Nell Greenfieldboyce
@ngreenfieldboyce.bsky.social
Science journalist for NPR. I'm drawn to the transient and strange. I'm on Signal and welcome tips: nellgfb.11
James Watson has died. www.npr.org/2025/11/07/n...
James Watson, who co-discovered the structure of DNA, has died at age 97
James Watson, who co-discovered the structure of DNA has died at age 97. He was a scientific superstar until he made racist remarks that made him an outcast.
www.npr.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:52 PM
James Watson has died. www.npr.org/2025/11/07/n...
This hit me really hard today. She was a beautiful person and a real role model of a life well lived. www.npr.org/2025/10/16/1...
NPR 'founding mother' Susan Stamberg has died
Susan Stamberg, an original National Public Radio staffer who went on to become the first U.S. woman to anchor a nightly national news program, has died.
www.npr.org
October 17, 2025 at 1:24 PM
This hit me really hard today. She was a beautiful person and a real role model of a life well lived. www.npr.org/2025/10/16/1...
Reposted by Nell Greenfieldboyce
TIL that for some people with irreparably damaged corneas, you can pull one of their teeth, drill a hole in it, install an artificial lens, sew it into their cheek (so tissue attaches), then pull it out and stick it in their damaged eye, and ... it works fine!?! www.nbcboston.com/news/health/...
Man, 34, is no longer blind after tooth is implanted in eye in 'crazy' surgery
Tooth-in-eye surgery sounds like science fiction, but it can help people with severely damaged corneas see again. A patient and his doctors describe what it's like.
www.nbcboston.com
September 12, 2025 at 1:42 PM
TIL that for some people with irreparably damaged corneas, you can pull one of their teeth, drill a hole in it, install an artificial lens, sew it into their cheek (so tissue attaches), then pull it out and stick it in their damaged eye, and ... it works fine!?! www.nbcboston.com/news/health/...
Farewell to the world's largest iceberg...
www.npr.org/2025/09/05/n...
www.npr.org/2025/09/05/n...
The world's oldest and largest iceberg will soon be no more
The iceberg, known as A23a, has been on a journey following the current into warmer waters for months. Now, it has begun the predicted and natural process of breaking apart, and eventually melting.
www.npr.org
September 5, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Farewell to the world's largest iceberg...
www.npr.org/2025/09/05/n...
www.npr.org/2025/09/05/n...
New study uses millions of bird audio recordings to look at the effect of light pollution on hundreds of bird species around the globe: www.npr.org/2025/08/21/n...
Artificial light has essentially lengthened birds' day
Millions of audio recordings of hundreds of bird species have revealed that artificial light is making the birds wake up earlier and go to bed later.
www.npr.org
August 21, 2025 at 6:28 PM
New study uses millions of bird audio recordings to look at the effect of light pollution on hundreds of bird species around the globe: www.npr.org/2025/08/21/n...
Are you a fan of the Avatar movies? Well, scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have just made a possible discovery that is right up your alley: a possible gas giant planet orbiting the nearby Sun-like star Alpha Centauri A
www.npr.org/2025/08/07/n...
www.npr.org/2025/08/07/n...
Scientists find a planet from the Avatar movies in real life
One of the brightest stars in the night sky seems to be orbited by a planet like Jupiter. The news is sure to cheer fans of the Avatar series, which centers on a moon that orbits a fictional gas giant...
www.npr.org
August 7, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Are you a fan of the Avatar movies? Well, scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have just made a possible discovery that is right up your alley: a possible gas giant planet orbiting the nearby Sun-like star Alpha Centauri A
www.npr.org/2025/08/07/n...
www.npr.org/2025/08/07/n...
Plans are being made to shut down the only two federal satellite missions that were designed and built specifically to monitor planet-warming greenhouse gases -- new reporting from my colleague Rebecca Hersher @rhersher.bsky.social
www.npr.org/2025/08/04/n...
www.npr.org/2025/08/04/n...
Why a NASA satellite that scientists and farmers rely on may be destroyed on purpose
The Trump administration has asked NASA staffers to draw up plans to end at least two satellite missions that measure carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, according to current and former NASA employees.
www.npr.org
August 4, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Plans are being made to shut down the only two federal satellite missions that were designed and built specifically to monitor planet-warming greenhouse gases -- new reporting from my colleague Rebecca Hersher @rhersher.bsky.social
www.npr.org/2025/08/04/n...
www.npr.org/2025/08/04/n...
It was 10 years ago today that NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew by Pluto, marking the first visit to the beloved dwarf planet. Here it is with its buddy Charon. It's a good day to reread my friend Tim Kreider's NYT essay "I❤️Pluto" www.nytimes.com/2006/08/23/o...
July 14, 2025 at 8:48 PM
It was 10 years ago today that NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew by Pluto, marking the first visit to the beloved dwarf planet. Here it is with its buddy Charon. It's a good day to reread my friend Tim Kreider's NYT essay "I❤️Pluto" www.nytimes.com/2006/08/23/o...
