Feature

Genetics

Year in review: Fluke extinction surprises lab

A die-off of bacteria in a carefully controlled lab experiment offered an evolutionary lesson this year: Survival depends not only on fitness but also on luck.

Neuroscience

Year in review: Gaps in brain nets might store memories

Holes in nets that surround nerve cells may store long-term memories, scientists proposed this year.

Math

Year in review: New algorithm quickly spots identical networks

In what may be a once-in-a-decade advance, a computer scientist claimed to have devised an algorithm that efficiently solves the notorious graph isomorphism problem.

Health & Medicine

Year in review: Ebola vaccines on the way

After more than a year of furiously developing and testing potential Ebola vaccines, two candidates have risen to the top and may soon be available for use.

Genetics

Gene drives spread their wings

Gene drives may wipe out malaria and take down invasive species. But they may be difficult to control.

Genetics

Can DNA predict a face?

DNA-based facial sketches are moving into the crime-solving arena. With current science, predictions of some features are better than others.

Animals

Getting creative to cut methane from cows

Changing feed, giving vaccines and selective breeding may enable scientists to help beef and dairy cattle shake their title as one of society's worst methane producers.

Neuroscience

Viva vagus: Wandering nerve could lead to range of therapies

Researchers are testing ways to stimulate the vagus nerve to treat a slew of ailments.

Neuroscience

Blood exerts a powerful influence on the brain

Instead of just responding to the energy needs of neurons, the blood can have a direct and powerful influence on the brain.

Earth

New fascination with Earth’s ‘Boring Billion’

The Mesoproterozoic era, known as the boring billion, had very low oxygen, but it set the stage for the evolution of animals.

Animals

Slow, cold reptiles may breathe like energetic birds

Finding birdlike air patterns in lungs of crocodilians and in more distantly related lizards raises the possibility that one-way airflow evolved far earlier than birds themselves did.

Chemistry

Nanoparticles in foods raise safety questions

As scientists cook up ways to improve palatability and even make foods healthier, some are considering the potential health risks of tiny additives.