Human exploration of Mars?
I was taken aback by the stupid made-by-AI cover of this report, which doesn't reflect (pun not intended) the serious effort that went into writing it by the numerous contributing scientists. Long report, but definitely worth a reading.
Images:
• The stupid AI cover of the report showing a … ghost rock without a reflection
• What the report doesn't address
Read it online here:
https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/28594/chapter/1
"The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (#NASEM) has launched a major downsizing to help it cope with a significant loss of federal funding since President Donald #Trump took office."
https://www.science.org/content/article/u-s-national-academies-adopts-new-business-model-weather-financial-storm
(#paywalled)
#DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #USPol #USPolitics
"Reeling from Trump contract cuts, the National Academies prepares for ‘a fairly radical downsizing’."
https://www.statnews.com/2025/05/23/national-academy-sciences-nasem-layoffs-after-trump-cuts-contracts-worth-40-million/
"The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine [#NASEM] is headed for a major reorganization as it tries to reduce its overhead amid big losses in funding from the federal government. Facing a shortfall of roughly $40 million in terminated contracts, the nation’s leading advisory body on issues of science and technology has already had to lay off 50 of its 1,000 employees and could lose as many as 250 more by the end of the summer."
#DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #USPol #USPolitics
#NASEM has published a study that finds links between #myopia in #children and reduced #outdoor activities, among other effects related to genetics and environmental changes.
https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/27734/interactive/
#TIL about a #NASEM publication:
"Understanding and Addressing #Misinformation About #Science"
Update. "More than 1,900 scientists write letter in ‘SOS’ over Trump’s attacks on science"
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/31/scientists-letter-trump-administration
"More than 1,900 members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine [#NASEM] signed an open letter warning Americans about the “danger” of the #Trump administration’s attacks on science. The letter comes amid the administration’s relentless assault on US scientific institutions which has included threats to private universities, federal grant cancelations and ideological funding reviews, mass government layoffs, resignations and censorship."
Here is the letter itself.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/13gmMJOMsoNKC4U-A8rhJrzu_xhgS51PEfNMPG9Q_cmE/edit?tab=t.0
Update. Marcia McNutt, president of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (#NASEM), talks about defending US science under #Trump.
https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2025/03/america-cant-be-great-without-great-science-that-is-where-the-academies-can-help
"First of all, we are working to reach officials in the administration who will be sensitive to the likely impacts of [their] actions on the health, security, economic opportunity, and well-being of all Americans. Second, we are using the contacts here at the Academies and among our members to directly appeal to other individuals who may share some of the administration’s goals. We are working with them to demonstrate how the scientific evidence base suggests some of the tactics the administration is taking now may not lead to the goals that they want to accomplish…The mantra of this administration is, of course, to make America great. Well, science has been a big part of what has made America great, and America can’t be great without great science…For example, we are doing a fast-track study on reducing red tape for researchers that should be useful to the new administration. It could dramatically increase the efficiency of federally supported science…I really encourage members to talk to their members of Congress; as their constituents, they have more impact."
65dBnoise
Professor Charles Haas
petersuber
Helen Branswell
Jesus Castagnetto 🇵🇪
