From vampire facials to salmon sperm facials, people are willing to slather their skin in just about anything if it helps to turn back the clock and make them look their best. But do your nether regions also need the 5-star treatment?While that may sound like an odd question, people across the country are turning to spas and dermatologists for vagacials basically facials for your muff to treat skin issues and make your vulva looks its best, either for yourself, to make a good first impression with a hot date, or to impress your significant other. So if you have the requisite parts and are looking to get busy in a sapphic way, should you be giving your vulva a spa day?To find out more about what to expect when you get a vagacial to how long you have to wait to have sex after a treatment, PRIDE spoke to Kiara DeWitt, a registered nurse and founder and CEO of Injectco, one of Texas top medical aesthetic clinics; Dr. David Johnson, a dermatologist and co-founder of RedlikteX.com; and New York-based dermatologist Dr. Victoria Kazlouskaya, who founded Dermatology Circle PLLC.What is a vagacial?Vagacials a portmanteau of vagina and facial is a misleading name because its a spa facial, but for the outside of your vulva, not your vagina. But, you know, a vulvacial just isnt as catchy.A vagacial is a skincare treatment for the pubic area that typically includes a gentle cleanse, exfoliation, ingrown hair extraction, application of serums, and a mask, followed by a light moisturizer or a cooling gel. It may also address pigmentation and texture issues. Think of it as a reset button for sensitive skin after waxing, shaving or just living life, DeWitt tells PRIDE. You can get one any time of year, but most people book in the summer or right before big events.What should you expect when you get a vagacial?Depending on where you go, the whole process might be more clinical than frilly or might be more about pampering your biking area. But either way, you can expect the provider to wear gloves and use single-use tools to keep everything hygienic and prevent infections. If they dont, run, dont walk, in the opposite direction. The genital area is delicate, and many skincare products can be irritating, Dr. Kazlouskaya says. Also, this is an intimate serviceso the person performing it should be discreet, sensitive, and respectful.When you arrive for your appointment, youll be asked to undress from the waist down and be given a sheet to drape over your lap. The esthetician or dermatologist will have you lie down like you would to get waxed, and then they will steam the skin to help remove ingrown hairs, use a gentle scrub or lactic acid for exfoliation, before hydrating the skin with serums or moisturizers. The whole thing should only take between 30 and 50 minutes. Dr. Johnson explains that at RedlineX, they also offer red light therapy for the area to calm down redness and to get the skin to heal in less time.Are they getting more popular?From Gwyneth Paltrow steaming her vagina to Khlo Kardashians eight-part lady bits skincare regimen, vagacials are all the rage and the experts say theyre just getting more popular every year.Social media has helped to normalize treatments like these and make them increasingly trendy. Right now, these treatments are popping up on more spa menus each year, DeWitt says. I have noticed that even five years ago, hardly anyone offered this outside major cities. Now, you see them advertised at medspas and beauty bars all over the country! Social media, word of mouth, and TikTok do the marketing without anyone having to whisper about it.What should you expect to pay for a vagacial?Like many skin care and beauty treatments, vagacials can be a little pricey if you are on a tight budget. They tend to run anywhere from $50 to $200, not including a tip or add-ons like red light therapy or custom masks.The cost can also go down if you buy a package and some spas or clinics combine the treatment with hair removal. Packages for three or more can drop the price by 15 percent or so. Some clinics roll it into maintenance bundles, pairing with waxing or sugaring, DeWitt says.Why should you get a vagacial?Some people get vagacials for purely aesthetic reasons like dealing with dark spots or bumps on their bikini area, or the desire to be smooth as a dolphin, but there are other benefits too. Not only can it help address conditions like folliculitis, but it can also just make you feel better about getting undressed in front of other people. Sometimes it is just about comfort or boosting confidence before intimacy. To be fair, it is skincare with a side of peace of mind, DeWitt explains.Should lesbians get vagacials?Ok, so now you know what a vagacial is, what to expect at an appointment, and what kind of damage itll do to your bank account. But if youre a lesbian or queer person with a vagina, should you get one?Sure, if it feels good, if it is wanted, and if it fits your routine, DeWitt says. No orientation or gender label required. Healthy skin is for everyone, and anyone can want smooth, comfortable skin. Sometimes it is just nice to take care of yourself in a new way.How quickly can you get busy after a vagacial?Luckily, there is very little downtime needed after getting a vagacial. You can have sex right away, but some providers suggest waiting a few hours, or up to 24 hours, before getting biblical because your skin may be slightly tender right after treatment, and you may want to avoid irritation or redness. If you want to play it safe, give yourself 24 hours if your skin runs sensitive. Any redness usually clears within the first hour. You can go right back to normal life after, but if you feel discomfort, loose cotton underwear and no scented products help, DeWitt cautions.Are there side effects?If you go to a reputable spa or provider, the risk is fairly low and likely will only include temporary redness, slight swelling, or an ingrown hair, but the potential side effects increase if you see someone who isnt qualified.You could end up having infections, further ingrown hairs, or yeast infections, Dr. Johnson explains. Do be sure to see a qualified practitioner. Ive had to see these issues in my office when patients try to do it themselves in the home or see places that are unlicensed.Dr. Kazlouskaya also notes that you may experience an allergic reaction or overexfoliate sensitive skin.The skin in the genital area is more sensitive than other parts of the body, so irritation or allergic reactions can occur, she explains. Over-exfoliation may lead to dryness or discomfort. If products come into contact with the vaginal mucosa, they could cause itching or burning. And if hygiene isnt maintained properly during the procedure, theres a risk of folliculitis or even yeast infections.Experts cited:Kiara DeWitt, a registered nurse and founder and CEO of Injectco, one of Texas top medical aesthetic clinics.Dr. David Johnson, a dermatologist and co-founder of RedlikteX.com.New York-based dermatologist Dr. Victoria Kazlouskaya, founder of Dermatology Circle PLLC.

