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Hornets carry modest momentum into clash with Magic
Hot-shooting rookie Kon Knueppel and the Charlotte Hornets look to continue a surge when they visit the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
Hawaii Bowl ends in last-minute score, fight as Hawaii pulls off comeback over Cal
Hawaii stuns Cal with a last-minute touchdown after a 21-point deficit.
Year in review: Trump’s environmental policy : The NPR Politics Podcast
As we approach 2026, the NPR Politics Podcast is taking a look back at the year that was in different political areas. Today, we look at how America’s stance on environmental policy has shifted under the second Trump administration and what the potential impacts could be.This episode: voting correspondent Ashley Lopez, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, climate correspondent Michael Copley, and automotive and energy correspondent Camila Domonoske.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
5 times politics impacted banking in 2025
Banks typically prefer to steer clear of politics. But in 2025, politics would not steer clear of banks
RFK Jr. says the U.S. should look to Europe on vaccines. That could mean Americans get fewer.
Public health experts say Europeans can afford to vaccinate less because they have universal access to health care.
Family recycling business celebrates 40 years
A longtime Tucson recycling business, Recyco, is celebrating four decades of hard work and family tradition.
The best everyday health advice we learned from science in 2025
We certainly saw some major health-related breakthroughs in 2025, including a universal cancer vaccine and human trials for the world's first treatment to reverse spinal cord injuries. But the year was also filled with smaller findings that can still have a big impact on your day-to-day health.
How Hallmark built a holiday media empire, complete with cruises
Hallmark has built a holiday movie juggernaut and is now expanding that business into live experiences, such as a Christmas cruise.
With Trump in Power, Democrats Try to Redefine Themselves as Disrupters
Since President Trump’s rise, Democrats have served as defenders of a political system many Americans believe is broken. Now the party is trying a new approach.
Did 2025 mark the end of British parliamentary democracy as we know it?
The conventions and rituals that define the way we do politics rapidly eroded this year – setting the UK on a course into the unknown, says Guardian columnist Andy Beckett
'Smart watches for cows' come to Grafton County Farm, helping with health research
The trackers, which stay in a cow’s stomach and collect data, can help farmers understand when their cows are feeling ill, or when they’re in heat.
How one politically divided family keeps the peace during the holidays
Talking about politics over the holidays can be difficult for many families, even for politicians themselves. One politically divided family in Colorado makes sure get along, especially during the holidays.
Virtual reality opens doors for older people to build closer connections in real life
Many retirement developments serve as a tranquil refuge for older people who can no longer traveling to faraway places or engaging in bold adventures.
Pinterest exec spills the defining quality she looks for in potential hires
Ayumi Nakajima said she values candidates who talk about their failures without spinning stories to make themselves look good.
ECU football arrives in DMV for Military Bowl
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The East Carolina University football team arrived in Washington Tuesday ahead of the Go Bowling Military Bowl. The Pirates are the defending champions of the Military Bowl after beating NC State in the game last season. This year, they’ll look for the same success against Pittsburgh. “We’ve earned the right […]
Historic Ann Arbor store closes after more than a century in business
After nearly 120 years serving the Ann Arbor community, Downtown Home and Garden welcomed customers for the final time on Christmas Eve before closing its doors permanently.
Chinese team tackles a century-old physics puzzle: can we travel back in time?
Theoretical breakthrough shows that time’s arrow can emerge naturally from how quantum parts become interconnected.
Oklahoma is one step closer to creating business courts
Business Courts are one step closer to becoming a reality in Oklahoma, after years of work from lawmakers, state leaders and a special task force. The hope is that business courts would alleviate some of the backlog from district courts.
Trump warns against infiltration by a 'bad Santa,' defends coal in jovial Christmas calls with kids
President Donald Trump marked Christmas Eve by chatting with children about their holiday wishes
Trump warns against infiltration by a 'bad Santa,' defends coal in jovial Christmas calls with kids
President Donald Trump marked Christmas Eve by chatting with children about their holiday wishes.
