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Ecoinformatics lets student explore science in nature
Texas A&M ecoinformatics enables students to explore science in nature with real-world data, field research and technology-driven learning.
'Nature prescriptions bring benefit to Leamington Spa patients'
A medical centre is offering nature prescriptions to help them with physical and mental health.
Project adds more than 1,000 new African genomes to global science
A newly published paper in Nature describes the complex process of launching a nine-country collaboration in Africa to significantly expand scientists' understanding of human genetic diversity. This can ...
Undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension at a federally qualified health center
Journal of Human Hypertension - Undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension at a federally qualified health center
Stingray-inspired robot cracks the mystery of how rays swim
‘Nature seems to have already solved the problem.’
New Report: ‘Invest in MI Kids’ Undercuts State’s Business Climate, Hurts Small Business
Michigan’s business community could be facing a pivotal moment if the proposed graduated income tax ballot measure gains enough signatures to move forward for voter consideration.
Want to Fight for Science? Look to South Dakota. No, Really.
Nature this week offers a series of terrifying, interactive graphs detailing the Trump Administration’s Idiocratic War on Science. Not only has it butchered federal scientific research grants, but as you can see in this graphic, it has hollowed out the federal scientific workforce – the dedicated professionals who develop data to allow for science-informed policy … Continue reading "Want to Fight for Science? Look to South Dakota. No, Really."
XG leans into radical self-love with debut album 'The Core'
XG’s first full-length release, 'The Core,' builds on the group's signature sound with a couple of twists.
Newsom hands out 'Trump signature series kneepads' at international conference
Newsom also addressed what happened on Wednesday in Davos.
Alarm as US mulls prioritising citizens in research funding
A senior White House official said the Trump administration is considering ways to prioritise research funding to American citizens, triggering alarm in the research community that the country could destroy its century-long status as a magnet for overseas talent.Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), said last week that it is “important for us to continue to emphasise the use of federal R&D dollars towards American scientists and technologists that are staffed by Americans in their labs.” Asked about support for Chinese students during a Congressional hearing, Kratsios went on to say that in future funding announcements, the OSTP would “emphasise” that “we're funding American students.”The precise meaning of his impromptu comments, and what they could mean in policy terms, isn’t yet clear. The OSTP did not respond to multiple requests for clarification from Science|Business.But given that US science and technology has relied on overseas talent for the past century, Kratsios’s words have alarmed former US science officials.Immigrants have made up around 30-40% of US Nobel Prize winners since the 1940s, for example. Except for some sensitive projects, countries typically grant research funding on a nationality-blind basis, lest they deter foreign scientists from immigrating. “If director Kratsios’s statements are taken literally and become official policy of the White House, [research-intensive] universities will likely have to close labs if not entire research divisions,” said David Biggs, a former science and technology official in the US State Department. In their most extreme interpretation, Kratsios’s comments would imply that foreign scientists established in the US would see access to funding curtailed. This would “result in many world-leading professors who work in the United States in fields that this administration considers a priority (like fusion energy, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing) leaving the country,” said Cole Donovan, a former US science diplomat, and now associate director at the Federation of American Scientists.CripplingHowever, given the context of the conversation, Kratsios may have been referring more narrowly to funding for doctoral or postdoctoral students. At the hearing, he said he wanted to see labs staffed by US citizens. But even this would have devastating consequences for the US science system, say former officials, because the country is so dependent on early-career foreign researchers. Recent statistics show that nearly half of those in the US with a PhD in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) are considered short-term visitors, or non-residents in the official terminology. If this included residents who are not yet citizens, the proportion would likely be even higher. “Foreign PhD students are really a significant and core part of the university STEM workforce, and postdocs is similarly large,” said Donovan. Preventing US-based academics from hiring them from overseas would be a serious blow, he said. “If it's the case that this administration intends to limit funding to labs staffed only with US citizens, the effect will be to cripple the American scientific enterprise,” said Chris Marcum, a former OSTP official. “To think that these researchers can simply be replaced is a pipe dream. The labs will close,” said Marcum. Go elsewhereAround half of US-trained postdocs are foreign-born, said Biggs. “If these top international students cannot get funding to do their research, or even if they hear that funding for foreign students has been greatly restricted and will be super competitive, they will no longer choose to study in the US and will go elsewhere.” It’s unclear for now if Kratsios’s comments will translate into a real policy shift. But they could add to turmoil in the US science system since Donald Trump took over as president one year ago. Related articlesNIH turmoil risks reciprocal EU-US access to health research fundingUS set to close office responsible for global science and technology dealsTrump halts new NIH grants to international health-research partnersSince then, nearly 8,000 grants at the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation have been frozen or terminated, Naturereports. Courts have overturned most of these cancellations, but the disruption caused remains significant. Both those agencies have also dished out around a quarter fewer grants this year than normal, the journal reported. International student enrolment is also down by 17%. The Trump administration also proposes to cut research budgets by around a third, although Congress may mollify the cuts.
