5 unexpected animal behaviors we learned about in 2025

More than 1 billion people live in areas where the #heat & humidity will surpass the survivability limit by the end of this century. For comparison, the COVID-19 pandemic killed an estimated 15 million people in its first 2 yrs. What journalists need to know: healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/12... 🧪🌎

2025 was a big year for climate in the US courts - these were the wins and losses

The first story from my fellowship to Germany is out: #Airpollution in #Germany's once-industrial #Ruhr River Valley has come way down in recent decades. But to meet #Europe's new #airquality standards -- which go into effect in 2030 -- there's still a ways to go. 🧪🌎 theworld.org/segments/202...

Evacuations are once again being prepped in SoCal for a wave of deep tropical moisture arriving tomorrow. Second time in two weeks.

My latest newsletter is about the ways I'm seeing the federal cuts affect people around me--and also includes ways to keep joy in your life amid this awfulness. buttondown.com/understory/a...

This is one of the most beautiful things I have witnessed, the craft here is impeccable.

Young Atlantic salmon seen in three English rivers for first time in a decade

KFF Health News data editor Holly Hacker shares how she and her team tackled this data-driven project after Hurricane Helene. healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/11...

Deadline extension alert! You now have until Dec. 31 to apply for a National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowship. If you're an early-career, U.S.-based journalist, this program is for you. casw.org/news/applica... @sejorg.bsky.social @healthjournalism.org @sciencewriters.org

Geminids happening now if you can brave the cold! (No meteors in the photo, just a pretty night sky. But we did see some!)

What's your favorite parent after too many snow days gif? I need humor to get me through.

Four snow days in one week & only one full day of childcare, during a time when I have two deadlines, has me feeling all like... (Also, shout out to my hubby + my kid's best friend's mom, who I wouldn't be meeting those deadlines without!)

Some good news: U.S. sunscreens might finally be able to use a key UV filter ingredient found in many popular brands made in Japan, South Korea and European countries. The last time the FDA approved a new sunscreen ingredient was 1999. @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/u-s-...

Collaboration, not cutthroat competition, is the only way forward if we want independent journalism to survive authoritarianism. Thank you @jarjour.bsky.social @trustfnd.com @sciencewriting.bsky.social for providing technical and infrastructural support!

I interviewed @hackwriter.bsky.social of @kffhealthnews.org about their analysis identifying 170 #hospitals at risk of #flooding in the U.S. I was especially intrigued that they didn't use FEMA #flood risk maps, which are journalists' most accessible resource, despite known limitations. 🧪🌎

"Economies that invest in visible competence generate trust, and trust is an economic asset. When systems decay, even rising GDP feels hollow." Really good read, and it reflects what I've seen in my travels too. kyla.substack.com/p/30-days-9-...

These scientists gifted themselves a shiny new dataset by digging through TikTok for videos of cats eating bugs. Read more here: elizabethgpreston.substack.com/p/how-to-cro... and subscribe to my newsletter for animal-inspired advice of questionable utility, in the holiday season and all seasons! 🧪

It's a struggle communicating how big these changes in #science are with people who aren't seeing the connections to the effects in their daily lives. This series from @statnews.com does a fantastic job of imparting that sense of scale. 🧪

This 10-part series from STAT focuses on the far-reaching effects of cuts to biomedical #research & #publichealth is incredible work so far. I don't know how our country comes back from this... I think about that all the time these days. 🧪 www.statnews.com/american-sci...

An extraordinary loss of institutional knowledge. 🧪

We need better ways of capturing the reality of research funding - Colin’s thread shows one desperate situation where a thriving lab has been strangled, but won’t show up in counts of officially terminated projects

Over the past 20 years, Southwest Virginia has become a hotspot for tick-borne disease. Scientists do not fully understand why this has happened, but they’ve got some clues. Story by @klburke.bsky.social for WVTF & RADIO IQ in collaboration with @climatecentral.org. bit.ly/4ppqj28

Why is Southwest Virginia a hotspot for tick-borne diseases? And what are people doing about it? My latest in the @pulitzercenter.org -funded climate/health series for @wvtf.bsky.social in partnership with @climatecentral.org. www.wvtf.org/news/2025-12... 🧪🌎 #publichealth #climatechange

Today, as ever, is a good day to encourage friends, colleagues and family to get off of Twitter

Politics is now changing the demographics of scientists, especially in red states, where reporting shows applicants are skewing more male and less international. www.science.org/content/arti... 🧪🌎🔬 #science #PhDchat #highered

🎉 The SHERF Fellowship is BACK! Science, health & environment reporters — this is your chance to level up your skills, get mentoring and deepen your expertise. Applications now open! Apply here ➡️ healthjournalism.org/fellowships/...

