David Grimm

Microbes might be able to planet hop on asteroid shrapnel Experiment confirms bacteria could survive being blasted off world by impact

To simulate an asteroid impact in the lab, researchers put bacterial cells on a membrane and shot them with a gas-fired projectile that struck the microbes at up to 480 kilometers per hour. The bacteria largely shrugged off the cataclysm. Cool story by @jakebuehler.bsky.social at @science.org

Galileo’s handwritten notes found in ancient astronomy text Discovery sheds new light on how famed astronomer came to lead a scientific revolution

The find promises new insights into one of the most famous ideological transitions in the history of science: the moment when Earth was thrust from the center of our universe. Cool story by @joshuasokol.bsky.social for @science.org

In a first, researchers film treetops glowing during thunderstorms Glimmer sparked by electrical fields detected in nature for the first time

For half a century, researchers suspected treetops on Earth might glow because of thunderstorms. But the phenomenon, an electric outburst called a corona, has only ever been spotted in the lab--until now. Cool story from @hannah-richter.bsky.social for @science.org

Here me talk about the challenges of breeding dogs for disabilities—and what science can do to help 🐕

Can science build a better working dog? New approaches could put talented canines into the hands of more people with disabilities

More than half of dogs trained to help people with blindness, PTSD, autism, and other conditions fail to graduate. New scientific approaches could help, getting more--and better--working dogs into the hands of people who need them most. My new feature for @science.org!

In unprecedented move, giant monkey research center may become a primate sanctuary University votes to consider ending all studies at Oregon National Primate Research Center. But cost and feasibility are still in doubt

Biomedical researchers are shocked by a seemingly sudden decision to consider converting one of the largest primate research centers in the U.S. into a monkey sanctuary. Costs could exceed $250 million, and it's unclear who would pay for it--and if its even possible. My latest for @science.org

In unprecedented move, giant monkey research center may become a primate sanctuary University votes to consider ending all studies at Oregon National Primate Research Center. But cost and feasibility are still in doubt

BREAKING: One of the largest monkey research centers in the U.S. could become a sanctuary. University voted today to enter into negotiations with NIH that could put an end to all studies at the Oregon Primate Research Center. My latest for @science.org

Snakes on a train? Deadly reptiles may be hopping railcars in India Trains may be transporting cobras and other venomous snakes to new parts of the country

It was the middle of the night in 2017 when biologist Dikansh Parmar received an unexpected phone call from an anxious railway employee in India’s Gujarat state... Really fun story from @erikstokstad.bsky.social for @science.org!

No bull: This Austrian cow has learned to use tools First evidence for tool use in cattle includes a skill previously seen only in humans and chimpanzees

About a decade ago, a baker in a small mountainous village in southern Austria noticed his cow doing something unusual... My latest for @science.org about the first documented case of tool use in cattle!

Jellyfish sleep a lot like us—and for the same reasons Study adds to evidence that sleep likely evolved among ancient animals as a means of repairing neurons

You don't need a brain to appreciate a good night of sleep!

New research revealed that jellyfish and sea anemones sleep for around 8 hours a day—the same amount as humans—and even get groggy! 🪼

Latest for @science.org with a great edit from @david-grimm.bsky.social

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Exclusive: Have scientists found Leonardo da Vinci’s DNA? Inside the decadeslong quest to reveal the genes of a genius—and revolutionize art authentication

Leonardo da Vinci's burial site was disturbed early in the 19th century, and he had no direct descendants. Finding his DNA is “about as hard a target there is,” experts say. Now scientists may have made a breakthrough... Cool story by @richardastone.bsky.social for @science.org

Always appreciate your championing of Cloud Atlas. I think it’s the most underrated film of the past 20 years.

