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Elliott Builds Stake in Life-Science Firm Bio-Rad, WSJ Says
Activist investor Elliott Investment Management has built a sizable stake in Bio-Rad Laboratories to boost the firm’s underperfoming stock price, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Decoding chirality at the nanoscale with momentum-space polarimetry
Light: Science & Applications - Schematic illustration of Fourier-domain Mueller matrix polarimetry probing light-matter interactions in gammadion nanostructures, and enabling extraction of...
Concert to feature Vivaldi, Biber, Handel, Matteis
The Baroque Orchestra of Maine will perform at the Bar Harbor Congregational Church on Sunday, May 24, at 4 p.m.
Free Mind Matters Brain Health Summit in Lexington (Adults 55+)
The University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging will host its 18th annual Mind Matters Health Summit to connect brain health experts with the community.
God, The Science, The Evidence: The Dawn of a Revolution
In effect, therefore, this book is a call for a return to the medieval vision of a rational God who created rational creatures equipped to discover the verities of nature. In other words…
The 20 best game shows you can stream right now
You’re a winner no matter which one you decide to watch.
Call Her Mommy! Alex Cooper Is Pregnant, Expecting Her First Baby with Husband Matt Kaplan
The 'Call Her Daddy' podcast host tied the knot with her husband in April 2024
Call Her Mommy! Alex Cooper Is Pregnant, Expecting Her First Baby with Husband Matt Kaplan
'Call Her Daddy' podcast host Alex Cooper is pregnant and expecting her first baby with husband Matt Kaplan. The pair tied the knot in Mexico in 2024.
Mock Draft: Rockets Select Underrated Outside Shooter in Second Round
In ESPN's latest mock draft, the Houston Rockets select ACC standout shooter Matt Able.
Dark Matter May Have Been Detected by Accident, Scientists Reveal
A signal hiding in the data.
Goalkeeper Macey to leave Colchester
Colchester United goalkeeper Matt Macey is among four first team players released by the club.
EY Pays Over £100 Million to Settle NMC Health Legal Claim
EY UK has paid more than £100 million ($133 million) to the administrators of NMC Health Plc to settle claims it was negligent in its audits of the failed firm, according to people familiar with the matter.
California colleges are seeing a rise of conservative voices. Some classes are tense
Turning Point USA chapters are growing on California campuses after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, as tensions rise both in and out of the classroom.
Political analyst says Schlossberg has some ‘serious problems’ as the Kennedy heir’s campaign flops
Political analyst Matt Towery analyzes Jack Schlossberg’s, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, troubled congressional campaign on ‘The Ingraham Angle.’
At Yale, Matthew Verich explored the science of human connection
Neuroscience major Matthew Verich explored the brain in Yale labs, found purpose in psychiatry, and built community through music, mentorship, and faith.
Michigan Matters: Power Panel Dissects Huge Political Year
Ted Wu’s Eye for Design and Business Acumen Have Found a Home at Mattel
We sat down with Mattel’s Ted Wu, known for his leadership of the Hot Wheels and Matchbox brands, to discuss design, leadership, and inclusivity.
Your Baby’s Gut Health: What Matters Most in the First Weeks of Life
A baby’s gut microbiome starts developing from the moment they’re born, and those early days can have a lasting impact on immune health and development.
California governor debate: Rivals gang up on Democratic frontrunner Becerra
Xavier Becerra was attacked from all sides in California's final governor debate. His response? 'This is what happens when you take the lead.'
'Outlander' boss breaks down the series finale, that post-credits scene, and the stories they never got to (exclusive)
The 'Outlander' series finale provided a few answers and a few questions. Showrunner Matthew B. Roberts breaks down that post-credits sequence and the stories they never got to write.
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's an offering of the best of this week's crop, picked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
California legislators kill new spending programs and blame Trump for funding cuts
The biannual ‘suspense file’ hearing is the Legislature’s most efficient tool for killing costly or controversial proposals without fanfare
Trump officials hit California with ‘largest ever’ freeze on Medicaid funds
The Trump administration suspended $1.1 billion in California Medicaid funds over fraud claims, threatening home care for 900,000 seniors and people with disabilities.
