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LIGO can detect gravitational waves that are generated when two black holes collide.Credit: The SXS Project

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is back after a three-year hiatus and a multimillion-dollar upgrade. The first detection of gravitational waves ripples in spacetime from colliding black holes and other cosmic cataclysms was made at LIGO in 2015. Improvements to the detectors sensitivity mean that LIGO could pick up signals of colliding black holes every few days, compared with once a week during its previous run. Scientists hope to detect the gravitational signal of a collapsing star before it manifests as a supernova explosion, as well as the continuous gravitational waves produced by a pulsar.

Nature | 6 min read

A wireless connection between the brain and the spinal cord allows a paralysed man to walk using his thoughts. Gert-Jan Oskam, whose legs were paralysed after a cycling accident, received a spinal implant in 2018 that generated robotic movement through pre-programmed electrical stimulation. He has now received head implants that detect brain activity and transmit the signal to a backpack computer, which decodes the information and activates the spinal pulse generator. This brainspine interface gives Oskam full control over the stimulation, so he can walk and climb stairs. The stimulation before was controlling me and now I am controlling stimulation by my thought, he says.

Nature | 4 min read

Reference: Nature paper

A component in their mothers milk triggers a diet switch in baby mices heart cells. Mouse embryos heart-muscle cells burn sugar and lactic acid, but within 24 hours of birth, they shift to fatty acids as their fuel. After seven years of experiments, some of which involved milking mice by hand, researchers now zeroed in on -linolenic acid as a key compound that drives the switch, and identified the receptor and genes involved. Human breast milk also contains -linolenic acid, and a precursor is found in baby formula, although its unclear whether it has the same role in humans.

Nature | 4 min read

Go deeper with an analysis by heart development experts in the Nature News & Views article (6 min read, Nature paywall)

Reference: Nature paper

Chinas new data restrictions have strengthened privacy but are concerning researchers globally. The signal has been very clear that China does not want its scientists to collaborate as freely as they used to with foreigners, says sociologist Joy Zhang. Chinas largest academic database has partially suspended foreign access, and institutions that send, for example, clinical-trial data abroad must now undergo a security assessment. Unlike the European Unions data protection regulation, the law has no exemption for scientists. The Chinese government has also proposed adding CRISPR gene editing, crop breeding and photovoltaics techniques to its list of technologies whose export is prohibited or restricted.

Nature | 7 min read

Japans government is drawing fresh ire from researchers over plans to privatize the countrys influential science council (SCJ). The government has already backed away from plans to reform the councils constitution and its process for appointing members. Observers predict that the council will ultimately be forced to forge a new relationship with the government: I think the SCJ will have to find a way of existing as an organ within the government, while being independent, says policy researcher Hiroshi Nagano.

Nature | 5 min read

Even the scientists who have made quantum computers their lifes work say they cant do anything useful yet. Theyre all terrible, says physicist Winfried Hensinger of the five he owns (hes working on a new large-scale, modular type). But enthusiasts arent concerned and researchers say development is proceeding better than expected. The devices have the potential to accelerate drug discovery, crack encryption, speed up decision-making in financial transactions, improve machine learning, develop revolutionary materials and even address climate change and that barely scratches the surface, researchers say. The short-term hype is a bit high, says computational mathematician Steve Brierley, a founder of a quantum-computing firm. But the long-term hype is nowhere near enough.

Nature | 10 min read

Across Africa, 43% of people still do not have electricity and one of the causes is that highly indebted countries cant invest in research. Many countries find it impossible to pay off debts and protect public spending, which excludes them from expanding their scientific capabilities. Creditors should consider a debt-for-science swap, argues a Nature editorial: agree to waive some debt for countries that spend more on research.

Nature | 5 min read

The research system still tends to put power in the hands of just a handful of people. Universities should look to industry to learn how to better reflect how research is done today, argues a Nature editorial. (5 min read)

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Daily briefing: Quantum computers are all 'terrible' but researchers aren't worried - Nature.com