Agreement requires agency to evaluate hundreds of applications “in good faith” using its standard process

Our Visuals editors highlight particularly inspiring images and media

It’s hard to measure social and economic impacts of making papers and data free, researchers say

Microscopic creatures hitch a ride on turbulent waters to travel faster

Trump administration declines to renew appointment of Walter Koroshetz, against NIH director’s wishes

Ancient meals and infections reconstructed from preserved metabolic markers

Divisions and rotators disappear as more career staff become supervisors

From ancient humans to modern woes, these are the stories that stuck with our News editors this year

Fewer outsiders, less feedback, and an uncertain fate for a new science board report

Findings from ancient DNA may shed light on HPV’s history in our species

Three research teams have modeled how early embryos find a place to take root

After series of bleak findings, theory sparks hope for alternative energy source within Jupiter’s intriguing moon

Agency may be expanding list of pathogens subject to dangerous “gain-of-function” regulations

Natural selection was at work—but only in populations with no alternative to dairy

HHS secretary vows to end U.S. monkey imports, push for retirement of research primates

The rockhead poacher’s unusual cranial anatomy may help it communicate

Bold concept calls for sending telescopes 10 times farther than Pluto

“Photoluminescence” may be a way for the animals to communicate with each other

Jay Bhattacharya is struggling to make the case he’s in charge and has the agency’s best interests at heart

Discovery suggests raindrops can be up to 100 times more erosive than once thought

Sophisticated bots risk contaminating surveys, games, and other approaches designed to shed light on human behavior

In a game of visual telephone, models converge on ecstatic sports wins, romantic nights in Paris, and other cultural chestnuts

Benefactors agree to help support next-generation particle accelerator, but billions more are needed

Rand Paul has blasted government science officials and scientists over COVID-19’s origin