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NASA Astronaut Shannon Walker Retires
NASA Astronaut Shannon Walker Retires NASA astronaut Shannon Walker retired on July 10 after a 38-year career, including 30 years of federal service and over 21 years as an astronaut. Walker spent a total of 330 days in space across two missions, contributing to hundreds of scientific experiments and technology demonstrations for humanity. She was […]
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My city was one of hundreds expecting federal funds to help manage rising heat wave risk – then EPA terminated the grants
My city was one of hundreds expecting federal funds to help manage rising heat wave risk – then EPA terminated the grants Spokane, Washington, was awarded a $19.9 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help manage rising heat wave risk and boost the local economy, but the funding was abruptly terminated by […]
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Misinformation lends itself to social contagion – here’s how to recognize and combat it
Misinformation lends itself to social contagion – here’s how to recognize and combat it Misinformation on social media can spread quickly, often faster than fact, due to complex contagion, where socially learned behaviors take time to embed. The spreading of misinformation and disinformation can be influenced by social connections, perceptions of common behavior, and lack […]
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How slashing university research grants impacts Colorado’s economy and national innovation – a CU Boulder administrator explains
How slashing university research grants impacts Colorado’s economy and national innovation – a CU Boulder administrator explains Federal funding cuts to universities across the US have already resulted in over $11 billion in lost funding for more than two dozen institutions, including the University of Colorado Boulder. The University of Colorado Boulder receives approximately 70% […]
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How Philadelphia’s sanitation strike differed from past labor disputes in the city
How Philadelphia’s sanitation strike differed from past labor disputes in the city The Philadelphia sanitation strike ended after eight days on July 9, 2025, with 9,000 union workers returning to work immediately after a three-year contract was reached. The deal includes 3% annual raises and an additional step in the union pay scale for veteran […]
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Higher ed’s relationship with marriage? It’s complicated – and depends on age
Higher ed’s relationship with marriage? It’s complicated – and depends on age Higher education levels are associated with delayed marriage, but education does not reduce the overall likelihood of getting married later in life. The study found that obtaining a four-year degree increases someone’s likelihood of marrying a fellow college graduate by more than doubling […]
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From Seattle to Atlanta, new social housing programs seek to make homes permanently affordable for a range of incomes
From Seattle to Atlanta, new social housing programs seek to make homes permanently affordable for a range of incomes Seattle has become a national model for social housing initiatives, with voters approving a ballot measure to fund permanently affordable homes through a payroll tax on high incomes. The city’s social housing program aims to provide […]
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FEMA’s flood maps often miss dangerous flash flood risks, leaving homeowners unprepared
FEMA’s flood maps often miss dangerous flash flood risks, leaving homeowners unprepared FEMA’s flood maps often miss dangerous flash flood risks, leaving homeowners unprepared. In fact, a study found that more than twice as many properties across the country were at risk of a 100-year flood than the FEMA maps identified. The maps have significant […]
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3 basic ingredients, a million possibilities: How small pizzerias succeed with uniqueness in an age of chain restaurants
3 basic ingredients, a million possibilities: How small pizzerias succeed with uniqueness in an age of chain restaurants Small pizzerias have successfully carved out unique niches despite the rise of chain restaurants, which often prioritize standardization and efficiency. The diversity of pizza styles in the US, such as New York, Chicago, New Haven, and Detroit, […]
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Why the US bombed a bunch of metal tubes − a nuclear engineer explains the importance of centrifuges to Iranian efforts to build nuclear weapons
Why the US bombed a bunch of metal tubes − a nuclear engineer explains the importance of centrifuges to Iranian efforts to build nuclear weapons Iran has produced thousands of centrifuges to enrich uranium, with most deployed in three enrichment sites: Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. The Natanz facility was designed to hold over 50,000 centrifuges. […]
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Who’s the most American? Psychological studies show that many people are biased and think it’s a white English speaker
Who’s the most American? Psychological studies show that many people are biased and think it’s a white English speaker Many people’s perception of who is “American” is influenced by biases such as race, ethnicity, and language, despite egalitarian ideals that all Americans are deserving of citizenship rights regardless of background. A study found that American […]
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What’s at risk for Arctic wildlife if Trump expands oil drilling in the fragile National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska
What’s at risk for Arctic wildlife if Trump expands oil drilling in the fragile National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska The Trump administration plans to expand oil drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) by opening nearly 82% of the area to development, including ecologically sensitive areas. The expansion would threaten the habitat and survival of Arctic wildlife, […]
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What damage did the US do to Iran’s nuclear program? Why it’s so hard to know
What damage did the US do to Iran’s nuclear program? Why it’s so hard to know The US military’s attack on Iran’s nuclear site at Fordo on June 21, 2025, resulted in significant damage, but the extent of the damage is disputed among intelligence analysts and officials. The US Air Force dropped a dozen ground-penetrating […]
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Westbrook police apologize after sharing AI-altered image of evidence from drug bust
Westbrook police apologize after sharing AI-altered image of evidence from drug bust The Westbrook police department has apologized for sharing an AI-altered image of evidence from a drug bust on YouTube. The image, which was posted online, was quickly identified as being manipulated by artificial intelligence (AI) by people on social media and online forums. […]
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The Supreme Court upholds free preventive care, but its future now rests in RFK Jr.’s hands
The Supreme Court upholds free preventive care, but its future now rests in RFK Jr.’s hands The US Supreme Court has upheld free preventive care under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in a 6-3 ruling, preserving access to health screenings and interventions for approximately 150 million Americans. The decision, written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, rejected […]
