The species has been named obelignathus septimanicus. This new addition lived in the European archipelago around 72 million years ago during the Cretaceous period and is classified within the Ornitopod dinosaur family of Iguanodon Island, specifically in the Rabdodidae family.
Reconstructing obelignathus septimanicus in its Late Cretaceous environment, as depicted in the “Grès à Reptiles” layer, with a Dromaeosaurus in the background. Image credit: Edyta Felcyn-Kowalska.
The Rhabdodontids were medium-sized dinosaurs, potentially bipedal herbivores measuring between 2 and 6 meters (6.6 to 20 feet).
These dinosaurs exhibited stocky builds, characterized by thick limbs, short bodies, long tails, and relatively large triangular skulls.
They thrived in the late Cretaceous European archipelago, a vast collection of small islands located in shallow tropical waters.
This family currently comprises fewer than 10 species, distributed across southern France, northern Spain, eastern Austria, western Hungary, and western Romania.
“Rhabdodontids are typically recognized as endemic groups of leaf-eating dinosaurs from the late Cretaceous European archipelago,” stated Ukaszepians and Dr. Daniel Magia from the Institute of Paleontology at the Polish Academy of Sciences.
“At present, eight to nine different species have been identified based on specimens unearthed from eastern Austria, southern France, western Hungary, western Romania, and northern Spain.”
“However, our understanding of the diversity within Rhabdodontidae and their evolutionary relationships remains incomplete.”
Fossils of obelignathus septimanicus were discovered, with a notable tooth located in the Gresèrepilles layer in southern France.
This specimen has been associated with a previously identified species, “Rhabdodon septimanicus”.
“Rhabdodon septimanicus is recognized as a basal species from the lower part of the Maastrichtian in southern France during the Campanian period,” remarked the paleontologist.
“It was classified based on particularly robust dental remains, which have drawn varying taxonomic interpretations.”
“Our analyses, which include multivariate and phylogenetic evaluations, indicate that this species represents a distinct morphological anomaly among European Rhabdodontomorphs, justifying its categorization into a new genus, obelignathus.”
“While further extensive research, especially in-depth osteological studies, is essential to clarify the taxonomic significance of specific European Rhabdomorphs, our findings suggest that several co-existing sympatric species, particularly in southern France and possibly Romania, display greater diversity than is currently acknowledged,” he added.
The team’s research paper was published in the journal Scientific Reports this week.
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Czepiński & D. Madzia. 2025. A study of the diversity and disparity of Rhabdodontid ornithopods from Late Cretaceous European archipelagos. Sci Rep 15, 15209; doi:10.1038/s41598-025-98083-z
Andrew Wozniak, a chemical oceanographer at the University of Delaware, found it difficult to comprehend the scene before him. Dr. Wozniak was stationed at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, nearly 1.6 miles below the surface, aboard Alvin, the research submersible. As far as his eyes could scan, there lay a nearly desolate expanse of jet-black rock.
Just a day prior, this area was alive with the bustling activity around the Tika hydrothermal vent, situated about 1,300 miles west of Costa Rica. The rocky seabed was home to a vibrant ecosystem, teeming with life. Bright crimson-tipped giant tubeworms intertwined with clusters of mussels, encapsulated in a tapestry of thriving organisms. Crustaceans scuttled about, while ethereal white fish glided gracefully in search of their next meal.
Now, however, only a solitary cluster of dead tubeworms remained amid the darkened landscape. The vivid orange glow of molten lava flickered through the rocks, and a fine mist clouded the water.
“My mind was racing to grasp what had transpired,” Dr. Wozniak said. “Where did everything go?”
Then it dawned on him: he and his fellow explorers had observed the aftermath of a volcanic eruption that had obliterated a once-thriving ecosystem beneath a fresh layer of lava.
This marked the first time scientists had directly witnessed a clear eruption along a ridge in the Central Ocean, a volcanic mountain chain stretching approximately 40,000 miles globally. Baseball seams signify the boundaries of tectonic plates that, when separated, can trigger volcanic eruptions, creating new crust and layers of Earth’s structure beneath the ocean. Approximately 80% of Earth’s volcanic activity occurs at the seafloor, predominantly along the mid-ocean ridge. Before this recent observation, only two underwater eruptions had been documented, neither occurring along the mid-ocean ridge, noted Bill Chadwick, a volcanologist from Oregon State University who was not part of the research team.
“This is an incredibly exciting first,” he remarked.
Such observations provide an invaluable opportunity for scientists to explore fundamental processes of our planet: the formation of new seabeds and their dynamic influence on marine chemistry, ecosystems, microbial life, and beyond.
“Experiencing it in real time is an extraordinary gift. I’m truly envious,” said Deborah Kelly, a marine geologist at the University of Washington who did not participate in the research.
Dr. Wozniak and his team set sail on the R/V Atlantis before diving into the Alvin submersible. Their initial mission was to examine the carbon emissions from Tika’s vents, funded by the National Science Foundation. Hydrothermal vents act as planetary piping systems, discharging heated seawater from the seabed and facilitating the transport of heat and chemicals from within the Earth, thus regulating marine chemistry and sustaining a unique community of deep-sea organisms.
Tuesday morning’s dive commenced like any other. Alyssa Wentzel, an undergraduate from the University of Delaware, accompanied Dr. Wozniak in Alvin, sharing her excitement about descending into the ocean’s depths for a 70-minute journey to the seabed. As the lights dimmed, bioluminescent jellyfish and tiny zooplankton danced in the water.
“It felt magical,” she remarked. “It truly leaves you speechless.”
However, as they neared the site, the temperature gradually increased, shrouding the area in a dark haze. The seabed’s usual dull gray and brown tones were replaced with tendrils of glassy rock, an outcome of rapid cooling when lava makes contact with cold water.
As the particles clouded Alvin’s view, Caitlyn Biadshire, a pilot from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, guided the submersible while monitoring the temperature closely, concerned about the safety of the submersible and its crew. Ultimately, the pilot decided a retreat was necessary.
“It was a breathtaking sight,” they reflected. “Everything I observed just days earlier has been wiped away. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been there within hours of the eruption.”
After returning to the ship, the team learned that a sensitive microphone, known as a Hydrophone, was onboard the Atlantis and had recorded a series of low-frequency rumbles and crackling sounds reminiscent of a campfire.
This represented the third known eruption at the Tika Vent since its discovery in the 1980s. For decades, marine geologist Dan Fornari and his colleagues have closely monitored the site, tracking changes in temperature, water chemistry, and other factors. By combining these analyses with models of seafloor diffusion, they predicted an eruption was imminent, forecasting it could happen either earlier this year or in the previous year.
In 1991, they reached Tika shortly after an eruption began. Although it may have still been active, they lacked visual confirmation of the lava. This time, he asserted, there was no doubt about what the Alvin crew witnessed. “This was the closest we’ve ever come to witnessing the onset of an eruption,” he stated.
The team continues its research into volcanic activity. Due to safety considerations, they are now collecting data and capturing images from the Atlantis remotely.
This data aids researchers in unraveling the mysteries of deep-sea volcanism and its significance within marine ecosystems. “It’s all connected to understanding the overall system of Earth and the ocean,” Dr. Fornari stated. “The relationship is both intricate and beautiful.”
On Friday, a prominent scientific organization announced its plans to release a pivotal report on climate change for the nation. This endeavor had been sidelined by the Trump administration, which dismissed numerous scientists involved in the effort.
The American Geophysical Union and the American Meteorological Society indicated that authors could opt to publish works initially drafted for evaluation in their respective journals.
Brandon Jones, program director for the National Science Foundation, stated, “It is essential to protect and prepare our community, our neighbors, and our children from the escalating risks associated with climate change. This collaboration opens a vital pathway for researchers to unite and provide the necessary science to address global climate change solutions.”
The National Climate Assessment represents a thorough review of current climate science, examining the impacts of climate change on the nation and outlining potential adaptation and mitigation strategies. Five editions have been published since 2000, with the sixth edition expected to be released in early 2028.
The new initiative will not replace the federal reports required by Congress, according to a statement from the American Geophysical Union and the American Meteorological Association.
The White House has not responded to a request for comment. Following the rejection of the authors of the National Climate Assessment, known as NCA6, the notification they received mentioned that “the scope of the report is currently being reassessed in accordance with the Global Change Research Act of 1990.” This law instituted the US Global Change Research Program in April, subsequently resulting in staff and funding cuts by the administration.
It remains uncertain whether the administration will move forward with a revised assessment, try to bypass Congress and cancel it entirely, or take an alternative approach.
Jason West, an environmental scientist at the University of North Carolina and former lead author on the Air Quality chapter in a past assessment, stated, “This effort cannot substitute for NCA6, which goes through extensive public and government reviews. However, it allows the team of authors who have already started their work the chance to finalize and publish their findings.”
The report’s authors had been preparing a chapter for nearly a year, addressing subjects like climate model updates and urban heat adaptation.
Scientists highlighted the unique breadth, depth, and rigor of national climate assessments, noting that the government’s role in publishing has historically added credibility and reliability to these reports.
Researchers expressed disappointment at the abrupt cancellation of their volunteer positions. For many, the announcement from the Science Association was a positive indication that their work could proceed, just as the authors of the first National Natural Assessment advocated for the publication of their efforts.
Costa Samaras, a civil engineer at Carnegie Mellon University and leader of the Climate Mitigation chapter, remarked via email, “The AGU/AMS initiatives can sustain the momentum of climate science in the wake of recent setbacks. It serves as a reminder that science will persist.”
Under President Trump’s proposed budget, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration aims to become the nation’s focal point for lunar and Martian exploration, sending astronauts to these celestial bodies.
The Trump administration has suggested an $18.8 billion budget for NASA, a reduction of 24% from the current fiscal year’s funding of $24.8 billion. This plan is part of Trump’s commitment to “plant the flag” on Mars, a promise made during his Congress address last March.
This budget shift aligns with the vision of Elon Musk, who founded SpaceX two decades ago with aspirations to transport settlers to Mars someday.
However, the proposal does not outline how the $1 billion allocation will be utilized or the timeline for sending astronauts to Mars. Musk has indicated that SpaceX intends to launch a new, large spacecraft toward Mars by the latter half of 2026, though it’s still under development.
Janet Petro, NASA administrator, stated, “The proposal includes investments focused on crucial scientific and technological research while advancing exploration of the Moon and Mars.”
The budget cuts will mainly affect NASA’s Robotics and Space Science Mission, including the proposed cancellation of a mission to retrieve Martian rock samples and a climate observation satellite. The Orion crew capsules are set to return astronauts to the Moon post-Artemis III, the first mission to land near the Moon’s South Pole. Additionally, the Gateway, a planned orbital space station around the Moon, will be scrapped.
Casey Drier, director of space policy at the Planetary Association, noted, “The exploration of space is a nonprofit advocating for space exploration. This budget reflects America’s standing as a leader in space, yet we are becoming more introspective.”
The budget plan also suggests an increase in operations at the International Space Station, while proposing the elimination of NASA’s educational initiatives, labeling them as “awakening.” Previous attempts by both President Trump and President Obama to terminate NASA’s educational funding were countered by Congress reinstating the funds.
In aviation, the proposed budget cuts research aimed at minimizing greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft.
The budget further suggests reducing “mission support” by over $1 billion, aiming to save costs through employee workforce cuts, maintenance reduction, construction decreases, and “environmental compliance activities.”
Last year, Vermont achieved a historic milestone by enacting the nation’s first climate superfund law, aimed at enabling the recovery of funds from fossil fuel companies to manage the escalating expenses associated with climate change.
This depends, however, on whether we can prevail against the mounting legal challenges.
Recently, the Department of Justice initiated a federal lawsuit, with Vermont being one of the states, alongside New York, to adopt the Climate Superfund Act. The lawsuit argues the measure is “a bold effort to seize federal authority” and forces others to subsidize state infrastructure expenditures.
Shortly after, West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCauskey announced he was spearheading another challenge against Vermont’s law, claiming it “encroaches upon American coal, oil, and natural gas producers.”
McCauskey had previously filed a similar lawsuit against New York, seeking $75 billion from oil and gas companies over the next 25 years. On Thursday, he warned that the Vermont version could be “even more perilous” as it lacks a financial cap.
He, along with 23 other attorneys, is joining the lawsuit filed late last year by the American Petroleum Research Institute, an affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce and the Federal Court of Vermont.
West Virginia is a significant source of natural gas and coal, and the complaint asserts that fossil fuel companies operate legally. It argues that “Vermont enjoys affordable and reliable fuels while simultaneously punishing those who produce such energy.”
The Climate Superfund Act is patterned after the federal Superfund program, which aims to clean up hazardous waste sites. This program has been operational for decades, ensuring that businesses contributing to contamination help finance the cleanup.
The new climate superfund law stems from the understanding that the burning of fossil fuels—which generates carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases—is a primary driver of climate change. Consequently, the law permits states to pursue funding from fossil fuel producers to mitigate the costs of global warming. Similar legislative initiatives are gaining traction in states like California, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
Patrick Derprue, an expert in environmental law in Vermont, characterized the Justice Department’s case as “a display of virtue signaling” and anticipates a dismissal. He expects the state will argue that the Chamber of Commerce’s lawsuit is premature, given that officials are still determining how the law will be applied and are not directly implicated.
Julie Moore, the secretary of the Vermont Natural Resources Agency, indicated her involvement in both filings and stated her office is reviewing the specifics. She noted that the Justice Department’s actions were “not unforeseen” in light of President Trump’s April 8 executive order, which aims to “protect America’s energy from federal overreach.”
This order explicitly mentions the new laws in Vermont and New York, deeming them threats to national economic and security interests.
Letitia James, the New York Attorney General, who is named in the DOJ lawsuit, stated that the Climate Superfund Act “will ensure that those responsible for the climate crisis contribute to remedying the damages they have inflicted.”
Meghan Greenfield, an environmental attorney with prior experience at the DOJ and the Environmental Protection Agency, now a partner at Jenner & Block, remarked that legal conflicts regarding such new laws are inevitable. Some arguments relevant to these measures are novel and untested, revolving around the concept of “equal sovereignty” between states, which posits that states should be equitably treated by the federal government.
“We are navigating complex legal landscapes, with new types of laws and challenges emerging, making predictions difficult,” she noted.
She also expressed anticipation for further confrontations regarding more conventional state climate regulations, particularly those in New York and California.
As Don Pike embarks on his daily stroll, he laces up his brown hiking boots, takes hold of his walking stick and bucket hat, and steps outside. A mere ten feet later, he skillfully navigates around barbed wire to enter the Tonto National Forest. Unlike the typical Tonto scenery, where the ground is strewn with dry grass between native plants and trees, this area feels stark, unfriendly, and barren.
The reason for this desolation is that Mr. Pike is engaged in weed removal.
“I’ve eliminated them so effectively that I can’t find any in this region,” remarked Pike, 84, a retired resident of Maine who has found great joy in his cherished desert and installed floor-to-ceiling windows in his living room.
Mr. Pike is in a battle against buffel grass and fountain grass, two invasive species that are spreading throughout the Sonoran desert. These plants suffocate native flora, elevate the risk and intensity of wildfires, and jeopardize a vibrant ecosystem.
His fight against this encroaching vegetation began nearly 15 years ago. Since then, he estimates he and his team of volunteers have cleared 550 acres of the approximately 14,000 acres they manage. In 2024, his efforts earned him the title of Arizona Weed Manager of the Year.
The work of volunteers like Pike has long been essential in supplementing federal land management, as government officials note that funding for their programs has been lacking for years. However, volunteers like Pike are becoming more crucial than ever given the reductions in federal workforce instigated by the Trump administration and its push for government efficiency.
“It will be vital for federal agencies to find innovative ways to attract individuals,” Pike stated from his back porch in March. “There are many who are eager to get involved, especially those with considerable skills.”
On Friday, the US government demanded that Google divest its highly lucrative advertising technology division. This follows a judge’s finding that the tech giant is responsible for a second illegal monopoly in just a year.
U.S. government attorney Julia Turber Wood stated in federal court in Virginia, “We have a defendant who has discovered a way to protest. Maintaining the monopoly of repeat offenders is not a viable solution,” she added.
This marks the second request from the US government, amidst another suit regarding Google’s premier search engine, which also seeks to address sales involving the Chrome browser.
The US government specifically pointed out that Google dominates the market for publishing banner advertisements on websites, impacting a wide range of creators and small news outlets.
A second phase of the Virginia court hearing is set for September, where discussions will focus on modifying the advertising landscape per the judge’s ruling.
