Daily briefing: Spain begins an epic economics experiment in universal basic income

Nature, Published online: 10 July 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02088-9Spain launches the largest test yet of no-strings-attached income — but it’s not truly universal. Plus: how group testing could transform the hunt for coronavirus cases, and PhD students in Australia face financial meltdown.

2h

Structural basis for RIFIN-mediated activation of LILRB1 in malaria

Nature, Published online: 10 July 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2530-3Structural basis for RIFIN-mediated activation of LILRB1 in malaria

4h

Blood from fit mice bestows brain benefits of exercise

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02068-zWorkouts rejuvenate the brains of old mice — but so does plasma from well-conditioned rodents.

5h

Scientists call for pandemic investigations to focus on wildlife trade

Nature, Published online: 10 July 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02052-7The World Health Organization is sending scientists to China this weekend to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 outbreak.

6h

Cities — try to predict superspreading hotspots for COVID-19

Nature, Published online: 10 July 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02072-3Tracking how people move around urban areas can pinpoint where disease might transmit fastest and farthest.

6h

The mathematical strategy that could transform coronavirus testing

Nature, Published online: 10 July 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02053-6Four charts show how pooling samples from many people can save time or resources.

8h

Pandemic speeds largest test yet of universal basic income

Nature, Published online: 10 July 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-01993-3Economists welcome the chance to see whether giving people cash to spend however they choose improves livelihoods.

8h

How the coronavirus pandemic is changing virtual science communication

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02075-0Researchers flocked to join Skype a Scientist after COVID-19 closed their labs. The squid biologist who founded it explains how the science-communication platform has adapted.

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Daily briefing: Genetic evidence of Native American ancestry among Polynesian people

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02078-xPeople from Polynesia and South America mingled around 800 years ago — though it’s not clear who visited whom. Plus: mounting evidence suggests coronavirus is airborne, and precise gene edits made to mitochondrial DNA for the first time.

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The lockdown walk that inspired an experiment

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02074-1Why do garden plants suddenly become invasive? One scientist couple turned their balcony into a lab to find out.

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