David Grimm
@david-grimm.bsky.social
Award-winning journalist and online news editor at Science. Author of Citizen Canine: Our Evolving Relationship with Cats and Dogs. Lover of cats, movies, and bad puns.
Orcas are ramming sunfish so hard they explode. Check out the stunning video at the link. Nice story by @annieroth.bsky.social for @science.org
High-speed orcas are blowing sunfish to smithereens
Never-before-seen behavior may represent the giant cetaceans playing with their food, ecologists say
science.org
One of the largest monkey research centers in the U.S. will not become a sanctuary. But it will have to significantly reduce its monkey population and shift its research focus to non-animal models. It may also rebrand, striking the word "primate" from its name. My latest for @science.org
Future of giant monkey research facility uncertain, even as sanctuary plan dropped
The Oregon National Primate Research Center could change its name and shift its focus to nonanimal studies
science.org
A proposal to transform one of the largest monkey research centers in the United States into a sanctuary is officially dead, but major changes may still be in store... My latest for @science.org
Future of giant monkey research facility uncertain, even as sanctuary plan dropped
The Oregon National Primate Research Center could change its name and shift its focus to nonanimal studies
science.org
Deep in the lush forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo lives a rare monkey that has long evaded scientists and even most local communities. Only few have witnessed the black, orange-mouthed primate quietly perching high in the canopy. Story by @yejnlheee.bsky.social for @science.org
Mysterious orange-lipped monkey discovered deep in the Congo rainforest is a new species
“Likweli” find highlights importance of conservation work, researchers say
science.org
The first foot set on the Moon was famously one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. But did you know there was a spring in that step? And do you know why? Fun story by @phiejacobs.bsky.social for @science.org
Bungee-jumping mice may reveal why astronauts skip on the Moon
Low gravity puts a bounce in the step of humans and rodents alike
science.org
A lack of financial support from the NIH may have doomed a plan to convert the Oregon National Primate Research Center--one of the largest monkey facilities in the country--into a sanctuary where no research is done. My latest for @science.org
Plan to turn major monkey research facility into sanctuary may be dead
Lack of federal funds may have forced Oregon university to drop idea of converting national primate center into science-free refuge
science.org
The unprecedented move would have ended hundreds of studies at one of the largest academic monkey centers in the United States. But on Thursday, OHSU President Shereef Elnahal told faculty leaders the plan could not move forward because of a lack of federal funding. My latest for @science.org
Plan to turn major monkey research facility into sanctuary may be dead
Lack of federal funds may have forced Oregon university to drop idea of converting national primate center into science-free refuge
science.org
Just published, and already one of my favorite stories of the year. A fascinating story expertly told by @samkean.bsky.social for @science.org
Why have papers by one of history’s most famous physicists been retracted?
Springer Nature has removed two studies by Max Planck. A bot may be to blame
science.org
Sea turtles are expert navigators. But, like us, they occasionally veer off track. Fun story by @phiejacobs.bsky.social for @science.org
Migrating sea turtles only sort of know where they’re going
An “approximate” sense of Earth’s magnetic fields means the animals must occasionally reorient during long ocean voyages
science.org
The 12 souls aboard will drift for a long 8 months, mostly without seeing the Sun, through one of the most inhospitable and least explored regions on Earth. Fun story by Richard Stone for @science.org
A dozen people will spend 8 months trapped in Arctic ice—for science
Battling darkness and cold, researchers on a drifting laboratory will probe the biology of the Arctic Ocean
science.org
As the CDC moves to phase out its primate research, it planned on sending its monkeys to a Texas sanctuary. Now the agency appears to have backtracked on the plan. Or has it? My latest for @science.org
After backlash, CDC revises plan to retire research monkeys to Texas sanctuary
New call for proposals seeks alternatives, though critics say the agency’s original choice is still leading option
science.org
The CDC has seemingly backtracked on a plan to send its research monkeys to a Texas sanctuary. But could the animals end up there anyway? My latest for @science.org
After backlash, CDC revises plan to retire research monkeys to Texas sanctuary
New call for proposals seeks alternatives, though critics say the agency’s original choice is still leading option
science.org
Just where—or rather, when—did it originate? Nice story by @hannah-richter.bsky.social for @science.org
Interstellar comet is unlike anything seen in our Solar System
Chemical signature of 3I/ATLAS suggests it formed early in the history of the Milky Way
science.org
Left-pawed dogs take fewer risks. Right-pawed dogs can be more aggressive. And ambilateral dogs appear to be more fearful of thunderstorms. Fun story by @phiejacobs.bsky.social for @science.org
How can you tell whether your dog is right-pawed or left-pawed?
