Dan Garisto
@dangaristo.bsky.social
science journalist | good physics, bad physics, and sometimes ugly physics
Signal: dgaristo.72
Email: digaristo@gmail.com
Signal: dgaristo.72
Email: digaristo@gmail.com
Research that ties together chemistry, history, and archaeology always tends to be neat, IMO. This one is about birds, to boot.
Pre-Incans collected seabird poop from remote islands to use as fertilizer
Guano-based agriculture became highly prized in the Inca empire
www.science.org
February 12, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Research that ties together chemistry, history, and archaeology always tends to be neat, IMO. This one is about birds, to boot.
The revised Schedule F policy, finalized last week, will kick in next month. It could reclassify career government scientists—potentially those involved in grantmaking at agencies like NIH and NSF—into at-will employees, and would strip them of whistleblower protections.
Trump team’s new rule could make firing government scientists easier
Although the government says the move will depoliticize US science, some researchers say it will do the opposite.
www.nature.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:45 PM
The revised Schedule F policy, finalized last week, will kick in next month. It could reclassify career government scientists—potentially those involved in grantmaking at agencies like NIH and NSF—into at-will employees, and would strip them of whistleblower protections.
Reposted by Dan Garisto
BREAKING: @lizzylawrence.bsky.social reports that CBER director Vinay Prasad overruled career #FDA staff and unilaterally decided to refusal to accept #Moderna 's #flu vaccine submission. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
February 11, 2026 at 3:38 PM
BREAKING: @lizzylawrence.bsky.social reports that CBER director Vinay Prasad overruled career #FDA staff and unilaterally decided to refusal to accept #Moderna 's #flu vaccine submission. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Not to detract from the rest of Mark's point, but a recurring theme from reporting last year I encountered was the damage done by uncertainty.
Without long term assurances, PhD offers were rescinded, new grants were scaled back at NSF & NIH. At Harvard people left before the grants came back.
Without long term assurances, PhD offers were rescinded, new grants were scaled back at NSF & NIH. At Harvard people left before the grants came back.
Quote is about the destruction wrought in science this year.
And it all happened with effectively a flat budget, without budget cuts, because science agencies have been presidentialized since Jan 2025– shifting control from the scientific community to the president.
And it all happened with effectively a flat budget, without budget cuts, because science agencies have been presidentialized since Jan 2025– shifting control from the scientific community to the president.
One Boston Children’s Hospital researcher said, “This is like asking, how do you think dropping an atomic bomb on New York City will affect the future of Broadway musicals? This is a generational loss of innovation, technology, and economic power.” www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/09/m...
February 11, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Not to detract from the rest of Mark's point, but a recurring theme from reporting last year I encountered was the damage done by uncertainty.
Without long term assurances, PhD offers were rescinded, new grants were scaled back at NSF & NIH. At Harvard people left before the grants came back.
Without long term assurances, PhD offers were rescinded, new grants were scaled back at NSF & NIH. At Harvard people left before the grants came back.
Reposted by Dan Garisto
This is 18-mo-old Amalia waving to me when she was detained.
She was hospitalized with a respiratory infection while at ICE’s Dilley facility for immigrant families.
She’s one of dozens of detainees who I spoke to via video and phone calls, letters and an in-person visit. 🧵1/
She was hospitalized with a respiratory infection while at ICE’s Dilley facility for immigrant families.
She’s one of dozens of detainees who I spoke to via video and phone calls, letters and an in-person visit. 🧵1/
February 9, 2026 at 11:21 AM
This is 18-mo-old Amalia waving to me when she was detained.
She was hospitalized with a respiratory infection while at ICE’s Dilley facility for immigrant families.
She’s one of dozens of detainees who I spoke to via video and phone calls, letters and an in-person visit. 🧵1/
She was hospitalized with a respiratory infection while at ICE’s Dilley facility for immigrant families.
She’s one of dozens of detainees who I spoke to via video and phone calls, letters and an in-person visit. 🧵1/
Hard to explain, but this is a very "Trump admin in 2017" move. Almost a little quaint to see this happen now.
C.I.A. World Factbook Ends Publication After 6 Decades
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Hard to explain, but this is a very "Trump admin in 2017" move. Almost a little quaint to see this happen now.
Reposted by Dan Garisto
Wrote about getting laid off and why media workers deserve a little grace.
www.readergrev.com/p/washington...
www.readergrev.com/p/washington...
I lost my job at The Washington Post
An improbably timed defense of the media
www.readergrev.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Wrote about getting laid off and why media workers deserve a little grace.
www.readergrev.com/p/washington...
www.readergrev.com/p/washington...
The fact that Epstein had ties to the scientific community is not news, but the enormous cache of documents released by the DOJ last week was still startling. It showed just how deeply Epstein was involved—how many were in his orbit, and how deeply involved he was with some research.
My reporting:
My reporting:
Epstein files reveal deeper ties to scientists than previously known
Latest batch of documents show researchers consulting the financier and sex offender on publications, visas and more.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:17 PM
The fact that Epstein had ties to the scientific community is not news, but the enormous cache of documents released by the DOJ last week was still startling. It showed just how deeply Epstein was involved—how many were in his orbit, and how deeply involved he was with some research.
