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How the US mid-term elections could shake up science
Nature, Published online: 29 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03479-0
A Democratic victory in Congress could halt the Trump administration’s controversial grant-review plan and curb some of its funding actions.Posted on 29 October 2026 | 1:00 am
Even stupendous black holes can’t explain dark matter
Nature, Published online: 29 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03386-4
The theoretical objects would have left a larger imprint on cosmic radiation if they were a source of the invisible force pulling together the galaxies.Posted on 29 October 2026 | 1:00 am
Monolithically and in situ integrated PbS infrared imagers
Nature, Published online: 28 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11222-y
A method for growing infrared image sensors directly from solution using raw materials by monolithic in situ integration of high-performance semiconductor PbS photodetectors on readout integrated circuits is described, yielding films with excellent electronic properties.Posted on 28 October 2026 | 1:00 am
Tandem repeat variation shapes immune cell type-specific gene expression
Nature, Published online: 28 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10438-2
Whole-genome sequencing and cell-level gene expression measurements show that length variation in tandem repeats in the human genome contributes to cell type-specific differences in gene regulation and expression, as well as the architecture of complex traits.Posted on 28 October 2026 | 1:00 am
Switchable Chlorine Atom Transfer Radical Reactions
Nature, Published online: 28 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11348-z
Switchable Chlorine Atom Transfer Radical ReactionsPosted on 28 October 2026 | 1:00 am
SWI/SNF complexes shape 3D chromatin architecture through CTCF and cohesin
Nature, Published online: 28 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11197-w
Loss of function of canonical BAF induces gain of CTCF and cohesin binding that alters 3D genome architecture and reprograms transcription.Posted on 28 October 2026 | 1:00 am
Back-to-monomer depolymerization of silicones by deoxygenative chlorination
Nature, Published online: 28 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11335-4
Back-to-monomer depolymerization of silicones by deoxygenative chlorinationPosted on 28 October 2026 | 1:00 am
Narrow carbon pentaheptite nanoribbon as a covalent metal
Nature, Published online: 28 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11202-2
Planar carbon pentaheptite nanoribbons are synthesized by laterally fusing polypentalene chains transformed from pre-synthesized polycyclooctadiene chains, suggesting a possible route towards carbon quantum wires.Posted on 28 October 2026 | 1:00 am
Why did ancient humans avoid this lush paradise
Nature, Published online: 28 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03486-1
A new expedition into the Rub’ al Khali desert finds no evidence of ancient human settlement.Posted on 28 October 2026 | 1:00 am
Emotion regulation capacity lacks a shared neural signature
Nature, Published online: 28 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11203-1
Sensorimotor and amygdala activation, but not canonical prefrontal control circuits, indicate emotion regulation capacity.Posted on 28 October 2026 | 1:00 am
This Arabian desert was once a lush paradise. Why did ancient humans avoid it?
Nature, Published online: 28 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03484-3
Expedition revealed that water wasn’t enough for human settlement — plus, proposals to block sunlight get serious.Posted on 28 October 2026 | 1:00 am
Spatial and sectoral water demand assessment for the African continent
Nature, Published online: 28 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11199-8
Africa-wide water demand analysis across six sectors in 2020 shows that in specific regions of northern and southern Africa, the current water demand exceeds water availability.Posted on 28 October 2026 | 1:00 am
Accounting of Africa’s water reveals a management gap
Nature, Published online: 28 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03260-3
A map of Africa’s water demand reveals that the scarcity of water is only part of the problem facing the continent — management is a separate challenge.Posted on 28 October 2026 | 1:00 am
Stone and water governed early human settlement of the desert
Nature, Published online: 28 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11180-5
A geoarchaeological survey of the Rub’ al Khali (the Empty Quarter of Arabia) and spatial modelling of the Arabian Peninsula suggest that human settlement tracked the co-occurrence of water and stone suitable for making tools, rather than water alone.Posted on 28 October 2026 | 1:00 am
The brain liquidates billions of mutant neurons around the time we’re born
Nature, Published online: 28 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03444-x
Faulty neurons can contribute to various neurological conditions, but researchers have uncovered a system that might clean them up.Posted on 28 October 2026 | 1:00 am