President Trump’s Attempts to Cut Scientific Research Funding: How Courts and Congress Stopped Him

Posted on February 4, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

The Landscape of American Scientific Research: A Year in Review

Approximately a year ago, optimism surrounded the realm of American scientific research. However, in February, the Trump administration executed significant staff reductions within federal science agencies, limiting grant access for universities and undermining funding for research overhead. Targeting prestigious universities for accusations of anti-Semitism, the administration retracted grants on matters deemed relevant to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Proposed budgets for key agencies, including NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF), indicated sweeping financial cuts.

This turmoil led many to believe that the scientific community was under siege. Post-World War II, the federal model of outsourcing research to academic institutions seemed to be unraveling.

Holden Thorpe, editor of Science Journal, noted, “That partnership is now breaking down,” calling some of these cuts “an unexpected and immediate blow” and a “betrayal of the partnerships that have enabled American innovation and progress.”

Yet, as we reflect on the past year, those dire predictions have not materialized. Legal challenges and a recent Congressional rejection of many proposed cuts have preserved essential funding.

A coalition of scientific, educational, and civil liberties organizations, including the ACLU, APHA, and AAU, successfully contested some of the Trump administration’s pivotal policy shifts, safeguarding billions in scientific funding. As a result, funding packages negotiated in Congress over the past few weeks have largely maintained federal funding for scientific agencies similar to last year.

The House echoed the Senate’s decision on Tuesday, passing a funding package that included modest increases for National Institutes of Health (NIH) research while rejecting Trump’s proposal for a more than 40% funding cut. Trump signed the bill that evening.

Joan Padron Carney, chief government relations officer at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, stated, “Congress has effectively rejected the president’s very deep cuts.” Given recent trends, she added, “While flat funding may not have seemed like a victory before, considering the circumstances of the past year, we are quite satisfied.”

It’s crucial to acknowledge that the scientific sector hasn’t completely evaded the adverse impacts of the administration. Both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA have experienced substantial job losses, NIH leadership underwent significant changes, and there have been reductions in essential climate reports and weather services.

The National Weather Service releases weather balloons on a routine basis above Gaylord, Michigan.
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Padron-Carney acknowledged that the Trump administration would likely persist in its initiatives to defund science on topics it disapproves of. She noted that a presidential order mandates many grants to obtain approval from senior political appointees.

Despite these challenges, Padron-Carney remarked, “Science is holding up as best it can,” particularly after a year that felt precarious.

The White House did not respond to inquiries regarding Congressional decisions on science funding, although it commended the bill prior to its passage.

“The Administration appreciates that Congress is proceeding with the spending process in a manner that avoids an extensive omnibus package while adhering to a fiscally responsible agreement that prioritizes essential investments,” stated the White House Office of Management and Budget.

A significant concern within the scientific community revolves around disrupting grant flows to universities and research institutes, especially from the NIH, the primary agency responsible for biomedical and life sciences research funding.

The Trump administration’s attempts to assert control over government agencies led to substantial delays, cancellations, and a halt in thousands of grants. Additionally, the administration’s move to limit indirect costs universities could charge to NIH created uproar, with a proposed 15% cap estimated to save the government $4 billion annually. Universities and states contested this cap, claiming it violated Congressional guidelines and NIH policies.

Substantial legal victories eventually facilitated the reinstated flow of funds.

Last month, an appeals court upheld a ruling that the Trump administration couldn’t impose caps on indirect research spending. Furthermore, in December, the ACLU reached a partial settlement when it filed a lawsuit challenging the NIH’s alleged “ideological purge” on research grants. This settlement mandated the NIH to resume reviewing specific stalled grants, while other aspects related to the diversity, equity, and inclusion lawsuit are still pending.

Olga Axelrod, ACLU attorney involved in subsidy litigation, described the lawsuit as an essential check, affirming, “However, public health research remains under threat.”

The NIH opted not to comment on the lawsuit proceedings.

Headquarters of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, captured in May.
Wesley Lapointe/Washington Post, from Getty Images File

A surge in lawsuits contesting the Trump administration’s restrictions on grant funding continues, with appeals pending. The Georgetown University’s Health Policy and Law Initiative has tracked 39 related funding complaints this past year, a significant increase from zero last year.

Katie Keith, the initiative’s director, expressed that “It’s exploded,” noting mixed results thus far.

In one instance, a judge ruled against the Trump administration after it cut Harvard University’s funding by $2.2 million. Conversely, another case saw a judge dismiss a lawsuit where faculty aimed to restore nearly $400 million in grants to Columbia University. Notably, Columbia had to pay the government a $200 million settlement after allegations of anti-discrimination violations.

Harvard University’s campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in June.
Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images

By the end of the fiscal year 2025, NIH expenditures reached typical levels. This marked a substantial shift from earlier in the year, when it seemed improbable NIH would fully utilize the $36 billion allocated by Congress for external grants.

“NIH was significantly lagging,” remarked Jeremy Berg, a professor of computational and systems biology at the University of Pittsburgh who monitors NIH spending.

However, after Congress urged NIH to expedite spending, the funds began to flow, mitigating risks to vital research.

Preserved brain samples at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where research focuses on Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Evan Bush/NBC News

To adapt, the NIH has adjusted its usual practice of funding projects annually, now distributing funds across the entire grant period (typically 4-5 years).

“This essentially serves as an accounting measure,” stated Berg, adding that the number of new projects funded in 2025 had dwindled by about 5% to 10%.

Nonetheless, financial resources continued to flow into research institutions nationwide.

The scientific community has increasingly turned to Congress as an ally amid funding disputes.

In its budget proposal last spring, the Trump administration expressed strong opposition to scientific funding, suggesting significant cuts to various agencies. Proposals indicated the NSF would face a reduction of nearly 57%, NASA around 24%, and the NIH exceeding 40%. Overall, the proposal outlined almost a 36% cut in non-defense scientific research and development funding, as noted by AAAS.

Nevertheless, Congress largely opposed President Trump’s recommendations, maintaining scientific funding within negotiated spending bills. The NIH’s budget was established at $48.7 billion, reflecting a $415 million increase over 2025. According to Senate Vice Chairman Patty Murray, approximately 75% of this allocation supports external research grants. Moreover, NASA’s budget faced only a 1.6% reduction, and NSF experienced a 3.4% cut.

A meteorologist observes weather patterns at the NOAA Weather and Climate Prediction Center in Maryland, captured in 2024.
Michael A. McCoy/Bloomberg/Getty Images File

Congress also enhanced NIH funding for cancer research by $128 million, Alzheimer’s research by $100 million, and added $15 million to ALS research initiatives.

Additionally, legislative measures were introduced to prevent future attempts to limit indirect research spending.

The law mandates NIH to provide monthly reports to Congress on grant awards, terminations, and cancellations, allowing for better tracking of expenditures.

“This illustrates continued bipartisan support for the federal government’s crucial role in bolstering research,” noted Toby Smith, senior vice president for government relations and public policy at the Association of American Universities.

Nonetheless, questions linger about the NIH’s functionality with a reduced workforce and the extent of political influence from the Trump administration. Approximately half of the directorships at the NIH’s 27 institutes and centers remain unfilled.

“We’ve secured Congress’s support for funding. However, can they effectively execute it? Will adequate staffing be available?” queried Smith.

Even if major funding disruptions are averted this year, the uncertainties stemming from the first year of the second Trump administration could resonate throughout the scientific community for years to come.

A recent report in Science Magazine revealed that over 10,000 professionals holding Ph.D.s have departed from the federal government. Moreover, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine indicated that funding interruptions affected clinical trials involving 74,000 participants. Additionally, the influx of young scientists training at U.S. universities is dwindling.

A sign from the March 7 Stand Up for Science march in Seattle Center, urging for continued support of scientific funding.
Stephanie Ryder

At the University of Washington, a leading public institution for biomedical research that heavily relies on NIH funding, there have been hiring freezes, travel restrictions, and furloughs implemented. The influx of new doctoral students entering the medical school has decreased by one-third, primarily due to uncertainty regarding continued funding for principal investigators.

Shelly Sakiyama Elbert, associate dean for research and graduate education at the University of California School of Medicine, expressed, “Some nights, I find it hard to sleep, pondering how to secure funding for my lab.”

The only constant in 2025, she emphasized, has been the feeling of “whiplash.”

Elbert also highlighted a decline in faculty positions and a 5% drop in doctoral student applications at universities.

“This uncertainty only hampers scientific progress,” she concluded.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Scientific Insights on How to Live a Meaningful Life

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A meaningful life can be filled with small acts of kindness.

Reuters/Eric Gaillard

The Dalai Lama has long stated that our primary purpose in life is to help others. Research indicates that making a positive impact on others significantly contributes to a sense of meaningful existence.

While some skeptics argue that human life lacks intrinsic meaning, this question has captivated philosophers for centuries. Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland highlight the importance of identifying activities and thoughts that foster a sense of meaning, which can assist therapists in guiding their clients.

In their quest to unravel this complex question, researcher Florian Koba and his team conducted extensive studies, including an online survey targeting hundreds of U.S. residents.

During several experiments, participants evaluated fictional characters, determining the meaningfulness, happiness, and desirability of their lives. For example, respondents admired Amelia, a lottery winner who generously donates to charities combating poverty and hunger, while also traveling to support these initiatives.

In subsequent studies, participants ranked various definitions of a meaningful life, assessing how they perceived their own existence on scales of meaning and fulfillment.

“Our findings revealed four dimensions,” says Führer. Three consist of coherence, purpose, and a sense of meaning—key elements that have been noted in previous studies. However, Führer and Cova emphasize the discovery of a fourth dimension: the positive impact of our actions on others.

Other psychologists suggest that understanding, purpose, and significance are fundamental to a meaningful life—feeling that one’s existence carries weight and enduring value. Nonetheless, the latest research argues that the ‘significance’ many refer to is inherently tied to the positive effects of our actions, contributing to an overall sense of fulfillment. “I completely agree that such concepts are core to experiencing meaning,” remarks Tatiana Schnell from the MF Norwegian School of Theology in Oslo. “However, the terms ‘influence’ and ‘significance’ are fundamentally interchangeable.”

Schnell’s studies suggest four aspects encompassing meaning, including existential belonging, which denotes having a place in the world, coupled with significance, coherence, and purpose. Furthermore, recent papers indicate that social support can provide individuals with a sense of meaning.

Ultimately, Schnell asserts that achieving a sense of meaning does not imply that every dimension of meaning is addressed. “The critical factor is to avoid areas in life that feel inconsistent, insignificant, or devoid of belonging,” she explains.

According to Frank Martela from Aalto University in Finland, many individuals express that their work feels meaningless. “They might receive a paycheck but feel unfulfilled,” warns Martela. In such cases, individuals may experience a lack of purpose, leading to feelings of hopelessness or depression.

Fuhrer and Schnell propose that to create a more profound impact, we must transcend self-centered pursuits and invest time in endeavors that benefit others. “Reflect on your identity, aspirations, and your potential contributions to the world, and find ways to sustainably support others,” suggests Schnell. Even small daily gestures, such as bringing coffee to a colleague, can imbue your life with meaning and purpose.

Source: www.newscientist.com

How Major AI Models Can Promote Hazardous Scientific Experiments: Risks and Implications

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Scientific Laboratories: A Potential Hazard

PeopleImages/Shutterstock

Researchers caution that the implementation of AI models in scientific laboratories poses risks, potentially leading to dangerous experiments that could result in fires or explosions. While these models offer a convincing semblance of understanding, they might lack essential safety protocols. Recent testing on 19 advanced AI models revealed that all of them are capable of making critical errors.

Although severe accidents in academic laboratories are uncommon, they are not unheard of. Chemist Karen Wetterhahn tragically lost her life in 1997 due to dimethylmercury penetrating her protective gloves. In another incident in 2016, a researcher suffered severe injuries from an explosion; and in 2014, another scientist was partially blinded.

AI models are increasingly being utilized across various industries, including research institutions, for experiment and procedure design. Specialized AI tools have demonstrated success in various scientific sectors, such as biology, meteorology, and mathematics. However, general-purpose models often generate inaccurate responses due to gaps in their data access. While this may be manageable in casual applications like travel planning or cooking, it poses life-threatening risks when devising chemical experiments.

To assess these risks, Zhang Xiangliang, a professor at the University of Notre Dame, developed LabSafety Bench, a testing mechanism that evaluates whether an AI model can recognize potential dangers and adverse outcomes. This includes 765 multiple-choice questions and 404 scenario-based illustrations that highlight safety concerns.

In multiple-choice assessments, some AI models, like Vicuna, scored barely above random guessing, while GPT-4o achieved an 86.55% accuracy rate, and DeepSeek-R1 reached 84.49%. In image-based evaluations, models like InstructBlip-7B demonstrated less than 30% accuracy. The team evaluated 19 state-of-the-art large-scale language models (LLMs) and vision-language models and found that none surpassed a 70% overall accuracy.

Although Zhang expresses optimism about the future of AI in scientific applications, particularly in “self-driving laboratories” where robots operate autonomously, he underscores that these models are not yet equipped to plan experiments effectively. “Currently? In the lab? I don’t think so. These models are primarily trained for general tasks, such as email drafting or paper summarization, excelling in those areas but lacking expertise in laboratory safety,” he states.

An OpenAI representative commented, “We welcome research aimed at making AI safe and reliable in scientific settings, particularly where safety is a concern.” They noted that the recent tests had not included any of their major models. “GPT-5.2 is the most advanced scientific model to date, offering enhanced reasoning, planning, and error detection capabilities to support researchers better while ensuring that human oversight remains paramount for safety-critical decisions.”

Requests for comments from Google, DeepSeek, Meta, Mistral, and Anthropic went unanswered.

Alan Tucker from Brunel University in London asserts that while AI models may prove incredibly useful for aiding human experiment design, their deployment must be approached cautiously. He emphasizes, “It’s evident that new generations of LLMs are being utilized inappropriately because of misplaced trust. Evidence suggests that people may be relying too heavily on AI to perform critical tasks without adequate oversight.”

