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Dr. Michael Greger’s Bias Is Food for Thought
How can we distinguish between a sufficiently objective science communicator and an advocate? Communicating science to the public means choosing scientific papers, reading them, and appraising their
Katharine Burr Blodgett’s legacy comes to light
The Lost Women of Science team uncovers Katharine Burr Blodgett’s overlooked brilliance
New radon story map explains how it enters the indoors, health risks and how to fix it
The latest story map published by EGLE provides a detailed look at radon.
The chemical genius of Katharine Burr Blodgett
The story of a woman whose discoveries in materials science quietly shape our everyday world but whose legacy was long eclipsed by the famous scientist she worked with at the General Electric Company
Abortion Pill Safety Decisions by FDA Were Science-Based, New JAMA Study Finds — The Monitor
A new study found the FDA’s abortion pill decisions followed scientific evidence, as misleading claims about the drug’s safety continue to shape public understanding. And Google removed some health AI summaries after a Guardian investigation reported that AI-generated summaries contained false and potentially dangerous health information.
Are These Unprecedented Times for Science, Really?
A science historian looks to the past to understand our current moment, and how ghostwriting in scientific papers is harming public trust.
Commentary: Farewell to Peter Duesberg, a godfather of scientific disinformation
Peter Duesberg squandered his scientific reputation by advancing a debunked theory about AIDS, but his influence on anti-vaccine activists lives on.
Science at risk: Massachusetts must lead the fight for facts
Rejecting evidence threatens lives and innovation. Massachusetts must defend the scientific method.
Winners of 2026 Southwest Wyoming Regional Science Fair Announced
ROCK SPRINGS — Western Wyoming Community College hosted 68 students from five different schools participating in the Southwest Wyoming Regional Science Fair Jan. 22. “The science fair gives students statewide a chance to showcase their scientific creativity and ingenuity. We deeply appreciate the participating students and the teachers and families who support them,” David Tanner,
Psychiatrists plan to overhaul the mental health bible—and change how we define ‘disorder’
The American Psychiatric Association has announced big upcoming changes to psychiatry’s big book of mental disorders, the DSM
America’s biggest science loss: federal government loses over 10,000 STEM PhD scientists in 2025 | - The Times of India
Science News: The US federal government suffered one of the most severe losses of scientific expertise in its modern history in 2025, with more than 10,000 STEM PhD.
China’s latest war game uses hospital and science ships for espionage
It is self-evident that Beijing is not promoting peace, health or scientific research.
The surprising science behind how certain foods can make you smell more attractive
Beneath fancy perfumes and deodorants, our food choices may be quietly shaping our natural scent in unexpected ways
OpenAI’s latest product let’s you vibe code science
OpenAI just revealed what its new in-house team, OpenAI for Science, has been up to. The firm has released a free LLM-powered tool for scientists called Prism, which embeds ChatGPT in a text editor for writing scientific papers. The idea is to put ChatGPT front and center inside software that scientists use to write up…
How AI is transforming research: More papers, less quality, and a strained review system - Haas News
Mathijs De Vaan has long recognized the labor required to effectively communicate scientific findings. For the Netherlands native and UC Berkeley Haas associate professor of management, data and analyses are only half the battle; the rest is a time-intensive process of ensuring that complex, nuanced ideas are articulated with the precision that top-tier research demands. […]
AI may accelerate scientific progress — but here's why it can't replace human scientists
The achievements of AI-augmented science are mixed, but that doesn't mean the technology can't play a role in future endeavors.
9 influencers shaping health information online, for better or worse
The qualified medical experts, the pseudoscientific entertainers, and the MAHA mobilizers leading online health content today.
From war damage to heart repair: ERC grantees supported to turn their science into practice
The European Research Council (ERC) has published the outcomes of the last 2025 round of its Proof of Concept Grants. In this round, 136 grantees will each receive €150 000, supporting them in exploring how their scientific results can move towards practical application or early commercial use. With these awards, the total number of Proof of Concept Grants under the ERC 2025 Work Programme reached 300, representing an overall budget of €45 million. The scheme is funded under Horizon Europe, the EU’s framework programme for research and innovation.
