Year in Review

Life

These scientific discoveries set new records in 2023

This year’s record-breaking findings shed new light on human history and the most amazing feats in the animal kingdom.

Science & Society

These are the most popular Science News stories of 2023

Science News drew over 21 million visitors to our website this year. Here’s a look back at the most-read and most-watched stories of 2023.

Animals

These are our favorite animal stories of 2023

Spiders that make prey walk the plank, self-aware fish and a pouty T. rex are among the critters that enchanted the Science News staff.

Space

In 2023, space missions explored the moon, asteroids and more

This year, spacecraft landed on the moon, dropped off asteroid samples to Earth and started a journey to Jupiter's icy moons.

Science & Society

History buffs will dig these 5 science stories from 2023

This year, new science threw the lives (and deaths) of Beethoven and other historical figures into sharp relief.

Math

Here are some astounding scientific firsts of 2023

Notable feats include discovering a planet-eating star, extracting RNA from an extinct animal and more.

Earth

Here are some big-if-true scientific claims that made headlines in 2023

Hominid cannibalism, “dark stars,” the secrets of Earth’s core and more tantalizing findings will require more evidence before scientists can confirm them as fact.

Health & Medicine

Here are some of the biggest medical advances in 2023

The first CRISPR gene-editing therapy, a new Alzheimer’s drug and RSV vaccines were among the big developments in medicine this year.

Health & Medicine

Why weight-loss drugs became more popular than ever this year

Ozempic and related drugs can drastically reduce body weight, and more potent versions are on the way. But questions remain about who should take them.

Artificial Intelligence

Generative AI grabbed headlines this year. Here’s why and what’s next

Prominent artificial intelligence researcher Melanie Mitchell explains why generative AI matters and looks ahead to the technology’s future.

Climate

Here’s how 2023 became the hottest year on record

The effects of climate change were on clear display in 2023 as records not only broke, but did so by surprising amounts.

Climate

Extreme weather in 2022 showed the global impact of climate change

Heat waves, floods, wildfires and drought around the world were exacerbated by Earth’s changing climate.