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Colorado cannot afford to get the Colorado River wrong
By Larry Don Suckla Colorado and our neighboring states are standing on the edge of a crisis that is no longer theoretical. The Colorado River, the lifeline of the American west, is facing conditions that demand immediate, responsible action. If we fail to act wisely, the consequences will not just be environmental. Right now, the […]
Amid ‘constant' data center noise, Sterling residents also worry about health impact
Residents of a Sterling neighborhood already are upset about constant data center noise — and now they have a new concern. A study done for an environmental group shows emissions from the center could have severe health consequences. Operators of the data center say they are fully compliant with state and local rules. Whether it’s daytime or the dead of…
Language Gaps in Health Care Can Be Deadly—CU Denver Program Trains Professionals to Close Them
Miscommunication in health care can have serious consequences. At the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver), a medical Spanish certificate program is
GOP Rep on Trump’s Iran War: ‘I’m not worried about the political consequences of a righteous decision’
Swalwell resigned. But will he face real consequences?
California Rep. Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress and suspended his gubernatorial campaign. But did he actually apologize and take accountability?
After three years of conflict, Sudan faces a deeper health crisis
14 April 2026, Geneva, Cairo, Port Sudan – Three years of war in Sudan have created the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crisis, with devastating consequences for people’s health.While the situation is...
After three years of conflict, Sudan faces a deeper health crisis
Three years of war in Sudan have created the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crisis, with devastating consequences for people’s health.
The Iran war may be on pause but the political fallout is not
The political consequences for President Trump and congressional Republicans are far from over.
Pandemics Are Not Just Biological Crises
People typically think of pandemics in terms of their biological consequences, but science journalist Laura Spinney argues that their impact is shaped just as
Health-Related Quality of Life in Burn Injury Victims Attending a Specialized Institution
Introduction Burn injuries cause long-term physical, psychological, and social consequences that substantially affect health-related quality of life (HRQOL), particularly in LMICs. The eviden...
Early weight gain is linked to lifelong health consequences
Putting on weight earlier in life may be more dangerous than previously thought. Researchers found that early adulthood obesity significantly raises the risk of premature death, especially from major diseases like heart disease and diabetes. The longer the body carries excess weight, the greater the damage appears to be. Interestingly, cancer risk in women didn’t follow this pattern, suggesting other biological factors are at play.
Early weight gain is linked to lifelong health consequences
Putting on weight earlier in life may be more dangerous than previously thought. Researchers found that early adulthood obesity significantly raises the risk of premature death, especially from major diseases like heart disease and diabetes. The longer the body carries excess weight, the greater the damage appears to be. Interestingly, cancer risk in women didn’t follow this pattern, suggesting other biological factors are at play.
The Price US Consumers May Pay for the War With Iran
On Everybody’s Business, we explore how the US economy and everyday Americans face long-term consequences from the conflict begun six weeks ago.
Health Physicists: The Quiet Experts Keeping Radiation Risks in Check
When radioactive materials are involved, whether at a former nuclear weapons site, a decommissioned reactor, or a legacy industrial facility, the goal is simple: protect workers, safeguard communities and reduce potential radiation risks to levels that are demonstrably safe. At the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), health physicists are the professionals responsible for making that happen. Their work is often behind the scenes but always with consequences that matter deeply to the public.
Sea-level rise is a health crisis and we must hold polluters accountable
Those facing the earliest and harshest consequences are, overwhelmingly, those who did the least to create them
The Alarming Consequences of Legal Sports Gambling
In his first book, "Everybody Loses," journalist Danny Funt ’15JRN explores the astronomical rise of a high-risk vice.
Denver fans celebrate sports-filled Saturday at Stoney's with pair of thrilling victories
Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets fans packed Stoney's Bar and Grill on Lincoln to celebrate a pair of thrilling victories on Saturday.
1000 new African genomes added to global science
Wits-led AGenDA project sequenced 1,000+ African genomes, uncovering vast genetic diversity and novel variants. This helps correct Eurocentric bias in global datasets, improving disease prediction, treatment design, and ensuring African populations benefit from genomic medicine.
Rising energy costs squeeze Rochester-area businesses, forcing tough decisions
Owners point to a combination of rising expenses, including utilities, insurance, taxes and the cost of goods as key drivers behind the financial pressure.
