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Science Museum of Minnesota permanently protects 130 acres along the St. Croix River
Partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust and Washington County completes permanent protection of the St. Croix Watershed Research Station—more than 300 acres in total
Gary 'Angry' Anderson, frontman for Aussie rock band Rose Tattoo, dies at 79
News of Gary Anderson’s death came via the band’s official Instagram account, which stated that the singer passed away on the evening of Sept. 21 in Sydney, Australia.
Alex DeBrincat Fights, Then Wins It in Overtime
Alex DeBrincat fought Trevor Kuntar, then won it in overtime as Detroit beat Buffalo 3-2. #RedWings
National Forensic Science week brings attention to CSI investigators
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – CSI teams are sometimes an under-recognized part of many law enforcement agencies. But investigating crimes takes precision, skill, and focus. “Evidence doesn&…
ROUNDUP: Science Hill, Sullivan East cap undefeated district runs
BLOUNTVILLE — Behind a balanced offensive effort, Science Hill's volleyball team completed a perfect run through District 1-AAA competition this regular season.
Hopping mad: New health warning stirs up Belgian brewers
In a country famed worldwide for its beer, a proposed tweak to health warnings on adverts for alcoholic drinks...
Original Castlevania now available for iOS, Android for free
Konami has released the original Castlevania, first released for Nintendo Entertainment System, for iOS via App Store and Android via Google Play. It is available free of charge until October 24, a…
Hopping mad: New health warning stirs up Belgian brewers
In a country famed worldwide for its beer, a proposed tweak to health warnings on adverts for alcoholic drinks has shaken Belgian brewers.The government wants to alter the current warning from "the ab...
New Jersey Gov. Sherrill calls on her lieutenant governor to resign
An investigation found Dale Caldwell sexually harassed a woman and violated state ethics rules. He has denied allegations of misconduct. Sherrill said Caldwell had until Friday to step down.
Pressure mounts on Phillies as postseason berth continues to elude them
Yikes! They enter the final weekend of the season just two games up on Arizona.
Trump administration appeals to Supreme Court as 3rd-country deportations are thrown into question
A ruling to halt deportations of people to countries other than their own threw a core immigration policy of the Trump administration into question, at least temporarily, and prompted a desperate appeal to the Supreme Court on Thursday.
Chris Sale’s Cy Young Case vs. Abbott’s Struggles
Chris Sale is having a career year while Andrew Abbott hits rock bottom. See the stats that define this Braves-Reds showdown tonight.
Texas Republicans splinter as MAGA candidates test party limits
GOP leaders are voicing doubts about U.S. Senate nominee Ken Paxton, who's trailing Democrat James Talarico in polls with less than six weeks until Election Day.
Former San Diego County behavioral health services director files claim alleging wrongful termination
The former director of San Diego County's Behavioral Health Services has filed a claim against the county, alleging she was wrongfully terminated.
Tiffani Thiessen says she ‘got nothing’ for “Saved by the Bell”, didn’t make ‘real money’ until “90210”
Playing Kelly Kapowski made Thiessen famous but not rich.
Tiffani Thiessen says she ‘got nothing’ for ‘Saved by the Bell,’ didn’t make ‘real money’ until ‘90210’
‘Saved by the Bell’ alum Tiffani Thiessen weighs in on what the cast members were paid
Rising health costs concern local governments
Budgets and healthcare costs were on the minds of local government and school officials who met at Minot’s Liaison Committee meeting on Thursday, Sept. 24. One of the shared budget concerns is the rising cost of health insurance. Ward County’s employee health insurance costs increased nearly 10% for 2027. Initially, the county was looking at […]
Democracies in glass houses
Even fascists claimed transparency as a virtue – visibility is not accountability, in any political system.
1st confirmed measles case reported in Allen County
Health department officials confirmed Allen County's first measles case on Thursday.
Fact-checking the pop science buzz that two brains evolved into one
Once cells know they are neurons, they know which end to go to but that doesn’t amount to two brains.
Ride Against Suicide raises awareness for mental health, suicide prevention
Volunteers are in the midst of a 4-day journey, biking across Wisconsin and Minnesota raising awareness for responders’ mental health.