Apollo’s West Technology Is in Talks to Sell Remaining Business
Apollo Global Management Inc.-backed West Technology is engaged in exclusive talks to sell its remaining operating business to a counter-party, according to people familiar with the matter.
Taming UK yields depends on economics not politics
Long-term government borrowing costs above 5% are higher than other developed economies and more sensitive to shocks. It’s tempting to blame political upheaval, but structural factors matter more. The solution is to shrink macroeconomic imbalances and revive capital markets.
Scientists Create “Living” Materials That Crawl, Walk, and Dig on Their Own
Physicists studying active matter — materials that can use their own internal energy to respond to forces — have uncovered surprising behaviors that challenge conventional ideas in mechanics.
Exclusive: Acting AG Todd Blanche was told last year to recuse from Justice Department matters involving Trump
It was less than two weeks after Todd Blanche took on his role of deputy attorney general in March 2025 when the Justice Department’s top ethics lawyer delivered some straightforward yet inconvenient news: His recusal from legal cases that involved President Donald Trump in his personal capacity was necessary.
Browns’ schedule advantages: Impact or just talk?
Cleveland Browns schedule offers many benefits for the 2026 NFL season. Do they matter?
California governor frontrunner Xavier Becerra's playbook: Never say you're sorry
While other California governor candidates apologize for past mistakes, Democratic frontrunner Xavier Becerra has a different strategy: dodge and dismiss.
Sleep and diet may matter more than exercise for buffering the health toll of chronic stress
A 10-year study of nearly 3,000 Canadian workers finds that sleep quality and diet do more to protect health under chronic work stress than exercise.
First-Generation Medical Student Aims to Improve the Health of Ohioans
Matthew Folkman, who graduates May 15 and then begins his orthopaedic surgery residency at UToledo, knew that he wanted to stay in Ohio: "It was really important to me to give back to a community similar to where I grew up.”
Don Mattingly Sends Words of Encouragement to Struggling Andrew Painter
It's been a very ugly start to Andrew Painter's professional career with the Philadelphia Phillies, though it's still far too early to press the panic button just yet.
Time matters: circadian genetics and the molecular logic of human health and disease
Nature Reviews Genetics - The circadian clock controls transcriptional and signalling networks across tissues to maintain homeostasis, with pathological consequences to its disruption. Kuo et al....
Legislation raising dozens of fees on businesses goes to Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer’s desk
The increases include annual taxes, miscellaneous fees and costs for expedited state services.
Islanders star Matthew Schaefer’s emotional reaction to winning Calder Trophy
Surprisingly absolutely no one, New York Islanders rookie sensation Matthew Schaefer is the recipient of the 2025-26 Calder Trophy.
Drug counselor who gave Matthew Perry fatal ketamine gets 2 years in prison
A drug addiction counselor who delivered the fatal ketamine doses to Matthew Perry was sentenced to two years in prison for his role in the actor’s death.
Islanders Matthew Schaefer Wins Calder Trophy
The 18-year-old phenom makes NHL history as the youngest rookie ever to claim the award, shattering records with a dominant 59-point season on the New York blue line.
Apple Explores Ways to Welcome AI Agents in the App Store
Apple is exploring ways to better incorporate AI agents into its App Store so it can benefit from the tech industry’s hottest trend while ensuring that the software in its store continues to play by its rules, according to people briefed on the matter. So far, the widespread embrace of agentic ...
What Lil Nas X has to do with a debate over CA mental health law
Supporters of a California mental health law are pointing to singer Lil Nas X as an example of someone who benefited from treatment rather than incarceration.
