News and Links Digest (publ. 2025-01-28)

Alaska Republicans refuse to be the majority

Plant with delayed self-pollination mechanism

Cleverly engineered (created) mechanism allows plant to self-pollinate if cross-pollination does not occur.

Costco doubles-down on DEI as other companies pull back

Additional details on plant immune response communication

Further research shows how plants use calcium to transmit immune response signals without transmitting the pathogen.

Terrorism sponsor somehow became negotiator

Titan's mysterious atmosphere

Secular researchers are busy trying to figure out why the moon Titan has a thicker atmosphere than earth.

Israeli Hostages Reveal Harrowing Conditions Of Starvation And Exploitation Upon Return Home

Hospital performing trans procedures on 11 year-olds, says whistleblower

FRB signals coming from "old" galaxy

Astronomers surprised by Fast Radio Bursts (FRB) signals from "old, dead" galaxy that should not have young stars. Researchers are considering other possible explanations of FRB signals.

'Just when you think you understand an astrophysical phenomenon, the universe turns around and surprises us,' researcher says.