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UH researchers awarded $12M grant to advance AI, data science in medicine | University of Hawaiʻi System News
New center will support innovative biomedical research, develop future scientific leaders, and expand research infrastructure in Hawaiʻi.
Major review finds vaping likely causes lung and oral cancer
Researchers have concluded that nicotine vapes are likely to cause lung and oral cancers, based on evidence ranging from human biomarkers to animal and laboratory studies. The findings challenge the idea that vaping is a harmless alternative to smoking and suggest health risks may be emerging much sooner than many expected.
Scientists discover neurons must break their DNA to build the brain
As newborn neurons make their way through the developing brain, they must squeeze through incredibly tight spaces to reach their final destinations. Researchers discovered that this physical journey routinely causes some of the most severe forms of DNA damage—double-strand breaks—yet the young brain has evolved an impressive ability to repair the damage almost immediately.
Think human anatomy is finished? Scientists say think again
Despite centuries of study, scientists are still finding new details and even overlooked structures within the human body. As researchers explore anatomical differences between individuals, it’s becoming clear that the body is far more complex—and less fully understood—than textbooks suggest.
Scientists Finally Uncover Why Solid-State Batteries Short-Circuit
Researchers have uncovered a critical mechanism behind battery failure in solid-state batteries, offering new insights that could help unlock safer, longer-lasting energy storage technologies.
Does Advertising Business Growth Assert AppLovin Corporation (APP) as a High-Growth Large-Cap Stock to Buy?
AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP) is one of the high-growth large-cap stocks to invest in now. On June 10, Benchmark reiterated a Buy rating on AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP)and a $775 price target. The research firm remains bullish on the stock, impressed by the company’s prospects in its consumer advertising business. A recent investor presentation affirmed management’s confidence […]
New research casts doubt on cannabis benefits, cites mental health risks
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel discusses new research on modern marijuana’s high THC potency and increased mental health risks on ‘Fox & Friends Weekend.’
Oregon’s ancient landslides store lots of carbon, UO study shows
When it comes to carbon storage, trees get a lot of attention. But researchers are now finding carbon trapped in unusual places, including ancient landslides.
The first primates may have evolved in the cold, not the tropics
A surprising new study suggests the earliest primates didn't originate in tropical forests but in cold, dry parts of North America. Some may have even survived seasonal Arctic conditions by slowing their metabolism or hibernating. Researchers found that dramatic climate shifts, rather than warmth, played a major role in driving primate evolution and expansion. The discovery reshapes our understanding of how our own lineage began.
A single cobalt shock could trigger global EV battery supply chaos
The global cobalt supply chain is more interconnected—and more vulnerable—than previously thought, with disruptions capable of triggering far-reaching cascades across multiple countries and industries. Researchers warn that protecting battery supply chains will require system-wide coordination because critical bottlenecks can turn local shocks into global problems.
Scientists found a cannabis compound that relieves pain without the high
Compounds responsible for the aroma of cannabis and many other plants may offer a surprising new way to relieve chronic pain. Researchers found that several cannabis-derived terpenes significantly reduced pain in mouse models of fibromyalgia and post-surgical pain, with one terpene, geraniol, showing especially strong effects. Unlike THC, these compounds are not associated with psychoactive effects, making them a potentially attractive alternative for pain treatment.
This simple twist could bring quantum computers closer to reality
Researchers found that twisting layered sheets of hexagonal boron nitride can dramatically change the light produced by quantum emitters embedded within the material. The technique offers an unexpected new level of control over components that could power future quantum computers, communications systems, and sensors.
Steven Bartlett Claims 3 Glasses of Wine Cost Him 3 Days of Productivity. Here's What the Science Says
When "The Diary of a CEO" host claimed a few drinks ruined his productivity for days, critics scoffed. We turned to medical professionals and researchers for their take.
Opinion | We Need to Keep Funding Weird Science
Science turned a serendipitous finding about lizard venom into one of the most important drugs of the century, but that type of research is getting harder to do.
Western Pa. families declining vitamin K shots, other preventive care for newborns
A recent study in a prominent medical journal indicates that many more families are declining vitamin K shots, which prevent bleeding complications in newborns. The JAMA researchers reported that rates of refusing the preventive health measure went from 2.9% to 5.2% in eight years. A local expert says his health
MSU researcher, Partnership Middle School students collaborate on climate science literacy podcast
STARKVILLE —Mississippi State Assistant Professor Lourdes Cardozo-Gaibisso is immersing local middle school students in climate science literacy exploration through podcasting, helping them share experiences, ask questions and engage with environmental
Copiague student earns top honors in New York Science Congress
Forty-four research projects advanced to the state competition after being named winners at this year's Long Island Science Congress.