Op/Ed: N.C. under-invests in PK-12 public education
Partly as a consequence of North Carolina’s budgetary austerity, its spending on pre-K-12 public education has sunk to harmfully low levels. We’re chronically short of teachers; turnover is too high; and teaching is a less appealing career for smart professionals. Our children suffer.
Takeaways from Trump's tough week, as war and gas prices take a toll
President Trump faces mounting political pressure on multiple fronts, particularly when it comes to his handling of the war and the consequences it's having on the economy.
Trump defends decision to attack Iran, says conflict is ‘nearing completion’
The president’s address comes as the White House tries to contain the consequences of a conflict that has sent gas prices soaring and soured Americans’ feelings about Trump.
How squid survived Earth’s biggest extinction and took over the oceans
Scientists have finally cracked a long-standing mystery about squid and cuttlefish evolution by analyzing newly sequenced genomes alongside global datasets. The research reveals that these bizarre, intelligent creatures likely originated deep in the ocean over 100 million years ago, surviving mass extinction events by retreating into oxygen-rich deep-sea refuges. For millions of years, their evolution barely changed—until a dramatic post-extinction boom sparked rapid diversification as they moved into new shallow-water habitats.
China's huge push to reduce air pollution had an unexpected consequence in the Arctic
China's cuts to aerosol emissions reduced sea ice loss, but it may have revealed a bigger story about climate change.
War After War Turns Young Israelis to Religion
As conflict ravages the region, young people in Israel say “Only God” can protect them—a shift that will have dramatic consequences for the country’s culture and politics.
Starmer to say Iran war means Labour’s values needed more than ever at local elections campaign launch
UK PM to chair meeting in Downing Street on how government responds to economic consequences of Iran war later on Monday
One month into Iran, the GOP’s political reality sinks in
Republicans in battleground states are largely sticking by the president's war — but they’re finding it harder to brush off the consequences.
http://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/media/press-releases/republican-cuts-are-wrecking-health-care-american-families
Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., today released their latest report spotlighting the consequences of Donald Trump and Republicans’ health care nightmare, with a focus on the fallout of the Republican Big Ugly Bill.
Lukaku faces consequences after infuriating Napoli and Conte
Sky Sport Italia reports that Romelu Lukaku could receive a hefty fine for remaining in Belgium without the club’s approval, but the striker will likely face consequences on the pitch as well.Lukaku...
Good Morning, Nashville! Talking Immigration Data Politics at Vanderbilt University
After a busy day on Capitol Hill yesterday, I landed in Nashville, Tennessee, last night for an exciting two days on campus at Vanderbilt University. Carwil Bjork-James, an anthropologist whose creative use of database construction to support critical scholarship resonates strongly with my own work, generously invited me to give a talk today about the politics of immigration data and to join a Wikipedia edit-a-thon tomorrow on the topic of immigrant detention. I encourage you to check out Carwil’s database project “Ultimate Consequences” about political deaths in Bolivia after 1982, and his book The Sovereign Street: Making Revolution in Urban Bolivia. My talk today is titled “Untangling the Messy Politics of Immigrant Detention Data.” I’ll focus on how immigrant detention data (not just detention centers themselves) become sites of controversy—from the collection and classification choices that shape what we can know, to the strategic withholding and distortion of data for political ends. Drawing on research spanning multiple administrations, I’ll trace how current data controversies in the second Trump administration connect to long-standing tensions in how we measure, interpret, and communicate about immigration. My goal is to move beyond simple partisan narratives and offer a practical guide for anyone working with immigration data to explore both the pitfalls to avoid and the creative opportunities for more transparent, rigorous public communication about immigration realities. If you are on campus, please stop by. Tomorrow I will join Carwil and Vanderbilt students for a Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon to edit and update Wikipedia entries related to immigrant detention with the latest robust information and data. This event is designed to orient participants into how to edit on Wikipedia, provide them with data-driven starter templates on detention facilities, and allow each person to produce an initial article on one element of the network of ICE facilities or one death in custody this year. The workshop is also a demonstration of how to use open data sources to build public knowledge—something I am deeply passionate about. Thank you to Vanderbilt University, the Spatial Histories series, and Carwil for hosting me. I would love to be a part of conversations and workshops related to immigration data on your campus. Students are really eager these days to have informed, critical, and data-driven explorations of our current immigration system. Reach out anytime if you want to discuss the possibility of bringing me to your campus. Subscribe
The Best Noise-Canceling Headphone Deals from Sony, Bose, and Beats for Amazon's Big Spring Sale
Amazon's Big Spring Sale features major discounts on popular headphones like Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and Beats Studio Pro.