Huntsville Hospital Health Security Team named 2026 Outstanding Security Team
Huntsville Hospital Health’s security team has been named the 2026 Outstanding Security Team, earning the top prize from the U.S. Outstanding Security Performance Awards.
Cleanup underway after business floods in Vinton County
Cleanup is underway after a business flooded in Vinton County, Ohio.
Warren County Health Department distributes free Narcan for National Save a Life Day
Warren County health department spreads Narcan awareness.
Who is attending the White House dinner for Chinese leader Xi Jinping?
AI executives and some of the country’s most prominent CEOs are on the list for tonight's state dinner honoring Xi Jinping, which showcases the complex ties between the world's biggest economies.
See Brevard County's high school football live scoreboard, Week 6
See Florida Today's live scoreboard for Week 6 high school football games across Brevard County on Sept. 24-25.
UNT Health sits near Fort Worth hospitals. Finding training sites a ‘game of Tetris’
Expansion of UNT Health depends on clinical placements as other North Texas schools seek many of the same hospitals and specialists.
Tuscarawas County Health Department confirms West Nile virus
The Tuscarawas County Health Department (TCHD) warns the community on Thursday of a horse that tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in the Mineral City area.
Trump urges Supreme Court to restart deportations to countries with poor human rights records
President Donald Trump’s administration urged the Supreme Court on Thursday to allow it to remove migrants to countries other than their homeland without giving them an opportunity to raise human rights concerns.
State Treasurer remains 'profoundly concerned' after WakeMed/Atrium merger approved by Wake County
After Wake County commissioners approved a WakeMed/Atrium merger, State Treasurer Brad Briner said it would raise State Health Plan prices.
Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Allow Deportations to Third Countries
A lower federal court on Wednesday imposed restrictions on deporting migrants to countries other than their own.
Scientists Say Antarctica's Lost 'Supermountains' May Have Fueled an Explosion of Life on Earth
Millions of years ago, continental collisions created enormous mountains in what's now Antarctica. As they eroded, Earth's life thrived from their nutrient-rich deposits.
New report shines a light on bipartisanship in Minnesota politics
A new report is shining a light on the bipartisan work that's continuing to be done in the Minnesota legislature.
MACo Members Can Access Free Amazon Business Prime
Through MACo’s partnership with Amazon Business, members can access complimentary Business Prime benefits designed to help streamline purchasing and save
Google Photos Wardrobe Feature Comes to iOS
Google today said its digital wardrobe option is available in the Google Photos iOS app in the U.S., India, and Brazil. Google first announced the feature back in April, but it was limited to Android users until now. The wardrobe option uses AI to pull images of clothing from the Google Photos library, organizing them into a digital closet. Users can put items together to create outfits and virtually try them on. The app shows clothing items in a new Wardrobe section in the Collections tab.
Entire Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Game Available to Play for Free in Nintendo Switch Demo, But There’s a Catch
Players who haven’t yet experienced Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown can play the entire game for free right now on Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2 until September 30.
Ella Langley choosin' Tucker Wetmore: 'Choosin' Texas' breakout dating fellow singer
LOS ANGELES — Ella Langley has more than a record-breaking hit on her hands. The "Choosin' Texas" country music breakout is now reportedly in a budding romance with Tucker Wetmore,
Colorado health insurance prices poised for another big jump in 2027
Colorado health insurance prices poised for another big jump in 2027. State and federal subsidies, though, will blunt the price increases for people with lower incomes. Prices for coverage next year will increase by an average of 10% across the state and by even more for those who live in the mountains or on the Western Slope.
Unique mural painted on Mount Vernon real estate business building
MOUNT VERNON — Real estate and the "Final Fantasy" franchise might not typically go hand-in-hand, but that didn't stop Dominic Pettruzzelli when designing a mural for his business.
Police: Driver was high when he crashed into Massena home business
A St. Lawrence County man was allegedly high on drugs when he drove a pickup truck into a house in Massena Thursday morning.
Edinburg Woman Arrested in Connection with Fatal McAllen Overdose
The McAllen Police Department has Arrested Vanessa Denise Rico, 48 years old, of Edinburg, Texas, on two (2) counts of Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance following an investigation into the death of a 39-year old McAllen man.