Introducing Northwood Insights, a New Blog for the Next Generation of Business Leaders
New content platform strengthens the university’s digital presence, broadens its reach among prospective students, and establishes Northwood as a thought leader in business, free enterprise, and entrepreneurial education. Northwood University has launched Northwood Insights, a new blog designed to position the university as a leading voice in business education, free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and career development. The platform delivers expert, research-informed content to prospective students, current students, and the broader professional community, meeting audiences where they already are online and searching for answers. “Northwood has always been about preparing people to move forward with clarity and confidence,” said Marketing and Communications Officer Rachel Valdiserri. “With Northwood Insights, we’re meeting students where they are with content that’s relevant, direct, and built for how they discover and learn today. It’s not about adding more noise; it’s about delivering ideas, perspectives, and insights that help them make more informed decisions earlier in their journey.” The blog features a growing library of articles spanning Northwood’s core academic strengths, including business administration, automotive and mobility studies, sports management, and entrepreneurship. Each piece is written to inform and guide, answering the real questions students are asking while organically connecting readers to the academic programs, faculty expertise, and career outcomes that define a Northwood education. Each article is crafted to reflect Northwood’s institutional voice while being optimized for the search behaviors of today’s prospective students, a generation that begins researching universities long before they apply. By appearing in those early search results, Northwood establishes credibility, builds familiarity, and creates a meaningful connection with students the moment they are most open to influence. “This platform is a natural extension of our enrollment strategy,” said Dr. Matthew Bennett, vice president of enrollment and strategic alliances. “When a prospective student searches for career paths, we want Northwood to be the source they trust. Northwood Insights makes that possible at a global scale.” Beyond enrollment, Northwood Insights serves the university’s broader advancement mission. As a platform built to demonstrate expertise and institutional relevance, it reinforces Northwood’s standing as a thought leader in free enterprise education and entrepreneurial leadership, directly supporting alumni engagement, donor confidence, and community partnerships. The content signals that Northwood is not only preparing students for the careers of today but actively shaping the conversations defining the industries of tomorrow. “Attention isn’t given anymore; it’s earned,” said Milada Dzevitski, Northwood’s digital content and technical writer who manages the Northwood Insights blog. “This platform is built to meet that standard, with content that’s relevant, direct, and worth engaging with.” Northwood Insights is live now and will continue to grow with new content published regularly. Share this page
Californian criminal suspects can trade prison for psychiatric care. Is it working?
Californians accused of crimes can receive mental health treatment rather than prison time. Lawmakers are revamping the rules following reports of violent offenses.
Meet a Health Hero: John Matthews of Ride Hard, Breathe Easy
He rode across America for his mom.That cross-country journey became a nonprofit that has raised $1.2 million for lung-cancer patients, families, and researchers.
Why America’s Family Businesses Are The Quiet Engine Driving The Economy
Byron D. Trott, chairman and co-CEO of BDT & MSD Partners and advisor to many billionaire-owned companies, discusses why Forbes’ inaugural list of America’s top family companies matters now more than ever.
Young People & Politics
What issues matter to younger voters, and how is their generation shaping America's political parties?
Duterte vs. Marcos: Inside the Impeachment Shaking Philippine Politics
Political dynasties have long shaped the Philippines, where alliances can matter as much as policy. So when the country’s two most powerful families joined political forces in 2022 — with Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as president and Sara Duterte as vice president — a new era of stable politics looked promising.
The First Atomic Bomb Made a Crystal Scientists Had Never Seen Before
Trinitite still holds strange matter forged in seconds by the Trinity blast.
Baton Rouge entrepreneur rebuilds life one loaf at a time
After surviving three heart attacks and open-heart surgery, Baton Rouge entrepreneur Matt Bolton traded the industrial construction business for a slower—but no less demanding—second act in artisan breadmaking, 225 writes. What began as a sourdough hobby in retirement has grown into BlueRabbit Bakehouse, a Jefferson Highway bakery drawing weekend lines for its small-batch loaves, spreads […]
Trump says he’s not thinking about Americans’ finances ‘even a little bit’ in Iran talks
Trump said the “only thing” that matters is Iran “can’t have a nuclear weapon.”
80 years after the Trinity nuclear test, scientists identify new molecule-trapping crystal formed in the blast
Matter behaves strangely under extreme conditions, and often, remnants of these behaviors are left behind even when conditions return to normal. The Trinity nuclear test in 1945 left behind such remnants, ...
Ms. Basketball talks entertainment headlines
Savannah Guthrie is hosting a new game show, and Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are being sued by a South Florida police department. Christina has all the details.
Panicked California Democrats are pushing a risky strategy: Wait 'til the last minute to vote
Liberal California activists are urging Democrats to wait until the last minute to vote in the race for governor, then support the frontrunner in the polls.
