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UMG, The World’s Biggest Music Company, Is Investing In A Mental Health Ecosystem. Here’s How It Works
Universal Music Group's circle of shared care, access and economic responsibility that streamlines the process to obtaining mental health support from trained Amber Health clinicians is a blueprint for companies large and small.
Obama encourages people to not give in to despair in current political climate
Former President Barack Obama speaks at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, imploring Americans not to give in to cynicism and despair in the current divisive political climate.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: Here’s What the Remake Looks (and Plays) Like Compared to the Original
After playing through a few missions of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced recently, I now have a better understanding of what to expect from this ambitious remake, which included narrative additions, new options for carrying out my assassinations, and other bits and baubles along the way that have increased my interest in replaying through Kenway’s epic tale of pillaging and unloading flintlocks into the chests of unsuspecting lawmen.
Intel's stock levels mean investors believe its foundry business will succeed: Bernstein's Rasgon
Stacy Rasgon, Bernstein, and Dan Ives, Wedbush Securities, join 'Power Lunch' to discuss Intel's prospects of building chips in the U.S., Apple price increases and much more.
Why I Use a Business School Model to Teach History (Opinion)
Students who can see themselves in historical figures learn how to debate respectfully.
The Special Olympics are coming to Minneapolis. Here's what you need to know
Next week, the Special Olympics come to Minneapolis June 20-26. More than 3,000 athletes and 1,500 coaches will engage in 16 Special Olympics team and individual sports. The event is expected to bring in 75,000 fans.
The Special Olympics are coming to Minneapolis. Here's what you need to know
Next week, the Special Olympics come to Minneapolis June 20-26. More than 3,000 athletes and 1,500 coaches will engage in 16 Special Olympics team and individual sports. The event is expected to bring in 75,000 fans.
Wildlife inside Chernobyl exclusion zone acted differently during Russia's invasion, camera traps reveal
Camera footage in Ukraine's Chernobyl exclusion zone revealed that mammals became less active — especially at night — during the Russian occupation, highlighting the war's immediate impact on wildlife.
A textbook assumption about early land vertebrates may be wrong
Three species that lived about 308 million years ago challenge the idea that the first land vertebrates underwent amphibian-like metamorphosis.
Argentina star Lionel Messi's father Jorge has health issue, family confirm
Argentina star Lionel Messi said on Thursday that his father, Jorge Messi is experiencing a health issue and the family has asked the media to avoid speculation on his situation.
Things you should know before visiting Hawaii, according to local
From using special sunscreen to pulling over for locals, there are mistakes to avoid and things to do when visiting Hawaii to be safe and respectful.
What are the health implications of the Everglades wildfires, and will World Cup spectators and players be affected?
Dr. Roberto Lucchini works with first responders exposed to carcinogens in the World Trade Center attacks. He discusses how airborne toxins from South Florida fires could impact residents, visitors.
While God of War Laufey Has Plenty of Promise, I Think It’s Sticking Too Close to the Now-Tired Formula of Kratos’ Norse Saga
While God of War Laufey is taking a fascinating leap by shifting the perspective to Faye, it still looks much too similar to Kratos' Norse saga to cement its own identity.
The unwanted return of tetanus; why soccer makes people so happy; breast cancer in men; plus other stories with Vanderbilt Health sources
Women’s Health interviewed Kathryn Edwards, MD, Sarah H. Sell and Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Pediatrics, for a story about her JAMA Viewpoint article on tetanus making a comeback. Women’s Health interviewed Colin Armstrong, PhD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, for a story tied to the World Cup about why soccer makes people so happy. An NBC News story about the announcement by “X-Men” actor and former wrestler Tyler Mane that he has breast cancer quotes Ben Ho Park, MD, director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. The story focuses on how a prominent man with breast cancer may help remove some stigma from a cancer that is rare in males. Prevention magazine interviewed Caitlyn Mooney, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, for a story about a BMJ study that suggests 90 to 120 minutes per week of strength training may lower the risk of death. William Schaffner, MD, Professor of Preventive Medicine, was quoted by several news outlets about public health issues, including: Women’s Health (norovirus is more common this summer); SFGate (measles in San Francisco just before the World Cup crowds); Travel + Leisure (how to avoid getting sick on a cruise); and Fox News (mosquito-borne diseases). Reporter Liz DeSantis from WKRN News 2 aired a story on the rehab unit at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Kat Hedden, PT, DPT, PCS, CBIS, Acute Pediatric Physical Therapy Clinical Team Lead and Mary McLanahan, MD, Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation were interviewed, as well as the family of patient Will Terry. Reporter Nikki Hauser from WTVF News Channel 5 interviewed Graden Knapp, Gaming and Technology Specialist at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt about his 3-D wheelchair project. Tennesseanreporter Sandy Mazza covered the announcement of the latest Leadership Nashville class, which includes Jane Freedman, MD, Deputy CEO, and Chief Health Systems Office for Vanderbilt Health; and also the announcement of the latest Leadership Tennessee cohort, which includes Jeff Upperman, MD, Surgeon in Chief at Monroe Carroll Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
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 ...
