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Discovery of bumblebee medicine’s simple structure makes synthetic production viable

Researchers at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague have successfully developed a method to chemically synthesize callunene, a natural compound that protects bumblebees from a deadly gut parasite. In a recent discovery, the team also determined that the naturally occurring compound is a 50/50 mixture of its mirror-image forms, meaning the synthetic version can be used directly to safeguard vital pollinator colonies.

The study, published in the Journal of Natural Products, addresses the threat posed by the parasite Crithidia bombi. This protozoan infects bumblebees, impairing their ability to find nectar-rich flowers, which ultimately leads to starvation, reduced fitness, and death. The problem is especially acute in commercial indoor farming operations that rely on healthy pollinator colonies. Not only because of the farming effectiveness, but also because parasites might be spread from indoor pollinators to wild colonies.

Nature provides a defense in the form of callunene, a compound found in the nectar of heather (Calluna vulgaris). Bumblebees that forage on heather are prophylactically protected from Crithidia infection. However, the loss of heathland habitats and the difficulty of isolating the compound from natural sources have made this solution impractical on a large scale.

Research brings hope for new treatments for spinal muscular atrophy, autism

Ancient bacteria that have evolved to become integral to our cells—converting nutrients from food into energy—may also contribute to neurologic disorders, such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and autism, according to research in the lab of Yongchao Ma, Ph.D., from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

Called mitochondria, these mysterious parts of the cell have even retained their own DNA. Traditionally they are known as the “powerhouse of the cell.”

In recent years, however, mitochondria have been recognized as regulating many functions, including and how cells communicate. Dr. Ma’s research focuses on how dysregulation by mitochondria may lead to motor neuron degeneration in SMA or improper neuron connections in .

The Lasting Impact Of Daniel Dennett In Philosophy And Leadership

An academic whose work reaches beyond the Ivory Tower is rare. Scholarly writing tends to be highly technical, filled with footnotes and references, and often lacks a compelling narrative to captivate the reader. Not to mention that the work itself is usually deemed irrelevant and impractical for public knowledge.

The American philosopher Daniel Dennett (1942−2024) was, without a doubt, one of these generational thinkers who transcended the academic box. Why? His writing is filled with clear and interesting thought experiments, allowing anyone to grasp his theories, which span from philosophy, cognitive science and evolutionary biology to farming, sailing, and religion. Any curious person can find a relevant topic relating to their life in Dennett’s vast body of work, and it will likely have them questioning whether they actually understood the topic in the first place.

To celebrate the life and work of Dennett, the aptly named Dennett Prize was introduced in 2024. Like Dennett, the winner should “challenge received ideas and introduce new perspectives.” The prize is presented as part of the International Center for Consciousness Studies (ICCS) annual conference, held this year in Heraklion, Crete, earlier this month. The inaugural winner of the Dennett Prize was given to Andy Clark, professor of cognitive philosophy at the University of Sussex.

What If WW3 Starts Tomorrow? | The 5 Things You Must Do in the First 24 Hours

It’s 3:43 AM. Sirens are howling. Your phone lights up: DEFCON 1. Multiple ICBMs inbound.

World War 3 has just begun.

Would you know what to do in the first minutes? Most people freeze. This guide is for those who act.

In this video, we walk you through the real first steps to take if global war breaks out — not theory, not panic, but practical survival strategy for the first 24 hours: from identifying if you’re in a high-risk zone, to securing water and food, to communicating with loved ones when the grid is down.

💥 Whether it’s a nuclear attack, an EMP, or a cyber blitz — this is what you need to know before it’s too late.

Topics we cover include:

This Common Blood Pressure Drug Extends Lifespan, Slows Aging in Animals

The hypertension drug rilmenidine has been shown to slow down aging in worms, an effect that in humans could hypothetically help us live longer and keep us healthier in our latter years.

Previous research has shown rilmenidine mimics the effects of caloric restriction on a cellular level. Reducing available energy while maintaining nutrition within the body has been shown to extend lifespans in several animal models.

Whether this translates to human biology, or is a potential risk to our health, is a topic of ongoing debate. Finding ways to achieve the same benefits without the costs of extreme calorie cutting could lead to new ways to improve health in old age.

Early-life to endocrine-disrupting chemicals may fuel food preferences

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in early life, including during gestation and infancy, results in a higher preference for sugary and fatty foods later in life, according to an animal study being presented Sunday at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in San Francisco, Calif.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are substances in the environment (air, soil or water supply), food sources, personal care products and manufactured products that interfere with the normal function of the body’s endocrine system. To determine if early-life exposure to these chemicals affects eating behaviors and preferences, researchers from the University of Texas at Austin conducted a study of 15 male and 15 female rats exposed to a common mixture of these chemicals during gestation or infancy.

“Our research indicates that endocrine-disrupting chemicals can physically alter the brain’s pathways that control reward preference and eating behavior. These results may partially explain increasing rates of obesity around the world,” said Emily N. Hilz, Ph.D., a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin, Texas.

Tesla Autonomy Is AI’s Crowning Jewel; Diner Goes World Wide; Japan Trade Deal Announced

Questions to inspire discussion.

⚡ Q: What advantages does XAI’s proprietary cluster offer? A: XAI’s proprietary clusters, designed specifically for training, are uncatchable by competitors as they can’t be bought with money, creating an unbreachable moat in AI development.

Tesla’s Autonomy and Robotaxis.

🚗 Q: When is Tesla expected to launch unsupervised FSD? A: Tesla is expected to launch unsupervised FSD in the third quarter after polishing and testing, with version 14 potentially being unsupervised even if not allowed for public use.

🤖 Q: What is the significance of Tesla’s upcoming robotaxi launch? A: Tesla’s robotaxi launch is anticipated to be a historic moment, demonstrating that the complexity of autonomous driving technology has been overcome, allowing for leverage and scaling.

💰 Q: How might Tesla monetize its Autonomy feature? A: Tesla may charge monthly fees of $50-$100 for unsupervised use, including insurance, on top of personal insurance costs.