Month: July 2026

Background genetics and new mutations interact to direct cancer evolution

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02155-7Rerunning tumour evolution in mice shows how cancer develops after DNA damage and reveals that background genetics and acquired mutations interact to shape genome st…

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02155-7

Rerunning tumour evolution in mice shows how cancer develops after DNA damage and reveals that background genetics and acquired mutations interact to shape genome stability and selection. This provides experimental evidence that genetic ancestry has an important role in setting the trajectory of cancer evolution.

What counts as a moon? Huge ‘exosatellite’ sparks debate

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02299-6Discovery of a distant Jupiter-mass object could pave the way for detection of exomoons — plus, a rare transmissible cancer found in catfish.

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02299-6

Discovery of a distant Jupiter-mass object could pave the way for detection of exomoons — plus, a rare transmissible cancer found in catfish.

Structures and inhibition of the Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever virus polymerase

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10701-6Structural studies of Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) polymerase reveal the structural basis of CCHFV RNA synthesis and highlight druggable sites for …

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10701-6

Structural studies of Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) polymerase reveal the structural basis of CCHFV RNA synthesis and highlight druggable sites for designing both nucleoside antivirals and non-nucleoside antivirals.

Non-epitaxial perovskite polariton laser diode operating under direct current

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10824-wBy integrating a solution-grown perovskite microplate with chemically inert single-walled carbon nanotube electrodes and embedding them into an optical microcavity, …

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10824-w

By integrating a solution-grown perovskite microplate with chemically inert single-walled carbon nanotube electrodes and embedding them into an optical microcavity, the new microdevices can achieve polariton lasing under a constant direct current at 8 K.

CRISPR–Cas regulates expression of embedded anti-phage defence systems

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10833-9CRISPR–Cas systems transcriptionally tune diverse innate defences using CRISPR RNA-like guides to balance antiviral protection with fitness, and hyperactivate these …

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10833-9

CRISPR–Cas systems transcriptionally tune diverse innate defences using CRISPR RNA-like guides to balance antiviral protection with fitness, and hyperactivate these defences when compromised, establishing a layered bacterial ‘immunity guard’ network.

Geomagnetic storms caused by solar wind might be more extreme than previously thought

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02245-6The severity of geomagnetic storms — magnetic disturbances in Earth’s outer atmosphere — is widely understood to reach an upper limit as the strength of the solar wi…

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02245-6

The severity of geomagnetic storms — magnetic disturbances in Earth’s outer atmosphere — is widely understood to reach an upper limit as the strength of the solar wind increases. But this upper limit is an illusion that results from uncertainty in the measurement of solar-wind strength as the true value regresses towards the mean.

Prior therapy defines mutation profiles in childhood cancer at relapse

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10803-1Chemotherapy, particularly with platinum-based drugs, is associated with substantial, rapidly detectable mutagenesis in childhood cancers, tripling private signature…

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10803-1

Chemotherapy, particularly with platinum-based drugs, is associated with substantial, rapidly detectable mutagenesis in childhood cancers, tripling private signatures and doubling mutation burden, highlighting therapy-induced tumour evolution and opportunities for safer, de-escalated treatment.

Brown bullhead catfish melanoma represents a novel transmissible cancer

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10828-6Whole-genome sequencing analysis of tumour and matched non-tumour host tissues of the brown bullhead catfish reveals a type of naturally occurring transmissible cancer.

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10828-6

Whole-genome sequencing analysis of tumour and matched non-tumour host tissues of the brown bullhead catfish reveals a type of naturally occurring transmissible cancer.

Regional drivers and contributors to changes in life expectancy across Asia

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02166-4Life expectancy in Asia has increased substantially since 1990, but the gains have varied considerably across regions and countries. The main causes and risk factors…

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02166-4

Life expectancy in Asia has increased substantially since 1990, but the gains have varied considerably across regions and countries. The main causes and risk factors have been identified, highlighting regions in which preventable deaths are concentrated.