Research! by ji
@argmax.com
ji = john irons; Philanthropy+Research at Siegel Endowment; social scientist musing about AI/technology; sourdough baker; affiliated w/IDE@MIT and The Schwartz Center@The New School; SciFi fan; +stuff; http://argmax.com; Views my own; reposts!=endorsement
!! "A federal judge in Illinois on Thursday blocked the Trump administration’s plan to claw back $600 million in public health funds from four states led by Democrats, amid a wider effort by the federal government to pull funding from blue states." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/u...
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Plan to Cut $600 Million in Health Funds
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:53 AM
!! "A federal judge in Illinois on Thursday blocked the Trump administration’s plan to claw back $600 million in public health funds from four states led by Democrats, amid a wider effort by the federal government to pull funding from blue states." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/u...
“”No question, the Trump administration is dismantling Golden’s renewable energy lab and hollowing out our energy industry, driving away some of the smartest and most innovative people in the country," Hickenlooper said…” www.9news.com/article/news...
Golden-based National Laboratory of the Rockies cuts 134 more jobs
The laboratory, previously known as NREL, cut roles in research and operations, a spokesperson said.
www.9news.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:07 AM
“”No question, the Trump administration is dismantling Golden’s renewable energy lab and hollowing out our energy industry, driving away some of the smartest and most innovative people in the country," Hickenlooper said…” www.9news.com/article/news...
#WTF? “If the Trump admin gets its way, Lurie Children's Hospital may soon be $5.2 million poorer…Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be cutting off funding to a hospital-run program that aims to prevent HIV/AIDS among Black women.” abc7chicago.com/post/trump-a...
Trump admin. plans to rescind $600M in public health funds from 4 Dem states, including IL
The Trump administration plans to rescind $600 million in public health funds from four Democratic-led states, including Illinois.
abc7chicago.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:41 AM
#WTF? “If the Trump admin gets its way, Lurie Children's Hospital may soon be $5.2 million poorer…Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be cutting off funding to a hospital-run program that aims to prevent HIV/AIDS among Black women.” abc7chicago.com/post/trump-a...
From Idaho: “Another round of budget cuts would force immediate staff cuts and furloughs across Idaho campuses, college and university officials said Friday. ” www.idahoednews.org/top-news/pro...
Program cuts, staff cuts, furloughs: Education leaders say budget cuts would cause fallout
The Legislature’s most powerful budget-writers asked state agencies to spell out plans for spending cuts — ratcheting up a debate that is dominating the 2026 session.
www.idahoednews.org
February 1, 2026 at 10:38 PM
From Idaho: “Another round of budget cuts would force immediate staff cuts and furloughs across Idaho campuses, college and university officials said Friday. ” www.idahoednews.org/top-news/pro...
“…reduced federal support for university research and graduate training…has contributed to widespread uncertainty across higher ed…doctoral programmes cutting admissions, international students looking elsewhere, and PhD-trained staff leaving federal agencies...” www.tbsnews.net/worldbiz/usa...
Hard times for PhD degrees in US as funding cuts, enrolment declines bite
Forbes reports that reduced federal support for university research and graduate training under President Donald Trump’s administration has contributed to widespread uncertainty across higher educatio...
www.tbsnews.net
February 1, 2026 at 10:33 PM
“…reduced federal support for university research and graduate training…has contributed to widespread uncertainty across higher ed…doctoral programmes cutting admissions, international students looking elsewhere, and PhD-trained staff leaving federal agencies...” www.tbsnews.net/worldbiz/usa...
“Wildfire smoke, spore-spread fungal diseases and microplastic are all on the rise, even as the US government slashes support for respiratory research and policy.” www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Funding cuts could put research into emerging threats to lung health at risk
Wildfire smoke, spore-spread fungal diseases and microplastic are all on the rise, even as the US government slashes support for respiratory research and policy.
www.nature.com
January 31, 2026 at 4:25 PM
“Wildfire smoke, spore-spread fungal diseases and microplastic are all on the rise, even as the US government slashes support for respiratory research and policy.” www.nature.com/articles/d41...
“Science, research, and scientific discoveries, after all, provide solutions to the pressing challenges our society faces and can improve people’s lives. Science guides us through these challenges, inspires us, and unites many curious minds.” www.globalissues.org/news/2026/01...
Cuts Stall Clinical Trials, Scientists Warn US Risks Losing Its Research Edge
URBANA, Illinois, US, January 27 (IPS) - Scientists across the U.S., including me, are stressed after a year marked by several changes and challenges, including cuts to science funding that have stal...
www.globalissues.org
January 31, 2026 at 4:19 PM
“Science, research, and scientific discoveries, after all, provide solutions to the pressing challenges our society faces and can improve people’s lives. Science guides us through these challenges, inspires us, and unites many curious minds.” www.globalissues.org/news/2026/01...