Kennedy ‘deeply committed to ending animal experimentation’ HHS secretary vows to end U.S. monkey imports, push for retirement of research primates

RFK Jr. vows an end to animal testing on Lara Trump's Fox News program. "We’re reeducating researchers so that they know that there are these other forms of research that are much more predictive." The remarks are sending shock waves through the biomedical community. My latest for @science.org

Kennedy ‘deeply committed to ending animal experimentation’ HHS secretary vows to end U.S. monkey imports, push for retirement of research primates

In his strongest condemnation yet of animal research, RFK Jr. said HHS is “deeply committed to ending animal experimentation.” He also called for an end monkey to imports and claimed national primate centers are driven by profit. My latest for @science.org

Our favorite science news stories of 2025 A mix of Science’s most loved and most read items of the year

From trees that love getting struck by lightning to one of the most insane acrobatic feats in nature, here are our favorite science news stories of the year! @science.org

My favorite podcast of the year, and not just because I'm on it 😊. Listen to a rundown of our favorite science news stories of the year. @science.org

YouTube video by Rotten Tomatoes TV Pantheon Season 1 Trailer

The best show you've never heard of. Buried by AMC+, resurrected by Netflix. Two seasons that tell a complete story--no cliffhangers, no loose threads. And you won't believe where it ultimately goes. h/t @devindra.bsky.social

Love practically makes these birds go blind Unusually obstructive plumage compromises the vision of two types of pheasants—a first in birds

This hairdo doesn't just help male pheasants woo females--it also obscures their vision, making them more vulnerable to predators. Fun story at @science.org

Exclusive: CDC to end all monkey research Studies related to HIV and other infectious diseases will be phased out, sources say; fate of the agency's animals remains unclear

EXCLUSIVE: CDC to end all monkey studies. Decision handed down by recent college grad and former DOGE employee who is now deputy chief of staff at the agency. Animals were being used in studies of HIV prevention. Some may be euthanized. My latest for @science.org

There is an excellent video of the wolf using the trap too, which is somehow both soothing and delightful

Have wild wolves learned to use tools? Video captures a lone female pulling crab traps out of the water, but does it count as tool use?

A female wolf has been doing something unusual on the Central Coast of British Columbia. She's learned to pull crab traps up from the water, yanking on a rope to bring it to the surface. But is it tool use? Very fun story from @phiejacobs.bsky.social for @science.org

Is it cheating at paleontology if the dinosaur bones are marked with bright orange lichen? @david-grimm.bsky.social dives in to the dilemma this week on the @science.org podcast

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Have physicists finally solved the ‘golfer’s curse’? Team says it has hit on an explanation for heartbreaking “lip outs”

Known as a “lip out” or the “golfer’s curse,” the sometimes strange behavior of golf balls has bedeviled players for centuries. Now, physicists have figured out how they happen. Just don't expect the discovery to improve your game... Fun story by @annademming.bsky.social for @science.org

Science’s ‘Dance Your Ph.D.’ contest is open again—with an all new, AI twist For the first time, there’s a special prize for a research-themed dance generated by an artificial intelligence program

Getting--or got--a PhD? Got boogie in your soul? Then don't be shy. Enter this year's contest--and dance, dance, dance! @science.org

Back to the Future did it first!

Cool story from @tmitchellbrown.bsky.social l

Tree rings from ancient coffins offer clues to Earth’s past Wood from gravesites can help reconstruct historic temperatures, floods, and droughts

Ancient coffins aren't just for Dracula. They can provide clues to what it felt like to Walk the earth thousands of years ago. Just in time for #Halloween, a spooky story from @science.org

To thwart food poisoning, tiny needles could inject bacteria-slaying viruses into your meal Experimental patches on meat, fruits, and vegetables can destroy up to 99.9% of bacteria

Each year, hundreds of millions of people worldwide similarly fall sick from microbial pathogens lurking in meals. Bacteria-killing viruses called bacteriophages could offer an unusual solution. @science.org

Facing claims of animal abuse, a major breeder of research dogs will close its pipeline Ridglan Farms has agreed to stop selling beagles for scientific studies, leaving just one major U.S. supplier

Breaking news: To avoid criminal prosecution for allegations of animal abuse, the second-largest breeder of research dogs in the United States will stop providing animals to research labs around the country, according to a settlement. https://scim.ag/4hT8dCV