Bayard
Bayard's JournalNASA's Curiosity rover has found organic molecules on Mars that may be billions of years old
NASA's Curiosity rover has found organic molecules on Mars that may be billions of years old — and the scientists studying them are being careful about what they say next. Thirteen years after landing in Gale Crater, NASA's Curiosity rover has produced what may be its most significant scientific result to date.Thirteen years after landing in Gale Crater, NASA’s Curiosity rover has produced what may be its most significant scientific result to date. In a paper published in Nature Communications in April 2026, researchers led by Amy Williams, an astrobiologist and professor of geological sciences at the University of Florida, reported the detection of more than 20 organic molecules in a single Martian rock sample — the most diverse collection ever found on the planet. Seven of the molecules had never been confirmed on Mars before.
The findings have generated substantial coverage, most of it accurate. Some of it has also required the scientists involved to do something that researchers in this field have learned to do carefully: explain, repeatedly and in precise terms, what the discovery does and does not mean.
The experiment at the centre of the April findings used a chemical called tetramethylammonium hydroxide, or TMAH — a solvent capable of breaking apart large organic molecules into smaller fragments that Curiosity’s onboard instruments can then identify. The rover carries only two cups of this chemical. The decision about where to use the first cup was not made lightly.
The chosen sample, drilled from a site the team named Mary Anning 3 — after the 19th-century British paleontologist who spent her career finding fossils others had overlooked — came from the Glen Torridon region of Gale Crater, an ancient clay-rich area that scientists believe once held standing water. The clay minerals there are known to preserve organic material over geological timescales. The sample itself is estimated to be approximately 3.5 billion years old.
“This experiment’s never been run before on another world,” Williams told AFP. The team had two chances to get it right. They used the first one here.
https://spacedaily.com/n-nasas-curiosity-rover-has-found-organic-molecules-on-mars-that-may-be-billions-of-years-old-and-the-scientists-studying-them-are-being-careful-about-what-they-say-next
This material may be lost forever because in Jan. 2026, the rethuglican Congress canceled Mars Sample Return program.
JFK mini-series on the History Channel
I just finished watching all 8 episodes. It was really well done, and follows JFK from a little boy, to his assassination. Plenty of interviews, including with noted historians. Archival photos and clips. I was fascinated by little things I never knew, although when he died, I was only in second grade.
The man certainly had his faults, but he was basically honorable and idealistic. He genuinely loved this country, and tried to do the right thing. People loved him, here and around the world.
I look at what the office has devolved into now, and it not only really pisses me off, it makes me truly sad. Kennedy brought hope, compassion, intelligence, and foresight.
Compare and contrast.
Another reminder about checking your voter registration
Mr. Bayard and I have been voting by mail at this address for the past 12 years. I called the clerk yesterday to make sure our ballots were in the mail. She said, not only were we not getting mail-in ballots, we weren't registered to vote at all!
I was shocked. Now, we have to go to the courthouse next week, and get re-registered to vote in the primary. She said a birth certificate would not be required, as they were sure most people would not be able to find one--a drivers license will do.
Whew! Even if you think your registration is a sure thing, better check folks.
Veterinary scientists develop a daily pill that's giving senior dog owners hope
Senior dogs could live longer thanks to the largest clinical trial in veterinary history.
A common saying among pet owners is that the hardest thing about loving a dog is saying goodbye. Having a senior dog, especially one raised from a puppy, can be difficult not just because of the inevitable, but also because the pet may be going through age-related ailments or disease before crossing over. It’s a hard thing to experience anyway, but especially when you remember how they were in their prime. Well, veterinary scientists are testing a daily pill that extends a dog’s lifespan while also maintaining their quality of life.
Loyal, a biotech company based in San Francisco, has been trying to develop anti-aging drugs for dogs ever since it was founded. After years of research and testing, they have developed LOY-002, a beef-flavored daily prescription pill for senior dogs aged 10 and older that weigh over 14 pounds. Early testing shows that the pill can add years to a dog’s life, especially larger breeds.
What does this dog lifespan pill do?
The pill interacts and manipulates IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1), a hormone that’s key to a dog’s cellular growth and metabolism. IGF-1 helps a dog grow in both size and calorie consumption. This hormone helps make young puppies become strong adult dogs. However, it also continues and accelerates aging at a cellular level when a dog is fully grown. This explains why many larger breeds of dogs tend to live shorter lives than smaller ones. Their IGF-1 levels are higher. It moves them faster towards age-related diseases and discomfort than smaller dogs.
