Scientists have discovered the detailed 3D structure of human cone opsins, the proteins in the eye that allow us to see color. This new understanding helps explain how these proteins work and could aid future research into vision problems like color blindness.
Key Facts
Cone opsins are proteins in the eye’s retina that detect color by converting light into signals for the brain.
Researchers used special methods like cryo-electron microscopy under dim red light to capture detailed images of blue- and green-sensitive cone opsins.
Cone opsins have tiny internal "microswitches" that keep them ready to respond quickly to light.
Green-sensitive opsins are more flexible, responding to lower-energy light, while blue-sensitive opsins have a tighter structure requiring higher-energy light.
The study may help explain how certain genetic mutations cause color vision deficiencies by affecting the protein structure.
This research is fundamental and does not yet provide direct treatment methods for vision disorders.
Understanding cone opsins better could eventually assist in developing ways to preserve vision in diseases like macular degeneration.
Humans have three types of cone opsins, each detecting different colors, influenced by the protein's structure surrounding the light-sensitive part.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Robert Jenrick, the shadow chancellor of Reform UK, said it is reasonable for the media to ask questions about Nigel Farage’s £5 million donation from a cryptocurrency billionaire. Farage has said the donation is private, but the money is currently under investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner.
Key Facts
Nigel Farage received a £5 million personal donation from Christopher Harborne, a crypto investor based in Thailand.
Farage initially said the money was for personal security, then later referred to it as a Brexit-related reward.
The donation is being investigated by the parliamentary commissioner for standards.
Robert Jenrick said voters have not asked him about this money during elections, but media questions about it are legitimate.
Jenrick assured there is no donor influencing Reform UK’s policies.
Labour’s Anna Turley has asked the Financial Conduct Authority to look into whether Farage’s comments on cryptocurrency benefited the donor.
Reform UK is facing internal disagreements and competition from another right-wing party, Restore Britain.
Farage’s party’s poll ratings have slightly dropped recently, while Labour’s ratings have improved.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Scientists studied a star called GJ 436, which has a large planet orbiting very close to it every 2.6 days. They found that the star’s and planet’s magnetic fields interact, causing changes in the star's brightness that follow the planet’s orbit pattern with some variations.
Key Facts
GJ 436 is a red dwarf star about 30 light-years from Earth.
It has one known planet, about four times the mass of Earth, orbiting every 2.6 days.
The planet orbits so close that their magnetic fields can connect and influence each other.
Researchers observed changes in the star’s chromosphere, a thin outer star layer affected by magnetic activity.
These changes cause periodic brightening roughly aligned with the planet’s orbit.
The timing of the brightening shifts slightly due to the star’s rotation and the planet’s magnetic field tilt.
Sometimes the magnetic interaction signal disappears during high activity cycles of the star.
The study used years of existing observations to track the star and planet’s magnetic activity over time.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The White House praised two Supreme Court decisions that support President Trump's immigration policies. The court allowed the government to end temporary legal protections for many Haitians and Syrians.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court made two important rulings about immigration.
These decisions help the Trump administration enforce stricter immigration rules.
The rulings permit ending temporary legal protections for Haitians and Syrians.
The White House called the decisions a significant success.
The court's decisions affect the status of thousands of people living in the U.S. under temporary protection programs.
These cases relate to policies begun during President Trump's first term.
The rulings clear the way for the administration to move forward with its immigration measures.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
South African civil groups warn that cuts to U.S. funding for HIV programs will harm vulnerable groups, especially adolescent girls and women. The U.S. is ending its support through the PEPFAR program, which has funded South Africa's HIV fight for 20 years and helped save millions of lives.
Key Facts
The U.S. plans to phase out over $400 million in annual HIV program funding to South Africa by September 2025.
South Africa has about 8 million people living with HIV, the highest number in the world.
President Donald Trump ordered the cut in foreign aid due to political disagreements, including South Africa’s land and racial policies.
The U.S. State Department required South African officials to condemn race-based violence as part of the conditions for continued aid.
PEPFAR funding made up about 17% of South Africa’s HIV program budget but did not cover most HIV medication costs.
Some local HIV programs have already closed, and around 3,000 health workers lost their jobs after funding was reduced.
South Africa created a $45 million emergency fund to address the funding gap from the U.S. cutbacks.
Prevention services for HIV have suffered, with focus shifting to maintaining treatment for existing patients.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A federal judge blocked part of President Trump’s order that aimed to create a national list of voters eligible for mail-in ballots. The judge said the Constitution gives states, not the federal government, the power to manage elections and voter eligibility.
Key Facts
Judge Indira Talwani blocked the creation of a national list of approved mail-in voters.
The ruling also stopped new rules to increase Postal Service control over mail-in voting.
The judge ruled that only states can decide who is eligible to vote, not the federal government.
President Trump’s March 2025 executive order was found to exceed presidential authority.
This is the third time in a week a judge has limited Trump administration election actions.
Earlier rulings blocked proof-of-citizenship voting rules and a federal voter database.
The Postal Service said it would refuse to deliver ballots without state voter lists, but the ruling stops this policy.
