The most popular news stories on our web site this year included viruses so large that they rival a bacterium, one of the longest-running experiments in history and how our universe could have been created in the collapse of a four-dimensional star.
1. Simulations back up theory that Universe is a hologram
A ten-dimensional theory of gravity makes the same predictions as standard quantum physics in fewer dimensions.
December 10, 2013
2. Quantum gas goes below absolute zero
Ultracold atoms pave way for negative-Kelvin materials.
January 3, 2013
3. World's slowest-moving drop caught on camera at last
Once-forgotten 'tar pitch' experiment yields results after seven decades.
July 18, 2013
4. Underwater volcano is Earth's biggest
Tamu Massif rivals the size of Olympus Mons on Mars.
September 5, 2013
5. Did a hyper-black hole spawn the Universe?
Big Bang was mirage from collapsing higher-dimensional star, theorists propose.
September 13, 2013
6. Giant viruses open Pandora's box
Genome of largest viruses yet discovered hints at 'fourth domain' of life.
July 18, 2013
7. Mystery humans spiced up ancients' sex lives
Genome analysis suggests there was interbreeding between modern humans, Neanderthals, Denisovans and an unknown archaic population.
November 19, 2013
8. Animal-rights activists wreak havoc in Milan laboratory
University says loss of animals and lab records may ruin years of work on psychiatric diseases.
April 22, 2013
9. Large magma reservoir gets bigger
But earthquakes, not eruptions, are Yellowstone's most serious geological risk.
October 28, 2013
10. Long-lost continent found under the Indian Ocean
Sand from Mauritian beaches reveals rock from ancient landmass.
February 24, 2013
This article is reproduced with permission from the magazine Nature. The article was first published on December 16, 2013.
