Eric Niiler
@eniiler.bsky.social
Covering science and climate at The Wall Street Journal. eric.niiler@wsj.com
Weird (and hungry) "rogue planet" gobbles up billions of tons of stellar material per second. www.wsj.com/science/spac...
Scientists Observe Rogue Planet’s Explosive Growth in Real Time
The record-breaking event is providing insight into how these strange objects form.
www.wsj.com
October 8, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Weird (and hungry) "rogue planet" gobbles up billions of tons of stellar material per second. www.wsj.com/science/spac...
Reposted by Eric Niiler
Is there a lesson here? Researchers applied modern-day tools of epidemiology to trace how the spread of false rumors provoked the “Great Fear” of the French Revolution. @eniiler.bsky.social reports for #WSJScienceShorts www.wsj.com/science/fren... via @wsj.com
Panic-Inducing Rumors Went Viral Ahead of the French Revolution
The tools of epidemiology were used to trace how false tales spread from place to place, and provoked a revolt.
www.wsj.com
September 26, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Is there a lesson here? Researchers applied modern-day tools of epidemiology to trace how the spread of false rumors provoked the “Great Fear” of the French Revolution. @eniiler.bsky.social reports for #WSJScienceShorts www.wsj.com/science/fren... via @wsj.com
Reposted by Eric Niiler
Science Shorts: NASA announced it has found potential evidence of ancient microbial life on Mars. Is it another false alarm? @eniiler.bsky.social reports for #WSJScienceShorts www.wsj.com/science/spac... via @wsj.com
Did NASA Find Signs of Ancient Life on Mars—Or Is It Another False Alarm?
Earlier evidence pointing to ancient microbial life on the red planet hasn’t held up.
www.wsj.com
September 16, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Science Shorts: NASA announced it has found potential evidence of ancient microbial life on Mars. Is it another false alarm? @eniiler.bsky.social reports for #WSJScienceShorts www.wsj.com/science/spac... via @wsj.com
Could third time be the charm for NASA's hunt for life on Mars? www.wsj.com/science/spac...
Did NASA Find Signs of Ancient Life on Mars—Or Is It Another False Alarm?
Earlier evidence pointing to ancient microbial life on the red planet hasn’t held up.
www.wsj.com
September 16, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Could third time be the charm for NASA's hunt for life on Mars? www.wsj.com/science/spac...
Reposted by Eric Niiler
THE COLOSSAL SQUID IS MASSIVE. MUCH BIGGER THAN PEOPLE THOUGHT. THEY SAID IT WAS A MYTH — WRONG. I’VE SEEN IT. TOTALLY DOMINATES THE OCEAN. OTHER SQUIDS? VERY WEAK. VERY SAD.
August 18, 2025 at 2:42 PM
THE COLOSSAL SQUID IS MASSIVE. MUCH BIGGER THAN PEOPLE THOUGHT. THEY SAID IT WAS A MYTH — WRONG. I’VE SEEN IT. TOTALLY DOMINATES THE OCEAN. OTHER SQUIDS? VERY WEAK. VERY SAD.
Reposted by Eric Niiler
Scientists detected the largest-known black hole merger, resulting in a black hole 225 times the mass of the sun @eniiler.bsky.social reports for #WSJScienceShorts www.wsj.com/science/viol... via @wsj.com
Violent Collision of Two Black Holes Rippled Across the Universe
The pair merged to create a single hole about 225 times the mass of the sun.
www.wsj.com
July 22, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Scientists detected the largest-known black hole merger, resulting in a black hole 225 times the mass of the sun @eniiler.bsky.social reports for #WSJScienceShorts www.wsj.com/science/viol... via @wsj.com
Reposted by Eric Niiler
Farmers, water managers, fishermen, river advocates, and everyday residents told me they would fight for their water to the very last drop. Others have already begun asking the existential question: Where will we go when the river runs dry?
‘With What Water?’: Texas, Mexico, and the Disappearing Rio Conchos
Drought has hollowed out Chihuahua’s Conchos Valley and bred civil unrest as South Texas demands the water it’s owed.
www.texasobserver.org
July 14, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Farmers, water managers, fishermen, river advocates, and everyday residents told me they would fight for their water to the very last drop. Others have already begun asking the existential question: Where will we go when the river runs dry?
Reposted by Eric Niiler
The steep cliffs and narrow canyons that characterize Texas Hill Country channeled torrential rain from a stalled weather system into overflowing rivers and creeks @eniiler.bsky.social reports for #WSJScience www.wsj.com/us-news/clim... via @wsj.com
How Terrain in Texas Hills Turned Stalled Rainstorm Into Flood Disaster
Water cascaded down cliffs and swelled waterways when shallow soil failed to absorb the deluge.
www.wsj.com
July 6, 2025 at 8:46 PM
The steep cliffs and narrow canyons that characterize Texas Hill Country channeled torrential rain from a stalled weather system into overflowing rivers and creeks @eniiler.bsky.social reports for #WSJScience www.wsj.com/us-news/clim... via @wsj.com
Reposted by Eric Niiler
A massive heat dome will cover 200 million people across the Eastern U.S. in the coming days, prompting concerns about health-related illnesses. @eniiler.bsky.social reports for #WSJScience. www.wsj.com/us-news/clim... via @wsj.com
Dangerous Heat Dome to Bring Record Temperatures to Much of the U.S.
