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Can Bowhead Whales With 200-Year Lifespan Help Us Slow Human Aging? (Maria)

The author writes, “With a maximum lifespan of more than 200 years, the bowhead whale lives longer than any other mammal. But how the 80-ton beasts survive so long has never been fully explained. Now scientists have found hints of an answer and are drawing up plans to see whether the same biological trick can be performed in humans. … ‘We were looking to understand the mechanisms of the exceptional longevity of the bowhead whale,’ said Prof Vera Gorbunova, a biologist at the University of Rochester in New York. ‘What we found is that maybe part of the mechanism is through very accurate and efficient repair of DNA breaks.’”

Fears of Heat Rationing for Millions in US as Shutdown Delays Energy Aid (Laura)

The author writes, “Millions of Americans face having to ration heating this winter as the US federal government shutdown and mass layoffs by the Trump administration cause unprecedented delays in getting energy assistance aid to low-income households, a group that helps people pay energy bills has warned.”

Murray Vows To Fight Taxpayer Dollars Funding Trump’s East Wing Project (Reader Steve)

From Roll Call: “A key Senate Democrat is vowing that ‘everything will be on the table’ to prevent taxpayer dollars from going toward construction of President Donald Trump’s contentious East Wing ballroom project. The pledge from Senate Appropriations ranking member Patty Murray comes as some analysts are warning the lightning rod president has turned the White House into another partisan battleground, upending a compromise forged between George Washington and Thomas Jefferson that had lasted centuries since the mansion was completed in 1800.”

Cracker Barrel Logo Backlash Was Fueled by Bots, Data Shows (Sean)

From Restaurant Business: “Many of the people claiming to be upset about Cracker Barrel’s logo change last month were not people at all. According to data from researcher PeakMetrics, more than 44% of the social media posts mentioning Cracker Barrel in the first 24 hours of the logo backlash were likely created by bots — fake accounts that can flood social feeds with auto-generated posts and comments.”

Voracious AI Data Centers Met With Backlash Around the Globe (Reader Jim)

The author writes, “As the race to build artificial intelligence accelerates, data centers are springing up worldwide, sparking backlash from Ireland to Mexico over blackouts, water shortages, and secrecy, the New York Times reports. … These facilities demand vast resources, drawing criticism for straining electricity grids and depleting water supplies in countries from South Africa to Chile. But tech firms deny responsibility and cite unreliable infrastructure as the root cause.”

Archaeologists Found an Ancient Roman Military Camp Hiding 7,000 Feet High in the Sky (Dana)

From Popular Mechanics: “The ancient Roman army didn’t seem to be afraid of anything, but they definitely weren’t afraid of heights, as evidenced by the discovery of a 2,000-year-old Roman military camp located 7,000 feet above sea level in the Swiss Alps. As archaeologists continue to explore the history of the Roman army in what is now Switzerland, a volunteer unearthed a previously unknown military camp in the mountains, strategically positioned to have tactical views of the surrounding valleys and mountain passes.”