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‘Inoculation’ helps people spot political deepfakes, study finds
‘Inoculation’ helps people spot political deepfakes, study finds Researchers have found that informing people about political deepfakes through text-based information and interactive games can improve their ability to spot AI-generated video and audio that falsely depict politicians. Inoculation theory, which proposes that psychological inoculation can immunize people against persuasive attacks, has been shown to be […]
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Women have been mapping the world for centuries – and now they’re speaking up for the people left out of those maps
Women have been mapping the world for centuries – and now they’re speaking up for the people left out of those maps Women have been mapping the world for centuries, but their contributions to cartography have long been overlooked. Despite this, women have played a significant role in shaping our understanding of the world and […]
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Will a ‘Trump slump’ continue to hit US tourism in 2026 − and even keep World Cup fans away?
Will a ‘Trump slump’ continue to hit US tourism in 2026 − and even keep World Cup fans away? The US tourism industry is worried that the “Trump slump” will continue to hit US tourism in 2026, even affecting World Cup fans. The decline in international arrivals to the US in 2025 was 5.4%, a […]
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Why eating cheap chocolate can feel embarrassing – even though no one else cares
Why eating cheap chocolate can feel embarrassing – even though no one else cares Consumption stigma refers to the social judgment that people can be judged or looked down on for using certain products, even when there’s nothing objectively wrong with them. Feeling stigmatized by consumption choices can lead to mental exhaustion, eroded self-esteem, increased […]
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What You Need to Know About NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 Mission
What You Need to Know About NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 Mission The SpaceX Crew-12 mission is set to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on a Dragon spacecraft named Freedom, carrying four crew members: NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. The crew will conduct research, […]
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What Olympic athletes see that viewers don’t: Machine-made snow makes ski racing faster and riskier – and it’s everywhere
What Olympic athletes see that viewers don’t: Machine-made snow makes ski racing faster and riskier – and it’s everywhere Machine-made snow is increasingly used at Olympic venues, making ski racing faster and riskier, but also changing the sport’s dynamics. Athletes are adapting to machine-made snow by adjusting their technique, preparing skis differently, and relying on […]
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Trump’s new ‘Buy American’ requirement for EV charging would dramatically curtail build-out
Trump’s new ‘Buy American’ requirement for EV charging would dramatically curtail build-out Donald Trump’s administration has introduced a new “Buy American” requirement for EV charging infrastructure, which would significantly impact its build-out. The requirement states that EV chargers must be built in the US and use components originating from the US to receive federal funding. […]
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The Toyota Highlander is now a three-row electric SUV with 320 miles of range
The Toyota Highlander is now a three-row electric SUV with 320 miles of range The Toyota Highlander has been redesigned as a three-row electric SUV for the US market. The new vehicle boasts 320 miles of range and marks Toyota’s first three-row electric vehicle in America. The redesign aims to compete directly with popular EV […]
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Sixth year of drought in Texas and Oklahoma leaves ranchers bracing for another harsh summer
Sixth year of drought in Texas and Oklahoma leaves ranchers bracing for another harsh summer The Southern Plains region has been experiencing its sixth consecutive year of drought, with Texas and Oklahoma facing severe water shortages and dried-out pastures. The drought has cost the agriculture industry an estimated $23.6 billion in lost crops, higher feed […]
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Schools are increasingly telling students they must put their phones away – Ohio’s example shows mixed results following new bans
Schools are increasingly telling students they must put their phones away – Ohio’s example shows mixed results following new bans 29 states have passed laws requiring K-12 public schools to enforce bans or strict limits on students using their cellphones on campus, with approximately 77% of public schools now forbidding students from having their phones […]
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Misunderstood hand signals may put cyclists in danger
Misunderstood hand signals may put cyclists in danger New research from Rice University suggests that misunderstandings around cyclist hand signals may put cyclists in danger. Cyclists are required by law to use hand signals, but drivers often rely on arm signals alone to understand a cyclist’s intentions, leading to misinterpretation and increased risk of accidents. […]
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Journalism may be too slow to remain credible once events are filtered through social media
Journalism may be too slow to remain credible once events are filtered through social media The author argues that journalism’s slow pace is becoming a credibility issue due to the rapid dissemination of information on social media. The war in Ukraine has highlighted the problem, where journalists’ traditional strengths (e.g., verification, narrative coherence) become sources […]
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How women are reinterpreting the menstrual taboos in Chinese Buddhism
How women are reinterpreting the menstrual taboos in Chinese Buddhism Women in Chinese Buddhism are reinterpreting traditional menstrual taboos by focusing on maternal self-sacrifice and reframing their understanding of female bodies. The “Blood Pond Hell” concept, which condemns menstruating women to suffering, has been challenged by modern Chinese Buddhist practices that emphasize the importance of […]
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How Valentine’s Day push supply chains into overdrive
How Valentine’s Day push supply chains into overdrive Valentine’s Day is a high-stakes logistical operation that pushes supply chains into overdrive, with flowers being harvested thousands of miles away and chocolates ramping up production months in advance. The global supply chain for Valentine’s Day is worth an estimated $27.7 billion, with Americans spending close to […]
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How the law can add to child sex trafficking victims’ existing trauma
How the law can add to child sex trafficking victims’ existing trauma Many US states allow children to be arrested and prosecuted for prostitution, despite laws that recognize them as sex trafficking victims. The failure to redact identifying victim information from Epstein’s investigation files has brought unwanted attention to survivors, highlighting how legal proceedings can […]
