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Monday, February 2, 2026
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The End Is Nigh: Doomsday Clock Is Now Two Minutes To Midnight

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Panel of scientists have announced that the Doomsday Clock is now two minutes to midnight.

The Doomsday Clock is now two minutes to midnight.

World annihilation is just two minutes away, according to the symbolic Doomsday Clock. A panel of scientists moved the hands of the clock 30 seconds closer to midnight, the metaphoric hour of nuclear apocalypse. The move was prompted by President Trump’s stance on nuclear weapons as well as his rhetoric regarding climate change.

“We are very concerned with the unpredictability of the United States and how it’s thinking of its nuclear weapons,” said Rachel Bronson, the president and CEO of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.

The Bulletin was founded by researchers who helped develop the first nuclear weapons during the Manhattan Project. According to theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss and founding director of the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, Robert Rosner, the world remains as volatile as it has been since World War II. More so, the two scientists claim that the Doomsday Clock “is as close to midnight today as it was in 1953” when the Cold War reached its peak. In 1953, President Harry Truman announced the US had built a hydrogen bomb.

Bronson noted how nuclear weapons were the main talking point of this year, specifically North Korea’s nuclear weapons program as well as other “huge nuclear investments” made by Russia, China, Pakistan and India.

The Bulletin also warned that increasing temperatures require urgent action now. They urge country officials from around the world to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions to prevent further damage to the planet.

The Doomsday Clock started “ticking” at the start of the Cold War in 1945, and has become a global symbol for the world’s vulnerability to destruction from nuclear weapons, climate change, and dangerous technologies.

However, Bronson still believes there is hope for the planet if these issues are tackled in a timely manner by the world’s governments.

Image Source: Flickr

Obesity Can Be Rubbed Off From Your Neighbors (Study)

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Obesity can be caused by living in predominantly obese communities or towns.

Obesity may be triggered by living in predominantly overweight communities, scientists believe.

Obesity is a common health condition among Americans, with 1.9 billion adults, 18 or older, suffering from it worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. A new study revealed that condition may be transmitted by other people, to the point where the condition was dubbed a “social contagion”.

“Social contagion in obesity means that if more people around you are obese, then that may increase your own chances of becoming obese,” notes one of the study’s authors, Dr. Ashlesha Datar.

According to Dr. Datar, if somebody were to move into a community or town with a high rate of obesity, then that person would be assimilated into their way of life.

For the study, researchers looked at military families, as they were considered viable candidates mainly because they have no choice over where they are assigned. In total there were 1,314 parent and 1,111 children, spread across 38 different locations across the United States.

The states accounted for in the study were placed at different ends of the obesity spectrum. El Paso County, Colorado, for example, was at the low end of the spectrum with around 21 percent of its population being obese while Vernon County, Louisiana, registering a 38 percent obese population. The study revealed that families who were assigned in counties with high obesity rates were likelier to become overweight or obese, and vice versa.

According to Dr. Datar, parents living in El Paso had a 29 percent lower chance of becoming obese while the child’s chances would decrease by 23 percent.

The research also took into account environmental factors that would have allowed increased obesity rates. Researchers looked for gyms or fast food restaurants located in each region to have an accurate representation of each obesity rate.  While environmental factors did influence higher or lower rates for the condition, they did not account for all cases, according to the study.

Dr. Datar said that shared environments did not play a critical role in explaining their results.

The study was published in the journal, JAMA Pediatrics.

Image Source: Flickr

Potential Male Contraceptive Is Rooted In Poisonous History

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Potential male contraceptive has ingredient that is used to poison arrows in Africa.

A potential male contraceptive has an ingredient commonly associated with poisoning arrows.

Researchers found that a chemical from a plant extract, commonly used by African warriors to poison their arrows, can be repurposed as a male contraceptive.

Published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, the study suggests that a chemical called ouabain could inhibit the male reproductive cell. Ouabain is found in two plants native to Africa, the Acokanthera Schimperi also known as the “arrow poison tree” and the Strophanthus Gratus, most commonly known as “climbing oleander”. African warriors tip their arrows with ouabain as it is a toxic substance capable of damaging heart tissue, effectively killing the target.

However, small doses of ouabain can be found in drugs that help control blood pressure and treat heart attack patients. Ouabain was proven to be an effective cardiac glycoside as it can increase the pumping force of the heart all the while lowering the rate of contractions.

