Almost half of California's faults — including San Andreas — are overdue for earthquakes

A prehistoric lizard, roughly the size of a raccoon and named after Tolkien’s goblin prince Bolg, spent two decades forgotten in a jar before scientists finally gave it the attention it deserved. The discovery highlights how even small, overlooked fossils can hold big secrets about Earth’s ancient past.

Editor’s Note: This story is a cool reminder that science isn’t always about flashy, immediate discoveries—sometimes, breakthroughs come from dusty old jars in museum collections. It also shows how pop culture (like Tolkien’s work) can sneak into scientific naming, making the distant past feel a little more relatable. Who knows what else might be hiding in storage drawers, waiting for its moment?

South Africa had become a leader in cutting-edge medical research, particularly in HIV and tuberculosis, thanks to years of investment and collaboration. But recent funding cuts by the Trump administration—slashing nearly $50 million in U.S. support—have gutted critical programs, shuttered labs, and left scientists scrambling. The damage threatens not just South Africa’s progress but global health efforts, especially in fighting diseases that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.

Turns out, even a little dad time goes a long way—for baboons, at least. A new study found that female baboons with stronger bonds to their fathers during childhood tend to live longer as adults. This challenges the assumption that male baboons, often seen as uninvolved parents, have no meaningful impact on their offspring’s survival.

Editor’s Note: We often think of primate dads (especially in species like baboons) as deadbeats, but this research flips the script. It hints that even small paternal contributions—like protection or social support—might have hidden, long-term benefits. For scientists, it’s a nudge to rethink how we measure parenting roles in the animal kingdom. And for humans? Maybe a reminder that dad’s presence, however subtle, matters more than we think.

Elon Musk’s AI venture, xAI, is being sued for allegedly installing dozens of gas-powered turbines in Memphis without the right permits, which a local group claims is polluting the surrounding area. The turbines are part of Musk’s ambitious supercomputer project, which broke ground earlier this year.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about paperwork—it’s a clash between rapid tech expansion and community health. If the allegations are true, xAI’s move could set a risky precedent for how big tech sidesteps environmental rules in the race for AI dominance. For Memphis residents, it’s a very real air-quality concern.

Just when you thought fax machines were relics of the past, they're making a nuisance comeback—but not in the way you'd expect. While most faxes now arrive digitally, professionals like doctors and lawyers who still rely on paper fax machines are drowning in a flood of spam. It's not just junk mail clogging inboxes anymore; it's junk faxes wasting paper, time, and patience.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just about annoying paper waste—it's a sign of how outdated systems create modern headaches. For industries where faxing is still legally or culturally entrenched (like healthcare), spam faxes aren't just inconvenient; they could delay critical communications or even pose security risks. It’s a weird collision of analog and digital problems that no one asked for.