Why scientists should lead the shift away from AI mega data centres

Nature, Published online: 11 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02451-2Publicly available AI models and local infrastructure can reduce AI’s environmental footprint while giving researchers greater control over the tools they use.

Nature, Published online: 11 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02451-2

Publicly available AI models and local infrastructure can reduce AI’s environmental footprint while giving researchers greater control over the tools they use.

When the best decision is no decision: the rise of randomization in grant funding

Nature, Published online: 11 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02082-7If reviewers can’t reliably tell the difference between top grant proposals, why should they pretend they can? A new wave of funders is turning to lotteries to bre…

Nature, Published online: 11 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02082-7

If reviewers can’t reliably tell the difference between top grant proposals, why should they pretend they can? A new wave of funders is turning to lotteries to break the tie.

Where are you ticklish? Researchers map the sensation across cultures

Nature, Published online: 10 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02493-6People from Chinese, Dutch and Greek cultural backgrounds have the same ‘tickle hotspots’ on the body. And ticklishness is stronger in rarely touched areas.

Nature, Published online: 10 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02493-6

People from Chinese, Dutch and Greek cultural backgrounds have the same ‘tickle hotspots’ on the body. And ticklishness is stronger in rarely touched areas.

Turning the tide: restoring Mozambican mangroves — in photos

Nature, Published online: 10 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02199-9As urban expansion in Maputo threatens to destroy mangrove forests, marine biologist Célia Macamo is studying how to save them.

Nature, Published online: 10 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02199-9

As urban expansion in Maputo threatens to destroy mangrove forests, marine biologist Célia Macamo is studying how to save them.