Links for you. Science:

Ferns’ ability to evolve ‘backward’ offers insights into the meandering path of evolution
Diverse phage communities are maintained stably on a clonal bacterial host
US whooping cough cases soar, but public knowledge of the contagious disease remains low
COVID-19 epidemiological update – 24 December 2024 (WHO)
U.S. whooping cough cases hit highest level in a decade
20 big cats dead after bird flu outbreak at WA animal sanctuary

Other:

100-plus cities in the U.S. banned homeless camping this year. But will it work?
Brian Schatz to Democrats: Please, Stop With ‘Center’ and ‘Making Space’ (not sure I really agree)
Closure of northern Minnesota camp is ‘the greatest story.’ Here’s why.
The Gilded Age of Medicine Is Here
Oops! Consumers finally realize that Trump could worsen inflation.
Israel Loosened Its Rules to Bomb Hamas Fighters, Killing Many More Civilians
Wall St. Is Minting Easy Money From Risky Loans. What Could Go Wrong?
A MAGA ‘Civil War’ on X between Musk and the far right over H-1B visas
Stagnation With Chinese Characteristics
The Most Important Program You’ve Never Heard Of Is This Retiring Senator’s Legacy
Frying or spying? These air fryers may be harvesting your data, experts say
What Do US Vehicle Regulators Have Against Tiny Cars?
Republicans quietly cut IRS funding by $20 billion in bill to avert government shutdown
Elon Musk pens German newspaper opinion piece supporting far-right AfD party
‘I’m not afraid. Let’s do it’: the Arizona abortion clinic testing the limits of the state’s ban
The Miracle of Bill de Blasio’s Universal Pre-K: Ten years in, Bill de Blasio and his allies explain how they did it — and what future mayors could learn from them.
“Free of corruption”: How a Maine ballot initiative could help get dark money out of politics. Maine’s Question 1 limits the amount a person or group can donate to super PACs to $5,000
Elon Musk accused of censoring conservatives on X who disagree with him about immigration
‘Baby in a dumpster.’ A spate of abandoned newborns unsettles Texas. Critics say these cases are no coincidence in a state with one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion bans and near-bottom rankings on women’s health care.
Biden Had A Chance To Protect Ancient Trees — And Failed
The Real, Astonishing Story of Hanukkah (I’m guessing many Jews know this–I certainly did)
Online Debate Over Foreign Workers In Tech Shows Cracks In Trump World
‘007’ series in turmoil as producers, Amazon can’t agree on franchise: ‘I don’t think James Bond is a hero’
The Paper Passport Is Dying
Ah, Well, Nevertheless
Joe Biden’s lonely battle to sell his vision of American democracy