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4 NYU faculty honored for STEM research by American Association for the Advancement of Science
Four NYU faculty members were recognized for their research in areas of biology, neuroscience and chemical and biomolecular engineering as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The AAAS — which aims to shape science policy and build a community for STEM researchers — elected 449 researchers across the United States for...
MAGA Is Winning Its War Against U.S. Science
Source: NBER With all the other terrible news right now, you may not have noticed that Donald Trump is in the process of killing American science. OK, that’s an exaggeration — but not that much of an exaggeration. The Trump administration’s latest budget proposal calls for a gigantic increase in military spending combined with severe cuts to social programs. But as the chart above shows, it also calls for debilitating reductions in research funding. Furthermore, Trump appointees have already been strangling science by sharply reducing the rate at which research grants are approved. Here, for example, is the number of new grants approved by the National Science Foundation: Source: Nature Large numbers of existing grants have also been frozen or terminated, especially in the study of infectious diseases. Add to this a sharp drop in visas issued to foreign students, who often play a direct role in research and who help support academic departments that do research: Put all of this together, and much U.S. scientific research is set to come to a screeching halt — not a few years from now, but over the course of the next year or two. This new assault on U.S. science is taking place at a time when the role of American science in the world has already been greatly eroded. The chart below, based on research recently reported by the National Bureau of Economic Research, measures national strength in science by the share of publications in highly ranked journals. In the 1990s the United States had more such publications than the rest of the world combined. Since then we’ve dropped into third place — well behind China and slightly below the European Union. And this was before the Trump administration’s attack on science had time to take its full effect. Source Some erosion in U.S. scientific preeminence was inevitable given China’s growing sophistication and wealth. But we’ve also fallen behind Europe, even though everyone says that Europe is lagging economically and technologically. Claims about Europe’s underperformance are, in fact, dubious if one looks hard at the data. But it’s still striking to see America lagging. What’s going on? There are presumably multiple factors behind America’s scientific lag. But even before Trump II the growing hostility of the U.S. right to science surely had some negative effect. And since the rise of MAGA G.O.P. attitudes toward science in general have become overwhelmingly hostile. This is true even for the Republican rank and file: And while I haven’t been able to find good survey data, it’s obvious that the anti-science turn has been even more pronounced — and began earlier — among the Republican political elite. Chris Mooney published The Republican War on Science in 2005, and even then was describing a longstanding trend. Why have Republicans turned so anti-science? Part of the answer is that they believe that scientists don’t support them. And they’re right! A study of who scientists give money to shows that only a small percentage gave money to Republicans even 20 years ago, and that almost none of them donate to Republicans now: Social scientists have always been strongly pro-Democratic, while there used to be a significant number of physical, “hard” scientists supporting the GOP. But these days physicists are almost as uniformly Democratic, or at least non-Republican, as sociologists. Why are there almost no Republican scientists? It’s not a mystery. GOP political orthodoxy includes positions that are at odds with the scientific consensus on multiple issues, ranging from the validity of the theory of evolution, to the reality of climate change, to the efficacy and safety of vaccines. In each case the scientific consensus is solidly grounded in evidence. But even before the rise of MAGA the U.S. right was increasingly hostile to evidence-based policymaking — especially, of course, where the evidence is unfavorable to fossil fuel interests or quack medicine, both financial mainstays of right-wing politics. So scientists don’t support Republicans, and the feeling is mutual. Today’s Republican Party doesn’t like science or scientists. It doesn’t like having its preconceived views challenged by appeals to evidence. It knows that very few scientists are on its side electorally. In general, it sees scientific research as a threat to its grasp on political power. Add in MAGA’s combination of rabid anti-intellectualism and allergy to any hint of criticism, and one has the makings of a drastic anti-science turn in policy. “Ignorance is strength” might was well be an official MAGA motto. And as I said, we aren’t talking about something that will happen over the course of multiple years: The U.S. scientific enterprise is threatened with severe damage, even collapse, over just the next year. There are many reasons to find this prospect horrifying: Think of all the beneficial advances, affecting almost every part of life, that won’t happen because U.S. science — still crucial to the world — has been eviscerated. But think, also, of America’s international standing. Can a nation that has forfeited its role as a leader, or even a contender, in global science, still be a Great Power? No. MUSICAL CODA
Science group to court: Stop Trump’s threat to climate supercomputers
It's the latest move in a lawsuit against the administration's plans to shutter the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
Social Science Has a Replication Problem
And that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, if it inspires self-correction.
