‘World’s Most Dangerous Bird’ Has Bizarre, Glowing Headgear

Listen To This Story

‘World’s Most Dangerous Bird’ Has Bizarre, Glowing Headgear (Maria)

The author writes, “Often labeled ‘the world’s most dangerous birds,’ cassowaries just got even more intriguing. The aggressive, flightless birds have structures on top of their heads called casques, the purpose of which has long confused scientists. To the human eye, casques look fairly plain — but new research published last month in Scientific Reports finds this headgear fluoresces under ultraviolet (UV) light, possibly aiding the birds’ visual displays.”

A Border Wall Plan Unites Republicans and Democrats in Texas: ‘This Is Insane’ (Russ)

From The New York Times: “The national fight over immigration landed without warning last month in Texas’ Big Bend region, a remote stretch of inhospitable terrain that runs for hundreds of miles along the U.S.-Mexico border. Despite President Trump’s vow to complete a border wall along the southern frontier, the plan shocked West Texas. It also unnerved Republicans and Democrats across the state who wondered why the federal government would spend billions to build a wall through an area so remote.”

Trump’s Civil Service Cuts Are Now Putting Americans in Danger (Dana)

From The New Republic: “The hollowing out of the federal workforce could make it much harder to manage the conflict in Iran, as well as future crises.”

California Democrats’ Crisis Deepens as Defiant Governor Candidates Dig In (Reader Steve)

From the San Francisco Chronicle: “California’s Democratic Party appears to be stuck in neutral: The party’s leaders are still unwilling to take decisive steps to push low-polling candidates out of the governor’s race, even as the prospect of the deep-blue state electing a Republican leader looms.”

‘A Sobering Preview’: Extreme Heat Now Affects One in Three People Globally, Study Finds (Laura)

The author writes, “Climate breakdown is shrinking the amount of time that people can safely go about their lives, according to a study that shows a third of the world’s population now resides in areas where heat severely limits activity. Rising temperatures, driven by the continued burning of fossil fuels, are making it difficult even for many young, healthy adults to do basic physical activities, such as housework or walking up stairs during daylight hours at the height of the summer, the report warns.”

Everything You Need to Know About the Foreign-Made Router Ban in the US (Sean)

From Wired: “The Federal Communications Commission has banned new consumer internet routers manufactured outside the US, citing national security concerns. The ban doesn’t affect any routers already in American homes or currently on sale in the US, but all new routers aimed at the consumer market will need to be approved. While the headline is that foreign-made consumer routers are banned, manufacturers can apply for exemptions. There’s no need to throw out your router, and you’ll still find plenty of mesh systems on the store shelves. But what does this mean for you?”

Golden Retriever Genes Linked to Anxiety, Aggression, and Intelligence in Humans (Mili)

The author writes, “Scientists studying 1,300 golden retrievers have uncovered genetic clues explaining why some dogs are more anxious, energetic, or aggressive than others. Remarkably, several of the same genes linked to canine behavior are also tied to human traits like anxiety, depression, and intelligence. The discovery suggests dogs and humans share biological roots for emotions and behavior. Understanding these links could help owners better interpret their pets’ reactions and even improve training and veterinary care.”