Modelling mouse embryogenesis from chemically induced totipotent stem cells

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11164-5A mouse embryo model derived from chemically induced totipotent-like stem cells progresses through key developmental milestones, including gastrulation, embryonic…

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11164-5

A mouse embryo model derived from chemically induced totipotent-like stem cells progresses through key developmental milestones, including gastrulation, embryonic axis formation, haematopoiesis and early organogenesis.

Jurassic flightless bird reveals early ecological diversity of avialans

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10972-zA fossil bird from the Upper Jurassic Zhenghe Fauna of southeastern China contemporary with Archaeopteryx and that clearly could not fly sheds new light on the ec…

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10972-z

A fossil bird from the Upper Jurassic Zhenghe Fauna of southeastern China contemporary with Archaeopteryx and that clearly could not fly sheds new light on the ecological diversification of early-diverging avialans.

Interhemispheric monsoon dynamics over the past 450,000 years

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11166-3A 450 ka Andean speleothem record shows Southern and Northern Hemisphere monsoons generally vary out of phase, but occasionally synchronize during rapid climate c…

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11166-3

A 450 ka Andean speleothem record shows Southern and Northern Hemisphere monsoons generally vary out of phase, but occasionally synchronize during rapid climate change and glacial terminations.

Large blind test of methane-detecting satellites lends credibility to emissions data

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03075-2Twelve methane-sensing satellites were tested for their accuracy in measuring controlled-release events in the Arizona desert over a year-long blind test. Many we…

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03075-2

Twelve methane-sensing satellites were tested for their accuracy in measuring controlled-release events in the Arizona desert over a year-long blind test. Many were found to detect and quantify releases accurately, with instruments purpose-built for methane sensing performing best.

Some Jurassic period birds were flightless

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02645-8The fossil discovery of an early avian ancestor in China reveals that flightless birds lived alongside the known flying species.

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02645-8

The fossil discovery of an early avian ancestor in China reveals that flightless birds lived alongside the known flying species.

Targeted stimulation of motor cortex ensembles drives learned movements

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11174-3Optogenetic stimulation of motor-cortex neuron ensembles shows that precisely timed activity in the primary motor cortex can generate learned neural patterns and …

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11174-3

Optogenetic stimulation of motor-cortex neuron ensembles shows that precisely timed activity in the primary motor cortex can generate learned neural patterns and movements, demonstrating an active role in skilled motor control.

Divergent genomic evolution in astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11150-xLongitudinal genomic analyses in patients with astrocytoma or oligodendrioglioma suggest that these two types of tumour differ in the mechanisms by which they bec…

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11150-x

Longitudinal genomic analyses in patients with astrocytoma or oligodendrioglioma suggest that these two types of tumour differ in the mechanisms by which they become resistant to treatment, with astrocytomas accumulating copy-number alterations and chromosomal instability markers but oligodendrogliomas acquiring new driver mutations.

<b>The world is closer to a major conservation target than scientists thought</b>

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03307-5Analysis suggests number of protected areas is hugely underestimated but biodiversity is still in peril — plus, a huge study looking at the health effects of brow…

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03307-5

Analysis suggests number of protected areas is hugely underestimated but biodiversity is still in peril — plus, a huge study looking at the health effects of brown fat.