The Carry-On Essentials Female Founders Pack For Business Travel
The best carry-on essentials for business travel take you from a flight to the boardroom with ease. We spoke with top female executives to get their favorite picks.
Police investigating after suspect breaks into SF business through the wall
Sioux Falls Police are asking the public for information regarding a burglary in Sioux Falls on Saturday, June 13.
Arsenal Capital Partners Adds Max Schechter as Head of Industrial Growth Business Development
/PRNewswire/ -- Arsenal Capital Partners ("Arsenal"), a middle-market private equity firm specializing in building industrial growth and healthcare companies,...
No, Sony Did Not End ‘Destiny 2’ To Get ‘Revenge’ On Bungie
New reporting says that Sony closed down Destiny 2 as a sort of revenge for Bungie's influence on its live service plans. That is not the case.
Ethan Zohn reveals he tried to get cannabis use approved for 'Survivor'
'Survivor' star Ethan Zohn reveals he tried to get cannabis use approved for the 'Winners at War' season, but was denied for one very specific reason.
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?
Earn Special Rewards in GTA Online with the Fine Art Collector Program
Prepare to target the city's cultural centerpiece in The Kortz Center Heist by first enrolling in the new Fine Art Collector program to earn special rewards in GTA Online, including up to GTA$1,500,000 in bonus cash, now through July 13.
Earn Special Rewards in GTA Online with the Fine Art Collector Program
Prepare to target the city's cultural centerpiece in The Kortz Center Heist by first enrolling in the new Fine Art Collector program to earn special rewards in GTA Online, including up to GTA$1,500,000 in bonus cash, now through July 13.
Colorado’s gamble on sports betting
A Denver Post special report examining how the legalization of online sports betting impacted addiction, water funding and athletes.
Analyst Perspectives on Oracle’s Strategy to Help Customers Secure Business Data against AI Threats
Oracle today announced its AI security strategy based on three principles: secure at source, secure at speed, and secure through resilience. To help customers accelerate and strengthen their security posture Oracle is making several of its most widely deployed and battle-tested database security, patching, testing, and lifecycle management tools available at no cost for a limited time, or at a 90% discount on one-year term licenses. This move has been positively received by leading industry analysts and reaffirms Oracle’s leadership in equipping enterprises to maximize their resilience in the face of increasing AI-era security threats.
What 2026 Voters Are Saying To Business Leaders
Most Americans still fall somewhere closer to the middle, and the 2026 election will reflect that enduring electorate.
UVM Announces Team-Specific Stores Open Until June 29 with Nike/BSN Sports
BURLINGTON, Vt. - University of Vermont Athletics and the University Licensing Department are proud to announce a partnership with Nike and BSN Sports to make sport-specific gear available to our fans as we ramp up to the 2026-27 season!
Evonik to Cut 3,200 Jobs, Discontinue Polyester Unit as Part of Restructuring Plan
The specialty-chemicals company said the job cuts would be phased in from 2027 through the end of 2029, and would include 2,150 positions in Germany.
‘Magic Pill’ or Placebo?: Black Politicians and the Crypto Lobby
Young Black congresspeople are winning their seats with support from the crypto industry. But can investing in crypto help close the racial wealth gap?
Kansas City’s Black-owned businesses court World Cup visitors with a new shopping guide
Kansas City G.I.F.T, a nonprofit focused on growing Black entrepreneurship, will distribute a guide in June that features 30 Black-owned businesses. The hope is that the World Cup, predicted to bring in more prospective shoppers than Kansas City has ever seen at once, jumpstarts long-term growth.
