ICA

May 13 2026HEALTH

New skin-lightening agents show promise in lab tests

Scientists have been searching for ways to slow down skin darkening for years. A recent study looked at a group of chemicals called resorcinol alkyl ʟ-glucosides and similar compounds. These substances block tyrosinase, an enzyme that plays a key role in producing melanin—the pigment responsible for

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May 13 2026SCIENCE

Why don’t we have proof of aliens yet?

Most people picture aliens as little green humanoids with big eyes, but that’s not exactly helpful. Neil deGrasse Tyson, a well-known scientist, has a different idea. He thinks we’re way too stuck on Hollywood versions of extraterrestrials. In reality, life out there could look nothing like us—or ev

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May 13 2026HEALTH

What stops female doctors in Punjab from getting screened or vaccinated?

Doctors know a lot about cancer, but not all of them take the same steps to protect themselves. A recent survey of 616 women who work in medicine in Punjab, India, found that only some get tested for cervical cancer or receive the HPV vaccine. The study shows that the type of job a doctor does, how

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May 13 2026SCIENCE

Who really found the leprosy bacteria? A closer look at old claims

Back in the 1800s, two scientists named Hansen and Neisser both studied leprosy. Hansen published findings first, naming the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. Neisser followed a year later, but never said Hansen was wrong or ignored his work. Yet over time, a story grew that Neisser tried to take credi

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May 13 2026POLITICS

New rules in Hawaii and Montana aim to change how companies influence elections

Two states are testing a fresh approach to reduce corporate and hidden money in politics. Hawaii’s legislature just passed a bill that would stop corporations from spending on elections by legally redefining what a corporation can do. At the same time, volunteers in Montana are pushing a ballot meas

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May 13 2026CRIME

How China quietly builds power in American cities

A former mayor in California just admitted to working for China behind the scenes. Eileen Wang held office in Arcadia, a small city near Los Angeles, but secretly followed orders from Beijing. Prosecutors say this case isn’t rare—it’s part of a long-term strategy where China places supporters in loc

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May 12 2026HEALTH

How tiny fats help viruses hide and reproduce

Most people know viruses make us sick, but how they actually do this inside our cells is still a puzzle. Some viruses use a clever trick—they hijack parts of our cells’ natural lipid system to create safe spots where they can copy themselves. These tiny fats, called phosphoinositides, aren’t well-kn

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May 12 2026WEATHER

How the Pacific\'s shifting waters could shape our year ahead

The Pacific Ocean is quietly undergoing a major shift that could reshape weather patterns across America. Deep beneath the surface, a growing mass of unusually warm water is making its way eastward, pushed by shifting winds. When it reaches the central Pacific later this year, it could trigger one o

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May 12 2026HEALTH

How Migraine Patients Use Healthcare When Standard Treatments Fail

For many people with stubborn migraines that don’t respond to usual treatments, life becomes a cycle of doctor visits, tests, and trial-and-error medications. Research shows these patients often need more than the standard three attempts at preventive drugs before finding something that works. But w

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May 12 2026HEALTH

Weight loss drugs spark unfair bias

Weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have helped many people shed pounds, but a hidden cost might be waiting. New research shows people often judge those who use these drugs more harshly than those who lose weight through diet and exercise. In one study, over 1, 300 participants ranked a

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