Author: OMN AI

Plants growing close together can alert one another to incoming stress, improving their chances of survival under harsh conditions. In experiments with thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), researchers grew plants either alone or tightly packed so their leaves touched. When exposed to intense light, isolated plants suffered severe damage, while crowded plants coped much better. Within an hour, densely grown plants activated more than 2,000 genes linked to protection against multiple stresses, whereas isolated plants showed little change. The findings suggest that stressed plants send warning signals to nearby neighbours. The study identified hydrogen peroxide as the signal released by crowded…

Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, has reached a settlement in a social media addiction lawsuit days before trial. The case was scheduled to start in Los Angeles. Lawyers announced the deal at a California Superior Court hearing. Snap later said all parties resolved the dispute amicably. The terms of the settlement remain confidential. Other Tech Giants Remain in Court Other defendants include Meta, which owns Instagram, TikTok parent ByteDance, and Google parent Alphabet. None of these companies have settled. The plaintiff, a 19-year-old woman identified as K.G.M., claimed platform algorithms caused addiction and harmed her mental health. Because the…

Prenatal ultrasounds are a routine part of pregnancy care, yet they still miss a significant number of fetal abnormalities. Now, a newly approved artificial intelligence tool could help doctors spot potential problems earlier and more accurately. AI Joins the Ultrasound Room The US Food and Drug Administration has cleared a new AI-powered software developed by American start-up BioticsAI for clinical use. The system works alongside existing ultrasound machines, analysing images in real time as scans are performed. Its goal is simple but ambitious: to help doctors identify fetal abnormalities that might otherwise go unnoticed. Using large datasets drawn from global…

Netflix has revised its $82.7bn (£61.5bn) bid for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), switching to an all-cash offer in a move designed to speed up approval and fend off a hostile takeover attempt from Paramount Skydance. The revised proposal keeps the same valuation of $27.75 per share but removes the shares component, which Netflix and WBD say gives greater certainty to investors and could allow a shareholder vote as early as April. The WBD board has again unanimously backed the Netflix deal. Under the agreement, Netflix would acquire Warner Bros studios and HBO, while WBD’s global networks arm – including CNN,…

Donald Trump said he will impose tariffs on European countries opposing his Greenland demand. He vowed to act “100%” on the threat. European allies immediately defended Greenland’s sovereignty. Denmark said no leader can pressure ownership of the territory. Denmark’s foreign minister rejected coercion. He said Greenland’s status will not change. He stressed the territory remains part of the Danish kingdom. European leaders repeated that stance in coordinated statements. Europe Stands Firm Over Greenland UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reaffirmed Britain’s position. She said only Greenlanders and Denmark can decide Greenland’s future. She rejected outside interference. Other Nato allies issued similar…

Poland has significantly boosted its gold holdings, with the National Bank of Poland (NBP) now sitting on around 550 tonnes of bullion worth more than €63 billion. The move places the country among Europe’s biggest gold holders and signals a clear long-term strategy focused on stability and independence in an uncertain global economy. A Strategic Bet on Stability For years, NBP president Adam Glapiński has argued that gold plays a unique role in Poland’s reserves. Unlike other assets, it carries no credit risk, is not tied to the monetary policy decisions of foreign governments, and tends to hold its value…

China and Canada have signed six preliminary cooperation agreements covering energy, culture, crime prevention, forestry, and food safety. The agreements signal a move to deepen practical ties between the two countries, going beyond trade relations. Officials said the deals aim to foster collaboration in areas that directly benefit citizens and strengthen bilateral relations. By focusing on multiple sectors, both nations are emphasizing shared priorities and long-term partnerships. The energy agreement encourages joint research, development, and sustainable practices. Experts say collaboration could enhance efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and support clean energy initiatives in both countries. This aligns with global sustainability goals.…

Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian designer whose elegant gowns became synonymous with timeless beauty, has died at his home in Rome at the age of 93. Revered for his refined style and his instinctive understanding of how to dress women, Valentino leaves behind a legacy that shaped global fashion for more than half a century. The Designer Who Dressed the World’s Most Famous Women Known simply as Valentino, he built a devoted following among royalty, first ladies and Hollywood stars. From Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Princess Diana to Julia Roberts, Cate Blanchett and Queen Rania of Jordan, his clients trusted…

Forschende haben einen einfachen Bluttest entwickelt, der vorhersagen kann, wie gut Brustkrebspatientinnen auf eine bestimmte Behandlung ansprechen. Der Test analysiert zirkulierende Tumor-DNA im Blut und liefert Hinweise bereits vor Therapiebeginn oder nach nur vier Wochen Behandlung. In einer Studie mit 167 Patientinnen mit fortgeschrittenem Brustkrebs zeigten niedrige oder nicht nachweisbare Werte dieser Tumor-DNA eine deutlich bessere Reaktion auf die Therapie und längere krankheitsfreie Zeit. Hohe Werte waren mit schlechteren Behandlungsergebnissen verbunden. Besonders deutlich war der Zusammenhang bei Patientinnen mit triple-negativem Brustkrebs. Niedrige DNA-Werte gingen mit deutlich längerer Kontrolle der Erkrankung einher. Auch nach vier Wochen Behandlung erwies sich der Test…

Newcastle United failed to turn dominance into goals in a drab 0-0 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers.Despite controlling possession, Newcastle struggled for creativity and rarely troubled José Sá.Nick Woltemade missed two early headed chances and offered little attacking threat overall.Eddie Howe admitted his side lacked quality and moments of brilliance in attack.Wolves defended with discipline and looked more confident under Rob Edwards.Teenager Mateus Mané provided energy and Wolves’ only first-half shot on target.Newcastle relied heavily on set pieces but failed to make them count.Late saves from Sá denied Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton, preserving a fair draw.