Craig Malik, a professor at UCLA, shared his recent experience testing an AI model’s response to a hypothetical sulfuric acid spill. The correct procedure—rinsing with water—was contrary to the model’s repeated warnings against it, which instead offered unrelated advice about potential heat buildup. However, he noted that the model’s responses had improved in recent months.

Malik stressed the necessity of fostering robust safety practices among new students due to their inexperience. Yet he remains more optimistic than some peers about the role AI could play in experimental design, stating, “Are they worse than humans? While it’s valid to critique these large-scale models, it’s important to realize they haven’t been tested against a representative human cohort. Some individuals are very cautious, while others are not. It’s conceivable that these models could outperform a percentage of novice graduates or even experienced researchers. Moreover, these models are continuously evolving, indicating that the findings from this paper may be outdated within months.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Why Embracing Nature Enhances Scientific Understanding: A Balanced Approach

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

As a dedicated nature writer, I strive to nurture a profound connection with the natural world. Observing birds, exploring with children, and discovering beetles beneath fallen logs is what I cherish. Nature embodies complexity and wonder; while I appreciate its beauty, I have never deemed it sacred or considered my relationship with it spiritual.

Yet, current trends indicate I might be overlooking something significant.

The term “nature connectivity” may sound idealistic, yet it is bolstered by a growing body of research. A 2025 study claims that increased feelings of “nature connection” and “oneness with nature” correlate with elevated spirituality and skepticism regarding “science over faith.” Such findings may astonish many in the natural sciences, and they certainly surprised me, but this notion resonates within recent nature-focused literature.

While ancient druids revered nature, cultivating sacred groves of mistletoe and oak, today’s enchantment often unfolds in the nature section of a bookstore, nestled between gardening and self-help. Many of us experience our connection to nature through the act of writing. We become surrogate birders, second-hand botanists, and armchair adventurers. This is perfectly acceptable; life is hectic, and most reside in urban or suburban settings. One of humanity’s great gifts is our ability to be transported through written words to the depths of forests and heights of mountains.

The real concern lies not in how we connect with nature, but in our perception of what we are connecting to. Nature isn’t a fantasy; it occupies the same earthly realm as us, and we are inherently part of it. When viewed through a scientific lens, the natural world remains awe-inspiring and captivating. It is perplexing to separate the beauty of science from a genuine appreciation of nature.

We might benefit from reevaluating our eagerness to extract lessons from nature. Is it possible to learn from moss about unity or understand the repelling forces of grass? Recent naturalists suggest fungi can help us grasp the cycle of life. However, we can also learn troubling lessons from shoebills about the harsh realities of nature, such as expelling weak young or manipulating hosts in dire ways. Seeking wisdom from nature may feel just as rational as consulting ChatGPT for guidance—both resources have extensive insights. Perhaps true enlightenment lies in discovering lessons within ourselves.

Then arises the timeless query: What role do humans play in this ecosystem? Some assert that nature writers need to practice silence. Yet the uncomfortable reality is that all writers appreciate their own voices. We must strike a balance between experiencing the external world and what transpires within us. Both perspectives hold immense value, and the best nature writers skillfully navigate these frontiers, reporting with clarity, expertise, and sensitivity. Broadening the definition of “outside” to include diverse human experiences enriches our narratives.

I hope to see nature writing flourish, embracing its imperfections. I envision it evolving into a richer, more intricate, interdisciplinary tapestry that reflects the dynamic nature of our world, whatever that encapsulates—our realities, the living environment, and our place within it.

Richard Smith I am the author of Jay, Beech, Limpet.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Two Adventurers Kite Ski 4,000 km Across Antarctica for Scientific Research

Posted on December 31, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Mathieu Tordeur, Heidi Sevestre and the bust of Vladimir Lenin at the Inaccessible South Pole of Antarctica

Heidi Sevestre/Mathieu Tordeur

In the vast, barren expanse of Antarctica, an explorer named Mathieu Tordeur and glaciologist Heidi Sevestre encountered a surreal sight: a golden bust of Vladimir Lenin emerging from the snow. This relic, left by a Soviet expedition, marks the inaccessible South Pole, the furthest point from any Antarctic coast.

This extraordinary 4,000 km expedition aims to gather critical scientific data to better understand the continent’s response to climate change.

“I almost had tears in my eyes,” said Sevestre via satellite phone from Antarctica. The moment was humbling, making them feel small amidst the stark isolation and beauty of the landscape.

Since November 3, the duo has been kite-skiing, harnessing winds to pull them at speeds exceeding 35 kilometers per hour. This groundbreaking kite-skiing expedition is the first of its kind, designed to gather polar scientific data. They pull a sled equipped with advanced ground-penetrating radar capable of scanning up to 40 meters beneath the snow and ice.

Researchers are eager to discover if the increased snowfall in East Antarctica is counteracting the melting occurring along the coast. While satellite measurements provide some insights, the data collected by Tordeur and Sevestre promises to yield more precise estimates, according to Martin Siegert at the University of Exeter, UK.

“For 1,000 kilometers in every direction, we’ll encounter no one,” he noted. “This kind of information is rare, and it’s essential to determine whether ice sheets are growing or retreating.

With a three-month window, the team plans to journey from Novo Air Base in East Antarctica to Hercules Bay in West Antarctica before the Antarctic summer concludes and flights cease.

In 2019, Tordeur became the youngest individual to ski solo to the South Pole without assistance at just 27 years old. Committed to merging adventure with scientific discovery, he remarked, “Kite-skiing offers the potential to explore and research further into the continent, where few scientists venture.”

Mathieu Tordeur and Heidi Sevestre on their Antarctic expedition

Heidi Sevestre/Mathieu Tordeur

Traditionally, underground mapping is conducted via aircraft, yet researchers sometimes employ ground-penetrating radar towed behind tractors to enhance data accuracy. This kite-skiing expedition stands out as one of the most extensive ground-penetrating radar surveys ever attempted.

Tordeur and Sevestre plan to utilize powerful radar that can penetrate up to two kilometers deep, seeking to connect ancient ice layers from East Antarctica to West Antarctica. Successful results could indicate that the West Antarctic ice sheet, capable of raising sea levels by up to five meters, did not completely melt during previous interglacial periods—an ongoing debate within the scientific community.

“This is critical for assessing the stability of the ice sheet amid current climate change,” notes Hamish Pritchard from the British Antarctic Survey.

During their journey, Tordeur and Sevestre traversed roughly 1,000 kilometers along Sastrugi roads, navigating through rippled hard snow sculpted by the wind, which caused instability in their sleds.

To cope with challenging conditions, Sevestre finds motivation in audiobooks, such as The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard, who recounted a harrowing expedition across the Ross Ice Shelf in the early 20th century.

“They experienced temperatures around -65 degrees Celsius inside their tents, and I can’t help but think they wouldn’t have complained about -28 degrees,” she reflects.

Source: www.newscientist.com

2025 Controversial Scientific Cooking Tips from a Renowned Physicist

Posted on December 30, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Mastering the Cacio e Pepe Sauce

Brent Hofacker/Alamy

Cacio e pepe pasta sauce — Mastering the Cacio e Pepe Sauce

Brent Hofacker/Alamy

A groundbreaking recipe for the classic Cacio e Pepe pasta dish and perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs has stirred discussions in the culinary world throughout 2025, evoking both excitement and dissent.

In January, Ivan di Terlizzi and researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Complex Systems Physics in Germany unveiled their findings on achieving the ideal silky texture of Cacio e Pepe pasta sauce. This traditional dish, composed of black pepper, pecorino cheese, and water, is notoriously challenging to perfect without unwanted lumps. According to the researchers, the key lies in the addition of a small amount of cornstarch.

The research involved meticulous testing of hundreds of sauce variations to determine the ideal ratios of cheese, starch, and water, resulting in insightful graphs and diagrams that indicate the threshold for achieving a lump-free sauce. Despite the scientific backing, their findings sparked controversy, particularly in Italy.

“Being an Italian recipe, we encountered some skepticism on social media, with remarks suggesting we’ve mastered this dish over generations. Cooking should be driven by passion, not just science,” Di Terlizzi noted.

Conversely, responses from the scientific community were predominantly positive, with fellow researchers approaching him at physics conferences to discuss his work. In September, Di Terlizzi and his colleagues were awarded the Ig Nobel Prize, a whimsical recognition of research that stimulates both laughter and contemplation. “It’s about finding patterns in what appears chaotic, provided you examine it through the lens of rigor and mathematics,” he explained.

In February, Ernesto Di Maio and his team at the University of Naples introduced a revolutionary method for boiling eggs perfectly. This intricate technique involves transferring the eggs between pots of 30°C water and boiling water every two minutes for at least 30 minutes to ensure even cooking of the whites and yolks, which solidify at different temperatures.

This egg-cooking method gained significant traction online, though some users criticized the lengthy process for a traditionally quick dish. The media attention also led to unexpected platforms, such as a live cooking show on Japan’s public broadcaster and a segment on the Italian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Di Maio remarked, “I recently returned from Washington, D.C., where I prepared countless eggs for a gathering at an ambassador’s residence.”

Di Maio further mentioned that the scientific principles applied in perfecting the egg-boiling technique are being adapted for more practical applications, such as curing materials at varying temperatures to create layered plastics, akin to the egg white and yolk layers.

The Science of Wine and Cheese in France

Join us for a captivating journey into France’s culinary heritage, exploring the intricate relationship between wine and cheese through the lens of science, tradition, and terroir.

Topics:

Culinary Science/
2025 News Highlights

Source: www.newscientist.com

Amidst Adversity: Scientific Breakthroughs of 2025

Posted on December 15, 2025 by

Aaron Schwartz/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

In 2025, science faces numerous challenges, ranging from vaccine skepticism within the U.S. government to the ongoing global inertia in addressing climate change. Those who value logic and empirical evidence must rally against this growing adversity. New Scientist not only highlights these issues but also celebrates the awe and curiosity elicited by space exploration.

As you prepare to indulge in the joyful festivities represented in our Double Vacation issue, it’s essential to recognize the threats encountered by those passionate about science. The past year has been riddled with stark instances of scientific principles being distorted and misapplied.

The degradation of U.S. scientific integrity under President Donald Trump is glaring, even for those outside the country (see “Donald Trump and Elon Musk jeopardize science in 2025”). For many years, the U.S. has been a significant funder of scientific research, benefiting both the nation and many others. However, that narrative shifted dramatically this year. By severely cutting funding (or, in Elon Musk’s case, going as far as using a chainsaw), numerous breakthroughs will remain undiscovered, essential medicines will go untested, and technological advancements will stagnate, ultimately impoverishing us.

While government funding is crucial, it’s not the sole source. Two articles this year underscore the risks inherent in relying on corporate interests for scientific funding. If you are a regular reader of New Scientist, you may have encountered Colossal Biosciences, a U.S. company that claims to work on “de-extinction” of endangered species (see “De-extinction of endangered species captivated 2025, yet fell short of expectations”). One of their most talked-about acts this year was the introduction of genetically modified gray wolves named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi.

“
Results may take time, but science exists to serve, save, and delight us all.
“

Colossal asserted that these were the first extant dire wolves since their extinction 10,000 years ago—a claim fervently endorsed by global media despite backlash from independent scientists. In the ongoing struggle between fact and spectacle, it seems the latter continues to prevail.

A similar scenario unfolded in a British documentary that aired in November, entitled Hitler’s DNA: The Dictator’s Blueprint. Although the scientists succeeded in identifying and sequencing the genome of the infamous dictator, the sensationalistic interpretations asserting potential schizophrenia or autism cast doubt on the credibility of their findings. While the documentary and its distressing headlines have faded, the scientific paper that would allow us to critically assess the study’s conclusions is still forthcoming.

On another front, progress in climate action is evident. Science and public policy have been effectively aligned since the Paris Agreement, which was designed to limit global warming to below 1.5°C. Unfortunately, it appears this goal is not being realized.

The Paris Agreement includes a “ratchet” mechanism aimed at holding nations accountable for making new commitments every five years to combat climate change. Regrettably, about 95% of countries failed to meet their deadlines by February, with only around 60% making progress before the COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil, in November.

The retreat didn’t stop there. As we approached the end of 2024, we urged Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to “take the stage with solemn world leaders who have concrete plans to improve and publicly recognize the failures of the COP process thus far.” Yet, countries could not even reach a consensus on the inclusion of “fossil fuels” in the final COP30 document.

But let’s shift focus from the gloom for a moment. After all, it’s a festive time, and there’s much to celebrate! Another significant theme of 2025 is the centennial of quantum mechanics, extensively covered in our special issue in April. The year concludes with the exciting revelation that a thought experiment conceived by Einstein and Bohr has come to fruition (see “Quantum experiment resolves century-long tension between Einstein and Bohr”). This certainly confirms the strangeness of quantum mechanics!

Other delightful news in 2025 includes the ongoing success of GLP-1 medications not only aiding weight loss but also treating a myriad of conditions (see “The transformative potential of GLP-1 drugs skyrocketed in 2025”) and, in perhaps a playful twist, individuals being able to perceive entirely new colors (see “New colors witnessed by people for the first time in 2025”).

This issue offers an enticing array of content to please both your palate and your intellect during the holiday season. If you’re in the mood for a fresh take on Charles Dickens, explore “How Three Imaginary Physics Demons Tear the Laws of Nature Apart,” which tells the tale of three demons haunting a physicist. As you unwind after another frenetic year, consider a novel approach to meditation for those with limited time (see “Too Busy to Meditate? Microdosing Mindfulness Packs Major Health Benefits”). Learn about the top careers in science at the Touch and Tickle lab, with insights on “What the Evolution of Tickling Reveals About Being Human.” Finally, why not quench your thirst with the world’s oldest beer (see: “Did ancient peoples begin farming to increase their beer consumption?”)?