Alarm over US plan to prioritise citizens in research funding
The US’s leading science official has said the country will focus its research spending on scientists with US citizenship, triggering alarm that the country could destroy its century-long status as a magnet for overseas talent.Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), said last week that it is “important for us to continue to emphasise the use of federal R&D dollars towards American scientists and technologists that are staffed by Americans in their labs.” Asked about support for Chinese students during a Congressional hearing, Kratsios went on to say that in future funding announcements, the OSTP would “emphasise” that “we're funding American students.”Kratsios’s precise meaning, and what it could mean in policy terms, isn’t yet clear. The OSTP did not respond to multiple requests for clarification from Science|Business.But given that US science and technology has relied on overseas talent for the past century, Kratsios’s words have stunned former US science officials.Immigrants have made up around 30-40% of US Nobel Prize winners since the 1940s, for example. Except for some sensitive projects, countries typically grant research funding on a nationality-blind basis, lest they deter foreign scientists from immigrating. “If director Kratsios’s statements are taken literally and become official policy of the White House, [research-intensive] universities will likely have to close labs if not entire research divisions,” said David Biggs, a former science and technology official in the US State Department. In their most extreme interpretation, Kratsios’s comments would imply that foreign scientists established in the US would see access to funding curtailed. This would “result in many world-leading professors who work in the United States in fields that this administration considers a priority (like fusion energy, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing) leaving the country,” said Cole Donovan, a former US science diplomat, and now associate director at the Federation of American Scientists.CripplingHowever, given the context of the conversation, Kratsios may have been referring more narrowly to funding for doctoral or postdoctoral students. At the hearing, he said he wanted to see labs staffed by US citizens. But even this would have devastating consequences for the US science system, say former officials, because the country is so dependent on early-career foreign researchers. Recent statistics show that nearly half of those in the US with a PhD in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) are considered short-term visitors, or non-residents in the official terminology. If this included residents who are not yet citizens, the proportion would likely be even higher. “Foreign PhD students are really a significant and core part of the university STEM workforce, and postdocs is similarly large,” said Donovan. Preventing US-based academics from hiring them from overseas would be a serious blow, he said. “If it's the case that this administration intends to limit funding to labs staffed only with US citizens, the effect will be to cripple the American scientific enterprise,” said Chris Marcum, a former OSTP official. “To think that these researchers can simply be replaced is a pipe dream. The labs will close,” said Marcum. Go elsewhereAround half of US-trained postdocs are foreign-born, said Biggs. “If these top international students cannot get funding to do their research, or even if they hear that funding for foreign students has been greatly restricted and will be super competitive, they will no longer choose to study in the US and will go elsewhere.” It’s unclear for now if Kratsios’s comments will translate into a real policy shift. But they could add to turmoil in the US science system since Donald Trump took over as president one year ago. Since then, nearly 8,000 grants at the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation have been frozen or terminated, Naturereports. Courts have overturned most of these cancellations, but the disruption caused remains significant. Both those agencies have also dished out around a quarter fewer grants this year than normal, the journal reported. International student enrolment is also down by 17%. The Trump administration also proposes to cut research budgets by around a third, although Congress may mollify the cuts.
The business of saving nature
Global financing is heavily skewed to industries that harm rather than preserve nature, according to a new report that calls for an urgent scale-up of nature-positive spending.
A roadmap for decoding the sound of boiling
npj Thermal Science and Engineering - A roadmap for decoding the sound of boiling
Making large language models reliable data science programming copilots for biomedical research
Nature Biomedical Engineering - AI is a powerful tool for facilitating data science programming in biomedicine. This study benchmarks the performance of existing tools and introduces a reliable AI...
Florida’s signature industry shows up for Tourism Day at the Capitol
Tourism spending produces an estimated $2K in tax savings per Florida family, VISIT FLORIDA says.
Quantum spin resonance in engineered proteins for multimodal sensing
Nature - A recently developed class of magneto-sensitive fluorescent proteins are engineered to alter the properties of their response to magnetic fields and radio frequencies, enabling multimodal...
Past, present and future perspectives on the science of aging
Nature Aging - As Nature Aging celebrates its fifth anniversary, the journal asks some of the researchers who contributed to the journal early on to reflect on the past and the future of aging and...
‘Remote controlled’ proteins illuminate living cells
Nature - The discovery that some fluorescent proteins are sensitive to magnets could lead to the development of switchable drugs and biosensors.
US science after a year of Trump: what has been lost and what remains
A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.
Lompoc students return to Dangermond Preserve for hands-on science learning
Students from the Lompoc Unified School District again participated in hands-on science learning at the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve, a 24,000-acre conservation area operated by The Nature Conservancy just
Exploring health consequences of Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome in a national study
Scientific Reports - Exploring health consequences of Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome in a national study
Opinion | The Troubling and Paradoxical Nature of Christian Nationalism
Readers respond to an Opinion guest essay by Molly Worthen and reflect on church, state and American politics. Also: After a therapist dies.
