A Sense of Doubt blog post #4121 - Star Trek Ends Streaming

Star Fleet Academy - Lura Thok

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4121 - Star Trek Ends Streaming

New shows, that is.

I hope they do not remove the other shows from the platform as I haven't watched them all.

That's all today!

Thanks for tuning in.

Paramount+ Is Dismantling Star Trek After a Historic 9-Year Streaming Run

https://www.cbr.com/paramount-dismantling-star-trek-historic-9-year-streaming-run/

By George Chrysostomou

Published Mar 25, 2026, 11:57 AM EDT

Star Trek has had a challenging history with contemporary audiences. Because it has not been able to reach the heights of popularity that it once held due to those early seasons. The new wave of Star Trek movies went a long way in taking the franchise into the mainstream, and for a time, it looked as if the series was going to go down this rebranded route for the long-term.

As fans know, that didn't end up coming to fruition, and although there are always discussions about returning to the Star Trek film universe for future outings, right now, those projects have been put on pause. It ultimately didn't matter because Star Trek fans were satisfied with a new structure of programming that seemed to finally promise that the franchise was here to stay. Shockingly, for the first time in nearly a decade, that status now looks uncertain.

Star Trek Made A Triumphant Comeback To TV

Back in 2017, a major moment in Star Trek history occurred. Star Trek: Discovery was commissioned, a series that promised to take its viewers to new worlds alongside a debuting crew of diverse characters. It was a show that paid homage to the golden age of Star Trek lore but boldly went where the series hadn't gone in quite a while: to new territory.

Star Trek: Discovery was designed to be a franchise-builder, away from the recent movie run and in line with a whole host of concept ideas on how to further add to this universe. Star Trek: Discovery's early success was enough to move forward with some of those spinoffs, and thus, a new era of Star Trek mythology was born.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is directly tied to its predecessor, but it was much bolder with its narrative design. The showrunners took bigger risks, resulting in increased ratings and a more positive critical consensus. The franchise also began to recast early characters like Spock, who had already made such an impact. It was time to refresh the franchise, and that's where unusual ideas came to the forefront.

A show like Star Trek: Lower Decks, for instance, would never have been commissioned over a decade ago. An animated adult comedy set in the Star Trek world didn't feel like a natural next step, and yet it absolutely thrived. Introducing a crew so popular that fans demanded to see them in live-action, Star Trek: Lower Decks was able to play with the franchise format in a meta way.

It poked fun at what had come before, creating a new legacy in the process. This sparked other unusual crossovers, supporting this shared universe approach to the material. But to move forward, the series also had to look back. Star Trek still needed to appease fans from prior years, and that's where a show like Picard comes into play.

This was a chance to tell new stories with a fan favorite character, and although the early seasons weren't quite as high-quality as expected, later into the run, Picard really earned its comeback. Throughout these 9 years, there was a robust array of Star Trek projects in the works, each offering something unconventional in a niche area of the franchise. At a certain stage, it all went wrong, leading to this new era of uncertainty.

For The First Time In 9 Years, There Are No Shows In Development

Some of the shows mentioned above came to an end in a natural way. They had reached their narrative conclusions, and while they could have been dragged out longer, it was best for all involved to end on a high note. That's natural and a sign of the TV scape working. Because there was always a new Star Trek series to take the last one's place.

Fans had gone years without any new stories told within this world, at least on the small screen. Suddenly, they were met with a vast array of exciting possibilities across the whole timeline. While the likes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks might have grabbed headlines, the franchise did begin to over-extend itself.

Star Trek: Prodigy was a kids-focused series positioned to be Star Trek's answer to the likes of Star Wars Resistance. While entertaining in its own right, it never quite found its audience. Parents attempted to get their kids to engage in the saga they loved so much, but there wasn't anything groundbreaking about the adventure show and its unusual animation style. Thus, it was canceled after 2 seasons.

Then, there was the bold decision to go back to a cinematic format, this time with a straight-to-streaming movie starring Michelle Yeoh. Star Trek: Section 31 was deliberately designed as a spin-off of Discovery. It should have been the culmination of this era and a promise for more cinematic events just like it. Unfortunately, fans failed to connect with this story.

While Star Trek: Section 31 boasted some potential, it simply wasn't good enough to sustain its footing. The film faded into the background and made Paramount uneasy about future commissions of that nature. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is the final nail in that coffin. Because the series was promised to be the future of the franchise, literally training the next wave of recruits who may star in adventures for decades to come.

With a falling viewership and the fan base losing interest in what many saw as a teen-focused lens to the material, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy was canceled despite glowing reviews. So, for the first time in 9 years, there are no Star Trek shows currently airing and the plans for the future are in doubt.

The Franchise Failed To Create New Fans

Now, it should be noted that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will return in 2026 for its fourth season. However, this will not be the final season of the show, with another one already commissioned. Paramount is dead set on wrapping up the series soon thereafter, meaning there will be a major gap in the calendar.