As we set our sights on 2026 and the challenges that lie ahead, let’s not forget the immense power and wonder that science holds. Despite skepticism and negativity, scientific research and the knowledge it imparts remain unrivaled in understanding and improving our world. Though it may take time to witness results—much like the century-spanning gap between Einstein and Bohr’s debate and its resolution—science exists to serve, save, and bring joy to us all.

Here’s to hoping for better fortune in the coming year, or at the very least, a more advantageous outcome from random chance.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Challenge Your Mind with These Astonishing Scientific Riddles!

Posted on December 12, 2025 by

(1) You are invited to join the periodic table. The legendary figures and the elements named after them comprise the 12 Titans (titanium), Prometheus (promethium), and Thor (thorium). Additionally, Nobel laureates and their elemental counterparts include Ernest Rutherford (Rutherfordium), Marie and Pierre Curie (Curium), and Albert Einstein (Einsteinium). The “noble gases” are uncommon gases situated at the far right of the periodic table.

(2) The inscription on the card reads Noel (or more precisely NO)eL). N signifies Newton, O represents the most prevalent blood type, e denotes a mathematical constant, and the L. on the label points to Carl Linnaeus as the namer of the species.

(3) Element 47 has been utilized since ancient days. Silver halide is prevalent in photography, and silver itself is employed in mirrors. Silver ions or compounds are often found in wound dressings for their antibacterial qualities. Silverware contributes calories through the use of utensils like knives, forks, and spoons. If your festive tree displays shiny glass ornaments, the luster likely originates from a fine layer of silver on the inside.

(4) The reference is to the carol of the bells. These figures also highlight astronomer Jocelyn Bell Burnell, physicist John Stewart Bell, and inventor Alexander Graham Bell.

(5) Gingerbread could be a valid guess. Our dishes share the first two letters with the most frequent letters. metric prefix, which is a term that modifies a number by a power of 10, regularly scales up from diminutive (nano) to massive (giga). They include: nano (10^-9), micro (10^-6), mm (10^-3), det (10⁰ – equal to 1), km (equal to 10³), mega (10⁶), and giga (10⁹).

(6) These are descriptions of Ada Lovelace, Mary Anning, Hannah Fry, and Mitochondrial Eve. Notably, Mary Anning is the only individual without a palindromic first name. Hence, she will not be returning next year as her name reads the same forwards and backwards.

(7) Integrate the energy symbol E and the unit symbol eV (electronvolt) with Mendel to arrive at Mendeleev. Gregor Mendel demonstrated the inheritance of traits through a sequence of pea breeding experiments in the 1850s and 1860s, while Dmitri Mendeleev formulated the initial periodic table by organizing elements according to their atomic weights.

(8) Three clues pertain to Makemake, Tweet, and Meme. Each of these terms consists of repeating components that decrease by one letter each time, logically succeeding MM (2000 in Roman numerals).

(9) The Christmas pudding is aflame! The brandy should be heated before pouring so that the ethanol vapors from the alcohol do not ignite and scorch the pudding.

(10) The central theme of Grandma’s show was music. Hints include classical, rock, pop, and ultimately, punk and emo.

(11) The answer is cheese. Humans have produced cheese in various forms for over 7000 years. Its flavor and texture arise from the many bacteria, molds, and yeasts that inhabit it.

(12) The answer is bizarre. Each clue leads to a word containing “nuts”: star nuttation, nutria, minute, nutrition. These items might end up in your stocking or be present on the festive table post-dinner.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Stunning Close-Up of Spider Silk Earns Scientific Photography Award

Posted on December 4, 2025 by

spider silk

Martin J. Ramirez/Royal Society Publishing

The silk threads, surrounded by finer looped strands, originate from Australian cast-net spiders (Asianopis sublufa), known as exceptional ambush predators. Instead of crafting a web and waiting for their prey, these spiders utilize their four front legs to control the web and ensnare their unfortunate target. This electron microscopy image reveals the spider’s silk, which is uniquely tailored for this peculiar hunting method. The silk structure features an elastic core enveloped in a sheath of firmer fibers of varying thicknesses, ensuring it is both robust and highly flexible.

The photograph was captured by Martin J. Ramirez, whose team at Argentina’s Bernardino Rivadavia Museum of Natural Sciences clinched the top prize at the 2025 Royal Society Publication Photography Competition.

prairie chicken in mid-air

Peter Hudson/Royal Society Publishing

The standout photo in the behavior category depicts a confrontation between two male prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido). Captured by Peter Hudson from Pennsylvania State University, this image illustrates the males gathering in leks during mating season, engaging in aerial displays to compete for female attention.

tadpole

Filippo Carugati/Royal Society Publishing

Filippo Carugati from the University of Turin, Italy, earned recognition in the Ecology and Environmental Sciences category for capturing this tadpole during an expedition in Madagascar. This juvenile is believed to be a Gibemantis liber, residing in a gelatinous substance that clings to tree trunks.

atlas moth

Irina Petrova Adamatzky/Royal Society Publishing

The image was taken by Irina Petrova Adamatzky, a UK-based photographer and runner-up in the behavioral category. The Atlas moth (Attacus atlas), one of the largest moth species globally with wingspans reaching up to 30 centimeters, exhibits remarkable mimicry that resembles snake heads at the tips of its wings, providing camouflage against avian predators.

fog in the Atacama desert

Felipe Ríos Silva/Royal Society Publishing

In Chile’s Atacama Desert, stratocumulus clouds that flow in from the coast serve as a vital resource. Felipe Ríos Silva, a professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, is investigating ways to capture this fog and convert it into potable water for residents living in one of Earth’s driest regions. His photo earned him the runner-up spot in the Earth Science and Climatology category.

Antarctic sunrise

Dr. Aman Chokshi/Royal Society Publishing

This photograph captures the sun’s emergence after six months of darkness in Antarctica. Dr. Aman Chokshi, a runner-up in the astronomy category at McGill University in Canada, braved brutal -70°C (-94°F) winds and heated his camera to take a 360-degree panoramic shot of the horizon as the sun rose, transforming it into a three-dimensional image that resembles a small planet encircled by green and purple auroras alongside the Milky Way.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Genuine Scientific Discoveries from Brian Johnson’s Quest for Immortality

Posted on September 17, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Brian Johnson slows or even reverses his body’s aging for more than six hours a day

Agaton Strom/Redux/Eyevine

After completing his 6.5-hour morning routine, Brian Johnson connects to Zoom on a preset 15-minute phone call, a restriction his team describes as part of his “crazy” schedule.

The tech billionaire has emerged as a pioneer of longevity while standing against the concrete walls of his California residence. With a helmet-like headset, wires trailing from the screen, and a black T-shirt that reads “Don’t Die,” his appearance evokes a blend of a luxurious Bali villa and a sleek Apple-designed VR store.

This article is part of a special issue focused on achieving a healthier and happier year. Click here for more details.

While the concept of immortality has fascinated humans for millennia, few have pursued it with the determination that Johnson does. His headset is part of an experiment designed to enhance cognitive function, utilizing specific brain region stimulation via infrared rays. He has committed to a 10-minute daily use of the device over the past two weeks to evaluate its impact on his cognition.

Johnson’s remaining 6 hours and 20 minutes are dedicated to his daily longevity protocol, which includes focused breathing exercises, temperature measurement, hair growth serum application, strength and balance training, a 20-minute sauna session, and treatments like red light therapy and hypoxia therapy. His diet consists of ground nuts, seeds, blueberries, extra virgin olive oil, pomegranate extract, cocoa, collagen, pea and hemp protein, cinnamon, omega-3, omega-6, grape seed extract, macadamia milk, and more. “All this is to turn back the clock [using data and science].”

“People often hear this and think ‘It’s crazy,'” he remarks. “The best way to view it is to see me as a professional rejuvenating athlete—an Olympic athlete, but for longevity.”

Now 48, Johnson embarked on his longevity quest following a series of midlife events: the end of his marriage and the sale of his mobile payment company, which provided him with millions to fund his endeavors.

Project Blueprint

He announced the launch of Project Blueprint in 2021—a mission aimed at measuring organs and reversing biological ages to the “maximum.” He also operates a startup, Blueprint, which markets supplements, blood tests, and other products, facing multiple controversies. Johnson asserts that his bone density ranks in the top 0.2% and his cardiovascular fitness exceeds that of 85% of 20-year-olds, combined with fertility metrics reflecting that of a 20-year-old.

Among his fellow tech billionaires, engaging in extreme and often unproven methods to pursue longevity is not unusual. However, with a strict eating schedule that includes a last meal at 11 a.m., Johnson stands out as the most radical participant in the longevity race, supported by a team of 30 specialists in various fields. “We’re seeking expertise across all domains… brain, mind, protein patterns,” he explains. “This project is experimental and playful.”

Rapamycin Testing

“Very experimental” aptly describes Johnson’s regimen, which may incorporate medications like rapamycin—initially administered as an immunosuppressant post-organ transplant. While animal studies reveal promising results, he ceased taking it last year due to side effects and subsequently discovered a study indicating rapamycin could accelerate aging in humans.

Does he fear experimenting with interventions lacking robust scientific backing?

“I flip that notion,” Johnson replies. “Many people view my experiments as risky, yet they indulge in fast food, late nights, and alcohol, which pose greater risks than my lifestyle. I maintain a healthy diet, ample sleep, and consistent exercise, minimizing my overall risk.”

Some scientists appreciate Johnson’s self-experimentation, while others challenge his terminology. Richard Shiou, Director of Aging Research at King’s College London, notes that some aging-related “biomarkers” can be reversed, including blood metrics, lung volume, lipid profiles, and inflammation markers. However, he argues that this does not equate to suggesting that a person possesses the metabolism of a 25-year-old at 40, given the absence of comprehensive datasets illustrating average biomarkers by age. Longevity clinics providing such tests often rely on limited datasets, according to SIOW. “The numbers may sound appealing for marketing, but they lack clinical sense.”

Conversely, Johnson’s research team maintains that he accurately knows his organ’s biological age through rigorous testing and monitoring, employing methods like MRI scans, ultrasound, blood tests, and genetic assessments (e.g., epigenetic clocks). While these findings are reported via X, they’ve yet to undergo peer-review.

Notably, SIOW appreciates Johnson’s willingness to self-experiment in ways typically not feasible in clinical trials due to ethical constraints.

Optimal Tips for Achieving a Century

Despite his tech innovations, Johnson’s fundamental advice for anyone aspiring to reach 100 is surprisingly straightforward. “Lower your resting heart rate before bed,” he suggests, as it impacts sleep quality, which in turn affects exercise, nutrition, and overall health, creating a positive feedback loop.

To achieve a reduced resting heart rate, he advises refraining from eating four hours prior to bedtime, engaging in calming activities such as reading, walking, meditating, and avoiding screens for an hour before sleep. Additionally, he cautions against stimulants like caffeine. “The most significant is anxiety. Just thinking about being angry, worried, or fixated can elevate your heart rate by 5-25 beats per minute,” he adds.

Johnson practices what he preaches, yet the longevity he aims for may be less about years and more about enhancing quality of existence.

When asked about his lifespan expectations based on current biomarkers, he responds, “The average lifespan isn’t my focus.” Part of his “not die” initiative includes uploading his consciousness to an AI model, allowing him to exist beyond a quantifiable timeframe. “This is the first instance of genuine immortality. Indeed, we can train human models. The advancements we’re witnessing in AI are astonishing, outpacing the 40-50 years I might have left.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Inside the Museum: Beetles Feeding on Meat for Scientific Research

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Navigating past the enormous hanging blue whales and the Alaska brown bear on the ground floor of the American Museum of Natural History, you’ll stumble upon an unassuming, concealed door. Above it are small signs.

“Bug colony.”

Behind this door, accessible solely to a select group of museum staff, thousands of carnivorous skin beetles tirelessly work around the clock, carrying out specimen preparation tasks that even the museum’s most skilled professionals cannot manage.

They consume the flesh from animal skeletons, leaving only pristine bones behind.

Many skeletons are too intricate for human cleaning, so the museum’s osteologic preparation team turns to these six-legged workers to ready specimens for research and display.

The operation takes place in three gray wooden boxes, about the size of a foot locker, which house the colony. These boxes are lined with stainless steel, and their flexible tops unveil a range of small creatures, including beetles, feasting on the remnants of primarily birds. They devour morsels of flesh still attached to the carcasses.

The room resonates with soft, crackling noises. “Adding milk makes it sound like frying food or cooking rice,” mentioned Rob Pascocello, a colony caretaker.

The beetles are tiny—only a few millimeters long—capable of entering the narrowest crevices in animals and nibble away without damaging fragile skeletal structures, according to Scott Schaefer, the overseer of the museum’s vast collection of specimens and artifacts, which comprises over 30 million items.

“They do an exceptional, meticulous job that human hands cannot replicate due to delicacy,” Schaefer explained. “It’s gentler than boiling the specimens or subjecting them to chemicals or acids.”

Museum representatives state that this industrious colony has processed countless carcasses, including a significant portion of the over 30,000 bird skeleton specimens housed for decades. “They slip into tiny spaces and go unnoticed, continuing to feed until there’s nothing left,” Schaefer noted.

On a recent weekday, Paul Sweet, the collection manager for ornithology, stood in the bug room, pointing out that the name is misleading from a scientific standpoint.

True bugs, known scientifically as Hemiptera, have mouthparts designed for piercing and sucking. In contrast, beetles—known as Coleoptera—typically have a cylindrical shape with chewing mouthparts.

The colony has effectively reduced the once vibrant pink flamingos into mere bundles of bones. The majestic snowy owl was similarly transformed. Among the remnants was a tiny skeleton in a canister, with bones smaller than a toothpick.

“That’s a songbird,” Pascocello remarked.

Skin beetles are scavengers commonly found in the wild, nests, and animal burrows, feasting on deceased animals.

Museum officials mentioned that this dermatological colony, introduced from Africa in the 1930s, has remained self-sufficient. Sweet noted that the current beetle population has been at the museum for 35 years, though it remains uncertain whether they are descendants of the original colony.

