SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " mass " 3,366 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Billionaires are spending massive sums on politics. A backlash brews.
An anti-oligarch protest in a small Indiana town shows the depth of the national backlash against the concentration of wealth and power.
Is the universe ending sooner than we thought? New physics suggests a much shorter lifespan | - The Times of India
Science News: A groundbreaking study from Radboud University suggests the universe may end in approximately 10^78 years, significantly earlier than the previously assumed 10^1100 years. By revisiting Hawking radiation, researchers argue that all compact massive objects will evaporate, altering our understanding of cosmic lifespans.
Science for Living: Examining hidden risks of cannabis use among older adults
Emergency visits tied to cannabis use are surging among older adults. Jerry H. Gurwitz, MD’83, led a nationwide study that is shedding light on the trend.
The New WHO Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance: Incorporating Common but Differentiated Responsibilities into PABS - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly unanimously adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement, an international treaty designed to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The product of three years of arduous negotiations, the treaty marks a new era of global cooperation in public health. However, core aspects of the agreement remain unresolved—notably the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System, which is intended to ensure equitable access to pandemic-related materials and benefits. To support the successful implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Introduction For the first time, an international treaty has enshrined the principle of “One Health,” the compelling idea that the health of animals, humans, and the environment all contribute to pandemic risks. SARS (2003), H1N1 (2009–10), Ebola (2014–16), and COVID-19 all emerged through zoonotic spillover from animal hosts—respectively, civets, hogs, and bats. Together, they underscore the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach. The Pandemic Agreement responds to this call, requiring state parties to acknowledge the ecological interplay and commit to a comprehensive “One Health” strategy. Specifically, Article 5 charges governments to address “the drivers of pandemics and the emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease at the human-animal-environment interface,” including wild animal markets, deforestation, and antibiotic overuse. Yet the effectiveness of this “One Health” vision depends equally on the free flow of scientific information and data among countries and institutions. Just as environmental and animal health factors have been neglected in past global frameworks, so too has data sharing been marginalized, despite its centrality to timely detection and response. The Pandemic Agreement takes an important step by requiring governments to enhance data collection and cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO). However, these provisions will remain aspirational without a robust Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex. The PABS system will determine whether countries and researchers can rapidly exchange pathogen samples and genetic data while ensuring equitable access to resulting research and development, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Without such mechanisms, the treaty’s promise to operationalize “One Health” and strengthen global preparedness will risk becoming largely symbolic, echoing earlier failures to translate shared principles into coordinated action. Equity Concerns When the 2025 Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement, it left the difficult question of access to pathogens and the sharing of resulting benefits to be addressed in a separate agreement. Negotiations on this separate agreement, PABS, are now underway in Geneva. Yet governments remain divided over fundamental questions of equity between the countries that primarily contribute to the system and those that primarily draw from it—and consequently benefit. For example, wildlife in countries bordering the equator is likely to produce PABS materials, but companies in Europe are likely to use them to develop lucrative products. The most likely contributor countries are likely to be those biodiverse countries around the equator, such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Indonesia, where the number of human-mammalian viral host interactions is large. Conversely, countries most likely to benefit from this material are those with the technology, investors, and infrastructure to capitalize on genomic data, such as the United States, EU member states, and Japan. This imbalance reflects a broader pattern seen in prior international frameworks. Now, as in the past, the wealthiest countries in the world (a useful heuristic is membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)) disproportionately benefit from systems in which pathogens and genomic sequencing data are contributed to a common source. Under the International Agreement on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the “Plant Treaty” or “Seed Treaty”) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, companies from Europe and North America disproportionately withdraw biological samples and data for development into lucrative medical products. Their governments and companies have both statutory and contractual claims to the products that those companies correspondingly produce. PABS appears poised to follow the same pattern. The text calls for strong language on access to pathogens and associated data, but the corresponding benefits that should flow to poorer countries are couched in equivocal or non-binding language. