Science & Society
Science News’ favorite books of 2016
Science News writers and editors compiled a list of the books they were most excited about this year.
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Cover Story
Top 10 science stories of 2016: Gravitational waves, Zika, Proxima b and more
The detection of gravitational waves takes the top spot in our top 10 stories of 2016. Also on the list: Zika’s devastation, a nearby exoplanet discovery and more.
Reviews & Previews
Science Visualized
Tech
Rise of reusable rockets signals a new age of spaceflight
Successful landings by SpaceX and Blue Origin raise the prospect of cheaper and more efficient spaceflight.
Notebook
Health & Medicine
A Pap smear can scoop up fetal cells for genome testing
Pap smear during pregnancy could offer an early way to test for fetal genetic disorders.
Features
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Year in review: Gravitational waves offer new cosmic views
The first direct detection of gravitational waves will open a new window on black holes and introduce a new era in astronomy.
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Year in review: Zika virus devastates Brazil and spreads fear across Americas
The increase in microcephaly in Brazil has spread fear of Zika infection across the Americas.
More Stories from the December 24, 2016 issue
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PlantsTweaking how plants manage a crisis boosts photosynthesis
Shortening plants’ recovery time after blasts of excessive light can boost crop growth.
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HumansOldest alphabet identified as Hebrew
Contested study indicates ancient Israelites developed first alphabet from Egyptian hieroglyphics.
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PaleontologyCretaceous bird find holds new color clue
New molecular clues in 130-million-year-old bird fossil could help paleontologists firm up case for ancient color in dinosaurs.
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ArchaeologyFor some early monks, impaired hearing amplified sounds of silence
Middle-ear ailments probably had little impact on early Christian monks’ lives.
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ArchaeologyGlassmaking may have begun in Egypt, not Mesopotamia
Ancient Mesopotamians lagged behind Egyptians as glassmakers.
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Health & MedicineOld blood carries risks for brain
Young blood may not save the brain, by one measure at least.
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ArchaeologyAncient cemetery provides peek into Philistines’ lives, health
Burial site offers new look at Israelites’ mysterious enemies.
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Health & MedicineLow social status leads to off-kilter immune system
Low social status tips immune system toward inflammation seen in chronic diseases, a monkey study shows.
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MicrobesCut leaves in bagged salads help Salmonella grow
Juice from torn-up leafy greens helps Salmonella spread in bagged salads.
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AstronomyYear in review: A planet lurks around the star next door
If people ever travel beyond the solar system, the newly discovered exoplanet around Proxima Centauri is likely to be a first stop.
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GeneticsYear in review: ‘Three-parent baby’ technique raises hope and concern
Safety and ethical concerns surround controversial mitochondrial replacement therapy.
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ClimateYear in review: Sea ice loss will shake up ecosystems
Researchers are studying the complex biological consequences of polar melting and opening Arctic passageways.
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GeneticsYear 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.
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LifeYear in review: ‘Minimal genome’ makes its debut
A synthetic cell reported this year jettisons unnecessary genes and embraces human design principles.
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NeuroscienceYear 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.
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EarthYear 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.
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ComputingYear 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.
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Planetary ScienceIce gave Pluto a heavy heart
Sputnik Planitia, the left half of Pluto’s heart-shaped region, might have been carved out by the weight of thick layers of ice built up billions of years ago.
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ChemistryEnzyme forges carbon-silicon bonds with a little human help
A few tweaks to an enzyme help it link carbon to silicon — a match not found in nature.
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LifePublic, doctors alike confused about food allergies
Gaps in understanding food allergies cause confusion and make it difficult to prevent, diagnose and treat them.
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PhysicsDespite lack of free electrons, bismuth superconducts
Bismuth conducts electricity with no resistance at temperatures near absolute zero, despite lack of mobile electrons.
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NeuroscienceGut microbe mix may spark Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s disease symptoms might be driven by gut microbes
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PhysicsShadows of two failed searches loom over physics
Physicists are facing two failures this year with no detections of dark matter particles and no signs of supersymmetry from the Large Hadron Collider.
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Science & SocietyWhat’s ahead for science in 2017?
Science News writers reveal what they are watching for — and hoping for — in the year ahead.
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TechFive challenges for self-driving cars
Scientific and technical experts weigh in on the biggest hurdles for autonomous vehicles, and how ongoing research will help.
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Health & MedicineThe Flint water crisis and other public health woes from 2016
Drug use continued to threaten the health and safety of the American public in 2016, while a hidden menace in drinking water remained a worry in Michigan.
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AnimalsTales of creatures large and small made news this year
Scientists filled in the details of some famous evolutionary tales in 2016 — and discovered a few surprises about creatures large and small.
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AstronomyThese 2016 stories could be really big — if they’re true
These findings would have rocked the scientific world, if only the evidence were more convincing.
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AnimalsSkimpy sea ice linked to reindeer starvation on land
Unseasonably scant sea ice may feed rain storms inland that lead to ice catastrophes that kill Yamal reindeer and threaten herders’ way of life.
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GeneticsEpigenetic marks may help assess toxic exposure risk — someday
Exposure to things in the environment may change chemical tags on DNA and proteins, but it’s still unclear how to use that data to assess health risks.
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Health & MedicinePenicillin allergy? Think again.
Most people are either mislabeled with a penicillin allergy or get over it with time, and doctors don’t always think to check.
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Genetics50 years ago, alcohol use was linked to several gene variants
50 years later, scientists are still searching for genes that influence drinking.