Give research into solar geoengineering a chance p.167

There is no substitute for aggressive cuts in greenhouse-gas emissions. But the risks and benefits of technologies that could mitigate global warming need to be evaluated.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-01243-0

Evidence-based medicine: how COVID can drive positive change p.168

The pandemic has spawned too many uninformative clinical trials and reviews. Reform is needed to ensure the world gets the high-quality evidence it needs.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-01255-w

First genetically modified mosquitoes released in the United States p.175

Biotech firm Oxitec launches controversial field test of its insects in Florida after years of push-back from residents and regulatory complications.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-01186-6

Why some researchers oppose unrestricted sharing of coronavirus genome data p.176

Global-south scientists say that an open-access movement led by wealthy nations deprives them of credit and undermines their efforts.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-01194-6

China’s COVID vaccines are going global — but questions remain p.178

The WHO has approved one of China’s COVID-19 vaccines for use worldwide and another is under review. But published trial data remain scarce.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-01146-0

Failure of genetic therapies for Huntington’s devastates community p.180

Hopes were high for drugs designed to lower levels of a mutant protein, but development has stalled.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-01177-7

Weird viral DNA spills secrets to biologists p.181

Bacteria-infecting viruses have specialized enzymes to make genes with alternative nucleobase.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-01157-x

How COVID broke the evidence pipeline p.182

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-01246-x

Neural interface translates thoughts into type p.197

A neural interface has been developed that could enable people with paralysis to type faster than they could using other technologies, by directly translating attempts at handwriting into text.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-00776-8

Cloud droplets aid the production of formic acid in the atmosphere p.198

Known sources of formic acid could not explain the observed atmospheric concentrations of this compound. The discovery of a previously unknown pathway that generates formic acid in the atmosphere resolves this discrepancy.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-01206-5

A continuous model of early mammalian development p.200

Characterization of the early developmental process called gastrulation has mostly been limited to snapshots at different time points. A model of mouse gastrulation now maps the transitions between cell types continuously in time.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-01153-1

A molecular connection hints at how a genetic risk factor drives Crohn’s disease p.201

Mutations of the NOD2 gene are risk factors for Crohn’s disease. Many aspects of how they contribute to the condition are unknown. The discovery of cell populations that are involved suggests new therapeutic options.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-00979-z

Nitrogen deletion offers fresh strategy for organic synthesis p.203

Many scientific fields and industries rely on the synthesis of small organic molecules. A chemical reagent has been developed that allows such molecules to be made by ‘deleting’ nitrogen atoms from readily accessible precursors.

doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-01205-6

CMOS-based cryogenic control of silicon quantum circuits p.205

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03469-4

Ultralow contact resistance between semimetal and monolayer semiconductors p.211

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03472-9

A dynamic stability design strategy for lithium metal solid state batteries p.218

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03486-3

Skeletal editing through direct nitrogen deletion of secondary amines p.223

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03448-9

Widespread six degrees Celsius cooling on land during the Last Glacial Maximum p.228

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03467-6

Ubiquitous atmospheric production of organic acids mediated by cloud droplets p.233

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03462-x

Genome-wide enhancer maps link risk variants to disease genes p.238

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03446-x

Coupling of activity, metabolism and behaviour across the Drosophila brain p.244

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03497-0

High-performance brain-to-text communication via handwriting p.249

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03506-2

Meningeal lymphatics affect microglia responses and anti-Aβ immunotherapy p.255

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03489-0

C. difficile exploits a host metabolite produced during toxin-mediated disease p.261

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03502-6

Assessing transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 in England p.266

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03470-x

Increased mortality in community-tested cases of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 p.270

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03426-1

A myeloid–stromal niche and gp130 rescue in NOD2-driven Crohn’s disease p.275

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03484-5

Cell-programmed nutrient partitioning in the tumour microenvironment p.282

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03442-1

HP1 drives de novo 3D genome reorganization in early Drosophila embryos p.289

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03460-z

Structural basis of long-range to short-range synaptic transition in NHEJ p.294

doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03458-7