Popular weight-loss drugs linked to unexpected male fertility benefit
GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide and liraglutide do not appear to suppress male hormones and may boost fertility in obese men, new research suggests.
Scott Lowe, researcher: ‘Governments must fund science. Pharmaceutical companies want to help, but they also want to make money’
The geneticist speaks with EL PAÍS about the advances and challenges in the field of cancer research
The secret language behind animal cooperation
Animals from different species often rely on surprisingly sophisticated communication to work together, whether finding food, cleaning parasites, or gaining protection. New research suggests these interspecies “conversations” are flexible, evolved, and far more important to life in nature than scientists once realized.
The science of 'Dad Brain' and how fatherhood changes men
While most scientific research has focused on men, when it comes to parenthood, it's all about mothers. But new research shows that men undergo profound changes biologically and psychologically when they become fathers. Horizons moderator William Brangham explores the surprising science of "Dad Brain" with Darby Saxbe.
The Yoga Effect: The Science-Backed Benefits
Researchers are now finding yoga may help everything from chronic pain to mental health, to heart function.
High School Students Conduct Research at UAMS’ Summer Under the Microscope Camp
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health Department of Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) welcomed nearly 20 high school students to its inaugural Summer Under the Microscope camp. Under the supervision of the department’s faculty, the students from around central Arkansas conducted various…
Researchers uncover an unpatchable security flaw affecting several iPhone generations
All devices running A12, A13, S4 and S5 chips are at risk. Researchers at Paradigm Shift published an extensive report that details the inherent security...
Maine forest groups warn Pingree that federal cuts could endanger research, forest health
Maine forestry groups emphasized that any reductions of U.S. Forest Service research and staffing would have consequences across the state and region. U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree gathered state agencies and other forestry organizations for a roundtable discussion in Portland on Thursday about the impact of recent changes at the Forest Service and their concerns about […]
Could China make a sea-skimming hypersonic missile a real nightmare for the US?
The country’s top science institute is launching a research programme into the technology that might one day underpin such a weapon.
These Award-Winning Science Photos Capture the Beauty—and Weirdness—of Research
From fluorescent mosquitoes to scientists swimming alongside whale sharks, Nature's annual photo contest offers a rare look at science in action.
Most Women Give Birth at Night—Scientists Reveal the Surprising Reason Why - Futura-Sciences
The Night Owl Mystery of Labor This isn’t just a feeling shared by midwives and obstetricians doing overnight shifts. Research, including studies published by University College London in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, confirms this trend: spontaneous births cluster significantly during the nighttime hours. Behind this pattern lies our...
‘The purpose of the rule is fascism’: scientists fight back against planned Trump research cuts
Stand Up for Science founder says proposal to control how grants are spent would ‘dismantle US science ecosystem’
Student research in Yellowstone could help scientists understand life on other planets
Arizona State University doctoral candidates Tanner Barnes and Vince Debes both enjoy a good hike. But when they set out on trails in places like Yellowstone National Park, they are not just taking in the sights — they are collecting samples that could answer some of science’s biggest questions: how life survives in extreme environments, how planets become habitable and what signs of life scientists should look for beyond Earth.
Researchers found a Wordle strategy that wins 99% of the time
Researchers developed a Wordle-solving strategy that succeeds 99% of the time by focusing on information gain rather than likely answers. The method uses Shannon entropy to identify guesses that reveal the most about the hidden word. Each guess is designed to slash uncertainty and narrow the possibilities faster. The result significantly outperformed more traditional Wordle tactics.
'A completely different story': 300 million-year-old fossils reveal the first vertebrate land dwellers weren't what we thought, researchers claim
Our ancient four-legged ancestors didn't have an amphibian-like life cycle when they began walking on land, according to a new study of rare fossils found near Chicago.
Conservatives are dying at higher rates than liberals. A new study points to mistrust in medicine
The health divide emerged over the last decade and has widened since 2020, according to research that links ideology to outcomes from heart disease, cancer, stroke, and other internal causes.
