The Conversation

Drawn directly from the flesh Public Domain Review/Flickr, CC BY-SABy Richard Gunderman, Indiana University-Purdue University

Let 'er rip! Simon James, CC BY-SABy Siobhan Weare, Lancaster University

2014: the year crystallography went mainstream. CSIRO, CC BY-SABy Mark Lorch, University of Hull’Tis the season for listicles rounding up the stories of the year. So with, the authority vested in me, here is a selection of six top, bottom and forgotten science stories of 2014.

Puffed rice with a bit of poison. ShutterstockBy Andy Meharg, Queen's University BelfastThere are two sides to rice: the grain that feeds half the world – and the primary carcinogenic source of inorganic arsenic in our diet.Arsenic is a natural occurring element that is ubiquitous in the environment. It is present primarily as inorganic arsenic, which is highly toxic.

Extreme weather is more common than ever. EPA, CC BY-NCBy Mark Maslin, University College LondonClimate change is one of the few scientific theories that makes us examine the whole basis of modern society. It is a challenge that has politicians arguing, sets nations against each other, queries individual lifestyle choices, and ultimately asks questions about humanity’s relationship with the rest of the planet.

The shirt Matt Taylor wore while being interviewed about the Rosetta space mission set off a media and online shirtstorm. Youtube/ ESABy Jamilla Rosdahl, University of the Sunshine Coast

By David Glance, University of Western AustraliaPeople of the western world have been making resolutions for the new year for over 4,000 years. The Babylonians, along with the Romans who later developed the idea further, made resolutions in the hope of favorable returns from the gods.

Frozen cold but not the way beyond absolute zero. Flickr/kriimurohelisedsilmad , CC BY-NC-SABy Tapio Simula, Monash University

Overcoming gaps in medical funding. nakrnsm, CC BYBy Stephanie Swift, University of OttawaDisease can affect any person, rich or poor. While your bank balance can’t really protect you from getting sick, it could potentially buy you – and many other patients – access to a better treatment for your disease. A new “plutocratic proposal” put forward by Alexander Masters enlists wealthy patients to both fund and participate in clinical trials alongside other patients who could benefit from an otherwise untested new treatment.

Let's take a look back through the past 12 months of quantum physics research. sharyn morrow/Flickr, CC BY-NC-NDBy Felix Pollock and Kavan Modi of Monash University.The past year has provided some of the most interesting developments in quantum mechanics to date. The field is more than 100 years old and has been tested to unimaginable precision, yet some of its most striking statements are still being debated.

Asteroidea Electrica, first prize winner by Adrianus Indrat Aria. Cambridge University, CC BYBy Allan McRobie, University of Cambridge

Do selfies belong at funerals? Daniel Incandela, CC BY-SA