"The Inland Empire has just 42 primary-care physicians and specialists per 100,000 residents (recommended 60 to 80)—among the worst ratios in the state." Great story by @melissamdaniels.bsky.social, with support from @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social

The move would slow plans to phase out hydrofluorocarbons, or “super pollutants”, because of their enormous effect in driving climate change. The administration framed it as an effort to lower grocery prices that are testing voters’ finances before November’s midterm elections.”

Fun set of science stories. It never occurred to me that headbutting animals could be used for traumatic brain injury research, but of course it makes perfect sense.

Science journalists: we are putting together the annual Pitch Slam for the @sciencewriters.org meeting this September! Who are your dream editors to work with? Send us suggestions and we'll see who we can get to come to the meeting:)

“The system has been eviscerated,” said Kate Phillips-Barrasso, who heads global advocacy at Mercy Corps, an American aid group that runs relief and development programs around the world. “This is the era of indifference,” she said. 🎁 link www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/b...

NYT confirms — with new details: Last year, Navy SEALs used two boats to escort Kash Patel and nine others on what a Pentagon email called a 'VIP Snorkel' next to one of the military's most sacred sites, the underwater tomb of the U.S.S. Arizona. One Navy vet called the swim "horrifying."

“This is why I like science—the small joys of discovery and unravelling mysteries.” @nicoleackermans.com oh my goodness I love this so much

The Justice Department has served subpoenas on The Wall Street Journal and other media organizations seeking information about the Iran war. www.wsj.com/politics/nat...

We had so many great anecdotes, we're planning a Part 2. Get in touch directly with @virginiagewin.bsky.social if you have a story to share about your best day in science and what made it so.

The headline says it all. Reporting by @virginiagewin.bsky.social brings you some of the daily joys of a career in science from researchers around the world. Best. Day. Ever. What does a good day in science look like? www.nature.com/articles/d41...

This is SO WONDERFUL and you should read it if you need some science joy (or just regular joy) in your life

Such fun stories, from understanding sheep brain damage to searching for dark matter. My favourite was reading about moments when you find out something that the rest of the world doesn't know yet.

And @beccapfeiffer.bsky.social gets a shout out (and photo) in the article!

"On April 27, average peak temperatures across all 50 Indian cities on the list hit 112.5 degrees Fahrenheit."

With all of the bad stuff in the world currently, including in science, it was great to chat to @virginiagewin.bsky.social for @nature.com about a good day in science. For me, it's burning a new species on our plant BBQ. Even better when it is done with school kids! www.nature.com/articles/d41...

The USDA's proposal to increase line speeds will endanger workers and increase food safety risks - but also increase water and climate pollution - insideclimatenews.org/news/0705202...

SCOOP: Los Angeles just fired its chief heat officer ahead of the hot summer months. Also LA's climate office is down to one staffer. Total silence from Mayor Karen Bass, who's up for reelection and already had a mediocre climate record. My story: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/karen-bass...

Scientists shared their standout days for this @nature.com feature. Thx to @nicoleackermans.com @bwjones.bsky.social @aishikghosh.bsky.social @peixotoraquel.bsky.social & others for their stories! If you have a story, please send it my way for part 2!

Lee Zeldin used to talk publicly about the importance of adapting to oncoming climate change. Now all efforts at adaptation are getting shut down.

“I think patient advocates need to come in from the beginning of the clinical trial design & be involved in conversations from step one,” says Robert Sanchez, a patient advocate with kidney disease. “Numbers need to have a soul." Thx to @dmohottige.bsky.social My latest for @jmirpub.bsky.social

The Canadian Mining Journal retracted a lengthy article that quoted made-up people and cited made-up facts about deep-sea mining. Observers aren't surprised.

“Stepped-up conservation by growers will be key, as about three-fourths of the river’s water is used for agriculture, producing crops such as hay for cattle and vegetables like lettuce and broccoli.”

EXCLUSIVE: Did FBI Director Kash Patel use AI to rip off the Beastie Boys? Experts say this FBI promotional video probably used AI-video generation to recreate the iconic 1994 music video for "Sabotage." www.npr.org/2026/05/05/n...

"European airlines could face collapse as early as September if jet fuel prices remain at record highs, the chief executive of Wizz Air has warned."

Some researchers point out the irony of the US, currently the 2nd-biggest polluter on the planet, pointing its finger at other countries. Dirty air from the US can and does travel abroad, said Yuhang Wang, a professor in atmospheric science at Georgia Tech. “What’s blowing in is also blowing out.”