During the initial phase of last year’s trial, plaintiffs alleged that the majority of websites utilize Google’s Ad software products.
District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema largely agreed with the rationale and found that Google has established an illegal monopoly over the advertising software and tools utilized by publishers, albeit partially dismissing claims concerning tools used by advertisers.
The US government indicated it would leverage this trial to motivate Google to divest its exchange operations with ad publishers, asserting that it cannot be relied upon to change its practices.
“Behavioral modification is not enough since it won’t stop Google from discovering new methods of exerting control,” stated Tarver Wood.
Google has countered the suggestion of agreeing to a binding commitment to enhance transparency with advertisers and publishers on the AD Tech platform. However, Google’s attorney Karen Dunn acknowledged the “trust issues” raised in the case and expressed willingness to accept oversight to ensure compliance with the judge’s order. Google also contested the proposed divestiture as inappropriate, which Judge Brinkema quickly dismissed as a viable debate.
The judge encouraged both parties to seek mediation, stressing that a negotiated settlement is far more efficient and cost-effective than conducting a prolonged trial.
For residents of the West Coast, the weather event known as the atmospheric river, stretching from San Diego to Vancouver, can deliver winter-like conditions similar to those in Boston, with heavy rain and snowfall.
Much like the storms that affect the East Coast, the term “Atmospheric River” can often feel trendy. While it may resonate more with those walking the streets of San Francisco than just plain “heavy rain,” it precisely describes moisture-laden storms in the Pacific Ocean that release precipitation upon hitting the mountain ranges in Washington, Oregon, and California.
Yet, these plumes of highly humid air driven by strong winds are not exclusive to the West Coast. They can occur globally, and recently, meteorologists and scientists are starting to apply this term to storms occurring east of the Rocky Mountains. This spring, a series of heavy rains in the central and southern United States resulted in fatal floods, with Accuweather identifying the unusual weather phenomenon as an Atmospheric River. CNN did as well.
Some researchers are hopeful that the term will gain wider acceptance, although not all meteorologists, including those at the National Weather Service, are on board. The crux of the debate revolves around how forecasts will describe the conditions for the day.
The Atmospheric River can stretch up to 2,000 miles.
These weather systems typically form over oceans in tropical and subtropical regions, where water vapor evaporates and coalesces into extensive streams of steam that travel through the lower atmosphere towards the poles. Averaging around 500 miles wide and extending up to 1,000 miles, while many weak atmospheric rivers bring beneficial precipitation, stronger ones can lead to severe rainfall, causing flooding, landslides, and significant destruction.
Rain is not the only aspect; just as squeezing a wet sponge releases water, atmospheric rivers require a mechanism to shed rain and snow. As they ascend, the water vapor cools, condenses, and ultimately falls as precipitation.
On the West Coast, this process repeats from late fall to early spring, facilitated by mountain ranges such as the Cascade and Sierra Nevada, which provide the necessary lift. Atmospheric rivers from the Pacific Ocean collide with these mountains, forcing the water vapor upward where it turns into liquid.
The situation is more complex in other regions, where upward lift usually arises from less defined and unpredictable atmospheric instability rather than geographical features. In early April, for example, cold air descending from the north pushed under the Atmospheric River originating from the bay, elevating the moist air.
“When warm air is forced up to a higher elevation than its surroundings, it can rapidly ascend, leading to severe thunderstorms,” explained Travis O’Brien, an assistant professor at Indiana University and co-author of a noteworthy paper. This study garnered attention regarding Atmospheric Rivers impacting the Midwest and East Coast.
Regions like Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas experienced extreme flooding, with rainfall exceeding 15 inches in some areas.
So, why is it called that?
Atmospheric rivers have existed for ages; however, scientists began recognizing and naming them in the mid-1970s to 1980s with advancements in satellite technology, specifically the global operating environment satellite known as GOES, developed by NASA and administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Clifford Masa, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Washington, noted, “Prior to that, we didn’t discuss it much.”
Advancements in satellite technology allowed researchers and meteorologists to visualize atmospheric rivers, leading to more discussions and the formal naming of the phenomenon.
The term “Atmospheric River” was introduced in the 1990s by two scholars at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology: meteorologist Reginald E. Newell and research scientist Yong Zhu. They originally referred to it as Tropospheric River, named after the lowest layer of the Earth’s atmosphere where most weather phenomena occur. It later evolved into “Atmospheric River,” as it was noted that these rivers “carry about the same amount of water as the Amazon.”
Is the terminology overused? Sometimes.
Though the term became more prominent in the 2010s to 2020s, it primarily gained traction on the West Coast, as scientists focused on and studied atmospheric rivers. Numerous research papers identified them as a key source of rain and snow across California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as major contributors to flooding events. One notable occurrence was a series of nine atmospheric rivers that inundated California in December 2022 and January 2023, resulting in widespread flooding and alleviating drought conditions.
Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, highlighted that interest in atmospheric rivers tends to peak during California’s exceptionally wet storm seasons. While he appreciates the label, he also points out its potential misuse, stating that excessive use can mislead the public if distinctions between different atmospheric river intensities are not made.
“The primary misconception is that every atmospheric river is an extreme and destructive event, which is not accurate,” Swain explained.
A classification system for atmospheric rivers was introduced in 2019 to clarify this confusion. Dr. Marty Ralph, director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego and the Center for Extreme Weather and Water in the West, spearheaded the development of this classification system, which has been applied in various global regions including the Arctic and Antarctic. He has been a prominent advocate for researching and popularizing the term atmospheric river, particularly in California, authoring numerous papers on the topic.
“It was Marty Ralph who convened the scientific community around the concept of Atmospheric Rivers as a topic deserving of attention, and his efforts have implicitly tied this concept to the West Coast, despite the original studies being global in scope,” Dr. O’Brien remarked.
This association may mislead the public as daily forecasts from West Coast offices frequently discuss atmospheric rivers, whereas offices in other regions may not.
“In the Midwest and Southeast, we typically don’t use that terminology,” stated Jimmy Barham, lead meteorologist with the Arkansas Meteorological Service. “We simply refer to it as higher-level moisture.”
The focus on the West Coast also means that atmospheric rivers are studied less frequently in other regions, where hurricanes and summer thunderstorms also contribute significantly to rainfall and draw considerable attention.
Dr. Ralph aspires for expanded research to reach the East Coast, asserting, “Even the East Coast often experiences strong, potentially impactful atmospheric rivers.”
A professor, now regarded as a “digital nutritionist,” suggests that disabling the color on your phone and dedicating 30 minutes a week to pruning your online feeds can enhance consumers’ control over their digital media consumption.
These strategies, termed grayscale and algorithmic tolerance, are part of Dr. Kaitlyn Regehr’s many recommendations. She is an associate professor at the University of London and a prominent authority on digital literacy.
While much of the conversation centers on social media’s negative effects on children, Regehr’s focus is on combating digital illiteracy among parents, empowering them to better understand and use their children’s devices safely and effectively.
In her upcoming book, Smartphone Nation, Regehr advises taking an initial step by performing a digital “walkthrough” of your preferred app alongside friends and family.
“Switching your phone to GreyScale is one of the easiest and quickest methods to grasp how colors and images impact your user experience,” she notes. “This experience allows you to feel the addictive nature of these devices through their visual elements.”
Users can find instructions for this feature in Google Help for Android devices or Apple Support for iPhones.
On the flip side, algorithm resistance focuses on taking charge of the algorithm rather than allowing it to dictate your preferences. Thus, Regehr advocates for being deliberate about what you wish to see in your feed, and filtering out unwanted content for 30 minutes each week.
“When I had concerns about my family’s digital consumption… I struggled to find adequate guidance,” Regehr shares in her book. “I developed a framework to help myself and my family navigate the digital landscape. I came to see myself as a digital nutritionist.”
In a conversation with the Guardian, she expressed her support for school smartphone bans and initiatives promoting a smartphone-free childhood, but highlighted the necessity for more education to encourage families to think critically about their digital choices.
“Even if parents postpone giving their children smartphones until they are 15, they will still turn 16. It’s essential to equip them with the tools to navigate this environment effectively,” she emphasized. “Education on how these devices operate is crucial.”
Her forthcoming book, “Why Are We All Obsessed with the Screen and What You Can Do About It,” aims to bridge this knowledge gap, with new educational resources set to be introduced in schools later this month.
As per the UK’s first national survey, nearly all schools in the country have implemented a ban on mobile phone usage during school hours.
Driven by worries regarding children’s mental health, attention span, and online safety, a survey of over 15,000 schools revealed that 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools enforce some form of ban.
“I advocate for my efforts towards a smartphone-free childhood,” stated Regehr, who directs the digital humanities program at UCL and previously explored the rapid amplification of extreme misogynistic content through social media algorithms. “My concern is that enforcing the ban can lead schools and lawmakers to feel complacent, believing they’ve fulfilled their responsibilities.”
Dedicated to two young girls, Regehr’s book aims to prompt a cultural shift. “I aspire to reflect on our generation as being less healthy and more skillfully ensnared, akin to looking back on previous norms like smoking in delivery rooms and not using seatbelts.”
“My aim is to foster cultural change to ensure their lives are better. This represents the largest threat to their health and well-being, and that is the challenge I wish to tackle. I believe change is possible; people simply need access to information.”
Smartphone Nation: Why We’re All Obsessed with Screens and What You Can Do by Dr. Kaitlyn Regehr is set to be published by Bluebird on May 15th.
Residents of a small area in southern Texas will cast their votes this Saturday to establish a town for Elon Musk. This election will officially create Starbase, situated where SpaceX is set to launch the Texas Rocket.
The locals, formerly known as Bocachica, will decide to transform an unorganized neighborhood into a town with the power to enact city ordinances. The outcomes will likely be influenced heavily by SpaceX employees and their families, who represent a significant portion of the community.
The establishment of Starbase places Musk in a unique position to lead what could be viewed as a company town, reminiscent of industrial magnates from a bygone era. This will represent a minor triumph for one of the world’s wealthiest individuals as he steps beyond his unofficial role in the “Ministry of Government Efficiency.”
Although Musk isn’t officially in charge of Starbase, the city is heavily centered around SpaceX and its employees. As of 2025, Starbase has a population of just over 500, with 260 being SpaceX employees and the remainder mainly their families. As reported by Bloomberg.
Bobby Peden, 36, a proposed mayoral candidate, has been with SpaceX since 2013 and serves as the vice president of Texas testing and launch operations. Along with two other candidates, who are also SpaceX employees, he faces no opposition in the race.
Situated near the Mexican border by a small bay feeding into the Gulf of Mexico, Starbase features prefabricated homes, aircraft carriers, and palm trees lining the streets. A nine-foot golden bust of Musk stands outside, emblazoned with the phrase “Elon aka Memelord.”
Last month, the statue was vandalized, with layers of foam and fiberglass being peeled from its cheeks. An employee-exclusive eatery named Astropub features a neon sign reading “Occupation Mars.” One of the main roads is called “Memes Street.”
Visitors admire a large bust of Elon Musk in Bocachica. Photo: Eric Gay/AP
While the creation of Starbase could be viewed as a vanity project for Musk, it brings with it logistical advantages that have been acknowledged by the company. Workers reiterated this at a legislative hearing in April, indicating that establishing the town would facilitate better logistics and coordination during events like test launches. As reported by the Associated Press.
Opposition to Starbase
While the incorporation of Starbase seems imminent, it faces protests from local activists, particularly regarding voter eligibility in the election. The South Texas Environmental Justice Network has organized demonstrations and is urging community members to contact state representatives to oppose the incorporation. The group asserts that with the establishment of Starbase, SpaceX could gain access to public beaches in the town, restricting others’ access to public land.
“Boca Chica Beach belongs to the people, not to Elon Musk,” the organization lamented on its site. “For generations, residents have frequented Boca Chica Beach for fishing, swimming, recreation, and for the spiritual connection of the Karizo/Comecrudo tribes to the beach.
Over the years, Musk has made bold claims about the future of Starbase, encouraging employees to settle in the area. “Starbase will grow by several thousand in the next year or two,” he tweeted back in 2021.
As Tesla’s performance has plateaued, SpaceX has become an increasingly vital element of Musk’s business empire, with governments awarding the company billions in contracts related to space exploration.
In recent years, Musk has relocated many of his primary residences and businesses to Texas. He resides in a vast $35 million compound in Austin, which includes three separate mansions. During last year’s campaign to reelect Trump, he temporarily moved to Pennsylvania’s swing state.
Musk also spent time in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building while advising Trump, but returned to his company’s oversight in late April after leaving the White House.
An illustrative instance of Elderspeak: Cindy Smith was spending time with her father in his assisted living apartment located in Roseville, California.
“He just shot her a look from beneath his bushy brows and asked, ‘What are we, married?'” she recounted.
Her father, 92 years old, was a former county planner and a World War II veteran. Although macular degeneration affected his eyesight and he navigated with caution, his cognitive faculties remained sharp.
“He usually isn’t very placid with others,” Smith noted. “But he felt he was an adult, and he often wasn’t treated as such.”
Most people intuitively grasp what “Elderspeak” entails. “What resembles baby talk is often directed toward the elderly,” stated Clarissa Shaw, a dementia care researcher and co-author affiliated with the University of Iowa College of Nursing. Recent Articles document its prevalence in research.
“It emerges from ageist assumptions of fragility, incapability, and reliance.”
This aspect may also involve inappropriate affection. “Elderspeak behaves like a superior, incorporating terms like ‘honey,’ ‘dearie,’ and ‘sweetie’ to dulcet the communication,” remarked Kristine Williams, a nurse gerontologist from the University of Kansas’s Faculty of Nursing and another co-author.
“We hold negative stereotypes about older individuals, prompting changes in our speech.”
Alternatively, caregivers might resort to using various pronouns. Are you ready for a bath? In this case, “they don’t act as individuals,” Dr. Williams explained. “I certainly hope I’m not bathing with you.”
Occasionally, Elderspeakers utilize loud, brief sentences or simple words delivered slowly. They may also employ an exaggerated singing tone more fitting for children, using terms like “toilet” or “jammies.”
With the so-called tag question – It’s lunchtime now, right? – “You’re posing questions but not allowing them to answer,” Dr. Williams clarified. “You’re telling them how to respond.”
Research in nursing homes highlights how prevalent such speech patterns are. This was evident when Dr. Williams, Dr. Shaw, and their team evaluated video recordings of 80 engagements between staff and dementia patients, finding that 84% involved some variant of Elderspeak.
“Most Elderspeak is well-meaning. People genuinely aim to assist,” Dr. Williams noted. “They fail to recognize the negative implications inherent in it.”
For instance, research among dementia patients in nursing homes has identified a correlation between exposure to Elderspeak and behaviors collectively referred to as resistance to care. Research indicates.
“Individuals might turn away, cry, or refuse,” Dr. Williams elucidated. “They could close their mouths during feeding attempts.” Some may even push caregivers away or become aggressive.
She and her team created a training initiative called Chat (Change Talk), a three-hour session that incorporates videos of communication between staff and patients, aiming to mitigate the use of Elderspeak.
The initiative proved effective. Prior to the training, encounters in 13 nursing homes located in Kansas and Missouri revealed that roughly 35% of staff interactions involved Elderspeak. This figure has now dropped to around 20%.
Simultaneously, resistance behaviors constituted nearly 36% of interaction time. Post-training, this percentage decreased to approximately 20%.
Additionally, a study carried out at Midwest Hospital found the same decline in resistance behaviors among dementia patients. The findings indicated.
Furthermore, the implementation of chat training in nursing homes was linked to a reduction in antipsychotic medication usage. While the results did not achieve statistical significance, they were deemed “clinically significant” by the researchers due to the small sample sizes involved.
“Many of these medications carry a black box warning from the FDA,” Dr. Williams mentioned. “Their use in frail elderly populations can be perilous due to potential side effects.”
Currently, Dr. Williams, Dr. Shaw, and their colleagues have streamlined the chat training for online implementation. They are assessing its effectiveness across around 200 nursing homes nationwide.
Even without a structured program, individuals and organizations can combat Elderspeak. Kathleen Carmody, the owner of Senior Matters Home Care and Consulting in Columbus, Ohio, suggests that when addressing clients, one should use titles like Mr. or Mrs., unless instructed otherwise.
However, in long-term care settings, families and residents may express concerns that altering staff communication could lead to resentment.
A few years ago, Carol Fahe dealt with a mother who was vision-impaired at an assisted living facility near Cleveland, becoming increasingly dependent in her 80s.
She described staff members who called her mother “sweetie” and “honey,” hovering over her while tying her hair in pigtails, likening the treatment to how toddlers are treated, said Fahe, 72, a psychologist from Kaneohe, Hawaii.
