How the brain’s amygdala reacts when making decisions to avoid losses Summary Humans explore unfamiliar options more when deciding how to avoid losses than when seeking gains. Reitich‑Stolero et al.…
A way to determine how partial charges of atoms in a molecule are distributed Summary Researchers have demonstrated an experimental route to measure atomic partial charges in molecules by exploiting…
Flies evolved a shock-absorber tissue used during embryonic development Summary Two new studies, discussed in a Nature News & Views piece, resolve a long-standing mystery about a prominent fold in…
Ancient DNA clarifies the early history of the Slavs Summary In a News & Views piece, Steffen Patzold discusses a new Nature paper by Gretzinger et al. that uses ancient…
Compression causes cancer cells to start spreading Summary Researchers using a zebrafish model of melanoma show that mechanical compression from surrounding tissues can flip cancer cells from a proliferative state…
Depriving brain tumours of an amino acid could enhance chemotherapy Summary Glioblastoma, the most aggressive adult brain tumour, diverts glucose-derived carbon into pathways that fuel invasion and growth and also…
Ant queens produce sons of two distinct species Summary Researchers report an extraordinary reproductive system in the Iberian harvester ant (Messor ibericus). Queens can produce two genetically distinct types of…
The diversity of microbial enzymes that turn a pollutant into an inert gas Summary Reductase enzymes catalyse the conversion of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) into harmless dinitrogen (N2).…
Earth’s capacity to store carbon could max out surprisingly soon Summary A new study finds that the amount of carbon dioxide that can be stored safely underground is far smaller…
Damaged bridges flex and twist to prevent collapse Summary Steel truss bridges — made from interconnected members — can sometimes survive the sudden loss of a load-bearing element by activating…
