asturias Foundation Award for Communication and Humanities. These awards are the Spanish equivalent of the Nobel Prizes and are far and away the the most revered distinctions in Spain and the Spanish-speaking world. A further coincidence is that Nature and Science were meant to be asserting authority over each other with the traditional annual cricket match. It rained and therefore a draw was declared which seems appropriate in the circumstances.

Other winners of these awards this year are Al Gore, Bob Dylan and Amos Oz. We're mixing in good company.

Here are three reasons why Nature is so important in the world of science.