Outside of this, there is little movement on other potential projects. A rumored animated series is now unlikely to go ahead, while there is no confirmation of other Star Trek: Strange New Worlds spin-offs gaining a backdoor pilot in the latest series. Equally, despite discussions of a return to the "Kelvin Timeline" movie universe, there is also significant doubt about whether this will go ahead as planned.

This puts fans in a dilemma. While they must support any new seasons of Star Trek that debut in the coming years, what's more important is spreading the message around this franchise. Because there is an evidential shift for Paramount away from multiple seasons of Star Trek every year, perhaps towards a more focused outreach. Paramount might even be keen to give the franchise a break altogether.

The reason that Paramount has moved away from this franchise as a brand builder is that it is an unreliable source of future growth. Star Trek has been unable to create new fans, at least, not on a grand scale. Many of the series that have been released thus far have pulled in those who fell in love with the show back in the day.

Those who did sign up for these new adventures haven't been convinced to tune in for every spin-off. The result is that Paramount has stretched the franchise without being able to capture a mainstream audience with many of its projects. This is a major shift in strategy for the brand and one that may only get worse in the coming years.

Paramount is now acquiring Warner Bros. and everything that the movie company has in its archives. With franchises like Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings and Looney Tunes in its back pocket, Star Trek doesn't need to be the hero series that Paramount must rely upon for much longer.

Star Trek could not sustain cultural relevance quite like those other brands when it was constantly producing television. Maybe with a reduced model, there is hope to rebuild.

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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2605.30 - 10:10

- Days ago: MOM = 3985 days ago & DAD = 639 days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4120 - Can black cumin lower cholesterol?

Black cumin seeds, also known as nigella or kalonji, are commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking.

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4120 - Can black cumin lower cholesterol?

Just this share.

Always looking for ways to be healthy.

Thanks for tuning in.

The lesser-known spice that can help reduce cholesterol

This spice has been linked to improved cholesterol levels – and it's easy to add to everyday meals.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/article/spice-cholesterol-health-black-cumin-152428729.html

Emma Clarke, Contributor

Updated Thu, April 2, 2026 at 6:32 AM PDT

3 min read

Cholesterol is something many of us hear about, but it can be easy to overlook. While it’s essential for building cells and producing hormones, having too much of the “bad” kind (LDL) can increase your risk of serious health problems.

High cholesterol is linked to one in five cardiovascular disease deaths in the UK, according to the British Heart Foundation. Despite this, more than half of UK adults are thought to have levels above recommended guidelines.

The good news is, small changes to your diet could help. One ingredient that’s been getting attention is black cumin – also known as nigella seeds or kalonji – which is a staple in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking.

A 2025 clinical trial by Osaka Metropolitan University found that people who ate around a tablespoon of black cumin seed powder daily for eight weeks saw improvements in their cholesterol levels – including lower LDL and higher “good” HDL.

"This study strongly suggests that black cumin seeds are useful as a functional food for preventing obesity and lifestyle-related diseases," Professor Kojima–Yuasa said. "It was so gratifying to see black cumin comprehensively demonstrate actual, demonstrable blood lipid-lowering effects in a human trial."

While more research is needed, the findings suggest this humble cupboard ingredient could play a role in supporting heart health, and it’s easy to add to everyday meals, from curries to roasted veg.

6 other benefits of black cumin

Blue nigella sativa flowers are where black cumin seeds come from before they’re harvested and dried.

1. Full of antioxidants

Studies have shown that black cumin is packed with antioxidants, which can help protect your body from free radical cell damage.

2. Has anti-inflammatory effects

Black cumin has also been noted for its anti-inflammatory properties, which could help to alleviate skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne. There has also been research into the effects of black cumin on the management of chronic conditions, such as asthma, and on wound healing.

3. Antibacterial qualities

Additional studies have shown that black cumin boosts significant antibacterial properties, including activity against certain bacteria. This could help boost the immune system and fight off diseases and viruses.

4. May help protect the liver

Black cumin seeds have previously been used to treat liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver and chronic hepatitis C. While more evidence is needed to support this link, there has been no evidence to suggest that black cumin has worsened liver diseases during treatment.

Some studies suggest black cumin may help protect the stomach lining and support digestive health.

5. Could help prevent stomach ulcers

Sometimes, when stomach acid eats away at the protective layer of mucus that lines the stomach, ulcers are formed – and they can be incredibly painful. A 2023 review found trials based on animal research showed that nigella seeds could help preserve the stomach lining, and, therefore, prevent ulcers.

6. Help with blood sugar levels

There has also been some research into the link between black cumin seeds and blood sugar levels, with a clinical review finding that the spice may improve both blood sugar and insulin levels during fasting and after a meal.

How to use black cumin seeds at home

Adding black cumin to your diet doesn’t have to be complicated – a little goes a long way.

• Sprinkle over roasted vegetables like carrots, cauliflower or potatoes

• Stir into curries, stews or lentil dishes for extra depth of flavour

• Add to flatbreads or naan dough before baking

• Toss through salads or grain bowls for a peppery crunch

• Lightly toast and sprinkle over soups or dips

• Mix into yoghurt or drizzle over hummus

• Add a pinch to smoothies or porridge for a subtle boost

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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2605.29 - 10:10

- Days ago: MOM = 3984 days ago & DAD = 638 days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4119 - Letter to Dad #37 and the Black Hole Paradox

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4119 - Letter to Dad #37 and the Black Hole Paradox

Hey Big Guy, I am breaking my trend of posting old pictures for this week at least.

