Do polar bear paws hold the secret to better tire traction?

Traction is important. Humans have been continually interested in discovering how to better move across wet or frozen surfaces safely — whether to improve shoes for walking on sidewalks or tires to maneuver the roadways. But what makes it possible for some arctic animals to walk and run across the…

Serotonin 2C receptor associated with obesity and maladaptive behavior

A collaborative study involving Baylor College of Medicine, the University of Cambridge and the University of Exeter Medical School reveals a new gene associated with obesity and maladaptive behavior. The evidence shows that rare mutations in the gene for the serotonin 2C receptor play a role in the development of…

Freed Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout visits occupied Ukraine

Heating has been fully restored in Kyiv Sunday, two days after a barrage of Russian missiles targeted the city. “All heat supply sources are operating normally,” Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in a post on Telegram, adding that public utilities will work throughout Sunday on “individual buildings, where there may be minor heating problems.”  The broader Kyiv region, however, continues to…

Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine

Heating has been fully restored in Kyiv Sunday, two days after a barrage of Russian missiles targeted the city. “All heat supply sources are operating normally,” Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in a post on Telegram, adding that public utilities will work throughout Sunday on “individual buildings, where there may be minor heating problems.”  The broader Kyiv region, however, continues to…

Argentina beats France in the 2022 World Cup final

Fireworks explode as Argentina’s team receives the trophy at the end of the World Cup soccer match final at Lusail Stadium in Qatar on December 18. (Hassan Ammar/AP) Several international bodies have renewed sharp criticisms of Qatar and FIFA for glaring human rights abuses and the exploitation of migrant workers before…

Live updates: Argentina beats France in the 2022 World Cup final

Lionel Messi celebrates Argentina’s title. (Martin Meissner/AP) The crowd packed into Lusail Stadium was dominated by Argentina fans Sunday, plus plenty of otherwise neutral supporters who threw their weight behind La Albiceleste in hopes of seeing soccer great Lionel Messi finally hoist the World Cup trophy. They were not disappointed.…

Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine

Ukraine is criticizing FIFA for refusing to show a video message from President Volodymyr Zelensky in Qatar’s Lusail Stadium ahead of the World Cup final Sunday.  The video, which was recorded in English, was meant to be an “appeal for peace,” according to a written statement provided to CNN by Ukraine’s presidential office…

Overrun Amsterdam targets sex and drugs tourists with ‘stay away’ campaign

Editor’s Note — Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter. Get news about destinations opening, inspiration for future adventures, plus the latest in aviation, food and drink, where to stay and other travel developments. Amsterdam (CNN) — It’s barely dusk on a cold Saturday afternoon in early…

North Korea fires two more missiles in a record year for launches | CNN

Seoul, South Korea CNN  —  North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the waters off its east coast on Sunday, the latest in what has been a record year for test launches by the Kim Jong Un regime. The launches, reported by both South Korean and Japanese authorities, marked the…

World Cup final preview: France takes on Argentina in mouthwatering clash | CNN

CNN  —  After a month of unpredictable results, we are left with two World Cup heavyweights going head-to-head in a mouthwatering final as reigning champion France faces two-time champion Argentina Sunday. In an era of systems and styles of play taking precedence over individuals, this World Cup has been defined…

Sharon Osbourne was transported to a hospital after an emergency call | CNN

CNN  —  Television personality Sharon Osbourne was transported to a southern California hospital Friday night after an emergency call, police said. The Ventura County Fire Department EMS responded to an unspecified emergency call at a historic hotel in Santa Paula, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. Ventura County Fire…

Croatia beats Morocco in World Cup third-place playoff match | CNN

CNN  —  Croatia beat Morocco 2-1 in the third-place playoff on Saturday as the African side’s historic 2022 World Cup ended in defeat. It took Croatia just seven minutes to open the scoring through a header from Joško Gvardiol, before Achraf Dari equalized two minutes later. In an open and…