Science

Eight American researchers have arrived at a university in southern France, as the country pushes to offer "science asylum" to US academics hit by federal research spending cuts under Donald Trump.

The University of Aix-Marseille (AMU) welcomed the scholars on Thursday, following the March launch of its "Safe Place for Science" initiative, the first among 20 set to relocate there in coming months.

The program has already drawn nearly 300 applicants from top institutions such as Stanford, NASA, and Berkeley.

The development comes as US universities have been threatened since Trump's return to the White House with massive federal funding cuts, causing research programs to face closures.

Some staff also fear possible detention and deportation for their political views.

More Info About Open Access.

National Public Radio coverage:
https://www.npr.org/2025/06/27/1254874800/sleep-brain-rest-nap

• UC Irvine researchers and collaborators at the Marine Biological Laboratory have uncovered cells and structures responsible for helping squid skin change from transparent to colored.
• The scientists drew inspiration from squid skin to develop an advanced tunable material for use in camouflage, displays, and thermal management.

A mix of iron, chlorine, and lithium is conductive, stores lithium, and self-heals.

The output of computer-vision research is overwhelmingly aimed towards monitoring humans. The potential ethical implications need more scrutiny.