US social sciences face existential crisis after NSF cuts

Nature, Published online: 03 November 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03540-yThe US National Science Foundation is a major funder of economics and archaeology research but in 2026 awarded no new grants in those disciplines.

Nature, Published online: 03 November 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03540-y

The US National Science Foundation is a major funder of economics and archaeology research but in 2026 awarded no new grants in those disciplines.

Whence dragons?

Nature, Published online: 03 November 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03277-8The ecology and evolution of winged legendary beasts, and monkeys that show their behinds to their buddies, in this week’s pick from the Nature archive.

Nature, Published online: 03 November 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03277-8

The ecology and evolution of winged legendary beasts, and monkeys that show their behinds to their buddies, in this week’s pick from the Nature archive.

Trump’s executive order on women’s health feels like déjà vu

Nature, Published online: 03 November 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03503-3Previous US administrations fell short on promised improvements to women’s-health research — here’s what real change will take.

Nature, Published online: 03 November 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03503-3

Previous US administrations fell short on promised improvements to women’s-health research — here’s what real change will take.

This cholesterol drug promised to be a game-changer. Why did it flop in the clinic — and is there still hope?

Nature, Published online: 03 November 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03504-2Physicians were excited about several therapies that slash levels of lipoprotein(a) — an important cardiovascular risk factor. One major trial failed to show a b…

Nature, Published online: 03 November 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03504-2

Physicians were excited about several therapies that slash levels of lipoprotein(a) — an important cardiovascular risk factor. One major trial failed to show a benefit, and now scientists are scrambling to work out what that means.

Will AI grant reviews make science more conservative?

Nature, Published online: 03 November 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03340-4Researchers are questioning whether outsourcing decisions about research funding to artificial intelligence will reduce scientific novelty.

Nature, Published online: 03 November 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03340-4

Researchers are questioning whether outsourcing decisions about research funding to artificial intelligence will reduce scientific novelty.

Cities are changing — and architects must adapt

Nature, Published online: 03 November 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03508-yClimate change is reshaping urban environments. Architect Carlo Ratti tells Nature that technology offers solutions, but citizens must get the final say.

Nature, Published online: 03 November 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03508-y

Climate change is reshaping urban environments. Architect Carlo Ratti tells Nature that technology offers solutions, but citizens must get the final say.

How democracy depends on science — and must protect it

Nature, Published online: 03 November 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03510-4Verified information from trusted experts is crucial to help the public and governments navigate rapid changes and increasing complexity.

Nature, Published online: 03 November 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03510-4

Verified information from trusted experts is crucial to help the public and governments navigate rapid changes and increasing complexity.