She recognized the aides meant well, but “there’s a misleading notion associated with that,” she reflected. “It doesn’t feel good for anyone. It’s isolating.”
Fahe contemplated addressing her concerns with the aide but hesitated, fearing retaliation. Ultimately, she moved her mother to a different facility for various reasons.
However, opposing Elderspeak doesn’t need to be confrontational, Dr. Shaw emphasized. Residents, patients, and individuals encountering Elderspeak elsewhere can respectfully express their preferences regarding how they wish to be addressed and what names they prefer, which is often applicable beyond healthcare environments.
Cultural variances also play a significant role. Felipe Agudero, a health communication educator at Boston University, pointed out that in specific contexts, endearing terms or phrases “aren’t rooted in underestimating someone’s intellect. They represent affection.”
Having moved from Colombia, he noted that his 80-year-old mother does not take offense when a physician or healthcare staff asks her to “Tómesela pastilita” (take this little pill) or “Muévanlas manitas” (move your little hands).
Such expressions are customary and “she feels as though she’s conversing with someone who cares,” Dr. Agudero conveyed.
“Arrive at a place of negotiation,” he advised. “There’s no need for confrontation. Patients have every right to state, ‘I prefer not to be spoken to in that manner.’ “
In response, professionals should “acknowledge that the recipient may not share the same cultural background,” he noted, adding, “This is how I communicate, but I can adapt.”
Lisa Graeme, 65, a retired writer from Alvada, Colorado, recently confronted Elderspeak when she enrolled in Medicare drug coverage.
She recalled receiving nearly daily calls from mail-order pharmacies, following their failure to meet her prescription needs.
These “overly sweet” callers seemed to follow a script, addressing her as “Mr. Graeme,” as if they were administering medication.
Frustrated by their assumptions and their probing questions about her medication adherence, Ms. Graeme informed them that she had sufficient stock, thanks. She organizes her own refills.
“I asked them to cease calling,” she recounted. “And they did.”
A spokesperson from HHS stated that the U.S. is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in 25 years, marking the latest move in a series of actions by top health officials. Experts worry that this may negatively impact public confidence in vaccines, which are crucial for public health.
This announcement comes as Kennedy faces intense criticism while managing the outbreak, which has severely affected regions in the southwest with low vaccination rates. The outbreak has led to hundreds of infections and two fatalities among young girls. As of Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported over 930 cases nationwide, with most linked to the southwestern outbreaks.
Critics argue that Kennedy has emphasized unproven treatments like cod liver oil supplements and provided limited support for the measles vaccine, which has a proven 97% efficacy rate in preventing infections.
Redirecting resources towards potential treatments rather than promoting vaccination can have serious consequences at the core of the outbreak.
“We’ve seen many individuals engaging with public health schools,” noted Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist at Brown University’s Faculty of Public Health.
Researchers have extensively studied various vitamins and drug therapies as potential treatments for measles, said Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist from the University of Minnesota.
Currently, there is no effective treatment for the measles virus, which can cause pneumonia and complicate oxygen absorption in the lungs, as well as lead to brain swelling resulting in blindness, hearing loss, and cognitive impairment.
“It’s not that there is a lack of research,” he emphasized.
Patients with measles are typically given “supportive care” to ease symptoms, which may include fever reduction, supplemental oxygen, and IV fluids.
HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon mentioned that the initiative to explore new treatments is intended to assist those who have opted not to get vaccinated. He reiterated that the CDC still endorses the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine as the most effective preventive measure against measles.
“Our commitment is to support all families in minimizing the risks of hospitalization, severe complications, and death from measles, regardless of vaccination status,” he stated.
Kennedy mentioned the example of the Mennonite community in Western Texas, which is facing significant challenges during this outbreak.
Nixon indicated that the CDC will collaborate with universities to test new treatments for “various illnesses,” including existing drug and vitamin combinations. This initiative was initially reported by CBS News.
Public health experts expressed confusion over Kennedy’s decision to seek new treatments rather than support vaccines, which possess decades of safety and efficacy data. They remarked that this approach seems to contradict a longstanding emphasis on disease prevention rather than treatment.
“This is akin to saying, ‘Please go ahead and do something; don’t exercise or smoke excessively. We will devote all resources to heart transplants,'” remarked Dr. Jonathan Temte, former chairman of the CDC’s Vaccine Advisory Committee.
Throughout the measles outbreak, Kennedy has delivered inconsistent messages regarding MMR vaccinations. At one point, he referred to the vaccine as “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles.”
Yet, he has also raised concerns about its safety, stating, “We don’t know the risks associated with many of these products since they lack safety testing,” during a CBS News interview last month.
Healthcare professionals in western Texas report that Kennedy’s focus on treatment over vaccinations complicates their efforts.
In the early phase of the outbreak, he claimed to have heard of “almost miraculous and instantaneous recoveries” from treatments like cod liver oil.
While doctors may manage severe measles cases with high doses of vitamin A in hospitals, experts advise against its unsupervised use.
Shortly after, doctors reported encountering a measles patient who postponed critical care to self-treat with some supplements endorsed by Kennedy. They indicated that some children with measles received dangerously high levels of vitamin A.
Dr. Osterholm noted that Kennedy’s approach assumes that people’s views on the vaccine are unchangeable.
Despite Kennedy’s assertion that the Mennonite community has “religious objections” to the vaccine due to its inclusion of “fetal fragments,” community historians report no religious doctrine prohibits vaccinations. Vaccine experts confirm that MMR vaccines do not contain fetal tissue.
Instead, local doctors attribute the reluctance of Mennonite families to vaccinate their children to misinformation regarding the vaccine’s safety perpetuated by Kennedy.
The video lasts under 2.5 minutes. A slender man with thick hair enters the room, pulling a long black mamba that can deliver a lethal bite within an hour. He bites his left arm and moments later, extends his right arm towards a Taipan from Papua New Guinea. “Thank you for watching,” he states, as he calms down to speak to the camera while his left arm bleeds before it is bandaged.
For nearly 18 years, 57-year-old Tim Friede has injected himself with over 650 precisely measured doses of venom from 16 deadly snake species to develop immunity. He has also allowed snakes—mostly one at a time, although occasionally two, as in the video—to bite him nearly 200 times.
This coincidence, also known as one of its names, could aid in addressing global health issues. With over 600 species of venomous snakes across the globe, they bite approximately 2.7 million people annually, causing around 120,000 fatalities and affecting 400,000 others.
Researchers report that in Friede’s blood, they have discovered antibodies capable of neutralizing toxins from multiple snake species. According to Journal Cell.
“I am genuinely proud to contribute something meaningful for humanity and make a difference for people 8,000 miles away.
Deforestation, urban expansion, and climate change have heightened the risk of snake bites in recent years, yet antivenom research has not kept pace with demand.
“This is a more significant issue than the first world might realize,” stated Jacob Glanville, founder and CEO of Centivax, which aims to create broad-spectrum vaccines and serves as the lead author of the study.
Dr. Glanville and his team discovered that two potent antibodies from Friede’s blood, when paired with drugs that inhibit neurotoxins, can protect mice from the venom of 19 deadly snake species from various families around the world.
Experts not involved in the research consider this an extraordinary achievement. Most antivenoms can only counteract venom from one or a few closely related snake species within a particular area.
Nicholas Casewell, a researcher at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in the UK, indicates that antivenom cocktails could potentially prevent fatalities and injuries from all snake families.
“The principles from this study can be effectively applied to other snakes,” he remarked.
Friede’s journey with snakes began with a harmless bite from a five-year-old garter snake, which sparked his lifelong fascination. “If I had known what lay ahead, I would have laughed at the thought,” he reminisces with a chuckle.
However, it wasn’t until he married and started a family while working in construction that he seriously began to explore his interest in snakes. He started experimenting with scorpions around 2000 but soon transitioned to snakes. At one point, he kept 60 venomous snakes in his basement lab.
His experiments came to a sudden halt on September 12, 2001, when he was bitten by two cobras, his emotions heightened by the previous day’s terrorist attack and the recent loss of a friend. Those were his first encounters with snakes without adequate immunity built up. While he initially felt fine after the first bite, the second caused him to feel cold, his eyelids to droop, and he lost his ability to speak. He awoke four days later in a hospital after slipping into a coma.
His wife was furious, while he felt frustrated with himself. He resolved to adopt a more methodical approach, carefully measuring venom doses and timing the bites.
“I work during the day, spend time with my kids and family at home, then head downstairs to work late into the night, only to repeat it all over again the next day,” he explained.
He faced numerous accidents, including unintentional bites, anaphylactic shocks, and power outages. Friede describes himself as a self-taught scientist, asserting, “No university in the world provides training for this. I’ve done as much as I could.”
Two scientific teams studied Friede’s blood over the years, but those efforts led to little progress. By the time he met Dr. Glanville in 2017, he was ready to give up.
Dr. Glanville was investigating what scientists refer to as broadly neutralizing antibodies as a foundation for universal vaccines, inspired by his upbringing in Mayan villages in the Guatemalan Highlands. He was intrigued by the potential to apply the same strategy to develop a Universal Antivenom.
Initially, he said his “humble” goal was to find someone like a hapless snake researcher who had experienced multiple bites. His quest took a turn when he stumbled upon an article about Friede.
“I had been eagerly awaiting this opportunity,” shared Dr. Glanville, expressing gratitude towards Friede.
In partnership with Columbia University vaccine researcher Peter Kwon, Dr. Glanville isolated broadly acting antibodies from Friede’s blood and devised a combination treatment.
Tests on antibodies from Friede’s blood against the venom of 19 snake species showed that one broadly neutralizing antibody protected mice from six species. When combined with a small molecule known as Varespladib, the second antibody provided full protection against 13 snake species and partial defense against the remaining six.
Cobras and mambas produce toxins that paralyze nerve cells, while the venom from Viper family snakes damages tissue and induces bleeding in victims. Each snake species within its family produces a unique combination of dozens of toxins, which can vary by region, age, diet, and season. It can vary significantly.
Despite advances, antivenoms are still produced using methods from 130 years ago. A small amount of venom is injected into horses, camels, or sheep, and the antibodies produced in response are harvested. These antibodies are typically specific to the type of venom administered and offer minimal relief from other snake venom types.
In fact, many antivenoms can cause more severe reactions than the venom itself, as mammalian proteins can provoke fatal allergic reactions.
Researchers are seeking treatments that mitigate these side effects. Cocktail treatments involving small-molecule drugs and monoclonal antibodies targeting critical toxic families are being developed—crafted copies of human antibodies that neutralize toxins across numerous species, according to Dr. Casewell.
Future plans include testing the Australian treatment on dogs brought into veterinary clinics for snake bites. Researchers also aim to identify additional components from Friede’s blood that could expand protection across all 19 snake species under study.
However, Friede’s experimental days are over. His last bite came from a water cobra in November 2018. He has since divorced; his wife and children have moved away. “That felt like enough,” he recalled.
While he misses the thrill of interacting with snakes, he insists it was not driven by painful bites. “I might revisit this in the future,” he reflected, “but for now, I’m content with where I am.”
National Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasizes that addressing the “epidemic” of chronic diseases is fundamental to his health agenda, often citing unexpected statistics as a compelling reason for public health reform in the nation.
Recently, President Trump proposed a budget that includes a nearly 50% reduction in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This plan includes the complete elimination of the Chronic Disease Center, leaving many state and city health officials stunned.
“A significant portion of Americans suffers from some form of chronic illness,” noted Dr. Matifha Frathschwei Davis, the health director for the city of St. Louis.
In discussing the proposed cuts, she questioned, “How can we justify this as a step toward making America healthy again?”
Last month, the Federal Health Administration eliminated 2,400 positions from the CDC. The National Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, which operates with the largest budget within the CDC, was affected greatly by these changes.
Several initiatives, including those addressing lead poisoning, smoking cessation, and reproductive health, were discontinued amid the reorganization.
The proposed budget slashes CDC funding to around $4 billion, down from $9.2 billion allocated for 2024.
Notably, the budget plan does not account for the $1.2 billion set aside for the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which could mean even deeper cuts than Trump’s initial proposal indicates.
Additional programs aimed at preventing injuries, including those from firearms, HIV surveillance and prevention initiatives, and grants for state preparedness in public health emergencies, will also be eliminated.
The budget outlines that these reductions aim to eliminate “duplicate, DEI, or unnecessary programs.” While Congress will draft a federal budget, it’s uncertain how much influence Trump’s proposal will wield, given the current Republican majority and his allegiance to the former president.
CDC officials were informed that the Chronic Disease Center’s functions are to be absorbed by a new division under the Department of Health, called Management for a Healthy America.
Moreover, the newly released proposal seems to earmark $500 million for the Health Secretary to focus on “nutrition, physical activity, healthy lifestyle, medication, and treatment.”
However, the Chronic Disease Center’s budget at the CDC had nearly tripled previously. Plus, even if some chronic disease programs are revived under AHA, it’s doubtful that CDC scientists from Atlanta will be included.
“The true experts in managing these programs might no longer be with the CDC,” stated Dr. Scott Harris, state health officer with the Alabama Department of Public Health. “My state certainly lacks the same level of expertise.”
The Department of Health and Human Services has yet to respond to requests for comments.
The CDC’s Chronic Disease Center has spearheaded initiatives to prevent cancer, heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease. The center has also launched programs that range from developing hiking trails in rural areas to advocating for healthier food options in airports and promoting wellness in underserved communities.
Dr. Davis noted that her department is already feeling the impact of cuts aimed at reducing smoking and lead poisoning, as over $11 billion in funding previously provided by the CDC to the state’s health department has been withdrawn.
“I’m going to be back in the COVID-19 cycle with everything happening,” Dr. Davis remarked.
Under the proposed budget, the administration suggests that responsibilities of eliminated programs would be better handled at the state level. Yet, the state’s health department already administers the majority of chronic disease programs, with 75% of the funding from the CDC supporting these efforts.
Dr. Harris described the loss of funds as “devastating for us.”
Alabama ranks among the states with the highest rates of chronic disease, with about 84% of the Department of Public Health’s budget reliant on the CDC, according to Dr. Harris. Approximately $6 million is allocated for programs addressing chronic diseases, such as blood pressure screenings, diabetes nutrition education, and promoting physical activity.
He added, “I really don’t know where these funds would come from if these cuts happen.” “No one truly seems to know what to expect, and our input isn’t being sought.”
Minnesota’s health department has already reduced its workforce by 140 employees, with more potential layoffs looming if additional CDC funds are lost. Cutting chronic disease prevention resources jeopardizes nursing homes, vaccination clinics, and public health programs for Native Americans in the state.
“Federal actions have left us in precarious situations without support,” noted Dr. Brooke Cunningham, the state health commissioner.
Recently, Dr. Cunningham observed, “There was a shared understanding at the local, state, and federal levels that investing in health was crucial.”
The impact of the CDC’s Chronic Disease Center extends into many unexpected areas of American life.
In Prairie Village, Kansas, Stephanie Bar was made aware of the center’s resources while working as an uninsured waitress fifteen years ago when she discovered a lump in her breast.
Through the CDC’s National Early Breast and Cervical Cancer Detection Program, she received mammograms and ultrasounds, and staff assisted her in signing up for Medicaid after her biopsy revealed cancer. “It was caught just in time,” said Barr, now 45 and cancer-free.
Since its 1991 inception, the program has conducted over 16.3 million screenings for more than 6.3 million individuals, offering vital services to those without affordable access.
One such organization, 530 Health, has petitioned lawmakers to reject the proposed HHS budget, which would reduce discretionary spending by about one-third. The signers expressed that such cuts would “devastate” the nation’s research and public health systems.
The budget also suggests dismantling the disease registry and surveillance frameworks.
“Without gathering data and maintaining these surveillance systems, we lose sight of health trends,” explained Dr. Philip Fan, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services in Texas.
“You lose all historical context,” he added.
In his former role as the Director of Chronic Diseases in Texas, Dr. Huang collaborated closely with CDC experts who successfully curbed tobacco use among Americans. “Dismantling smoking and health initiatives is irrational if you aim to address chronic illnesses,” he stated.
Smoking continues to be a leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., claiming over 480,000 lives annually, as per CDC data.
Although more than 10% of Americans smoke regularly, usage rates differ significantly by region, and CDC monitoring helps identify areas that require intervention programs.
“While smoking rates have declined, tobacco companies are poised to exploit any federal laxity,” warned Erica Seward, vice president of advocacy for the American Lung Association.
