Daily briefing: The new alternatives to animal testing

Nature

by Flora Graham

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

New methods like mini 3D "organoids" and organs-on-chips are gradually replacing animal testing in certain areas of research, offering more accurate and efficient alternatives. These "new approach methodologies" (NAMs) can better mimic human biology than traditional animal models, but they are still far from completely eliminating the need for animal testing, especially for complex biological systems that remain unpredictable without live animals. While NAMs show promise in speeding up research and reducing costs, scientists emphasize that their widespread adoption is still a long way off due to regulatory hurdles and technical limitations. In other scientific news, researchers are uncovering clues about early human communication. A study on Stone Age artifacts with notched patterns suggests these marks may have been precursors to writing systems like cuneiform. The findings indicate statistical similarities between these ancient carvings and proto-cuneform, hinting at a potential evolutionary link between these marks and the development of written language. Meanwhile, experts are exploring the mysterious "Great Unconformity," a one-billion-year gap in Earth's geological record. New evidence from Chinese rocks suggests that much of the erosion responsible for this gap occurred before major events like the Snowball Earth glaciation and the breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia. This discovery challenges previous theories and sheds new light on the timeline of Earth's geological history, which precedes the Cambrian explosion—a period of rapid evolution. Lastly, researchers warn about the risks of fraudulent scientific papers and offer tips to identify them. Key red flags include citing unrelated or fake studies, incorrect author affiliations, and unusual language patterns like AI-generated text. These insights are crucial for maintaining research integrity and ensuring that policymakers and scientists can trust the evidence they use to make decisions. Overall, these advancements and discoveries highlight the dynamic nature of scientific progress, from innovative research methods to uncovering ancient mysteries and addressing ethical concerns in animal testing. For readers interested in science, understanding these developments is essential for grasping how they shape future research directions and policies.

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Originally published on Nature on 2/26/2026