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities To address these inequities, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Common but differentiated responsibilities are often a feature of climate change negotiations. The basic principle is that, even though all countries should reduce carbon emissions, governments that became rich and powerful through massive carbon emissions (e.g., France, the United Kingdom, the United States) should have a greater obligation to address the resulting crises. Applied to PABS, it would require that governments hosting and supporting companies developing lucrative products carry greater obligations toward the cost of running the PABS system; share benefits or final medical products; and transfer technology to help countries worldwide develop their own capacities to innovate and manufacture vaccines during an emergency. For example, an annex could mandate that any company based in an OECD country that withdraws PABS material would be obligated to donate the resulting diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines to the WHO during a public health emergency or pandemic. Questions remain about how robust those donations would be, but the principle is that they should deliver highly significant lifesaving benefits to be equitably shared. Theoretically, this approach mirrors the PIP Framework, in which companies withdrawing influenza samples are required to pay half of the operating costs. In practice, however, the framework has fallen short. The PIP Framework Secretariat has struggled to secure payments from companies, with companies often disagreeing over how much is owed. Additionally, without another pandemic influenza to test the strength of the agreement during a public health emergency, corporate compliance with sharing mechanisms remains unknown. Even if these limitations did not characterize the PIP Framework, partially paying for operating expenses does not address the inequity in access to genetic data and pathogen samples that left less developed countries last in line for COVID-19 vaccines (and, before them, H1N1). Common but differentiated responsibilities would go further, addressing governments’ legitimate grievances regarding information sharing. It would make withdrawals of PABS material and resulting products more transparent, building trust across the board. Enforcement and Enduring Success A key implication of this approach is that the governing mechanism of the PABS must have real enforcement authority. The WHO Pandemic Agreement delegates its core governance responsibilities to a Conference of the Parties (COP)—a governing body composed of one representative from each participating government, similar to those established under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The proposed WHO Pandemic Agreement COP is charged with oversight functions but ultimately possesses no real authority to compel a government to take any action it does not wish to take. The text does not give the COP the ability to, for example, sanction a party that does not comply with either textual obligations or PABS provisions. In other words, there are no effective mechanisms in place to ensure compliance. Perhaps just as significant, establishing a meaningful enforcement mechanism within the PABS system would strengthen the WHO’s credibility and its ability to ensure compliance across global health governance. By setting a precedent for accountability, such a mechanism could enhance the organization’s authority not only within the Pandemic Agreement but also in enforcing the revised International Health Regulations and other frameworks for public health emergencies. Conclusion The PABS annex can—and should—be different. It should establish clear responsibilities for funding as well as for sharing the diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines that result from contributions to the system. The system, in turn, must include a dedicated body empowered to hold governments and the corporations they sponsor accountable for their responsibilities before, during, and after pandemics. Doing so would restore trust in the broader agreement, which was eroded as commitments were repeatedly diluted while parties scrambled to meet their own self-imposed deadlines during the Pandemic Agreement negotiations. A robust PABS Annex would cement a grand social bargain. Wealthier countries and their corporations would gain unimpeded access to scientific information essential for developing and manufacturing lifesaving medical products. As such, they would stand to gain considerable economic benefit. Yet that privilege must be matched with responsibility. The grand bargain must include not only the right to innovate, but also the duty to ensure that innovation serves all. As medical products are developed and produced through collective contributions, every person must have equal access. All human beings deserve an equitable chance to survive—to save their own life, the lives of their families, and the well-being of their communities. … Sam Halabi, JD, MPhil, is the Bette Jacobs Endowed Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Health and the Director of the Center for Transformational Health Law at Georgetown Law. He serves as the co-lead for the WHO’s Working Group on Regulatory Consideration on AI and Health’s training workstream. He earned his JD from Harvard, his MPhil from Oxford, and undergraduate degrees from Kansas State University. Lawrence Gostin, LLD (Hon.), JD, BA, is University Distinguished Professor and Founding Director and Timothy and Linda O’Neill Professor of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. He is the author of Global Health Security: A Blueprint for the Future (Harvard University Press, 2021); Global Health Law (Harvard University Press, 2014); Public Health Law: Power, Duty, Restraint (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2016); Public Health Law and Ethics: A Reader (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2018); Law and the Health System (Foundation Press, 2014); Principles of Mental Health Law & Practice (Oxford University Press, 2010). He also directs the WHO Collaborating Center at Georgetown University. Image Credit: United States Mission Geneva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
House takes key step toward advancing annual defense policy bill
The House on Wednesday cleared a critical procedural hurdle toward advancing the National Defense Authorization Act for the next fiscal year, setting the massive defense policy bill up for a floor vote in the chamber.
Shapiro talks of national 'crisis' around political violence in Washington
WASHINGTON — Under the massive vaulted ceiling that made their voices echo through the ornate Washington National Cathedral, Pennsylvania’s...
