Supracellular cues play a key role in directing collective cell migration in processes such as wound healing and cancer invasion. New findings emphasize the importance of all length scales of the microenvironment in shaping cell migration patterns.

The nature of turbulence that occurs when fluids flow in a pipe is still controversial. Now the onset of turbulence in pipe flow has been shown to be a directed-percolation phase transition.

Quantum geometry and electron–phonon coupling are two fundamental concepts in condensed matter physics that govern many correlated ground states. Now a generalized theory connects these two ideas.

The nature of the fractional quantum Hall state when the lowest Landau level is half-filled remains controversial. Now, the observation of a topological phase transition at related filling fractions suggests that the half-filled state is non-Abelian.

The sign of the Casimir force depends on the electric permittivities and the magnetic permeabilities of the materials involved. For a gold sphere immersed in a ferrofluid, tuneability of the Casimir force by means of a magnetic field is now shown.

The Leidenfrost effect—a droplet hovering on a hot surface due to vapour in between—requires a surface temperature of about 230 °C. Now a tailored microstructured surface is shown to enable quick hovering of water droplets at 130 °C.

Social activities are common in many research groups, often based around outdoor activities such as hiking. We argue that there are more inclusive ways to bring a team together.

UNESCO has now formally adopted World Metrology Day as a UNESCO International Day to be observed on 20 May each year — the theme of 2024 is sustainability. Shanay Rab and Richard Brown take a look at its origin.

Thousands of Iranians study at German universities every year, but many struggle with the German academic system. Here, we offer some advice.