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Arizona Science Center to host Julia Child exhibition exploring science, food and culture
Arizona Science Center will host the traveling exhibition Julia Child: A Recipe for Life from Saturday, June 20, 2026, through Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
The health benefits of fermented foods
Amber Freeman, host of Bloom, joined Fermenting Fairy Founder and CEO, Lauren Mones, in the kitchen to explore the many benefits of consuming fermented foods. While fermentation may sound intimidat…
Xtalks Announces its Life Science Webinar Calendar for July 2026
Stay on top of current hot topics through free webinars presented by leading experts in the pharma, biotech, medical device and food industries. Access to all webinars is free, so be sure to register today to save your place! Participate in the discussion and stay relevant in your field!
Food Truck Friday returns to Green Cove Springs with 17 Trucks, 40+ vendors, live entertainment
Food Truck Friday will return to Spring Park in Green Cove Springs on Friday from 5 to 9:30 p.m., featuring 17 food trucks, more than 40 local vendors and live music.
Zeeland Street owner says fresh food aided recovery: ‘I had to kick Mr. Cancer to the curb.’
Zeeland Street owner Stephanie Phares shares her journey of battling Stage 3 lung cancer while continuing to run her beloved Baton Rouge restaurant. "It kept me with a routine. There was no time to feel fearful or scared," she said.
‘Explosive Diarrhea Parasite’ Sickens 170 in Michigan, Hospitalizes At Least 20 Nationwide
Cyclosporiasis is a type of food poisoning that can cause severe diarrheal illness, but it is not usually life-threatening. The latest spike in Michigan has health officials on high alert.
Local health officials offer food safety tips for 4th of July cookouts
Spoiled food can lead to multiple foodborne illnesses, including E. coli.
Swift and Kelce surprise charities with $26M donations pre-wedding
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce give $26M to local and national charities, supporting food banks and education ahead of their NYC wedding.
Global dietary estimates for conducting health, environmental and economic impact assessments
Nature Food - The Global Dietary Database for Impact Assessments provides information on what people eat across countries and demographic groups by integrating data on food availability,...
HOMETOWN ENTERTAINMENT: July 4th celebrations across the region offer fireworks, food and family fun
Multiple fireworks celebrations are scheduled across the region this weekend with live music, food and family entertainment
‘Education, entertainment and celebration’: American Village hosting 2-day event for Fourth of July, America’s 250th
The two day festival spans from July 3 to July 4, bringing together music, history, food, art and family-friendly experiences in a “dynamic and patriotic setting.”
‘Explosive’ diarrhea illness reported across US. See map of affected states
Cyclosporiasis can ruin a summery picnic with explosive diarrhea and other food poisoning symptoms, according to the CDC. See the impacted states.
Announcement: New Leadership at the NJ Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health (IFNH)
Announcement by Laura Lawson, SEBS Executive Dean and NJAES Executive Director I am pleased to announce new leadership for the Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health (IFNH), positioning the institute to further advance Rutgers University’s commitment to excellence in food, nutrition, health, and community engagement. I would like to thank the faculty members whose contributions […]
Best of Santa Cruz County entertainment, arts & food events this weekend, July 2-5
With the long holiday weekend nearly here, check out things to do around Santa Cruz County with a recommendation from Lily Belli and a specially curated list from Lookout's BOLO events calendar.
Ben Franklin Bridge's 100th anniversary celebration will feature live entertainment and special light shows on July 11
The free event in Camden will include food trucks, carnival rides, historical exhibits and blue and green light displays after sunset.
Scientists Thought Ravens Followed Wolves for Food. They Were Wrong. Ravens Predict Them
New GPS tracking suggests ravens navigate Yellowstone using a mental map of wolf kills.
Feds pull Iowa's 'healthy food' SNAP waiver
A federal waiver allowing Iowa to restrict the types of food that can be purchased with SNAP has been vacated.
Wolverhampton food and entertainment site plans to be discussed
Wolverhampton council’s cabinet will meet after £5.5m was set aside for the project this year.
ALL Accor Aims At Sports, Entertainment And Food In New Loyalty Effort
Accor uses their loyalty program to give increased access to sports, entertainment and food for travel savvy consumers.
