News Feature in 2014

A rash of road construction is causing widespread change in the world's largest tropical forest — with potentially global consequences.

Techniques that transfer DNA from diseased human eggs to healthy ones — creating offspring with three biological parents — are on the verge of clinical use.

A wave of anti-gay laws and homophobia in Africa is hampering efforts to study and curb the spread of HIV.

The left-over radiation from the Big Bang has given up what may be its last great secret about the early Universe, but astronomers are determined to mine more from this primordial prize.

Since the birth of synthetic biology nearly 15 years ago, the field has splintered into diverse tribes of scientists, all attempting to bestow cells with new abilities.

Methods for monitoring tumour cells in living animals are transforming our view of cancer.

Synthetic biology is facing a tug of war over whether to patent its discoveries or embrace open-source innovation.

Frozen mummies and envelopes of scabs could contain remnants of one of history's most prolific killers.

A new generation of industrial plants can make liquid fuels from almost any organic scraps — from corn stalks and wood chips to urban rubbish.

Biologists are directing the evolution of corals to prepare them to fight climate change.

When toxicologists warned that the plastics ingredient BPA might be harmful, consumers clamoured for something new. But problems persist.

After years in the doldrums, the quest to harvest energy from the oceans is gathering speed.

With the Ganges–Brahmaputra delta sinking, the race is on to protect millions of people from future flooding.

Biomathematician Steve Horvath has discovered a strikingly accurate way to measure human ageing through epigenetic signatures.

The immune system can be a powerful weapon against cancer — but researchers are still grappling with how to control it.

After years of work in the Antarctic, John Kovac and his team have captured strong evidence for a long-held theory about the Universe’s birth.

Despite a long record of failure, a few immunologists continue to pursue precisely targeted therapies for autoimmune diseases.

Thirty years after the study of ancient DNA began, it promises to upend our view of the past.

With a unique programme, the US government has managed to drive the cost of genome sequencing down towards a much-anticipated target.

Deep brain stimulation has shown promise in treating conditions such as Parkinson's disease. Now scientists are using the technology to eavesdrop on problem neural circuits.