Behind the Paper
The real stories behind the latest research papers, from conception to publication, the highs and the lows
Filtered by: Earth & Environment
Beyond the "Plunger": How the Stratospheric Polar Vortex Uses a "Cloud Blanket" to Warm the Arctic
Xia Yan, Xie Fei*, Luo Fuhai, Hu Yongyun, Huang Yi, Bian Jianchun, Zhou Lingyu, Zhao Chuanfeng*. Stratospheric polar vortex shapes Arctic surface climate via a radiative pathway. Nature Communications (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-72698-w
Political economy of administrative responses to informal housing and land tenure security in Sheger City Ethiopia
The rapid urbanisation of Sheger City, Ethiopia, has led to a proliferation of informal housing and a growing struggle for land tenure security among its residents. This research, published in Discover Cities, delves into the political economy of administrative responses to this phenomenon.
Can we really have a “global” research agenda for peatlands?
Peatlands store more carbon than all the world's forests, yet major scientific gaps remain. We brought together 467 participants from 54 countries to identify the most important research priorities for peatland science.
A Tale of Three Cities: How an Idea Sparked Across Continents Became a Predictive Model for Protecting Pollination from Air Pollution
The story behind "A perceptual model indicates air pollution-induced shifts in honeybee floral-scent recognition" ; authored by Jordanna D.H. Sprayberry, with Robbie D. Girling, James M.W. Ryalls, James D. Blande & Ben Langford
Beyond sperm: how fathers communicate circadian stress to the next generation
For decades, the developmental origins of health and disease framework has been dominated by the maternal environment. Yet, emerging evidence suggests that fathers, even before conception, can shape offspring physiology.
From Waste to Resource: Rethinking Urban Futures through Innovative Solid Waste Management
Cities today are at a crossroads. Rapid urbanisation, changing consumption patterns, and rising populations have led to an unprecedented surge in solid waste generation. What was once considered a local municipal issue has now evolved into a global sustainability challenge.