ALL Accor Aims At Sports, Entertainment And Food In New Loyalty Effort
Accor uses their loyalty program to give increased access to sports, entertainment and food for travel savvy consumers.
How PepsiCo is shaking up business as usual
By committing to AI and embracing digital transformation, the food and beverage giant is driving growth in innovative ways
CVS Health Foundation Invests $1 Million in Rhode Island Nonprofits Tackling Community Health Needs
Local organizations receive Hometown Fund support to expand access to health care, food, housing and essential services WOONSOCKET, RI / ACCESS Newswire / July 2, 2026 /Originally published on CVS Health Company Newsroom The CVS Health Foundation ...
Mary Means Business: Food truck, restaurant open in Columbus
We’re getting a little taste of the West Coast right here in the Golden Triangle.
5 foods for heart health you can actually eat every day
Discover which foods you can eat to best support a healthy heart over time, according to research
American dessert taste test: McDonald's, Burger King, Wienerschnitzel
I ranked fast food desserts from McDonald's, Burger King, Krispy Kreme and Wienerschnitzel to find the best patriotic treat.
Bluebird Social draws World Cup crowds, boosts food truck business in downtown Boise
KBOI-TV CBS 2 covers news, sports, traffic, and weather in the Treasure Valley and Boise, Idaho and nearby communities, including Meridian, Nampa, Garden City, Caldwell, Kuna, Middleton, Eagle, Mountain Home, Star, Melba, Payette, Weiser, Horseshoe Bend, Idaho City, Marsing, Homedale, Parma, New Plymouth, Murphy, Fruitland, Emmett, Wilder, Notus, McCall, Cascade, Donnelly, Council, and Vale, Oregon, and Nyssa, Oregon, Ontario, Oregon.
Preview: Lights on the Lake fireworks show in Sherman
Sherman’s Lights on the Lake event kicks off Thursday at Pecan Grove West Park with free admission and parking. Enjoy food vendors, live music by Collective Soul starting at 7:45 p.m., and an 18-minute fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. Bring umbrellas or shade, but remove them during the concert.
REVIEW: Trying all of Trader Joe's summer foods + photos
From key-lime tea cookies to Green Goddess Gouda, Trader Joe's has stocked its shelves with new seasonal summer products. Here's how they tasted.
‘Beautiful blobs’: synthetic life a step closer as scientists make cells using lab-made DNA
Tiny, quivering spheres designed to feed and multiply raise prospect of artificial organisms to make drugs, food and fuel
IU Health's 3D printing studio helps surgeons prepare and educate patients
The health system received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January for the IU Health 3D Print Studio.
Food science sector warns proposed US grant rules could weaken research independence
As the deadline for public comment approaches, a proposed overhaul of the rules governing federal financial assistance is drawing increasing attention from research institutions, universities, and industry organizations, with implications that could extend across the US F&B sector.
The week in politics (July 1, 2026)
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. And foodies discuss their favorite places for happy hour food and drink.
Celebrate America's birthday with area parades, fireworks and festivities
From fireworks displays and patriotic parades to live music and food trucks, the Blackstone Valley is ready to celebrate Independence Day with a variety of festive traditions. This year’s Fourth
Associated British Foods Sugar Unit Weighs on Business Ahead of Primark Spinoff
Associated British Foods backed its guidance across all businesses apart from its sugar unit which it said would post a loss as market conditions deteriorate.
219 Taproom in Chesterton unveils their JULY LINE-UP for Entertainment
Stop by 219 TAPROOM in Chesterton for WONDERFUL Food, Service, Fun and Entertainment. Check out their Family-Friendly Atmosphere and stay up to date with the latest by LIKING their FACEBOOK page. Service options: Outdoor seating · Live music · Trivia night. Their address is 109 S 3rd St, in Chesterton. Call (219) 728-1381. #wims #whfb #chesterton #duneland
Garden City restaurant violations include black mold, unsafe foods
Wayne County health reports show violations at Garden City eateries, including improper food storage, equipment malfunctions and hygiene issues.
ER visits spiked around Boyle Heights during warehouse fire, public health data shows
While some residents say the smell of rotting food is improving, we are learning that ER visits nearby tripled during the warehouse fire.
