iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by David Grimm

Martin Enserink @martinenserink.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

I asked plague scientists in France, the U.K. and the U.S. what they make of the death of a lab technician in Siberian. (Spoiler: There's absolutely no reason to worry about a plague epidemic.) www.science.org/content/arti... @science.org

science.org

Possible plague death at a Siberian lab baffles scientists

Much is unclear about the tragedy, but plague researchers say there is “zero” chance of an epidemic

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

"Franklin knew the earlier photo had revealed a helix—the epiphany Watson claimed for himself—and that is precisely why she made a second, more refined version, photograph 51." @science.org

science.org

How did Rosalind Franklin miss the helix in her iconic DNA image? She didn’t

New analysis refutes James Watson’s claim he was first to recognize significance of famed photograph 51

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

Yesterday, the world celebrated the winners of this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. But what about all of the breakthroughs that haven't won this category? Here are 6-from the obvious to obscure--that also should have taken home gold. By @ailiemcwhinnie.bsky.social for @science.org

science.org

Six biology breakthroughs that should have won a Nobel Prize—but didn’t

Major discoveries, including the role of DNA, the biological basis of psychology, and the human genome, missed out on science’s top recognition

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David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

"The safety officer had recovered the cube of Nazi uranium from the drawer of a deceased geology faculty member. The unexpected gift would overturn our understanding of Germany’s nuclear effort during World War II." Fascinating story by @richardastone.bsky.social for @science.org

science.org

Nazi Germany had no hope of making an atomic bomb, uranium cubes reveal

Experimental reactor needed much more uranium and heavy water than the country could muster

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David Grimm @david-grimm.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

When looking back on more than a century of physics Nobel Prizes, it’s clear they have missed some of the most important discoveries in the field. Here are the top five--victims of politics, bad timing, and plain old skepticism--that should have won. Fun story by Adrian Cho for @science.org

science.org

Five physics breakthroughs that should have won a Nobel Prize—but didn’t

How politics, bad timing, and skepticism left foundation stones of modern physics unrecognized

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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

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

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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.

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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

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

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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.

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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

science.org

How an AI math breakthrough ignited a controversy

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

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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

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

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

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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

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

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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...

science.org

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

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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.org

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

science.org

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

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

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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

science.org

Global warming is coming for the countryside

Pioneering study projects rural heat will edge closer to city swelter

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

science.org

Leading supplier of research monkeys declares bankruptcy

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

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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

science.org

Leading supplier of research monkeys declares bankruptcy

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

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