Finding the story

What’s Happening

Let’s talk about Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses how our reporters find unique stories, from vaccine beer to a particle collider’s retirement to the rise of AI scientists.

Editors Note Finding the story By Nancy Shute Editor in Chief 1 minute ago this: via email (Opens in new window) Email on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print Having a nose for news may be a cliché. But it’s key to a reporter’s ability to sniff out stories that are important and unique. (shocking, we know)

This issue’s coverage of a scientist intent on using yeast to create vaccine beer is a prime example of this style of enterprise journalism.

The Details

Senior molecular biology writer Tina Hesman Saey first encountered Chris Buck, a researcher at the National Cancer Institute, when she attended the World Vaccine Conference in Washington, D. He was in the midst of a battle with his employer over his plan to test a home-brewed vaccine against polyomavirus on himself.

For our We summarize the week’s scientific breakthroughs every Thursday. “There were so many layers to this story that I wanted to explore,” Saey told me.

Why This Matters

“Who gets to decide whether a scientist can experiment on themselves? Is it legal and ethical to market a vaccine as a food or a dietary supplement? What could this approach do to public acceptance of and confidence in vaccines?

Scientists and researchers are watching this development closely.

Key Takeaways

• What is the science behind this potential vaccine, and would it work for other diseases?
• We leave it to our readers to decide whether Buck’s vaccine beer is ill-advised or visionary.

The Bottom Line

This issue also includes a unique take on nuclear physics, using the sunsetting of a pioneering particle collider at the Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island to update readers on advances in the field. Senior physics writer Emily Conover grew up near Brookhaven and took part in a summer program there as a teenager.

How do you feel about this development?