Mental Health Board Swears in New Member, Hears Agency Reports
The Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services heard outcome reports from nine agencies under its oversight during its Sept. 16 meeting, as representatives reviewed their work during fiscal year 2026. The board also swore in new member Dave Fabiq. Vice Chair Kathy Johnson said she expected Fabiq to bring valuable experience to
From Congress to County Commissioner: Kentucky State Council Urges Multilevel Political Power
A packed room of IAM delegates attended the fall session of the Kentucky State Council in Calvert City, Ky. Local political candidates, who are running for positions like local commissioner to U.S. Congress, courted coveted labor votes in the IAM. The keynote speaker was retired IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger who talked about the importance
2026 Fall Gala honors business owners, workers
Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2026 Fall Gala on Wednesday night. The event, which drew a crowd of hundreds of community leaders, entrepreneurs, and dedicated hospitality professionals for an evening of networking, recognition, and appreciation. The night includes the Cook County Chamber Business Awards, which recognize outstanding businesses...
West Nile illness proves fatal for Stanislaus County resident. First death of 2026
The Stanislaus County resident was younger than 50 years old.
State police investigating after John Deere tractor stolen from Western Pennsylvania business
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the theft of a John Deere tractor from a Greene County business.
AC Milan consider Adrien Rabiot contract extension a priority
AC Milan have reportedly made extending the contract of Adrien Rabiot (31) their top priority, according to reports in La Gazzetta dello Sport.Under contract with the Lombardy-based club until 2028, t...
Ella Langley, Tucker Wetmore dating amid ‘Choosin’ Texas’ record
Ella Langley has more than a record-breaking hit on her hands. The "Choosin' Texas" country music breakout is now reportedly in a budding romance with Tucker Wetmore, also a musician.
Axios House: Politics complicates U.S. ambitions in energy race
Politics is an obstacle to the country's competitive energy and climate efforts at a critical time, industry leaders say.
Loudoun eyeing new indoor sports complex, study coming to county board
Loudoun County is studying a potential indoor sports facility, with a report coming to the Board of Supervisors’ Finance Committee early next year.
Los Angeles Chargers Need Vocal Leaders
The Chargers are 0-2 and desperately need more vocal leadership. Justin Herbert leads by example, but the team needs someone to demand more from everyone. With frustration mounting, the Chargers need their veteran leaders to step up and help right the ship.
Quincy Symphony to open season with soprano Melissa Citro
QUINCY — The Quincy Symphony Orchestra will open its 79th concert season, titled “World of Wonder,” with a performance called “Untold Stories” at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at the […]
Cowboys will be business in Brazil, disappointing some local fans
Safety concerns within the country are part of the reason Dallas intends to stick to team activities instead of tourist spots.
Arts and Entertainment Agenda, Sept 25 to Oct. 2
Wintersköl Royalty nominations, open through Sept. 25 The Aspen Chamber Resort Association is accepting community nominations for 2026 Wintersköl Royalty through Sept. 25. This tradition honors Aspen locals who embody the community spirit, joy and...
Lancaster County small businesses, private nonprofits impacted by drought eligible for low-interest loans
Low-interest federal disaster loans are available for small Lancaster County businesses and private nonprofits impacted by drought earlier this year.
Australia Says an OpenAI Agent Hacked Into a Goverment Health Site
The AI giant found out about the hack in August, but didn't send a message until September.
Leeds full-back Miller signs new deal to 2028
Leeds Rhinos full-back Lachie Miller signs a contract extension to remain with the Super League club until the end of the 2028 season.
Dolly Parton’s sister addresses family feud rumors amid nephew restraining order
Dolly Parton’s sister Freida has addressed a rumored rift among the family after the late country singer’s estate was granted a temporary restraining order against her nephew Bryan Seaver. “I’ll
Howard Youth Data Shows Declines in Substance Use, Growing Mental Health Concerns
New survey data spanning more than a decade shows significant declines in substance use among Howard County youth, while rising reports of sadness and
Westbrook Health Services Distributes Free Naloxone Across 8 Counties for Save a Life Day
Community health advocates across West Virginia joined a nationwide effort Thursday to place life-saving overdose reversal medication into the hands of the public during Save a Life Day.
Health District reports Clark County’s first flu-related death this season
The Southern Nevada Health District announced Thursday the first flu-related death of the season in a Clark County resident.
