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Bryan Johnson tweet draws attention to vaginal microbiome. What is that?
Bryan Johnson tweeted his wife's vaginal microbiome test results. We spoke to OBGYNs and longevity advocates about what that is and if you should do it too.
Rubio to meet with Pope Leo in Vatican City amid tensions with Trump
The State Department said Monday that Rubio, a Catholic who with this trip will have visited Italy or the Vatican at least three times as the Republican president's top diplomat, would be in Italy on Thursday and Friday.
NASA Research Shows Early Life Relied on Rare Metal
NASA-funded scientists have discovered that life on Earth over 3 billion years ago relied on the metal molybdenum, which was incredibly scarce in the
Star Wars: Fate Of The Old Republic Team Full Of Mass Effect Veterans
The new action RPG is not technically a sequel to KOTOR, but folks who worked on the RPG at BioWare are returning
NASA Spaceline Current Awareness List #1,198 1 May 2026 (Space Life Science Research Results)
NASA Spaceline Current Awareness
WATCH LIVE: White House briefing with Rubio may address Vatican trip, Strait of Hormuz efforts
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Rome and Vatican City this week in a bid to ease rising tensions between Trump and Pope Leo XIV over U.S. policies, particularly the Iran war.
Elizabeth Gordon receives South Carolina Academy of Science Faculty of the Year Award
Furman Chemistry Senior Instructor Elizabeth Gordon M'97 is recognized by the academy for outstanding teaching across all STEM disciplines. Biochemistry major and Furman EMT Campbell Romero '27 knows why.
Neurocrine Biosciences to Present at the Bank of America Health Care Conference 2026
/PRNewswire/ -- Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: NBIX) announced today that its executives will participate at the Bank of America Health Care Conference...
Outstanding Seniors in the College of Science: Veronica Klawender
The College of Science is proud to recognize 12 outstanding seniors who went above and beyond during their time as Wildcats. Veronica Klawender is this semester's recipient from Ecology & Evolutionary Biology!
The scientist designing a tailored attack on glioblastoma
At UCLA, Dr. David Nathanson develops drugs that target the unique biology of glioblastoma, offering new hope for patients with this aggressive cancer.
IDEAYA Biosciences Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Provides Business Update
Phase 2/3 registrational trial (OptimUM-02) of darovasertib combination met its primary endpoint; complete data will be provided in a late-breaking oral...
Woman in cancer remission without treatment in highly unusual case
A biopsy of a woman's cancer seems to have triggered an immune response against the tumour, putting her into remission
Lab Thread Launches Unified Platform to Replace Fragmented Life Science Software Stacks
A UK startup launches a fully integrated digital lab management platform designed to replace the disconnected software stacks slowing down biological R&D
Thymus renaissance poised to boost health and longevity
Nature Biotechnology - Evidence linking thymic function with health and longevity is piling up, and a cluster of biotechnology companies is trying to regenerate the thymus directly or recapitulate...
Translating biodiversity into chemical diversity
Nature Computational Science - DeepSeMS, a transformer-based generative framework, translates biodiversity into chemical diversity by predicting microbial secondary metabolite structures directly...
BIG AMBITIONS: LHU undergrad’s research bridges the gap between student science, large-scale conservation in Susquehanna watershed
In a lab where streams run indoors and ecosystems are built by hand, Emily Gonzalez is doing more than collecting data. She’s helping answer questions that could shape the future of Pennsylvania’s waterways — and directly support large-scale restoration efforts already underway in the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. Gonzalez, a biomedical sciences major […]
Zuckerberg Trying to Simulate Human Biology at the Cellular Level
The Chan Zuckerberg Biohub says its goal is to cure all human diseases with the power of artificial intelligence.
Biohaven Reports Recent Business Developments and First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Biohaven to update clinical, regulatory, and operational progress at annual R&D Day at the upcoming Yale Innovation Summit on May 27, 2026. Advancement of...
Corteva's seed business to be named Vylor following planned 2026 separation
Corteva has renamed its seed and genetics business Vylor. In a statement, the company says the new division will further strengthen gene editing and disease resistance, while also helping farmers explore new row crop opportunities. Corteva says the overall restructuring is designed to capitalize on investments in biological and differentiated crop protection products, while also […]
Report: Readily available Colts QB reports for voluntary offseason workouts
Despite being on the trade block, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. reported for the team’s voluntary offseason workouts.
Ronald Breaker named FAS dean of science
Breaker, a field-leading biochemist and Yale leader, will serve as the FAS dean of science for a five-year term.
URI Researcher Examines How AI Is Changing the Language of Science
From philosophy conferences to biomedical research, URI Assistant Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology Nic Fisk is examining how computational tools are changing how scientists talk about their research – and what the consequences might be.
Syracuse Common Council to discuss biometric identity technology restrictions
It comes days after Erie County passed a local law to prohibit biometric identification in commercial settings.
The da Vinci bloodline is unlocking the genius’s genetic secrets
After centuries of mystery, scientists are edging closer to uncovering Leonardo da Vinci’s biological secrets. A massive 30-year effort has mapped his family across 21 generations, identified living male descendants, and even confirmed shared DNA markers that stretch back to the Renaissance. Meanwhile, excavations at a family tomb in Vinci could provide ancient remains for comparison, raising the possibility of reconstructing Leonardo’s genetic profile.