By reducing the excessive IGF-1, LOY-002 reduces the speed of a larger dog’s biological clock. It doesn’t just make them “feel” younger. Slowing everything down adds years to their life and curbs the risk of age-related organ dysfunction, disease, and early death. After thorough testing, LOY-002 cleared two out of the three sections of acceptance before being fully vetted by the Food and Drug Administration.
https://www.good.is/daily-pill-could-extend-dogs-lifespans/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=daily-pill-could-extend-dogs-lifespans
Great news if it works, especially for those of us who love our large dogs.
Kentucky Derby 2026 live updates: Golden Tempo wins 152nd running with trainer Cherie Devaux
The horse entered with 23-1 odds and had a dramatic comeback to overtake the pack. Co-favorite Renegade finished in second.
Golden Tempo claimed Saturday’s Kentucky Derby and made history, as trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first woman to ever prep the winner of America’s most famous horse race.
“I don’t have any words right now,” DeVaux said after the victory. “I’m just so, so happy for Golden Tempo. (Jockey) Jose (Ortiz) did a wonderful job, a magical job at getting him there. He’s was so far out of it, and he has had so much faith in this horse.”
The horse entered with 23-1 odds. Renegade (5-1) and Ocelli (70-1) took second and third, respectively.
Golden Tempo, the son of two-time horse of the year Curlin, had run well during show efforts in the Louisiana Derby and Risen Star Stakes but wasn’t considered a serious contender in the Run of the Roses.
Ortiz, with tears streaming down his face, called the result a “dream come true.”
“This is a biggest race in the world,” he said. “For me, I’m just glad I get to ride it almost every year. Forget who the winner is, it’s just special. I have my mom and dad here today. It’s very special.”
Before DeVaux’s big win, the closest a female trainer had come to the winner’s circle came in 1992 with the place showing of Casual Lies, prepped by Shelley Riley.
“I’m glad I can be representative of women everywhere,” DeVaux said in a postrace interview on the broadcast. “We can do anything we set our minds to.”
Here are the final results from the Kentucky Derby.
Win: Golden Tempo (23-1 odds)
Place: Renegade (5-1)
Show: Ocelli (70-1)
Exacta: Golden Tempo, Renegade
Trifecta: Golden Tempo, Renegade, Ocelli
https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/horse-racing/live-blog/kentucky-derby-2026-live-updates-rcna341955
Really impressive race. This horse was all the way in the back, and came charging up. Louisville is still my home town!
Gov. Beshear: Toothsure To Establish New Manufacturing Facility in Perry County With $7.3 Million Investment,
"The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund. In 2023, Kentucky recorded over 2 million jobs filled for the first time ever and has stayed above that number ever since."
"Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,300 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $50 billion in announced investments, creating more than 70,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history and $29 billion more than the next highest total."
OFFICE OF GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gov. Beshear: Toothsure To Establish New Manufacturing Facility in Perry County With $7.3 Million Investment, Creating 60 Quality Jobs
Project will consolidate and relocate company’s supply chain operations into 1 facility
FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 30, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted a new project for the state’s manufacturing sector in Eastern Kentucky as Toothsure, a provider of oral hygiene products designed for patients who face barriers to standard dental care, announced plans to establish a new operation in Perry County with a $7.3 million investment, creating 60 new, full-time jobs at a wage of $55.25 per hour, including benefits..
“The commonwealth’s surging economy is paving the way for investment and good-paying job opportunities for Kentuckians in every corner of the state,” said Gov. Beshear. “This is a welcome project for Perry County and the surrounding region, providing 60 new, quality jobs and adding to the diverse range of companies that call Eastern Kentucky home. I want to thank Toothsure’s leadership for believing in what the commonwealth has to offer and look forward to their future success.”
To meet growing national demand for its products, Toothsure’s strategic expansion will consolidate and relocate the company’s full supply chain operations into a single facility in Eastern Kentucky. This will reduce the company’s dependence on out-of-state suppliers and expand production capacity with state-of-the-art equipment and increased manufacturing space for its OralVac and OralVac+ products. The upgraded facility infrastructure and equipment also will support tighter quality control standards to ensure health care providers and patients consistently receive products of the highest standard. The new facility will be the company’s first in the commonwealth, with construction expected to begin in January 2027 and be completed later that same year.
“As clinicians, we’re dedicated to improving patient outcomes within the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond,” Toothsure co-founders Greg Baker, DMD, and Brandon Wilde, MD, MBA, said in a shared statement. “We have seen firsthand the consequences of inadequate oral care in institutional settings – from hospital-acquired infections to complications that extend patient recovery. Toothsure was built to close that gap, and this support from KEDFA gives us the capacity to expand our mission to genuinely move the needle for patients across the country. We’re grateful to Gov. Beshear and the people of Perry County for welcoming us, and we’re looking forward to being a partner in this community's growth and well-being.”
