Evolution
What Sparked the Cambrian Explosion?
An evolutionary burst 540 million years ago filled the seas with an astonishing diversity of animals. The trigger behind that revolution is finally coming into focus
Stories by Nature magazine
Health
Legal Tussle Delays Launch of Huge Toxicity Database
Health risks of nearly 10,000 chemicals charted to help predict toxicity of untested substances.
The Sciences
Obama Makes Risky Bid to Increase Science Spending
Research advocates worry that the president's budget proposal could backfire in the face of political opposition
Space & Physics
Gravitational Waves: 6 Cosmic Questions They Can Tackle
The discovery of ripples in spacetime will vindicate Einstein—but it can also do so much more
The Sciences
Science Funders Struggle to Deal with Sexual Harassers
U.S. science agencies threaten harsh penalties, but many have yet to take action
Environment
U.N. Agency Proposes Greenhouse Gas Standard for Aircraft
The plan aims to decrease carbon dioxide produced by new airplanes
Environment
Forests Not Equal When It Comes to Climate
Two studies show how different tree species affect both carbon storage and local temperatures
Health
Destroying Worn-Out Cells Makes Mice Live Longer
Experiment confirms that targeting senescent cells could treat age-related diseases
Health
U.S. Panel Green-Lights Creation of Male 3-Person Embryos
But federal law may prevent regulators from approving the technique
Engineering
Meet the Soft, Cuddly Robots of the Future
Rigid robots step aside—a new generation of squishy, stretchy machines is wiggling our way
The Sciences
Scientists Swab C-Section Babies with Mothers' Microbes
Newborns were exposed experimentally to vaginal microbes to restore the microbiomes they missed
Biotech
For the First Time, Scientists Win Approval to Edit Human Embryo Genomes
U.K. regulators grant permission to use CRISPR-Cas9 technology in embryos for early-development research
The Sciences
Slaughter of the Song Birds
Songbirds are a culinary delicacy in Cyprus—but catching and eating them is illegal. Even so, the practice is on the rise and could be threatening rare species
Evolution
Error Found in Study of First Ancient African Genome
Finding that much of Africa has Eurasian ancestry was mistaken
Technology
Go Players React to Computer Defeat
Experts think that world champion Lee Sedol may still beat the AI software in a March contest
Technology
Wearable Sweat Sensor Paves the Way for Real-Time Analysis of Body Chemistry
Flexible plastic sensor sends molecular test results to a smartphone
The Sciences
Hawking's Latest Black Hole Paper Splits Physicists
Some welcome his latest report as a fresh way to solve a black hole conundrum; others are unsure of its merits
Neuroscience
More Evidence Emerges for "Transmissible Alzheimer's" Theory
The disease is not normally infectious, but people who received grafts from cadavers did show telltale markers in their brains
Neuroscience
Monkeys Are Genetically Modified to Show Autism Symptoms
But it is unclear how well the results match the condition in humans
Medicine
Unusual Deal Ensures Ebola Vaccine Supply
Drugmaker commits to stockpiling 300,000 doses and beginning approval process