Just-opened Palo Alto breakfast sandwich spot has a genius new business model
And a signature breakfast sandwich that's one of the Peninsula's best.
Sphere Entertainment Confirms Plans for Smaller-Ccale Sphere Venue in Maryland
Sphere Entertainment has announced plans for a smaller-scale Sphere venue at National Harbor, Maryland, featuring a 6000-seat design alongside the signature 16K immersive display.
A community-codesigned LLM-powered chatbot for primary care: a randomized controlled trial
Nature Health - A multimedia e-learning chatbot codesigned with community stakeholders increased health awareness in a randomized trial of 2,113 participants in urban and rural areas across 11...
Artificial intelligence for public health can harness data for healthier populations
Nature Health - By focusing on large-scale data analysis and population-wide interventions, artificial intelligence in public health offers new strategic approaches to disease surveillance, health...
The role of the lymphatic system in musculoskeletal system health and disease: research progress and future directions
Bone Research - The role of the lymphatic system in musculoskeletal system health and disease: research progress and future directions
OCCC opens applications for Nursing and Aquarium Science programs
Oregon Coast Community College (OCCC) is now accepting applications for two of its signature career and technical education (CTE) programs: Nursing and Aquarium Science.
More diversity means better science, says Nature journal chief
‘Inclusion’ is not about political correctness but can produce research with a greater impact, according to Springer Nature’s chief scientific officer
Ecophysiologist shares science behind hibernation Jan. 24
Feather River Land Trust announces that ecophysiologist Hannah Carey will present a talk on hibernation Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Sierra Valley Nature
Costco Kirkland Signature vs. name brands: Price analysis shows savings
Costco sells a lot of brand-name goods for less than a typical retailer, but choosing the club's Kirkland Signature brand can really maximize savings.
Don’t miss out on the latest science in JCSM
The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine is moving to Springer Nature. View new articles in Volume 22 on the Springer website. Logging in as an AASM member AASM members have full access to all JCSM content. Follow these steps to log into the new website as a member: Go to the new journal website homepage: https://link.springer.com/journal/44470/ Scroll down and look for the “Sign in through society site” button. This button will take you to the AASM log-in screen and redirect you back to the journal website. Monthly new content alerts If you’ve previously opted in to new issue alerts for JCSM, you’ve been registered to receive monthly new content alerts from Springer Nature for JCSM. These alerts ensure you’ll never miss out on the latest science published in JCSM. To make sure delivery of the alerts is seamless, please add “Springer Alert TOCalert@springernature.com” to your contacts.
Opinion | The Viewpoint-Diversity Debate Misunderstands Science
We’re not teaching students truths about nature. We’re giving them tools to explore.
The Republican megadonor funding Maine’s referendum on transgender girls in sports
Organizers say the campaign has already gotten enough signatures from registered voters to make the 2026 ballot.
What's the Point of Philosophy?
Does science really have nothing to say about the nature of consciousness?
Mapping the science–technology translational landscape in biomedicine
Nature Biotechnology - A systematic, prospective analysis of the interplay between science and technology in biomedicine can illuminate the pathway for translating scientific insights into tangible...
Oral health assessment in a prospective birth cohort study
BDJ Open - Oral health assessment in a prospective birth cohort study
The Great Healthcare Plan
The Great Healthcare Plan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUzNupJidq4 CALLING ON CONGRESS TO LOWER HEALTHCARE COSTS Today, President Donald J. Trump is
Scientists found the soil secret that doubles forest regrowth
New research shows tropical forests can recover twice as fast after deforestation when their soils contain enough nitrogen. Scientists followed forest regrowth across Central America for decades and found that nitrogen plays a decisive role in how quickly trees return. Faster regrowth also means more carbon captured from the atmosphere. The study points to smarter reforestation strategies that work with nature rather than relying on fertilizers.
Alex Hormozi Says to Scale Any Business, You Must Know Into Which of These 4 Categories It Fits
What seem like roadblocks might be the nature of your business model.
James Webb telescope saw black holes emerging from 'cocoons' near the dawn of time, new study hints
The gaseous cocoons surrounding "little red dots" hint at their true nature, a new James Webb telescope study hints.
Artificial intelligence tools expand scientists’ impact but contract science’s focus
Nature - Artificial intelligence boosts individual scientists’ output, citations and career progression, but collectively narrows research diversity and reduces collaboration, concentrating...
Value City Furniture begins going-out-of-business sales. See closures.
Going out of business sales are underway at all Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture stores across the United States. See where.
How Much Is Eight Dollars?
