“As one obscure genetic condition after another was ruled out, the Mights began to wonder whether they would ever learn the cause of their son’s agony. What if Bertrand was suffering from a disorder that was not just extremely rare but entirely unknown to science?” This piece by Seth Mnookin is one of the best of the year.

Do you have kids? Do you want to do some fun experiments with them at home? Actual experiments that will teach them what science is like, rather than lame baking soda volcanoes? Alom Shaha has you covered with this wonderful new site.

It’s been a terrible week for biosafety in the US. After smallpox vials were found in the back of some