The Catholic Church is gearing up for a significant event. The Vatican has set May 7 as the starting date for the conclave, where cardinals will elect the new leader for the world's 1. 4 billion Catholics. This decision came after a series of closed-door meetings, known as general congregations, whe
The National Institutes of Health, or NIH, is in a tough spot. A recent plan to slash its budget by over 40% has sent shockwaves through the scientific community. This move is part of a broader effort to downsize the federal government, led by the Department of Government Efficiency. The NIH is a bi
A high school in Shirley, Long Island, is in the middle of a heated discussion. The issue? A 14-year-old freshman, who is 6 feet tall, has joined the girls' varsity track team. This student has socially transitioned to female. This means the student is not on hormone treatment and still has male
Milton is a town with a mix of financial puzzles. It's not a poor place, but it's facing some serious money problems. The median home price is a million dollars, and the average family brings in nearly 180, 000 dollars a year. Yet, the town is struggling with a double dose of financial trouble. Ther
Kv3 channels are a group of four proteins: Kv3. 1, Kv3. 2, Kv3. 3, and Kv3. 4. These channels are crucial for the rapid repolarization of action potentials in the nervous system. This means they help neurons return to their resting state quickly after firing. This rapid action is particularly import
The world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88. His final days were marked by a mix of public appearances and hospital stays, showing his dedication despite health struggles. After his death, a period of mourning began, known as the novemediales. During this time, specia
Metabolic and alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD) is a new term. It describes the combined effects of poor metabolism and alcohol on the liver. This condition is part of a larger group of liver diseases. These diseases are linked to fat buildup in the liver. One promising solution comes from bio
Piper mikanianum, a plant that's been quietly guarding stored grains and seeds from pests and fungi. It's not just any ordinary plant. It has a powerful secret weapon: its essential oil. This oil has been shown to be a strong fighter against common storage problems. The oil was carefully extract
The plant Alpinia uraiensis is a unique species found only in Taiwan. It has been studied for its essential oils, which are found in various parts of the plant. These oils have been shown to have strong antioxidant and antifungal properties. To extract these oils, a process called hydrodistillatio
Orchids in the Didymoplexis genus are fascinating. They belong to a large group of plants that rely solely on fungi for their food. These orchids are part of the Gastrodieae tribe, which is one of the biggest groups of fully mycoheterotrophic orchids. Mycoheterotrophic means they get their nutrients