Pediatrics group sues U.S. agency for cutting funds for children's health programs
Earlier this month, the federal government 'abruptly terminated' grants to the group, the lawsuit says.
Bears merch flying off the shelves at sports collectible shops ahead of playoffs
Since the team’s victory against the Green Bay Packers, player jerseys and other Bears merchandise have been the top sellers for Chicago retailers.
LDS Church President Jeffrey Holland hospitalized with 'health complications'
President Jeffrey Holland of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been hospitalized for health complications
Pediatrics group sues HHS for cutting funds for children's health programs
The American Academy of Pediatrics sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, seeking to block nearly $12 million in cuts to the group.
Obamacare sign-ups are steady, but warning signs emerge
While sign-ups are above 2024, some states are concerned about higher terminations, fewer new enrollees and more consumer calls for help. If Congress fails again to extend enhanced subsidies in January, they say enrollment could drop.
Buddy LaRosa's High School Sports Hall of Fame announces its 2025 class
The Buddy LaRosa’s High School Sports Hall of Fame announced its 2025 class. The induction ceremony is in summer 2026.
Knicks' Miles McBride: Listed as out for Thursday
Knicks' Miles McBride: Listed as out for Thursday
Stars will be out in force when Lakers, Rockets meet
Stars will be out in force when Lakers, Rockets meet
Obama Foundation partner expands vendor network for small businesses
Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative said more than 75 Chicago area organizations have joined its network to collectively negotiate service contracts, which will help lower costs.
Two arrested in Spanish Fork over alleged drug sales from local business
A married pair of business owners who live in Payson are facing several charges after police say they discovered them selling illegal products out of their home.
School Mental Health Projects Canceled by Trump Might Still Survive
The end of funding could still be days away, but a new court order offers some hope for grantees.
Health officials confirm first Yellowstone County influenza death of the season
RiverStone Health and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services confirmed Wednesday the first death in Yellowstone County of the 2025-2026 influenza season.
Cowboys-Commanders Preview
This is not exactly what the NFL and Netflix had in mind when they thought they would be getting big-name quarterbacks Jayden Daniels vs. Dak Prescott and a high-stakes matchup of NFC East rivals Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys in the Christmas Day spotlight.
Year in review: Trump, gerrymandering & redistricting : The NPR Politics Podcast
As we approach 2026, the NPR Politics Podcast is taking a look back at the year that was in different political areas. Today, we explore how President Trump pushed Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps with the hope of getting more Republican members of the House of Representatives, and how that led to an escalation of partisan gerrymandering throughout the country.This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and voting correspondents Miles Parks & Ashley Lopez.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
What’s new on Prime Video in January, including ‘Beast Games,’ ‘The Night Manager,’ and more
When Does the VA Cover Care at Non-VA Facilities?
Understanding community care, emergency coverage and urgent care rules under the VA MISSION Act.
NFL facing possible nightmare playoff scenario in Week 17 that could kill the drama in final week of season
The NFL definitely doesn't want this to happen
Bruins Labeled Top Trade Destination For Veteran Forward
The Boston Bruins find themselves in the middle of their worst stretch of hockey in the 2025-26 campaign, as they have lost their last four games, with their two most recent defeats seeing them lose 6-2 to both the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens. Still, the B’s remain in the thick of the playoff hunt […]
The Year in Entertainment 2025: The TV that was top
The small screen took us everywhere from the shores of Cousins Beach to the emergency room at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center this year. Here's a look at the shows and limited series that defined 2025:It was the medical procedural drama The Pitt that scored the top prize at the Emmys this year. Led by Noah Wyle, who won the best actor in a drama Emmy for his portrayal of Dr. Robby in the new series, The Pitt's first season followed the challenges faced by health care workers on the front lines over the course of a single, 15-hour shift at the hospital. Other big winners at the ceremony included Seth Rogen's new comedy series The Studio, as well as the Netflix limited series Adolescence.Many prestige shows captured the cultural zeitgeist in 2025. Fans traveled to Thailand to check in for season 3 of The White Lotus, while the mystery at Lumon Industries continued to unfold as Severance season 2 rolled out. The Last of Us viewers mourned a fan-favorite character during its sophomore season, while Star Wars fans returned to a galaxy far, far away to bid farewell to Andor as it debuted its second and final season.Nobody could stop talking about The Summer I Turned Pretty. Whether you were team Conrad or team Jeremiah, fans couldn't keep their eyes off the dramatic third season of the teen romance series, which spanned from the U.S.'s East Coast all the way to Paris. While the series ended with Belly finally picking which brother she wanted to be with, the story isn't quite over. A feature film that will end the romantic saga has been greenlit by Prime Video.Finally, the year ended with the release of the fifth and final season of Stranger Things. It turned Netflix's streaming records upside down, accumulating 59.6 million views in its first five days and becoming the best-ever premiere week viewing numbers for an English-language series on the streaming platform.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
What Pocket Health, Amazon Prime Vision’s new tool, teaches us about QBs, OL and defenses
Amazon Prime Vision's new feature, Pocket Health, grades the types of pockets that quarterbacks throw from, which are affected by pressure.
