Can the power of a star lower our electric bills? Electric bills are rising. AI data centers are gobbling up power. In Everett, two fusion companies are racing to invent the world’s first economically viable nuclear fusion reactor. And investors are opening up their wallets to fund it. Joshua McNichols
The story of Whatcom Creek: an explosion, a tragedy, and a rebirth The story of the 1999 pipeline explosion in Whatcom Creek, and how a community and a creek began to recover after seemingly irreversible devastation. Lucy Soucek
'There's no silver bullet.' Seattle researchers say autism answers lie in early diagnosis, interventions Autism has become a lightning rod issue at the federal level, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announcing what he believes are a cause and cure for the condition. But autism researchers in Seattle say what’s needed are early diagnoses and early interventions. Eilís O'Neill
Warming seas threaten key phytoplankton species that fuels the food web, study finds New research suggests the phytoplankton that forms the foundation of the marine food web and helps regulate the planet’s climate will decline sharply as seas heat up. Associated Press
This electric brain implant could help stroke victims recover. The first patient: A Seattle-area mechanic Neurosurgeons and engineers at the University of Washington School of Medicine reached a milestone this summer, implanting a device inside the skull of a stroke victim that they believe can help him recover movement in his arm and hand. Stephen Howie
As air quality worsens, UW scientist focuses on effects of wildfire smoke It’s been a relatively quiet wildfire season so far in the Pacific Northwest, with not much in the way of large fires or widespread smoke pollution — yet. But a recent study found that more frequent wildfires have been erasing air quality gains in the United States. Kim Malcolm
Cordyceps, AI, and 'hope punk': Speculative fiction writers envision the future at Clarion West's annual write-a-thon Seattle is home to Clarion West, a literary non-profit that specializes in speculative fiction. And on July 12, it's launching the annual Clarion West Write-a-thon. Katie Campbell
This colorful mystery of Ancient Egypt was just solved in Washington state Scientists at Washington State University not only discovered how to recreate the color known as "Egyptian Blue," they also found this ancient pigment has potential modern uses that its inventors may not have realized. Natalie Akane Newcomb
Senior NOAA researchers are being forced out. Is Trump 'killing science'? As part of its concerted effort to shrink government agencies, the Trump administration has choked off funding to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The cuts have forced scientists who've done groundbreaking work here in the Northwest to leave their positions. Kim Malcolm
