Post

Time to catch up on the past week’s news about science and medicine in the US. Whew. 1/10

1 May 2025

Nature reports that the National Science Foundation has stopped awarding new grants and allotting funds to existing ones. All of them. @colincarlson.bsky.social says that unless the freeze is lifted, it “is going to destroy people's labs.” 2/10 www.nature.com/articles/d41...

nature.comExclusive: NSF stops awarding new grants and funding existing onesUS science funder also plans to screen grant applications for compliance with ‘agency priorities’.

Carl Zimmer

@carlzimmer.com

The Washington Post offers its own survey of the damage being done to the National Science Foundation. “It’s sort of cutting off the future,” said @alondra.bsky.social 3/10 wapo.st/3GBQ5Pa

wapo.stAmid DOGE-induced turmoil, National Science Foundation in crisisThe $9 billion agency, which exists solely to fund researchers, projects and facilities outside its Alexandria, Virginia, headquarters, is hitting reverse on its mission.

1/5/25, 11:50 pm74 reposts262 likes

Carl Zimmer

@carlzimmer.com

1 May 2025

The US is stumbling in its response to bird flu, while the virus keeps evolving, reports @apoorvanyt.bsky.social 4/10 nyti.ms/3GvSkU3

nyti.msUpheaval in Washington Hinders Campaign Against Bird Flu (Gift Article)Determined to cut costs and manage communications, the Trump administration is moving too slowly to contain the virus, experts say.

Carl Zimmer

@carlzimmer.com

1 May 2025

HHS released a report on youth gender transition care condemned by the American Academy of Pediatrics. “This report misrepresents the current medical consensus and fails to reflect the realities of pediatric care,” the AAP president said. 5/10 wapo.st/4cV1DZS