Madeleine’s Shin Splint Scare Leads to Leg-Saving Play at MU Health Care
Madeleine cherished the camaraderie of college soccer, but recurring injuries — including a chronic stress fracture in her right tibia — ultimately ended her career and required surgery during Thanksgiving break in 2022. A surgical complication involving a nerve block caused severe damage, leading her surgeon to refer her to MU Health Care’s Limb Preservation Program.
Attacks are Evolving: 3 Ways to Protect Your Business in 2026
In 2025, small and mid-sized businesses made up 70.5% of data breaches, driven by weaker defenses and high-volume cyberattacks.
The tough lesson US scientists learned from Trump
A yearlong assault on federal science programs taught researchers they can't always count on Washington to be a reliable partner.
BP agrees deal to sell £7.4bn stake in Castrol to US investment firm
Stonepeak will acquire 65% of lubricants business as part of wider plans for the oil company to pay down its debt
Dismissing politics as ‘dirty’ is self-defeating
If we turn our backs on politics, we reject an essential way to improve our communities and our nation.
Lakers' defensive identity vanishes into Phoenix air in loss
The Lakers surrendered 45 points in a quarter in a journeyman's revenge game. A team that once knew itself is now strangers in its own locker room.
Golden Knights' Braeden Bowman: Registers two assists in win
Golden Knights' Braeden Bowman: Registers two assists in win
Mavericks' Anthony Davis: Drops 31 in win
Mavericks' Anthony Davis: Drops 31 in win
Kate Winslet says turning 50 changed how she defines success
"I think that women get more interesting as we grow older," Kate Winslet said.
More than a third of states sue HHS over a move that could curtail youth gender-affirming care
Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, its Secretary, Robert F.
Explosion at a Pennsylvania nursing home kills at least 2, governor says
The explosion collapsed a part of the building and happened just as a utility crew had been on site looking for a gas leak at Bristol Health & Rehab Center in Bristol Township, just outside Philadelphia.
Hong Kong firms hoping new southbound travel scheme will drive more business
Social media users are selling driving courses to Guangdong car owners while local companies are offering perks to attract business.
MSU defensive back announces plan to enter transfer portal
A Michigan State football defensive back announces he'll be entering the transfer portal
The Science (and Pseudoscience) of Everyday Life
Everyday life is full of small behaviors we treat as moral choices, scientific truths, or acts of civic virtue—often without much reflection. From abandoned shopping carts to climate guilt over pet ownership, from misplaced faith in statistical “significance” to misunderstandings of animal behavior, these examples reveal how intuition, habit, and oversimplified science shape what we believe.
Nevada Upgrades Business Licensing via ‘Orion’
Work on the new portal began in 2023, with the next phase scheduled for 2026. Nevada joins other states in setting up such portals for a variety of tasks, including accessing services such as unemployment benefits.