Can Better Sleep Lower Dementia Risk? What the Science Says
Poor sleep may raise your Alzheimer's risk by as much as 44%. Here's what researchers know about sleep, brain health, and what you can do tonight.
Interventional work increasingly concentrated among smaller subset of radiologists
The proportion of radiologists performing some (>0%) IR-related work declined from 70% in 2008 down to 50% by 2023, according to new research published in JVIR.
A brain-computer interface has, for the first time, restored fluent everyday speech to a person who had lost it — a man with ALS who had not spoken aloud in years until a small implant from the BrainGate clinical trial began translating his attempts to speak directly into computer-synthesised words, in a result researchers reported in June 2026
Casey Harrell can now talk for twelve hours at a stretch. Two years ago, he could not talk at all. The ALS he was diagnosed with several years earlier had progressively destroyed the motor neurons controlling the muscles of his face and throat, leaving him with the symptoms doctors call dysarthria and, eventually, anarthria — […]
The first unpatchable iPhone exploit in six years targets chips still running Apple's latest iOS
Security researchers at Paradigm Shift have published the first iPhone bootROM exploit in years. The process, called usbliter8, targets a hardware-level flaw, which means upgrading to newer...
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4920-4926: Surveying the Bands
Written by William Farrand, Senior Research Scientist, Space Science Institute
Atmospheric sciences professor recognized for contributions in Asia-Oceania | University of Hawaiʻi System News
UH Mānoa professor Yuqing Wang has been named a Fellow of the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society for groundbreaking research
DNA time stamps reveal the strawberry’s surprising origins
Researchers have created a new way to reconstruct the evolutionary history of complex plant genomes by analyzing genetic traces left by transposable elements. The technique revealed that modern strawberries were assembled through multiple ancient genome-merging events, shedding new light on how major crop species evolved.
Black hole winds may be robbing giant galaxies of their future stars
Astronomers may be closing in on a long-standing cosmic mystery: why some of the universe’s biggest galaxies seem to have far fewer stars than expected. Using NASA- and JAXA-supported XRISM observations of a galaxy called NGC 4151, researchers found strong evidence that supermassive black holes can unleash powerful winds that blow away the raw material needed to make new stars.
Watching water nanodrops spread themselves thin
Researchers at the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, have determined the molecular origin of line tension for a water nanodroplet on a surface. This tension is the force along the droplet edge where liquid, solid, and gas phases meet. Computational studies showed that at complete wetting, collapse of tetrahedral order in liquid water causes the line tension to change sign. An ice bilayer did not wet a hydrophilic surface, showing that local order can outweigh surface chemistry.
'Everyone on Earth is exposed': Scientists map microplastics deep inside living tissue
It does show that researchers are developing better tools to study exposure.
Public health professor completes third Fulbright Scholarship
When Dr. Helda Pinzon-Perez traveled to Uruguay and Paraguay this past semester, she brought more than her expertise in health education – she brought a commitment to expanding research, creating meaningful contributions and fostering collaboration between the two South American countries and the Central Valley. “I am just a venue to facilitate these wonderful opportunities […]
New unpatchable exploit targets Apple devices with A12 and A13 chips
Researchers at Paradigm Shift have published the technical details of usbliter8, a new unpatchable iPhone BootROM vulnerability.
Scientists uncover a deep-sea coral kingdom almost the size of Vatican City
Across the broader survey area, researchers collected 28 species that they suspect are new to science.
NIH Chief Defends His Management of the Agency
National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya hit back Thursday at critics of funding cuts and other shifts at the agency, accusing them of resisting the kind of “fundamental change” he believes is necessary for modernizing the NIH and improving scientific research. Bhattacharya said that ...
Curing Mental Illness and Eradicating Loneliness Through the Science of Safety
More than one in five adults in the United States are living with a mental illness (NIMH, 2022) and approximately half of U.S. adults report experiencing loneliness (HHS, 2023). Drawing from more than two decades of clinical practice and neuroscience research, Dr. David Rabin, MD, PhD, a psychiatrist and translational neuroscientist, addresses these issues in A Simple Guide to Being Alive (Merack Publishing, hardcover; June 16, 2026). The book examines why so many people feel overwhelmed, lonely
OpenAI's Karan Singhal on how he's driving ChatGPT health advancements
Researcher Karan Singhal drives OpenAI's goal to elevate ChatGPT's health advice, reaching millions of users weekly for wellness guidance.
