SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " SCI " 27,051 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
The Forensic Science Lab at Columbus Arts Council
A STREAM program for ages 5–13 meets at 9 a.m. at the Columbus Arts Council, 501 Main St. Students will investigate mock crime scenes, examine fingerprints and footprints, and use clues to solve a mystery, with instruction from forensic science professionals.
Scientists Forced to Go on OnlyFans After Their Funding Was Cut
After the Trump administration cut billions in research grants, scientists have started an OnlyFans accounts to keep their work going.
For Shark Week, fins, facts and fascination at New England Aquarium
Shark Week is a time celebrate all things shark. At New England Aquarium, it's a time to showcase a creature that swims in folklore as well as fact.
UAMS names Nembhard as dean of the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences named Wendy N. Nembhard, Ph.D., MPH, as the next dean of the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, effective Sept. 1. Nembhard succeeds...
Crystal Coast Star Party connects telescopes, dark skies and NASA science
HARKERS ISLAND, N.C. — The Crystal Coast Stargazers’ annual Star Party returned in April, giving visitors a chance to look through telescopes, learn about dark
Saturday Throwback: 1994 summer program teaches rocket science to kids
In today's Saturday Throwback, take a look back to 1994 at some of the things these kids learned in a summer program that teaches rocket science.
Transgender Olympic athlete settles Sophie Cunningham debate with science
The Indiana Fever are on a five-game winning streak following Friday night’s 112-98 win over the Portland Fire, which saw superstar guard Caitlin Clark record her fourth career triple-double. However, even with the Fever surging and rising in the WNBA standings, the discourse surrounding the team has continued to be dominated by reserve guard Sophie…
Science filled BioBus set to make stops in Capital Region to promote STEM and learning
Could we prevent dementia? A new trial may point the way.
While much funding for dementia research goes toward treatments, some scientists want to reduce people's risk of developing the condition in the first place.
35 delightful images from the 2026 International Pet Photography Awards
From dogs defying gravity to prim and proper cats.
Science Inquiry Comes Alive for Jacket Middle Schoolers
Snails, sidewalks and Double Stuff Oreos... At Partnership Middle School, instructors are finding innovative ways to help students connect the classroom to what they see in the real world every day. By integrating hands-on experiences and scientific investigations into weekly lessons, 6th and 7th grade science teachers push their classes to explore the curriculum standards through the lens of critical thinking, communication with their peers, experimentation, and scientific inquiry. Last week, two different approaches for two different grade levels saw Jacket teachers ignite the same spark for learning. On Tuesday, 6th graders in Lydia Jones' science class took their lessons outside as they explored the school grounds to identify living and non-living things. Despite the warm temperatures, they engaged in discovering unexpected objects on the campus and connecting that to what they learned in class about the criteria for what qualifies a thing as "living". Ms. Jones tasked students with walking the grounds and listing as many living and non-living things they could find in just a few minutes. Students spotted a fire hydrant, construction vehicles, grass, trees, soccer equipment, rocks, sidewalks, and even a snail hidden in the plants. After they finished the exploration, students returned to the regular classroom to discuss their results and whether their objects were classified correctly. On Thursday, 7th graders in Omini Parks' science class participated in their first lab of the semester as they explored and identified the physical properties of a favorite snack -- Oreos. Ms. Parks identified the class objective before the lab activity began by writing the academic standard on the dry erase board in a declarative statement: "I can collect and evaluate qualitative data to describe substances using physical properties." Students watched a video about how Oreo sandwich cookies are made, and then engaged in a question and answer discussion to give observations on the manufacturing process, review various types of physical properties and their scientific terminology, and talk generally about how the lab inquiry would work. The Q&A ended with a predictable question from students... "Will we be able to eat the Oreos?" The hands-on lab exercise required the 7th grade scientists to observe and record the differences between regular Oreos and the Double Stuff variety based on their physical properties. They followed the instructions in their lab brief to chart a comparison between the two types of cookies by observing properties with their magnifying lenses, measuring the height and diameter of both, and weighing the cookies with and without their filling. The activity let students put their lessons about physical properties into practice with real objects while also practicing vocabulary and writing skills to record their observations and using math skills from the last school year like taking measurements and calculating averages. Of course, they ended the lab by charting the taste of the cookies as well! These types of activities allow students to see the science standards they are learning come to life in the real world and engage with the content in new ways. Beyond that, they serve as a foundation for encouraging and growing scientific inquiry. Later in the school year, students will use the scientific method they are learning to complete science projects that require real research and the ability to explain and answer questions about their process and results. At the school-level competitive Science Fair last year, 41 Partnership students earned a place in the 2026 regional Science Fair held at MSU. From there, 14 advanced to the State Science Fair conducted at Northeast Mississippi Community College in April.