Science Has Found Even More Ways Coffee Is Good for You
A new study shows the mechanisms of how coffee modifies the microbiome, reduces inflammation, and influences mood. Even decaf has its perks.
Trump has targeted universities and science. But RIT is thriving
“I don't want to diminish the turmoil that we've all had to live through in the last year, and the consequences of that,” says the university's VP of research. But really? For RIT it's been a non-event.
Advancing Athlete Recovery: The Role of Biodex Isokinetic Testing and Force Plates
Cleveland Clinic has been exploring ways to expand the usage of Biodex testing machines and force plates beyond lower-limb injuries.
Rubio to visit Vatican, Rome after Trump row
Trump has criticised Pope Leo XIV for his anti-war rhetoric
Louisiana Art and Science Museum hosts Astronomy Day event for kids in Baton Rouge
BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Art and Science Museum hosted an Astronomy Day event for kids in Baton Rouge as part of First Free Sunday.
Rubio to visit Italy, Vatican amid troop drawdown call, tension with Trump, Pope Leo: reports
Marco Rubio is reportedly traveling to the Vatican and Italy this week for meetings aimed at steadying relations strained by Trump-Pope Leo disputes.
‘The reality, for better or worse’: Columbia comp sci students and faculty grapple with AI’s disruption of the field
‘The reality, for better or worse’: Columbia comp sci students and faculty grapple with AI’s disruption of the field ‘The reality, for better or worse’: Columbia comp sci students and faculty grapple with AI’s disruption of the field A field that once seemed like a direct path to stable, lucrative work is becoming less certain under AI, students and faculty told Spectator. By Ria Vasishtha and Arjun Menon May 3, 2026 Shanying Liu / Deputy Illustrations Editor Asia Genawi, SEAS ’29, first encountered artificial intelligence during her sophomore year at her high school in Indiana. Back in 2023, policies on AI varied widely—even within the same district—and some schools had no guidance at all. As Genawi began to see the effects of AI trickle into her classroom, she turned to guidance from her home state’s Department of Education, which she said she found “outdated and inaccessible.” Genawi spent the rest of her high school career dedicated to the issue, including writing a 15-page memo exploring varying AI policies across Indiana schools, which she sent to every Indiana state senator and representative whose contact information she was able to find. She later helped draft a bill that would have required public high schools to establish and share their own AI policies with students in an accessible format. But with so many other bills already awaiting referral, hers never made it to committee. When Genawi arrived at Columbia to study computer science, she found that the gaps she had spent years trying to address in Indiana had followed her there. Many students and professors were also grappling with what AI meant for the field. Across Columbia’s undergraduate schools, computer science has become the most popular major—accounting for around 11 percent of degrees awarded in Columbia College, 32 percent in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and 12 percent in the School of General Studies in 2024. While the number of computer science majors in SEAS grew from 166 to 173 during the 2024-25 academic year, the total number across the three schools fell around 4.5 percent from 393 to 375, driven by declines at Columbia College and General Studies. At Barnard, it has grown to become the second most popular major as of 2025, up from third the year prior. The number of degrees awarded have grown fivefold since 2016. Faculty members and students in the department told Spectator that the surge in the major’s popularity has been driven in large part by its apparent promise of a secure, well-paid career path. However, they noted that the recent rise of generative AI has compromised the sense of stability that once defined the field, even as interest in technical skills among students persists. According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in 2024, out of 74 majors tracked, computer science had the fifth highest unemployment rate among majors at 7 percent, while computer engineering had the second highest at 7.8 percent. “Anecdotally, people are moving away from CS as a major,” Daniel Bauer, a senior lecturer in the computer science department, said. “They’re still taking some of our classes, right, because they think they need that, but they’re instead majoring in other things.” Bauer described a field that had shifted from what he called a “nerdy outlier discipline” to one that “everyone needs,” a sign that technical skills have become a baseline expectation across industries with the emergence of AI. “A lot of people thought, ‘Oh, it’s a guaranteed path to a stable income. You get a six-figure job right out of your undergrad,’” Bauer said. Now, companies may see AI as a way to reduce demand for entry-level programmers, especially in what he calls “code monkey jobs,” roles where a large number of employees are “just writing out code nine-to-five.” Chris Murphy, a senior lecturer in the computer science department, described the current moment as the convergence of two forces: the downturn of the job market and generative AI coming onto the scene. “Things kind of started to really pick up in 2014, 16,” he said, recalling the years after the weaker 2010 market. Murphy added that this was also a period where “students were getting more experience outside of class than they were inside of class” through internships, jobs, and side projects. Murphy suggested that the earlier momentum helped make computer science feel like both an academic program and a reliable pathway into work. That feeling is harder to sustain now as the industry reconfigures, which is a shift that students are seeing firsthand. Rebecca Yu, SEAS ’27, said that during a recent internship in Big Tech, she saw that “every single tech company was racing to integrate” large language models. She added that her manager said her intern class was the first to complete their assigned projects, which she