Reposted by Nell Greenfieldboyce
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has just released some of its first images. Its powerful new telescope will be able to quickly spot previously unseen astronomical objects. https://n.pr/405DN8P
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory's first images are stunning — and just the start
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has just released some of its first images. Its powerful new telescope will be able to quickly spot previously unseen astronomical objects.
n.pr
June 23, 2025 at 11:18 AM
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has just released some of its first images. Its powerful new telescope will be able to quickly spot previously unseen astronomical objects. https://n.pr/405DN8P
Reposted by Nell Greenfieldboyce
NEWS: NPR and three Colorado public radio stations sue Trump White House over effort to ban federal funding for NPR & PBS
The lawsuit calls Trump's executive order "textbook retaliation" for protected free speech - threatening public radio
My story:
www.npr.org/2025/05/27/n...
The lawsuit calls Trump's executive order "textbook retaliation" for protected free speech - threatening public radio
My story:
www.npr.org/2025/05/27/n...
NPR and Colorado public radio stations sue Trump White House
NPR and three Colorado public radio stations are suing the Trump administration over the president's executive order seeking to ban the use of federal money for NPR and PBS.
www.npr.org
May 27, 2025 at 12:16 PM
NEWS: NPR and three Colorado public radio stations sue Trump White House over effort to ban federal funding for NPR & PBS
The lawsuit calls Trump's executive order "textbook retaliation" for protected free speech - threatening public radio
My story:
www.npr.org/2025/05/27/n...
The lawsuit calls Trump's executive order "textbook retaliation" for protected free speech - threatening public radio
My story:
www.npr.org/2025/05/27/n...
The debate over possible signs of life on planet K2-18b continues, with independent groups coming out with their own interpretations of the James Webb Space Telescope data....which do not support the original claims....
So the independent consensus from four recent studies (Schmidt+2025, Taylor 2025, Welbanks+2025, Luque+2025) is that there is no detection of DMS in K2-18b's atmosphere.
May 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The debate over possible signs of life on planet K2-18b continues, with independent groups coming out with their own interpretations of the James Webb Space Telescope data....which do not support the original claims....
What a disturbing series of inter-species kidnappings says about boredom, innovation, and the role of randomness in culture:
www.npr.org/2025/05/19/n...
www.npr.org/2025/05/19/n...
Researchers puzzle over rash of baby monkey kidnappings
Young, male capuchin monkeys have started kidnapping the babies of nearby howler monkeys. Why? Maybe boredom.
www.npr.org
May 19, 2025 at 10:11 PM
What a disturbing series of inter-species kidnappings says about boredom, innovation, and the role of randomness in culture:
www.npr.org/2025/05/19/n...
www.npr.org/2025/05/19/n...
Reposted by Nell Greenfieldboyce
One scientist "learned her two-year fellowship was being canceled in an email from NSF that she said misspelled the word "priorities." Her work no longer served those priorities, it said."
@ngreenfieldboyce.bsky.social on the latest at NSF
www.npr.org/2025/05/02/n...
@ngreenfieldboyce.bsky.social on the latest at NSF
www.npr.org/2025/05/02/n...
Scientists reel as turmoil roils National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation, a major government funder of basic science research, is being shaken up with over 1,000 grants already terminated and the White House looking to halve its budget
www.npr.org
May 2, 2025 at 7:25 PM
One scientist "learned her two-year fellowship was being canceled in an email from NSF that she said misspelled the word "priorities." Her work no longer served those priorities, it said."
@ngreenfieldboyce.bsky.social on the latest at NSF
www.npr.org/2025/05/02/n...
@ngreenfieldboyce.bsky.social on the latest at NSF
www.npr.org/2025/05/02/n...
Reposted by Nell Greenfieldboyce
President Trump's "skinny" budget request absolutely eviscerates scientific research funding.
The @aaas.org estimates the request would constitute an 82.5% reduction in research spending (and that's just the agencies named in the request).
The @aaas.org estimates the request would constitute an 82.5% reduction in research spending (and that's just the agencies named in the request).
May 2, 2025 at 5:42 PM
President Trump's "skinny" budget request absolutely eviscerates scientific research funding.
The @aaas.org estimates the request would constitute an 82.5% reduction in research spending (and that's just the agencies named in the request).
The @aaas.org estimates the request would constitute an 82.5% reduction in research spending (and that's just the agencies named in the request).
