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Why Do Leaves Change Color? The Science Behind Nature's Palette

2 months 2 weeks ago
Imagine a single tree producing a spectrum of colors every year, from brilliant reds to fiery oranges and golden yellows. What if the vibrant display of fall foliage wasn’t just a visual treat but a complex biological process with fascinating chemical transformations? The changing colors of leaves are more than just a pretty spectacle; they reveal intricate interactions between plants, pigments, and environmental cues. The Chemistry of Leaf Color: More Than Just Green Leaves owe their green color primarily to chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for photosynthesis—the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy. Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight mainly in the blue and red wavelengths, reflecting green light, which is why leaves appear green during the growing season. However, leaves contain other pigments too, often hidden beneath the dominant green of chlorophyll: Carotenoids : These pigments produce yellow, orange, and brown hues. Carotenoids are present in leave

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This Day in History on October 8: Great Chicago Fire Begins to Burn

2 months 2 weeks ago
October 8 has been a day marked by transformative events across the globe, spanning the realms of politics, science, culture, and exploration. Moving back several centuries, on October 8, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire began to blaze through the city. This devastating fire destroyed roughly 3.3 square miles of Chicago, leaving more than 100,000 residents homeless and causing immense economic damage. Despite its destruction, the fire also led to a remarkable period of rebuilding and urban development. Chicago rose from the ashes to become a symbol of resilience and innovation in architecture and city planning, shaping the modern metropolis we know today. October 8, 1956, brought a landmark moment in science with the birth of the first successful artificial satellite transmission experiment conducted by the Soviet Union. This event paved the way for the development of satellite communication technologies that revolutionized global connectivity. These early experiments set the stage for

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Missouri lawyer for cannabis trade group behind contracts tied to revoked licenses

2 months 2 weeks ago
Missouri’s social-equity cannabis program has struggled to get off the ground since it began in 2023, with state regulators routinely revoking business licenses for relying on contracts they’ve publicly characterized as “predatory.”  As it turns out, the attorney who crafted most of those contracts also represents the marijuana industry trade group, whose leaders helped create […]
Rebecca Rivas