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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Xavier Brown had 18 points in James Madison's 71-65 win against Jacksonville State on Saturday. Brown had four steals for the Dukes (4-3). Elijah Hutchins-Everett scored 17 points while going 8 of 15 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and added six rebounds. Mark Freeman shot 6 for 10 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) and 2 of 3 from the free-throw line to finish with 16 points. The Gamecocks (4-3) were led by Jaron Pierre Jr., who recorded 24 points, seven assists and two steals. Mason Nicholson added 15 points and eight rebounds for Jacksonville State. James Madison went into halftime leading Jacksonville State 40-29. Brown scored 14 points in the half. James Madison used a 7-0 run in the second half to build a 12-point lead at 52-40. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
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What were the issues disability worker Charlotte Fallon was trying to raise with Simon Harris?None
NoneThe standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.Don't look now, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are knocking on the doorstep of a playoff spot. Despite losing 5 of their last 6 games going into last Sunday, the Bucs now sit just one game back in the standings of the idle Atlanta Falcons after a 30-7 win over the New York Giants on Sunday. According to the NFL.com playoff picture engine , the Bucs have a 54% chance of making the playoffs despite sitting in the 9 seed and out of the playoffs through 12 weeks. That's in large part because the Bucs have the second easiest remaining schedule by win percentage entering last Sunday. That's also because the Bucs are one game back in the loss column of both the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South AND the Washington Commanders - who lost to Dallas 34-26 on Sunday - for the seventh and final Wild Card spot. The Bucs would lose a tiebreaker to the Falcons by virtue of getting swept in the season series. As such, they'll have to finish ahead of Atlanta at the end of the season since they'd lose a tie. However, they hold a head-to-head advantage over the Washington Commanders for a Wild Card tie by virtue of the Bucs' 37-20 win back in Week 1. That win could end up paying dividends for Tampa Bay. The Bucs stand in position to potentially move even closer this weekend. Tampa Bay plays at Carolina, while the Falcons host a current playoff team in the Los Angeles Chargers. The Commanders host the Titans - who just upset the Texans on Houston - on Sunday. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.First cohort completes ‘One Guyana’ Digital programme
It's not always easy to be a long-term investor, particularly when contending with the natural cyclicality that the stock market presents if you buy and hold through bull as well as bear markets. Investing consistently during all types of market environments is key. So is maintaining your positions in quality companies unless and until your investment thesis regarding them no longer applies, or you feel that they have exhausted their value proposition for your portfolio. If you're looking for unstoppable growth stocks to buy and hold for at least three to five years, and you have $1,000 to add to your portfolio right now, here are two names you should consider. 1. DexCom Medical device company DexCom ( DXCM -2.19% ) specializes in the diabetes care space. Its continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices are used by diabetes patients around the world to track their blood sugar levels and manage potential adverse events. Shares of DexCom have plummeted in recent months, and are now down by about 40% year to date. Though the company is still in solid financial shape, its revenue growth has slowed over the last few quarters. This happened for a few reasons, most of which appear to be short term in nature. For example, an unexpected spike in the number of patients using rebates for its flagship G7 CGM has resulted in rebate eligibility over a schedule that was three times faster than the company experienced with its predecessor device, the G6 CGM. Other factors such as restructuring of its sales teams amid shifts in its product lineup, and lower-than-usual performance in its durable medical equipment (DME) channel have also impacted revenue. Management broadly expects these complications to subside in the coming quarters, and it's actively working to expand its DME partnerships with distributors. Some portion of the stock's decline is also a reflection of investors' expectations that the widening use of GLP-1 drugs in diabetes care may reduce the long-term utility of CGM devices. However, therapeutic options like GLP-1 drugs do not replace the need for a CGM, and these devices continue to provide a range of use cases for the diabetic population as well as pre-diabetic individuals. In the third quarter, DexCom's U.S. revenue declined by 2%, while international revenue rose 12%. Overall revenue was $994 million, up 2% year over year. Management has said that rebate eligibility likely peaked in Q3, so that impact to its