Why COVID Outbreaks Could Worsen This Winter
It’s too soon to say whether COVID is seasonal like the flu—but where clusters aren’t under control, infections will continue to swell
Stories by Nature magazine
COVID-19 Herd Immunity Strategies Could Bring ‘Untold Death and Suffering’
Why proposals to largely let the virus run its course—embraced by Donald Trump’s administration and others—are a false promise
This Beetle's Stab-Proof Exoskeleton Makes It Almost Indestructible
Jigsaw-puzzle-shaped seams that hold a notoriously tough insect’s wing cases together could inspire engineers
Coronavirus Drug Remdesivir Shortens Recovery but Is Not a Magic Bullet
Despite conflicting data, the highly anticipated results will make the treatment a standard of care in the U.S.
Human Challenge Trials Will Deliberately Infect Dozens in the U.K.
Proponents of the trials say they can be run safely and help to identify effective vaccines, but others have questioned their value
First Room-Temperature Superconductor Excites and Baffles Scientists
A compound of hydrogen, carbon and sulfur has broken a symbolic barrier—but its high-pressure conditions make it difficult to analyze
What China’s Speedy COVID Vaccine Deployment Means for the Pandemic
China has promised vaccines to many countries, but whether it can meet its commitments is unclear
Last Chance for WIMPs: Physicists Launch All-Out Hunt for Dark Matter Candidate
Researchers have spent decades searching for the elusive particles. A final generation of detectors should leave them no place to hide
Diagnosing COVID From a Person’s Voice
Researchers are exploring ways to use people’s vocalizations to diagnose coronavirus infections, dementia and depression
What a Joe Biden Presidency Would Mean For Science
The coronavirus pandemic, climate change and space exploration are among the issues that Biden will influence if he wins the upcoming U.S. election
‘Apocalyptic’ Fires Are Ravaging the World’s Largest Tropical Wetland
Infernos in South America’s Pantanal region have burned twice the area of California’s fires this year
Water on Mars: Discovery of Three Buried Lakes Intrigues Scientists
Researchers say they have detected a group of lakes hidden under the Red Planet’s icy surface
The First Ever Image of a Black Hole Is Now a Movie
Pictures created from old observations show the void’s stormy evolution over the past decade
U.S. National Academy of Sciences Can Kick Out Harassers—So Why Hasn’t It?
The NAS says that no one has used the complaint system put in place last year, even though several academy members are known sexual harassers
Who Will Get a COVID-19 Vaccine First? Access Plans Are Taking Shape
Advisory groups around the world have released guidance to prioritize healthcare workers and those in front-line jobs
Coronavirus Vaccine U.K. Trial Restarts, but Scientists Question Lack of Transparency
U.K. trials of the Oxford and AstraZeneca vaccine have resumed after a brief pause, yet key details of the events have not been released
Discoverer of Neural Circuits for Parenting Wins $3-Million Breakthrough Prize
Biologist Catherine Dulac netted one of four big life sciences awards. Also announced were one for mathematics and two for physics
Scientists React to Halt of Leading Coronavirus Vaccine Trial
Scientists urge caution in the global vaccine race as AstraZeneca reports an “adverse event” in a person who received the University of Oxford vaccine
Why the United States Is Having a Coronavirus Data Crisis
Political meddling, disorganization and years of neglect of public-health data management mean the country is flying blind
Evidence for Convalescent Plasma Coronavirus Treatment Lags behind Excitement
Despite calls for more rigorous clinical trials, the Food and Drug Administration has granted an emergency authorization for the therapy