attributed to the increased efficiency that comes with AI. Frank Liu, SEAS ’29, said that with AI lowering the barrier to coding, companies now expect everyone to write code. “A lot of companies outright say if you’re not using coding in your job, you might get fired for not being productive enough,” Liu said. Yu similarly expressed that students increasingly have to accept AI being a part of industry workflow, adding that many also “make use of it to maximize their productivity.” Richard Li, CC ’28, described a “franticness” among his peers as the pace of change accelerates. He explained how “some new tool” is released regularly, noting that tools rise and fall in prominence within weeks. He has come to believe that he doesn’t need to “match that speed all the time” and keep up with every development. Li has learned that AI tools allow him to “take a breath” and “get back into the loop much easier than before” when he needs to. While some companies specifically target Columbia when hiring, sending representatives to campus career fairs and recruiting large numbers from Columbia, a computer science degree cannot be treated as a static credential, Yu described. “You can’t just get your degree and stop learning after that. You have to always be learning,” Yu said. “That is something you basically have to expect for your job.” AI has not only affected students’ decisions to major in computer science, but also reshaped how the subject is taught. Across departments, faculty members no longer treat work done outside the classroom as a reliable measure of understanding, shifting instead toward in-person exams, quizzes, and attendance checks. While homework once made up as much as 60 to 70 percent of a student’s grade in computer science classes, Murphy said that breakdown has since flipped, with exams and quizzes now accounting for the majority. “The assumption—especially among pessimists—is that they’re using it to do their homework,” Murphy said. “They take the homework assignment. They put it into generative AI. Out comes the solution. Submit solution. The end.” Murphy said that faculty members ranged in their responses from fully prohibiting AI use to actively teaching students how to effectively work with AI. He said he shifted his approach this year after his teaching assistants called his belief that students weren’t using the technology “naïve,” and now permits students to use AI on assignments. His surveys of students in his introductory classes have told a more complicated story than the one so-called pessimists offer: Around 60 to 70 percent of students who reported using AI said they used it to have concepts explained to them, to clarify assignment instructions, to generate test cases, or to create practice questions. “Those are all ways that you might have had a tutor in the past to do that, and now you have this AI essentially as your tutor,” he said. Bauer has taken a different approach, teaching students how to use AI productively without sacrificing the core principles of the discipline. “People who are trained to actually use AI tools productively, while being in charge of designing the overall project, will be very much in demand in the next couple of years,” he said. Over the past year, a working group of computer science faculty has been redesigning the introductory and intermediate programming sequence to integrate generative AI as both a subject and a tool, representatives from SEAS wrote in a statement to Spectator. The effort is “coordinated” across the department, “not course-by-course,” with a systematic assessment of how AI integration is affecting student outcomes underway to shape the next round of changes. The goal, the department explained, is for students to be able to “read, verify, and reason about code, whether they or a model wrote it.” Tony Dear, senior lecturer in the computer science department, is piloting individualized AI feedback in a discrete mathematics course, while a machine learning course is also testing a Socratic AI dialogue system designed to “guide inquiry rather than supply answers,” the statement reads. Beyond individual courses, SEAS funded seven cross-departmental faculty projects in generative AI this past academic year, spanning biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, and computer science, according to the statement. This phenomenon extends beyond the computer science department. SEAS’ new AI minor, which it announced in November 2025, reflects the University’s attempt to adapt. The minor is specifically designed for noncomputer science majors and aims to provide “essential AI knowledge” while emphasizing practical and responsible use across disciplines, according to the SEAS website. At the center of the minor is AI in Context, a course taught by a team of faculty from the departments of computer science, applied mathematics, philosophy, music, literature, and the Writing Center, the representatives told Spectator. Bauer described it as targeted at students who want to bring AI into fields like economics or biology, rather than as a path into software engineering itself. At the graduate level, SEAS announced a new Master of Science in artificial intelligence in February, with the inaugural cohort starting in the fall. While recognizing how AI has helped them navigate coursework, students also described its rise as isolating, even among members of the Application Development Initiative, one of Columbia’s largest computer science clubs. “As people start to ask AI for questions that they would normally ask students and members, it starts to isolate people” Li said. Alexa Kafka, BC ’27, echoed Li’s sentiment, pointing out that computer science has always been a collaborative discipline with code reviews and pull requests, even as AI makes independent work easier. Despite this, Kafka noted that she hasn’t been to office hours “in at least a year.” Bauer added that faculty are exploring long-term solutions to the assessment problem. “One of the things that we’re trying to do at the department or school level is to maybe move towards computerized testing facilities,” Bauer said, referring to ideas in the department to revitalize computer labs as an alternative to pen-and-paper exams. “We