New Software from the Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast Initiative
Eighty-two volunteer teams with the Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast (DEB) Initiative spent the day spread across North America, observing the eclipse with telescopes, collecting a massive dataset of images, and developing software to process it.
DePaul hosts UMass Lowell after Larsson's 22-point outing
UMass Lowell visits the DePaul Blue Demons after Sabrina Larsson scored 22 points in the River Hawks' 60-43 win against the New Haven Chargers
Mass. reports 'double' the usual number of people dropping Connector health plans amid expiring subsidies
A lot happens in Boston every day. To help you keep up, WBUR, Boston's NPR News station, pulled these stories together just for you.
Massive Study Reveals Where Gout Comes From, And It's Not What We Thought
"The myth that gout is caused by lifestyle or diet needs to be busted."
Massachusetts is seeing more people drop health insurance
“In the first month of open enrollment, we’ve seen over 10,000 people terminate their coverage for 2026," says Audrey Morse Gasteier, Health Connector Executive Director.
Massachusetts seeks to block Kalshi from operating sports-prediction market
Massachusetts' attorney general will ask a judge on Tuesday to block prediction-market operator Kalshi from letting state residents bet on sports through its online platform, arguing that the company is running an unlicensed gambling enterprise.
GLP-1s may weaken the pelvic floor, impacting women's health –– and their sex lives
GLP-1 side effects like constipation and muscle mass loss can lead to uncomfortable pelvic floor symptoms like bladder leakage and painful sex.
Trust in science is low among minorities for a reason, research finds
Researchers at Northeastern trace distrust of scientists among certain groups to massive gaps in representation within science itself.
Rage room or yoga class? How to beat anger
Ian Sample hears from science correspondent Nicola Davis, who recently tried out a rage room as a means of channelling her fury, and from Brad Bushman, professor of mass communication and psychology at Ohio State University. Is venting the most effective way to overcome anger, and if not, what is?
Champions League expert picks, predictions: Liverpool head to Inter
Massive matchups await as Manchester City head to Real Madrid in addition to Liverpool's massive showdown
Brain circuits, bioturbation, and a new physics doc
Yale researchers study a mass extinction from the distant past, uncover hidden brain networks, and share expertise at an international meeting on enhanced weathering.
Congress will vote on limiting Hegseth’s travel budget unless he releases unedited video of boat strikes
Tucked into Congress’ massive defense policy bill is a provision that would limit Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget unless he provides the House and Senate Armed Services committees with unedited video of US military strikes in the Caribbean.
Mass. business confidence ticks up in November, but outlook still gloomy
AIM says resilient consumers and steady investment helped lift the index.
Wave Life Sciences Announces Positive Interim Data from Phase 1 INLIGHT Trial of WVE-007 (INHBE) for Obesity; Single Dose Resulted in Improvement in Body Composition With Fat Loss Similar to GLP-1 at Three Months Without Muscle Loss
Following a single subcutaneous 240 mg dose, WVE-007 (INHBE GalNAc-siRNA) improved body composition at three months compared to baseline, with a 9.4% reduction in visceral fat (p=0.02), a 4.5% reduction in total body fat (3.5 lbs; p=0.07), and a 3.2% increase in lean mass (4.0 lbs; p=0.01), with no statistically significant changes in the placebo group Sustained and robust suppression of serum Activin E supports expectations for continued improvements in body composition, further fat loss, and p
Scientists Finally Explain Mysterious “Impossible” Merger of Two Massive Black Holes
A detailed suite of simulations conducted by astrophysicists at the Flatiron Institute and their collaborators showed that magnetic fields can produce black holes with masses that were previously believed to be mostly unattainable. In 2023, astronomers recorded a dramatic cosmic event. Two unusua
Graeagle business owner takes Hot August Nights helm
Hot August Nights announces Lisa Jansen as its new executive director, bringing fresh leadership to one of Nevada’s most iconic annual events as it gears
CA Politics 360 Full Episode: Stockton mass shooting response, CA oil supply issues
California Politics 360 this week begins with the tragedy in the Central Valley.
