IC

Jun 09 2026ENVIRONMENT

Microplastics in Water: Unexpected Helpers or Silent Threats?

Every day, tiny plastic pieces from everyday items like cosmetics, car tires, and synthetic clothes slip into our water systems. These microplastics don't just float around—they team up with viruses, creating new ways for germs to travel unseen. Scientists recently looked into how these plastic hitc

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Jun 09 2026SPORTS

Knicks Host NBA Finals Game 3: A Night to Remember at MSG

On a Monday night, Madison Square Garden will buzz with energy as the New York Knicks host Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals. Leading the series 2-0 against the Spurs, the Knicks haven’t had this much control at home in over half a century. Their last championship run in 1973 saw them win Finals games a

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Jun 09 2026ENVIRONMENT

Microplastics in water treatment: Unexpected effects on cleaning systems

Wastewater plants use special methods to remove phosphorus before water goes back into nature. These methods often rely on tiny microbes that store phosphorus inside their cells. Recently, scientists noticed something surprising: when tiny plastic pieces (smaller than a grain of sand) mix with these

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Jun 09 2026TECHNOLOGY

Building a Future for U. S. Chip Makers: How Training Hubs Are Changing the Game

The U. S. is stepping up efforts to train workers for the semiconductor industry—a crucial move to stay competitive globally. Two federal agencies, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Commerce, have teamed up to fund a network of regional training centers under the CHIPS & Sc

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Jun 09 2026HEALTH

Understanding How Patients Rate Their Symptoms in Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Recurrent ovarian cancer treatments don't just fight the disease—they also affect how patients feel daily. To measure this, doctors use patient-reported outcomes (PROs), which are feedbacks directly from patients about their symptoms and quality of life. But are these tools reliable enough, especial

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Jun 09 2026POLITICS

South Carolina’s top teacher race gets a rematch in 2026

South Carolina voters will pick between two education leaders this summer to challenge the current state superintendent. Sylvia Wright, a former classroom teacher, is running for the Democratic spot for the first time. Lisa Ellis, who already held the party’s nomination in 2022, returns with her own

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Jun 09 2026POLITICS

Military religion list sparks debate over faith freedom

The U. S. military just changed how troops list their religion—and not everyone is happy. The Pentagon slimmed down the list of recognized faiths from over 200 to just 31. Now, soldiers can pick from major religions like Christianity or Islam, but smaller groups like Wicca, paganism, or even atheism

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Jun 09 2026HEALTH

Wearable gadgets for long-term health tracking: Do they really work for post-virus conditions?

Around 65 million people worldwide have dealt with long COVID, while another 17 to 24 million struggle with other lingering effects after infections. Doctors often suggest these patients keep an eye on their symptoms and adjust their activity levels carefully. Wearable devices like fitness trackers

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Jun 09 2026POLITICS

Mormon Leaders Fume as Pentagon Fixes Religious Label Mix-Up

The U. S. Department of Defense recently tried to clean up a confusing system for tracking military members' faiths. For years, service members could pick from over 200 religious labels on their records. But when the Pentagon cut that list down to just 31, it left out the Mormon faith entirely. That

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Jun 09 2026HEALTH

Digital Mental Health Research: Who Really Gets Left Out?

Digital mental health studies often promise better access to care, but new findings suggest some groups still get overlooked. A review of 57 trials found that while nearly all studies shared age and gender details, many skipped key details about participants’ backgrounds. Minority ethnic groups, men

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