A multitude of new genomic sequence data fills major gaps in the fruit fly tree of life, Bernard Kim from Stanford University, US, and colleagues report in the open-access journal PLOS Biology, publishing July 18th. Fruit flies are classic model organisms in biological research and were among the first species...

Hundreds of new genome sequences fill gaps in the fruit fly tree of life

Radiocarbon analysis reveals that Earth system models underestimate the carbon uptake in terrestrial ecosystems and suggest quicker carbon turnover, highlighting the need for more accurate climate modeling. Radiocarbon analysis from nuclear bomb tests in the 1960s indicates that existing Earth system models might be underestimating how much carbon terrestrial vegetation...

New Study Shakes Up Climate Models: Plants Absorb More CO2 Than Thought

Ocean diatoms, like Cylindrotheca closterium, build biomass by both photosynthesis and consuming organic carbon, a finding that may change our view of the global carbon cycle. Recent research indicates that ocean-dwelling diatoms have more than one method for accumulating carbon. Besides photosynthesis, these single-celled plankton are also increasing their biomass by consuming organic carbon directly from the ocean. This discovery may prompt scientists to revise their estimates of the amount of carbon dioxide diatoms absorb from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Consequently, this could change our understanding of the global carbon cycle, which is particularly important in the context of climate change.

Surprise Discovery Could Rewrite the Global Carbon Cycle

Imagine a small fruit that tastes like a cross between a tomato and a pineapple, wrapped in its own natural paper lantern. That's the groundcherry (Physalis grisea) - a little-known relative of tomatoes that's been quietly growing in gardens and small farms across North America for centuries. Now, this humble fruit is getting a 21st-century upgrade thanks to some cutting-edge genetic research.

Groundcherry gets genetic upgrades: Turning a garden curiosity into an agricultural powerhouse

Ants are famous for their regimented and complex social behaviors. In the tropics, they are also famous for forming mutualisms with plants. Certain species of trees have conspicuous hollow swellings that house ants, often feeding the ants with specialized ant food. In return, the ants are pugnacious bodyguards, swarming out to aggressively defend the plant against enemies. Scientists have observed these mutualisms for centuries, but an enduring question is how these intriguing interactions evolved in the first place.

Of ants and trees: ‘Evolutionary déjà’ in the tropical rainforest

Chicago, IL

Writers represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. Writers are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

writer

Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Community Voices represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program but not yet verified their accounts. Community Voices are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

community_voice

Emily Standley Allard

Marriage is a significant life decision that requires extreme commitment, understanding, devotion and a heck of a lot of compromise. While many people dream of a lifelong partnership, others find the concept of marriage challenging. Astrology offers insights into personality traits and behaviors, suggesting that certain zodiac signs might face more difficulties in maintaining a traditional marital relationship. This article explores the five zodiac signs that are often considered less suited for marriage due to their unique characteristics and tendencies when it comes to lifelong commitment.

The 5 Zodiac Signs Not Meant for Matrimony

LiveScience

NASA's Perseverance rover spotted a bizarrely light-toned boulder on Mars, the likes of which have never been seen before.

'1st of its kind': NASA spots unusually light-colored boulder on Mars that may reveal clues of the planet's past

Wyoming State

Contributors represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. They have also demonstrated their experience writing hard news for other outlets. Contributors are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

contributor

WyoFile

Caitlin Tan wanted to breed her childhood horse, JP, because she’s been “amazing” — the type of animal any equestrian would be lucky to have once in a lifetime. Having access to coveted bloodlines increased the allure. Via the Miller Ranch, she could pair her 18-year-old mare with a stud descendent of Playboy’s Buck Fever.

Cream of the crop: a cremello foal is born in Wyoming

Kentucky State

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Kentucky’s Community Actions Partnerships have announced the starts date for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Subsidy, aimed at helping Kentucky households offset summer cooling costs.