The Drug That Bought My Father More Time Didn't Happen by Accident
Behind every medical breakthrough are decades of research — and decisions being made right now could determine which discoveries come next.
Apple's A12 and A13 Chips Facing New Unpatchable Exploit
Security research firm Paradigm Shift today published details of a new BootROM vulnerability affecting Apple's A12 and A13 chips, along with a working proof-of-concept exploit named "usbliter8". The BootROM, or SecureROM, is the first code an iPhone runs when it powers on. Because it is baked directly into the chip at manufacture, any vulnerability found there cannot be fixed with a software update, meaning affected devices will remain vulnerable for the rest of their lives.
Misericordia University Faculty Member Presents Research at International Business History Conference in London
Jennifer M. Black, PhD, Professor and Chair of History at Misericordia University, recently contributed to international scholarship in her field by presenting original research at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Business History Conference (BHC), held March 26–28 in London, England.
South Florida’s heat makes cancer patients sicker and more isolated, study says
One cancer survivor told researchers the sun “sucks the life out of him.”
Massachusetts school students discover the magic of scientific research at Clark
Hundreds of middle and high school students from throughout Massachusetts visited Clark to test out their research skills this spring.
When life gives you lemons, make batteries
Hundreds of middle and high school students from throughout Massachusetts visited Clark to test out their research skills this spring.
Do wearables actually help people with cardiovascular disease?
In this edition of STAT Health Tech: A look at what researchers found about if using wearables help people with cardiovascular diseases, and more.
What if there is no one to farm? Scientists reveal a hidden risk to future food security
The cause of future food shortages may not be a lack of farmland, but a shortage of agricultural workers. Amid low birth rates and rural decline, a joint international research team from KAIST has developed ...
Scientists Made a Car Paint So Black It Looks Like a Hole in Reality
Researchers with Singapore-based Nipsea have created a new “ultra-black coating” that absorbs an average of 99.9% of all visible light wavelengths.
Early-career scientists build national infrastructure to bridge science and policy
A new Special Report in the journal BioScience introduces the Scientist Network for Advancing Policy (SNAP), a student-led, nonpartisan, grassroots coalition founded in 2025 to empower early-career researchers ...
REV Ocean Begins First Operational Research Season With Ten-Mission Science Program
The missions cover seamount ecosystems off Brazil, in the Sargasso Sea, and across the Eastern Tropical Pacific—alongside Sargassum dynamics, mesophotic and deep-sea biodiversity, transboundary MPA networks, and the science-to-policy pipeline.
The truth about brain rot, according to science
Emerging research suggests overusing digital devices can be harmful, especially to mental health. But does being overly online truly rot our brains?
UConn Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy Recognizes Faculty Excellence
InCHIP Excellence Awards recognize faculty achievements in research, mentoring, and community engagement.
Saving the trees: Decades of work lead to UTC faculty publication in Science
The first American chestnut tree Dr. Hill Craddock ever saw was one he grew himself. He was about 15 years old, working out of a small greenhouse his father built beside their home. A neighbor gave him a handful of chestnut seeds and suggested Craddock try growing them.
Can AI help us age better? These scientists are trying to find out
A growing number of researchers are turning to artificial intelligence to understand why some people remain healthy into their 90s while others develop chronic diseases decades earlier. At labs throug...
Dentsu Expands Fandom Intelligence Globally to Guide Brand Partnerships in Entertainment
Little Black Book, Platform, first created in 2020, combines Japanese fandom data with new proprietary research across the US, UK, India and the Greater China market, covering 200 entertainment titles and more than 21,000 fans
A Career Powered by Curiosity: Jasna Jankovic’s Path from Industry to Academia
From industry scientist to award-winning educator and researcher, Jasna Jankovic has built a career at the intersection of materials science, clean energy, ...
SC Lowcountry student enjoys summer shaped by science
St. Baldrick's fellowship gives College of Charleston student time and support to take on pediatric cancer research
7 unexpected takeaways from the newest research on cannabis and brain effects
Whether it’s used in adolescence, midlife or older age may make a big difference.
Health and Wellness Market Size to Hit $12.9 Trillion by 2031 Growing at a CAGR of 10.9%: Allied Market Research
As per a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, "Health and Wellness Market by Product Type (Beauty & Personal Care Products, Health & Wellness Food, Wellness Tourism, Fitness Equipment and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022–2031," the global health and wellness market size was valued at $4.7 trillion in 2021 and is estimated to reach $12.9 trillion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9% from 2022 to 2031.
