Stand with Science in an Unequal World

One week ago, the World Health Organization’s theme for World Health Day, 7 April 2026, carried unmistakable urgency: “Together for Health. Stand with Science.” In recent years, public trust in scientific institutions has been eroded by political polarization, disinformation, and uncertainty in research funding across many countries. The call to defend the integrity of science is therefore understandable. Yet the slogan also raises a question … Continue reading Stand with Science in an Unequal World

When Water Becomes a Target of War

Modern war increasingly extends beyond military positions to the infrastructure that sustains biological survival. In the current regional escalation involving Iran, one of the least visible but potentially most consequential vulnerabilities lies not in missile systems or border deployments, but in desalination plants. These facilities, which convert seawater into potable water, underpin daily life across much of the Arabian Gulf. If they are deliberately targeted, the humanitarian … Continue reading When Water Becomes a Target of War

The Problem With Promoting ‘Gold Standard Science’

March 20, 2026 by Jonathan P. Scaccia Federal agencies have been branding some of their research and policy work as “gold standard science,” a trend that gained new force after an executive order on the term was issued in May 2025. The phrase now appears in speeches and guidance documents from agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. It … Continue reading The Problem With Promoting ‘Gold Standard Science’

The Attention Trap

Why academics can no longer afford to stay silent, and what they risk by speaking up Academics once enjoyed a comfortable remove from public noise. Authority accumulated slowly, through journals, seminars, and institutional standing. That distance has collapsed. Consider what happened to Didier Raoult, the French microbiologist who became one of the most visible scientific figures of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whatever one thinks of his … Continue reading The Attention Trap