Week in Science: American science is in decline--here's how we fix it

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August 9—This week, American science is falling behind, experts warn. Plus, sleep training infants works (and is better for parents) and we go into the field with scientists studying Iceland's volcano. Enjoy! --Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor

Top Stories

In Iceland, a Volcanic Monster Fumes as Researchers Race to Understand Its Dangers We take you down below Iceland's erupting surface with the researchers who are trying to understand what's going to happen next. Micah Garen; Marie-Hélène Carleton; Dominic Smith

American Science Slips into Dangerous Decline, Experts Warn, while Chinese Research Surges The U.S. sorely needs a coordinated national research strategy, says Marcia McNutt, president of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences Saima S. Iqbal, intern writer

These Pathogens Could Spark the Next Pandemic, Scientists Warn Scientists have identified more than 30 different pathogens that they fear could cause the next big pandemic in humans Smriti Mallapaty; Nature magazine

Overdose Deaths Are Finally Starting to Decline. Here's Why. Opioid overdoses have fallen since their pandemic peak, according to new data from the past few months Tanya Lewis

The Hidden Ways Extreme Heat Disrupts Infrastructure Scorching temperatures are further burdening an already-troubled infrastructure system across much of the U.S. in ways people are still learning to recognize Meghan Bartels

Scientists Sound Alarms on New Surge in Cancers, and a Private Spacewalk Is Pushed Back A new blood test for cancer, helpful cat parasites and a new kind of wood are featured in this week's news roundup. Rachel Feltman; Kelso Harper; Fonda Mwangi

Sleep Training Won't Hurt a Parent or Baby. Bad Sleep Will Despite conflicting advice, letting your baby "cry it out" can help parents and babies alike Jasmine Mote

How Do Stars Really Die? There's more than one way for a star to die. Some go with a whimper, and some go with a very, very big bang Phil Plait

Some Trees 'Hold Their Breath' during Wildfires When wildfire smoke is in the air, some trees essentially shut their windows and doors and hold their breath Delphine Farmer, partner content; Mj Riches, partner content; The Conversation US

Slime Mold Helps to Map the Universe's Tendrils of Dark Matter A single-celled organism's pathfinding reveals connections in the universe's vast "cosmic web" Mark Popinchalk, contract writer

Thunderstorms Have Caused $45 Billion in Damages in the U.S. in Just Six Months Damage from high-frequency storms is rising faster than losses from major disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires Chelsea Harvey; E&E News

NASA Losing VIPER Rover Defangs the Science from Planned Moon Landings A former space agency official argues that cutting a robotic explorer pulls the scientific teeth from the Artemis program Thomas Zurbuchen, expert writer; Nadia Drake

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