The flu shot is a big deal worldwide. But does it have any hidden effects on our brain? Some studies suggest it might be linked to brain diseases like Alzheimer's or multiple sclerosis. However, the results are mixed, and no one is sure yet. Brain diseases are scary and complicated. They involve the breakdown of brain cells or the protective coating around them. The...
China's true feelings about the Ukraine war might be more complicated than they seem. Behind closed doors, Chinese officials have hinted that they don't want Russia to lose. Why? Because if Russia loses, the U. S. might focus more on China. This is a big deal because China has been saying it's neutral in the conflict. This news came out after a long meeting between ...
China's aircraft manufacturer, COMAC, just got some good news. The US has allowed GE Aerospace to start sending jet engines to them again. This is a big deal because COMAC is trying to compete with Boeing and Airbus. The engines are crucial for their planes, the C919 and the smaller C909. The US had stopped the engine shipments earlier this year. This caused problem...
In the world of plants, tiny helpers called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are making a big difference. These fungi team up with trees, like the Casuarina equisetifolia, to help them survive tough conditions. Scientists wanted to see how these fungi help the trees when they are growing in coral sand and facing stress from too much salt or not enough water. They ...
In 1925, a small town in Tennessee became the center of a big debate. A teacher, John Scopes, was put on trial for teaching evolution. This was a big deal because Tennessee had a law against it. The trial was like a showdown between science and religion. Two famous figures, Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan, went head-to-head. Darrow was a defense attorney w...
The South Shore of Massachusetts faced a massive flood on a recent Thursday. It was not just any rainy day. This was a "one in 200" weather event. That means it was a rare and extreme storm. The rain poured down hard in Boston, Quincy, Brockton, and other nearby towns. The National Weather Service had warned about possible floods that morning. They also issued a flas...
In the world of research funding, a new idea is being put to the test. What if the people applying for grants also got to review the applications of others? This is called distributed peer review. It's a way to get more researchers involved in deciding who gets funding. Some folks are trying this out in real life. They want to see if it works better than the usual w...
Mary McLeod Bethune, a trailblazer in education and civil rights, was celebrated in her hometown of Mayesville, South Carolina, on what would have been her 150th birthday. This event highlighted her enduring impact on American society. Born in the Midlands, Bethune's journey began with a strong commitment to education. She founded the Daytona Literary and Industrial...
Lung cancer is a major killer, claiming many lives each year. One of the scariest things that can happen is when lung cancer spreads to the brain. This is called brain metastasis, or BM for short. It's a big problem for people with a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC. BM makes life really hard for patients and their families. It's tough ...
In 1952, a significant legal battle took place. The Supreme Court had to decide if President Harry S. Truman could take control of the nation's steel mills to prevent a strike during the Korean War. One justice, Robert H. Jackson, wrote a powerful opinion. He argued that the president could not just take over private businesses because he thought it was necessary for...