My reporting:
My reporting:
Great blend of personal narrative and compelling nuclear physics. Colliders like RHIC (and the EIC) are often overlooked by people focusing on the highest energies of particle physics—which I've been guilty of. A fitting final toast(ed bagel) for RHIC.
RHIC investigated the extreme conditions that followed the Big Bang and detailed the inner workings of protons. Here's my very personal story for @sciencenews.bsky.social about RHIC, and the collider that will follow it, the Electron-Ion Collider.
www.sciencenews.org/article/part...
www.sciencenews.org/article/part...
The only U.S. particle collider shuts down – so a new one may rise
The famed collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory has ended operations, but if all goes to plan, a new collider will rise from its ashes.
www.sciencenews.org
February 6, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Great blend of personal narrative and compelling nuclear physics. Colliders like RHIC (and the EIC) are often overlooked by people focusing on the highest energies of particle physics—which I've been guilty of. A fitting final toast(ed bagel) for RHIC.
Reposted by Dan Garisto
NEW: A year ago, the NIH said it would cap research-overhead costs, a change that would cost colleges billions. A ragtag group rallied behind a compromise plan—and it seems to have traction.
Here's how higher ed staved off a research-funding bloodbath (for now): www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
Here's how higher ed staved off a research-funding bloodbath (for now): www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
How Higher Ed Staved Off a Research-Funding Bloodbath — For Now
Faced with potentially losing billions, colleges rallied behind a compromise plan. It now has a thumbs-up from Congress.
www.chronicle.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:05 AM
NEW: A year ago, the NIH said it would cap research-overhead costs, a change that would cost colleges billions. A ragtag group rallied behind a compromise plan—and it seems to have traction.
Here's how higher ed staved off a research-funding bloodbath (for now): www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
Here's how higher ed staved off a research-funding bloodbath (for now): www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
The solicitation was archived last January, amid the initial Trump admin blitz. Heard rumblings this was coming back in Dec. but no clarity on when or what it would look like.
n.b. Of the currently active ~160ish awards, I count 7 that mention either AI/ML in title or abstract.
n.b. Of the currently active ~160ish awards, I count 7 that mention either AI/ML in title or abstract.
Holy shit: it's an RFP for the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology (PRFB). Hello old friend www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB)
www.nsf.gov
February 6, 2026 at 12:33 AM
The solicitation was archived last January, amid the initial Trump admin blitz. Heard rumblings this was coming back in Dec. but no clarity on when or what it would look like.
n.b. Of the currently active ~160ish awards, I count 7 that mention either AI/ML in title or abstract.
n.b. Of the currently active ~160ish awards, I count 7 that mention either AI/ML in title or abstract.
Note that NSF is running 1–2 months behind schedule because of the government shutdown cancelling most of its review panels, which were all rescheduled to late Dec. and Jan.
Looks bad, but I would wait until worrying about the slow pace of awards.
Looks bad, but I would wait until worrying about the slow pace of awards.
More on NSF funding data
A deeper dive into the numbers of awards by Directorate.
1/9
A deeper dive into the numbers of awards by Directorate.
1/9
a picture of a person in the water with the words call of the deep below it
ALT: a picture of a person in the water with the words call of the deep below it
media.tenor.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Note that NSF is running 1–2 months behind schedule because of the government shutdown cancelling most of its review panels, which were all rescheduled to late Dec. and Jan.
Looks bad, but I would wait until worrying about the slow pace of awards.
Looks bad, but I would wait until worrying about the slow pace of awards.
Very bad news for CERN, it seems.
UK is pulling its funding for Cern's Large Hadron Collider upgrade, STFC leader Michele Dougherty confirms, after news first revealed by @francesjones.bsky.social @resprofnews.bsky.social
"We simply don’t have the money to do everything."
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
"We simply don’t have the money to do everything."
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
‘Difficult’ two years ahead for physics, warns STFC boss - Research Professional News
Michele Dougherty confirms withdrawal from LHC upgrade and indicates scant money for new projects
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Very bad news for CERN, it seems.
Reposted by Dan Garisto
Those convos, and many others since, led to today’s story. Many factors have made it harder for small businesses—including some who specialize in environmental services—to secure federal contracts under Trump. Declining investment in science is part of the problem. www.eenews.net/articles/tru...
Trump cut science funding. Small businesses are paying the price.
Some federal contractors are feeling the squeeze after the president slashed support for climate programs and other research efforts.
www.eenews.net
February 5, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Those convos, and many others since, led to today’s story. Many factors have made it harder for small businesses—including some who specialize in environmental services—to secure federal contracts under Trump. Declining investment in science is part of the problem. www.eenews.net/articles/tru...
Reposted by Dan Garisto
I was laid off today, among hundreds of others at The Washington Post.
I loved covering games here, and I am so proud of our international coverage.
My colleagues — those who lost their jobs and those who didn't — are rockstars. It was such an honor to work alongside them.
