California Study Finds Mountain Lions Cut Deer-Vehicle Crashes by 67%

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California Study Finds Mountain Lions Cut Deer-Vehicle Crashes by 67% (Maria)

The author writes, “Drivers in the American West may be getting an unexpected assist from mountain lions. New research suggests their presence could make roads safer for people. In the study, areas with mountain lions were associated with a 67% reduction in deer-vehicle collisions, a vivid reminder that functioning ecosystems can produce practical benefits.”

Trump’s Justice Department Arrests Expert on Far Right as Part of SPLC Crackdown (Reader Jim)

The author writes, “The justice department on Wednesday arrested a leading expert on far-right extremism, charging her with financial crimes as part of the government’s ongoing case against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). Federal prosecutors charged Heidi Beirich, who formerly worked as an executive overseeing work monitoring hate groups, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to submit false statements to a federally insured bank and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering.”

Haitians in Springfield Are Required To Report to Ohio’s ICE Offices and Wear Ankle Monitors (Dana)

From the Ohio Capital Journal: “Haitians living in Springfield, Ohio are being required to wear ankle monitors and turn their passports over to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Haitians in Springfield are getting letters telling them to report to the ICE office in either Blue Ash (near Cincinnati) or Westerville (near Columbus). ‘When they do, their passports are collected,’ said Carl Ruby, pastor of Springfield’s Central Christian Church. ‘They’re fitted with ankle (monitors); I call them ankle shackles.’ This is happening after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that President Donald Trump can end temporary protected status for the 330,000 Haitians who’ve fled the violence in their home country.”

Farmer Horrified as AI Gives Bad Advice That Kills 25 Acres of Crops (Bethany)

From Futurism: “Whether you’re looking for medical advice or tips on industrial agriculture, one thing is abundantly clear: never trust an AI chatbot without first getting a second opinion, preferably from a human who has actual expertise in the topic. That’s the takeaway from an incident in the small city of Chuzhou, China, after a large language model dispensed some advice that led to the untimely death of 25 acres worth of produce.”

Exercise May Help the Aging Brain ‘Take Out the Trash’ (Mili)

The author writes, “Regular exercise may help the brain clear away harmful waste that can build up with age. Researchers found that physical activity supports several processes linked to the brain’s glymphatic cleanup system, including better sleep, lower inflammation, and healthier blood vessels. Because this waste-removal system becomes increasingly important as we get older, exercise could play a meaningful role in protecting against cognitive decline.” 

Astronomers Discover a Brand-New Type of Astrophysical Object: A Black Hole Star (Sean)

From MIT News: “Astronomers at MIT and elsewhere have spotted an extremely bright red spot in the early universe. The object resembles an enormous star, spanning the size of our solar system. But it also is putting out 100 billion times more energy than any known star can physically produce. In fact, such energies are closer to what a black hole might generate. The curious combination suggests that the red spot is an entirely new type of astrophysical source. The astronomers are calling it a ‘black hole star.’”