Nature's News & Views roundup of 2025

Nature's News & Views roundup of 2025

Author: Springer Nature Limited December 19, 2025 Duration: 20:20

Nature: Asteroids, antibiotics and ants: a year of remarkable science


In this episode:



1:58 Evidence of ancient brine on an asteroid

Samples taken from the asteroid Bennu by NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft suggest the parent body it originated from is likely to have contained salty, subsurface water. This finding provides insights into the chemistry of the early Solar System, and suggests that brines might have been an important place where pre-biotic molecules were formed.

News & Views: Asteroid Bennu contains salts from ancient brine

Nature Podcast: Asteroid Bennu contains building blocks of life



08:01 How gene expression doesn't always reflect a cell's function

Cells are often grouped into categories according to the RNA molecules they produce. However a study of zebrafish (Danio rerio) brains revealed that cells can be functionally diverse even if they appear molecularly similar. This finding adds more nuance to how a cell's ‘type’ is ultimately defined.

News & Views: Does a cell’s gene expression always reflect its function?



12:01 The disproportionate mortality risks of extreme rainfall

An assessment of death rates in India’s coastal megacity of Mumbai revealed that the impact of extreme rainfall events will be highest for women, young children and residents of informal settlements. This situation is likely to become more pronounced as a result of climate change.

News & Views: Extreme rainfall poses the biggest risk to Mumbai’s most vulnerable people



14:46 An AI-designed underwater glue

Inspired by animals like barnacles and aided by machine learning, researchers have developed a super-sticky compound that works as an underwater adhesive. To demonstrate its properties, researchers applied it to a rubber duck, which stuck firmly to a rock on a beach despite being battered by the sea.

News & Views: AI learns from nature to design super-adhesive gels that work underwater

Nature Podcast: Underwater glue shows its sticking power in rubber duck test


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Each week, the Nature Podcast opens a door into the latest and most significant developments across the entire scientific landscape. Rather than just summarizing headlines, this production from Springer Nature Limited delves into the substance and the people behind the findings. You’ll hear directly from researchers as they explain their work, from astronomical discoveries to intricate zoological studies, all grounded in the rigorous reporting of Nature's own journalists and editors. The conversations provide context that turns complex papers into compelling narratives, offering a clear sense of why each story matters. It’s a direct line to the forefront of science, technology, and research news, delivered with a focus on depth and understanding. Tuning into this podcast is like having a thoughtful guide through the week's most pivotal science, making even the most specialized topics accessible and engaging for anyone curious about how the world works. The consistent quality and breadth of subject matter make it a reliable source for anyone looking to stay informed on scientific progress.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Nature Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Giant cancer study reveals effectiveness of 'off label' treatments [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:11
In this episode:00:46 A massive trial assessing the outcomes of ‘off label’ cancer treatmentResearch Article: Verkerk et al.12:49 Research HighlightsNature: Microbial hockey: bacteria can spin a ‘puck’ just by swimmingNa…
Briefing Chat: The tongue trick that helps sunbirds suck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:52
In this episode:00:41 Exosome therapies could deliver drugs to hard to reach placesNature: Eye drops made from pig semen deliver cancer treatment to mice5:08 The impact of parenthood on women’s academic careersNature: Mo…
Artemis II is go: humans head to the Moon after half-century absence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:20
In this podcast we'll talk about NASA's Artemis II launch, which has ushered in a new era of lunar exploration.Nature: Lift off! Artemis II mission sends humans to the Moon — opening a new era of explorationNature: Artem…
Briefing Chat: ‘Zombie cells’ resurrected with new genes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:01
Nature staff discuss some of the week's top science news.00:18 ‘Zombie cells’ revived with genome transplantNature: ‘Zombie cells’ return from the dead — after a genome transplant05:27 A limit to cloning, in miceNature:…
Why insects aren't huge: a new challenge to a decades-old idea [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:42
00:44 Why insects aren’t massiveResearch Article : Snelling et al.11:39 Research HighlightsNature: Faster ticking of ‘biological clock’ predicts shorter lifespanNature: Mighty mini-magnet is low in cost and light on ener…
Botanical mystery solved: how plants make a crucial malaria drug [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:55
In this episode:00:46 Piecing together a biochemical puzzleResearch Article : Lombe et al.12:26 Research HighlightsNature: Electric-vehicle batteries toughen up to beat the heatNature: Live parrots were carried across th…