Author: Nature

Listening in on the human brain cells that produce speech

Nature, Published online: 01 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02004-7By combining recordings from single neurons with artificial-intelligence techniques, specific brain cells have been identified that could enable humans to generate l…

Nature, Published online: 01 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02004-7

By combining recordings from single neurons with artificial-intelligence techniques, specific brain cells have been identified that could enable humans to generate language. These cells, which are distributed broadly across the human brain, encode specific aspects of meaning and grammar and reflect how words are assembled into phrases and sentences.

Nanodiamonds made from tiny graphene triangles

Nature, Published online: 01 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02001-wNanodiamonds can host atom-sized light emitters for quantum sensing and imaging, but making nanodiamonds that are small, crystalline and uniform has been difficult. …

Nature, Published online: 01 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02001-w

Nanodiamonds can host atom-sized light emitters for quantum sensing and imaging, but making nanodiamonds that are small, crystalline and uniform has been difficult. A single-step process for making nanodiamonds only 3–4 nanometres in size uses planar carbon ‘nanographene’ molecules with hydrogen atoms on the edges, and can be adapted to generate fluorescent nanodiamonds.

Mysterious protein sets up a beneficial partnership between bacteria and insects

Nature, Published online: 01 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02007-4Buchnera bacteria that live in the cells of insects known as aphids secrete a protein called SyeA, which is crucial for colonization. The structural similarity of Sy…

Nature, Published online: 01 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02007-4

Buchnera bacteria that live in the cells of insects known as aphids secrete a protein called SyeA, which is crucial for colonization. The structural similarity of SyeA to proteins secreted by disease-causing bacteria indicates that the beneficial symbiotic relationship between Buchnera and aphids had pathogenic origins.

Liver fat steers the outcome of advanced colorectal cancer

Nature, Published online: 01 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01747-7In about 50% of people with colorectal cancer, tumour cells spread to distant organs. The ability of these metastases to grow into the liver tissue shapes prognosis….

Nature, Published online: 01 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01747-7

In about 50% of people with colorectal cancer, tumour cells spread to distant organs. The ability of these metastases to grow into the liver tissue shapes prognosis. It emerges that liver fat promotes a form of liver metastasis with a poor prognosis, suggesting that individual-specific traits can inform risk stratification and treatment.

Early television set impresses Nature editors — but will it catch on?

Nature, Published online: 30 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01813-0Nature reports a demonstration of a ‘televisor’, and the British Government makes a generous endowment, in our weekly dip into the magazine’s archive.

Nature, Published online: 30 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01813-0

Nature reports a demonstration of a ‘televisor’, and the British Government makes a generous endowment, in our weekly dip into the magazine’s archive.

Ozone erosion started decades before the ozone hole’s discovery

Nature, Published online: 29 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02033-2Depletion of the ozone layer has been traced mainly to the widespread use of industrial chlorofluorocarbon chemicals, but there might have been an additional culprit.

Nature, Published online: 29 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02033-2

Depletion of the ozone layer has been traced mainly to the widespread use of industrial chlorofluorocarbon chemicals, but there might have been an additional culprit.