AI can widen science — but only if institutions stop rewarding the already measurable

Nature, Published online: 29 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02961-zFunders, journals and universities must reward the creation of new scientific terrain, not just the efficient mining of old ground.

Nature, Published online: 29 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02961-z

Funders, journals and universities must reward the creation of new scientific terrain, not just the efficient mining of old ground.

Emissions after the Paris accord made Europe’s heatwaves more severe

Nature, Published online: 29 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03035-wA heatwave in 2025 would have been one-third of a degree cooler without the greenhouse gases released since 2015.

Nature, Published online: 29 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03035-w

A heatwave in 2025 would have been one-third of a degree cooler without the greenhouse gases released since 2015.

Daily briefing: Old hearts ‘de-age’ in younger people

Nature, Published online: 28 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03089-wEpigenetic ‘clocks’ suggest that transplanted organs adjust to the host’s biological age. Plus, a new biography of Stephen Hawking and how sham societies are mi…

Nature, Published online: 28 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03089-w

Epigenetic 'clocks' suggest that transplanted organs adjust to the host's biological age. Plus, a new biography of Stephen Hawking and how sham societies are misleading star researchers.

Bigger than CRISPR? A guide to the latest genome editors

Nature, Published online: 28 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02964-wGene-editing techniques could soon allow researchers to replace entire genes and engineer complex cellular circuits — if the systems can be delivered safely int…

Nature, Published online: 28 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02964-w

Gene-editing techniques could soon allow researchers to replace entire genes and engineer complex cellular circuits — if the systems can be delivered safely into cells.

Vaping in childhood has bigger health risks than we’d thought

Nature, Published online: 28 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02962-yUse of e-cigarettes makes it more likely that young people will experience mental-health disorders and take up smoking. Governments must act.

Nature, Published online: 28 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02962-y

Use of e-cigarettes makes it more likely that young people will experience mental-health disorders and take up smoking. Governments must act.

Stephen Hawking biography explores an ‘exceptionally clear, uncluttered mind’

Nature, Published online: 28 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02959-7An elegant account of the physicist’s unusual life story highlights the relationships that inspired him.

Nature, Published online: 28 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02959-7

An elegant account of the physicist’s unusual life story highlights the relationships that inspired him.