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Scientists may have found the brain network behind Parkinson’s
A new international study points to a specific brain network as the core driver of Parkinson’s disease. Scientists found that this network becomes overly connected, disrupting not just movement but also thinking and other bodily functions. When researchers targeted it with non-invasive brain stimulation, patients showed much stronger symptom improvement than with conventional stimulation. The discovery could reshape how Parkinson’s is diagnosed and treated.
Scientists finally solve a 100-year-old mystery in the air we breathe
Scientists at the University of Warwick have cracked a long-standing problem in air pollution science: how to predict the movement of irregularly shaped nanoparticles as they drift through the air we breathe. These tiny particles — from soot and microplastics to viruses — are linked to serious health risks, yet most models still treat them as perfect spheres for simplicity. By reworking a century-old formula, researchers have created the first simple, accurate way to predict how particles of almost any shape behave.
Hundreds rally in Olympia to mark one year of 50501 movement
The “Resist, Persist, Repeat!” rally marked a year of rallies by the 50501 movement. Olympia organizers tried to push energy into long-term engagement.
Physicists solve a quantum mystery that stumped scientists for decades
Physicists at Heidelberg University have developed a new theory that finally unites two long-standing and seemingly incompatible views of how exotic particles behave inside quantum matter. In some cases, an impurity moves through a sea of particles and forms a quasiparticle known as a Fermi polaron; in others, an extremely heavy impurity freezes in place and disrupts the entire system, destroying quasiparticles altogether. The new framework shows these are not opposing realities after all, revealing how even very heavy particles can make tiny movements that allow quasiparticles to emerge.
The biggest threat facing Europe is not a Trump invasion. It’s his global political revolution
I am convinced that Europe’s ‘new right’ is a radically contemporary movement. Defeating it means understanding its critique of liberalism, says Mark Leonard of the European Council on Foreign Relations
Redding nurses and health care workers announce Feb. 19 strike
Shasta Regional staff have been in negotiations since August, 2025 for a new contract with little to no movement on key issues. The staff urges management to agree to a contract that provides safe staffing and a commitment to practices that recruit and retain workers.
Bad Bunny is taking over the US. Does he want Puerto Rico to leave it?
The Super Bowl performer’s ties to a nascent independence movement are roiling Puerto Rican politics.
Canadian travel to the US is still low, new data shows
Statistics Canada data show fewer Canadians traveling and returning from the US, amid ongoing border fears, tariffs, and the "Buy Canadian" movement.
Scientists discover hidden deep-Earth structures shaping the magnetic field
Deep inside Earth, two massive hot rock structures have been quietly shaping the planet’s magnetic field for millions of years. Using ancient magnetic records and advanced simulations, scientists discovered that these formations influence the movement of liquid iron in Earth’s core. Some parts of the magnetic field remained stable over vast stretches of time, while others changed dramatically.
The Melanin Market’s grassroots beginnings turn a Historic Eastside street into an economic engine for Black businesses
One grassroots idea in Jacksonville’s Historic Eastside has grown into a movement that has uplifted Black-owned businesses, brought families together, and turned A. Philip Randolph Boulevard into an economic engine.
National Girls & Women in Sports Day® Marks Nearly Four Decades of Progress and the Urgent Work Still Ahead
/PRNewswire/ -- National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) is more than a celebration, it is a nationwide movement rooted in equal opportunity, shaped by...
136 schools nationwide awarded grants to improve student, faculty health
DALLAS, Feb. 4, 2026 — Physical activity is vital to American students’ physical health and emotional well-being, helping them learn, concentrate and manage stress throughout the school day, yet most youth are not getting enough movement. According to...
Trump’s AI push exposes a divide in the MAGA movement
There is a growing fault line within Trump’s coalition over how aggressively to unleash a technology that is rapidly reshaping the economy and society.
Apple buys Israeli startup in its second-largest deal
Q.ai’s technology uses “facial skin micro movements” to enable communication without talking.