Science funding was hit in 2025. What does that mean for the future? : Consider This from NPR
2025 was a hard year for science. The Trump administration upended federal funding for all kinds of scientific pursuits, slashing budgets across agencies like NASA, NIH and NOAA. NPR's Rob Stein and Katia Riddle spoke to scientists and officials who worry that those cuts could cause the United States to lose its competitive edge as a global hub for research and innovation, and steer future generations away from careers in science. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Michael Levitt, with audio engineering by Zo vanGinhoven. It was edited by Sarah Handel, Scott Hensley and Amina Khan. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
Supreme Court rules against Trump, bars deploying National Guard in Chicago
The decision is the major defeat for Trump and his broad claim that he had the power to deploy military forces in U.S. cities.
Supreme Court hands Trump a major defeat on National Guard deployment
The Supreme Court holds that the president’s authority to deploy the National Guard for law enforcement purposes likely only applies in “exceptional” circumstances.
A look back at Washington politics in 2025
A look back at Washington politics in 2025, a year marked by the return of President Donald Trump to the White House. (AP Video: River Zhang)
The top Smithsonian science stories of 2025
The Smithsonian advanced our knowledge of the universe on scales big and small in 2025.
In Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood, children's entertainment comes with strings
For more than 30 years, Puppetworks has delighted Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood with performances of The Tortoise and the Hare, Pinocchio, Aladdin and, during the holidays, retellings of stories like The Steadfast Tin Soldier.
In Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood, children's entertainment comes with strings
For more than 30 years, Puppetworks has delighted Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood with performances of The Tortoise and the Hare, Pinocchio, Aladdin and, during the holidays, retellings of stories like The Steadfast Tin Soldier.
Office for Health Data, Outcomes, and Engagement Strategy (HDOES)
Learn more about Mount Sinai's Office for Diversity and Inclusion and its mission to advance equity, education, and health care for all.
Rep. Harriet Hageman, who defeated Liz Cheney, announces run for Wyoming Senate seat
Wyoming’s lone U.S. representative is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Cynthia Lummis, who isn’t seeking re-election.
The battle for control of Warner Bros.: A timeline of key developments
Netflix wants to buy Warner Bros. and HBO, but Paramount refuses to go away, launching a hostile bid. Here's a timeline of key developments.
Maine's got game: Sports stories that made headlines in 2025
From pro teams to the college scene, it’s been a bustling year for the sports business in Maine.
Year in review: Trump's economy : The NPR Politics Podcast
As we approach 2026, the NPR Politics Podcast is taking a look back at the year that was in different political areas. Today, we look at President Trump's handling of the economy, including his tariff policy.This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, and chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
Trump reveals more about Gov. Jeff Landry’s envoy role: ‘Greenland’s a big deal’
The president said Greenland is important for national security reasons, and called Landry a “dealmaker-type guy.”
How a Christmas tree defines Ken Welch's first term as St. Petersburg Mayor
The new tree just doesn't have the same spark as before, and neither does Welch.
Vince Zampella, video game pioneer behind megahit Call of Duty, dies at 55
One of Vince Zampella's crowning achievements was the creation of the Call of Duty franchise, which has sold more than half a billion games worldwide.
Popstar! Best of 2025: The Fan-Voted Entertainment Rewind That Defined the Year
/PRNewswire/ -- From blockbuster premieres to viral moments, Popstar! Best of 2025 is a fan-voted celebration of the movies, shows, music, and cultural moments...
Federal cuts and a race to replace McConnell. Here’s a look at top state politics stories in 2025
Kentucky Public Radio has covered a tumultuous year of federal cuts and shifts, the lawsuits challenging them, state governance and another hefty legislative session. Rediscover our top politics stories of 2025.
From less business with primes to a better-funded Army network: 2025 review
In 2025, the Army experienced some of its biggest changes in decades, and with this came new programs and new attitudes toward acquisition at large.
Protecting California’s public lands from oil and gas drilling is defending public health
Federal plans for oil drilling along a million acres in California would change healthful, wild spaces into sources of pollution and illness.
The Gear That Defined Tech Editor Josh Ross's 2025: AI, Cameras, WorldTour Bikes, and More
It wasn’t just about the fastest bikes or the lightest parts. This year my favorites included items, both bike related and not, that fostered connection, solved real problems, and brought me joy.