Wilmington Small Business Coalition: Building Momentum in 2026 by Heather McWhorter
This article was contributed by Lydia Thomas, UNCW CIE Program Manager. North Carolina continues to be one of the best states to start a business and in 2025, Wilmington, North Carolina earned a spot on the GoDaddy list of the top 10 most entrepreneurial cities in the U.S. While many know Wilmington as small beach town with exceptional food, lots of coffee shops, and fun, vibrant summer activities, a closer look reveals a thriving innovation economy. You’ll find startups emerging across industries including software, healthtech, bluetech, and fintech. At the core of this entrepreneurial ecosystem is the Wilmington Small Business Coalition, with small business advocates and entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) dedicated to helping founders grow, thrive, and succeed. “No Wrong Door” Established in 2016, the Coalition was designed to make it easier for individuals and small businesses to access resources most suited to their particular needs. The Coalition is designed to have a “no wrong door” entryway into the regional startup ecosystem. Whether you are exploring a new idea sketched on the back of a napkin or leading a more established, growth-stage company, Coalition members can help connect you with the programs, funding opportunities, mentors, and resources best suited to your needs. No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, any Coalition organization can help point you in the right direction. Coalition Members and Leadership Coalition members include the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (UNCW CIE), AARP, Brunswick Community College Small Business Center, Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center, Cape Fear Region SCORE, Genesis Block Foundation, Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW), Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC), Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, YWCA Living the Dream Center for Entrepreneurship, Carolina Community Impact Fund (CCI Fund), Partner Community Capital, 717mkt Office Collaborative, NC Biotech, and Institute NC. In May 2026, the Coalition held its leadership elections, resulting in the selection of a new executive team. The following officers were elected to serve two-year terms: Chair: Lydia Thomas, UNCW CIE Vice Chair: Diane Lantz, CCI Fund Secretary: Aariene Hansley, Genesis Block Foundation Treasurer: Gloria Monroe, SBTDC Vision for the Wilmington Small Business Coalition In 2026, the Wilmington Small Business Coalition continues its work as a collaborative network of organizations. By connecting programs, expertise, and services across partner organizations, entrepreneurs can more easily find the right support at the right time. Rather than operating in silos, the Coalition aims to function as a unified, cohesive system of support for small businesses and entrepreneurs, ensuring that resources and expertise across partner organizations are visible and accessible. Through stronger collaboration and shared pathways, entrepreneurs can move more seamlessly from idea to startup to growth. Looking to dive into the Wilmington entrepreneurial ecosystem? Connect with any of the Coalition partners to get started! Connect with CIE To learn more about CIE and our services, programs, and events, join the CIE newsletter. You can also follow us on social media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, or YouTube. CIE’s website is uncw.edu/cie. Heather McWhorter is the director of the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). CIE supports innovation-forward start-ups and helps to build a vibrant innovation economy for all in southeast NC.
Laredo Best Health Food: Golden Fit Meals earns honor
Golden Fit Meals was voted Laredo’s Best Health Food for its fresh prepared meals, nutrition guidance and new 24/7 gym.
Lebanon County cafe and catering business announces closure
ANNVILLE, Pa. (WHTM) — A local cafe that got its start as a food truck and catering company announced its closure after operating for a decade. abc27 News reported back in February 2025 when …
This Birmingham entertainment spot is throwing a three-day 4th of July pregame party
Urban Supply and the Birmingham Barons host family-friendly Fourth of July weekend festivities, with live music, games, food and fireworks.
Fast food, fries and science: Inside U-M's lab studying cravings
The experiment starts before anyone takes a bite. There's no drive-thru. No cashier calling the next order. No glowing sign announcing the restaurant is open.
Hormel Foods sells Brazil business
Domestic food producer Zanchetta Alimentos is acquiring the business operating under the Ceratti brand.
Hormel Foods sells Brazil business
Hormel Foods has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Brazil business to “simplify and streamline its portfolio”.
Don't pressure them: Six science-backed ways to get fussy children to eat vegetables
Small changes in how children experience food everyday can have a lasting impact on what they eat.
FDA panel on peptides will include experts who promote the unproven chemicals favored by RFK Jr.
The Food and Drug Administration is meeting next month to consider easing restrictions on several peptides, a group of unapproved drugs popular with followers of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Palmetto Sports Daily: Hornets make big moves, 4th of July food draft begins
The crew has more on the Charlotte Hornets’ big offseason moves, including the trades of both LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges.
