The Latest Breaking News from Nature

Room-temperature superconduction would be the holy grail for humanity's computing and energy-efficient future. But there are risks to being a poster-boy for the pursuit of Nobel prizes: that individuals co-opt science to advance personal goals.

A new research paper in Nature published by Tsinghua University describes a new analog computing chip that beats Nvidia's A100 at 3 times its performance and 4,000 million times higher energy efficiency at computer vision tasks. Considering the potential markets for devices such as these and the potential for further…

Two new papers suggest a surprising layer of molten rock may coat Mars' gooey middle.

Reproducibility is the essence of scientific truth. Karl Popper wrote non-reproducible single occurrences are of no significance to science. To improve reproducibility, robust experimental design, better stats, data sharing, authenticated biomaterials, publishing negative data, better mentorship needed. We can't depend on one outcome/study. It's our collective responsibility to ensure reproducibility.

Nipah virus reservoirs in SE Asia, India may cause cross-species transmission to humans. Early detection systems needed. Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, China, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka have bat populations exposed to Nipah. Lack of treatment options, need for antivirals, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines in clinical trials. Virological, immunological factors to…

Physicists have created a ‘quantum engine’ to convert the energy difference between two quantum states - fermionic and bosonic - of some atoms into work. The device adapts the principles of a classical engine to subatomic realm, allowing physicists to study quantum thermodynamics with better control and to potentially better…

Marking an extraordinary milestone, a kidney transplanted from a genetically engineered miniature pig has kept a monkey alive for more than two years — one of the longest survival times for an interspecies organ transplant.

The design and successful transplantation of kidney grafts from genetically modified pigs into non-human primates has been described in a recent study published in Nature.

Climate change is emerging as a major threat to frogs, salamanders, and caecilians, according to a new study. Data from over 8,000 species showed that two out of five amphibians are threatened with extinction, with climate change being the primary threat for 39%. Habitat destruction and degradation, disease, and overexploitation…