‘Food is medicine’ and the $800M shortfall: How WV hopes to change rural health care
With West Virginia now poised to lose hundreds of millions of dollars annually in federal health care funding, Gov. Patrick Morrisey plans to embrace a “food-is-medicine” movement to bridge the gap and make the state’s residents healthier so they’re less reliant on the health care system.
'ICE out' movement sparks protests, temporary business closures in New Orleans
New Orleans businesses, advocates call for an end to federal agents in cities
‘ICE Out’ national event leads to protests, small business closures across Vermont
At least 15 small businesses closed Friday as part of a national movement in response to immigrant enforcement actions in Minneapolis.
The silent breakthrough: why Apple paid $1.5 billion for a secret Israeli startup
Apple has announced the acquisition of Israeli startup Q.ai, which developed technology that deciphers speech without sound, by reading micro-movements of the face and jaw, the system translates whispers and silent speech into words and commands
The anti-ICE movement isn't just about politics — it's a caregiving social movement
It’s a caregiving social movement based on relatedness and belonging.
Activists call for a nationwide ‘blackout’ to protest against Trump’s violent immigration crackdown
Organizers say the demonstration is part of a growing non-violent movement
Phoenix business owners join nationwide ‘Ice Out of Everywhere’ strike
Business owners in the Phoenix metro area are closing their doors Friday to support the “Ice Out of Everywhere” movement that began in Minnesota.
On Her 72nd Birthday, Oprah Shares Why She Loves This 1 Workout
This type of movement is essential for healthy aging, she says.
Videos emerge of previous confrontation between Alex Pretti and federal officers 11 days before he was killed
On Wednesday The News Movement published a video from 13 January where officers appeared to grab Pretti
Mental Health Crisis Line For Music Industry Launches A Year After Chappell Roan’s Grammy Speech
One year ago Chappell Roan used her time on stage at the Grammys to implore the music industry to provide artists with health insurance and a livable wage. This week Backline debuts B-LINE, a mental health and crisis support line the organization says is rooted in the movement Roan sparked at the podium.
This discovery could let bones benefit from exercise without moving
Researchers have discovered a biological switch that explains why movement keeps bones strong. The protein senses physical activity and pushes bone marrow stem cells to build bone instead of storing fat, slowing age-related bone loss. By targeting this “exercise sensor,” scientists believe they could create drugs that mimic exercise at the molecular level. The approach could protect fragile bones in people who are unable to stay active.
Food policy vs. vaccine politics at the polls
Republicans are betting on an electoral boost from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again movement — especially around his healthy-food agenda.
AP Top 25: Duke, Nebraska earn boosts in latest college basketball rankings
There was movement in the top 10 of the latest AP Top 25 poll
Protests inside churches are unusual despite long history of civil disobedience in the US
American religious history is rife with protest movements
Can the Florida Legislature keep politics off campuses
Protests on college and university campuses aren’t new. Student activism goes back decades, to the civil rights movement and Vietnam. Elected officials and administrators have long torn their hair over how to keep the issues of the day off campuses. Just last week, protests erupted at Florida universities against the actions of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, known as ICE.
Consortium takes leading role in national whole health movement
Founded in 2023, the Virginia Tech Whole Health Consortium has supported numerous transdisciplinary research projects, grown to more than 250 members, and continues its mission to advance the evidence-based whole health framework.
Could Iowa take over Illinois counties? Lawmaker's bill makes the case
Bear down, Illinois: An Iowa Republican lawmaker's bill proposes a study on absorbing counties in Illinois, where a secessionist movement has emerged.
Why Europe's far right has split with Trump over Greenland
Many far-right groups across Europe, which aligned with Trump's MAGA movement in their fervent opposition to immigration, are suddenly in rebellion against an administration they once thought of as an ideological ally.
Video: Why Climate Isn’t a Top Business Priority at Davos
The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, was once ground zero for an unofficial climate movement in the business community. David Gelles, a climate reporter for The Times, describes why climate is no longer a key focus in Davos today.
