The U. S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments about banning or selling TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance. This isn't just about business or politics; it's also about free speech and national security. The hearing comes nine days before the ban starts. President-elect Trump has changed his mind a
Soybeans are a big deal globally, ranking fourth among crops. They're special because they provide both oil and protein for people and animals. Over the past 60 years, production has skyrocketed 13 times. But with the world's population growing, we need even more soybeans. In the last decade, scient
Did you know that Swedish Warmblood (SWB) horses are picked for show jumping and dressage based on their young horse test scores? Scientists just finished a big study to find out which genes might be important for these traits. They used a complex method called single-step genome-wide association st
President Biden has just announced 19 remarkable individuals who will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This prestigious honor is given to those who've made outstanding contributions to the United States or global peace. The list includes a mix of celebrities, activists, and community leade
Last month, the University of Michigan ditched diversity statements in hiring and promotions, marking a notable shift from its past stance on campus free speech. This decision comes after years of criticism for restricting open inquiry. Prominent institutions like Michigan are starting to embrace ne
Selecting cassava plants that can withstand drought is tough because it depends on many factors. This study tried to find the best way to pick drought-tolerant cassava clones using genomic selection. They used different methods like Best Linear Unbiased Predictions (BLUPs), Genomic Estimated Breedin
Ever wondered why some chili peppers have smooth surfaces while others are wrinkled? Scientists have been trying to figure this out too, especially for the Japanese pepper 'Shishito', which has a wrinkled surface. They knew it wasn't just one gene but a mix of many, so they studied the offspring of
Scientists have found a hidden superpower in a type of grass called Thinopyrum. This grass can help wheat plants tough it out against rust diseases, drought, and still keep their yields steady. The key is a special swap between two parts of the grass' DNA. This swap, called a chromosome translocatio
Celery, a key player in the vegetable world, has many forms. There's common celery, known for its solid, crisp stalks, celeriac with its fleshy, underground stems, and leaf celery, which has long, hollow stalks. Here's where things get interesting: scientists recently created a detailed map of the c
Ever thought about why we say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"? It's not about ruining Christmas, but about including everyone. Some folks believe America was founded on Christianity, so Christmas should be the main holiday. But the truth is, our Constitution protects our right to celeb