Scientists detect a sharp acceleration in global warming
Global warming appears to have shifted into a faster gear. After removing the effects of El Niño, volcanic eruptions, and solar cycles, researchers found that the planet has warmed at roughly 0.35°C per decade over the past ten years, compared with just under 0.2°C per decade from 1970 to 2015. The acceleration, which becomes visible around 2013 to 2015, appeared across five major global temperature datasets with more than 98% statistical certainty.
Tiny black holes may be secretly exploding stars across the Milky Way
Primordial black holes may occasionally pass through white dwarf stars and trigger enormous Type Ia supernova explosions. Researchers found that these events could explain chemical patterns seen in supernova remnants, nearby explosions, and stars across the Milky Way.
Eating one avocado a day may lower heart disease risk
A daily avocado may help lower heart disease risk in adults with obesity by reducing the number of LDL particles circulating in the blood. After six months, participants who ate an avocado each day experienced a decline associated with an estimated 4% reduction in cardiovascular risk.
NASA’s Curiosity rover finds a mysterious honeycomb landscape on Mars
NASA’s Curiosity rover has entered a Martian valley covered by an astonishing “sea” of tiny polygon-shaped fractures. The honeycomb patterns, each only a few inches wide, stretch across the landscape and even wrap around a nearby 20-foot-tall butte.
This Week in Science: Dyson Spheres, Hidden Amazon Structures, And More
Our weekly science news roundup.
Scientists may have found a way to prevent statin muscle pain
Scientists have identified an immune response that may explain why statins cause muscle pain, weakness, and exercise intolerance in some people. The finding could eventually lead to treatments that protect muscles while preserving the drugs’ lifesaving cardiovascular benefits.
Tiny aerosol particles could supercharge tropical storm clouds
Scientists discovered unusually high water-vapor supersaturation inside deep tropical clouds, creating conditions in which tiny aerosol particles could intensify storm updrafts. The finding suggests earlier studies may have missed the effect because they were looking in the wrong types of clouds.
The Science Of Why You Sweat In A Sauna
A weather expert explains the science of why saunas make us sweat and potential health benefits.
Science news this week: Secret lives of whale sharks revealed, Earth's coldest temperature registered, and Amazonian geoglyphs show clues to lost civilization
August 1, 2026: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend
The Birth Of A Seafloor: Scientists Witness New Oceanic Crust Forming Through Earth Splitting Apart For First Time
Like a snake shedding its skin, Earth's crust is constantly being remade.
In 2009, Scientists Drilled 183 Meters Beneath An Antarctic Ice Shelf And Found A Surprising Lifeform
Sometimes when you gaze into the abyss, something really does gaze back.
The best new science-fiction novels of August 2026
Fascist empires and deadly sea monsters are on offer in the science fiction out this month, says Alison Flood
Where have all the bugs gone? Scientists are finding sharp declines
Many people remember road trips back in the day that left windshields splattered with insects – and may get the uncomfortable feeling that things have changed. Here's what researchers are finding.