RWJBarnabas Health Invests $1.7 Million to Support Community Health Initiatives in Hudson County
On June 16, 2026, RWJBarnabas Health announced a combined $1.7 million investment to support local organizations working to address barriers to care, food insecurity, and economic stability among underserved communities in Jersey City and Hudson County.
Beloved gas station pizza chain CEO reveals 400-store expansion plan as food business booms
Casey's General Stores plans to add at least 400 new locations over three years while expanding its prepared food menu with wings and fries.
Decline in plankton across Northeast Atlantic sends stark warning for ocean health
Microscopic plankton are among the most important organisms on Earth. Phytoplankton produce around half of the oxygen we breathe, while plankton as a whole underpin marine food webs, support fisheries, ...
West Palm Beach business collecting items for Venezuela
Across the region, donation drives are collecting baby formula, medical supplies, nonperishable food and other essentials for families affected by the disaster.
Hormel Foods Announces Agreement to Sell Ceratti Business in Brazil
/PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to...
DMC Sinai-Grace holds 2nd annual health fair with free screenings, food, entertainment
DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital is taking patient care beyond the hospital walls and into the heart of the Detroit community.
DMC Sinai-Grace holds 2nd annual health fair with free screenings, food, entertainment
DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital is taking patient care beyond the hospital walls and into the heart of the Detroit community.
Dietitians on Healthy Food Pairings To Absorb More Vitamins and Nutrients
In TODAY.com’s Expert Tip of the Day, dietitians share their favorite strategic food pairings to help your body absorb more nutrients.
BUSINESS PERSPECTIVES: BerkShares Business of the Month is Bizalion’s Fine Food in Great Barrington
Bizalion’s Fine Food co-owner Jean-François Bizalion emphasizes the unexpected connections between Provence and the Berkshires, the merits of Volcanic grown olive oil, and the importance of gaining fresh inspiration through travel and of valuing your community.
Aligning patient and planetary health: planetary health diet adherence and inflammatory bowel disease prognosis across Western and Eastern cohorts
npj Science of Food - Aligning patient and planetary health: planetary health diet adherence and inflammatory bowel disease prognosis across Western and Eastern cohorts
Ace Aquatec wins Scottish Business of the Year award for innovation
Ace Aquatec wins Scottish Business of the Year award for innovation
Laredo Public Health issues summer food, pool safety reminders
Laredo Public Health is reminding residents of food and pool safety steps as warmer weather increases the risk of foodborne illness.
Efzimfotase alfa demonstrated improvements in bone health in treatment-naïve pediatric patients with hypophosphatasia achieving median difference of 1.67 vs placebo in RGI-C Score at week 25 in MULBERRY Phase III trial
Positive results from the MULBERRY Phase III trial showed that efzimfotase alfa (ALXN1850), an investigational enzyme replacement therapy, demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in bone health in children (2 to
NEW Pirates Entertainment CONFIRMED for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Hallowee...
There's a new offering coming to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year!
Laramie County health and food inspections (6/19/26–6/25/26)
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department inspects restaurants, bars, convenience stores, delis, grocery stores, bed and breakfasts
Natrona County health and food inspections (6/19/26–6/25/26)
CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper-Natrona County Health Department inspects restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, mobile food units, commissaries and
Free health clinic aims to expand care access on city's West Side
Free preventive care is coming to San Antonio’s West Side Saturday. The Health Collaborative’s Neighborhood Clinic offers 3D mammograms, screenings, vaccines, dental checks, food and help connecting to ongoing care.
Scientists finally explain why these wild boars stay more radioactive than Chernobyl's wolves - Futura-Sciences
What explains this surprising finding? The answer appears to be a complex mix of history, ecology, and diet. Bavaria’s wild boars mainly feed on underground fungi that absorbed radioactive fallout from both the notorious Chernobyl disaster and Cold War-era nuclear testing. Unlike wolves, which sit higher on the food chain...
Community Harvest receives $5,000 grant from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation
Community Harvest Food Bank received a $5,000 grant from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation.