Economic development veteran Mike Malone notes value of statewide competitiveness
Mike Malone, partner at Shallotte, N.C.-based economic development firm Economic Leadership, said cities, counties, and states compete to retain and attract residents and businesses. The firm recently worked with the...
WSFS Financial Corp. opens 1st office in Lancaster County
Delaware-based WSFS Financial Corp. has expanded to Lancaster County with the opening of its first location here.
First flu-related death of season reported in Clark County
Southern Nevada Health District confirms the first flu-related death of the season in Clark County. Health officials urge Las Vegas residents to get vaccinated.
Berry Street, Abbott partner to link Lingo CGM with nutrition coaching
Nutrition care company Berry Street and Abbott inked a partnership aimed at expanding personalized nutrition support. | Through the partnership, Abbott’s Lingo, an over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor, will now feature live nutrition coaching from Berry Street.
COURTHOUSE NEWS: Feds find Tijuana River pollution poses public health hazard in San Diego
“Polluted water becomes polluted air, and air reaches everyone who breathes it, far beyond anyone who touches the water,” one UC San Diego researcher said. By Quinn Welsch, Courthouse News Service A report on the Tijuana River pollution crisis from the U.S. Department of Health on Wednesday confirmed what many people living in San Diego County have long suspected: Air pollution from the river has reached levels capable of harming their health. The federal health assessment from the department’s Agency […]
Small Business Spotlight: Cakewalk Chicago Helps Bakers Turn Their Skills into Income - Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
For many people who walk into Cakewalk Chicago, a cake is more than something to bring to a party. It is an order to fill, a customer to keep, and income to support their family. That is what Lori Parrett sees from behind the counter of the Beverly baking supply store she has spent 24
As pharmacies across Vermont close, North Star Health opens 3 new ones
SPRINGFIELD — In the era of independent pharmacy closures and ballooning drug costs, a new pharmacy that charges less for drugs seems counterintuitive, if not impossible. But that’s exactly what North Star Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center that operates medical clinics in Vermont and New Hampshire, did when it officially launched three new pharmacies […]
The Politics Hour: Montgomery County's trash and an RFK campus master plan heads to the D.C. Council
Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani-González on the future of the county's aging trash incinerator and Ward 5 D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker on the Council's first legislative hearing of the fall.
‘Happy Valley’ Star Sarah Lancashire Leading Dark Netflix Series About A Modern-Day Witch Hunt
Netflix is teaming with Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire, Abi Morgan and Sister on a dark thriller about a modern-day witch hunt, while the streamer has secured Bob Mortimer and Ricahrd Ayoade for i...
Clark County records first flu-related death of 2026-27 season, health district says
The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting the first flu-related death of the 2026-27 season in Clark County.Officials said the person was a man in his 50
BofA battles for talent as business banker hiring surges
Bank of America's Sharon Miller says competitors recognize business owners as a fountain of leads for cross-selling opportunities and are chasing that business, too.
Redeemer Health CEO Greg Wozniak has resigned from the Montgomery County health system
Wozniak's successor as interim CEO is Jim Logue, who has been Redeemer's chief transformation officer since Feb. 2025.
National high school football composite rankings, Week 6
The best high school football teams in the country? Here is the latest national composite rankings for Week 6.
Frugal Fannie’s in Westwood is closing after 43 years in business
The longtime discount clothing store is holding a going-out-of-business sale starting Thursday. A final closing date is not set.
The science gap fueling Africa's water wars
As countries across Africa face growing pressure over shared water resources, USC water scientists argue that one of the most powerful tools for preventing conflict may be found not at the negotiating ...
A smashing success, TaterFest returns Saturday
Mount Jackson’s TaterFest returns Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lions Park, bringing a full day of potato-themed activities, food and family fun.
Starbucks is closing hundreds of locations
Starbucks is closing approximately 250 locations in the coming days as the coffee chain continues to prune its store count during its turnaround efforts.
Fire damages more than 160 golf carts at Brandywine business
More than 160 golf carts were damaged in a fire Thursday morning at a commercial golf cart repair business in Brandywine, according to the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department.
Forced Eviction of 87-Year-Old Woman Spurs Outrage in Spain
Demonstrations broke out across the country over the woman’s eviction in Madrid, putting rising rents and affordability at the top of the political conversation.
