Year in Review

  1. Science & Society

    Watch our most-viewed videos of 2017

    Cassini’s demise, cuttlefish and the Curiosity rover topped our list of most popular videos of 2017.

    By Helen Thompson
  2. Animals

    2017 delivered amazing biology finds from organisms large and small

    From giant African elephants to tiny tardigrades, scientists discovered some surprising biology this year.

    By Cassie Martin
  3. Planetary Science

    Here’s what you might have missed in space this year

    Missions to Jupiter and Saturn made big headlines, and 2017 also saw exciting updates from missions of years past.

    By Cassie Martin
  4. Physics

    These 2017 discoveries could be big news, if they turn out to be true

    Some findings reported in 2017 are potentially big news, if they hold up to additional scientific scrutiny.

    By Cassie Martin
  5. Science & Society

    How science and society crossed paths in 2017

    In 2017, Science News covered the science events that everyone was talking about.

    By Kyle Plantz
  6. Astronomy

    This year’s neutron star collision unlocks cosmic mysteries

    A rare and long-awaited astronomical event united thousands of astronomers in a frenzy of observations.

    By Emily Conover
  7. Genetics

    CRISPR gene editing moved into new territory in 2017

    Scientists edited viable human embryos with CRISPR/Cas9 this year.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  8. Climate

    The Larsen C ice shelf break has sparked groundbreaking research

    The hubbub over the iceberg that broke off Larsen C may have died down, but scientists are just getting warmed up to study the aftermath.

    By Carolyn Gramling
  9. Humans

    The story of humans’ origins got a revision in 2017

    Human evolution may have involved the gradual assembly of scattered skeletal traits, fossils of Homo naledi and other species show.

    By Bruce Bower
  10. Astronomy

    Seven Earth-sized planets entered the spotlight this year

    The discovery of seven Earth-sized planets orbiting a single cool star fuels a debate over what counts as good news in the search for life outside the solar system.

    By Lisa Grossman
  11. Quantum Physics

    A quantum communications satellite proved its potential in 2017

    Quantum communication through space is now possible, putting the quantum internet within closer reach.

    By Emily Conover
  12. Health & Medicine

    Worries grow that climate change will quietly steal nutrients from major food crops

    Studies show that rice, wheat and other staples could lose proteins and minerals, putting more people at risk of hunger worldwide.

    By Susan Milius