Superheated magma may power towering lava fountains
Scientists studying magma from the 2021 Tajogaite eruption on La Palma have discovered that extreme heat can dramatically change how an eruption unfolds. When magma becomes superheated, it can dissolve the tiny crystal seeds that normally trigger crystallization, allowing the molten rock to remain fluid far longer as it rises.
Political science professor identifies misleading information in campaign ads ahead of August 4 election
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) — It’s election season, which means right now, various political ads are saturating your TV, sharing information about different candidates and their motivations, but that doesn’t always
Scientists May Have Finally Solved The Sun's Missing Silver Mystery
This makes more sense.
Scientists May Have Finally Solved The Sun's Missing Silver Mystery
This makes more sense.
Diabetes Drug Used For More Than 60 Years Found to Unexpectedly Affect The Brain
A hidden pathway is emerging.
Grayson College launches new Agricultural Sciences pathways to begin Fall 2026
Grayson College has announced the expansion of its Agricultural Sciences program with the addition of a new workforce and career-focused pathway designed to meet the needs of nontraditional students, working adults, and aspiring agricultural entrepreneurs. The college will continue to offer its Associate of Science (AS) in Agricultural Sciences, a 60-credit-hour transfer degree intended for students planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Scientists left water inside a battery and nearly doubled its power
A surprisingly simple change could make sodium-ion batteries far more powerful while opening the door to turning seawater into drinking water. Researchers at the University of Surrey found that sodium vanadium oxide performs much better when its naturally occurring water is left inside instead of being removed during manufacturing.
After felony conviction, Bobby George sues Statehouse leaders for rescinding grant money
A well-known family in Cleveland is suing Ohio Statehouse leaders after the politicians rescinded grant funding.
How scientists finally confirmed rare pink seaweed as new species
An ancient algae first spotted four decades ago will now join the collection of the Natural History Museum.
Race Matters: When AI Learns Our Bias featuring Professor of Computer Science Ian Davidson
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of how we work, learn and make decisions. But AI doesn't think independently — it learns from the data and information people provide. As a result, these systems can reproduce or even amplify patterns of bias that already exist in society.
Black Sons "Dreamers and Doers Camp" fosters kids love of Science
The six week camp gives rising third through eighth graders the opportunity to learn about robotics, coding and different STEM based careers.
Efforts Continue to Stabilize LINK Spacecraft for NASA’s Swift Boost
Teams at Katalyst Space are making progress slowing the spin of their LINK spacecraft, which is designed to boost the orbit of NASA’s Swift.
City of Mercedes welcomes families to free science event
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of Mercedes is inviting the community to its annual Earth X Space celebration. The free family-friendly event celebrates science and community building t…
Federal 'Science of Reading' Bill Advances
A Senate committee also passed a proposal to classify dyslexia separately under federal disability law.
Dr. Karen Studer to Lead Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health
The Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University has reached another major milestone with the appointment of Karen Studer, MD, MBA, M.P.H., as its inaugural executive director, effective October 5, 2026.
FDA clears autoinjector drug for home treatment of heart failure edema
A new drug delivery system may help reduce heart failure hospitalizations and related healthcare costs, which are expected to reach $70 billion by 2030.
Do LED Masks Actually Work? Experts Break Down The Science
Dermatologists and skin care experts explain how at home LED face masks really work, which wavelengths matter most, and what to look for before you invest in a mask.
