Public research university in Seattle known for science, medicine, and engineering
A U.S. appeals court has paused a lower court ruling that found Trump-style Section 122 tariffs illegal, while debates over the authority and impact on consumers continue. The decision comes as refunds of previously imposed tariffs are being processed and a July expiration date looms or could be extended by Congress.
The European Union has announced a substantial investment in ocean observation, positioning Europe at the forefront of marine monitoring as the United States proceeds with the dismantling of the Ocean Observatories Initiative. The NSF has begun a descope of the OOI, pulling instruments from multiple U.S. sites while the EU commits hundreds of millions to expand global ocean data networks.
A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that trees in cities like New York and Philadelphia start pollen production earlier and finish later due to light pollution, potentially extending the allergy season by up to 130 days; the effect is linked to plants using day length cues for flowering and leaf-out.
The National Science Foundation has halted plans to remove or descale the Ocean Observatories Initiative, after lawmakers and scientists warned of risks to climate data, weather forecasts and coastal safety. An expert panel will assess future needs while equipment already removed will be redeployed. The move follows bipartisan pressure and a Senate bill to block decommissioning.
Researchers funded by the UK government report that pumping seawater onto Arctic ice in Cambridge Bay thickened the surface ice by about 50 cm, offering early signs that refreezing could slow summer melt. The effort, part of Real Ice, is being monitored for long-term impacts on temperature and wildlife.