Nature, Published online: 02 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09161-1A modelling study suggests that Mars had a desert-like climate with intermittent liquid-water oases regulated by a negative feedback among solar luminosity, liquid water and carbonate formation.

Nature, Published online: 02 July 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02095-8The Centaur model goes beyond single tasks and predicts a wide array of human behaviour.

Nature, Published online: 02 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09215-4A computational model called Centaur, developed by fine-tuning a language model on a huge dataset called Psych-101, can predict and simulate human nature in experiments expressible in natural language, even in previously unseen situations.

Nature, Published online: 02 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09203-8Inactivating PPP2R1A mutations correlate with better survival after immune checkpoint blockade in patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma, suggesting that targeting the phosphatase 2A (PP2A) pathway may represent an effective startegy for improving responses to immunotherapy.

Nature, Published online: 02 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09196-4Shared inter-brain neural dynamics, reflecting aspects of social interaction including self and others behaviours, arise in GABAergic neurons of the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex of socially interacting mice, as well as in the neurons of socially interacting artificial intelligence agents.

The New York Knicks are expected to hire Mike Brown, a two-time winner of the NBA's Coach of the Year award, as the franchise's next head coach, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.

Levi Colwill has warned Chelsea's new signings that the club is "for winners only" as the Blues prepare to face Palmeiras in Friday's Club World Cup quarter-finals.

Brothers Jude and Jobe Bellingham will miss the chance to face each other at the Club World Cup after Jobe picked up a yellow card in Borussia Dortmund's win over Monterrey on Tuesday.

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Monterrey coach Domenec Torrent criticized the referee and the VAR's decisions in Tuesday night's 2-1 Club World Cup loss to Borussia Dortmund.

The reductions followed cuts of about 6,000 positions last quarter, and were indicative of a tightening job market at big technology companies.

Iran just ended its cooperation with international inspectors, suggesting no post-bombing deal is imminent. That may point to a long game of hide-and-seek, punctuated by military action.

