Briefing Chat: The Bunsen burner myth that turns out to be just hot air

Nature, Published online: 11 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02893-8Nature staff discuss an AI tool that can assess the impact of 9 billion mutations — plus, how the Bunsen burner’s reputation for sterilization might be based on…

Nature, Published online: 11 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02893-8

Nature staff discuss an AI tool that can assess the impact of 9 billion mutations — plus, how the Bunsen burner’s reputation for sterilization might be based on tradition alone.

Daily briefing: Skeleton teeth show evidence of the earliest known habitual drug use

Nature, Published online: 11 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02901-xTraces of the psychoactive compound arecoline suggest that two people regularly sucked on psychoactive betel nuts. Plus, what motivates people to take action on…

Nature, Published online: 11 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02901-x

Traces of the psychoactive compound arecoline suggest that two people regularly sucked on psychoactive betel nuts. Plus, what motivates people to take action on climate change and the promise of nasal vaccines.

El Niño goes viral — and scientists learn what makes people care about the climate

Nature, Published online: 11 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02763-3Evoking emotions is more likely to prompt people to engage with climate efforts than are data alone.

Nature, Published online: 11 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02763-3

Evoking emotions is more likely to prompt people to engage with climate efforts than are data alone.