Next Week in Science, August 22, 2025
Not a great week for science policy, with news of NASA’s refocusing away from climate research. There’s also some chatter about comet 3I/Atlas, though Avi Loeb’s recent track record is a little fuzzy. Here’s what’s been showing up in the research.
Trends in the News
And what’s showing up in the news.
The future of space infrastructure
In the latest episode of Space Minds, Al Tadros, CTO of Redwire, discusses the exciting future of space infrastructure and the growing role of private investment in space commercialization. Tadros emphasizes the potential of orbital services, bioprinting, and pharmaceuticals in microgravity, highlighting the transformative opportunities these avenues present for creating a new space economy. This evolution in space industry dynamics is poised to redefine global space exploration, blending commercial innovation with national security imperatives.
LLM Found Transmitting Behavioral Traits to ‘Student’ LLM Via Hidden Signals in Data
A recent study has highlighted a phenomenon where biases or traits can be transmitted from one AI model to another through seemingly innocuous training data, even after attempting to remove direct references to those traits. This raises concerns about alignment and the unintended propagation of biases in AI systems, emphasizing the need for careful handling of AI training processes. This discovery is significant because it underscores the complexity and potential risks associated with AI models’ ability to subtly inherit and perpetuate traits, which could have implications for the development and deployment of future AI technologies.
Trump administration attacks on science extend far beyond climate, loom large in WV
The article highlights the impact of the Trump administration’s actions on climate science and public health, focusing on its efforts to roll back the EPA’s 2009 endangerment finding on greenhouse gases. This move, met with criticism from scientists, is part of broader efforts to reduce science funding and undermine established climate research, potentially worsening extreme weather effects in regions like West Virginia. Concurrently, the administration’s undermining of scientific advisory bodies and vaccine policies raises concerns about public health and safety, as highlighted by recent violent incidents attributed to misinformation.
How To Watch The Planet Of The Apes Movies In Order
And here’s a sillly story The “Planet of the Apes” franchise is a long-standing and influential sci-fi series that explores a dystopian Earth ruled by intelligent apes. Originating from the 1963 novel by Pierre Boulle, the franchise includes the original film series, multiple reboots, and a television series, each iteration adding its own modern sensibilities and advancements in storytelling and visual effects. Understanding the viewing order of these films and their different continuities can enhance our appreciation of their thematic depth and cultural impact. The original 1968 film is often recommended as the starting point because of its foundational role and critical acclaim.
