Every year, the editorial team of the prestigious journal Science sums up the results of global research, highlighting the most significant achievements. In 2025, the top position went to a topic that concerns the future of the entire planet: the rapid growth in the use of renewable energy sources. This breakthrough reflects a global shift in energy, where economics and ecology have finally converged.

Relentless Growth of Renewable Energy

Science named the boom in solar, wind, and hydropower as the breakthrough of the year. Over the past 15 years, the cost of these energy sources has fallen by 70 to 90 percent, making them cheaper than fossil fuels in many regions. China played a key role: the country produces more than 80 percent of the world’s solar panels and about 60 percent of wind turbines. Half of Chinese solar panel exports go to Europe, a quarter to Asia and Australia, and the rest to the Americas and other regions.

In September, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to reduce CO₂ emissions by 7 to 10 percent by 2035 by phasing out fossil fuels. Already, about 20 percent of China’s energy comes from renewable sources, and carbon dioxide emissions have stabilized for a year and a half. This progress has brought the world closer to “peak carbon,” the point at which global emissions begin to decline.

Personalized Gene Therapy for Rare Diseases

The list includes an experimental therapy for an infant with a rare genetic mutation: carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I deficiency. Because of this condition, the liver could not process ammonia, requiring a strict diet and medication. Doctors at the University of Pennsylvania used CRISPR editing delivered via lipid nanoparticles. Three doses administered between February and May corrected the mutation. The child was able to consume more protein, gain weight, and require fewer medications.

Scientists plan to apply similar therapies to other rare mutations within a single clinical trial framework.

Progress in Xenotransplantation

Genetically modified pig organs are moving closer to clinical use. This year, a record was set when a kidney with 69 genetic modifications functioned in a human body for nine months, compared to four months the previous year. Researchers are searching for the optimal set of modifications to prevent rejection.

Heat-Resistant Rice Varieties

Chinese scientists identified the QT12 gene, which affects rice quality under high nighttime temperatures. By crossing a commercial variety with a heat-resistant one, they increased yields by 78 percent and reduced the proportion of fragile grains. This discovery will help adapt rice cultivation to climate change.

Denisovan DNA from Dental Calculus

Paleogeneticists confirmed that the “Dragon Man” skull, Homo longi, belonged to a Denisovan by extracting DNA from fossilized dental plaque. This is the first time Denisovan genomic material has been obtained not from bone.

New Antibiotics Against Gonorrhea

Two drugs, zoliflodacin and gepotidacin, completed Phase III clinical trials and received FDA approval. They are effective oral treatments against resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which infects 80 to 100 million people worldwide each year.

Neurons and Cancer

Researchers discovered that neurons transfer mitochondria to cancer cells, accelerating tumor growth and metastasis. This finding explains why disrupting nerve supply can slow cancer progression.

Launch of the Vera Rubin Observatory

The LSST telescope began operations. Equipped with a 3.2-gigapixel camera, it scans the southern sky every three days, collecting more data in one year than all previous telescopes combined. This will enable the creation of a three-dimensional map of the Universe.

Solving the Muon Mystery

The Muon g-2 experiment and new lattice QCD calculations showed that the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon matches the predictions of the Standard Model. The discrepancy has disappeared.

Large Language Models in Science

Models such as Gemini and GPT-5 solved International Mathematical Olympiad problems better than students, generated hypotheses on antibiotic resistance, and optimized chemical reactions.

Failures of the Year

Science also noted a rise in falsified research and low-quality papers produced with the help of AI, as well as cuts to science funding in the United States under the Trump administration, including the cancellation of projects related to climate and equality.

In Brief

2025 became a turning point for energy: renewable sources, led by China, brought the world closer to a sustainable future. In medicine, breakthroughs in gene therapy, transplantation, and antibiotics will save lives, while in fundamental science, from Denisovans to muons and AI, they deepened our understanding of the world. Despite setbacks in ethics and funding, science continues to demonstrate impressive progress.