TRUMP SEEKS TO ELIMINATE CHIPS ACT AND DEFUND NSF

Donald Trump has moved to eliminate the CHIPS and Science Act, a $280 billion law aimed at boosting semiconductor manufacturing and US technological innovation. Trump criticized the law’s high costs, claiming that subsidies to companies such as Intel and TSMC are wasteful. Instead, he proposed imposing a 25% tariff on semiconductor imports. The CHIPS Act, a key piece of Biden’s agenda, already allocated billions to major firms and included $20 billion to establish the Directorate of Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) within the National Science Foundation (NSF) to accelerate tech development. However, recent cuts to NSF staff, especially in TIP, have raised concerns that the US could fall behind competitors like China in fields like AI and quantum computing. Critics argue that Trump’s proposed cuts could harm US innovation and national security by disrupting crucial research and weakening the NSF’s ability to attract top talent. (Ars Technica)

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MOVES TO DISMISS IDAHO ABORTION CASE

The Trump administration moved to dismiss an emergency abortion case in Idaho, where the Biden administration had argued that emergency-room doctors must provide terminations if needed to stabilize pregnant women. The Justice Department’s action aimed to allow Idaho to fully enforce its strict abortion ban, even in emergencies, though U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill blocked it, calling it a “ticking time bomb” for the state’s hospital system. Idaho’s abortion ban allows life-saving abortions but doctors say it’s unclear in emergencies whether a pregnancy complication is fatal. St. Luke’s Health System reported airlifting six patients out of state for medical emergencies during the ban. The case has wider implications, as the Biden administration’s guidance for emergency care is being challenged in other conservative states. Critics argue the ban jeopardizes pregnant women’s health, while pro-life advocates see the Justice Department’s dismissal as a victory. The case could affect nationwide emergency abortion access. (AP)

CDC REINSTATES 180 EMPLOYEES AFTER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION LAYOFFS

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reinstated about 180 employees who were laid off two weeks ago as part of a broader cost-cutting effort by the Trump administration. These probationary employees received emails notifying them that their terminations were rescinded, and they were cleared to return to work under their previous schedules. The reinstated staff includes outbreak responders from fellowship programs. The total number of CDC employees laid off is unclear, but estimates suggest around 550 have been terminated, with 700 to 750 initially given notices. Senator Raphael Warnock welcomed the reinstatements but emphasized that full restoration of fired staff is necessary to protect public health and national security. The CDC, which had around 13,000 employees before the job cuts, is one of several federal agencies reversing layoffs made during the cost-cutting purge led by Trump and Elon Musk. (AP)

GOOGLE EXPANDS AI SEARCH FEATURES WITH GEMINI 2.0

Google is rolling out an expansion of its AI-powered search features with Gemini 2.0. A new AI Mode, currently in testing, could change the way users interact with search. Instead of displaying the traditional 10 blue links, Gemini will fully take over the results page, providing direct AI responses powered by advanced reasoning, multimodal capabilities, and content from the Knowledge Graph, web summaries, and shopping data. This change aims to offer quicker answers, especially for complex queries, but also relies on the AI providing accurate and useful responses. Gemini 2.0 introduces AI Overviews, which will appear more frequently, including for minors and logged-out users. AI Mode is available as an opt-in feature for Google One Premium subscribers, but it may soon become more widespread. Google asserts that this does not mark the end of traditional web search, but rather a shift to a more conversational, AI-driven approach. However, AI Mode is still being refined, and Google plans to use public feedback to improve it. (Ars Technica)

ASILOMAR ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY REFLECTS ON BIOTECH FUTURE

Last week, around 75 people gathered at Asilomar State Beach to participate in a “burial ceremony” marking the 50th anniversary of the Asilomar Conference on Recombinant DNA. The original 1975 meeting was pivotal in shaping the future of genetic engineering and its regulation. This anniversary event, “Spirit of Asilomar and the Future of Biotechnology,” brought together scientists, ethicists, and others to discuss the pressing issues facing biology today. While there was consensus on limiting bioweapons research and the dangers of creating “mirror life,” no agreement was reached on topics like artificial intelligence, synthetic cells, and genetically engineered bacteria. Participants acknowledged the evolving landscape of biotechnology and reflected on the original meeting’s shortcomings, such as its elitism. The event underscored the need for thoughtful regulation of cutting-edge technologies, emphasizing the importance of balancing risks with the potential benefits for medicine, agriculture, and environmental health. (Science)