Regardless, beetles only live for six months, leading Pascocello to humorously state, “they’re all related.” He also mentioned having a backup colony in his bedroom during the museum’s closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On this particular day, Sweet was preparing to feed the colony a Northern Gannet, a seabird recovered from Midland Beach on Staten Island. It had already been stripped, dried, and had most of its meat removed by researchers before being handed over to the beetles for final preparation.

Within minutes, the bodies were swarming with beetles. While smaller birds can be entirely cleaned in just a couple of days, a larger skeleton, like that of a gannet, may take up to two weeks.

Pascocello once provided beetles to feed orangutans, while Sweet had given them the remains of an emu. However, the size of the specimens presented determines how they are handled; larger ones must be provided in pieces, such as the remains of a Cuban crocodile named Fidel, sourced from the Bronx Zoo in 2005.

Before pristine skeletons are boxed and cataloged, they are soaked in water and frozen for several days to eliminate any residual beetles and eggs.

Beetles pose no threat to humans, but an infestation within the museum’s specimen collection is undesirable. A sufficient quantity of beetles means strips of petrolatum jelly at the top of the box and sticky patches on the room’s doorway.

If the supply of specimens falls short, Pascocello will resort to chicken as an emergency food source. Sweet mentioned providing the colony with pig feet during the pandemic, as it was the least expensive meat available at the supermarket.

The beetle’s voracious appetite serves as a reminder that significant scientific work doesn’t always happen in spotless laboratories. Above the door, beneath the “Bug Colony” sign, a handwritten note reads:

“The unpleasant odor emanating from behind this door is perfectly normal.”

Source: www.nytimes.com

Two Scientific Organizations Pledge Ongoing Efforts in U.S. Climate Assessments

Posted on May 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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.”

Source: www.nytimes.com

Halting Submissions: The Impact of NIH Budget Cuts on Scientific Journals

Posted on April 30, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The Environmental Health Perspective is widely regarded as the premier magazine in the field, announcing its suspension of new research submissions due to uncertainties surrounding federal funding cuts.

For over 50 years, this journal has been supported by the National Institutes of Health to evaluate research on the impacts of environmental toxins, including persistent chemicals and air pollution, publishing findings at no cost.

Joel Kaufman, the journal’s editor-in-chief, opted to halt new submissions because of the “lack of confidence” regarding the funding of critical expenses such as copyediting and updating editing software.

He refrained from providing comments on the publication’s future outlook.

“If the journal were to disappear, it would be a tremendous loss,” stated Jonathan Levy, Chair of the Department of Environmental Health at Boston University. “It diminishes access to crucial information needed for insightful decision-making.”

The NEJM editor referred to the letter as “blushy threats.” Recently, the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, published by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, reported receiving similar letters.

Scientific journals have been under scrutiny from leading health officials during the Trump administration.

In a book published last year, Dr. Martin A. McCurry, the newly appointed FDA commissioner, indicated that the Editorial Committee of “Gatekeeping” will only disseminate information that aligns with “groupthink narratives.”

In an interview from last year’s “Dr. Hyman Show” podcast, current HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed intentions to take legal action against medical journals under the Federal Anti-Corruption Act.

“If you don’t establish a plan to publish credible science now, I will find a way to sue you,” he warned.

Still, the uncertainty surrounding EHP has left researchers perplexed. They noted that funding cuts seem to conflict with the Trump administration’s declared priorities.

For instance, Kennedy has consistently highlighted the significance of investigating environmental factors in chronic diseases. The new administration has also shown interest in transparency and public access to scientific journals, a principle EHP pioneered.

EHP was among the first “open access” journals, accessible to anyone without a subscription, and unlike many other open access journals that impose substantial fees, EHP’s federal backing allowed researchers at smaller institutions to publish without financial concerns.

“There are several layers of irony in this situation,” Dr. Levy remarked.

EHP isn’t the only journal affected by funding cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services.

A draft budget obtained by The New York Times suggests that two journals published by the CDC—Emerging Infectious Diseases and Chronic Diseases—may face cuts. Both are available at no cost to authors and readers and are among the leading journals in their fields.

HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon stated that there was “no final decision” on the forthcoming budget.

Published monthly, Emerging Infectious Diseases provides state-of-the-art insights on global infectious disease threats.

Jason Kindrachuk, a virologist at the University of Manitoba, who has published studies on Marburg and MPOX in the journal, noted its importance in shaping response strategies during outbreaks.

The news is “very disheartening,” he remarked.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Tourists in Antarctica Fund Scientific Research amid Government Cuts

Posted on April 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

During the warm Antarctic season, a refined Norwegian passenger ship is known as Ms Fridtjof Nansen Departing regularly from Argentina, head south along the turbulent drake passageway to the Antarctic Peninsula. The cruise is home to more and more wealthy adventurers, bucket listers, and increasingly polar scientists seeking to collect data as public funds for research in Antarctica under the Trump administration.

The National Science Foundation is one of the world’s largest funders of scientific research and has an annual budget. Approximately $9 billion This supports most of the research in the United States Antarctic. Over the past few months, the Trump administration has ordered agencies to cut deeper, making scientists wonder how they will study everything, from melting glaciers and ice sheets to the effects of pollution from power plants and wildfires.

On Thursday, National Science Foundation director Seturaman Panchanashan resigned after the White House directed him to cut the agency’s budget and staff by more than half. According to an exclusive report from Science.

Panchanathan’s resignation follows Elon Musk’s previous orders from government efficiency Freeze fund All new research grants from the National Science Foundation, and the announcement that Doge will be over last week Over $200 million “Wild” research grants given by the agency.

Some experts are concerned that the Trump administration continues its National Science Foundation It may inform you of the end For research into the United States of Antarctica.

Leopard seals along the Antarctic Peninsula.
Chase Cain / NBC News

James Burns, co-founder of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, is an international alliance for environmental and non-governmental organizations focusing on Antarctic conservation and research, and says the National Science Foundation has become “wicked language” within much of the Trump administration. “For whatever reason, there’s so much to learn in Antarctica, that’s not good on many levels for us.”

President Donald Trump’s orders specifically target Antarctic research include: Staff of several National Science Foundations We are working on Antarctica projects and essential reductions Construction funds for McMurdo Stationthe largest US research foundation on the continent.

Antarctica-based research projects have already declined for several years – disrupted decades of robust fieldwork; Never recovered from Covid-19 restrictions. Currently, research on the world’s southernmost continent has been facing several years under Trump’s slash and burning policies.

However, I’m riding on Fridjov Nansen. And its sister ship, Ms. Roald Amundsen, Polar Scientist, has reliable funds for their research. HX Expeditions, which operates two Antarctic ships, hosts researchers from institutions such as West Washington University. University of California, Santa Cruz. National Snow and Ice Data Center. Their rooms and boards are covered by the purchase of tickets from tourists sailing to Antarctica for a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

“If we can’t pay customers to allow our ship to go south, we can’t support the research we are helping out,” said Verena Meraldi, chief scientist on the HX Expedition. “It’s not easy [to get there]. There are not many flights coming down here, and fewer research vessels. ”

Gentleman penguins along the Antarctic Peninsula.
Chase Cain / NBC News

Tourists traveling on the HX expedition are part of the explosive ecotourism industry, focusing on experiencing nature while helping to preserve the local area. The number of visitors to Antarctica has increased from about 8,000 each year in the 1990s to over 120,000 per year. International Antarctic Tour Operators Association. By 2035, the ecotourism market will be like that projection It will grow to over $550 billion. Ms Fridtjof Nansen on a late March expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula It was home to over 400 ecotourists and several researchers, including Freia Aardred, a doctoral student at Durham University in the UK.

Alldred moved along with sterilized bags to collect samples of seaweed grown in Antarctica waters and snow algae. She has studied how climate change affects the carbon content of these Antarctic species, and Cruises has provided a unique opportunity to collect new samples.

“We’ve never been anywhere with a research foundation,” says Alldred. “Instead, if I went to a base in the Antarctic in England, I could only sample within my area. Here I have gone to five different sites throughout the peninsula that may not have been previously studied.”

The boat was housed nearby scientists and ecotourists, giving scientists the unusual opportunity to explain their work directly to non-scientists through interactive sessions in an onboard lab. For ten days, enthusiastic passengers attended lectures from resident researchers, ate with them at the ship’s restaurant, sharing their first steps in the vast polar deserts of Antarctica.

“It’s incredible to share these experiences with people, explain why we do research, what kind of questions we answer, and they see them firsthand,” said Chloe Lou, a researcher who works with the California Ocean Alliance to capture the impact of tourist boats on Antarctica whales. “It fires me for my passion for my work.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

American attorneys demand scientific publications to clarify how they ensure a diverse range of viewpoints.

Posted on April 19, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

This week, US attorneys for the District of Columbia will be reaching out to the editors of a scientific journal for chest doctors. They are implying that the journal may have a partisan bias and are asking a series of questions regarding how publications protect against misinformation, potential influences from competing perspectives, and funders and advertisers.

In a letter from US lawyer Ed Martin, it is stated, “It has come to my attention that magazines and publications like the Chest Journal may declare themselves as partisans in various scientific debates. You have a certain responsibility.”

This letter has sparked concern among revision groups and some scientists who worry about potential threats to academic and scientific freedom.

JT Morris, a senior supervising lawyer at the Foundation for Personal Rights and Expression (Fire), remarked, “It is highly unusual to see a US attorney from Columbia sending letters to publications in Illinois inquiring about editorial practices, especially those of medical journals. It appears to be an act of government officials targeting a publication due to disagreements with its content.”

Fire, a non-profit civil liberty group, criticized Martin for allegedly threatening speakers critical of the government’s efficiency department.

Scientific journals play a crucial role in the advancement of scientific knowledge and provide a platform for researchers to share new discoveries with their peers. Trusted scientific journals undergo a peer review process where submissions are scrutinized by external researchers to ensure accuracy and validity of the content.

The Trump administration has made significant cuts in funding and staffing for federal science and healthcare institutions, raising concerns that research topics may be targeted based on political considerations. These actions have raised suspicion among scientists regarding potential government influence in independent journals.

The District of Columbia’s US Attorney’s Office did not respond to requests from NBC News for comments or additional information regarding the letters they are sending.

The letter was originally shared online by Dr. Eric Reinhart, a Chicago-based clinician, political anthropologist, and social psychiatrist, who described the letter as “blackmail” and labeled it as “fascist tactics.”

Laura Dimasi, a communications specialist at the American College of Chest Physicians, publishers of Chest Journal, confirmed that they have received the letter shared by Reinhart.

Dimasi stated, “The content was posted online without our knowledge. Lawyers are currently reviewing the letter for further action.”

The American College of Chest Physicians is an organization of experts with around 22,000 members specializing in lung, critical care, and sleep medicine. Their website provides more information about the organization.

According to a Publication Website Statement, Chest Journal upholds strict peer review criteria to ensure scientific rigor.

Reinhart explained that he shared the letter online to bring together editors of science journals and the broader scientific community to resist government pressures on publishers.

NBC News reached out to former editors of science journals to inquire if they had ever received similar letters from the Department of Justice regarding their publishing practices, but none reported receiving such letters.

Jeremy Berg, a former editor of the Science Family of Journals, interpreted the letter as a signal of scrutiny.

Michael Eisen, a former editor of the biomedical journal Elife, viewed the letter as part of a broader attack by the Trump administration on academia, universities, and science.

Berg and Eisen expressed uncertainties about the intentions behind the letter, with Eisen highlighting that the Department of Justice’s involvement in editorial matters is unprecedented and raises concerns about undue influence.

There is uncertainty among scientists about the implications of the letter and whether it signifies a broader investigation into scientific journals. NBC News reached out to other scientific publications, and representatives from PLOS, the US Academy of Sciences, and the New England Journal of Medicine reported no similar investigations had taken place.

Representatives of Science, Nature, and Jama, the medical journals of the American Medical Association, did not respond to requests for comments.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Government websites may soon remove scientific data.

Posted on March 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

During a flurry of executive orders signed by President Trump, significant changes were made affecting the content on government web pages and public access to data related to climate change, the environment, energy, and public health.

In the past two months, hundreds of terabytes of data have been removed from government websites, raising concerns about potential deletions. While the underlying data still exists, tools for public and researcher access have been taken down.

Now, hundreds of volunteers are actively recreating digital tools to gather and download as much government data as possible, making it readily available to the public.

Volunteers working on the project Public Environment Data Partner have already recovered over 100 datasets that were removed from government sites and aim to store a growing number of 300 datasets.

Efforts to download climate, environmental, energy, and public health data began in 2017 amidst fears about its future under a president who dismissed climate change as a hoax. Federal information has since disappeared, prompting a new response.

Environmental scientist Gretchen Gerke emphasized the importance of resilient public information in the digital age, expressing concern over the removal of vital data access tools. The need for data like climate measurements collected by NOAA is crucial for various parties, yet efforts to restrict public access continue.

The technology director at the Center for Environmental Policy Innovation highlighted the removal of public access and emphasized the taxpayer-funded nature of these tools.

Requests for two essential data tools, Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) and Environmental Justice Screening Tool (EJScreen), have been frequent. These tools, crucial for addressing environmental justice and climate change issues, were removed from access.

The removal of these tools has hindered efforts to address structural racism and disproportionate impacts on communities of color, as highlighted by Dr. Geke.

Source: www.nytimes.com

An Epic Scientific Journey to Uncover the Persuasive Power of Folk Tales

Posted on March 11, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Once upon a time, a strong and attractive hero lost one or both of his parents. He then overcomes a series of obstacles and faces off against a monster that terrorized his community. The hero defeated the monsters and was celebrated.

If this story sounds familiar, it’s because it’s a path traveled by Superman, Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, and countless other fictional heroes dating back centuries. Its enduring appeal has been baffling researchers for almost a long time. However, in recent years, storytelling research has been energized as linguists, psychologists and cultural evolutionary experts have begun to investigate subjects using myths and large private databases, powerful algorithms and evolutionary mindsets. We have finally begun to connect answers to key questions, such as why we make a good story, why there are more permanent than others, and how we can trace the roots of the most popular, and how stories can pass through time and space.