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Has globalization lessened the importance of physical distance? For economic shocks, new research suggests ‘yes’
Has globalization lessened the importance of physical distance? For economic shocks, new research suggests ‘yes’ Research suggests that globalization has reduced the importance of physical distance in economic shocks, particularly for interconnected countries. The study found that business cycles were strongly localized from 1960-1999, but this relationship broke down after 2000, indicating a shift towards […]
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Federal and state authorities are taking a 2-pronged approach to make it harder to get an abortion
Federal and state authorities are taking a 2-pronged approach to make it harder to get an abortion Federal and state authorities are taking a two-pronged approach to limit access to abortion, including questioning Planned Parenthood’s credibility and funding, as well as trying to ban mifepristone, a drug used in over half of all abortions. The […]
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Bezos could have saved The Washington Post’s local news and sports reporters
Bezos could have saved The Washington Post’s local news and sports reporters Jeff Bezos’ ownership of The Washington Post has been criticized for its impact on local news and sports reporting. The Post recently laid off 400 staffers and closed many of its desks, sparking concerns about the future of local journalism. Bezos’ leadership style […]
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As Jeff Bezos dismantles The Washington Post, 5 regional papers chart a course for survival
As Jeff Bezos dismantles The Washington Post, 5 regional papers chart a course for survival The Washington Post’s downsizing under Jeff Bezos’ ownership has led to significant job losses and reduced coverage, but regional papers have found ways to survive and thrive by prioritizing community service over profit. Five large regional newspapers – The Boston […]
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Americans are asking too much of their dogs
Americans are asking too much of their dogs Americans are increasingly relying on their dogs for companionship and emotional support, leading to an “extractive relationship” where humans use dogs for their emotional labor without considering the animals’ well-being. The rise of dog ownership has been linked to a growing sense of loneliness and disconnection among […]
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Amazon Ring’s Super Bowl ad sparks backlash amid fears of mass surveillance
Amazon Ring’s Super Bowl ad sparks backlash amid fears of mass surveillance A Amazon Ring ad during the Super Bowl sparked backlash over concerns about mass surveillance. The ad promoted Ring’s new “Search Party” feature, which uses AI to locate lost dogs in neighborhoods. Many people on social media expressed fears that this technology could […]
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Aldi is coming to Colorado, and the disruption could lead to lower food prices
Aldi is coming to Colorado, and the disruption could lead to lower food prices Aldi plans to open 50 stores in Colorado over the next few years, which could lead to lower food prices and disrupt the state’s highly concentrated retail and supply chain system. Grocery prices have risen by 25% in Colorado over the […]
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The great e-bike crackdown has begun
The great e-bike crackdown has begun New Jersey has passed legislation that imposes heavy restrictions on e-bike ownership in the state. The new law is seen as an overreach by some, who argue it will unfairly limit access to e-bikes for residents. Concerns about teenagers being injured and killed while riding e-bikes have led to […]
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‘Expertise’ shouldn’t be a bad word – expert consensus guides science and society
‘Expertise’ shouldn’t be a bad word – expert consensus guides science and society Expertise is being eroded due to growing distrust of science in the US, with partisan divides widening since the pandemic. The decline of public trust in expertise is fueled by politicians manipulating people’s suspicions about experts and undermining scientific consensus. Expertise is […]
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Why Philly has so many sinkholes
Why Philly has so many sinkholes Philadelphia experiences a high number of sinkholes due to its aging water infrastructure and geology, which includes areas with carbonate rock that can dissolve when exposed to acidic water. Sinkholes in Philly are often caused by pipe leaks or sediment washing away from underground pipes, leading to the formation […]
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What ‘hope’ has represented in Christian history – and what it might mean now
What ‘hope’ has represented in Christian history – and what it might mean now Pope Leo XIV closed the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on January 6, 2026, marking the end of the Catholic Church’s “Pilgrims of Hope” Jubilee year, which aimed to promote hope and unity in a turbulent world. The concept of […]
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What a bear attack in a remote valley in Nepal tells us about the problem of aging rural communities
What a bear attack in a remote valley in Nepal tells us about the problem of aging rural communities Dorje Dundul, a 71-year-old resident of Nubri, Nepal, has been attacked by brown bears three times over the past five years due to outmigration of younger people from his village. The trend of bear attacks in […]
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The world is in water bankruptcy, UN scientists report – here’s what that means
The world is in water bankruptcy, UN scientists report – here’s what that means The world has entered an era of “water bankruptcy,” where many regions are no longer able to recover from frequent water shortages due to climate change and unsustainable water use. About 4 billion people, nearly half the global population, live with […]
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NASA Sets Briefings for SpaceX Crew-12 Mission to Space Station
NASA Sets Briefings for SpaceX Crew-12 Mission to Space Station NASA has scheduled briefings for the SpaceX Crew-12 mission to discuss final preparations and launch details. The crew, consisting of NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, will participate in a virtual news conference on January […]
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NASA Selects Participants to Track Artemis II Mission
NASA Selects Participants to Track Artemis II Mission NASA has selected 34 global volunteers to track the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II mission’s journey around the Moon, using their equipment to passively track radio waves transmitted by Orion. The tracking opportunity is part of NASA’s commercial-first vision for its Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) […]
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