Judge:“Attached to this order is an appendix that identifies 96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases…ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.” Why no consequences? storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:12 AM
Judge:“Attached to this order is an appendix that identifies 96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases…ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.” Why no consequences? storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
"NCAR is not just another research center. It is purpose-built critical infrastructure designed to integrate observations, modeling, supercomputing, and applied research in ways that no single university, agency, or contractor can replicate on its own." #science #research eos.org/opinions/wha...
What Americans Lose If Their National Center for Atmospheric Research Is Dismantled - Eos
Five ways dismantling NCAR will cost the American people, and two ways to save it.
eos.org
January 28, 2026 at 4:06 PM
"NCAR is not just another research center. It is purpose-built critical infrastructure designed to integrate observations, modeling, supercomputing, and applied research in ways that no single university, agency, or contractor can replicate on its own." #science #research eos.org/opinions/wha...
“…thousands of federal scientist positions have been eliminated because of lay-offs, budget cuts and workforce restructuring. Jobs were cut at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), EPA, NOAA, CDC, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and across national laboratories…” www.nature.com/articles/d41...
‘Shattered’: US scientists speak out about how Trump policies disrupted their careers
Researchers lay bare the human toll of lay-offs, funding cuts and attacks on science one year after the president’s return to the White House.
www.nature.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:30 AM
“…thousands of federal scientist positions have been eliminated because of lay-offs, budget cuts and workforce restructuring. Jobs were cut at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), EPA, NOAA, CDC, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and across national laboratories…” www.nature.com/articles/d41...
“As Trump marks one year back in office on Tuesday, analysts and professors are considering abandoning their projects or even changing occupations altogether, saying there is no outside group capable of replacing the backing of the U.S. government.” thehill.com/homenews/edu...
thehill.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:26 AM
“As Trump marks one year back in office on Tuesday, analysts and professors are considering abandoning their projects or even changing occupations altogether, saying there is no outside group capable of replacing the backing of the U.S. government.” thehill.com/homenews/edu...
“A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.” www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
US science after a year of Trump: what has been lost and what remains
A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.
www.nature.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:18 PM
“A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.” www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
Govt admits to judge that DOGE had much greater access to Social Security data than previously disclosed “…identified communications, use of data, and
other actions by the then-SSA DOGE Team that were potentially outside of SSA policy and/or
noncompliant…” storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
other actions by the then-SSA DOGE Team that were potentially outside of SSA policy and/or
noncompliant…” storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
#197 in American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO v. Social Security Administration (D. Maryland, 1:25-cv-00596) – CourtListener.com
NOTICE by Social Security Administration of Corrections to the Record (Shapiro, Elizabeth) (Entered: 01/16/2026)
storage.courtlistener.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Govt admits to judge that DOGE had much greater access to Social Security data than previously disclosed “…identified communications, use of data, and
other actions by the then-SSA DOGE Team that were potentially outside of SSA policy and/or
noncompliant…” storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
other actions by the then-SSA DOGE Team that were potentially outside of SSA policy and/or
noncompliant…” storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Good news for #science and #research ! “The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday to approve billions of dollars in funding for federal science agencies, rejecting deep cuts proposed by President Donald Trump in space and other areas.” www.reuters.com/world/us-sen...
US Senate passes bill to boost federal science spending after White House sought major cuts
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday to approve billions of dollars in funding for federal science agencies, rejecting deep cuts proposed by President Donald Trump in space and other areas.
www.reuters.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Good news for #science and #research ! “The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday to approve billions of dollars in funding for federal science agencies, rejecting deep cuts proposed by President Donald Trump in space and other areas.” www.reuters.com/world/us-sen...
Good news for #science #research “After a tumultuous eight months, Congress has passed an appropriations bill fully funding NASA with a $24.4 billion budget, rejecting the cuts proposed by President Trump. “ www.astronomy.com/science/cong...
Congress passes NASA budget, rejects Trump cuts
Congress has officially passed a budget that restores critical science missions and pushes the agency’s effective funding to nearly $27 billion.
www.astronomy.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Good news for #science #research “After a tumultuous eight months, Congress has passed an appropriations bill fully funding NASA with a $24.4 billion budget, rejecting the cuts proposed by President Trump. “ www.astronomy.com/science/cong...
Trump's EPA puts no value on life "...admins have used different estimates of the monetary value of a human life in cost-benefit analyses. But until now, no admin has counted it as zero." "...plans to calculate only the cost to industry when setting pollution limits" www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/c...
E.P.A. to Stop Considering Lives Saved When Setting Rules on Air Pollution
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Trump's EPA puts no value on life "...admins have used different estimates of the monetary value of a human life in cost-benefit analyses. But until now, no admin has counted it as zero." "...plans to calculate only the cost to industry when setting pollution limits" www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/c...
Super important: national support for #research is not just about $$$ (thought that is important) is about freedom and integrity. “We protest the hypocrisy of an NIH leadership that claims to protect academic freedom while censoring grants and staff communication.” www.statnews.com/2026/01/10/n...
