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How Twitch is Shaping the Future of Political Conversations

Imagine turning into a video game stream and finding a live debate about climate change or a fundraiser for social justice causes. This isn’t a fantasy—it’s Twitch. While Twitch is primarily known as a platform for gaming and entertainment, it’s also a growing hub for political dialogue. Politicians, activists, and everyday users are leveraging the […]

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Geology

Could a Better Message Save Lives?

Imagine you’re at the beach, enjoying the serene sound of waves, when your phone buzzes with an emergency alert: “Tsunami warning issued. Evacuate immediately.” Would you know where to go? Would you act quickly enough? Tsunamis can strike with devastating force and little warning, making effective communication a matter of life and death. Researchers have […]

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Economics

The Hidden Costs of Research: Lessons from NIH Overhead Funding

This 2014 Nature article explores the complexities of indirect costs in NIH research funding, highlighting how institutions must negotiate reimbursement rates for essential but often overlooked expenses like administration, facilities maintenance, and utilities. While direct research funding captures attention, the “less sexy” infrastructure costs are vital for sustaining cutting-edge science. Due to federal caps and […]

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Biology

Birds, Berries, and Climate Change

Have you ever thought of the birds in your neighborhood as ecosystem engineers? In cities like Helsinki, where urban landscapes blend with natural habitats, these winged visitors are doing more than singing—they’re carrying seeds, shaping plant communities, and potentially contributing to a hidden ecological challenge: the spread of invasive plant species. Recent research sheds light […]

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Announcements

Any Interest in Policy?

Next Week in Science, December 6, 2024 For a while now, I’ve been interested in Policy as a means of facilitating wide-scale change. This is particularly important to me, as I have a community-based backgroup and have worked in public health settings for the better part of the decade. But, with the incoming administration, maybe […]

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Psychology

The Science Behind Preventing Unsafe Workplace Behavior

We love checklists. No, we actually do. Atul Gawande’s The Checklist Manifesto is probably one of the seminal books in my own development in the field of implementation science and quality. And there’s good reason. Did you know that most industrial accidents stem from human error rather than faulty machinery? Understanding and preventing unsafe behavior […]

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Environment

When the Flames Fade: How Wildfires Reshape Life

Imagine standing in a forest just months after a devastating wildfire. The once-lush landscape is now a mosaic of blackened trees and new green shoots. In the silence, life stirs—birds call, small mammals scurry, and resilient plants reclaim the scorched earth. Wildfires, especially megafires, don’t just destroy; they transform. But how? A groundbreaking study on […]

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Environment

The Science of Predicting and Preventing Air Pollution

Imagine stepping outside for a morning jog, only to find the air thick with smog. It’s not just unpleasant—it’s dangerous. Air pollution is a silent killer, contributing to millions of deaths annually and impacting ecosystems worldwide. While the problem is enormous, researchers are turning to advanced technologies like machine learning and deep learning to predict […]

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Environment

Are the Sustainable Development Goals Falling Short?

Imagine a world where economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social equality harmonize seamlessly—a utopia that the United Nations envisioned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were designed to end poverty, ensure global well-being, and protect the planet. But are they enough to create a sustainable future, or are […]

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