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In this episode we discuss a recent Nature exclusive investigating an international constellation of sham academies and societies that have successfully misled some of the world’s leading scientists and universities. Nature: Exclusive: Sham scientific societies are misleading star researchers Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode: 00:45 The Nobel Prizes 2026Nature: Medicine Nobel awarded for brain ‘switch’ that controls neurons with light Nature: ‘What took them so long?’ This year’s medicine Nobel winner is overdue Nature: Nobel physics prize awarded for detection of cosmic neutrinos Nature: Astronomy’s ‘adrenaline junkies’: Nobel prize captures the thrill of neutrino physics Nature: Chemistry Nobel for solving mystery of how ‘handed’ organic molecules can emerge 11:53 Research HighlightsNature: Youthful fans of YouTube sports videos stick to the sofa Nature: A black hole’s jets have a halo effect 14:11 The ancient human gut microbiomeResearch Article: Carter et al. News and Views: Gut microbes that trace ancient human journeys Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we speak with Hernan Diaz whose most recent novel Ply blends a vision of a dystopian future with questions about selfhood and asks whether advanced physics could be used to unravel the fabric of spacetime itself. Ply Hernan Diaz Picador (2026) Music supplied by SPD/Triple Scoop Music/Getty Images Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the Nature Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music or your favourite podcast app. An RSS feed for the Nature Podcast is available too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

High-speed footage of takeoffs reveal that the butterfly markings mislead the eye, making them harder to catch. 00:45 Butterflies in flight create confusing motion cues that baffle birdsResearch Article: Hancock et al. 14:09 Research HighlightsResearch Article: Menezes and Podos Research Highlight: Huge hoard of metal bars hints at vast Iron Age trade Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode 00:23 How detecting lead could help researchers read damaged Roman scrollsNature: Watch scientists decipher burned scrolls without unrolling them 06:42 A biodegradeable, paper-inspired batteryNature: Edible batteries power medical devices in the body Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the Nature Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music or your favourite podcast app. An RSS feed for the Nature Podcast is available too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

00:45 Investigating the day-to-day impacts of Financial Abuse Nature: Trendl et al. Support organizations UK: Surviving Economic Abuse US: National Domestic Violence Helpline 12:14 Research HighlightsNature: Mercury is shrinking with age — faster than thought Nature: Cognitive resilience helps to predict Alzheimer’s dementia 14:55 How opposing forces in the Earth's core alter how the planet spinsNature: Gravitational tug-of-war inside Earth is changing the length of our days Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the Nature Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music or your favourite podcast app. An RSS feed for the Nature Podcast is available too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode: 00:22 Could secret rooms lie beyond Tutankhamun's tomb?Nature: Exclusive: New evidence for hidden chambers beyond Tutankhamun’s tomb 05:55 A multifunctional brain–computer interfaceNature: ‘Multifunctional’ brain implant translates speech and gestures in real time Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode: 00:46 Human brain-organoids transplanted into mice missing their cortexNature: Human brain cells transplanted into mice in ‘most extensive’ integration ever 13:51 Research HighlightsNature: Ruins of ancient Asian city show engineering prowess and organization Nature: Distant sensors announced a fearsome tsunami’s birth 16:16 Paper2Agent: the AI tool that lets researchers talk to papersNature: AI tool turns any paper into an ‘agent’ that can collaborate and answer complex queries Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nature staff discuss an AI tool that can assess the impact of nine billion mutations — plus, how the Bunsen burner’s reputation for sterilization may be based on tradition alone. 00:21 Deepmind’s new tool helps scientists find the impact of mutationsNature: DeepMind’s new genome ‘atlas’ charts effects of all nine billion human gene mutations 07:10 Bacteria can still contaminate plates near to active Bunsen burnersNature: Bunsen burners’ reputation for sterilizing workplaces flames out Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode: 00:46 How telephone teaching could boost education during school shutdownsNature: Pick up the phone! Phone calls with tutors keep kids learning when schools shut down 11:42 Research HighlightsNature: Super-precise optical clocks in four nations tick in harmony Nature: These greenhouse-gas sources have trotters and snouts 14:15 Why atlases might need an updateNature: Hello Equal Earth: what the UN’s new world map will change Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode: 00:21 Our picks of this year’s Ig Nobel prizesNature: Buried underpants and a new definition of kissing win 2026 Ig Nobel prizes 07:47 Massive xenon experiment detects tantalizing hint of dark matterNature: Is this the first glimpse of dark matter? Data point excites physicists Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scientists are amassing evidence that unrepaired or poorly repaired DNA damage underlies many of the hallmarks of ageing. This has led to research into whether boosting DNA repair can keep people healthy for longer. This is an audio version of our Feature: Could mending damaged DNA prolong life? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode: 00:18 Researchers celebrate Dolly Parton's contributions to scienceNature: Dolly Parton dies aged 80 — researchers celebrate her contributions to science 08:40 Phase III trial of melanoma vaccine shows promiseNature: Moderna cancer vaccine stops melanoma returning: what’s next for personalized treatments? Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why extreme temperatures are expected to weaken ocean carbon sinks — plus, how mitochondrial injections could treat vision loss. 00:46 The world’s oceans reach a record temperature Nature: Ocean temperatures set to break all-time record: what’s next? 10:05 Research Highlights Nature: Astronaut vest cuts radiation exposure in half Nature: Earth-shaking thunder probes underground geology 12:54 How mitochondrial injections could treat vision loss Nature: Patient’s own mitochondria injected into eyes in attempt to restore vision​​​​​​​ Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nature staff discuss how an FDA-approved drug for narcolepsy could have promise beyond the condition, and the longest-lived human brain organoids yet. 00:28 The promise of a new narcolepsy drug Nature: First-of-its-kind narcolepsy drug opens door to new therapies for the brain 05:53 Human brain organoids kept alive for over five years Nature: Human organoids that mimic brain development grown for years in lab​​​​​​​ Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.