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David Grimm

@david-grimm.bsky.social

2.8K followers 260 following 143 posts

Award-winning journalist and online news editor at Science. Author of Citizen Canine: Our Evolving Relationship with Cats and Dogs. Lover of cats, movies, and bad puns.

Posts Replies Media

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

By peering inside 25 AI models, researchers have found a pattern of activity specifically associated with the concept of pain. What’s more, when given the opportunity, some AIs switched off the pattern as a form of “pain relief.” Cool story by @tomhowarth.bsky.social for @science.org

Can an AI feel pain? It can at least act like it does

Study reignites debate over what, if anything, machines can feel

Reposted by David Grimm

sahasmehra.bsky.social @sahasmehra.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Dolphins are one of the smartest animals that I have come across, and like many others, they probably like easier snacks. My latest for @science.org, where I report on a strange, yet effective behavior. My mom liked it, but I've promised myself not to share it with anyone at mealtime again.

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

"Bubbles" the dolphin doesn't eat any of the fish he pursues. Instead, he singles out one, chases it until it throws up, then eats the vomit. The surprising behavior--known as kleptoparasitism--is among the first well-documented examples of food stealing in cetaceans. @science.org

This dolphin chased a fish until it puked—then ate the vomit

The behavior, known as kleptoparasitism, marks one of the few well-documented examples of a cetacean stealing food

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Most badass moment in the history of Star Trek. McCoy killing it, as always.

Star Trek TOS: Space Seed: Khan Awakens in Sickbay

YouTube video by Mark Mark: The Final Frontier

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Follow the amazing--and sometimes tragic--odyssey of a group of wild dog siblings as they complete the longest known trek of any African mammal. Really cool story by @phiejacobs.bsky.social for @science.org

Three wild dogs have traveled farther than any African mammal

Record-breaking “odyssey” suggests populations of these highly endangered carnivores are more connected than thought

Reposted by David Grimm

Elise Cutts @elisecutts.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I originally wrote this post as a skimmable "here's what you need to know" thing. But Celina Zhao and Adrian Cho already did that so well for @science.org that I didn't feel I had much to contribute. So this turned into an essay about AI companies treating scholarship like a pay-to-win game.

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Never appreciated that Terminator 2 and Return of the King have similar endings... 🫠

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

From “A ticket to ride: The unintended consequences of school transport subsidies" to “A hard day’s night: Time use in shift workers", references to the Beatles far outnumber call-outs to any other musical artists. Fun story by @ailiemcwhinnie.bsky.social for @science.org

Need Help! writing a paper title? All you need is the Beatles

At least 3200 scientific publications refer to the Fab Four’s music—by far the most of any top-selling artist

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

For years, scientists have argued that human births are difficult because of the way evolution shaped our pelvises for upright walking. But a new study argues that fetal sex may also play a role. Interesting story by @bridgetalex.bsky.social for @science.org

Why are human births so difficult? Male babies—not just upright walking—may be to blame

Analysis of 140 species suggests the risks of sons are offset by evolutionary advantages

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

If the announcement is confirmed, it would mark the first time AI has solved a truly major open problem in math. But a fierce dispute has erupted over who deserves credit. Dive into all of the thorny details in this great story by Celina Zhao and Adrian Cho for @science.org

How an AI math breakthrough ignited a controversy

OpenAI spent millions to solve Navier-Stokes problem, but who should get credit?

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

"For every depiction of a man archaeologists find, there are dozens of female statuettes and cave art drawings." Cool interview of Austrian comic book artist Ulli Lust by @andrewcurry.com for @science.org

This comic is drawing women into prehistory

Comic book artist Ulli Lust counters myths about the roles of ice age women

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David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Killer whales have been ramming boats off the coasts of Spain and Portugal, sinking nine, and parading fiberglass remnants around like trophies. Are they out for revenge--or just trying to play? Nice story by Christa Lesté-Lasserre for @science.org

Are these killer whales out for revenge on humans—or just trying to play?

