No. 5 · 2026-10-26
Space, science and CERN
What is new, linked to the papers in Nature and to CERN.
Space
- Retention of primordial atmospheres through giant impacts
Giant impacts help rocky planets retain hydrogen-rich atmospheres because accreted mass increases atmospheric gravitational binding more than collisional heating drives atmospheric loss. This may explain the bimodal radius distribution of exoplanets.
Nature Astronomy · 2026-10-26
- A double debris disc around a white dwarf sculpted by two planetary bodies
Scientists discovered a white dwarf star circled by two nested rings of gas that were probably shaped by two hidden planetary bodies, one asteroid-sized and one Pluto-sized.
Nature Astronomy · 2026-10-26
- Photonic simulation and design framework for optimizing perovskite/Si tandem solar cells for satellite power systems
Nature · 2026-10-24
- Apparent magnetic field decay in a solar flare from Zeeman splitting of the Mg I 12.32-µm line
AIMS mid-infrared spectroscopy of the Mg I 12.32 µm line during an X1.5 flare reveals magnetic field weakening beneath impulsive-phase ribbons via Zeeman splitting.
Nature Astronomy · 2026-10-23
- An intertwined short and long γ-ray burst with a 4-minute separation
GRB 160425A emitted two sub-bursts in short succession with differing properties, indicative of two distinct progenitor types: collapsar and stellar merger. This event raises questions about γ-ray burst progenitor scenarios.
Nature Astronomy · 2026-10-23
- An enriched methane D/H ratio in the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS
JWST spectra of interstellar object 3I/ATLAS reveal an enhanced D/H ratio in methane compared with measurements of Solar System objects. The high value is comparable with that calculated for pre- and protostellar regions, indicating a primitive origin.
Nature Astronomy · 2026-10-23
Science
- Nerve activity initiates autoimmune hair loss
Understanding the triggers of autoimmunity might lead to better therapies, with hair loss among the conditions for which underpinning factors have come to light.
Nature · 2026-10-26
- Women might have invented language — but not alone
An eloquent analysis of the origins of human speech suggests that social cohesion, not conflict, drove our use of words.
Nature · 2026-10-26
- Are salaries getting worse? Many scientists think so
Nature’s survey of almost 4,000 researchers shows that you’re not alone if you struggle to make ends meet or your last pay rise is a distant memory.
Nature · 2026-10-26
- Can science make your dog live longer? Longevity craze comes to pets
The emerging science — and industry — of animal longevity is attracting interest from companies and academics alike.
Nature · 2026-10-26
- Glimpsing archaeal microbes on the move
How and when did cells gain the ability to crawl? Live imaging of cells from close relatives of early eukaryotes fills in a major gap in the understanding of cellular evolution.
Nature · 2026-10-26
- Evolutionary ‘game-changer’: weird armoured amphibian lived in ancient seas
The creature’s armour cladding probably enabled it to tolerate the salty seas of the Late Triassic.
Nature · 2026-10-26
Nature and CERN, and the AI Biosecurity Lab