The Apprentice: Boafo fills coffers with support from Hoyer’s political network
It’s no secret that Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-5th), the dean of Maryland’s federal delegation, is working hard to elect Del. Adrian Boafo (D-Prince George’s) to succeed him. But the full extent of Hoyer’s investment in Boafo’s campaign is only now coming into focus.
"My fear doesn't matter" - Troy Baker reflects on recreating the opening to Raiders of the Lost Ark as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle arrives on Switch 2
Troy Baker looks back on recreating the opening to 1981's Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark for the Great Circle's tutorial.
Main Street Matters: credit card swipe fees eating profits
Small business concerns highlighted at Main Street Matters tour at Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School.
Matt Beard: Family calls for mandatory manager mental health checks after death
The family of former WSL manager Matt Beard tell BBC Sport about the emotional burden of football management, and the changes they want to see.
Matt Patricia Shares Major Health Update Following Neurosurgeon Visit During Ohio State Offseason Break
The offseason is usually when players get time to recover, but this time, Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia also needed some medical care of his own. Over the weekend, he shared a personal health update, giving fans a clear look at what he was dealing with during the break.
Trump pushed DOJ to subpoena reporters over alleged Iran war leaks, sources say
President Donald Trump personally pushed the Justice Department to issue subpoenas to reporters covering the war in Iran in an effort to flush out their sources, according to officials familiar with the matter.
Election results 2026: Why welfare policies aren't winning polls in India like it used to
India's welfare politics still matters, but voters increasingly want jobs, growth and dignity too.
It’s Only a Matter of Time Until the Supreme Court Cracks on the 14th Amendment
The president has upped the pressure on conservative Justices. Something tells me they won’t be able to handle it.
Govee’s new portable smart lamp is on sale for the first time
The colorful lamp also supports Matter.
Elon Musk Set to Join U.S. Business Delegation for Trump's China Visit
Tesla CEO Elon Musk will be part of a U.S. business delegation for President Trump's upcoming visit to China, according to people familiar with the matter. Musk, who also runs SpaceX, is expected to be among at least a half dozen CEOs and business leaders traveling to China to represent American bu
Islanders Children’s Foundation Donates $150,000 to Create A Child Support Center Named in Memory of Schaefer’s Late Mother, Jennifer
Matthew Schaefer teams with Northwell Health to bring joy to families fighting cancer
California corrections budget benefits more than inmates from prison sports expansion
California lawmakers want to expand organized sports at prisons. An incarcerated journalist says the only winner would be the prison budget.
With more money than ever, California’s biggest pension funds are a political battleground
Should California pension funds invest in fossil fuels? How about Tesla and Palantir? Those debates are playing out at CalPERS and CalSTRS.
John Cornyn’s Inexplicably Deep-Lore Campaign Against Ken Paxton
Are there enough persuadable Texas-politics junkies for the U.S. senator’s obscure posts to matter?
The US in Brief: a petrol-tax suspension floated
Our daily political update, featuring the stories that matter
Lee Health: Knowing your wishes – Why advance directives matter
Do you know how you want to be cared for if you are too sick or injured to speak for yourself?
Prop D vs. Prop C: San Francisco’s high-stakes fight over business taxes
San Francisco voters will soon decide on two dueling business tax measures backed with millions of dollars in campaign contributions for the June 2 San Francisco voters will decide between Proposition D’s corporate tax hikes and Proposition C’s small business tax relief in a high-stakes June election battle over the city budget and economic recovery.
Stars' Matt Duchene talks team injuries, outlook for next season
The forward joined The Sweet Spot on The Ticket to discuss Dallas' early postseason exit, and how it can compete for the Stanley Cup in 2027.
‘Rooster’ Finale: Bosses Break Down Twist Ending & Tease What’s Next for Season 2
Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses spill Season 2 secrets.
DHA-GEIS strengthens biosurveillance, force health protection during African Lion 26
AGADIR, Morocco — A coalition of U.S. military and research organizations deliver integrated biosurveillance support, strengthening commanders’ situational awareness and directly bolstering mission readiness during African Lion 26, April 20-May 8, 2026. The Defense Health Agency’s Global Emerging Infections Surveillance program coordinated subject matter experts and laboratory partners from Walter Reed Army Institute of Research‑Africa; Naval Medical Research Unit, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central; the 1st Global Field Medical Laboratory; and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases. Together they provided pre‑exercise risk assessments, rapid laboratory analysis and real‑time reporting that commanders and medical planners used to protect forces.