First week of the last quarter of my academic study, so I fell a little behind on the blog.

Though school officially started Monday, I was unmotivated to start my homework, even though it was all due Wednesday. I needed another partial day of reading comics, and it was a holiday, so that's what I did.

I easily finished my homework and have been doing all the other things I need to do.

I have some homework to do today, which is tomorrow, Friday in reality, as I publish this back one day. Remember, I mentioned being behind.

So today, I am sharing with you an article I know you would have liked.

Check out this last sentence: "it may point to new physics beyond the standard cosmological model.”

NEW PHYSICS???

I like the sound of that.

More next week, Dad.

Love,

christopher

Scientists Just Confirmed One of the Greatest Mysteries of Our Universe. Now What?

Darren Orf

Thu, April 16, 2026 at 5:30 AM PDT

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/scientists-just-confirmed-one-greatest-123000771.html

Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story:

• Scientists rely on two methods to measure the expansion of the universe: extrapolating from Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation, and making direct astronomical measurements.

• The mismatch between the results of these two methods has created what’s known as the Hubble tension, which suggests that there’s a missing piece in the standard model of cosmology.

• An international collaboration has created the most accurate astronomical observation of the Hubble constant to date, once again confirming that the tension is more than observational error.

Humanity’s understanding of the universe gradually came into focus over the course of millennia. But things really became clear in the 1920s when American astronomer Edwin Hubble discovered the first galaxy beyond our own, and with it, the fact that our universe was actually expanding (as evidenced by studying the “redshift” of distant galaxies). It wasn’t until the late 1990s that by studying Type Ia Supernovae—which serve as a type of “standard candle,” thanks to their consistent peak luminosity—scientists discovered the universe wasn’t just expanding, but accelerating.

However, nailing down the universe’s exact expansion rate (known as the Hubble constant, or H₀) hasn’t been easy. Today scientists rely on two methods. The first is late-universe observation (or observation of the universe as we see it today), which builds a “cosmic distance ladder” to measure large distances by connecting smaller ones and using consistent celestial objects or events to calibrate those measurements. The second is early-universe observation (or observation of the universe as it looked shortly after the Big Bang), which uses the standard model to deduce expansion rates from the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). Unfortunately, these two methods yield different expansion rates: late-universe observations produce a Hubble constant of about 73 kilometers per second per megaparsec (km/s/Mpc), while early-universe observations produce a value of about 67 km/s/Mpc. This difference is known as the Hubble Tension, and it’s a fundamental mismatch between what we expect (from calculations made using the standard model) versus what we see.

Now, an international scientific collaboration has conducted precision astronomy to produce the most accurate measurement of the expansion rate yet. The team, led by the H0 Distance Network (H0DN) Collaboration, published a paper in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics arguing that the universe is indeed expanding at 73.50 ± 0.81 km/s/Mpc—a measurement completed with a margin of error of less than 1 percent. The team relied on data from a global network of observatories, including the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile and NSF Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona. Instead of relying on just supernovae to make their measurements, scientists created a “distance network” using several overlapping methods to ensure accuracy, including Cepheid variable stars (also used by Hubble back in the day), red giant stars, and certain luminous galaxies. By using multiple methods, scientists were able to determine that when they removed one individual technique from the analysis, the results remained almost unchanged and consistent with one another. This further suggests that the Hubble tension is far from a measurement fluke.

“The power of this work is that it doesn’t depend on any single method,” coauthor Adam Riess, from Johns Hopkins University, told NASA. “When multiple, independent measurements all point to the same answer, it strengthens the case that we’re seeing a real feature of the universe, not a flaw in one technique. Right now, those measurements suggest the universe today is expanding faster than we would expect based on how it looked shortly after the Big Bang.”

The H0DN collaboration also made their data publicly available, so future studies can improve upon this precise measurement. This will be especially important as data streams in from new space-based observatories like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope—an infrared observatory launching in 2027 that will investigate not only cosmic distance, but dark energy, dark matter, and exoplanets.

Of course, this new result doesn’t resolve the decades-long Hubble tension. But it does reinforce the idea that the tension is very real, and that there must be something we’re missing in our current understanding of the universe. That’s because early-universe predictions don’t account fully for dark energy, new particles, or modifications to gravity, according to NSF’s NOIRLab (a member of the H0DN collaboration). As a result, extrapolation from the CMB to our modern universe would be impacted by those unknown omissions.

“This work effectively rules out explanations of the Hubble tension that rely on a single overlooked error in local distance measurements,” the authors wrote. “If the tension is real, as the growing body of evidence suggests, it may point to new physics beyond the standard cosmological model.”

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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2605.28 - 10:10

- Days ago: MOM = 3983 days ago & DAD = 637 days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.