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February 28, 2025
A federal DEI ban is already prompting changes across science agencies. How will it affect medical research? A journalist traveled to five continents to learn about the afterlife of our trash, and why most “recyclable” plastic actually isn’t. And, the ocean liner SS United States will become an artificial reef in Florida. How do artificial reefs work?
8:25
Bringing Sensation To Bionic Limbs
An innovative muscle graft could help people with amputations “feel” their bionic limbs.
9:04
Need A Boost? Try An Exosuit
Researchers are developing wearable devices that can make human movements more efficient, boost strength, and increase endurance.
10:12
LIGO Scientists Detect Another Cosmic Collision
Scientists using LIGO detected a third gravitational wave, this time from two colliding black holes located 3 billion light-years away.
7:39
Why Are Whales Whale-Sized?
Plus, a genetic map of the Zika virus and a new planetary object round out this week’s science news.
4:20
Can You Fidget Away Your Anxiety?
Fidget spinners and other widgets can help you focus, but they can also distract.
17:15
On Being A Scientist (And Patent Holder) At Any Age
Amber Yang, 18, won Intel’s Young Scientist Award with her novel space debris tracker.
9:03
Digesting The White House’s ‘Devastating’ Cuts To Science Funding
Ultimately, Congress appropriates the research funds. Will it retain billions of dollars in proposed cuts?
7:06
Magnus Hirschfeld, The ‘Einstein Of Sex’
The pioneering sex researcher’s goal was to prove homosexuality was rooted in biology. But his ideas fell into the wrong hands.
16:35
Chasing Space: Astronaut Leland Melvin’s Journey From Sports To Space
Leland Melvin on the perseverance and different communities that helped launch his career into space.
17:03
The Many Uses Of ‘Useless’ Research
Reviving a case for foundational science that dates back to Einstein.