Intrinsic physicochemical activity at microplastic–water interfaces

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11141-yCommodity microplastics exhibit intrinsic physicochemical activity at water interfaces, manifested by spontaneous generation of reactive oxygen species, challengi…

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11141-y

Commodity microplastics exhibit intrinsic physicochemical activity at water interfaces, manifested by spontaneous generation of reactive oxygen species, challenging the prevailing paradigm of plastic inertness, with implications for human health and the environment.

Artificial intelligence-enabled clinical phenotyping of human brown fat

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11162-7Artificial intelligence-enabled quantification and analyses of brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity uncover links between BAT and a healthier metabolic profile alo…

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11162-7

Artificial intelligence-enabled quantification and analyses of brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity uncover links between BAT and a healthier metabolic profile along with lower rates of psychiatric disease, and can identify pharmacologic agents that could be repurposed to activate this tissue in humans.

Overlooked brown fat in our bodies linked to wide range of health benefits

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03302-wMassive study of more than 100,000 people finds surprise connection between ‘good’ body fat and improved mental health.

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03302-w

Massive study of more than 100,000 people finds surprise connection between ‘good’ body fat and improved mental health.

Rh<sup>3+</sup> stabilized in KRh@MFI catalyses regioselective hydroformylation

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11136-9DFT investigations combined with spectroscopic and catalytic studies of disrupted subnanometric Rh2O3 clusters show that Rh+ centres in a zeolite-based catalyst a…

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11136-9

DFT investigations combined with spectroscopic and catalytic studies of disrupted subnanometric Rh2O3 clusters show that Rh+ centres in a zeolite-based catalyst are blocked with N-containing molecules, whereas Rh3+ sites are stabilized, allowing hydroformylation reactions with enhanced regioselectivity and efficiency.

Computational design of metalloproteases

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11167-2RFdiffusion methods are used to de novo design proteins with water-activating zinc-based active sites adjacent to a peptide substrate binding pocket, yielding hig…

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11167-2

RFdiffusion methods are used to de novo design proteins with water-activating zinc-based active sites adjacent to a peptide substrate binding pocket, yielding highly active, programmable proteases with potential applications in therapeutics, biotechnology and bioremediation.

How early tetrapods got their neck

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03061-8As fish evolved into four-limbed creatures, their skull separated from their shoulders to form a neck. Now we learn that this early neck was surprisingly rigid.

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03061-8

As fish evolved into four-limbed creatures, their skull separated from their shoulders to form a neck. Now we learn that this early neck was surprisingly rigid.

Evaluating space-based methane detection through a one-year blind test

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11115-0A year-long single-blind study shows that multiple satellites can accurately detect and quantify methane point-source emissions.

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11115-0

A year-long single-blind study shows that multiple satellites can accurately detect and quantify methane point-source emissions.

Parity-dependent coupling of molecular spin chains to a superconductor

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11117-yScanning tunnelling spectroscopy shows that the fractional spin-1/2 end states of molecular Haldane chains couple differently to a superconducting condensate depe…

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11117-y

Scanning tunnelling spectroscopy shows that the fractional spin-1/2 end states of molecular Haldane chains couple differently to a superconducting condensate depending on whether the chain contains an even or odd number of spin-1 triangulene units.

Alveolar stem cells go beyond making gas-exchange cells to repair damaged airways

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03085-0Alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells are the stem cells of the lung’s air sacs and are responsible for maintaining alveolar structure and gas exchange. A study that tracke…

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03085-0

Alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells are the stem cells of the lung’s air sacs and are responsible for maintaining alveolar structure and gas exchange. A study that tracked AT2 cells shows that, after injury to the airway, they can also migrate between lung compartments and become bronchiolar cells to help repair damaged airways.