A global molecular code for birth order and neuronal identity in <i>Drosophila</i>

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10797-wA high-resolution developmental transcriptional atlas of the Drosophila melanogaster nerve cord identifies a shared transcriptional code that records neuronal birth …

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10797-w

A high-resolution developmental transcriptional atlas of the Drosophila melanogaster nerve cord identifies a shared transcriptional code that records neuronal birth order and organizes neuronal diversity.

AI identifies interactions in CRISPR complexes to improve specificity of DNA editing

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02042-1AlphaFold3 predictions of the molecular contacts made by a genome-editing enzyme have been used to improve the enzyme’s selectivity for target DNA sequences.

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02042-1

AlphaFold3 predictions of the molecular contacts made by a genome-editing enzyme have been used to improve the enzyme’s selectivity for target DNA sequences.

The planktonic microbiome of the Great Barrier Reef

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10778-zThe Great Barrier Reef Microbial Genomes Database compiles prokaryotic, viral and eukaryotic genomes from seawater collected from the Great Barrier Reef, providing a…

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10778-z

The Great Barrier Reef Microbial Genomes Database compiles prokaryotic, viral and eukaryotic genomes from seawater collected from the Great Barrier Reef, providing a rich resource for the study of marine microbial communities and ecosystem research and management.

AI-redesigned starting points and outcomes enhance protein evolution

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10820-0A workflow using artificial intelligence-redesigned starting points to evolve enzymes with improved properties compared with those evolved from natural proteins is e…

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10820-0

A workflow using artificial intelligence-redesigned starting points to evolve enzymes with improved properties compared with those evolved from natural proteins is established.

A radical approach to making C-glycoside molecules

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02237-6A platform for synthesizing highly desirable C-glycoside molecules from sugar has been developed that uses glycosyl sulfonyl hydrazides as readily accessible free-ra…

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02237-6

A platform for synthesizing highly desirable C-glycoside molecules from sugar has been developed that uses glycosyl sulfonyl hydrazides as readily accessible free-radical precursors. The strategy enables targeted formation of carbon–carbon bonds across carbohydrate scaffolds and with specificity for the desired 3D arrangement of atoms.

Mapping drivers of life expectancy change in Asia from 1990 to 2023

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10739-6Using the Global Burden of Disease Study data across Asian countries and territories, life expectancy trends and the effects of cause-specific mortality and risk fac…

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10739-6

Using the Global Burden of Disease Study data across Asian countries and territories, life expectancy trends and the effects of cause-specific mortality and risk factors on changes in these trends are analysed.

A vector-based strategy for olfactory navigation in <i>Drosophila</i>

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10827-7Using a virtual reality system, experiments in Drosophila show that flies use memory mechanisms to navigate along the boundary of an odour plume and track the source…

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10827-7

Using a virtual reality system, experiments in Drosophila show that flies use memory mechanisms to navigate along the boundary of an odour plume and track the source of a smell.

Semiconducting and magnetic lanthanide MXenes from intercalated halides

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10802-2A bottom-up synthesis strategy creates lanthanide MXenes (Ln2CT2) that combine semiconducting behaviour with ferromagnetism, offering a promising new class of two-di…

Nature, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10802-2

A bottom-up synthesis strategy creates lanthanide MXenes (Ln2CT2) that combine semiconducting behaviour with ferromagnetism, offering a promising new class of two-dimensional materials for spintronic applications.