In science news around the world, the coral die-off in 2016 in the Great Barrier Reef because of bleaching reaches a new record, results of the 2015 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study show that East Asian students still lead the world in math and science scores, a widely watched candidate drug for Alzheimer's disease fails, a cancer immunotherapy trial claims two more lives on top of three earlier this year, and more. Also, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump names his nominees to head the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education. And ant "kisses" can transfer not only nutrients, but also hormones that help shape their colonies' long-term fate.