Man, woman accused of stealing $200,000 from York County business
A man and woman face felony charges after being accused of stealing more than $200,000 from a York County business.
Provident Bank Goes Live with MANTL Business and Retail Account Opening Across its 135-Branch Network
/PRNewswire/ -- Alkami Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALKT), a digital sales and service platform provider for financial institutions in the U.S., today announced...
Jenga and the U.S. census: Way more than just counting people
A new book, “Data Are Made, Not Found,” from danah boyd, professor of communication, is an insider’s account of the 2020 census and how the pandemic and political forces from left, right and center threatened to take it down like a Jenga tower.
Save Our Sons and Daughters SC hosts Thursday event for mental health awareness
A Lowcountry nonprofit is working to working to community together to talk about mental health and sucicide prevention with aA LOWCOUNTRY NON-PROFIT IS BRINGIN
Fire damages more than 160 golf carts at Brandywine business
More than 160 golf carts were damaged in a fire Thursday morning at a commercial golf cart repair business in Brandywine, Maryland, according to the Prince Geor
Fire damages more than 160 golf carts at Brandywine business
More than 160 golf carts were damaged in a fire Thursday morning at a commercial golf cart repair business in Brandywine, Maryland, according to the Prince Geor
Lemonade the Rare Way: Harford County father turns life's lemons into a small business
Matthew Bartee of Lemonade the Rare Way uses fresh fruit and organic cane sugar to craft flavors he's been perfecting for more than a decade. Jumpstarting a small family business after being laid off.
John Summit Saved $20,000 and Quit His Accounting Job to Become a DJ. Now He’s Building an Entertainment Empire
John Summit quit his accounting job at Ernst & Young to pursue a career as a DJ. Today, the internationally known DJ is building Experts Only with Medium Rare, betting on a new business model that gives artists a stake in the festivals they create.
Tunisia fuel strike highlights growing economic and political anger
A 48-hour strike in Tunis adds to mounting public frustration over worsening living conditions and basic services.
Australia to investigate if OpenAI hack of government health website broke the law
The incident is the first known breach to affect a government agency, and Australia's prime minister has vowed to hold OpenAI accountable.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered Global Release Times Confirmed by CD Projekt
CD Projekt has confirmed the global release times for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered. Here's when you can play in your region.
Lee Health Expands Healthcare Access in Eastern Lee County with New Outpatient Center at The Forum
Residents of eastern Lee County will soon have greater access to healthcare services closer to home with Lee Health at The Forum. Scheduled to open next year, the facility will offer primary care, Lee Convenient Care, and on-site laboratory services, creating a convenient healthcare destination for patients in Lehigh Acres, East Fort Myers, and surrounding […]
Official: Udinese sign four-time Champions League winner Alaba
Udinese have officially announced their signing of four-time Champions League-winning defender David Alaba on a free transfer until the end of the 2026-27 season.Official: Alaba joins Udinese on free ...
Patriots set to kick off region slate with unbeaten Science Hill
The most pivotal stretch of the year for the Jefferson County Patriots has officially arrived. This week begins the Patriots’ Region 1-6A slate for the 2026 season, and it gets underway with Science Hill and Dobyns-Bennett, two perennial threats to win the league each year, in back-to-back weeks. “Obviously two football games that are very,
Walker Kessler's ESPN Rise Sends Clear Message to Utah Jazz
A 25-spot rankings surge for the Lakers’ newest center exposes a harsh reality: elite production often stays hidden until paired with superstars and the national spotlight.
Is metascience being co-opted?