Founded in 2024, Toothsure’s mission is to deliver innovative, accessible oral care products that empower healthcare providers and individuals to maintain proper hygiene anytime, anywhere. Recognizing a critical gap in patient oral care within institutional settings, Toothsure developed a proprietary line of oral hygiene products designed specifically for patients who face barriers to standard dental care. The company’s flagship products – OralVac and OralVac+ – are purpose-built for use in a wide range of healthcare environments, including hospital units, intensive care units (ICUs), assisted nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers. OralVac+ is specifically designed to meet the demanding requirements of the intensive care setting, where oral hygiene is critical in preventing hospital-acquired infections and improving patient outcomes.
Emailed announcement
Millions Take This Popular Supplement - Scientists Discover a Concerning Link to Heart Failure
A common sleep supplement may carry unexpected risks when used long-term.
Melatonin has long been marketed as a gentle, “natural” way to improve sleep. But new research is raising questions about what happens when people rely on it for years. A large international analysis of more than 130,000 adults with chronic insomnia found that those who used melatonin for over a year faced significantly higher risks of serious health problems.
Compared to non-users, long-term users had about an 89–90% greater risk of developing heart failure over five years (4.6% vs. 2.7%). They were also nearly 3.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure (19.0% vs. 6.6%) and almost twice as likely to die from any cause (7.8% vs. 4.3%).
Early Findings Raise Safety Questions
The findings, presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025 in New Orleans, are preliminary and have not yet been peer-reviewed. They do not prove that melatonin causes harm, but they highlight a potential safety gap that researchers say needs urgent attention. “Melatonin supplements may not be as harmless as commonly assumed. If our study is confirmed, this could affect how doctors counsel patients about sleep aids,” said lead researcher Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi, M.D., of SUNY Downstate/Kings County Primary Care in Brooklyn, New York.
Melatonin itself is a hormone produced by the brain that helps regulate the body’s internal clock. Levels naturally rise in the evening and fall with daylight, signaling when it is time to sleep and wake. Supplements mimic this process and can help some people fall asleep faster, especially in cases of jet lag or short-term insomnia. In the United States and many other countries, melatonin is sold over the counter without strict regulation. That means people can take it without medical supervision, and products may vary in dose and purity. It has become one of the most widely used sleep aids in the country, now ranking among the most popular natural products taken by adults.
https://scitechdaily.com/millions-take-this-popular-supplement-scientists-discover-a-concerning-link-to-heart-failure/
Scientists restore memory by blocking a single Alzheimer's protein
Date:
April 30, 2026
Source:
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Summary:
Researchers have identified a new potential weapon against Alzheimer’s: blocking a protein called PTP1B. In mice, this approach boosted memory and helped brain immune cells clear harmful plaque buildup. Since PTP1B is also linked to diabetes and obesity—both risk factors for Alzheimer’s—it could offer a broader treatment strategy.
Alzheimer's disease is often described in numbers, with millions of people affected, cases rising quickly, and costs reaching into the trillions. For families, however, the experience is deeply personal. "It's a slow bereavement," says Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Professor Nicholas Tonks, whose mother lived with Alzheimer's. "You lose the person piece by piece."
A major focus in Alzheimer's research has been the buildup of plaque in the brain. This plaque consists of amyloid-β (Aβ
, a peptide that forms naturally but can accumulate and cluster together over time. These deposits are widely believed to play a key role in driving the disease. Tonks, along with graduate student Yuxin Cen and postdoctoral fellow Steven Ribeiro Alves, has identified a new potential strategy. Their research shows that blocking a protein known as PTP1B can improve learning and memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Tonks first discovered PTP1B in 1988 and has spent decades studying its role in health and disease. In this latest work, his team found that PTP1B interacts with another protein called spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK). SYK helps control microglia (the brain's immune cells), which are responsible for clearing debris such as excess Aβ.
"Over the course of the disease, these cells become exhausted and less effective," says Cen. "Our results suggest that PTP1B inhibition can improve microglial function, clearing up Aβ plaques." Alzheimer's disease is also strongly associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, both of which are recognized risk factors. These conditions are thought to contribute to the growing global burden of Alzheimer's. Because PTP1B is already considered a therapeutic target for metabolic disorders, this connection strengthens the case for exploring it in Alzheimer's treatment as well.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260429102037.htm
Over 100 International Law Experts Warn: U.S. Strikes on Iran Violate UN Charter and May Be War Crimes
The United States and Israel initiated strikes on Iran over one month ago, on February 28, 2026. The attack was a clear violation of the United Nations Charter. The conduct of the war, and statements of U.S. officials, also raise serious concerns about violations of international humanitarian law, including potential war crimes. We have written the below statement together with over 100 U.S.-based international law experts, to detail our profound concerns about the war. The letter is signed by international law experts across the United States, including senior professors; leaders of prominent international law associations, non-governmental organizations, and legal clinics; former government legal advisors; and military law experts and former Judge Advocates General (JAGs).