The science of why video evidence can mess with our brain
Why can people watch the same video footage and see different things? Neuroscience can help explain
UF Health transplant specialties again rank among nation’s best
Rankings are based on data recently released from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients
Minnesota medtech companies call for ‘de-escalation’ after Alex Pretti’s death
Executives from two of the world’s largest medtech companies, Medtronic and Boston Scientific, are among the leaders calling for "state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions."
Exclusive: OpenAI wants to be a scientific research partner
AI is increasingly being used as a research collaborator for mathematicians and scientists.
Opinion | The major problem with clickbait science news
Taiwan’s silicon shield, the scientific process and house burping, in readers’ eyes.
Donald Trump is quietly choking science to death
The second Trump term is fundamentally rewriting the rules of discovery through data purges and budget blocks. This is the story of how a scientific superpower is choosing to retreat into the shadows.
Why it Matters: Ohio hopes the Science of Reading boosts student literacy rates
The Science of Reading isn’t a single program or philosophy. It’s based on decades of scientific research that explains how children develop reading and writing skills, and why some kids struggle.
How Investors Evaluate Early-Stage Science
An inside look at how investors assess scientific discoveries for commercial viability and their potential to become new treatments.
Want to Fight for Science? Look to South Dakota. No, Really.
Nature this week offers a series of terrifying, interactive graphs detailing the Trump Administration’s Idiocratic War on Science. Not only has it butchered federal scientific research grants, but as you can see in this graphic, it has hollowed out the federal scientific workforce – the dedicated professionals who develop data to allow for science-informed policy … Continue reading "Want to Fight for Science? Look to South Dakota. No, Really."
Scientists create exotic new forms of ice never before seen on Earth
Ice has many forms beyond the mundane stuff produced in a standard freezer
Forensic science meets ancient art—inside the quest for Leonardo da Vinci’s DNA
Researchers are using cutting‑edge DNA techniques to hunt for genetic evidence in centuries‑old artworks in an effort to better understand the genius of Leonardo da Vinci
Science shakeup at NASA
NASA has cut funding for key independent advisory groups that help guide the agency’s scientific research, citing cost savings.
Alarm as US mulls prioritising citizens in research funding
A senior White House official said the Trump administration is considering ways to prioritise research funding to American citizens, triggering alarm in the research community that the country could destroy its century-long status as a magnet for overseas talent.Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), said last week that it is “important for us to continue to emphasise the use of federal R&D dollars towards American scientists and technologists that are staffed by Americans in their labs.” Asked about support for Chinese students during a Congressional hearing, Kratsios went on to say that in future funding announcements, the OSTP would “emphasise” that “we're funding American students.”The precise meaning of his impromptu comments, and what they could mean in policy terms, isn’t yet clear. The OSTP did not respond to multiple requests for clarification from Science|Business.But given that US science and technology has relied on overseas talent for the past century, Kratsios’s words have alarmed former US science officials.Immigrants have made up around 30-40% of US Nobel Prize winners since the 1940s, for example. Except for some sensitive projects, countries typically grant research funding on a nationality-blind basis, lest they deter foreign scientists from immigrating. “If director Kratsios’s statements are taken literally and become official policy of the White House, [research-intensive] universities will likely have to close labs if not entire research divisions,” said David Biggs, a former science and technology official in the US State Department. In their most extreme interpretation, Kratsios’s comments would imply that foreign scientists established in the US would see access to funding curtailed. This would “result in many world-leading professors who work in the United States in fields that this administration considers a priority (like fusion energy, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing) leaving the country,” said Cole Donovan, a former US science diplomat, and now associate director at the Federation of American Scientists.CripplingHowever, given the context of the conversation, Kratsios may have been referring more narrowly to funding for doctoral or postdoctoral students. At the hearing, he said he wanted to see labs staffed by US citizens. But even this would have devastating consequences for the US science system, say former officials, because the country is so dependent on early-career foreign researchers. Recent statistics show that nearly half of those in the US with a PhD in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) are considered short-term visitors, or non-residents in the official terminology. If this included residents who are not yet citizens, the proportion would likely be even higher. “Foreign PhD students are really a significant and core part of the university STEM workforce, and postdocs is similarly large,” said Donovan. Preventing US-based academics from hiring them from overseas would be a serious blow, he said. “If it's the case that this administration intends to limit funding to labs staffed only with US citizens, the effect will be to cripple the American