#1: Faster than the Speed of Light
Runaway subatomic particles seem to be breaking the cosmic speed limit. If the results hold up, physicists have some explaining to do.
by Gregory Mone
#10: Immune Supercells Purge Leukemia
A new therapy turns leukemia patients’ own cells into cancer assassins. It may one day help fight other cancers, too.
#2: Altered Immune Cells Block HIV
Lab-made proteins are revolutionizing AIDS therapy by retrofitting the immune system so it resists HIV. Human trials are already under way.
#5: Social Media Stoke Unrest and Ignite Web-Rights Debate
When the explosion in social networking helped topple repressive regimes last year, governments worldwide took notice, stepping up efforts to limit public Internet access.
#8: The Man Who Gave Us Less for More
Impatient Futurist columnist David H. Freedman examines the crushing success of Steve Jobs.
#25: Mercury’s New Face
NASA's Messenger probe delivers impressive new views of the inner-most planet, which is in some respects harder to reach than distant Pluto.
#6: In Memoriam
With great ambivalence we note the passing of the first and only reusable spaceship, the space shuttle, on July 21, 2011. Our prayers are with NASA.
#9: The Year’s Worst Natural Disasters
In 2011, at least 10 major weather disasters struck the United States alone, inflicting more than $45 billion in damages. Here, a survey of the epic floods, droughts, and other natural calamities that terrorized the planet.
#7: Japan Quakes; Nuke Power Stays Steady
This year enthusiasm for nuclear power in some developed nations seemed to vanish after Japan’s nuclear disaster. But while those countries recoil from atomic energy, others are committing to a nuclear future.
