Aaron Schwartz/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect From vaccine sceptics at the heart of the US government to the continued global paralysis when it comes to climate action, science has been under siege in 2025. Those who believe in rationality and evidence must continue to fight back against the encroaching darkness – as we hope you agree New Scientist is doing – but also seek out the whimsy and wonder that comes from exploring the universe and everything in it. Before we break out the party hats for the delightful celebration of science contained in our double holiday issue, it is worth reflecting on the threats we science-minded folk are facing. Wherever you turn, there are shocking examples of science being misused and abused this past year. The gutting of US science under President Donald Trump cannot be ignored, even if you don’t live in the US (see, Donald Trump and Elon Musk put science on the chopping block in 2025). For decades, the nation has been one of the biggest funders of science in the …