Science driven by politics rather than merit

Plus: Giving teens real power ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

US Edition - Today's top story: New Trump administration rules on federal science funding could make American research slower, costlier and harder to share View in browser 23 July 2026 US Edition   Top headlines How to save the traveling birds from disappearing Public opinion on abortion, 4 years after Dobbs Gas stoves might be flaring up your asthma Lead story Scientists are worried about the Trump administration’s proposed changes to the rules governing federal science grants. Much attention has been paid in particular to a new stipulation that requires political appointees review which scientific research projects get federal funding. While the prioritization of political considerations over scientific merit is certainly something to be concerned about, the proposal contains a number of other changes that may also significantly reshape science – not necessarily for the better. “What happens when the federal grant system becomes less stable for the people involved in the work of research?” asks Aliasger K. Salem, a scientist at the University of Iowa. Having served on federal grant review panels for several years, Salem is well acquainted with the scientific rigor and societal benefits that research projects must offer before taxpayer dollars are invested in them. But, Salem explains, the Trump administration is proposing several more restrictions to how scientists communicate and collaborate with each other that may hamstring how American science is done. [ Miss us on Sundays? Get a selection of our best and most popular stories (or try our other weekly emails). ]   Vivian Lam Associate Health and Biomedicine Editor   Political appointees may soon oversee scientific research in America. Maria Korneeva/Moment via Getty Images New Trump administration rules on federal science funding could make American research slower, costlier and harder to share Aliasger K. Salem, University of Iowa Beyond deprioritizing scientific merit, the Trump administration’s proposal also restricts researchers’ ability to share their findings and collaborate with each other. Education College professors face an emerging challenge: We know students are no longer reading entire books Austin Sarat, Amherst College Some teachers increasingly are shifting their approach to reading, assigning fewer books than they once did. Detroit wants to elevate youth voices in leadership – that means giving them real power Krista Mehari, Michigan State University Building relationships and creating equitable opportunities are critical to engaging Detroit’s young people in safe and positive activities. Ethics + Religion The US has acknowledged Bears Ears and Grand Staircase as sacred for over a century, but keeps stripping away protections Kerri J. Malloy, San José State University Native religions are tied to living landscapes, not points on a map. A scholar of Indigenous studies explains why reducing the protected area has profound religious and cultural consequences. Politics + Society Mail ballot mirages aren’t fraud, but mail ballot fraud isn’t a complete myth Andrew E. Busch, University of Tennessee Shifting counts have a boring cause: who votes by mail, and when those votes get counted. That doesn’t mean all fraud claims are false, though. Public opinion on abortion has shifted 4 years after Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade Laurel Elder, Hartwick College; Mary-Kate Lizotte, Augusta University; Steven Greene, North Carolina State University More Americans now hold absolutist positions, supporting legal access to abortion in all or most cases and opposing government regulation altogether. Arts + Culture Starbucks’ big marketing blunder in South Korea shows how cultural blind spots can put global brands in a bind Karen Stollznow, University of Colorado Boulder; Griffith University Translation is only part of the challenge for multinational companies. Words, slogans and symbols can take on entirely different meanings across cultures. Science + Technology What is open-source AI? A software engineering researcher explains Jeffrey Young, Georgia Institute of Technology AI models that are open source allow developers and users to see and modify the underlying program code. Health + Medicine Replacing gas stoves with electric stoves greatly reduces asthma symptoms Ashwini Sehgal, Case Western Reserve University People with poorly controlled asthma may be able to breathe easier by making a change in the kitchen. Environment + Energy More than half of Earth’s migratory bird species are declining – here’s how we can still save them Peter Marra, Georgetown University; Nathan W. Cooper, Smithsonian Institution A new global assessment of the world’s migratory species finds reason for alarm, but also hope – and a road map for helping them survive. Economy + Business There’s a business case for companies to embrace sustainability – if it’s pitched the right way Israa Ameen Thiab, Rochester Institute of Technology; Clyde Eiríkur Hull, Rochester Institute of Technology Many sustainability programs may be aiming at the wrong target because most entrepreneurs won’t become environmental activists. Fewer cheap flights, more international suitcases – South Florida’s tourism outlook for 2027 Michael Cheng, Florida International University Miami hosted several mega-events in 2026, but what will happen to tourism next year when the stadium lights dim? Trending on site Embryo personhood, once on the margins of abortion debates, is moving closer to the center More testosterone won’t make a better soldier or a tougher man – aggression and strength drive T levels, not the other way around The Trump administration’s global campaign against ‘radical left terrorism’ is built on a national security memo without congressional approval Today's video   About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. We can give away our articles thanks to the generosity of readers like you. Learn more about us Support our work More from The Conversation Like this newsletter? 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