This continuing series gathers and presents original research results on the leading edge of medicine and biology. Each article has been carefully selected in an attempt to present substantial topical data across a broad spectrum. This compilation focuses on the impact of depression during pregnancy on a new-born's health; chromosome mapping in the era of dense marker sets; the importance of parent physical activity levels and their expectations for their children's health; the autonomic nervous system and glucose and lipid metabolism; smoke-related lung disease and the role of metal ion in inorganic biochemistry.