You heard me. Is eight dollars five dollars? Or is eight dollars 10 dollars? Why are you making that face right now? Stop making faces and answer the question: How much is eight bucks? Stephen Totilo, games journalist and author of the Game File newsletter, got into the ontological nature of eight bucks in a…
The ozone layer is still healing…thanks to science : Short Wave
In the mid-1980s, scientists published a startling finding–a giant hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica. That’s the protective shield that blocks large amounts of harmful UV radiation. And without it, the rate of cancer, cataracts and crop failure would skyrocket. Today on the show, we dive into ozone science and examine how scientists successfully sounded the alarm and solved an Antarctic mystery.Check out our episode on an Antarctic plankton mystery. And, listen to our monthly series Nature Quest.Interested in more atmospheric science? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.This episode was produced by Berly McCoy. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Tyler Jones checked the facts. The audio engineer was Becky Brown.
Why the best way to understand the self is to build a robot one
In order to better understand our human nature, we must attempt to build a robot capable of robust subjective experiences
Conservation’s unfinished business
Conservation often presents itself as a technical enterprise: how much land to protect, which species to prioritize, what policies deliver results. A recent paper in Nature argues that this framing misses something fundamental. Many of the field’s most persistent failures, the authors contend, cannot be understood without confronting how race, power, and historical exclusion continue […]
Mid-infrared InAs/InP quantum-dot lasers
Light: Science & Applications - Mid-infrared 2 μm InAs/InP quantum-dot lasers is first demonstrated, with a low threshold current density of 118 A cm−2 per layer...
Nature could take over an abandoned NYC surprisingly quickly
Even the Empire State Building would eventually crumble.
Growing Together: Newport's Business Boom and Community Bonds
A new addition to Newport's business landscape, The Haven Signature Spa, has officially opened its doors.
Just days after WAVY report, Value City Furniture goes out of business
Liquidation sales are underway at all Value City Furniture (VCF) and American Signature Inc. (ASI) stores, the company confirmed in a message on its website.
Researchers hunt each other in the Quebec wilderness — for science, of course
To better understand the complex interactions between nature’s hunters and hunted, researchers gathered at the the Éco-Laurentides park near Val-Morin, Que., for a game of predator-prey.
Scientists are closing in on the Universe’s biggest mystery
Nearly everything in the universe is made of mysterious dark matter and dark energy, yet we can’t see either of them directly. Scientists are developing detectors so sensitive they can spot particle interactions that might occur once in years or even decades. These experiments aim to uncover what shapes galaxies and fuels cosmic expansion. Cracking this mystery could transform our understanding of the laws of nature.
Why connecting with nature shouldn't mean disconnecting from science
There is a growing trend to see our relationship with nature as a spiritual thing. This is a mistake, argues Richard Smyth
Global Blog | Motorola launches the first motorola signature
Motorola launches the first motorola signature, the most complete and sophisticated phone ever created, reflecting a commitment to excellence.
Measles spreads to Buncombe as public health officials worry about spread in the face of declining vaccination rates
A major outbreak of measles in South Carolina has spread to Buncombe County, with public health officials announcing three cases Tuesday and expressing concern that more will follow due to decreased vaccination rates and the highly contagious nature of the disease. The Buncombe cases are confined to three siblings whose family visited Spartanburg County, South […]
Washington State PAC Pushes for Trans Sports Ban With Genital Inspections
The initiative has reportedly received enough signatures to be considered for a state ballot.
Tracee Ellis Ross Strikes Development Deal With Fox Entertainment Studios
The Black-ish star has struck a wide-ranging deal with the studio via her Joy Mill banner. Ross previously had a scripted overall deal with ABC Signature.
When science meets violence
Nature Medicine - Women scientists deserve safety — not silence.
Is There a Science to Finding Love?
An evolutionary anthropologist separates fact from fiction on love, attachment, dating apps, pheromones, and why so much modern relationship advice gets human nature wrong.
Discovering the laws behind complex networked systems
Nature Computational Science - A recent study shows that neural symbolic regression offers a route to automated discovery of governing equations for network dynamics across high-dimensional complex...
Bringing marine microbiome research into the classroom is an essential step toward a climate literate society
npj Climate Action - Recognizing the ecological roles of microorganisms as drivers of marine biogeochemical cycles and how they are influenced by seawater pollution, warming, and acidification is...
Research on Energy and Chemical Engineering at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering - Sang Il Seok talks to Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering about research and education at the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at Ulsan National...
Motorola’s first book-style foldable leaks
Motorola’s first book-style foldable, the Razr Fold, and full specs for the new flagship Motorola Signature leak.
Prof. Siying Peng: caterpillars to butterflies, chasing light in photonics
Light: Science & Applications - Prof. Siying Peng: caterpillars to butterflies, chasing light in photonics
Signatures filed for WA initiative to block transgender athletes from girls' sports
Supporters of two citizen initiatives, one focused on parental rights and another on barring transgender athletes from girls’ sports, moved closer Friday to getting those measures before the Washington state Legislature, and potentially voters.
