The brickbats hurled at scientists researching tobacco’s harms

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The deadly, destructive fires affecting neighbourhoods in southern California are examples of urban firestorms, in which buildings themselves become fuel. As the climate changes and growing cities push outwards, researchers say that such fires are likely to become more common. To better understand how they spread, scientists are burning test houses and creating computer simulations that reveal how radiant heat and wind-blown embers set neighbouring houses alight. Other research points to practical measures that help to keep homes safe, such as covering vents and shaping roofs to keep out embers, and building with less-flammable siding and roof material.

Nature | 5 min read

Cyberattacks, lawsuits, surveillance and even physical violence are just some of the tactics industries use on researchers who study the harms caused by tobacco, alcohol and ultra-processed foods, a review has found. Being labelled a “nicotine Nazi” or “health fascist” can take a toll on the wellbeing of public-health researchers. Stronger legal and emotional support for researchers, as well as more training in how to respond to attacks and protect themselves, is sorely needed, says public-health physician May van Schalkwyk. “The over-riding message to the industry is, ‘You can intimidate us, but we’ll carry on anyway’,’’ she says.

Nature | 4 min read

Reference: Health Promotion International paper

Features & opinion

Plans by incoming US president Donald Trump to exit the Paris agreement and cut clean-energy funding “might seem to sound the death knell for effective climate action, but, as an environmental-policy researcher, I know that it is not too late,” writes Rebecca Bromley-Trujillo. As a member of the Climate Social Science Network, Bromley-Trujillo and her colleagues have identified the obstacles that hinder innovative climate policy.

Nature | 5 min read

A sentient AI and one of the last humans both win a high-stakes coin toss in the latest short story for Nature’s Futures series.

Nature | 6 min read

Andrew Robinson’s pick of the top five science books to read this week includes a history of wild chocolate and a collection of ‘talking images’ that traces the links between images, marks, language and writing.

Nature | 3 min read

Researchers have used an artificial-intelligence tool to develop proteins that can block the deadly effects of snake venom in mice. Over a hundred thousand people are estimated to be killed by snakebites each year, but treatment options are few, expensive and often difficult to access where they are most needed. While limited in scope, the team behind the work believe these results demonstrate the promise of the approach.

Nature Podcast | 33 min listen

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Flora Graham, senior editor, Nature Briefing

With contributions by Jacob Smith

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