Omaha City Council agenda notes for June 30
Items on new apartments, pedestrian safety improvements, and the city’s food truck ordinance in Tuesday’s agenda.
Health Department releases food inspection reports for week of June 14
Scores for the recent Health Department food inspection ranged from 74-100.
Orange County restaurants shut down by health inspectors (June 18-25)
There were five restaurants and food establishments ordered closed by Orange County inspectors from June 18 to June 25.
4 Foods and Drinks With More Calcium Than Yogurt
Yogurt is a calcium-rich food. However, other foods and drinks, such as tofu and kefir, contain even higher amounts of calcium.
3 foods that seem healthy but may be bad for your heart: cardiologist
A cardiologist said popular "healthy" foods can actually be bad for your heart, since they're highly processed and full of additives like sugar and fat.
As America fights over food, this woman speaks for the unheard
Vanessa Rissetto, a dietician and \
First Bend Block Party draws crowds to Central District
Live music, art, food and fun are taking over Bend’s Central District for the first Bend Block Party. Come down to Second Street near Open Space and check it out before 9 p.m. today!
Cool Desert Nights returns to Richland with classic car show, entertainment
RICHLAND, Wash. — One of Tri-Cities’ biggest events, Cool Desert Nights, returns to Richland with a weekend of classic cars, live entertainment, food and community events.
Old Lord and Taylor building transforms into food and entertainment destination in Midtown
The former Lord and Taylor building has reopened and now offers restaurants, bars and curated eateries.
Meet ‘Pepper’ Baumer, The Man With Hot Sauce In His Blood
Hot sauce has been one of the hottest sectors of the food industry and third-generation owner ‘Pepper’ Baumer has built Crystal, his family’s century-old business, into a $50 million Southern staple.
MSU Vet Tech program awarded $150k NIFA-USDA grant
Morehead State University's nationally ranked veterinary technology program was recently awarded significant financial support to help it maintain its place as the #1 program of its kind in Kentucky. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), awarded MSU's vet tech program a $150,000 NIFA-USDA grant for equipment to support small and large veterinary technology education and workforce competency at MSU. Learn more about veterinary technology programs at MSU by emailing Staton at a.staton@moreheadstate.edu or calling 606-783-2328. Find out more about MSU's veterinary technology program by calling 606-783-2662.
Why the Amex Business Gold is my go-to card for business expenses
The Amex Business Gold makes earning rewards simple with automatic bonus categories, flexible Membership Rewards points and statement credits that help offset its annual fee.
Case Studies From Ireland: Making Sustainability Good Business
From Kinisla to Strong Roots, these food companies are making the business case for sustainable practices.
North Dakota State Fair 2026: Food, Entertainment, Pride of Dakota Festival, Contests, and More
MINOT, ND (KXNET) — There are now three weeks until this year’s North Dakota State Fair kicks off, and the Fair is including America’s 250th birthday. The fair is an official partner of…
Memorial Health Championship in full swing in Springfield
Organizers are also offering additional attractions beyond golf, including food trucks, the Scheels Fan Zone and Family Fun Day on Saturday, which features a superhero theme for children and families.
Ben Wood, longtime three-dot columnist known as ‘Mr. Show Business,’ dies at 94
Ben Wood, a multifaceted copy editor, food and entertainment writer, and three-dot columnist for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and Honolulu Star-Advertiser for almost 50 years, died June 19 after several years of declining health. He was 94.
UK food and drink exports fall as US tariffs and Brexit trade friction bites
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
54th Water Ski Days brings business to Lake City
Hundreds of people filled the lakeshore for the opening night, which featured food vendors, live entertainment, and more than 200 volunteers, all part of what has become Lake City’s largest annual gathering.
Generative artificial intelligence creates delicious, sustainable, and nutritious burgers
npj Science of Food - Generative artificial intelligence creates delicious, sustainable, and nutritious burgers
AI designs the ideal burger for taste, health, and planet
Stanford researchers developed an AI tool that creates novel burger recipes optimized for individual preferences. The implications for science go well beyond food.