In July, the White House released a report that argued academia is deeply dysfunctional and in need of radical reform.Science: A New Golden Age sets out a litany of problems many academics will recognise: interminable waits for grants; short-term funding rather than support for longer, more ambitious projects; ballooning administrative requirements; pressure to publish, and many more. “The scientific machine is getting bogged down,” it says. At least on the face of it, Science: A New Golden Age is a triumph for the metascience movement, a loose-knit, global group of academics, philanthropists and think tankers that want far more testing and experimentation in how we fund public research and innovation. The report tells US research funders to set up internal metascience units to do just this. But it has also set alarm bells ringing that metascience is being conveniently deployed to help justify the defunding of US universities, which US vice president JD Vance has openly labelled “the enemy.” “Just because you have an issue with your plumbing in your house doesn't mean you light the entire house on fire and burn it to the ground,” said Colette Delawalla, chief executive of Stand Up for Science, a group campaigning against what it says are attacks on scientists by the Trump administration. No one is arguing that academia doesn’t need reform, but there’s debate over how far and how fast the system should be shaken up. Does public R&D need slow and steady evidence-based adjustment, or radical new experiments?One of the key arguments in Science: A New Golden Age is that there’s not enough funding for what it calls “mid-level” science: engineering-heavy projects that require tens of millions of dollars, involve ten to a hundred people, and last around five years. Such a project might develop a brain-computer interface for people with Alzheimer's disease, for example. As such, the US National Science Foundation (NSF) has already announced $1.5 billion to set up so-called X-Labs, effectively new research organisations to pursue breakthroughs in areas such as quantum sensing and new scientific instruments. Funding divertedBut there’s a catch: this money has squeezed NSF budgets for more traditional, fundamental research grants, Science reported in June, likely meaning less cash for university-based scientists. Science: A New Golden Age also makes various swipes at universities, accusing them of extracting overheads from scientists to fund administrative bloat. “We have become dependent on a narrow set of legacy institutions,” it says. The report doesn’t mention it, but the US government is simultaneously seeking greater powers over federal funding, which would allow political appointees at funding agencies to screen or cancel research grants mid-project. The White House is also seeking to slash the NSF’s budget by more than half in 2027, although similar cuts proposed for 2026 were blocked by Congress. Convenient hookThis has worried some that the metascience agenda could be misused as a kind of smokescreen to further weaken universities. James Wilsdon, executive director of the Research on Research Institute at University College London, said that the report contains lots of “interesting ideas” and agrees that in places, academia is a “pretty broken system.” But the risk is that metascience is being deployed as a “convenient hook” to support cuts and a “political land grab” to transfer grant power from scientists to political appointees in US funding agencies.So far, the metascience agenda hasn’t been seized on by radical right parties in Europe. But Wilsdon worries it will cross the Atlantic, politicising research reform efforts and making them more difficult to carry out. The report is already making some in Europe sceptical of the entire idea. “The system is not without flaws, but the metascience discussion is not likely to improve the system but rather to generate munition to undermine it,” said Claes de Vreese, a professor of AI and society at the University of Amsterdam. Peter Thiel protégéOfficially, Science: A New Golden Age has just one named author: Michael Kratsios, the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and a former chief of staff to Silicon Valley mogul Peter Thiel. He also served as chief financial officer of Thiel’s Clarium Capital Management. Since the 1990s, Thiel has criticised US universities for moving away from teaching what he views as the classic works of western civilisation, and drifting towards “anti-Western zealotry.” And since 2011, he has offered two-year fellowships of $250,000 to young people to skip or drop out of university, and instead start companies or pursue scientific research. “College can be good for learning about what’s been done before, but it can also discourage you from doing something new,” according to the Thiel Fellowships website. In other areas, the Trump administration has promoted academics with a longstanding interest in metascience. For example, the head of the National Institutes of Health, Jay Bhattacharya, in 2020 co-authored a study arguing the funder backs overly conservative proposals, although he achieved wider prominence as a critic of pandemic lockdowns. Careless talk costs fundingEven before the Trump administration embraced the metascience agenda, some metascientists privately wondered whether they should be careful not to overstate dysfunctions in academia, in case this gets used as ammunition against universities. But others think being cautious with criticism is pointless. After all, last year, the Trump administration sought to cut funding from US universities on an entirely different premise: supposed antisemitism on campus. “I don't think these governments need a technical metascientific excuse to attack the universities, they will want to do so anyway,” said Will Stone, a researcher at Science Works, a new think tank advocating for a “metascience revolution” in the UK. “I think researchers should report what they find, even when the findings may be used to advance policies they disagree with,” echoed Russell Funk, a