Brazil uses forensic science to trace gold's origin and tackle illegal mining in the Amazon
Brazil is using forensic science to tackle illegal gold mining in the Amazon, a top threat to the rainforest, Indigenous groups and other communities there that has accelerated deforestation and driven mercury contamination to dangerous levels. The work takes place at the National Institute of Criminalistics in Brasilia, the country's…
Princeton Engineering - Federal investment of $18 million builds on three decades of advances in materials science
The Princeton Center for Complex Materials (PCCM), a research center at Princeton University dedicated to pushing the frontiers of materials science, has been selected by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for renewed investment to build on its success in research, workforce development and public outreach
Bradbury Science Museum Brings Hands-On Activities To Rural Students Through Annual Summer Science On Wheels Program
A student from San Juan Elementary School dissects owl pellets as part of the anatomy and physiology unit. Courtesy/LANL Students at James H. Rodriguez Elementary School work on plastic straw rocket launchers. Courtesy/LANL LANL News: In June, the Bradbury Science Museum’s education team hit the road as part of the annual Summer Science on Wheels […]
How scientists are trying to repair the body from within: Regenerative medicine and anti-aging
At Scripps Research and its drug discovery arm, the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines, scientists are developing regenerative medicine therapies designed to help the body repair itself from within. Unlike traditional medicines that primarily manage symptoms or slow disease progression, regenerative medicine aims to restore damaged tissues and rebuild function lost to aging and disease. Researchers are advancing programs focused on the heart, lungs, digestive tract and eyes, including investigational therapies for heart failure, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, age-related macular degeneration and other chronic conditions that become more common as we age. Learn how scientists are activating the body’s natural repair mechanisms to explore a future where medicine may not only treat disease, but help reverse its damage.
In Pursuit of Precision: Remembering John Barker
John L. Barker, who passed away on July 6, 2026, at age 88, was a seminal force who fundamentally transformed Landsat into a rigorous science mission through his relentless pursuit of precision remote sensing calibration standards.
A downtown Bryan mural brings art and science to life
Texas A&M student blends art, a love for animals and science for elementary students to learn with a mural in downtown Bryan
Innovation Politics at the FDA - Petrie-Flom Center
The relationship between innovation and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has become a central topic of concern for a whole host of parties: academics, members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and several former FDA commissioners.
Ice Ice Maybe: New Ways to Search for Frozen Water on the Moon
Scientists used a unique vacuum chamber that mimics moon conditions to design an approach for ice prospecting with seismic waves. The work could help future Artemis missions find water.
$4 Million Commitment Will Help UT Health Sciences Expand Health Hubs to Bring Preventive Care to More Communities Across Tennessee
Community and healthcare leaders, friends and partners of UT Health Sciences gathered to celebrate UnitedHealth Group’s announcement of a $4 million commitment to expand the neighborhood health hub model developed at the university from five to 13 across the state by the end of 2027.
Book reviews: ‘On the Origin of Sex: The Weird and Wonderful Science of Reproduction’ and ‘You Won’t Get Free of It’
The real story behind reproduction and a collection of essays focusing on mothers and daughters
Secretaries' Science Advisory Board to meet Wednesday
The North Carolina Secretaries' Science Advisory Board, which assists, consults and advises the state's human health and environmental agencies, is scheduled to meet virtually on Wednesday.
You Could Send Messages to Your Past Self With This Mind-Melting Technology, Scientists Say
Sending information backward in time may be less impossible than it sounds.
Crew Ends Week with Spacesuit Checks and Science, Lab Hardware Maintenance
Expedition 75 ended July stepping up preparations for the first of three spacewalks planned for the month of August. The International Space Station residents also wrapped up the week configuring combustion research and Earth imagery hardware while continuing lab maintenance.
Pediatricians and health officials are sidestepping Trump's CDC on vaccine advice
The rupture of scientific trust in the Atlanta-based CDC has put many pediatricians and health officials in a bind, as they no longer turn to the U.S.'s preeminent public health agency and instead search for ways to fill the information gap.
Researchers connect with the public at Summer Science Day
There’s a different energy in the Eccles Health Science Education Building on Summer Science Day. On Saturday, July 11, 2026, 700 people engaged with 70 science learning opportunities presented by researchers from across the University of Utah. The encounter changed both presenters and attendees for the better.
Opinion | Trump’s Proposed Rules for Funding Would Destroy American Science
Political appointees, not scientists, may soon determine who gets grants.