The science, and luck, behind the early health advantage fueling the Yankees' and Mets' starts
Are the New York Yankees and Mets, specifically, and the sport, in general, getting better at keeping players healthy?
The science, and luck, behind the early health advantage fueling the Yankees' and Mets' starts
Are the New York Yankees and Mets, specifically, and the sport, in general, getting better at keeping players healthy?
Why this NASA climate scientist wants you to stay angry
“I don’t think we rebuild science without getting mad.”
World Health Day 2026: Together for Health. Stand with Science. Stand with Refugees.
This World Health Day, USCRI’s Refugee Health Services (RHS) recognizes the vital role of science and the communities that bring it into practice every day.
World Health Day 2026: Together for Health. Stand with Science. Stand with Refugees.
This World Health Day, USCRI’s Refugee Health Services (RHS) recognizes the vital role of science and the communities that bring it into practice every day.
NuScale Power (SMR) Is a Science Project, Says Jim Cramer
NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE:SMR) is one of the 9 Stocks Jim Cramer Talked About & Commented On SpaceX’s IPO. NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE:SMR) is a small modular reactor technology company based in Oregon. Its shares are down by 28% over the past year and by 37% year-to-date. UBS discussed the firm on March 19th when it […]
'Morale boost': NASA carries out Moon mission during tough year for science
As the four Artemis astronauts approached a high point of their lunar mission -- getting slung around the far side of the Moon -- NASA staffers crowded into Houston's famed mission control room Monday...
Work begins on major expansion of Cambridgeshire science campus
It will cover an area two and a half times its current size, with new laboratories and homes.
The Blogs: The Difference Between Ideological “Research” and Evidence-Based Science
From the blog of Monique Dietvorst at The Times of Israel
One Sleep Habit Could Boost Your Heart Health, Study Suggests
A clear message.
One Sleep Habit Could Boost Your Heart Health, Study Suggests
A clear message.
Drought Parches Florida
The state was unusually dry for much of 2025, but the intensity of the drought has ratcheted up since January 2026.
The New Gut Health Obsession Comes With a Catch, Experts Warn
Is 'fibermaxxing' actually healthy?
The New Gut Health Obsession Comes With a Catch, Experts Warn
Is 'fibermaxxing' actually healthy?
Earthquake science unites threatened scholar with Cornell researchers
A team of geophysicists from Cornell, Cameroon and South Africa is using machine learning tools to unearth new information from earthquake data collected by Cornell 15 years ago – providing a lifeline for a scholar whose career was upended by conflict.
Zhou earns CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation
Through the early-career grant, Peipei Zhou will advance the scalable, verifiable co-design of heterogeneous reconfigurable computing systems, enabling domain experts to efficiently build next-generation customized AI and data-intensive applications, such as autonomous physical systems, adaptive intelligent agents, and advanced healthcare technologies.
Scientists solve 30-year mystery of a hidden nutrient that protects the brain and fights cancer
Scientists have finally uncovered the missing link in how our bodies absorb queuosine, a rare micronutrient crucial for brain health, memory, stress response, and cancer defense. For decades, researchers suspected a transporter had to exist, but it remained elusive—until now. By identifying the gene SLC35F2 as the gateway into cells, this breakthrough opens new possibilities for therapies and highlights how diet and gut microbes profoundly shape human health.
STAT 4000 introduces students across Auburn to data science foundations
STAT 4000: Introduction to Data Science gives students across Auburn a hands-on foundation in data analysis, AI literacy and statistical reasoning. Taught by instructors in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, the course equips students to work confidently and critically with data in a wide range of fields.
