For 20 years, science has blossomed in Afghanistan. Now many researchers are fleeing and those who remain face lost funding and the threat of persecution.

Racist ideas of categories for human identity continue to warp research and medicine.

The Australian Research Council's decision to reject early career funding applications that mention preprints is hopelessly outdated, say scientists.

Inventor teams with women represent 16% of filed patents, yet are more likely than male teams to create women's health products.

People infected with the Delta variant generally do not have COVID-19 symptoms until two days after they start shedding the coronavirus.

Emerging data suggest that Delta could spread more readily than other coronavirus variants among people vaccinated against COVID-19. But key questions remain.

Kelsey Inouye's job search gave her panic attacks and dented her self-esteem. But she learnt to take rejection in her stride.

Nature highlights three key infographics from the week in science and research.

Governments and companies urgently need to share data on the mounting volume of satellites and debris orbiting Earth.

A mint discovered in China was churning out 14-centimetre-long 'spade coins' more than 2,500 years ago.

Chemist María Fernanda Cerdá uses natural dyes from Uruguay's indigenous flora to build solar cells.

The details align with Plan S - but UKRI hasn't yet decided whether to pay for open-access publishing in some hybrid journals.

Concerns over waning immunity and SARS-CoV-2 variants have convinced some countries to deploy extra vaccine doses - but it's not clear to scientists whether most people need them.

But a study of the publications of millions of researchers also suggests that women are less likely to continue their academic careers than their male counterparts.

White House science office is expected to deliver a review of US scientific-integrity policies next month.

The disruption that the coronavirus has caused to daily life has created unique research opportunities for scientists.

International coalition aims to identify how universities use impact factors and related metrics.

Programme awarded $US50 million in rapid grants and highlights limitations in existing scientific-funding mechanisms.

Off-campus learning was essential during the pandemic. But when it ends, we should encourage students to return to campus for in-person lectures, says Michael Doran.

Psychologist Ann-Marie Creaven regularly discusses her research on Ireland's most listened-to station.

Papers by women in elite medical journals are half as likely to be cited as are similar articles authored by men, research finds.

Scientists are unpicking the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 and how the virus uses tricks to evade detection.

Large increases to the budget of the US National Institutes of Health can spur wide investment, but also increase competition among junior researchers.

Study of nearly 7,000 scientists also finds that more than half engage in 'questionable research practices'.