She cautioned that tobacco companies are continuously developing new products, like nicotine pouches, adding, “Reining this back in will cost significantly more.”
The CDC Chronic Disease Center collaborates with community and academic institutions to promote effective health initiatives, leading nutrition classes and fitness programs to engage rural youths in Iowa as well as training members of Black churches in Columbia, South Carolina.
In rural Missouri, numerous walking trails have been developed in the “boot heels” region, an area marked by high obesity and diabetes rates, as noted by Dr. Ross Brownson, a public health researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, who is allied with the CDCC to steer the Center for Prevention Research.
“There’s robust evidence that enhancing community walkability can increase physical activity,” affirmed Dr. Brownson. “While there are no health clubs in the countryside, residents can appreciate nature and walk, and land is relatively affordable.”
In Rochester, New York, CDC funding supports training for deaf individuals to lead wellness programs tailored for other members of the deaf community who might struggle to engage in traditional gym classes.
In San Diego, researchers are exploring methods to shield farm workers from UV and heat-related ailments.
“When they mobilize and begin to take action, they become self-sufficient and are no longer reliant on government support,” commented Allison Bey, who recently lost her position overseeing such initiatives at the CDC.
The CDC reorganization has also resulted in the cancellation of the lead poisoning program, a significant concern as lead exposure represents “one of our major public health threats in Cleveland,” noted Dr. David Margolius, the city’s public health director.
Although the CDC does not directly fund the lead program in Cleveland, which relies on state funding, Dr. Margolius emphasized, “We depend on federal expertise to guide us toward a future free of lead exposure. This shift will have major repercussions for us.”
National Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasizes that addressing the “epidemic” of chronic illness is fundamental to his vision for American health, frequently citing alarming statistics as a pressing need for reform in public health across the nation.
On Friday, President Trump proposed a budget that would nearly halve funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, completely eliminating the Chronic Disease Center, a move that left many state and city health officials in disbelief.
“Most Americans suffer from some form of chronic illness,” stated Dr. Matifha Frathschwei Davis, health director for the city of St. Louis.
Addressing the proposed cuts, she asked, “How do you reconcile this with an effort to make America healthy again?”
Last month, the Federal Health Administration eliminated 2,400 jobs at the CDC. The Chronic Disease Center, which handles the largest budget within the CDC, was particularly impacted.
In a reorganization last month, programs focused on lead poisoning, smoking cessation, and reproductive health were discontinued.
The proposed budget would slash CDC funding to around $4 billion, down from $9.2 billion in 2024.
Moreover, the budget plan does not account for the $1.2 billion Prevention and Public Health Fund, suggesting that the cuts could surpass what Trump has proposed.
Programs targeting injury prevention, including those related to firearms, along with HIV surveillance and public health emergency preparedness grants, would also be affected.
According to the budget proposal, reductions aim to eliminate “duplicate, DEI, or simply unnecessary programs.” While Congress will formulate a federal budget, it remains uncertain how Trump’s proposal will evolve given the Republican majority and his allegiance to Trump.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of the Department of Health and Human Services at the White House last month.credit…Eric Lee/The New York Times
CDC officials have been informed that the functions of the Chronic Disease Center will be relocated to a new entity within the health department called Management for a Healthy America.
Additionally, the proposal released on Friday seems to allocate $500 million to the Health Secretary for initiatives focusing on “nutrition, physical activity, healthy lifestyle choices, medications, and treatments.”
Yet, the Chronic Disease Center’s budget at the CDC was nearly tripled. Even if some chronic disease centers are revived under AHA, it’s unlikely that CDC scientists, who have relocated from Atlanta, will be involved.
“The actual subject matter experts managing the program may no longer be at the CDC,” remarked Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama’s state health officer. “We certainly don’t have the same level of expertise in my state.”
The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to requests for comment.
The CDC’s Chronic Disease Center has launched programs aimed at the prevention of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, it also supports initiatives beyond traditional boundaries, like developing walking trails and ensuring healthy food options are available in airports.
Dr. Davis from St. Louis indicated that her department has already been impacted by cuts that affect smoking cessation programs, lead poisoning initiatives, and health equity efforts, with a loss of over $11 billion in funding that the CDC previously provided to the state’s health department.
Diabetes Prevention Program at the Bronx YMCAcredit…Benjamin Norman from New York Times
The center is involved in various initiatives, from developing walking paths to ensuring that healthy food options like salads are available at airports.credit…Tony Senicola/The New York Times
“I’m going to see the impacts of COVID-19 reflected in our current situation,” Dr. Davis emphasized.
In the proposed budget, the administration claims that discontinued programs could be more effectively managed at the state level. However, the state’s health department already oversees most chronic disease initiatives, with approximately three-quarters of the CDC Center’s funding dedicated to these programs.
Dr. Harris expressed that the funding loss is “devastating for us.”
Alabama has one of the highest chronic disease rates nationwide, with upwards of 84% of the Department of Public Health’s budget sourced from the CDC, Dr. Harris noted. Approximately $6 million is estimated to support chronic disease initiatives, including blood pressure screenings, diabetes education, and promoting physical activity.
If these funds are cut, he added, “I have no idea now where the funding will come from.” “No one truly seems to know what to expect, and we are not solicited for input on these matters.”
The Minnesota health department has already terminated 140 positions, with hundreds more potentially at risk if CDC funding reductions continue. Cuts to chronic disease prevention have direct repercussions on nursing homes, vaccination clinics, and public health efforts for Native Americans in the region.
“Federal decisions have left us unsupported in a fragile situation without a safety net,” stated Dr. Brooke Cunningham, the state health commissioner.
Dr. Cunningham noted that until recently, there seemed to be a shared understanding at all levels of government regarding the importance of investing in health.
In 2023, Dr. Brooke Cunningham, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health.credit…David Joles/Star Tribune via the Associated Press
The impact of the CDC Chronic Disease Center is felt in many surprising facets of American life.
In Prairie Village, Kansas, Stephanie Barr learned about the center when she worked as a waitress without health insurance and discovered a lump in her breast 15 years ago.
Thanks to the CDC’s National Early Breast and Cervical Cancer Detection Program, she received mammograms and ultrasounds, with staff assisting her in registering for Medicaid for treatment after a biopsy revealed the mass was cancerous, Barr recounted.
“It was caught just in time,” said Barr, now 45 and cancer-free.
Since its inception in 1991, the program has provided over 16.3 million screenings for more than 6.3 million individuals, with no other affordable options available.
The organization 530 Health has circulated a petition urging lawmakers to reject the proposed HHS budget, which could cut discretionary funding by approximately one-third. The signers contend that these cuts would “effectively devastate” the nation’s research and public health infrastructure.
The budget also suggests dismantling the disease registry and surveillance system.
“Without collecting data or maintaining these surveillance systems, we lose sight of trends,” mentioned Dr. Philip Fan, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services in Texas.
“You’re losing all historical context,” he explained.
In a previous role as Director of Chronic Diseases in Texas, Dr. Huang worked closely with CDC specialists who effectively decreased tobacco use among Americans.
“Abolishing smoking cessation efforts is utterly irrational if you aim to address chronic illnesses,” he stated.
The Chronic Disease Center’s programs target cancer, heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease.credit…Tony Leon of the New York Times
Smoking continues to be a leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S., causing over 480,000 fatalities annually, according to the CDC.credit…Jenny Kane/Applications
Smoking remains a top contributor to preventable deaths in the United States, leading to over 480,000 deaths each year, per CDC data.
More than one in ten Americans smoke regularly; however, rates vary significantly by region, and CDC monitoring is crucial for targeting areas where cessation programs are most necessary.
“While smoking rates have declined, if the federal government eases regulations, tobacco companies are poised to regain ground,” cautioned Erica Seward, vice president of advocacy for the American Lung Association.
She highlighted that tobacco firms continually innovate new products, such as nicotine pouches. Usage among teenagers doubled last year. “It would be significantly more challenging to reverse this trend,” she added.
The CDC Chronic Disease Center collaborates with both community and academic organizations to promote effective programs, ranging from engaging youth in rural areas of Iowa to training members of Black churches in Columbia, South Carolina.
In rural Missouri, numerous walking trails have been established in the Bootheel region, an area with high obesity and diabetes rates, as noted by Ross Brownson, a public health researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, who is partnering with the CDCC to lead the Center for Prevention Research.
“Research indicates that enhancing walkability in a community can significantly increase physical activity levels,” Dr. Brownson commented. “Though there may be no fitness centers in rural areas, residents can enjoy nature and outdoor walking, and land is relatively affordable.”
In Rochester, New York, CDC support is training both deaf and hearing individuals to lead exercise and wellness programs targeted at others who are deaf and often excluded from mainstream fitness classes.
In San Diego, investigators are exploring strategies to shield farmworkers from ultraviolet and heat-related health issues.
“When they initiate these efforts from the ground up, they’re community-driven and not reliant on government support,” commented Allison Bey, who recently lost her position overseeing such initiatives at the CDC.
The CDC’s reorganization has also resulted in the termination of the lead poisoning program. Lead poisoning is “among our most significant public health challenges in Cleveland,” pointed out Dr. David Margolius, the city’s public health director.
While the CDC does not directly fund Cleveland’s lead program, the state provides the necessary resources. “We rely on federal expertise to guide us toward a lead-free future, so this will have a profound impact on us,” he stated.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant ethos of San Francisco, where the future of cyberpunk is already unfolding. Self-driving vehicles? Boring. A venture aiming to resurrect woolly mammoths? Absolutely, why not! Summoning a god-like AI capable of eradicating humanity? Why not.
Just like you did on Wednesday evening, you might find yourself in a bustling venue in the Marina district, gazing at a luminous white sphere, commonly referred to as an orb, as it scans your eyes in exchange for your cryptocurrency and World ID.
The event was organized by World, a startup based in San Francisco, co-founded by the enterprising Sam Altman, known for his ambitious (or depending on your perspective, unsettling) technological initiatives.
This is essentially the core proposition of the company. The internet is on the brink of being overwhelmed by a multitude of realistic AI bots, making it nearly impossible to discern real individuals on social networks, dating platforms, gaming sites, and other digital realms.
To address this issue, World developed a program called World ID, akin to Internet clearance or TSA Precheck, enabling users to authenticate their humanity online.
To sign up, users gaze into the orb, which captures their iris scans. Following that, they complete a few prompts on a mobile app to attain a unique biometric identifier, stored on their device. The system includes built-in privacy features, assuring that no iris images are retained, only a numeric code linked to the user.
In return, participants earn a cryptocurrency named WorldCoin. (As of Wednesday night, the sign-up bonus was estimated to be valued at around $40.)
During the event, Altman framed the initiative as a response to a dilemma he termed “trust in the AGI era,” as artificial general intelligence is on the horizon and increasingly human-like AI systems are coming to fruition.
“We wanted to ensure that humans remain unique and pivotal in a landscape brimming with AI-generated content online,” Altman explained.
Ultimately, Altman and World’s CEO Alex Blania contend that a solution like WorldCoin is essential for redistributing wealth generated by powerful AI systems to humans, potentially in the form of a universal basic income. They delved into varied methods for establishing a “real human network,” merging proof-of-human verification with financial systems enabling validated individuals to transact with one another.
“Our initial concept seemed quite radical,” Altman remarked. “Then we embraced our craziness and evolved into World.”
Launched globally two years ago, the project initially gained traction in developing regions such as Kenya and Indonesia, where individuals queued for ORB scans in exchange for cryptocurrency incentives. The company has secured about $200 million from investors, including Andreessen Horowitz and Khosla Ventures.
However, challenges arose. The global collection of biometric data has drawn criticism from privacy advocates and regulatory bodies, leading to the company being banned or investigated in locations like Hong Kong and Spain. Reports of fraud and worker exploitation tied to the project’s crypto-based reward mechanism have also surfaced.
Despite these issues, the venture appears to be expanding swiftly. According to Blania, approximately 26 million individuals have signed up for the app worldwide since its debut, with more than 12 million undergoing ORB scans to confirm their humanity.
Initially, the world was kept separate from the US due to regulatory concerns, but the Trump administration’s crypto-friendly policies created an opportunity.
On Wednesday, World announced plans to launch in the US, with retail outlets slated to open in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Nashville. They aim to install 7,500 orbs across the country by year-end.
The company also unveiled a new version of the ORB, dubbed the Orb Mini. This device resembles a smartphone, yet performs the same function as the larger orb. World has established partnerships with gaming company Razer and the dating conglomerate Match Group.
Uncertainty lingers about the potential for profitability, or whether privacy-conscious Americans are inclined to share their biometric data for cryptocurrency, as many in developing regions have done.
Moreover, it remains to be seen if the world can overcome the inherent skepticism surrounding the peculiar and foreboding aspects of the initiative.
For my part, I recognize the necessity for a method to distinguish bots from humans. However, the proposed solution—a global biometric registry sustained by volatile cryptocurrencies and monitored by private entities—might resemble a “Black Mirror” episode that struggles to achieve widespread acceptance. Even during Wednesday’s event, I observed numerous attendees hesitating to approach the orb amidst a crowd of eager early adopters.
“You can’t easily discard your personal data. It’s essentially your eyeball data at stake,” remarked one tech worker.
Altman’s global affiliations are also under scrutiny. Attendees noted that, through his role at OpenAI, he might be perpetuating the very issue World aims to rectify (an internet flooded with engaging bots).
Nevertheless, Altman’s connections could potentially accelerate World’s growth, especially if collaborations with OpenAI come to fruition or if it becomes integrated with an AI product. Perhaps OpenAI is planning a social network feature with a “Verified Humans Only” setting. Additionally, users who contribute beneficially to OpenAI’s products might one day earn WorldCoin.
(Note: The New York Times has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, claiming copyright infringement regarding news content related to AI systems, a claim which both companies deny.)
Furthermore, societal norms regarding privacy may shift in favor of the initiative, and what seems unusual today could become the norm tomorrow. (Think back to when seeing an airport biometric kiosk felt bizarre—did you vow to never share your biometric details?)
When my turn arrived to approach the orb, I removed my glasses, opened the World app, and adhered to its instructions (Look this way, adjust my position). The orb’s camera recorded the details of my iris and paused for a moment. The rings surrounding the orb glowed yellow, accompanied by a cheerful chime.
Minutes later, I had secured WorldCoin Tokens alongside a World ID and had around 39.22 tokens (valued at $40.77 at current rates). If I manage to transfer them from my phone, I will donate to charity.
My ORB scan was swift and painless, but I felt a subtle sense of vulnerability throughout the night. Conversely, many attendees appeared unfazed.
“What’s the big deal? What am I concealing?” remarked social media influencer Hannah Stocking as she prepared for her orb scan. “Who really cares? I’m all in.”
Voters are also casting their ballots to elect the inaugural mayor of Star Base, along with two additional mayors. All candidates for these positions are employees of SpaceX and are running unopposed.
As of Tuesday, early voting records from the county indicate that 181 individuals, including candidates for mayor and city commissioner, have already participated. Data on the masks eligible for voting in this special Cameron County election has yet to be included in early voting statistics.
It remains unclear why SpaceX and the Masks wish to establish their own city in this area. The company has not provided any feedback to inquiries for clarification.
SpaceX’s Mega Rocket Starship is undergoing preparations for a test flight from Starbase in Bocachica, Texas on January 12th. Eric Gay/AP File
According to Cameron County election manager Remi Garza, the county’s authority over city matters is quite limited.
“They lack the ability to regulate expansion or establish standards in the same manner that local governments can, which can adopt city codes, building regulations, and more,” he noted, emphasizing that cities significantly influence planning and development.
Elon Musk first mentioned the concept of a city called Starbase back in 2021. Coastal Spot is where SpaceX manufactures boosters and engines, as well as launching a massive Starship rocket for test flights.
Visitors are seen near a large bust of Elon Musk outside Starbase in SpaceX, Bocachica, Texas on March 5th. Eric Gay/AP File
As city governance expands, certain bureaucratic hurdles related to these activities could be mitigated. However, earlier this week, Texas lawmakers voted against a bill that would have granted SpaceX significant control over public beach access adjacent to the launch site.
Generally, SpaceX must secure approval from Cameron County officials to restrict public access to Bocachica Beach and Bocachica State Parks during rocket launches for safety reasons.
Frequent closures have led to legal challenges against SpaceX, inciting protests from local residents and activist groups, including the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe in Texas, the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, and Border Workers United. As reported by CNBC.
As legislators tackle hard-to-recycle plastics and foams, packaging firms in California are unveiling innovative transport coolers crafted from woven fibers, revolutionizing the way temperature-sensitive products like pharmaceuticals and laboratory reagents are shipped globally.