have to accept that this is the reality, for better or worse.” But more exams, students say, does not mean better learning, nor does it reflect how computer science is actually done. “Code is so variable and can be approached in so many directions, there’s never just going to be one correct answer. There can be multiple optimal solutions,” Kafka said. Students also expressed concern that the shift toward exam-heavy grading pulls focus away from the applied, project-based work that better reflects both discipline and industry expectations. ADI has tried to respond more quickly than the curriculum can. Through a vibe coding workshop this past semester, club members said they wanted to help students understand not just that AI exists, but how to use it deliberately. “Vibe coding” refers to the practice of prompting AI to write code for a task or project, and has become widespread enough that ADI felt the gap in formal instruction was worth addressing, according to Sophia Huang, BC ’29. The workshop introduced students to the concept of context engineering, which Shaina Sahu, SEAS ’27, described as not just writing a prompt, but optimizing “the rest of the relevant information that you would feed into the model.” Without that, students said that AI-generated code can fail at scale or introduce difficult-to-detect bugs. Genawi said the shift toward AI has changed what it means to be good at computer science. “I think the shift has kind of gone towards what can you create and what can you do, instead of, what do you know,” she said. Indeed, during ADI DevFest, its annual hackathon, Li said more teams are trying to complete their projects than in years past. While sign-ups have historically outpaced submissions, Li said this is beginning to change because teams “have a tool that completes the vision for them.” While many students see AI as an equalizer that lowers the barrier to entry for coding and technical work, Murphy said it also creates new equity concerns inside the classroom around who can afford stronger tools and who already knows how to use them. “The equity issues I worry about are students who have access to paid versions of things versus free versions of things,” he said. Although popular AI models like ChatGPT and Claude have free versions available, both have paid models that can reach over $100 per month, which output different qualities of code. Murphy also pointed to differences in prior exposure to AI literacy itself. “Students who go to high schools or K-12 education, where they’re taught AI literacy, prompt engineering, context engineering, they understand how to do this, as opposed to students who go to schools who don’t teach that,” he said. “Then they come in, and then they’re somehow expected to know how to use these tools.” For Genawi, those disparities begin long before students arrive on campus. “It’s very interesting to consider how lucky you were geographically,” she said. “To be born where you were is influencing your ability to get access to these spaces.” Students like Yu, though broadly apprehensive about the future of computer science, are not without hope. “I’m optimistic, because I think if you’re truly passionate about CS, there will definitely be a place in the field to do something you want to do,” she said. Senior Staff Writer Ria Vasishtha can be contacted at ria.vasishtha@columbiaspectator.com. Follow Spectator on X @ColumbiaSpec. Staff Writer Arjun Menon can be contacted at arjun.menon@columbiaspectator.com. Follow Spectator on X @ColumbiaSpec. Want to keep up with breaking news? Subscribe to our email newsletter and like Spectator on Facebook. Produced with Spectate by Emily Ta
ONBOOKS | OPINION: Forensic science, uncertainty, and ‘classical mistakes’
New biography of Alan R. Moritz traces how forensic science learned to define what it can — and cannot — know.
Biodiversity Day at Wichita elementary school highlights environmental science
Students learned about everything from wildfires to falcons to bug populations at the yearly event.
2026 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Awards & Honorable Mentions
Congratulations to our current graduate and undergraduate students and alumni who have received prestigious 2026 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowships (GRFP) and Honorable Mentions. The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. The five-year fellowship includes three years of financial support including an annual stipend and a cost of education allowance to the institution. Left to right: Row 1 – 2026 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship recipients: Jasmin Bioteau, Kasey Chung, Daniel Cohn, Michael Eng, Tyler Martinez. Row 2 – Henry Shavel, Breanna Sprague, Abigail Wilson, ofia Ando, Daniel Kendall. Row 3 – Rebecca Lee, Lauren Van Auken, Tim Duong. NSF Honorable Mention recipients: Evan Baerg, Isaac Hendrix. Row 4 – Nathan Palmer, Paul Saucedo, Helen Elmer and Maximilian Floridia. 2026 NSF Graduate Research Fellowships (GRFP) were awarded to current graduate students Jasmin Bioteau (Kwon), Kasey Chung (Garg), Daniel Cohn (Kappel), Michael Eng (Doyle), Tyler Martinez (Barber), Henry Shavel (Alexandrova), Breanna Sprague (Garg), Abigail Wilson (Garg); undergraduate researchers Sofia Ando (Shafaat, headed to Princeton for graduate school), Daniel Kendall (Barber, headed to MIT for graduate school), Rebecca Lee (Chen, headed to Stanford for graduate school) and Lauren Van Auken (Garg, headed to the Caltech for graduate school). Former undergraduate researcher Tim Duong ’25 (Neuhauser/Caram, now a graduate student at Princeton) also received the fellowship. 2026 Honorable Mentions by NSF, also a significant national academic achievement, were accorded to current graduate students Evan Baerg, Isaac Hendrix (Tinoco Valencia), Nathan Palmer (Conway),and Paul Saucedo (Doyle). Also receiving Honorable Mentions are former undergraduate researchers Helen Elmer ’25 (Gelbart/Knobler, now a graduate student at the Stanford University School of Medicine), and Maximilian Floridia ‘25 (P. Weiss, now a graduate student at Caltech). Congratulations again to all the recipients! Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penjen@g.ucla.edu.
