The stars who fell to Earth

It has been a year of controversy, clashes over transgenic crops, and confusion over stem cells that threatened to overshadow triumphs in fields from palaeoanthropology to fundamental physics.

Abstract

Controversy has been the watchword in a year dogged by dispute. Misconduct revelations, clashes over transgenic crops, and confusion over stem cells have threatened to overshadow triumphs in fields from palaeoanthropology to fundamental physics. Nature's reporters recount the year's talking points.