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NASA just picked a solar scientist to become the agency's science chief. Nicola Fox, the former top scientist on the Parker Solar Probe mission, has been named as NASA's associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate. In her previous role, Fox lead groundbreaking research on the sun, including a better understanding of solar wind and how it affects planets and satellites. Now, she'll be leading the charge overseeing some of the agency's most exciting and high-profile missions.
But that's not all - Fox will also be heading up a NASA study group on UFOs (that’s Unidentified Flying Objects). NASA chief Bill Nelson praised Fox's appointment, saying that she has been instrumental in making the complex world of heliophysics accessible to the public. With an annual budget of roughly $7 billion, the Science Mission Directorate plays a vital role in NASA's efforts to explore the mysteries of the universe, from probing for past life on Mars to studying distant galaxies with the James Webb Space Telescope.

Nicola Fox Just Became the First Female Head of Science at NASA

Fox News

A new study suggests that loading up on fruits and vegetables could lead to better sleep — and the benefits might kick in almost immediately.

Researchers from Columbia University and the University of Chicago tracked 34 healthy young adults over 201 days, examining how diet influenced sleep quality. Their findings, published in Sleep Health, revealed that participants who ate around five cups of fruits and vegetables daily slept up to 16% more soundly.

“Sixteen percent is a highly significant difference,” said Dr. Esra Tasali, co-senior author and director of the UChicago Sleep Center. “It’s remarkable that such a meaningful change could be observed within less than 24 hours.”

Participants used a food-logging app to record their meals and wore wrist monitors to track their sleep. These devices measured how often they woke up and how well they transitioned between light and deep sleep throughout the night.

The results hint at a surprisingly fast payoff from eating more produce. Tasali believes this makes dietary changes an accessible tool for anyone looking to improve sleep without medication. “Dietary changes may offer an accessible way to improve sleep quality,” she said.

One possible reason is biochemical. The researchers say fruits and vegetables contain carbohydrates and nutrients that help the brain absorb tryptophan — an amino acid that increases levels of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep.

Other experts say there may be an additional benefit: blood sugar stability.

“Fruits and vegetables are low glycemic, which means they help stabilize blood sugar levels,” said Autumn Bates, a California-based clinical nutritionist, in an interview with Fox News Digital. “Unstable blood sugar levels cause cortisol to spike while we sleep, which in turn wakes us up.”

Bates wasn’t involved in the study, but she agrees with its overall message. “Small changes can impact sleep,” she said.

Marie-Pierre St-Onge, a professor of nutritional medicine at Columbia and co-leader of the study, said the findings empower people to take simple actions that may improve their rest. “People are always asking me if there are things they can eat that will help them sleep better,” she said. “Small changes can impact sleep. That is empowering — better rest is in your control.”

The study also emphasized that reaching the CDC’s recommended five cups of produce a day doesn’t have to be complicated.

For fruit, a single medium apple, pear, peach, or orange counts as one cup. So do 22 grapes. For vegetables, it takes about 12 baby carrots or two regular carrots to hit the one-cup mark. Cooked greens like spinach shrink considerably, so two cups raw equals one cup cooked. A large ear of corn or a medium potato also meet the one-cup threshold.

While the results are promising, experts say more research is needed. Carolyn Ievers-Landis, a clinical psychologist and professor at Case Western Reserve University who was not involved in the research, pointed out that the study wasn’t a controlled experiment and didn’t prove cause and effect.

“There is a high likelihood that these individuals are healthier overall — that they get more physical activity, they might drink less alcohol and they might spend more time in natural sunlight,” she said. “Still, it’s always a good idea to eat a healthy diet and engage in healthier behaviors to optimize sleep.”

The researchers say they plan to dig deeper into the biological mechanisms behind the findings and test them in more diverse populations. But for now, they believe there’s enough evidence to encourage people to make fruits, vegetables, and whole grains a daily habit.

And if a few extra grapes or carrots help you get a better night’s sleep? All the better.

Want Better Sleep? More Fruits and Veggies Might Help — Starting Tonight

Science Daily

Scientists at the National University of Singapore have discovered a surprising new use for DNA — not as a genetic blueprint, but as a tool to guide the creation of safer, more effective medicines.

