Nature Physics, Published online: 08 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41567-025-03120-3
Programmable self-assembly can help construct complex nanostructures. Now a mathematical framework can identify if and how a particular structure can be assembled.
RSS Nature Physics
Nature Physics offers news and reviews alongside top-quality research papers in a monthly publication, covering the entire spectrum of physics. Physics addresses the properties and interactions of matter and energy, and plays a key role in the development of a broad range of technologies. To reflect this, Nature Physics covers all areas of pure and applied physics research. The journal focuses on core physics disciplines, but is also open to a broad range of topics whose central theme falls within the bounds of physics.
Feed URL: https://www.nature.com/nphys.rss
Updated: daily
Feed URL: https://www.nature.com/nphys.rss
Updated: daily
- A polyhedral structure controls programmable self-assembly
- Bacteria may not be good at chemotaxisNature Physics, Published online: 08 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41567-025-03103-4 Bacteria appear to be masters of chemotaxis, but it is unclear how well they process chemical information. A study now argues that cells squander most sensory information, making chemotaxis far less efficient than established physical limits allow.
- Mechanical origin for non-equilibrium ultrasensitivity in the bacterial flagellar motorNature Physics, Published online: 07 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41567-025-03105-2 Bacterial flagellar motors switch rotation direction with high sensitivity to environmental inputs. A theoretical model explains how torque-dependent non-equilibrium switching contributes to ultrasensitivity.
- A non-equilibrium model for ultrasensitive switching in bacterial flagellar motorsNature Physics, Published online: 07 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41567-025-03125-y Bacterial motors respond to chemical signals with high sensitivity to control cell swimming behaviour. However, the established model that describes how this sensitivity arises is an equilibrium model, which is inconsistent with experimental findings. A model is now proposed in which high sensitivity results from non-equilibrium mechanical interactions within the motor.
- Optical control of orbital magnetism in magic-angle twisted bilayer grapheneNature Physics, Published online: 06 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41567-025-03117-y Strong correlations and topology have been seen in moiré graphene, but their optical control has not been shown yet. Now, the optical manipulation of orbital magnetism and anomalous Hall effects is demonstrated in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene.
- Geometry-driven asymmetric cell divisions pattern cell cycles and zygotic genome activation in the zebrafish embryoNature Physics, Published online: 05 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41567-025-03122-1 Many different biochemical and mechanical signals control morphogenesis. Now it is shown that the geometry of the fertilized egg helps orchestrate spatial and temporal patterning during embryogenesis.
- Embryo geometry sets the tempoNature Physics, Published online: 05 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41567-025-03136-9 The geometry of the zebrafish egg is shown to generate a gradient in cell size upon successive cell divisions. This gradient specifies stereotyped patterns of cell-cycle progression, zygotic genome activation and cell-fate specification.
- Self-induced superradiant masingNature Physics, Published online: 02 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41567-025-03123-0 Superradiance is usually driven by light-mediated couplings, leaving the role of direct emitter interactions unclear. Now, it is shown that dipole–dipole interactions in diamond spins drive self-induced pulsed and continuous superradiant masing.
