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May 25 2026ENVIRONMENT

Birds using trash: A quiet sign of human times

For centuries, birds have been mixing human-made objects into their nests. Cases like anti-bird spikes in Dutch cities or fiber optic cables in war zones show how animals adapt to environments shaped by people. But this isn’t new—ornithologists have noticed artificial materials in nests since the 18

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May 25 2026EDUCATION

How AI Changed Student Life at Stanford

Four years ago, students arrived at Stanford excited about big ideas and future careers. Now, as they prepare to graduate, artificial intelligence has reshaped their experience in surprising ways. Tech leaders like Jensen Huang became campus celebrities, with students chasing selfies and signed lapt

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May 25 2026ENVIRONMENT

Extra eyes on a risky chemical tank in California

Fire crews in Orange County got lucky over the weekend when they spotted what looks like a narrow split in the side of a big storage tank holding 7, 000 gallons of methyl methacrylate. That flammable goop is used to make the clear plastic windows you see in airplane canopies and TV screens. The spli

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May 24 2026ENVIRONMENT

How food and festivals keep indigenous communities in central India connected to nature

The people living in the forests of central India have a lifestyle deeply tied to the land. Their daily routines and special celebrations aren’t just about tradition—they’re about survival, respect, and passing down knowledge. For these groups, food isn’t just something you eat; it’s a way to honor

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May 24 2026SCIENCE

How birth size differences affect twins’ learning later in life

Research shows that how big a baby is at birth—especially weight and head size—can hint at how well they’ll do in school later. Scientists wanted to know if these clues actually mean anything, or if they’re just random. By studying twins, they could compare siblings who share the same genes and ofte

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May 24 2026SCIENCE

New Lab-Grown Chicks Spark Debate on Bringing Back Extinct Birds

A biotech team recently announced they hatched live chicks using a 3D-printed shell instead of a natural one. The experiment used fertilized eggs placed into this artificial structure, which was designed to control oxygen flow like a real eggshell. While this sounds impressive, critics argue it’s ju

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May 24 2026HEALTH

Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Gets a Fresh Diagnostic Checklist

Doctors dealing with rare genetic conditions often struggle to pinpoint diagnoses quickly. Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) has long been tricky to identify because its symptoms overlap with several other disorders. After years of research, specialists have now agreed on clearer rules for spotting BBS ea

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May 24 2026SCIENCE

How bacteria borrow genes to eat sugar and power life

Bacteria in the Gloeobacterales group live in a simple way. They don’t have the usual stacks of membranes that most cousins use to catch sunlight. Yet they still survive and grow. New research shows these bacteria solve the problem by stealing genes from other microbes. They pick up pieces of DNA th

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May 23 2026BUSINESS

Will AI take your job or create new ones?

Experts can't agree on AI's impact. Some fear job losses, others see progress. History shows technology changes work, but doesn't always destroy it. When factories grew in the early 1900s, people worried about handmade crafts. Yet new jobs appeared as industries adapted. AI will likely automate 25%

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May 23 2026ENVIRONMENT

Rivers Are Running Out of Breath – Here’s Why It Matters

Freshwater rivers are quietly running low on oxygen, and scientists say it’s happening faster than expected. A global study tracking 21, 000 river sections over nearly 40 years found that about 80% of them lost oxygen, with tropical rivers struggling the most. While warming climates usually hit cold

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