Commencement 2026: Graduating students ready to lead, heal, and transform the future of health and science: Center Times Plus, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
Commencement Advance 2026--Spring commencement 2026 celebrates the achievements and dreams of graduating students at the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical School, and UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Commencement 2026: Graduating students ready to lead, heal, and transform the future of health and science: Center Times Plus, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
Commencement Advance 2026--Spring commencement 2026 celebrates the achievements and dreams of graduating students at the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical School, and UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Outstanding Seniors in the College of Science: Erin Schuette
The College of Science is proud to recognize 12 outstanding seniors who went above and beyond during their time as Wildcats. Erin Schuette is this semester's recipient from Chemistry & Biochemistry!
Williamstown Board of Health Backs Plastic Bag Amendment, Biosolids Bylaw
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Board of Health on Monday unanimously recommended the annual town meeting approve articles that would amend the town's existing plastic bag ordinance and ban...
Synthetic biology promised to rewrite life – with the death of its pioneer, J. Craig Venter, how close are scientists?
Advances in genetic engineering have enabled researchers to seek ways to program new life. But has synthetic biology actually changed medicine and the environment, nearly two decades on?
The Chinese Government Has Been Targeting Journalists in an Entirely New Way
Let’s just say I’m not going to be clicking on dubious email links any time soon.
2026 Fellows Advancing Women's Health Research in Africa
Fellows from 11 countries represent a diverse group of researchers, clinicians, biotechnologists, and innovators committed to women's health research in Africa.
Your oral microbiome could affect your weight, liver and diabetes risk
An ambitious study has explored how the oral microbiome may affect our metabolic health, raising hopes that conditions like pre-diabetes could one day be screened for via a simple mouth swab
Political donations are poison to our democracy – but there’s an easy antidote to that
As revelations about Reform UK’s donors emerge, it’s clear that increasingly complex forms of patronage can’t be regulated effectively. We need a clean sweep, says columnist George Monbiot
Crescent City Stage brings mainstage show to CAC. And 'Cherries Jubilee' revived.
"If you like 'Steel Magnolias,' you'll love this show, because it is very homegrown and it's, I think, very autobiographical."
Wave of AI and data science tools set to transform clinical trials
Ahead of Biomed Israel, Ittai Harel highlights a growing cohort of companies leveraging AI and data science tools to revolutionise clinical research.
From Antibiotic Discovery to the Role of Religion in Health, Pre-Med Student Has Already Investigated Major Questions in the Medical World
Hailey DeWalt is not slowing down as she approaches graduation
FDA approves next-gen mitral valve from Medtronic
The Mosaic Neo mitral bioprosthesis can be implanted through sternotomy, minimally invasive cardiac surgery or robotic access.
‘The energy behind these drugs has moved from the beatniks to biohackers’
Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
Cause of falling fertility rates isn’t biological
Letters: Peter Foreshaw Brookes says economic conditions and smartphone usage (and its effects on coupling) are more likely causes
Heard on Campus: Tanya Berger-Wolf on AI for nature
Tanya Berger-Wolf, professor of computer science engineering; of electrical and computer engineering; and of evolution, ecology and organismal biology at Ohio State University, gave a lecture titled “AI for Nature: From Science to Action" as part of the Distinguished Lectures in Life Sciences series presented by the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.
UK braces for further leaks after more private health records appear on Chinese website
Patrick Vallance says government working with Chinese officials to remove postings from Alibaba after Biobank data breach last week
Biosphere 2 poised to become a launchpad for landscape terraformation science
"From Early Earth to Mars" explores how life can transform planets in an effort to make Mars habitable while keeping Earth livable. At Biosphere 2, the LEO Survey's massive hillslopes allow researchers to monitor how bare rock gradually evolves into biologically active terrain in real time and virtually via a digital twin model.
We research aging. Those at-home ‘biological age’ tests won’t work for you.
Tests promising to reveal your “biological age” are booming. But scientists say the results vary widely — and aren’t reliable enough to guide health decisions.
We research aging. Those at-home ‘biological age’ tests won’t work for you.
Tests promising to reveal your “biological age” are booming. But scientists say the results vary widely — and aren’t reliable enough to guide health decisions.
A.I. Bots Told Scientists How to Make Biological Weapons
Scientists shared transcripts with The Times in which chatbots described how to assemble deadly pathogens and unleash them in public spaces.
RM Science Bowl triumphs with most successful season in recent history
Someone slams the buzzer, but the molecular biology question has only been half-read. With just enough confidence to risk it all, they answer, knowing that it could make the difference between winning and losing the match. Science Bowl is a fast paced competition for high schoolers sponsored by the Department of Energy that tests students’...
While we argue, schizophrenia advances
Nature Mental Health - In this World View, Constanza Morén, a biomedical researcher and daughter of a man with schizophrenia, calls for humility and collaboration to bridge the divide between...