A night of two national titles for U-M, as scientists and basketball players both triumph
On the same night that the U-M men's basketball team triumphed in the NCAA tournament, U-M cardiovascular researchers won a national tournament of science
Earth’s most powerful ocean current didn’t form the way we thought
A colossal ocean current encircling Antarctica—stronger than all the world’s rivers combined—played a far more complex role in shaping Earth’s climate than scientists once thought. New research shows it didn’t form just because ocean gateways opened, but required shifting continents and powerful winds to align. This shift helped pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, contributing to a major cooling event that transformed Earth into the ice-covered world we know today.
Columbia stands to lose tens of millions as White House reopens push to cut science funding
Columbia stands to lose tens of millions in federal funding for fiscal year 2027 if Congress accepts a new budget request from President Donald Trump, released on Friday, which seeks to cut over $15 billion from federal science agencies.
WHO calls for science-led action and stronger One Health approach to address evolving health risks
The World Health Organization today called for urgent scale-up of research, innovation, and collaboration to accelerate momentum towards ending tuberculosis in the WHO South-East Asia Region, which continues to bear nearly half of the global TB burden, accounting for the highest share of cases and deaths worldwide. To build momentum, experts, national TB programme managers, researchers, along with partners and members of civil society, began a three-day virtual workshop organized by WHO for ‘Advancing research and Innovation to accelerate momentum towards ending TB in the WHO South-East Asia Region.’
World Health Day 2026
World Health Day 2026 promotes One Health and scientific collaboration. Join #TogetherForScience to advance global health research and science partnerships.
World Health Day 2026
World Health Day 2026 promotes One Health and scientific collaboration. Join #TogetherForScience to advance global health research and science partnerships.
World Health Day 2026: Together for health. Stand with science
On World Health Day 2026, celebrated on 7 April, WHO unites and mobilizes the world under the theme “Together for health. Stand with science.” celebrating the power of scientific collaboration to protect the health of people, animals, plants, and the planet. The year‑long campaign spotlights both scientific achievements and the multilateral cooperation needed to turn evidence into action.
2026 Distinguished Lecture Series in Materials Science and Engineering
The Distinguished Lecture Series in Materials Science and Engineering at Penn State will be held in April and will include two Richard E. Tressler Award Lectures in Materials and the David Ford McFarland Award Lecture for Achievement in Metallurgy.
Carnegie Science cuts 100-year bond with Johns Hopkins
The nonprofit Carnegie Science will close its operations at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University this summer, ending a 100-year cooperation between the school and one of the largest private funders of...
Science conference focused on Western Alaska comes to Bethel
The Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference, also called WAISC will run April 7-9 at Bethel’s cultural center.
Trump's next budget once again calls for massive cuts to science
Congress rejected huge cuts to science in 2026, but Trump is trying again.
World champion magician to perform at science museum
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A world champion magician held a special dress rehearsal at the Buffalo Museum of Science on Monday ahead of a week of performances in Buffalo. Jason Latimer is the man…
Science Museum of Virginia hosting free beetle pinning for seniors
The Science Museum of Virginia is hosting a free “Senior Science: Beetle Pinning” to show the art and science of beetle pinning for senior citizens.
UA Professors Honored by American Association for the Advancement of Science
Two University of Alabama professors were named 2025 AAAS fellows for their contributions to scientific research.
3 Things to Know: Brands and Social Issues, Adult Recreational Sports League Participation Rebounds, and Sports Betting Partnerships
CivicScience has the world’s largest proprietary database of real-time declared intent, allowing brands to activate high-performing advertising that drives up to 80% better performance. See how our partners achieve superior marketing outcomes here. 1. Consumers hold mixed expectations on brand activism, with Democrats more likely to switch or boycott based on personal values, while Republicans [...]Read More... from 3 Things to Know: Brands and Social Issues, Adult Recreational Sports League Participation Rebounds, and Sports Betting Partnerships
ACPS students shine at State Science and Engineering Fair
Multiple students earn recognition at three-day event.
Kids will spring into science with April’s Parents’ Night Out at DHDC
From 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, April 10, the Don Harrington Discovery Center is offering a chance for children ages 4-11 years old to crack into hands-on experiments while caregivers enjoy an evening to themselves.