The launch of new “recycled” containers made from recyclable paper and fibers aligns with the “Expanded Producer Responsibility” (EPR) Act, pushing the U.S. towards a more sustainable product landscape.
At least 33 states have enacted EPR laws aimed at reducing the use of plastics, styrofoam, and other contaminating materials by holding businesses accountable for their lifecycle and transferring disposal costs to producers.
Over 80 million tons of packaging waste are discarded annually in the U.S., with only around half being recycled, and a mere 9% of plastic packaging finding its way back into the recycling stream, according to Product Stewardship Research Institute.
The EPR Act seeks to minimize landfill waste, boost recycling rates, and mitigate the environmental harm caused by non-recyclable materials, prompting businesses to navigate increasingly stringent packaging regulations.
Recently, seven states have adopted the EPR Act, specifically targeting packaging materials in California, Washington, New Jersey, Minnesota, Colorado, Oregon, and Maine.
“As temperatures rise globally, the need for safe delivery options becomes crucial,” stated Catherine Telloch, CEO of the nonprofit Chicago Environmentalist. “Transitioning to fully recyclable items is fantastic, as it allows for continuous cleaning and reuse, positively impacting the environment.”
Recycling staff
Last month, Container Consulting Services from Gilroy, California, announced the launch of recyclable personnel made from paper and textiles. These containers are validated by a third party to comply with ISTA Thermal and ISTA Transit Standards, meeting essential qualifications for shipping medicines.
Other companies are manufacturing comparable eco-friendly transport coolers, but according to CCS, their product utilizes unique technology that maintains the necessary cold, matching the performance of plastic options. Their patented design features open-cell woven or nonwoven fibers that range from 1.5 to 3 inches thick, sandwiched between two interconnected fiber walls, offering insulation that effectively resists heat, akin to expanding polyethylene.
CCS claims recyclers can maintain contents at cool temperatures for over 100 hours, making them suitable for long-haul and international shipments. Upon arrival, these containers can be converted into other paper products through curbside recycling.
Telloch expressed that recyclers present a viable alternative to polystyrene. A few months prior, she received a shipment of temperature-sensitive medicine that was packed in styrofoam.
“I didn’t want that; it wasn’t good,” Telloch remarked. “If they could utilize a recyclable option instead, that would be fantastic.”
The potential impact of reusable transport coolers is significant, studies indicate. Materials such as polystyrene and polyethylene commonly used in coolers are non-biodegradable and pose threats to both human and animal health. Styrene carcinogens are released during production and usage. These lightweight materials tend to break apart and contaminate the environment as wildlife ingest microplastics. Plastic foam made with these compounds can persist in nature for thousands of years, as noted by the United Nations Environment Programme.
“Polystyrene foam is particularly harmful,” said Janet Domenitz, executive director of the Massachusetts Student Public Interest Research Group, a student advocacy organization focused on public health and environmental protection. “It’s much lighter than other plastics, making it easy for wind to carry it into landfills and the environment.”
Proponents of polystyrene argue that the material is cost-effective since its lightweight nature requires less energy and water compared to paper or fiber alternatives. The plastics industry organization did not respond to requests for comment.
Nevertheless, numerous lawmakers across the U.S. are contemplating bans on polystyrene products. In March, Senator Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Lloyd Doggett introduced the Bubble Farewell Act, which aims to prohibit the sale and distribution of polystyrene products by 2028. Additionally, California enacted a law in 2022 mandating plastics and packaging companies to minimize single-use plastics, although its implementation remains pending amid uncertain circumstances.
Globally, there is a push to eliminate plastic foam packaging, with numerous countries like Canada, Germany, and Zimbabwe having banned or restricted styrofoam, particularly in food services and packaging.
Julie Etter Simpson, co-owner of CCS, emphasized that Recycoolers are developed to align with these evolving laws.
“Product versatility is key to our commitment to environmental responsibility,” she stated.
Yaniv Abitan, managing director of Insulpack Group, an international cold package distribution company, remarked that his company has evaluated the recycling personnel and believes it will drive significant environmental initiatives as the industry shifts away from single-use plastics and EPS forms.
“We recognize the urgent need for eco-friendly alternatives that do not compromise on performance,” Avitan concluded. “Recyclers symbolize the direction the industry is headed towards for domestic and international cold chain transportation.”
Tim Friede has endured hundreds of snake bites. Presently, researchers are analyzing his blood with the aim of developing more effective snake bite treatments.
Friede has a long-standing fascination with reptiles and other venomous creatures. He used to milk scorpions and had a collection of dozens of snakes at his home in Wisconsin.
To protect himself from snake bites and satisfy his “simple curiosity,” he started injecting himself with small doses of snake venom, gradually increasing the amount to build his tolerance before allowing a snake to bite him.
“It was very frightening at first,” Friede said. “But the more you do it, the better you become at handling it, and the more comfortable you get.”
While no healthcare professional would endorse this practice, experts indicate that his approach sheds light on how the body functions. When the immune system encounters snake venom, it produces antibodies that can counteract the venom. If exposed to a small quantity, the body might respond before being overwhelmed, and prior exposure can lead to quicker reactions to larger doses.
For nearly two decades, Friede has endured snake bites and self-injections, yet he still keeps a fridge stocked with venom. In a video on his YouTube channel, he showcases the prominent fang marks on his arms from black mamba, taipan, and water cobra bites.
“I essentially wanted to test the boundaries of life and death as much as possible,” he stated.
In addition, Friede sought to contribute to science. He reached out to numerous scientists, requesting studies on the tolerance he had developed.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 110,000 people die from snake bites annually. Developing antivenoms is both costly and challenging, often requiring large mammals like horses to produce antibodies through venom injections. These antivenoms tend to be effective against only specific snake species and can cause adverse reactions due to their non-human origin.
Tim Friede stands in a lab in Southern San Francisco, California, utilizing his blood to prepare anti-venom for various snake bites. Centibacs via AP
Upon learning about Friede, Peter Kwon from Columbia University remarked, “Oh, wow, this is quite extraordinary. He is a uniquely special individual with remarkable antibodies developed over 18 years.”
In a publication in the Journal Cell on Friday, Kwon and collaborators shared insights on what Friede’s unique blood can accomplish. They have identified two antibodies capable of neutralizing venom from multiple snake species, aiming to create a treatment that could eventually provide broad protection.
This study is in its early stages—antivenoms are currently tested only on mice, with years needed before human testing can commence. While their experimental treatments show promise for certain snake categories, including mambas and cobras, they are less effective against vipers.
“Despite the potential, there is still much work to be done,” noted Nicholas Casewell, a snakebite researcher at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, in an email. Casewell was not part of the recent study.
Friede’s journey has not been without challenges. He mentioned that a bad snake bite resulted in part of his finger needing amputation, and some severe cobra bites sent him to the hospital.
Friede is currently working with Centivax, which is developing a treatment, and he is hopeful that his 18-year journey might someday lead to a lifesaving solution for snake bites. However, his advice for those inspired to follow his path is straightforward: “Don’t do this,” he cautioned.
On Friday, the White House unveiled a budget proposal outlining significant reforms at NASA as part of its initiative to secure $163 billion in federal funding.
The suggested reductions include a nearly 25% cut, translating to over $6 billion, from NASA’s budget. The most substantial decreases target the agency’s Space Science, Earth Science, and Mission Support divisions.
The blueprint also advocates for a space launch system rocket and Orion spacecraft aimed at returning astronauts to the moon, but proposes to terminate the program after just two more missions.
The SLS Megarocket and Orion Spacecraft were fundamental components of NASA’s Artemis Moon initiative, named after the Greek goddess associated with the moon. This mission aimed to create a base camp on the lunar surface and facilitate regular missions.
Critics have pointed out that the SLS rocket exceeds the scale and capabilities of the historic Saturn V booster used in the Apollo missions, resulting in significant delays and budget overruns.
President Donald Trump’s budget draft seeks to terminate the Artemis II test flight, expected to launch in early 2026, as well as the Artemis III mission, planned for mid-2027.
A document outlining the budget requests indicates a shift in NASA’s funding priorities aimed at “returning to the moon and placing the first human on Mars.”
The proposal envisions a hub for space stations in lunar orbit, along with the cancellation of the lunar gateway project, which was intended to play a crucial role in upcoming deep-space missions.
Other significant changes include a $2.265 billion reduction in NASA’s Space Science budget, a $1.161 billion cut in Earth Science funding, and a $5 billion decrease for the International Space Station.
Additionally, these budget cuts will shrink the size of the crew aboard the space station and limit scientific research capabilities, while preparing for its decommissioning by 2030, as part of a transition to commercial space stations, dependent on budget requirements.
In an internal email obtained by NBC News, NASA’s acting administrator, Janet Petro, stated that the proposed budget “demonstrates the administration’s backing for our mission and sets the foundation for our next significant accomplishment.”
She encouraged NASA employees to “exercise patience, resilience, and the discipline needed to achieve unprecedented feats,” acknowledging the budgetary constraints as “difficult choices” that would result in some activities being discontinued.
Among other points, Petro highlighted that under the discretionary budget, NASA would dissolve the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft programs, as well as the gateway initiative, and halt funding for the Mars sample return project.
Petro’s communications did not specify which aerospace and defense contractors might gain or lose federal support due to these proposed changes. However, companies such as SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, and the United Launch Alliance (a collaboration between Boeing and Lockheed Martin) are positioned as leading launch providers in the absence of the SLS.
Following the rejection of numerous authors by the Trump administration for the upcoming national climate assessment, two scientific organizations have embarked on initiatives to publish special collections of climate change research.
Earlier this week, researchers were informed that their contributions would no longer be needed for the national climate assessment.
The future of this assessment is uncertain, and some authors have voiced concerns that its integrity is compromised, lacking scientific rigor or the ability to adequately convey the risks associated with climate change.
Robert Kopp, a professor of Earth and Planetary Science at Rutgers University and one of the authors affected by the recent decisions regarding the National Climate Assessment, commented:
In response to the administration’s actions, the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the American Meteorological Society (AMS) announced on Friday their plans to curate a special collection focused on climate research, as stated in press releases from both organizations.
As per the news release, this collection will span over 20 peer-reviewed journals and aims to “sustain momentum” in the work relevant to the National Climate Assessment, in light of the author and staff rejections.
AGU President Brandon Jones noted in a statement that this special collection is not meant to serve as an “alternative” to the national climate assessment but represents “a unique opportunity to publish new research and reviews that could support climate assessments focused on the U.S.”
The White House has not commented on the rationale behind the rejection of National Climate Assessment authors or the administration’s plans moving forward.
The 1990 Global Change Research Act mandates the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) to submit reports to the President and Congress every four years, with national climate assessments previously satisfying this obligation. These reports summarize the best available science on climate change physics, its effects on the U.S., and societal adaptations. They also include localized climate forecasts for various regions to inform the public about community risks.
The latest assessment, published in 2023, comprised around 2,200 pages across 37 chapters. It highlighted that the lower 48 states have experienced an average warming of 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1970, alongside increasingly severe weather events and costly disasters.
“If you’re a state official, business leader, or a member of the public looking to understand the impacts of climate change on the economy, coastal areas, or human health,” Kopp stated:
The National Climate Assessment is a culmination of the efforts of hundreds of researchers volunteering their time, although it is organized by USGCRP staff. In April, the White House ceased funding for this organization.
“I have no insight into the plan; I don’t think anyone does,” Kopp remarked. “They have let go of all the authors and staff of the Global Change Research Program, leaving some government positions currently unfilled.”
The USGCRP website currently states, “We are reviewing the operation and structure of USGCRP.”
Kopp mentioned that the authors of the National Climate Assessment had dedicated about a year to summarizing the chapters intended for their 2027 report and evaluating relevant themes. This summary has already been submitted for review to the federal agency, and the authors are now considering how best to proceed with it.
“We cannot replicate the NCA unless there is an organization prepared to take charge and staff up,” Kopp concluded.
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Challenging charging patterns: Why night charging eases grid pressure
ifeelstock/alamy
Offering small financial incentives encourages many electric vehicle owners to charge their cars during off-peak hours, despite the lesser impact of motivational nudges.
This finding emerged from a practical trial illustrating how minor financial rewards can alleviate grid demand during peak times. Such flexibility will become increasingly crucial as the number of electric vehicle users escalates globally.
“Incentivizing nighttime charging led to a 50% reduction in charging periods and a substantial increase in off-peak usage,” says Blake Sheaffer from the University of Calgary, Canada.
Sheaffer and his team engaged 200 electric vehicle owners in Calgary, dividing them randomly into three groups. One group received a financial incentive of 3.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (roughly $10 monthly). The second group was given informational nudges about the societal benefits of off-peak charging, while the third group served as a control, tracking standard charging behaviors without intervention.
Surprisingly, the nudging strategy proved “entirely ineffective,” according to Shaffer. “Simply encouraging them to act out of goodwill didn’t yield significant results.” However, he posits that more frequent reminders than the initial one might have improved outcomes.
In contrast, the financial incentives brought a marked change in charging timings but only while recipients were receiving the money; once the incentives ceased, many reverted to their previous habits.
“The study compellingly demonstrates how small financial rewards can influence electric vehicle charging behavior,” notes Kenneth Gillingham from Yale University. Such rewards might have felt like “easy money” since nighttime charging was largely convenient.
This is particularly significant, as “many energy grids require substantial upgrades,” warns Andrea La Nause from Deakin University in Australia. She points out that her study highlights how financial incentives can lead Australian electric vehicle owners to charge during the day when solar energy inflows peak.
Meanwhile, utility companies like Con Edison and Orange & Rockland in New York have already initiated similar incentive programs to promote off-peak charging.
Drought conditions can have severe repercussions in regions like Karapinar in Türkiye
Yasin Akgul/AFP via Getty Images
Over the past two decades, from the grain stores of Ukraine to towns in northern China, Eurasia has experienced a notable increase in droughts following extreme heat events. Tree ring analysis extending back nearly three centuries indicates that human-induced climate change is a significant factor in the acceleration of these combined catastrophes.
This phenomenon presents a severe threat due to the way heat and drought reinforce each other. Elevated temperatures deplete soil moisture, and droughts further reduce the humidity needed to mitigate the impact of subsequent heat waves. This harmful cycle contributes to decreased agricultural productivity and a heightened risk of wildfires.
Certain regions in Eurasia have encountered similar heat and drought patterns in the past, but researchers assert, “current developments exceed natural fluctuations,” according to Hans Linderholm, a researcher at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
The complete landscape became apparent only after Linderholm and his team compiled tree ring data covering Eurasia from 1741, which reflects temperature and precipitation variations. This allowed them to recreate a comprehensive distribution of high- and low-pressure systems that influence wet and dry conditions across the continent.
Researchers identified specific phenomena affecting the area, termed the “heatwave motion train of iolarism,” which has intensified since 2000, amplifying anomalies beyond historical measurements. This alteration is associated with atmospheric pressure changes prompted by warming in the North Atlantic and increased precipitation in some regions of North Africa, both linked to anthropogenic climate change.
Rising local temperatures can directly worsen extreme heat and drought situations. However, new research indicates that climate change is modifying the dynamics between distant atmospheric regions (referred to as teleconnections), further complicating the situation, Linderholm explains.
Climate model forecasts predict worsening conditions under all scenarios except for those with the lowest emissions. “We observe a distinct, robust trend in this new teleconnection pattern, suggesting that impacts will escalate in both speed and severity,” states Linderholm.
“It is difficult to envision how [the most affected regions will] recover,” he concludes.
Google is set to introduce the Gemini AI Chatbot next week for children under 13 who have Google accounts, as tech companies vie for the attention of younger users with their AI offerings.
“The Gemini app will soon be available for your kids,” the company informed an 8-year-old’s parent via email this week. “This means your child can use Gemini to ask questions and get assistance in creating stories for homework.”
Chatbots will be available to children using their parents’ Family Links, Google services designed for families to set up Gmail accounts and access services like YouTube for their children. To create a child account, parents need to provide information such as the child’s name and birth date.
Regarding Gemini, Google has established guardrails for young users, ensuring that chatbots do not generate certain unsafe content. Karl Ryan, a Google spokesperson, noted that data from children with Family Link accounts will not be used to train AI.
The rollout of Gemini for children is expected to help educational institutions, businesses, and others in assessing the efficiency of common generative AI technologies, thus broadening the use of chatbots among at-risk populations. These systems, which are trained on vast amounts of data, can produce human-like text and realistic images and videos.
