David Attenborough's nature documentaries and conservation work have sparked a love of the natural world in countless scientists. To mark his 100th birthday today, I spoke with several researchers whose discoveries became tributes to his legacy. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...

My first byline for @smithsonianmag.bsky.social features a "feisty" and "rambunctious" Asian elephant at Smithsonian's National Zoo who's expecting her first bundle of joy early next year! 🐘🍼

This ‘Feisty’ Asian Elephant at the National Zoo Is Pregnant. She May Birth the First Calf Born There in Nearly 25 Years

With fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants estimated to be remaining in the wild, the Smithsonian’s announcement gives hope to those working to preserve the endangered species

smithsonianmag.com

I’m excited to announce that I'm the new assistant digital editor for science and innovation at @smithsonianmag.bsky.social! Reach out to me with tips or say hello at PrillamanM [at] si [dot] edu ✍️🧬🔭🧪🪐

Workers of the Science News Media Guild will conduct a 24-hour #strike on Wednesday, 11/5. This comes after our members voted to reject the Society’s latest contract proposal. Our members previously voted by 92% to authorize a strike against the @society4science.bsky.social, if necessary.

I haven't been posting much, but I HAVE been busily writing about all things astronomy for @sciencenews.bsky.social — including this cool new planet candidate seen near our stellar neighbor! 🪐🌟 www.sciencenews.org/article/plan...

A giant planet may orbit our closest sunlike neighbor

Alpha Centauri A, four light-years from Earth, may host a gas giant. If confirmed, no Earthlike planets orbit in the star’s habitable zone.

sciencenews.org

After ruling the NIH grant cuts were illegal yesterday, Judge Young, a Reagan appointee on the bench since 1985, ended the hearing with a blistering 15-minute speech. I've cleaned up my notes — here are his remarks in full. 🧵

Judge rules against NIH grant cuts — and calls them discriminatory

The decision means that the US biomedical agency has to restore funding to hundreds of research projects, but the government will likely appeal.

nature.com

Quick vibe check at the NIH, per a staffer there: "We have lost so many people: we have no comms, no HR, no acquisitions, no one to do travel or purchasing. So many people have left that there are chains of email bounces..."

I have not stopped thinking about vaccines since November. The idea that my kid (and so many others) might end up with protection against fewer diseases is heartbreaking www.sciencenews.org/article/mom-...

How one mom is navigating vaccines' uncertain future

With CDC upheaval, new limits on who can get some vaccines and an ongoing measles outbreak, parents like me face unfamiliar hurdles to protecting our kids.

sciencenews.org

I had an interesting conversation with former #FDA commissioner Robert Califf. He said recent cuts could erode our food safety system - and it’s hard to predict where it may start to crumble. “There are a gazillion places where things could go wrong.” www.sciencenews.org/article/milk...

FDA cuts imperil food safety, but not how you might think

Layoffs at the FDA, USDA and CDC could erode the U.S. food safety system. Experts aren’t so worried about milk or chicken today; they’re concerned about the future.

sciencenews.org

Pivoting to become an astronomy reporter at @sciencenews.bsky.social for the next 5 months ☄️🌌🔭🚀 Send me your outta-this-world tips and ideas at mprillaman [at] sciencenews [dot] org or meprillaman.01 on Signal

🧪I'm looking for studies that explain WHY fruit ripen (and why they suck to eat/are toxic before they are ripe). This is proving surprisingly hard. Are any plant folks out there able to lend a hand?

Here are some numbers: The @society4science.bsky.social CEO @mayaajmera.bsky.social received a $77K raise in 2022, and then a $63K raise in 2023. That first number is more than some employees’ entire salaries! Our employees deserve a transparent and equitable pay structure.

Science News Media Guild@sn-media-guild.bsky.social · last yr.

This week we're talking pay. For years our employees have received annual raises that lag behind the rising cost-of-living. Meanwhile, our CEO @mayaajmera.bsky.social has been getting raises as large as some employees’ entire salaries! We deserve fair pay, @society4science.bsky.social. #worthmore ✊

A wild story by a fantastic reporter -- give it a read!

Freda Kreier (she/her)@fredakreier.bsky.social · last yr.

🧪Here's a story that made me go "cool!" and then made me sad. Capuchin monkeys are abducting vulnerable howler infants -- and it might be because they're bored. My latest for @scinews.bsky.social

A carnivorous caterpillar dubbed the “bone collector” decorates itself with the body parts of its prey. ✍️ @meprillaman.bsky.social @sciencenews.bsky.social

This caterpillar wears the body parts of insect prey

Dubbed the “bone collector,” this caterpillar found on a Hawaiian island disguises itself while stalking spider webs for trapped insects to eat.

sciencenews.org

Looking for former FDA employees for a story I’m working on about food safety. If that’s you, I’d love to talk. You can send me a DM here, find me on signal, or email me at mrosen@sciencenews.org. 🙏

The bone collector might be one of the creepiest caterpillars you'll ever meet. It wears the body parts of prey as camouflage while it stalks spider webs for trapped bugs to eat. www.sciencenews.org/article/cate...