Venue Adjustments for Intermountain Health Freestyle International Presented by Stifel
PARK CITY, Utah (Dec. 23, 2025) — U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced updates to the Intermountain Health Freestyle International presented by Stifel, originally scheduled to take place at Deer Valley Resort. Due to unseasonably warm weather, both the aerials and moguls World Cup events will be moved.
Nine mental-health tips for a happier 2026
Regardless of any resolutions you may have for 2026, one thing is for sure: Everyone wants to have a happy new year.While losing weight or saving money may be great goals, the most straightforward path to happiness is caring for your mental and emotional health. A robust body of research shows that simple cognitive and behavioral strategies can reliably boost happiness and reduce stress – and they’re generally free and accessible to all.These strategies don’t have to be super time-consuming, but they do require intention: They only work if you do them.Here, psychologist Valentina Ogaryan, PhD, clinical director of the Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, shares her top tips for cultivating more calm, centeredness and happiness in the new year (or anytime):Make time for playPlay isn’t just for kids, and it’s far from frivolous. The National Institute for Play says engaging in silliness, fun and just-for-pleasure activities reduces stress and increases optimism and resilience. A recent review also found that play improves mental health.“Adults can benefit from play as much as children,” Dr. Ogaryan says, “not just as a reward, but something that helps regulate.”So go ahead and dance with your dog, build something with Legos, tell a joke, sing karaoke or do anything else that feels like fun. Don’t worry about being productive, just enjoy yourself. And, if you can, opt for more analog play, Dr. Ogaryan suggests, as a respite from our ever-more-digital world. Move your bodyWhether you dance, ski, do yoga, play pickleball, ride a bike, roller-skate, hike or lift weights, physical movement benefits overall happiness and well-being. A 2018 review study of more than 1.2 million adults in the U.S. found that doing any kind of exercise was “significantly and meaningfully associated” with better self-reported mental health.The sweet spot was 45 minutes of movement three to five times a week, but even short bursts of physical activity can boost brain health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“Movement helps support mood and regulate the nervous system,” Dr. Ogaryan says.Plus: exercise can improve sleep quality, and sleep is essential for mental health.Prioritize sleep“Sleep plays a major role in managing stress,” Dr. Ogaryan says. Research shows that lack of sufficient sleep increases the risk of various diseases, including depression.While stress can interfere with sleep, practicing good sleep hygiene can make logging ZZ’s easier. That means maintaining a consistent bedtime; keeping the bedroom cool, dark and quiet; and avoiding social media, news and stimulating shows before bed.Consume lessWe live in a consumer culture, inundated by endless streams of content and advertising everywhere we go, which makes it easy to get overstimulated.“Something really helpful for stress reduction is to simply consume less,” Dr. Ogaryan says – less news, less social media, less information, less noise, less screen time. “It’s about reducing the input,” she says.Consider setting a maximum number of news articles per day, for example, or a time limit on scrolling. Maybe even go device free for an afternoon or a whole day.Practice present-moment awarenessWith so much coming at us all the time, focusing on the here and now can make life feel more manageable, Dr. Ogaryan says: “When everything feels super overwhelming, when everything feels larger than life, let’s make our world a little bit smaller for that moment in time.”She suggests taking things one day, or even one hour, at a time. Ask yourself: What’s my next right action? Release the need to know how everything turns out and liberate yourself from having to handle everything right now. Let the future take care of itself and just focus on the current moment. Then the next one. Have a daily anchorFrom work to the daily commute to family and life responsibilities, our days can feel jam-packed. Dr. Ogaryan recommends creating a centering daily anchor that can fit into even the busiest day.Maybe it’s a 10-minute walk during your lunch break or mindfully enjoying your coffee in the morning. Let your anchor adapt to your needs each day, she says, but be intentional about using that time to ground yourself and calm your nervous system. You might even say to yourself, “I choose this walk to help me become centered,” or “My day already feels stressful, so I’m going to take the next 10 minutes to enjoy this cup of coffee, feel the warm mug in my hand and just be present.” Having an anchor won’t erase the busy-ness from your day, but it will allow you to approach it more calmly.Be kind to yourselfMost of us have a harsh inner critic in our heads who works overtime. But that critical voice only increases our stress, triggering the same fight-or-flight response as