Oklahoma County jail fails 12th consecutive health inspection
The Oklahoma County jail has failed its latest surprise health inspection due to missed safety checks, unsanitary conditions and staffing shortages.
Could Jon Ossoff be Democrats' 2028 answer? He must pass a 2026 test
The Georgia senator is a 2028 Democratic prospect, but first he must win re-election in a swing state that went for Trump.
Ask the expert: Indigenous science fiction explained
MSU expert Blaire Morseau explains how Indigenous science fiction and speculative storytelling reflect culture, history and imagined futures.
A season of festivals, special events and America 250 celebrations
The Florida Keys is turning up the heat with summer events this season running from Key Largo to Key West. Think local traditions, world-class culinary festivals, and landmark America 250
'Relief' for small businesses after St. Petersburg city council rejects parking changes
Parking continues to be a problem in St. Petersburg, especially in neighborhoods with popular restaurants and businesses. City leaders voted down a proposal that would have allowed specific neighborhoods outside of downtown to establish resident-only parking zones.
Air Conditioning Is Becoming More Vital to Oregon’s Public Health and Safety
Air conditioning, especially in the Willamette Valley, has become a public health necessity rather than a consumer preference, says Vivek Shandas.
Pistons 2026 NBA predraft workouts tracker: Every prospect to visit
Tracking the prospects we know have visited the Detroit Pistons for predraft workouts ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Football: 2027 4-star CB Daniel Yebit commits to TCU
The Horned Frogs nab their first four-star prospect of the cycle.
New clown, mother-daughter trio specialty act among new entertainment at 2026 Reno Rodeo
The 107th annual Reno Rodeo begins Thursday at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center with Xtreme Bulls, which is followed by nine nights of PRCA action. This
Georgia Republican legislative leaders reject governor's call for 2028 redistricting
Georgia’s Republican legislative leaders on Wednesday rejected Gov. Brian Kemp’s call to redraw congressional and legislative districts during a special session, citing concerns about moving too quickly after a U.S. Supreme Court decision weakened federal Voting Rights Act protections for minority voters.
Georgia GOP drops redistricting plan that would hurt Black representation
Gov. Brian Kemp had called a special session so Republicans could secure one or more additional House seats in the 2028 elections. But lawmakers pulled the plug.
Experts on history, politics reflect on U.S. 250th birthday milestone
As our nation’s celebration of its 250th birthday approaches, experts in history and political science at Virginia Tech can provide perspectives on how far the United States of America has advanced since its founding and the issues that will influence where it goes next.
Google Releases Free Android Upgrade To Millions: Samsung Galaxy Next
Samsung's Android 17 upgrade is coming to Galaxy phones via One UI 9. But the biggest feature, Gemini Intelligence, raises serious security questions. Here's what to know
Congo’s Shock Tie With Portugal Won A Polymarket Bettor $1 Million
The Democratic Republic of the Congo managed a 1-1 draw against No. 5-ranked Portugal in the World Cup.
Politics: Can Divides Over War Be Bridged At The G7 Summit?
This week, on the southern shores of Lake Geneva, leaders of the Group of Seven countries gathered for their annual summit.There are several pressing issues that require attention including the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran, the resulting economic crisis, the state of the Persian Gulf, and long term questions about the future of relations with Iran.The G7 meeting also notably brought Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy face-to-face with President Donald Trump. Trump told reporters that the war Ukraine was not a priority for the United States, saying that his country had “nothing to do” with a war that was “thousands of miles away.”We discuss what this 2026 G7 meeting reveals about the state of the U.S. relationship with its most important allies, especially after months of a war of choice with Iran.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
Radiologist saw signs of in-house abuse in NICU, but hospital failed to act on his warning
A special report is raising new concerns about a hospital’s lackluster response to a radiologist's concerns of abuse happening in the organization's NICU.
Georgia House Republicans reject call for new political maps at special session
Georgia House Republicans rejected a proposal to redraw political maps before the start of a special session Wednesday
Georgia Republican legislative leaders reject governor’s call for 2028 redistricting
Georgia’s Republican legislative leaders on Wednesday rejected Gov. Brian Kemp’s call to redraw congressional and legislative districts during a special session, citing concerns about moving too quickly after a US Supreme Court decision weakened federal Voting Rights Act protections for minority voters.
