How one of the world’s rarest and most valuable gemstones gets its vivid colors Scientists finally solve mystery of ammolite’s brilliant reds, greens, and blues

For the curious.

How one of the world’s rarest and most valuable gemstones gets its vivid colors | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

Transitioning to ‘emeritus professor’ wasn’t always easy. Here’s how I adjusted “I have learned to keep pushing forward, at a more relaxed pace,” this retired scientist writes

I share this because transitioning to retirement is not discussed enough and it is always good to have another person's perspective. Transitioning to ‘emeritus professor’ wasn’t always easy. Here’s how I adjusted | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

Sumerian civilization may have been jump-started by the rise and fall of tides Millennia before the first cities, early Mesopotamians probably harnessed tides to irrigate crops

The origins of agriculture.

Sumerian civilization may have been jump-started by the rise and fall of tides | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

A surprise bonus from COVID-19 vaccines: bolstering cancer treatment Patients who got shots of mRNA before starting a type of cancer immunotherapy lived much longer

This is really interesting.

A surprise bonus from COVID-19 vaccines: bolstering cancer treatment | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

Beetle compound is so valuable insects eat bird poop to get it To obtain the toxic chemical cantharidin, insects suck beetles’ blood—and even munch on their digested remains

Nature never ceases to amaze.

Beetle compound is so valuable insects eat bird poop to get it | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

Poisonous sacs helped toads conquer the world Iconic amphibians took an unexpected path across the globe, study finds—with toxins as a “game changer”

For the curious. Poisonous sacs helped toads conquer the world | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

Whiplash at CDC as hundreds of employees are terminated, then reinstated Agency’s prestigious training programs among those spared, while other key offices are scrapped

This is no way to run a country and to say it was a mistake simply says you have no management skills.

Whiplash at CDC as hundreds of employees are terminated, then reinstated | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

Chicago’s beloved ‘rat hole’ was actually made by a squirrel Scientists reopen the case of “splatatouille”

If you are from Chicago, this is important.

Chicago’s beloved ‘rat hole’ was actually made by a squirrel | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

Machine learning reveals potential consequences of cuts to US research Governments have the right to decide how to spend money on science. Modelling shows that making instant cuts to grants without a plan or consultation is misconceived.

Interesting read:
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Ecuadorian scientists cleared of criminal charges in COVID-19 testing case Prosecutors alleged officials and researchers defrauded government during the early months of the pandemic

The costs and risks of doing science.

Ecuadorian scientists cleared of criminal charges in COVID-19 testing case | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

‘Completely shattered.’ Changes to NSF’s graduate student fellowship spur outcry The announcement comes months later than usual, leaving many would-be applicants stranded

Doubt this is how you build a vibrant science workforce.

‘Completely shattered.’ Changes to NSF’s graduate student fellowship spur outcry | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

How I confronted my growing cynicism about academia—and rekindled my sense of purpose “Maintaining hope doesn’t mean ignoring hardships or naïvely expecting things to work out,” this professor writes

Well said.

How I confronted my growing cynicism about academia—and rekindled my sense of purpose | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

City squirrels can't think straight when humans are nearby Human presence lowers squirrels’ puzzle success, with playground noise worst, but dogs sometimes speed problem-solving.

Blame it on the humans.

City squirrels can't think straight when humans are nearby: www.earth.com/news/city-sq...

Ostriches can't fly - so how did their ancestors cross oceans? Scientists discovered that ostrich ancestors could fly across oceans. Later, they lost flight and adapted on land.

For the curious:

www.earth.com/news/ostrich...

Under Trump, NSF faces worst crisis in its 75-year history Political directives have undermined agency's independence and record of supporting the best basic research

A long but interesting read.

Under Trump, NSF faces worst crisis in its 75-year history | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

For the curious:

How the yellow fever mosquito conquered the world | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

USDA funding delays under Trump compromise agricultural research Sharp drop in grant awards leaves researchers frustrated

Interesting times.

USDA funding delays under Trump compromise agricultural research | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

Equity in science is a beautiful lie — and I’m done pretending Science isn’t really moving towards equity; institutions are just perfecting the appearance of equity. We need to build an alternative system.

Interesting and thought provoking read:

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

Does drinking beer make you more attractive to mosquitoes? Experiments performed at a large music festival suggest the bloodsuckers are more attracted to hedonistic attendees

Interesting article. Not sure I will follow their recommendations.

Does drinking beer make you more attractive to mosquitoes? | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

House panels charge U.S. National Academies with producing partisan studies Pending spending bill urges agencies to find other sources of scientific advice

Interesting read. House panels charge U.S. National Academies with producing partisan studies | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

Scientists take on Trump: these researchers are fighting back Through lawsuits, grant tracking, whistle-blowing and more, resistance to the US war on science is growing.

An interesting read.

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

These scientists left the US in Trump’s first term: their tips on taking the leap Nature talks to researchers about why they moved and how they relocated successfully.

Not good news:

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

Climate impacts are real — denying this is self-defeating The US administration is attempting to undermine efforts to curb greenhouse-gas emissions. It will ultimately leave that country, and the world, worse off.

Worth the read:

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

Great webinar.

The trick to blowing the perfect dandelion The umbrellalike tufts resist downward tugs but slip free when lifted up into the wind

For the curious.

The trick to blowing the perfect dandelion | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

Harvard victory leaves scientists feeling vindicated but uncertain Trump administration vows to appeal ruling that it illegally cut $2.2 billion in research funding

In full transparency, I am a Harvard alumnus who also signed the brief in support of Harvard and higher education. Worth the read.

Harvard victory leaves scientists feeling vindicated but uncertain | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

Why chocolate tastes so good: microbes that fine-tune its flavour Manipulating the microbial communities involved in cocoa-bean fermentation could make chocolate even more delicious.

For the Foodies.

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

RFK Jr demanded a vaccine study be retracted — the journal said no In a rare move for a US public official, health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr called for a Danish paper finding no link between aluminium in vaccines and disease to be retracted.

This is surprising on a number of levels.

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

Glow-in-the-dark houseplants shine in rainbow of colours Succulents become rechargeable night lights after injection with tiny phosphor particles.

This is pretty cool.

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

Trump administration pushes ahead with NOAA climate and weather cuts Despite congressional resistance, agency aims to cut research spending now

Interesting read.

Trump administration pushes ahead with NOAA climate and weather cuts | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...