Science News Round Up, May 30, 2025
by Jon Scaccia May 30, 2025It’s the end of May, which means that lightning bugs are just around the corner….get ready!
Here’s what we have next week.
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Forced to relocate by climate change, these Southwest Alaska villagers found a new crisis
The relocation of Newtok’s residents to Mertarvik, intended to serve as a model for climate change-induced resettlement in Alaska, has instead highlighted significant governmental failures in addressing climate change-driven displacement. Despite substantial federal funding, the relocation has been plagued by inadequate infrastructure, poor construction, and a lack of effective oversight, reflecting broader systemic issues in U.S. climate adaptation efforts and underscoring the need for a coordinated, culturally sensitive federal response.
How AI coding agents could destroy open source software
The rapid advancements in AI-assisted coding tools, such as Google’s Jules, pose a significant cybersecurity risk, as these technologies could be exploited by malicious actors to subtly insert harmful code into vast repositories, potentially compromising software on a global scale. To mitigate this threat, stringent human-centric security measures, including robust access controls, rigorous code reviews, and regular audits, must be implemented to safeguard against the misuse of AI technologies in software development.
NASA tests new ways to stick the landing in challenging terrain
NASA is significantly enhancing the safety and precision of future lunar and Mars landings through regular flight tests of advanced navigation and hazard detection technologies, including vision-based systems, Doppler lidar, and powered-descent guidance algorithms. These efforts aim to ensure successful touchdowns in challenging planetary environments, supporting both human and robotic exploration missions.
Predicting parasitic plants Loranthus Europaeus range shifts in response to climate change
Climate change is driving a potential northward and eastward expansion of the parasitic plant Loranthus europaeus in Europe, threatening oak forests by causing reduced growth and increased vulnerability to pathogens. The study underscores the urgent need for adaptive management strategies to mitigate the ecological and economic impacts associated with this parasitic spread, emphasizing the importance of predictive modeling in forest management planning.
What to do when wildfire is heading straight for your home
Facing a wildfire threat requires immediate and decisive action to protect lives, as fires can escalate rapidly with changing weather conditions, leaving little time for safe evacuation. To survive, prioritize gathering accurate information from official emergency channels, prepare an evacuation plan with multiple routes, and have an emergency kit ready, ensuring personal safety is prioritized over property, which can be replaced, whereas lives cannot.
Youth Sue Over Trump Executive Orders That ‘Escalate’ Climate Crisis
In a pivotal lawsuit spearheaded by 19-year-old Eva Lighthiser and other young plaintiffs, U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at accelerating fossil fuel development are being challenged for allegedly violating the constitutional rights to life and liberty, highlighting the dire implications these policies could have on climate change and future generations. Represented by Our Children’s Trust, the plaintiffs argue these orders not only exceed the president’s authority but also pose an imminent threat to environmental progress and the well-being of the youth, emphasizing the importance of judicial intervention to uphold constitutional protections amidst escalating climate emergencies.
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