Google and other developers of AI chatbots are fiercely competing to attract younger users. Recently, President Trump encouraged educational institutions to adopt these tools for learning. Millions of teenagers are already utilizing chatbots for learning support, writing guidance, and virtual companionship. However, a group of children has cautioned that chatbots can pose serious safety risks.
“Generative AI is producing hazardous content,” noted UNICEF’s Global Research Office in a statement about the risks and opportunities posed by AI for children.
In an email to families this week, Google acknowledged some risks, informing parents that “Gemini can make mistakes,” and advised them to “help children think critically” about chatbots.
The email also suggested that parents educate children on how to fact-check the responses from Gemini. The company urged parents to remind kids that “Gemini is not human” and to “avoid sharing sensitive or personal information with Gemini.”
The email emphasized that, despite Google’s attempts to filter inappropriate content, caution is still advised.
This week’s Google Mail to Parents highlighted the risks associated with Gemini for children.
Over the years, Google has rolled out various products, features, and safety measures for children and teens. In 2015, Google launched YouTube Kids, a dedicated app for children that remains popular among families.
Other initiatives aimed at attracting children online have raised concerns from government officials and child advocates. In 2021, Meta abandoned plans for Instagram Kids after a group of state attorneys general sent a letter criticizing the company for historically failing to ensure the safety of children on its platforms.
Several prominent tech companies, including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, have faced significant fines for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. Federal regulations mandate that children under 13 must obtain parental consent before any personal information is collected online.
With the launch of Gemini, children with family-managed Google accounts will soon be able to access the chatbot on their own. However, the company advised parents that they can modify their children’s chatbot settings to “disable access” if needed.
“Your child will soon gain access to the Gemini app,” an email to parents stated. “We will also notify you when your child first uses Gemini.”
Ryan mentioned that Google’s strategy for offering Gemini to younger users adheres to federal regulations concerning children’s online privacy.
Rockstar Games has postponed the release of Grand Theft Auto VI to May 26th, 2026. Originally slated for this fall, concerns were growing within the industry due to the uncertainty surrounding the launch date.
The announcement was made through a brief post on their website. The company stated: “We sincerely apologize for this delay, which has taken longer than we anticipated. The excitement and interest in the new Grand Theft Auto has truly humbled our entire team. We appreciate your support and patience as we finalize the game.”
“With every game we release, our objective has always been to elevate your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no different. Please know that we need this additional time to ensure the high level of quality you expect and deserve.”
It has been over ten years since the launch of Grand Theft Auto V, which has sold 210 million copies, making it one of the most successful video games alongside Minecraft and Tetris. GTA V itself experienced multiple delays before its final release in September 2013.
Since the teaser video was unveiled in December 2023, little has been disclosed about GTA VI. This open-world crime thriller is set to unfold in a Miami-inspired version of the game world, featuring the hometown of Leonida. The narrative is anticipated to follow seasoned criminal Lucia as she engages in an ambitious heist alongside a male counterpart.
No additional details regarding the delays of GTA VI have surfaced. However, Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two, is scheduled to announce its financial results on May 15th, where questions from journalists and shareholders are likely to take center stage.
Treatment offers protection to mice against venom from common taipans and various other snakes
Matthijs Kuijpers/Alamy
Antibodies derived from inflammatory men exhibit effectiveness against a range of snake bites, suggesting that a universal treatment may soon be achievable.
The use of non-human antibodies, however, can lead to serious adverse effects, including potentially fatal allergic reactions. Additionally, it necessitates the identification of the specific snake responsible for the bite before administering the anti-venom.
Jacob Granville from Centivax, a biotechnology firm in San Francisco, California, is exploring broadly neutralizing antibodies that could be developed into anti-venoms effective against multiple or all venomous snakes. “There are 650 venomous snake species, but their venoms involve just 10 common classes of toxins,” Granville explains.
Researchers began investigating individuals bitten multiple times by different snakes. “Perhaps a daring snake researcher,” remarks Granville. Media reports introduced the story of Tim Friede, who claims to have “self-administered escalating doses of venom from the world’s deadliest snakes over 700 times.”
“If anyone could yield a wide-ranging neutralizing antibody against snake venom, it would be Tim Friede,” Granville affirms.
From just 40 milliliters of Friede’s blood, the team “converted immune memory into a library of billions of antibodies,” he adds. They subsequently tested promising candidates against venom from 19 of the deadliest Elapidae family species, including several cobra varieties.
Ultimately, they treated two antibodies derived from Friede’s blood, known as LNX-D09 and SNX-B03, along with a toxin inhibitor named varespladib. In experiments on mice, this combination provided comprehensive protection against 13 species, including various cobras, the tiger snake (Notechis scutatus), and the general Thai bread snake (Oxyuranus scutellatus). It also offered partial protection against six additional species, including the notorious death adder (Acanthophis Antalcus).
The subsequent phase involves testing these treatments on animals brought into Australian veterinary clinics following a snake bite and identifying antibodies that can confer protection against vipers.
Tian Du from the University of Sydney emphasizes that “discovering two antibodies that can inhibit toxins makes for a universal treatment for closely related species.”
Additionally, after learning that the anticoagulant drug heparin can assist individuals in avoiding limb loss following a cobra bite, Du aims to determine whether their treatment can also avert skin and muscle necrosis.
On Friday, the Justice Department unveiled a strategy aimed at dismantling Google’s advertising technology empire. This marks the second time within a year that authorities are urging the company to divest parts of its business, potentially altering the landscape of the $2 trillion giant.
These comments were made during a hearing led by Judge Leonie M. Brinkema at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Last month, she determined that Google holds a dominant position in specific segments of the vast advertising system associated with its website. She is now tasked with deciding on a relief measure to address these concerns.
Lawyers from the Justice Department expressed hopes that the government will compel Google to force online publishers to sell their ad space exclusively to them. In the original lawsuit, the government had sought the court’s intervention to make Google enforce its ad technology acquired over the years.
“It’s frankly too risky to allow Google to control 90% of publishers,” stated Julia Tarver Wood, the lead attorney for the government.
In response, Google’s legal team argued that dissolving the company’s advertising division contradicts established legal precedents and threatens privacy and security measures.
The Justice Department’s request represents another blow to Google during an ongoing second hearing discussing its search monopoly in federal courts in Washington. In that instance, the government asked the judge to mandate the sale of Chrome, a widely-used browser, as part of various measures.
Collectively, if approved, these two governmental requests could signify the most significant restructuring of a powerful corporation since the 1980s, when AT&T was split into several companies as a result of an antitrust agreement with the Justice Department.
It remains uncertain whether the judges will impose such a breakup, which many antitrust experts deem the most extreme solution.
In the AD Tech lawsuit initiated in 2023, government attorneys contended that Google dominated the nearly invisible technology responsible for providing advertisements across the internet, conducting auctions for available ad spaces as web pages are loaded.
The government alleged that Google illegally controlled three critical aspects of its advertising system, namely the tools used by websites to display open ad spaces, the instruments that advertisers utilize to purchase these spaces, and the software that facilitates transactions between the two.
Last month, Judge Brinkema concluded that Google had violated the law to maintain its monopoly over publishing tools and the software that links sellers of ad spaces, referred to as Advertising Exchange. However, she noted that the government had not substantiated claims that Google monopolizes the tools used by advertisers.
During a hearing on Friday, Judge Brinkema indicated that she would reconvene in September to explore the relief package.
To address the issues, the Justice Department revealed plans to compel Google to divest its ad exchanges.
The government is also looking to create an open-source version of Google’s publisher advertising tools that manage auctions for available ad spaces, potentially allowing publishers and other ad tech firms to benefit. The hope is that Google will sell tools that support other functionalities for publishers, such as record-keeping.
Karen Dunn, Google’s lead attorney, argued that the proposed plan would not align with existing legal precedents. She further stated that even if the court seriously considers dissolving Google’s advertising technology division, the government’s recommendations are impractical.
There are limited buyers for this technology, with the few that could afford it being “massive tech companies.” Additionally, the essential security and privacy measures currently provided by Google would likely be lost.
“It’s highly probable that what they’re proposing is entirely unfeasible,” she remarked.
Instead, Google proposed that the company focus on amending or discarding certain practices identified by the court as solidifying its dominance, and take steps toward enhancing the transparency of its ad auction bidding system to benefit publishers.
TikTok has been penalized €530 million (£452 million) by the Irish regulator for failing to ensure that European user data transmitted to China would be safeguarded from access by the Chinese government.
The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) oversees TikTok’s operations across the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes all 27 EU member states along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
It was determined that the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform breached the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by not adequately addressing whether EEA user data sent to China is shielded from the authorities there.
The DPC remarked: “TikTok did not consider the potential access by Chinese authorities to EEA personal data. China’s national security and anti-terrorism laws have been noted as diverging from EU standards by TikTok.”
According to the DPC, TikTok did not “verify, assure, or demonstrate” that the European user data sent to China was afforded a level of protection comparable to that guaranteed within the EU.
TikTok stated that it would not “certify” that the DPC transfers European user data to Chinese authorities. The company claimed it has never received such a request from Chinese officials nor provided user data to them.
Moreover, TikTok has been directed to cease data transfers to China unless compliant processing measures are implemented within six months.
For instance, the National Intelligence Act of 2017 in China mandates that all organizations and citizens “support, assist, and cooperate” with national intelligence efforts.
The DPC noted that the data was “remotely accessed by TikTok’s Chinese staff.”
The watchdog also reported that TikTok provided “false information” during the investigation, initially claiming it had not stored user data from the EEA, but later acknowledging the possibility of storing “limited” European user data in China.
The Dublin-based regulator expressed that it takes “inaccurate” submissions very seriously and is evaluating whether additional regulatory actions are necessary.
The security of TikTok user data has been a longstanding concern among politicians regarding its Chinese ownership. The app still faces the threat of a ban in the US, with legislators on both sides of the Atlantic cautioning that the Chinese state may have access to user data. TikTok is managed by an organization based in Beijing.
In response to the ruling, TikTok announced its intent to appeal and mentioned that safeguards have been put in place under the Project Clover Data Security Scheme, introduced in March 2023. The DPC investigation covered the period from September 2021 to May 2023.
The DPC’s decision also included a finding from 2021 that a privacy statement provided to users did not disclose that data could be accessed in China when personal user data was transferred to a third country. The Privacy Policy was subsequently revised in 2022 to clarify that data is accessible in China.
Following the changes in 2022, TikTok acknowledged that it could access European user data in countries like China to perform checks on platform functionalities, including the effectiveness of algorithms that recommend content to users and identify problematic automated accounts.
Halley’s Comet makes its appearance near Earth every 75 years. Nevertheless, the remnants of this comet give rise to two significant meteor showers annually: the Eta Aquarids.
During this meteor shower, the night sky lights up as Earth travels through the paths left by various famous comets, according to Shauna Edson of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
NASA’s Bill Cook describes the Eta Aquarids as “very fast meteors.”
On the peak night, which falls on Tuesday morning, we anticipate witnessing 10-15 meteors per hour under optimal viewing conditions, Cook noted.
However, with the moon approximately two-thirds full, visibility may be diminished.
The viewing period will extend until May 28th. For more information about the Eta Aquarids and other meteor showers, check out this meteor shower guide.
What is a Meteor Shower?
As Earth orbits the Sun, it encounters bits left behind by comets and sometimes asteroids several times a year. The Eta Aquarids originate from fragments of Halley’s Comet.
When these fast-moving space rocks enter Earth’s atmosphere, they experience friction with the air, causing them to heat up and eventually incinerate.
This process can create a brief glow in the surrounding air, leaving a luminous tail that marks the path of a “shooting star.”
You don’t need any special gear to view the meteor showers that light up the sky each year, just find a dark spot away from city lights.
How to View the Meteor Shower
The optimal time for observing meteor showers is early when the moon is positioned low in the sky.
The primary challenges to clear visibility are bright moonlight and artificial lights. A cloudless night with a faint moon provides the best conditions.
Remember to keep looking up. If you haven’t been distracted by your phone, your eyes will be well-adapted to spot a shooting star.
When Will the Next Meteor Shower Be?
The next major meteor shower, the South Delta Aquarids, will peak in late July.
Nearly a decade ago, Congress increased the import threshold from $200 to $800, facilitating access to the American consumer market.
In response, Chinese companies rapidly entered this sphere. Initially on platforms like eBay and Amazon, and later on apps like Shein and Temu, exporters leveraged China’s extensive manufacturing capabilities to funnel products directly into the US market.
This change in policy in 2016 significantly transformed the economic relationship between the two nations.
For decades, the US has been receiving goods from Chinese factories, benefiting from their manufacturing efficiency. The newly expanded, tariff-free loophole has made American consumers increasingly addicted to purchasing inexpensive exercise clothes and home gadgets online. In turn, millions of Chinese workers have found employment in factories catering to the e-commerce market. The influence extends to major players like Amazon and Walmart, as well as platforms such as Shane, Temu, and TikTok.
This surge in transactions has been remarkable. Last year, approximately 4 million packages arrived daily in the United States without customs inspections or fees.
However, changes were implemented on Friday, affecting trade between the two largest economies. Most packages from mainland China and Hong Kong are now subject to customs duties, even if valued under $800.
People in both nations are already noticing the shift. American consumers are encountering higher prices at checkout, while Chinese exporters are actively seeking new markets beyond the US.
Several factories in southern China, where much of the manufacturing hub resides, have been closing since early April, raising concerns about job losses.
Zhang Yikui, a worker at a factory in Guangzhou producing clothing for Amazon, mentioned that his factory’s output has dropped from 100,000 pieces monthly to around 60,000. He and about 40 colleagues were seen sewing denim dresses amid piles of Shane bags.
Zhang stated he is looking for new buyers: “People in other countries still need clothing. The US doesn’t manufacture anything like this.”
Even lesser-known Chinese manufacturers have successfully entered the American market. Eddie Chang, an e-commerce consultant in Hong Kong, previously managed Walmart’s China e-commerce operations.
“Changes have happened rapidly over the past few months,” he remarked.
Trade tensions present significant challenges to China’s economic growth, which heavily relies on exports. In April, President Trump raised tariffs to 145% on over half of China’s exports to the US, and recent official data indicates that new export orders have plummeted to their lowest since 2022.
Ting Lu, chief economist at Nomura, reported this week that nearly 6 million jobs in China could be lost in the short term due to tariffs, with potential losses rising to 16 million in the longer term.
The Chinese government is struggling to move away from its longstanding dependence on the real estate sector, which has seen a sharp price decline and has adversely affected consumer spending.
China’s cross-border e-commerce landscape has a multitude of factories that are vital to its success, making it one of the few sectors showing signs of growth.
Established over a decade ago, the emergence of platforms like Amazon and Shein coincided with China’s government efforts to expand opportunities in overseas markets for small and medium-sized enterprises.
These apps serve as channels for a diverse array of products produced in China, empowering local companies to ship packages directly to consumers and efficiently manage inventory. This accessibility has helped even small factories become global players, as noted by Harvard University professor Moira Weigel, who is researching the online marketplace.
This context facilitated Congress’s decision to raise the tax-free limit to $800, promoting access to affordable international goods for consumers and small businesses, while other nations sought to boost US exports. However, the United States remains an anomaly among significant trading partners, with China’s tax-free import threshold set at just $7.
For nearly a century, federal law exempted inexpensive goods from import taxes. The threshold was raised from $5 in 1978 to $200 in 1993.
The increase to $800 unlocked vast potential, positioning China as the largest exporter under De Minimis rules. In 2018, Chinese firms sent out packages worth about $5 billion, averaging $54 each, which skyrocketed to $66 billion by 2023, according to Congressional Research Services data.
The ongoing trade tensions and the termination of the US tax-free policy threaten to disrupt this progress.
Han Dong Hwan, founder of China’s Labor Bulletin, which monitors protests regarding factory closures, warned that the impact of tariffs could be “far worse” than the job losses experienced during the pandemic.
Some factories are turning to e-commerce platforms in Europe and Southeast Asia to find new markets for their products, while Chinese e-commerce consultants offer guidance on selling items on eBay in Japan or Amazon in Brazil.
Other Chinese sellers have begun stockpiling US goods, even acquiring warehouse space from Amazon and Walmart.
In response, the Chinese government has not only imposed high tariffs on US imports but also encouraged local consumers to buy domestically produced goods. However, as Qiu Dongxiao, dean of economics at Linnan University in Hong Kong, points out, if unemployment rises, consumer spending may diminish.
“Even those currently employed are unsure about their job security, making them hesitant to spend money,” Qiu states.
Pterosaurs often glide above dinosaurs, but recent examinations of fossilized footprints reveal that some of these flying reptiles were equally adept at terrestrial movement.
