Australian scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough, identifying 32 causal genes linked to an increased likelihood of developing Long COVID, with 13 of these genes being newly associated with the condition. This pivotal discovery, led by researchers at the University of South Australia, is expected to accelerate the development of targeted treatments and personalized diagnostics for the debilitating global health challenge.
Singapore and China significantly strengthened their bilateral ties by signing a record 27 new agreements at their 21st Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation meeting in Chongqing. These comprehensive agreements, focusing on critical areas such as financial connectivity, green and digital development, and a new pilot scheme for digital renminbi payments, underscore a deepening commitment to their "All-Round High-Quality Future-Oriented Partnership".
A groundbreaking new theory proposes that the universe's fundamental forces and the very origin of mass may arise directly from the dynamic geometry of hidden extra dimensions, challenging established physics. This innovative perspective suggests that mass originates from "torsion" within evolving seven-dimensional G2-manifolds, offering a novel explanation for particle properties and cosmic expansion beyond the Standard Model.
Meta's updated privacy policy, effective today, December 16, 2025, allows the company to utilize user interactions with its AI systems for targeted advertising and content personalization across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This significant change has drawn strong criticism from digital-rights advocates and consumer groups, who express concerns about the commercial exploitation of private AI conversations and are urging regulatory intervention.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is engaged in high-stakes peace talks in Berlin with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, aiming to forge a political agreement to end Europe's deadliest conflict. While discussions have reportedly yielded "real progress" and U.S. offers of "NATO-like" security guarantees, significant disagreements persist, particularly concerning Ukraine's territorial integrity.
A new international study offers a glimmer of hope, revealing that thousands of glaciers in Canada's Arctic could be preserved if global warming is significantly curtailed. However, the research also paints a grim picture, projecting that nearly 80 percent of the planet's glaciers, including most in Western Canada and the U.S., could vanish by century's end if current warming trends persist.
Legendary director Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife, acclaimed photographer Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were discovered dead in their Brentwood home on Sunday, December 14, in what authorities are investigating as an apparent homicide. The entertainment industry is now reeling from the shocking development that their son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested in connection with their deaths.
University of Iowa researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking theoretical method to "purify" photon streams, a critical advancement poised to significantly enhance the efficiency and security of future optical quantum technologies. This innovative approach strategically utilizes stray laser scatter, previously considered noise, to cancel out unwanted multi-photon emissions, paving the way for more reliable quantum computing and secure communication networks.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown species of bettong and two new subspecies of woylie from ancient Western Australian fossils, offering crucial insights into Australia's rich past biodiversity. This significant discovery, announced on December 13, 2025, is bittersweet as the new bettong species, *Bettongia haoucharae*, is believed to be already extinct, while the reclassified woylie subspecies are critically endangered, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts.
A horrific mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025, tragically left at least 15 people dead and dozens injured, sending shockwaves across Australia. This "act of pure evil" and antisemitism, perpetrated by a father and son, marks Australia's deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades and has intensified calls for tougher gun laws.
Iranian authorities reportedly seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on December 15, 2025, escalating maritime tensions in the vital shipping lane. Citing allegations of fuel smuggling and maritime violations, Iran detained the vessel with its 18-member multinational crew, further highlighting the region's geopolitical volatility.
SereNeuro Therapeutics has unveiled groundbreaking preclinical results for SN101, an innovative cell-based therapy poised to revolutionize chronic osteoarthritis treatment by offering a disease-modifying solution rather than just pain relief. This first-in-class therapy uniquely functions as a "pain sponge" by absorbing inflammatory pain factors while also releasing regenerative molecules to support healthier cartilage and bone remodeling, marking a significant advancement in non-opioid pain management.