Why these PhD scientists went into teaching

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Hello Nature readers, Today we investigate progress among cuttlefish researchers, discover how bacteria might help purify rare-earth elements and consider becoming high-school science teachers.

A Sepia bandensis cuttlefish wears a 3D-printed model of a device to visualize the animal's neural activity. (Tessa Montague/Thomas Barlow)

Clues to cuttlefish camouflage Researchers are coming closer than ever before to understanding how cuttlefish pull off one of the most impressive camouflage displays in the animal kingdom: creating kaleidoscopic skin patterns (despite being colour-blind). One advance is a tank lined in e-ink screens, which can prompt cuttlefish to react to their environment without disorienting them with bright light. The holy grail, say researchers, will be manipulating cuttlefish genes — but most viruses commonly used to deliver CRISPR gene-editing technology into cells can't be used on cuttlefish because so few viruses can infect the animals. Now a team has done it successfully, but only with short-lived embryos. Nature | 5 min read

South braces for summer from hell The Southern Hemisphere is facing a summer of record-high temperatures and extreme weather, following on from a record-breaking summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Powerful oceanic patterns — including El Niño in the Pacific Ocean and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole — could deliver a mix of heatwaves and drought in some places, and increased rainfall and floods in others. In 2019 and 2020, the same combination of climatic drivers contributed to unprecedented and catastrophic wildfires in Australia. And worse might be to come: the biggest impact of El Niño is likely to be felt in the summers of 2024–25. Meanwhile, a preliminary finding by the Copernicus Climate Change Service says that Earth had its most-heated day ever last Wednesday. "Our best estimate is that this was the first day when global temperature was more than 2 ℃ above 1850-1900 (or pre-industrial) levels," announced climate scientist Sam Burgess. Nature | 5 min read & New Scientist | 3 min read

Heat pump could transform air conditioning A prototype air conditioner could do the job without the environmentally damaging refrigerants that the world uses now. Instead of alternately vaporizing a fluid and condensing it with a compressor, the device takes advantage of a ceramic with a strong 'electrocaloric' effect. Electrocaloric materials heat up when exposed to electric fields and cool down when the field is removed. More work needs to be done to get the prototype ready for commercialization, but the outcome could be a smaller, simpler and greener device. Nature | 4 min read Reference: Science paper

Features & opinion

The bacterium Hansschlegelia quercus, which is found on oak buds, can help to separate a light element of the lanthanide series, such as lanthanum, from a heavier lanthanide, such as dysprosium. This image shows the compound lanthanum (iii) nitrate under a microscope. (Christian Wei/Zoonar/Alamy)

Microbes mine for rare-earth metals Many microorganisms naturally concentrate metals, and some are already used to mine copper and gold. Now researchers are adapting bacteria to tackle the challenge of purifying valuable rare-earth elements found in rocks, discarded appliances and other electronic waste. But there is much to do before microbe-based mining and remediation can be scaled up to an industrial process. Nature | 12 min read

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Yes to truly global research standards As an early-career scientist in India with limited resources, "I had to carefully weigh up whether a peer reviewer would find this reagent or that piece of equipment acceptable," writes stem-cell researcher Maneesha Inamdar. "That's why I was keen to help develop a set of recommendations for how human stem cells used in basic research should be characterized and reported." But in contributing to those guidelines, Inamdar noted that "those with ready access to expertise and supplies often do not fully grasp what is affordable and practical for researchers in low-resource settings". She argues that committees must include a range of contributors from low- or middle-income countries to help create truly inclusive standards. Nature | 5 min read Reference: International Society for Stem Cell Research Standards Initiative

From PhD research to teaching Some academics seeking a stable and fulfilling career are swapping the laboratory for the classroom. The work can be challenging, but teaching offers the opportunity to inspire and find a sensible work-life balance. "It's not for people who want long holidays. It's really for people who have a vocation," says retired teacher Suzanne Kalka. "Try to find joy," advises teacher Joaquín Ramírez Ramírez. "Let go, leave your past behind. You're not failing at science. You're just a scientist that's become an educator." Nature | 11 min read

Quote of the day "I believe that the scientists should be focusing on the science, because if they're worrying about all the other things, the science comes essentially last." Medicinal chemist Susan Winks got an MBA and pivoted to operations — now she's proud that her work frees researchers to "spend until we tell them to stop spending". (Nature | 6 min read)

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