Iberian orcas have been ramming boats off the coast of Portugal and Spain. But what looks like vengeance may have a more benign explanation

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

This year's silliest science awards--the Ig Nobels--were hosted outside the U.S. for the first time. Amidst the laughter, prize winners discuss some of the serious reasons that motivated the move. Nice story by @hannah-richter.bsky.social for @science.org

Ig Nobel hosts science’s silliest ceremony outside U.S. for first time

The indefinite move to Europe was a response to travel and safety concerns for winners

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

“I couldn’t have imagined they’d get all this data from parchment." Cool story by @andrewcurry.com for @science.org

Ancient sheep virus found hiding in medieval parchment

Newly recovered sheeppox sequences reveal when and how the virus emerged

Reposted by David Grimm

Michael Greshko @michaelgreshko.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

BREAKING: The world's most sensitive dark matter detector has announced it has spotted something it can't easily explain: a single event that's tantalizingly consistent with a type of theorized dark matter particle. Very early days yet, but pretty wild. 🧪 www.science.org/content/arti...

World’s biggest dark matter detector spots a single weird particle

It’s far too early to declare a discovery, physicists with the LZ detector say

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I wished I loved anything as much as @slashfilm.bsky.social loves Alan Hale Jr. 😁

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David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

EXCLUSIVE: A @science.org investigation calls into question a series of high-profile findings on genetic variants purported to protect against Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers changed patient data in ways that bolstered provocative findings, and papers published seemingly altered or copied images.

Science investigation casts doubt on genes hailed for warding off Alzheimer’s disease

Mutations found in Colombian families raised hopes for treatments. Altered patient data and suspect images call their benefits into question

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

EXCLUSIVE: The ancient rock art in this image may have been made with human blood, including blood from childbirth. The presence of such blood would connect the culture that made the images to female fertility rituals and reproduction cults. Cool story by Soumya Sagar for @science.org

Were these ancient rock images painted with human blood?

Macabre ingredient may have helped murals on Chinese cliffs survive nearly 2000 years of weathering

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

EXCLUSIVE: For decades, researchers have marveled at how these 2000-year-old rock paintings withstood extreme rain and heat. The secret may be blood... Cool story by Soumya Sagar for @science.org

Were these ancient rock images painted with human blood?

Macabre ingredient may have helped murals on Chinese cliffs survive nearly 2000 years of weathering

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

EXCLUSIVE: The only modern equivalent that would inflict so much damage on the human body would be getting hit by a car or a train. A fascinating story by @andrewcurry.com for @science.org

Shattered skeleton in Scottish castle is first confirmed death from trebuchet

“Devastation” across body of 14th century warrior indicates horrific demise from flying boulder

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

For more than half a century, physicists have searched for one of the strangest particles predicted by modern theory... Neat stuff by Julia Vaz for @science.org

Behold the “glueball,” a strange new form of matter

Collider in China forges elusive particle, made of force-carrying gluons

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

The shattered bones of a 700-year old Scotsman may represent the world's first known victim of a trebuchet. Really cool story from @andrewcurry.com for @science.org

Shattered skeleton in Scottish castle is first confirmed death from trebuchet

“Devastation” across body of 14th century warrior indicates horrific demise from flying boulder

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Do your biceps turn heads? Do your pecs impress? If so, you may have your Neanderthal ancestry to thank for it. Fun story by Mike Price for @science.org

Neanderthal growth gene turns modern humans into muscle heads

People with DNA variant from our evolutionary cousins tend to have more lean muscle mass

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

The countryside has always been seen as a refuge from the swelter of summer. But a pioneering study suggests that as global warming continues in much of the world, the countryside’s appeal as a climate buffer may dwindle. Important story by @voosen.me for @science.org

Global warming is coming for the countryside

Pioneering study projects rural heat will edge closer to city swelter

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Orcas are ramming sunfish so hard they explode. Check out the stunning video at the link. Nice story by @annieroth.bsky.social for @science.org