It’s an epic quest, but there has never been a better time to take on it. Unlike his brother Grimm and other early folktales collectors, modern surveyors of storytelling don’t need to do any painstaking fieldwork. They don’t even have to stray from computer screens and diagram the emergence and evolution of stories. “Social media is an almost natural experiment in storytelling, and we do our collections through that platform,” says Timothy Tangerini, folklore player and ethnic editor at the University of California, Berkeley. Furthermore, this new scientific approach can illuminate some phenomena that look like modern times…

Source: www.newscientist.com

Sequencing the Genome of White Oak Trees: Latest Scientific Discovery

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The scientist is White Oak (Quercus alba), a rich forest tree species in eastern North America of ecological, cultural and economic importance.

Quercus alba Individual sequences of genome assemblies growing at Star Hill Farm in Loretto, Kentucky, USA. Image credit: D. Larson.

“The Oaks are an important member of many ecosystems around the world,” said a researcher at the University of Tennessee. Meg Staton And a colleague.

“In eastern North America, white oak is a keystone species and is one of the most abundant forest trees across its range.”

“In addition to its ecological and cultural importance, white oak has a very economic importance, including many high value material applications and the main species used in barrel styles for the aging of distilled spirits. It's there.”

“However, few studies have addressed the diversity of white oak genomes. The lack of available genetic and genomic resources now creates barriers to fostering understanding of white oak biology and evolutionary history. It's presenting it.”

In their study, the authors sequenced individual genomes of white oak from a forest near Loretto, Kentucky, USA.

They found that this oak species has a high genetic diversity, many of which preceded divergence from other oaks, and likely could affect divergence time estimates .

“The White Oak genome represents a major new resource for studying genome diversity and evolution. Quercus” said Dr. Staton.

“Also, unbiased gene annotations are key to accurately assessing the evolution of R (disease-resistant) genes. Quercus. ”

“Our paper addresses the degree of genetic diversity and population differentiation in white oaks and how gene content and disease resistance genes evolved. Quercus Related species. ”

The authors say that the amount of standing genetic variation and the degree to which the population is regionally adapted will affect the response of white oaks and other oak species to increasingly common heat and drought stress. It points out.

“The details are interesting for those who are invested in the sustainability of White Oak, across economic, ecological and cultural boundaries,” they said.

study Published in the journal New Botanist.

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Drew A. Larson et al. Haplotype-degradated reference genomes Quercus alba It sheds light on the history of orc evolution. New BotanistPublished online on February 11th, 2025. doi: 10.1111/nph.20463

Source: www.sci.news

Are you interested in sabotaging your colleagues in the scientific community by publishing “nonsense”?

Posted on January 16, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

play your cards right

As readers in the Northern Hemisphere face long, dark nights and cold weather for many weeks to come, what could be better than a fun card game? If you're too strapped for money to play poker and have exhausted the comical possibilities of poker, card against humanity (This state is typically reached after about 10 minutes of play.) If you're interested in scientific research, you may want to consider: Publish or perish.

Created by a social psychologist Max Hui Bye, Publish or perish Simulate the experience of building a career in scientific research. The game is to publish as many papers and collect citations as possible. Even if your paper is crap or you have to sabotage another player's publication. In Bai's words, “players interrupt each other, send vitriolic comments, and compete to publish useless nonsense.”

rear release Bai launched a beta version of the game for academics on Kickstarter in late 2024, and it quickly became profitable. 5,944 backers and $292,537 in funding. they are not Brandon Sanderson Four Secret Novel NumbersHowever, it still requires a large amount of capital.

To publish a paper, players collect cards representing key elements of their research, from ideas and data to references. To speed this up, you can use cards that represent positive actions, such as attending a workshop or forming a collaboration.

But the real fun happens when you play dirty. Some cards allow dangerous activities such as plagiarism and p-hacking (a statistical trick that repeatedly reanalyzes data in different ways until a significant result is found, then independently publishes the results). Masu. For example, you can sabotage someone's “research” by identifying minor citation errors or requesting an audit of their work.

The game includes cards representing papers that can be published, all of which include “Procrastination Patterns Among Academics: My Own Case Study'' (written by Anita Blake, Ph.D. in Psychology) and “Practical Fields''. Guide,” with headlines flanked by insane and honest feedback. Leads to unproductive meetings and wasted organizational time” (by Max Time-Squader, MBA, JD, MD, Ph.D.).

Feedback does not have a copy. However, now that this article has been published, I have a feeling it might just be a matter of time before Mrs Feedback or Feedback Jr receives feedback on our birthdays. However, as (very) former academic researchers, we were aware of the horror and pain of the research experience. I don't know what it would be like for a working researcher to play this game. While there may be catharsis, many buried traumas may also resurface. We recommend having a therapist on-site.

Feedback also leaves us wondering what the game's legacy will be. Famously, Exclusive The game was invented as a biting satire on landlord and renter capitalism, but after being acquired by Parker Brothers it was sold around the world as a fun game about how to get rich. Will there still be feedback 50 years from now? Publish or perish Marketed by the Trump Organization as a fun game about how to discover new knowledge.

A parade of bots

Just when you thought talking to actual loved ones on Facebook and Instagram (rather than advertisers or meme collectors) couldn't be any harder, parent company Meta has decided to make it even harder.

It all started with something article in financial timesIn it, Meta executive Connor Hayes reportedly said the company plans to add a large number of AI profiles to the site. or F.T. “Meta envisions social media filled with AI-generated users.”

Following this, many users realized that there were actually a large number of AI profiles already on the site. According to Jason Kabler (404 Media)these “meta-controlled AI-generated Instagram and Facebook profiles…have been on the platform for over a year.” However, most of them have been deleted, and the few that remained stopped posting in April 2024. This is because “users almost universally ignored it.”

It was a mistake for Meta to not be able to permanently delete the profile as users started experimenting. washington post columnist Karen Attia I chatted with An AI called Livwas introduced as a queer black woman. Attia made Liv say that none of the creators were black and only 1 out of 12 was female (though who knows if that was telling the truth or just a hallucination? I don't know either). Unfortunately, Liv has since been removed.

meanwhile, business insider 's katie notopoulos We pointed out that you can create your own AI chatbot on Facebook Messenger. showed off what she had made: “Ciao! I'm Luigi, your go-to person for all things healthcare disparities and reform… Participating in healthcare advocacy is my passion!”

Meta claims that the next generation AI profile is better. It's not difficult.

The real question is why the company thinks anyone would want this. The whole point of social media is that you can talk to people. That's why social media platforms have put so much effort into cracking down on bots and spammers that pollute the conversation.

Nevertheless, feedback remains optimistic. It's entirely possible that the AI Profiles project will go exactly like Meta's attempt to drag us all into the Metaverse, but it failed because it couldn't create avatars with legs.

Or perhaps AI profiles can combat misinformation. Mark Zuckerberg decided to: Fire all fact checkers.

Have a story for feedback?

You can email your article to Feedback at feedback@newscientist.com. Please enter your home address. This week's and past feedback can be found on our website.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Researchers claim that Google Scholar is inundated with scientific papers produced by GPT through fabrication.

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

In new research Published in Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review, researchers from Borås University, Lund University, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences found a total of 139 papers suspected of exploiting ChatGPT or similar large-scale language modeling applications. Of these, 19 were published in indexed journals, 89 were published in non-indexed journals, 19 were student papers in university databases, and 12 were research papers (mostly in preprint databases). Health and environment papers accounted for approximately 34% of the sample, with 66% of them published in unindexed journals.

A rain of words in dubious full-text papers fabricated by environment and health-related GPTs. Image credit: Haider others., doi: 10.37016/mr-2020-156.

Using ChatGPT to generate text for academic papers has raised concerns about research integrity.

Discussion about this phenomenon is ongoing in editorials, commentaries, opinion pieces, and social media.

There are currently several lists of papers suspected of exploiting GPT, and new papers are being added all the time.

Although there are many legitimate uses of GPT for research and academic writing, its undeclared uses beyond proofreading may have far-reaching implications for both science and society, especially the relationship between the two.

“One of the main concerns about AI-generated research is the increased risk of evidence hacking, meaning that fake research could be used for strategic manipulation,” said Björn Ekström, a researcher at the University of Boras.

“This could have a tangible impact, as erroneous results could penetrate further into society and into more areas.”

In their research, Dr. Ekström and his colleagues searched and scraped Google Scholar for papers containing specific phrases known as common responses from ChatGPT and similar applications with the same underlying model. Unable to access real-time data.

This facilitated the identification of papers whose text may have been generated using generative AI, resulting in a search of 227 papers.

Of these papers, 88 papers were written with legal and/or declared uses of GPT, and 139 papers were written with undeclared and/or fraudulent uses.

The majority of problematic papers (57%) dealt with policy-relevant subjects that are likely to impact operations (i.e., environment, health, computing).

Most were available in multiple copies on different domains (social media, archives, repositories, etc.).

Professor Jutta Haider from Borås University said: “If we cannot trust that the studies we read are genuine, we run the risk of making decisions based on misinformation.”

“But this is as much a media and information literacy issue as it is a scientific misconduct issue.”

“Google Scholar is not an academic database,” she pointed out.

“Search engines are easy to use and fast, but they lack quality assurance procedures.”

“This is already a problem with regular Google search results, but it becomes even more of a problem when making science more accessible.”

“People's ability to decide which journals and publishers publish high-quality, reviewed research is critical to finding and determining what is trustworthy research, and is important for decision-making and opinion. It is very important for formation.”

_____

Jutta Haider others. 2024. GPT Fabricated Scientific Papers on Google Scholar: Key Features, Pervasiveness, and Impact on Preemptive Attacks of Evidence Manipulation. Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review 5(5);doi: 10.37016/mr-2020-156

Source: www.sci.news

Unveiling the Scientific Techniques for Baking the Ultimate Holiday Gingerbread

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

It wouldn’t be Christmas without the smell of freshly baked gingerbread wafting through your home. A blend of warming spices and rich molasses, it’s a must-have snack on a winter’s day. And when I was a kid, it was always gingerbread that I fed Santa every Christmas Eve. In fact, gingerbread might be my favorite biscuit. It has the perfect balance of crunch and chewing power.

I’d like to think I know a thing or two about how to accomplish that. Participated in the 2023 series. Great British Bake Off He also received the notoriously difficult handshake from judge Paul Hollywood during Biscuit Week.

My success lies in the careful application of science to the art of baking. So let me share some key insights you need to bake gingerbread that will really turn heads, and the science behind why they’re so important. I’m a chemist by trade, so I eschew the traditional gingerbread house and instead assemble biscuits to create a stand-alone Christmas ‘chemistry’. Drool was already coming out of my mouth.

As with all biscuits, the first step is to prepare the dry ingredients. Flour, sugar, spices, and baking soda (see “Ingredients and Instructions” on the right) are required, and each has an important role to play. The flour acts as a binder and helps form the structure of the biscuit, while the sugar caramelizes to create sweetness, color, and texture.

Gingerbread’s flavor comes from a blend of spices, with ginger and cinnamon being the main ingredients.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Incredible Scientific Phenomenon of Rainbow Clouds

Posted on November 30, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

During midwinter, under the right conditions, the polar sky can be transformed into a colorful spectacle by shimmering clouds.

These rainbow clouds, also known as “nacre clouds” due to their resemblance to iridescent shells, are an incredibly rare atmospheric phenomenon.

Scientifically referred to as “polar stratospheric clouds,” they exist at much higher altitudes in the atmosphere compared to typical clouds. While most clouds are found below 10 km above the Earth’s surface, rainbow clouds form in the lower stratosphere, between 15 and 25 km in altitude.

In the usually dry stratosphere, temperatures dropping below -80°C can cause sparse water molecules to form small ice crystals that eventually gather to create a cloud. These tiny ice crystals scatter sunlight, producing a dazzling rainbow effect and a pearlescent appearance.

Due to their high altitudes, the curvature of the Earth allows sunlight from below the horizon to hit and reflect off the underside of these clouds, illuminating them at dawn and dusk.

Rainbow clouds formed from pure water crystals are the thickest and most vivid, while those formed from air pollutants like nitric acid can result in thin, less impressive clouds. The latter type of cloud is associated with the degradation of the Antarctic ozone layer.

To witness rainbow clouds, consider visiting Antarctica during winter or look up at the sky around sunrise or sunset in parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Alaska, or even Scotland. These breathtaking phenomena are a result of unique atmospheric conditions.

This article addresses the question posed by Ollie Peterson via email: “What causes rainbow clouds?”

If you have any inquiries, please contact us at: questions@sciencefocus.comor reach out to us on Facebook, Twitteror Instagram (please include your name and location).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Editor-in-chief of Scientific American resigns following controversial remarks about Trump

Posted on November 15, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

overview

Laura Hellmuth, editor-in-chief of Scientific American, is leaving the company.
Immediately after the election, she posted several profane comments on social media posts about the results.
It is unclear whether Helmut's post or the backlash to it played a role in her resignation.

Scientific American Editor-in-Chief Laura Hellmuth is departing from the magazine soon after sharing profane posts regarding the presidential election results on the social media platform BlueSky.

“Following four and a half exhilarating years as editor-in-chief, I have opted to step down from Scientific American,” stated Hellmuth. wrote BlueSky on Thursday.. “I'm going to take some time to think about what's next (and go bird watching…)”

It remains uncertain whether Helmut's social media posts or the backlash they provoked contributed to her resignation. Helmut declined an interview request and mentioned being unable to provide a comment.

Scientific American did not directly address inquiries regarding Helmut's departure, but company president Kimberly Lau conveyed in a statement: We appreciate Laura for her exceptional leadership at Scientific American, during which time the magazine received significant science communication accolades and facilitated the establishment of a reimagined digital newsroom. We extend our best wishes to her in her future endeavors.”