Australia becomes the 30th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Australia for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, marking a significant milestone in the health of indigenous peoples and in global efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, no longer represents a public health problem in the country.Australia is among a growing number of countries that have successfully eliminated trachoma, contributing to global progress towards the targets set out in the WHO road map for NTDs 2021–2030.Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, and flies that carry eye and nose discharge. Repeated infections can lead to scarring of the eyelids, turning eyelashes inward, and ultimately causing blindness if untreated.“WHO congratulates Australia on this important achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This success reflects sustained commitment, strong partnerships, and a focus on reaching populations most affected by health inequities. It brings us closer to a world free from the suffering caused by trachoma.”Australia’s journey to eliminationAustralia’s achievement reflects decades of targeted public health action, particularly in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, where trachoma persisted despite its earlier disappearance from the rest of the country.National efforts intensified with the establishment of the National Trachoma Management Programme in 2006, which implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy: surgery for trichiasis, antibiotics to treat infection, promotion of facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement. Regular screening of all communities classified as at-risk of trachoma by teams of qualified health workers formed an important part of the Programme. Interventions were delivered through coordinated partnerships between federal and state governments, Aboriginal community-controlled health services, and local communities.Over time, sustained screening, treatment, and prevention activities, including improvements in housing, water, sanitation and hygiene, led to a steady decline in trachoma prevalence. Australia’s approach included adaptations to reflect its context, such as targeted treatment based on community-level data rather than mass drug administration, and strong integration with environmental health programmes.“Elimination of trachoma is a win for the eye health of communities across Australia, particularly those whose lives have been impacted by a disease that is entirely preventable,” said Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Ageing, Australia. “This major milestone is thanks to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, community commitment and sustained investment over many decades.“The lessons from this work will inform how we approach other preventable health conditions in remote and regional Australia. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and local health workers have been central to this success, delivering culturally safe care and community-led solutions.”“This recognition from the World Health Organization reflects decades of work led by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, alongside local health workers in remote First Nations communities,” said Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians. “Their work has been critical to eliminating trachoma as a public health problem in Australia.”Advancing global efforts against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)Trachoma is one of 21 diseases and disease groups that are regarded by WHO as NTDs. Together, NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide, primarily in underserved populations with limited access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, and health care.Australia’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem highlights the importance of sustained political commitment and cross-sectoral collaboration in addressing the underlying determinants of health. It also underscores the feasibility of eliminating trachoma even in geographically challenging settings.In addition to trachoma, Australia has several endemic NTDs, including Buruli ulcer, leprosy and scabies. Validation of elimination of trachoma as a public health problem marks the first time that WHO has confirmed the elimination of an NTD in Australia, which becomes the 63rd country globally and 16th in the Western Pacific Region to have eliminated at least one NTD.“Tackling neglected tropical diseases in the Western Pacific Region has long been a challenge for countries across the socioeconomic spectrum, given the complexities in reaching the most vulnerable communities, including in remote areas,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “As a doctor from Tonga, I’ve experienced these challenges for myself. But I also know that with strategic commitment underpinned by optimal resources and partnerships in health, success is possible as other countries in our region have also demonstrated. I commend Australia on eliminating trachoma as a public health problem and urge all involved to remain vigilant to ensure this status is maintained.”WHO continues to support countries working to eliminate trachoma and other NTDs, ensuring that progress reaches those most in need and that gains are sustained through strong surveillance, appropriately integrated into national health systems, and mainstreamed within the wider health sector and beyond.Editor’s notesNeglected tropical diseases and trachoma elimination effortsNeglected tropical diseases are associated with devastating health, social and economic consequences. Their burden is mainly felt among impoverished communities in tropical areas.Public health targets for the control, elimination and eradication of these conditions were set in the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030 (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240010352).In 1996, WHO launched the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020 (GET2020), creating a network of governments, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions dedicated to the fight against trachoma. WHO continues to support endemic countries to accelerate progress towards the global target of eliminating trachoma as a public health problem worldwide; 2030 is the new target date.Elimination of trachoma as a public health problem is defined as: (i) a prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) “unknown to the health system” of < 0.2% in ≥15-year-olds; and (ii) a prevalence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF) in children aged 1–9 years of < 5%, in each formerly endemic district, plus (iii) the existence of a system to identify and manage incident cases of TT.Other countries validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem are: Algeria, Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, India, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam.
Seven UC Berkeley faculty elected to the American Academy of Arts and
This week, seven UC Berkeley faculty — representing academic fields from philosophy to molecular biology to engineering — were named members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Academy,
From sick care to health care: one way rural health funding could change Alaska
A coalition of providers in Alaska is prioritizing preventative and whole-person care while federal funding for the state incentivizes more programs like it.
Science Goals and Objectives for the Dragonfly Titan Rotorcraft Relocatable Lander
NASA’s Dragonfly mission will send a rotorcraft lander to the surface of Titan in the mid-2030s
NASA Is Seeking Partners For The Astrobiology Science Conference (AbSciCon)
Astrobiology Science Conference (AbSciCon) is an international conference
Florida Poly researcher searches for root cause of Florida algae crisis
A research team is developing a biochar-based product meant to remove nutrients from water to restore ecological balance.
NASA Curiosity rover finds mysterious life linked molecules on mars
Curiosity has detected a surprising variety of organic molecules on Mars, including compounds tied to the chemistry of life. Some of these molecules may be billions of years old, preserved in ancient clay-rich rocks that once held water. One standout find resembles building blocks of DNA, raising exciting questions about Mars’ past. Although not proof of life, the discovery suggests the Red Planet may have once been far more biologically promising than we thought.