The president said he had agreed to initial trade terms with Vietnam, the second country to strike a limited deal after Mr. Trump threatened steep tariffs.

The nations largest abortion provider must stop offering it in some states or risk losing millions in Medicaid funding to provide basic health care for low-income Americans.

A suit filed in Los Angeles highlights Trump administration enforcement tactics and accuses officers of racial profiling, brutality and holding detainees in dungeonlike facilities.

Tinder is rolling out a mandatory Face Check feature in California, prompting users to undergo a biometric face scan to verify their identity before they can use the app. What do you think?As long as they dont fact-check anything else on my profileBob Huntley, Regional ReceptionistHopefully they implement ab verification, too.Joseph Gray, Tub FillerGood, Id feel much better knowing the person negging me is real.David Walker, Board EraserThe post Tinder To Require Face Verification For New Users appeared first on The Onion.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opened a new and novel front in its crusade against trans people with the announcement last week of an investigation into hospitals over gender-affirming care and a claim that health workers may refuse to administer this care based on their religious beliefs.The Office of Civil Rights for HHS launched a probe on June 20 investigating the University of Michigan Health system, based on allegations that the hospital fired a nurses aide for exercising her Federally protected rights of conscience. Related Senate drops anti-trans provisions to barely pass major budget bill that cuts Medicaid The Big Beautiful Bill Act passed the Senate by so little that the vice president had to go to the Senate to break the tie. The Civil Rights Office has framed the probe as a review of the hospitals compliance with the Church Amendments, a set of laws written to address health workers religious objections to reproductive rights. The law has never been used in the context of gender-affirming care for trans people. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today HHS is committed to enforcing Federal conscience laws in health care, said Paula M. Stannard, director of the departments Office for Civil Rights, in a statement announcing the investigation. Health care workers should be able to practice both their professions and their faith.HHS said the investigation of the University of Michiganis the third probe in a larger effort to strengthen enforcement of laws protecting conscience and religious exercise for medical providers. The Michigan probe follows a lawsuit filed by the nurses aide, Valerie Kloosterman, who claims she was compelled to pledge against her sincerely held religious convictions and her medical conscience, that she would speak biology-obscuring pronouns and make referrals for gender transition drugs and procedures. Her lawsuit was dismissed in 2024 and then appealed by Kloostermans counsel, the First Liberty Institute, which advocates for religious liberty plaintiffs. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit heard arguments in February and has yet to issue a decision.The second and third cases under review involve ultrasound technicians who refused to abet pregnancy terminiation procedures that were contrary to their religious beliefs or moral convictions, and a nurse who asked for a religious exemption to avoid administering puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children, according to HHS.The Church Amendments date to the 1970s and allow health care institutions and providers to refuse to participate in pregnancy termination or sterilization procedures.The new probes are the first time HHS has explicitly claimed the amendments allow providers to refuse gender-affirming care or to misgender patients, Elizabeth Sepper, a professor at the University of Texas (UT) who studies conscience laws, told Michigan Public for KFF News. Those laws primarily allow objections to performing abortions or sterilizations but dont apply to gender-affirming care, by their very own text, she said.Some of these also apply to end-of-life care and to physician aid in dying. So they have relatively narrow scope, Sepper said. They focus on a set of procedures. They dont allow health care providers or institutions to refuse to provide all kinds of care based on their religious or moral objections.The investigation sends a message that the administration will investigate or otherwise harass providers of gender-affirming care, even when that provision is legal in the states where they operate, said Sam Bagenstos, a general counsel at HHS during the Biden administration and a professor at the University of Michigan. This case is an extreme stretch of the conscience protections, and probably more than a stretch, he said.By taking up these investigations so publicly, UTs Sepper said, HHS is putting health systems in a very difficult situation. Antidiscrimination laws require them to treat transgender patients equally, she said, but now the administration is prioritizing employees that might want to make it more difficult for transgender patients to receive care.The new tactic, she added, is meant to offer red meat to the anti-LGBT rights movement, to tell them that HHS is squarely on their side. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

