Neil Bluhm has pledged $50 million to Northwestern Medicine to expand cardiac research, recruit doctors and boost inpatient capacity as the system plans a new Streeterville tower.

Spot and options‑based XRP ETFs moved from filings to live products last fall, and Bay Area investors and fintech firms are now weighing income plays and custody implications. The wave reshapes how XRP is accessed through regulated markets.

A UH-led global study maps zoantharians and finds weak genetic differences across oceans; researchers warn these reef relatives can displace corals in stressed habitats.

A Cook County judge certified a BIPA class against Apple over Siri voiceprints, potentially including millions of Illinois users and raising high-dollar privacy questions.

A Scripps diver filmed a rare prickly shark at La Jolla Cove during a night research dive. The footage highlights the shark’s thorny skin and posterior fins.

UT Arlington opened a Center for Space Physics and Data Science backed by a $1.5M NSF award; the center adds a bachelor’s and a fast‑track master’s and links students to the region’s aerospace employers.

Two San Diego startups and Kratos SRE made the Pentagon’s Gauntlet shortlist. The trials begin next week and could lead to sizable prototype orders.

Pitt researchers identified hypothalamic enzymes FAK and PYK2 that restored leptin response in mice, producing major fat loss while preserving muscle — a potential new drug target.

Culver City‑based ImmunityBio jumped after recent regulatory nods abroad and a productive FDA meeting, boosting sales figures and analyst interest. The company is now pushing to turn approvals into global distribution.

Federal and UK cyber agencies warn that unsupported routers, firewalls and VPNs are being targeted by nation‑state actors. Local IT teams should inventory, patch or replace at‑risk gear.

Former WBIR anchor Abby Ham says sexually explicit deepfakes of her surfaced online. Experts and regulators say the problem is escalating and legal tools are being updated.

Halozyme raised 2026 guidance and acquired two hyperconcentration firms, projecting faster royalty growth and several clinic starts that could reshape local drug‑delivery work.

Researchers found airline and hotel loyalty accounts being traded on dark‑web forums, sometimes for pennies. Experts urge unique passwords, MFA and close account checks.