Behind the Paper
The real stories behind the latest research papers, from conception to publication, the highs and the lows
Solar power above fish ponds and tidal flats: mapping a new pathway for clean energy and food production
Co locating solar power with fisheries could deliver large energy climate and income benefits worldwide with over forty percent of ponds and tidal flats suitable shown using five-kilometer global mapping with feasibility screening.
Behind the paper: Sulfated bile acid produced by a human gut commensal alleviates paediatric sepsis in mice
Gut microbe-produced sulfated bile acid improves intestinal barrier function and alleviates sepsis. Nature Microbiology, 2026
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-026-02351-1
How the brain adapts its 2D compass for a 3D world
The brain’s neural compass seems 2D, detecting only left and right head-turns. However, if the head is tilted in 3D, its rotation around the vertical axis also covertly changes its horizontal facing direction. We find that the compass neurons can detect these covert changes and thus avoid errors.