researcher at the University of Minnesota, who in 2023 co-authored a highly influential paper that argued scientific papers were becoming less disruptive over time. No justificationThat said, Funk thinks that metascientific research certainly doesn’t justify a weakening of universities. Instead, scientists need “time, resources and stability to pursue unfamiliar ideas,” he said. “Taking away those conditions works against the very goal the reforms are supposed to achieve.”The Institute for Progress, a Washington DC-based innovation policy think tank that has championed X-Labs and metascience units, also says that reforms should complement, not supplant, universities. “Unpredictable, unreliable, and reduced federal funding to researchers is destabilising to the very foundations of research and development and is bad,” said Jenn Gustetic, the institute’s director of metascience and R&D policy.Evolution or revolution?This points to a much bigger divide in the metascience community: how far and how fast should public R&D be shaken up? Does it need evolution or revolution? For example, Science: A New Golden Age says the science system relies too heavily on traditional “workhorse” project grants, the type that pay out around $250,000 a year to fund “hypothesis-driven science by small teams on tractable questions.” However, in criticising project grants, the report “decisively picks one side of a debate that is far from settled,” David Hilmer Rex, a metascientist based in Denmark, has written. In June, Pierre Azoulay, a metascientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, defended project grants, saying that the alternative of X-Labs “merits scepticism.”A-B testingOne challenge in metascience is that it’s easier to generate evidence for some types of change than others. Most straightforwardly, research funders can run A-B tests on different ways of awarding money. For example, Germany’s Volkswagen Foundation recently trialled distributed peer review, where applicants rate each other’s proposals, and measured its results against traditional review panels. Distributed peer review made quicker decisions, although awarded money to largely different ideas. However, much of the focus of the metascience movement has been on founding fast-moving and free-acting new research organisations and funders, in contrast to the alleged stodginess of mainstream academia or public innovation grants. A culture of speed and freedom are the animating principles behind Germany’s Sprind or the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria).Related articlesViewpoint: it's time to experiment with how Europe funds science European researchers sound the alarm that Trump rule changes will hit cooperationHowever, while it’s possible to closely study previously successful bodies, such as the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa), for historical clues to their secret sauce, it’s impossible to guarantee in advance that the likes of Sprind or Aria will actually work as hoped. But advocates of new organisations say this inherent uncertainly shouldn’t stop us trying. “If we wait for definitive proof that something will work before we try it, I don't know where your proof is coming from,” said Stone. Trade-offsUp until now, experiments in metascience haven’t generally come with hard trade-offs over money. In the US, new ideas such as focused research organisations have often been funded by billionaire philanthropists. In Europe, new innovation agencies such as Sprind and Aria, or the Netherland’s new National Agency for Disruptive Innovation, haven’t needed explicit cuts elsewhere in the research system. But with the $1.5 billion establishment of X-Labs by the NSF, the trade-offs are becoming clearer. Some metascientists privately wonder whether a smaller pilot would have been more appropriate, given that the idea is untested. The Institute for Progress counters that the $1.5 billion X-Labs budget is spread out over a decade, so will account for less than 2% of the NSF’s annual budget. “It’s important to remember that [Darpa] was once an institutional experiment as well. Now it’s one of the most cited innovative funding models in the world,” said Gustetic.As for Europe?The US isn’t the only country placing metascience at the heart of its research strategy. Science: A New Golden Age looks admiringly at the UK, which in 2024 set up a Metascience Unit to scrutinise how it funds research. In Brussels, it’s more of a mixed picture. In 2018, the EU set up the European Innovation Council to funnel grants and equity to start-ups, although it’s sometimes criticised for awarding money too slowly. Recently, the council has started experimenting with challenges, where teams of inventors compete to overcome a technological challenge. The European Commission also wants to experiment with partially randomising grant winners, to cut down on bureaucracy. However, the Commission’s own advisers have said the EU’s own research schemes are too conventional. They want the Commission to establish a new dedicated unit to scrutinise and experiment with funding. But there’s no sign of a such unit emerging in Brussels’ plans for the next Horizon Europe programme, which from 2028 is set to distribute more than €160 billion over seven years. Sam Bogerd, director of breakthrough innovation at the Brussels-based Arq Foundation, an AI-focused think tank that also looks at metascience, says that Europe might have the opposite problem to the US: universities and basic research funding are still reasonably well supported, but there’s not enough experimentation. “We're not taking a close enough look at where this money can achieve the most, and I am worried that the good ideas around metascience will be tainted politically by their association with the Trump administration,” he said. He’s still lobbying for the Commission to set up an experimental unit. But in the meantime, the Arq Foundation plans to do its own research, and is currently hiring two metascience researchers to run the rule over how Brussels spends research funding.