scientific enterprise,” said Chris Marcum, a former OSTP official. “To think that these researchers can simply be replaced is a pipe dream. The labs will close,” said Marcum. Go elsewhereAround half of US-trained postdocs are foreign-born, said Biggs. “If these top international students cannot get funding to do their research, or even if they hear that funding for foreign students has been greatly restricted and will be super competitive, they will no longer choose to study in the US and will go elsewhere.” It’s unclear for now if Kratsios’s comments will translate into a real policy shift. But they could add to turmoil in the US science system since Donald Trump took over as president one year ago. Related articlesNIH turmoil risks reciprocal EU-US access to health research fundingUS set to close office responsible for global science and technology dealsTrump halts new NIH grants to international health-research partnersSince then, nearly 8,000 grants at the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation have been frozen or terminated, Naturereports. Courts have overturned most of these cancellations, but the disruption caused remains significant. Both those agencies have also dished out around a quarter fewer grants this year than normal, the journal reported. International student enrolment is also down by 17%. The Trump administration also proposes to cut research budgets by around a third, although Congress may mollify the cuts.
Alarm over US plan to prioritise citizens in research funding
The US’s leading science official has said the country will focus its research spending on scientists with US citizenship, triggering alarm that the country could destroy its century-long status as a magnet for overseas talent.Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), said last week that it is “important for us to continue to emphasise the use of federal R&D dollars towards American scientists and technologists that are staffed by Americans in their labs.” Asked about support for Chinese students during a Congressional hearing, Kratsios went on to say that in future funding announcements, the OSTP would “emphasise” that “we're funding American students.”Kratsios’s precise meaning, and what it could mean in policy terms, isn’t yet clear. The OSTP did not respond to multiple requests for clarification from Science|Business.But given that US science and technology has relied on overseas talent for the past century, Kratsios’s words have stunned former US science officials.Immigrants have made up around 30-40% of US Nobel Prize winners since the 1940s, for example. Except for some sensitive projects, countries typically grant research funding on a nationality-blind basis, lest they deter foreign scientists from immigrating. “If director Kratsios’s statements are taken literally and become official policy of the White House, [research-intensive] universities will likely have to close labs if not entire research divisions,” said David Biggs, a former science and technology official in the US State Department. In their most extreme interpretation, Kratsios’s comments would imply that foreign scientists established in the US would see access to funding curtailed. This would “result in many world-leading professors who work in the United States in fields that this administration considers a priority (like fusion energy, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing) leaving the country,” said Cole Donovan, a former US science diplomat, and now associate director at the Federation of American Scientists.CripplingHowever, given the context of the conversation, Kratsios may have been referring more narrowly to funding for doctoral or postdoctoral students. At the hearing, he said he wanted to see labs staffed by US citizens. But even this would have devastating consequences for the US science system, say former officials, because the country is so dependent on early-career foreign researchers. Recent statistics show that nearly half of those in the US with a PhD in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) are considered short-term visitors, or non-residents in the official terminology. If this included residents who are not yet citizens, the proportion would likely be even higher. “Foreign PhD students are really a significant and core part of the university STEM workforce, and postdocs is similarly large,” said Donovan. Preventing US-based academics from hiring them from overseas would be a serious blow, he said. “If it's the case that this administration intends to limit funding to labs staffed only with US citizens, the effect will be to cripple the American scientific enterprise,” said Chris Marcum, a former OSTP official. “To think that these researchers can simply be replaced is a pipe dream. The labs will close,” said Marcum. Go elsewhereAround half of US-trained postdocs are foreign-born, said Biggs. “If these top international students cannot get funding to do their research, or even if they hear that funding for foreign students has been greatly restricted and will be super competitive, they will no longer choose to study in the US and will go elsewhere.” It’s unclear for now if Kratsios’s comments will translate into a real policy shift. But they could add to turmoil in the US science system since Donald Trump took over as president one year ago. Since then, nearly 8,000 grants at the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation have been frozen or terminated, Naturereports. Courts have overturned most of these cancellations, but the disruption caused remains significant. Both those agencies have also dished out around a quarter fewer grants this year than normal, the journal reported. International student enrolment is also down by 17%. The Trump administration also proposes to cut research budgets by around a third, although Congress may mollify the cuts.