top line should not be surprising. Bear in mind, DexCom is still very profitable. Net income for the quarter totaled $134.6 million, which was a healthy 12% increase from the year-ago period. DexCom finished the quarter with $2.5 billion in cash and cash equivalents on hand, and it brought in about $535 million in free cash flow over the trailing 12-month period. DexCom also just launched Stelo, a new biosensor for adults with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes who are not on insulin. It's the first over-the-counter glucose biosensor in the U.S. In sum, this is not the tale of a dying business, and investors who are in it for the long haul could find this a wise time to buy shares on the dip. 2. Revolve Group Revolve Group ( RVLV 0.57% ) , too, has had to contend with difficult investor sentiment. While shares of the e-commerce fashion company are actually up about 100% from the start of 2024 at the time of this writing, the stock is still down by about 170% from the all-time high it reached in November 2021. The recent consumer spending environment has been tough on many online retailers, and this has impacted Revolve's financial growth. However, the company, which targets everything from affordable to premier luxury, has stayed the course, relying on the power of its long-standing marketing partnerships with influencers, artificial intelligence solutions that underpin its platform, and a diverse range of brands to drive business growth. Sales are still growing steadily, and Revolve Group is also profitable. As of the end of the third quarter, its trailing 12-month active customer base had grown by 5% year-over-year to 2.6 million individuals. Net sales in Q3 came to $283 million, a solid 10% bump from one year ago. Broken down by segment, the Revolve segment generated sales of $243.4 million, up 12% from one year ago. The company's in-house premier luxury brand, FWRD, had revenue of $39.7 million -- down by less than 0.5% year over year. More impressive was Revolve Group's net income. Its bottom line was just shy of $11 million for the quarter. That was a 238% increase from the prior-year period, a time when it was also dealing with large one-time costs related to settling a legal matter. Revolve offers more than 100,000 apparel and footwear products through its e-commerce platform, as well as home products, beauty, and accessories. It sells thousands of brands including 25 owned brands along with many coveted third-party brands. In 2023, around 79% of Revolve Group's net sales across all brands were at full price. Last year, the company generated $1.1 billion in net sales from more than 2.5 million active customers, with an average order value of $297. As one of the largest fashion e-commerce brands in the U.S., Revolve Group has plenty of opportunities for growth in a fast-growing addressable market. Its underlying finances are strong, and its business is demonstrating resilience even as consumer spending patterns are shifting. Overall, there appears to be a compelling case for snagging at least a few shares of this top e-commerce stock.Price Of US Indictment! Gautam Adani Lost $15 Bn In 2 Days; Adani Stocks Weekly Drop By 30%Monport Laser Unwraps the "Christmas Laser Bonanza" - Spark Your Creativity with Unbeatable Festive Offers
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Report: NFL warns players of burglary rings targeting pro athletesGAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — DJ Lagway threw two touchdown passes, Montrell Johnson ran for 127 yards and a score, and Florida upset No. 9 Mississippi 24-17 on Saturday to knock the Rebels out of College Football Playoff contention. The Gators (6-5, 4-4 Southeastern Conference), who topped LSU last week, beat ranked teams in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2008 and became bowl eligible. The late-season spurt provided another vote of confidence for coach Billy Napier, who is expected back for a fourth season. Ole Miss (8-3, 4-3), which entered the day as a 10-point favorite, lost for the first time in four games and surely will drop out of the 12-team playoff picture. The Rebels ranked ninth in the latest CFP and needed only to avoid stumbling down the stretch against Florida and lowly Mississippi State to clinch a spot in the playoff field. But coach Lane Kiffin’s team failed to score in three trips inside the red zone and dropped countless passes in perfect weather. No. 2 OHIO ST. 38, No. 5 INDIANA 15 COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana. All Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten, CFP No. 2) has to do now is beat Michigan at home next Saturday and it will earn a return to the Big Ten championship game for the first time since 2020 and get a rematch with No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks beat Ohio State 32-31 in a wild one back on Oct. 12. The Hoosiers (10-1, 7-1, No. 5 CFP) had their best chance to beat the Buckeyes for the first time since 1988 but were hurt by special teams mistakes and disrupted by an Ohio State defense that sacked quarterback Kurtis Rourke five times. Howard finished 22 for 26 for 201 yards. Emeka Egbuka had seven catches for 80 yards and a TD. No. 8 GEORGIA 