Could there be hydrogen under Mount Grison in Switzerland?
Thomas Stoyber/Alamie
Mountain ranges may serve as a significant source of clean energy in the form of unexplored hydrogen. Previous investigations hinted at the presence of “geological” hydrogen underground, but researchers have now pointed to mountains as potential reservoirs.
“Some minerals can react with water to produce hydrogen, serving as a source of sustainable green energy,” explains Frank Zwarn from the Helmholtz Geoscience Centre in Germany.
While a plethora of minerals exists on Earth, most are located at great depths in the mantle. However, during the formation and elevation of mountain ranges, certain mantle materials can be brought nearer to the surface, where they might interact with water through a process called meandering.
To understand the potential for hydrogen generation, Zwaan and his team modeled the uplift process and assessed the mantle material reaching areas with optimal temperatures and adequate circulating water for this reaction to occur. Their findings support the notion that large quantities of hydrogen could form below these mountains.
Serpentine minerals also exist in the ridges of the Central Sea, which some speculate may have played a role in the origin of life. However, Zwaan notes that the hydrogen created there is unlikely to remain trapped due to temperatures below 122°C (252°F), as bacteria can consume the trapped hydrogen. In contrast, it can be drilled from deeper areas of higher temperature below the mountains.
“I wouldn’t want to inhabit that area, but it’s ideal for preserving hydrogen,” Zwaan stated at the European Geoscience Union conference in Vienna last week. “There may be an additional opportunity to drill into what is known as a hydrogen kitchen, the zone where hydrogen is generated.”
The model’s outcomes are corroborated by preliminary findings from studies on various mountain ranges. For instance, Gianreto Manatschal from the University of Strasbourg in France confirmed evidence of hydrogen production beneath the Grison region of the Swiss Alps. However, he emphasized that there remains much to learn. “Our research is merely the beginning,” he remarked.
Notably, some hydrogen has been reported to be seeping from beneath the Northern Pyrenees, according to Alexandra Robert at the University of Toulouse, France. This research is still in its formative stages.
Five former directors of the National Weather Service have expressed serious concerns that further staffing reductions within the agency could result in unnecessary fatalities during extreme weather events such as tornadoes, wildfires, and hurricanes.
“Our greatest fear is that with the weather offices being severely understaffed, lives that could have been saved will sadly be lost. This is a shared nightmare among those at the forefront of forecasting and the communities who depend on their expertise,” they stated. An open letter was published on Friday.
The former director, who served from 1988 to 2022, noted that staffing levels at the Weather Service decreased by over 10% during critical forecasting periods due to budget cuts from the Trump administration and staffing reductions from agency consolidations.
They also voiced concerns regarding the budget proposal from the Trump administration for the upcoming fiscal year, highlighting an outlined Letter to Congress that recommended a $1.52 billion reduction for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees the Meteorological Service.
“The NWS workforce is facing intolerable challenges to maintain current service standards,” they remarked. “Some forecast offices are inadequately staffed and may have to resort to limited part-time services.”
Curious about how NWS staffing cuts could lead meteorologists to miss tornado detections? Tune in to Harry Jackson’s report on NBC News Now, airing today at 5pm EST.
Their objections, along with NOAA’s stance on funding cuts at the Weather Bureau, underline the political pressures agencies face as governments aim to downsize. Meteorologists have indicated that reduced staffing has resulted in less effective forecasting.
The letter shared with journalists by a spokesperson and circulated on social media was co-signed by directors from the Elephant Bureau, including Louis Uckellini, Jack Hayes, and Brig Gen. DL Johnson of the US Air Force, alongside Brig. Gen. John J. Kelly Jr. and Colonel Joe from the US Air Force.
Louis Uccelini at a press briefing in Maryland in 2016. Alex Wong/Getty Images
They remarked: “Having served as a director of the National Weather Service, I understand firsthand the requirements for delivering accurate forecasts. I stand united against further staffing and resource cuts in the NWS and am deeply worried about NOAA’s long-term health.”
In a statement, the weather service indicated it would refrain from discussing internal personnel matters but acknowledged the ongoing staffing challenges.
“We remain committed to providing weather information, forecasts, and warnings in line with our public safety mission,” the statement read. “The National Weather Service is adjusting some services by implementing temporary staffing changes at local forecast offices nationwide to better meet the needs of our citizens, partners, and stakeholders.”
The White House did not respond to requests for comment.
Recent forecasts for Nebraska amid inclement weather have heightened concerns regarding staffing cuts and prompted calls for Congressional Republicans to take action.
On April 17, as thunderstorms loomed over Iowa and Nebraska, the Valley, Nebraska forecast office near Omaha attempted to launch a special weather balloon at 3 PM to evaluate storm risks, but staffing reductions halted the planned 7 PM launch.
The Valley office was among more than 10 locations where weather services announced the cancellation of balloon launches due to insufficient staffing.
An internal meteorologist noted that a timely balloon launch at 7 PM could have significantly aided in identifying tornado risks sooner. The storm, which posed a threat to the data from the 3 PM balloon, ultimately spawned six tornadoes across eastern Nebraska.
Following the storm, Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) took action to address the situation. During a press conference on April 25, documented by Wowt—a local NBC station in Omaha—he revealed that staffing in the Valley office had decreased from 13 forecasters to just eight.
After bringing this issue to light, Flood reported receiving a call from the White House acknowledging that changes were indeed necessary. Shortly thereafter, the Weather Bureau dispatched two forecasters for temporary assignments to the Valley office.
“We have implemented policy adjustments throughout the country. These temporary assignments can now be utilized by forecasters to address staffing shortages at various weather stations,” Flood mentioned, adding that these measures would become permanent, allowing the Weather Bureau to hire additional staff.
He expressed intentions to propose legislation classifying forecasters as public safety officials, a designation likely to exempt them from federal procurement and staffing cut policies.
“They are undeniably public safety personnel, and it is imperative we act on this in Congress,” Flood declared.
Rick Spinrad, former NOAA administrator for President Joe Biden, pointed out that the Weather Service should not be viewed as a target for budget cuts.
“Weather services cost every American just a cent per day,” Spinrad stated.
The staffing reductions have implications extending beyond just weather balloon launches. Last month, the Weather Services office in Sacramento, California, informed local media partners of its decision to cut overnight staffing and cease responding to public inquiries.
On Friday, one former manager expressed concern that further cuts might exacerbate stress levels in overnight staffing.
“The worst-case scenario is if a severe storm develops after midnight,” he cautioned, adding that decisions made overnight by the Weather Bureau and local emergency teams could be critical for issuing tornado warnings. “There are now significant gaps in the entire weather service, which is a troubling reality.”
Subneptin is a type of exoplanet characterized by high birth discharge thrombosis and lacks analogs within our solar system. Significantly smaller than gas giants, and typically cooler than Hot Jupiter exoplanets, these worlds were notably challenging to study before the launch of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope. Many subneptins are obscured by thick clouds and hazards, hindering our ability to analyze their atmospheric structures. Utilizing the Webb, astronomers have obtained the transmission spectrum of subneptin TOI-421B, unveiling its atmospheric chemical signatures.
TOI-421 is a solar-type star located approximately 245 light years away in the constellation of Repas.
Commonly known as BD-14 1137, this star is around 10 billion years old and hosts at least two giant exoplanets.
The inner planet, TOI-421B, is a subneptin with a radius of 2.65 times that of Earth and boasts a high equilibrium temperature of 647 degrees Celsius (1,197 degrees Fahrenheit).
“Prior to Webb, scientists had scant information regarding subneptins,” stated University of Maryland astronomer Brian Davenport and his team.
“These planets are several times larger than Earth, yet still much smaller than gas giants, usually cooler than hot Jupiters, and significantly harder to observe than their larger gas analogs.”
“A crucial finding before Webb was that many Neptune-like atmospheres exhibited flat or featureless transmission spectra.”
“This indicates that when scientists scrutinized the spectrum of planets transiting in front of a host star, they only observed flatline spectra, missing the details of the spectrum (chemical fingerprints revealing atmospheric composition).”
“Based on these flatline spectra observations, it was concluded that certain subneptins are extremely obscured, potentially due to clouds or haze.”
“Why did we focus on planet TOI-421B? Because we hypothesized it might be an exception,” said Eliza Kempton, an astronomer at the University of Maryland.
“This hypothesis stemmed from previous data suggesting that planets within specific temperature ranges were less likely to be shrouded in haze or clouds.”
“The temperature threshold is around 577 degrees (1,070 degrees Fahrenheit); beneath this, it was assumed that complex photochemical reactions occur between sunlight and methane gas, leading to haze.”
TOI-421B, with a temperature of approximately 727 degrees Celsius (1,340 degrees Fahrenheit), is significantly above this threshold.
The transmission spectra of subneptune TOI-421B uncover the presence of water and potential indications of sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide, without signs of carbon dioxide or methane. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/Joseph Olmsted, STSCI.
Without the interference of haze or clouds, astronomers anticipated observing a clear atmosphere.
“We identified spectral features attributable to various gases, which empowered us to ascertain the atmospheric composition,” explained Davenport.
“In many previously studied subneptins, although I inferred that their atmospheres contained specific gases, they remained obscured by haze.”
Researchers have identified atmospheric water vapor along with tentative signatures of carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide.
However, they did not find molecules such as methane and carbon dioxide.
From the gathered data, they speculate a substantial amount of hydrogen constitutes the atmosphere.
This prevalence of lightweight hydrogen was an unexpected revelation for scientists.
“We recently came to grips with the notion that one of the initial subneptins observed by Webb has a significant molecular atmosphere.
“This implies that TOI-421B may have formed and evolved differently compared to other cooler subneptins.”
“The hydrogen-rich atmosphere is intriguing, as it resembles the composition of its host star TOI-421B.”
“By incorporating the same gases that formed the host star into the planet’s atmosphere, and cooling them, one could replicate the same gas combination.”
“This process aligns more closely with the giant planets of our solar system, differing from previously observed subneptins through Webb.”
The team’s research paper was published this week in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
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Brian Davenport et al. 2025. TOI-421B: High-temperature Neptune with a low average molecular weight atmosphere, haze-free. apjl 984, L44; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ADCD76
Community members investigating a landslide in Yangbari, Papua New Guinea, in 2024
Xinhua Newsletter/Aramie
In the event of a landslide, pinpointing the location can be crucial for rescue teams. Recent advancements in earthquake data analysis have made it possible to identify the source of such disasters within just a few kilometers in a matter of seconds.
Current methods can generally limit the area of interest to tens of kilometers, as noted by Stefania Ursica from the Helmholtz Geoscience Centre in Germany. This limitation can result in significant delays if rescuers are directed to an incorrect site. “The time lost is critical,” Ursica stated during a press briefing at the European Geoscience Union Conference in Vienna last week.
Numerous countries maintain seismic monitoring networks to track earthquakes and volcanic activity. This data can also aid in detecting landslides, especially as the risks associated with climate change intensify. However, analyzing data from landslides is considerably more complex than that from earthquakes, according to Ursica.
Her team’s innovative approach involves two key components. First, they assess five distinct facets of the seismic waveform and filter out noise when an event occurs.
This information is processed by numerous mathematical agents that seek the origin of the initial rock-like event that leads to a landslide. They accomplish this by estimating which waveforms would have been generated at various possible locations and comparing those estimations with the data captured. If the waveforms do not align, they will explore other options.
Each agent “travels” following patterns inspired by animal behavior, such as the spiral of falcons or the migration paths of elephants, until they converge back to the most plausible site of the event. This whole procedure takes approximately 10 seconds, providing far greater accuracy than previous methods. “It’s a few digits of improvement,” Ursica adds.
Aside from enhancing rescue operations, this new technique will assist researchers in locating events in remote regions where satellite data may be limited or unavailable.
The team plans to release their findings and make the underlying code accessible to the public.
Is your cherished puppy turning out to be a gentle companion or a little troublemaker? Simple behavioral tests can offer valuable insights.
A recent adorable study from the University of Helsinki found that specific playful tasks can reveal significant personality traits in puppies as young as 3 months old.
The tests assess how the puppy navigates obstacles to reach a treat, their ability to follow human gestures, and their reactions to unfamiliar people and environments.
Researchers aim for these assessments to aid dog owners in understanding their puppies and fostering their development from an early age.
“Most previous research has concentrated on whether cognitive testing can predict puppies’ suitability for roles like detection or guide dogs,” said Saara Junttila, a researcher at the University of Helsinki and leading figure in the study, as reported by BBC Science Focus.
“However, there hasn’t been a study examining whether these tests can predict behavioral traits relevant in pets and daily interactions with owners.”
The puppy faced the challenge of retrieving a treat from inside a transparent cylinder – Credit: Elisenbera
In this investigation, 99 puppies were tested between 3 and 7 months of age and were later retested as adults (1 to 8 years old).
Prior studies have indicated that behavioral tests are not reliable indicators for puppies younger than 8 weeks, as their personalities are still developing (and they are often too sleepy to be properly evaluated).
Multiple puppy assessments have shown promising links to identifying the personalities of adult dogs.
Puppies who excelled in the gesture test displayed strong responsiveness to human cues and were generally easier to train. Conversely, puppies that persistently sought treats through clear barriers without learning to circumvent them tended to be more impulsive as adults.
An intriguing finding arose from a challenging task involving a sealed box where puppies attempted to retrieve treats. Interestingly, those exposed frequently to nearby humans were often more likely to fear unfamiliar humans as adults, even if they were strangers.
How to Ensure a Happy Dog
Understanding potential behavioral issues can significantly improve how you train your dog and cater to their needs.
