What’s Next for Psychology’s Embattled Field of Social Priming
A promising field of research on social behavior struggled after investigators couldn’t repeat key findings. Now researchers are trying to establish what’s worth saving
Stories by Nature magazine
Scientists Question China’s Decision Not to Report Symptom-Free Coronavirus Cases
Researchers say that excluding these people could conceal the epidemic’s true extent, but others say the practice makes sense
The Supercool Materials That Send Heat to Space
Paints, plastics and even wood can be engineered to stay cool in direct sunlight—but their role in displacing power-hungry air conditioners remains unclear
NASA Soars and Others Plummet in Trump’s Budget Proposal
U.S. research sees deep cuts in the president’s request for 2021. But Congress has resisted similar reductions in the past
How Quickly Can Iran Make a Nuclear Bomb?
With an international deal in serious jeopardy, Iran is not racing to build nuclear weapons—but its capabilities are growing
Step Aside, CRISPR: RNA Editing Is Taking Off
Making changes to the molecular messengers that create proteins might offer flexible therapies for cancer, pain or high cholesterol, in addition to genetic disorders
Australian Lab First to Grow New Virus Outside China
The team plans to share the virus with groups around the world to spur development of diagnostics and vaccines
Thousands of Ancient Aboriginal Sites Probably Damaged in Australian Fires
The sites are rich in cultural history, but the blazes might also reveal some unknown ones, say archaeologists
Some Scientists Skeptical about Snakes Spreading New Virus in China
A genetic analysis suggests a reptilian reservoir, but researchers doubt the coronavirus could have originated in animals other than birds or mammals
Survival of the Fittest Cells
Cells in the body don’t always play nicely together. Could co-opting their competitive nature help to unlock cutting-edge therapies?
How the Fight over a Hawaii Mega Telescope Could Change Astronomy
The Thirty Meter Telescope controversy is forcing scientists to grapple with how their research affects indigenous peoples
Catastrophic Australian Bushfires Derail Research
But scientists see chance to control invasive species and study ecosystem disruption
Supercomputer Scours Fossil Record for Earth’s Hidden Extinctions
Paleontologists have charted 300 million years of Earth’s history in breathtaking detail
Kill Switch for CRISPR Could Make Gene Editing Safer
Anti-CRISPR proteins could bolster biosecurity and improve medical treatments
SpaceX Tests Black Satellite to Reduce “Megaconstellation” Threat to Astronomy
Latest launch includes “DarkSat” prototype to minimize reflection from fleets of broadband Internet satellites
A Huge Scientific Effort Is Studying Notre Dame’s Ashes
Researchers are making use of an unprecedented opportunity to study the cathedral's innards
Quest to Use CRISPR Against Disease Gains Ground
As the first clinical trial results trickle in, researchers look ahead to more sophisticated medical applications for genome editing
What CRISPR-Baby Prison Sentences Mean for Research
A Chinese court sent a strong signal by punishing He Jiankui and two colleagues
“Marsquakes” Reveal Red Planet’s Hidden Geology
NASA’s Mars InSight lander has detected more than 300 quakes and traced some back to their source
Japan Will Build the World’s Largest Neutrino Detector
Cabinet greenlights $600-million Hyper-Kamiokande experiment, which scientists hope will bring revolutionary discoveries
