Quick news: Moon landing, scientific bounty hunters, and hungry postdocs.

The recent cientific news include updates on the private Moon landing mission, a new program incentivizing scientific review, a study on food insecurity among Harvard postdocs, the discovery of avian influenza in Antarctica, controversies over genetic studies, a significant donation to a medical school, legislation on nature restoration, public health concerns, lab safety recommendations, marine species discoveries off Chile, changes in NSF funding criteria, and legal battles involving scientists.

The first private spacecraft to land on the Moon, the Odysseus lander by Intuitive Machines, faced an early end due to power issues despite successfully collecting data. A new program, "Estimating the Reliability and Robustness of Research," will pay reviewers to check papers in psychology for errors, aiming to improve research integrity. A study revealed high rates of food insecurity among graduate students and postdocs at Harvard University, particularly affecting students of non-white races or first-generation college attendees.

In other news, a strain of avian influenza was confirmed in Antarctica. A research effort studying links between genes and health sparked controversy over depicting genetic relatedness among participants. A significant donation of $1 billion was made to Albert Einstein College of Medicine, ensuring free tuition for future students. The European Parliament approved the Nature Restoration Law, while public health specialists criticized Florida's response to a measles outbreak.

A report calls for enhanced oversight of labs studying potential pandemic pathogens to prevent accidental releases. Researchers discovered over 100 potentially new marine species off the coast of Chile. The National Science Foundation plans to revise its grant-making process to emphasize societal benefits. Argentine scientists speak out against budget cuts and layoffs affecting science and technology in the country.

Courts in Sweden and Spain rejected demands from a Polish company for payment from scientists who participated in COVID-19 webinars. A genome analysis of Indian populations revealed significant Neanderthal and Denisovan gene contributions, shedding light on South Asia's ancient genetic history.

This comprehensive article touches on a wide range of scientific developments and controversies, highlighting the diverse challenges and advancements in various fields. The detailed insights provided on each topic offer a deeper understanding of ongoing scientific endeavors and their societal implications.

Source: https://www.science.org/content/article/news-glance-moon-landing-scientific-bounty-hunters-and-postdocs-facing-hunger
A photo of the Odysseus lander by Intuitive Machines on the Moon

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