More muscle, less belly fat: mutations to a gene are linked to wide-ranging benefits

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02438-zAnalysis of one million diverse genomes yields mutations associated with lower risk of diabetes, heart disease and other ‘cardiometabolic’ conditions.

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02438-z

Analysis of one million diverse genomes yields mutations associated with lower risk of diabetes, heart disease and other ‘cardiometabolic’ conditions.

<i>FNIP1</i> variants are associated with favourable metabolism in 1 million humans

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10864-2The FNIP1 pathway has a role in human energy metabolism, and its inhibition is a potential therapeutic strategy in cardiometabolic disease.

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10864-2

The FNIP1 pathway has a role in human energy metabolism, and its inhibition is a potential therapeutic strategy in cardiometabolic disease.

Can empty space can interact with light — and even change its properties?

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02289-8Observations of a magnetized stellar core indicate that in an ultra-strong magnetic field, empty space can polarize light.

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02289-8

Observations of a magnetized stellar core indicate that in an ultra-strong magnetic field, empty space can polarize light.

Maps of chromosomal regions crucial for cell division reveal high diversity

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02327-5Centromeres are regions of chromosomes that are required for cell division. Complete sequence characterization of centromeres from a diverse group of 65 individual…

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02327-5

Centromeres are regions of chromosomes that are required for cell division. Complete sequence characterization of centromeres from a diverse group of 65 individuals reveals dynamic and rapid patterns of mutational change, providing information about centromere evolution and function.

COVID can wake up a slew of dormant viruses inside you

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02443-2Reactivation of typically harmless anelloviruses, in particular, seems to be linked with developing long COVID, study finds.

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02443-2

Reactivation of typically harmless anelloviruses, in particular, seems to be linked with developing long COVID, study finds.

Switching off the <i>FNIP1</i> gene protects against metabolic disease

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02391-xA study of more than one million people shows that rare genetic variants that disrupt the FNIP1 gene are associated with a favourable metabolic profile and a rough…

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02391-x

A study of more than one million people shows that rare genetic variants that disrupt the FNIP1 gene are associated with a favourable metabolic profile and a roughly 60% lower risk of cardiometabolic disease than the general population. Silencing genes in the FNIP1 pathway in mice induces fat breakdown and reproduces the metabolic benefits associated with the variants in humans.

An ancient mitochondrial program tunes translation to haem availability

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10885-xAn evolutionarily conserved mitochondrial haem-sensing mechanism that predates the emergence of haemoglobin-based oxygen transport could have therapeutic value in …

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10885-x

An evolutionarily conserved mitochondrial haem-sensing mechanism that predates the emergence of haemoglobin-based oxygen transport could have therapeutic value in iron deficiency disorders.

A cholinergic hub in the nucleus accumbens gates opioid-reward learning

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10887-9Cell-type-specific opioid blockade in accumbal cholinergic interneurons abolishes morphine-reward learning without impairing analgesia and decouples morphine-evoke…

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10887-9

Cell-type-specific opioid blockade in accumbal cholinergic interneurons abolishes morphine-reward learning without impairing analgesia and decouples morphine-evoked dopamine elevations from acetylcholine dips, suggesting pro-cholinergic strategies to limit early opioid reward acquisition.