59, UMass 21 ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Carson Beck threw four touchdown passes, Nate Frazier ran for 136 yards with three scores and No. 8 Georgia overwhelmed Massachusetts as the Bulldogs tried to protect their College Football Playoff hopes. Georgia (9-2, No. 10 CFP) needed the big offense from Beck and Frazier to rescue a defense that gave up 226 rushing yards. UMass (2-9) played its first game under interim coach Shane Montgomery, the offensive coordinator who retained his play-calling duties after replacing fired coach Don Brown on Monday. Jalen John led the Minutemen with 107 rushing yards and a touchdown. Georgia extended its streak of consecutive home wins to 30, the longest active streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision. No. 10 TENNESSEE 56, UTEP 0 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nico Iamaleava threw for 209 yards and four touchdowns to lead No. 10 Tennessee to a victory over UTEP. The Volunteers (9-2) overcame a sluggish start to roll up the impressive win. Both teams were scoreless in the first quarter, but Tennessee found its rhythm. Grad student receiver Bru McCoy, who hadn’t caught a touchdown pass this season, had two. Peyton Lewis also ran for two scores. Tennessee’s defensive line, which had no sacks in last week’s loss to Georgia, had three against the Miners. UTEP (2-9) struggled with two missed field goals and three turnovers. Tennessee’s offense came alive with 28 points in the second quarter. In the final four drives of the quarter, Iamaleava completed 11 of 12 passes for 146 yards and touchdowns to Squirrel White, Ethan Davis and McCoy. No. 11 MIAMI 42, WAKE FOREST 14 MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Cam Ward passed for 280 yards and threw two touchdowns to Jacolby George on another record-breaking day, Mishael Powell ran an interception back 76 yards for a touchdown and No. 11 Miami pulled away late to beat Wake Forest. The Hurricanes (10-1, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Conference, No. 8 College Football Playoff) can clinch a berth in the ACC title game with a win at Syracuse next weekend. Ward completed 27 of 38 passes, plus ran for a score. He broke two more single-season Miami records, both of which had been held for 40 years by Bernie Kosar — most passing yards in a season and most completions in a season. Ward now has 3,774 yards on 268 completions this season. Kosar threw for 3,642 yards on 262 completions in 1984. Demond Claiborne had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown for Wake Forest (4-7, 2-5). Claiborne also rushed for 62 yards for the Demon Deacons, and starting quarterback Hank Bachmeier was 8 of 14 passing for 86 yards and a touchdown. No. 13 SMU 33, VIRGINIA 7 CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Kevin Jennings threw for a career-high 323 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another, and No. 13 SMU clinched a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game by routing Virginia. Isaiah Smith and Jared Harrison-Hunte each had two sacks to help the Mustangs (10-1, 7-0, No. 13 CFP) extend their winning streak to eight. They would earn an automatic bid into the expanded College Football Playoff by beating 11th-ranked Miami or 17th-ranked Clemson in the ACC title game on Dec. 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina. SMU had to get there first, and Jennings led the way again, bouncing back from an interception and a fumble to complete 25 of 33 passes to six different receivers, including TD tosses to Jordan Hudson and Matthew Hibner. Brashard Smith provided a little balance on offense, running for 63 yards and his 13th touchdown of the season. SMU’s defense overwhelmed UVa’s offensive line, sacking Anthony Colandrea nine times and allowing the Cavaliers (5-6, 3-4) just 173 yards. Special teams contributed, too, with Roderick Daniels Jr. returning a punt 48 yards and Collin Rogers making two field goals. No. 24 ILLINOIS 38, RUTGERS 31 PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Luke Altmyer found Pat Bryant for a catch-and-run, 40-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left, sending No. 24 Illinois to a wild victory over Rutgers. Illinois (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) was down 31-30 when it sent long kicker Ethan Moczulski out for a desperation 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds to go. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano then called for a timeout right before Moczulski’s attempt was wide left and about 15 yards short. After the missed field goal was waved off by the timeout, Illinois coach Bret Bielema sent his offense back on the field. Altmyer hit Bryant on an in cut on the left side at the 22, and he continued across the field and scored untouched in a game that featured three lead changes in the final 3:07. Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) gave up a safety on the final kickoff return, throwing a ball out of bounds in the end zone as players passed it around hoping for a miracle touchdown. Altmyer was 12-of-26 passing for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Bryant finished with seven receptions for 197 yards.