Abarca Health And LucyRx To Merge Into Alternative To Big Three PBMs
Abarca Health and LucyRx - two independent pharmacy benefit managers - have agreed to merge asregulators and the public seek a better price on prescription drugs.
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 [...]
Georgia Republicans backtrack on redistricting plans
After Gov. Brian Kemp called them into a special session, state lawmakers said they didn’t have enough time to draw new maps that would have taken effect for the 2028 elections.
What 70 Years In Business Has Taught Us About Leadership
This year, 84 Lumber celebrates 70 years in business. For a privately held company, reaching that milestone is rare.
Is the customer always right? Study finds rude customers hurt business
Frontline employees who face rude or disrespectful customers are more likely to justify negative behaviors, from cutting corners to leaving their jobs, according to a new study.
Scientists probing dim ocean zone find 31 new species and capture a living microbe in 3D
Entire forms of life may have been misunderstood or overlooked for years.
Macy’s Fourth of July show to feature Post Malone, Blake Shelton, Salt-N-Pepa and Shaboozey
Macy's is set to celebrate America's 250th birthday with a spectacular July Fourth fireworks show featuring performances by Post Malone, Blake Shelton, Salt-N-Pepa, Noah Kahan, Bebe Rexha and Shaboozey.
NC-STeP Pediatric Program receives national recognition for advancing pediatric mental health care
Recognition highlights innovation to connect pediatric patients to timely, specialized psychiatric treatment
Tropicana Atlantic City celebrates summer with fireworks, entertainment, dining and movie experiences
Tropicana Atlantic City is celebrating summer with an exciting lineup of entertainment, fireworks, dining specials, movie premieres and community-focused
A ‘Dead’ Destiny 2 Now Has Something Players Can Grind For Forever
Destiny 2 may be dead, but it has given players a reason to play forever, if you're a collector, that is. Here's what you can get.
MLB starting pitcher power rankings entering week 13
MLB has completed the first 12 weeks of the 2026 season. Specific players have continued producing great numbers, while a handful are missing time due to injury. Now is the time when player production starts garnering attention for All-Star rosters.…
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management: Science, Stewardship, and Shared Successes
One of the most innovative aspects of the Magnuson-Stevens Act was the establishment of eight regional councils to manage fisheries. Across the country, regional councils are tackling their own unique challenges, each shaped by their local coastal communities and united under a shared framework.
Local healthcare executive to lead 2026 Kern County Heart and Stroke Walk and county-wide push for CPR readiness
Bakersfield, Calif., June 17, 2026 — According to the American Heart Association, 9 in 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of the hospital die, and more than half don’t receive bystander CPR. CPR — especially if performed immediately — can double...
Scientists discover spider that disguises itself as a parasitic fungus
Scientists have discovered a new Amazonian spider with an astonishing disguise: it looks like a parasitic fungus. The species, Taczanowskia waska, mimics both the appearance and behavior of the fungus, helping it stay hidden from predators and potentially catch prey more easily.
Trump administration will bring special ed to HHS
Infant mortality rate dips, OTC naloxone options rise, and other health news from Morning Rounds
COL Group, Virtue Asia Team for Southeast Asia Microdrama Brand Push
V47 Entertainment’s specialist agency Virtue Asia has struck a deal with China-listed microdrama company COL Group to develop and distribute brand-funded entertainment across Southeast Asia, the compa...
Britain’s Finance Chief Confronts the Political Challenges of Fiscal Stability
Rachel Reeves came into office promising to adhere to strict rules on spending and borrowing. Two years later, a special election could determine if she will continue in her role.
Yankees news: Injury updates and painful prospect news
Bad injury news on Grisham, Stanton, and Lombard; Caballero and the pitch clock remain a story; Yanks release Brown
Safety concerns remain at Edinburgh's teenage mental health ward
Inspectors find some improvements at Melville House, but say more needs to be done to protect both patients and staff from aggression.
75% of fathers feel isolated. Let's talk about mental health for dads
"Many men, especially fathers, ignore their mental health struggles because of pressure to live up to their family’s and society’s expectations to appear in control, invulnerable," writes Andrew Reiner. "Ultimately, this hits men with a double gut punch: It compromises their mental health, and then their mental health symptoms go untreated."