LIHEAP Summer Subsidy program to help with summer cooling costs to begin enrollment July 16

Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

How can Astrology tell you about your worst friends? Astrology is the concept of using the placement of the planets and their related astrological signs, or the Signs of the Zodiac, to determine the course of a life. These placements based on your birth date, time, and location can give you a wealth of information about your personality traits and character and predict events throughout your life based on your sign and current placements. Of course, this is a quick overview, and doing actual natal charts and horoscopes is much more complicated. But now you have a basic idea of what astrology is.

5 Zodiac Signs That Could Be Your Worst Friend

The Independent

 A failed SpaceX launch that caused 20 Starlink satellites to deploy prematurely and fall back to the Earth has sparked an investigation.The satellites, which burned up in the atmosphere, were launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on 11 July from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.The rocket had lifted off as expected and its first stage separated successfully as planned. But the second stage failed to complete its second burn after a liquid oxygen leak.“Falcon 9’s second stage performed its first burn nominally, however, a liquid oxygen leak developed on the second stage,” SpaceX said in a...

SpaceX satellites fall back to Earth after failed Falcon 9 launch

Snopes

This copypasta has been spreading online since at least 2022.

Fact Check: Viral Post Says Solar Power Plants Act as 'Tornado Incubators.' We Looked at the Science

California State

The HD Post

CALIFORNIA – Starting July 1, landlords will only be allowed to collect one month’s rent for the security deposit on a rental property. Assembly Bill 12, signed into law last October, says regardless of whether the residential property is unfurnished or furnished, only one month’s rent can be charged in addition to any rent for the first month paid on or before initial occupancy.

Law limiting security deposits goes into effect July 1

New Orleans, LA

NASA rolled out the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket’s core stage for the Artemis II test flight from its manufacturing facility in New Orleans on Tuesday for shipment to the agency’s spaceport in Florida. The rollout is key progress on the path to NASA’s first crewed mission to the Moon under the Artemis campaign.

NASA’s SLS rocket stage set for transportation to Kennedy Space Center for Artemis II mission

Denver, CO

David Heitz

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has become nationally known for moving more than 1,600 homeless people indoors since he has become mayor. Now he wants to place 200 people struggling with mental illness and/or addiction into treatment, according to an upcoming City Council committee agenda.

Denver mayor to send 200 people experiencing homeless to treatment

Aurora, CO

Aurora’s pallet shelters for people experiencing homelessness, which only allow a maximum 30-day stay, have been cycling the same individuals in and out, city staff told council members Thursday. Many return to street encampments when their time in the pallet shelter runs out, Jessica Prosser, homeless services director for the city, said. Then, the city sweeps the encampment again, and they get to come back to the shelter for another 30 days, Prosser explained. This process can repeat multiple times.

Aurora pallet shelters a revolving door for homeless

Indy100

There are eight planets in our solar system – plus poor old Pluto, which was demoted in 2006 – but what if there were more?Turns out that might be the case. Astronomers have calculated there is a 7 per cent chance that Earth has another neighbour hiding in the Oort cloud, a spherical region of ice chunks and rocks that is tens of thousands of times farther from the sun than we are.“It’s completely plausible for our solar system to have captured such an Oort cloud planet,” said Nathan Kaib, a co-author on the work and an astronomer at the...

Scientists discover secret planet hiding in our solar system

Washington State

Mill Creek, WA

Timothy A Gruver

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries reported on Wednesday that it fined four roofing contractors more than a million dollars for letting their workers perform on top of homes without fall protection gear, among other safety violations.

Roofing Companies Fined $1.27M for Endangering Workers

About 183 million years ago, volcanic activity in modern South Africa unleashed an estimated 20,500 gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the ocean-atmosphere system over a period of 300 to 500 thousand years. Known as the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE), the lack of oxygen, or anoxia, in the water during this time caused a mass extinction of marine species.

Sediments Reveal The Ancient Ocean During a Mass Extinction Event

NewsBreak

Study reveals key gene protecting plants from harmful metals in soil

LA JOLLA (July 18, 2024)—The negative impact of human activity on Earth doesn’t just affect our planet’s atmosphere—it goes much deeper, into its soils. For instance,...

Study reveals key gene protecting plants from harmful metals in soil

Comments / 0