Funding Uncertainty Has Consequences
We're asking the U.S. government to release holds on Congressionally-appropriated funding for scientific research, education, and critical activities at the earliest possible time.
Scientists Sequenced the DNA of the ‘Last Neanderthal’—and It Alters Human History
Discover new clues about how our ancient relatives disappeared from time.
Small swings, high drama: why UK polls are less volatile than they seem
In what is beginning to look like a fragmented five-party system, small swings carry outsized political consequences
A promising fatty liver treatment may raise cancer risk
A surprising new study reveals that blocking a supposedly protective enzyme, Caspase-2, could actually backfire—raising the risk of chronic liver damage and cancer over time. Researchers found that without this enzyme, liver cells grow abnormally large and accumulate genetic damage, leading to inflammation, scarring, and eventually tumors, especially with age. While inhibiting Caspase-2 may offer short-term benefits, such as reducing fatty liver disease, the long-term consequences appear dangerous.
US, Iran threaten more energy strikes as gas prices surge. What to know
As the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran enters its fourth week, the economic consequences continue to rattle markets.
The teens hooked on sports betting apps
Underage gambling has become a popular extracurricular activity for high school and middle school kids, sometimes with dangerous consequences.
Plan to light Earth at night with space mirrors angers scientists
A US start-up wants to ‘sell sunlight after dark’ using satellites with giant mirrors, but astronomers warn of disastrous consequences
Montana’s wild week in politics could have national consequences
What was shaping up to be a sleepy election year in Montana is now anything but. It was a head-spinning week in Montana politics: Two incumbent congressmen declared they weren’t running for re-election — and another got into a scuffle on Capitol Hill. In a tight election year, the shakeup could have national consequences.
Where's the exit? For Trump, harder to get out of the Iran war than into it
On week three of the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, the war is expanding and the consequences are intensifying, including at the gas pump.
Teens using AI to diet may be told to eat almost 700 fewer daily calories than they need
Many teens report wanting to lose weight, and many say they use AI daily. Chatbots for getting meal plans could have huge health consequences, a new study says.
Entering War’s Third Week, Trump Faces Stark Choices
As the conflict with Iran expands and intensifies, President Trump’s options — to fight on, or to move toward declaring victory and pulling back — both carry deeply problematic consequences.
Centuries-old skeletons reveal a hidden effect of tobacco no one had identified before - Futura-Sciences
It is no longer up for debate: tobacco use has devastating effects on human health. And even today, researchers continue to uncover new harmful consequences linked to it. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Leicester, published in the journal Science Advances, reveals a surprising discovery: tobacco...
Scientists discover ancient DNA “switches” hidden in plants for 400 million years
Scientists have uncovered an enormous hidden archive of plant DNA that has endured for more than 400 million years. By comparing hundreds of plant genomes, researchers identified more than 2.3 million regulatory DNA sequences that act like genetic switches, controlling when and how genes are activated. These sequences, known as conserved non-coding sequences (CNSs), were detected using a new computational tool called Conservatory.
The Scientists Who Declared War on Half of America
With Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World, climatologist Michael E. Mann and virologist Peter J. Hotez have written an important book. When future historians look back at the early twenty-first century and document the causes and consequences of the intense politicization of the U.S. scientific community, […]
Flock Safety's AI cameras misread plates. Innocent people pay.
Flock Safety's license plate readers are used by police in thousands of communities. When the cameras make mistakes, the consequences can be severe.
Stop Playing Politics With Our Children
After 18 years, Stamford Board of Education (BOE) former and current majority party leaders are finally getting a taste of their own medicine…what goes around comes around. There are consequences […]
Trump administration under fire as thousands of Americans are stranded in war zone
U.S. officials — and the president himself — have struggled to explain why the government wasn't better prepared for the consequences of Iranian retaliation.