caustic words from another person.To feel happier, we need to replace that inner critic with a kinder, more compassionate voice, Dr. Ogaryan says. Studies show that self-compassion is a source of eudaimonic happiness – the kind of happiness associated with purpose and meaning in life.While our knee-jerk reaction may be to self-criticize – “How could you let it get to this point? You didn’t manage your time well and now the project is going to be late. You’re so inept.” – we fare better mentally by treating ourselves with kindness, like we would a friend. That might sound like, “You’ve got a lot on your plate, but you are capable and you’ll get it done. I believe in you.”We may think that speaking kindly to ourselves means letting ourselves off the hook, so we end up becoming lazy do-nothings. But research shows the opposite: People who are self-compassionate are more likely to try harder in the face of failure and ultimately reach their goals.You can thank your inner critic for its good intentions, but resolve to talk to yourself in a kind, compassionate voice.Connect with othersHumans are social animals built for connection. Stress can be isolating and cause us to withdraw, but connecting with others is a salve for the psyche, Dr. Ogaryan says.“We know that not all relationships are always easy, but if we can think about intentional, nourishing connection – even in really small doses – it could really help center us,” she says.Take a moment to laugh with your colleagues, hug your pet, have a conversation with a friend or smile at the barista making your coffee. A study found that even tiny interactions with casual acquaintances and strangers decreases loneliness and improves happiness and well-being.Seek supportIf you try these practices and happiness remains elusive, or if you can’t access the wherewithal to follow these tips, seek support from your physician or a therapist. Mental health conditions are among the most common health issues in the U.S. and around the world – more prevalent than diabetes or heart disease. One in five people in the U.S. experiences a mental illness each year, with depression and anxiety the most common, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.“We can all think about these tips,” Dr. Ogaryan says. “But it’s important to recognize if you’ve done everything you can and you’re still really struggling, it’s really important to seek help.”
The disunity of science is a feature, not a bug
Mathematical models wield miraculous power, but mistaking them for reality has trapped science in a destructive quest for a “Theory of Everything.” Physicist and philosopher Ragner Fjelland argues that this leads to bloated, Frankenstein theories kept alive by clumsy, ad-hoc amendments, which reduce rather than boost science’s power. Fjelland calls for a radical shift in our attitude: we must reorientate towards creating entirely new theories, celebrating rather than lamenting disunity and diversity in science. Science, from the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day, has more or less developed in a “reductionist” way. The fundamental assumption is that all sciences may be ordered in a hierarchy that can be represented as an upside-down pyramid. At the top we find the human sciences, and at the bottom physics. Strong (or “ontological”) reductionism maintains that all theories at one level can be completely reduced to the lower level, all the way down to theories of atoms and elementary particles, or whatever is “at the bottom.” In the end, all diversity in the world can be unified in one fundamental theory. Hence it is called a final theory, or a Theory of Everything.One of the central figures in developing the idea of a Theory of Everything is the Dutch theoretical physicist Gerard 't Hooft, who received a Nobel Prize in physics in 1999 for his work. He emphasizes the non-empirical status of the theory:There exists no closely resembling alternative theory. This means that any slight change brought about in the rules would make the theory unlikely or inelegant. The theory will be a "package deal": take it, or leave it. This should hold both for the local laws and for the boundary conditions.This endeavor is not new. On the contrary, it goes all the way back to the birth of Western philosophy 2,500 years ago. The Babylonians made regular astronomical observations during a period of 600 years, from 747 BCE until 150 ACE. They developed mathematical techniques to predict astronomical phenomena, but they made no attempts at explaining them. However, the Greeks developed models, both material and theoretical, to explain the observed phenomena.The best example is Plato’s late dialogue Timaeus. Here he introduces a divine craftsman, the Demiurge, who has constructed the universe according to an original plan. Plato seems to have thought that the original plan is what is actually real, while the material world is merely an imperfect realization of it. He therefore does not, in the Timaeus, reconstruct the material universe, but the original plan, which can then be used to explain the material universe.Plato’s aim in producing a theoretical model is to reconstruct the original plan. That is what he carries out in Timaeus—and some modern physicists have embarked on the same project. For example, Einstein’s basic attitude is reflected in the title of Abraham Pais’ biography: “Subtle is the Lord...,” echoing Einstein’s comment, “Subtle is the Lord, but malicious He is not.” In an interview Einstein compared our situation to a child who enters a huge library. The child knows that someone has written the books, but he does not know the languages in which they are written. He suspects that there is a mysterious order, but he does not know what it is.