Topological-physics pioneer Shoucheng Zhang dies

Topological-physics pioneer Shoucheng Zhang dies, Published online: 08 December 2018; doi:10.1038/d41586-018-07709-y

Theoretical physicist was among the first to predict that the phenomenon of topology could lead to exotic states of matter.

Earthquake-risk maps pinpoint world’s most vulnerable areas

Earthquake-risk maps pinpoint world’s most vulnerable areas, Published online: 07 December 2018; doi:10.1038/d41586-018-07705-2

Indonesia and India are among the countries with the most people at risk.

Global industrial carbon emissions to reach all-time high in 2018

Global industrial carbon emissions to reach all-time high in 2018, Published online: 07 December 2018; doi:10.1038/d41586-018-07666-6

Latest predictions dash hopes that industrial carbon dioxide emissions have peaked.

Daily briefing: The five unmissable science books of 2018

Daily briefing: The five unmissable science books of 2018, Published online: 07 December 2018; doi:10.1038/d41586-018-07703-4

Five reads to make you smarter. Plus: why a postdoc might not be the right career move and the hunt for a mysterious polio-like disease in the US.

Ebola detectives race to identify hidden sources of infection as outbreak spreads

Ebola detectives race to identify hidden sources of infection as outbreak spreads, Published online: 07 December 2018; doi:10.1038/d41586-018-07618-0

Efforts to trace contacts of people with Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been hampered by mistrust in conflict-ridden outbreak zone.

Geckos slap their feet and swish their tails to race over water

Geckos slap their feet and swish their tails to race over water, Published online: 07 December 2018; doi:10.1038/d41586-018-07658-6

Slender lizards can speed across a body of water faster than a young alligator can swim.

South Africa’s science academy urges update to nation’s genetics laws

South Africa’s science academy urges update to nation’s genetics laws, Published online: 07 December 2018; doi:10.1038/d41586-018-07637-x

Report calls for transparency over handling of genetic data collected from people in South Africa.

‘Little Foot’ hominin emerges from stone after millions of years

‘Little Foot’ hominin emerges from stone after millions of years , Published online: 07 December 2018; doi:10.1038/d41586-018-07651-z

Scientists are starting to piece together the evolution of a 3.67 million-year-old early human who may have been among the first to walk like we do.

Why a postdoc might not advance your career

Why a postdoc might not advance your career, Published online: 07 December 2018; doi:10.1038/d41586-018-07652-y

Two studies reiterate that very few postdoctoral researchers land academic posts — and suggest that the skills postdocs learn are not sought by employers outside academia.