Blog Post

Bugs and babies: Safety Concerns for Formula-Fed Infants

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By Lauren Chan, PhD, RD, C2ST Intern, University of Chicago

As someone who is lucky enough to have multiple tiny humans in their life, I am always on high alert when it comes to baby products and their safety. In the second half of 2025, notifications about infant formula contaminations and recalls had me messaging families with infants to be sure they heard the news. Surprisingly, this is not the only instance of formula contamination in recent years. In fact, multiple issues with formulas led to the launch of Operation Stork Speed in March 2025. This program focuses on increasing the safety and supply of infant formulas in the United States, with a particular focus on testing for contaminations. But what got us to the point of needing a new program to provide safe formula for babies? Let’s talk about recent contaminations, formula shortages, and feeding practices that led to the development of Operation Stork Speed. 

Continue reading “Bugs and babies: Safety Concerns for Formula-Fed Infants”

Blog Post

Science of Everything: Lucid Dreaming

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By Stephanie Sorich, C2ST Correspondent

We’ve all woken up to remember a strange dream. Maybe you were performing a concert at Madison Square Garden, and then given an award by your third grade teacher— but wait, that wasn’t your third grade teacher, it was Jennifer Lopez. And that wasn’t Madison Square Garden, it was the break room at your first ever job. 

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Event

Heavy Metal Soil Testing

Join us for a special Fridays on the Plaza event at the Lawndale Pop-Up Spot, where community, and science come together in a meaningful way.

Curious about what’s in the soil beneath your feet? During this interactive event, environmental scientists will be on-site offering free heavy metal soil testing for community members. Bring a small sample of soil from your yard, garden, or neighborhood space and learn about the presence of metals like lead, arsenic, and more, along with what those results mean for your health and environment.

Come be part of a conversation about environmental health, right here in Lawndale.

Event

The Science of Pokemon at Harold Washington Library

The Chicago Council on Science and Technology and Chicago Public Library present The Science of Pokemon! In the world of Pokemon, adventurous explorers – called Pokemon trainers – can travel far and wide, catching and cataloging fantastical creatures to fill out their Pokedex, a digital index of various pokemon species. While you can’t find a Pikachu in any of the viridian forests on Earth, Pokemon masters have a real-world counterpart in the form of scientists! Scientists can be found in every corner of the world, discovering new species and cataloging their unique characteristics. This real life data collection has become the foundation for the design of Pokemon themselves! We’ve brought a panel of experts from across the sciences to talk to us about the real-life plants and animals that Pokemon are based on. If you’ve ever wanted the chance to have a conversation with Professor Oak, this is the next best thing! We’ve gotta catch them all!

Event

The Science of Pokemon at C2E2

Wild Science Encounters: Beyond the Pokeball

In the world of Pokemon, adventurous explorers- called Pokemon trainers- can travel far and wide, catching and cataloging fantastical creatures to fill out their Pokedex, a digital index of various pokemon species. While you can’t find a Pikachu in any of the viridian forests on Earth, Pokemon masters have a real-world counterpart in the form of scientists! Scientists can be found in every corner of the world, discovering new species and cataloging their unique characteristics. This real life data collection has become the foundation for the design of Pokemon themselves! We’ve brought a panel of experts from across the sciences to talk to us about the real-life plants and animals that Pokemon are based on. If you’ve ever wanted the chance to have a conversation with Professor Oak, this is the next best thing! We’ve gotta catch them all!