Science in America is in trouble. The current administration is cutting funding for research. This is a big deal. It affects everything from space exploration to understanding our planet. First, let's talk about the cuts. The budget for basic research is proposed to be cut by 34%. NASA's budget is
Scientific research is under siege from a shadowy industry of fraud. This isn't about a few bad apples; it's a well-organized network producing fake studies at an alarming rate. These "paper mills" churn out low-quality, often nonsensical research, complete with fabricated data and stolen images. T
Stress is a silent troublemaker. It sneaks up on us, causing more harm than we might realize. Recent studies have shown that stress doesn't just make us feel bad—it actually changes our DNA in ways that mimic aging. This discovery has scientists buzzing with new ideas about how our bodies age and wh
In May 2025, a group of 140 bright minds from all over New Jersey came together at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. They were there for the annual spring meeting of the Theobald Smith Society. This wasn't just any meeting. It was a two-day event celebrating the amazing world of microbiology. The g
In parts of the world where it's common, a virus called Epstein-Barr (EBV) is found in over 90% of people with a specific type of throat cancer. This virus, the first known human DNA tumor virus, can cause big changes in how our chromosomes are organized. When EBV interacts with human DNA, it can re
Ever heard of cyanobacteria? They're those tiny blue-green algae that often float around in ponds. But don't let their size fool you. These little guys can pack a punch. They produce toxins that might be messing with our hormones, especially those that help with making babies. Scientists were curio
In a surprising turn of events, a significant HIV research project targeting Black and Hispanic gay men has been given a second chance after a court ruling. However, the scientific community remains on edge due to ongoing political interference. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) initially can
Vaccines are a big deal, but how well do we really know their long-term effects? Right now, most studies just compare people who got vaccinated to those who didn't. But is that enough? Probably not. Here's why: these studies often look at side effects and compare them to what's expected in the gener
The body's defense system against cancer is a complex battlefield. Among the soldiers are CD8+ T cells, which play a crucial role in controlling tumors and responding to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies. But not all CD8+ T cells are the same. Some are like seasoned veterans, while others a
In Brazil, a significant event took place. It was the fifth International Symposium on Fungal Stress, or ISFUS. This gathering brought together top experts from fourteen different countries. They all study how fungi react to stress. The event lasted for four days. The symposium covered a wide range