BHATTACHARYA VAGUE ON NIH FUTURE DURING CONFIRMATION HEARING

Jay Bhattacharya, nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH), addressed his confirmation hearing by expressing commitment to ensuring that NIH scientists have the resources to perform their work. However, he was vague on how he would achieve this. Bhattacharya distanced himself from recent turmoil at the NIH, including staff layoffs and halted grant processing, but did not commit to rehiring those fired. His focus was on chronic disease research, reproducibility, scientific dissent, and regulating risky research. Despite claiming support for minority health and long COVID research, he did not specify when new grants would begin or staff reinstatement would occur. His past stance on COVID-19, particularly against lockdowns and vaccines, remains controversial. While Bhattacharya emphasized free scientific dissent, he also supported research on vaccines to counter misinformation. Critics, particularly from the scientific community, are concerned about his economics background and understanding of basic science. (Nature)

PIGLETS STOLEN FROM ART EXHIBITION IN COPENHAGEN

Three piglets were stolen from an art exhibition in Copenhagen, where artist Marco Evaristti had planned to make a provocative statement about animal welfare. The exhibition, “And Now You Care?”, featured the piglets in a cage, with food withheld but water provided, to highlight the mistreatment of pigs in Denmark, one of the world’s largest pork exporters. Evaristti intended for the piglets to starve over five days, but after an animal rights group visited, the piglets were taken. The theft was reported to the police, but no charges were made. The controversial exhibition, criticized for using animals in art, divided animal rights groups, with some supporting the message but condemning the method. Evaristti had previously gained attention for controversial works involving animals, and he eventually shut down the exhibition, stating that without the piglets, it lost its meaning and soul. (New York Times)

VOYAGER SPACECRAFT FACING POWER SHORTAGES AFTER 47 YEARS

The Voyager spacecraft, now more than 47 years into their journey through interstellar space, are facing power shortages that threaten the longevity of their missions. To conserve energy, NASA engineers have begun shutting down non-essential instruments, including Voyager 1’s cosmic ray subsystem in February and Voyager 2’s low-energy charged particle instrument in March. Originally equipped with 10 science instruments each, both spacecraft now operate with just three. The Voyagers, powered by decaying plutonium, lose about 4 watts of power annually, and further shutdowns are planned to stretch their remaining power through the early 2030s. Voyager 1, currently over 15 billion miles from Earth, and Voyager 2, more than 13 billion miles away, have far exceeded their original mission to study the outer planets, providing invaluable data on the heliosphere and interstellar space. Engineers hope to keep the missions alive as long as possible, despite the challenges of diminishing power. (Gizmodo)

RESEARCH REVEALS EARLY ATMOSPHERIC CHANGES AND OXYGEN LEVELS

Earth’s atmosphere has undergone dramatic changes over billions of years, with early atmospheric composition inferred from ancient rocks. Recently, researchers have advanced by extracting direct records of gases, such as noble gases, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, from ancient fluid inclusions in rocks as old as 3 billion years. This provides new insights into the atmosphere’s evolution. For instance, evidence suggests oxygen levels were sufficient for animal respiration long before animals appeared. Research is also challenging previous assumptions, such as the rate of volcanic outgassing and the oxygen levels during the Proterozoic eon. Geochemists have used methods to analyze gases trapped in salt crystals, revealing that oxygen was present at levels much higher than previously thought, even 815 million years ago. These findings are reshaping our understanding of Earth’s atmosphere and the conditions that allowed life to thrive, particularly during periods once considered uneventful in Earth’s evolutionary history. (Science)

OMILTEMI COTTONTAIL RABBIT REDISCOVERED AFTER 120 YEARS

After 120 years of being thought extinct, the Omiltemi cottontail rabbit (*Sylvilagus insonus*) has been rediscovered in Mexico. This small, fluffy rabbit, endemic to the Sierra de Guerrero region, had disappeared due to overhunting and habitat destruction. Despite being lost to science for over a century, the rabbit survived in remote areas, undetected until recently. Researchers, led by José Alberto Almazán-Catalán, have been tracking these animals for over five years, with the goal of protecting and restoring endangered species. The rediscovery is an emotional triumph, as the rabbit plays a crucial role in the ecosystem by dispersing seeds, which aids forest regeneration. To protect the species, researchers plan to monitor the rabbits using cameras and GPS, safeguard their habitat, and launch awareness campaigns to end hunting. This rediscovery highlights the resilience of nature, but also underscores the need for conservation efforts to prevent future species loss. (Union Rayo)

Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.

WORDS: The Biology Guy.