In a study published in Nature Catalysis, the research team, led by Assistant Professor Zhu Ru-Yi, showed that specific parts of DNA known as phosphate groups can act like tiny chemical “hands,” steering molecules during a reaction to ensure the right version of a drug is made. That precision could significantly improve the way pharmaceutical compounds are produced.

Many drugs exist in two mirror-image forms, or chiral versions — like a left and right hand. But while one version may effectively treat disease, the other might do nothing, or worse, cause harm. Making only the “right-handed” version has long been one of drug development’s biggest headaches. The new DNA-guided method offers a potential shortcut: it’s cleaner, simpler, and could be more environmentally friendly than conventional techniques.

A New Role for DNA
DNA is best known for storing genetic information. But in this case, researchers discovered it can also help direct chemical reactions.

That’s because DNA’s phosphate groups are negatively charged, and they naturally attract positively charged amino acids — a common interaction inside living cells. Zhu’s team wondered whether that same attraction, called ion pairing, could be harnessed in the lab to guide the way molecules react.

Their hunch paid off.

The team showed that DNA’s phosphate groups could pull in and hold charged molecules in exactly the right alignment to produce a single, desired mirror-image compound — no messy leftovers, no unwanted byproducts. “Nature never uses DNA phosphates as catalysts, but we have shown that if designed properly, they can act like artificial enzymes,” Zhu said.

A New Method: PS Scanning
To figure out which parts of the DNA strand were actually responsible, the team invented a technique called PS scanning. It allowed them to swap out individual phosphate sites with chemically similar substitutes. If replacing a phosphate disrupted the reaction’s precision, it meant that site had been playing an important role.

To back up the lab work, the team collaborated with Professor Zhang Xinglong at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, who ran computer simulations that confirmed the phosphate groups were key to driving the reaction.

Implications for Drug Manufacturing
This discovery could change how we make chiral drugs — a class that includes everything from antidepressants to cancer treatments. Traditional methods for separating mirror-image compounds are often slow, costly, and environmentally taxing. The DNA-based method offers a new route that’s fast, efficient, and doesn’t rely on heavy metals or toxic solvents.

“It’s a cleaner way to get the compound you want, without a lot of waste,” Zhu said.

Because DNA is inexpensive, widely available, and easily modified, it also opens the door for customizable, lab-made versions that can act like synthetic enzymes — without the complexity of designing a whole new molecule from scratch.

What’s Next
The team now plans to keep experimenting with DNA phosphates to create new kinds of chiral compounds, with a focus on next-generation medicines. The approach could become a powerful tool in green chemistry, where the goal is to reduce waste and energy use in industrial processes.

For Zhu and his colleagues, the appeal is both scientific and practical. “We’re not reinventing DNA,” he said. “We’re just giving it a new job.”

And if it works, the most iconic molecule in biology might soon be just as essential in the chemistry lab.

Researchers Discover DNA's Role in Eco-Friendly Drug Development

BBC News

A First World War medal that was nearly lost to a pile of scrap metal has found its way home — and just in time for Remembrance Sunday.

The Victory Medal, awarded to Private Willie Greaves of the West Yorkshire Regiment, disappeared after his death in 1970. More than half a century later, it has been returned to his son Jeff Greaves, a 98-year-old Royal Navy veteran of World War Two.

“This medal will eventually go to my son,” said Mr Greaves, who plans to wear it for the first time at Sunday’s service in Pudsey, Leeds. “He’s quite family orientated so I know he will look after it. It’s going to stay with us for a very long time.”

The medal’s journey back to the family began at a Bradford recycling centre, where David Steinberg, the general manager and a former South African Navy seaman, noticed a small collection of coins and medals that had fallen from an electromagnet.

“I collected them up, threw them in a box and forgot about them,” Steinberg recalled. Later, spotting the World War One medal engraved with the name “W GREAVES,” he decided it couldn’t just sit in a pile. “I told my mate Tommy, ‘We have to find somebody that we can give this medal to. I want this to go to the family.’”

Steinberg handed the medal to Tommy Flynn, a founder of the Dog & Gun Wibsey Veterans Group. From there, the search to uncover its story began.

Using the engraved name, rank, and serial number, local historians from the Bus to Bradford group traced the medal to Private Willie Greaves, who served with the Leeds Rifles, a battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment. He was wounded during the Second Battle of Bullecourt in France and discharged in 1917. Shrapnel lodged in his foot would trouble him for the rest of his life.

The next link in the chain came through Damon Sugden, president of the Pudsey and Farsley branch of the Royal British Legion. He placed a notice in a community magazine, the Pudsey Squeaker, seeking any living relatives. To his surprise, he received a phone call: someone believed Willie was the father of Jeff Greaves — a man Sugden had already met through local civic work.

“We just couldn’t believe it,” Sugden said. “It was just one of those moments of fate where everything comes together.”

The handover took place at the Dog & Gun pub in Wibsey, with a guard of honour from local veterans standing by. Mr Greaves was visibly moved by the unexpected return of his father’s long-lost medal.

“Jeff was very touched and completely flabbergasted that this medal has turned up after all of these years,” said Steinberg. “It’s quite a story — it’s a good news story, for once.”

Recycling Worker Reunites Lost WWI Medal With Soldier's Son After 55 Years

When a family in wartime England could no longer feed their pet dog due to rationing, they handed him over to the army. That simple act led to an extraordinary chapter in military history.

The dog, an Alsatian-collie mix named Bing — originally Brian — was trained as a war dog and went on to parachute into Nazi-occupied Europe during World War Two. This week, the people of Loughborough, Leicestershire, paid tribute to him with a newly unveiled metal sculpture in Queen’s Park, just in time for Remembrance Sunday.

Installed near the Carillon Tower, the statue sits beside a wire mesh sculpture of a war horse named Songster, which was unveiled in 2018. Bing’s addition marks another nod to the often-overlooked animals that served alongside soldiers in wartime.

David Northage, the Mayor of Charnwood, called Bing’s story “truly remarkable” and said it was a reminder of the town’s rich military heritage. “Bing is part of that, along with all the other animals that helped servicemen and women during the Second World War,” he said. “I am pleased that Bing has been installed in front of the Carillon Tower ahead of Sunday’s Remembrance service.”

Bing was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal in 1947, the highest award for animal bravery — often described as the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. His wartime service began after the Fetch family from Loughborough donated him to the military in 1944, no longer able to keep him due to food shortages. He trained at the Army War Dog Training School in Hertfordshire before joining the 13th Parachute Battalion, part of the 6th Airborne Division.

His first combat jump was into the town of Ranville, Normandy, on D-Day in June 1944. The operation did not go smoothly. According to the PDSA, Bing became stuck in a tree and had to be cut down under enemy fire by his handler, Sgt Ken Bailey. The pair went on to serve together for months as Allied forces advanced toward Berlin.

Despite sustaining minor injuries, Bing continued his work as a sniffer and sentry dog. In March 1945, he made his final jump during Operation Varsity and Operation Plunder — part of the Allied push across the Rhine into Germany. All told, Bing parachuted into combat seven times.

After the war, Bing returned home to the Fetch family, where he lived out his days. He died in 1955 and was buried with other Dickin Medal recipients at the PDSA Animal Cemetery in Ilford, Essex.

The new sculpture was designed and built by artist Duncan Thurlby as part of a project led by Loughborough in Bloom, with support from Charnwood Borough Council and its waste and recycling partner, Serco.

Pat Cook, chair of Loughborough in Bloom, said the group had long been looking for ways to honour the town’s military connections. “We wanted to recognise Bing for the amazing work he did during the Second World War and his fascinating story,” she said.

While many Remembrance events focus on soldiers who served, the addition of Bing’s statue is a reminder of the vital roles animals played in war — from carrying messages to detecting danger — and the risks they shared alongside human troops.

This UK Town Just Unveiled a Sculpture Honoring a Heroic Parachuting War Dog, Bing

The Los Angeles Dodgers may have broken Toronto hearts with their dramatic World Series win, but their fans have turned the sting into something unexpected — kindness.

In a show of unexpected sportsmanship, Dodgers fans have donated over $30,000 to Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), transforming a fierce championship rivalry into a cross-border act of compassion.

The wave of generosity began with a simple idea. After the Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 to claim back-to-back titles, Jays fan Marcus Kim took to Reddit’s r/baseball community with a suggestion: the winning team’s supporters should donate to the losing city’s children’s hospital.

“Let’s offset the negativity generated by gamblers and enjoy the ride,” Kim wrote, referencing the online hostility and betting backlash that often follows major sporting events.

He then posted a $60 donation receipt to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles — the Blue Jays’ traditional pick when they win — and encouraged Dodgers fans to pay it forward in Toronto. The response was immediate.

Hundreds of Dodgers fans followed through, directing their money to SickKids and sharing receipts and messages of support. “Sending love from Los Angeles,” one donor wrote. Another added: “In the name of Alex Vesia. We are rivals, not enemies. Good health to you and yours. Go Dodgers.”

SickKids confirmed they received more than 400 donations from U.S.-based contributors, many with direct references to the Blue Jays, baseball, or even specific players.

“It has been a sweet surprise to see these U.S. donations come in,” said Sandra Chiovitti, director of public relations at SickKids. “So many reasons for us to smile after some tears last Saturday night.”

Some Dodgers fans donated symbolic amounts — $51, a nod to relief pitcher Alex Vesia, who stepped away from the series citing “deeply personal family matters.” The Blue Jays wore the number 51 on their hats during the series in solidarity. Vesia later revealed he was grieving the loss of his baby daughter.

The outpouring of support now marks a growing tradition. Just weeks earlier, after Toronto beat Seattle in the American League Championship, Jays fans sent donations to Seattle Children’s Hospital. Dodgers fans have now taken up the baton.

“Baseball fans turned a World Series rivalry — and heartbreaking loss — into hope for children’s health,” SickKids wrote in a post on X. “This will advance care, research and education for patients and families.”

The donations will go toward new technologies, equipment, and research at SickKids, which was recently named Newsweek’s No. 1 specialized pediatric hospital in the world for 2026.

Helen Cumberbatch, a Dodgers fan who contributed to the fundraiser, told the Toronto Star she hopes this becomes something bigger than a one-off. “I hope this movement becomes a lasting tradition,” she said.

If so, a tough loss for one city could continue to spark something far more meaningful: a win for kids everywhere.

Dodgers Fans Flood Toronto Children’s Hospital With Donations After World Series Win

Science Alert

Male dolphins off the coast of Western Australia are making waves with a surprising new look — sea sponge hats.

Researchers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) recently captured images of Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) cruising through the Dampier Archipelago, each sporting a sponge perched on its head. But this isn’t just underwater accessorizing — it’s part of a flirtation ritual.

“Male humpback dolphins wear sea sponges on their heads as offerings to 'woo' females, a bit like offering a bunch of flowers,” the DBCA explained in a social media post.

The behavior has been spotted in a few specific areas along Western Australia’s coast — the Dampier Archipelago, Exmouth Gulf, and the Kimberley region further north. Dr. Hannah Raudino, a researcher involved in the study, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the sponges come in “different shapes and sizes, different colours,” but all the sponge-wearing seems concentrated in this one corner of the world.

It’s a behavior distinct from what’s been seen in other dolphin species. Bottlenose dolphins, for instance, have been known to use sponges as tools — wedging them on their snouts to protect themselves while foraging in rough seabeds. But this headwear-as-courtship display appears to be unique to the Australian humpback dolphin.

These dolphins were only officially recognized as a distinct species in 2014 and are currently listed as vulnerable, with fewer than 10,000 adults estimated to remain in the wild. Habitat loss and coastal development — particularly tied to Western Australia’s mineral and petroleum industries — pose major threats to their survival.

“In Western Australia, and particularly the Pilbara region, habitat loss and degradation are likely the major threats to dolphins using coastal waters,” Raudino and colleagues noted in a 2023 study.

Which means that every bit of help these dolphins get in attracting a mate could be critical — even if it comes in the form of a sea sponge hat.

Whether it’s fashion or flirtation, scientists say it’s a behavior worth watching closely. Because if dolphins want to impress with a bold accessory choice, who are we to argue?

Dolphins Dazzle With Sea Sponge Hats In Western Australia To Woo Mates

Listening to music into old age may do more than lift your spirits — it could significantly reduce your risk of developing dementia.