Today on Texas Standard: Scientists identify jellyfish species previously unknown to science
If you think one jellyfish looks like another, marine biologists at Texas A&M University Galveston would disagree. Researchers have identified a jellyfish species previously unknown to science.
Astorg buys Thermo Fisher Microbiology business
Astorg has agreed to acquire Thermo Fisher Scientific’s microbiology business, creating a standalone diagnostics platform backed by private equity investment.
Lenovo acquires Phoenix Technologies’ BIOS business
Lenovo buys Phoenix Technologies' firmware business I guess we all saw “Phoenix BIOS” at some point in our engagement with PCs. You should probably know
Michael Jackson streams skyrocket after 'Michael' biopic opening weekend, up 95% in the US
Michael Jackson sang “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough.” | Talk 1370
Michael Jackson streams skyrocket after 'Michael' biopic opening weekend, up 95% in the US
Michael Jackson sang “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough.” | KMBZ
Audience Says: Michael Is Pure Entertainment for MJ Fans
The biopic is Verified Hot, with dazzled fans calling it the closest you can come to an actual Michael Jackson concert.
Astorg to Acquire Thermo Fisher Scientific Microbiology Business
Astorg, a pan-European private equity firm, signed a definitive agreement to acquire the microbiology business from Thermo Fisher Scientific.
AMC Entertainment Scores a Thriller Weekend as MICHAEL Delivers a Record-Breaking Debut
AMC Entertainment once again welcomed global audiences in significant numbers to its theaters across the U.S. and internationally, as Michael moonwalked to the strongest biopic opening in box office history. These reported opening numbers for Michael include Friday through Sunday attendance figures, along with its Wednesday and Thursday preview screenings. As a result of the […]
Sun Pharma, Eli Lilly Lead Latest Rush of Healthcare M&A
The value of biopharma M&A has more than doubled his year.
Rover-Induced Mineral Transformations: Extent of the Effect for the Mars Science Laboratory and Opportunities for Future Landed Mission
X-ray amorphous sulfate hydrates are a substantial component (up to 23 wt%) of the sedimentary rocks
NASA Headquarters Opening: Program Scientist Opportunity in the Planetary Science Division
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate has an immediate need for one or more scientists with expertise in planetary science to serve as Program Scientists in the Planetary Science Division
Alice Henderson’s “Storm Warning” Is a Wild Ride of Survival Science and Savage Threats
Storm Warning is Alice Henderson’s fifth wild and wooly, storm-tossed, action-packed suspense novel featuring protagonist wildlife biologist and environmentalist adventurer Alex Carter. Her current assignment to study and protect imperiled hawksbill turtles in tropical Hawai’i seemed like an idyllic vacation of sun, surf, swimming and snorkeling. The intensive military survival training taught to her by
Thermo Fisher Scientific sells microbiology business for $1B to European private equity firm
Thermo Fisher Scientific is shedding its microbiology business to private equity firm Astorg nearly a year after initial rumors of a sale surfaced. | Thermo Fisher Scientific is shedding its microbiology business to private equity firm Astorg nearly a year after rumors of a potential sale first surfaced.
Thermo Fisher to Sell Microbiology Business to Astorg
Thermo Fisher Scientific has struck a deal to sell its microbiology business to European private-equity firm Astorg for about $1.075 billion.
Thermo Fisher to Sell Microbiology Business to Astorg
Thermo Fisher Scientific has struck a deal to sell its microbiology business to European private-equity firm Astorg for about $1.075 billion.
Thermo Fisher to sell its microbiology business to Astorg for about $1.08 billion
April 27 () - Thermo Fisher Scientific said on Monday it has agreed to sell its microbiology business to a pan-European private equity firm Astorg for about $1.08 billion, consisting of cash and a $50 million seller note.
Thermo Fisher to sell its microbiology business to Astorg for about $1.08 billion
Thermo Fisher Scientific said on Monday it has agreed to sell its microbiology business to a pan-European private equity firm Astorg for about $1.08 billion, consisting of cash and a $50 million seller note.
One Health Microbiome Center names next doctoral interns for industry program
Two Penn State doctoral students will spend eight weeks in Germany at the headquarters of global biotechnology company QIAGEN. This marks the third year of the program, a partnership between the One Health Microbiome Center and QIAGEN.
Science, Society, and Culture: Brandon Ogbunu’s Case for a More Creative Scientific Enterprise
Computational biologist Brandon Ogbunu explores and writes about the intersection of science, society, and culture. We spoke to this 2024 winner of an Eric and Wendy Schmidt Award for Excellence in Science Communications about his recent work, including his explanation of why science communication is central to the practice of science, arguing that explaining and defending knowledge is as essential to the scientific enterprise as publishing research.
Mass Effect Andromeda 'Done Dirty' by Publisher EA, Actor Says
One of the lead actors behind BioWare's Mass Effect Andromeda has spoken out about the game's disappointing critical and commercial response, and placed much of the blame on publisher EA.