They cook organic, distrust science and oppose vaccines: America's 'crunchy moms' shift toward Trump
In the 1960s, the 'crunchy mom' was typically an American hippie trying to stay connected to nature. Today, she claims total freedom over health decisions, sometimes flirting with conspiracy theories.
High-efficiency broadband active metasurfaces via reversible metal electrodeposition
Light: Science & Applications - This work presents active metasurfaces enabled by reversible metal electrodeposition with exceptional optical tunability, spanning from visible to near- and...
Dynamic tuning of Bloch modes in anisotropic phonon polaritonic crystals
Light: Science & Applications - This work demonstrates actively controlled, low-loss phonon-polaritonic Bloch modes in a graphene-gated α-MoO3 polaritonic crystal, which enables enhanced...
A One Health trial design to accelerate Lassa fever vaccines
Nature Medicine - We propose an interdisciplinary framework to address the considerable challenges that are restricting the development of vaccines for zoonotic diseases with epidemic potential.
Top 10 people in science for 2025, according to Nature
From a CRISPR baby to a young AI disruptor, 2025 has seen some serious leaps in science and technology. It's also seen some people stand up to the growing pressures facing the science community. Now, the world's leading science journal, Nature, has named 10 prominent figures behind the year's standout moments, which stretch from the darkness of the deep sea to the far corners of the universe.
Topological photonics for single-photon sources
Light: Science & Applications - Topological photonics for single-photon sources
New Year opens signature-collection window for Maine political candidates
Party candidates running for federal, state and county offices will have to obtain a set number of signatures to qualify for the June primary elections. The thresholds vary by office and it will be easier to make the March 16 deadline for those who have built organizational and volunteer networks.
Digital twins for self-driving chemistry laboratories
Nature Computational Science - Digital twins of self-driving chemistry laboratories may help reduce reliance on costly real-world experimentation and enable the testing of hypothetical automated...
The new science of alcohol: why recent guidance says more than 2 drinks per week is risky | CBC The Nature of Things
Follow Anthony Morgan’s journey as he sets out to learn more about the risks of moderate alcohol use
This Instagrammable nature trail hidden in plain sight is only an hour from New Orleans
I vowed to spend more time outdoors in 2025, with one very important caveat: day trips only. Here's where you can go, too.
Science in 2050: the future breakthroughs that will shape our world
Nature - Nuclear fusion. People on Mars. Artificial general intelligence. These are just some of the advances that could come by the mid-century mark.
An open science resource for accelerating scalable digital health research in autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions
Nature Neuroscience - This paper describes the Simons Sleep Project, an open resource designed to accelerate research into the sleep and daily behaviors of autistic children using synchronized...
'Crush' explores how gravity shapes life as we know it
James Riordan’s new book will help readers wrap their heads around this mysterious, fundamental force of nature.
How has our unalienable right to a healthy planet become political?
Human life is intimately connected with the rest of nature.
The 'actually premium' Motorola Signature phone is coming on January 7, 2026
Motorola's first true non-foldable flagship in nearly two years has an official launch date, at least in India.
From Pinky’s to plating: Sheila Crowe’s catering business grows beyond the stand
After 10 summers serving sweet treats from her signature pink trailer on Owensboro’s west side, Sheila Crowe has closed the chapter on Pinky’s SnowCones and Snacks — but her food journey is far from over.
Forest analysis: Still progressing under Dyche
The feeling around the City Ground should be one of pride, and the belief Nottingham Forest are continuing to move in the right direction. The chaos of the start of the season - when Ange Postecoglou replaced Nuno Espirito Santo and barely lasted six weeks - has been replaced by the almost serene nature of the past two months under Sean Dyche. Defeat meant it is successive losses for the first time under Dyche, a testament to how quickly he got to grips with a floundering team, but Forest cannot afford to allow it to become a habit.
New Runtime Standby ABI Proposed For Linux Akin To Microsoft Windows' "Modern Standby"
An exciting post-Christmas patch series out on the Linux kernel mailing list this morning is proposing a new runtime standby ABI that is similar in nature to the 'Modern Standby' functionality found with Microsoft Windows.
Breakthrough Listen Searched Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS For Technosignatures During Its Closest Approach To Earth
The team found nine "events" that they investigated further. Meanwhile, another team looked at the "non-gravitational" acceleration of the comet, finally pinning down a better estimate of its size.
The best DirecTV deals: Save on entertainment, sports, news, and more
The best DirecTV deals offer discounts on everything from budget genre packs to pricier signature plans.