World Health Day 2026: PAHO/WHO calls for renewed commitment to science to drive better health for all
6 April 2026, Geneva / Washington, DC-- The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) call on people everywhere to renew their commitment to science as the foundation for better health, under the World Health Day 2026 theme: “Together for health. Stand with science.” The campaign marks the anniversary of WHO’s founding on 7 April, launching a year-long public health campaign.
THE WEEK OF APRIL 6, 2026
- Trump budget repeats call for science cuts - NIH and NSF issue fewer grants - Jefferson Lab contract winner announced
From Jurassic Park to dreams of AI doom, pop culture shapes science more than we like to admit
We all know science influences books, movies and TV – but the influence goes both ways.
International maritime officers connect with science at W&M’s Batten School & VIMS
W&M's Batten School & VIMS recently hosted the U.S. Coast Guard’s International Maritime Officer’s Course.
Student’s life experiences inform political science, media studies scholarship
Emily Danczyk, fourth-year Penn State student double-majoring in political science and media studies with a minor in legal studies, was recently named a diversity fellow for the American Political Science Association.
Student’s life experiences inform political science, media studies scholarship
Emily Danczyk, fourth-year Penn State student double-majoring in political science and media studies with a minor in legal studies, was recently named a diversity fellow for the American Political Science Association.
Human echolocation step echo by step
Experts in echolocation use multiple clicks and echoes to sense objects, offering insight into how the brain builds perception.
A biblical megaflood could hit the US at any moment. And that’s only the beginning | BBC Science Focus Magazine
A flood, the scale of which has not been seen in centuries, is coming, scientists say. Can we prepare before it hits?
Federal Agency Unveils Three Potential Osteoarthritis Treatments
With funding from ARPA-H, three teams of researchers have regrown bone and cartilage, even entire knees, in animal studies. Human trials are not far off.
Earth's Population Has Surpassed The Planet's Capacity, Study Suggests
"We are pushing the planet harder than it can possibly cope."
Deja vu: Trump proposes cutting NASA science funding by 47% again
The proposed budget would cut NASA's overall funding by 23% and nearly halve its science portfolio.
UAMS Working with Schools in Carroll, Madison Counties to Develop Behavioral Health Outreach Programs
FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Institute for Community Health Innovation will work with schools in Carroll and Madison counties to establish programs aimed at reducing behavioral risk factors for youth, while preparing students for career opportunities in community health. Through a $1.2 million Rural Communities…
Public health takes center stage in US midterm campaigns: ‘It’s already been politicized’
Some candidates are making public health a central part of their midterm campaigns amid Trump’s war on science
Melissa Blotter: Advancing the Science of Seizure Intervention
Melissa Blotter is pioneering a bold new approach to treating life-threatening seizures by using ketone bodies to stop them in real time.
Interactive exhibits shine at IMAG History & Science Center in Fort Myers
Gulfcoasting takes you inside IMAG with Jason Drew and Director Christian Gould — exploring interactive science, the Gulfcoast Weather Experience, and the outdoor estuary where longtime animal residents steal the show.
Standing with Science in a Post-Truth World
Scientific progress against emerging threats will matter only if societies can defend trust in evidence from the distortions of the post-truth age
Science Will Win season finale explores AI in cancer care with Pfizer Chief Oncology Officer Jeff Legos
In February, Pfizer launched the sixth season of Science Will Win, our flagship podcast which recently reached 3 million downloads. The season finale focuses on the future of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) —and what they could mean for cancer research and care.
Children’s Museum of Wilmington hosting Science at Play event
The Children’s Museum of Wilmington will host its annual “Science at Play” event as part of the North Carolina Science Festival.
People-focused academic leader selected as dean of WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Clayton Thyne, an experienced administrator, researcher and educator will join the West Virginia University leadership team as the inaugural Linda and Don Brodie Dean of the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest academic unit.
SEE Science Center and Unchartered launch innovative summer camp partnership in Manchester
The SEE Science Center and Unchartered announce a new partnership that reimagines how summer camp programs are staffed and delivered in Manchester.