“Pet owners often struggle to recognize when their dogs or cats are feeling anxious,” notes Dr. Emily Blackwell, a behavioral researcher at the University of Bristol who was not involved in the study.
“If you can anticipate which puppies may develop fears, owners can provide additional support during interactions and experiences.”
Similarly, impulsive and high-energy puppies may require different training approaches compared to those that thrive in calm environments.
“Puppies don’t misbehave deliberately,” Junttila explains. “High energy and impulsivity are simply traits inherent in a puppy’s personality.”
Meet Our Experts
Saara Junttila is a doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki, investigating the relationship between cognitive development and behavior in dogs.
Emily Blackwell is a senior lecturer in animal behavior and welfare at the University of Bristol’s Veterinary School. Her research spans various domestic animal species regarding behavior and welfare.
Joshua Goodman, an associate professor of education and economics at Boston University, observed similarly remarkable outcomes at the university level. He analyzed a dataset of students whose scores were close to the cutoff points for entry into what are referred to as “target colleges.” These candidates are nearly identical, differing by just 10 points or less, highlighting that one student’s score can hinge on minor variations. Generally, those who were just above the threshold gained admittance, while those just below did not. Goodman discovered that younger siblings of successful individuals were significantly more likely to attend equally selective universities compared to older siblings who missed the cutoff by a few points. The younger siblings who managed to enter a prestigious university likely elevated their aspirations, seeing a clear path ahead thanks to their older siblings’ experiences.
Michelle Obama’s university experience mirrors Goodman’s findings, despite his research being conducted decades later. Raised in a working-class neighborhood on Chicago’s south side, Obama’s parents did not initially consider Ivy League schools for her. Her older brother Craig excelled academically and gained the advantage of athletic prowess, earning a spot on the basketball team at Princeton University. In her book, Becoming, Obama reflects on the impact of observing her brother’s journey, stating, “No one in my family had any first-hand experience with university, so there was little discussion or exploration.” She noted that she wanted to emulate her brother’s achievements, which ultimately made Princeton a viable choice for her. Despite a guidance counselor suggesting she “wasn’t Princeton material,” Obama remained undeterred, confident in her abilities and potential.
Research by Zang and Goodman indicates that positive interventions for one child from a low-income family can ripple out to benefit their siblings. This suggests that interventions may yield greater overall impact than previously thought, enhancing not just the individual child’s experience, but potentially altering the life trajectories of their entire family.
Zang’s study revealed that nearly one-third of academic similarities among siblings could be attributed to these spillover effects, rather than shared environments or common genetics. However, these ripple effects can also be detrimental, particularly in disadvantaged families. Children from such backgrounds often face academic challenges due to various obstacles. Zang posits that a child with academic ambitions may experience greater distress if their sibling suffers setbacks, as academic performance is a reliable predictor of future income, which can subsequently lead to diminished earnings across the family.
Both Zang and Goodman emphasize that the spillover effect is most pronounced in underprivileged families, suggesting a need for researchers to recognize that sibling influences function differently based on socioeconomic status. For instance, a 2022 study published in the *Frontiers in Psychology* complicated the well-known assertion that the eldest siblings are the most academically esteemed within families. It found that the oldest children in high-risk families and those with non-native English speaking parents do not perform better on cognitive tests, even if they are more prepared for school at age two. This suggests that these families experience increased interaction with older siblings due to their unique challenges.
You might have heard discussions about the “headache bones” located at the base of your skull, where headaches seem to originate. However, these are not problematic bones.
This area includes the bones of the occipital region and a small group of muscles known as the inferior muscle.
These muscles facilitate head movement and help maintain proper posture. When they become tight or overworked, they can lead to tension headaches and neck pain. Fortunately, alleviating this discomfort is possible.
1. Posture
Excessive screen time can strain these muscles. Keep your head aligned with your spine and visualize a string pulling gently from above your head.
Ensure you have a supportive chair and adjust your desk’s height and position to contribute positively to your posture.
2. Sleep
An unsuitable pillow can worsen your condition. Look for one that supports your neck’s natural curve. If you sleep on your back, a contoured pillow may suit you well. You might need to experiment with a few options to find the best fit.
3. Stretch
Simple exercises like chin tucks (gently pulling your chin toward your neck and holding for 5 seconds) and slow neck rolls can help release tight muscles.
4. Massage
Applying pressure in the right spots can be incredibly effective. Use your fingers or a tennis ball to massage the base of your skull.
Massaging the skull, especially around the temples and base, can relieve tension headaches by relaxing tight muscles and boosting blood flow to the brain – Photo Credit: Getty
5. Break
If you’ve been sitting for extended periods, make sure to stand up and adjust your posture to reset. Small changes can prevent muscles from tensing in the first place.
Making minor adjustments to your sitting, sleeping, and moving habits can create major improvements. However, if your headaches persist, consulting a doctor for a more in-depth examination is advisable.
This article addresses the question posed by Petra Bell of Peterborough: “What is the bone associated with a headache? Can you ‘work’ it to reduce headaches?”
Please email us your questionsat Question@sciencefocus.com or message us onFacebook,Twitter, or Instagram(please include your name and location).
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A stunning new image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope captures the beauty of the Spiral Galaxy NGC 3596.
This Hubble image showcases NGC 3596, a mid-spiral galaxy roughly 90 million light years from Earth in the constellation Leo. The color image features observations from Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), taken in the ultraviolet, near-infrared, and optical spectra. The colors result from assigning varying hues to each monochromatic image linked with individual filters. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/D. Thilker.
NGC 3596 is situated approximately 90 million light years away in the constellation Leo.
This galaxy was first discovered by German and British astronomer William Herschel on April 8, 1784.
Also recognized as Leda 34298, UGC 6277, or Hipass J1115+14, NGC 3596 belongs to the Leo II Group, a collection of galaxies within the Virgo supercluster.
“NGC 3596 is nearly perfectly oriented face-on relative to Earth, revealing the galaxy’s beautifully wound spiral arms,” stated the Hubble astronomer.
“The bright arms are densely packed with stars, gas, and dust.”
“Star formation is particularly vigorous in the spiral arms, as indicated by the vibrant pink regions of star formation and the young blue stars tracing the arms of NGC 3596 in this image.”
“What triggers the formation of these spiral arms? Given the vast variety of spiral galaxies, it’s a complex question,” they noted.
“Some galaxies exhibit clear spiral arms, while others have more erratic feathered arms.”
“Some display prominent bars at their centers, whereas others have compact circular cores.”
“Some galaxies are surrounded by neighbors, while others stand alone.”
“Early theories about the formation of spiral arms were complicated by what they termed a convoluted problem,” the researchers explained.
“If the spiral arms are a coherent feature, they would be tightly wrapped as the galaxy rotates, eventually rendering them invisible.”
Currently, researchers think that spiral arms represent patterns of varying density rather than fixed structures.
“Material such as stars, gas, and dust flows in and out of the spiral arms as they orbit within the galaxy’s disc,” they added.
“Much like vehicles encountering traffic jams, these materials decelerate as they enter the spiral arms, become gravitationally bound, and continue their journey through the galaxy.”
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Regular light cycles greatly influence organisms, and phenomena like solar eclipses trigger distinct physiological and behavioral responses. Although extensively studied in animals, plant behavior during solar eclipses remains relatively unexamined. Recent research conducted by scientists from Italy, the UK, Spain, and Australia explored the bioelectric responses of multiple Spruce trees (Picea abies) in relation to solar eclipses.
A study site in the Dolomite Mountains, Italy. Image credit: Monica Galliano / Southern Cross University.
Periodic sunlight fosters global weather patterns, seasons, and climates that sustain life on Earth.
The daily and seasonal rhythms of natural light align biological systems by synchronizing their internal clocks with the Earth’s geophysical cycles.
In an era marked by significant human-induced alterations to natural cycles, extraordinary astronomical events such as solar eclipses serve as natural experiments, offering crucial perspectives on how organisms react to sudden, rare environmental changes.
“Our study reveals that forests play a vital role in how species communicate and adapt, uncovering a new layer of complexity in plant behavior,” noted Professor Monica Galliano from Southern Cross University.
“It’s essentially evidence of the renowned ‘Wood Wide Web’ in action!”
This investigation employed an innovative remote measurement system to monitor multiple trees simultaneously within the forest.
This setup enabled researchers to assess whether and to what degree individual trees respond collectively to the solar eclipse, functioning as a larger living entity.
The study analyzed the electrical signals in spruce trees to characterize their bioelectrical activity during a partial solar eclipse that occurred in the Dolomite Mountains of northeastern Italy.
Results demonstrated that individual trees exhibited significant synchronization in their electrical activity before and after the solar eclipse, operating as an integrated living system that manages their reactions to external influences.
“Using advanced analytical techniques, including complexity measures from Quantum Field Theory,” stated Professor Alessandro Thioleoreo of the Italian Institute of Technology and the University of England, “we now regard forests not merely as individual collections but as ensembles of interconnected plants.”
“These findings reinforce the need to protect ancient trees,” Professor Galliano added.
“The fact that older trees are the first to react and possibly lead a collective response emphasizes their role as repositories of historical environmental knowledge.”
“This discovery underscores the critical importance of safeguarding old forests, which act as cornerstones of ecosystem resilience by conserving and sharing invaluable ecological insights.”
The study is published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.
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Alessandro Chiolerio et al. 2025. Bioelectric Synchronization of Picea abies During a Solar Eclipse. R. Soc. Open SCI 12(4): 241786; doi: 10.1098/rsos.241786
A group of researchers from the UK and Ukraine has introduced an innovative approach for the safe reevaluation of abandoned farmland following the 1986 Kornovir nuclear disaster.
Zoning of contaminated territory in Ukraine based on current and field research plots. Image credit: Smith et al, doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107698.
Since the Kornovir incident, extensive regions in northern Ukraine have been deemed too hazardous for agricultural activities.
An exclusion zone of 4,200 km2 surrounds the nuclear site, remaining uninhabited and now serves as one of Europe’s largest natural reserves.
Additionally, a 2,000 km2 mandatory resettlement area was never entirely deserted.
Thousands of residents still reside in this region, complete with schools and shops, yet official investments and agricultural use are prohibited.
Since the 1990s, experts in Ukraine and internationally have suggested that, despite the radioactive and radiostrontium pollutants, the land can be safely re-utilized.
Nonetheless, due to political complexities, the land remains officially classified as abandoned.
This hasn’t deterred some farmers from tackling the issue themselves, initiating informal agricultural practices in certain areas.
The latest study, spearheaded by scientists from the University of Portsmouth and the Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology, corroborates these farmers’ beliefs. Most regions are safe for crop cultivation.
Utilizing a 100-hectare testing site in the Zhytomyr region, the researchers established a straightforward yet effective protocol for evaluating the absorption of radioactive materials by typical crops such as potatoes, grains, corn, and sunflowers.
By analyzing soil samples and assessing external gamma radiation, they confirmed that the radiation exposure levels for agricultural workers are significantly below Ukraine’s national safety threshold and much lower than average natural background radiation globally.
The results indicate that, with proper monitoring and adherence to Ukraine’s food safety guidelines, many crops can be safely grown in these formerly restricted zones.
Professor Jim Smith, the study’s lead author, remarked, “This research is crucial for communities impacted by the Chornobyl disaster.”
“Since 1986, a great deal of misinformation regarding radiation risks from Kornovir has adversely affected individuals still living in abandoned regions.”
“We now have a validated, science-based method to reintroduce valuable farmland into formal production, ensuring safety for both consumers and workers.”
“This extends beyond Kornovir; it’s about leveraging science and evidence to guarantee people’s safety.
The study will be published in the Journal of Environmental Radioactivity.
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JT Smith et al. Protocol for radiation assessment for agricultural use of Ukrainian land abandoned after the Kornovir accident. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity Published online on April 28, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107698
The shingles vaccine appears to offer additional benefits
Cavan images / Alamy
Vaccination against shingles, also known as herpes zoster, not only prevents this painful infection but also lowers the chance of cardiovascular issues.
A recent observational study involving over 1 million participants has revealed that individuals who receive the shingles vaccine Zostavax have a 26% reduced risk of developing heart disease, heart attacks, or heart failure compared to those who are unvaccinated.
“Shingles is known to cause inflammation in blood vessels,” notes a researcher. “Thus, by preventing the infection, vaccines could potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.”
Shingles manifests when the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, reactivates after lying dormant in the body. This reactivation can happen due to factors like stress or prolonged chemotherapy, leading to painful rashes.
While cardiovascular complications are not commonly highlighted, research has shown a link between shingles and increased risks for conditions such as stroke and heart attack, especially within the first year post-infection, with stroke risk rising by approximately 30% and heart attack risk by 10%.
To investigate whether vaccinations mitigate these risks, Lee and colleagues analyzed data from 1,271,922 individuals over 50, gathered by the South Korean National Health Registry Bureau from 2012 to 2024. They assessed who received the live vaccine and compared it with the later onset of 18 cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, stroke, and arrhythmias, while also considering various health-related factors like age, gender, and lifestyle.
Throughout a six-year average follow-up period, the study found that the risk of cardiovascular events post-vaccination was 23% lower than in unvaccinated individuals.
The reduction was more pronounced in men, with a 27% lower risk compared to a 20% decrease in women. Among those under 60, there was a 27% reduction in risk, while in older populations, it was 16%. Rural residents showed a 25% risk reduction versus 20% in urban settings, and low-income groups had a 26% decrease, while higher earners experienced a 20% reduction. The data also indicated that risk reduction decreased as BMI increased.
For specific cardiovascular incidents, vaccinated people were found to be 26% less likely to experience a stroke, heart attack, or heart failure, and 26% less likely to die from heart disease. Additionally, the risk of coronary artery disease was reduced by 22%.
