Science Quickly 2025: The Year Science Was Shaken
Dec 22, 2025
Join Dan Vergano, Tanya Lewis, Andrea Thompson, and Lee Billings as they dissect the tumultuous shifts in science during 2025. Vergano reveals how political upheaval impacted trust in federal science policies. Lewis discusses alarming vaccine rollbacks, leading to potential measles outbreaks. Thompson critiques the rollback of climate policies, contrasting it with global trends. Meanwhile, Billings shares mind-blowing dark energy findings and upcoming space missions, suggesting a future filled with cosmic mysteries.
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Science-Government Compact Broken
- Dan Vergano says 2025 shattered the post-WWII compact between scientists and the federal government by politicizing research funding and patronage.
- This shift makes science careers less attractive and jeopardizes U.S. leadership in global research.
Public Health Backsliding Tied To Policy Changes
- Tanya Lewis links HHS overhaul and funding cuts under RFK Jr. to resurgent vaccine-preventable outbreaks like measles and whooping cough.
- Reduced funding and rolled-back guidance are already harming U.S. public health surveillance and protections.
Monitor Vaccines And Measles Status
- Watch measles case trends closely because continuous spread for a year could strip the U.S. of its elimination status.
- Monitor vaccine schedule changes and bird flu indicators to anticipate public health risks in 2026.