Science Friday What Do mRNA Funding Cuts Mean For Future US Research?
Aug 15, 2025
Casey Crownhart, a senior climate reporter for MIT Technology Review, dives into the recent severe flooding in Juneau, Alaska, linked to climate change. She discusses the hurdles the U.S. electric vehicle market faces amidst regulatory challenges, while highlighting a major automaker's push for affordable electric trucks. Crownhart also touches on innovative energy storage solutions, including a startup using underground water for electricity storage. The podcast critically examines the funding cuts to mRNA vaccine research and their potential long-term impact on drug development.
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Juneau's Flood Prep Worked
- Juneau anticipated glacial-lake floods and used monitoring and barriers to limit damage.
- Casey Crownhart describes HESCO barriers and local preparedness reducing harm.
Glacial Lakes Growing Worldwide
- Glacial lakes globally have grown ~50% in number, area, and volume since 1990.
- More glacial-lake floods are expected as climate warms, increasing local hazards.
Policy Shift Dampens U.S. EV Momentum
- U.S. policy rollbacks this year cut EV tax credits and weaken tailpipe rules.
- Crownhart notes forecasts for EV market share fell sharply after policy shifts.