In the 17 December 2004 issue of Science, our News staff once again pauses to look back at some of the top scientific research and policy stories of the past year. For our online readers, we've added a bonus: links to key references and interesting Web sites related to each story. And Next Wave, Science's online companion site providing resources for early-career scientists, offers a rundown of the year's most important events in science careers worldwide.

In Science:

Editorial
Donald Kennedy
Science 306, 2001 (2004)

Breakthrough of the Year:
On Mars, a Second Chance for Life
Richard A. Kerr
Science 306, 2010-2012 (2004)

Doing Science Remotely
Elizabeth Pennisi and Richard A. Kerr
Science 306, 2011 (2004)

The Runners-Up
The Science News Staff
Science 306, 2013-2017 (2004)

Scorecard 2003
The Science News Staff
Science 302, 2012 (2004)

Areas to Watch in 2005
The Science News Staff
Science 306, 2014 (2004)

Breakdown of the Year:
The Unwritten Contract
Jeffrey Mervis
Science 306, 2015 (2004)

Avian Influenza:
Catastrophe Waiting in the Wings?
Martin Enserink
Science 306, 2016 (2004)