AI Giant Anthropic Leans Into Life Sciences With $400M Coefficient Bio Catch
Anthropic in October last year iterated its Claude AI model to better cater to biopharma purposes. Sanofi, Novo Nordisk, AbbVie and others already use Claude in their operations.
SK Life Science, Inc. to Present New Data and Epilepsy Insights at the 2026 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting
Key Facts: SK Life Science, Inc. will present multiple posters at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting (April 18–22, 2026, Chicago, Illinois)...
Scientists discover hidden brain switch that tells you to stop eating
Your brain’s “stop eating” signal may come from an unexpected source. Researchers found that astrocytes—once thought to just support neurons—actually play a key role in controlling appetite. After a meal, glucose triggers tanycytes, which send signals to astrocytes that then activate fullness neurons. This newly discovered pathway could lead to innovative treatments for obesity and eating disorders.
Scientists found a “lost world” of animals that shouldn’t exist yet
A remarkable fossil discovery in southwest China is rewriting the story of how complex animal life began, showing that many key animal groups appeared millions of years earlier than scientists once believed. Dating back over 540 million years, the fossils reveal a surprisingly diverse and advanced ecosystem from the late Ediacaran period—before the famous Cambrian explosion. Among the finds are early relatives of starfish, worm-like creatures, and even ancestors of animals with backbones, suggesting that the roots of modern life were already taking shape.
“Why water is special” mystery finally solved.
POSTECH and Stockholm University observe water’s liquid-liquid critical point, published in Science, following the team’s 2017 and 2020 papers in the same journal. Ten years of persistent research leads to a discovery that could rewrite textbooks
The brain might not create consciousness after all
Is consciousness something the brain produces, or is it woven into the fabric of reality itself? Renowned neuroscientist Christof Koch is challenging long-held scientific assumptions by confronting the “hard problem” of consciousness — why and how subjective experience exists at all. He highlights growing tensions between neuroscience, physics, and unexplained phenomena like near-death experiences and sudden moments of clarity before death.
This “forbidden” exoplanet has an atmosphere scientists can’t explain
A strange “forbidden” planet spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope is turning planetary science on its head. TOI-5205 b, a Jupiter-sized world orbiting a small, cool star, has an atmosphere surprisingly poor in heavy elements—even less enriched than its own star, which defies current theories of how giant planets form.
41 things to do: Attend science vs. social media event, more
This week brings to campus VolunteerFest, a stress less event, a mobile food pantry, women and men's lacrosse, a chance to revamp your resume, Nepal Night and
Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo and George Mason University scientists mine past air temperature forecasts, lower cost with greater subseasonal prediction accuracy
Researchers at Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo and George Mason University‘s College of Science have developed a new method that improves air temperature forecasts one to five weeks in advance—without requiring additional model simulations.
Scientists may have found a way to keep your bones strong for life
Scientists have identified a little-known receptor, GPR133, as a powerful regulator of bone strength. By activating it with a newly discovered compound called AP503, they were able to boost bone density in mice and counteract osteoporosis-like damage. The finding opens the door to a new kind of treatment that could not only prevent bone loss but also rebuild weakened bones, offering fresh hope for millions affected by osteoporosis, especially aging populations.
Alaska Park Science: USGS and National Park Service Partners in Research
The latest issue of Alaska Park Science features articles on collaborative research between USGS and NPS scientists in park units across Alaska, building a body of science that informs a variety of disciplines as well as park management.
Senior Spotlight 2026: For this aspiring physician, computer science is ‘empowering’ asset
Rice senior Pankti Mehta is channeling her drive to improve how people access and experience health care by combining computer science with hands-on clinical insight.