___“We have all been working in what Husserl called the Galilean style; that is, we have all been making abstract mathematical models of the universe to which at least the physicists give a higher degree of reality than they accord the ordinary world of sensation.”Steven Weinberg, Nobel Prize in Physics (1979)___This Platonist view is contrary to a widespread impression of science, symbolized by the picture of the “father” of modern science, Galileo Galilei, with his telescope. According to this impression, Galileo liberated himself from the dominating metaphysics of his day—basically Aristotelian philosophy—and constructed a telescope that he directed towards the sky, showing that Jupiter has four moons. He also performed experiments with bronze balls rolling down inclined planes and found the law of freely falling bodies.However, in other cases Galileo emphasized the unreliability of our senses. It is easy to see why. He defended Copernicus’ heliocentric hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, we are not at rest at the center of the universe, but moving at a tremendous speed through space. Why don’t we observe this motion? Galileo praises Copernicus because “with reason as his guide he resolutely continued to affirm what sensible experience seemed to contradict.” In other places he directly refers to Plato. SUGGESTED VIEWING The quest for a final theory With Michio Kaku Galileo’s Platonism goes back to his early writings. In The Assayer, published as early as 1623, Galileo compared the universe to a grand book that is written in the language of mathematics, and “its characters are triangles, circles, and other geometric figures without which it is humanly impossible to understand a single word of it.” Therefore, things that cannot be described by mathematics—for example, colors, smells and odors—are not real. They are merely subjective.This division into subjective and objective, advocated by Galileo and his younger contemporary René Descartes, is normally associated with a mechanistic world view, which is regarded as the opposite of Platonism. When we reduce something to, for example, molecules and atoms, we move “downwards.” In contrast, the Platonist moves “upwards,” to abstract entities. However, it only shows that when we address fundamental questions, we should be careful in applying everyday spatial metaphors like “up” and “down.”___Nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world.___The endeavor of finding a Theory of Everything has been heavily criticized. In 2006, the theoretical physicist Lee Smolin published “The Crisis in Fundamental Physics.” He argued that one of the most fundamental principles of science is that we should only regard theories as scientific if we have the possibility to show that they are false by experiments. Although he did not refer to Karl Popper, other critics have referred to Popper and argued that a theory is not scientific if it cannot be falsified (see for example Ellis & Silk 2014).These were not the first physicists to be anti-reductionists. In 1972, the journal Science published an article by the physicist Philip Anderson with the title “More Is Different.” This is the kind of article a scientist would normally write only after he has won a Nobel Prize. However, Anderson won the Nobel Prize for physics five years later, in 1977. The article is amazing, not primarily because it argues in favor of anti-reductionism in general, but because it argues for anti-reductionism within physics itself. Anderson’s conclusion was:At each stage entirely new laws, concepts, and generalizations are necessary, requiring inspiration and creativity to just as great a degree as in the previous one. Psychology is not applied biology, nor is biology applied chemistry.We may say that Plato started the “unity of science movement,” based on Euclidean geometry as the model of all knowledge. A distinguishing mark of geometry is that all possible constructions can be reduced to a few fundamental principles. We have to acknowledge that this approach has limitations. In general, we can easily model technological systems. In addition, we may construct simplified and idealized models that capture important aspects of systems, from various perspectives and for various purposes. But nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world. In a complex system, each level has its distinct, emergent, properties that are characteristic of this level. Therefore, a complex system should be investigated at different levels and from different perspectives. Instead of exclusively pursuing a scientific ideal based on the unity of science, we should acknowledge the diversity—or even the disunity—of science.