If you heard a collective splash on gay Instagram this week, that was the sound of everyone diving into Zac andDylan Efrons latest IG drops. Zac, 37, kicked things off with a carousel that opened on him shirtless at the helm of a speedboat, aviators on, arms flexing like its still Baywatch press-tour season. Swipe once and hes carving a perfect wake-surf line. Swipe again and you get him strolling the dock in nothing but board shorts and a strategically slung blue towel. Scroll to the end for an adorable sunset video with the bros trading cowboy hats.See on InstagramDylan, 33, answered with a slick montage set to Briscoes Easy Does It. Over the text prompt Describe summer in one word, the Traitors champ cannonballs off the deck, plays around with some handstands, and shares some dock time with his brother and longtime girlfriend Courtney King, whom he playfully tosses into the water. See on InstagramPredictably, comment sections became a parade of parched reactions. (@) Save a horse, ride Zac and Dylan Efron, claimed one user.Zac and Dylan Efron not at the same time bc theyre brothers but idk one can tag in while the other goes to the gym and vice versa idk, said another. (@) The Efrons have history here: Dylans infamous back arch photo sent Insta into meltdown last year, and Zac has done his own share to catch our attention. But this joint flex hits more wholesome, homosocial, and dripping with bro-bod glory.While we wait for another summer roundup, queue the screenshots, crack a seltzer, and remember hydration is a lifestyle, especially when two shirtless Efrons are out making waves.

Sometimes, fans celebrate queer love with open arms and wholeheartedly embrace new relationships without hesitation.Other times, it leaves us scratching our heads.Over the weekend, trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney and actor Joe Locke left fans in the latter category after posting a series of photos together on their Instagram feeds and stories.On the main feed, the photos that got everyone talking were of the two sitting together, Mulvaneys arm around Locke, looking very snuggly and giving major you cant sit with us vibes. The second photo showed the two playfully sticking out their tongues outside Camp Koko.Sporting Ray-Bans, the two were evidently there as part of Ray-Bans exclusive lunch at Camp Koko, where they were part of a number of celebrities in attendance.However, the caption stating, First couples shoot thank you for having us at camp koko, had everyone thinking Mulvaney and Locke used the event to announce their relationship.See on InstagramIn the comments, Locke responded, Hard launch.After that, Locke posted on his Instagram storyeach of them wearing completely different outfitsof him and Mulvaney sporting New home vibes in a tent, as they attended the Glastonbury Festival.In a roundup post of the event, Locke also proved that saying things like first couples shoot isnt completely out of his wheelhouse with people hes close to. See on InstagramIn his carousel, he included some photos of fellow Heartstopper star Tobie Donovan, one of which saw Locke kissing the top of Donovans head, and the other a photo Locke reposted on his story captioned, Boyfriend material.Regardless, the initial post by Mulvaney has sparked conversation.Are they legitimately dating or this a joke I cannot tell, commented one user.Some were in full support of the idea, regardless of its truthfulness.The most iconic and gorgeous duo!! said one user.Hard launch is right omg, said someone else.Another couldnt believe this was how they found out, emphatically wishing the two congratulations.Others, however, were not so supportive.Why is it giving mom & her gay son? someone asked.Many comments, which we will not share, bring up the idea of sexuality, saying that Mulvaney should be a lesbian and this relationship means Locke can no longer identify as a gay man.The latter issue, at least, has some defense to it, with one user reminding people that, Gay boys can be w trans women. Love is love, people. Love is love.The flood and commentsgood and badhave resulted in new comments on the posts being limited.PRIDE has reached out for comment but didnt hear back at the time of publication.