Guest post: 10 key climate science ‘insights’ from 2025
Annual “10 new insights in climate science” report offers a snapshot of key advances in the scientific understanding of the climate system
3 authors win $10,000 prizes for blending science and literature
NEW YORK (AP) — Three authors who demonstrated how scientific research can be wedded to literary grace have been awarded $10,000 prizes. On Wednesday, the National Book Foundation and the Alfred P.
3 authors win $10,000 prizes for blending science and literature
Three authors have been awarded $10,000 prizes for blending scientific research with literary grace
NASA quietly ends financial support for planetary science groups
The space agency will quit funding several independent science advisory groups this year
Saturday Science: Building Community Through STEM Exploration Uptown
Since 2017, Saturday Science at Columbia University has engaged nearly 10,000 local children and their families through scientific exploration.
Turns out grandma was wrong: 6 everyday habits debunked by science
Every day, we rely on habits shaped by upbringing and tradition, assuming they protect our health; but modern science challenges that assumption; here are six everyday examples that expose the gap between common sense and scientific evidence
Can science explain consciousness?
A dive into how scientists are trying to understand what consciousness is and where it comes from
120 Years of discovery: ASBMB continues the story of science
ASBMB president Joan Conaway reflects on 120 years of biochemical discoveries, highlights the launch of the new open-access journal IBMB and underscores the importance of advocacy and fundamental research in driving the next chapter of scientific progress.
AI cannot automate science: A philosopher explains the uniquely human aspects of doing research
Consistent with the general trend of incorporating artificial intelligence into nearly every field, researchers and politicians are increasingly using AI models trained on scientific data to infer answers ...
AI cannot automate science – a philosopher explains the uniquely human aspects of doing research
While AI can streamline certain parts of the scientific process, a philosopher argues that it cannot replace human expertise and collaboration.
Heal injuries faster with new science
Motion is the new potion, and rest is no longer the best
Why Satyendra Nath Bose was more than Einstein’s sidekick
The life of Indian physicist Satyendra Nath Bose illuminates how scientific genius can emerge from the most unexpected quarters
Which dog breed stereotypes are true? Here’s the science
A large dataset shows some dog stereotypes are based in reality, and others might be unfair characterizations
Trump’s attack on science is shaking industry’s foundations
By dismantling scientific enterprise, the US risks 'taking a hammer to our miracle machine'
Exploring health consequences of Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome in a national study
Scientific Reports - Exploring health consequences of Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome in a national study
When science discourages correction: How publishers profit from mistakes
Flawed scientific articles don't just clutter journals—they misguide policies, waste taxpayer funds, and endanger lives. Errors in top-tier research persist due to a broken correction system. Consider ...
Marijuana's Restrictive Federal Classification Isn't Supported By Science, New Study Concludes
Marijuana and other drugs are not as dangerous as laws written half a century ago say they are, according to a new scientific review. Since the passage of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in 1970, U.S. drug laws have been dictated by rigid categories that supposedly reflect the dangers posed by different substances—but the new […]
When science discourages correction: How publishers profit from mistakes
Academic publishing system often allows scientific errors to persist because it prioritises profit and prestige over timely correction.
More diversity means better science, says Nature journal chief
‘Inclusion’ is not about political correctness but can produce research with a greater impact, according to Springer Nature’s chief scientific officer
GUEST OPINION: Court saw through attack on stoves, science
When the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) filed a federal lawsuit last year challenging Colorado’s new gas stove labeling law, it exposed a troubling pattern of how climate advocacy can morph into scientific misinformation to achieve policy goals through fear rather than facts. At the heart of the court dispute is House Bill 25-1161, […]
China's Shenzhou-21 crew continues with science experiments, life in orbit
China's Shenzhou-21 astronauts have steadily advanced scientific experiments in several fields aboard China's space station over the past week.The crew consists of mission commander Zhang Lu and astronauts Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang. They have been in
Longwood Gardens is about to launch new science strategy
Science is the force that makes Longwood's gardens flourish. A new scientific plan will launch along with events for the public.