Don’t exploit Christianity for populist politics, church leader warns Tommy Robinson
Church of England confronts far-right appropriation of Christianity to push anti-migrant rhetoric - as Tommy Robinson plans mass Christmas event on Whitehall
Anbernic RG DS Gets Massive Overhaul with GammaOS Next
GammaOS Next is now available for the Anbernic RG DS, fixing screen issues, improving performance, and delivering a console-like Android 14 experience.
Police respond to Mass. museum after reported bomb threat
No injuries have been reported.
Huge deal over $2,000 off Samsung’s 85-inch ‘The Frame’ 4K TV has shoppers racing to Walmart while they last
The best deal you can find is on the largest display size, which is the massive Samsung The Frame 85-inch model at over $2,000 off of the usual price.
'Get all that Hermes stuff now': Netflix director accused of $11 million fraud rushed to buy luxury goods, texts show
Netflix director Carl Rinsch purchased a Swedish mattress that a trial witness said comes with a "bed doctor" who visits your house to massage it.
Trump’s NIH director visits with Mass. scientists, health care executives affected by research funding cuts
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya said he wants Iowa and Nebraska to have equal opportunities for research funding as Massachusetts.
Trump’s NIH director visits with Mass. scientists, health care executives affected by research funding cuts
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya said he wants Iowa and Nebraska to have equal opportunities for research funding as Massachusetts.
New 'KnoWay' robotaxis cause chaos in upcoming Grand Theft Auto Online DLC
The inclusion of the Waymo look-a-likes appears to be part of a larger storyline that will encourage players to "stop the development of a mass surveillance network."
Giant sunspot on par with the one that birthed the Carrington Event has appeared on the sun — and it's pointed right at Earth
A massive new sunspot complex, dubbed AR 4294-4296, has emerged on the sun and is facing directly at Earth. The dark patch is on par with the infamous sunspot that birthed the 1859 Carrington Event — but, for now, it's staying quiet.
Exynos 2600 Has Yet To Enter Mass Production, With Latest Report Downplaying Previous Updates Regarding Samsung’s First 2nm GAA Chipset’s Progress
The Exynos 2600 was recently announced in a small trailer, but a new update states that Samsung’s first 2nm GAA SoC has yet to enter mass production
The new normal: Fighting misinformation now consumes 90% of Mass.’ top health official’s time
As the Trump administration questions vaccine science, Dr. Robbie Goldstein says combating disinformation rivals disease prevention as his primary responsibility.
3 takeaways from WBUR's investigation on sports betting addiction among young adults in Mass.
A lot happens in Boston every day. To help you keep up, WBUR, Boston's NPR News station, pulled these stories together just for you.
'I just gambled our entire savings away': Young adults in Mass. are hooked on online sports betting
Addiction specialists, treatment programs and 12-step recovery groups tell WBUR they’re seeing a rise in young adults — ranging from their late 20s to early 30s — seeking help for serious gambling problems tied to sports betting apps.
‘Unconscionable': Should police have told town leaders about sex offender business owner?
Petros Sismanis, who owned Hillers Pizza in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, is in ICE custody after assaulting a 16-year-old employee.
2 mpox cases confirmed in Worcester as Mass. health officials warn of 'concerning' uptick
As of Dec. 1, there have been 51 confirmed mpox cases in Massachusetts this year, with 37 of those cases occurring between Aug. 1 and Dec. 1.
Massie, Paul cosponsor Venezuela war powers resolutions
Several Kentucky lawmakers on Capitol Hill are opposing the Trump administration's missile strikes against alleged drug smuggling boats.
California scientists discover 'pulse' in Earth's glaciers
Ice masses are alive with activity, images reveal.
Massive volcanic eruptions may have actually caused the Black Death | BBC Science Focus Magazine
New research suggests that a combination of volcanic activity, cold summers and famine brought the deadly plague to Europe.
Biltmore Village transforms into a Charles Dickens wonderland with music, entertainment
Biltmore Village invites the public to step back in time this holiday season during its Dickens Christmas in the Village event.
Scott Jennings: ‘massive propaganda campaign’ around federal raids
Johnson & Johnson MedTech to shift to business unit-led structure in 2026
Johnson & Johnson MedTech (NYSE:JNJ) is enacting an organizational restructuring, changing the way its business units operate.