Officials warn of health risks as massive weather system traps sweltering air.
www.wsj.com
June 21, 2025 at 12:08 PM
A massive heat dome will cover 200 million people across the Eastern U.S. in the coming days, prompting concerns about health-related illnesses. @eniiler.bsky.social reports for #WSJScience. www.wsj.com/us-news/clim... via @wsj.com
Reposted by Eric Niiler
First-ever images of the sun’s south pole reveal secrets vital to understanding the solar magnetic storms that can affect Earth.
The Sun’s Fiery South Pole Is Revealed for the First Time
New images are key to understanding solar magnetic storms and other space weather that can disrupt systems on Earth.
on.wsj.com
June 19, 2025 at 9:06 PM
First-ever images of the sun’s south pole reveal secrets vital to understanding the solar magnetic storms that can affect Earth.
Reposted by Eric Niiler
The Trump administration froze Northwestern’s research funding. It hasn’t offered the school a way to get it back. https://on.wsj.com/440ZN5L
How Trump Blew Up Northwestern’s Business Model
The federal government froze the university’s research funding. It hasn’t offered the school a way to get it back.
on.wsj.com
June 15, 2025 at 12:14 PM
The Trump administration froze Northwestern’s research funding. It hasn’t offered the school a way to get it back. https://on.wsj.com/440ZN5L
Reposted by Eric Niiler
"In two instances, the HHS memo makes claims about dangers to pregnant women that are actively refuted by the papers it cites to back them up."
Another study cited is a preprint and includes an alert that it "should not be used to guide clinical practice."
www.npr.org/2025/06/13/n...
Another study cited is a preprint and includes an alert that it "should not be used to guide clinical practice."
www.npr.org/2025/06/13/n...
RFK Jr. sent Congress 'medical disinformation' to defend COVID vaccine schedule change
A document circulated to members of Congress misinterprets studies and cites debunked research, scientists say. It could influence congressional perceptions of vaccine safety.
www.npr.org
June 13, 2025 at 2:19 PM
"In two instances, the HHS memo makes claims about dangers to pregnant women that are actively refuted by the papers it cites to back them up."
Another study cited is a preprint and includes an alert that it "should not be used to guide clinical practice."
www.npr.org/2025/06/13/n...
Another study cited is a preprint and includes an alert that it "should not be used to guide clinical practice."
www.npr.org/2025/06/13/n...
Reposted by Eric Niiler
Why is hail getting so big? The largest study of hailstorms in U.S. history is trying to find out. @eniiler.bsky.social reports for #WSJScienceShorts www.wsj.com/science/envi... via @wsj.com
Why Is Hail Getting So Big?
Hailstorms cause billions in damages. Scientists are studying why it happens.
www.wsj.com
June 4, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Why is hail getting so big? The largest study of hailstorms in U.S. history is trying to find out. @eniiler.bsky.social reports for #WSJScienceShorts www.wsj.com/science/envi... via @wsj.com
Reposted by Eric Niiler
The hurricane season is set to begin with the National Weather Service struggling to do more with less after several rounds of staff cuts www.wsj.com/us-news/clim... by @pattersonscott.bsky.social @eniiler.bsky.social
National Weather Service Struggles With Staffing Cuts as Hurricane Season Begins
A downsized weather service is struggling to do more with less as the country heads into a storm season that is expected to see above-normal numbers of hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires.
www.wsj.com
May 22, 2025 at 4:45 PM
The hurricane season is set to begin with the National Weather Service struggling to do more with less after several rounds of staff cuts www.wsj.com/us-news/clim... by @pattersonscott.bsky.social @eniiler.bsky.social
Reposted by Eric Niiler
The White House is working on an executive order that would eliminate thousands of jobs at the FDA, CDC and other federal health agencies www.wsj.com/health/healt... @lizessleywhyte.bsky.social and Betsy McKay report
Exclusive | White House Preparing Order to Cut Thousands of Federal Health Workers
The executive order could come as soon as next week, if the Trump administration goes ahead with plans, according to people familiar with the matter.
www.wsj.com
February 6, 2025 at 6:31 PM
The White House is working on an executive order that would eliminate thousands of jobs at the FDA, CDC and other federal health agencies www.wsj.com/health/healt... @lizessleywhyte.bsky.social and Betsy McKay report
Reposted by Eric Niiler
The Trump administration is expected to place more than 100 workers in the EPA's environmental-justice and civil-rights office on administrative leave
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Exclusive | Trump to Place at Least 100 EPA Environmental-Justice Workers on Leave
The move would unwind a Biden administration program to aid poor communities recovering from environmental risks.