NoneThrivent Financial for Lutherans raised its position in shares of iShares Biotechnology ETF ( NASDAQ:IBB – Free Report ) by 354.7% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 48,476 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 37,814 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans owned approximately 0.10% of iShares Biotechnology ETF worth $7,058,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Highline Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in iShares Biotechnology ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. Bbjs Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Biotechnology ETF in the second quarter valued at about $31,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Biotechnology ETF in the third quarter valued at about $36,000. Voisard Asset Management Group Inc. bought a new position in iShares Biotechnology ETF during the third quarter worth about $59,000. Finally, Aptus Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in iShares Biotechnology ETF by 36.5% in the 3rd quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 426 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.45% of the company’s stock. iShares Biotechnology ETF Stock Performance Shares of NASDAQ:IBB opened at $137.96 on Friday. iShares Biotechnology ETF has a 12-month low of $117.28 and a 12-month high of $150.57. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $143.63 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $141.71. iShares Biotechnology ETF Dividend Announcement About iShares Biotechnology ETF ( Free Report ) iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (the Index). The Index contains securities of NASDAQ listed companies that are classified according to the Industry Classification Benchmark as either biotechnology or pharmaceuticals, which also meet other eligibility criteria determined by NASDAQ. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares Biotechnology ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Biotechnology ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
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The NFL's security division is warning players to be aware of professional burglars targeting the homes of pro athletes. The Athletic reported Thursday that the NFL sent a memo to teams that outlines the threat. "The homes of professional athletes across multiple sports leagues have become increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups," read the memo, which was obtained by The Athletic. "Law enforcement officials have noted these groups appear to exploit team schedules to target athletes' homes on game days." NBC News reported Wednesday that law enforcement is working to figure out whether an international crime syndicate is involved. The Athletic reported that the memo includes tips for home security and also gives recommendations about the use of social media, such as not posting photos of items that would attract thieves. Players also learned via the memo how homes are targeted and how burglars enter. Mahomes hasn't said much about the burglary, other than to call it "disappointing" and "frustrating." "I can't get into too many of the details because the investigation is still ongoing," he said. "But obviously something that you don't want to happen to really anybody, but obviously yourself." It's not clear what was stolen from Mahomes' home in Belton, Mo., during the Oct. 6 incident. But Kelce apparently lost $20,000 in cash in the burglary at his home in Leawood, Kan., the following day when the Chiefs played the New Orleans Saints on "Monday Night Football," according to a police report. The burglary at the home of Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis in River Hills, Wis., occurred Nov. 2 during the Bucks' home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He said the perpetrators "took most of my prized possessions" and is offering a reward for the return of his property. "Any info that leads to the return of any of my belongings will be rewarded handsomely," Portis said. "Let me know, thank you." --Field Level Media
Liam Payne’s Final Resting Place Allegedly Threatened By 'Grave Robbers' Recommended Playlist Russell Brand's Legal Troubles Deepen: Charges Loom as Prosecutors Review Assault Claims Randeep-Lin’s power-packed Delhi reception Showbiz round up with Delhi Times Showbiz round up with Delhi Times Showbiz round-up with Delhi Times Showbiz round-up with Delhi Times Percussionist Tanmoy Bose wows the audience with his performance Chitrangada Satarupa wishes everyone Shubho Naboborsho Anusha wishes everyone on Poila Boishakh today Abir Chatterjee wishes everyone Shubho Naboborsho Top Viral Videos Diljit Dosanjh's Cool Comeback to 'Patiala Peg' Controversy Diljit Dosanjh addressed the ongoing criticism surrounding his hit song Patiala Peg during his concert in Lucknow. The Chamkila star responded by stating that singers are unfairly