Letter of over 100 international law experts on Iran war:
We, the undersigned U.S.-based international law experts, professors, and practitioners write to express profound concern about serious violations of international law and alarming rhetoric by the United States, Israel, and Iran in the present armed conflict in the Middle East.
Due to our connection to the United States, our focus here is on the conduct of the U.S. government, but we remain concerned about the risk of atrocities across the region including the continuing risks posed by the Iranian government to Iranians through violent crackdowns on dissent, and to civilians across the Middle East through Iran’s ongoing unlawful strikes on civilian infrastructure using explosive weapons in densely populated areas. One month has passed since the United States and Israel launched strikes across Iran. The initiation of the campaign was a clear violation of the United Nations Charter, and the conduct of United States forces since, as well as statements made by senior government officials, raise serious concerns about violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including potential war crimes.
We collectively affirm the importance of equal application of international law to all, including countries that hold themselves out as global leaders. Recent statements from senior U.S. government officials describing the rules governing military engagement as “stupid” and prioritizing “lethality” over “legality” are profoundly alarming and dangerously short-sighted. These claims, particularly in combination with the observable conduct of U.S. forces, are harming the international legal order and the system of international law that we have devoted our lives to promoting. The war, which is costing U.S. taxpayers between $1-2 billion each day, is imposing significant harm to civilians in the region, has resulted in the loss of hundreds of civilian lives across the Middle East, and is causing serious environmental and economic harms.
We write to express our concern about 1) jus ad bellum, or the decision to go to war, 2) jus in bello, or the conduct of hostilities, 3) rhetoric and threats from senior U.S. officials and their allies, which portend further abuses, and 4) the decimation of civilian harm mitigation structures within the U.S. government as a part of U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s “gloves off” approach to warfare.
(Covered in detail)
1. Jus ad bellum concerns:
2. Concerns about violations of international humanitarian law
3. Concerns about rhetoric and threats from senior officials
4. Concerns about institutional safeguards against further violations
We are gravely concerned that the conduct and threats outlined here are causing serious harm to civilians in the Middle East, and that they also contribute to escalating the conflict, damaging the environment and the global economy, and that they risk degrading the rule of law and fundamental norms that protect every nation’s civilians. Public statements by senior officials indicate an alarming disrespect for the rules of international humanitarian law accepted by states, and which protect both civilians and members of the armed forces.
https://www.justsecurity.org/135423/professors-letter-international-law-iran-war/
The big vege garden is finally planted!
I've been busting my butt the past month getting it weeded and cleaned up, (boy I wish I'd done that last fall!) Repaired or replaced the landscape fabric I use on the paths. Finally figured out that 6 inch pins are the only way to go. Carried tons of compost over from the goat pens to work into rows and raised beds. Been saving old hay to use as mulch.
Now, most everything from seed is starting to peep up: A new variety of sweet red pepper I'm trying this year, broccoli, brussel sprouts, 2 kinds of lettuce, spinach, green peas, black eyed peas, green beans, okra, and cantaloupe. Some I decided to just get nursery plants this year: more strawberries, 2 rows of tomatoes, cukes, some peppers, red cabbage, cauliflower. The perennial blueberries, strawberries, and grapes look good. I planted a raspberry plant several years ago, and it hasn't done anything but stick me. I'm thinking of digging it out, and replacing with a thornless blackberry I got the other day.
So, this evening I started working on the watermelon patch, mostly cleanup. I need to have somebody come in with a major weedeater and clear out a little hillside of wild roses and blackberries. Its a mess. I want to make that my pumpkin patch this year. The dwarf fruit trees we planted last year look good. They survived the geese trying to root around them.
I need to just completely encase my body in neoprene. I wear elbow braces, a back brace I put on lower to support a bad hip. I need to find a shoulder brace (old broken scapula and ribs.) Old injuries or bursitis I've already had injected too many times. I took 2 falls on the ice in January that I'm still waiting on hip MRI results on since I finally broke down and went. Getting old sucks. I choose not to participate.
I haven't gotten to the big flower garden yet. Its a real disaster, and some things are already blooming--pink columbine, peonies, allium. Busy, busy, busy. I'll take pics when everything is big enough to see.
So, how's everybody else's garden growing?
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