Helmut became the subject of criticism from certain conservative pundits following a series of posts on Blue Sky on November 5 post-election. The post was subsequently deleted from her profile, but the screenshot went viral.

In her post, Helmut apologized to young voters and expressed regret that her Generation X was plagued by “king fascists.”

“Solidarity with all the meanest, stupidest, most bigoted high school classmates celebrating early results to fly to the moon and back,” Hellmuth wrote.

in Later Bluesky post, November 7thHelmut apologized and deleted the election night post, calling it “offensive and inappropriate.”

“I respect and value people beyond their political positions,” Helmut wrote, adding that the now-deleted post was a “misguided expression of shock and confusion over the election results.”

Under Helmut’s leadership, Scientific American began endorsing political candidates. After 175 years, the publication’s editors endorsed Joe Biden in 2020, Kamala Harris in SeptemberDonald Trump “endangers public health and safety, rejecting evidence and instead favoring nonsensical conspiracy fantasies.”

In an interview with the editorial desk before the election, Blog about writing and editing Hellmuth, the author of the book and a professor at the University of North Carolina, stated that in 2020, the editors at Scientific American felt compelled to convey, “We have a duty to share what we know,” as lives were at stake in that election.

Rather than just presenting “both sides” and letting readers decide for themselves, she advocated for informing the public of what they know to be true and how they arrived at that conclusion. She supported an approach that focuses on providing information to the public.

“There aren’t always two rational sides to every story. We know that evolution is real and creationism is not. We know that vaccines save lives and that autism We know that climate change is real,” Hellmuth expressed to the Editorial Desk. “It is inappropriate to give equal consideration to creationists, RFK Jr., or climate change deniers when reporting on these topics, except to clarify that while these topics have been politicized, the science is unambiguous.”

Helmut mentioned Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who President-elect Donald Trump has nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. President Kennedy has made misleading and false claims about vaccines, suggesting they are linked to autism, even though multiple studies have debunked the concept.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

The scientific explanation for why you believe you are correct

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Some individuals may not only be incorrect in their arguments but also in their self-assuredness, possibly due to psychological reasons. According to a recent study, it is crucial to believe that you possess all necessary information to formulate an opinion, even when you do not, as outlined in a paper published in the Pros One journal on Wednesday. “Our brains tend to be overly confident in reaching rational conclusions based on minimal information,” stated Angus Fletcher, a co-author of the study and a professor at Ohio State University.

Fletcher and two other psychology researchers sought to evaluate how individuals make judgments about situations and people, primarily based on their confidence in the information available to them. “People tend to make hasty judgments,” remarked Fletcher.

The researchers enlisted approximately 1,300 participants with an average age of around 40. They all read a fictional narrative about a school experiencing a water shortage due to the local aquifer drying up.

Of the group, 500 individuals read an article supporting the school’s merger with another school, presenting three pro-merger arguments and one neutral point. Another 500 read an article containing three arguments favoring separation and the same neutral viewpoint.

The remaining 300 participants in the control group read a comprehensive article outlining all seven arguments: three in favor of the merger, three favoring separation, and one neutral argument.

After reading the materials, the researchers questioned the participants on their opinions regarding the school’s course of action and how confident they felt about having all required information to make a decision.

Survey results demonstrated that most individuals were more inclined to align with the arguments they were presented with (either for merging or remaining separate) and were confident in having acquired sufficient information to form their opinions. Moreover, it became evident that individuals who only read one perspective were more likely to express confidence in their views compared to those in the control group who read both sets of arguments.

Subsequently, half of the participants from each group were exposed to opposing information contradicting the initial article they read. While individuals felt assured in their viewpoints after encountering arguments favoring one solution, they were generally open to changing their minds when presented with all facts, subsequently reporting lower confidence in their ability to form opinions on the topic.

Fletcher noted, “We anticipated individuals maintaining their original judgments even upon receiving contradictory information. However, once presented with plausible alternatives, they exhibited a significant shift in their thinking, signaling a readiness for change.” This study underscored that people may not always consider whether they possess all pertinent information on a particular matter.

However, the researchers acknowledged that their findings might not apply to scenarios where individuals have established preconceived notions, such as in politics.

“People exhibit more openness and willingness to revise their opinions than assumed,” Fletcher remarked, adding, “Yet, this flexibility is not as prevalent in enduring divides like political beliefs.” Todd Rogers, a behavioral scientist at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, likened the study’s conclusions to the concept of an “invisible gorilla,” illustrating how individuals can be fixated on one aspect and overlook the obvious — a phenomenon referred to as “blindness caused by blindness.”

Rogers further stated, “This study encapsulates that insight. There appears to be a cognitive inclination to overlook the inadequacy of our information.”

Barry Schwartz, a psychologist and professor emeritus at Swarthmore College, noted that the research indicated people often underestimate their knowledge on specific subjects, similar to the concept of the “illusion of explanatory depth.” This notion suggests that individuals might believe they understand a topic, like the functioning of a toilet, but when prompted to explain the process, realize their lack of comprehensive knowledge.

“It’s not merely about being wrong; it’s the unwavering confidence in that wrongness,” Schwartz emphasized, suggesting that cultivating curiosity and humility can be the antidote.

The researchers and Schwartz found it encouraging and unexpected that individuals who encountered new information were willing to reconsider their beliefs, given that the information appeared plausible. “It instills a degree of optimism that even in the face of presumed certainty, individuals remain receptive to evolving evidence,” concluded Schwartz.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Spotted Handfish Genome Decoded | Latest Scientific Findings

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

team of researchers CSIRO We decoded the genome of Spotted handfish (Brachyonychthys hirsutus)an endangered species of marine fish endemic to Tasmania.

Spotted handfish (Brachyonychthys hirsutus). Image credit: CSIRO.

Brachyonychthys hirsutus It is a rare benthic fish of the handfish family. Brachionidae.

This rare fish is found only in Tasmania's Derwent River estuary and nearby areas. It is usually found at depths of 5 to 10 meters (16 to 33 feet).

It was first officially described in 1804. Brachyonychthys hirsutus have Their highly adapted pectoral fins look like hands and allow them to walk on the ocean floor.

This species' diet includes small shellfish, shrimp, and polychaetes.

Brachyonychthys hirsutus teeth classified as endangered species Listed on the IUCN Red List 2020. Scientists estimate that fewer than 2,000 individuals remain in the wild.

Its rapid decline is thought to be due to historical fishing practices, coastal development, climate change, and the arrival of invasive species.

“Genome sequencing will aid ongoing efforts to increase population numbers and monitor genetic diversity,” said CSIRO researcher Gunjan Pandey.

“Genomes help us understand how organisms work.”

This provides a basis for understanding gene expression in everyday life and provides insight into its evolutionary history.”

“With the genome, we can help detect species, monitor populations, and even estimate the lifespan of fish.”

“This rich genetic information will help inform long-term conservation strategies,” added CSIRO researcher Carly Devine.

“Recognizing that a multidisciplinary approach alongside ecological research is essential for effective conservation of endangered species, conservation measures are being expanded to include genetics.”

“Marine creatures like the spotted handfish are notoriously difficult to handle.”

“DNA is rapidly degraded and contaminated by microorganisms.”

“This makes it very difficult to assemble a pure genome.”

Using a so-called low-input protocol, the research team was able to sequence the complete genome from a small amount of low-quality DNA.

“We are one of only three teams in the world using this protocol,” Dr. Pandey said.

“We customized the entire process, from the lab setup to the bioinformatics software, to sequence high-quality genomes from low-quality DNA.”

“Work that previously took six to 12 months can now be completed in a matter of days. This technology holds great promise for the understanding and conservation of threatened species across Australia and around the world.”

Source: www.sci.news

Which Animal is Smarter: Cats or Dogs? A Scientific Comparison.

Posted on September 1, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The debate on whether cats or dogs are smarter has been ongoing for ages. Dogs typically have larger brains than cats, with more neurons in their cerebral cortex and brains overall. Golden Retrievers, for example, have been found to have 623 million neurons in their cortex compared to 429 million in small dogs and 250 million in cats.

It’s not just about the number of neurons, though. Dogs have been studied more extensively than cats, making their intelligence capabilities more well-known. Cats are harder to study due to their aversion to new environments like laboratories.

Researchers have categorized the intelligence of pets based on three main factors.

Social cognition, or an animal’s ability to understand the mental states of others, can be evaluated through unsolvable tasks. For example, when faced with a closed container, dogs are known to turn to humans for help, displaying referential signaling similar to pointing. Cats, on the other hand, are less likely to seek help but show some level of visual communication skills.

When it comes to “counting,” both cats and dogs can discriminate between quantities. Studies have shown that vision plays a crucial role in this ability, with neither species relying heavily on other senses.

Self-awareness

The mirror test, a common method for testing self-recognition, has shown that cats and dogs do not pass the visual test. However, studies have explored the olfactory version of the mirror test, with dogs showing the ability to recognize scents associated with themselves or other dogs.

Cats have also demonstrated the ability to distinguish their feces from others, indicating a level of self-awareness based on smell.

Final Verdict

Intelligence in pets is multifaceted and context-dependent. Cats and dogs exhibit intelligence in different ways, influenced by factors such as genetics, socialization, and training. While some dogs may excel in tasks like remembering toy names, each pet has its unique strengths.

Ultimately, both cats and dogs are intelligent creatures in their own right, deserving of love and appreciation for their individual characteristics.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

According to scientific research, the most effective way to handle insults is by

Posted on August 25, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The saying goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” But that’s not true. Criticism and rejection It produces brain activity that is indistinguishable from actual pain. Essentially, insults cause pain.

Insult is a complex concept. Has been studied for a long timeIt turns out that the impact of an insult depends not only on who gives it but also on who receives it.

Thus, when it comes to simple insults (insults that have no social or historical significance), the “target” has a great deal of control over the outcome.

And there are plenty of scientifically-recognized ways to successfully defuse an insult or reverse its effects.

One is to attribute category membership to the insulter, making him or her appear as a lower-status, more vulnerable to ridicule.

Someone says, “Your hair is weird,” and you respond, “OK, grandma, calm down,” and you put them in the “old, unfashionable, out of date” category, making them look even worse, especially if they’re a guy in his 20s and there’s no way they could be your grandma.

Some people recommend finding something the insulter says about themselves and highlighting it.

They say, “I don’t know why. [your attractive partner] If they ask you, “Shall I explain it to you? In crayons?”, they mean to insult you, but their response comes across as an admission that they are easily confused.

And then there is co-constructed critique, which takes the insult and builds on it, which de-fans the insult.

“You’re fat!” they say. You say, “I hope so, I’ve spent enough money to get here.”

There are countless other counter-attacks, but they all revolve around a central theme of not empowering the insulter, not elevating the insulter’s status, and maintaining control of the narrative and the interaction.

This article is a response to a question emailed to me by Archie Fox: “What’s the best way to respond to an insult?”

If you have any questions, please send them to the email address below. For further information, please contact:or send us a message Facebook, Xor Instagram Page (be sure to include your name and location).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Neolithic architects utilized scientific understanding to construct massive megalithic structures.

Posted on August 23, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Inside the monument known as Mengadolmen in Spain

Miguel Angel Blanco de la Rubia

Neolithic people appear to have understood advanced concepts from sciences such as physics and geology, and used this knowledge to build megalithic monuments in southern Spain.

The dolmen, called Menga Dolmen, was built between 3600 and 3800 BC and is one of the oldest megalithic structures in Europe. The covered enclosure is made of 32 large stones, some of which are the largest ever used for such a structure. The heaviest stone weighs over 130 tonnes, more than three times the heaviest stone at Stonehenge in England, which was built more than 1000 years later.

“[In the Neolithic Period]”It must have been an impressive experience to experience these huge stone structures,” he said. Leonardo Garcia San Juan He studied at the University of Seville in Spain. “It still moves me. It still makes an impression on me.”

García Sanjuan and his colleagues are now conducting a detailed geological and archaeological analysis of the stones to deduce what knowledge Menga's builders needed to construct the monument in the city of Antequera.

Paradoxically, they found that the rock was a type of relatively brittle sandstone, meaning that it was at high risk of breaking, but the team found that they could compensate for that risk by shaping the rock, locking it into a very stable overall structure.

Neolithic people would have needed some way to make the stones fit together very snugly, Garcia-Sanjuan says. “It's like Tetris,” he says. “The precision, and how tightly each stone is fastened to each other, forces you to think they had some concept of angles, even if it was just rudimentary.”

The researchers also discovered that the 130-ton stone, laid horizontally on top to form part of the roof, has a raised surface in the middle and slopes down at the edges, which helps distribute forces in the same way an arch does and strengthens the roof, Garcia-Sanjuan says. “To our knowledge, this is the first time the principle of the arch has been documented in human history.”

The purpose of the mengas is unknown, but they were positioned to create unique light patterns inside them during the summer solstice, and the stones are protected from water damage by layers of carefully pounded clay, supporting evidence of their builders' knowledge of architecture and engineering.

“They knew about geology and the properties of the rocks they were working with,” Garcia San Juan says. “When you put all of this together — engineering, physics, geology, geometry, astronomy — you get what you call science.”

There are other Neolithic structures in France of a similar size to Menga, but less is known about how it was built, Garcia San Juan said. “To date, Menga is unique both in the Iberian peninsula and in Western Europe.”

“What's surprising is how sophisticated it is.” Susan Greaney “This architectural understanding of how weight is distributed is something I've never seen anywhere before,” says Professor David Schneider of the University of Exeter in the UK. But, she adds, this may be a testament to an understanding of architecture and engineering rather than an understanding of science.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

NASA successfully restores Voyager 1 spacecraft to regular scientific operations

Posted on June 15, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Voyager 1 Due to technical issues, scientific observations are being carried out for the first time. Happened November 2023.

Voyager 1 launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on September 5, 1977, 16 days after its twin, Voyager 2. This artist's concept drawing depicts one of NASA's twin Voyager spacecraft. Image courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Voyager 1 stopped transmitting readable science and engineering data to Earth on November 14, 2023, even though mission controllers were able to confirm that the spacecraft was still receiving commands and was otherwise operating normally.