Westland restaurant inspections find dented cans, improper food storage
Recent health inspections in Westland found issues like improper food storage and moldy produce at local spots.
Board recommends sheriff changes, 40-year business closes among top TNT stories
Also Tuesday, the latest restaurant inspections and The News Tribune’s food writer offers her thoughts on Knapp’s demise.
Chronotherapy considerations in lithium treatment for bipolar disorder
Nature Mental Health - In this Perspective, Ray and colleagues review 50 years of studies on the effectiveness and toxicity of lithium and argue that its effects depend on dosing time. They propose...
WHO Step-by-Step programme recognized as a promising innovation for mental health in humanitarian settings
WHO, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Lebanon’s National Mental Health Programme, showcased Step-by-Step at the World Bank Group’s biennial Fragility Forum in Washington, DC. The forum convened more than 1500 representatives from governments, international organizations and civil society to advance the development agenda in the world’s most fragile and crisis-affected communities. WHO was invited to demonstrate Step-by-Step – a digital self-help intervention for depression, alongside innovations presented by Stanford University and Google. The World Bank Group selected Step-by-Step from among more than 50 innovations that they reviewed in the lead up to the Forum.About Step-by-StepStep-by-Step is a free digital tool developed by WHO in collaboration with Lebanon’s National Mental Health Programme and other partners, that helps people manage depression and anxiety on their own, with light guidance from a trained supporter. It uses a picture-based story to walk users through evidence-based techniques for managing common mental health conditions. Users complete five modules, with weekly contacts – of around 15 minutes each – from a trained non-specialist helper, such as a community health worker.Evidence-basedClinical trials in Lebanon involving nearly 1250 participants – including 680 Lebanese participants and 569 Syrian participants – showed that Step-by-Step significantly reduced depression, anxiety and stress, and improved daily functioning. By the end of the programme, a reduction in depressive symptoms of more than 50% was reported by almost half (46%) of Lebanese participants and more than one third (37%) of Syrian participants compared to approximately 14% of those who did not use the programme. Cost-effectiveness analyses further suggest that Step-by-Step may offer a cost-saving response to depression in humanitarian emergencies in low- and middle-income countries.Used globallyStep-by-Step is already in use nationwide in Lebanon and Thailand, as part of each country’s mental health system. In India, the NGO – Kaya Guides – has adapted Step-by-Step for delivery through a widely used messaging app. Together, these programmes have provided thousands of people with evidence-based support for depression. The content is freely available from the WHO website for any organization or country to adapt for their own context.A new implementation guideThe Fragility Forum coincided with the recent launch of WHO’s new practical guide: Psychological self-help interventions: delivering self-help for individuals, featuring Step-by-Step and Doing What Matters in Times of Stress (WHO, 2026). The guide is designed to help governments, health workers, organizations and planners bring evidence-based mental health support to more people, particularly in low-resource and crisis-affected settings.
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.
Major private payer encouraging employees to leave willingly
The largest Medicaid-specialized managed care organization in the U.S. is offering buyout packages to most of its 60,000 or so staff workers.
US officials downplay text of the Iran agreement, saying it doesn’t account for backchannel commitments
US negotiators are working to quickly release the text of the agreement between Washington and Tehran, even as they downplay the significance of the specific language in the document, US officials told CNN.
NFL, NFLPA, NBPA tell Congress they back college sports bill
The NFL, NFLPA and NBPA on Tuesday sent statements to Congress supporting the Protect College Sports Act and lauding specific provisions it includes while also encouraging further "negotiations" during the legislative process.
NFLPA, NBAPA tells Congress it backs college sports bill
The NFL, NFLPA and NBPA on Tuesday sent statements to Congress supporting the Protect College Sports Act and lauding specific provisions it includes while also encouraging further "negotiations" during the legislative process.
