The Israel-Hamas ceasefire has begun, with Israeli troops pulling back and many Palestinians returning to their homes. The plan aims for six weeks without fighting, freeing Israeli and Palestinian prisoners, and allowing more aid into Gaza. But questions linger about Phase 2 and how Gaza will be gov
Scientists often use genetic data to figure out how closely related different organisms are. One common way they do this is by using something called a Markov substitution model. This model helps them understand how changes, or substitutions, happen in molecular sequences over time. The general time
In 2019, Ontario made a big step forward in detecting hearing loss in newborns. They started a new screening program that looks for signs of permanent hearing loss (PHL) in babies right after they're born. This isn't just about checking if babies can hear sounds, but also looking into their genes fo
Imagine a tiny team of heroes fighting cancer. That's what scientists have created with manganese-based nanoparticles (let's call them MNP) and platinum-based nanoparticles (PnP). These tiny warriors activate a special pathway called cGAS-STING in the body, which helps the immune system fight back.
Imagine if a Russian official suggested that they need a land corridor through countries that are part of NATO. That's exactly what happened recently, when a close ally of President Putin made such a bold claim. Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor to Ukraine's Internal Affairs Minister, shared a clip whe
In 2019, Australia rolled out a new national maternity strategy called Woman-centred care: Strategic directions for Australian maternity services. This policy is all about making sure moms-to-be feel safe, respected, and have plenty of choices when it comes to their care. It's based on four key valu
The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) is a popular tool to gauge happiness worldwide. However, doubts lurk about its consistency across different countries. A recent study dived into data from 65 nations, 40 languages, and various gender identities and age groups, collected between 2020 and 2022.
Imagine living in a place where war has been ongoing for over a year. That's the reality for the people of Gaza. The fighting between Israel and Hamas has caused immense damage, with buildings like schools, hospitals, and homes reduced to rubble. The UN reports that about 90% of Gaza's population, o
Imagine you've had heart surgery as a child and now, as an adult, you need more medical help. That's the case for many people with congenital heart disease. About 20% of them need surgery again in adulthood, and 40% need follow-up procedures from their childhood operations. These surgeries can be to
Have you ever heard about people who suddenly withdraw from their social lives for long periods? This condition is called Hikikomori. It's not just about being shy; it's a complex issue that affects people’s daily routines and their families. Some individuals with Hikikomori might seem fine, while o