The disunity of science is a feature, not a bug
Mathematical models wield miraculous power, but mistaking them for reality has trapped science in a destructive quest for a “Theory of Everything.” Physicist and philosopher Ragner Fjelland argues that this leads to bloated, Frankenstein theories kept alive by clumsy, ad-hoc amendments, which reduce rather than boost science’s power. Fjelland calls for a radical shift in our attitude: we must reorientate towards creating entirely new theories, celebrating rather than lamenting disunity and diversity in science. Science, from the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day, has more or less developed in a “reductionist” way. The fundamental assumption is that all sciences may be ordered in a hierarchy that can be represented as an upside-down pyramid. At the top we find the human sciences, and at the bottom physics. Strong (or “ontological”) reductionism maintains that all theories at one level can be completely reduced to the lower level, all the way down to theories of atoms and elementary particles, or whatever is “at the bottom.” In the end, all diversity in the world can be unified in one fundamental theory. Hence it is called a final theory, or a Theory of Everything.One of the central figures in developing the idea of a Theory of Everything is the Dutch theoretical physicist Gerard 't Hooft, who received a Nobel Prize in physics in 1999 for his work. He emphasizes the non-empirical status of the theory:There exists no closely resembling alternative theory. This means that any slight change brought about in the rules would make the theory unlikely or inelegant. The theory will be a "package deal": take it, or leave it. This should hold both for the local laws and for the boundary conditions.This endeavor is not new. On the contrary, it goes all the way back to the birth of Western philosophy 2,500 years ago. The Babylonians made regular astronomical observations during a period of 600 years, from 747 BCE until 150 ACE. They developed mathematical techniques to predict astronomical phenomena, but they made no attempts at explaining them. However, the Greeks developed models, both material and theoretical, to explain the observed phenomena.The best example is Plato’s late dialogue Timaeus. Here he introduces a divine craftsman, the Demiurge, who has constructed the universe according to an original plan. Plato seems to have thought that the original plan is what is actually real, while the material world is merely an imperfect realization of it. He therefore does not, in the Timaeus, reconstruct the material universe, but the original plan, which can then be used to explain the material universe.Plato’s aim in producing a theoretical model is to reconstruct the original plan. That is what he carries out in Timaeus—and some modern physicists have embarked on the same project. For example, Einstein’s basic attitude is reflected in the title of Abraham Pais’ biography: “Subtle is the Lord...,” echoing Einstein’s comment, “Subtle is the Lord, but malicious He is not.” In an interview Einstein compared our situation to a child who enters a huge library. The child knows that someone has written the books, but he does not know the languages in which they are written. He suspects that there is a mysterious order, but he does not know what it is.___“We have all been working in what Husserl called the Galilean style; that is, we have all been making abstract mathematical models of the universe to which at least the physicists give a higher degree of reality than they accord the ordinary world of sensation.”Steven Weinberg, Nobel Prize in Physics (1979)___This Platonist view is contrary to a widespread impression of science, symbolized by the picture of the “father” of modern science, Galileo Galilei, with his telescope. According to this impression, Galileo liberated himself from the dominating metaphysics of his day—basically Aristotelian philosophy—and constructed a telescope that he directed towards the sky, showing that Jupiter has four moons. He also performed experiments with bronze balls rolling down inclined planes and found the law of freely falling bodies.However, in other cases Galileo emphasized the unreliability of our senses. It is easy to see why. He defended Copernicus’ heliocentric hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, we are not at rest at the center of the universe, but moving at a tremendous speed through space. Why don’t we observe this motion? Galileo praises Copernicus because “with reason as his guide he resolutely continued to affirm what sensible experience seemed to contradict.” In other places he directly refers to Plato. SUGGESTED VIEWING The quest for a final theory With Michio Kaku Galileo’s Platonism goes back to his early writings. In The Assayer, published as early as 1623, Galileo compared the universe to a grand book that is written in the language of mathematics, and “its characters are triangles, circles, and other geometric figures without which it is humanly impossible to understand a single word of it.” Therefore, things that cannot be described by mathematics—for example, colors, smells and odors—are not real. They are merely subjective.This division into subjective and objective, advocated by Galileo and his younger contemporary René Descartes, is normally associated with a mechanistic world view, which is regarded as the opposite of Platonism. When we reduce something to, for example, molecules and atoms, we move “downwards.” In contrast, the Platonist moves “upwards,” to abstract entities. However, it only shows that when we address fundamental questions, we should be careful in applying everyday spatial metaphors like “up” and “down.”___Nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world.___The endeavor of finding a Theory of Everything has been heavily criticized. In 2006, the theoretical physicist Lee Smolin published “The Crisis in Fundamental Physics.” He argued that one of the most fundamental principles of science is that we should only regard theories as scientific if we have the possibility to show that they are false by experiments. Although he did not refer to Karl Popper, other critics have referred to Popper and argued that a theory is not scientific if it cannot be falsified (see for example Ellis & Silk 2014).These were not the first physicists to be anti-reductionists. In 1972, the journal Science published an article by the physicist Philip Anderson with the title “More Is Different.” This is the kind of article a scientist would normally write only after he has won a Nobel Prize. However, Anderson won the Nobel Prize for physics five years later, in 1977. The article is amazing, not primarily because it argues in favor of anti-reductionism in general, but because it argues for anti-reductionism within physics itself. Anderson’s conclusion was:At each stage entirely new laws, concepts, and generalizations are necessary, requiring inspiration and creativity to just as great a degree as in the previous one. Psychology is not applied biology, nor is biology applied chemistry.We may say that Plato started the “unity of science movement,” based on Euclidean geometry as the model of all knowledge. A distinguishing mark of geometry is that all possible constructions can be reduced to a few fundamental principles. We have to acknowledge that this approach has limitations. In general, we can easily model technological systems. In addition, we may construct simplified and idealized models that capture important aspects of systems, from various perspectives and for various purposes. But nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world. In a complex system, each level has its distinct, emergent, properties that are characteristic of this level. Therefore, a complex system should be investigated at different levels and from different perspectives. Instead of exclusively pursuing a scientific ideal based on the unity of science, we should acknowledge the diversity—or even the disunity—of science.