White House budget request "phases out the grossly expensive and delayed Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and
Orion capsule after three flights" in favor of commercial systems. Also proposes killing lunar Gateway and Mars Sample Return.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Orion capsule after three flights" in favor of commercial systems. Also proposes killing lunar Gateway and Mars Sample Return.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
www.whitehouse.gov
May 2, 2025 at 4:07 PM
White House budget request "phases out the grossly expensive and delayed Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and
Orion capsule after three flights" in favor of commercial systems. Also proposes killing lunar Gateway and Mars Sample Return.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Orion capsule after three flights" in favor of commercial systems. Also proposes killing lunar Gateway and Mars Sample Return.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Preliminary white House Budget request is out:
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Just looking at NSF, if I'm doing my math right, it's a proposed $4.7 billion cut to the $9 billion agency. Also, an agency spokesperson said they axed another 344 awards
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Just looking at NSF, if I'm doing my math right, it's a proposed $4.7 billion cut to the $9 billion agency. Also, an agency spokesperson said they axed another 344 awards
www.whitehouse.gov
May 2, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Preliminary white House Budget request is out:
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Just looking at NSF, if I'm doing my math right, it's a proposed $4.7 billion cut to the $9 billion agency. Also, an agency spokesperson said they axed another 344 awards
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Just looking at NSF, if I'm doing my math right, it's a proposed $4.7 billion cut to the $9 billion agency. Also, an agency spokesperson said they axed another 344 awards
NSF spokesperson offers up "no comment" on Nature reporting that has agency has stopped funding new grants and existing ones. Today another 344 grants were terminated "that were not aligned with agency priorities"
May 2, 2025 at 2:44 PM
NSF spokesperson offers up "no comment" on Nature reporting that has agency has stopped funding new grants and existing ones. Today another 344 grants were terminated "that were not aligned with agency priorities"
Reposted by Nell Greenfieldboyce
Nature reports that the National Science Foundation has stopped awarding new grants and allotting funds to existing ones. All of them. @colincarlson.bsky.social says that unless the freeze is lifted, it “is going to destroy people's labs.” 2/10
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: NSF stops awarding new grants and funding existing ones
US science funder also plans to screen grant applications for compliance with ‘agency priorities’.
www.nature.com
May 1, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Nature reports that the National Science Foundation has stopped awarding new grants and allotting funds to existing ones. All of them. @colincarlson.bsky.social says that unless the freeze is lifted, it “is going to destroy people's labs.” 2/10
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Nell Greenfieldboyce
When 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March, the fate of its vast genetic database became unclear.
In today’s episode, we look at what might happen to the genetic data of 15 million 23andMe customers as the bankruptcy process unfolds.
In today’s episode, we look at what might happen to the genetic data of 15 million 23andMe customers as the bankruptcy process unfolds.
How 23andMe's bankruptcy led to a run on the gene bank : Planet Money
Reporter Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi's Aunt Vovi signed up for 23andMe back in 2017, hoping to learn more about the genetic makeup of her ancestors. Vovi was one of over 15 million 23andMe customers who…
buff.ly
April 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM
When 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March, the fate of its vast genetic database became unclear.
In today’s episode, we look at what might happen to the genetic data of 15 million 23andMe customers as the bankruptcy process unfolds.
In today’s episode, we look at what might happen to the genetic data of 15 million 23andMe customers as the bankruptcy process unfolds.
More NSF grants got the axe--over 700 cancellations today, on top of the numerous cancellations about a week ago. This comes the day after NSF director Sethuraman Panchanathan abruptly departed, as the agency reportedly faces the possibility of losing half of its budget to cuts
April 25, 2025 at 10:10 PM
More NSF grants got the axe--over 700 cancellations today, on top of the numerous cancellations about a week ago. This comes the day after NSF director Sethuraman Panchanathan abruptly departed, as the agency reportedly faces the possibility of losing half of its budget to cuts
After a week of studying claims of possible signs of life on planet K2-18b, the "overwhelming consensus" of astronomers: it was way over hyped. One re-analysis suggests there's too much noise in the data to really find anything. The original researchers seem unconcerned
www.npr.org/2025/04/25/g...
www.npr.org/2025/04/25/g...
New analysis casts doubt on 'biosignatures' found on planet K2-18b
Researchers using data from the James Webb Space Telescope recently announced they had detected biosignature gases on planet K2-18b. A new analysis of the same data casts doubt on the earlier findings
www.npr.org
April 25, 2025 at 11:06 AM
After a week of studying claims of possible signs of life on planet K2-18b, the "overwhelming consensus" of astronomers: it was way over hyped. One re-analysis suggests there's too much noise in the data to really find anything. The original researchers seem unconcerned
www.npr.org/2025/04/25/g...
www.npr.org/2025/04/25/g...
Reposted by Nell Greenfieldboyce
My story breaking this news exclusively was 7K+ words and had almost all of this in it, and more:
www.npr.org/2025/04/15/n...
www.npr.org/2025/04/15/n...
April 18, 2025 at 1:58 AM
My story breaking this news exclusively was 7K+ words and had almost all of this in it, and more:
www.npr.org/2025/04/15/n...
www.npr.org/2025/04/15/n...
Reposted by Nell Greenfieldboyce
Several U.S. regional climate centers shut down Thursday — including those in the Midwest, Great Plains and South — after their federal funding from NOAA ran out.
Here's why you should care:
Here's why you should care:
Regional Climate Centers shut down abruptly this week. Here's why it matters
The closure of four of the six Regional Climate Centers across the U.S. occurred after funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ran out. A recent report stated that the Trump a...
www.kcur.org
April 18, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Several U.S. regional climate centers shut down Thursday — including those in the Midwest, Great Plains and South — after their federal funding from NOAA ran out.
Here's why you should care:
Here's why you should care: