Nature Physics, Published online: 17 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02475-3Ultrafast light pulses, if they are sufficiently intense, can induce phase transitions on ultrafast timescales. It is now shown that when a system is first excited by a weak preparatory pulse, this generates local changes in structure that transiently lower the energy barrier...

Nature Physics, Published online: 16 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02503-2UNESCO 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.

Nature Physics, Published online: 16 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02501-4It’s time to tackle space debris

Nature Physics, Published online: 16 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02523-yMax out the gap

Nature Physics, Published online: 16 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02520-1Cold and ultracold molecules

Nature Physics, Published online: 16 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02524-xTrapped by memory