Terrestrial migration and tracking morphology of vegetative eye type skeletal morphology: (a) Reconstruction of the ctenochasmatoid orbit Ctenochasma elegans walking with an ipsilateral gait, where the fore and hind legs on the same side move together as a pair. (b) Manual and pedal morphology of Ctenochasma elegans; PES is plant and pentadactyl, while Manus is digital grade, functionally triductyl as the large fourth digit supporting the outer wing is folded during terrestrial movement. (c) Height map of pterosaur manus and PES footprints in the holotype of Ichnotaxon Pteraichnus stokesi, showing a form that matches Ctenochasma elegans; (d) height maps from part of the Pterosaur trackway; Pteraichnus ISP. From the Upper Jurassic Casal Formation of Claysac, France. An outline drawing of (e) interpretation of Pteraichnus ISP. Scale bar – 20 mm in (c), 200 mm in (d) and (e). Image credit: Smith et al, doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.017.
“We have been diligently working to enhance our understanding of these creatures,” stated Robert Smith, a doctoral researcher at the University of Leicester.
“These findings provide insights into their habitats, movement patterns, and daily activities in ecosystems long since vanished.”
In this research, Smith and his team identified three distinct types of pterosaur footprints, each offering insights into various lifestyles and behaviors.
By correlating footprints with specific groups, a robust new method emerges to study how these flying reptiles thrived, migrated, and adapted to diverse ecosystems over time.
“Finally, 88 years after the initial discovery of Pterosaur tracks, we have pinpointed precisely who created them and how,” remarked Dr. David Unwin, Ph.D., from Leicester.
Perhaps the most striking revelation comes from a group of pterosaurs known as Neoazdalci. Quetzalcoatlus, one of the largest flying creatures, boasts a wingspan of 10 meters.
Their footprints have been found in both coastal and inland areas worldwide, supporting the theory that these long-legged animals not only soared through the skies, but also inhabited the same environments as numerous dinosaur species.
Some of these tracks date back to an asteroid impact event 66 million years ago, coinciding with the extinction of both pterosaurs and dinosaurs.
Ctenochasmatoids, recognized for their elongated jaws and needle-like teeth, left footprints primarily found in coastal sediments.
These animals likely walked along muddy shores or shallow lagoons, employing unique feeding strategies to capture small fish and floating prey.
The prevalence of these tracks suggests that these coastal pterosaurs were far more common in these habitats than than the rare fossilized remains.
Another type of footprint was located in rock formations, where fossilized remains of the same pterosaur were also found.
The close association between footprints and skeletons offers compelling evidence for identifying the track makers.
These pterosaurs, known as Dsungaripterids, possessed robust limbs and jaws; their toothless, curved beaks were adept at securing prey, while their large, rounded teeth were ideal for crushing shellfish and other resilient foods.
“Footprints are often overlooked in Pterosaur studies, yet they yield a wealth of information about the behaviors and interactions of these creatures with their environment,” emphasized Smyth.
“A detailed analysis of these footprints allows us to uncover biological and ecological insights that other methods may not provide.”
The team’s paper was published in the journal Current Biology.
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Robert S. Smith et al. Identifying Pterosaur track makers provides crucial insights into Mesozoic terrestrial invasions. Current Biology, published online on May 1, 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.017
On Thursday, Microsoft revealed plans to increase Xbox console prices globally, referencing “market conditions,” just days after Sony implemented a similar change for the PlayStation 5.
The tech giant will also elevate the prices of various new games produced by its video game subsidiaries.
In the US, the base model, Xbox Series S, will rise from $299.99 to $379.99, marking a 27% increase. The Premium Series X Galaxy Black model will now be available for $729.99, up 22% from the prior price of $599.99. Furthermore, selected new games from Microsoft-owned studios will cost $79.99, reflecting a 14% hike from the current $69.99.
In Europe, the Series S price has shifted from 299.99 euros to 349.99 euros, an increase of 17%. In Australia, the Series S starts at $549, while the Series X begins at $849.
“We recognize that these adjustments will be challenging and have been made after careful consideration of market conditions and escalating development expenditures,” the company stated on its website.
Though Microsoft hasn’t explicitly cited it, Donald Trump’s tariffs on various trading partners have loomed over the gaming sector.
Xbox consoles, primarily manufactured in China, face US tariffs as high as 145% on numerous products enacted during the Trump administration.
The Series S and X models launched in late 2020 and have sold around 30 million units, according to industry analysts.
In mid-April, Sony announced price hikes for several PlayStation 5 models in select markets, including Europe, while notably excluding the US. Like Xbox, the PS5 is predominantly assembled in China. Additionally, Nintendo has similarly postponed pre-orders for the Switch 2 console, which debuted shortly before Trump’s tariff announcement.
Few voters have as much influence over climate change as Australians do.
In terms of per capita greenhouse gas emissions, only the US and Canada are close to Australia. The nation stands as one of the largest exporters of fossil fuels, significantly contributing to global warming by selling vast quantities of natural gas to Asian countries, alongside some of the most polluting fossil fuels.
As national elections approach this Saturday, polls indicate that climate change is not a primary concern for many voters. However, the leading candidates from the Labour Party and the Liberal Party hold starkly different views on climate and energy policies.
At the forefront is the reliance on aging coal plants, which dominate the country’s electricity generation.
“We’ve seen various approaches worldwide,” stated Andrew McIntosh, a professor of environmental law and policy at the Australian National University. “On one hand, there’s a push for expanding renewable energy, while on the other, a conservative coalition advocates for nuclear power.”
Both strategies aim to reduce emissions, according to McIntosh, though many remain puzzled by the nuclear initiative. Nuclear plants can take over a decade to build, while renewable energy solutions can be implemented in just a few months.
“We need to rely on coal for years to come,” he added.
In some ways, analysts compare the polarized situation in Australia to that in the US, where former President Donald J. Trump downplayed climate science, dismissing it as a scam. Matt McDonald, a political scientist specializing in climate matters at the University of Queensland, remarked:
However, instead of heightening Australians’ concerns about climate change, Trump’s criticisms “don’t seem to have generated significant international momentum to address the issue, effectively cooling tensions on both sides,” said Dr. McDonald.
If Australians are feeling pressure, it stems from surging household energy prices. According to Australian energy regulators, average energy costs have risen by approximately 60% over the last decade.
Anthony Albanese, the current Prime Minister and Labour Party leader, has committed to a relatively ambitious renewable energy target, aiming for over 80% generation by 2030.
“Yet,” Dr. MacDonald noted, “we still have a significant reliance on coal.”
Albanese’s main rival, Peter Dutton, heads a coalition that aims to increase domestic gas production for electricity generation. While gas is still a fossil fuel, it is far less polluting than coal. Dutton proposes requiring gas producers to sell portions of their output to Australian electricity grids while expediting approvals for new drilling projects.
Generally, both parties endorse gas development, with Australia being the second-largest gas exporter globally, following the US.
Polling indicates a competitive race, revealing that the Green Party and the so-called Teal Independents strongly advocate for robust climate policies and could play a crucial role in Congress. “If they maintain their current seats, they will be in a position to advocate more strongly for climate action, such as reducing coal exports,” Dr. McDonald said.
A significant question looming globally is whether Australia will host next year’s annual United Nations-sponsored Global Climate Conference, commonly known as COP. Australia is currently vying with Türkiye to secure this event, which comes with notable geopolitical significance and economic advantages, drawing tens of thousands of delegates.
Host countries typically influence the ambition levels of negotiations, and Prime Minister Albanese’s administration has been lobbying for international support for Australia’s bid for over a year. “If they are elected, it’s unlikely to happen under the coalition government,” Dr. McDonald concluded.
On Friday, Tiktok was fined 530 million euros ($600 million) for breaching the European Union’s data privacy regulations after regulators found that personal data of users was wrongly transferred to China.
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission announced the penalty, stating that Tiktok did not adequately safeguard data from its European users, including some accessible to staff in China, violating the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
This fine ranks among the largest under the GDPR and adds to the difficulties faced by Bitedan, Tiktok’s Chinese parent company, especially amidst U.S. pressures on non-Chinese companies to divest or face bans in the U.S. The Irish authorities noted that if Tiktok fails to fulfill specific requirements, it may be ordered to cease data transfers to China within six months.
European regulators indicated that Tiktok’s insufficient protections risked user information across the 27-nation bloc. Irish authorities further stated that the Chinese government could potentially access data from users under its anti-terrorism and espionage laws.
With approximately 175 million users in Europe, Tiktok stated it complies with EU laws, asserting that it “has never received requests for European user data from Chinese authorities and has never provided them with such data.”
Tiktok plans to contest the ruling, which could lead to a protracted court battle with the Irish government, Tiktok’s primary regulator in Europe. The company’s European headquarters is situated in Ireland, which is responsible for enforcing GDPR.
Tiktok mentioned that the Irish Data Protection Commission did not take into account its 2023 initiative to invest 12 billion euros in data protections for users within the EU, including the development of a data center in Finland.
The company cautioned that “this ruling may establish precedents that could have widespread repercussions for European companies and industries operating globally.”
Last month, Ireland’s regulators announced that Tiktok had uncovered a “limited” amount of user data stored on servers in China, following a series of denials.
Graham Doyle, vice-chairman of Ireland’s Data Protection Commission, commented on the situation in a statement.
A few days after Marks & Spencer and the cooperative were targeted, Harrods experienced a cyber attack.
The luxury retailer had to shut down several systems temporarily; however, all stores, including its website, Knightsbridge flagship, H Beauty, and Airport Outlet, remain operational. Retailers became aware of the cyber threats earlier this week.
In a statement, Harrods disclosed: “We have recently encountered attempts to gain unauthorized access to parts of our system. Our experienced IT security team swiftly took proactive measures to secure the system, which led to restricting internet access on our site today.”
The retailer stated that it has not requested any action from its customers, suggesting confidence that data has not been compromised. “We will provide updates as necessary.”
Reported first by Sky News, the Harrods incident unfolds as M&S grapples with challenges stemming from cyberattacks linked to widespread hacking.
M&S has had to pause orders for nearly a week, leading to a loss exceeding £650 million in stock market value. Additionally, the automated inventory system failure has resulted in empty store shelves, while the loyalty program and gift card transactions are suspended.
On Thursday, M&S announced it had halted the hiring of new employees.
The company removed all online job postings from its site while it addresses the fallout from the cyber attack that forced M&S to close its online store.
A note on M&S’s Jobs webpage states, “I’m sorry, but I can’t search or apply for a role right now. I’m working diligently to restore our services as soon as possible.”
Despite having over 200 job openings the previous week, the company, employing approximately 65,000 people across its stores and London headquarters, did not list any positions on Thursday.
A spokesperson stated: “While managing these cyber incidents, we are temporarily pausing some of our usual processes to ensure we can continue delivering the best M&S experience for our customers and employees.
The cooperative also had to disable some internal systems and warned staff to be cautious with their cameras during online meetings after detecting hacking attempts. Stores and online services are still running normally.
Retailers may face similar methods used across various businesses, as many share the same systems as M&S and the cooperatives.
It remains uncertain whether the cyberattacks affecting these three retailers are coordinated by the same group or carried out independently.
The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) is collaborating with M&S and the cooperative to understand the nature of both incidents and is looking into potential connections. The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Wednesday that cybercrime detectives, alongside teams from the National Crime Agency, are investigating the attack on M&S.
NCSC CEO Richard Horn remarked that the cyber incident should act as a wake-up call for all organizations, urging businesses to ensure they have adequate measures in place for prevention and effective response.
He added: “The NCSC is committed to closely supporting the organizations reporting these incidents to fully comprehend the nature of these attacks and offer expert advice to the wider industry based on the threat landscape.”
In recent years, retailers and their suppliers have faced multiple cyberattacks, including an incident affecting Morrisons due to a problem at high-tech supplier Blue Yonder last Christmas.
In 2023, WH Smith experienced a data breach where sensitive company data, including personal information of current and former employees, was accessed illegally. This occurred less than a year after a cyber incident on WH Smith’s Funky Pigeon website resulted in a week-long suspension of orders.
Apple’s financial results for the second quarter exceeded Wall Street predictions on Thursday.
The tech leader announced a revenue of $95.4 billion, marking an increase of over 4% compared to last year, with earnings surpassing $1.65 per share, up more than 7%. Analysts had anticipated a revenue of $94.5 billion and a profit of $1.62. The company’s market value stands at $3.2 trillion, consistently surpassing Wall Street forecasts for the last four quarters.
Investors remain focused on Apple’s impending financial disclosures. The tech giant has worked diligently to ease the concerns of anxious analysts following Donald Trump’s extensive tariffs that could disrupt the supply chain for appliances. Since the start of the year, Apple’s stock has decreased by 16%.
During a call with investors on Thursday, CEO Tim Cook indicated that he expects tariffs to escalate expenses by $900 million for the quarter ending in June, provided global tariff rates remain unchanged. Cook declined to make further predictions about the future, stating, “We don’t know what will happen with tariffs… it’s very challenging to predict post-June.”
In after-hours trading, the company’s shares dropped more than 4%, despite last year’s growth, due to tariff impacts and revenues that fell short of Wall Street’s expectations, particularly in its services sector, which includes iCloud subscriptions and various licensing revenues. Sales in China also did not meet estimates.
Nevertheless, the company remains optimistic, stating that it reported “strong post-quarter results” and is “actively engaged in the tariff discussion.”
iPhone manufacturers are heavily reliant on production in China for their mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. Following Trump’s implementation of tariffs that reached over approximately 245%, the president indicated he would allow an exception for household appliances.
During this period, Cook communicated with a senior White House official, as reported by the Washington Post. After these discussions, Trump declared an exemption for appliances. Following this announcement, Apple’s shares increased by 7% in subsequent days.
However, the duration of this exemption remains uncertain. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick described it as “temporary”, and Trump later stated on social media that there would be no “exceptions”.
The president has consistently expressed a desire to see increased manufacturing in the United States. In February, he and Cook met to discuss investments in U.S. manufacturing. “He’s about to start a building,” Trump remarked after their meeting. “A very significant number – you have to tell him. I believe they’ll announce it soon.”
JPMorgan predicts that relocating production to the U.S. will lead to a substantial increase in prices. In this week’s memo, they noted, “Assuming a 20% tariff on China, we could witness a 30% price hike in the short term.” JPMorgan and other analysts assert that Apple may continue to shift more manufacturing to India, where tariffs are only 10%.
Earlier this month, Apple transported around $2 billion worth of iPhones from India to the U.S. to boost its inventory in anticipation of rising prices due to Trump’s tariffs and panic buying by concerned consumers. Investors are increasingly worried about a drop in iPhone sales in China, the largest smartphone market globally. In its latest revenue report in January, Apple disclosed that iPhone sales in China fell by 11.1% in the first quarter, missing Wall Street revenue expectations.
Cook mentioned during a call with investors that while China remains the primary manufacturing hub for the company, India is expected to produce more iPhones along with Vietnam in the June quarter. “The tariffs currently imposed on Apple are contingent upon the origin of the product,” he noted, emphasizing that tariffs in India and Vietnam are less than those in China.
In the immediate term, analysts suggest that tariff-related disruptions could work in Apple’s favor as consumers rush to buy more products fearing price hikes. “Dipanjangchatterjee, principal analyst at Forester, stated: [consumers] absorb these price increases as they seek out Apple products.
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I’ve been tidying up my attic for the past few weeks, primarily to ensure its contents don’t collapse the ceiling. However, I have a side quest. My most treasured possession at age 12 was the Casio GD-8 car race watch. This digital timepiece featured built-in racing games on a small monochrome LCD screen. The two large buttons on the front allowed players to maneuver left and right to dodge oncoming vehicles, keeping the game alive for as long as possible. I lost count of how many times it was confiscated by teachers, as I often lent it to the toughest boy in class for protection against bullies. As a socially awkward nerd, this watch was crucial for my survival. I’m quite sure I still have it somewhere, and my resolve to find it has been strengthened by recent discoveries about its value.
Casio began producing digital watches in the mid-1970s, striving to compete on price with technology borrowed from the computer industry. As the decade drew to a close, however, the market became saturated, prompting the company to explore new methods to entice buyers. According to Polygon in 2015, “Casio returned to its original philosophy upon entering the watch market.” Yuichi Masuda, senior executive managing officer and Casio Board member, elaborated: “Watches are not merely timekeeping devices.” He noted a shift toward multifunctionality, incorporating features like phone number memory and music alarms alongside time display.
Takeoff… In 1980, kids play Space Invaders.
