Jena Doom

White House stalls release of approved US science budgets The US Congress rejected sweeping cuts to science agencies. But the NIH, the NSF and NASA have had their spending slowed.

Hard not to worry that this isn't another attempt by OMB's Russell Vought to override Congress's power of the purse.

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Private money cannot replace public funding of science Who should pay for American science? In the current political climate, many are looking to the private sector to compensate for cuts in public funding. At the Harvard School of Public Health—particula...

No it cannot. This is a must read from Naomi Oreskes.

Private money cannot replace public funding of science | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Thanks to the Nature team for digging into this. Apportionment is one of those inside-baseball issues that I hoped never to need to learn about... But here was are.

My plant app’s guess is a beach plum, which is native to much of the US. But I am not a botanist, so do with that what you will. 😊

These numbers are devastating to scientists in training. The lack of K and F awards will decimate the future of science if these award numbers don’t pick up fast.

This week's cover @thelancet.com

On 3/7 @standupforscience.bsky.social is hosting our National Day of Action to Save Science, Protect Health, and Defend Democracy which means there's going to be a lot of...shit.

Yeah.

Last year, we spent over $15k on portapotties.

THIS YEAR, YOU CAN SPONSOR ONE AND WE WILL PUT YOUR NAME ON IT!

@thebalelab.bsky.social Is a mother’s struggle passed down to her child forever? The science is in, and it’s full of hope. 🧬 Dr. Tracy Bale discusses how therapy and healthy coping can actually "rewrite" biological tags. 🕊️🙏

#HealingTrauma #AndNowLove #Epigenetics #Hope #MentalWellness

@thebalelab.bsky.social
Dr. Tracy Bale explains the biological reality of sensory sensitivities. it’s a fundamental difference in how the brain filters the world. 🧠💡

#AutismAwareness #SensoryProcessing #Neurodiversity

I had to renegotiate my F99/K00 award twice in 6 months, and on both occasions I asked what specifically “DEI activities” means. I didn’t get clear answers, so I was hopeful the person that directive came from could specify (the NIH Director). I asked the on @whyshoulditrustyou.bsky.social podcast

True, but an MD also provides one with legitimacy and access to spaces where they can do a lot of harm to others, including trainees. I don’t think completing degree requirements is enough when someone might have a record of doing harm.

Breaking News: Immigration agents arrested a Columbia University student after misrepresenting themselves to access a building, the school said. nyti.ms/4u2Z0xw

DHS agents detain Columbia student after entering University-owned residence, Shipman reports <i>This is a developing story. Check back for updates. </i>

DHS officers enter Columbia dorm pretending to be searching for a missing person, instead detain a student

Neuroscience undergrad abducted at 6:30am. No judicial warrant. ICE lied to gain entry into the residence.

State-sanctioned kidnapping. And I’m supposed to somehow teach class this afternoon?

Makes you wonder why an institution would grant a medical degree to someone who shouldn’t be around other humans…

Kicking millions of people off food stamps and making the largest cut to SNAP in history does not lift up Americans or make groceries affordable. It makes it more difficult, and nearly impossible, for families to put food on the table.

Why do I have to pretend that I'm going to print something in order to save it as a PDF. Why do I have to engage in a little ruse.

BREAKING

Former ICE agent:

On my first day training new cadets, I received secretive orders to teach them to violate the Constitution by entering homes without a judicial warrant.

Opinion | The Human Cost of Trump’s War on Science

This piece by @jeneeninterlandi.bsky.social is one for the ages. The damage Donald Trump (under the guidance of Russell Vought) has done to biomedical research is profound and will be long-lasting. It is a national tragedy to be measured in the sick and the dead. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/23/o...

‘We want to rebuild trust’: fired CDC workers form group to combat Trump’s war on science Former employees stepped up to create the National Public Health Coalition to advocate for public health after Trump’s cuts to the agency

Proud of our CDC colleagues at National Public Health Coalition. @firedbutfighting.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

And all the current & former federal workers who are standing up and fighting for a better future for all of us. @27unihted.bsky.social @altnih4science.bsky.social

I just want to live in a country where the leader can’t enrich themselves with our tax dollars, the government does what the people want, and the wealthy have to follow the laws.

You know, like a democracy.

When you put it like this, a $75 million bribe to Melania and gutting the Washington Post seems like a small price to pay.

Fascism is here and yet we insist on continuing to make things. Keep creating. It's so important. Do not let the fascists colonize your imagination or curtail your creativity.

More than 75,000 Post readers cancelled their subscriptions after the recent cuts. An even larger number bailed after Bezos killed the endorsement of Harris, but now the decline feels terminal. Bezos does not want a great paper with a conservative opinion page (like the Wall Street Journal). He seemingly barely wants a paper at all, treating one of the most important American media institutions like an embarrassing child from a previous marriage that no longer fits his lifestyle.

This sounds unbelievable but its true: since Bezos acquired The Post, his wealth has grown tenfold and the Post has been cut in half.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-trust-...

Trump aides struggle with how to spend $500 billion more on military Some senior officials resisted the decision to approve the major military spending increase, people familiar with the matter say.

Reading this story—about how the Pentagon has been given so much extra money it's struggling to spend it all—while thinking about the formerly homeless tenants I've spoken with in recent weeks whose housing vouchers are being discontinued for "lack of funds."

And the award for the dumbest thing I’ve heard today goes to this guy. 🤦🏼‍♀️

When Minnesotans were talking about “not letting this happen to our neighbors,” this is the heartbreaking “this” they meant

E.P.A. Weakens Limits on Mercury From Coal Plants

sooooooo
Mercury in vaccines = 🤬
Mercury everywhere else = 😀👍????

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/c...

Are you a junior faculty member interested in spending 2-4 weeks at Princeton Psych? Consider applying for our Microsabbatical program! It’s a fully funded visit for professional development and creating long-term collaborations.
psych.princeton.edu/diversity/mi...