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Pop, soda or coke? The fizzy history behind America’s favorite linguistic debate
Pop, soda or coke? The fizzy history behind America’s favorite linguistic debate The debate over whether to call a generic soft drink “soda”, “pop”, or “coke” has been ongoing for centuries, with regional preferences varying across the US. The term “soda” originated in the late 1700s as carbonated water was discovered and became popular as […]
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Nosy coworkers can spike your stress levels
Nosy coworkers can spike your stress levels New research from Boston University has found that nosy coworkers can significantly increase stress levels among employees. The study, led by organizational psychologist Richard A. Currie, defines workplace nosiness as “employees’ intrusive attempts to obtain private information from others at work.” According to the researchers, one-third of people […]
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NASA Sets Briefings for SpaceX Crew-11 Mission to Space Station
NASA Sets Briefings for SpaceX Crew-11 Mission to Space Station NASA has scheduled briefings for the SpaceX Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station on July 10, where they will discuss final launch preparations and mission details. The crew members of Crew-11, consisting of NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui, […]
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NASA Remembers Former Johnson Director Jefferson Howell
NASA Remembers Former Johnson Director Jefferson Howell Jefferson Davis Howell, Jr., the former director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, passed away on July 2, 2025, at the age of 85. Howell was a key figure in the construction of the International Space Station, working to complete it by 2004 and overseeing four space shuttle crews […]
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Legal wrangling over estate of Jimmy Buffett turns his widow’s huge inheritance into a cautionary tale
Legal wrangling over estate of Jimmy Buffett turns his widow’s huge inheritance into a cautionary tale Jimmy Buffett’s estate, valued at $275 million, has become embroiled in a costly and contentious legal dispute over who should manage his trust after his death. The dispute centers on whether Buffett’s widow, Jane Slagsvol, or accountant Richard Mozenter, […]
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Hurricane forecasters are losing 3 key satellites ahead of peak storm season − a meteorologist explains why it matters
Hurricane forecasters are losing 3 key satellites ahead of peak storm season − a meteorologist explains why it matters Three key satellites used by hurricane forecasters to gather data on tropical storms will be lost due to a service change notice issued by the Trump administration, which will terminate data collection and processing no later […]
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Here’s a way to save lives, curb traffic jams and make commutes faster and easier − ban left turns at intersections
Here’s a way to save lives, curb traffic jams and make commutes faster and easier − ban left turns at intersections Research shows that left turns at intersections are dangerous and slow traffic, accounting for over 60% of all crashes. Banning left turns at some intersections can save lives, reduce traffic jams, and make commutes […]
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Here are the letters that convinced Google and Apple to keep TikTok online
Here are the letters that convinced Google and Apple to keep TikTok online US Department of Justice sent letters to major tech companies (Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, etc.) assuring them that they would not be held responsible for violating a law banning TikTok from US platforms. The law, known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign […]
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From the marriage contract to breaking the glass under the chuppah, many Jewish couples adapt their weddings to celebrate gender equality
From the marriage contract to breaking the glass under the chuppah, many Jewish couples adapt their weddings to celebrate gender equality Many Jewish couples are adapting their weddings to celebrate gender equality, reflecting values of feminism and marriage equality that have transformed both Christian and Jewish wedding traditions. The ketubah, a traditional Jewish marriage contract, […]
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1 in 4 Americans reject evolution, a century after the Scopes monkey trial spotlighted the clash between science and religion
1 in 4 Americans reject evolution, a century after the Scopes monkey trial spotlighted the clash between science and religion One in four Americans reject evolution, a century after the Scopes monkey trial highlighted the clash between science and religion in 1925. The Scopes trial was sparked by the World’s Christian Fundamentals Association’s campaign to […]
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‘We are the media now’: why Tesla’s robotaxis were dominated by Elon Musk superfans
‘We are the media now’: why Tesla’s robotaxis were dominated by Elon Musk superfans Tesla’s robotaxi launch was dominated by Elon Musk superfans and Tesla influencers who are openly supportive of the CEO’s vision. Journalists and tech bloggers who attempted to ask critical questions about the service were excluded, ridiculed, and mocked by Tesla fans […]
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The Supreme Court just upended internet law, and I have questions
The Supreme Court just upended internet law, and I have questions The Supreme Court has ruled that using age verification to gate adult content does not violate the First Amendment in the US. The court’s decision, Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, concludes that states have a valid interest in keeping children away from pornography and […]
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Why energy markets fluctuate during an international crisis
Why energy markets fluctuate during an international crisis Energy markets can be significantly disrupted during international crises, such as wars, political instability, pandemics, and economic sanctions. The fluctuations in energy markets are often driven by imbalances between supply and demand, with disruptions to infrastructure, logistics, and transportation contributing to price volatility. Speculation and investor behavior […]
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What Trump’s budget proposal says about his environmental values
What Trump’s budget proposal says about his environmental values Trump’s budget proposal would significantly reduce funding for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), from $9.14 billion to $4.16 billion, a 54% decrease. The proposed budget would eliminate operating grants to state governments, drastically reduce funding for science programs, and cut regulatory and enforcement activities related […]
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Toxic algae blooms are lasting longer in Lake Erie − why that’s a worry for people and pets
Toxic algae blooms are lasting longer in Lake Erie − why that’s a worry for people and pets Harmful algal blooms are lasting longer in Lake Erie, posing health risks to people and pets. The blooms can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, fever, and skin irritation, and can be lethal for pets. The main source of […]
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