In April 2024, they prompted Voyager 1 to begin transmitting engineering data containing information about the spacecraft's health and condition, partially resolving the problem.

On May 19, they carried out the second stage of the repair process and sent commands to the spacecraft to begin transmitting science data.

Two of the four scientific instruments immediately returned to normal operating mode.

The other two instruments required additional work, but all four are now returning usable science data.

The four instruments will study plasma waves, magnetic fields and particles.

This infographic highlights major milestones of NASA's Voyager missions, including visiting four outer planets and escaping the heliosphere, a protective bubble of magnetic fields and particles generated by the Sun. Image courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech.

The twin Voyager probes are NASA's longest-serving missions and the only spacecraft to have explored interstellar space.

Launched in 1977, both probes traveled to Jupiter and Saturn, with Voyager 1 traveling faster and reaching Jupiter and Saturn first.

Together, they have revealed a lot about the solar system's two largest planets and their moons.

Voyager 1 is more than 24 billion km (15 billion miles) from Earth, and Voyager 2 is more than 20 billion km (12 billion miles) from Earth.

The probe will celebrate its 47th anniversary of operation later this year.

“Voyager 1 and 2 are the only spacecraft to directly sample interstellar space, the region outside the heliosphere – the protective bubble of magnetic fields and solar wind created by the Sun,” NASA engineers said.

“Voyager 1 has resumed science, but additional minor operations are required to remove the effects of the problem.”

“Among other tasks, we will resynchronize the timing software in the spacecraft's three onboard computers to ensure commands are executed at the right time.”

“We will also be maintaining the digital tape recorder that records the plasma wave instrument data that is sent back to Earth twice a year.”

Source: www.sci.news

Scientific Analysis: Who Would Prevail in a Face-off Between Godzilla and Kong?

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Following years of appearing in overlapping films, the monsterverse finally brings Godzilla and Kong together. But the question remains, who would emerge victorious in a showdown between the two?

Let’s address the elephant in the room – Godzilla and Kong are not real creatures, and similar animals have never existed. In the monsterverse, these colossal beings are a creation of imagination, reaching staggering dimensions that defy biological reality. Godzilla, standing at 177 meters tall and weighing over 90,000 tons, dwarfs Kong, who measures 103 meters in height and weighs over 50,000 tons.

The sheer size of these fictional creatures is impossible in nature. The largest land animals in history, such as the sauropod dinosaurs, only reached a fraction of Godzilla and Kong’s size, mainly due to biomechanical limitations. Nevertheless, let’s suspend disbelief and explore the hypothetical scenario of a battle between Godzilla and Kong using the lens of science.

Red corner: Godzilla

Hailed as the King of Monsters, Godzilla boasts formidable armor and features reminiscent of prehistoric creatures like the Komodo dragon and ankylosaurus. His sharp-edged backplate can slice through metal, and his imposing size and powerful jaws suggest a devastating bite force. Additionally, Godzilla wields an astronomical force with his serrated tail, acting as a long-range weapon.

But Godzilla’s ultimate weapon is his radioactive atomic breath, capable of reaching temperatures over 500,000 degrees Celsius. This supernatural ability gives Godzilla a significant advantage in combat, making him a fearsome opponent.

Blue corner: Kong

Kong is a giant gorilla that is 103 meters tall © Warner Brothers Pictures

With the intelligence of a primate and immense physical strength, Kong presents a formidable adversary to Godzilla. His ability to plan ahead, understand complex situations, and even use tools in battle sets him apart. Kong’s great ape lineage gives him a strategic edge in combat, allowing him to outmaneuver his opponents and perhaps outsmart Godzilla.

Despite Kong’s brute force, agility, and impressive bite strength, Godzilla’s unmatched powers, including his atomic breath and colossal size, tilt the scales in his favor.

Verdict: Godzilla wins

In the ultimate face-off between Godzilla and Kong, Godzilla’s unrivaled attributes and devastating abilities secure his victory. Despite Kong’s intelligence and strength, Godzilla’s sheer power and supernatural arsenal prove insurmountable in this epic battle. Sorry, Mr. Kong, but the King of Monsters reigns supreme.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The Scientific Case for Yelling at Referees

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

reprimand the referee

There’s new evidence that it pays to yell at referees at sports stadiums. The evidence comes in a study by Joel Guerret, Caroline Blais, and Daniel Fisset of the University of Quebec in Outaouais, Canada, titled “Verbal attacks on Major League Baseball umpires influence decision-making.” They published it in a magazine psychological science.

Guerret, Brace, and Fisset examined 10 years of Major League Baseball game data. They stress that these games are played out in an “ecological environment rife with hypercritique.”

They discovered what they called “the double-sided benefits of resorting to verbal abuse.” After being heavily criticized, “home plate umpires were less likely to call a strike to the complaining team’s batter and more likely to call a strike to the opposing team’s batter.”

Mr. B. McGraw (who did not specify his name) brought the matter to Feedback’s attention, impressed by the authors’ development of a disciplined academic voice: “Our findings support the hypothesis that under certain conditions, verbal aggression can be advantageous to the accuser.”

ice cream nozzle

Questions arise when the nozzle starts to collect foreign matter, but if you diligently clean the nozzle after using it to dispense a scoop of ice cream, the question becomes less pressing. Because if you don’t clean the nozzles and other parts of your food machine, things can grow healthy (from a material point of view).

Psychrotrophic bacteria are bacteria that can grow at low temperatures, temperatures such as those that can occur in refrigerators and freezers.

Research called ”Psychrotrophic bacteria with virulence and colonization properties live in the ice cream production environment”, the need for nozzle maintenance comes to mind. The purpose of this discussion is to prevent horror stories from happening. The authors, from Italy’s University of Naples Federico II, said: “We provide evidence for the existence of a complex microbial community that overcomes the sanitary conditions of ice cream production facilities.” Therefore, Harken is an ice creamer. Please clean the nozzle.

your chocolate nozzle

For example, considering what shape nozzle to use for 3D printing chocolate can raise unexpected and vaguely related questions.research in frontiers of psychology We focus on one surprisingly subtle and complex question. So when it comes to the question of taste, how much chocolate is too much chocolate?This study is called ”Effect of bouba and kiki-like shapes on the perceived taste of chocolate pieces”.

”Booba” and ”kiki” are coined words, and psychological experiments suggest that they somehow evoke the concept of shape. To many people, a ”bouba” looks curvy and a ”kiki” looks pointy. The researchers found evidence that Booba was subtly sweeter than Kiki, but to measure the difference they had to limit the amount of chocolate in each bite.

They wrote: “Previous studies have found no difference in participants’ reports of a difference in taste after actually eating round and square chocolate pieces. Because there was so much chocolate in the cup, we thought that the actual taste might have dominated the effect of perceived shape on taste.”

They devised a solution. “We designed a ring-shaped stimulus with no chocolate filling in the center to avoid the need to ingest excess chocolate taste or flavor while maintaining perceived shape differences.”

Reducing chocolate consumption by using sweeter-tasting forms, they say, would reduce chocolate production and, in turn, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, benefiting even those who don’t eat chocolate. The Booba/Kiki-inspired choice of chocolate dispenser nozzle is implicit and may be more than just a symbolic weapon in the fight against global warming.

diagonal nozzle

If you really want to install a turbofan engine in a jet aircraft, and if you want quietness, make the nozzle diagonally. Make a chamfer. These are the words of Julien Christophe, Julien de Dekker and Christophe Schramm of the Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics in Belgium.Writing in progress flow, turbulence, combustionThey explain the reason as follows: “The beveled nozzle provides noise reduction at all emission angles, with up to 2 dB reduction at the receiver’s position perpendicular to the plate.” For peace of mind, bevel.

cryptographic emoji

If there’s a contest for a jargon-heavy study about a sketchy financial business, perhaps you could submit your cryptocurrency to a study called ”Emoji-led crypto market reaction”, written by Xiaorui Zuo, Yao-Tsung Chen, and Wolfgang Karl Härdle.

The word “pith” is sometimes defined as “the spongy white tissue that lines the inside of the peel of oranges and other citrus fruits.” This study contains a pointed explanation of itself. “We leverage GPT-4 and his fine-tuned Transformer-based BERT model to perform multimodal sentiment analysis and focus on the impact of emoji sentiment on the crypto market.” The paper does not say what “BERT” is. “Similar sentiment analysis techniques could be applied to a broader range of financial markets,” the paper says.

Mark Abrahams hosted the Ig Nobel Prize ceremony and co-founded the magazine Annals of Improbable Research. Previously, he was working on unusual uses of computers.his website is impossible.com.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The unexpected scientific explanation behind virgin ray pregnancy

Posted on February 29, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Charlotte, a stingray residing in an aquarium with no male rays, surprised people worldwide with her sudden pregnancy, sparking interest in parthenogenesis, which refers to virgin conception in scientific terms.

Some speculations about stingrays include TikTok views exceeding 12 million. Jimmy Kimmel mentioned: Charlotte is clearly an Immaculate Conception and highlighted the rays at the Aquarium & Shark Research Institute in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

While virgin births may seem rare, experts point out that many species, like zebra sharks, California condors, and Komodo dragons, can reproduce asexually through parthenogenesis. Understanding this process could aid in conservation efforts.

Mercedes Burns, a biologist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, stated, “There’s nothing unnatural about asexual reproduction,” emphasizing the remarkable strategies animals employ for successful reproduction.

The buzz surrounding Charlotte’s pregnancy arose when the Aquarium and Shark Research Institute announced her condition. Speculation on social media suggested she was impregnated by a neighboring shark or through parthenogenesis.

Kevin Feldheim, a researcher at Chicago’s Field Museum, debunked the shark theory, emphasizing the genetic differences between sharks and stingrays. Genetic testing post-birth will confirm if the offspring resulted from parthenogenesis.

Researchers are just beginning to explore parthenogenesis in various species. This phenomenon has been observed in 15 elasmobranch species since 2007.

Although common in animals, parthenogenesis is rare in mammals due to genetic mechanisms preventing it. Meiosis and fusion with polar bodies are key in spontaneous parthenogenesis.

The prevalence of parthenogenesis in the wild remains unknown, but it is easier to detect in captive environments. Vertebrates’ ability to reproduce asexually remains a mystery.

Research suggests parthenogenesis could be an environmental response or a chance occurrence in cell division.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

The overlooked community of scientific detectives is now gaining attention from the research community

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A group of investigators devoted to finding errors in scientific research has shocked some of the world’s most prestigious research institutions and the scientific community as a whole.

The highly publicized case of alleged image manipulation in a paper co-authored by a former Stanford University president and a leader at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has garnered national media attention, prompting speculation from top scientific leaders that this may only be the beginning.

“At this pace, we’re going to see another paper published every few weeks,” said Holden, the editor-in-chief of Science, one of the world’s two most influential journals. Mr. Thorpe said on site.

Investigators argue that their work is necessary to rectify the scientific record and prevent generations of researchers from pursuing futile avenues due to flawed papers. Some scientists are calling for universities and academic publishers to reform their approach to addressing flawed research.

“I understand why the investigators who discovered these issues are so furious,” said Michael, a biologist and former editor of the journal eLife, as well as a prominent advocate for reform in scientific publishing. “Authors, journals, institutions, everyone is incentivized to downplay their significance,” Eisen said.

For approximately a decade, investigators identified widespread problems with scientific images in published papers and voiced their concerns online, but received little attention. Last summer, neuroscientist and then-Stanford University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne resigned amid scrutiny over allegations of image manipulation in a study he co-authored and a report criticizing his lab culture. Since then, there has been a noticeable shift. While Tessier-Lavigne himself has not been found to have engaged in any misconduct, members of his lab appear to have manipulated images in questionable ways. Thereport from the scientific panelhired to investigate the allegations stated.

In January, a blogger’s scathing post exposed questionable research by top leaders at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which subsequently retracted six papers and requested corrections to dozens more.

In hisresignation statement, Tessier-Lavigne stated that the committee could not find any evidence that he was aware of any misconduct, and that he had never submitted documents that appeared to be inaccurate. In a statement from its research integrity officer, Dana-Farber stated that it had taken decisive action to correct the scientific record and that discrepancies in the images were not necessarily evidence that the authors were attempting to deceive.

“We are experiencing a moment of public awareness that really turned a corner when the Mark Tessier-Lavigne scandal unfolded, and since then the Dana-Farber scandal has been the most recent and continuous,” Thorpe said.

This long-standing issue is now receiving national attention, with the emergence of new artificial intelligence tools that are helping address problems ranging from longstanding errors and sloppy science to unethically manipulated images in photo-editing software, making it easier to spot various issues.

This increased scrutiny is prompting changes in how some publishers operate. Universities, journals, and researchers are being urged to consider new technologies, the potential backlog of undiscovered errors, and methods for enhancing transparency when problems are identified.

This comes at a challenging time in academic circles. Venture capitalist Bill Ackman, in apost last month on X, discussed the use of artificial intelligence to identify plagiarism by leaders of top universities with ideological differences, and raised questions about political motivations in plagiarism investigations. More broadly, public trust in scientists and science has steadily declined in recent years, according to thePew Research Center.

Eisen stated that he does not believe investigators’ concerns about scientific images veer into “McCarthyist” territory. “I think they’re honing in on a specific type of problem in the literature, and they’re right. That’s bad,” Eisen said.

Scientific publishing is the primary means by which scientists establish a foundation of understanding in their fields and share new discoveries with their colleagues. Before publication, scientific journals review submissions and solicit feedback from researchers outside the field to identify errors or faulty inferences, a process known as peer review. Journal editors evaluate research findings for plagiarism and conduct copy editing prior to publication. While this system is not perfect, it still relies on the good faith efforts of researchers to avoid manipulating research results.