You Break It, You Own It? Not for Trump When It Comes to Iran
“We’ll see what happens with the people,” President Trump said as he appeared to be distancing himself from the longer-term consequences of the war in Iran.
Has the US ever assassinated a world leader before?
The US government for decades shied away from targeting foreign leaders after embarrassing failures and unintended consequences from covert activities by the CIA.
Trump releases new video touting scope of US military campaign in Iran
Global webinar on core public health capacities to conduct ship inspections and issue ship sanitation certificates
Ships cross borders every day, connecting countries and serving as a backbone of the global economy. However, outbreaks onboard can disrupt maritime traffic, leading to significant economic and operational negative consequences. Without strong public health capacities to detect, prevent, and respond to public health risks on board ships, maritime travel can also become a pathway for the spread of infectious diseases. To support countries in strengthening these capacities, the World Health Organization (WHO) convened a two-day webinar on 11–12 February, bringing together more than 700 ship inspectors, port health officers, and public health authorities, primarily from the African, Eastern Mediterranean, and European Regions. The webinar came at a pivotal time. With the amended International Health Regulations entering into force on 19 September 2025, the need to focus on public health preparedness has never been greater. Strengthening public health capacities at borders, including onboard conveyances, is a cornerstone of global health security and central to the amended IHR.“The high level of attendance and active participation throughout the two days of the webinar highlighted the growing demand for technical guidance and capacity-building support in ship inspection and issuance of ship sanitation certificates”, said Dr Ninglan Wang, Head of the Borders, Mass Gatherings and Health Protection Measures (BMM) Unit at the Health Emergency Preparedness Department at WHO headquarters. “The dynamic interactions among experts and countries underscored the value of continued cross-border collaboration in the maritime sector and knowledge exchange in this area”. Conducting regular public health inspections on board ships for the issuance of ship sanitation certificates (SSCs) in accordance with the IHR requirements is crucial for ensuring that ships meet specific health standards, thereby minimizing the risk of the international spread of diseases via maritime traffic. These certificates, mandated by the IHR, require ports to have trained personnel who can identify and control public health risks on board vessels and apply recommended control measures. This standardized global procedure not only ensures compliance with the IHR but also promotes consistency in health practices across ports worldwide. SSCs are the globally-recognized tool used to prevent and control known public health risks on ships, providing a common way to register and communicate public health events and measures taken on board between all stakeholders involved in this process, including public health authorities in ports and ship operators. Only SSCs issued by ports authorized by national authorities to issue such certificates are considered valid. As per the IHR, all States Parties are required to send to WHO their list of authorized ports (available here) and to keep it updated. However, many Member States continue to face practical challenges, such as limited resources, high staff turnover, and competing priorities. These realities underscore the value of platforms such as this webinar, which foster collective learning, peer-to-peer exchange, and practical solutions to help countries build and sustain the capacities required under the IHR.Over the two days, participants engaged in presentations and discussions covering a wide range of technical and operational topics, such as the overarching international legal framework governing ship sanitation; considerations for pre-inspection planning; risk assessment factors by type of vessel; the completion and issuance of SSCs and evidence report forms; or practical insights on the inspection of various technical areas, such as food safety, medical facilities, water systems, or vector control, among others. In addition, public health authorities from the Netherlands, Morocco, and Tanzania shared case studies to showcase their practical application of these IHR requirements in their respective countries. Given its success, WHO plans to replicate similar sessions in the future to reach additional time zones and regions and cover other pressing border health-related topics, ensuring that Member States can continue benefiting from these opportunities to share knowledge and expertise.
Kansas revoked transgender people’s IDs overnight – researchers anticipate cascading health and social consequences
With invalid driver’s licenses and birth certificates, transgender people are at risk for more than just steep fines and imprisonment.
Measles outbreaks could cost the U.S. over a $1 billion a year, if vaccine rates decline
As vaccination rates decline, the economic consequences will increase, research suggests.
What it means if Iran’s supreme leader is dead
President Donald Trump placed a huge wager by launching a massive air assault on Iran despite having done little to prepare Americans for a new Middle East war with immense risks and years of future consequences.
Political Science professor warns of long-term economic fallout from US attack on Iran
A Park University political science professor says Americans likely won't feel the full consequences of the recent U.S. military attack for months down the road.
