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Feb 28 2026SCIENCE

Plant Breeding: How Domestication Changes Many Traits

Scientists used the process of turning wild plants into crops as a living laboratory. They studied 13 different species, measuring between 11 and 57 traits that can be seen or counted. By comparing each species with its wild relatives, they found a clear pattern: most plants lose diversity in

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Feb 27 2026TECHNOLOGY

Tech, Law and Money Shake Up the U. S. Landscape

The federal government is tightening its grip on new technology and financial tools, while companies face legal and economic pressure. The Food and Drug Administration announced it will pay extra bonuses to employees who finish drug reviews quickly, hoping to speed up approvals for patients in ne

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Feb 27 2026SCIENCE

Chloroplast Demethylation Boosts Plant Stress Resilience

A key chemical tag on messenger RNA, called m6A, is common across all eukaryotes. Cells control how much of this tag appears by adding or removing it with specialized enzymes known as writers and erasers. In plant cells, the chloroplast—a site of photosynthesis—contains many mRNAs that carry this ta

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Feb 27 2026EDUCATION

Women Scientists Shine at Local Library Talk

Deborah Huntley, once a professor and administrator in Saginaw Valley State University, will speak about the place of women in science at a Women’s History Month event. The talk, titled “Science, Women of Science, and Women in Science, ” is scheduled for Wednesday evening at the Hoyt Library auditor

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Feb 26 2026HEALTH

Men in Their 50s May Feel Older Because of “Forever Chemicals”

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are called “forever chemicals” because they linger in the body for many years. A new study looked at how these substances might make men feel older than their calendar age. The researchers found that the link between PFAS levels in the blood an

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Feb 26 2026POLITICS

Military Ties to Scouting: A Shift in Strategy

The Pentagon is reconsidering a long‑standing partnership with Scouting America after a series of controversial proposals. For years, the U. S. military has supported Scout troops on bases and offered special ranks to young Eagle Scouts who join the armed forces. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

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Feb 26 2026SPORTS

Linebacker Alex Anzalone’s Big Move: Who Will Sign Him Next?

Alex Anzalone, a steady presence on the Detroit Lions’ defense for five seasons, is poised to become a hot commodity as free agency approaches. His leadership and consistent play have made him a captain for the Lions, but his future is uncertain because other teams are eyeing him. Former Lions defe

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Feb 26 2026SCIENCE

Brains that Keep Growing: How New Cells Help Memory Stay Sharp

New brain cells are still being made in people as they age, and those who keep producing them seem to remember better. Scientists studied brain tissue from people ranging from young adults to those over 80 who still have great memory. They counted cells that are in the early stages of becoming

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Feb 25 2026POLITICS

Schools Lose Support as Education Office Passes Jobs to Other Agencies

The U. S. Department of Education is moving more of its duties to other federal bodies, a shift that could reshape how schools receive help and funding. Under new deals, the Health and Human Services (HHS) agency will manage certain grant programs that currently provide money for school safety and c

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Feb 25 2026POLITICS

Casey Means’s Surgeon General Bid: A Wellness Twist on Public Health

Dr. Casey Means, a 38‑year‑old wellness star who runs her own health app and books, will appear before the Senate Health Committee to try for the Surgeon General slot. The hearing was pushed back from October after she went into labor on the day of her original appointment. Means says she wants to

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