Photo: Eugene Adebari/Rex/Shutterstock
At that time, Taito’s Space Invaders was a sensation in Japan. Consequently, in 1981, Casio launched the CA-90/CA-901—a thick calculator watch featuring a space-themed shoot-’em-up, where players shot numbers instead of aliens. “Our aim was to create a lifestyle where games could be enjoyed anytime and anywhere,” Masuda explained.
Was Casio inspired by Nintendo’s Game & Watch series? The iconic handheld games debuted in 1980 with titles like Juggler and Ball, paving the way for classics like Donkey Kong, which later influenced the Nintendo DS. However, Shinji Saito, general manager and chief producer for Casio’s Watch Business Unit, disagrees: “In 1980, when Casio launched the CA-90, we also released the MG-880, a gaming calculator allowing users to enjoy digital invaders. While Nintendo’s Game & Watch also launched that year, the CA-90’s concept stemmed from our own development philosophy prioritizing lightness, thinness, shortness, and low power consumption; we were not inspired by Nintendo.”
In fact, during this period, Casio was innovating with features like data banks, thermometers, and pulse checkers. “The entire range of ’80s watches was vast,” watch enthusiast Andy Bagley notes. “I’ve been collecting for years and still discover models I’ve never encountered before. There were hundreds, including touchscreen watches from the ’80s.”
Past Time… Casio Gaming Watch Page from Vintage Casio Catalog
Photo: Casio
Regardless, the CA-90 became so successful that it spurred a golden age of creativity in Casio’s R&D. Between 1980 and 1985, dozens of game watches were produced—an impressive feat given the limitations of LCD technology at the time, which could display only preset shapes and lacked computer graphics or real animations. Various racing games, shooters like Helifizer and Zoom Zap, and rudimentary platformers like Jungle Star and Hungry Mouse were among them.
Some entries were more eccentric, like Aero Batics, a stunt flying game, and Hustle Monira, which involved catching dinosaurs (as opposed to just dodging falling eggs). There were also basic football and golf simulations. Similar to Nintendo’s Game & Watch titles, these watches showcased visually simplistic game designs that felt like science fiction at the time.
Notably, it wasn’t just tech giants creating game watches in the ’80s. The U.S. company Nelsnick obtained a license from Nintendo to make watches featuring games based on Zelda, Super Mario Bros., and Donkey Kong. Additionally, Seiko had its own ALBA game watches throughout that decade. The most aesthetically outrageous models came from veteran toy company Tiger, which produced bulky LCD game watches in the early ’90s based on movie licenses and arcade hits like Double Dragon and Altered Beast. However, as technology advanced and preferences shifted, the portable gaming market exploded with the arrival of the Game Boy in 1989, effectively ending the Game Watch era.
Today, a thriving collector’s scene exists. “These watches are incredibly sought after and can demand high prices,” Bagley shares. “The downside is that they weren’t very durable compared to all-stainless steel models like the Marlin, so few have survived. In pristine condition, rare and collectible game watches can fetch hundreds to over a thousand pounds.” For collectors like Bagley, these timepieces serve as nostalgic treasures, evoking memories of a time when students were distracted by digital watch beeps rather than social media alerts. “This served as my personal reference guide for the latest models. I eagerly checked the clock section whenever a new catalog arrived to scout for innovations.”
The watch industry continues to take a keen interest in classic video game themes. In 2022, Timex released a limited edition Space Invaders Watch featuring the game’s iconic sounds, and earlier this year, Casio unveiled a collection of beautifully crafted Pac-Man watches, sending fans like me racing to their website’s booking section. For those of us who were nerdy kids in the ’80s, these timepieces felt like the predecessors to smartphones and Apple Watches. Thus, my quest to find my car racing watch is not about its monetary value. It represents a connection to my 12-year-old self, a shared nostalgia for everything lost along the way.
Meet Ronan, a California sea lion who probably has better rhythm than you do.
Researchers have demonstrated that Ronan, a resident at the Long Marine Lab at the University of California, Santa Cruz, was the first non-human mammal trained to keep the beat through movement to music. This took place back when Ronan was young, in 2013. Recently, scientists decided to reassess the skills of this now 15-year-old sea lion, revealing not only an enhancement in her ability to bob her head in sync with the music but also that she outperformed most humans in doing so.
“This ultimately shows that humans aren’t the only mammals that can sustain a beat,” said Tecumse Fitch, a cognitive biologist studying biomimetics at the University of Vienna, who was not involved in the new research. The findings were published on Thursday in Scientific Reports.
Parrots are known to keep the beat through their movements, and recent studies have highlighted similar rhythmic abilities in monkeys and other mammals such as rats. However, over a decade later, “the rhythmic abilities of sea lions are distinctly recognized among non-human vertebrates,” Dr. Fitch stated.
Researchers worked with Ronan for several months, focusing on enhancing her accuracy with the original tempos she had learned. They then compared her ability to maintain the beat now to when she was three years old.
The team evaluated Ronan’s ability to move her head to a tempo of 112, 120, and 128 beats per minute, contrasting her head movements with those of 10 individuals aged 18-23 moving their arms. “The hands function similarly to a sea lion’s head, and their arms resemble the necks of a sea lion in size, making it a valid comparison for measuring movement capabilities.”
Across all assessment parameters analyzed by Dr. Cook and his team, Ronan topped the class.
“Ronan outperformed everyone on every measure of accuracy and consistency,” stated Dr. Cook. “In all respects, she excelled beyond most people, truly setting herself apart.”
Ronan’s headbanging abilities sparked debate in 2013 regarding whether her skills could truly be compared to those of humans, as well as whether such behavior is common in the animal kingdom or restricted to species capable of learning complex vocalizations, like humans and parrots, which allow spontaneous rhythmic movement.
“What Ronan does appears indistinguishable from what humans are adept at,” Dr. Cook remarked. He believes that the new findings about Ronan’s capabilities further challenge the assumption that rhythmic timing is inherent only to vocal learners.
Some scientists challenge this conclusion.
Aniruddh D. Patel, a cognitive neuroscientist at Tufts University, maintains that the ability to naturally synchronize with music is exclusive to certain species that can inherently learn complex vocal patterns.
He suggests further research into the vocal learning abilities of sea lions would corroborate this hypothesis. Nonetheless, he emphasizes that the “crucial distinction” lies in the fact that Ronan has been trained to keep the beat.
Moving forward, Dr. Cook and his colleagues aim to investigate whether Ronan can maintain rhythm with less predictable beats.
“Can she adjust her tempo by speeding up or slowing down? Can she handle variations that aren’t steady?” Dr. Cook questioned. “These are things that humans excel at. Can non-humans do them?”
Interviews with over a dozen scientists and federal officials reveal that the initiative to control bird flu on farms has been hindered by a tumultuous administration transition, which prioritized cost-cutting, reduced federal employment, and limited communication.
On one poultry farm alone, more than 168 million birds were culled to mitigate the outbreak. The virus, first identified in American dairy cows about a year ago, has spread to 17 states and is increasingly prevalent. A flock of 1,000 birds was affected.
In the early months, the Trump administration dismissed a team of scientists crucial for tracking the virus’s spread, canceling significant meetings and limiting data access for federal scientists.
The Department of Health and Human Services has not held a public briefing on bird flu since January and has not responded to inquiries for comments.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested letting the virus spread unchecked among poultry to distinguish vaccinated birds, an idea supported by Democratic lawmakers. This opened the survey into the federal response.
The Trump administration also removed funding for the Food and Agriculture Organization’s program, a UN body responsible for monitoring and controlling avian flu in 49 countries.
“We’ve noted considerable challenges,” highlighted Lindsay Mar, a specialist in airborne viruses at Virginia Tech.
“Animals and people provide strong warning signs. Yet we merely observe them and fail to act,” she remarked.
Avian influenza has impacted various mammal species, including 150 cats, with at least 70 cases across 26 states resulting in four hospitalizations and one death. Following the winter lull, the spring travel season has reignited the infection rates.
In the past 30 days, the Ministry of Agriculture has reported 47 new infectious cases across three states.
Currently, the H5N1 virus does not seem capable of human-to-human transmission. Nonetheless, a recent mutation appears to be edging closer to that possibility.
This week, an international group of virologists concluded that continuous monitoring of milk from dairy farms, wastewater, and individuals working with infected animals is vital.
Authorities are testing bulk milk to help identify infected herds. However, the agricultural sector’s strategy to counter bird flu is currently focused on lowering egg prices, with little mention of dairy cows.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has proposed enhancements to farm biosecurity to assist farmers in ten states in curbing the virus’s spread on their premises.
“The initial emphasis of these ongoing efforts will be on egg-soaking facilities as part of USDA’s coordinated strategy to tackle egg prices, but we anticipate the inclusion of other poultry and dairy producers as the program expands,”
An early wave of federal layoffs impacted a veterinarian in the avian flu-focused agriculture sector, leading to both terminations and rehiring. Today, many continue to manage government-issued credit cards with restrictions that complicate travel and procurement of necessary supplies without seeking extended credit.
The Agriculture Department defended its policies, stating, “The restrictions on government-issued credit cards will automatically relax once personnel obtain travel approval,” according to a department spokesperson via email.
On April 1, the Trump administration dismissed veterinarians and scientists at the Food and Drug Administration investigating raw pet food contaminated with H5N1, which had adversely affected cats, and was pivotal in assisting veterinarians in developing proposals for vaccines and treatment of infected animals.
According to an anonymous official fearing retaliation, the CDC has begun withholding genetic analyses of virus samples collected from patients. Even some internal teams can no longer access this information.
Typically, federal agencies release data 242 days post-collection, as revealed by a recent analysis. Ideally, this process should only take a few weeks, according to scientists. Such delays complicate the tracking of the virus’s spread and accurate assessment of risks to the public.
Significant reports in the agency’s publications, such as weekly morbidity and mortality records, have been affected, mentioned the former anonymous official.
In February, instead of the scheduled reports on avian flu infections in domestic cats, agency scientists were instructed to prioritize a paper on the impact of LA wildfires on air quality.
While research on avian flu emerged weeks later, agency staff expressed their discontent with the delayed directives from superiors.
The Biden administration has been holding regular inter-departmental calls on avian flu, involving numerous external experts and state health officials, to share the latest findings. These discussions have been diminished, much like the CDC’s guidance on monitoring.
All communication from the CDC requires clearance from federal health officials in Washington. The agency has not held an avian flu press conference since January.
“There have been numerous health challenges,” remarked Dr. Adam Rowling, a virologist and infectious disease specialist at the University of Michigan.
The nation retains stockpiles containing millions of doses of human vaccines against avian influenza. However, amid budget cuts, agencies responsible for these stockpiles and rapid emergency distribution have shifted under the CDC.
Dawn O’Connell, who leads the administration for strategic preparation and response, an agency that has maintained its stockpile under the Biden administration, noted that this shift would “add a layer of bureaucracy instead of removing it.”
In interviews, several employees from the CDC and agricultural sector expressed low morale, worsened by successive layoffs. During a City Hall gathering on April 16, around a quarter of the veterinarians present indicated they would consider signing onto a deferred resignation program that offers full pay and benefits until September 30th.
Over the past year, it has been challenging to monitor cows infected with H5N1. They exhibited fever and produced thick yellow milk, with some cows suffering voluntary abortions.
However, reinfections have been found in cows, with second-round symptoms being subtle, complicating the identification of infected cows and protecting those who interact with them. Currently, rapid testing for the virus in cattle and humans is unavailable.
Reinfection indicates that the virus may permanently colonize dairy cows. Meanwhile, the virus continues to circulate among wild birds, evolving approximately twice as fast in birds as in cows.
A new variant, known as D1.1, which is believed to cause more severe illness, emerged in September and quickly became the dominant strain. The government’s response has not matched this rapid evolution.
In Nevada, milk samples collected on January 6th and 7th tested positive for avian influenza by January 10th. Ideally, the 12 farms contributing these samples would have been quarantined while confirming results.
Instead, further samples were gathered on January 17th, with results confirmed a week later.
The Agriculture Department stated that delays in test results would not impede the outbreak response. “It is crucial to note that response activities operate independently of the sequence of the results and occur as needed,” the department claimed.
Michael Warby, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona, expressed skepticism, noting, “This appears to be a situation where the barn door is closed after the cows have escaped.”
He suggested that it’s still feasible to eradicate the virus on American farms if the Agriculture Bureau enhances containment measures.
For instance, a rapid testing method that detects H5N1 in bulk milk could provide officials with more time to eliminate outbreaks, compared to tests that yield results after several weeks.
“We believe this is a goal to pursue unless it proves futile,” Dr. Warby commented regarding the virus’s expulsion.
At present, removing the virus from farms is not straightforward.
For example, if an infected duck flies over a farm and defecates, an outbreak could commence among millions of birds. Farmers may inadvertently transport remains into chicken coops, and infected rodents can enter through small openings.
Chickens are densely packed and have weak immune systems; a single sneeze can quickly infect hundreds or even thousands.
Over the past two years, the Agriculture Department has collaborated with egg producers in four states: Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota.
Federal officials have assisted in identifying and removing surrounding wildlife, including mice, and have eliminated potential virus entry points that farmers might overlook. Notably, only two out of 108 facilities involved in the pilot program reported subsequent virus outbreaks.
This project is slated to expand this year to ten states, including California, Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, with plans to reach all 50 states by 2027. Agricultural experts aim to help farmers identify even the smallest vulnerabilities against avian flu.
While this proposal has garnered praise from scientists, some experts, including veterinarians in agriculture, are uncertain about its implementation.
Department staff have been striving to combat bird flu since early 2022. There is already an insufficient workforce to detect facility weaknesses necessary for farm operation and readiness for reopening.
“We’ve been working continuously for three years, leading to increasing fatigue among staff,” noted a veterinarian who requested anonymity without permission to engage with the media.
Given the current situation on farms, even stringent measures may not suffice to bar the virus, remarked Andrew Decoriolis, executive director of Advocacy Group Farm Fight.
“The outbreak is likely to persist until the industry undergoes significant transformation,” he remarked.
The Justice Department has charged three major health insurance companies with engaging in illegal kickback schemes totaling hundreds of millions of dollars over several years, involving payments to insurance brokers who guided individuals to private Medicare plans.
Federal prosecutors also alleged that two of these insurers colluded with brokers to discriminate against individuals with disabilities by hindering their enrollment in private Medicare plans, based on the belief that these plans would be costlier.
Around 12% of Medicare beneficiaries, who are disabled and under the age of 65, qualify for the federal insurance program. Their intricate health requirements often lead to high care costs.
According to a complaint initially filed by whistleblowers, the Department of Justice has joined the case against the nation’s largest health insurance company, previously known as Anthem. Humana is also implicated for allegedly funneling kickbacks to three large brokers—Ehealth, GoHealth, and SelectQuote—to boost enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans, which have also been tied to fraudulent activities.
A complaint filed in federal court in Boston claims that the kickback scheme spanned from at least 2016 to 2021, accusing Aetna and Humana of discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
Aetna, Elevance, GoHealth, and Humana have denied the allegations, although others have not responded to requests for comments.
This lawsuit is one of the first indications of the Trump administration’s scrutiny of certain Medicare Advantage plans, which face ongoing federal oversight. Critics, including lawmakers, have condemned these popular plans for potential overcharging the federal government through aggressive marketing strategies. Over half of all individuals enrolled in the federal program are covered by Medicare Advantage plans.
During the Senate confirmation hearing for Dr. Mehmet Oz, he assured concerned senators about the oversight of Medicare plans, promising a “new sheriff” to address excesses.
Brokers play a crucial role in assisting senior Americans in selecting private Medicare plans. However, the allegations suggest brokers have directed individuals to plans that offer the highest commissions instead of the best fit for their needs.
In recent years, small local brokerage firms have been overshadowed by large national organizations that employ numerous agents and utilize call centers and websites like those mentioned in the lawsuit. These companies increasingly depend on technology to help brokers identify the optimal plans for callers, facilitating the kind of steering described in the allegations.
The Biden administration implemented regulations last year aimed at reducing the commissions insurance companies can pay to brokers for patient enrollments. Recent Congressional testimonies and consumer complaints have indicated that insurers are offering bonuses to brokers for enrolling more individuals in specific plans, regardless of their actual needs. However, the lawsuit is still pending.
Regarding cases involving disabled individuals, federal prosecutors have stated: “The efforts to specifically exclude beneficiaries are even more ruthless given that their disabilities may render them less profitable for health insurance companies,” said attorney Leah B. Foy. “We will continue to investigate and prosecute the greed targeting these beneficiaries.”
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