Astronomers aim to take ‘revolutionary’ moving image of black hole
Newly appointed Cambridge professor says feat would accelerate scientific knowledge by an order of magnitude
Video: Why 'basic science' is the foundation of innovation
At first glance, some scientific research can seem, well, impractical. When physicists began exploring the strange, subatomic world of quantum mechanics a century ago, they weren't trying to build better ...
NL elementary students show off their science skills
A select group of Slatington Elementary students have been celebrated for putting their scientific skills to the test. Superintendent Dr. Matthew J. Link said at Monday’s school board meeting that he ...
Why the Church Has Never Feared Science
From Copernicus to contemporary research, Catholics have long understood scientific inquiry as a partner with faith in the search for truth.
The popular video game with design inspired by a Buffalo landmark
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Richardson Olmsted Campus represents an architectural and scientific feat in the Buffalo landscape. Designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson and landscape arch…
Science Quiz: Extinct Animals and Strange Illnesses
Put your science knowledge to the test with this week’s news quiz. Play now.
Mapping the science–technology translational landscape in biomedicine
Nature Biotechnology - A systematic, prospective analysis of the interplay between science and technology in biomedicine can illuminate the pathway for translating scientific insights into tangible...
Is the U.S. Losing Ground in Science?
Concern is growing that the U.S. is losing ground in scientific achievements compared to other countries, according to a new poll from Pew Research Center. The vast majority of Americans said it is important for the U.S. to be a leader in scientific achievements, but Republicans and Democrats were ...
Boston Scientific to acquire Penumbra for $14.5B
This is a cash and stock transaction that values Penumbra at $374 per share. The move helps Boston Scientific expand its vascular and neurovascular portfolios, gaining new treatments for pulmonary embolism, stroke, deep vein thrombosis and many other critical cardiovascular conditions.
The Earth keeps getting hotter, and Americans' trust in science is on a down trend
A Pew Research poll shows partisan split over U.S. scientific leadership, with Democrats far more concerned about losing ground than Republicans.
Americans Overwhelmingly Support Science, but Some Think the U.S. Is Lagging Behind: Pew
A new report finds that a majority of Americans think the U.S. should be a world leader in science, but Democrats increasingly believe other countries are catching up
Citizen science
Citizen science, also called community science, is a common term for a wide range of participatory practices involving scientific data collection and analysis.Citizen science is important for science, research and policy, and has multiple benefits for society and for participants themselves by expanding knowledge, increasing awareness and fostering stewardship.While some scientists remain cautious about the quality of citizen science data, acceptance within the broader scientific community is steadily growing.Measures to strengthen the role and impact of citizen science include enhancing policy and funding support, continued training of educators and leveraging existing data collection technologies.
Trump Administration Slashes Mental Health and Addiction Grants: Report
Experts say the reported grant cuts will exacerbate the country’s addiction crisis
How to watch 'Pole to Pole with Will Smith' — TV and streaming details as Oscar-winning actor blends adventure and scientific discovery
The actor joins seven expeditions "to discover the secrets of Earth's most extreme environments." Here's how to tune in
Mars Veterinary Health publishes 2025 Science Impact Report highlighting global advances in pet health
Mars Veterinary Health has published its 2025 Science Impact Report – Pets, Purpose, Progress: Clinical Excellence through Scientific Innovation.
Are Seed Oils Bad for You? Debunking a Viral Social Media Myth
A food scientist debunks the vilification of seed oils on social media and explains what research says about them.
Review & Giveaway: Designer Science
C.W. Howell’s book documents what transpired, unpacks the broader meaning, and illuminates the effects of the “Intelligent Design” movement that sought to shake the foundations of the scientific establishment.