A 2014 study claimed that ouabain had the potential to alter male fertility, however, its poisonous nature prevented it from being considered a suitable ingredient for male birth control pills.

Scientists from the University of Minnesota and the University of Kansas wanted to further tests ouabain’s effects on male fertility. Thus, they created a version of ouabain that had a variation of the compound but with a slightly different molecular structure. This altered compound would target a specific protein in sperm that controls its ability to swim. Deactivating the sperm’s ability to swim would make them unable to reach and fertilize an egg.

The team of researchers tested the new ouabain analog on rats and found that the animals were rendered infertile yet their health remained intact. More so, the scientists believe that the effects of ouabain are reversible. Scientists noticed that new sperm cells were not affected once the compound left the rodents’ systems.

The latest discovery may pave the way to a male contraceptive that has the same desired effects of a standard female birth control pill.

Image Source: Flickr

Matt Damon Apologizes for His Sexual Harassment Comments

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Actor, Matt Damon, publicly apologised for his controversial sexual comments.

Matt Damon apologized for his sexual harassment remarks.

Last month, during an interview, actor Matt Damon, suggested that claims of sexual harassment should be viewed differently from allegations of sexual assault. These comments stirred many women who criticized the actor for his ignorance and lack of understanding. Now it seems that the Oscar winner is backing down from his previous statement saying that he will be jumping in the back seat and will keep his mouth shut.

Damon addressed his controversial remarks on Tuesday on the Today show.

“I really wish I’d listened a lot more before I weighed in on this,” said the Downsizing actor, “Ultimately what it is for me is that I don’t want to further anybody’s pain…so for that I’m really sorry.”

Previously, Damon said that there’s a difference between sexual harassment and sexual assault, suggesting that there is a “continuum” when it comes to questionable behavior. The Goodwill Hunting actor said that people would have to find a limit to what is considered criminal behavior and what is considered “shameful and gross”. In the interview, Damon also compared the allegations against  Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and Louis CK. More so, the Oscar winner said that most men with whom he had worked with are innocent people and that the industry should focus more on them.

Among the actresses who stepped in to criticize Matt Damon were Alyssa Milano and even Damon’s Good Will Hunting, co-star, Minnie Driver.

In his current interview, Damon confessed that he was a lot of friends who have been sexually assaulted or harassed and that he supports their movement.

Image Source: WikipediaCommons

Gene Mutation May Be Responsible For Diabetes Development

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A gene mutation that affects insulin regulation may be responsible for diabetes development.

A genetic mutation may be responsible for diabetes development, researchers found.

Scientists have identified a new mutation that affects a gene responsible for insulin regulation. The findings were published in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

According to the paper, nearly 1-2 percent of cases of diabetes are caused by the impairment of a gene called MAFA, which would disable production of insulin. Besides causing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, a malfunctioning MAFA gene would lead to insulin-producing tumors in the pancreas aka insulinomas.

The tumors usually develop due to low blood sugar levels, as opposed to diabetes which results in high blood sugar levels.

Researchers were able to discover the mutation by sequencing a specific part of the genome belonging to two families. One of the families had high blood sugar levels while the other where on the opposite side of the spectrum.

Lead author of the study and a professor at the Queen Mary University of London, Marta Korbonits, expressed their disbelief when they found two contrasting conditions within the same families.

“Our research shows that, surprisingly, the same gene defect can impact the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas to lead to these two opposing medical conditions,” Korbonits said.

In addition, the research revealed a link between diabetes and gender. While males were more susceptible to diabetes, females had a higher risk of developing insulinomas. Researchers have yet to find the reason behind this.

Researchers claim that this is the first time a mutation in MAFA gene has been tied to a disease.

Diabetes is a chronic and metabolic disease characterized by high blood glucose (blood sugar). People who suffer from the condition can experience damage to the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and nerves.

According to the World Health Organization, diabetes could become one of the leading killers globally by 2030.

Image Source: Pixabay

Immigrant Father Of Two Deported To Mexico After Thirty Years Of Living in The US

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Immigrant father of two deported to Mexico by the Trump administration.

An 39-year-old immigrant who has lived in the US since he was ten was deported to Mexico this Monday.

On Martin Luther King Day, the Trump administration saw fit to deport 39-year-old, Jorge Garcia, who was brought into the US when he was ten years old by an undocumented relative. Garcia, who is the father of a 12-year-old son and a 15-year-old daughter, departed from the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The landscaper from Lincoln Park, Michigan, would go back to Mexico after thirty years of residency in the US.

