Author: Nature

Molecular computation that rolls energetically downhill

Nature, Published online: 16 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02878-7A DNA-based computer that operates by relaxing to thermodynamic equilibrium has been demonstrated on ten molecular programs, which completed computations in as …

Nature, Published online: 16 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02878-7

A DNA-based computer that operates by relaxing to thermodynamic equilibrium has been demonstrated on ten molecular programs, which completed computations in as little as one minute. Some programs were rerun using distinct inputs up to 25 times and others were scaled up to 100-bit computations — although this slowed them down substantially.

Turning scientific research papers into interactive AI agents

Nature, Published online: 16 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02880-zScientific knowledge is mostly stored in static papers. An automated framework called Paper2Agent can now transform each paper into an active artificial intelli…

Nature, Published online: 16 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02880-z

Scientific knowledge is mostly stored in static papers. An automated framework called Paper2Agent can now transform each paper into an active artificial intelligence agent — a virtual corresponding author that answers questions, applies the paper’s methods to new data, and collaborates with other paper agents. This makes research easier to reproduce, reuse and extend.

Tumour cells shape their environment to protect them from the immune system

Nature, Published online: 16 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02703-1A subset of pancreatic cancer cells express the genes SERPINE1 or SERPINB2, which form a molecular mesh around them. This sticky matrix helps to retain immunosu…

Nature, Published online: 16 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02703-1

A subset of pancreatic cancer cells express the genes SERPINE1 or SERPINB2, which form a molecular mesh around them. This sticky matrix helps to retain immunosuppressive cells and exclude the immune cells that kill cancer cells. Disrupting this process in mice improves immune control of pancreatic tumours and sensitizes them to immunotherapy.

The geometric genius of René Descartes

Nature, Published online: 15 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02723-xThe achievements of a visionary mathematician, and a trip to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, in this week’s pick from the Nature archive.

Nature, Published online: 15 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02723-x

The achievements of a visionary mathematician, and a trip to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, in this week’s pick from the Nature archive.

Distant sensors announced a fearsome tsunami’s birth

Nature, Published online: 10 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02809-6Seismic data pinpoint the collapse of an underwater volcano, and reveal how the eruption triggered a destructive tsunami.

Nature, Published online: 10 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02809-6

Seismic data pinpoint the collapse of an underwater volcano, and reveal how the eruption triggered a destructive tsunami.

Electric charge makes drops of water more destructive

Nature, Published online: 09 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02705-zIn many real-world settings, water droplets can become slightly charged as they slide across solid surfaces. This charge has been found to enable water droplets…

Nature, Published online: 09 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02705-z

In many real-world settings, water droplets can become slightly charged as they slide across solid surfaces. This charge has been found to enable water droplets to damage protective coatings more easily than uncharged droplets do, and to cause the underlying metal to corrode.