5 Easy Spring Science Experiments for Kids to Try at Home
Spring weather has a mind of its own.One day the kids are outside all afternoon. The next day it’s chilly, rainy, and someone is already saying, “…
Scientists may finally detect hidden ripples in spacetime
Scientists have taken a major step toward probing one of physics’ biggest mysteries—how gravity and quantum mechanics fit together—by creating the first unified way to detect tiny “ripples” in spacetime itself. These subtle fluctuations, long predicted but poorly defined, are now organized into clear categories with specific signals that real-world instruments can search for. The breakthrough means powerful tools like LIGO and even small tabletop experiments could start testing competing theories of quantum gravity much sooner than expected.
How climate science is sneakily getting funded under Trump
Scientists are keeping their climate work alive by any other name.
The Science Behind Fish Markets And DNA Tracking In The Arabian Gulf
Scientists in Bahrain are building the country’s first DNA reference library for sharks and rays using fish market samples, unlocking the full potential of environmental DNA to identify species in one of the hottest and most understudied seas on Earth.
How the Voyager missions rewrote planetary science, tested the limits of 1970s engineering, and became humanity's longest-running experiment in institutional patience
In November 2026, Voyager 1 will become the first human-made object to reach one light-day from Earth. Nearly 49 years after launch, the twin Voyager missions remain the most productive space exploration program ever flown, and a case study in what happens when engineering resilience meets institutional patience.
Embark on a science adventure at UW-Madison’s Science Expeditions
The community is invited to try hands-on activities at six Exploration Station hubs, tour research spaces, view Science Spectacular Shows, and attend lectures.
New Study Reveals Hidden Ocean Chemistry
Science team led by Mariana Bif (right) prepare to launch a Biogeochemical-Argo (BCG Argo) float.
Biotech layoffs return: Mass. life science firms cut 745 jobs in Q1
Biotech job cuts return: 14 companies cut 745 jobs in Q1
NASA shoehorns in human science on Artemis II moon mission
While the primary goal of the Artemis II mission is the ensure the Orion spacecraft is safe for humans, NASA did find time to fit some science on board during the 10-day lunar fly-by.
Tongcang Li receives Bement Award for innovative quantum research
Tongcang Li has been chosen to receive the 2025 Arden L. Bement Jr. Award. The award recognizes Purdue University faculty for recent outstanding contributions in pure and applied science and engineering.
Column | Do men or women have worse farts? Science has the answer.
Yes, scientists have studied whether men or women have worse farts, what makes them smell and why air travel tends to make people gassy.
What impact is the science of reading having so far in Ohio classrooms and on college campuses?
The science of reading is being taught in classrooms across Ohio, but the state's education department stresses it will likely take time to track students' progress.
3 Horizon Honors students win at state science fair
Three Horizon Honors students won awards at the premier science fair competition in Arizona March 26-27 with one landing the possibility of heading to a national contest.
Isle of Man children inspired by insight into STEM career choices
An event to showcase Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths careers was recently held.
Saturday Morning Science continues with 2 lectures in April
The science behind night vision imaging and green drug synthesis are the topics of the next two Saturday Morning Science lectures at the University of ...
Citizen science project to track small mammals in Guernsey
The project aims to gather more data on species that are difficult to monitor.
Airborne DNA reveals shifting reproductive timing in bryophytes
Reconstructing time from decades of air samples shows bryophytes releasing spores earlier as the climate warms.
Suncoast Science Center Fab Lab Opens Registration for 2026 Summer STEAM Camps and New High School Trade W ...
The Suncoast Science Center Fab Lab opens registration for 35+ weeklong 2026 summer STEAM camps for grades 2-8, plus a new Skill Lab Trade Series for high schoolers in Sarasota.