UN, scientists warn that strong El Nino will add fuel to ‘a planet already on fire’
The United Nations warns that a strengthening El Nino is intensifying global weather extremes and is adding fuel to a planet that it says is already on fire.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn turns to analytics, science and rest to reshape training camp schedule
Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets have taken a different approach to training camp by incorporating analytics and sports science
The Guardian view on the Lovell telescope: budget cuts to physics are bad science and worse politics
Editorial: Funders have picked a damaging fight with scientists and the public. They should reconsider their plans
A milestone year for Morgridge Summer Science Camp
On July 31, the 20th annual Morgridge Summer Science Camp said good-bye to its final group of campers. Over the course of three one-week sessions, 75 students along with their teachers, from 13 districts across the state, envisioned their futures in the biomedical sciences at the Discovery Building and UW–Madison’s campus.
The protein craze may not be for everyone
Getting more protein has been all the rage. In sedentary people, that advice could accelerate aging.
STAAR science scores rise in Texas and Dallas ISD
Dallas ISD and students across the state improve on this year's STAAR science exam. Fifth grade scores continue to trail 2019 levels.
Computer science and engineering major named College of Engineering marshal
Ranjani Suraj has been named the summer 2026 student marshal for the Penn State College of Engineering. Suraj will receive bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science and engineering through Penn State's Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate Program, along with a minor in mathematics, during the University's undergraduate commencement ceremony, which will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15 at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Human-caused climate change made Spanish, French fires much more likely, scientists calculate
Climate change's fingerprints are all over the extreme fire weather that sparked this week's devastating wildfires in Spain and France and has spiked Southern Europe's burning the past eight years, two new studies conclude.
NYU Faculty Drive Three US Department of Energy Genesis Mission Projects to Accelerate AI-Driven Discovery
Faculty across Arts and Science, Courant, and Tandon will help develop AI tools for quantum computing, decentralized scientific reasoning, and automated hypothesis generation
AbbVie touts double-digit sales jump, future prospects following Apogee acquisition
AbbVie’s immunology and neuroscience businesses drove sales and profits beyond expectations in the second quarter.
High-protein is a wellness craze, but could restricting it be anti-ageing?
Protein is everywhere, but studies – mostly in non-human animals – suggest that limiting our intake could extend our lifespan
‘Project Hail Mary’ and More Science Fiction Movies to Stream Now
From the Ryan Gosling hit “Project Hail Mary” to the psychosexual alien rom-com “Touch Me,” explore this month’s eclectic picks.
Is AI Reasoning Right for the Wrong Reasons?
The idea that artificial intelligence can “reason” is more intuitive than ever. But intuitions can be wrong, and the science is far from settled.
My Journey Into Researching Historical Erasure on Public Lands
Most people know me for my work on ocean conservation, Indigenous-led stewardship, and marine protected areas. Over the past year, however, I have found myself increasingly drawn into a different b…
Viewpoint: Grizzly science and keys to wildlife management
Alex Metcalf writes, Science can help us expand grizzly bear populations or shrink them — science doesn’t care which, only people can make that choice.
Molten, Mushy Planet
35 light years away from Earth is a planet a bit bigger than ours that’s probably not hospitable to life -- because it’s molten. Scientists have known about L98-59d for years, but new observations from the James Webb Space Telescope helped reveal an atmosphere rich in hydrogen sulfide, which could only be explained if the planet was in a rare molten state. Living on Earth’s El Wilson and Bella Smith teamed up on this note on emerging science.
The Government's Earthquake Warning System Has a 30% Accuracy Rate. Scientists Found Something Better
Researchers tested a new technique that uses fiber optic cables to detect earthquakes. It’s twice as precise as what the government currently uses.
Drifting SpaceX rocket heading for accidental collision with moon
Scientists and sky gazers will watch intently as rocket’s upper stage slams into lunar surface on Wednesday
Digital Science appoints Stephen Leicht as CEO; Daniel Hook joins Holtzbrinck Group as Chief Scientific Officer
Digital Science has announced that Daniel Hook will take up the role of Chief Scientific Officer at parent company Holtzbrinck Group, with company President Stephen Leicht succeeding him as CEO.