www.wsj.com
February 6, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The Trump administration is expected to place more than 100 workers in the EPA's environmental-justice and civil-rights office on administrative leave
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Eric Niiler
"Scientific journal articles that have been submitted or accepted but not published shouldn’t be published “if they do not align with” the executive order, CDC employees were told in an email." via a story from colleagues Friday
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
Vaccine Information, Transgender References Disappear From Federal Websites
Officials removed pages containing references to gender identity and diversity.
www.wsj.com
February 3, 2025 at 2:46 PM
"Scientific journal articles that have been submitted or accepted but not published shouldn’t be published “if they do not align with” the executive order, CDC employees were told in an email." via a story from colleagues Friday
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
Reposted by Eric Niiler
"Planetary scientists have discovered organic matter essential to life in dust and rock retrieved from an asteroid known as Bennu. The finding supports the theory that near-Earth asteroids, like Bennu, seeded life on Earth."
www.wsj.com/science/spac... by @eniiler.bsky.social
www.wsj.com/science/spac... by @eniiler.bsky.social
Bennu Asteroid Contains Material Needed for Life, NASA Mission Finds
The discovery supports the theory that asteroids seeded life on Earth.
www.wsj.com
January 30, 2025 at 3:15 PM
"Planetary scientists have discovered organic matter essential to life in dust and rock retrieved from an asteroid known as Bennu. The finding supports the theory that near-Earth asteroids, like Bennu, seeded life on Earth."
www.wsj.com/science/spac... by @eniiler.bsky.social
www.wsj.com/science/spac... by @eniiler.bsky.social
Weekend rains closed schools and roads, and SoCal residents are preparing for possible mudslides. I got out with geologists and hydrologists last week who study how rain affects areas burnt by wildfires: www.wsj.com/us-news/clim...
California Emergency Workers Are Battling a New and Potentially Deadly Threat: Mudslides
Schools and roads closed after weekend storms brought heavy rain and snow to Southern California.
www.wsj.com
January 27, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Weekend rains closed schools and roads, and SoCal residents are preparing for possible mudslides. I got out with geologists and hydrologists last week who study how rain affects areas burnt by wildfires: www.wsj.com/us-news/clim...
Reposted by Eric Niiler
A tiny species of bat travels hundreds of miles by surfing storm winds—surprising scientists who didn’t expect a “flapping flier” to glide. @eniiler.bsky.social reports for #WSJScienceShorts www.wsj.com/science/envi...
A Tiny Bat Surprises Scientists With Its Long-Distance Gliding Skills
The common noctule is found in Europe, North Africa and Asia. Pregnant females hitch rides on storm winds to cover hundreds of miles.
www.wsj.com
January 22, 2025 at 3:08 PM
A tiny species of bat travels hundreds of miles by surfing storm winds—surprising scientists who didn’t expect a “flapping flier” to glide. @eniiler.bsky.social reports for #WSJScienceShorts www.wsj.com/science/envi...
It's not just luck that determines the survival outcomes of a plane crash. A look at who makes it by @wsj.com @mcjomcg.bsky.social www.wsj.com/science/plan...
How Do People Survive Plane Crashes That Kill Nearly Everyone Else?
Lots of variables determine a flight’s survivability, including the location of the seat—and plain luck.
www.wsj.com
January 6, 2025 at 2:39 PM
It's not just luck that determines the survival outcomes of a plane crash. A look at who makes it by @wsj.com @mcjomcg.bsky.social www.wsj.com/science/plan...
Reposted by Eric Niiler
Neighbors say Massachusetts cranberry growers are digging up too much sand. @eniiler.bsky.social reports for #WSJScience. www.wsj.com/science/envi...
The Sand Wars Dividing Cranberry Growers and Their Neighbors
Growers dig up local sand for their bogs. Neighbors say they have gone too far.
www.wsj.com
November 28, 2024 at 12:47 PM
Neighbors say Massachusetts cranberry growers are digging up too much sand. @eniiler.bsky.social reports for #WSJScience. www.wsj.com/science/envi...
This @salkinstitute.bsky.social scientist followed her innate curiosity to make startling discoveries about how plants absorb carbon, and perhaps how they might help battle climate change: www.wsj.com/science/envi...
Joanne Chory, Who Enlisted Plants to Fight Climate Change, Dies at 69
Biologist sought to breed crops that could store more carbon safely underground in their roots.
www.wsj.com
November 22, 2024 at 3:44 PM
This @salkinstitute.bsky.social scientist followed her innate curiosity to make startling discoveries about how plants absorb carbon, and perhaps how they might help battle climate change: www.wsj.com/science/envi...
Reposted by Eric Niiler