That’s the finding from a new study out of Australia, where researchers followed nearly 11,000 adults aged 70 and older for at least three years. None had been diagnosed with dementia at the start of the study, and all were living independently in retirement communities. Participants were asked about their music habits, including how often they listened and whether they played an instrument.

Those who said they always listened to music were 39 percent less likely to develop dementia compared to those who rarely or never did. They also saw a 17 percent lower risk of developing milder cognitive impairments, and performed better on memory and general thinking tests.

Playing music also showed benefits. Participants who regularly picked up an instrument were 35 percent less likely to develop dementia. And those who did both — listening and playing — saw a 33 percent reduced risk of dementia overall, along with a 22 percent reduced risk of other cognitive decline.

“Music activities may be an accessible strategy for maintaining cognitive health in older adults,” said Emma Jaffa, a public health researcher at Monash University and lead author of the study. Still, she cautioned that the study shows a correlation, not direct causation.

The study, published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, suggests that musical engagement could be a low-cost, widely accessible form of mental stimulation — especially as populations age.

“Listening to music activates a whole range of regions across your brain,” said Joanne Ryan, the study’s senior author and a neuropsychiatric epidemiologist at Monash. “That cognitive stimulation is beneficial to help reduce your risk of dementia.”

The effect appeared strongest in participants with more years of education, particularly those with 16 years or more. For those with 12 to 15 years of education, the results were less consistent.

Even so, researchers say the message is clear: keeping music in your life — whether it’s through headphones or a piano bench — could help protect your brain as you age.

Listening To Music In Old Age Could Slash Dementia Risk By 40 Percent, Study Finds

People

Malin Akerman says turning 40 didn’t slow her down — it made her feel powerful.

Speaking at Variety’s Power of Women event in Beverly Hills, the 47-year-old actress told PEOPLE she’s stepping into her current decade with confidence and clarity. “Being in my 40s makes me feel powerful,” she said. “Life lessons [and] wisdom that only comes with years of experience.”

Akerman said one of the biggest shifts that’s come with age is learning how to stop being a people-pleaser. “Growing up, I was such a people pleaser and said yes to many, many things and didn't know how to set boundaries,” she explained. “Setting boundaries and standing in my own power and knowing that I'm worth it has really been a great lesson.”

She also shared her advice for other women: show up for each other. “Support your fellow ladies, because if you do we can rule the whole freaking world — so you know, be an ally,” she said.

Akerman credited her growth in part to the people she surrounds herself with, saying the right support system can boost self-confidence and bring out the best in everyone. That dynamic was on full display during her time filming The Hunting Wives, where she and co-star Brittany Snow supported one another through a vulnerable scene.

At the She Sees Me: The Power of Female Friendship event in October, Akerman recalled the moment before shooting their first intimate scene. Both actors, she said, were feeling the pressure of unrealistic beauty standards.

“We're so used to dissecting our own bodies and looking in the mirror and finding all the things that were wrong... and it's terrible,” Akerman said. She then turned to Snow and said, “Britt, you know what? We're beautiful. We've worked hard for these bodies. We've worked hard our whole lives and you're a beautiful person.”

She told her co-star, “Let’s just go out there and have a great time — as much as you can with all these cameramen. It's a weird time, but let’s just be in it together and support each other right now.”

Akerman described the moment as “beautiful” and credited the entire Hunting Wives cast and crew for creating a safe and encouraging atmosphere on set. “This set specifically has been so — it's been so important to have these relationships work [off screen] because of the intimacy of the relationships on screen,” she said. “There’s this support group between every take, and everyone just wants everyone to win.”

Malin Akerman Overcomes 'People-Pleaser' Tendencies, Feels Powerful in Her 40s

In the blistering heat of California’s Death Valley, where summer temperatures often soar past 49°C, most plants wither within hours. But one native species, Tidestromia oblongifolia, doesn’t just survive — it thrives.

Now, scientists at Michigan State University believe this desert plant could hold the key to building crops that can withstand extreme heat in a warming world. In a study published in Current Biology, researchers found that T. oblongifolia not only resists high temperatures, it grows faster in them — tripling its biomass in just 10 days under Death Valley-like conditions.

