Data Science Initiative

A $1.8 billion global commitment has been announced to make biological data ready for artificial intelligence applications, tied to an expansion of the Virtual Biology Initiative via CZ Biohub. The funding is aimed at standardizing and opening up biological datasets so machine learning tools can use them for research in areas like drug discovery and disease understanding.

In Coos Bay, Oregon, a project known as the 'data canoe' is bringing together water science and the traditions of local tribes. The initiative pairs scientific monitoring of the bay's waters with Indigenous knowledge, aiming to make environmental data more meaningful to tribal communities. Details beyond the collaboration of Western science and tribal tradition are limited, but the effort highlights growing interest in combining these ways of understanding water and ecosystems.

The participatory science programme Bugs Matter, run via the insectes.org platform, is inviting members of the public to help count insects to track their populations. The initiative, shared with environment and climate hashtags, encourages volunteers to contribute data on insect abundance, a key concern given widespread reports of insect decline and its impact on ecosystems and food chains.

Funding for the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub's virtual biology project has reached $1.8 billion, with major technology companies among its backers. The initiative aims to model biological systems computationally, combining AI, biology and large-scale data. The scale of the investment and the involvement of big tech firms are drawing attention across the biotech and science funding communities.

Clark University announced that its NSF-funded CROSSROADS project has developed a holistic model for data science education. The initiative aims to reshape how data science is taught by integrating broader perspectives rather than focusing narrowly on technical skills. The announcement highlights continued investment by the National Science Foundation in reforming higher education curricula to meet growing demand for data-literate graduates.

A data science professor at William & Mary has been awarded a grant to fund a partnership with the Internet Archive aimed at preserving digital history. The funding will support collaborative efforts to safeguard online materials for future research and public access.

Biohub, together with US government agencies and artificial intelligence companies, has pledged $1.8 billion to create open datasets for building predictive biology models. The initiative aims to make large-scale biological data freely available so researchers can develop AI tools for drug discovery, disease understanding and other life sciences applications, rather than keeping such data locked within private or siloed institutions.

CZ Biohub, the Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health and partner institutions have committed $1.8 billion to build large-scale, AI-ready datasets in biology. The initiative aims to organize biological data so it can be used to train artificial intelligence models, accelerating research in medicine and the life sciences.

Brown University reports that its students and faculty are applying data-driven approaches to solve problems in brain science. The initiative combines computational methods with neuroscience research, reflecting a broader push to use large-scale data analysis to better understand the brain. Details of specific projects have not been released, but the university is highlighting the work as part of its science coverage.

Zimbabwe is turning to science and evidence-based approaches to improve its water security, according to UNESCO. The initiative aims to use scientific data and research to guide water management decisions in a country that has faced recurring droughts and water shortages. Details of specific programmes or funding have not yet been announced.