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Mar 05 2026LIFESTYLE

Life in Motion: A Fresh Look at Ashby Ponds

Ashby Ponds sits on 132 acres in Ashburn, VA, offering a lively environment for seniors who want to stay active. Instead of a quiet retirement home, residents find themselves surrounded by more than 180 clubs and activities. Woodworking workshops, pickleball tournaments, and classes that keep the

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Mar 05 2026BUSINESS

Local Print Shop Wins City Award for Community Spirit

A small print shop that started in a garage has earned recognition from city officials for its positive impact on the town. The business, known as The Hairy Ant, was given a “Spirit of St. Charles Award” at the February 2 city council meeting. The award highlights how local companies can help a comm

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Mar 05 2026SCIENCE

Machine Learning Helps Pick and Test the Best Probiotic Bacteria

The world of probiotics is growing fast, thanks to new computer tricks and big data tools. Scientists now use machine learning (ML) to sift through huge amounts of biological information, from DNA sequences to the chemicals bacteria produce. This new approach lets them choose promising probiotic str

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Mar 05 2026TECHNOLOGY

Small AI Model Beats Big Ones With Smarter Work

Microsoft has released a new 15‑billion parameter AI that can read pictures and write text while saving time and energy. The model, called Phi‑4‑reasoning‑vision‑15B, can solve math and science questions, read charts, point out buttons on a screen, and even caption photos. It does this while using o

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Mar 05 2026POLITICS

US Submarine Hits Iranian Ship Near Sri Lanka

A U. S. submarine struck an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean on March 4, marking the first torpedo sinking of a vessel by the United States since World War Two. The attack occurred inside Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone, about 19 nautical miles from the port of Galle. The Iranian ship,

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Mar 05 2026HEALTH

Future Doctors Will Learn More About Food

In a new agreement, about one in four U. S. medical schools plans to add nutrition lessons by the fall of 2026. The arrangement, which is optional, will see 52 schools provide at least 40 hours of teaching or a comparable test that covers dietary knowledge. The deal was negotiated by officials in th

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Mar 05 2026SCIENCE

Early Signals of Bone Damage from Steroid Drugs in Rats

Scientists studied how a common steroid, prednisolone, affects bone health in young rats. They looked at three blood markers that show how fast bones build and break down: a protein from new bone, another marker of bone strength, and one that signals bone loss. The team also checked the bones with d

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Mar 05 2026BUSINESS

Seafarers Get New Safety Choice Amid Gulf Tensions

A recent shift in policy lets sailors decline voyages through the Middle East Gulf, especially the Strait of Hormuz, when danger spikes. The move follows rising military tensions and incidents that left ships damaged and crew injured or dead since late February. About 300 vessels are currently stuck

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Mar 05 2026HEALTH

Predicting Cancer Outcomes with Smart Algorithms

A new study shows how computer learning can help doctors decide who needs extra treatment after surgery for mouth cancer. The researchers built models that look at many patient details—age, tumor size, and other health factors—to score the risk of cancer coming back. They tested these models on a la

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Mar 05 2026LIFESTYLE

'Family‑Friendly Southern Eats Now Open in Mars Hill'

'In the quiet hills of Madison County, a new spot has appeared on the map for local diners. BoRudy’s Grill, opened on February 8 by Lisa Rice and her daughter‑in‑law Ashley Rice, offers a menu that feels like a cozy kitchen at home. The restaurant’s name comes from Lisa’s sons, Ashley’s husband Bren

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