Neuroscience
“Dark Matter” DNA Influences Brain Development
Researchers are finally figuring out the purpose behind some genome sequences that are nearly identical across vertebrates
Stories by Nature magazine
Biology
Does Gender Matter?
The suggestion that women are not advancing in science because of innate inability has been taken seriously by some high-profile academics over the years. Neuroscientist Ben A. Barres, who died in December, explained what is wrong with this hypothesis in this 2006 Nature commentary...
Biology
Synthetic Species Designed to Shun Sex with Wild Organisms
Engineered organisms that cannot breed with wild counterparts could prevent transgenic plants from spreading genes
Policy
What a U.S. Government Shutdown Would Mean for Science
The National Institutes of Health would stop processing grants, but astronauts in space would keep working
Space & Physics
NASA Test Proves Pulsars Can Function as a Celestial GPS
Experiment shows how spacecraft could use stellar signals to navigate in deep space without human instruction
Biology
Cells Hack Viruslike Protein to Communicate
Proteins that researchers think are key to long-term memory formation also move genetic material between cells in both mice and flies
Policy
Young “Dreamer” Scientists in Legal Limbo
Court temporarily revives protections for some as Trump and Congress clash over policy reform
Conservation
Climate Scientists Unlock the Secrets of Blue Carbon
Results from a soil survey could bolster efforts to monitor and protect wetlands around the globe
Evolution
Armadillo, Hedgehog and Rabbit Genes Reveal How Pregnancy Evolved
Inflammatory response tweaks may enable the embryo to implant in the uterus
Biology
Rhino Poachers Prosecuted Using DNA Database
Genetic information about African rhinos is leading to stiffer convictions
Space & Physics
Long-Awaited U.S. Report Charts Course for Studies of Earth from Space
Earth scientists recommend smaller, cheaper missions to maximize science returns over the next decade
Neuroscience
Ben Barres (1955–2017)
Neurobiologist who advocated for gender equality in science
Environment
Rescued Radar Maps Reveal Antarctica’s Past
More than 2 million newly digitized images extend the history of the bottom of the ice sheet
Biotech
Electric Eel–Inspired Devices Could Power Artificial Human Organs
Power source is flexible, transparent and runs on saltwater
Public Health
AI Algorithms to Prevent Suicide Gain Traction
Facebook is one of several companies exploring ways to detect online behaviors that have been linked to self-harm
Space & Physics
Trump Tells NASA to Return to the Moon
U.S. astronauts last visited the lunar surface in the 1970s
Policy
9 Researchers Sue University of Rochester over Sexual-Harassment Allegations
Lawsuit alleges the institution mishandled complaints about cognitive scientist Florian Jaeger
Space & Physics
The Labs That Forge Distant Planets Here on Earth
High-pressure experiments explore what it might take to make exoplanets habitable
Space & Physics
Scientists Want in on Humanity’s Next Big Space Station
Space agencies are planning a Deep Space Gateway to orbit the Moon
Conservation
Archaeologists Uneasy as Trump Shrinks Bears Ears Monument Lands
Thousands of ancient Native American sites could lose protections
