Why is the Reflecting Pool peeling?

We investigate the technical reasons the paint on the Reflecting Pool is peeling off ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

June 23, 2026—We talked to former astronaut and U.S. Senator Mark Kelly about the state of American science. See what he has to say. Plus, an investigation into the real reason the Reflecting Pool is peeling. Lastly, please scroll down for an important programming note about this newsletter!  —Andrea Gawrylewski Chief Newsletter Editor TODAY'S NEWS Alexey Brin/Getty Images Silicon Valley's longevity biohackers, influencers and ultra-rich people are turning to offbeat and unproven tactics to extend their lifespans. | 8 min read Why is the paint peeling off the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool? We investigate: Poor preparation and a failure to properly apply the coating may be just a few of the reasons. | 4 min read A man and a woman with a rare and devastating autoimmune disease have been in remission for more than 15 years after receiving a stem-cell transplant. | 3 min read The first ticking "nuclear clocks" are here. These radical new devices keep time using fluctuations in the energy states of an atom’s nucleus, rather than those of its electrons, which atomic clocks currently use. | 4 min read Mathematician Emmy Noether, who often goes less recognized among key figures in physics history, helped prove the conservation of energy in physics, a key foundation for Einstein's theory of relativity. | 5 min read A preliminary study found that testosterone levels increase or stabilize in people taking GLP-1 medications. | 3 min read More News TOP STORIES Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images Mark Kelly on U.S. Science In the July/August issue of Scientific American our editors sat down with some prominent figures in science and asked them how they would gauge the state of American science, and what fixes need to be made.  ​ We spoke to former NASA astronaut and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering and nautical science and a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering. In 1996 Kelly was selected as an astronaut, and he has spent more than 50 days in space, traveling more than 20 million miles. Here's an excerpt from that conversation.  ​ Scientific American: How would you describe the current state of American science? ​Mark Kelly: From a standpoint of still having great scientists and being the world’s best innovators and inventors, I would give us high marks. My concern is that we have some folks in government who don’t believe in science and don’t believe in the investments that need to be made for us to stay in that leadership position.  We’ve got the world’s biggest economy, in my view, not because of real estate developers but because of science and decades and decades of the federal government investing in research and education—especially the education of scientists and engineers and the funding of Ph.D. programs, as well as our investment in our national laboratories. I think all that together has been an incredible gift to the U.S., and now we see that being rolled back, and it’s really a big concern of mine. ​ SA: What gives you optimism right now?  MK: I think despite the challenges we face from government officials who really just don’t believe in the scientific method and the value of science, we still are a place that attracts some of the best scientists in the world.  Now that’s starting to change. We’re seeing scientists go to China because that’s where the investments are being made. But so far I think we’re still well positioned. ​ Read the full interview here.

PUZZLER Unscramble this image of our cover from the September 1992 issue. This cover features a somewhat precarious geological survey in progress.  Thank you for being a valued reader of Today in Science! We will be taking a short scheduling break over the coming days while some things get sorted out behind the scenes. Fear not, we shall return soon, so keep your eyes on your inbox.  In the meantime, you can send any questions, comments or thoughts about science to: newsletters@sciam.com.  —Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor

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