Kansas’ new ID law could have health consequences for trans people
Happy Friday. If I ever have kids, I want them to be treated at the newly christened Dolly Parton Children's Hospital in Tennessee. What’s your favorite
70% of European soils are degraded: experts warn of a hidden biodiversity crisis - Futura-Sciences
Pesticides are the products used to eliminate unwanted plants and animals. Agriculture has relied on them for decades. Over time, however, doubts have grown. Research has confirmed what many feared: pesticide use comes with unintended consequences, including risks to human health – particularly for those who handle these chemicals regularly....
Hospitals warn of dire consequences if Maine bill makes health care cheaper
Supporters say similar caps in other states are a sign that it could work here.
Clinica Sierra Vista opens new health center on Brimhall Road
Clinica Sierra Vista opened a new health center in Bakersfield on Thursday, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony held in the afternoon in northwest Bakersfield.
40,000-year-old signs show humans were recording information long before writing
More than 40,000 years ago, Ice Age humans were carving repeated patterns of dots, lines, and crosses into tools and small ivory figurines. A new computational study of more than 3,000 of these Paleolithic signs reveals that they were not random decorations but structured sequences with measurable complexity. Surprisingly, their information density rivals that of proto-cuneiform, the earliest known writing system that emerged around 3,000 B.C.E.
Paramount ups bid for Warner Bros. as sale veers into politics
Over the weekend, President Trump threatened Netflix, telling the streamer to fire Susan Rice from its board or "pay the consequences."
Trump demands Netflix fire Susan Rice from board amid deal talks
Donald Trump weighed in amid negotiations over the Warner Bros. deal, saying Netflix should fire Susan Rice from its board "or pay the consequences."
Health and Climate Consequences of EPA’s Endangerment Finding Repeal ‘Cannot Be Overstated’
In short: the agency will no longer be able to regulate carbon pollution or greenhouse gases—though a couple of scenarios might prevent President Trump from getting his way.
Donald Trump’s policies are reshaping American health care
And the consequences will ripple through both health and politics
Why scientists played make-believe with an ape : Short Wave
Picture this: You’re at a pretend tea party, but instead of sitting across from toddlers in tiaras, you’re clinking cups with Kanzi—an ape with the incredible ability to communicate with humans. NPR science correspondent Nate Rott talked to some scientists who did exactly that. But these scientists weren’t just having pretend tea parties with Kanzi for fun, they were trying to test the limits of his imagination – because humans’ ability to play out “pretend” scenarios in our heads and guess at the potential consequences of our actions is key to how we live our lives. And we might not be the only animals to do it!For more of Nate’s reporting, plus videos of Kanzi, check out the full story on NPR here. Chris Krupenye’s study can be found here.If you liked this episode, you might also like our episode on bonobos and the evolution of niceness, and what insights monkeys offer us for the evolution of human speech. Interested in more science about our brains and their abilities? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
Here’s how even occasional binge drinking can have big health consequences
Americans are drinking less than they have in decades. But a new study on mice shows even one bottomless brunch may shrink the small intestine’s nutrient-absorbing surface and spark inflammation that reaches the brain.
A list of people facing Epstein files consequences
Goldman Sach's Kathy Ruemmler, Paul Weiss's Brad Karp, and Prince Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson are just some of the people dealing with headaches.
Studies test whether gene-editing can fix high cholesterol
Millions take cholesterol-lowering medicines such as statins, the cornerstone of treatment.
Six Republicans join Democrats in vote to block Donald Trump’s Canada tariffs
President warned prior to the vote that any Republican who voted against tariffs would ‘suffer the consequences’
Trump lost the Super Bowl. Who will he take his anger out on now?
Trump was humiliated Sunday, and because he is a sore loser, that humiliation could have real consequences for the blue states and vulnerable populations he decides to target next.
There may be no turning back this climate crisis
As warming breaches a critical threshold, scientists fear cascading consequences.
Public Safety vs. Public Health: Oregon needle exchange bill sparks heated debate
There's been a push from the Stadiumhood Neighborhood to create a law that would bar any needle exchanges 2,000 feet away from school zones.
Opinion: Who really pays for business tax cuts in New Hampshire?