Critchley steers Essex to six-wicket win at Hants
Matt Critchley's 90 off 73 balls helps power Essex to a six-wicket victory over Hampshire in three days.
National Nurses Week brings big thanks for health care’s everyday heroes
If you’ve thanked a nurse lately, National Nurses Week is a pretty good reminder of why it matters, and why a simple show of appreciation can go a long way.Nati
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon sued by Miami cops for defamation over portrayal in their movie 'The Rip'
Two Miami police officers are suing Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's production company for defamation, claiming that the actors' recent Netflix crime drama, 'The Rip,' harmed their 'personal and professional reputations.'
Jays Crush Angels
Angels 1 Blue Jays 14 The only inning that really mattered was the fifth. The Jays scored seven runs in the bottom of the inning and that was more than enough. But the Jays added six more runs in the seventh and eighth. Trey Yesavage was good enough, for four innings. He allowed four hits, […]
Is ‘SNL’ new tonight? Host, musical guest, start time and how to watch
Matt Damon and Noah Kahan will appear on 'SNL' this weekend, with Will Ferrell and Paul McCartney closing out Season 51.
Jets enter summer with wide-open competition at kicker
The Jets have options at kicker, but questions remain about who can deliver consistency when it matters most.
Bigger Isn’t Better
The expanded basketball tournament means a bigger football playoff is probably just a matter of time.
Aging family kept falling for scams, built no-code app for $20 to help
Matter Sanner, 54, vibe coded an app using Cursor called ScamSkeptic for his aging family, who had fallen victim to scams.
Opinion | A Double Standard In Connecticut Politics
In a guest column for the New Haven Independent, Matt Smith says there is ageism and sexism in play from young men who are trying to unseat state Rep. Pat Dillon — thinly masked by dog whistles like “young” and “new energy,” which appear to be the sole foundations of their campaigns.
Our Universe Has an Evil Twin. Scientists Say It’s the Reason Matter Exists.
A mirror universe may preserve laws of physics that appear violated.
Our Universe Has an Evil Twin. Scientists Say It’s the Reason Matter Exists.
A mirror universe may have formed alongside ours, preserving laws of physics that appear violated.
From Campus to Capitol Hill: Stony Brook Students Advocate for Science and Research Funding
Members of Stony Brook University’s student Advocacy Corps recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the AAAS Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) workshop, representing the university in the national program focused on science policy and advocacy. The undergraduate students were selected and sponsored by the university’s Office of Federal Relations to attend
White House hosting anti-abortion activists amid Trump backlash
Senior Trump aides will host anti-abortion activists for a meeting at the White House on Friday, in an effort to temper growing criticism over the administration’s priorities, a person familiar with the matter told CNN.
The US in Brief: Another blow to Trump’s tariffs
Our daily political update, featuring the stories that matter
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's an offering of the best of this week's crop, picked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
SoftBank cuts target for OpenAI margin loan by 40% to $6 billion, Bloomberg News reports
SoftBank Group has downsized plans for a $10 billion margin loan backed by its OpenAI stake after hesitation from some creditors, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter said.
In Dallas County, 17 years of lifespan can be a matter of ZIP code
Health disparities in Dallas County are complex, but the data shows where we must improve.
Hillhouse Is Said to Near Deal for Marsh’s Risk Adviser and Broker PCS
Hillhouse Investment is nearing a deal to buy Marsh’s financial risk manager and life insurance broker for high-net-worth individuals, primarily in Asia, according to people familiar with the matter.
Maryland ranked high among states for public health preparedness, but could be doing more
Maryland remains better prepared to combat public health emergencies than most other states, but federal shakeups in staffing and funding could threaten those protections, according to a new report from Trust for America’s Health.
Gov. Meyer signs executive orders aimed at small business support
Governor Matt Meyer signed two executive orders in Milford during Small Business Week, focusing on supporting small and diverse businesses. The orders aim to improve access to state resources and
The Real Danger to Women Isn’t Hormone Therapy, It’s Bad Science
Are all hormones created equal? Drs Rachel Rubin and Kelly Casperson unpack the missing details in recent menopause research and explain why nuance matters.
