Author: John Spears

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have found fossil evidence that pushes back the origin of clonal fragmentation in sea stars by over 150 million years. This reproductive strategy, where brittle stars split in half and regrow missing halves to create clones of themselves, has long puzzled researchers. Brittle stars, along with 50 species of their starfish relatives, have been known to practice clonal fragmentation when mates are scarce. However, the exact timeline of when this unique form of reproduction began has been difficult to pinpoint until now. The recently discovered fossil from Germany shows a brittle star petrified while regenerating…

Bronny James Disappoints in NBA Draft Combine Scrimmage Bronny James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James, had a subdued performance during Tuesday’s scrimmage at the NBA Draft Combine. The 19-year-old managed just four points and four rebounds as Team St. Andrews secured an 89-81 victory over Team Forehan-Kelly. While James showcased his athleticism and shooting abilities in Monday’s drills, he struggled to make an impact in the scrimmage. Baylor Scheierman, Antonio Reeves, and JT Toppin dominated the scoring, leaving James with limited opportunities to shine. Following the scrimmage, fans took to social media to express their disappointment in James’ performance.…

A new FLiRT variant called KP.2 is causing concern in the United States as more than a third of COVID-19 cases are now estimated to be linked to this strain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that the KP.2 variant, along with another FLiRT mutation strain called KP.1.1, make up 35.3% of infections this week, a significant increase from 7.1% just a month ago. Despite being the most predominant variant, KP.2 is not causing an increase in infections as transmission of the virus is low. The emergence of these FLiRT variants has led the Food and Drug…

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé has confirmed that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season. The 22-year-old French star is expected to join Real Madrid, ending a yearslong pursuit by the Spanish club. Mbappé made the announcement in an emotional Instagram video, expressing his gratitude to all four managers he has played under at PSG and the club’s sporting directors. He described his decision to leave France and Ligue 1 as a new challenge after seven years with the Parisian club. The forward’s final home game for PSG will be against Toulouse on Sunday, and…

During a recent all-hands meeting at Google, employees voiced their frustrations over cost-cutting measures and lack of pay raises, leading to a heated discussion with CEO Sundar Pichai and CFO Ruth Porat. Despite the company’s strong financial performance, employees criticized the lack of meaningful compensation increases and expressed concerns about declining morale and disconnect with leadership. Porat admitted to management errors in handling investments, while Pichai acknowledged that Google had over-hired during the pandemic, which resulted in layoffs and job shifts abroad to Mexico and India. The workforce has grown by 22% in 2022, leading to tighter deadlines and fewer…

A recent study conducted by researchers at a leading university has revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of children and adolescents. The study, which surveyed over 500 students between the ages of 8 to 18, found that nearly 70% reported increased levels of anxiety since the start of the pandemic. Factors such as social isolation, uncertainty about the future, and changes in routine were identified as key contributors to the rise in anxiety levels among the participants. Additionally, children and adolescents who already had pre-existing anxiety disorders experienced even higher levels of…

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras sidelined with fractured forearm St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras has been placed on the 10-day injured list after suffering a fractured left forearm during a game against the Mets. The injury occurred when a direct hit from a J.D. Martinez swing left Contreras with a fractured forearm. Contreras is scheduled to undergo surgery and is expected to be out for six to eight weeks, aiming for a return around the All-Star Break. The catcher has been a standout performer for the Cardinals this season, boasting an impressive .280/.398/.551 batting line with the best…

In a recent report, it has been suggested that half of the white-collar workers at tech giant Google may not be doing “real work” and could potentially be hired to keep them away from competitors. This concept of overhiring talent in Big Tech companies is not a new phenomenon, with some employees admitting to being paid high salaries to do nothing but occasional 10-minute tasks. David Ulevitch, a general partner at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, has criticized this trend, stating that many people in large corporations are working in what he calls “BS jobs” that do not contribute to…

In the ongoing criminal trial of former President Donald Trump, prosecutors are focusing on 34 crucial documents that they allege show Trump’s involvement in falsifying records to cover up reimbursements to his former lawyer Michael Cohen. The trial, which has garnered widespread attention, saw testimony from longtime Trump Organization employees Jeffrey McConney and Deborah Tarassoff, who detailed their roles in handling the reimbursements. The heart of the case revolves around hush-money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Prosecutors claim that Trump falsified records to conceal these payments, with the documents presented in court shedding…

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert will be sitting out Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets. This decision was confirmed by coach Chris Finch, who cited weather-related complications that hindered Gobert’s return to Denver after the birth of his child. Gobert had initially been listed as questionable for personal reasons, as it was already known that he and his girlfriend were expecting a baby during the postseason. Despite his desire to be present for the birth of his child, Gobert played a crucial role in Minnesota’s Game 1 victory, contributing six points, three blocks, and 13…