The Download: Trump’s impact on science, and meet our climate and energy honourees

Summary

MIT Technology Review’s The Download rounds up several linked stories: how the Trump administration’s actions are reshaping early-career science in the US; highlights from the 2025 Innovators Under 35, with a focus on climate and energy honourees such as Iwnetim Abate; a new legal fight after Texas enacted a two-year ban on cultivated (lab-grown) meat; and a compact list of today’s must-reads, from possible signs of ancient life on Mars to new defence tech for drone swarms.

The science-piece reports firings, funding cuts and political pressure that are complicating lab builds, grant applications and academic careers. The Innovators Under 35 coverage showcases researchers and entrepreneurs offering practical energy solutions — Abate’s work on sodium-ion batteries and subterranean ammonia synthesis is a standout. The food-tech item covers the Texas ban and the immediate industry lawsuit, underscoring regulatory headwinds for cultivated meat. The newsletter finishes with a curated set of notable technology stories and a feature on microwave-based drone-defeat systems.

Key Points

Trump administration policies have led to firings of senior government scientists, reduced funding and increased scrutiny of universities — creating uncertainty for early-career researchers.
MIT Technology Review published the 2025 Innovators Under 35; several climate and energy honourees are focused on lower-cost batteries and alternative chemical production methods.
Iwnetim Abate, an Ethiopian-born MIT researcher, works on sodium-ion batteries and novel ways to produce ammonia using geothermal heat and pressure.
Texas enacted a two-year ban on cultivated (lab-grown) meat; companies Wildtype Foods and Upside Foods filed suit the next day, showing the industry faces significant legal and regulatory barriers.
The newsletter highlights broader tech items: potential microbial signs on Mars, new rules for AI companion chatbots in California, and advances in microwave systems to disable drone swarms.

Why should I read this?

Because this is the one-stop briefing that stitches together how politics, climate tech and regulation are shaping the next wave of science and startups — and yes, we did the skimming for you. If you care about where research funding, energy innovation and food-tech regulation are heading (and how that affects startups and labs), this saves you time and points you to the full reads worth your attention.