Over the past 15 years, scientists have become increasingly concerned that some researchers are digitally altering images in papers to distort or enhance their results. The field of image integrity screening has expanded significantly since Yana Christopher, a scientific imaging expert with the European Federation of Biochemical Societies and its journals, began working in the field nearly 15 years ago. At the time, “no one was doing this, and people were in denial about research misconduct,” Christopher stated. “The prevailing belief was that it was very rare and that instances of manipulating results were few and far between.”

Scientific journals now employ entire teams dedicated to processing images and ensuring their accuracy. The number of retractions of published papers has increased significantly in recent years, with records indicating that over 10,000 papers were retracted last year, according to aNature analysis. A loose collective of scientific investigators applies external pressure, often identifying and flagging errors and potential manipulation on the online forum PubPeer. Many of these investigators receive little or no compensation or public recognition for their work.

“There’s a certain level of urgency,” Eisen stated. Ananalysis of comments on over 24,000 articles posted on PubPeer revealed that over 62% of PubPeer comments were related to image manipulation. For years, investigators relied on keen observation, pattern recognition, and a grasp of photo manipulation tools. In recent years, artificial intelligence tools capable of scanning documents for anomalies have been rapidly developed and improved.

Scientific journals are now utilizing similar technology to detect errors prior to publication. In January, Science announced that it is using an artificial intelligence tool called Proofig to scan papers undergoing editing and peer review for publication.Science editor-in-chief Thorpe stated that the family of six journals quietly incorporated the tool into their workflows approximately six months prior to the January announcement. The journal previously relied on visual inspection to identify these types of issues. During the editing process, Proofig flagged papers that had not yet been published, citing “logical explanations” for problematic images that were difficult to justify, or issues that the authors had addressed prior to publication. “Less than 1% of errors are significant enough to prevent a paper from being published,” Thorpe stated.

Chris Graff, director of research integrity at publisher Springer Nature, stated that the company is developing and testing “in-house AI image integrity software” to identify duplicate images. Graff’s research integrity department currently uses Proofig to assess papers in case concerns arise post-publication. The testing process varies among journals, but some Springer Nature publications use Adobe Photoshop tools to manually identify image manipulation and conduct experiments to visualize cellular components or general discrepancies in raw scientific experimental data.

“Although AI-based tools can facilitate and scale investigations, we still believe the human element is important in all investigations,” Graff stated, emphasizing that image recognition software is not infallible and that human expertise is necessary to guard against false positives and negatives. No tool can detect all mistakes and fraud.

“There are many facets to that process. You can never catch them all,” Thorpe remarked. “As journals, institutions, and authors, we need to do a better job of addressing this when it occurs.”

Many forensic scientists have grown frustrated that their concerns have been disregarded, or that investigations have progressed slowly with little public resolution. Sholto-David, who publicly voiced his concerns about the Dana-Farber study in a blog post, stated that the response from journal editors was so unsatisfactory that he nearly “gave up” on writing a letter to journal editors regarding the errors he had discovered. Elizabeth Bick, a microbiologist and longtime image investigator, said that if she reports image issues frequently, “nothing happens.”

While public comments on PubPeer questioning research data can stimulate discussion surrounding questionable research, authors and institutions often do not directly respond to online criticism. Although journals can issue corrections or retractions, it is generally the responsibility of research institutions or universities to investigate incidents. If the incident pertains to federally funded biomedical research, the federal Office of Research Integrity may conduct an investigation.

Thorpe stated that agencies need to assume responsibility when errors are discovered and act more swiftly to openly and candidly address what occurred to regain public trust. He stated, “The university has been very sluggish in responding, very slow in instituting the process, and the longer this goes on, the greater the damage will be. I don’t know what would have happened if Stanford had said these papers are flawed, instead of initiating this investigation.”

Some scientists are concerned that the problem of image manipulation is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of scientific integrity. Detecting issues with images is much simpler than spotting simple data errors in spreadsheets. While it is crucial to crack down on problematic papers and hold individuals accountable, some scientists believe that these measures address a larger problem: rewarding career advancement for those who publish the most exciting results rather than enduring results. “Scientific culture itself doesn’t say we care about getting it right. It says we care about getting papers that make a splash,” Eisen said.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Insight into historical scientific advancements provided by antique clocks

Posted on February 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Shimei medium with a print of the coronation of Louis XIV

National Palace Museum

These gorgeous antique clocks not only represent time, but also a window into an era of cutting-edge scientific innovation.

Each of these works, dating from 1662 to 1795, is part of a new exhibition. Zimingzhong: The Clockwork Treasure of China's Forbidden City At the Science Museum in London. It “explores how we measure time and the technical expertise, creativity and international trade behind centuries-old clocks,” said curator Jane Desborough. states.

Zimeichu in the shape of an artificial flower pot

National Palace Museum

called Ziming Middle School This bell, which means “self-ringing bell” in Mandarin, was brought to China by European missionaries during the Qing Dynasty and was prized by the Chinese emperor, who collected hundreds of them and built them in the Forbidden City in Beijing to emphasize his imperial status. It was exhibited in the palace. And a luxurious taste.

Zimingzhong celestial globe and original case included

National Palace Museum

Many of the things that made Ziming Middle School The technology incorporated into the intricate case was so prestigious that hundreds of skilled craftsmen were required to produce just one watch. Some of the complex devices still used in some clocks may have been used to time the duration of celestial events.

European style Shimeichu

National Palace Museum

The main image is Ziming Middle School It depicts the coronation of King Louis XIV of France, with other images depicted in smaller images (taken from below the main image): penjing (“Potted Landscape”) Delicate artificial flowers. A small celestial observation device that displays the movement of stars and planets around the Earth. There is also a print by 18th century painter Joshua Reynolds (pictured above). The exhibition will run until June 2nd.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

The Most Anticipated Scientific Breakthroughs of 2024 |BBC Science Focus Magazine

Posted on January 1, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

If 2023 is any indication, 2024 is poised to be a year of breakthroughs across all areas of science. From cutting-edge advances in artificial intelligence to revolutionary discoveries in health and space exploration, here’s a look at what to expect in science in 2024.

Things are looking up: Space in 2024

If all goes well, humans will return to the moon for the first time in 50 years in 2024. NASA’s Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch in late 2024 and will carry a crew of four, including the first woman and person of color to participate in a moon mission.

Additionally, NASA’s Plankton, Aerosols, Clouds, and Ocean Ecosystems (PACE) satellite mission is scheduled to launch early this year. It aims to collect data that will help scientists measure the health of Earth’s oceans.

The long-delayed debut of ESA’s Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket is scheduled for mid-2024. And in October, NASA’s Europa Clipper will begin a journey to one of Jupiter’s icy moons to investigate the possibility of life.

Prior to that, the Jupiter Ice Moons Explorer (JUICE) spacecraft, launched by ESA in 2023 on a similar mission, is scheduled to perform its first Moon-Earth flyby a few months earlier, in August of this year.

Meanwhile, for those of us stuck on Earth, a total solar eclipse will hit Mexico, Canada, and the United States on April 8th, making it the last one to hit the continental United States until 2044.

This year also marks the bisection of Halley’s Comet’s 76-year orbit. This means that Halley’s Comet will reach its furthest point from Earth before beginning its return journey.

Artemis II (LR) Crew member and pilot of American astronaut Victor Glover. Reed Wiseman, Commander. Christina Hammock Koch, Mission Specialist. Canadian astronaut and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen (rear) poses with the Artemis II crew module. – Photo credit: Getty

New frontiers in health and medicine

Following the attention given to the weight-loss drug semaglutide in 2023, a phase 3 trial of a similar anti-diabetic drug, tirzepatide (Mounjaro), is expected to yield results towards the end of 2024.

Advances in CRISPR therapy are also expected after the gene editing tool was approved in the UK in November 2023 for the treatment of sickle cell disease and the blood disease beta-thalassemia. It is then expected to be approved in the United States by March 2024.

Transplant medicine also appears to be reaching new heights. In fact, biotech company EGenesis suggested earlier this year that gene-edited pig organs could be donated to human babies in need of transplants.

We also need to see how artificial intelligence (AI) can improve cancer diagnosis, test the effectiveness of new cancer treatments and drug combinations, and see the results of clinical trials of vaccines against HIV and malaria. be.

technology outlook

There has been a lot of speculation about OpenAI’s next project, and although nothing has been officially announced, an update to its Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) model is expected.

Generative AI will continue to find new applications in research and everyday life. The future technology for VR and gaming is shaping up to be interesting as tech giants pour resources into mixed reality.

This year, advances in fundamental areas of human life, from medicine to infrastructure, will be matched and enhanced by breakthroughs in robotics, smart materials, and eco-materials.

We expect more advanced robots that can perform microscopic operations inside the body, buildings that react to changing weather conditions, improved solar cells, and more. Some of these may be created with his 4D printer, which uses smart materials to create objects that can change shape.

Science in 2024: Culture

science fiction glasses

Movies in 2024 will be dominated by book adaptations, reboots, and sequels. alien to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. But what really caught our eye is the sequel.

inside out 2 We are committed to tackling the mental health of teenagers, and our first work explored the minds of children. We also return to your question about extraterrestrial terraforming. Dune: Part 2.

Inside Head 2: Fear, Sadness, Anger, Joy, Disgust, Anxiety take on new challenges. – Photo credit: Alamy

game changer

AI will greatly enhance camera operations at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Facial recognition is prohibited, but AI surveillance can help detect abandoned items and suspicious activity in large groups.

artificial politics

In 2023, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warned the U.S. Congress about the risks AI poses to politics, but amid a rise in political deepfakes, there are growing concerns about generative AI’s ability to mislead. Concerns are growing. Still, several important elections are scheduled to take place in 2024, including the US presidential election.

read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Using scientific evidence to determine if your dog truly loves you

Posted on December 30, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Scientists who study non-human animals do not use the word “love” in their published papers. Ironically, most animal behavior scientists were initially drawn to this topic due to their profound and enduring interest in animals.

However, researchers have traditionally been trained not to use anthropomorphic terms such as “love” to describe the emotions of non-human animals. Instead, they use terms like “temperament” and “positive cognitive bias” to avoid anthropomorphism. Though this strict stance on using human terminology for non-humans is starting to soften, due in part to the usefulness of certain terms in describing animal behavior and strong evolutionary reasons to believe that non-human animals are not completely dissimilar to humans.

Observing dog behavior makes it clear that dogs are deeply in love with humans, although some may refer to it as “hypersocial” or “socially obsessed.” There are also questions about how to recognize and define “love” in non-human animals who lack the linguistic capabilities to communicate their emotions.

Various studies have examined dogs’ sensitivity to human emotional states and physiological responses, such as separation anxiety and heart rate changes. These studies shed light on the complex relationship between dogs and humans and suggest that dogs may indeed experience emotions similar to love.

Credit: Justin Padgett

On the other hand, some behaviors that appear affectionate may be vestigial or instinctual rather than expressions of genuine affection. For example, wolves, dogs’ closest ancestors, use behaviors such as “kissing” as part of their natural interactions. Physiological research on heart rate, hormones, and brain activity provides further evidence of the bond between dogs and humans.

Researchers have found that both dogs and humans experience a decrease in heart rate after being reunited, indicating a physiological connection. Similarly, the hormone oxytocin, known for its role in human bonding, is also involved in dog-human bonding.

Furthermore, fMRI images of dog brains show activity in the reward center when dogs are near their owners, suggesting a positive emotional response. This evidence, combined with dogs’ ability to form associations and respond to human cues, implies a deep emotional bond between dogs and humans.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

NASA revives scientific endeavors in light of gyro challenge

Posted on December 16, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Hubble drifts over Earth after being released by the crew of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on May 19, 2009. Service Mission 4 (SM4), the fifth visit by astronauts to the Hubble Space Telescope, was an undisputed success, with the crew performing all planned tasks during the five spacewalks. . Credit: NASA

Following the gyroscope issue, NASA successfully resumed scientific activities in hubble space telescopethe system works optimally.

NASA returned the agency’s Hubble Space Telescope to scientific operations on December 8th. The telescope temporarily suspended scientific observations on November 23 due to a problem with one of its gyros. The spacecraft is in good health and operating again using all three of her gyros.

NASA has decided to return the agency’s Hubble Space Telescope to science operations after a series of tests to determine the performance of the gyro that caused the spacecraft to suspend scientific operations.

After analyzing the data, the research team determined that scientific activities could resume under the control of the three gyros. Based on the performance observed during testing, the team decided to operate the gyro in a higher precision mode during scientific observations. Hubble’s instruments and the observatory itself remain stable and healthy.

Hubble’s two primary cameras, Wide Field Camera 3 and Advanced Survey Camera, resumed scientific observations on December 8th. The team plans to restore operation of the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and Space Telescope Imaging Spectrometer later this month.

Hubble orbits more than 300 miles above Earth as seen from the Space Shuttle. Credit: NASA

About the Hubble Space Telescope

Launched in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope is a wonder of modern astronomy, orbiting Earth and capturing unprecedented views of the universe. Unlike ground-based telescopes, Hubble operates above the distortions of Earth’s atmosphere, providing clear images of distant galaxies, nebulae, and other celestial phenomena.

Its discoveries have revolutionized our understanding of the universe, from understanding the universe’s accelerating expansion to capturing the most detailed view of the solar system’s planets. Hubble’s longevity and adaptability have made it one of the most important instruments in the history of astronomy, and it continues to push the frontiers of our cosmic knowledge.

Source: scitechdaily.com

The Science of Wine and Cheese in France

This article is part of a special issue focused on achieving a healthier and happier year. Click here for more details.

Project Blueprint

Rapamycin Testing

Optimal Tips for Achieving a Century

play your cards right

A parade of bots

overview

Social Intelligence

Self-awareness

Final Verdict

Red corner: Godzilla

Blue corner: Kong

Verdict: Godzilla wins

reprimand the referee

ice cream nozzle

your chocolate nozzle

diagonal nozzle

cryptographic emoji

Things are looking up: Space in 2024

New frontiers in health and medicine

technology outlook

Science in 2024: Culture

science fiction glasses

game changer

artificial politics

About the Hubble Space Telescope