The benefits were most significant in the two to three years following vaccination, gradually tapering off over the subsequent five years.
The findings support the notion that shingles vaccination “enhances our confidence” in its capability to lower cardiovascular risk by decreasing vascular inflammation potentially triggered by the shingles virus, states Galen Faulke from Pennsylvania State University.
“Zoster itself has a notably high incidence of pain and postherpetic neuralgia, which can be extremely distressing,” he adds. “However, healthcare systems globally can significantly reduce cardiovascular ailments by advocating the use of cost-effective shingles vaccines.”
While further research is necessary, scientists theorize that the vaccine may indirectly contribute to lowering cardiovascular risks associated with shingles.
Initially, the focus was on Zostavax, which uses viral proteins, but more attention is now directed towards Shingrix.
Despite the study design not establishing causality as in randomized trials, researchers can identify risk correlations across a large population. Such extensive data can reveal risk patterns that clinical trials might overlook, Lee explains.
A research team from Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdela University, the University of Birmingham, and the Museum of Natural History in London has identified a new specimen as the oldest known Serapodan Ornithischian dinosaur.
Proximal femurs of the Serapodan dinosaur from the Elmers III Formation in the Central Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Image credit: Maid et al., doi: 10.1098/rsos.241624.
“Serapod has received significant attention lately,” said Dr. Susanna Maid, a paleontologist at the Museum of Natural History, University of Birmingham.
The early Serapodan, a key player in the Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystem, was bipedal and featured hadrosaur-like skeletal structures. In contrast, late Cretaceous forms, including hadrosaurs and ceratopsids, evolved more specialized adaptations.
“Serapodans can be divided into two major clades: Ornithopoda, which encompasses non-hadrosaur Iguanodons and duck-billed Hadrosaurs, and Margin Osephalia, which includes horned and dome-headed species like Pachycephalosaurs.”
“While Serapodans are well-documented from the Cretaceous, their presence in the Jurassic is less established,” the researchers noted.
“Various Jurassic tracksites indicate that sizable ornithopods (likely related to Iguanodon) had emerged by this time, yet body fossils remain scarce.”
“There’s a pressing need for additional specimens from historically underrepresented regions to help clarify the early evolution of Serapodans and resolve ongoing phylogenetic discrepancies.”
A new specimen, representing part of a left femur, was collected from the Elmers III Formation in Boulafa, near Bruman in Morocco’s Middle Atlas Mountains in 2020.
These fossils date to the Basonian stage (Central Jurassic), approximately 165 to 160 million years ago.
The diverse green and red mudstones of this formation have yielded significant fossils, including Africa’s oldest known antirosaurus, Spicomellus afer, and one of the oldest Stegosaurus species, Adratiklit boulahfa.
The newly identified specimen is now recognized as the oldest Serapodan, adding valuable data to our understanding of Central Jurassic taxa.
“Despite its fragmentary nature, the specimen exhibits key features, including a distinct neck of the femoral head and a noticeable relationship between the head and the greater trochanter.”
“Further exploration and sampling of Elmers III Formation in Morocco are crucial for deepening our understanding of Oritesian dinosaur evolution during the Central Jurassic.”
The research team’s study was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science on March 12, 2025.
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Susanna Maid et al. 2025. The world’s oldest Serapodan Ornithischian dinosaur from the Jurassic of central Morocco. R. Soc. Open Sci 12(3): 241624; doi: 10.1098/rsos.241624
On Monday, the Trump administration requested a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit aimed at severely restricting access to the abortion pill Mifepristone. This aligns with the stance taken by the Biden administration in scrutinized cases that significantly affect abortion access.
Court filing This request by the Justice Department is unexpected, given President Trump’s and many officials’ strong opposition to abortion rights. Trump frequently claims that he appointed three Supreme Court justices in 2022 who voted to overturn national abortion rights, and his administration has actively sought to reduce programs supporting reproductive health.
This court filing marks the first instance where the Trump administration has engaged in litigation, significantly expanding access to Mifepristone as it aims to reverse various regulatory changes implemented by the Food and Drug Administration since 2016.
The request from the Trump administration does not delve into the substantial issues of the litigation that are yet to be adjudicated. Instead, it contends that the filings do not satisfy the legal criteria for consideration in the federal district court where the case was initiated, echoing the argument made by the Biden administration prior to Trump’s inauguration.
The plaintiffs in this lawsuit include the Conservative Attorney Generals from Missouri, Idaho, and Kansas, with the suit filed in the U.S. District Court in Texas.
“The state has not objected to the lack of connection between their claims and the Northern District of Texas,” a Justice Department attorney stated in the filing.
“The state cannot pursue this case in this court, regardless of the merits of the claims,” they concluded, emphasizing that the complaint “should be dismissed or relocated due to a lack of proper venue.”
The lawsuit also seeks to impose new FDA restrictions on Mifepristone, including prohibiting its use by individuals under 18. The goal is to address the rapid increase in the prescription of abortion medications through telehealth and the distribution of pills via mail to patients.
Originally filed in 2022 by a coalition of anti-abortion physicians and organizations, the lawsuit advanced to the Supreme Court. However, in a unanimous ruling last June, the judge dismissed the case, stating the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate harm related to the FDA’s decision on Mifepristone.
Months later, three attorneys revived the case by submitting an amended complaint as plaintiffs in the same U.S. District Court in Texas. The presiding judge, U.S. District Court Judge J. Kakusmalik, a Trump appointee opposed to abortion access, harshly criticized the FDA and adopted terminology reminiscent of anti-abortion activists in his ruling during the initial phase of the case.
In the United States, abortion drugs are prescribed up to 12 weeks of pregnancy and currently account for nearly two-thirds of abortions. Women in states with abortion bans are increasingly seeking abortion medications from telehealth providers.
Currently, Roe v. Wade is in effect across 19 states, which have stricter regulations than the standard established by Wade. State support for abortion rights has expanded telehealth options for abortion, and many states have enacted Shield Acts to protect healthcare providers who prescribe and send abortion medications to patients in states with prohibitions or restrictions.
Eighteen states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday regarding the suspension of permits for wind energy projects, arguing that these actions threaten the growth of vital industries.
“This administration is undermining one of the fastest-growing sources of clean, reliable, and affordable energy in our country,” stated New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of the plaintiffs. She emphasized that the suspension endangers “thousands of jobs and billions in investments” and “hinders our shift away from fossil fuels that harm our health and the environment.”
The initial suspension of federal permits for wind energy was detailed in an executive order on January 20th, which called for halting all wind farm permits pending federal evaluation.
Litigation. By complying with this order, federal agencies indicate that significant investments are already at risk. The directive also instructed the U.S. Attorney General and the Secretary of the Interior to “end or modify” existing leases for wind farms, further exacerbating uncertainty for the companies involved.
The wind sector contributes approximately 10% of the nation’s electricity and is actively pursuing various projects, particularly in the Great Plains and along the Atlantic coastline.
Recently, the Trump administration halted a major wind farm project under construction off Long Island, known as the Empire Wind Project, which aims to provide power for half a million homes. Despite having secured necessary approvals, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgham claimed that the Biden administration’s review during the approval process was rushed and inadequate.
James noted that Trump has also declared an energy emergency, a characterization that energy experts have dismissed as an overstatement. However, she asserted that the permit suspension undermines the industry’s potential to deliver new energy sources.
Additionally, New York has enacted new legislation mandating significantly increased electricity generation from renewable sources. Achieving these targets becomes increasingly challenging without wind energy.
The lawsuit names multiple federal officials and agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Interior. The EPA has yet to respond to inquiries.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers accused the Democratic attorney general of using “legal mechanisms” to obstruct the president’s energy policies, asserting that “Americans in blue states shouldn’t bear the cost of the Democratic Party’s extreme climate agenda.”
In a statement, the Interior Department remarked, “We are committed to managing public lands and waters for the benefit of all Americans while ensuring fiscal responsibility to the public.”
The lawsuit, lodged in federal court in Massachusetts, seeks judicial intervention to prevent federal agencies from halting wind energy development and to declare the executive order unconstitutional.
“The Trump administration’s directives to stop offshore wind energy development are illegal,” declared California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
His office stated that federal policies “derail the clean energy transition and impose costs on Americans.” Alongside onshore wind farms, New York has five federal offshore wind leases, which are more complex and costly to manage.
Timothy Fox, managing director at ClearView Energy Partners in Washington, expressed hope that the lawsuit could effectively challenge the executive order. The “best case scenario” for the offshore wind sector would be for existing and under-construction facilities to proceed without interference from the Trump administration.
The Trump administration’s proposal to drastically reduce support for research institutions and halt federal funding for universities like Harvard and Columbia has prompted European leaders to offer financial assistance to US-based researchers, viewing it as a “huge miscalculation.”
French President Emmanuel Macron remarked on Monday, “A few years ago, it was unimaginable that one of the world’s great democracies would dismiss a research program simply because the term ‘diversity’ was included.”
He made these comments at the University of Sorbonne in Paris during an event named Europe for Science, which was organized by the French government and the European Union.
Macron indicated that countries heavily reliant on free scientific inquiry would be making an “unthinkable mistake” in their policies.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced a €500 million ($566 million) investment at a conference aimed at making Europe an attractive destination for researchers over the next two years.
While this sum pales in comparison to the significant cuts besieging American universities, Von der Leyen highlighted a $100 billion international research initiative, Horizon Europe, dedicated to scientific advancements like genome sequencing and mRNA vaccines.
Although she did not mention the U.S. directly, she characterized the global climate as one where “basic, free, and open research is under scrutiny.”
She exclaimed, “What a huge miscalculation!”
In Europe, there is a growing consensus that Trump’s approach has forsaken traditional American values of freedom, liberty of expression, and democracy, especially through his ties with autocrats and the undermining of science and higher education. This shift has not only affected the markets but also sparked a sense of opportunity across the continent. Attracting top scientific talent to vibrant and independent universities is viewed as part of a broader initiative to establish Europe as a formidable global player.
In the long term, the European Commission, the EU’s enforcement body, plans to enshrine scientific freedom into a law known as the European Studies Area Act and to double grants for researchers who confront adversity.
“Our primary goal is to ensure that European science remains open and free. It’s our hallmark,” von der Leyen emphasized.
The conference, attended by government officials and prominent researchers from across Europe, was predominantly driven by the Trump administration’s assault on science and threats to educational institutions. Increasingly, the U.S. is being perceived as a strategic adversary, and welcoming American researchers is seen as a long-term strategy to counter this threat.
This was Macron’s call to scientists: “If you cherish freedom, assist us in safeguarding it.”
Recently, France unveiled a program aimed at attracting U.S.-based researchers, pledging to cover up to 50% of the funding required to entice international scholars, particularly in fields under attack from the Trump administration, such as climate science and sustainable energy. However, specific funding was only confirmed on Monday, with Macron committing $113 million to the initiative.
The alarm in Europe grew as the Trump administration enacted job cuts and froze funding for major U.S. research institutions. Disappointment intensified when the U.S. government targeted diversity programs and attempted to dictate which fields of study and research were permissible, as noted by Harvard President Alan M. Gerber.
Harvard has initiated legal action against the Trump administration over a $2.2 billion funding freeze. Last week, Trump suggested revoking Harvard’s tax-exempt status.
The U.S. government has also terminated staff at leading scientific research centers, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health, the largest biomedical research funder worldwide.
Concurrently, some federal agencies have scrubbed specific terminology deemed objectionable by the Trump administration from their websites and applications. Terms like “climate science,” “diversity,” and “gender” have been labeled as taboo.
Collectively, these actions have fostered a climate of unease within academic and research institutions, raising concerns not only regarding their ongoing work but also the long-term sustainability of research in the U.S.
French Education Minister Elizabeth Bourne articulated this sentiment during a meeting on Monday: “In the United States, academic freedom faces challenges as it once was a haven for researchers. The boundary between truth and falsehood is blurring, compromising the distinction between fact and belief.”
French universities are on the frontline, aiming to capitalize on the potential brain drain from the U.S. AIX Marseille University has interviewed roughly 300 candidates for this purpose as part of a program initiated in March, responding to the cuts imposed by the Trump administration. Many other institutions have since adopted similar measures.
“In alignment with our self-interest and values, we must now become a refuge for knowledge wherever it faces pressure,” stated Lewis Vassy, President of the University of Science PO in Paris.
A proposal by former French President François Hollande aims to establish a legal status for “scientific refugees” who face threats to their research endeavors in their home countries.
However, some university presidents and professors have criticized this initiative, arguing that while France seeks to attract American researchers, it is simultaneously cutting higher education and research budgets to tackle the nation’s growing budget deficit.
A novel theory formulated by physicists at Aalto University provides a new perspective on gravity that aligns with established particle physics models, paving the way to understanding the universe’s origins.
The standard model of particle physics delineates the electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions among three of the four fundamental forces of nature. The challenge in unifying these with gravity has persisted due to the incompatibility of the general theory of relativity and quantum field theory. While quantum field theory employs compact, finite-dimensional symmetry linked to the quantum fields’ internal degrees of freedom, general relativity is grounded in non-competitive, infinite external space-time symmetry. Mikko Partanen & Jukka Tulkki aim to construct a gauge theory of gravity using compact twin symmetry, similar to the formulation of basic interactions in standard models. Image credit: Desy/Science Communication Lab.
“If this research leads to a comprehensive quantum field theory of gravity, it will ultimately address the challenging question of understanding the singularities in black holes and the Big Bang,” stated Dr. Mikko Partanen from Aalto University.
“Theories that effectively unify all fundamental natural forces are often referred to as ‘theory of everything.’
