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June 25, 2025—Some people have fantastical orgasms. Plus, Danish metal detection is a booming endeavor, and we republish vaccine schedules as a public service. —Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor | | Kristen Nedergaard Dreiøe (left) and Marie Aagaard Larsen (right) swing their metal detectors over a field where grain is typically grown in southern Denmark. Alastair Philip Wiper | | In 2016 three hobbyist metal detectorists in Denmark discovered nearly 1.5 kilograms of Viking Age gold artifacts near the modern town of Fæsted. It's the largest hoard of Viking gold ever discovered in Denmark. Two years later, the same group discovered a cache of 200 iron weapons, and subsequent digs by archeologists at the same site found evidence of temples dating back to year 0 C.E. Why this is interesting: Many European countries have prohibited or heavily restricted hobbyist metal detecting, but Denmark has embraced it, creating a system for members of the public to hand over their finds to one of 28 local archaeology museums. The detectorists might receive a fee from the government if one of their finds is valuable. The program has exploded in recent years: in 2013 about 5,600 items were turned in, by 2021 the number had skyrocketed to more than 30,000. What the experts say: Metal detectorists in Denmark have helped create a rich picture of the past, uncovering ancient trade routes, temple complexes and settlements. "Private detectorists have rocketed Denmark ahead of its neighbors in archaeological research," says Torben Trier Christiansen, curator of archaeology at Denmark's North Jutland Museums. "There's nothing 'amateur' about them." | |  National Museum of Denmark A solid gold ring set with a garnet was found by a detectorist near the hamlet of Emmerlev in Denmark. A detail of the setting ties the ring to the Merovingian dynasty of central Europe, suggesting that a noble Merovingian woman might have married into the ruling Nordic elites near Emmerlev. | | Two weeks ago, Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. dismissed all 17 sitting members of a crucial vaccine oversight group, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). In the past, the group (whose members are not paid) has made independent, science-based recommendations on vaccine access for people in the U.S. JFK, Jr. replaced them with eight new members, some with links to anti-vaccine activism and misinformation, who met today. Why it matters: Kennedy's decision to replace ACIP wholesale and the comments he has made about deviating from standard vaccine policymaking practice suggest that any forthcoming recommendations won't be backed by established vaccine science. Access to the COVID vaccine this fall already appears to be limited to special groups. | | Jen Christiansen; Source: "Recommended Immunizations for Children 7–18 Years Old, United States, 2025." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Version dated to November 22, 2024. Accessed June 18, 2025 (primary reference) | | | | |
A special event for Scientific American subscribers | | The fast fashion industry is under fire for its environmental toll and exploitative labor practices. But a wave of change is rising. Join journalist Jessica Hullinger in conversation with Scientific American editor Jennifer Schwartz as they spotlight the innovators and movements reshaping fashion—from botanical dyes and local supply chains to upcycling and repair services. | | | | |
- In 2021, a sensational scientific study was published reporting that an airburst in 1650 BCE destroyed a Bronze Age city near the Dead Sea. The findings went viral. This April, the researchers retracted the study after "independent scientists (I was one of them) had alerted them to faulty methodology, errors of fact and inappropriate manipulation of digital image data," writes Mark Boslough, a professor of Earth and planetary science at the University of New Mexico. No matter how exciting a story, public opinion does not dictate facts, he says: "Scientific facts are determined by the scientific method, logic and evidence, all presented in peer-reviewed publications that require reproducible results." | 4 min read
| | - Bird feeders have become an evolutionary force for California's hummingbirds. | Science
- A federal judge has ruled that Anthropic can train its AI models on legally bought books—without the authors' permission. | The Verge
- The University of North Carolina has shut down its Long COVID clinic, shuttering services for thousands of patients. | The Sick Times
| | It's still sweltering in this neck of the woods. Thank you to readers who sent in advice for keeping cool at night! Some recommendations from our community: - Avoid eating spicy foods during hot stretches
- Use a silk pillowcase to aid your head's temperature regulation.
- Layer ice packs (used in coolers) in a towel on your bed to chill the sheets for about an hour before you turn in.
- Soak your sheets in cold water before bed to keep the moisture evaporating off your skin all night.
| | Please send any other cool ideas, comments or feedback on this newsletter to: newsletters@sciam.com. See you tomorrow! —Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor
With contributions by Andrea Tamayo | | | | |
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