The Trump administration is expected to appeal the judge’s decision.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The National Park Service reported that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was intentionally damaged with a sharp knife or razor around June 9, 2026. This damage included cuts to the pool’s coating and about 70 fence posts thrown into the water. Several people have been arrested or cited for vandalism related to this case.
Key Facts
Damage to the Reflecting Pool was reported to U.S. Park Police on June 9, 2026.
The damage involved cuts made by a sharp knife or razor to the pool’s sealant coating.
Around 70 fence post tops were thrown into the reflecting pool.
The National Park Service plans to drain and repair the pool after the July 4th celebrations.
At least five people have been arrested, and five more received federal citations for vandalism.
President Donald Trump has stated vandals caused the damage and said evidence will be shown in court.
The damage relates to a $14.7 million sealant project on the pool.
The statement was made in a court filing connected to a lawsuit against the Interior Department over the pool’s renovation.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A dog expert explains that hugging dogs may make them uncomfortable because it limits their freedom to move. Many dogs tolerate hugs but do not enjoy them, and owners should watch for signs that their dog is uneasy during close contact.
Key Facts
Hugging is a human way to show love, but it is not natural or comfortable for most dogs.
Dogs may feel pressured or trapped by hugs because they can’t easily move away.
Some dogs tolerate hugs due to trust but do not necessarily enjoy them.
Dogs scared by hugs might include rescue dogs, those with health issues, or dogs not used to close contact.
Signs of discomfort include freezing, turning the head away, licking lips, yawning, showing the whites of eyes, pinned ears, tucked tail, avoiding eye contact, or trying to move away.
Children often hug dogs tightly and may not recognize warning signs of stress or fear in dogs.
Owners should never punish a dog for growling, as growling is a way dogs communicate discomfort.
Alternative ways to bond include gentle petting, playing games, and letting dogs have choices in interactions.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Vice President Vance hosted a dinner with Republican senators on Wednesday evening after President Donald Trump had a tense meeting with GOP senators earlier that day. The dinner occurred a few hours after Trump strongly disagreed with Senator Bill Cassidy over his vote.
Key Facts
Vice President Vance organized a dinner with Republican senators on Wednesday night.
This dinner happened after a tense meeting between President Donald Trump and GOP senators on Capitol Hill.
President Trump clashed with Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana during the earlier meeting.
The disagreement was about Senator Cassidy’s recent vote, which President Trump opposed.
The dinner took place several hours after the meeting ended.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A mother from Nebraska used a baby camera to check on her twin two-year-old sons and saw them sitting inside a drawer talking and rubbing lotion on each other’s feet. The twins had just been moved from cribs to beds, which led to new mischief at bedtime.
Key Facts
Taylor Dane has twin sons named Briggs and Breck, who are close and care for each other.
The twins were moved from cribs to big kid beds after climbing out of their cribs.
After moving to beds, the boys started new mischievous behaviors at night.
One night, at 10:45 p.m., Dane saw on the baby cam that the twins pulled out a drawer and sat inside it talking.
The twins were rubbing lotion on each other’s feet during this time.
Dane laughed but eventually put them back to bed against their wishes.
The video of this event was recorded four years ago, when the twins were two years old.
Even though they are now six, the twins continue to be playful and active.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A priest from the rebel Catholic group Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) compared their situation to that of Joan of Arc, who was condemned by the Church but later declared a saint. The SSPX plans to consecrate four new bishops without approval from the Pope, a move that could lead to their excommunication.
Key Facts
The SSPX is a breakaway Catholic group that opposes certain modern Church changes.
They will consecrate four new bishops on July 1 without papal approval.
The Vatican warns this could result in the SSPX being excommunicated.
SSPX Father Denis Puga compared the group’s persecution to Joan of Arc’s condemnation.
Joan of Arc was condemned for heresy in 1431 but later retried and declared a saint.
The SSPX rejects a Vatican 2023 declaration allowing blessings of same-sex couples.
The SSPX split from the official Church after unauthorized bishop consecrations in 1988.
Pope Benedict XVI lifted some SSPX excommunications in 2009 but did not restore full Church status.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Two earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday night, causing severe damage and many deaths. Rescue teams are searching for survivors amid ongoing efforts to assess the impact.
Key Facts
Venezuela experienced two earthquakes in a short time on Wednesday night.
The earthquakes caused significant destruction in affected areas.
The death toll has risen substantially after the events.
Emergency crews are actively looking for people trapped or injured.
Authorities are still evaluating the full extent of the damage.
Experts, including geologists, are analyzing the earthquakes to understand them better.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
This week, peace talks continued between the United States and Iran. In other news, the former head of the Scottish National Party, Peter Murrell, was sentenced to prison for stealing over £400,000 from the party, and a man in Cardiff returned dumped rubbish to the person who illegally left it after checking CCTV footage.
Key Facts
The US and Iran held ongoing peace talks this week.
Peter Murrell, former SNP chief executive, was jailed for embezzling more than £400,000.