“Several fundamental questions in physics remain unresolved. Current theories do not elucidate why the observable universe exhibits a greater abundance of matter than antimatter.”
The breakthrough lay in formulating gravity through the appropriate gauge theory, which describes how particles interact via fields.
“The most recognized gauge field is the electromagnetic field,” remarked Dr. Jukka Tulkki from Aalto University.
“When charged particles interact, they do so through electromagnetic fields. This represents the proper gauge field.”
“Therefore, if particles possess energy, their interactions will occur through the gravitational field simply because energy exists.”
One of the significant challenges physicists have encountered is discovering a theory of gravity that aligns with the gauge theories governing the three fundamental forces: electromagnetic force, weak nuclear force, and strong nuclear force.
The standard model of particle physics serves as a gauge theory that describes these three forces, characterized by specific symmetries.
“The core concept is to avoid basing your theory on the fundamentally distinct space-time symmetries of general relativity, but rather to establish a gravity gauge theory with symmetry that resembles the standard model’s symmetry,” Dr. Partanen explained.
Without such a theoretical framework, physicists cannot reconcile the two most potent theories at our disposal: quantum field theory and general relativity.
Quantum theory provides insights into the behavior of small particles in a stochastic manner, while general relativity describes the gravitational interactions of massive, familiar objects.
Both theories offer unique perspectives on our universe and have been validated with remarkable accuracy, yet they remain mutually exclusive.
Moreover, due to the weak interactions of gravity, enhanced precision is required to investigate genuine quantum gravity effects beyond the classical theory of general relativity.
“Understanding the quantum theory of gravity is crucial for deciphering phenomena occurring in high-energy gravitational fields,” noted Dr. Partanen.
“These phenomena are particularly relevant in the vicinity of black holes, during the moments following the Big Bang, and in the early universe, areas where existing physical theories fail to apply.”
“I’ve always been captivated by such a grand problem in physics, which inspired me to explore a new symmetry-based approach to gravity theory and begin developing ideas,” he added.
“The resulting work promises to usher in a new era of scientific comprehension, akin to how understanding gravity enabled the creation of GPS technology.”
The theory holds great promise, but the researchers caution that their evidence collection is still ongoing.
This theory employs a technical method known as renormalization, a mathematical technique employed to manage the infinities that arise in calculations.
Currently, Dr. Partanen and Dr. Tulkki have demonstrated its effectiveness to a certain degree for the so-called “first-order” term, but they need to ensure that these infinities can be navigated throughout the calculations.
“If the renormalization process falters under higher-order conditions, the results become endlessly divergent,” Dr. Tulkki explained.
“Hence, demonstrating the continuation of this process is critical.”
“While we still need to gather comprehensive evidence, we are optimistic about our chances for success,” he remarked.
“Challenges remain, but with time and perseverance, I hope they will be surmountable,” Dr. Partanen reflected.
“I cannot predict when, but I expect to gain more insights in the coming years.”
The team’s paper has been published in the journal Report on Progress in Physics.
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Mikko Partanen & Jukka Tulkki. 2025. Gravity generated by four 1-dimensional single-gauge symmetry and the standard model. Legislator prog. Phys 88, 057802; doi:10.1088/1361-6633/ADC82E
On Monday, 20 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration concerning mass shootings and the dismantling of agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The legal action, spearheaded by New York Attorney General Letitia James, asserts that the administration breached numerous laws and circumvented Congressional oversight by attempting to streamline HHS from 28 agencies to 15, while planning to lay off about 20,000 employees.
James stated, “This administration hasn’t streamlined the federal government. They’re blocking it. If you terminate scientists researching infectious diseases, silence medical professionals caring for pregnant individuals, shut down programs supporting firefighters and miners, or hinder children’s development, you’re not improving America’s health. You’re jeopardizing countless lives.”
The restructuring announcement by HHS came in late March as part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s initiative to reduce the federal workforce. The cuts included layoffs of 3,500 employees from the Food and Drug Administration, 2,400 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 1,200 from the National Institutes of Health.
HHS indicated it will establish a new institution, referred to as the Healthy American regime, to take on some responsibilities formerly held by the agencies being dissolved, including programs focused on mental, environmental, or worker health.
Nonetheless, the lawsuit claims that the recent cuts have “severe, complicated, prolonged, and potentially irreversible” effects. The Attorney General emphasized in a press release that the restructuring impaired HHS’s ability to perform critical functions, disrupting mental health and substance abuse services, weakening responses to HIV/AIDS, and diminishing support for low-income families and individuals with disabilities.
Specifically, the Trump administration has let go of staff responsible for maintaining federal poverty guidelines, which are essential for determining food aid, housing assistance, and Medicaid eligibility, as well as reducing teams managing the low-income housing energy assistance program.
Half of the workforce from the Department of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services—one of the dissolved HHS agencies—has also been terminated. Consequently, the Attorney General reported that national investigations into drug use and health have come to a halt, and the federal team overseeing the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline has vanished.
The CDC has lost multiple labs that track infections, including those focusing on infectious diseases and tobacco control, as mentioned in the release. The team also monitored maternal mortality rates in the U.S. Additionally, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has been disbanded, which previously played a role in screening workers’ health issues related to toxic exposure.
The Trump administration asserts that certain programs, such as the World Trade Center Health Program—which provides screening and treatment for 9/11-related illnesses—and health surveillance initiatives for coal miners will persist under the Healthy American administration. However, many NIOSH employees associated with these programs are facing administrative leave and potential termination by June, as indicated in an internal government memo obtained by NBC News.
The lawsuit filed on Monday demands that HHS dismantle the agency and cease its efforts to restore the vital programs that have been lost.
This lawsuit is not the first to contest the federal government’s downsizing efforts. A coalition of 23 attorneys general previously sued HHS in April over the termination of approximately $11 billion in public health funding. A federal judge temporarily blocked these cuts but has yet to issue a final ruling.
Two independent healthcare practices in Minnesota once aimed for expansion but have faced challenges recovering from the significant cyberattacks on the UnitedHealth Group Payment System over the past year.
Odom Health & Wellness, specializing in sports medicine and rehabilitation, and Dillman Clinic & Lab, a family medicine provider, are among numerous medical offices that faced sudden financial disruption last year. Cyberattacks on Change Healthcare, a division of United, have crippled many healthcare payment systems nationwide for months.
Billions of dollars have been lent to medical practices short on cash, with repayment demands now surfacing.
Odom and Dillman are filing a lawsuit against United in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, alleging negligence related to the cyberattack and claiming they are incurring excessive costs due to its aftermath.
Furthermore, Odom and Dillman alleged in their court documents that their insurer, UnitedHealthcare, denied claims on the grounds of late filings despite covering patient care.
Lawmakers view the disruption caused by these attacks as a consequence of United’s relentless pursuit of acquisitions, including Change and various medical practices. This widespread upheaval highlights the deep entrenchment of United’s subsidiaries in the national healthcare framework.
“This serves as another reminder that the swift integration of major healthcare firms may be doing more harm than good,” stated Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, regarding the financial strain imposed on practices by these cyberattacks.
Last month, the American Medical Association expressed its concerns to Optum, the United Health division owning Change, regarding the pressure many practices face to repay loans despite ongoing financial hardships due to the attacks.
Since March 2024, Change has provided $9 billion in interest-free loans to over 10,000 healthcare providers, including $569,680 for Odom and $157,600 for Dillman.
A year later, approximately $5.5 billion has been repaid, according to United’s court application. About 3,500 practices, including Odom, Dillman, and six other plaintiffs, had yet to repay as of April 1. Numerous other practices and patients have also initiated lawsuits against United.
In its statement, Change emphasized it would “proactively work with providers to identify flexible repayment plans tailored to their specific circumstances.”
“We’ve also collaborated with UnitedHealthcare to ensure claims are reviewed considering the challenges we’ve faced, including waiving timely submission requirements for plans under its governance.”
Change drew parallels between its loan recovery efforts and those of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Following the cyberattack, CMS expedited payments to practices to assist with Medicare claims pending due to the attack. They offered accelerated payments to reclaim funds from Medicare claims.
In court filings, United reported data indicating that a minor percentage of Odom and Dillman’s healthcare claims were rejected due to being “too early,” although denials escalated after the cyberattacks.
Denouncing the plaintiff’s motion as a “group shakedown,” UnitedHealth urged the district court to dismiss a request for an injunction regarding loan repayment, asserting the right to manage relations with thousands of other loan recipients.
United contended that the injunction might permit other medical practices to “hold billions of dollars hostage.”
Dr. Megan Dillman, a specialist in pediatrics and internal medicine, opened her practice in Lakeville, Minnesota in 2022, aiming to “restore joy in practicing medicine.” She argued that her healthcare business spends significantly more time with patients compared to the average 15 minutes doctors are increasingly limited to.
“Without our existence, there are patients who might not be here today,” Dr. Dillman noted, referencing a cancer diagnosis that was missed by another hurried physician.
Her husband, Richard Dillman, manages the business operations of her practice and has called for United to fulfill its repayment obligations.
“I would rather endure the Special Forces Qualification Courses than face this situation again,” remarked former Green Beret Dillman.
At the time of the cyberattack, Change’s Medical Building Clearinghouse processed approximately 45% of healthcare transactions across the nation, amounting to around $2 trillion annually. The company had to pause services in February 2024 to mitigate damage, halting a significant portion of the healthcare system’s cash flow.
There was a breach of sensitive personal information, marking the largest breach recorded in U.S. healthcare history. In January, United increased the number of individuals whose personal data was compromised to 109 million from approximately 100 million previously reported.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Civil Rights Office commenced an investigation in March 2024 concerning the ransomware attack. An agency spokesperson noted that they “do not comment on ongoing or potential investigations.” Some healthcare firms may face penalties for violations related to patient data mishandling.
Company executives reported that hackers exploited compromised login credentials, utilizing a portal that didn’t require multifactor authentication.
United authorities confirmed that they paid a $22 million ransom to a Russian cybercriminal who claimed responsibility for the attack. In a January revenue report, the cyberattack was stated to have cost the company $3.1 billion.
Healthcare reimbursements did not start flowing more freely through Change until June 2024, with United noting that the full restoration of services took time and some areas were still not back to 100%.
During a May 2024 Congressional hearing, a senator criticized United CEO Andrew Witty regarding the company’s response to the cyberattacks and the resulting struggles faced by thousands of providers. Witty testified that the company “will not pursue repayment until providers confirm that operations are back to normal.”
The repayment terms stipulate that Change does not require payments until “the affected billing and/or payment processing services have resumed during the service disruption period.”
The interpretation of “to be dealt with” is central to the ongoing lawsuit.
Change initiated collection attempts from Dillman and Odom, which were described in court documents as a series of increasingly aggressive letters. Both practices have been changed, barring repayment and rejecting offers for repayment plans. Change subsequently demanded full repayment in January, threatening to withhold future health care reimbursements.
“It’s disheartening, but not surprising, that United Health Group has chosen to prioritize profits over the well-being of families and small businesses,” stated Wyden, who led the Senate inquiry into the cyberattacks.
The AMA urged the company to negotiate “individual and realistic repayment plans” with each practice.
Dr. Katherine Mazzola, who operates pediatric neurology and neurosurgery practices in New Jersey, is among many others contesting United over loans.
“In my view, Optum operates like a loan shark that seeks swift collection,” remarked Dr. Mazzola, a non-plaintiff in the case against United.
Dr. Mazzola received a loan of $535,000 and later informed Change that she was unable to repay it. Despite suggesting a payment schedule, there was no response. Consequently, she began paying $10,000 monthly in January. Nevertheless, without notice, she reported that United started to withhold her reimbursements.
Currently, Dr. Odom employs around 110 individuals, many of whom assist seniors in assisted living facilities. He contended that if his practice were forced to immediately repay the Change loan, at least 22 staff members would need to be laid off. Dr. Odom asserted that this could hinder care availability, reduce services, and create further economic challenges.
“We are navigating a challenging battle as a small firm,” declared Odom President Dr. Meghan Klein, emphasizing the significant impact the financial situation poses for his company compared to United’s. “These are lives we are concerned about.”
According to the lawsuit, Dillman Clinic, which relies on United Insurance reimbursements for about 25% of its income, could face bankruptcy if compelled to fully repay the loan.
They claimed Dillman would risk losing all assets, including homes, vehicles, and retirement savings, if bankruptcy ensues.
“Part of my purpose in being here is to manage my schedule,” Dr. Dillman mentioned. However, the chaos stemming from the cyberattacks consumes their time, leaving little for their six-year-old daughter.
“I have just an hour to spend with her,” Dr. Dillman said, “I am missing out on her childhood.”
On Monday, the European Union kicked off its initiative to draw scientists and researchers to Europe through grants and new policy proposals following the freezing of government funding related to diversity, equity, and inclusion by the Trump administration.
“A few years back, it would have seemed unimaginable that one of the world’s major democracies would terminate a research initiative simply because it included the word ‘diversity,'” stated French President Emmanuel Macron at the “Choose Science” event in Paris.
“No one would have believed it possible for a significant democracy to hinder a researcher’s chances of obtaining a visa,” Macron remarked. “Yet, here we are.”
Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, joined Macron at Sorbonne University, announcing a new “super grant” program aimed at offering “long-term perspectives and a prime viewpoint” in various disciplines.
She specified plans to allocate 500 million euros ($566 million) between 2025 and 2027 to “make Europe a beacon for researchers,” with funds directed to the European Research Council, which boasts a budget exceeding 16 billion euros ($18 billion) from 2021 to 2027.
Von der Leyen emphasized that the 27 EU nations aim to “institutionalize the freedom of scientific inquiry” with new legislation. “As global threats increase, Europe will not compromise on this principle,” she asserted.