MIT scientists strip cancer of its sugar shield
Scientists at MIT and Stanford have unveiled a promising new way to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. Their strategy targets a hidden “off switch” that tumors use to stay invisible to immune defenses—special sugar molecules on the cancer cell surface that suppress immune activity. Early tests show it can supercharge immune responses and outperform current antibody therapies.
Female youth sports injuries on the rise in Michigan, doctors say
Doctors are seeing an uptick in ACL knee injuries in young athletes across Michigan. WCMU's Tina Sawyer recently sat down with WCMU multimedia producer Stefanie Mills to learn more.
The best entertainment photos of 2025
Photographers share behind-the-scenes anecdotes about some of their favorite entertainment shoots of 2025 and reveal how they got 'the' shot.
The best reality TV of 2025
Scandals, competitions and breakups are par for the course on reality shows, but this year also brought some tender moments that made for must-see TV.
It's the 'gold standard' in autism care. Why are states reining it in?
Budget shortfalls and nearly $1 trillion in looming federal Medicaid cuts have prompted states to rein in spending on a widely embraced autism therapy, pinching families who depend on the services.
Managing the politics of a holiday get-together
We live in a polarized nation, and sometimes, those varying political beliefs and opinions make their way to the holiday dinner table. It can be awkward and uncomfortable. So, how can we bring it all back together and appreciate one another’s company? WEMU’s John Stockwell went looking for answers and, as you’ll hear, found a number of them.
Velo 2025 Road Bike of the Year Winner: The Cannondale Synapse
We could have picked a Tour de France-winning superbike. Instead, we chose the bike that redefines usability for the rest of us.
HARMAN to Acquire ZF’s ADAS Business
STAMFORD, CT – December 23, 2025 – HARMAN International, a global leader in automotive technology and lifestyle audio, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to...
HARMAN To Acquire ZF’s ADAS Business
Secures HARMAN’s strategic foundations in ADAS and centralized automotive electronics platforms to define the fast-growing SDV market
Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Well-rounded performance in victory
Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Well-rounded performance in victory
Vogue Business’s Top 10 Words of the Year
The terms that influenced and defined culture in 2025 across fashion, beauty, sustainability and tech.
Vikings vs. Lions Injury Report
See who's in and who's out for the Week 17 matchup between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings on December 25, 2025.
By The Numbers: Purdue 88 Auburn 60
It was another dominating performance for the now #5 ranked Purdue Boilermakers as they dismantled the Auburn Tigers 88-60 inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the Indy Classic. With five players scoring in double digits and Braden Smith adding in 14 assists, the Tiger defense was befuddled most of the night as the Boilers scored 1.704 points […]
Wright State earns 70-64 win against Eastern Michigan
FAIRBORN, Ohio (AP) Michael Cooper's 18 points helped Wright State defeat Eastern Michigan 70-64 on Monday night.
High Point wins 93-47 against Bryant
HIGH POINT, N.C. (AP) Braden Hausen had 18 points in High Point's 93-47 victory over Bryant on Monday night.
Sabol scores 31, Buffalo defeats Penn State-Behrend 92-63
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Ryan Sabol's 31 points led Buffalo over Penn State-Behrend 92-63 on Monday.
Lady Vols defeat Southern Indiana ahead of SEC basketball play
Nya Robertson leads the Lady Vols in win against Southern Indiana.
U.S. signs new health deals with 9 African countries that mirror Trump's priorities
Annual U.S. health funding to the nine countries has dropped 49% compared with 2024, while the nations must increase domestic spending and meet political conditions.
UC Santa Barbara defeats Portland 79-61
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) Aidan Mahaney had 15 points in UC Santa Barbara's 79-61 win against Portland on Monday.