Merchants of Doubt and the attacks on Extreme Event Attribution science
Last week, I attended a meeting at Columbia University on attribution science and climate law, hosted by the Sabin Center. It was a fantastic event, bringing together scientists and legal experts working at the intersection of extreme event attribution and climate law. Subscribe For those unfamiliar with it, extreme event attribution attempts to quantify the contribution of climate change to an extreme event. For example, several groups analyzed the impact of climate change on Hurricane Harvey’s enormous rainfall totals over Houston, Texas and they found that climate change increased rainfall by 15 to 38%. One thing that came up again and again was how terrified fossil-fuel interests are of extreme event attribution science. They are acutely aware that this research could land them in court. And losing those cases would leave them legally liable for billions of dollars in climate damages. Because the legal stakes are so high, the blowback has turned ugly. I spoke with several scientists at the meeting who are facing ongoing harassment over their work. This blowback is a coordinated campaign to make the entire field look suspect. The goal is to create the impression that attribution science is too uncertain, too political, or too conflicted to be useful in court or in public policy. The strategy is not based on actual science or evidence of misconduct, but on the generation of doubt. The new Merchants of Doubt We’ve seen this before. In fact, not that long ago: We only have to go back a year to the Department of Energy (DOE) Climate Working Group (CWG) report to see an example of using doubt as the tool to push back against well-established science. This strategy is laid out in an email from a member of the CWG, Dr. Roy Spencer, that was released during litigation over the Climate Working Group process. The key quote is: About all I can hope is that what we write will provide sufficient “reasonable scientific doubt” regarding the science claims in the 2009 TSD [technical support document], based upon almost 2 decades of new science, to call into question the original reasoning for the EPA Administrator’s decision that CO2 presents a threat to human health and welfare. This statement is strong evidence that at least some members of the committee were working to support a particular policy outcome: revoking the Endangerment Finding. The email also explains how they planned to do it: by attempting to generate “reasonable doubt”. This is going to be hard, Spencer implies. Despite falsely claiming that “2 decades of new science” weakens the case, Spencer explicitly acknowledges that the actual peer-reviewed science of climate change overwhelmingly rejects his position: But if the science argument is decided upon by a vote, or by the number of published citations, we lose the science argument. We can go back even further: This CWG email shares unmistakable DNA with the infamous 1969 tobacco memo that declared: “Doubt is our product, since it is the best means of competing with the ‘body of fact’ that exists in the mind of the general public. It is also the means of establishing a controversy.” The tobacco memo also acknowledges the limit of this strategy: Like the CWG, they knew the science was not on their side. Share The new new Merchants of Doubt The people attacking the IPCC chapter on extreme event attribution are the newest iteration of the Merchants of Doubt. Their goal, like all Merchants before them, is to introduce doubt into the process. Because the report is not even out yet, they cannot attack its conclusions. So they are attacking the authors instead. Here is a press release from the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee: In the letter, the Chairmen express concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving members of the Attribution Committee, stating that “publicly available information suggests a troubling pattern” in which committee members are affiliated with nonprofits that support climate accountability lawsuits, “raising the appearance of impropriety and member bias.” To be clear, this is just innuendo. There is no actual evidence of bias. And given the robust process that these reports go through, including multiple lines of peer review, it seems very unlikely that significant bias can survive into the report. When the report comes out, critics will have the opportunity to make legitimate criticisms of the report — if any exist. If none do, however, they’ll still make criticisms, but they’ll be bogus, simply designed to generate doubt. We’ll see. A note to the press: Fix your frame To any journalists reading this: The public debate over extreme event attribution science is not going away. The science is simply too dangerous to fossil-fuel interests for them to stop fighting it. You very well might be assigned to write an article about this area of research in the future. When you do, do not automatically adopt the framing that climate misinformers want you to use. They want you to frame the story around questions like: Are climate scientists trying to put their thumb on the scale to achieve a predetermined, politically motivated result? Are climate scientists improperly letting their politics invade the science of the IPCC? That frame is a trap. Instead, you need to view this through the historical lens of the Merchants of Doubt. How does the ecosystem of doubt operate? Who funds it? What methods do they use to misrepresent science and slime researchers? What scientific results are they trying to keep people from understanding are legitimate? Ultimately, you instead need to focus your article on the generation of doubt as a way to maintain the fossil fuel industry’s social and legal license to keep burning oil, gas, and coal. If you treat the misinformers’ frame as a legitimate, good-faith scientific critique, you are helping them produce doubt. Don’t do it. Don’t be a Merchant of Doubt. Thanks for reading The Climate Brink! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. Subscribe other stuff The Staying Curious Substack has an interesting post about the different flavors of climate sensitivity. This is crucial information if you want to understand how scientists think about how much warming the Earth will experience. I’d be grateful if you could hit the like button ❤️ below! 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