How do you structure headers for readability on research-style content site

I’m working on a research-focused website that publishes long-form technical articles about fabric care and textile science.

One challenge I’m running into is keeping the header and navigation clean so readers can focus on the content without distraction.

Right now I’m experimenting with a minimal header style, but I’m not sure if removing too many navigation elements might hurt usability.

For research or knowledge-base style websites, do you generally recommend:

• Minimal headers with fewer navigation links
• Or traditional navigation bars with more structure?

Any UX or readability suggestions would be appreciated.

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