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Feb 15 2026SCIENCE

Plant Stress Defense: How Tiny Proteins Turn Off Key Enzymes

Plants use a tagging system called ubiquitination to control the life span of many proteins. In the case of phenylpropanoid production, which supplies important compounds like lignin and flavonoids, several enzymes are marked for destruction by this system. F‑box proteins act as the taggers. They

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Feb 15 2026SPORTS

Olympic Shop Tension Sparks Staff Change

The Milano Cortina Games announced changes to keep the event calm after a staff member shouted “Free Palestine” at Israeli fans. The incident happened in the Cortina Sliding Centre shop when a pro‑Palestinian employee confronted visitors. Videos showed him repeating the slogan while Israeli su

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Feb 15 2026FINANCE

Big Bitcoin Shake‑Up: How Wall Street Options Took the Spotlight

When Bitcoin slipped to about $60, 000 in February, the move didn’t just shake online exchanges; it sent a huge wave through U. S. markets. A single day saw the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) trade over 284 million shares, worth more than $10 billion in notional terms. Even more striking was the optio

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Feb 15 2026OPINION

“City’s Money, Team’s Future: A Closer Look at the Moda Center Deal”

The city owns a 30‑year‑old arena that the Portland Trail Blazers call home. It is in need of a makeover to keep up with NBA standards. The mayor says the renovation will be energy‑efficient, but that is a side note to the main goal: upgrading the venue. The plan would use $75 million from a clea

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Feb 15 2026ENVIRONMENT

Climate Resilience Becomes Core Business in 2026

Corporate leaders are shifting focus from just cutting emissions to actually preparing for the storms and heat waves that are becoming more common. Recent discussions in boardrooms reveal that weather surprises can damage factories, disrupt delivery routes and make workers less productive. The

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Feb 15 2026POLITICS

Tax Cuts for Oregon Workers, Not the Rich

Oregon lawmakers are pushing a bill that would lower taxes for more than 200, 000 families and give a $25 million credit to local businesses that create good jobs. The proposal aims to fix the state’s budget gap created by federal tax cuts that largely benefited billionaires. If the current fede

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Feb 15 2026LIFESTYLE

Life in the Quiet Treasure Coast

A seasoned reporter has called the Treasure Coast her home for over three decades. She first arrived in 1995 to cover local towns, noticing a landscape that had yet to see the mall or major highway development. Beaches were still easy to reach, and parks offered simple walking paths. Her career has

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Feb 15 2026OPINION

Neighbors United: How Two Maine Towns Showed Love and Action

The recent winter brought more than snow to Lewiston and Portland. A sudden increase in ICE patrols sparked fear among immigrant families, especially those from Somalia, Afghanistan, the Congo, Angola and Ukraine. Their worries were clear in hushed conversations and hurried steps through town street

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Feb 15 2026OPINION

Maine’s Future: Energy Power or Vacation Spot?

The idea that Maine could become a cheap source of clean power for the rest of New England is not new. In the past, rail companies and later highways turned the state into a getaway for city folk. That model has worked well for tourism, but it left most of Maine’s natural beauty in private hands and

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Feb 15 2026POLITICS

A Fresh Look at the Upcoming GOP Race

Senator Dan Foreman faces a tough challenge from Rep. Lori McCann in the next primary. McCann has already proven she can win close contests, beating him by 200 votes in a three‑way race two years ago. In that same year, Foreman won by about 400 votes. The real test is the general election.

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