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Exactly how a crystal forms in a solution is randomly determined — and researchers have harnessed that fact to build a generator of really, really random numbers. The system uses a camera to analyse the crystals formed in inorganic reactions and convert each one’s spikes and angles into a random number. Encryption built on the crystal random numbers was harder to break than a system built on the ‘pseudorandom’ numbers used for many computing tasks.

Chemistry World | 4 min read

Reference: Matter paper

For the first time, astronomers have discovered an exoplanet by looking at how it whips up the magnetic field of its star. Researchers examined the radio emissions from a star called GJ 1151 and found an unusually lengthy solar flare that they say could only be caused by a hidden Earth-size planet. It’s tricky to confirm the finding with other exoplanet-detection methods, but if the technique stands up, it offers a whole new way to find distant worlds.

Quanta | 6 min read

Reference: Nature Astronomy paper & The Astrophysical Journal Letters paper

Features & opinion

A wave of interest and investment in African genomics is coursing through Nigeria, buoying up an industry that is unrecognizable from a decade ago. Studying everything from diabetes to cholera, these endeavours are designed to build the country’s capabilities so that genetics results from Africa — publications, patents, jobs and any resulting therapies — flow back to the continent. But a lacklustre national research budget, unique ethical considerations and patchy infrastructure present challenges to scientists’ ambitions.

Nature | 14 min read

Next week, representatives of more than 190 nations are gathering in Rome to discuss how to halt the biodiversity crisis during this decade and beyond. The conservation community must be able to track countries’ progress in protecting wetlands, reefs, forests and more, argue conservation scientist James Watson and colleagues. They urge those attending next week’s meeting to place an ecosystem-based goal and target alongside species-based ones in their discussions.

Nature | 8 min read

Sources: J. E. M. Watson et al. (map); data from O. Venter et al. Nature Commun. 7, 12558 (2016)/B. S. Halpern et al. Sci. Rep. 9, 11609 (2019).

Science communicator Maggie Ryan Sandford went to the Minnesota State Fair last year wearing a sandwich board that said, “Ask me anything about evolution.” The stunt highlighted the biggest challenge in fighting misinformation: just getting a conversation started. Sandford divulges her three rules for sharing science: don’t go head-to-head with someone’s belief system, learn what people really think and take time to listen.

Nature | 5 min read