Science News Round Up, April 14, 2025

by Jon Scaccia April 14, 2025

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Climate protest jail term deemed ‘disproportionate’

The sentencing of climate activist and doctor Dr. Patrick Hart to 12 months in prison for damaging fuel pumps during a protest has sparked international debate over the UK’s approach to civil disobedience, with the UN Special Rapporteur condemning the punishment as disproportionate and likening the UK’s protest laws to those in more repressive countries. While the UK government and some political figures assert the necessity of adhering to legal protest methods, critics argue that such harsh penalties for actions driven by concern for the global climate crisis reflect a need to reassess the balance between maintaining public order and protecting the right to protest, especially in the face of an existential threat like climate change.

Gas industry group that includes PGW lobbies against federal funding for Philadelphia and state

In a contentious move, the American Public Gas Association, with Philadelphia Gas Works as its largest member, is lobbying the Trump administration to review and potentially rescind $700 million in federal funds dedicated to reducing carbon emissions and promoting clean energy initiatives. This lobbying effort challenges the city of Philadelphia’s push towards electrification and net-zero emissions by 2050, sparking criticism from climate advocates who argue that defunding these initiatives could undermine public health and economic benefits linked to sustainable energy transition.

How Insurance is Adapting to the Shifting Cyber Landscape

The business interruption (BI) insurance market has stabilized after years of hardened rates due to past natural disasters and global events, but it remains crucial for small businesses that lack risk management resources to mitigate losses. Meanwhile, the cyber insurance landscape is quickly evolving, with AI playing a dual role in enhancing security and introducing new vulnerabilities; insurers emphasize the importance of strong cybersecurity measures and collaborative client partnerships to navigate increasing threats and maintain comprehensive coverage.

Is the Once-Extinct Dire Wolf Really Back, or Did Some of the Reporting Go Too Far?

The unveiling of Colossal Biosciences’ claim to resurrect the extinct dire wolf through genetic modification, though captivating, faces scrutiny from scientists who argue that the endeavor produces genetically modified gray wolves rather than true de-extinction, and the media’s uncritical coverage largely served as a promotional tool for the company without adequate scientific skepticism. This incident highlights the ethical and scientific complexities of de-extinction efforts, emphasizing the need for responsible journalism and informed public discourse to navigate the implications for conservation and biodiversity.’

Slopsquating and AI hallucinations.

The emerging threat of slopsquatting—where attackers infiltrate systems with malicious code by leveraging generative AI coding assistants to hallucinate non-existent package names—poses significant risks to organizations, particularly in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry already grappling with tariff-induced disruptions. As the adoption of AI-driven development practices increases, CXOs and security experts must proactively address this vulnerability to avoid cascading operational failures and protect against financial, reputational, and regulatory ramifications.