According to media sources, immigration courts issued a removal order on Garcia in 2009, however, his deportation was halted during the Obama administration. While his family tried to find ways of getting him a legal status, President Trump was cracking down on undocumented immigrants. Garcia is the latest victim of Trump’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants, a move criticized by many people as being too excessive.

Garcia and his wife, Cindy Garcia, an American citizen and retired autoworker, got married 15 years ago after they first met in Detroit.  According to Garcia’s wife, an attempt was made in 2005 to get him legal status however that eventually led them to deportation proceedings. Even after the birth of their children, Garcia had to check in with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials (ICE), states his wife. The 39-year-old’s deportation was stayed multiple times during the Obama administration, however, he was too old to qualify for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) which President Obama created. This policy was designed to protect children of undocumented immigrants from being deported. As of June 15, 2012, any immigrant who is 31 or younger can qualify for DACA status, while anyone older than 31 is exempt.

Another Obama era-policy that may have helped Garcia, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans, was created to protect undocumented adult immigrants with children who were American citizens or lawful residents. That policy, however, was blocked in court later on.

Garcia’s family asked ICE if they could postpone his deportation to see if the government can eventually pass DACA legislation. ICE said that Garcia could remain in the US until the holidays were over, with a scheduled deportation planned for January 15.

“His case needs to be looked at individually because he deserves to be here in a country that he’s known, not in Mexico,” said Cindy Garcia.

Image Source: Flickr

Women Experience A Decline In Cognitive Functions During Pregnancy (Study)

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Pregnant woman experience a decline in cognitive functions aka "baby brain", according to a meta-analysis.

Women experience a decline in cognitive functions during their pregnancy, researchers found.

Australian researchers revealed that women experience a decline in cognitive functions during their pregnancy, adding scientific weight to the phenomenon of having “baby brain”. These problems often range from reading difficulties, and forgetfulness, to confusion and problems focusing.

Women who experience “baby brain” during pregnancy were reported to struggle with expressing themselves verbally, forget appointments, or being unable to work due to these issues. According to an older study, 50 to 80 percent of women confirmed they experienced having “baby brain” during their pregnancy. Other studies, however, dismissed the phenomenon as nothing more than a myth, and the cognitive decline occurs due to increased fatigue.

Researchers from the Deakin University, in Australia, focused on these cognitive mishaps during pregnancy and revealed that they can, in fact, be measured. The discovery was made possible thanks to a meta-analysis of 20 studies which involved 1,230 women, 709 of them being pregnant while 521 were there for comparison purposes. These studies looked at general cognitive functions, including memory, attention, processing speed, verbal abilities, and executive functioning. The latter involves the ability to plan, solve problems, and maintain a coherent train of thought.

Researchers revealed that pregnant women had poorer cognitive function than those who weren’t pregnant. This decline was especially common during the third semester of pregnancy.

“General cognitive functioning, memory, and executive functioning were significantly reduced during the third trimester of pregnancy, but not during the first two trimesters,” the authors wrote in their paper, published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

As for the reason behind having “baby brain”, the researchers claim that pregnant women may allocate certain resources to areas associated with child rearing.

Although there is a noticeable reduction in performance, the paper states that pregnant women still remained within a normal and functional range. Further study is still needed to explore the ways in which cognitive decline during pregnancy impacts a woman’s day to day life.

Image Source: Pexels

Fossil Of A Giant Burrowing Bat That Walked On Four Legs Discovered In New Zealand

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Millions-year-old burrowing bat species discovered in a New Zealand forest.

The fossilized of a quadripedal burrowing bat species have been discovered in New Zealand.

The fossilized remains of a giant burrowing bat that walked on four limbs were found in New Zealand forest, an international team of scientists confirmed on Thursday. The bat species is said to have lived 16 to 19 million years ago on the island country.

Researchers discovered the bones and teeth of an extinct bat that is believed to have been able to burrow itself into the ground. The size of the bat was three times bigger than what we see today and it is believed to have weighed about 40 grams. Researchers claim the new burrowing bat is the first member to be added to the bat genus in New Zealand’s fauna in the last 150 years.

Burrowing bats are present on New Zealand today, although, the species was also found in Australia at some point in the past. The New Zealand species is known for its diverse diet, including insects, flowers, nectar, and fruit. Judging by the teeth of the newly discovered animal, its diet may have extended past small invertebrates and plants.