College football rankings: Indiana No. 1 as Big Ten, SEC dominate top 10 in final CBS Sports 136
The Hoosiers were an easy No. 1 after a dominant season, but there was plenty of movement behind them in our final college football rankings of the season
House Appropriations Committee releases health funding proposal
The House Appropriations Committee has unveiled proposed outlays for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including key investments in priorities within the Make America Healthy Again | The House Appropriations Committee has unveiled proposed outlays for the Department of Health and Human Services, including key investments in priorities within the Make America Healthy Again movement and long-discussed pharmacy benefit manager oversight.
Iran’s Protest Movement and Diaspora Politics
The uprising has left the country reeling from the deaths and destruction — and has exposed deep divisions
Educational background key indicator of immigration views in UK, study finds
Research comparing UK and US finds people with fewer qualifications more likely to support rightwing movements
Capitol agenda: Movement on a health plan, but not Trump’s
Leaders and top appropriators have finalized a health care proposal that is set to hitch a ride on the next funding package.
Global Citizen Appoints Industry Leaders in Entertainment, Business, Technology and Sports to Board of Directors
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Global Citizen, the world’s largest movement to end extreme poverty, today announced the appointment of five new members... Read More
A “dormant” brain protein turns out to be a powerful switch
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have uncovered a surprising new way to influence brain activity by targeting a long-mysterious class of proteins linked to anxiety, schizophrenia, and movement disorders. Once thought to be mostly inactive, these proteins—called GluDs—turn out to play an active role in how brain cells communicate and form connections.
RFK Jr.’s MAHA movement becomes wild card for GOP in 2026
The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement is a wild card ahead of this year’s midterm elections. President Trump and parts of the Republican Party have aligned his …
America's largest labor movement joins the fight against ICE
The AFL-CIO, which represents some 15 million workers across the US, is backing a planned Minnesota economic blackout to protest ICE.
Anti-abortion movement seeks to escalate clashes over blue state ‘shield’ laws
The anti-abortion movement is testing new strategies to force a legal confrontation over so-called shield laws in Democratic-led states that protect abortion providers in those states from prosecution.
What the Anti-Trans Movement Doesn’t Understand About Women's Sports
Outside the Supreme Court, a movement claiming to protect women’s sports exposed its own ignorance of them.
Linking science to dance, culture and more expands who can take part
Through movement, sound, culture and community, some researchers are expanding the ways we learn, think about and communicate science and engineering.
6 super simple ways to have a younger brain into your 60s
It's important to treat your brain like a retirement fund — the earlier you invest, the better it pays off. Building brain health with movement and mental curiosity helps keep your mind's wiring...
What is Christian Reconstructionism − and why it matters in US politics
Christian Reconstructionism, a little-known movement to rebuild society on biblical law, can often shape US debates over religion, politics and education.
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.
RFK Jr.’s MAHA Movement Has Picked Up Steam in Statehouses. Here’s What To Expect in 2026.
“Make America Healthy Again” policies driven by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have made major strides in state legislatures, with food additives among the most common targets. The trend is expected to continue this year.
With Democrats at a Crossroads, Elizabeth Warren Urges a Left Turn
The Massachusetts senator signaled alarm about her party’s movement toward the center, warning in a speech that Democrats should not cozy up to the wealthy and the powerful.
A room full of flu patients and no one got sick
In a striking real-world experiment, flu patients spent days indoors with healthy volunteers, but the virus never spread. Researchers found that limited coughing and well-mixed indoor air kept virus levels low, even with close contact. Age may have helped too, since middle-aged adults are less likely to catch the flu than younger people. The results highlight ventilation, air movement, and masks as key defenses against infection.
College Sports Commission distributes reminder about third-party NIL deals amid transfer portal movement
One week into the college football transfer portal window, the College Sports Commission issued a reminder about its rules regarding third-party NIL deals. Specifically, the guidance mentioned deals with MMR and apparel partners. The CSC said it received word of schools offering deals that go against terms of the House settlement through the first week […]
NFL line movement: Odds holding pretty steady for NFL playoffs
The NFL game odds haven't seen much volatility for NFL Wild Card Weekend
Black Sports Moms is equipping, empowering parents and athletes
Andrea Odom doesn’t hesitate when asked what sparked the idea she now hopes becomes a movement. The moment arrived just before the 2023 Major League Baseball draft, as agents began recruiting her son, Dylan Campbell of the University of Texas, and it came with a hard lesson her family didn’t expect to learn. “We had […]
Just 10 minutes of exercise can trigger powerful anti-cancer effects
A brief, intense workout may do more than boost fitness—it could help fight cancer. Researchers found that just 10 minutes of hard exercise releases molecules into the bloodstream that switch on DNA repair and shut down cancer growth signals. When these molecules were applied to bowel cancer cells, hundreds of cancer-related genes changed activity. The discovery helps explain how exercise lowers cancer risk and hints at future therapies inspired by movement.