Medical Groups Will Try to Block Childhood Vaccine Recommendations
The groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, say the C.D.C.’s revised vaccine schedule is not based on scientific evidence and will harm the public.
The ultra-cold temperatures needed for epic nuclear science
One of the world's most sophisticated scientific facilities is turning to ultra-low temperatures to try and unravel hidden secrets of our Universe.
The ultra-cold temperatures needed for epic nuclear science
One of the world's most sophisticated scientific facilities is turning to ultra-low temperatures to try and unravel hidden secrets of our Universe.
Doseology Engages McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors to Advance Innovative Oral Pouch Product Development through Science and Regulatory Expertise
Doseology Sciences Inc. (CSE: MOOD) (PINK: DOSEF) (FSE: VU70) ("Doseology" or the "Company") a leader in biotechnology-driven consumer products, today announced a strategic partnership with McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors ("McKinney"), a premier FDA regulatory consulting firm specializing in nicotine and reduced-risk consumer products, to spearhead its regulatory submission strategy and solidify its commitment to scientific leadership in the oral pouch technology space.
Ozone infusions, lasers, plasma: How clinics want to sell you a longer life
Longevity medicine has exploded into the mainstream, but the fervor has outpaced rigorous scientific evidence and federal regulations.
‘An undoing of the scientific method’: Flagship CEO warns of government threats to US biotech industry
The Trump administration spent 2025 taking a sledgehammer to science, obliteratin | The Trump administration spent 2025 taking a sledgehammer to science, obliterating funding and reshaping agencies like the FDA and National Institutes of Health through layoffs and restrictive new policies. In a new letter, Noubar Afeyan, Ph.D., co-founder of Moderna and CEO of Flagship Pioneering, warns that these actions risk undermining the foundations of science itself to the ultimate detriment of health and biotech innovation in America.
Flagship CEO Calls Out Attacks on Science, Warns of China Dominance
In his annual letter, Flagship Pioneering’s Noubar Afeyan lays out a choice between near-term “human-made miracles” and a reversion to the pain and suffering of past diseases due to “growing contempt” in the U.S. for the scientific method.
Amateur sleuth earns £2m reward for exposing research fraud
A British scientist has forced a leading US cancer research institute to pay a $15m legal settlement after trawling through scientific papers in his spare time
In the New Vaccine Schedule, Signs of Bigger Changes to Come?
Comments by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his allies suggest the revised schedule may presage an approach to immunization that prizes individual autonomy and downplays scientific expertise.
The NIH has lost its scientific integrity. So we left
“We can no longer lend our credibility to an organization that has lost its integrity,” write four scientists and administrators who recently resigned from the NIH.
Volunteer to be a high school science fair judge in West Linn-Wilsonville
The annual CREST Jane Goodall Science Symposium will be Wednesday, March 11 at Wilsonville High School Each school year West Linn and Wilsonville students engage with complex scientific, technological and […]
Berkeley Talks: Why kind leaders finish first (according to science)
Leaders from academia and the private sector discuss how kindness is a strategic asset rather than a professional weakness, and why the traditional “jerk” model of leadership is scientifically flawed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS WANTED: Draft 2026 Delta Science Plan
From the Delta Science Program: The Delta Stewardship Council’s Delta Science Program is developing the third iteration of the Delta Science Plan, which outlines the vision, principles, and approaches that guide science in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Called for in the Delta Plan, the Delta Science Plan works to improve coordination across the Delta science community and strengthen communication of scientific findings to policymakers – helping them address the region’s natural resource management challenges more effectively. Updated approximately every five […]
American Society for Nutrition Calls for Strong Science in National Nutrition Guidance
The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) is concerned that departing from the established scientific review process for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), 2025-2030, undermines confidence in the DGAs and nutrition science.
Science Quiz: Failed Galaxies and Food Pyramids
Put your science knowledge to the test with this week’s news quiz. Play now.
The Weight-Loss Drug Revolution—From Shots to Pills and the Science behind It All
Behind the hype of GLP-1 medications lies complex science, serious side effects and a pharmaceutical arms race.