“This is the most heat-tolerant plant ever documented,” said Seung Yon “Sue” Rhee, a Research Foundation Professor at MSU’s Plant Resilience Institute.

The study’s lead author, research specialist Karine Prado, said the team struggled at first to get the seeds to germinate. “When we first brought these seeds back to the lab, we were fighting just to get them to grow,” she said. But when they replicated the desert’s searing heat and intense light in custom-built growth chambers, the plants flourished.

Unlike other species known for their heat tolerance — which stopped growing entirely under those same conditions — T. oblongifolia quickly adapted. In only two days, it recalibrated its photosynthetic “comfort zone,” efficiently producing energy even as temperatures hit 45°C.

Using a mix of genomic analysis, physiological tests, and live imaging, the team discovered how the plant reorganizes its internal machinery to beat the heat. Mitochondria, which produce energy, reposition themselves closer to chloroplasts, the site of photosynthesis. Meanwhile, the chloroplasts morph into unusual cup-like shapes never before seen in higher plants, possibly helping the plant recycle carbon dioxide more efficiently.

At the genetic level, thousands of genes rapidly adjust their activity within a day of exposure. These include genes responsible for protecting proteins, membranes, and photosynthetic systems from thermal damage. One key change is a surge in production of Rubisco activase, an enzyme that keeps photosynthesis running smoothly at high temperatures.

That kind of adaptation is increasingly relevant. Global temperatures are expected to rise by up to 5°C by the end of the century. Even now, heatwaves are reducing yields of major food crops like wheat, maize, and soybeans.

“T. oblongifolia shows us that plants have the capacity to adapt to extreme temperatures,” Rhee said. “If we can learn how to replicate those mechanisms in crops, it could transform agriculture in a hotter world.”

Until recently, most plant biology research has focused on model organisms like rice, maize, and Arabidopsis — species chosen for their ease of cultivation, not their resilience. Rhee believes that approach is due for a change.

“Desert plants have spent millions of years solving the challenges we’re only beginning to face,” she said. “We finally have the tools, such as genomics, high-resolution live imaging, and systems biology, to learn from them. What we need now is broader support to pursue this kind of research.”

Her team is already working on applying the insights from T. oblongifolia to more common food crops, looking for ways to transfer its heat-tolerance at the genetic and cellular level.

“This research doesn’t just tell us how one desert plant beats the heat,” said Prado. “It gives us a roadmap for how all plants might adapt to a changing climate.”

Desert Plant Offers Clues for Heat-Resistant Crops in a Warming World

When David Turner had a stroke, he couldn’t speak for two months. Now, he says, “I sing and sing and sing.”

Turner is one of several stroke survivors in West Sussex who meet regularly in the small town of Cuckfield for group singing sessions — a routine that’s done more than lift spirits. For many of them, singing has literally brought their voices back.

Roughly one in three people in the UK experience aphasia after a stroke, a condition that can impact their ability to speak, read, write, or understand language. But a growing body of research suggests that music may offer a path to recovery. That’s because speech and singing are handled by different parts of the brain — and in some cases, patients can sing clearly even when they can’t talk.

“A third of stroke survivors were able to sing clearly before they could speak after their stroke,” said Tara Lakin of The Stroke Association. According to the charity’s own survey, two-thirds of survivors said singing or music had significantly improved their ability to communicate.

For Turner, singing has been a lifeline. “When I worked through the stroke, I couldn’t speak for two months,” he said. “And I come to this, and I sing and sing and sing.”

Another member of the group, Keith Denyer, said singing unlocks memories in ways everyday speech does not. “I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday,” he said, “but I can remember the words from songs from three or four years ago.”

Experts say that’s not unusual. Singing can activate neural pathways that aren't affected by a stroke, allowing the brain to “route around” damaged areas. It also offers other benefits — building confidence, improving mood, and creating a sense of connection in group settings.

In the UK, someone has a stroke every five minutes. That adds up to around 100,000 strokes each year, and more than 1.4 million people living with the aftermath.

For some, that aftermath includes aphasia and a long, uncertain road to recovery. But for survivors like Turner and Denyer, music is more than therapy. It’s a second chance — and a way to be heard.

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