Quantum mechanics, particle physics and quirky biology are the big winners in our line up of the most popular news stories from 2011.

Credit: Phil M Rogers / Alamy

1. Moving mirrors make light from nothing

Researchers claim to have produced sought-after quantum effect.

3 June 2011

2. Particles break light-speed limit

Neutrino results challenge cornerstone of modern physics.

22 September 2011

Credit: Andrew Thurber

3. Yeti crab grows its own food

Deep-sea species farms bacteria on its own claws.

2 December 2011

Credit: K. Welsh, Alamy / R. Cyril, BIOSphoto, Still Pictures

4. How the penis lost its spikes

Humans ditched DNA to evolve smooth penises and bigger brains.

9 March 2011

Credit: MEDICAL RF.COM/SPL

5. Gene therapy can protect against HIV

An introduced gene conveys long-lived resistance to HIV infection in mice.

30 November 2011

Credit: Andy Hair/iStockphoto

6. Quantum theorem shakes foundations

The wavefunction is a real physical object after all, say researchers.

17 November 2011

Credit: BRYNA PRODS/UNITED ARTISTS / THE KOBAL COLLECTION

7. Did Vikings navigate by polarized light?

'Sunstone' crystals may have helped seafarers to find the Sun on cloudy days.

31 January 2011

Credit: Malte Gather

8. Human cell becomes living laser

Jellyfish protein amplifies light in first biological laser.

12 June 2011

Credit: C. MARCELLONI/CERN

9. Beautiful theory collides with smashing particle data

Latest results from the LHC are casting doubt on the theory of supersymmetry.

28 February 2011

10. Faster-than-light neutrinos face time trial

Did gravity mess with the clocks that measured particles breaking cosmic speed limit?

5 October 2011