Death toll rises in Swiss bar fire as investigations continue; research highlights fungal solution to bark beetle infestations.
The death toll from the New Year's Day fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, rose to 41 after an 18-year-old Swiss national died from injuries sustained in the blaze, multiple news sources reported. Meanwhile, researchers at the Max Planck Institute discovered that specific strains of the fungus Beauveria bassiana can effectively combat climate change-driven bark beetle infestations.
Investigations into the Swiss bar fire suggested that sparkling candles ignited the blaze, according to NPR Politics. Authorities are examining potential safety regulation violations and have opened a criminal investigation into the bar owners, one of whom was briefly detained.
In other news, multiple sources highlighted a promising fungal solution to climate change-driven bark beetle infestations. Ars Technica reported that the fungus Beauveria bassiana can circumvent the beetles' defenses derived from phenolic compounds in spruce trees. This offers a potential alternative to traditional insecticides for managing these pests. Nature News added that the fungal strains overcome the beetles' defenses, offering a potential alternative to traditional insecticides.
Several other developments were also reported across multiple news outlets. Concerns were raised about potential political interference in NIH appointments, according to NPR News and Nature News. Asda is facing challenges with declining sales, as reported by Nature News and NPR News. A secret warehouse containing 450,000 archaeological objects unearthed during HS2 railway construction promises new insights into British history, according to Nature News. Regulatory hurdles for the hemp industry due to THC distinctions, an intensifying divide regarding transgender rights in the U.S., and a federal judge condemning the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics were also reported by NPR News.
Time magazine reported on a 2025 study from JAMA Oncology that found nearly 53% of Americans do not know whether alcohol has any link to cancer at all. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists seven cancers whose incidence is known to be increased by alcohol: cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, liver, colon and rectum, and breast. According to a 2025 report by the U.S. Surgeon Generals office, citing a 2019 study, less than half of Americans recognize alcohol as a carcinogencompared to 91 for radiation and 89 for tobacco.
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