No. 2 · 2026-10-16
Space, science and CERN
What is new, linked to the papers in Nature and to CERN.
Space
- Lyman continuum escape during the onset of galactic winds in compact starbursts
UV spectra of six similar galaxies show that stronger, faster, multiphase outflows accompany lower escape of ionizing radiation. Thus Lyman continuum escape may peak before strong galactic winds develop and then decline as the wind-column density grows.
Nature Astronomy · 2026-10-15
- Margaret Hamilton obituary: computer scientist who pioneered software engineering and helped us get to the Moon
Nature · 2026-10-15
- A spatial map of the atmospheric limb of a hot Jupiter
A new method of extracting atmospheric variations around the limb of a hot Jupiter using transmission mapping of JWST data finds a transition between the equator and pole of WASP-17 b.
Nature Astronomy · 2026-10-14
- A ∧-like metallicity profile in the disk of the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy
N-body simulations decode the chemo-kinematic signatures of the Sagittarius stream, reproducing their vertical metallicity gradient. The findings reveal that the stream originated from a disk with a ∧-like metallicity profile.
Nature Astronomy · 2026-10-13
- Two families of multi-planet systems with distinct architectures and stellar hosts
Archival data show a pronounced bimodality in the architectures of known multi-planet systems that can be traced back to the interplay of host star properties and planet formation histories, which shaped the post-formation dynamical stability of the systems.
Nature Astronomy · 2026-10-13
- Quantitative investigation of thermally driven interfacial diffusion and front-contact breakdown in organic-inorganic halide perovskites
Nature · 2026-10-13
Science
- Is AI eroding PhD students’ critical thinking and analysis skills?
An expert panel debates the impact of artificial intelligence on doctoral programmes.
Nature · 2026-10-15
- World’s timekeepers upend how they adjust time to avoid catastrophic ‘negative second’
Governments have voted to abolish the leap second immediately and replace it with a leap hour.
Nature · 2026-10-15
- Orangutan mothers arrange play dates for their babies
Solitary primates spend energy and time travelling to patches of forest for get-togethers.
Nature · 2026-10-15
- Nearly half of reef-building corals face elevated relative risk of extinction
Nearly half of reef-building corals face elevated relative risk of extinction
Nature · 2026-10-15
- Give me the good news: four science stories to brighten your day
Drugs that can reverse multiple sclerosis in mice and a new species of penguin are just the beginning.
Nature · 2026-10-15
- ArXiv versus AI slop: will capping preprint submissions work?
Major preprint platform tightens its rules to curb a surge of submissions, including those generated by artificial-intelligence tools.
Nature · 2026-10-15
Nature and CERN, and the AI Biosecurity Lab