- April 18, 2025
Signs of life on a distant planet? Not so fast, say these astronomers
An artist’s impression of K2-18 b, where researchers report a signature of life’s activity.Credit: ESA/Hubble, M. Kornmesser A University of Cambridge-led team of astronomers made
the fascinating insights meteorites can bring us
The Meteorite Hunters: On the Trail of Extraterrestrial Treasures and the Secrets Inside Them Joshua Howgego Oneworld (2025) The Meteorites: Encounters with Outer Space and
Nature’s guide to what’s next
Lawsuits against the US National Institutes of Health might end up at the Supreme Court.Credit: Tierney L Cross/AFP/Getty Threats to US biomedical research grants are
Asilomar conference took courage and foresight — today, inclusivity would also be crucial
You have full access to this article via your institution. The name Asilomar has become a metaphor for problem-solving in science and society.Credit: Stephen B.
Obesity-drug pioneers and 13,508 physicists win US$3-million Breakthrough Prizes
The Breakthrough prize trophy’s design is inspired by imagery from science, including black holes, seashells and the structure of DNA.Credit: The Breakthrough Prizes Five scientists
Haploid facultative parthenogenesis in sunflower sexual reproduction
Jacquier, N. M. A. et al. Puzzling out plant reproduction by haploid induction for innovations in plant breeding. Nat. Plants 6, 610–619 (2020). PubMed MATH
Publishers trial paying peer reviewers — what did they find?
Trials suggest that offering payment can increase the chance of a researcher agreeing to review, and in some cases speed up the process. Credit: Catherine
Trump’s bid for Greenland threatens to destabilize Arctic research
Boulder, Colorado A major Arctic-science conference got caught up this week in the fight between US President Donald Trump, who says the United States should
How to know whether a conference is right for you
Illustration: Sébastien Thibault After coming across a UK conference that sounded interesting, Carme Arnan Ros, a laboratory manager and research technician at the -Centre for
US universities curtail staff, spending as Trump cuts take hold
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge has frozen hiring for non-faculty positions.Credit: Mel Musto/Bloomberg/Getty The onslaught of US spending cuts is prompting drastic action
