news@nature

Archaeologists draw comparisons between the fall of the Akkadian empire more than 4,000 years ago and the crises in contemporary Syria.

Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2013.12486

Misinformation forms an inevitable part of public debate, but scientists should always focus on informing the decision-makers, advises Lynn Dicks.

Nature 494 283 doi: 10.1038/494283a

The week in science: Massive meteor hits Russia; world’s first clinical study to put iPS cells in humans gets green light; and head of Fukushima health survey steps down.

Nature 494 286 doi: 10.1038/494286a

China launches world’s deepest particle-physics experiment — but it joins a crowded field.

Nature 494 291 doi: 10.1038/494291a

Italy’s researchers want change they can believe in.

Nature 494 293 doi: 10.1038/494293a

Geology and infrastructure could impede development.

Nature 494 294 doi: 10.1038/494294a

Venerable government adviser will fund grants with half-billion-dollar windfall.

Nature 494 295 doi: 10.1038/494295a

With the help of a tiny worm, Cornelia Bargmann is unpicking the neural circuits that drive eating, socializing and sex.

Nature 494 296 doi: 10.1038/494296a

Cement manufacturing is a major source of greenhouse gases. But cutting emissions means mastering one of the most complex materials known.

Nature 494 300 doi: 10.1038/494300a

Shunichi Yamashita led well-received study of nuclear accident's effects but was blamed for poor communication.

Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2013.12463

Emissions from transport and industry have increased faster than those from agriculture.

Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2013.12470

Nature has removed the text of this story after being notified of problems in the original analysis.

Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2013.12464

Maps of neuronal activity reveal how the brain articulates complex speech.

Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2013.12471

Maturing technology speeds medical diagnoses.

Nature 494 290 doi: 10.1038/494290a

Loss of patent control could rekindle ‘terminator’ technology.

Nature 494 289 doi: 10.1038/494289a

Separate bacteria populations may respond to environmental changes in identical ways.

Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2013.12459

Technique helps to untangle complexity in systems from metabolism to social networks.

Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2013.12447

The remnants of self-destructing stars can accelerate particles to higher energies than world's most powerful accelerator.

Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2013.12436

US approval that gives hope to those with a rare genetic eye condition.

Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2013.12439

Explosion rivalled nuclear blast, but rock was still too small for advance-warning networks to spot.

Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2013.12438