World View in 2011

The discovery of the Higgs boson will complete the standard model — but it could also point the way to a deeper understanding, says Gordon Kane.

In two decades of covering climate-change negotiations, Frank McDonald, has seen youthful hope fight dark forces, and a distant threat become a reality.

When governments ignore scientific advice, it is often because researchers do not engage with the political process, says Rees Kassen.

Sharing data could help to avert scandals like the Diederik Stapel revelations, and improve the quality of research, says Jelte M. Wicherts.

Colin Macilwain welcomes a wake-up call to science policy-makers to address the consequences of current political and economic upheavals.

The United Nations must include sustainability in its quality-of-life index to encourage countries to develop responsibly, says Chuluun Togtokh.

The extensive academic fraud of Diederik Stapel has rocked science. Social psychologist Jennifer Crocker traces the destructive path that cheats follow.

A reported link between hormonal contraception and HIV infection deserved a more critical look, says James Shelton

To meet ambitious emissions targets will require systems thinking and massive breakthroughs in technology and fuels, says Jane C. S. Long.

A decade on from a landmark genetic-sequencing study, promised progress on typhoid fever has not materialized, says Stephen Baker.

Global economics, not declining sea ice, is driving ships to the Arctic Ocean. Only international regulation will protect the region, says Lawson Brigham.

Consensus reports are the bedrock of science-based policy-making. But disagreement and arguments are more useful, says Daniel Sarewitz.

Many of the studies that use animals to model human diseases are too small and too prone to bias to be trusted, says Malcolm Macleod.

Impressive reports of increased forest cover mask a focus on non-native tree crops that could damage the ecosystem, says Jianchu Xu.

Next week's trial of seismologists in Italy highlights the risks to scientists who offer public advice. Willy Aspinall considers what can be done.

An ambitious US programme aims to turn scientists into entrepreneurs. Go on, says Steve Blank, unleash your inner capitalist.

Revolutions in Libya and elsewhere have raised hopes for science in the Arab world. But progress will be slow, cautions Rana Dajani.

Home-made bombs are being sent to physicists in Mexico. Colleagues around the world should ensure their own security, urges Gerardo Herrera Corral.

Problems in Chinese science are well documented. The slow pace of reform affects chemists more than most, says Nai-Xing Wang.

The proposed cancellation of NASA's latest space telescope shows the difficulties ahead. But there is a solution, says Michael S. Turner.