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Jan 17 2025SCIENCE

Understanding Poxvirus Metabolism: The Case of Vaccinia Virus

Did you know that the vaccinia virus, part of the poxvirus family, can tweak host cells' metabolism? When it's time to replicate, this tiny invader needs certain nutrients to succeed. Scientists recently found that the vaccinia growth factor, or VGF, plays a big role in this process. VGF is like the

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Jan 16 2025HEALTH

Taming Epilepsy: Does Surgery on Temporal Encephaloceles Help?

You might be surprised to know that some people with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) have a condition called temporal encephaloceles (TEs). Sometimes, these TEs are spotted by chance during scans. Do doctors and hospitals agree on how to treat these patients before surgery? Not really. Their practices

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Jan 16 2025CRIME

87 Miners Die in South Africa Mine Standoff: Could Rescue have been Faster?

You might think that when over 200 miners were trapped in an abandoned gold mine in South Africa, the authorities would jump in to help. But that's not what happened. The standoff lasted months, ending with the death of 87 miners. Authorities, instead of aiding the trapped miners, tried to force the

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Jan 16 2025SPORTS

Score Patterns in Pro Sports: What Makes Them Tick?

When it comes to professional team sports, there's a lot of talk about scoring patterns and how they work. But what if there are common principles that apply across different sports? Let's dive in! Researchers looked at years of data from college and pro football, hockey, and basketball. They found

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Jan 16 2025POLITICS

Why Pete Hegseth's Defense Nomination Raises Red Flags

Pete Hegseth, nominated for Secretary of Defense, has a history that's raising eyebrows. From tattoos linked to white supremacy to a severe drinking problem, and even a rape allegation, his past is controversial. His book, 'The War on Warriors', criticizes women in combat and Geneva conventions. Yet

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Jan 16 2025HEALTH

Unlocking Huntington’s Mystery: A Slow Build to Tragedy

Scientists have recently found something astonishing about Huntington’s disease, a serious brain disorder passed down through families. They’ve known about the genetic mutation that causes it for a while, but they weren't sure why people with the mutation don't have symptoms until they’re older. It

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Jan 16 2025HEALTH

OCD Treatment Outcomes: How Sexual Orientation Matters (or Doesn't)

Did you know that people from the LGBTQ+ community seem to be more at risk for a mental health condition called Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? But how does their experience with OCD differ from their heterosexual peers? A recent study looked into this topic by examining the severity of OCD sym

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Jan 16 2025SCIENCE

Hubble's Budget Woes: What's at Stake?

The Hubble Space Telescope, a staple in astronomy for nearly 35 years, is facing significant budget cuts. NASA's proposed budget for upcoming years has prompted the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) to consider major changes. The institute, which handles Hubble's science operations, might ha

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Jan 16 2025HEALTH

Understanding Metabolic Syndrome: A Global Health Puzzle

Metabolic Syndrome, often called MetS, is a health condition affecting millions worldwide. In the U. S. and Europe, it's estimated that one in five people has it. MetS isn't just about being overweight; it's about how your body handles food and energy. This condition is linked to belly fat, high blo

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Jan 16 2025SCIENCE

Plant Roots' Glutamate Sensor: A Surprising Splice Variant

When plants like Arabidopsis encounter L-glutamate at their root tips, it causes significant changes in their root structure. But how they sense this amino acid is a mystery. Scientists know that GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR-LIKE (GLR) proteins act as channels that let calcium in when they detect amino acids,

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