On plant health and embracing new plant-breeding techniques in South Africa
The major challenge currently confronting South Africa’s agriculture is the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. For many farmers across the country, the most urgent tasks are both securing sufficient vaccines and rolling them out quickly in the coming months, particularly as the beef and dairy industries continue to suffer big losses. There is also pressure on sheep, goats, and other livestock to prevent the disease from spreading. As efforts to get the country through this monumental challenge continue, I believe it is important to sharpen our focus on the broader task at hand: strengthening biosecurity. This covers both animal and plant health. In recent years, we haven’t focused much on plant health, except a few times, such as when we had a goss’s wilt scare in the maize industry, a few cases of citrus black spot, or cases of sclerotinia in sunflower seeds. But the fact that South Africa managed to control the outbreaks of these particular diseases when they occurred a few years ago was due to organized agricultural and government scientific capabilities, and, most importantly, the availability of crop protection or agrochemicals necessary to address some of them. Therefore, as the animal health division in the Department of Agriculture focuses on the pressing challenge of the day, the foot-and-mouth disease, there is an opportunity for the plant health division to assess if they have all the requirements to tackle any outbreak that may occur on fruits, vegetables or crops in future. The challenge with crop diseases is that they can spread quickly and cause much more rapid damage in the field than we typically see with livestock. Therefore, speed is everything in ensuring the appropriate controls are available. I raise this as an important area, particularly given the drastic climate variation we observe across the country. The production conditions in some areas have changed noticeably over time, which may introduce new risks. The other essential part is ensuring that South Africa has access to the best crop protection technology available in the market. Many technology developers worldwide have operations in South Africa. Therefore, the Department of Agriculture, along with the Agricultural Research Council, must continuously interact with technology developers to assess the various crop protection technologies they are releasing globally and determine their suitability and need in South Africa. This will require a proactive approach from the government, unlike the current approach, in which technology developers typically approach regulators with new technologies. The government, recognising the food security risks, must take a proactive approach to ensure that South African farmers have access to the latest crop protection technologies, thereby safeguarding the country’s food security. Beyond crop protection, we must never forget that South Africa’s agriculture is key to ensuring that the country is the most food-secure country at the national level in sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa is also the only African country in the top-40 global agricultural exporters, having more than doubled since 1994 on the back of the adoption of high-yielding seed cultivars. South Africa has been the only African country to adopt a bold approach to embracing science and adopting genetically engineered seeds for grains and oilseeds in the early 2000s. Since then, we have seen crop yields improve noticeably, contributing to the gains we mentioned above. But ensuring that South Africa improves further is not a given. The key lies in South African regulators’ attitudes towards new technologies. We have to maintain a progressive approach and not give in to the politics of non-food and non-scientific voices that shout on the sidelines. Food security is national security, and the government must ensure we progress, leaning on science. Therefore, the registration of high-yielding new genomic techniques is required. South Africa cannot afford to fall behind the EU, the USA, South America, and many of its competitors in global agriculture. The Department of Agriculture’s crop science division must adopt a progress-and-science-embracing approach for the good of the country. Thanks for reading AgriView! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Subscribe Share
Faster Detection of Forest Loss
Scientists pioneered a new system that combines data from multiple Earth-observing satellites to identify forest clearing up to 100 days earlier than current methods.
AI Sentience: How Michael Pollan Exposed Corruption in Consciousness Science
By David Stephen
The university is trading its liberal arts identity for science
The university is betraying its artistic reputation and making a move toward science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
AI breakthrough cuts energy use by 100x while boosting accuracy
AI is consuming staggering amounts of energy—already over 10% of U.S. electricity—and the demand is only accelerating. Now, researchers have unveiled a radically more efficient approach that could slash AI energy use by up to 100× while actually improving accuracy. By combining neural networks with human-like symbolic reasoning, their system helps robots think more logically instead of relying on brute-force trial and error.
Reflecting on science, learning and leadership
ASBMB President Joan Conaway reflects on her term, celebrating the society’s resilience, advocacy, journal growth and commitment to education, while looking ahead to a vibrant future under incoming president Ed Eisenstein.
Science Fiction as Prior Art?
Some inventors find their inventive spark through science fiction. Tasers, for example, were inspired by (and named after) the 1911 novel Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle. Likewise, Motorola’s...
Trump’s 2027 budget proposes deep cuts to science programs
Domestic agencies would face $73 billion in cuts, including reduced funding for scientific research and health and environmental programs
Elementary Science Olympiad exposes Alabama students to high-level science competition
Nearly 250 elementary students gathered at Auburn University for the Elementary Science Olympiad, a day of hands-on competition and discovery. Through fast-paced challenges and collaborative problem-solving, students experienced what it means to think and work like scientists.