Reflections on my reporting trip to #Germany are in my latest newsletter. And fun stuff: #fiction recs & an epic cheesy competition to inspire your #Thanksgiving palate. If you enjoy, please subscribe! buttondown.com/understory/a... #behindthescenes #healthcare #travel

The Book Proposal Book ebook is 30% off right now at @princetonupress.bsky.social and so is Make Your Manuscript Work! Use code PUP30 at checkout Tell your friends & nemeses! press.princeton.edu/our-authors/...

The combination of diminished staff capacity and immense pressure to use new, but unvalidated, AI tools to replace it “could jeopardize FDA’s gold standard review process, leaving ... further uncertainty about whether FDA-approved drugs work and are effective." - @reshmagar.bsky.social

This article is from @markhertling.bsky.social - a retired three-star Army general - and everyone should read it.

I'm *shocked* [sarcasm] www.statnews.com/2025/11/19/a... #healthcare

Many people don't realise how climate change is already - not in the future - affecting our lives. And it's doing so in ways that, once our eyes are opened, we can notice! For example, food. h/t @climatecentral.org

Starting now! Incredible set of panelists.

Has climate change come up in your romantic relationships? yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/11/coup...

Aspiring science book authors: Christie Aschwanden is offering her much-loved book proposal writing workshop soon! It fills up quickly. christieaschwanden.com/the-book-pro... #amwriting #nonfiction #scicomm

"Science is being destroyed across many agencies" say federal researchers. For my latest @nature.com piece, I spoke to 19 different scientists across EPA, NOAA, NIH, NASA, and USGS to document how science is being dismantled across US federal agencies.

If ACA (also known as Obamacare) subsidies end, the average marketplace plan premium could more than double, from $74 to $159 per month. Florida is particularly vulnerable because 98% of its marketplace enrollees depend on subsidies. buff.ly/g09UM1n

This is very useful, timely analysis built on Global Energy Monitor data, confirming that fossil fuel companies are not meaningfully investing in the energy transition. These companies are responsible for a tiny 0.1% of global renewable energy production. grist.org/accountabili...

Cannot express enough appreciation for the teams *flying through a hurricane* while not being paid.

Hey @erinbiba.bsky.social just a man and his GIGANTIC cat.

The Charité Museum of Medical History in Berlin is wild, and while most exhibits are not open to photography, this gallstone art in the foyer is grotesquely beautiful and fascinating. #histSTM #history #medicine

Fascinating new case against Shell, pegged to new attribution science and fresh off the heels of the RWE opinion.

When the CDC can’t be trusted as a vaccine source, where do you turn? Our latest tipsheet offers a powerful guide to more reliable, independent vaccine info & how journalists can stay sharp. 🔗 healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/10...

Interesting new publication on the genomes of living apes, suggesting the split between humans and chimps is more recent than previously thought. “Our analyses dated the human–chimpanzee split between 5.5 and 6.3 million years ago (Ma; minimum to maximum estimate of divergence)” 🏺🧪

"No matter what Congress does on ACA premium subsidies, both employer and employee premiums will rise at near double-digit rates next year. Democrats need to be talking about that, too." gooznews.substack.com/p/the-cost-c... #healthcare #publichealth

💬 Seeking insights on how federal budget changes affect older adults? Don't miss our Oct 9 webinar with top policy experts. Register here:

Is your community next? King tides offer a glimpse of tomorrow’s floods. Join us for a conversation about sea level rise and king tides at 12pm ET on October 7. yale.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Hakai Magazine may be dead, but it's still racking up awards. Grats to J. B. McKinnon on his finalist nod for best Longform Narrative from the @sciencewriters.org Science in Society Journalism Awards www.nasw.org/article/anno... for his piece on the Klamath dam: hakaimagazine.com/features/the...