RFK, Jr., Fires CDC Vaccine Panel Experts, Ocean Acidification Hits Dangerous Levels, and Pangolins Face Hunting Threat

A senior House Democrat is pressing Microsoft for details after a whistleblower claimed that a staffer at the Department of Energy (DOGE) may have used their GitHub account to move sensitive National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) data—raising concerns about potential mishandling of government information.

Editor’s Note: If true, this could signal yet another breakdown in how federal agencies protect sensitive data—especially involving labor-related records. With trust in government transparency already shaky, lawmakers are digging in to see if this was a bureaucratic slip-up or something more serious. Either way, it’s the kind of story that makes you wonder who’s really minding the digital vaults.

Grad students across the country are raising their voices against proposed cuts to science funding, arguing that slashing budgets will cripple research and hurt the next generation of scientists. Many say they’re already stretched thin—scrambling for grants, working long hours, and worrying about their futures. Their pushback includes petitions, protests, and lobbying efforts to convince lawmakers that investing in science is non-negotiable.

Editor’s Note: Science doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it relies on funding, and when that dries up, real people feel it. Grad students are the backbone of research labs, and if they can’t make ends meet or see a future in their field, entire projects (and careers) could collapse. This isn’t just about lab budgets; it’s about whether the U.S. stays competitive in innovation or falls behind.

Scientists still aren't entirely sure why we dream, but experts have several compelling theories—from memory processing to emotional regulation. This article dives into the latest research on what might be happening in our brains while we sleep.

Editor’s Note: Dreams are something we all experience, yet they remain one of life's biggest mysteries. Understanding their purpose could unlock deeper insights into how our brains work, how we process emotions, and even how we learn. It’s a fascinating peek into the hidden world of our own minds.

Sotheby’s is putting a rare, 150-million-year-old Ceratosaurus skeleton up for auction, with an eye-popping estimate of up to $6 million. While dinosaur enthusiasts and deep-pocketed collectors might see this as a thrilling chance to own a piece of prehistoric history, some paleontologists are sounding the alarm. They argue that high-profile auctions like this are fueling a speculative fossil market, potentially pricing researchers out of critical scientific specimens.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a fancy dinosaur skeleton going to the highest bidder—it’s part of a bigger debate over who should control these irreplaceable pieces of Earth’s past. When fossils become luxury items, scientists worry they’ll vanish into private collections instead of museums or labs where they can be studied. For context, this isn’t Sotheby’s first dino sale (remember the $12 million T. rex "Stan"?), and each auction sets a precedent that could reshape how fossils are bought, sold, and preserved.

Remember Titan A.E., the ambitious animated sci-fi flick that bombed so hard it shuttered Fox Animation Studios? Turns out, time has been kind to it. On its 25th anniversary, fans and critics are looking back at its bold world-building, killer soundtrack, and scrappy charm—proof that box office failure doesn’t always mean a bad movie.

Editor’s Note: Flops often get a second life as cult classics, and Titan A.E. is no exception. Its anniversary is a chance to reflect on how audiences sometimes "get it" way later than studios do—and why creative risks, even failed ones, deserve love. Plus, who doesn’t want to revisit that Matt Damon–voiced space adventure with a grunge-era edge?