This caterpillar wears the body parts of insect prey

Dubbed the “bone collector,” this caterpillar found on a Hawaiian island disguises itself while stalking spider webs for trapped insects to eat.

sciencenews.org

Clinical trials across the U.S. have suddenly stopped due to actions by the Trump administration. I talked to several researchers involved in such studies, a patient advocate & @apha.org about the impacts #NIH #HHS #Trump #ClinicalResearch #ClinicalTrials #COVID #HIV #SexualHealth #MaternalHealth 🧪

Clinical trials face uncertain futures amid Trump cuts

The Trump administration has reportedly disrupted over 100 clinical trials. Science News spoke to researchers about the impacts on four of them.

sciencenews.org

I’m excited to share this story on GLP-1 drugs that I’ve been working on for months. It’s about the unconventional (and potentially dangerous) places people have been sourcing their meds. Why would people take that risk? A longish 🧵 www.sciencenews.org/article/weig...

A shadowy market for weight-loss drugs has emerged online

People are buying semaglutide and tirzepatide, the key ingredients in Ozempic and Zepbound, from unconventional sources. Doctors have safety concerns.

sciencenews.org

NEW: Entire scientific fields have been wiped out by the nearly 800 grants cancelled at NIH, finds a @nature.com analysis of the unprecedented cuts. About half of all 2024 NIH projects related to LGBT+ health or vaccine hesitancy — gone. See the other topics and US states hardest hit here:

How Trump 2.0 is slashing NIH-backed research — in charts

Nature analyses which fields of science and US states are being hit hardest by grant terminations.

nature.com

Our deputy managing editor Cassie and her baby with an important message 💛 @cassiemartin.bsky.social #faircontractnow @wbng.org @sciencenews.bsky.social @snexplores.bsky.social

Science News’ editorial assistant Aina with an awesome sign 😍❤️🌈 @wbng.org @sciencenews.bsky.social @snexplores.bsky.social #unionstrong

Miso, the umami-rich paste made from cooked soybeans, holds promise as a food for astronauts: It’s highly nutritious, firm (and thus not prone to leakage) and rich in flavor. And space might add some spice. —via @meprillaman.bsky.social @sciencenews.bsky.social

Fermenting miso in orbit reveals how space can affect a food’s taste

A miso test on the International Space Station shows fermenting food is not only possible in space, it adds nuttier notes to the Japanese condiment.

sciencenews.org

🚨 Know of a #ClinicalTrial that's been delayed or canceled due to actions by the #Trump administration? I'm highlighting impacts on trials & what the public could lose for @sciencenews.bsky.social 🚨 Please reach out: mprillaman [at] sciencenews [dot] org or meprillaman.01 on signal. #JournoRequest

Wondering what's up with 23andMe's bankruptcy? I talked with @alondra.bsky.social and @anyaprince.bsky.social about the implications for genetic privacy. www.sciencenews.org/article/23an...

23andMe has filed for bankruptcy. Should you delete your data from the site?

As 23andMe prepares to be sold, Science News spoke with two experts about what’s at stake and whether consumers should delete their genetic data.

sciencenews.org

@jonrauch.bsky.social Sorry to hear your friend's chemo trial was canceled. I'm writing about trials delayed/canceled due to the Trump admin's actions for @sciencenews.bsky.social. Would your friend be willing to chat? I'm at mprillaman[at]sciencenews[dot]org and meprillaman.01 on signal. Thanks!

🧪 Hey, scientists of bluesky. I’m curious how American immigration news over the last few weeks is impacting decisions about traveling in and out of the US, and what you think the longer term impacts might be. You can contact me though my website at www.fredakreier.com

Freda Kreier -- Science Writer and Journalist

Freda Kreier is a freelance science writer and journalist. She writes about science, nature, and more.

fredakreier.com

In 15 yrs of reporting, I've never had so many health & biomed researchers & outreach orgs tell me they're afraid to talk w/press or barred from speaking bc of new comms policies. I understand the fear of losing funds. I don't know if silence does more harm than good. If you can speak up, pls do.

Hello, new followers 👋 I'm a science journalist based in DC, now temporarily at @sciencenews.bsky.social. I specialize in neuro, health & biomedicine, but I cover everything from measles to narwhals. (Both stories came out today!) Thanks for joining me, & many more stories TK! Some highlights 🧵

Narwhals may use their iconic tusks to play

Videos show narwhals using their tusks in several ways, including prodding and flipping a fish. It’s the first reported evidence of the whales playing.

sciencenews.org

The measles vaccine “not only prevents serious disease, it also prevents infection,” Chin-Hong says. “It’s a fantastic vaccine.” This story by @thsaey.bsky.social and @meprillaman.bsky.social really lays out all the measles info you need to know. www.sciencenews.org/article/meas...

Measles is spreading. Here’s what experts say you should know

The uptick in measles cases has left many people wondering about early signs of measles, whether they need an updated vaccine and treatment options.

sciencenews.org