Making Our Own Luck
We are cross-posting a piece that former NIH official Kris Willis wrote for Macroscience. Kris is now the President and Founder of the Woodley Park Institute, for which I’m a board member. Picking winners or hedging bets? Federal science agencies have long wrestled with the question of how to ensure their billions of dollars of grants and contracts result in maximum benefits for Americans. On the surface, it might seem that a goal-oriented, interventionist style of management would be the best policy: prioritize our most pressing problems and distribute funding accordingly.This top-down strategy creates a unique hazard, though: bad choices can send resources in the wrong direction, resulting in slow progress that impedes the delivery of tangible benefits to citizens. Moreover, if decision makers pursue an applied advance when the underlying scientific principles remain poorly understood, they risk costly failures and a loss of support for the research enterprise at large. Examples include Nixon’s 1971 War on Cancer, undertaken on the premise that a cure could be achieved in less than a decade, the drive to build an operational commercial fusion plant by the mid-1990s, and the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease, which failed to produce the effective treatments and prevention strategies promised by 2025. The contrasting laissez-faire approach is to hedge your bets. If the path to an advance is impossible to predict, then the wisest choice might be to distribute funding to as widely as possible. The main risk of this strategy is that spreading funding thinly may limit the resources available to the most promising research, resulting in the same negative outcomes as the interventionist approach: limited support for the most promising topics, slow progress, and delayed returns. In reality, at science agencies like the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, program managers navigate between these two extremes, setting some funds aside to target high-priority areas and using the rest to cover the widest possible range of meritorious proposals. This middle path seems like the most rational way to proceed, but it still requires making choices. How much should be set aside for high priority topics? What should those topics be? How should we define merit? Expert opinion can provide a helpful guide, but leading experts can have remarkably different opinions about what matters and what should be prioritized. Moreover, experts and administrators alike can be risk averse, giving an edge to high-profile, well-established concepts. What’s really needed is a data-driven framework to help guide decision-making, one that doesn’t simply repackage prestige or incumbency. Recognizing breakthroughs years in advance Many breakthroughs fail to attract funding or recognition at the earliest stages of development. Katalin Karikó, for example, spent years struggling to win grants for work on mRNA that would eventually win her and Drew Weissman a Nobel Prize. Similar stories can be told about Jim Allison’s groundbreaking studies leading to the development of cancer immunotherapy, Stan Pruisner’s demonstration that prions can self-replicate without DNA, or Robin Warren and Barry Marshall’s proof that Helicobacter pylori, not stress, causes ulcers. Yet at some point, the scientific community recognizes and responds to transformative breakthroughs like these. How does that change happen? And what if science funders could identify the areas that are on the cusp of a breakthrough? Those questions led my collaborators and me to study how scientists responded to past breakthroughs. Based on patterns in that data, we developed a means of predicting future breakthroughs, using biomedicine as a proof of concept. It’s worth taking a moment to describe how our approach works. Briefly, our prediction process begins by grouping the 18 million or so peer-reviewed papers in PubMed, the authoritative database of biomedical research, into roughly 50,000 unique topics. A small subset of these topics are so widely acclaimed as breakthroughs that they have been recognized with a major prize like a Nobel or a Lasker Award. We theorized that studying the development of these outliers over time, especially before they gained acclaim, was the key to identifying future instances of them. After defining topics, we chose 21 representative breakthroughs and asked what they looked like before they won prestigious prizes. To answer that question, we re-ran our topic-mapping algorithm repeatedly, winding back the clock one year each time, stringing together the years to follow the progress of each field as it grew and advanced. We found that in each case, the years leading up to a discovery followed a pattern: a burst of papers on a new, rapidly evolving topic, many of which quickly became influential. These characteristics—the percent of papers that are new, the percentage of papers that are brought in from other topics, and the influence of each individual paper—can all be measured separately for any given topic. Together, they act as a predictive signal that is detectable an average of five years before a transformative discovery is made, and up to thirty years before the discovery receives a major prize. Scanning the current research landscape for topics that display this signal allows us to predict what work will likely produce a future breakthrough. Each year we analyzed includes four or five signals, a number that appears to have remained constant across a twenty year time frame. In their classic work on the sociology of science, Bruno Latour and Steve Woolgar established that the desire to participate in a major discovery is an important motivator for scientists as they consider whether they should take up (or abandon) a research problem. Although further work is needed, the simplest explanation for our results is that this behavior is widespread enough to detect at scale. A foundational advance, or something like it, draws the attention of scientists and causes them to change the direction of their research. They vote with their feet, staking their own reputation and careers by publishing on and citing the new idea. That upswell of interest is the foundation of our breakthrough signal. What kind of research does our model identify as a breakthrough? After building a model based on the patterns in our 21 preselected breakthroughs, we tested it by identifying all early signals of discovery from 1994 through 1997. Of the 18 signals we found in that time period, 17 can be traced forward in time to a breakthrough. Examples include super-resolution fluorescence microscopy (see the image above), the directed evolution of proteins and enzymes (Chemistry Nobel, 2018), and sequencing the human genome (National Medal of Science, 2008). The discovery of the role of leptin signaling in obesity is a particularly interesting case study. Around 1950, scientists noticed the existence of a type of lab mouse that suffered from a unique inherited form of obesity. When given the freedom to choose their own diet, these mice ate more than normal and preferred food that was high in fat. Researchers had few clues as to why the animals overate; early experiments pointed to the existence of a soluble ob factor found circulating in the bloodstream that regulated appetite, but its identity was unknown. In 1994, Jeffrey Friedman and colleagues identified and sequenced the ob gene, noting that the protein it encoded appeared to fit the profile of a circulating factor. A year later, a trio of high-profile publications demonstrated that ob was a hormone that regulated body weight and fat deposition by regulating appetite. One of these was co-authored by Friedman, who christened it leptin from the ancient Greek word for thin. Using our model, the data from 1996 make it clear this advance would become a breakthrough. Scientists had flocked to study the biology of the new hormone, generating the flurry of new papers and citations required to produce a signal. One of these demonstrated that serum leptin concentrations reflected the amount of adipose tissue in the human body, providing clinical validation of the earlier mouse studies. Before the identification of leptin, scientists were unable to point to a specific molecule that controlled appetite and adiposity, so that it was impossible to rule out non-physiological causes of obesity; its characterization fundamentally changed our concept of weight gain. In 2010, Friedman and fellow pioneer Douglas Coleman were awarded a Lasker for the discovery. Our work also identifies breakthroughs in clinical practice and behavioral and social sciences, even though these areas are less likely to draw the attention of major prize committees. One example that falls into this category is the introduction of endovascular aneurysm repair, a minimally invasive surgical procedure for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm, a leading cause of death among Americans over the age of 65. Relative to the previous standard of care, it reduces in-hospital mortality by almost four-fold. In 2017, Timothy Chuter received the American College of Surgeons’ prestigious Jacobsen Innovation award for his multiple refinements to the technique. Another under-recognized breakthrough identified by our model is the development of standardized survey instruments to assess the quality of life for HIV+ patients. The antiretroviral cocktails introduced in the mid-1990s reduced AIDS mortality, but treatment came with serious side effects. The new evaluations showed that patients whose disease progressed had worse physical functioning than Americans with other chronic diseases, while those who were asymptomatic maintained a health-related quality of life on par with the overall US population. This evidence made it possible for patients and activists to argue that even in the absence of a total cure, and in spite of the side effects, alleviation of symptoms was a worthwhile priority for clinicians. My colleagues and I have failed to identify any significant recognition for the physicians and health policy experts who pioneered this advance, although in 2016, researchers called for the World Health Organization to set targets for good health-related quality of life as part of its framework to end the AIDS pandemic. From forecasting to funding How should science funders use our predictions? Any serious discussion of what we should do with this new capability needs to begin with an understanding of its limitations. We can’t (and shouldn’t) invest all of our resources in the small number of topics predicted to produce breakthroughs. Innovative new fields are born from existing ones; they rarely arise de novo. If funders don’t maintain a diverse portfolio, the breakthroughs of tomorrow will have no antecedents. Think of this as eating the seed corn, or killing the goose that lays the golden egg. There are also multiple goals of funding beyond basic scientific discovery, including translating discoveries into clinical practice, developing new technologies, supporting economic development, and training new scientists. The investments needed to accomplish these goals are likely different from those required to support emerging breakthroughs. Finally, we must be aware that we may not capture every instance of a breakthrough. The concept is fuzzy, and not every significant discovery is recognized with a major award. Further, breakthroughs are rare, meaning that our dataset is, by necessity, small. This makes formal estimates of accuracy