The Solar System could die one billion times earlier than thought

Nature, Published online: 06 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03155-3Modelling suggests that the planets’ orbits will become destabilized inside one billion years once the Sun starts to shed mass.

Nature, Published online: 06 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03155-3

Modelling suggests that the planets’ orbits will become destabilized inside one billion years once the Sun starts to shed mass.

Astronomy’s ‘adrenaline junkies’: Nobel prize captures the thrill of neutrino physics

Nature, Published online: 06 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03095-yNature reporter Davide Castelvecchi reflects on covering the fast-moving field of astronomy honoured by the Nobel physics award.

Nature, Published online: 06 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03095-y

Nature reporter Davide Castelvecchi reflects on covering the fast-moving field of astronomy honoured by the Nobel physics award.

Strong evidence that ‘baryon junctions’ give proton its identity

Nature, Published online: 06 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03129-5A conserved property of protons and neutrons is carried not by their constituent particles but by structures that mediate the force between them.

Nature, Published online: 06 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03129-5

A conserved property of protons and neutrons is carried not by their constituent particles but by structures that mediate the force between them.

How to mobilize the agile science needed in a crisis

Nature, Published online: 06 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03130-yTwo reports highlight the changes needed in academia to facilitate the fast, collaborative, responsive and inclusive research that aids global decision makers.

Nature, Published online: 06 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03130-y

Two reports highlight the changes needed in academia to facilitate the fast, collaborative, responsive and inclusive research that aids global decision makers.

Circular DNA exposes a weakness in cancer cells

Nature, Published online: 06 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02966-8Repetitive sequences make extrachromosomal DNA vulnerable to breaks, which could be exploited for therapy — but might also promote tumour evolution.

Nature, Published online: 06 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02966-8

Repetitive sequences make extrachromosomal DNA vulnerable to breaks, which could be exploited for therapy — but might also promote tumour evolution.

Scientists take a radiometer for a spin in a hot-air balloon

Nature, Published online: 06 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02973-9A satisfying congruence between genetics and cell-biology findings, and experiments at altitude with a rotating device that measures radiant energy, in this week’…

Nature, Published online: 06 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02973-9

A satisfying congruence between genetics and cell-biology findings, and experiments at altitude with a rotating device that measures radiant energy, in this week’s peek at Nature’s archive.

Flu season could kick off ‘incredibly’ early — what scientists are watching

Nature, Published online: 06 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03150-8Cases in the Northern Hemisphere are cropping up weeks early, and they are dominated by a virus with a concerning mutation.

Nature, Published online: 06 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03150-8

Cases in the Northern Hemisphere are cropping up weeks early, and they are dominated by a virus with a concerning mutation.

Brain organoids grafted into cortex-free mice will advance human brain research

Nature, Published online: 06 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02967-7Cell-based models of the human cortex transplanted into mice produce neurons that are inaccessible in vitro, and could enable scientists to link brain injury to b…

Nature, Published online: 06 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02967-7

Cell-based models of the human cortex transplanted into mice produce neurons that are inaccessible in vitro, and could enable scientists to link brain injury to behaviour.