In science news around the world, a controversial stem cell treatment developed by the Stamina Foundation gets another chance at clinical trials, Japanese scientists protest a new state secrets law, an expert panel recommends phasing out the decades-old U.S. Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee, and more.

The Australasian Antarctic Expedition 2013 will spend December retracing the path of Australian geologist Douglas Mawson's perilous 1911 to 1914 expedition and documenting the effects of poleward-shifting westerly winds. And scientists document what may be the first case of reptilian tool use in the hunting tactics of crocodiles and alligators.

Marine ecologist Charles Monnett, who sparked controversy for his observations of drowned polar bears, reaches a settlement with the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and European research commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn talks with Science about the vision behind the Horizon 2020 program.

Rocked by budget cuts, the 125-year-old Lick Observatory near San Jose, California, is losing staff and faces closure or conversion to a public museum.

Recent results from the Curiosity Mars rover have helped scientists formulate a plan for the next phase of its mission: looking for possible "molecular fossils" left by ancient martian microbes.

A new hepatitis C drug promises to revolutionize treatment—for the relatively few people in the world who can afford it.

Microbial DNA preserved in ancient dental calculus—and in equally prosaic human coprolites (fossilized or preserved feces)—carries a record of the communities of bacteria that lived in and on people who died hundreds or thousands of years ago.

Unleashed genetic changes may explain rapid loss of cavefish eyes.

A soon-to-be-launched European satellite called Gaia will map the positions and movements of a billion stars with unprecedented precision.

Scientists uncover a tortured history of disease and death from the Middle Ages onward.

The German architect is recognized for his smart, sustainable buildings. But an innovative science lab also requires a good partner.

The contributors examine the nature of complexity and its changes over time as well as their causes.

Into this memoir, field biologist Greene weaves the natural history of snakes and the importance of sharing a love of nature with people.

A listing of books received at Science during the week ending 06 December 2013.

Shared decision-making allows patients, participants, and consumers to decide what they do and do not want to know.

Parallel strategies must focus on long- and short-lived pollutants, but not at the cost of reducing pressure for action on CO₂.

Constraints due to transcription factor binding within protein-coding regions of the genome result in biased codon usage and amino acid choice. [Also see Report by Stergachis et al.]

Dynamic interactions of a colloidal particle with a liquid crystalline solvent can cause its diffusion to deviate from classical Brownian motion. [Also see Report by Turiv et al.]

Decoding of the ctenophore genome prompts reevaluation of the complexity of the metazoan ancestor. [Also see Research Article by Ryan et al.]

An enzyme efficiently hydrogenates carbon dioxide to produce formate, a liquid that has a high energy density and can be safely transported. [Also see Report by Schuchmann and Müller]

Definition of an effective distance between airports helps to explain the spread of epidemics across the global aviation network. [Also see Report by Brockmann and Helbing]

The chemical synthesis of a single glycosylated form of erythropoietin may help elucidate the functions of its sugars and tailor its properties. [Also see Report by Wang et al.]

The three-dimensional organization of the genome plays a role in controlling legitimate and illegitimate DNA recombination.

A sharp immunologist who unraveled the mechanisms of antibody diversification helped to launch a biomedical engineering revolution.

Analysis of the genome of the sea walnut reveals insights into the early evolution of the animal kingdom. [Also see Perspective by Rokas]

A model based on effective rather than geographical distance can reveal the origin, timing, and likely spread of epidemics. [Also see Perspective by McLean]

Spectroscopic observations of the remains of stellar explosions confirm that argon-36 and phosphorus are produced in such energetic events.

Spectroscopic observations of the remains of stellar explosions confirm that argon-36 and phosphorus are produced in such energetic events.

An atom in a cavity can be used for the nondestructive detection of optical photons.

Colloidal particles in a nematic liquid crystal experience anomalous and anisotropic Brownian motion. [Also see Perspective by Abbott]

Spectroscopy reveals an isomer of nitrous acid previously considered too unstable to observe.

Chemical synthesis of a glycoprotein hormone provides a sample uniformly substituted with specific sugar chains. [Also see Perspective by Hsieh-Wilson and Griffin]

Weakening westerly winds since 1950 have decreased streamflows across the Pacific Northwest United States.

Even in a constant environment, over 50,000 generations, evolutionary fitness continues to increase in bacterial cultures.

Transcription factor binding within protein-coding regions of DNA constrains how the protein can evolve. [Also see Perspective by Weatheritt and Babu]

Preexisting but “hidden” variations in eye size provide a substrate for natural selection in fish reared in the dark.

Salamanders regenerate limb segments using the same molecular hierarchy observed in development.

A final but essential protein component involved in maintaining mitochondrial calcium levels is discovered.

Enzymes from anaerobic bacteria can catalyze the storage of hydrogen in the form of formic acid. [Also see Perspective by Pereira]

Mutations in a distinctive sulfotransferase are responsible for oxamniquine resistance in a human blood fluke.

The response of mouse olfactory sensory neurons was selectively increased when an odor was linked to discomfort.

Listen to stories on fear-enhanced odor detection, the latest news from the Curiosity mission, and more.

A weekly roundup of information on newly offered instrumentation, apparatus, and laboratory materials of potential interest to researchers.