The National Post of Canada has named the scientific study of happiness as one of the year's most interesting ideas, which "helped define 2007 and will shape the way we live in 2008." The honor comes with a look at some of the most revolutionary findings of this new field. —Heather Wax

After much media attention and mockery—in the form of a deluge of emails from the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster—members of the Polk County School Board are changing their tune about Florida's proposed new science education standards. A month ago, a local newspaper story (picked up by national blogs) revealed that four of the seven board members wanted to see "intelligent design" included alongside evolution in the science curriculum, but a new story claims they've now reversed their position, insisting that they can separate their personal beliefs in ID from their votes. This fight may be over, but it seems the battle over Florida's science standards—which would finally include the term "evolution" and which state officials say will be more relevant and accurate—rages on. —Stephen Mapes

The Golden Compass, in theaters now, is the latest in a string of movies about spiritual life, what it means to be human, and the moral choices we all make—and these films are creating a new niche in Hollywood. —Heather Wax

Los Angeles Times religion editor Steve Padilla recounts a debate he moderated between best-selling author Sam Harris and Rabbi David Wolpe, a rising leader in Conservative Judaism, at American Jewish University. The atheist and the rabbi shared their perspectives on science-and-religion, the existence of God, and the role of faith in society.

New York Times critics Michiko Kakutani, Janet Maslin, and William Grimes have listed their favorite books of the past year, and among Maslin's choices are two books about Einstein, Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson and Uncertainty: Einstein, Heisenberg, Bohr, and the Struggle for the Soul of Science by David Lindley.

"Atheists Talk," a one-hour, live radio program from the group Minnesota Atheists, will debut on Air America Minnesota on January 13. (The organization currently airs a show with the same name on cable access television). Celebrity atheist Richard Dawkins will be the first guest.

Bruce Alberts, a biochemist at the University of California, San Francisco, will be the new editor-in-chief of the journal Science. He will take the helm from Donald Kennedy in March.