Building what’s been missing in women’s sports
New spaces, new gear and a growing movement are changing how women play and watch the game.
College Football Playoff betting line movement, including Indiana vs. Oregon
SportsLine college football expert Gene Menez tracks the point spread moves for the Fiesta and Peach Bowls
New US dietary guidelines urge less sugar, more protein – and make a nod to beef tallow
New US dietary guidelines released Wednesday echo past advice, but also include some nods to US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement — urging Americans to prioritize protein and whole grains and limit their consumption of ultraprocessed foods and added sugar.
The Supreme Court confronts the trans rights movement’s toughest legal battle
Trans advocates would face a difficult road in the sports cases, even if the Court weren’t dominated by Republicans.
6 Tiny Health Habits That Can Make a Big Difference This Year
Build healthier habits this year with six simple micro-resolutions—easy daily actions that support heart health, blood sugar balance, movement, and stress relief.
Samsung says Galaxy wearables could soon help detect early signs of dementia
Samsung says Galaxy wearables could soon help detect early signs of dementia by tracking changes in speech, movement, and daily activity.
Are Options Traders Betting on a Big Move in Flutter Entertainment Stock?
Investors need to pay close attention to Flutter Entertainment stock based on the movements in the options market lately.
Trump’s MAGA allies mostly rally behind his Venezuela strike
President Donald Trump’s allies in the Republican Party and his Make America Great Again movement — even some who previously warned against wading into new foreign conflicts — largely rallied behind his actions in Venezuela on Saturday, hours after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro in a large-scale military operation.
College basketball power rankings: Michigan, Arizona tight at the top
There is plenty of movement and depth in this week's Power Rankings after the dominant Wolverines and Wildcats.
Myth busted: Your body isn’t canceling out your workout
Being active boosts your daily calorie burn more than previously thought. Researchers found that increased physical activity raises total energy use without triggering the body to conserve energy elsewhere. Basic functions keep running at full speed, even as movement increases. The result: exercise truly adds to your energy output rather than being metabolically “offset.”
Scientists just found the best places to look for ancient life on Mars
Mars once had sprawling river systems that rivaled major watersheds on Earth, and scientists have now identified the biggest ones for the first time. Researchers mapped 16 massive drainage basins where water likely flowed long enough to support life. Even though these areas cover just 5% of ancient Martian terrain, they account for a huge share of erosion and sediment movement. That makes them some of the most promising places to search for ancient life.
Where is Alabama women's basketball ranked in USA TODAY Sports coaches poll?
A perfect start has Alabama women’s basketball earning national attention before SEC play begins. See the latest movement in the USA TODAY Sports coaches poll from Dec. 30 here.
In a tumultuous year, US health policy has been dramatically reshaped under RFK Jr.
In the whirlwind first year of President Donald Trump’s second term, some of the most polarizing changes have taken place within the Department of Health and Human Services, where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has openly rebuffed the medical establishment as he converts the ideas of his Make America Healthy Again movement into public policy. Since entering office in February, the health secretary has overseen a dramatic reshaping of the agencies he oversees, including eliminating thousands of jobs and freezing or canceling billions of dollars for scientific research. As part of his campaign against chronic disease, he has redrawn the government's position on topics such as seed oils, fluoride and Tylenol.
2025 IN REVIEW: Movement on Columbia County’s business scene
As 2025 comes to a close, Columbia County’s business scene looks a little different than it did a year ago. A handful of new restaurants added something new to the […]
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to introduce Zohran Mamdani at New Year’s Day inauguration
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration will feature Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, the two most prominent leaders of the Democratic Party’s progressive movement.