targeted for glorifying alcohol, especially in comparison to actors. He pointed out that alcohol in films receives little scrutiny, despite its frequent glamorization on-screen. Diljit's response was shared on his Instagram, where it quickly went viral. IFFI 2024: Amar Kaushik's Move From Horror To Mythology Finds Roots In Childhood Tales Imtiaz Ali At IFFI 2024: Women Power & Representation In Bollywood And The' Rockstar' Madness Diljit Dosanjh Explores 'City of Nawabs', Enjoys 'Makhan Malai' Ahead Of Lucknow Concert | WATCH Shah Rukh Khan Death Threat: Accused Stalked SRK's Family, Tracked Aryan Khan's Movements AR Rahman's 'Pre-Marriage Agreement' With Saira Banu Grabs Attention As Old Video Resurfaces Bollywood music composer AR Rahman and his wife Saira Banu have announced their separation after 29 years of marriage. The couple released a joint statement on November 19 revealing their decision. Amid big reactions from fans on unexpected split, an old clip of Rahman discussing his marriage has resurfaced. Watch- Aishwarya Rai Celebrates Aaradhya's 13th Birthday, Throws A Party Sans Abhishek Bachchan Kangana Ranaut Praises A Star Kid For A Change, Cheers For SRK's Son Aryan Khan Before Debut Liam Payne's Funeral Today, 'One Direction' Reunite After 9 Years For Painful Final Farewell AR Rahman Pens Separation Note With A Bizarre Sign-Off, Leaving Fans 'Disappointed' Fans Pay Heavy Price To Attend Diljit Dosanjh's Ahmedabad Concert Without Ticket | WATCH Diljit Dosanjh paused his Ahmedabad concert on noticing a crowd of ticketless fans. While fans got creative to attend their favourite's show, they did end up paying a heavy price for it. How? Watch video for details- Liam Payne's Funeral Finalised, Suspect Rogelio 'Roger' Nores Barred From Attending Private Ceremony Viral Video: Hania Aamir Attends Badshah's Dubai Concert, Rumoured Couple Sparks Social Media Frenzy Mukesh Khanna Blasts Paps At 'Shaktimaan' Event; Netizens Give Creative Take | WATCH Aamir Khan & Anees Bazmee's Chat On 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' & 'Singham Again' Clash Goes Viral Zayn Malik Look-Alike Contest Disappoints Fans, 'ZSquad' Apologises For 'Failing' The Star Zayn Malik fans were not impressed by the verdict of a look-alike concert held in New York. Many expessed frustration over judges selecting the winner and runner-ups, despite the contestant looking 'barely' anything like Zayn. Watch- Diljit Dosanjh Calls For 'Dry Nation Movement' At Ahmedabad Show, Responds To Legal Notice Swara Bhasker Faces Social Media Backlash After Maulana Sajjad Nomani Meeting Diljit Dosanjh Receives Legal Notice Ahead Of Hyderabad Concert For 'These' Songs Liam Payne Faced Heartbreaking Ultimatum: Girlfriend Kate Cassidy Asks Him To Choose | WATCH Short Videos Priyanka Chopra's Hand Gestures Spark Curiosity SRK Avoids Fall During Wild Airport Scene Sonu Nigam Always Leaves Us In Awe With His Presence Hina Khan Stuns In A Pink Kashmiri Salwar Suit Kareena Kapoor's Birthday Bash: A Glimpse of Her Fabulous Gift and Cake Aditya Roy Kapur’s Drool-Worthy Transformation Wamiqa Gabbi's Bold Look Steals All the Spotlight Neil Nitin Mukesh’s Emotional Goodbye to Bappa with Final Aarti Jackie’s Ganpati Aarti Moment; You Won’t Believe What He Brings Along Siddhant & Raghav’s Bromance Related Articles In Pics: One Direction stars attend Liam Payne's funeral; fans call it 'saddest reunion' Liam Payne's 2010 tweet asking 'would you come to ma funeral?' resurfaces as One Direction star laid to rest Liam Payne's funeral: One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Nial Horan and Louis Tomlison reunite to bid final farewell - PICS Liam Payne’s funeral plans unveiled: what One Direction fans can expect Liam Payne's death probe: A suspect reveals shocking claims about their bond Liam Payne's death ruled out not suicide Liam Payne's toxicology report reveals new details: 'Cocaine, alcohol, and antidepressants consumed' Three charged in connection with One Direction's Liam Payne's death MORE FROM E TIMESNDP will not support Liberal GST holiday bill unless rebate expanded: SinghHealthy corals are colorful and full of life. And under normal conditions, corals and algae depend on one another. The corals offer the algae protection and the photosynthesizing algae provide the coral with the components they need to make proteins and sugars. As waters warm, though, corals often bleach, which means they eject their algae. "The corals look white or sometimes black cause they've died," says Dakota McCoy , a biologist at the University of Chicago. "There's no fish around. It's way less biodiverse." However, "if you snorkel over a reef after a heat wave, other animals still look healthy," says McCoy. "They've still got their algae unlike the coral. It seems to take more to get them to bleach. So that's kind of a weird biological mystery." These seemingly healthy creatures include a clam-like mollusc called a heart cockle — the name