Daily briefing: Why US scientists aren’t retiring

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A genetic analysis of nearly 6,000 Greenlandic people reveals that the island was originally populated by a small group of fewer than 300 people, who arrived from Siberia via North America, in the past 1,000 years. These Inuit settlers tended to stay in one place, say the study authors, developing gene variants that appear to be adaptations to life in the Arctic — helping to metabolize omega-3-rich seal and whale meat, for example. Harmful recessive genes also came to the fore, such as one that is linked to a liver disease called cholestasis familiaris groenlandica.

Nature | 4 min read

Reference: Nature paper

A survey of around 125,000 US scientists and engineers aged under 75 found that 40% of those in their 70s are still working. The most common reason: they want to retain their professional identity. But that can mean less space for up-and-comers, and even put some older faculty members at a financial disadvantage compared to drawing a pension. Jurist Carole Goldberg, who was vice-chancellor at the University of California, Los Angeles, says that creating a path that allowed professors to retain some professional activities they like best and “cast off those that were less desired” led to a “dramatic” spike in retirements.

Science | 5 min read

Most species of birds-of-paradise are biofluorescent — parts of their body and their feathers can absorb UV or blue light and emit it back out at different frequencies — which makes their colours more vibrant. Of the 45 species, researchers found that 37 showed biofluorescence, with glowing body parts differing between males and females. Researchers theorize that the phenomenon would enhance courtship displays in males, whereas it seems more likely to be a camouflage aid in females.

The Guardian | 3 min read

Reference: Royal Society Open Letters paper

Features & opinion

In the wake of the blockbuster success of medications such as semaglutide (sold as Ozempic or Wegovy), more than 100 anti-obesity drug candidates are in various stages of development. The next wave to hit the shelves are similar to those already on the market, but close behind are therapies that their developers hope can overcome semaglutide’s shortcomings. These drugs aim to amplify weight loss while sparing muscle, minimize side effects and ensure long-lasting effects in a wider range of people.

Nature | 12 min read

Biochemist Federico Mayor Zaragoza set up Spain’s first heel-prick tests for newborn infants, which have since helped to prevent thousands of cases of genetic and metabolic disease in the country. He was a member of parliament, director-general of the United Nations cultural organization UNESCO, and played a key role in establishing the European Research Council. “His commitment to education, equity and peace left a profound mark on both national and international communities,” write the director and two former directors of the Centre for Molecular Biology in Madrid. Zaragoza died in December, aged 90.

Nature | 5 min read

At the University of Tokyo, some 90% of full professors and 77% of undergraduate students are men. That’s why, in 2022, executive vice-president Kaori Hayashi and her colleagues launched the #WeChangeUTokyo programme, which runs initiatives to raise gender awareness, offers mentoring for women in research and works with schools to recruit women outside the Tokyo Metropolitan area. “We will continue moving forward — not only for ourselves but for the next generation that will inherit our efforts and build upon them,” she says.

Nature | 5 min read

Decisions by US president Trump to withdraw from the World Health Organization and halt most foreign development assistance will “undoubtedly cost lives”, writes Ntobeko Ntusi, the head of the South African Medical Research Council. “As bad as the crisis is, it presents an opportunity to reconceptualize global health,” he writes. “Ultimately, governments in the global south must come to the realization that the prosperity of their people lies not in the hands of the US White House, but in their own agency, development and self-reliance.”

Nature Medicine | 5 min read

Researchers have designed a system to produce water waves that precisely interfere with each other — giving rise to 3D structures that can trap and manipulate particles. It could be the first step in applying the knowledge of optical- and acoustic-wave manipulations on a water-wave scale.

Nature | 3 min video

Today I’m enjoying learning about Washington State University’s Breadlab, and its director, sustainable-agriculture researcher Kevin Murphy, who’s named on the first ‘Post Next 50 list’ of changemakers chosen by The Washington Post. As a fan of weird bread, I enjoyed learning about the lab’s efforts to breed grain varieties that “have a terroir associated with them, like wine”. As I tuck into some tasty toast — and peruse a host of other researchers on the list — I hope you’ll consider sending me your feedback on this newsletter. Your e-mails are always welcome at [email protected].

Thanks for reading,

Flora Graham, senior editor, Nature Briefing

With contributions by Jacob Smith

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