Macron announced that the French government will shortly present new initiatives to bolster investments in science and research.
Recently, hundreds of university researchers in the U.S. faced funding cuts from the National Science Foundation due to an executive order from President Trump, impacting programs focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and misinformation.
To date, over 380 grant projects have been eliminated, including efforts to combat internet censorship in China and Iran, as well as initiatives working with Indigenous communities to study environmental changes in Alaska’s Arctic.
Several of the affected grants aimed to diversify the demographics of individuals pursuing studies in science, technology, and engineering, prompting protests from scientists, researchers, and doctors in the streets.
While not explicitly naming the Trump administration, von der Leyen characterized the undermining of free and open research as a “huge miscalculation.”
“Science knows no borders, gender, ethnicity, or political affiliation,” she declared. “We believe that diversity is a vital human asset and the lifeblood of science. It is among the most valuable global resources and must be safeguarded.”
With von der Leyen seizing this opportunity, she is promoting European scientific avenues and leveraging the shift in U.S. policies. Trade relations have altered since Trump took office in January, including a tariff war that began last month.
The former German defense minister and trained medical doctor has committed to addressing obstacles faced by scientists and researchers, particularly regarding excessive bureaucracy and business access.
Macron stated that scientific research should not be dictated by a limited number of individuals.
Macron concluded, asserting that Europe “must become a sanctuary” for scientists and researchers, sending a clear message: “If you value freedom, come here to support our research, help us improve, and invest in our future.”
China, a leader in clean energy innovation, is encountering competition right next door. One of its key clients is none other than India.
India, a significant purchaser of solar panels and electric vehicle batteries from China, is leveraging substantial government incentives to produce greener technology domestically. The country is motivated not only by the soaring energy needs of its 1.4 billion population but also by the desire to diversify away from US dependency, particularly toward nations aiming to resist China’s influence.
Despite its ambitions, India is still a relatively minor and latecomer to the scene. In the past year, India manufactured about 80 gigawatts of solar modules, while China produced over ten times that amount. The nation remains heavily reliant on coal, the most polluting fossil fuel, which constitutes its primary energy source, with plans to increase coal mining for further production.
Nevertheless, India is proactively looking to take advantage of the global shift towards renewable energy and the pushback against China’s dominance in new energy technologies.
The Indian government is providing attractive subsidies for domestic solar cells and battery manufacturing, imposing restrictions on foreign products linked to the largest renewable energy initiatives, all aimed at igniting a boom in clean energy production. For instance, by the end of the decade, companies will be required to manufacture panels locally in order to qualify for government contracts for rooftop solar installations covering 27 million households.
New Delhi has multiple objectives—social, economic, and geopolitical. With China as a formidable competitor, having previously clashed over border disputes, India’s drive to establish factories for solar energy, wind, and electric vehicles is partly motivated by the need for a secure energy supply chain. Simultaneously, India aims to generate well-paying manufacturing jobs.
However, India faces a common conundrum shared by many nations: whether to procure renewable energy technology inexpensively from China or to invest more in domestic production.
“From a strategic standpoint, manufacturing capabilities are essential to ensure energy independence,” remarked Sudeep Jain, additional secretary of India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. “Currently, cost is a major factor.”
While our universe is filled with wonders, we can only see a fraction of the astronomical phenomena with our naked eyes. Among these are meteor showers, nature’s fireworks that create bright, streaked patterns against the night sky.
The latest meteor shower has been ongoing since April 19th and is anticipated to last until May 28th. It will peak early Tuesday morning on the nights of May 5th to 6th.
The ETA Aquarido meteor shower is famous for its swift fireballs, which occur as it traverses the debris left by Halley’s comet.
Occasionally spelled “eta aquariid,” this shower is best viewed from the tropical regions in the south. However, meteors can also be spotted in the northern hemisphere around sunrise. The moon will illuminate nearly two-thirds of the night during this event.
For viewing tips, you can check the global meteor network, which provides data indicating when fireball activity is expected to rise in the coming days.
What Causes Meteor Showers?
You might spot a single meteor on any given night, but your best bet is during a meteor shower. Meteor showers happen when Earth passes through clouds of debris trailing behind comets and asteroids as they orbit the sun. These fragments, sometimes as small as grains of sand, create a luminous streak as they burn up in our atmosphere.
Meteor showers typically occur around the same time each year and can last from days to weeks. However, there are brief peaks during which the activity is most intense. This occurs when Earth passes through the densest part of the debris stream. At peak times, meteors appear to radiate from a specific point in the sky.
For instance, the Perseid meteor shower peaks in mid-August and originates from the constellation Perseus, while the Geminids occur every December and emanate from the constellation Gemini.
Keep Times Space and the Astronomical Calendar bookmarked for reminders about meteor showers throughout the year.
Tips for Observing Meteor Showers
Michelle Nichols, Director of Observation at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, recommends using telescopes and binoculars while watching meteor showers.
“You need your eyes and ideally a dark sky,” she noted.
This is because meteors can streak across a vast area of the sky, and using equipment can restrict your field of vision.
Some showers are potent enough to produce up to 100 meteors per hour, according to the American Meteor Society, though you probably won’t see that many.
“Most people are under a sky that is somewhat light-polluted,” Nichols explained. “You might think you’ve found a dark sky, but even in a small town, bright lights can be nearby.”
Planetariums and local astronomy clubs, as well as light pollution maps, can help you identify areas with less light interference. The ideal conditions for viewing meteor showers include a clear sky between midnight and sunrise, with no moon or cloud cover. (Moonlight can hinder visibility just as much as light pollution, overshadowing celestial bodies in the sky.) Allow your eyes at least 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
Nichols advises wearing layers during the summer. “You may find yourself sitting and watching for quite a while,” she said. “Even in August, temperatures can drop.”
Bring along some hot cocoa or tea for extra warmth. Then lie back and scan the sky to enjoy the spectacle.
Sybil Shainwald, a pioneering advocate for women whose health was irrevocably affected by pharmaceuticals and medical devices for nearly fifty years, passed away at her Manhattan residence on April 9th. She was 96 years old.
Her daughter, Laurie Scheinwald Krieger, announced her passing, although it hasn’t received widespread coverage.
At 48, Scheinwald graduated from law school and joined the New York City law firm Schlesinger & Finz, where she represented Joyce Bichler, a survivor of rare clear-cell adenocarcinoma, linked to medications her mother took during pregnancy. The synthetic hormone DES, marketed under various brand names, was intended to prevent miscarriage.
At the age of 18, Bichler underwent a radical hysterectomy, which removed two-thirds of her ovaries, fallopian tubes, and vagina. She was among thousands known as “DES daughters,” suffering due to their mothers’ medication use, and sued Eli Lilly, a major drug manufacturer, for damages.
In 1947, when the Food and Drug Administration approved DES for use in pregnant women, studies had already shown its cancer-causing effects in mice and rats. It was known to potentially harm the fetus beyond the placenta, yet companies marketed it as a safe treatment for various pregnancy issues, continuing even after evidence of its ineffectiveness surfaced.
By the late 1960s, clear cell adenocarcinoma was increasingly diagnosed in young women whose mothers had taken DES. In 1971, the FDA advised doctors against prescribing it. By then, the National Cancer Institute estimated that 5-10 million women and their children had been exposed to DES.
Bichler’s case arrived in court in 1979, part of numerous lawsuits. However, it faced challenges in proving which manufacturer was liable for the drug. Approximately 300 companies produced DES.
Bichler’s legal team proposed a groundbreaking argument that all manufacturers shared liability. After five days of deliberation, the jury agreed, and Bichler was awarded $500,000 in damages.
Scheinwald’s contribution was pivotal. Bichler stated in an interview, “I was a shy young woman discussing my reproductive health publicly. It was daunting. Sybil was the only woman who understood.”
On the fourth day of jury deliberation, Eli Lilly proposed a $100,000 settlement. Most of her legal team suggested Bichler consider accepting it.
“Sybil pulled my husband and me aside and asked, ‘What do you and Mike wish to do? Don’t be afraid,'” recalled Bichler. “Sybil empowered us to reject that offer.”
She added, “I did what needed to be done, but it was Sybil’s support that made it achievable.”
By the early 1980s, Scheinwald established her own office and became the leading legal representative for DES daughters. Over the next four decades, she represented hundreds of women.
In 1996, she won a class action lawsuit that secured a fund for the affected daughters, funded by pharmaceutical companies to cover medical expenses, counseling, and educational outreach.
Additionally, she fought against other harmful products affecting women.
She represented a woman whose silicone breast implants led to autoimmune issues, women harmed by the Dalkon Shield intrauterine device, and those affected by Norplant. She once urged the FDA not to approve Norplant due to potential unknown side effects.
She also assisted women internationally in securing compensation for false breast implants and Dalkon Shield. She was particularly concerned that African women were often uninformed about the risks associated with Dalkon Shield, which continued to be prescribed even after being withdrawn from the U.S. market.
Additionally, she addressed another long-acting contraceptive that, like DES, was tied to cancer in animal studies, which had been prescribed for decades starting in the late 1960s. This contraceptive was given to women across around 80 countries, disproportionately affecting marginalized populations, including poor and disabled women. She viewed it as a form of dangerous population control. However, it wasn’t approved by the FDA as a birth control option until 1992.
“Birth control pills have always been about drugs and devices for women,” Scheinwald stated in an oral history session conducted by the Veteran Feminists of America in 2019. “We stake our lives on these medical interventions.”
“We’ve tirelessly fought for representation,” noted Cindy Pearson, former executive director of the National Women’s Health Network. “Sybil was fearless in addressing any issue, regardless of the power of the opposition.”
Sybil Brodkin was born on April 27, 1928, in New York City. She was the sole daughter of Anne (Zimmerman) Brodkin and Morris Brodkin, who owned a restaurant. She graduated from James Madison High School in Brooklyn at the age of 16 and went on to William & Mary University in Williamsburg, Virginia, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1948.
She married Sidney Scheinwald, an accountant and consumer advocate. He served as the Associate Director of Consumer Union in 1960, now known as Consumer Reports.
Sybil earned her Master’s in History from Columbia University in 1972 and received funding to create the oral history of the consumer movement at the Consumer Movement Research Center, which she directed until 1978.
At 44, she began attending New York Law School as a night student, ultimately completing her law degree in 1976. She aspired to study law while pursuing her history degree at Columbia, but the joint program did not come to fruition; as she recounted in her 2019 oral history, “You’d be replacing a man who had practiced for forty years.”
Scheinwald was still actively addressing issues up until her death.
She is survived by her daughter Krieger, another daughter, Louise Nasr, a son, Robert, brother Barry Schwartz, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Her husband Scheinwald passed away in 2003, and her daughter Marsha Scheinwald died in 2013.
“My practice involves suing corporations on behalf of women, ensuring that my work continues for many years to come,” Scheinwald remarked in a 2016 speech. “And regrettably, I won’t run short of clients.”
If it weren’t for Dutch settlers who introduced coffee trees to the islands of Java, Sumatra, and Sulawesi around 300 years ago, the world might still overlook the Asian palm civet.
Prior to this, these long, short-legged mammals were feasting on the islands’ fruits, berries, small mammals, and insects. Yet, with the emergence of coffee plants, these cat-like creatures discovered a new delicacy.
Coffee cherries, the small round fruits found on coffee plants, enclose the beans we adore.
Curious locals sampled them and preferred the taste. When farm owners noticed that the beans passed through the animals unscathed, they instructed their workers to collect them—after all, waste was not an option.
Kopi Luwak coffee is one of the most expensive coffees in the world. – Photo credit: Getty
Then, an unusual phenomenon occurred. People began enjoying the coffee made from the civets’ recycled beans, noting its distinctive flavor featuring hints of chocolate, syrup, rusticity, and an earthy “jungle” undertone. Thus, Kopi Luwak coffee was born.
Although these civets remain in South and Southeast Asia, this rare coffee is now exported worldwide. Due to its unique production method, Kopi Luwak has become one of the priciest coffees available.
Prices for wild-sourced Kopi Luwak can range from $20 to $100 (approximately £15-80). But is it truly worth it?
In the wild, palm civets are believed to select only the ripest and finest coffee cherries. This selection enriches the flavor. As the beans traverse the animal’s digestive system, enzymes and stomach acids break down the cherry’s outer layer and digest internal proteins.
This process enhances the flavor and aroma of the coffee beans, appealing to aficionados, though it’s detrimental to the civets.
Palm civets are primarily solitary creatures, coming together only for mating. They establish territories and communicate through scent marking, using stimulating waxy substances from special glands near their feces, urine, and anus.
With their white masks amid dark fur, they blend seamlessly with the shadows of their forest habitats. Like all wildlife, they prefer to be left undisturbed.
However, the surging demand for Kopi Luwak Coffee has led to the establishment of civet farms in Asia. Here, these animals are often confined to small cages, deprived of proper nutrition and space, forcing them to live in poor conditions for the sake of luxury coffee. Wild civets suffer greatly in Indonesia.
While there are regulations regarding the number of civets that can be harvested from the wild in Indonesia, these rules are often overlooked by poachers and inadequately enforced. All this, just for a cup of coffee.
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In the universe, there’s an unseen flow of particles and energy that surrounds and passes through us. This phenomenon is akin to the force from Star Wars, though it is grounded in reality. This so-called “force” is a critical by-product of nuclear processes and high-energy particle interactions that maintain the universe, known as neutrinos.
Neutrinos are tiny subatomic particles that travel close to the speed of light without an electric charge, constantly flowing through us. As you read this, approximately 100 trillion neutrinos are passing through your body every second, yet you’re completely unaware of them! As fundamental components of the universe, neutrinos aren’t composed of smaller particles, making them elementary particles.