Tomorrow!

"The loss of Middle Eastern jet fuel because of the Iran war is quickly becoming an acute logistics problem for Europe, according to analysts at Societe Generale."

My book BEYOND BELIEF is out today! It says: in a world flooded with questionable claims and misinformation, evidence from science can help show what’s nonsense – and what’s not. In other words: "Essential reading for the rational-minded". Please repost! 1/🧵 @princetonupress.bsky.social

Our story about the NSB terminations is now updated with comment from the White House and Brian Babin, the Republican chair of the House Science Committee.

To celebrate spring, the next NSWA Science Salon- on May 1 from 6-9pm - will focus on phenology, the seasonality of natural life cycles! It's a potluck so please bring a dish to share and your beverage of choice. Register today! lnkd.in/gYsWCtrx

"How to cover the federal appropriations process," 1pm EDT, Thursday (April 30), online discussion with @maxkozlov.bsky.social @virginiagewin.bsky.social @alesszimm.bsky.social

Good god. Trump fired the entire National Science Board without explanation on Friday afternoon.

“We’re not replacing government funding or government agencies. We are taking the risk that comes with innovation,” says @wendyschmidt.bsky.social. I talked to folks at over a dozen philanthropies for my latest @nature.com story.

My latest @nature.com article took a deep dive into how science philanthropies are meeting this particular moment. Many thanks to folks at @azrielifoundation.bsky.social @schmidtsciences.bsky.social @renphil21.bsky.social and others for their time and input!

So uhhhh Reuters quietly shitcanned its climate team right around the same time WaPo did. Except maybe even more cowardly because they kept it under wraps. Not a great look given the abundance of oil money they take in between sponsored content and events. drilled.media/news/drilled...

Hydrogen sulfide in waterways is sickening communities near the Tijuana River

The pullback of climate funders from the US is going to be a long-term strategic disaster.

“Title X under Mr. Trump seems aimed at getting more women pregnant, whether they want to be or not. And it appears to cater to 3 influential parts of the Trump coalition: The anti-abortion movement; the MAHA movement; and pronatalists who want to see birthrates rise at nearly any cost.”

Earth Day is next week! I'm excited to join @jonathanpatz.bsky.social and Daniel Woo from the @capublichealth.bsky.social for this University of California, Center for Climate Health and Equity webinar on Planetary Health in Action. Hope to see you there. 🌍 🌳 ☀️ Register here: bit.ly/4tAHxLt

In a rare show of unity, both R and D US lawmakers agree: the scientific publishing industry needs reform. Lawmakers are worried about the literature being flooded with 'AI slop' and the high open-access fees that some publishers charge. Read more @nature.com on this week's House Science hearing

The president's budget request is out. The process for funding federal agencies in 2027 has begun. What's a science journalist to do? Register for our chat with @maxkozlov.bsky.social, @alesszimm.bsky.social, and @virginiagewin.bsky.social, coming up on 4/30. connector.casw.org/event/follow...

“Mr. Zeldin is the first agency head to talk about the economy more than pollution and American energy more than public health. He rarely mentions protecting children from environmental harms but talks frequently about protecting businesses and consumers from regulations.”

Deporting community leaders, rescinding land management policies, increased evictions and need for food boxes, and reducing different channels of funding: 10 Native leaders talk about the Trump administration's impacts on Indigenous lands and families. www.hcn.org/articles/tri...

I've excerpted a ~5 minute segment from my recent livestream discussing my deepening concerns regarding on the ongoing (and accelerating) threats not only to weather and climate science, but American science leadership and continuity at large.

How much water lies beneath our feet? After years of research, scientists have an answer, and a new, detailed national map of groundwater. I spoke with @reedh2o.bsky.social of @princeton.edu and Laura Condon of @uarizona.bsky.social about their fascinating research: www.latimes.com/environment/...

The continental US registered its most abnormally hot month in 132 years of records, according to Noaa data

The acting head of the CDC delayed publication of a report showing that the Covid vaccine significantly reduced the likelihood of hospitalizations and emergency visits last winter. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/h...

📢Journalists: there are ~10 days left to apply for the @novaforhealth.bsky.social media fellowship! If you are reporting on any of these topics--or other ways to connect the dots between health and flourishing--get your application in by April 20:) 🧪

Our PhD student Kennedy Orwa, who studies applications of AI to health care, was hastily deported today to Kenya along with his 13-year-old son without opportunity to speak to legal counsel. King 5 reports that he held a valid visa that was rescinded without explanation.