“Everything that living things do can be understood in terms of the jigglings and wigglings of atoms,” Richard Feynman famously surmised (1). This question has captured the imagination of biologists since the first protein structure, that of myoglobin, an oxygen (O2) carrier in muscles, was solved by x-ray crystallography (2). Myoglobin binds carbon monoxide (CO) two orders of magnitude more strongly than O2. Bound CO can be dislodged from the active-site heme by light, and the subsequent structural response of the protein has been the focus of intense study by spectroscopic (3), x-ray scattering (4), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) (5, 6) methods, yet complex structural questions remain (7). On page 445 of this issue, Barends et al. (8) provide three-dimensional snapshots of structural changes in myoglobin—low-amplitude collective motions that rapidly spread throughout the protein—that occur during the first few picoseconds (9) after the CO photodissociation. Author: Richard Neutze

The ocean has recently taken a more prominent role on the international policy stage. In June, the United Nations (UN) initiated development of a treaty for conservation of biodiversity on the High Seas. One of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN in September focuses on the ocean. In early October, the second Our Ocean Conference (OO-2015) provided a high-profile platform for nations to tout progress or make promises to protect and restore the ocean. We discuss recent progress in creating and enforcing strongly protected areas, and we emphasize the need to accelerate the pace and draw on scientific knowledge. Authors: Jane Lubchenco, Kirsten Grorud-Colvert

Recent advances in DNA sequencing and analysis have shown that much of the microbial life on Earth differs from previously described organisms. The organisms in this “microbial dark matter” are globally ubiquitous and numerous but have largely unknown physiologies (1–4). Given their great evolutionary distance from all laboratory cultures, these mysterious organisms may harbor unique functions with potentially useful biotechnological applications. Like most environments on Earth, coal-bed reservoirs contain microbial dark matter. On page 434 of this issue, Evans et al. (5) show that members of the microbial dark matter phylum Bathyarchaeota (6) from coal beds have the genetic potential to generate methane. Author: Karen Lloyd

The population of our planet continues to rise at a rapid rate and is reaching unsustainable numbers. The Strategic Plan 2000 of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) states that uncontrolled fertility “is one of the most pressing public health challenges facing the world today” (1). However, while women have had the freedom to control their own reproductive destiny with the “pill” for more than 50 years, there remains no oral contraceptive for men. On page 442 of this issue, Miyata et al. (2) demonstrate that genetic disruption of either the catalytic subunit (PPP3CC) or the regulatory subunit (PPP3R2) of sperm-specific calcineurin or short-term in vivo pharmacological inhibition with cyclosporine A or FK506 yields dysfunctional mouse sperm incapable of proper motility toward the egg. Authors: Julio Castaneda, Martin M. Matzuk

Systems biology, some have claimed (1), attempts the impossible and is doomed to fail. Possible definitions abound, but systems biology is widely understood to be an approach for studying the behavior of systems of interacting biological components that combines experiments with computational and mathematical reasoning. Modeling complex systems occurs throughout the sciences, so it may not be immediately clear why it should attract greater skepticism in molecular and cell biology than in other scientific disciplines. The way in which biological models are often presented and interpreted (and overinterpreted) may be partly to blame. As with experimental results, the key to successfully reporting a mathematical model is to provide an honest appraisal and representation of uncertainty in the model's predictions, parameters, and (where appropriate) in the structure of the model itself. Authors: P. D. W. Kirk, A. C. Babtie, M. P. H. Stumpf

Engineered nanomaterials are widely used in consumer products such as cosmetics, paints, fabrics, and electronics. Because of their small size (diameter <100 nm), they often have unusual properties. Once released into the human body or the environment, they are also fiendishly difficult to find again. In 2006, Nel et al. described possible mechanisms by which engineered nanomaterials interact with biological entities and the toxicological responses that may be triggered (1). Despite much research since then, mechanistic understanding remains limited. Evidence for acute toxicity from nanomaterials at realistic doses is limited; there also is no simple correlation between toxic responses and nanoparticle size or other predictable pattern of toxicity. For answers to emerge, the nanosafety community must embrace recent technical advances and build consensus on testing methodologies. Authors: Eugenia Valsami-Jones, Iseult Lynch

"Oh, no, not again, another outlandish proposal for the extinction of dinosaurs," thought geologist Jan Smit and astrophysicist Renske Smit when they first heard the title of Lisa Randall's new book, Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs. Much to their relief, the book proved instead to be a scientifically sound and interesting journey through the cosmos, exploring what we know about dark matter and what more we are poised to learn as new and better equipment becomes available. Peppered with rich metaphors and personal anecdotes, the book tackles topics including the Big Bang, cosmic inflation, and the formation of galaxies with aplomb. Authors: Jan Smit, Renske Smit

In Randy Olson's new book, Houston, We Have a Narrative, he boldly states that the single biggest problem facing science today is "narrative deficiency." "Science is a narrative process," he argues, "…therefore science needs a story." He outlines how bad storytelling and exaggerated claims negatively affect the scientific enterprise and describes the difficulty that scientists often experience as they struggle to effectively communicate their data. Reviewer Rafael Luna outlines several strategies for crafting better scientific stories, but cautions readers to approach the process with caution and precision. "Remember," he advises, "that a narrative is only as good as the data on which it is based." Author: Rafael E. Luna

A listing of books received at Science during the week ending 16 October 2015.

Author: Hossein Akhani

Author: Davood N. Rahni

Authors: Richard Blanton, Lane Fargher

Author: Stella M. Hurtley

Author: Kristen L. Mueller

Author: Jelena Stajic

Author: Ian S. Osborne

Author: Nicholas S. Wigginton

Author: Beverly A. Purnell

Author: Keith T. Smith

Author: Wei Wong