Volume 589 Issue 7842

Editorials

p.329

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the UN’s flagship plan to end poverty and protect the environment. Researchers need to launch a rapid response.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-00104-0

p.330

Geographic associations risk stigma. Researchers must quickly agree on a more meaningful and universal nomenclature.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-00105-z

News

p.337

Efforts to track SARS-CoV-2 sequences have helped identify worrying variants — but researchers are blind to emerging mutations in some regions.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-00065-4

p.339

As more lineages emerge, researchers are struggling with a patchwork of nomenclature.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-00097-w

p.340

As placebo-controlled testing falls out of favour, vaccine developers eye blood markers and challenge trials to assess next-generation candidates.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-00015-0

p.342

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-00055-6

p.343

Despite sharp drops early in the pandemic, global emissions of carbon dioxide picked up in the second half of the year, new data show.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-00090-3

News Features

p.344

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-00075-2

News & Views

p.353

Oscillations in neuronal activity in the medial temporal lobe of the human brain encode proximity to boundaries such as walls, both when navigating while walking and when watching another person do so.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-020-03576-8

p.354

Precise maps of routine first-dose measles vaccinations show slowing progress around the world between 2010 and 2019, and large gaps in coverage in many places. Many countries are unlikely to achieve global 2020 coverage targets.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-020-03391-1

p.356

Fractional electric charges have been observed at crystal defects in artificial structures resembling materials called topological crystalline insulators. Such fractional charges could have various engineering applications.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-00079-y

p.357

Two animal studies show that restricting the dietary intake of branched-chain amino acids can extend lifespan by modulating the mTOR signalling pathway. But more research is needed before this diet should be recommended in people.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-020-03662-x

p.358

An analogue of the psychedelic drug ibogaine has been developed. The analogue mirrors ibogaine’s ability to treat addiction and depression in animal models, has fewer side effects and is much simpler to synthesize.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-020-03404-z

p.360

A device has been developed that consists of mechanical bits, analogous to the magnetic bits used in computer hard drives. Information encoded in the bits programs the mechanical properties of the device.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-00080-5

Perspective

p.363

doi: 10.1038/s41586-020-03128-0

Articles