Neutrinos originate from nuclear and high-energy reactions. Most neutrinos reaching Earth come from nuclear reactors and various stars. These neutrinos are low-energy, about 400 kiloelectron volts (6 x 10-14 Joules). To put that in perspective, it would take nine quarters to match the energy contained in a single 12-ounce soda can. Additionally, neutrinos from beyond our solar system can strike Earth, possessing billions to trillions of electron volts of energy, which would require about 4 trillion yen to equal the energy of the same soda can.
Astrophysicists are eager to discover the origins of high-energy neutrinos emitted from deep space. They proposed that these neutrinos are generated by rapidly moving protons, known as cosmic rays that collide with unstable particles called pions. Physicists theorize that these collisions can generate high-energy gamma-ray photons and sometimes ultra-high-energy neutrinos. According to this hypothesis, neutrino detectors may observe a spike in detections from the same areas in the universe where gamma rays have been identified by other scientists.
To test this theory, the team analyzed neutrino detection data from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica. They noted that detectors like IceCube are one of three methods for scientists to uncover activities occurring in space, alongside gravitational wave detectors and telescopes. However, this is a challenging task, as scientists must wait for neutrinos to collide with atomic nuclei in water molecules. Such collisions produce a distinct blue light known as Cherenkov radiation that is measurable by the detector, and by evaluating the patterns of Cherenkov emissions, researchers can assess the energy levels of the incoming neutrinos.
Once the neutrino detector was installed, the next task was to identify areas where gamma rays are typically found. To achieve this, astrophysicists utilized data from the Large High-Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). This data revealed gamma rays originating from sections of the sky containing much of the Milky Way galaxy, known as the galactic plane. The research team created a sky map delineating areas where LHAASO scientists detected gamma rays and developed several model maps predicting potential neutrino events, comparing them against IceCube neutrino detection data. One model assumed neutrinos could emerge from anywhere on the galactic plane, while another suggested they would arise from regions with dense gas concentrations, and a third posited that neutrinos could be emitted from all directions in the sky.
Astrophysicists then evaluated these maps against 2,500 days of IceCube data collected between 2011 and 2018, during which approximately 900,000 high-energy neutrinos were identified. Statistical analysis revealed that slightly more neutrinos originated from the galactic plane, supporting the theory that these particles are produced when cosmic rays collide with pions. They focused on specific regions of the galaxy, particularly near the constellation Sagittarius, where the most significant neutrino detections occurred. They recommended that future research focus on this part of the sky to study high-energy particle collisions in the universe.
On Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to reassign scientists from independent labs to various departments.
Administrator Lee Zeldin disclosed these adjustments in a video statement, indicating that the agency is “reshaping scientific expertise” to concentrate on what are deemed “mission essentials.”
The most immediate impact will be on the Research and Development Bureau, the EPA’s primary research faction, which investigates aspects like the health and environmental repercussions of “eternal chemicals” in drinking water, as well as strategies to lessen airborne particulate pollution.
An internal document reviewed by the New York Times highlighted the Trump administration’s proposal to dissolve this office as part of a plan to eliminate 1,155 scientists, including chemists, biologists, and toxicologists engaged in health and environmental research.
While the changes weren’t enacted on Friday, the agency’s new focus areas were unveiled. According to Zeldin, 130 positions will transition to the office responsible for new chemical approvals, addressing the long-standing backlog cited by the Chemical Industry Group.
During the All Hands Staff Meeting later that day, Nancy Beck, a previous lobbyist for the American Council of Chemicals and now at the helm of the EPA’s chemicals office, reassured Scientists, remarking that it was a “very exciting time.”
She encouraged everyone in the agency to consider applying for these roles.
Officials from the Trump administration have indicated that further laboratory changes are on the horizon. A scientist on a call expressed concern that failing to transition to one of the new areas might result in job termination.
Additionally, on Friday, the EPA postponed the deadline for accepting withdrawal offers, which is now extended to May 9.
“This feels like a hunger game,” remarked a lab employee who opted for anonymity to avoid potential retaliation.
Other scientists will transition to managerial positions as part of the new office focused on applied scientific environmental solutions. Zeldin emphasized the need to “put science at the center of agency regulations.”
Democrats and environmental advocates have raised concerns that these changes could politicize scientific inquiry.
“This so-called ‘reorganization’ is merely a thinly veiled effort to diminish the agency’s globally respected scientific capacity by redistributing scientists and managing chemical assessments for the industry,” stated Deputy Director Cherry Pingley, a Democrat from Maine.
Chitra Kumar, managing director of the climate program at the federal advocacy group Concern Scientists Federal, warned that relocating scientists to policy offices “will expose these experts to political pressures, particularly in this administration.”
This shift occurs amidst the agency’s extensive deregulation initiative. Under Zeldin’s direction, the EPA has revised or rescinded over 30 regulations intended to safeguard air, water, and climate quality. Managers are also focused on dismantling the legal foundations of many climate regulations known as danger detection.
The Trump administration has terminated over $800 million in research related to the health of LGBTQ individuals, halting studies on cancers and viruses that predominantly impact sexual minority groups, and has intensified efforts to combat the resurgence of sexually transmitted infections, as highlighted by a New York Times analysis of federal data.
Reflecting its strong opposition to diversity initiatives and adolescent gender care, the administration has actively sought to eliminate standard measures and research affecting transgender health.
This crackdown reaches beyond specific issues, curtailing essential medical research on diseases disproportionately affecting LGBTQ populations, which constitute nearly 10% of American adults.
An examination of grant-related reviews revealed that out of 669 grants, 323—almost half—were fully or partially canceled in early May regarding LGBTQ health.
Federal authorities had earmarked $806 million for projects that were canceled, many of which were anticipated to generate additional funding in the coming years.
Numerous research institutions faced funding losses. This includes not just high-profile targets like Johns Hopkins and Columbia but also public universities in the South and Midwest like Ohio State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Florida State University has canceled a research initiative worth $41 million, which included significant efforts to prevent HIV among adolescents and young adults, who account for the majority of new infections in the U.S. each year.
In a cancellation letter issued in recent months, the NIH justified the reductions by stating that LGBTQ projects “no longer align with agency priorities.” In some cases, the agency claimed that the canceled research was “based on gender identity,” resulting in “unscientific” outcomes that disregarded “biological reality.”
Other termination letters indicated that researchers erred by focusing on “artificial and unscientific categories” primarily driven by vague equity objectives.
These funding cuts come after a decade of increased federal support for LGBTQ research, encouraged by the NIH during the Obama administration, which welcomed grant proposals that focused on sexual and gender minorities.
Supporters of President Trump contend that much of this research is tainted by ideological bias.
“There was a trend of scientific malpractice to align conclusions with preconceived notions,” stated Roger Severino from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank influential in shaping Trump administration policies.
“It was founded on the erroneous belief that biology is almost irrelevant, alongside the political agenda that sought to normalize the idea of changing one’s sex.”
Researchers stated that canceling research on a broad range of diseases affecting sexual and gender minorities has effectively created a perception of a hierarchy among patients, deeming some as less valuable.
“Certain segments of the U.S. population should not be considered inferior as subjects of research,” remarked Simon Rosser, a professor at the University of Minnesota, whose lab focused on cancer in LGBTQ individuals before significant funding was withdrawn.
“This is a clear example of bias,” he emphasized. “It’s a form of prejudice in scientific research.”
The cancellation of these projects is a striking indication of the widespread dismantling of the research framework that has supported medical study in the United States for the past 80 years.
In addition to halting studies, federal officials have delayed grant payments, postponed review meetings, and expanded new grant awards.
Recently, Trump proposed slashing the NIH budget from approximately $48 billion to $27 billion, citing part of a broader agenda perceived as aimed at combating “radical gender ideology.”
The legality of these terminations remains uncertain. Two separate lawsuits challenge the broad cancellation of grants, with a group of researchers and others arguing that the Trump administration lacked a lawful basis for these cuts in 16 states.
The White House and the Department of Health and Human Services have not provided comments upon request.
Health department spokesperson Andrew Nixon stated to the Daily Signal, a conservative outlet, last month that the shifts which “alleviate politicized gender and identity studies” were “in line with the president’s executive order.”
In a statement, the NIH commented: “NIH is taking steps to terminate research funding that does not align with NIH and HHS priorities. We are committed to reinstating traditions that support evidence-based science.”
Lost funding has hindered critical studies on antibiotic resistance, undiagnosed autism among sexual minorities, and specific cancers that disproportionately affect these groups. The funding cuts have resulted in layoffs at several LGBTQ-focused laboratories that were poised for expansion.
Historically, the NIH has reserved grant cancellations for rare instances of research misconduct or potential participant harm. Scientists now argue that the recent cuts are doing more harm than protection for research participants.
They indicated the cessation of clinical trials where federal funding is short, affecting the care of volunteer participants.
“We are halting initiatives that prevent suicide and sexual violence,” remarked Katie Edwards, a professor at the University of Michigan, whose funding for various clinical trials involving LGBTQ individuals has been canceled.
The HIV studies have been particularly severely impacted.
The NIH has terminated major grants to the Adolescent Medical Exam Network for HIV/AIDS interventions, a program that established precursors for using medication therapy in adolescents to prevent infections.
The regimen known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is recognized as a promising strategy to reduce HIV transmission in youth.
The funding reductions threaten to amplify HIV transmission among young sexual minority men using stimulants as they aim to monitor a continuous trial of products that prevent both HIV and unplanned pregnancies, alongside sexual health counseling and behavioral therapy.
With the termination of numerous other HIV studies, these cuts are undermining Trump’s aims established during his prior term to eradicate the national HIV epidemic within a decade, according to scientists.
The NIH has also halted efforts relating to other sexually transmitted infections.
Dr. Matthew Spinelli, an infectious disease researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, was in the midst of clinical trials on common antibiotics for post-exposure prophylaxis aimed at preventing syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia infections.
The trial involved a randomized study assigning participants to different antibiotic regimens to assess metabolism.
However, health officials ceased funding for the March study, objecting to research based on “gender identity.” Consequently, Dr. Spinelli could not apply federal funds to monitor participants already on antibiotics.
Moreover, he risked wasting thousands of doses of antibiotics acquired using taxpayer money. Dr. Spinelli warned that discontinuing efforts against infections like syphilis and HIV will allow new outbreaks to arise.
“The HIV epidemic is poised to surge again as a direct result of these actions,” Dr. Spinelli stated. “This is catastrophic for the communities affected.”
Despite a recent focus on the negative consequences of medical transition, federal officials have canceled several studies examining the potential risks of hormone therapies. These projects aimed to understand whether such treatments could elevate the chances of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, brain development issues, or HIV.
Other canceled grants sought to address mental health challenges in transgender individuals. Transgender youth, who currently represent around 3% of high school students, report significantly higher instances of persistent grief and suicide attempts.
For Dr. Edwards at the University of Michigan, funding has been halted for one of her six canceled studies examining how depression and self-harm among transgender teens can be mitigated.
Another study aimed at promoting supportive care for LGBTQ youth and reducing dating violence and alcohol consumption among these individuals.
The NIH categorizes studies strictly by specific illnesses, complicating efforts for agencies to estimate budgets for LGBTQ health research. Nonetheless, a report from March suggested that such studies accounted for less than 1% of the NIH’s portfolio over a decade.
The Times sought to quantify the scale of funding cuts in LGBTQ medical research by assessing grant titles. Research summaries were available for each of the 669 grants the Trump administration identified as fully or partially canceled in early May.
The review included studies designed to recruit participants from sexual and gender minorities, extending beyond grants strictly tied to LGBTQ issues and highlighting significant health disparities.
Grants related to diseases outside of the LGBTQ scope were excluded from this assessment.
The reduction in funding has hollowed out fields that not only flourished over the past decade but also encompassed a variety of health threats beyond HIV.
Researchers claim young academics have lost their positions in LGBTQ-related research and are erasing traces of their work from online profiles.
Brittany Charlton, a professor at Harvard School of Public Health, had five grants canceled, including one examining the notable uptick in stillbirth rates among LGBTQ women.
Discontinuing research into health threats impacting gender and sexual minorities ultimately affects the broader population, she stated. “When those around you become ill, it impacts you too, even if you believe it doesn’t,” she concluded.
Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman’s life when the ovaries cease hormone production, but the journey toward this pivotal moment can span several years. This phase is known as perimenopause.
Typically, women experience menopause around age 51, with many starting to notice perimenopausal symptoms in their mid-40s. Symptoms can differ greatly from one individual to another. While hot flashes and irregular periods are frequently highlighted as indicators, not everyone experiences these signs.
Moreover, within the same individual, symptoms can vary in type, frequency, and intensity.
More than 75% of women report experiencing a range of symptoms, with about 25% indicating their symptoms significantly affecting their quality of life. Common complaints include sleep disturbances, anxiety, and weight gain.
Nevertheless, these symptoms are often attributed to other medical conditions based on expert assessments.
Symptoms and Treatment
Insomnia can be one of the earliest signs, sometimes emerging in a woman’s late 30s or early 40s. Research indicates that up to 60% of women over 40 experience insomnia.
Other symptoms may encompass mood fluctuations, leading to feelings of anger, irritability, sadness, and depression.
In addition, individuals may face challenges such as brain fog, memory issues, difficulty concentrating, joint and muscle pain, vaginal dryness, diminished sexual desire, and discomfort during intercourse.
It’s important to note that many women may delay seeking medical advice due to embarrassment or the desire not to “make a fuss.” However, consulting a healthcare provider is crucial since there are currently no menopause tests for women over 45.
