Editorials in 2014

Governments that want the natural sciences to deliver more for society need to show greater commitment towards the social sciences and humanities.

Pressures in all stages of the news-making process can lead to hype in science reporting.

Climate negotiations in Lima stumbled on transparency, but there is time to adjust.

Scientists must push to preserve a small part of a large US survey that provides essential information on the ever-changing scientific workforce.

Nations must keep expanding conservation efforts to avoid a biodiversity crisis.

The European Commission’s plans to allow individual countries a veto on the farming of genetically modified crops, although a compromise, should enable the technology to move forward.

Institutions should take a unified look at protections for research on human subjects.

Two reports highlight the plight of postdocs on both sides of the pond aiming for academia.

The United States and other countries have made huge investments in fracking, but forecasts of production may be vastly overestimated.

Research into climate engineering must proceed — even if it turns out to be unnecessary.

A crowdfunded lunar mission might seem like a long shot — but there is no harm in trying.

A slowdown in new cases offers a chance for control efforts to get ahead of the epidemic.

The US–China emissions agreement raises hopes for international cooperation on a climate accord. But it does not go far enough. 

Italy’s curators must band together to preserve their valuable collections.

The International Council for Science needs to define its mission and show its members that it is worth their membership fees.

Mental health is gaining acceptance as a medical problem, but progress in finding treatments is being hampered by the stigma surrounding people’s everyday experiences.

The European Space Agency can be proud of its comet mission— whatever happens.