News Feature in 2010

The explosion in urban population looks set to continue through the twenty-first century, presenting challenges and opportunities for scientists.

After winning a Nobel prize for helping to protect the planet, Mario Molina is tackling a much more difficult problem — trying to clean up Mexico City.

…why scientific programming does not compute.

Barack Obama promised a new era of integrity and openness for American science. Government scientists are now asking what has changed.

More than 100 cold-war era research reactors run on uranium pure enough to be used in a nuclear weapon. But switching to safer fuel isn't easy.

Amateur hobbyists are creating home-brew molecular-biology labs, but can they ferment a revolution?

After a near-death crisis, the best gravity sensor in space is back to full strength, providing data that will keep scientists on the level.

The ten-year Census for Marine Life is about to unveil its final results. But how deep did the $650-million project go?

Postdoc Vipul Bhrigu destroyed the experiments of a colleague in order to get ahead. It took a hidden camera to expose a surreptitious and malicious side of science.

An ambitious project to track greenhouse gases from a perch high above the Amazon forest will provide crucial data — but only if scientists can get it built.

A global survey of the scientifically literate public reveals significant differences on key issues in science.

Careers are made and broken by grant-funding committees. So how are the key decisions really made?

Singularity University tries to breed world leaders by immersing students in futuristic concepts. Nicola Jones finds it a heady mix of grand claims, brilliant minds and cool gadgets.

A project to drill a 10-kilometre-deep hole in China will provide the best view yet of the turbulent Cretaceous period. Jane Qiu reports.

Can epigenetics underlie the enduring effects of a mother's love? Lizzie Buchen investigates the criticisms of a landmark study and the controversial field to which it gave birth.

The US National Nanotechnology Initiative has spent billions of dollars on submicroscopic science in its first 10 years. Corie Lok finds out where the money went and what the initiative plans to do next.

When oil stopped gushing into the Gulf of Mexico, the ecosystems under assault started on a long road to recovery. Amanda Mascarelli meets the researchers assessing their chances.

Stymied in the search for genes underlying human neuropsychiatric diseases, some researchers are looking to dogs instead. David Cyranoski meets the geneticist's new best friend.

The skeleton may provide more than just structural support. Alla Katsnelson investigates the rise of bone as a metabolic regulator.

Researchers have rallied round a promising molecule for rescuing dying nerves. But getting it into the brain remains a daunting challenge, finds Brian Vastag.