Turbulent research landscape imperils US brain gain − and ultimately American prosperity

Many of the world’s best and brightest STEM researchers have long moved to the US. But now that brain gain is at risk of reversing to become a brain drain, with science funding and visas in chaos.

Marc Zimmer, Professor of Chemistry, Connecticut College • conversation
July 7, 2025 ~7 min

Placenta bandages have far more health benefits than risky placenta pills − a bioengineer explains

Placentas contain a rich amount of nutrients and stem cells, but there’s a difference between eating it at home for wellness and using it in the clinic to improve wound healing.

Marley Dewey, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering, University of California, Santa Barbara • conversation
May 16, 2025 ~8 min


Unprecedented cuts to the National Science Foundation endanger research that improves economic growth, national security and your life

The Trump administrations has canceled more than 1,400 federal grants that support engineering, biology, geology, computer science, STEM education and much more.

Paul Bierman, Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Vermont • conversation
May 15, 2025 ~10 min

Where tomorrow’s scientists prefer to live − and where they’d rather not

A survey of graduate students found that California and New York are the most desirable destinations. Over half of survey-takers said they’d be unwilling to move to Alabama, Mississippi or Arkansas.

Taylor Remsburg, Graduate Research Assistant in Sociology, West Virginia University • conversation
May 13, 2025 ~9 min

MIT engineers turn skin cells directly into neurons for cell therapy

A new, highly efficient process for performing this conversion could make it easier to develop therapies for spinal cord injuries or diseases like ALS.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
March 13, 2025 ~7 min

Knitted microtissue can accelerate healing

Lincoln Laboratory and MIT researchers are creating new types of bioabsorbable fabrics that mimic the unique way soft tissues stretch while nurturing growing cells.

Anne McGovern | Lincoln Laboratory • mit
March 5, 2025 ~5 min

The female explorers who braved the wilderness but were overlooked by the history books

Women’s presence in ‘the wild’ has always been contested, in myth, storytelling and sexist attitudes in the media that persist to this day.

Sarah Lonsdale, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, City St George's, University of London • conversation
March 3, 2025 ~8 min

Nanoparticle that cuts ‘middlemen’ could improve stem cell therapy

A new technique could lead to new, less-invasive treatments for blood disorders and genetic diseases, researchers report.

Georgia Tech • futurity
Jan. 28, 2025 ~6 min


Pearl Young, the first woman to work in a technical role at NASA, overcame barriers and ‘raised hell’ − her legacy continues today

Many of her male colleagues believed Pearl Young had an attitude problem based on her efforts to advocate for herself and her team.

Caitlin Milera, Research Assistant Professor of Aerospace, University of North Dakota • conversation
Dec. 10, 2024 ~8 min

Transplanting insulin-making cells to treat Type 1 diabetes is challenging − but stem cells offer a potential improvement

Type 1 diabetes develops when the body destroys its own insulin-producing cells. Using stem cells to replace them could be a way to get around donor shortages and transplant complications.

Vinny Negi, Research Scientist in Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
Nov. 20, 2024 ~8 min

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