Week in Science: Science is in chaos

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June 19—Our big summer magazine is all about the future of American science—and how the current system needs to change. Also, how math can predict the end of the world, sharks use manta rays as back scratchers and more. —Emma Gometz, Newsletter Editor How are you liking this newsletter? Email newsletters@sciam.com anytime.

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U.S. science is in chaos How did we get here? Adam Rogers

Russia seeks mathematician’s extradition Mikhail Verbitsky was detained at an Armenian airport last Thursday on charges of inciting terrorism Joseph Howlett

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Dozens of countries are trying to lure U.S. scientists abroad—and it’s working The great American brain drain could define science for a generation Sarah Scoles

Math predicts humans could go extinct in about 17,000 years Some mathematicians have predicted when humanity’s downfall might occur—though the circumstances are unspecified Manon Bischoff

Could the keto diet help treat anorexia, schizophrenia and depression? Early research suggests that some mental health conditions could stem from metabolic disorders. If so, the findings could change how we treat mental illness Allison Parshall

See how academic freedom is changing around the world Some countries have seen a stark decline in academic freedom over the past decade Jen Christiansen

Watch sharks use manta rays to scratch unreachable itches Galapagos sharks have been spotted scrubbing off parasites with help from manta rays Clarissa Brincat

Astronomers discover another galaxy seemingly devoid of dark matter A galaxy appears to be missing the invisible substance thought to hold such objects together, further challenging long-held assumptions about how galaxies form Sam Macdonald

NASA spots the possible remains of a massive supernova in the middle of the Milky Way If the supernova remnant is confirmed, it would be one of the closest to the supermassive black hole that lies in the center of the Milky Way Marta Hill

The U.S. restricted Anthropic’s powerful Fable model. Cybersecurity experts say that could backfire Fable 5 was built to help with advanced cybersecurity work. Its sudden shutdown highlights a dilemma at the heart of AI security: the same tools can aid both defenders and attackers Chris Stokel-Walker

Just how big is the new Ebola outbreak? Scientists have modeled the potential size of this current outbreak, which some experts think could become one of the worst Ebola epidemics on record Tanya Lewis

Inside the race to develop a new Ebola vaccine As Ebola rages, Moderna and others are racing to develop an mRNA vaccine for the rare Bundibugyo virus  driving the current outbreak Paul Adepoju

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How many elementary particles are there, really?

The math behind sloppy card shuffles; Why the human genome’s tangled physicality may confound AI; The Quanta Podcast

Math and Science News from Quanta Magazine View this email in your browser QUALIA | ALL TOPICS   How Many Elementary Particles Are There, Really? By NATALIE WOLCHOVER Plausible answers range from 17 to — in all seriousness — 995.5. Read the article PROBABILITY   Seven Perfect Shuffles Randomize a Deck of Cards. But How Many Sloppy Ones? By JOHN PAVLUS A decades-old proof showed that seven shuffles are enough to mix up a deck of cards. But it requires you to cut the deck with the precision of a professional magician. A new proof gets around that obstacle. Read the article EXPLAINERS   Why the Human Genome’s Tangled Physicality May Confound AI By PHILIP BALL Our genetic heritage is not a blueprint or an algorithm, as many biologists have imagined, but something else entirely. Read the article THE QUANTA PODCAST   The ‘Truth Machine’ That Is Changing Math Podcast hosted by SAMIR PATEL with KEVIN HARTNETT The computer program Lean might revolutionize mathematics. It has verified more than a quarter of a million theorems and led to new insights. But does it change what math is, or can be? Listen (Apple) | Listen (Spotify) Read the article Follow Quanta Unsubscribe | About Quanta | My Bookmarks Privacy Policy | Terms | Contact Us   Copyright © 2025 Quanta Magazine, an editorially independent division of the Simons Foundation Simons Foundation 160 5th Avenue, 7th Floor New York, NY 10010