How Disneyland Remade American Politics
America is turning 250, and The Free Press is marking the occasion with a yearlong series of events, conversations, and stories celebrating our country’s history. Today, we’re taking a journey with historian Beverly Gage to Southern California. Beverly traded the archives for the open road for her new book, This Land is Your Land: A Road Trip Through U.S. History. We’re proud to publish an excerpt, on the theme park that shaped American politics—and the presidents who loved it. —The Editors On July 17, 1955, Ronald Reagan stood near a mocked-up wood-plank town in Anaheim, California, where a 13-star flag flew incongruously over an “Old West” landscape, and introduced the world to Disneyland. He had been invited by Walt Disney himself to co-host the park’s live ABC broadcast, alongside Art Linkletter and Bob Cummings—three Hollywood actors who seemed to embody a wholesome, all-American ethos. From the imagined past of Frontierland, the show leaped ahead to Tomorrowland, set in the far-off year of 1986, emphasizing the technical marvels yet to come: nuclear energy harnessed for civilian purposes, human beings riding rocket ships into space. Disney foretold great things for a 1980s in which the United States would serve as “a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.” But even he could not predict the most important political fact of the age: that his genial co-host would become president. Southern California was a strange place to build a park about the past, because the region at the time was all about newness and abundance and growth. For a lot of its history, Orange County had been Southern California’s version of flyover country: a vast agricultural expanse between two desirable places, Los Angeles and San Diego. But Disneyland was changing that. Before long, 50 miles south of deep-blue Hollywood, Orange County would become a region famed for its right-wing politics—but also for its mythmaking skills. Those two things, it turned out, went naturally together. ADVERTISEMENT The two presidents Southern California gave America both understood this instinctively. Richard Nixon and Reagan each built a national career on invoking a version of the American past in which the specificities of historical context mattered less than the big picture. For Nixon, progress meant proclaiming a “New American Revolution” on the eve of America’s bicentennial while dismantling the federal programs that had built the postwar middle class. For Reagan, it meant recapturing a lost optimism and an old-fashioned faith in America as an exceptional nation. Both men were less interested in history as it actually happened than in history as it felt—and Orange County, a place that had built itself almost entirely from scratch, turned out to be exactly where the myth of America’s future was getting made. I’m a historian—and historians tend to be myth-busters. With the country’s 250th birthday on the horizon, I figured it was a good time to step out of the ivory tower and check in with the past as it exists here and now, at the museums and monuments and roadside attractions where Americans go to learn about their history. After all my travels—to Davy Crockett’s Tennessee and Texas, to the real Erie Canal, to the birthplace of the American automobile and the actual Old West—I couldn’t miss out on Disneyland, the single most influential historic attraction in U.S. history.
Governor Meyer Visits Milford Businesses, Signs Two Small Business Executive Orders - State of Delaware News
MILFORD — In recognition of National Small Business Week, Governor Matt Meyer visited two locally owned businesses in Milford today and signed two Executive Orders aimed at expanding opportunity for small and diverse businesses across Delaware. “Small businesses are the life blood of the economy. At a time when small businesses are getting squeezed, this […]
Why Public Health Data Matters: MN EHR Consortium
The consortium offers key insight into statewide health trends, allowing for more informed policy decisions.
The National Academy of Sciences Elects Two Berkeley Lab Researchers
Two Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) scientists have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. They are part of a cohort of 120 new members and 25 international members. The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit institution that was established under a congressional charter signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It recognizes achievement in science by election to membership, and — alongside the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine — provides science, engineering, and health policy advice to the federal government and other organizations. The 2026 electees bring the total number of active members to 2,705 with 557 international members. Gary Karpen is a biologist senior faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Biological Systems and Engineering Division and a Professor of Cell and Developmental Physiology in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley. Karpen studies how the structure, organization, and maintenance of genetic material impact inheritance and cell function. His lab focuses on chromatin — a packaged form of DNA strands wrapped around proteins that comprises our chromosomes — with a particular emphasis on centromeres, rarely expressed sequences called heterochromatin, DNA repair, and regulatory RNAs. His research reveals insights into fundamental aspects of nuclear organization and genome regulation that are shared across the tree of life, broadening our understanding of cancer and other diseases, birth defects, and aging. Kam-Biu Luk is a Professor Emeritus of physics at UC Berkeley and a retired senior faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Physics Division. He is an experimental particle physicist whose research has focused on neutrinos: nearly massless, electrically neutral elementary particles that can pass through matter virtually undetected. Neutrinos are created during radioactive decay processes, including the fusion process occurring in stars and the fission process that powers nuclear reactors. Luk initiated and co-led the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment, a project based in China with more than 200 international collaborators. In 2012, the Daya Bay experiment discovered a new form of a phenomenon called “neutrino oscillation” in which neutrinos change from one type to another. For this discovery, Luk and his collaborator Yifan Wang received the 2014 American Physical Society Division of Particles and Fields W.K.H. Panofsky Prize for outstanding work in experimental particle physics, and he was also the co-recipient of the 2016 Breakthrough Prize. Luk is currently participating in the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) hosted by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, which will investigate any potential difference in behavior between neutrinos and antineutrinos that may shed light on the evolution of the universe, especially why antimatter is absent in the present universe. ### Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is committed to groundbreaking research focused on discovery science and solutions for abundant and reliable energy supplies. The lab’s expertise spans materials, chemistry, physics, biology, earth and environmental science, mathematics, and computing. Researchers from around the world rely on the lab’s world-class scientific facilities for their own pioneering research. Founded in 1931 on the belief that the biggest problems are best addressed by teams, Berkeley Lab and its scientists have been recognized with 17 Nobel Prizes. Berkeley Lab is a multiprogram national laboratory managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. DOE’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science.
Science diplomacy lessons from a North Korean volcano
Mount Paektu, a mythic, active volcano on the border between North Korea and China, is almost the epitome of a scientific challenge that crosses political lines. In 946 CE, it erupted in one of the five biggest volcanic events of the past 10,000 years, kicking up huge quantities of ash and sending destructive mud flows down river channels for hundreds of kilometres. Should this happen again, the entire region, including easternmost Russia, South Korea and even Japan could be hit. “It’s definitely got the potential to be big,” said James Hammond, a professor of geophysics at Birkbeck, University of London. An eruption on the scale of 946 would have “huge regional impact.” For the past 15 years, Hammond has helped lead a groundbreaking collaboration with North Korean scientists to study the volcano, navigating scientific sanctions, tough export controls on scientific equipment and a long, pandemic-enforced exodus from the country. Although he seems more at home on far-flung research expeditions – before speaking to Science|Business, Hammond was camping out on a Greenland ice sheet – he has also advised the European Commission on its changing science diplomacy strategy. His long experience with North Korea has made Hammond sceptical of blanket bans on science collaboration, no matter the country.This is a live question in Europe, where in the wake of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, institutional ties with Russian universities were almost entirely severed, although some scientists fear this could undermine our understanding of climate change’s impact on the Arctic. Here, Hammond tells the story of the Mount Paektu mission and the policy lessons he takes from it. Ominous rumblingsThe genesis of Hammond’s collaboration came in 2002, when Mount Paektu began to rumble ominously. Earthquake activity picked up and the volcano began to emit unusual gases. North Korean scientists took notice. “People felt we need to know more about this volcano,” said Hammond. In 2011, North Korean vulcanologists put out a request for international expertise to help them learn more. At the time, Hammond and his collaborator, Clive Oppenheimer, were working on a vulcanology project in another sanctioned