While the Materialists press tour seemed to be designed specifically for bisexuals, the Jurassic Park Rebirth press tour is all about Jonathan Bailey and his undeniable chemistry with literally everyone, and, of course, his slutty little glasses.Bailey may be gay in real life, but he has undeniable chemistry with his co-star Scarlett Johansson, and the two even made headlines for sharing two smooches on the red carpet.But it was Baileys slutty little glasses that really stole the show and the press tour got underway. The internet went into a frenzy when he wore a pair of tiny glasses in the trailer, and then he continued to rile everyone up by wearing different pairs during the press tour.When the film premiered in London, Bailey even told Entertainment Tonight, "I'm thrilled that people are, they're having a hormonal explosion linked to optical supports. But I think, yeah, glasses can go a long way, so let's have the summer of slutty little glasses.A summer of slutty little glasses? Were on board!Bailey isn't the only sexy cast member who knows how to smize at the camera. Mahershala Ali, Scarlett Johansson, and Rupert Friend all know how to work their angles.Is it our imagination or does it look liek Bailey and Friend want to devour each other?The iconic "slutty little glasses" in all their glory!The bisexuals are really winning with the palpable chemistry between Bailey and Johansson. Slutty glasses and a Friends fan? He really is the total package!We're starting to think Bailey should always wear glasses.Who knew a photo of someone fully clothed could make you blush?Just kiss already! Kidding, kidding...well, sort of.We know gray sweatpants are the sluttiest item of clothing a man can wear, but we nominate whatever those gray suit pants are!Never mind, this is the one that's making us blush from head to toe. He's looking right at us!Two people have never looked so good. Also, peep those pants again!Bailey and Ali looking so effortlessly cool.If you didn't already love Bailey, his wearing an Angels in America sweatshirt would seal the deal.Bailey managed to make the "Kubrick stare" just as sexy as his little glasses.The man knows how to fill out a suit!He even manages to have chemistry with the director, Gareth Edward.We love to see Bailey's playful side!Could he be any cuter?Everyone is now secretly hoping that Bailey looks at them the way he's looking at this reporter one dayOh and if you didn't already know, he can play the clarinet, too. Not a euphemism.See on Instagram

Nature, Published online: 02 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09204-7Escherichia coli uses curli fibres, oligomers of the functional amyloid CsgA, as a barrier to protect against the predatory bacteria Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus and Myxococcus xanthus in a mechanism that is independent of genes required for biofilm formation.

Nature, Published online: 02 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09220-7Stereoselective synthetic routes use P3HB (a polyester produced by bacteria) as a chiral feedstock for related polymers that have properties more amenable to processing and use.

Nature, Published online: 02 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09216-3Birds have an excellent ability to learn to discriminate harmless insects from those that they mimic on the basis of subtle differences in appearance.

Nature, Published online: 02 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09209-2A method based on boron-mediated assembly is described for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted alkenes, molecules with four substituents around the central C=C bond, with complete control over the double-bond geometry.

Nature, Published online: 02 July 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02103-xExperiments show some predators are easier to fool than others plus, the researchers who built a Stone Age canoe and took it out to sea.

Juventus have agreed a deal to sign Canada international Jonathan David on a free from Lille, sources have told ESPN.

Switzerland's temperatures skyrocketed, while Iceland's fans took center stage. Here's what you need to know from Wednesday's Euro 2025 action.

The cities of Cleveland and Detroit have pushed back at Sophie Cunningham after the Fever guard questioned the WNBA's plan to expand into those cities.

After being pushed to five sets in his opening match, two-time defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz enjoyed a more routine 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over British qualifier Oliver Tarvet on Wednesday.

The Seattle Storm will unveil a statue of former franchise star Sue Bird on August 17, making the four-time champion the first player to be honored with their own statue by a WNBA franchise.

Records show that a top U.S. regulator rejected the recommendations of agency experts and limited the use of Covid vaccines.

Several conservative House Republicans expressed grave reservations about changes the Senate made to the partys major policy bill, leaving its fate and the timing of any final vote uncertain.

