Is ‘open science’ delivering benefits? Major study finds proof is sparse

It’s hard to measure social and economic impacts of making papers and data free, researchers say

science.org

Will NIH’s new director reform his agency—or destroy it?

Jay Bhattacharya is struggling to make the case he’s in charge and has the agency’s best interests at heart

science.org

Cleaning the scientific house: Rebuilding trust in science requires confronting the harms of ghostwriting

American science is under attack. Recent cuts to funding and staffing of federal agencies, layoffs of scientists, and rescission of billions of dollars in grants are unprecedented in US history and th...

science.org

U.S. scientists gird for yet another government shutdown

Political impasse to hobble research agencies—and perhaps enable layoffs

science.org

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

science.org

New MAGA-approved late night TV lineup

Today’s political cartoon and humor column

open.substack.com

White House Ministry of Unity curtails free speech in name of free speech

Today’s political cartoon and humor column

open.substack.com

Trump's Calamitous Crypto Corruption

It's enriching him and his family but endangering you, me, and the entire economy

open.substack.com

Florida plans to nix vaccine mandates. How well do they work?

Abandoning long-standing vaccine requirements for schoolchildren could prompt bigger outbreaks, researchers warn

science.org

Harvard victory leaves scientists feeling vindicated but uncertain

Trump administration vows to appeal ruling that it illegally cut $2.2 billion in research funding

science.org

Trump called for ‘gold-standard science’: how the NIH, NSF and others are answering

Some researchers say that US-agency policies provide opportunities for political interference.

nature.com

Attempt to oust CDC director sparks key resignations by agency officials

Susan Monarez, who clashed with the U.S. health secretary over vaccine policy, refuses to step down

science.org

Attempt to oust CDC director sparks key resignations by agency officials

Susan Monarez, who clashed with the U.S. health secretary over vaccine policy, refuses to step down

science.org

The Week Ahead

August 24, 2025

open.substack.com

Culture Crash

You can put him in a tux, but that won’t make him cultured

open.substack.com

US Supreme Court allows NIH to cut $2 billion in research grants

The decision will hinder lawsuits against grant terminations, legal specialists say.

nature.com

Facing ‘impossible’ workload, USDA struggles to oversee lab animal welfare

Shrinking staff and other handicaps threaten enforcement of federal law that protects research animals

science.org

The U.S. wants to phase out animal research. Are the alternatives ready?

Drug and chemical safety can be assessed with AI and organ chips, but some scientists say it’s too soon to forgo animal methods entirely

science.org

Judge tells NSF to reinstate suspended UCLA grants

Ruling comes as government seeks settlement with UCLA on larger set of suspended grants

science.org

Death threats to NIH official spark debate over aggressive campaign to end animal research

White Coat Waste Project files complaint over government employee’s emails claiming it incited harassment against Nicole Kleinstreuer

science.org

Trump’s chief science adviser faces a storm of criticism: what's next?

US researchers were hopeful when Donald Trump appointed Michael Kratsios to a top science position, but many say he has contributed to the chaos. Can he turn things around?

nature.com

‘It’s carnage’: Former NIH director decries Trump administration efforts to slash research spending

Elias Zerhouni tells Chemistry World what's changed from when he was appointed by a Republican president to the current Trump administration

chemistryworld.com

Scientific fraud has become an ‘industry,’ alarming analysis finds

Sophisticated global networks are infiltrating journals to publish fake papers

science.org

Exclusive: retraction-prone editors identified at megajournal PLoS ONE

Study says small editor group handled many problematic manuscripts — and a Nature investigation finds out who they are.

nature.com

With boost to NIH budget, Senate panel rejects Trump’s plan to slash agency

Republicans on spending committee push back against proposed reorganization and overhead cuts

science.org

Substack, Nazis, and “Gaslight”

More Substack means more “gaslight,” more Nazis

the-geyser.com

Odds of winning NIH grants plummet as new funding policy and spending delays bite

Funding multiyear grants up front will sharply cut number of investigators receiving awards

science.org

Opinion | This system is critical to Americans’ health. We must defend it.

Medical progress depends on independent journals to advance science without political interference.

wapo.st

When fasting bites back: The bile dilemma in tiger sharks

Photo by Kris Mikael Krister, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons Happy Shark Week!! In this post, we take a look at how fasting may harm young tiger sharks. Sharks LOVE to eat fish, which are packed w…

lifelinesblog.com

Exclusive: NIH to dismiss dozens of grant reviewers to align with Trump priorities

The move would undo years of work, leaving advisory councils understaffed, and without the full expertise needed for reviews.

nature.com