Thousands of people in China have had banned Alzheimer's surgery
Surgery that aims to enhance the clearance of Alzheimer's-associated proteins from the brain has been banned in China, but only after thousands of people had the procedure
Scientists admit: the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs wasn’t what we thought - Futura-Sciences
The Scene of the Crime: Chicxulub and the Prehistoric Apocalypse About 66 million years ago, an asteroid roughly 6 miles wide (10 kilometers!) crashed into what is now the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. The resulting impact gouged out a crater nearly 112 miles across (around 180 kilometers)—buried today under layers...
California school dashboard adds science as a full metric
Short of dropping a dead weight copy of the state Education Code on your foot, a State Board of Education agenda item on the California School Dashboard normally wouldn’t evoke
Scientists discover why poor sleep may harm some brains more
A gene involved in the brain’s overnight cleaning system may change how strongly poor sleep affects Alzheimer’s-related brain changes. The findings point toward more personalized prevention strategies based on both genetics and sleep habits.
Federal investment of $18 million builds on three decades of advances in materials science
The Princeton Center for Complex Materials (PCCM), a research center at Princeton University dedicated to pushing the frontiers of materials science, has been selected by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for renewed investment to build on its success in research, workforce development and public outreach.
Biotech is Back: A Wave of Life Science Deals is Pumping Cash into the Sector
Learn more about the latest updates in legal, with expert commentary and insights from trusted attorneys from Foley Hoag LLP. Foley Hoag is a professional community of highly qualified attorneys from all over the US.
Shining a light on colloid science
Scientists and engineers gather to discuss impact of colloid science in our lives
Bush Family Home introduces new science, history clubs for local students
If you’re hunting for a cool way to keep your middle or high schooler active and engaged this year, Midland’s Bush Family Home has some great news.
Chicago advocates step up for brain health and a future without Alzheimer’s
Content oversight provided by Studio 1847 Alzheimer’s disease reshapes families and demands immense resilience. Yet a growing wave of scientific optimism is changing approaches to brain health. Local volunteers Ellen Gudjonis and …
New CEO for Digital Science
Stephen Leicht appointed Chief Executive Officer; Daniel Hook joins parent company Holtzbrinck Group as Chief Scientific Officer
Thousands of Women Reported Disrupted Periods in June. Here's The Science Behind It.
Was it a real trend?
Does public health *need* MAHA?
Last week, our friend Dr. Craig Spencer sparked an ongoing volatile discussion with his Atlantic article “Public Health Needs MAHA.” Some have come out in strong dissent, others are cheering, and others are simply lamenting that we find ourselves in such a divided world to begin with. We will dare to dip our toes in these controversial waters, too. Does public health need MAHA? We think in some ways yes, and in other ways, no. MAHA leaders versus the everyday MAHA supporter The vitriol in this debate mostly comes from one collapsed distinction: the leadership of MAHA is not necessarily the same as the people who support it. Say “MAHA” and most people picture RFK Jr. Fair enough, as he coined the term and holds most of the power. And, yes, some MAHA followers treat Kennedy as something close to a saint. But talk to the grassroots, and it’s not a monolith. They’re Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. People who distrust vaccines and vaccine supporters. It’s a wide, eclectic coalition. The data backs this too: 4 in 10 Americans support the movement—that’s a lot of people! But according to polls, vaccines and medical choice (the issues most tied to Kennedy personally) are cited by only 4% as their reason for supporting the movement. For many, the motivations are much broader. Many MAHA supporters are signing up for the idea that “something needs to change” with health in this country. They’re asking good-faith questions about corporate influence on our health systems, health care costs, nutrition, chemicals, and clean air and water. These are all questions that plenty of public health professionals recognize as legitimate and also care about very deeply. Blurring the lines between the leadership and grassroots does real damage in two important ways: It hands the 4 in 10 exactly the narrative already fed—that the health ecosystem doesn’t listen, doesn’t care, and paints every critic with the same brush. It gives the actual bad actor more power. RFK Jr. has done irreparable damage and can’t be trusted. What the MAHA movement gets right A healthy