‘Robot Olympics’ reveal humanoids’ rapid progress — but hurdles remain

Nature, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02713-zHumanoid robots broke records at sporting events such as sprints, but struggled at practical tasks such as hammering nails.

Nature, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02713-z

Humanoid robots broke records at sporting events such as sprints, but struggled at practical tasks such as hammering nails.

Glacier collapse caused Nepal’s deadly flash flood — a sign of things to come?

Nature, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02716-wGlobal warming is making high-altitude regions unstable, and could trigger more frequent landslides and floods.

Nature, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02716-w

Global warming is making high-altitude regions unstable, and could trigger more frequent landslides and floods.

Women face bans on research underground — here’s how to modernize the system

Nature, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02679-yIn many countries, female engineers are barred from entering deep mines to carry out studies. Differentiating risks can increase access while protecting safety.

Nature, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02679-y

In many countries, female engineers are barred from entering deep mines to carry out studies. Differentiating risks can increase access while protecting safety.

Highest-ever ocean temperatures recorded as El Niño intensifies

Nature, Published online: 26 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02681-4Why extreme temperatures are expected to weaken ocean carbon sinks — plus, how mitochondrial injections could treat vision loss.

Nature, Published online: 26 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02681-4

Why extreme temperatures are expected to weaken ocean carbon sinks — plus, how mitochondrial injections could treat vision loss.

Infrared absorption spectroscopy of a single polyatomic molecular ion

Nature, Published online: 26 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10915-8Non-destructive single-molecule absorption spectroscopy is achieved by detecting photon recoil from a trapped molecular ion, enabling single-photon-sensitive measu…

Nature, Published online: 26 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10915-8

Non-destructive single-molecule absorption spectroscopy is achieved by detecting photon recoil from a trapped molecular ion, enabling single-photon-sensitive measurements of molecular vibrational transitions.

Evolutionary mystery revealed by structures of a key enzyme in the synthesis of glycolipids

Nature, Published online: 26 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02378-8Structures of a protein used to make crucial sugar-carrying lipids uncover a surprising reaction mechanism and a built-in brake that emerged during primate evolution.

Nature, Published online: 26 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02378-8

Structures of a protein used to make crucial sugar-carrying lipids uncover a surprising reaction mechanism and a built-in brake that emerged during primate evolution.