coming from the shape of its shell. "These strange little clams are a little bit tougher than corals," says McCoy, "even though they host the same type of algae inside their cells that corals do." McCoy wanted to know why that might be. In a paper published in Nature Communications , she and her colleagues conclude that the structure of the heart cockle's shell operates as its own kind of fiber optic cables to channel light to the algae living inside it. It's a finding that may have both engineering and conservation implications. Stained glass in miniature McCoy and her colleagues began their investigation by shining LED lights through the heart cockles. "In a lot of shells, there [are] tiny little triangles where the light passes through. In some of the shells, it looks more like big zebra stripes. Some of the shells, they look like stained glass windows. So there's material there but light gets through." She wanted to know how the heart cockles render their shells transparent to get the light to their algal residents that depend on it. "Are they doing something more interesting than just letting light pass through?," she wondered. So she gathered some cockles from the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History and an online collector for a closer look. An instrument called a spectrophotometer, "can measure what color light passes through a little fragment of shell suspended in seawater by scanning over every wavelength of light from ultraviolet to infrared," McCoy explains. She and her colleagues found that the little windows in the heart cockle shells stream more than twice as much useful sunlight into their interiors for their algal tenants than harmful UV radiation. In addition, some individuals have mineral lenses beneath their little windows. "What they seem to do is condense light into a beam so that it's illuminating more deeply into the algae-rich tissue that's doing all the photosynthesis," says McCoy. The lens may also spread the light out "so you're not going to actually burn your [algae] or have too much light intensity," says Stanford University physicist Jennifer Dionne , who collaborated with McCoy. Natural fiber optics McCoy and Dionne then looked more closely at the shell's architecture. They knew it was made out of a kind of calcium carbonate, aragonite, a mineral that's usually opaque in coral skeletons or other clam shells. When those structures are examined under a microscope, McCoy says, "you see lots of big plates that are jumbled together and often arranged in a very sturdy brick-like manner." But when she used an electron microscope to study the mineral structure of the heart cockle shell, the calcium carbonate crystals were organized into long, super narrow fibers that were "all oriented the same direction as the direction that sunlight needs to travel to get into the shell," she says. Dionne instantly saw something familiar. "Here's a natural organism that is guiding light essentially via its own fiber optic bundles to basically help its symbionts harness sunlight," she says. "I think it might be one of the first examples in nature." The researchers say that structure could inspire tiny cameras with miniscule lenses or even improve fiber optic cable technology. "I think there's a lot we can learn about how biology handles light," says Dionne. University of Georgia cell biologist Mark Farmer wasn't involved in the research and was impressed with the paper. "It's difficult to balance the needs of a strong structural shell — which is of course the reason that clams make shells in the first place — with light transmission," he says. "So I think the fact that the cockles have solved effectively both problems with these fiber optics is the most significant finding." Farmer says the results may help explain why corals tend to bleach more readily than heart cockles, a phenomenon triggered by stress. While both organisms may be exposed to the stress of warming ocean temperatures, "by eliminating that additional stress of ultraviolet light, which can damage DNA, the cockles are perhaps less subject to the kind of stress that would lead to a bleaching event," says Farmer. McCoy agrees and believes that this difference could provide insights into how to help corals. "Can we think a little bit more about how heart cockles manage the light environment for their algae and maybe take inspiration from that to engineer new algae or new corals — a little bit more resilient, a little bit more robust?" she asks. McCoy sees in these shells more than a billion years of evolution — what she calls "product design honed by natural selection." "The heart cockle is a very cool story of how a living creature can manipulate light as well as many human engineers can," she says. "It's a beautiful example of a sustainable creature using solar energy in a very efficient way, thanks to an amazing natural evolved technology."
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