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These are the most-read Science News stories of 2020
From 'murder hornets' to the physics of Notre Dame's construction, Science News online readers had a wide variety of favorite stories on our website.
- Science & Society
2020’s science superlatives include the oldest, highest and grossest discoveries
From the earliest modern bird to the highest-temperature superconductor, science set plenty of records in 2020.
- Health & Medicine
Against all odds, 2020 featured some good health news
Good health news in 2020 included a first treatment for peanut allergies, a rare self-cure for HIV, and an Ebola outbreak ends.
- Space
Here are the highlights from a busy year in space launches
Satellites, Mars rovers and astronauts launched into space in 2020.
- Science & Society
The science stories that defined 2020: coronavirus, diversity movements and more
While this year was all about the coronavirus pandemic, climate change effects continued, diversity movements were born and research carried on.
- Earth
Plastic drinking water pipes exposed to high heat can leak hazardous chemicals
Lab tests exposing commonly used water pipes to wildfire-like heat show damaged pipes can leach the carcinogen benzene and other chemicals.
- Science & Society
These science claims from 2020 could be big news if confirmed
Scientific findings reported this year that still need more proof include potential signs of life on Venus and Earth’s oldest parasites.
- Space
How future spacecraft might handle tricky landings on Venus or Europa
Scientists are getting inventive with ways to touch down on these worlds, where landers will face obstacles not seen elsewhere in the solar system.
- Health & Medicine
The new U.K. coronavirus variant is concerning. But don’t freak out
A new version of the coronavirus may be better at spreading from person to person, but there’s still a lot scientists don’t know.
- Chemistry
A new iron-based catalyst converts carbon dioxide into jet fuel
Jet fuel made from carbon dioxide could one day reduce pollution from air travel.
- Animals
Rumors of a ‘murder hornet’ apocalypse may have been exaggerated
Murder hornets sightings in the Pacific northwest inspired a mix of concern and delight.
- Animals
Clearing land to feed a growing human population will threaten thousands of species
Changing where, how and what food is grown could largely avoid biodiversity losses, scientists say.