The NIH has lost its scientific integrity. So we left
“We can no longer lend our credibility to an organization that has lost its integrity,” write four scientists and administrators who recently resigned from the NIH.
www.statnews.com
January 11, 2026 at 4:55 AM
Super important: national support for #research is not just about $$$ (thought that is important) is about freedom and integrity. “We protest the hypocrisy of an NIH leadership that claims to protect academic freedom while censoring grants and staff communication.” www.statnews.com/2026/01/10/n...
Hope this is true… www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
Congress Is Reversing Trump’s Steep Budget Cuts to Science
www.nytimes.com
January 11, 2026 at 4:28 AM
Hope this is true… www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
“Cutting programs and services can seem like the most direct way to confront cost shortages. But such strategies sound the death knell for innovation.” www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Weathering budget cuts: Lessons from NASA
The current uncertainty and cuts to science funding affect universities, research facilities, and laboratories across the United States, but this situation is not unprecedented. Under pressure to fund...
www.science.org
January 10, 2026 at 5:08 AM
“Cutting programs and services can seem like the most direct way to confront cost shortages. But such strategies sound the death knell for innovation.” www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
“After the top journal Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) went dark in December after the Trump administration cut funding to its parent organisation, the American Chemical Society (ACS) has stepped in and will now run it.” www.chemistryworld.com/news/leading...
Leading environmental health journal defunded by Trump administration has been saved
The American Chemical Society will now publish Environmental Health Perspectives
www.chemistryworld.com
January 10, 2026 at 5:05 AM
“After the top journal Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) went dark in December after the Trump administration cut funding to its parent organisation, the American Chemical Society (ACS) has stepped in and will now run it.” www.chemistryworld.com/news/leading...
Good news for #research and the #law: “The decision upholds a lower court ruling that blocked the NIH from capping…indirect costs at research institutions at 15%, which is far below the negotiated rate institutions previously agreed to.” www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...
Federal appeals court blocks plan that would cut $120 million in federal research funding in WA
A three-judge federal panel has again blocked a Trump administration directive to cut research funding for public universities and research centers nationwide, a plan both the University of Washington...
www.spokesman.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Good news for #research and the #law: “The decision upholds a lower court ruling that blocked the NIH from capping…indirect costs at research institutions at 15%, which is far below the negotiated rate institutions previously agreed to.” www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...
Good #research news! “The lawsuits challenged the Trump administration and federal agencies, like the National Institutes of Health, over efforts to reduce indirect costs paid to universities and research institutions.” www.govtech.com/education/hi...
Federal Appeals Court Blocks Trump Cuts to University Health Research
A federal court ruled in favor of 22 attorneys general that lab maintenance, utilities and administrative staff are legitimate expenses for federal funding earmarked for university research.
www.govtech.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Good #research news! “The lawsuits challenged the Trump administration and federal agencies, like the National Institutes of Health, over efforts to reduce indirect costs paid to universities and research institutions.” www.govtech.com/education/hi...
Judge’s *hand written* response/order denying DOJ motion re NIH discovery - written on their doc’s first page: “I think I can handle this for now”. Did I get that right? I’m no lawyer, but seems like a pretty direct slapdown! #nih #research storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Order on Motion for Discovery – #175 in American Council of Learned Societies v. McDonald (S.D.N.Y., 1:25-cv-03657) – CourtListener.com
Order on Motion for Discovery
storage.courtlistener.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:29 AM
Judge’s *hand written* response/order denying DOJ motion re NIH discovery - written on their doc’s first page: “I think I can handle this for now”. Did I get that right? I’m no lawyer, but seems like a pretty direct slapdown! #nih #research storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Good news! “The settlement agreement is yet another win for researchers fighting the Trump Admin’s attacks on science. It guarantees that scientists who applied for NIH grants will get a fair shake” according to @scott-delaney.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2025/12/30/n...
NIH begins review of thousands of delayed research proposals, funding 135 on first day
A deal between NIH and groups that sued the Trump administration over delayed DEI-related grant proposals is already bearing fruit
www.statnews.com
January 3, 2026 at 4:59 AM
Good news! “The settlement agreement is yet another win for researchers fighting the Trump Admin’s attacks on science. It guarantees that scientists who applied for NIH grants will get a fair shake” according to @scott-delaney.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2025/12/30/n...
“The Trump admin is closing NASA’s largest research library on Friday, a facility that houses tens of thousands of books, documents and journals — many of them not digitized or available anywhere else…some material would be stored…while the rest would be tossed away.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/c...
NASA’s Largest Library Is Closing Amid Staff and Lab Cuts
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 4:23 AM
“The Trump admin is closing NASA’s largest research library on Friday, a facility that houses tens of thousands of books, documents and journals — many of them not digitized or available anywhere else…some material would be stored…while the rest would be tossed away.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/c...