population is something the public health field was literally built on, and many of these topics are things we have dedicated our lives to. Yet the MAHA movement has captivated nearly half the country in a way the public health establishment has failed to achieve. So that means MAHA is doing something right. Some of it may be timing (after a Covid-19 pandemic and deep frustration and mistrust with institutions). The movement also does three other things really well: 1. It gives a new, louder voice to system failures. While MAHA is not a monolith, one theme stays consistent across their stories: the system failed them. For some, it was the system that flooded their communities with opioids and then walked away. For others, it was the system that let their business collapse during Covid with no safety net in sight. For others still, it was the system that failed to help them manage a complex chronic illness, bouncing them from physician to physician without any real answers. And in many ways, our health ecosystems are failing Americans. Why are medical bills so incomprehensible? Why do some kids get a healthy school lunch and others don’t? Why do an epidemiologist and a MD/PhD student have to start newsletters in the middle of the biggest public health emergency in a century, just so people can get straight information? Because the systems failed. This deep-seated frustration driving many Americans to search for solutions elsewhere needs to be recognized. 2. MAHA has brilliant comms central to their efforts. MAHA figured out something most health institutions still have not: the information landscape changed. It’s participatory now, not top-down; influence runs through many nodes in a community, not one institution; and storytelling and telling audiences “what you really think” moves people more than data dumps do. MAHA goes where audiences are listening, using podcasts, social media, and memes in ways most health institutions would scoff at—but it works. 3. They are very good at organizing. A MAHA meeting feels like a rally: energy, speakers, music, and most importantly, an action for everyone. Someone’s writing the next policy brief, someone’s seeding a narrative, someone knows the next legislative deadline, someone’s sending the text messages for a campaign. None of this is new (ask the civil rights movement), but MAHA knows it works and has capitalized on it. What MAHA gets wrong This list could be much longer, and this newsletter has spent a lot of time covering it, but here are a few things: Poor use of scientific evidence. This is the fundamental problem with many MAHA policies: the hype outpaces the science, and experts are often villainized for pointing this out. MAHA leadership has traded real solutions for cheap wins. For example, instead of taking on the powerful food industry and passing real reforms, it has celebrated french fries made of beef tallow and taken out artificial dyes from still very sugary children’s cereal. These changes won’t move the needle on America’s diet. MAHA leadership has tried to dismantle vaccine access in the U.S. While many MAHA supporters emphasize other issues, the effort to change vaccine policy has become MAHA’s signature effort. This is not surprising given RFK Jr.’s extensive track record campaigning against vaccines. It has rallied behind the wrong leader. RFK Jr. has a decades-long track record of villifying doctors, scientists, and public health workers, well before he became HHS secretary. He is known for his decades-long work sowing distrust in vaccines as well as life-saving treatments like antiretroviral therapy for HIV. This is not a serious person who can move the needle on health in the U.S, and he has already done serious damage. Public health needs more than defense Defending the evidence is absolutely necessary so health in the U.S. doesn’t move further backward. The public health establishment is very good at defense. The problem is this defense often sounds like defending the status quo, which has failed many people. Public health needs to offer an alternative to RFK Jr.’s MAHA—one that is rooted in evidence, truly listens to and addresses people’s frustrations, and has innovative solutions and the courage to change the systems. How do we get there? Find common ground. Do you know what most people care most about? The abysmal cost of healthcare. Start there. Fight for the human loudly. Too often, communications and engagement center on science with a capital S, funding mechanisms, or the CDC/FDA/NIH. Not the person. So the public doesn’t see themselves in it. Instead, they see people fighting for the very powerful systems that they feel negatively impact their health and well-being. Let the public feel and hear that you see their frustrations, you get it, and you’re fighting for them within the system. Recognize when pro-science messages are alienating people. Facts absolutely matter, but angrily venting only alienates people further. Our