Schmidt Sciences Announces Plan for Lazuli, a Private Space Telescope
Bigger than Hubble and launching as soon as 2029, the Lazuli Space Observatory would be the first-ever full-scale private space telescope
Celebrating worm science
MIT-affiliated biologists including Robert Horvitz discuss the history of Nobel Prize-winning advances made through scientific research in the microscopic roundworm C. elegans.
How New Public Health Changes Could Leave Vulnerable Children Behind
A look at how evolving national health policies could reshape the future of kids’ care, from vaccines to essential treatments.
Science 2025: The bad news and the good news
Attacks on scientific agencies and research universities have thrown US science into disarray. The effects will be long-lasting and detrimental to the role of the US as a scientific leader in the world.
Physicians Committee Provides Recommendations on Animal-Free Science to White House Office
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy recently sought input on ways to accelerate the American scientific enterprise.
Congress Proposes Strong Science Funding for 2026
Lawmakers aim to support science research despite cuts proposed by the Trump administration
With Trump’s NIH Cuts, New Efforts Are Pushing States To Fund Science
With major NIH cuts under Trump, here are initiatives in states like New York, California and Massachusetts to get state governments to support more scientific research.
Philosophy to the Rescue of Science
The pessimistic meta-induction—the argument that since past scientific theories have been shown to be false, we should expect that today’s will turn out false, too—makes the New York Times. . Elay Shech, professor of philosophy at Auburn University, takes up the topic in the context of current political disputes about science and our government’s seemingly increasing disregard of expertise: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of health and human services, made a version of this argument in August when defending his decision to halt hundreds of millions of dollars in mRNA vaccine development despite the objections of vaccine scientists. He said that “science is always evolving” and the experts could not always be trusted. Shech accepts that “many widely accepted [scientific] theories have been discarded” but that the question, “why should we trust the ones we have now?” is misleading. Why? It implies that the only possible attitudes toward science are naïve faith and wholesale pessimism. It assumes that science is a single global entity that rises or falls all at once, when in reality, science is an array of local domains of inquiry, each with its own standards of evidence and degrees of reliability. In place of skepticism, Shech recommends “disciplined trust.” The first step in the direction of disciplined trust is recognizing that “there is no single scientific method used in all of science.” Shech writes: Newton’s deduction from observed phenomena is very different from Darwin’s inference to the best explanation, which in turn differs radically from Einstein’s thought experiments with light beams, trains and elevators. What people call “the scientific method” is really many distinct ways of investigating the world—different strategies for representing, experimenting and classifying. Since different areas of science employ different methods and rely on different kinds of evidence, to make a case for skepticism “you need to look at the evidence and methods in a specific area of inquiry.” And that case will not be “a sweeping claim about all of science” but rather about that particular area of inquiry with, for example, what might turn out to be “well-understood methodological problems.” Shech’s piece is “Science Keeps Changing, So Why Should We Trust It?” (NYT gift link). Discussion welcome (readers are advised to keep in..
How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions—Behavioral Science Tips That Work
Behavioral economist Katy Milkman explains why most New Year’s resolutions fail and shares how science-backed strategies can build habits that last.
This CRISPR breakthrough turns genes on without cutting DNA
A new CRISPR breakthrough shows scientists can turn genes back on without cutting DNA, by removing chemical tags that act like molecular anchors. The work confirms these tags actively silence genes, settling a long-running scientific debate. This gentler form of gene editing could offer a safer way to treat Sickle Cell disease by reactivating a fetal blood gene. Researchers say it opens the door to powerful therapies with fewer unintended side effects.
This asteroid is spilling secrets about the origin of life on Earth
Grab-and-go missions to asteroids have provided some of the most scientifically valuable samples since the Apollo missions—and they’re shaking up the search for life beyond Earth.
‘Speaking the language of science’: Father Spitzer on Guadalupe tilma, Eucharistic miracles at SEEK
College students at SEEK 2026 packed a hall to hear Father Robert Spitzer, SJ, examine scientific research into Eucharistic miracles and the tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
These scientific discoveries brought us joy in 2025
Amidst a tough year for science, glimmers of joy burst through in revelations from the silly to the sublime.