I loved covering games here, and I am so proud of our international coverage.
My colleagues — those who lost their jobs and those who didn't — are rockstars. It was such an honor to work alongside them.
February 4, 2026 at 3:31 PM
I was laid off today, among hundreds of others at The Washington Post.
I loved covering games here, and I am so proud of our international coverage.
My colleagues — those who lost their jobs and those who didn't — are rockstars. It was such an honor to work alongside them.
I loved covering games here, and I am so proud of our international coverage.
My colleagues — those who lost their jobs and those who didn't — are rockstars. It was such an honor to work alongside them.
A sort of updated Sokal hoax for the age of AI and predatory journals.
Guest post: Forget pickles and ice cream. I published a fake paper on pregnancy cravings for prime numbers
Image generated by Google Gemini I had grown weary of the constant stream and abuse of spam invitations to submit manuscripts to journals and to attend fake conferences on the other side of the wor…
retractionwatch.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:31 PM
A sort of updated Sokal hoax for the age of AI and predatory journals.
Good reporting by the Crimson.
February 1, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Good reporting by the Crimson.
Latest batch of the Epstein files has plenty more physicists. Going through them slowly, in no particular order.
January 31, 2026 at 4:22 AM
Latest batch of the Epstein files has plenty more physicists. Going through them slowly, in no particular order.
Last July, I was interviewed for this project about 'watchdog' science journalism. Funny to be on the other side, for a change.
Anyhow, worth a read if you want a sort of high-level amalgamation of how the sausage of investigative science journalism is made.
osf.io/preprints/so...
Anyhow, worth a read if you want a sort of high-level amalgamation of how the sausage of investigative science journalism is made.
osf.io/preprints/so...
January 30, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Last July, I was interviewed for this project about 'watchdog' science journalism. Funny to be on the other side, for a change.
Anyhow, worth a read if you want a sort of high-level amalgamation of how the sausage of investigative science journalism is made.
osf.io/preprints/so...
Anyhow, worth a read if you want a sort of high-level amalgamation of how the sausage of investigative science journalism is made.
osf.io/preprints/so...
Good reporting on this troubling saga.
The journal @nature.com has corrected a highly-cited study about a robot chemist producing new materials from scratch — but some questions remain unanswered.
My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social:
cen.acs.org/research-int...
@robertpalgrave.bsky.social
#ChemSky
My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social:
cen.acs.org/research-int...
@robertpalgrave.bsky.social
#ChemSky
‘Nature’ robot chemist paper corrected, but some questions remain unanswered
The original study claimed the robot had discovered 43 new materials in 17 days
cen.acs.org
January 29, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Good reporting on this troubling saga.
The whole interview is pretty much in this vein: Bhattacharya shares a grievance about past health authorities during COVID; Douthat says he agrees but gently tries to nudge Bhattacharya toward a more moderate position. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/o...
January 29, 2026 at 4:12 PM
The whole interview is pretty much in this vein: Bhattacharya shares a grievance about past health authorities during COVID; Douthat says he agrees but gently tries to nudge Bhattacharya toward a more moderate position. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/o...
RIP LaTeX formatting as a green flag (1984–2026)
arXiv is not going to survive the wave of slop heading its way
January 28, 2026 at 1:20 PM
RIP LaTeX formatting as a green flag (1984–2026)
Mixed news for basic and applied science funding from DoD in the appropriations bill. It's not clear when it will pass, though, since the DoD bill is currently tied to the DHS bill, which lacks 60 votes after Dems withdrew support because of violence by ICE in Minneapolis.
My reporting:
My reporting:
Congress set to cut defense science funding
But lawmakers reject Trump’s call for deeper downsizing and boost medical research
www.science.org
January 27, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Mixed news for basic and applied science funding from DoD in the appropriations bill. It's not clear when it will pass, though, since the DoD bill is currently tied to the DHS bill, which lacks 60 votes after Dems withdrew support because of violence by ICE in Minneapolis.
My reporting:
My reporting:
Reposted by Dan Garisto
I wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com
I grew up with Alex Pretti
The kind-hearted ICU nurse shot by ICE agents was my childhood best friend.
www.theverge.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:45 PM
I wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com
Reposted by Dan Garisto
How many STEM Ph.D.s were lost from the U.S. federal government last year?
My colleagues @mghersher.bsky.social and @policyhound.bsky.social dug into a recent data release to find the answer. A @science.org exclusive.
www.science.org/content/arti...
My colleagues @mghersher.bsky.social and @policyhound.bsky.social dug into a recent data release to find the answer. A @science.org exclusive.
www.science.org/content/arti...
January 26, 2026 at 11:39 PM
How many STEM Ph.D.s were lost from the U.S. federal government last year?
My colleagues @mghersher.bsky.social and @policyhound.bsky.social dug into a recent data release to find the answer. A @science.org exclusive.
www.science.org/content/arti...
My colleagues @mghersher.bsky.social and @policyhound.bsky.social dug into a recent data release to find the answer. A @science.org exclusive.
www.science.org/content/arti...