Science fiction research conference underway at MSU
The Science Fiction Research Association Conference is now underway on Michigan State University’s campus.
Dr. James Robbins appointed Senior Vice President for Research and Business Development - The Institute of World Politics
Dr. James Robbins, who has been serving as Dean of Academics, will take on a new leadership role as Senior Vice President of Research and Business
Researchers discover 500 hidden earthquakes beneath Antarctica: 'Improve our understanding of possible futures'
“As machine-learning tools continue to improve, they could reveal that deep, continental-interior earthquakes are more common than currently recognized.”
A surprising discovery reveals the kidney has a secret backup system
Scientists at Mayo Clinic have uncovered a surprising new way the kidneys conserve water, revealing a hidden backup system that works independently of the hormone long believed to control the process. The discovery emerged when researchers testing an old drug called probenecid expected it to worsen polycystic kidney disease (PKD) but found it actually slowed cyst growth instead.
Researchers found 8 common food additives linked to high blood pressure and heart disease
A major study of more than 112,000 people found that eating foods containing common preservatives may be linked to a higher risk of high blood pressure and heart-related diseases. Researchers tracked participants for up to eight years and discovered that people consuming the highest amounts of certain preservatives had significantly greater risks of hypertension, heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.
Scientists just found something weird inside moss
UC Riverside researchers have found evidence, for the first time, that desert mosses may host fungi inside their tissues. The finding offers a clue about how ancient life crawled from oceans onto dry land.
Discovery Supercomputer’s first applications selected for Day-One Science
Scientific computing experts at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have selected the first nine research projects that will run on Discovery, the nation’s next flagship supercomputer, slated for deployment in 2028. The projects will be developed through the Discovery Center for Accelerated Application Readiness program at ORNL’s Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility. The program is designed to ensure that a suite of leading-edge scientific applications is optimized and ready to deliver results as soon as Discovery becomes operational.
Multilingual benchmark evaluates how well AI interprets clinical text and health records in nine languages
Researchers at Mass General Brigham recently developed BRIDGE, a multilingual benchmark that evaluates how well large language models (LLMs) understand clinical patient care text, including language used ...
Discovery Supercomputer’s First Applications Selected for Day-One Science
Scientific computing experts at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have selected the first nine research projects that will run on Discovery, the nation’s next flagship supercomputer, slated for deployment in 2028.The projects will be developed through the Discovery Center for Accelerated Application Readiness (CAAR) program at ORNL’s Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF).
UF Health Cancer Institute Hosts Conference for Science Teachers
Science teachers from across Florida and the southeastern United States gathered in Gainesville this week for the UF Health Cancer Institute’s Cancer Research Conference for Science Teachers.
Advanced Health Research on Station Using Augmented, Virtual Reality Tools
Biomedical tests using augmented and virtual reality tools to advance space health dominated the research schedule aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday. The Expedition 74 crew is also turning its attention to a spacewalk at the end of the month following the departure of a U.S. cargo spacecraft.
Using AI Tools in Graduate School: Virtual Workshop: APSA Status Committee on Graduate Students in the Profession | Friday, June 26, 2026 -
“Using AI Tools in Graduate School” Friday, June 26, 2026 12:00 PM (ET) / 9:00 AM (PT) | Run Time 75 minutes Register Here Artificial intelligence’s rapid adoption and growing technological power affect nearly all aspects of the political science graduate student research process. Join the [...]
Behavioral health in the workplace: Supporting fire fighter well-being
Across the fire service, crews depend on strong relationships and mutual trust every day. Researchers say workplace culture can have a measurable impact on
Why is Trump’s threat to the Ocean Observatories Initiative so monumental to scientists?
Researchers warn that shuttering a key network of research equipment and analysis will make the country less prepared for climate crises
FIU professor selected as a lead scientist aboard cutting-edge ocean research vessel
Mark Bond has been selected as a lead scientist for the maiden voyage of REV, one of the world's most advanced research vessels dedicated to ocean science and conservation.
Scientists stunned by the world’s largest whale “graveyard” millions of years old - Futura-Sciences
The Hidden Depths of the Diamantina Zone Deep beneath the Indian Ocean, researchers from China, Italy, and New Zealand got more than they bargained for during their recent expedition. Exploring the remote Diamantina Fracture Zone—which formed during the separation of Australia and Antarctica—the team operated the Fendouzhe submersible, a machine...
