What’s Next in the Search for COVID’s Origins
A World Health Organization report makes a reasonable start, scientists say, but there are many questions yet to be answered
Stories by Nature magazine
Long-Awaited Muon Physics Experiment Nears Moment of Truth
A result that has been 20 years in the making could reveal the existence of new particles and upend fundamental physics
WHO Report on COVID Pandemic Origins Zeroes In on Animal Markets, Not Labs
Scientists say the conclusions make sense but note that supporters of the lab-leak theory are unlikely to be satisfied
First Openly Transgender Top U.S. Official Is Set to Tackle Inequity
Biden health official Rachel Levine has a strong track record of fighting for social justice in health care, researchers say
Quantum Network Is Step Towards Ultrasecure Internet
Experiment connects three devices with entangled photons, demonstrating a key technique that could enable a future quantum internet
Scandal over COVID Vaccine Trial at Peruvian Universities Prompts Outrage
Researchers gave shots to politicians and family members, violating trial regulations—and damaging public trust
Seismic Ripples Reveal Size of Mars’s Core
Mars becomes the first inner planet after Earth to have its core measured
Scientists Grew Tiny Tear Glands in a Dish—Then Made Them Cry
Organoids made of tear-producing cells offer chances to study, and possibly treat, eye disorders
COVID Antibody Treatments Show Promise for Preventing Severe Disease
Uptake by patients and physicians has been low in the U.S. even though some therapies have been authorized for months
This Is the Fastest Random-Number Generator Ever Built
A laser generates quantum randomness at a rate of 250 trillion bits per second and could lead to devices small enough to fit on a single chip
Major Physics Society Will Not Meet in Cities with Racist Policing Records
The American Physical Society’s new criteria for conference venues seem to be unique among scientific societies
Massive Google-Funded COVID Database Will Track Variants and Immunity
Open repository will give free access to more than 160 million data points with details about individual infections
How COVID Is Changing the Cold and Flu Season
Measures meant to tame the coronavirus pandemic are quashing influenza and most other respiratory diseases, which could have wide-ranging implications
The Link Between Delirium and Dementia
Delirium is very common on COVID wards. Researchers are testing whether these temporary bouts of confusion could bring on permanent cognitive decline
Mars Video Reveals Perseverance Rover’s Daring Touchdown
The NASA spacecraft has also snapped more shots of its surroundings and listened to a Martian wind gust
The Coronavirus Is Here to Stay—Here’s What That Means
A Nature survey shows many scientists expect the virus that causes COVID-19 to become endemic, but it could pose less danger over time
COVID Vaccines Are Safe and Effective—What the Research Says
As more coronavirus vaccines are rolled out, researchers are learning about the extent and nature of side effects
Life on Venus Claim Faces Strongest Challenge Yet
New studies knock down a controversial report observing phosphine in the planet’s atmosphere
Why Are We Still Deep-Cleaning Surfaces for COVID?
The coronavirus behind the pandemic can linger on doorknobs and other surfaces, but these aren’t a major source of infection
Hints of Twisted Light Offer Clues to Dark Energy’s Nature
Cosmologists suggest that an exotic substance called quintessence could be accelerating the Universe’s expansion—but the evidence is still tentative
