Global emissions slow — but world hurtles towards 2 °C of warming

Nature, Published online: 21 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03355-xThe United Nations’ latest climate report is a stark reminder that limiting warming to the safest levels is now likely out of reach.

Nature, Published online: 21 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03355-x

The United Nations’ latest climate report is a stark reminder that limiting warming to the safest levels is now likely out of reach.

Body clock disruptions contribute to one in four cases of depression, suggests large study

Nature, Published online: 20 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03359-7Evidence grows for ‘circadian depression’, but more evidence is needed to change diagnosis and treatment guidelines.

Nature, Published online: 20 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03359-7

Evidence grows for ‘circadian depression’, but more evidence is needed to change diagnosis and treatment guidelines.

Can a human survive in a whale’s belly? The science behind the thriller <i>Whalefall</i>

Nature, Published online: 20 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03358-8Nature spoke to marine and anatomy specialists about the ‘modern-day Jonah’ film. Warning: spoilers ahead.

Nature, Published online: 20 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03358-8

Nature spoke to marine and anatomy specialists about the ‘modern-day Jonah’ film. Warning: spoilers ahead.

Vast new fossil record challenges story of Earth’s ‘big five’ mass extinctions

Nature, Published online: 20 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03316-4An artificial-intelligence model trained on nearly four million fossils suggests that three of the extinction events might have happened more gradually than previ…

Nature, Published online: 20 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03316-4

An artificial-intelligence model trained on nearly four million fossils suggests that three of the extinction events might have happened more gradually than previously thought.

<i>Nature</i>’s job-satisfaction survey highlights the changing geography of science

Nature, Published online: 20 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03327-1A higher proportion of scientists in China and India report feeling optimistic about the future than in the United States and several European countries.

Nature, Published online: 20 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03327-1

A higher proportion of scientists in China and India report feeling optimistic about the future than in the United States and several European countries.

Is it ‘moon-stroke’, or a chill?

Nature, Published online: 20 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02975-7An explanation for the injurious effect of sleeping in the moonlight, and a proponent of all-electronic televisions, in this week’s pick from the Nature archive.

Nature, Published online: 20 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02975-7

An explanation for the injurious effect of sleeping in the moonlight, and a proponent of all-electronic televisions, in this week’s pick from the Nature archive.

Butterfly wing patterns make motion hard to read

Nature, Published online: 20 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03062-7Movement can expose camouflaged prey, yet whether colour patterns help moving prey to avoid capture is a long-standing puzzle. Butterfly wings might offer an answer.

Nature, Published online: 20 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03062-7

Movement can expose camouflaged prey, yet whether colour patterns help moving prey to avoid capture is a long-standing puzzle. Butterfly wings might offer an answer.

Will this sleep-disorder drug be the next big blockbuster?

Nature, Published online: 20 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03310-wOrexin agonists have been approved for the treatment of a type of narcolepsy, yet they could also treat conditions across the health spectrum.

Nature, Published online: 20 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03310-w

Orexin agonists have been approved for the treatment of a type of narcolepsy, yet they could also treat conditions across the health spectrum.