According to the study, published in the journal, Scientific Reports, the extinct animal belonged to “a bat super-family that once spanned the southern landmasses of Australia, New Zealand, South America and possibly Antarctica”.

The new species has been dubbed Vulcanops jennyworthyae after team member, Jenny Worthy, who discovered the fossilized remains, and the Roman god of fire and volcanoes, Vulcan. This was a reference to New Zealand’s tectonic history.

Lead author of the study, Sue Hand, states that the burrowing bat species is related to vampire bats, ghost-faced bats, fishing and frog-eating bats, and nectar-feeding bats.

Hand and her team of researchers believe that the Vulcanops went extinct due to rising temperatures. The burrowing bat is said to have died off after the early Miocene period when New Zealand’s climate caused major changes to the vegetation and overall environment.

Image Source: WikipediaCommons

Climate Change Is Churning Out More Female Green Sea Turtles

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Researchers found that a population of green sea turtles residing in the northern Great Barrier Reef is almost made up entirely by females.

A large population of green sea turtles mostly consists of females thanks to climate change.

Rising ocean temperatures are altering marine life, a feat that will worsen with each passing day. Scientists have focused on a particular population of green sea turtles and discovered that almost all of them are female. According to study dealing with the phenomenon, this sudden shift is directly linked to climate change.

99 percent of green sea turtles currently inhabiting the northern part of Australias’s Great Barrier Reef was found to be almost exclusively female. Researchers warn that this imbalance poses a serious threat to the survival of the already endangered species.

Turtles are very different to humans when it comes to choosing one’s sex, as these animals develop into males and females depending on the temperature outside of their egg, The smallest temperature difference can decide the sex of the turtle. For an even split between males and female turtles, the temperature has to be 29.3 degrees Celsius.

“Within a few degrees Celsius you go from 100 percent males to 100 percent females,” said marine biologist, Michael Jensen.

Researchers looked at green sea turtles which originated from two unique breeding grounds. One population was from the warmer northern Great Barrier Reef while the other population was from a cooler area situated at about 1,200 miles to the south.

The results were worrying to say the least, as the population that hatched in cooler areas was about 69 percent female while the population in the warmer north consisted of 99 percent juvenile and young adult female turtles.

Study co-author, Camryn Allen, and his team were able to compare ratios across turtles of different ages, which soon led them to realize that older turtles from the north had a less extreme ratio. According to Allen, there has been a drastic change in the turtle sex ratio in the past twenty years. Now, it seems that there is one male turtle for one hundred females.

Researchers noted that the problem seems to be getting worse with each generation. If ocean temperatures do not stabilize or decrease in temperature, they warn of a “complete feminization” of this population of turtles.

The study was published in the journal, Current Biology.

Image Source: Seeturtles

HIV Patients May Get Their Week’s Worth Of Medication In Just One Capsule

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Researchers found a way to insert a week's worth of HIV medication inside a capsule.

HIV patients might soon be able to take a week’s worth of medication in just a single capsule.

Scientists found a way to insert a cocktail of HIV drugs into one capsule. Thanks to this new breakthrough, HIV patients might soon take their medication once every week and eliminate the strict schedule that so many people are required to follow. The new capsule was developed by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

People who are infected with HIV have to fight off the virus by taking large amounts of medications. This medication, however, can’t be taken at random, as special schedules are put in place for better efficiency and for maintaining a constant effect. Scientists say that one of the biggest reasons why HIV patients die is that they do not adhere to the schedules.

The latest capsule aims to eliminate that threat. People would need to take the drug once a week after which it would gradually release throughout the week. According to the researchers, this type of delivery system will improve the patients’ adherence to their treatment schedule. The drug can also be used by people who are at risk of HIV exposure.

“The ability to make doses less frequent stands to improve adherence and make a significant impact at the patient level,” said Giovanni Traverso, an MIT research affiliate and lead author of the study.

The capsule consists of six arms where various drugs are loaded and then folded inward. This star-shaped structure is then encased in a smooth coating that dissolves once the pill is swallowed. After taking the capsule, it will unfold its arms and gradually release the drugs. Traverso compared the drug with a pillbox, in that you have a drug chamber for every day of the week.

Researchers first tested the drug on pigs where they noticed that the drug could successfully find its way to the stomach and release three separate HIV drugs over one week. The capsule was developed in such a way that it disintegrates into smaller fragments that can pass through the digestive tract.

The study was published in the journal, Nature Communications.

Image Source: Flickr

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