Four lessons of science communication
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Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke on the House Floor, emphasizing that House Republicans have a responsibility to join House Democrats in protecting Americans’ healthcare after he received 218 signatures on his discharge petition to extend the ACA tax credits for three years. LEADER JEFFRIES: For months now, Democrats have made clear that we have a […]
A new era for sports communication at UNC Hussman | UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
As director of UNC Hussman’s Sports Communication Focus Program, Distinguished Associate Professor of Sports Communication Livis Freeman is building on the work of the school’s legendary Distinguished Professor for Sports Communication John Sweeney. Sweeney, who retired last year, developed one of the most respected sports communication programs in the country. Freeman, now in his 12th year at the school, is launching an ambitious expansion of the program that is transforming how UNC prepares students for careers in sports media. The most visible change came this fall with a reimagining of “MEJO 377: Sports Communication.” Previously offered as two sections with 30 students each, the course expanded to 96 students and welcomed former UNC basketball star and NBA veteran Tyler Hansbrough as the co-instructor with Freeman, bringing real world professional experience directly into the classroom every week. The course has been a huge success. Students have participated in recording a podcast with Hansbrough and learned from an impressive lineup of guest speakers. Steve Kirschner, UNC’s senior associate director of athletics for communications, was the first in the course’s guest speaker series, followed by UNC Hussman alumni including Kaitlyn Schmidt ’23 from Bleacher Report, Deaton Bell ’90 from Turner Sports and Becca Royer ’19 from the Philadelphia 76ers. Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, also shared his insights with the class. The highlight of the semester came when Roy Williams, who coached Hansbrough and the Tar Heels to a national championship in 2009, visited the classroom. Former UNC men’s basketball players Luke Maye and Marcus Ginyard showed up to support their former coach and Hansbrough, creating an unforgettable experience as Williams entertained students with stories and insights that captivated the room. Student demand has been overwhelming. The course reached capacity within two days of registration opening, with more than 40 students on the waitlist. “Students want to learn from people who have actually lived these experiences,” Freeman said. “Tyler shares insights into media relations, broadcast production and athlete communications that you simply can’t get from a textbook.” The model proved so successful that the school secured funding to continue it for the next five years, with a different former professional athlete co-teaching each fall. The school’s curriculum committee approved a proposal to expand the course to 150 to 200 students starting in fall 2026. This change will make it an introductory course accessible to students from across the University, transforming it into a showcase course for the entire campus. The course redesign represents just one piece of a broader sports communication program overhaul. This fall, the curriculum committee approved “MEJO 390: Sports Play by Play,” the first course of its kind at UNC. Limited to 10 advanced students, the course will be taught by Matt Krause, the current voice of UNC women’s basketball and an ACC Network broadcaster. Students will call actual games across multiple sports including women’s softball, soccer, volleyball, field hockey and lacrosse, as well as men’s soccer and lacrosse. They will also shadow broadcasts of men’s and women’s basketball games. “The sports broadcasting industry is exploding with streaming platforms and conference networks creating unprecedented demand,” Freeman said. The course emerged directly from student advocacy, led by Anna Laible ’26 and others who pushed for hands-on broadcasting experience. Professional equipment has been acquired, partnerships with UNC Athletics are in place and a soft launch began this semester with three experienced students calling games to test the system. The program’s growth extends into other specialized areas as well. Last spring, Stembler Professor Charlie Tuggle launched a new sports event management and hospitality course in partnership with On Location, a company that manages major sporting event experiences. The course provided students with opportunities to travel to the Super Bowl and NFL Draft, and Tuggle plans to take a group to the 2026 Milan Olympics this spring. Looking ahead to spring 2026, Associate Professor Ryan Thornburg will debut a sports data visualization course, adding another dimension to the program’s skill-building offerings. The curriculum expansion reflects the increasingly diverse career paths available in sports media, from traditional journalism and broadcasting to digital analytics and strategic communication. The program is also diving into one of college athletics’ most transformative developments: Name, Image and Likeness rights. Freeman’s “MEJO 466: Sports Marketing” class collaborated last spring with Associate Professor Gary Kayye’s “MEJO 371: Advertising Creative” class on a project with UNC’s Carolina NIL group to help rebrand their organization. That same semester, Kayye’s class envisioned Chapel Thrill, UNC football’s new pregame concert and entertainment experience. And Shaun Anderson, the school’s Knight Chair in Sports, Race and Media, continues to explore the broader implications of NIL through his