New Scientist Podcasts
Weekly: Trump’s war on science; How whale song resembles human language; How to boil the perfect egg with science
Feb 7, 2025
Dive into the tumultuous landscape of American science as government actions threaten access to vital climate data and health discussions. Discover how researchers are decoding whale songs, revealing astonishing similarities to human language, and ponder what it means for interspecies communication. Plus, find out the science behind boiling the perfect egg with a method that promises delicious consistency. This blend of politics, animal linguistics, and culinary science will keep you engaged and wondering!
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Quick takeaways
- The Trump administration's attack on science threatens global research integrity, as U.S. policy changes impede the dissemination of critical scientific information.
- Recent studies of whale songs reveal structural similarities to human language, suggesting a sophisticated form of communication among these intelligent marine mammals.
Deep dives
War on American Science
The current political climate in the United States is characterized by a significant attack on scientific integrity and expertise. Historians and scientists highlight that the administration is systematically removing references to climate change from government websites, affecting critical information dissemination. Anxiety pervades the scientific community, with reports showing that many federal agencies are either halting crucial research or revising their operations to align with new political directives. This chaotic atmosphere disrupts not only U.S. scientific advancement but also poses risks to global research, given that the U.S. is a major funder of science worldwide.
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