Tracking specific symptoms and their timing is advisable. Sharing this information with your doctor can lead to a better understanding of your experience and help identify the most suitable treatment options.
Research supports the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) based on guidelines from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence, particularly for alleviating hot flashes and night sweats.
HRT may also enhance sleep quality and alleviate some negative cognitive symptoms. Besides, studies indicate that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can assist in managing vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, along with helping regulate mood and sleep patterns.
Additional research has shown that HRT can help maintain bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures later in life.
HRT comprises various medications, including estrogen, combinations of estrogen and progestogen (another female hormone), and testosterone, with administration options like patches or gels.
The choice of HRT type and dosage depends on the condition being treated, individual risk factors, and personal preferences. There is no specific cut-off age for starting HRT, as its benefits may outweigh the perceived risks.
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Women undergoing HRT may also see a reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer and type 2 diabetes. Additional studies suggest that initiating estrogens as part of HRT early during menopause might further decrease coronary artery disease risk and conditions like heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
The cardiovascular benefits, including lower mortality rates, are noted primarily for women who begin HRT in their 50s, as opposed to those starting after 60. However, HRT is not recommended solely for the purpose of preventing cardiovascular diseases or dementia.
When using HRT tablets, estrogen-only formulations are usually given without progestogen protection, which increase thromboembolic risks (like deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) for certain HRT types and can elevate uterine cancer risk.
Osteoporosis generally affects older adults and postmenopausal women. HRT can help treat it. – Image credits: Science Photo Library
Concerns regarding breast cancer prevalence are complex, influenced by historical clinical trial data and individual family history, as well as lifestyle factors like alcohol use and obesity.
This variability impacts the clinical relevance of existing data for individuals.
Current findings indicate that estrogen-only HRT has minimal or no association with breast cancer risk, while combined HRT might correlate with an increased risk of 3-4 cases per 1,000 women.
Topical estrogen HRT has proven highly effective in managing and preventing vaginal and vulvar dryness, pain, and recurrent urinary tract infections.
Additively, testosterone treatments combined with estrogens may benefit some women experiencing low sexual desire.
However, a review of current trials does not demonstrate improvements in cognitive function, bone density, body composition, muscle strength, or mental health regarding testosterone treatment.
Moreover, some women, particularly those with a breast cancer history, may opt against HRT.
Historically, alternative treatments for perimenopausal symptoms focused on antidepressants and clonidine, but these have shown limited effectiveness and significant side effects. Recently, Fezolinetant, a non-hormonal medication, has been approved to assist with managing vasomotor symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes
In addition to medication, changes in lifestyle—such as improved sleep, increased physical activity, and better nutrition—can provide substantial benefits without associated risks.
Prioritizing sleep can be an ideal starting point. Quality rest allows for better focus on increasing activity and enhancing diet.
Implementing good sleep hygiene practices, including avoiding screens before bedtime, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and using CBT techniques, has been shown to improve insomnia and other sleep disorders for women experiencing menopause.
Engaging in regular physical activity is also advantageous, particularly exercises that build and preserve muscle and bone density, like strength training. This can help prevent osteoporosis, enhance flexibility, and reduce insulin resistance.
Aerobic exercises such as running, swimming, or cycling can also enhance long-term cardiovascular and brain health. Regardless of life stage, a balanced diet rich in whole foods and limited ultra-processed items is beneficial.
While navigating menopause can be challenging, various proven strategies can facilitate a smoother transition.
Recent studies have revealed that sea lions, specifically one named Ronan, possess a timing ability that surpasses many humans when it comes to music.
Ronan gained attention over a decade ago when she astonished researchers. Now, new findings indicate her sense of rhythm has not only remained stable but has actually improved.
At her most practiced tempo, she consistently stays within 15 milliseconds of the beat. For perspective, a typical blink occurs roughly every 150 milliseconds.
“Compared to other non-human animals, Ronan shows remarkable accuracy and consistency,” stated Professor Peter Cook, the lead author of the study and comparative neuroscientist at New College, Florida, in BBC Science Focus.
“However, Ronan’s accuracy and consistency have significantly improved over time.”
Cook and his team initially trained Ronan to recognize rhythms in 2012, when she was just three years old. At that point, she was already a record-holding non-human beatkeeper.
Yet, some scientists were skeptical about whether her performance was on par with adult humans. Ronan demonstrated more variability between beats and tended to drift ahead at faster tempos while lagging behind at slower ones—contrary to humans who typically hit just before the beat.
“Most rhythm studies focus on adults who have years of informal rhythmic experience—like dancing or tapping their feet,” Cook explained.
“We evaluated Ronan when she was essentially a juvenile… Now that she’s a mature adult sea lion, how does she compare to humans?”
To explore this, the team asked undergraduate students from the University of California, Santa Cruz, to mimic Ronan’s head bobbing using large, fluid arm movements. Their movements were then compared to Ronan’s performance at three different tempos.
Surprisingly, she outperformed the students in both consistency and accuracy, ranking in the 99th percentile of a model simulating 10,000 individuals performing the same task.
The findings challenge the long-held belief that precise rhythmic synchronization relies on vocal learning, a trait shared by humans and certain birds, but not sea lions.
Additionally, the research implies that rhythmic perception may be deeply embedded in fundamental brain timing mechanisms.
“Rhythms create patterns in time, and the natural world is filled with such patterns,” Cook stated.
“Recognizing these patterns is advantageous for animals as it allows them to anticipate what follows and adjust their actions accordingly.”
“For instance, they can modify their swimming strokes to sync with wave patterns, reach for moving branches while trees shake, or arrange their vocal outputs to align or overlap with those of other animals.”
(L-R) co-authors Andrew Rouse, Peter Cook, Carson Hood, and California Sea Lion – Colleen Reichmut. NMFS 23554
Ronan’s rhythmic skills may open doors for further research. The team is currently examining whether she can track more complex and irregular patterns.
They are also employing game-based training to assess whether Ronan is a unique case or the beginning of something more widespread.
Ultimately, the question remains: will we see a sea lion performing live alongside a musician on stage?
“I believe we can teach a sea lion to maintain a basic 4/4 beat,” Cook remarked. “When we tested her with live music, Ronan adapted her rhythm dynamically like a band, even with tempo shifts.”
However, before anyone rushes to sign a record deal with Ronan, there’s a minor hurdle: “The sea lion only has one ‘hand’,” Cook noted. “And their flipper control isn’t quite suited for the precise movements required for playing hi-hats or bass drums.”
That said, Cook expressed enthusiasm about the possibility, adding, “It’s definitely something we want to explore, though I suspect the fish might need regular breaks.”
About Our Experts
Peter Cook is an associate professor of marine mammal science at New College, Florida. His research focuses on animal cognition and comparative neuroscience across various species. Cook is particularly interested in discovering new and ecologically effective methods for studying brain and behavior beyond traditional laboratory settings.
Fires typically consume fuel over hours, days, or even weeks. However, certain underground fossil fuel deposits can sustain a blaze for decades.
The gas crater in Darvaza, famously known as the “Gate of Hell,” has been burning for a remarkable 40 years within a 60-meter-wide (196 feet) pit located in Turkmenistan’s Karakham Desert.
The crater’s origin is a topic of debate. Some claim it resulted from an unauthorized Soviet gas drilling operation in the 1970s that inadvertently trapped an underground pocket of natural gas; others believe it was formed naturally in the 1960s.
Regardless of its origins, geologists detected methane leaking from the crater and attempted to ignite the gas to prevent environmental disasters. They expected it to extinguish within weeks, yet it has continued to burn for decades.
The Darvaza gas Crater is a 60m (196 feet) pit in the Karakham Desert in Turkmenistan. – Photo Credit: Getty Images
This crater sits atop extensive oil and gas fields that traverse Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, likely linked to a vast underground reservoir of methane, which fuels the fire almost indefinitely.
In 2013, Canadian explorer George Crunis embarked on an expedition to study the crater. Dressed in a heat-resistant suit, he descended to the crater’s depths to collect soil samples and found simple organisms capable of surviving in the extreme conditions at the bottom.
While the Gate of Hell may be the most famous fire, it is not the oldest. Underground coal seams can sustain fires for centuries.
One coal fire beneath Mount Wingen in Australia has been ablaze for over 5,000 years. Such fires might continue indefinitely until the vast underground fuel supply is depleted.
This article addresses the question posed by Dennis McCann of Derby: “What are the Gates of Hell, and why do they keep burning?”
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Recent archaeological findings indicate that well-preserved mummies were air-dried using long chips, twigs, cloth, and zinc chloride inserted into the rectum.
The 280-year-old remains belong to an Austrian priest and represent the first documented case of such an unusual but effective preservation method.
“The remarkably preserved mummy found in the Church District of St. Thomas am Brassenstein is that of Franz Zaber Sidler von Rosenage, a local pastor who passed away in 1746,” said Professor Andreas Nellich, a pathologist from Ludwig Maximilians University, Germany, involved in the Frontiers of Medicine study.
“Our investigation revealed that excellent preservation was achieved by packing the abdomen with wood chips, twigs, and dough, coupled with zinc chloride for internal desiccation.”
The mummy’s body walls were entirely unharmed, though more decay was evident on the head and legs. – Credit: Andreas Nellic
The upper body of the mummy remained largely intact, while significant collapse was observed in the head and lower body.
Nerlich, along with a global team of researchers, conducted thorough analyses, including computed tomography scans (using X-rays and computers to construct detailed body images), radiocarbon dating, and chemical assessments.
These studies confirmed Sidler’s identity, indicating he died between 1734 and 1780 at the age of 35-45.
Further discoveries of unique fabric tissues from materials found in the mummy’s abdominal cavity. Left: A piece of cotton with an intricate floral pattern. Right: A silk fabric fragment. – Credit: Andreas Nellic
In their efforts, scientists removed preservatives from Sidler’s body, uncovering that the abdominal and pelvic cavities were filled through the rectum with family and spruce chips, along with linen, hemp, and flax fabrics.
These materials were readily available in the small Austrian village where Sidler lived. Additionally, silk and embroidered linen were discovered within his remains, suggesting that the stuffing absorbed much of his abdominal fluids.
Toxicological examinations indicated that zinc chloride, a potent drying agent, was used to maintain the body’s condition.
Moreover, researchers found a small glass bead, likely lost within Sidler during the preservation process.
Left: The removal of some foreign materials from the dorsal abdominal wall revealed a mix of white fabric, plant matter, and brownish amorphous tissue residues. Right: A round object found in the left pelvis had a small hole with raised lips. – Credit: Andreas Nellic
Nerlich stated that the extent of rectal preservative use among mummies remains unknown, and other well-preserved bodies may have previously gone unreported.
The reasons behind Sidler’s preservation method remain unclear, though Nellich suggested:
“It’s possible the pastor was intended for transportation to his home monastery, but for reasons unknown, that plan may have failed.”
Brownsville, Texas – A new city has emerged in Texas, named Starbase.
On Saturday, voters approved a measure to create a new city in South Texas, focusing on Elon Musk’s SpaceX operations. The initiative secured significant backing, facilitating the establishment of a city composed primarily of SpaceX employees and affiliates.
The initial tally showed 173 votes in favor of the establishment, with only four against. The measure required a minimum of 143 votes to succeed.
“It is officially statistically impossible for this measure to fail,” stated Cameron County election manager Remi Garza on Saturday evening. “Cameron County has a new city.”
Following the vote, the county commissioner will review the results within two weeks, according to Garza. A judge will officially declare the election result and the establishment of the new city.
The area designated as Starbase spans approximately 1½ square miles at the southernmost part of Texas, situated along the coast and bordered by Mexico. This is where SpaceX’s headquarters is located, responsible for the production of boosters, engines, and large spacecraft during test launches.
This vote outcome was a crucial win for Musk, who has faced significant criticism in recent months due to his connections with former President Donald Trump’s administration. Musk held the position of head of the Office of Government Efficiency (DOGE), managing widespread layoffs and budget cuts across federal agencies.
In response to his actions, protests erupted nationwide, coinciding with a decline in profits for his electric car company, Tesla.
Saturday’s election also marked the appointment of Starbase’s first mayor, Bobby Pedden, alongside two additional mayors, Jordan Bass and Jenna Petruzelka. All three candidates ran unopposed and are SpaceX employees.
County election records revealed that 283 residents were eligible to vote in the Cameron County special election on Saturday. Eligibility was determined based on whether the residents’ homes fell within the designated boundaries of the new city.
While neither SpaceX nor Musk has disclosed the intent behind incorporating the city into their operations, speculation suggests that it could streamline local government processes, potentially reducing bureaucracy and regulations surrounding SpaceX’s testing and rocket launches.
Currently, SpaceX must acquire permission from Cameron County authorities to close roads and limit public access to Bocachica Beach and Bocachica State Parks for safety during rocket launches.
Ongoing highway closures have led to legal challenges against SpaceX, inciting protests from local residents and advocacy groups, including the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe in Texas, the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, and Border Workers United. As reported by CNBC.
A sign posted outside the SpaceX “Hub.” Marissa Parra / NBC News
With SpaceX now operating within the newly formed Starbase, future developments might occur, although resistance could be expected.
“Now, that authority resides solely in Cameron County and my office, and we consider ourselves a strong collaborator and partner with SpaceX, as demonstrated by our efforts to ensure public access to Bocachica Beach,” Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino explained to NBC News.
Trevino asserted that there’s no need for changes to current procedures.
“If it’s not broken, there’s no need to fix it,” he noted.
Dennis Chou
Denise Chow is a science and space reporter for NBC News.
Marissa Para
Marissa Para is a national correspondent for NBC News based in Miami, Florida.