friend Elisabeth Marnik recently wrote a New York Times article about her experience growing up unvaccinated and how listening and empathetic conversation are the only ways to reach people that really work (a position backed by communication science). Her comments section was full of hateful comments from pro-vaccine individuals attacking her for daring to suggest we approach vaccine-hesitant individuals with empathy. It is possible to both stand firm behind scientific evidence and empathize with people who don’t trust it. Lean into politics smartly. Often, public health has shied away from politics: Don’t touch it, lest you get burned. But this fails to recognize that the third rail is what fuels the train: who is elected determines our budgets, our priorities, and our authority. Being political means being very savvy in strategy on both sides of the aisle, knowing your audience, and recognizing that political capital is as scarce as financial resources and needs to be allocated accordingly. Bottom line So does public health need MAHA? That’s not really the right question. Public health has a responsibility not to dismiss 40% of the country who feel heard by this movement and are frustrated that the system has failed them. And it has a responsibility to stick to the evidence and recognize MAHA leadership for what it is: a danger to our nation’s health. Both can, and should, be done. Love, YLE and KP A big thanks to Craig Spencer, who had the courage to put his neck out there to start a much-needed discussion at such a critical moment—one that is determining the identity of an entire field. Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD is completing an emergency medicine residency and research fellowship focusing on health literacy and communication. In her free time, she writes the newsletters You Can Know Things debunking health myths and rumors and The Public Health Roundup. Views expressed belong to KP, not her employer. Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE) comprises a team of experts, ranging from physicians to immunologists to epidemiologists to nutritionists, working together with one goal: to “translate” ever-evolving public health science so that people are well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. The YLE suite of newsletters reaches over 475,000 people across more than 132 countries. This newsletter is free to everyone, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support the effort, subscribe or upgrade below: Subscribe
A New Kind of HIV Pill Just Passed Its First Test in Humans
Could this be a new weapon against HIV?
Science Center exhibit brings indoor electric kart track to Pittsburgh
At the Kamin Science Center, the new Science of Speed exhibit brings a multi-level electric indoor kart track to Pittsburgh.
SWFL medical device firm, after raising $50M, aims for profitability
Catalyst OrthoScience, in the ongoing effort to turn a profit, leans on market timing and tweaking its products based on surgeons' feedback.
Editorial: When ‘follow the science’ becomes ‘I plead the Fifth’
It’s not Fauci’s first rodeo, and not the first time his views on the novel coronavirus have come under scrutiny.
Pueblo mayor, council concoct Trumpian Texas Two-Step
Several weeks ago, an article was published positing Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham is a disciple of the calamitous Donald Trump school of governance — specifically as it related to questionable ethical practices and the misuse of public funds. Recently, Graham confirmed her allegiance by implementing the Trump tactics of deflect and divide to continue her […]
Opinion | Trump’s funding threat is anti-science, not scientists’ fault
Trump’s proposal would substitute political, ideological, and religious considerations for scientific criteria.
Arkansas students earn honors in 2026 Soybean Science Challenge
Winners from Harrisburg and Paragould took top prizes in statewide competition
Can bodies acclimate to 115-degree heat? A doctor breaks down the science
Residents spending time outside in July say they have gotten used to triple-digit heat, but medical experts warn that heat acclimation only protects the body to a point.
Destructive Fires Char Western Europe
Raging wildfires disrupted summer in Spain and France amid sweltering heat waves and prolonged drought.
Giants OF Harrison Bader out for season after late-night scooter accident
Giants manager Tony Vitello told reporters Bader was already going to miss the season due to plantar fasciitis before crashing his scooter.
Scientists uncover how muscles preserve their repair cells
Researchers discovered an unexpected role for TRF2 in preserving muscle stem cell identity, offering new insights into muscle regeneration and muscular dystrophy.
ExxonMobil Honors Young Innovator at PM’s Science Award 2026
ExxonMobil Honors Young Innovator with Applied Science Excellence Award at the Prime Minister’s Science Award 2026.