Turn health data into impact: Browns University's online master in biostatistics & health data science
Trained biostatisticians play a central role in clinical science and public health. Brown’s online master’s in biostatistics (health data science concentration), prepares you with a strong foundation in biostatistical and data science methods combined with rigorous training in applied skills to make critical data-driven decisions and meet the growing demand for leaders in this industry – on your schedule
Rep. Erica Layon: Don't let politics stifle biotech innovation in Granite State
Forty-five minutes from the world’s largest biotech hub, New Hampshire has a chance to lead a medical revolution. Two bills before the Senate this month would make that happen. Democrats
MIT researchers find self-organizing “pencil beam” laser could help scientists design brain-targeted therapies
After a surprising discovery that overcomes a longstanding problem in fiber optics, MIT researchers demonstrated a biomedical imaging technique that is faster and more precise than other methods, which could help scientists and clinicians study new brain therapies.
Incorporation of the National Institute of Health (NIH) sex as a biological variable policy by R01 grant awardees
Communications Medicine - Warden et al. analyze 574 NIH-funded publications (2017–2024) to assess implementation of the Sex as a Biological Variable policy. They find that most studies...
'Michael' moonwalks into a big box office debut
"Michael," the Michael Jackson biopic from Lionsgate, had a massive opening weekend with a box office haul of $97 million in the U.S. and Canada. The film, which stars Jackson's
‘Michael’ moonwalks to $97 million opening, shattering record for music biopics
“Michael,” the big-budget Michael Jackson spectacle, shrugged off bad reviews and a troubled production to launch with $97 million in U.S. and Canada theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday, shattering a record debut for music biopics.
'Michael' moonwalks to $97 million opening, shattering record for music biopics
“Michael,” the big-budget Michael Jackson spectacle, shrugged off bad reviews and a troubled production to launch with $97 million in U.S. and Canada theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday, shattering a record debut for music biopics | WBBM Newsradio 780 AM & 105.9 FM
'Michael' moonwalks to $97 million opening, shattering record for music biopics
“Michael,” the big-budget Michael Jackson spectacle, shrugged off bad reviews and a troubled production to launch with $97 million in U.S. and Canada theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday, shattering a record debut for music biopics | KNSS Radio
'Michael' moonwalks to $97 million opening, shattering record for music biopics
“Michael,” the big-budget Michael Jackson spectacle, shrugged off bad reviews and a troubled production to launch with $97 million in U.S. and Canada theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday, shattering a record debut for music biopics | Talk 1370
'Michael' moonwalks to $97 million opening, shattering record for music biopics
“Michael,” the big-budget Michael Jackson spectacle, shrugged off bad reviews and a troubled production to launch with $97 million in U.S. and Canada theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday, shattering a record debut for music biopics | WBEN
Bad movies, good business: how sanitised biopics became a Hollywood staple
As the interest in the lives of celebrities has intensified, we have become acclimatised to the fact that they will now curate and mercilessly monetise it
Algeria eliminates trachoma as a public health problem
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports validating Algeria as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. This makes Algeria the 29th country globally to achieve this significant milestone. "Algeria’s elimination of trachoma is a historic triumph that connects the past, present, and future of public health, and is rooted in a century-long commitment," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "This milestone proves that with sustained political will and on-the-ground leadership from committed health professionals, we can eliminate neglected tropical diseases and build a healthier, more resilient future for all." For decades, Algeria implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma. These activities included provision of surgery to treat the late blinding stage of the disease (“trachomatous trichiasis”, TT), conducting mass administration of antibiotic treatment, carrying out public awareness campaigns to promote facial cleanliness and personal hygiene as well as improvement in access to water supply and sanitation. Trachoma is the first neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Algeria. Trachoma is a disease of the eye caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is a public health problem in 30 countries and is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people. Blindness from trachoma is difficult to reverse. Based on November 2025 data, 97 million people live in trachoma endemic areas and are at risk of trachoma blindness. Infection spreads through personal contact (via hands, clothes, bedding or hard surfaces) and by flies that have been in contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person. With repeated episodes of infection over many years, the eyelashes may be drawn in so that they rub on the surface of the eye. This causes pain and may permanently damage the cornea. In 2024, 87,349 people received surgical treatment for advanced stage of the disease, and 44.4 million people were treated with antibiotics. Global antibiotic coverage in 2024 was 39%. Outbreak News Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Graphene kills harmful bacteria “superbugs” but spares human cells
Scientists have uncovered how graphene oxide pulls off a remarkable trick: it hunts down and destroys harmful bacteria while leaving human cells completely unharmed. By targeting a molecule found only in bacterial membranes, this ultra-thin carbon-based material acts with laser-like precision—offering a powerful new alternative to traditional antibiotics. Even more exciting, it works against drug-resistant “superbugs,” promotes faster wound healing, and keeps its antibacterial strength even after repeated washing.
Portland’s OMSI launches climate science exhibit
The Climate of Change/Clima de Cambio exhibit at the Nancy Stueber Natural Sciences Hall invites visitors to explore climate science through immersive displays and hands-on activities.
Brain-Gut Health Initiative supports AI-assisted diagnosis of psychiatric disorders
Psychiatric disorders affect millions worldwide, but their diagnosis still relies on clinical observation instead of standard biological tests.