Sugar in Space, Data Center Pause, & Santa Conference

News without the noise

Adam Rogers
July 15, 2026

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Astronomers have detected erythrulose, a naturally occurring sugar found in raspberries and used in some self-tanning products, inside a giant molecular cloud near the center of the Milky Way. It is one of the most complex sugars ever identified in interstellar space.
Although living organisms do not use erythrulose itself, it can readily transform into related sugars thought to play a role in prebiotic chemistry. Researchers identified the molecule by matching radio telescope observations from Spain with laboratory measurements.
The discovery strengthens evidence that many of life's chemical ingredients may form naturally in space before planets develop, supporting the idea that the raw materials needed for life could be widespread throughout the galaxy.

New York became the first U.S. state to impose a moratorium on new large-scale data centers after Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered a one-year pause on permits for "hyperscale" facilities used to power artificial intelligence. The order applies to proposed centers with more than 50 megawatts of electrical capacity.
During the pause, state regulators will develop new standards addressing energy demand, water use, environmental impacts, and electricity costs. Hochul said the move is intended to protect residents as AI-driven data centers place growing demands on public infrastructure.
Data center expansion is being resisted nationwide. More than a dozen states have considered similar moratoriums, while local governments in California and Seattle have recently adopted temporary restrictions amid concerns over utility bills and environmental impacts.

President Donald Trump signed proclamations this week reducing the size of Utah's Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments by about 90%, shrinking the protected area from roughly 5,000 square miles to about 470 square miles. The monuments contain Native American cultural sites, scenic landscapes, and deposits of coal and uranium.
Supporters, including Utah officials, said the previous monument boundaries were too expansive and restricted mining, energy development and other land uses. Tribal leaders and conservation groups condemned the move, saying it threatens sacred cultural sites and protected public lands.
The reductions revive a long-running legal and political battle over presidential authority under the Antiquities Act, which allows presidents to create national monuments but does not explicitly address whether later presidents can shrink them. Trump's first-term reductions were overturned before courts ruled on that question, making new legal challenges likely.

Senate Democrats blocked a defense policy bill, arguing Congress should not advance it while President Trump expands U.S. military action against Iran without authorization. (More)

ICE temporarily suspended most vehicle stops after two fatal shootings involving agents in Maine and Texas, pending new officer training. (More)

Lake Powell has dropped to just 34 feet above its minimum hydropower level as record-low snowpack continues to strain the Colorado River Basin. (More)

U.S. forces struck Iranian targets and resumed a naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz after the collapse of last month's ceasefire. (More)

An American aid worker infected with Ebola in Congo was flown to Germany for treatment as the U.S. temporarily barred travelers recently in the country from commercial flights home. (More)

U.K. counterterrorism police are investigating the killing of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe, calling it a "brutal" and "targeted" attack. (More)

U.S. stock markets closed higher on Tuesday (S&P +0.38%, Nasdaq +0.90%, Dow +0.02%) as semiconductor stocks boosted overall market levels. (More)

U.S. consumer prices posted their biggest monthly decline in more than six years in June as falling energy costs cooled inflation, with the annual rate dropping to 3.5%. (More)

IBM shares plunged 23% after the company reported preliminary quarterly results that missed expectations, citing weaker software and infrastructure sales. (More)

Spain advanced to the World Cup final with a 2-0 win over France, ending the defending finalists' bid for a third consecutive championship appearance. (More)

The American League defeated the National League 4-0 in the MLB All-Star Game behind a dominant pitching performance and MVP Cody Bellinger. (More)

Tadej Pogačar tightened his grip on a third straight Tour de France title by winning Stage 10, extending his overall lead after pulling away on the final major climb. (More)

A new study suggests people choose friends based not just on shared interests, but also on traits that helped humans survive during our evolutionary past. (More)

Archaeologists identified the first known named Maya astronomer and mathematician after deciphering ancient wall inscriptions in Guatemala. (More)

A 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton sold for a record $50.1 million at Sotheby's, becoming the most expensive dinosaur ever auctioned. (More)

The World Santa Conference is in…July?

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