## Why it feels good to scratch that itch: the immune benefits of scratching

Authored by nature.com

Itchy-scratchy: experiments show that there are benefits to scratching ― although it can also aggravate skin disease.

Scratching a mosquito bite can offer a moment of bliss, and now scientists know why: scratching activates an immune response that helps to protect the skin against harmful infections, at least in mice.

The findings could also explain why people find a good scratch satisfying.

Almost all animals scratch, even though scratching too much can damage the skin.

When control mice scratched, their ears swelled up and became full of neutrophils, a type of immune cell.

To learn more about what happens after scratching, the scientists studied ordinary mice that were allowed to scratch their itchy ears.

The authors’ work revealed that mast cells can also be turned on indirectly, by scratching and the sequence of steps it initiates. »

### Trudeau announces 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods starting Tuesday

Authored by edmonton.citynews.ca

Canada will impose 25 per cent immediate retaliatory tariffs on American goods worth $30 billion starting Tuesday in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s move to slap Canada with similar devastating duties.

Trudeau’s announcement comes just hours after Trump slapped Canada with 25 per cent tariffs on all goods and 10 per cent tariffs on oil, natural gas and electricity, also scheduled to take effect on Tuesday.

Trudeau did not answer whether Canada would consider cutting energy supplies to the United States in the face of 25 per cent tariffs. »

### After Trump tariffs, Trudeau reveals $155B counter-tariffs on U.S. - National

Authored by globalnews.ca

Asking Canadians to stand in solidarity with each other, Trudeau said, “In this moment, we must pull together.”.

On Saturday, Trudeau chaired a cabinet meeting and hosted a virtual meeting with the provincial and territorial premiers.

Trump said he was imposing tariffs because of “the major threat” of fentanyl crossing into the United States. »

### 'Absolutely Disgusting': Aldi Employees' Refusal To Accept $2 Bills Irks Monticello Customer

Authored by dailyvoice.com

Yes No Submit Vote View Results Current Results Should businesses be required to accept legal US currency, including $2 bills?

A New York man claims that cashiers at an Aldi store refused to accept his $2 bills, believing them to be counterfeit.

Despite explaining that the bills were obtained from a local bank, both cashiers dismissed them as funny money, Steger said. »

### Fallout: New Vegas’s lead writer has re-joined Obsidian, but insists it’s not for a sequel

Authored by videogameschronicle.com

The lead writer of Fallout: New Vegas has returned to developer Obsidian, after 14 years away from the company.

John Gonzalez announced the news on his LinkedIn profile this week, confirming he’s taken up the role of creative director.

After his previous stint at Obsidian in 2008 – 2011, Gonzalez was notably a writer for Monolith’s Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, the lead writer for Guerrilla’s Horizon: Zero Dawn, and narrative director for its sequel Forbidden West. »

## In pictures

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