Science chats with researchers about a new method of assessing canine “handedness” and what it reveals about your pup’s health and personality
science.org
Biomedical researchers will need to nervously watch and wait. “The next few months will be important to watch to see if this news does, in fact, cause disruptions.” My latest for @science.org
Leading supplier of research monkeys declares bankruptcy
Facing economic and regulatory pressures, Inotiv says it is seeking ways to continue operations
science.org
One of the world’s leading suppliers of monkeys and other animals for biomedical research has declared bankruptcy. In court filings last week, Inotiv said it's nearly a half-billion dollars in debt and is seeking ways to continue operations as it financially restructures. My latest for @science.org
Leading supplier of research monkeys declares bankruptcy
Facing economic and regulatory pressures, Inotiv says it is seeking ways to continue operations
science.org
Me watching Stand by Me in 1986: “Man, 1959 seems like ancient history.” Me watching Stand by Me in 2026: “Man, 1986 feels like yesterday.”
UPDATE: A dead humpback whale found in a strait between Denmark and Sweden is “Timmy,” @theguardian.com reports. Read why marine biologists advised against the attempt in @martinenserink.bsky.social's excellent story for @science.org earlier this month.
Chaotic whale rescue shocks marine biologists
Timmy, a humpback whale stranded in Germany 6 weeks ago, was ailing and may already be dead
science.org
Critics say the proposal was made without consulting experts, does not specify how the transfer or lifetime care of the animals would be funded, and could endanger the monkeys if they’re not carefully integrated into their new home. My latest for @science.org
CDC plan to retire lab monkeys to Texas sanctuary draws ire
Critics say proposal was rushed and could endanger the animals
science.org
Scientists have spotted seals taking refuge in an unusual place: a small, dome-shaped chamber accessible only through an underwater passage. Such hidden “bubble caves” may provide peace and quiet during tourist season. Fun story by @phiejacobs.bsky.social for @science.org
Rare seals spotted snoozing in an underwater ‘bubble cave’
Hidden chambers may provide Mediterranean monk seals refuge from tourists
science.org
For decades, scientists have been puzzled by the gruesome deaths of gray seal pups. Injuries start at their mouth and corkscrew down to their chest, tearing down to the bone but leaving the rest of the body intact. Now they think they've finally identified the 'corkscrew killer'. @science.org
Scientists ID ‘corkscrew killer’ behind gruesome seal deaths
Bizarre injuries were not caused by sharks or boat propellers, but a more surprising culprit
science.org
“We show that in almost every case where you use these fibers, this could be a privacy concern.” Nice story by @elisecutts.bsky.social for @science.org
Fiber optic cables can eavesdrop on nearby conversations
Cables used to detect earthquakes can also capture the faint vibrations of speech
science.org
Last week on the @science.org podcast, we had @david-grimm.bsky.social and Adrian Cho talking about the latest news stories from the site -- including a way to leave singularities out of black holes. Listen here: www.science.org/content/podc...
Archaeologists got wind of the site, which had recently been re-established in the early 2000s as a camp used by people illegally pasturing cattle. Local rumors swirled that they had found gold there... Cool story by @lizziewade.bsky.social for @science.org
Have archaeologists found the long-lost Maya city of Sac Balam?
Architectural and geographic details match historic descriptions of the colonial, centuries-old jungle refuge
science.org
@thegreatalbums.bsky.social psyched you guys are back. your shows on new miserable experience and she's so unusual were some of my favorites. looking forward to new shows!
The adaptation not only contributes to penguins’ signature waddle, it also helps keep their bodies streamlined when underwater, allowing them to move efficiently on both land and sea. Fun story by @tmitchellbrown.bsky.social @science.org
Enigmatic muscle may help explain penguins’ signature waddle
Find also reveals how the birds keep their bodies streamlined when underwater
science.org
Up to 8% of fertilized eggs in IVF only sport one pronucleus-independent structures that contain chromosomes from mom and dad. Some facilities grow them into embryos, especially if a would-be mother’s eggs are in short supply. But many fail. Now scientists think they know why. @science.org
Battle over DNA within fertilized eggs may explain why some IVF procedures fail
Temporarily keeping parents’ genetic contributions separate promotes normal development, mouse study suggests
science.org
The incorporation of metal ions likely compensates for structural fragility. Rather than boosting raw crushing power, zinc appears to protect a structurally vulnerable weapon against wear over time. Cool story by Olivia Maule for @science.org
Scorpions reinforce their most lethal weapons with metal
Arachnids infuse zinc into their claws or stingers—whichever they depend on most while hunting
science.org
Never thought I'd be able to see a spider's heart beating with the naked eye. 🕷️ Cool story by Olivia Maule at @science.org
Watch a spider’s heart race when traffic gets too loud
Study captures a hidden stress response in roadside orb weavers
science.org
