Science News Round Up, April 11, 2025

by Jon Scaccia April 11, 2025

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Extreme storms, like recent ones in the US, follow a recipe

In early April 2025, a stalled storm system battered the central U.S. with deadly tornadoes and flooding, showcasing how warming temperatures contribute to extreme weather by increasing atmospheric moisture and instability. This highlights the urgent need to address climate change as these conditions are likely to make such destructive storms more frequent and severe in the future.

How Does Climate Change Affect Our Brains? Trump’s NIH Just Cut Funding to Study It.

The Trump administration’s decision to cut funding for Columbia University’s “Climate and Health: Action and Research for Transformational Change” center jeopardizes critical research into how climate change impacts cognitive function and diseases like Alzheimer’s. This move not only disrupts existing projects but threatens the future of crucial climate-health research across the nation, highlighting an urgent need for advocacy and support to preserve academic freedom and prioritize public health amidst escalating climate crises.

Multipotent neural stem cells originating from neuroepithelium exist outside the mouse central nervous system

The discovery that peripheral neural stem cells (pNSCs) exist outside the central nervous system (CNS), mirroring brain-derived NSCs, upends the traditional view that neural stem cells are confined to the CNS. This research not only enhances our understanding of mammalian nervous system development but also suggests potential new avenues for neural regenerative therapies, highlighting a greater level of complexity and plasticity in the nervous system than previously understood.

Royal Meteorological Society Celebrates 10 Years of Incredible Weather Photography [Interview]

The Royal Meteorological Society’s Weather Photographer of the Year contest combines art and science to highlight the power and impact of weather, fostering climate awareness and literacy through striking visual storytelling. As global partners like My Modern Met amplify its reach, this competition not only showcases diverse perspectives but also emphasizes urgent climate issues, reinforcing the necessity for public engagement and informed discourse across varied platforms.

Where did U.S. humanities grants go? To projects from a baseball film to AI research

The recent abrupt termination of numerous National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grants, following a policy shift to align with President Trump’s agenda, has stopped critical scholarly and cultural initiatives, which include digital humanities projects and educational programs for underserved communities, in their tracks. This sweeping funding cut has sparked frustration and uncertainty among recipients, many of whom are now seeking alternative funding sources to continue projects that enrich public understanding and facilitate vital discussions on technological impacts, cultural heritage, and underserved populations, underlining the essential role of humanities in fostering an inclusive and informed society.