research and teaching. These NIL-focused initiatives give students direct exposure to the business side of college athletics at a moment when the landscape is rapidly evolving. “Our students aren’t just learning about these changes,” Freeman said. “They’re actively helping shape how schools and athletes navigate them.” The transformation of UNC Hussman’s sports communication program reflects a broader philosophy about how to prepare students for careers in a rapidly changing industry. By bringing in professional practitioners like Hansbrough and Krause, partnering with industry leaders like On Location and ACC Network, and engaging with current issues like NIL, the program ensures students graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. For alumni who remember the foundations John Sweeney built, the expansion represents an evolution rather than a departure. The program still emphasizes strong reporting, strategic communication, ethical communication and critical thinking. But now it also offers students the chance to call live games, work on real NIL campaigns and learn directly from former professional athletes. “We’re not just teaching students about sports media,” Freeman said. “We’re giving them the tools, experiences and connections to actually build careers in it.” With new courses launching, professional partnerships deepening and enrollment expanding, UNC Hussman’s sports communication program is positioning itself as a national leader in preparing the next generation of sports media professionals. For current students, the message is clear: if you’re interested in sports communication, there’s never been a better time to be at UNC Hussman. And for the hundreds of students trying to get off waitlists and into these new courses, the school is working to create more opportunities. The program John Sweeney built is growing in ways that honor his legacy while meeting the demands of a new era in sports media.
AI learns to build simple equations for complex systems
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Teen’s video a ‘Breakthrough’ in science communication
Seventeen-year-old Grace Lee from Chula Vista is gaining national attention as a finalist in the global Breakthrough Junior Challenge, an annual competition that invites students to create original videos explaining complex scientific ideas in creative and engaging ways. Founded in 2015, the contest encourages young people to break down advanced scientific theories using imagination and storytelling— “Steven Spielberg meets Albert Einstein,” as organizers describe it. Lee’s submission centers on the principle of least time in physics, a concept that explains why light always travels the path that takes the least amount of time. To bring the idea to life, she used intricate origami characters and stop-motion animation, along with simple at-home experiments, she said. “The fact that light always travels via the path that takes the least amount of time sounds simple at first, but nature is full of surprises,” she said. “This principle is actually very profound and underlies many different fields in physics that seem completely unrelated, from optics to Newton’s laws to Einstein’s theory of relativity.” Also, origami has long been one of her passions and integrating it into her project felt natural. She often makes origami gifts for friends and teaches origami in her school clubs. “A single 10-second scene would take hours to craft,” she said, noting the mixture of stop-motion and post-production editing required to animate expressions and movement. To ensure the science remained accurate and accessible, she spent time reading books and online resources, writing a script, creating a storyboard, and filming and editing repeatedly until the visuals worked.The experiments were among the biggest challenges. To demonstrate water waves, she used everyday household items — “a spatula and an electric toothbrush to vibrate the waves, glass in a baking pan for different depths, and an iPhone flashlight so the waves would be visible.” She also put careful thought into explaining the principle through analogies, including a gingerbread man and a fox. “Analogies and visuals are incredibly important,” she said. “Visual demonstrations allow viewers to see how the science actually works.” Beyond the competition, Lee is deeply involved in science leadership and advocacy. She serves as International President of miRcore, the world’s largest student computational biology organization, with 136 chapters across five countries. She leads a 20-member executive board, organizes outreach connecting schools worldwide, and has helped run workshops at locations including Scripps Research Institute and the University of Michigan. “I used to be intimidated,” she said, but she gradually grew her skills and confidence. “Now I am no longer afraid to use my voice and enthusiasm to bring out the best in others.” Her research experience includes two peer-reviewed papers on asthma and vaping. Misconceptions around vaping, she said, show why clear science communication matters. “Our research shows that there is long-term harm to your lungs on the cellular level that isn’t obvious unless you come down with an illness like the flu,” she said. Lee also founded Full Hearts at Eastlake High School, transforming the small club into one of the school’s largest, with hands-on service projects in partnership with local nonprofits. She continues mentoring younger students to sustain the mission. If she wins the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, Grace hopes the $100,000 science lab prize for her school will expand opportunities for students who have limited access to equipment and hands-on science outside the classroom.