Suggestions for parents struggling to choose a name for their little one. Because, new research indicates that a name could influence your facial appearance.
The recent study was inspired by the “face-name matching effect.” This phenomenon highlights how well individuals can match a person’s face to their name from a list of options.
This opens up various possibilities: parents may observe their baby’s face and intuitively select a name that aligns with its appearance. Alternatively, our names might subtly influence how we look, making them recognizable to others.
National statistics show that Olivia and Noah remain the most popular baby names in both the US and the UK. – Photo credit: Getty
A team of researchers from Israel explored these two ideas through a series of studies conducted in 2024.
In one study, participants matched the names of adults and children to their corresponding faces. Results showed participants could name adults accurately but struggled with children.
This implies that our identities evolve over time, leading us to resemble the names we are given at birth.
Another study employed machine learning to compare facial similarities among individuals sharing the same name versus those who do not.
Findings indicated that adults with identical names exhibited increased facial similarities, unlike children. This supports the theory that we gradually align with our names as we age.
But do our names truly shape our facial features? Researchers suggest that individuals often adopt stereotypes associated with their names, influencing their behavior and, consequently, their appearances over the years.
For instance, a boy named “Tyler,” which carries a masculine connotation in certain cultures, might internalize those traits, participate in sports, and develop a confident demeanor, gradually shaping a more athletic appearance.
Conversely, negative stereotypes linked to names can adversely affect experiences. For example, if a teacher associates a name with misbehavior, it may lead to biased treatment of the child.
These insights align with previous research indicating that names markedly influence personal experiences.
For example, individuals with less common names (like Kevin and Alexander; a 2011 German study) often struggle in online dating. Similarly, names like Cindy and Chantal may yield less help from strangers compared to more common names like Sophie and Marie.
Some studies even suggest that individuals with unique names may be more likely to pursue unconventional careers.
This article addresses the question posed by Luke Gillespie of Sunderland: “Does your name affect your physical appearance?”
Please email us to submit your questionsatQuestion@sciencefocus.com or MessageFacebook,Twitter or InstagramPage (don’t forget to include your name and location).
Check out our ultimateFun Facts and more amazing science pages.
While researching crystal formation, scientists at New York University discovered a unique rod-shaped crystal previously unrecognized.
Zangenite. Image credit: Shihao Zang/Nyu.
Crystals are solid substances composed of particles arranged in repeating patterns.
This self-organization process—often described by researchers as “regulating order from chaos”—was traditionally believed to follow a predictable, classical growth model.
However, they are discovering that crystals can grow through more intricate pathways rather than simply forming building blocks step by step.
To investigate crystal formation, some researchers utilize crystals consisting of small spherical particles known as colloidal particles. These particles are significantly larger than the atoms in other types of crystals.
“Studying colloidal particles allows us to observe the crystallization process at the level of individual particles, which is challenging for atoms due to their small size and rapid movement,” explained Stefano Sacanna, a professor at New York University.
“With colloids, we can visually analyze the shape of the crystal under a microscope.”
To gain insight into how colloidal crystals form, Professor Sacanna and his team conducted experiments observing the behavior of charged colloidal particles under various growth conditions as they transitioned from a salty suspension into a fully developed crystal.
They also conducted thousands of computer simulations to model the growth of the crystals and to explain their experimental observations.
The researchers found that colloidal crystals form through a two-stage process: the initial amorphous mass of particles condenses, followed by a transformation into an ordered crystal structure, resulting in a diverse range of crystal types and shapes.
During the experiments, New York University PhD student Shihao Zan encountered a rod-shaped crystal that he could not identify.
While it appeared similar to a previously discovered crystal, detailed examinations revealed differences in the grain combinations and the presence of a hollow channel at the tips of the crystal.
He compared the unknown structures with over 1,000 crystals found in nature but found no match.
By utilizing computer modeling, the researchers were able to simulate the exact crystals, enabling them to study the elongated, hollow shapes more closely.
“This was somewhat perplexing, as crystals are typically dense; however, this one featured empty channels running throughout its length,” remarked Dr. Glenn Hocky from New York University.
“The combined effects of this experiment and simulation led me to realize that this crystal structure had never been documented before,” added Professor Sacanna.
They named the newly identified crystal l3s4 and informally referred to it as “Zangerite” during a lab meeting, reflecting its composition as per Zang’s discovery.
“We study colloidal crystals to replicate the real-world scenarios of atomic crystals, but we never anticipated discovering crystals that wouldn’t resemble those found in nature,” stated Zan.
The discovery of Zangenite holds potential for exploring applications related to hollow low-density crystals and may lead to the identification of more new crystals.
“The channels within Zangenite resemble characteristics found in other materials and may aid in filtering or enclosing internal contents,” Dr. Hocky noted.
“We once thought it was uncommon to find new crystal structures, but we may now be on the verge of discovering additional, yet uncharacterized, structures,” Professor Sacanna added.
A paper detailing this study was published in the journal Nature Communications.
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S. Zan et al. 2025. Direct observation and control of nonclassical crystallization pathways in binary colloid systems. Nat Commun 16, 3645; doi:10.1038/s41467-025-58959-0
A diverse group of neuroscientists evaluated two rival theories of consciousness: Integrated Information Theory (IIT) and Global Neuron Workspace Theory (GNWT). IIT posits that consciousness arises when information within a system is intricately connected and unified, provided it is consciously recognized and functions as a cohesive entity. In contrast, GNWT proposes that a network of brain regions emphasizes significant information, bringing it to the forefront of our awareness and broadly sharing it as it enters consciousness, thereby forming a conscious experience.
Various theories elucidate how subjective experiences emerge from neural activity. While these theories have independent support, they have not been directly compared. Ferrante et al. We present an open science adversarial collaboration that juxtaposes Integrated Information Theory (IIT) with Global Neuron Workspace Theory (GNWT) through a theoretical Chinese consortium. Image credit: NASA/ESA/JPL-CALTECH/STSCI/SCI.NEWS.
Both philosophers and scientists have engaged in the pursuit of understanding the subjective aspects of consciousness (like experiencing pain or seeing vivid rainbows) and their connection to brain’s physical processes.
This endeavor has led to the simultaneous development of various consciousness theories, offering conflicting interpretations of the neural foundations of consciousness.
Moreover, empirical support for any given theory often hinges on methodological choices, pointing to potential confirmation bias in testing these theories.
A convergence of consciousness theories into a broadly accepted neuroscience framework could have profound medical, social, and ethical repercussions.
To facilitate this aim, the authors examined both IIT and GNWT through expansive open science adversarial collaborations designed to foster progress in consciousness research based on constructive disagreements.
“IIT proposes that consciousness results from the cooperation of various brain regions, integrating information much like a cohesive team effort,” the researchers noted.
“It arises from how these regions are interconnected and how they communicate, extending beyond just individual brain parts.”
“However, this research did not uncover sufficient sustained connections in the brain’s posterior areas to substantiate this notion.”
“The GNWT posits that consciousness is localized in the brain’s frontal regions, but this study also found inadequate evidence to support this idea,” they added.
This study included 256 participants, marking a significant milestone for this kind of experimentation.
Researchers displayed various visual stimuli and monitored the brain’s activity while participants viewed these stimuli using three common neuroimaging methods that track blood flow and electrical/magnetic activity.
“Our findings indicate a functional link between neurons in the early visual areas and those in the frontal regions, helping illuminate how perceptions are intertwined with thoughts,” they remarked.
“These results underscore the prefrontal cortex’s significance in consciousness, suggesting that while it plays a vital role in reasoning and planning, consciousness itself may be tied to sensory processing and perception.”
“In essence, intelligence pertains to actions taken, while consciousness refers to mere existence.”
“This discovery could reshape our understanding of consciousness and inform issues related to loss of consciousness, such as in comas and nutrition.”
Understanding the origins of consciousness could aid in identifying “secret awareness” in patients who are severely injured yet unresponsive.
“It became evident that no theory could definitively refute the other,” commented Professor Anil Seth from the University of Sussex.
“The theories pursue fundamentally different objectives in their assumptions and explanations, and the available experimental methods are too coarse to allow one theory to conclusively prevail over the other.”
“Regardless, the findings from this collaboration remain invaluable. There’s a wealth of insights to gain about both theories, along with new understandings of when and where visual experiences can be discerned in the brain.”
Survey results this week will be featured in the journal Nature.
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O. Ferrante et al. (Cogged the consortium). An antagonistic examination of global neuronal workspace and integrated information theory. Nature Released on April 30th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-0888-1
Pterosaurs often glide above dinosaurs, but recent analysis of fossilized footprints indicates that some of these flying reptiles were equally adept at traversing the ground.
Terrestrial migration and tracking morphology of vegetative eye type skeletal morphology: (a) Reconstruction of the ctenochasmatoid orbit Ctenochasma elegans walking with ipsilateral gait, where the fore and hind legs on the same side of the body move together. (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 that matches Ctenochasma elegans; (d) height maps from the Pterosaur trackway; Pteraichnus ISP. From the Upper Jurassic Casal Formation of Claysac, France. An outline drawing of (e) interpretation 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 their lives,” stated Robert Smith, a doctoral researcher at the University of Leicester.
“These footprints offer insights into their habitat, movement, behaviors, and activities in ecosystems long gone.”
In this study, Smith and colleagues uncovered three distinct types of pterosaur footprints, each elucidating various lifestyles and behaviors.
Tying these footprints to specific groups presents a valuable new avenue for exploring how these flying reptiles lived, migrated, and adapted over time across different ecosystems.
“At last, 88 years after the initial discovery of Pterosaur tracks, we understand precisely who made them and the methods employed,” remarked Dr. David Unwin, Ph.D., from Leicester.
The most striking finding emerged 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 regions worldwide, supporting the notion that these tall creatures not only ruled the skies but also cohabited the same environments as many dinosaur species.
Some of these tracks date back to an asteroid impact event 66 million years ago, alongside the extinction of both pterosaurs and dinosaurs.
Ctenochasmatoids, recognized for their elongated jaws and needle-like teeth, predominantly left tracks in coastal sediments.
These animals likely traversed muddy shores or shallow lagoons, employing specialized feeding techniques to capture small fish and floating prey.
The prevalence of these tracks indicates that these coastal pterosaurs were far more common in these habitats than the infrequent fossil remains suggest.
Another type of footprint was unearthed in rock formations, alongside the fossilized skeleton of the same pterosaur.
The close correlation between footprints and skeletons provides compelling evidence for identifying the print makers.
Known as Dsungaripterids, these pterosaurs featured robust limbs and jaws; the tips of their curved, toothless beaks were designed for grasping prey, while the large, rounded teeth at the rear of the jaw were ideal for crushing shellfish and other resilient foods.
“Footprints are frequently overlooked in Pterosaur studies, yet they yield a wealth of information regarding their behavior, interactions, and environmental relationships,” stated Smyth.
“A comprehensive analysis of the footprints enables us to uncover biological and ecological insights that cannot be obtained elsewhere.”
The team’s paper is published in the journal Current Biology.
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Robert S. Smith et al. Identifying Pterosaur track makers provides important insights into Mesozoic ground invasions. Current Biology Published online May 1, 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.017
Recent findings from the Institute of Marine Science at the University of California, Santa Cruz indicate that the capability to perceive time is not exclusive to humans.
Ronan is recognized as the most consistent and accurate mammalian beatkeeper in experimental conditions. Image credit: Joel Saltore.
While certain mammals and birds have demonstrated the ability to synchronize their movements to rhythmic cues during laboratory experiments, most vertebrate species show minimal evidence of beat synchronization.
“Despite extensive research involving a wide array of species, no comprehensive scientific agreement exists regarding whether complex stimuli perception, such as music and beat maintenance, is underpinned by unique biological mechanisms,” researchers noted.
“The most comprehensive comparative data set on sensorimotor synchronization actually originates from invertebrates, with certain insects like fireflies and crickets displaying rate-sensitive synchronization with signals pertinent to their species.”
“The precision and tempo range of these insects can rival human performance in synchronized rhythms.”
“However, unlike humans, who are proficient at synchronizing with a range of rhythmic stimuli, including music, invertebrate synchronization tends to be limited to a narrow scope of specific cues.”
“Studies of beat maintenance in non-human vertebrates primarily derive from the Psittacinae subfamily (parrots), yet these often exhibit lower consistency and accuracy compared to humans, making robust beat keeping challenging for other primates,” they added.
“An exceptional case is Ronan, who has been trained to perform continuous head bobbing in sync with metronomic sounds, illustrating the capability to adapt to new tempos and stimuli.”
In their latest study, Dr. Cook and colleagues examined Ronan’s consistency in timing to snare drum beats at 112, 120, and 128 beats per minute (bpm).
The same beats were then presented to 10 undergraduate students aged 18 to 23.
The team assessed the participants’ timing accuracy using video tracking software, finding that Ronan’s overall timekeeping was less reliable and varied compared to human counterparts.
Ronan’s accuracy improved with tempo; at 128 bpm, his average with a tempo was 129 bpm (±2.94), while human subjects averaged 116.2 bpm (±7.34).
After the experiment, Ronan received toys filled with fish and ice as rewards.
This study examined only one trained sea lion and ten humans, necessitating further research to validate these findings through larger studies.
“The sensorimotor synchronization in sea lions appeared accurate, consistent, and sometimes outperformed that of a typical adult,” the researchers concluded.
“These results challenge the notion of unique neurobiological adaptations for maintaining human beats.”
The study’s findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports on May 1, 2025.
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PF Cook et al. 2025. Sensory motor synchronization in sea lions rivals that of humans. Sci Rep 15, 12125; doi:10.1038/s41598-025-95279-1
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.”
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