All Stories
- Genetics
Year in review: ‘Three-parent baby’ technique raises hope and concern
Safety and ethical concerns surround controversial mitochondrial replacement therapy.
- Climate
Year in review: Sea ice loss will shake up ecosystems
Researchers are studying the complex biological consequences of polar melting and opening Arctic passageways.
- Genetics
Year in review: How humans populated the globe
DNA studies put new twists on timing of ancient human migrations – but genetics alone are not enough to tell the full story.
- Life
Year in review: ‘Minimal genome’ makes its debut
A synthetic cell reported this year jettisons unnecessary genes and embraces human design principles.
- Neuroscience
Year in review: Alzheimer’s drug may clarify disease’s origins
Researchers will now test whether a treatment that swept away amyloid brain plaques also improves cognitive performance.
- Earth
Year in review: Ozone hole officially on the mend
Research this year confirms that the Antarctic ozone hole is healing — an international success attributed to cooperation and new technologies.
- Computing
Year in review: AlphaGo scores a win for artificial intelligence
AlphaGo’s triumph over its human opponent provides a glimpse into the future of artificial intelligence.
- Oceans
Readers contemplate corals and more
Coral engineering, ancient almanacs and more in reader feedback.
- Health & Medicine
The fight against infectious diseases is still an uphill battle
The fight against infectious diseases is far from over. The last several decades have seen many outbreaks and global pandemic scares.
- Ecosystems
Oyster deaths linked to ‘atmospheric rivers’
Atmospheric rivers bring strong storms that could have been behind a 2011 California oyster die-off.
- Planetary Science
First signs of boron on Mars hint at past groundwater, habitability
The Curiosity rover has found the first signs of boron on Mars, which could hint at past habitable groundwater.
- Planetary Science
First signs of boron on Mars hint at past groundwater, habitability
The Curiosity rover has found the first signs of boron on Mars, which could hint at past habitable groundwater.