What scientists discovered about your kitchen sponge will alarm you - Futura-Sciences
The results show that kitchen sponges do release measurable amounts of microplastics over time. However, the researchers found that the biggest environmental burden linked to hand-washing dishes is not the plastic particles themselves. Instead, water use accounts for the vast majority of the overall impact. Kitchen sponges as a source...
FSU scientists uncover differences in drivers of long-term temperature changes in Atlantic, Pacific oceans
Florida State University researchers have identified key differences in the root causes of long-term sea-surface temperature changes across the Atlantic
Ozempic and Wegovy linked to surprising drop in violent behavior
A Rutgers study suggests GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy may weaken the link between impulsive tendencies and violent behavior. The surprising finding hints that these medications could affect how people act on impulses, though researchers stress that cause and effect have not been proven.
“This has never been seen before”: the mind-blowing discovery made by this deep-sea squid - Futura-Sciences
A Scene Never Seen The moment was caught by researchers using a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) at approximately 13,450 feet (that’s about 4,100 meters) below the surface, in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) – a vast abyssal plain in the Pacific, now at the center of deep-sea mining ambitions. The...
How you use AI could weaken brain defense against dementia: researcher
"How you use AI, not how often, will determine its impact," Vivienne Ming, a theoretical neuroscientist and AI researcher told Business Insider.
Introducing LifeSciBench
Introducing LifeSciBench, an expert-authored, expert-reviewed benchmark for evaluating how AI systems handle real-world life science research tasks and decisions.
Survey: Staff say school-based telehealth cuts behavioral issues
The new data comes from a survey by researchers at UNC Chapel Hill to assess the impact of school-based telehealth programs.
Science without borders: the lasting legacy of Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Over 30 years ago, Europe decided to back researchers, trust their curiosity, and see where it leads in honour of Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Goats can find food by following a human voice, study finds
Experiments show 29 animals moved towards a treat-filled bucket 60% of the time when guided by a researcher
Ozempic users may be making a major weight-loss mistake, new study suggests
New research finds GLP-1 users significantly reduced physical activity, with daily steps and exercise declining after starting a weight loss medication.
USF marine science research destroyed in St. Pete lab fire caused by lightning strike
A lightning strike sparked a devastating fire at the USF College of Marine Science Lab last month, destroying decades of critical research and tens of millions of dollars in equipment in St. Petersburg.
OHSU sues OPB, seeking to withhold records about fired executive
Oregon’s flagship research hospital and medical school on Tuesday sued Oregon Public Broadcasting to prevent the release of records about its firing of a prominent executive four months into his job.
Latvia pilots citizen engagement in research grant evaluations
Latvia has introduced an element of citizen engagement to the evaluation of nationally funded research grants. The aim is to both create more connections between science and society, and to improve the quality of its evaluations. The move comes as research funders across Europe are experimenting with ways to improve evaluation processes in the face of a sharpened focus on science’s impact on society. Evaluators of grant applications submitted to Latvia’s Fundamental and Applied Research Programme (FLPP), the country’s main research funder, will this year have the option of consulting citizen feedback on challenges the public thinks science should focus on to inform their decisions. “In recent years, both public discussions and policy-level debates in Latvia have highlighted the importance of demonstrating how publicly funded research contributes to society, the economy and the resolution of real-world challenges,” said a source at the Latvian Council of Science (LCS), which manages the FLPP. “At the same time, research institutions themselves expressed interest in improving the project evaluation framework while continuing to ensure that funding is awarded to the highest-quality projects,” the source added. The citizen input comes from a survey that was conducted between 25 February and 16 March 2025, to which 1,737 people responded. It gathered information on what the public views as problem areas for Latvia, and the role of science and technology in providing solutions to these problems. A summary of these responses has been included as an annex to the FLPP 2026 call for proposals that evaluators can refer to, purely in an advisory manner, when judging proposals. Results from the survey show that the main problem areas identified by the public were in healthcare and public health, followed by the development of new treatment methods and medicines, and then digital technology, data security and cyber security. At the bottom of the list was research aimed at acquiring new knowledge about the universe, matter and the laws of nature. Further analysis looked at the public view of the possible role of science in solving these problems. The survey charted 4,167 individual responses based on open-ended questions that were derived from the participants’ answers. The analysis again found that medical and health sciences topped the scoring, with 788 responses referring to the field. Humanities and the arts were bottom of the list, with 625. Digging