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Feb 15 2026SCIENCE

The Secret Language of Plant Immunity

Plants have a clever chemical called salicylic acid that acts like an alarm system when attackers arrive. In the common lab plant Arabidopsis, scientists first mapped out how this alarm works: a special route called the isochorismate pathway makes salicylic acid, proteins named NPR bind to it, an

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Feb 15 2026HEALTH

Flying Doctors Keep Lesotho’s Mountain Villages Alive

The highlands of Lesotho are a maze of peaks and valleys, making roads rare and travel hard. A team of doctors and nurses flies in helicopters to reach people who otherwise have no way to see a doctor. One of the team’s members, a young dental therapist, has been flying into these remote spots for e

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Feb 15 2026POLITICS

Palantir Gets Millions From NYC Public Hospitals

New York City’s largest public health system has spent close to four million dollars on Palantir, a company known for its work with the Pentagon and ICE. The deal began in 2023, giving Palantir access to patient records so it can help hospitals track payments and boost revenue from Medicaid. C

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Feb 15 2026HEALTH

Heart‑Smart Eating: Small Swaps, Big Gains

Heart Health Month reminds us to check numbers and meds, but the real daily win is in what we eat. Doctors say that tiny, steady changes can beat a huge diet change when it comes to cholesterol. Dr. Elizabeth Klodas, who runs Step One Foods, saw patients confused by “watch your cholesterol” wi

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Feb 15 2026POLITICS

New Faces and New Ideas Shake Up Massachusetts Politics

A long‑time congressman from Massachusetts is about to face a fresh challenger in the 2026 primary. The incumbent, who has served since 1988 and once taught public school, will now be tested by a teacher from the Pioneer Valley who claims to bring a break from “old‑school” politics. The challenger,

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Feb 15 2026FINANCE

Rising Minimum Wage Sparks Job Crunch for Young Workers

The Bank of England’s policy adviser, Catherine Mann, warned that a steep climb in Britain’s minimum wage for younger employees has pushed up joblessness among 18‑to‑24‑year‑olds. Recent data show this group’s unemployment rate hit 13. 7% in the last quarter of 2023, a jump from 10. 2% three years e

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Feb 15 2026BUSINESS

Obituary Submission Guide Simplified

The paper has a clear process for placing an obituary. First, send an email to obits@pioneerpress. com with the required details: your full name, address, phone numbers and an alternate number if you have one. In the same message include the deceased’s name, a brief text for the notice, and a photo

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Feb 15 2026SPORTS

Snow, Sleet and Racing: A Lesson in Road Safety

The winter storm that hit North Georgia also brought heavy snowfall to North Carolina, forcing NASCAR’s opening Clash race at Bowman Gray Stadium to shift from a Sunday event to Wednesday. The change came after state officials advised people to stay off the roads for several days following the storm

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Feb 15 2026SPORTS

Snowy Shift: Milan Slopestyle Safety Overhaul Amid Climate Shakeup

The Olympic snowboard slopestyle event is shifting dates because of a weather warning. Organizers moved the men's and women's qualification rounds from February 16 to February 15 to avoid heavy snow that could bring temperatures down to –12 °C. The change aims to keep athletes safe and the competi

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Feb 15 2026CRYPTO

Coinbase Loses Big, Ethereum Eyes Quick Comeback

Coinbase slipped into a $667 million loss in its latest quarter, ending an eight‑quarter run of profits. The exchange earned 66 cents per share, falling short of analysts’ 92‑cent forecast by a full quarter. Revenue fell 21. 5 % to $1. 78 billion, missing the $1. 85 billion expected by experts

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