We boldly chat with 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' showrunners about space dinosaurs and Lovecraftian horrors for season 4 (interview)
'The minute we started talking about doing dinosaurs, we were like, 'Yeah, let’s figure out a way to do that.''
Latest headlines
Scientists discover a compound that could supercharge aging muscle repair
A sulfur-based compound called LASSS appears to protect and supercharge a key protein involved in repairing damaged muscle. The discovery could eventually lead to new ways to slow muscle loss and preserve strength as people age.
A new antiviral could stop measles before an outbreak takes off
An experimental pill prevented a measles-like virus from spreading through the air or through close contact in ferrets. It worked when given shortly before or after exposure and also shortened illness and the period when infected animals remained contagious. Researchers say the drug could one day complement vaccination and make outbreaks easier to contain.
The billion-dollar problem keeping Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound from patients
Ozempic, Wegovy, and similar drugs may deliver excellent health value, but covering them for millions of eligible patients could overwhelm insurance budgets. Researchers say better long-term support is needed and warn that low-cost compounded versions may carry serious safety risks.
Venus may be tearing itself apart from within
Scientists have uncovered new evidence that Venus may still be tearing itself apart from within. Advanced 3D simulations indicate that some of the planet's giant rift valleys formed relatively recently and could still be expanding. The results suggest Venus has a far more active interior than researchers once believed, challenging the long-held view of a geologically dormant world.
Sweden’s hidden rare earth deposits could help break China’s grip
Sweden could become an important source of rare earth elements needed for magnets and green technologies. Instead of extracting one target metal, researchers are cataloging everything contained in Swedish mineral deposits. They will then develop magnets using those naturally available combinations, potentially reducing pollution, waste, and reliance on China.
China’s Tianwen-1 captures interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS near Mars
China’s Tianwen-1 orbiter captured a faint but remarkable view of 3I/ATLAS as the interstellar comet raced past Mars. The images reveal its tail and glowing coma, offering scientists a glimpse of material born beyond our solar system.
Ancient ape fossil in Egypt challenges the story of human origins
A newly identified fossil ape from northern Egypt is reshaping ideas about where the ancestors of modern apes first emerged. Analyses place it closer to living apes than any known East African species of the same age, pointing to North Africa and the Middle East as a possible birthplace and crossroads for the ape lineage that eventually produced gibbons, orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans.
APOE2 may protect the brain from Alzheimer’s and aging
The longevity-linked APOE2 gene appears to protect brain cells by reducing DNA damage and helping neurons recover from stress. The finding could open a new path toward treatments that mimic APOE2’s defenses in people at higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s.
Ozempic and Mounjaro linked to a surprising hair loss risk
A large study suggests that GLP-1 drugs including Ozempic and Mounjaro may slightly increase the risk of hair loss in people with type 2 diabetes. Compared with two other common classes of diabetes medications, GLP-1 users had a significantly higher rate of alopecia, though the absolute risk was still low. The hair loss was mainly non-scarring, which means it may be reversible.
Relapsed childhood cancers show genomic scars left by previous therapy
Nature, Published online: 29 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02329-3Whole-genome sequencing of hundreds of childhood tumours, enriched for pretreated, relapsed and metastatic samples, shows that cancer therapies, especially platinum-based ones, are associated with rapid acquisition of distinctive patterns of DNA damage. These mutational signatures are linked with worse outcomes and could be used to track relapses and guide treatment decisions.
Underdog ‘spin qubits’ leap forward in race to a useful quantum computer
Nature, Published online: 29 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02357-zFour independent research teams report big advances in devices built with the underestimated quantum bits, including lower error rates.
Obituary: Susumu Tonegawa, Japan’s first Nobel prizewinner in physiology or medicine
Nature, Published online: 29 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02340-8Fearless molecular biologist who revealed the workings of antibodies and memories.
40,000-year-old bird carvings provide clues to how ice age humans flourished
Nature, Published online: 29 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02312-yNewly discovered figurines point to skills that might have helped shape early humans’ expansion across Europe.
The dark horse of biology: how RNA is becoming a nanotool maker’s dream
Nature, Published online: 29 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02180-6Scientists are harnessing its ability to fold, switch and reorganize itself to create a new generation of cellular technologies.
Editorial Expression of Concern: Carcinoma-produced factors activate myeloid cells through TLR2 to stimulate metastasis
Nature, Published online: 28 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10923-8Editorial Expression of Concern: Carcinoma-produced factors activate myeloid cells through TLR2 to stimulate metastasis
Entangled dual-site migration via boracycle rearrangement
Nature, Published online: 28 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10931-8Entangled dual-site migration via boracycle rearrangement
Values in science go beyond politics
Nature, Published online: 28 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02346-2Values in science go beyond politics
Deserts face unprecedented flash flooding
Nature, Published online: 28 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02349-zDeserts face unprecedented flash flooding
It’ll grow on you: live fungi formed into sustainable fashion
Nature, Published online: 28 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02304-yTextile made from fungal filaments can repair itself and is biodegradable.