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A new study upends the notion that nature bounces back when species are lost. “The ecological benefits keep climbing as diversity rises, which means they fall as we lose species.” Phys dot org
See also: A federal judge halts border wall construction in Big Bend, a project the Trump administration fast-tracked by waiving ecological, preservation, and other laws. / Mother Jones
Climate change is causing California and Pacific Northwest redwoods to slow their “breathing” and “eating,” and what that might mean for their local ecosystems is still unknown. / Vox
A teen used AI to plan a hike up a mountain and had to be rescued after becoming stranded at the base of a cliff. “He definitely feared for his life.” / Gizmodo
It is not great that parents are using AI to generate their child’s school photos, but it is also not great that we are in an affordability crisis. / Fast Company
A message-by-message rundown of how reactions to the Oct. 7 attacks and the war in Gaza splintered a Dallas therapy practice. / The Wall Street Journal [$]
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A lab worker in Russia has died of suspected pneumonic plague, a more virulent form of plague that can spread through respiratory particles. / Associated Press
When scientists neglect to synthesize evidence, at best their authority is diminished, and at worst the effects can be deadly. / Aeon
Gatorade is recalling more than 122,000 cases due to “undeclared” food dyes that might cause “mild rash or allergic-type asthma.” / ABC News
Why there are about to be hundreds of new top-level domains—and how you can run one as long as you have around $50,000 to apply. / WIRED
Texas cities’ demands for millions of dollars in fees to fulfill Flock data requests are a smokescreen, say anti-surveillance advocates. / Ars Technica
Trump approves Hegseth’s recommendation for death by firing squad for the Fort Hood shooter in what will be the first execution carried out by the US Army since 1961. / Al Jazeera
Sitting US presidents rarely have things after them, and although Hoover wasn’t averse to the dam christening, FDR wanted to rename it three years later. / NPR
“Dogs that eat almost anything, such as Labradors, do not make the cut.” Picky eaters are the guests of honor at a pet-food tasting center in southern France. / The New York Times [$]
The unbearable lightness of hearing 30 saxophonists play the solo from “Careless Whisper” by Wham! at the same time. / Laughing Squid