Editors' Picks

Science, astronomy, NASA, space exploration, James Webb telescope, dark matter discovery
Photo credit: ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, L. Furtak, S. Fujimoto / Flickr (CC BY 4.0)

Webb Telescope Reveals Massive Structure, Challenges Understanding of Universe

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Webb Space Telescope Reveals Massive Structure That Challenges Our Understanding of Universe (Maria)

The author writes, “NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has revealed an ancient galaxy cluster with an unexpectedly dense concentration of dark matter, challenging theories about how the universe developed. The discovery also uncovered a surprising connection between scattered starlight and invisible dark matter that could transform how astronomers study the early cosmos.”

How Quickly Trump Admin Moved Taxpayer Money for Midterm Propaganda Ads Alarms Judge (Dana)

The author writes, “A federal judge expressed alarm at how quickly the Trump administration moved to use taxpayer funds for midterm election advertisements following an Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and Republican operatives. U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon issued a temporary restraining order Sunday to immediately stop the propaganda ads, a win for pro-democracy groups who argue they are an illegal misuse of funds appropriated by Congress. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) was able to shift $20 million for the ads in a matter of hours, Rochon said in a 40-page opinion Monday explaining her decision.”

She Went To Prison for Her Miscarriage. Now She’s Won $1.6 Million From a Rural Nevada County. (Sean)

From The Nevada Independent: “A rural Nevada county has paid $1.6 million to settle claims brought by a woman who was convicted of manslaughter after miscarrying a baby and who served two years in prison before her conviction was overturned. Patience Rousseau was 26 years old and living in Winnemucca when she miscarried in 2018. She was convicted under a Nevada law, put on the books in 1911, that makes it illegal to take drugs to end a pregnancy after the 24th week. Civil rights lawyers and abortion rights advocates say the statute is the only law like it nationwide and unfairly targets women who want to end a pregnancy.”

Debunking Israel’s Latest List of ‘Terrorist’ Journalists in Gaza (Siobhán)

From +972 Magazine: “The evidence against the 170 media workers named in ‘The Press Files’ includes empty pages, clearly edited documents, and unverifiable snippets.”

Depression May Shut Down the Brain’s Ability To Make New Neurons (Mili)

The author writes, “A major study found that adults with depression show disrupted production of new neurons in the hippocampus, potentially weakening the brain’s ability to separate new experiences from painful memories. The researchers also identified broad molecular changes that could open the door to new treatments tailored to different biological forms of depression.” 

A Trip Down the Road That Will Determine the Fate of the Amazon (Laura)

From Grist: “The BR-319 runs through a largely untouched stretch of the rainforest. A new initiative to pave it could put the Amazon and the global climate at risk.” 

Scientists Discover 180,000 Giant Tortoises on One Seychelles Island (Russ)

The author writes, “A survey of the world’s largest free-roaming giant tortoise population has discovered that the once endangered species is thriving. A population of Aldabra giant tortoises lives on an island in Seychelles called Aldabra Atoll. The most recent survey, led by Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) and the University of Exeter, revealed there were approximately 180,000 tortoises living on the island. This is the highest figure ever recorded for the species and far exceeds the human population of Seychelles.”