challenging. Although our overall success rate appears to be high, any one signal may turn out to be a false positive. We found one apparent example: the development of the third generation COX-2 inhibitors, Vioxx and Celebrex, which were much celebrated in the early 2000s as effective but non-addictive pain relievers, meets all the algorithmic criteria of a breakthrough. Five years after it received FDA approval, researchers demonstrated that Vioxx was associated with serious cardiovascular complications, and the manufacturer voluntarily pulled the drug from the market. Celebrex remains available, although like other NSAIDs, it carries an FDA warning for increased cardiovascular risk. Decision makers who were overly focused on the breakthrough potential of this research might have wasted substantial resources nurturing an area that ultimately proved to be a failure—but so would those who relied on expert opinion at the time. That said, the potential benefits of funding the next mRNA vaccine or cancer immunotherapy years earlier than we might have are large. When we can’t assume the outcome of an action, it’s worth conducting an experiment. Can targeted support for areas that are poised to produce a breakthrough increase the return on scientific investment without cannibalizing future advances? With the necessary administrative infrastructure in place, conducting this experiment would be straightforward. First, identify all the breakthrough signals between 2018 and 2023, select half at random, and commit to a decade of investment. For biomedicine, a six year window should yield about 30 topics with the potential to produce a breakthrough. Providing strong support to half of these might be accomplished for $300 million a year. That’s roughly half of the recent annual budget of the NIH Common Fund or around 20% of the fiscal year 2025 budget for ARPA-H. After five years, then again at ten, compare to see which group — the one that was actively managed, or the control — produced more breakthroughs, and on what timescale. Although we used biomedicine as an example, the same experiment could just as well be run for physics, materials science, or any other discipline. Any attempt to undertake such an experiment should keep three points top of mind. First, we can predict the topic of future breakthroughs, but the people and vision for how to move the work forward are still important. In practice, this means success requires active program managers with the expertise to develop the science and the authority to do so, including by recruiting investigators. Second, we would be wise to learn from the failures of past attempts to fund transformative research. High among these are funding modestly repackaged work, confusing the genuinely novel with the merely unfamiliar, and relying too much on incumbent investigators. All of these risks can be mitigated by thoroughly and intelligently integrating high quality data into portfolio management. Finally, we need to have patience. Even with strong funding support, producing a breakthrough takes time. If supporting breakthroughs is the best way to nurture the birth of new fields, we also need to accurately describe and properly manage the other two stages, so that we invest wisely throughout the productive lifetime of ideas and divest once they reach the point of diminishing returns. We would benefit from more study of all of these phases, especially the transition from one to another. More research could answer questions like: When does a breakthrough become an established field? How do the availability of funding, the size and characteristics of the available workforce, and the accumulation of evidence that disagrees with prevailing models affect a field’s decline? Exactly how do old ideas give birth to new ones, and can we speed up the process? The more we understand about the dynamics of scientific progress, the better we can maximize the odds that our curiosity leads to results. I’d call that finding a way to make our own luck.
Best of Santa Cruz County entertainment, arts & food events this weekend, June 25-28
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Two NC lawmakers, a Democrat and a Republican, push Congress to delay SNAP changes
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Regenerative Agriculture and Population Health
Regenerative agriculture can enhance food quality and reduce harmful exposures through improved soil biology, biodiversity, and ecosystem health, yielding downstream benefits for agriculture, food systems, and human health. It may improve profitability through greater land resilience and lower input costs and may deliver benefits to farms, farmers, communities, and the broader environment. More research is warranted to understand the full range of potential health benefits of regenerative agriculture.
Fermented Food: Does Eating Kimchi or Sauerkraut Have Health Benefits?
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Prosus Investment Values Health Insurer Alan at $6.3 Billion
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CVS Health Foundation invests $1 million in Hartford nonprofits tackling community health needs
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Who gets to decide Colorado’s economic future?
By Sarah Blackhurst Colorado’s prosperity depends on industries that grow our food, build our future and power our homes. But today, these sectors face an invisible threat from 5,000 miles away: the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D). This foreign regulation requires companies to mitigate environmental and human-rights effects throughout their entire global […]
Pinky’s restaurant owner inks distribution deal for startup cheesecake business
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