High-speed orcas are blowing sunfish to smithereens

Never-before-seen behavior may represent the giant cetaceans playing with their food, ecologists say

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

One of the largest monkey research centers in the U.S. will not become a sanctuary. But it will have to significantly reduce its monkey population and shift its research focus to non-animal models. It may also rebrand, striking the word "primate" from its name. My latest for @science.org

Future of giant monkey research facility uncertain, even as sanctuary plan dropped

The Oregon National Primate Research Center could change its name and shift its focus to nonanimal studies

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

A proposal to transform one of the largest monkey research centers in the United States into a sanctuary is officially dead, but major changes may still be in store... My latest for @science.org

Future of giant monkey research facility uncertain, even as sanctuary plan dropped

The Oregon National Primate Research Center could change its name and shift its focus to nonanimal studies

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Deep in the lush forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo lives a rare monkey that has long evaded scientists and even most local communities. Only few have witnessed the black, orange-mouthed primate quietly perching high in the canopy. Story by @yejnlheee.bsky.social for @science.org

Mysterious orange-lipped monkey discovered deep in the Congo rainforest is a new species

“Likweli” find highlights importance of conservation work, researchers say

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

The first foot set on the Moon was famously one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. But did you know there was a spring in that step? And do you know why? Fun story by @phiejacobs.bsky.social for @science.org

Bungee-jumping mice may reveal why astronauts skip on the Moon

Low gravity puts a bounce in the step of humans and rodents alike

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

A lack of financial support from the NIH may have doomed a plan to convert the Oregon National Primate Research Center--one of the largest monkey facilities in the country--into a sanctuary where no research is done. My latest for @science.org

Plan to turn major monkey research facility into sanctuary may be dead

Lack of federal funds may have forced Oregon university to drop idea of converting national primate center into science-free refuge

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

The unprecedented move would have ended hundreds of studies at one of the largest academic monkey centers in the United States. But on Thursday, OHSU President Shereef Elnahal told faculty leaders the plan could not move forward because of a lack of federal funding. My latest for @science.org

Plan to turn major monkey research facility into sanctuary may be dead

Lack of federal funds may have forced Oregon university to drop idea of converting national primate center into science-free refuge

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Just published, and already one of my favorite stories of the year. A fascinating story expertly told by @samkean.bsky.social for @science.org

Why have papers by one of history’s most famous physicists been retracted?

Springer Nature has removed two studies by Max Planck. A bot may be to blame

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

“This is serious." Cool story by Adrian Cho for @science.org

The universe is unexpectedly stringy, which could unravel the theory of the cosmos

Controversial claim challenges principle of cosmological sameness on which prevailing theory rests

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Sea turtles are expert navigators. But, like us, they occasionally veer off track. Fun story by @phiejacobs.bsky.social for @science.org

Migrating sea turtles only sort of know where they’re going

An “approximate” sense of Earth’s magnetic fields means the animals must occasionally reorient during long ocean voyages

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

The 12 souls aboard will drift for a long 8 months, mostly without seeing the Sun, through one of the most inhospitable and least explored regions on Earth. Fun story by Richard Stone for @science.org

A dozen people will spend 8 months trapped in Arctic ice—for science

Battling darkness and cold, researchers on a drifting laboratory will probe the biology of the Arctic Ocean

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

As the CDC moves to phase out its primate research, it planned on sending its monkeys to a Texas sanctuary. Now the agency appears to have backtracked on the plan. Or has it? My latest for @science.org

After backlash, CDC revises plan to retire research monkeys to Texas sanctuary

New call for proposals seeks alternatives, though critics say the agency’s original choice is still leading option

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

The CDC has seemingly backtracked on a plan to send its research monkeys to a Texas sanctuary. But could the animals end up there anyway? My latest for @science.org

After backlash, CDC revises plan to retire research monkeys to Texas sanctuary

New call for proposals seeks alternatives, though critics say the agency’s original choice is still leading option

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Just where—or rather, when—did it originate? Nice story by @hannah-richter.bsky.social for @science.org

Interstellar comet is unlike anything seen in our Solar System

Chemical signature of 3I/ATLAS suggests it formed early in the history of the Milky Way

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Left-pawed dogs take fewer risks. Right-pawed dogs can be more aggressive. And ambilateral dogs appear to be more fearful of thunderstorms. Fun story by @phiejacobs.bsky.social for @science.org

How can you tell whether your dog is right-pawed or left-pawed?