DevvStream and Southern Energy Renewables Announce Business Combination Targeting Low-Cost Production of Carbon-Negative SAF and Green Methanol
SACRAMENTO, Calif. & NEW ORLEANS, December 03, 2025--DevvStream Corp. (Nasdaq: DEVS) ("DevvStream"), a leading carbon management and environmental-asset monetization firm, and Southern Energy Renewables Inc. ("Southern"), a U.S.-based producer of low-cost fuels made from biomass, with a flagship Louisiana project that plans to utilize regional wood-waste biomass to deliver green methanol and carbon-negative sustainable aviation fuel ("SAF") at scale, today announced that they have entered into a
Editor’s Letter: Why The WIE Issue Still Matters
In the 33 years THR has been publishing our annual Women in Entertainment issue, massive strides have been made — but not enough. We’re working hard to make sure some day it’s obsolete.
Modelo and Corona are unexpected casualties of Trump’s immigration crackdown
Constellation Brands, the US owner of Modelo Especial and Corona, bet big on Latino customers for growth. But that strategy is unraveling under the Trump administration’s mass deportation push.
Lowell science teacher named 2026 Mass. Teacher Of The Year
Tara Goodhue credits her success to having the best students in the state.
Broadway Box Office: ‘Hamilton’ Hits Record $4.9 Million
'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' also brought in a massive $3.1 million over the lucrative Thanksgiving week.
What’s at stake for health care reform? Insights from Florida and Massachusetts | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Health care access, costs, and coverage – particularly for lower-income Americans – are expected to undergo dramatic changes in the next few years. Enhanced
Christopher Vitullo Promoted to Sports Performance Coach
LOWELL, Mass. – Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance Marcus Williams has announced the promotion of Chris Vitullo to Sports Performance Coach.
SharkNinja Named to Inc.’s 2025 Best in Business List for Innovation and Marketing
NEEDHAM, Mass., December 02, 2025--SharkNinja, Inc. (NYSE: SN), a global product design and technology company, announced today its inclusion on the Inc. Best in Business list in the Innovation and Marketing categories. Inc.’s annual Best in Business Awards celebrate the exceptional achievements and contributions of companies that have made a profound impact on their industries.
Steam Machine is a Dream Come True But There's Already a Massive Problem
Steam Machine sounds like a great option for those who want to get into PC gaming, but there seems to be a catch
Why is the US on the verge of war with Venezuela?
The five biggest questions about a massive military build-up.
Dr. Rhonda Richards named Dean of John Massey School of Business | Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Southeastern Oklahoma State University has announced the appointment of alumna Dr. Rhonda Richards as Dean of the John Massey School of Business. Richards has served as Interim Dean of the Massey School – which includes AACSB-accredited business programs, AABI-accredited aviation programs, and BC
Cyber Monday AirPods Deals - Get Year's Best Prices on AirPods 4 ANC, AirPods Pro 3, and More
Cyber Monday is one of the best times of the year to shop for AirPods, and in 2025 we're tracking massive discounts across nearly every model, including AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3. Note. MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Internet service providers warn of mass disconnections in Supreme Court battle with record labels
The Supreme Court will hear arguments Monday in a major copyright dispute that internet service providers warn could force millions of Americans offline and turn companies that provide connectivity into “internet police.”
NASA, Schmidt Sciences give $7M boost to arXiv
Cornell Tech just landed more than $7 million from NASA and Schmidt Sciences to give arXiv — the massive open-access research hub — a serious upgrade. The money will help arXiv modernize its infrastructure, finish moving to the cloud, and build smarter tools to help researchers find preprints more easily. “I am profoundly grateful for… MoreNASA, Schmidt Sciences give $7M boost to arXiv
'Zootopia 2' roars to record-setting global box office with $556M opening
"Zootopia 2" broke box office records with a massive Thanksgiving weekend opening. The Disney sequel earned $96 million in North America over the weekend and $156 million over the five-day...
'Zootopia 2' roars to record-setting global box office with $556M opening
"Zootopia 2" broke box office records with a massive Thanksgiving weekend opening.
'Zootopia 2' roars to record-setting global box office with $556M opening
"Zootopia 2" broke box office records with a massive Thanksgiving weekend opening
After mass layoffs, questions remain about CDC pregnancy survey
A decades-old data set tracking the health of new moms and babies was disrupted by CDC layoffs last spring, and there are still unanswered questions about the program's future.
Western Mass filmmaker to screen debut film ‘Splinter’ at Northampton’s Academy of Music
All proceeds from the screening will be donated to the Center for Human Development in Springfield in a tribute to mental health care professionals.