EU science policy wonks debate prospect of stronger ties with Canada
Europe’s research and innovation sector has started asking questions on how European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s offer to make Canada “the first associate member of the EU” would actually work in practice, and who will get to shape priorities in a transatlantic relationship that is getting stronger. The Commission says it wants “a new model of association” under which the EU and Canada will aim to develop “a shared space” to face ongoing challenges. “Working in close coordination with our member states and the European Parliament, we will aim to create a new form of partnership that has not existed until now, building the closest imaginable form of association with a partner outside Europe,” a spokesperson told Science|Business.Locked in an escalating trade war with US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly talked of annexing Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney has been looking east, but full EU membership was never in play. Taking the floor a day after von der Leyen’s proposal, he agreed to strengthen ties under “an alliance of the future” but reined in enthusiasm on the new label. He also suggested expanding Canada’s involvement in the Erasmus+ student mobility scheme, to which it currently has limited access, and the next iteration of Horizon Europe. Canada joined the present Horizon Europe in 2024, but only contributes to collaborative projects.Neither side has detailed the next practical steps in developing this new relationship. “I think nobody at the moment truly knows how this will work,” said Michael Browne, chief executive and founder of Crowdhelix, a global collaborative network that connects players in research and innovation. “It’s more of a statement of intent for closer collaboration, which requires legislative frameworks and approval processes, which have not started.”Kurt Deketelaere, secretary general of the League of European Research Universities, said von der Leyen’s pitch to Canada is “politically significant, but the legal content still has to be negotiated and constructed.”Mattias Björnmalm, secretary general of the Cesaer university group, agreed that she had only opened “a political door” to Canada, as “associate membership does not come with a predefined set of rights in the EU institutions.”Not only does this status not currently exist as a legal category in the two treaties that set up how the EU functions, but the Commission president cannot unilaterally create a new category of EU membership.According to Deketelaere, Article 217 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which allows the bloc to make association deals with non-EU countries involving reciprocal rights and duties, is “the most obvious existing legal basis for building a much deeper EU-Canada relationship.”Getting universities involvedNo matter how this new cooperation takes shape, Liviu Matei, who heads the School of Education, Communication and Society at King’s College London, hopes to see universities involved in discussions from an early stage.“Its primary motivations, entirely justifiably, are political and geopolitical,” he said. “In the area of higher education, however, restricting the initiative to political and geopolitical considerations would limit the scope of cooperation and lead to distorted frameworks and counterproductive implementation.”It is all the more important since academic interests on the two sides of the Atlantic are “neither identical nor fully aligned,” Matei added. “This is not insurmountable; it simply requires work to articulate the details of this privileged cooperation, including its governance and funding frameworks, as well as its substantive content in education and research.”Related articlesCanada looks to deepen research and education links with the EUZaharieva hopes for a Horizon Europe deal in 2026Canada might participate in European Research Council schemes, for example, which was not on offer in the present Horizon Europe association agreement. But “there would have to be something in it for the EU,” Browne said. “They don’t want to be funding projects outside of the EU where intellectual property is going to sit outside of the EU. There has to be some kind of transfer of knowledge.”But access to funding will not by itself resolve all the practical difficulties of working together, said Björnmalm. “For researchers and students, these include visas and residence arrangements, recognition of qualifications and study periods, and the conditions for pursuing a research career across borders,” he said. “For universities, there is scope for more predictable access to shared laboratories, computing and research data, and stronger support for joint doctoral training and long-term institutional partnerships.”Linda Doyle, provost and president of Trinity College Dublin, said Europe should strive for the “closest possible expression” of this new political alliance. “If Europe is serious about recovering its voice and its place in the world, it needs to be strongly allied with countries who share its values and its vision for a stable, rules-based, peaceful world.”
CPA Chairperson and South African Speaker highlight women's, children's and adolescents' health at 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in South Africa
Parliamentarians and health leaders from across the Commonwealth gathered at the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in South Africa to discuss how stronger parliamentary leadership, oversight and collaboration can advance the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents. The session highlighted the need to translate commitments into measurable action, strengthen accountability for health financing and ensure policies deliver meaningful results for communities.