Science Times: The letters to the editor came from Dr. B.S.
Take a Friday science break.
Science Times
November 7, 2025

Would you rely on A.I. to write a letter to the editor? Editors of science and medical journals are increasingly getting more and more letters written using chatbots. A scientist discovered this problem when he reviewed correspondence from someone he nicknamed “Dr. B.S.” But it’s no bull that we’re happy to get letters to the editor from our very human readers: sciencenewsletter@nytimes.com

A view of a mosquito through a microscope eyepiece.

Eva Manez/Reuters

Phony fan mail

Science and medical journals face a flood of letters to the editor written using chatbots.

A close-up of an iguana with its mouth partially open.

Daniel Mulcahy

Right where they belong

This is what a vindicated iguana looks like.

A profile view of the yellow, blue and purple patterns on the skin of an ornate boxfish, including its eye and fins.

Wirestock, via Alamy

They're boxy, but they're good

In this story, fancy fish, Alan Turing and mathematics meet up.

Article Image

Daichi Fujii

Lunar lights

Something crashed into the moon last week. Days later, it happened again.

A man in a suit in front of bleachers at a football game.

Ryan Sun/Associated Press

Copy paste

Did Tom Brady really clone his dog? Here’s what to know about cloning pets.

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