Breaking Science & Nature News in the United States
Announced contracts for Habitable Worlds Observatory development
NASA awarded contracts to seven companies to study technologies for the Habitable Worlds Observatory.
Hosted the 247th American Astronomical Society Meeting
The American Astronomical Society held its 247th meeting with national participation.
Reported U.S. federal science workforce reductions exceeding 20%
Federal science agencies experienced workforce reductions of more than 20% during 2025.
Terminated or froze more than 7,800 U.S. research grants
Federal agencies cancelled or suspended over 7,800 science and research grants.
Reinstated thousands of previously canceled U.S. research grants by court order
Court rulings restored many previously terminated federal research grants.
Declined new international student enrollment at U.S. universities by 17%
Data showed a 17% decline in new international student enrollment in U.S. science programs.
Observed U.S. science funding cuts under federal proposals
Significant reductions were proposed for several federal scientific agencies.
Blocked funding for diversity and clean-energy research in the U.S.
Federal action blocked funding intended for diversity-related and clean-energy research projects.
Implemented political oversight changes in U.S. federal grant review
An executive order shifted grant-review authority to political appointees.
Dismissed academic scientists from NIH U.S. grant-review panels
NIH removed academic scientists from review panels and replaced them with politically aligned members.
Retired NASA astronaut Suni Williams from active service
NASA announced the retirement of astronaut Suni Williams.
Identified nasal cells as first-line defense against rhinovirus infection
Scientists found nasal cells collaborate to block rhinovirus soon after infection.
Reported human brain language processing resembles AI model mechanisms
Research showed human language processing functions in ways similar to AI models.
Tracked falling space debris using seismometers in U.S. studies
U.S. studies demonstrated that seismometers can detect and track space debris.
Identified hidden tree-bark microbes consuming climate-relevant gases
U.S. researchers discovered tree bark microbes that consume gases important for climate regulation.