Such a path could drastically raise the stakes for federal investigations of state or county officials, bringing the department and the threat of criminalization into the election system.

Companies are reporting a drop in business, reflecting the economic toll of the heat wave, which is lowering productivity and keeping shoppers at bay.

A plan by Oman is being closely watched by other governments in the region that are preparing for a future beyond oil.

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A Pride parade held at an IKEA is going viral on TikTok. The video, posted by user kenyavargas98, has gotten over a million likes so far. It shows people pushing small floats through an IKEA store while others cheered and Lady Gagas Born This Way plays. Related Twitter blows up after IKEA unveiled a shocking bisexual loveseat for Pride The couchs Nobody Believes You cushion raised eyebrows across the internet. came to IKEA and they had a Pride parade, the text over the video states. This caught me off guard yall, the person who uploaded the video wrote in the caption. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today @kenyavargas98 This caught me off guard yall #lgbt #pridemonth #glg #ikea #fyp #vibes #lovewins original sound KenyaVargas In the comments, Ikea Norways official account supported the parade: Were proud to stand for love, equality, and being who you are. Always. Other comments were also supportive. I never see you at parties I never see you at the ikea pride parade?? one wrote. damn bro. now I gotta go support IKEA, wrote another person. YAAAASSSSSS wrote Drag Race judge Michelle Visage. IKEAs support for Pride goes beyond this in-store parade. IKEA U.S. announced this year that it would support Pride festivities in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and the Twin Cities. They also announced that they would donate the revenue earned from the STORSTOMMAbag (up to $50,000) to the Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ crisis hotline.As a company who has always stood by the many, IKEA U.S. is proud to support and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and allies in their work to make meaningful and measurable change, an IKEA U.S. spokesperson said in a statement. Our ongoing partnership with organizations like Rainbow Railroad and the Trevor Project, whose life-changing work empowers and protects LGBTQIA+ individuals, allow us to support the cause in an authentic way that encourages folks to embrace their space and make a difference.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Is there anything Jonathan Bailey cant do? We know he can act, he can sing, he can dance, he can make literally every human swoon, and he can wear the hell out of a pair of slutty little glasses. Turns out he's a wiz on a woodwind too. Today, @ClassicFm released a video on Instagram of the Jurassic World: Rebirth star paying a visit to the famed Abbey Road Studios, where composer Alexandre Desplat was recording the score for the film with a 105-piece-strong orchestra. The actor has been performing music since he was five, and he played in an orchestra when he was 18. If you could have told me at that age that one day there was an opportunity to play with a 105-piece orchestra at Abbey Road with Alexandre Desplat conducting both the John Williams score and also his own incredible original score, I would not quite believe it, said Bailey in the video. Initially, the actor was there just to sit in on the session, but Desplat invited him to play the clarinet solo for his character, as well. Bailey, initially surprised, put his lips to the instrument and proceeded to blow everyone away. That was a highlight, a highlight of my life, Bailey added. Can this man be any more charming? Every time we think hes peaked, he finds a new way to make us absolutely adore him. What he recorded that day is the version that appears in the film. Watch the video below. See on InstagramJurassic World: Rebirth opens in theaters today.