further into the details, the survey suggests citizens are aware of and concerned about a number of research areas. This includes technologies and innovation to improve the environment or reduce pollution, the development of modern military technologies and cybersecurity tools, and the development and application of artificial intelligence, among others. “We hope this initiative will help strengthen public trust in science and create a more meaningful dialogue between researchers and society,” the LCS source said, adding that it offers benefits to researchers, evaluators and to the general public. More space for citizen engagement in evaluationsThere is a gradual but increasing use of citizen engagement in research evaluation processes around Europe, especially in healthcare, but it remains relatively rare, said Henry Sauermann, a professor at the European School of Management and Technology in Berlin and an expert in citizen science.“Given that we are at a point where citizen involvement is extremely limited, there is presumably space for more, but it's not that we should do it just because we want to do it,” he told Science|Business. He said some research lends itself better to having citizen input, and this usually tends to be on the applied end of the science spectrum where the public can offer useful feedback based on their experiences. He added that advising scientists on certain topics to study is also a useful approach, in the way that Latvia is doing. “The public does fund a lot of science, there's a lot of tax money going into this. We of course do want to preserve academic freedom, but it's also not unreasonable to incorporate more feedback or input from citizens where possible,” he said. Related articlesCitizen science: where, when, and how to let the public contribute to researchHow can Europe cope with a flood of AI-assisted research grant proposals?Data Corner: Horizon Europe’s AI, digital and data call success rate is 5.2%There are several ways of involving citizens in science funding. The most minimal way is having a few representatives on a panel, such as members of a patient group or union. The most direct way is crowdsourcing funding for specific projects. There is an increasing number of online platforms that allow the public to chip in to support scientific proposals.Sauermann studied this in a recent paper and found that it can have its uses, but it still is not clear if there are benefits to it. There are various assumptions linked to citizen engagement, for example that it increases public trust in science, or that it provides a representative view of what the public thinks about science. These are not necessarily true, Sauermann found. People who participate in engagement activities tend to already be very trusting of science, and, on the whole, it is generally the well-off and well educated who contribute, giving a narrow view of public opinion. On whether citizen input can help manage the increasing number of proposals that are being submitted due to assistance from AI, Sauermann is more sceptical. “The obvious answer to the flood of AI-written proposals is AI-driven evaluation,” he said, adding that it doesn’t mean citizen engagement shouldn’t be a part of evaluations in a well thought-out manner. Southern Denmark’s successful approachOne successful example of citizen engagement in science evaluations was implemented in southern Denmark. Between 2019 and 2025, citizens in the region were invited to vote to fund one of five pre-selected projects in the field of healthcare. The project, called A Healthier Southern Denmark, was a collaboration between regional authorities, the University of Southern Denmark, and two media partners. Over the seven years, there were 75,000 votes and significant public engagement online and on social media. “It was a bit of a wild project, we’d never done something like that before and we were a bit nervous about what would be said in the media about it. But actually, people were very positive,” said Anne Kathrine Overgaard, one of the main organisers of the project from the University of Southern Denmark. The university and its researchers have learned a lot from the experience, particularly about engaging with society and shaping their research to match real-world needs. This is important with Europe’s increasing focus on competitiveness and bringing innovations to market faster, Overgaard said. She hopes to see more citizen engagement in evaluation processes and in science more broadly. “For many years, citizen engagement has been a bit of an add-on to proposals, just to check a box. But I think things are changing,” she said. It’s less about citizens just gathering data and more “about the dialogue between the public and the scientists,” she said. The initiative ended last year as the team wanted to regroup to find fresh momentum. The development of AI and AI-written proposals has made Overgaard reflect on how the project could be reworked to help evaluators. She hopes to bring it back in the future. “It could be a good idea to try this initiative again in a slightly re-worked format,” she said.
An EPA Researcher Details the Agency's Assault on Science
In late January, the Trump administration began shutting down projects within the EPA’s independent science division that touched on climate change and environmental justice. Air quality researcher Thomas Luben, who had worked at the agency for 18 years, was fired for objecting.
Superconductivity breakthrough could unlock ultra-efficient electronics
A clever nanoscale redesign may have solved one of superconductivity’s biggest problems. Researchers in Sweden discovered that by subtly sculpting the surface beneath an ultrathin superconducting material, they could make it stay superconducting at higher temperatures and under much stronger magnetic fields.