Two researchers proclaimed 20 years ago that they’d achieved cold fusion, the ultimate energy solution. The work went nowhere, but the hope remains. (p. 20)

Researchers look to the new administration to bring fresh perspectives to health, energy, climate policy and science funding (p. 24)

A rough draft of the Neandertal genome is complete, scientists announced on Darwin’s 200th birthday. (p. 5)

Oceanic version of wind shear can disorient marine microorganisms and trigger formation of thin, densely populated layers. (p. 8)

Census of Marine Life offers a preview of massive international census gives fuller count, shows some sea species at both poles. (p. 8)

Researchers have for the first time mapped the gravitational field of the moon’s farside — the lunar half that is permanently turned away from Earth. (p. 9)

In an unprecedented collision, two large satellites crashed into each other in low-Earth orbit on February 10. The effect on a planned Hubble repair mission remains unclear. (p. 9)

Elevated urine concentrations of a compound called sarcosine in men with prostate cancer may signal an aggressive malignancy. (p. 10)

In an experiment mimicking slot machines, people’s brains reacted similarly to almost winning as to winning, possibly explaining why gambling can be addictive. (p. 10)

The aging-related Sirtuin 1 protein also regulates heat shock response, a mechanism cells use to combat stress. (p. 11)

Smokers who are offered several hundred dollars are three times as likely to quit as those offered no reward. (p. 12)

Using population data, researchers have linked a widespread Asian economic crisis in 1997 to an abrupt increase in suicide rates the following year in hard-hit places. (p. 12)

Smoke from forest fires, agricultural burning may be substantial part of springtime plumes. (p. 13)

A sudden peak in duplication of chunks of DNA in the common ancestor of humans, chimps and gorillas led to genetic flexibility, which created differences among the species. (p. 14)

A chemical from an ocean-dwelling sponge can reprogram antibiotic resistant bacteria to make them vulnerable to medicines again, new evidence suggests. (p. 16)

Mobile DNA elements have stuffed and shrunk the human genome, a comparison of two genomes reveal (p. 16)

Whether crop-based biofuels will reduce greenhouse gas emissions depends on how, and where, they're grown. (p. 17)

Toddlers who gesture more at age 14 months possess larger vocabularies when entering school, new research finds. (p. 17)

New research reveals another impact of fish farming on wild stocks. (p. 18)

Patagonian penguins have become sentinels of climate change and human impacts on the marine world. (p. 18)

Review by Rachel Ehrenberg (p. 31)

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