The deep ocean has a missing link and scientists finally found it
Scientists have uncovered why big predators like sharks spend so much time in the ocean’s twilight zone. The answer lies with mid-sized fish such as the bigscale pomfret, which live deep during the day and rise at night to feed, linking deep and surface food webs. Using satellite tags, researchers tracked these hard-to-study fish for the first time. Their movements shift with water clarity, potentially altering entire ocean food chains.
The science of staying strong
Muscles power every movement, but they also tell the story of aging itself. Scientists are uncovering how strength fades, why some species resist it and what lifestyle and molecular clues could help preserve muscle health for life.
How effective is protesting? According to historians and political scientists: very
From emancipation to women’s suffrage, civil rights and BLM, mass movement has shaped the arc of US history
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.
Oakland’s Black Arts Movement and Business District wins coveted state designation
Established in 2016, the downtown corridor is now a California Cultural District.
A rift in MAGA has top Heritage Foundation officials leaving to join with Mike Pence
The exit of more than a dozen staffers follows turmoil at Heritage and the larger conservative movement over the role of right-wing influencers who've promoted antisemitic and other extremist ideas.
Vance refuses to set red lines over bigotry at Turning Point USA's convention
Vice President JD Vance acknowledged the controversies that dominated the Turning Point conference, but he did not define any boundaries for the conservative movement besides patriotism.
Parkinson’s breakthrough changes what we know about dopamine
A new study shows dopamine isn’t the brain’s movement “gas pedal” after all. Instead of setting speed or strength, it quietly enables movement in the background, much like oil in an engine. When scientists manipulated dopamine during movement, nothing changed—but restoring baseline dopamine levels made a big difference. The finding could reshape how Parkinson’s disease is treated.
The real reason incomes rise and why they drop
Getting ahead financially is mainly about what you earn at work, not what you make from investments. Researchers found that promotions, skills, and better jobs drive most upward income movement. But when people slip backward, falling investment income is usually the main reason. Labor builds income steadily; capital is riskier and more unpredictable.
Nationals reportedly hiring Ani Kilambi, 31-year-old Phillies assistant GM, as new general manager
Washington's president of baseball operations is 35 and its manager is 33. The organization's youth movement is rolling full steam ahead.
Exclusive: Liverpool considering January move to sign La Liga defender
Exclusive: Liverpool Eyeing January Move to Sign 26-year-old DefenderWith the January transfer window fast approaching, Liverpool fans will be hoping to see some movement in terms of incomings.It has ...
US Dietary Guideline Reforms Are Coming, and Health Experts Are Concerned
Ahead of the guidelines’ release, RFK Jr. and the MAHA movement consider changes that could go against science-based research.
Democratic socialists gain visibility in Detroit amid national movement
Detroit City Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero and Council member-elect Denzel McCampbell both identify as democratic socialists.
Trump’s ugly Rob Reiner post undercuts the GOP’s post-Charlie Kirk claims to civility
One of the downsides of serving in President Donald Trump’s movement is that the moral high ground is extremely unsteady terrain.
100-plus years of New Mexico women in politics
1912: New Mexico becomes the 47th state admitted to the Union. Nina Otero-Warren helped lead women in a movement that paved the way for voting
Kinesiology and Health Sciences Program: Preparing Students for Dynamic Careers in Human Movement
Alma College’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences (KHS) is evolving — building on decades of expertise while expanding opportunities for students to engage deeply with human movement, clinical practice,
Kinesiology and Health Sciences Program: Preparing Students for Dynamic Careers in Human Movement
Alma College’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences (KHS) is evolving — building on decades of expertise while expanding opportunities for students to engage deeply with human movement, clinical practice,
How Jeff Nippard Became the Face (and Body) of Science-Based Lifting
The bodybuilding YouTuber is nearly synonymous with the science-based lifting movement. Now he’s built a state-of-the-art research facility of his own.
Projecting movement on the Rams all-time stat list
How far do players move up the list on a week-to-week basis?