country, Eritrea, and so decided to answer the call. Within a month, they had flown into Pyongyang. “It was pretty incredible,” recalls Hammond (left). “We were made to feel like honoured guests, and invited to official celebrations.” The scientific opportunity was huge. Paektu is unusually positioned, a thousand kilometres from where tectonic plates rub against each other in the Pacific. “It was an incredibly interesting volcano, but not much research had been done, at least not in the international community,” he said. “There was so much we felt we could do. And we had these partners that were super keen to engage.”The mission received an unusual visitor in the form of volcano-obsessed filmmaker Werner Herzog, who accompanied Hammond and Oppenheimer while directing his 2016 film Into the Inferno about volcanos across the world. Four days into the trip, the German director delivered a long speech about reunification to his North Korean hosts, recalls Hammond. “He got to the heart of the Koreans and how they felt, and how they thought, in a way that I'm not sure I ever will,” he said. UN sanctionsHowever, Hammond realised he’d been “naïve” about how difficult it would be to collaborate with North Korea, which was sanctioned far more heavily than Eritrea. “We didn’t fully appreciate the all-encompassing nature of restrictions,” he said. In 2016, as tensions escalated over Pyongyang’s nuclear tests, a United Nations resolution banned all joint scientific work with North Korea. However, the UN sanctions did allow countries to request carve outs, and the UK successfully requested an exemption for Hammond’s work. Related articlesEU pushes for joint science diplomacy, but care needed to avoid gridlock, experts sayRussia severs its last ties with German scienceAnchor Greenlanders in Arctic climate research, experts tell EU ahead of policy updateExport controls have also delayed Hammond’s work. In one case, it took 18 months to get approval from the UK government to take seismometers, which measure earthquakes, to North Korea. “It was frustrating,” he said. “But they didn’t just say no.” However, one instrument, called an induction coil, used to measure how the earth conducts electricity, was blocked entirely because it can in theory be used to detect submarines. Karaoke bondingSince the collaboration started in 2011, Hammond has visited the country around 15 times, although the pandemic closed off North Korea for more than five years. A trip last November was Hammond’s first since the outbreak. Despite this lengthy interlude, Hammond has deep bonds in the country. The North Korean scientists Hammond works with are somewhat isolated, as they struggle to access the latest research papers and travel to international conferences. That said, they are “excellent geophysicists” and are “very well trained in the field,” he said. Over karaoke and chats about their families, “we’ve made friendships, for sure,” he said. The authorities have to sign-off things like the placement of seismometers, for example, but Hammond said these requests have been approved. “Everything that we've asked for within a scientific context has been delivered.”Scientific backchannels? These kind of personal links between scientists across political lines are one purported benefit of science diplomacy. During the Cold War, some historians argue, scientific contact between the US and Soviet Union laid a groundwork of trust for other cooperation, such as on arms control. Hammond agrees that backchannel contacts to North Korean geophysicists are hardly likely to defuse a military crisis on the Korean peninsula, but the simple fact of the scientific collaboration makes contacts between diplomats that little bit easier. “It creates opportunities to understand each other a little bit better,” he said. “When maybe you have those more difficult discussions as diplomats, it's coming from a slightly better place.” Cutting tiesDrawing lessons from the Mount Paektu mission for today’s links with Russian science isn’t simple. The analogy is far from exact, Hammond said, “because one is essentially a Cold War, versus a pretty hot war in the case of Russia.” But Hammond’s broader argument is that the challenges we face, such as climate change, pandemics, biodiversity loss, pollution and so on, have globalised in an unprecedented way, making blanket shutdowns in collaboration with any country unwise.He’s somewhat critical of the UN scientific sanctions imposed on North Korea in 2016, even though they did allow for exceptions. “I think a blanket halt to some of these things, when we face big global challenges [. . .] that’s quite a risky thing to do,” he said.Institutional endorsement?European academics are still by and large free to work individually with Russian counterparts. However, official, institutional partnerships have largely ended. Shortly following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian university rectors wrote a public letter endorsing the war, meaning European universities fear official collaboration could also be seen as a kind of endorsement. Hammond acknowledges there is a risk of legitimising regimes, and state-controlled universities, through scientific cooperation. “That’s the trade off you have to make,” he said. Strategic projectsWith Russia, instead of giving a green light to restart all Arctic science, a middle ground might be firing up a few carefully selected “strategic” projects, said Hammond. After all, European countries are still collaborating with Russia on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, an experimental nuclear fusion plant in the south of France. However, even if Europe did try to revive Arctic science with Russia, there’s no guarantee Russian scientists would play ball. A series of high-profile arrests of physicists in Russia accused of sharing their findings with the outside world has made collaboration fraught. Even before the invasion of 2022, “the Russian regime made it increasingly difficult, and this sort of discouraged people,” Dag Rune Olsen, rector of the Arctic University of Norway, told Science|Business last year.