Staff Writers Maya Pontes and Noel Eckert cover an upcycling bleach dyeing event hosted by MASSPIRG, a student advocacy group. This event “allowed UMass Dartmouth students to not only satisfy the frugal fashionista in them, but their inner artist.” At this event, students selected unwanted garments and gave them new life using bleach– read more on our website! Continue reading Looking Good, Doing Better: MASSPIRG Bleach Dyeing
Florida is set to become the first state in 80 years to repeal vaccine mandates, including for school-aged children, announced by Surgeon General Joseph Lapado and Governor Ron DeSantis. This controversial decision raises concerns among health experts about the potential return of preventable diseases, despite celebrations from anti-vaccine advocates emphasizing personal freedom. Continue reading Florida Officials Vow to End Vaccine Mandates, Causes Uproar
Colossal Biosciences has controversially released videos about the de-extinction of dire wolves, claiming they are reviving the species using gene editing. However, critics argue these animals are genetically modified gray wolves, raising ethical questions about the implications of de-extinction projects, particularly concerning ecosystem dynamics and the survival of other species. Continue reading Colossal Biosciences’ Direwolf Project Sparks Controversy
Cane toads, introduced to Australia in 1935 to control insect populations, have become one of the worst invasive species, with around 200 million now present. To manage their numbers, programs like toad-busting involve humane euthanasia. Dr. Rick Shine’s new approach uses CRISPR to block their metamorphosis, creating permanently juvenile tadpoles. Continue reading Scientists Create Genetically Modified Tadpoles that are Cannibals
On April 14th, Blue Origin launched the NS-31 mission, featuring an all-female crew, including Katy Perry and Gayle King. The flight included criticism for its environmental impact and perceived frivolity, with celebrities like Emily Ratajowski voicing dissent. Despite backlash, crew members celebrated the mission as a feminist milestone. Continue reading First All-Female Space Crew in over 6 Decades causes Controversy
A newly discovered cat coat color named “salty licorice,” originating from Finland, has been identified among feral cat populations since 2007. This distinct coloration results from a genetic mutation linked to a recessive trait. Ongoing research by Dr. Heidi Anderson’s team is exploring its inheritance and potential implications for hearing. Continue reading New Cat Coat Color Discovered: Salty Licorice
NASA’s Curiosity rover discovered large organic chain molecules in a 3.7-billion-year-old Martian rock, suggesting potential past life. The findings, including fatty acids, open avenues for studying Mars’s biological history. Researchers emphasize the need for Earth-based analysis to confirm these organic traces as evidence of life. Further exploration is essential. Continue reading Living On MARS: Scientists Find Molecules Defining Possibility of Life on Mars
Recent research reveals that male blue-lined octopuses use venom to immobilize females during mating to prevent being eaten. Female octopuses, larger than males, often consume their mates. Males inject venom into the female’s aorta, sedating her temporarily. This behavior, linked to sexual cannibalism, ensures males can mate before dying after reproduction. Continue reading Male Blue-Lined Octopuses Use Venom During Sex to Avoid Being Eaten
Colossal, a genetics company, has created mice with woolly mammoth fur via DNA sequencing, intending to de-extinct the species. This involves using Asian elephants and modifying them genetically. Ethical concerns about manipulating elephants, along with the project’s scientific ambitions, highlight the complexities of restoring extinct species while merging past biodiversity with present innovations. Continue reading Colossal Woolly Mouse Makes its Debut
Maya Arruda discusses the critical role of the NIH in funding medical research and its impact on public universities. Recent cuts proposed by the Trump administration threaten research advancements, healthcare quality, and university funding, leading to potential job losses and increased costs for students. Urgent action is needed to protect lives and education. Continue reading Two Birds With One Stone: Trump’s War on Science and Higher Education in the Name of the Economy