In a dazzling twist thats sure to make history buffs and LGBTQ+ voters perk up, out gay Democrat Pete Buttigieg has emerged as the early frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, according to a new poll from Emerson College. If the momentum holds, Buttigieg could become the first openly gay major-party presidential nominee in U.S. history. (Yes, you read that right.)The poll, conducted June 2425, asked likely Democratic voters to look ahead and pick their top choice for the partys next presidential candidate. Buttigieg, the former Secretary of Transportation and ex-mayor of South Bend, Indiana, topped the list with 16% support edging out some of the Democratic Partys biggest names and brightest stars.Trailing just behind him: Vice President and 2024 nominee Kamala Harris at 13%, California Governor Gavin Newsom at 12%, and both Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro tied at 7%. Meanwhile, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (who some speculate could still mount another campaign at age 87) and a handful of other notable Democrats rounded out the rest of the field.Still, the most popular response? Undecided, with a whopping 23% of respondents unsure who should lead the ticket.A Groundbreaking Candidacy with Serious MomentumButtigieg made history in 2020 as the first openly gay person confirmed to a Cabinet position, serving under President Joe Biden as Secretary of Transportation. His presence in the Biden administration and his previous groundbreaking 2020 presidential campaignhas made him a rising star in progressive and centrist circles alike.Now, it seems Democratic voters are ready for more Mayor Pete. And should he clinch the nomination, hed break through one of the last glass ceilings in American politics: becoming the first openly gay presidential nominee of a major political party.Talk about redefining the straight path to the White House.Over on the GOP SideMeanwhile, in Republican-land, the Emerson poll showed a very different frontrunner: Vice President J.D. Vance. The once-best-selling author turned MAGA loyalist took a commanding 46% of GOP support. Vance was miles ahead of his closest rival, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who mustered just 12%.Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said Vance has solidified himself as the frontrunner in the 2028 nomination contest, especially among male GOP voters and those over 60. Its a stark reflection of the partys current direction and a potential showdown in the making for 2028.What About Trump?For the first time this year, the Emerson poll recorded a net negative approval rating for former President Donald Trump. Forty-six percent of respondents disapproved of the job hes doing, while 45% approved. Its a statistical squeaker, but notable given Trumps longstanding dominance among GOP voters.And looking even closer to the horizon, the 2026 midterms are showing early signs of a Democratic edge. Emersons numbers suggest independents are currently favoring Democrats over Republicans 37% to 27%, though a hefty 36% of independents are still undecided.Queer Futures on the BallotFor LGBTQ+ Americans, Buttigiegs strong showing in this early polling isnt just a political footnote its a cultural milestone. His rise comes amid ongoing political attacks on queer communities, including legislation targeting trans rights, drag performers, and inclusive education.If theres ever been a time for queer leadership in American politics, its now. And voters, it seems, are taking notice.So, while 2028 may still be three years away, one things for sure: Pete Buttigiegs political star is shining brighter than ever and if the polls are any indication, the road to the White House might just be rainbow-paved.Source

Nature, Published online: 02 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09223-4A study using Arabidopsis shows that plants can monitor the integrity of their outer barriers by sensing gas diffusion, enabling them to initiate wound repair to prevent water loss and pathogen entry.

Nature, Published online: 02 July 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02049-0The periderm layers of plants form an outer protective barrier. If the periderm is broken, movement of the gases ethylene and oxygen triggers a healing process.

Nature, Published online: 02 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09211-8A stereotaxic atlas of the whole mouse brain, based on a Nissl-stained cytoarchitecture dataset with isotropic 1-m resolution, achieved through continuous micro-optical sectioning tomography, promises to be a versatile brainsmatics tool for studying the whole brain at single-cell level.

Nature, Published online: 02 July 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02105-9Research gives specific advice for conversations about vaccine hesitancy.

Nature, Published online: 02 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09195-5Whole-genome sequencing of an ancient male Egyptian revealed a mixture of North African Neolithic and eastern Fertile Crescent ancestry, suggesting human migration between Egypt and Mesopotamia by the Old Kingdom period.

Grizzlies All-Star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. is recovering from surgery for a turf toe injury and will be reevaluated in about 12 weeks, the team announced.

Alabama beat Auburn, Colorado, Florida and Georgia to a top in-state target as four-star wide receiver Cederian Morgan (No. 47 in the 2026 ESPN 300) announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide.

Free agent guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who averaged 11.0 points for the Mavericks last season, has agreed to a one-year deal with the Hornets, sources told ESPN.

The NBA has adjusted all-time wins leader Gregg Popovich's career record as coach of the Spurs, removing the 77 games that he missed last season and crediting those wins and losses to Mitch Johnson.