The lead feature in the December issue of DISCOVER will reveal the winner of our annual Scientist of the Year award. The magazine's editorial staff searched all over the globe to find the person who has made the greatest recent impact on science and the world at large. Last year's winner was synthetic biologist Jay Keasling, who is using an unprecedented mastery of biological process to create a cure for malaria. This year's winner works on a similarly gran project of great import to our whole species and indeed our planet.

The December issue of DISCOVER also looks at one of the most important and compelling health stories of our time: whether humanity can cure aging, postponing death and prolonging health. The package includes an interview with the actress and self-styled health adviser Suzanne Somers, who recently published the bestseller Ageless. The book promotes the use of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, a very controversial treatment meant to diminish the symptoms of menopause, and DISCOVER probes the potential benefits—and dangers—of the therapy. A short version of the interview appears in the magazine, while an extended version will be published online when the magazine hits newsstands.

Some other highlights from the December issue:

- Feature story: How to Kill a Satellite

- 20 Things You Didn't Know About Gold

- The National Magazine Award-nominated column Blinded by Science looks at the scientific art of molecular gastronomy.