Science chats with researchers about a new method of assessing canine “handedness” and what it reveals about your pup’s health and personality

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Biomedical researchers will need to nervously watch and wait. “The next few months will be important to watch to see if this news does, in fact, cause disruptions.” My latest for @science.org

Leading supplier of research monkeys declares bankruptcy

Facing economic and regulatory pressures, Inotiv says it is seeking ways to continue operations

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

One of the world’s leading suppliers of monkeys and other animals for biomedical research has declared bankruptcy. In court filings last week, Inotiv said it's nearly a half-billion dollars in debt and is seeking ways to continue operations as it financially restructures. My latest for @science.org

Leading supplier of research monkeys declares bankruptcy

Facing economic and regulatory pressures, Inotiv says it is seeking ways to continue operations

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Me watching Stand by Me in 1986: “Man, 1959 seems like ancient history.” Me watching Stand by Me in 2026: “Man, 1986 feels like yesterday.”

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

UPDATE: A dead humpback whale found in a strait between Denmark and Sweden is “Timmy,” @theguardian.com reports. Read why marine biologists advised against the attempt in @martinenserink.bsky.social's excellent story for @science.org earlier this month.

Chaotic whale rescue shocks marine biologists

Timmy, a humpback whale stranded in Germany 6 weeks ago, was ailing and may already be dead

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Critics say the proposal was made without consulting experts, does not specify how the transfer or lifetime care of the animals would be funded, and could endanger the monkeys if they’re not carefully integrated into their new home. My latest for @science.org

CDC plan to retire lab monkeys to Texas sanctuary draws ire

Critics say proposal was rushed and could endanger the animals

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Scientists have spotted seals taking refuge in an unusual place: a small, dome-shaped chamber accessible only through an underwater passage. Such hidden “bubble caves” may provide peace and quiet during tourist season. Fun story by @phiejacobs.bsky.social for @science.org

Rare seals spotted snoozing in an underwater ‘bubble cave’

Hidden chambers may provide Mediterranean monk seals refuge from tourists

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

For decades, scientists have been puzzled by the gruesome deaths of gray seal pups. Injuries start at their mouth and corkscrew down to their chest, tearing down to the bone but leaving the rest of the body intact. Now they think they've finally identified the 'corkscrew killer'. @science.org

Scientists ID ‘corkscrew killer’ behind gruesome seal deaths

Bizarre injuries were not caused by sharks or boat propellers, but a more surprising culprit

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

“We show that in almost every case where you use these fibers, this could be a privacy concern.” Nice story by @elisecutts.bsky.social for @science.org

Fiber optic cables can eavesdrop on nearby conversations

Cables used to detect earthquakes can also capture the faint vibrations of speech

Reposted by David Grimm

Sar Crespi @boron110.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Last week on the @science.org podcast, we had @david-grimm.bsky.social and Adrian Cho talking about the latest news stories from the site -- including a way to leave singularities out of black holes. Listen here: www.science.org/content/podc...

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Archaeologists got wind of the site, which had recently been re-established in the early 2000s as a camp used by people illegally pasturing cattle. Local rumors swirled that they had found gold there... Cool story by @lizziewade.bsky.social for @science.org

Have archaeologists found the long-lost Maya city of Sac Balam?

Architectural and geographic details match historic descriptions of the colonial, centuries-old jungle refuge

David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

@thegreatalbums.bsky.social psyched you guys are back. your shows on new miserable experience and she's so unusual were some of my favorites. looking forward to new shows!