Teen’s video a ‘Breakthrough’ in science communication
Seventeen-year-old Grace Lee from Chula Vista is gaining national attention as a finalist in the global Breakthrough Junior Challenge, an annual competition that invites students to create original videos explaining complex scientific ideas in creative and engaging ways. Founded in 2015, the contest encourages young people to break down advanced scientific theories using imagination and storytelling— “Steven Spielberg meets Albert Einstein,” as organizers describe it. Lee’s submission centers on the principle of least time in physics, a concept that explains why light always travels the path that takes the least amount of time. To bring the idea to life, she used intricate origami characters and stop-motion animation, along with simple at-home experiments, she said. “The fact that light always travels via the path that takes the least amount of time sounds simple at first, but nature is full of surprises,” she said. “This principle is actually very profound and underlies many different fields in physics that seem completely unrelated, from optics to Newton’s laws to Einstein’s theory of relativity.” Also, origami has long been one of her passions and integrating it into her project felt natural. She often makes origami gifts for friends and teaches origami in her school clubs. “A single 10-second scene would take hours to craft,” she said, noting the mixture of stop-motion and post-production editing required to animate expressions and movement. To ensure the science remained accurate and accessible, she spent time reading books and online resources, writing a script, creating a storyboard, and filming and editing repeatedly until the visuals worked.The experiments were among the biggest challenges. To demonstrate water waves, she used everyday household items — “a spatula and an electric toothbrush to vibrate the waves, glass in a baking pan for different depths, and an iPhone flashlight so the waves would be visible.” She also put careful thought into explaining the principle through analogies, including a gingerbread man and a fox. “Analogies and visuals are incredibly important,” she said. “Visual demonstrations allow viewers to see how the science actually works.” Beyond the competition, Lee is deeply involved in science leadership and advocacy. She serves as International President of miRcore, the world’s largest student computational biology organization, with 136 chapters across five countries. She leads a 20-member executive board, organizes outreach connecting schools worldwide, and has helped run workshops at locations including Scripps Research Institute and the University of Michigan. “I used to be intimidated,” she said, but she gradually grew her skills and confidence. “Now I am no longer afraid to use my voice and enthusiasm to bring out the best in others.” Her research experience includes two peer-reviewed papers on asthma and vaping. Misconceptions around vaping, she said, show why clear science communication matters. “Our research shows that there is long-term harm to your lungs on the cellular level that isn’t obvious unless you come down with an illness like the flu,” she said. Lee also founded Full Hearts at Eastlake High School, transforming the small club into one of the school’s largest, with hands-on service projects in partnership with local nonprofits. She continues mentoring younger students to sustain the mission. If she wins the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, Grace hopes the $100,000 science lab prize for her school will expand opportunities for students who have limited access to equipment and hands-on science outside the classroom.
Builders Movement seeks citizen-based solutions to overcome ‘us vs. them’ politics
In an increasingly polarized political environment, the Builders Movement, a nonprofit political advocacy organization, said that it wants to overcome “us vs. them” thinking in politics. It’s…
College Football Playoff betting line movement, including Alabama at Oklahoma
SportsLine college football expert Gene Menez tracks the biggest point spread moves for the College Football Playoff
Rogers Victor: Food, not pharma: A new path for Michigan’s health
"Food is Medicine" is an important movement, but only a culture-wide shift will turn around our poor diet-driven health trajectory.
Anti-Trump former Republicans have a multimillion dollar plan to save House Democrats
The anti-Trump Save America Movement is making its first play in electoral politics.
Humans are built for nature not modern life
Human biology evolved for a world of movement, nature, and short bursts of stress—not the constant pressure of modern life. Industrial environments overstimulate our stress systems and erode both health and reproduction. Evidence ranging from global fertility declines to chronic inflammatory diseases shows the toll of this mismatch. Researchers say cultural and environmental redesign, especially nature-focused planning, is essential.
How Donald Trump brings MAGA ideals into global politics
In his second term, US President Donald Trump has taken his MAGA movement global, criticizing election outcomes, climate change initiatives and migration policy while backing populist presidential candidates.