A Cardiff resident returned seven bags of illegally dumped rubbish to the fly-tipper’s home.
The man found the fly-tipper by reviewing CCTV recordings.
The quiz mentioned in the article covers various current world events.
The article briefly involves former President Donald Trump but does not detail the specific incident.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Rutgers University study found that many city mice are developing genetic changes that make common mouse poisons less effective. These mutations help mice survive poison treatments, which could make controlling rodent problems in U.S. cities harder.
Key Facts
About 70% of tested mice had mutations that help them resist common rodent poisons.
Rats also showed some mutations, but are still more vulnerable to poisons than mice.
The study focused on mice and rats from cities like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.
The genetic changes affect a gene called Vkorc1, linked to how poisons disrupt blood clotting in rodents.
Resistance to rodenticides grows because mice with mutations survive and reproduce more.
Rodents spread disease and can damage property and food supplies.
New York City has struggled with rat infestations, but recent efforts may have reduced sightings by about 15%.
The findings are important because rodent control is already a challenging issue in many U.S. cities.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Chris Van Hollen from Maryland has publicly supported Abdul El-Sayed in the Democratic Senate primary election in Michigan. Abdul El-Sayed is competing against Representative Haley Stevens and State Senator Mallory McMorrow for the Democratic nomination.
Key Facts
Senator Chris Van Hollen is from Maryland and a member of the Democratic Party.
Van Hollen endorsed Abdul El-Sayed for the Michigan Senate Democratic primary.
Abdul El-Sayed is a former director of health-related services in Wayne County, Michigan.
El-Sayed is considered a progressive candidate.
His opponents in the primary include Representative Haley Stevens and State Senator Mallory McMorrow.
The primary election will decide who becomes the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat from Michigan.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Ron Wyden accused the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of planning to deport over 500 unaccompanied migrant children using a new legal process. He warned that this effort could send children back to unsafe countries without proper legal review and asked HHS to stop the plan immediately.
Key Facts
Senator Ron Wyden sent a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about the planned deportations.
The children targeted have been in federal care for more than 180 days and lack sponsors in the US.
Most of these children have legal representation in their immigration cases.
Wyden said deporting them without involving their lawyers would violate due process rights.
The children come from countries including Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Afghanistan.
The move seems timed to avoid immigration court decisions by targeting children before a June 30, 2026 deadline.
HHS has not answered previous questions about changes to its child welfare mission in handling migrant children.
HHS responded by denying plans to deport these children, stating their priority is placing children with properly vetted sponsors.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A $20,000 long-term certificate of deposit (CD) can earn a fixed amount of interest depending on the term length, with rates around 4.15% to 4.30%. Longer terms pay more interest, but the money is locked in for the duration, unlike high-yield savings accounts that have variable rates and allow easier access.
Key Facts
CDs offer fixed interest rates, meaning savers know exactly how much they will earn.
Interest rates for long-term CDs range from about 4.15% to 4.30%.
An 18-month CD at 4.20% can earn around $1,273 on $20,000 by maturity.
A 10-year CD at 4.30% can earn over $10,000 on $20,000 by maturity.
CD funds cannot be withdrawn early without penalty, unlike high-yield savings accounts.
High-yield savings accounts have variable rates, which can change over time.
Choosing between a CD and a savings account depends on whether savers want guaranteed returns or flexible access to their money.
With inflation and economic uncertainty, locking money in a fixed-rate CD can protect savings and offer steady growth.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. government can turn away asylum seekers who have not yet crossed the southern border into the United States. This decision supports a policy that controls the number of people processed at official border entry points by asking some to wait in Mexico.
Key Facts
The ruling says asylum seekers are only "in the United States" when they physically cross the border.
The policy, called metering, lets Border Patrol limit entries when ports are busy.
Metering began in 2016 under the Obama administration and was expanded by President Trump’s first term.
Asylum seekers turned away wait in Mexico until they can try to enter again.
People with valid travel documents can enter anytime under this policy.
A judge had overturned the policy during President Biden’s administration.
The Supreme Court decision reversed that judge’s ruling.
The Department of Homeland Security supported the ruling, saying it clarifies the meaning of arriving in the U.S. for asylum claims.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article warns that progress made in reducing overdose deaths could be lost without ongoing support and protection from Congress. It highlights the importance of maintaining current efforts to keep saving lives.
Key Facts
There have been recent improvements in reducing overdose deaths.
These improvements depend on systems supported by government policies.
Congressional protection is needed to keep these systems working.
Without continued support, the systems may fail.
The article urges lawmakers to recommit to efforts against overdose deaths.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Taylor Swift has reportedly rented Madison Square Garden for the Fourth of July weekend. There are rumors that she and Travis Kelce might get married there.
Key Facts
Taylor Swift has booked Madison Square Garden for the Fourth of July weekend.
The New York Times reported this news.
Rumors suggest the booking could be for a wedding.
The potential wedding is between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
Madison Square Garden is a large and famous arena in New York City.
Neither Taylor Swift nor Travis Kelce has officially confirmed the wedding plans.
The news was covered by CBS News.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
