A sense of foreboding hangs over the National Institutes of Health There's widespread confusion and fear among scientists and doctors on the sprawling National Institutes of Health campus and at institutions dependent on the agency's funding. Rob Stein Play AudioListen 4 mins
Why polar bear fur doesn't freeze New research finds that grease that coats polar bear fur contains a specialized mixture of chemicals that make it resistant to freezing. Jonathan Lambert Play AudioListen 3 mins
Don't give a hoot about sports? The Superb Owl might be for you What began as an accidental misspelling or an online joke has soared into a cultural phenomenon. Joe Hernandez
Spinal stimulation restored muscles wasted by rare genetic disorder Three patients with spinal muscular atrophy had improved muscle strength and could walk farther after a month of daily spinal stimulation. Jon Hamilton Play AudioListen 4 mins
This week in science: The fluid dynamics of crowds, a bird fossil and morning mindsets NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Emily Kwong and Regina Barber of Short Wave about the fluid dynamics of crowds, an early fossil of a modern bird and new data on how people's moods change through the day. Regina Barber Emily Kwong Play AudioListen 8 mins
NASA instructs employees to remove pronouns from all work communications An email seen by NPR says the move is to comply with a presidential order to "restore biological truth" to the government. Geoff Brumfiel
"Unprecedented": White House moves to control science funding worry researchers If the Trump administration continues targeting DEI in science and seeking to slash funding, American science will look fundamentally different. Jonathan Lambert
NIH announces new funding policy that rattles medical researchers The National Institutes of Health has dramatically changed its grant-making terms by limiting how much it will disburse for costs such as equipment and administration. Rob Stein
Trump administration makes deep cuts to science funding Cuts to costs, temporary freezes on grants, executive orders that go against the laws grants are supposed to follow — the early weeks of the Trump presidency are already drastically changing science. Rob Stein Jonathan Lambert Play AudioListen 6 mins
Space telescope finds rare 'Einstein Ring' of light in nearby galaxy An Einstein Ring was discovered by the European Space Agency's Euclid space telescope in September 2023. Chandelis Duster