Discover the potential consequences of a proposed Business Enterprise Tax cut in New Hampshire, including budget strain and minimal benefits for businesses.
What Happens If Science Finally Explains Consciousness? A New Study Explores the Consequences
Consciousness remains science’s greatest mystery. A new study explores how it arises—and why solving it could reshape existence.
Fearing ICE crackdown, immigrants nationally are avoiding treatment, sometimes with dire consequences
Doctors nationally are describing harrowing consequences for patients who put off medical care because of fears of ICE.
Proposed hospital bill could send local tax dollars out of county
An effort to increase collaboration and improve health care has some unintended consequences, including more power with less oversight.
Science Sunday: The power of atmospheric pressure
Science Central brought the Magdeburg Hemispheres to First News Weekends to show the power of atmospheric pressure.
Gov. shutdown, ICE warehouses and 3 millon Epstein files
Carmella gives the top headlines of the day, including a judge ordering the release of a 5-year-old detained by ICE.
Ken Burns describes how current politics ‘rhymes’ with the American Revolution: Full interview
Filmmaker Ken Burns joins Kristen Welker in a “Meet the Moment” conversation to dissect America's origin story and argues democracy was an “unintended consequence” of the American Revolution.
Social Sciences in the News: Political Science Professor Omar Wasow
Political Science Professor Omar Wasow authored an op-ed in The New York Times titled "We’re Seeing the Weakness of a Strong State." I study the political consequences of protest and state violence.
Tory peer’s punishment for fiddling expenses criticised as too lenient
Campaigners demand ‘real consequences’ for peer who claimed expenses for car journeys he did not take
Nature
Genetic variations affect biological processes and can drive disease, but deciphering the precise effects of DNA sequence changes remains a significant...
Who really pays for business tax cuts in New Hampshire?
Earlier this month, the New Hampshire House passed what looks like a tiny change: a 0.05 percentage point cut to the Business Enterprise Tax. But this small number masks big consequences.
The Alcohol Alternative Industry Is Exploding. But Are These Products Really Safer? Experts Weigh in
From CBD to kratom to nootropics, the active ingredients at the center of this growing industry may lead to serious health consequences.
Federal agents are heavily deploying chemical irritants. What are the health consequences?
Munitions experts say ingredients can vary and can be considered proprietary.
ANALYSIS | NORAD would be 'altered' if Canada doesn’t buy F-35 jets, warns Trump envoy to Ottawa
U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy to Ottawa is warning of consequences to the continental defence pact if Canada does not move forward with the purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets.
European Business Leader Optimism Dips
The second edition of Boston Consulting Group'sEuropean Competitiveness Barometer, released today, signals widespread concern across the private sector, with 93% of executives warning of potential dire consequences for Europe's competitiveness, innovation, and job retention.
120,000 Ohio families lost health insurance this month. Here’s who to blame
How Republican lawmakers blocked health insurance subsidies while enjoying taxpayer-funded coverage themselves, leaving working Ohioans to suffer the consequences.
The hidden health impact of growing up with ADHD traits
A large, decades-long study suggests that signs of ADHD in childhood may have consequences that extend well beyond school and behavior. Researchers followed nearly 11,000 people from childhood into midlife and found that those with strong ADHD traits at age 10 were more likely to experience multiple physical health problems and health-related disability by their mid-40s.
Casio previews a portable standalone sampler at NAMM 2026
NAMM 2026: Casio previews a new portable standalone sampler with 16 pads, real-time recording, a sequencer, and more.
The U.S. Has Pulled Out of the WHO. Here’s What That Means for Public Health
As the U.S.’s withdrawal from the WHO becomes official, the consequences for the world’s health could be serious.
The Abrupt Loss of Science Leaders from Government Will Have Real-world Consequences
I spent a lot of time debating with NIH IC Directors, but we should all mourn their loss.
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.
Scientists are building viruses from scratch to fight superbugs
Researchers from New England Biolabs (NEB®) and Yale University describe the first fully synthetic bacteriophage engineering system for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an antibiotic-resistant bacterium of global concern, in a new PNAS study. The system is enabled by NEB’s High-Complexity Golden Gate Assembly (HC-GGA) platform. In this method, researchers engineer bacteriophages synthetically using sequence data rather than bacteriophage isolates.