Since the Big Bang, the early universe has contained hydrogen, helium, and a minimal amount of lithium. Heavier elements, such as iron, were formed within stars. Yet, one of astrophysics’ greatest enigmas is how the first elements heavier than iron, like gold, were created and dispersed throughout the cosmos. A recent study by astronomers at Columbia University and other institutions suggests that a single flare from a magnetar could generate 27 equivalent masses of these elements simultaneously.
Impressions of Magnetar artists. Image credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/S. Wesinger.
For decades, astronomers have theorized about the origins of some of nature’s heaviest elements, like gold, uranium, and platinum.
However, a fresh examination of older archival data indicates that up to 10% of these heavy elements in the Milky Way may originate from the emissions of highly magnetized neutron stars, known as magnetars.
“Until recently, astronomers largely overlooked the role that magnetars, the remnants of supernovae, might play in the formation of early galaxies,” remarked Todd Thompson, a professor at Ohio State University.
“Neutron stars are incredibly unique, dense objects known for their large size and strong magnetic fields. They are similar to black holes but not quite the same.”
The origin of heavy elements has long been a mystery, but scientists have understood that these elements can only form under specific conditions through a process known as the R process (or rapid neutron capture process).
This process was observed in 2017 when astronomers detected a collision between two super-dense neutron stars.
This event was captured using NASA telescopes and the LIGO gravitational wave observatory, providing the first direct evidence that heavy metals can be produced by celestial phenomena.
However, subsequent evidence suggests that neutron star collisions may not form heavy elements swiftly in the early universe, indicating that additional mechanisms might be necessary to account for all these elements.
Based on these insights, Professor Thompson and his colleagues realized that powerful magnetar flares could act as significant ejectors of heavy elements. This conclusion was validated by the observation of the SGR 1806-20 magnetar flare that occurred 20 years ago.
By analyzing this flare event, the researchers found that the radioactive decay of the newly formed elements aligns with theoretical predictions concerning the timing and energy released by magnetar flares after ejecting heavy R-process elements.
“This is the second time we’ve observed direct evidence of where these elements are produced, first linked to neutron star mergers,” stated Professor Brian Metzger from Columbia University.
“This marks a significant advancement in our understanding of heavy element production.”
“We are based at Columbia University,” mentioned Anildo Patel, a doctoral candidate at the institution.
The researchers also theorized that magnetar flares generate heavy cosmic rays and very fast particles, the origins of which remain unclear.
“I am always excited by new ideas about how systems and discoveries in space operate,” said Professor Thompson.
“That’s why seeing results like this is so thrilling.”
The team’s paper was published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
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Anirudh Patel et al. 2025. Direct evidence for R-process nuclear synthesis in delayed MeV radiation from SGR 1806-20 magnetar giant flares. ApJL 984, L29; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ADC9B0
Humans have visually documented around 1,470 square miles of the ocean floor, which represents only 0.001%. As per recent research. This area is slightly larger than Rhode Island.
The report, released on Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, raises questions about whether the nation will pursue underwater mining for essential minerals.
Some researchers argue that our knowledge about the seabed is limited, suggesting that more exploration is necessary to responsibly advance extraction efforts.
“More information is always beneficial for making informed decisions,” said Katie Krovbell, a deep-sea explorer and founder of the Ocean Discovery League, a nonprofit focused on seabed exploration.
Understanding the deep sea is crucial for grasping how climate change and human actions impact the ocean, she mentioned. Nonetheless, the study also emphasizes the fundamental excitement that motivates many marine scientists.
“Just think about what lies in the remaining 99.999%,” Dr. Bell commented.
Visual documentation efforts began in 1958 with the deep-sea Trieste. Images collected since then have led biologists to discover new species and understand their interactions within marine ecosystems.
Studying deep-sea organisms on the surface is challenging, as few, if any, are adapted to high-pressure environments. Hence, photos and videos are invaluable.
“Certain habitats cannot be sampled from ships,” said Craig McClain, a marine biologist at the University of Louisiana who was not part of the study. “You need to utilize ROVs for that,” he added.
Visualizing the seafloor is also beneficial for geologists. Prior to the advent of remotely operated vehicles and crewed submersibles, researchers had to drag heavy buckets from their ships to see what they contained.
“They will just handle rocks without context,” stated Emily Chin, a geologist at the Institute of Oceanography, who was not involved in the current study. “It’s akin to studying meteors and attempting to understand another planet’s processes.”
By analyzing rock formations on the seabed through photos and videos, scientists gain insights into basic Earth processes. This knowledge also aids businesses in evaluating potential mining and oil and gas sites.
However, accessing the ocean floor is costly in both financial and temporal aspects. Dr. Bell mentioned that exploring a one-square-kilometer area of the deep seabed could cost between $2 million and $20 million. Planning can take years, while things can go wrong in a matter of hours. During a dive, progress is slow, and ROVs tethered to the ship have limited operational ranges, making repositioning tedious.
Given numerous obstacles, Dr. Bell sought to determine how much of the seafloor had been observed and documented.
Dr. Bell and her team compiled records from over 43,000 deep-sea dives, assessed the resulting images, and estimated the extent of the areas documented.
They estimated that 2,130-3,823 square kilometers of the deep seabed have been imaged, equating to about 0.001% of the total seabed.
“I anticipated the figure would be small, but I didn’t expect it to be quite so limited,” Dr. Bell remarked. “We’ve been conducting these efforts for nearly 70 years.”
The study excluded dives in regions where data isn’t publicly accessible, such as military operations and oil exploration. Even if additional documented areas are included, Dr. Bell expressed, “I doubt it would significantly change the current understanding.”
Much of what marine biologists know about the deep seabed is derived from limited areas. The authors argue that this situation mirrors extrapolating data from a smaller area than Houston to represent the entire planet’s land surface.
The survey also indicated that high-income nations conduct 99.7% of all deep-sea dives, led by the US, Japan, and New Zealand. Most dives occur within 200 nautical miles of these countries. This means that the focus of exploration might skew the representation of the studied marine environments.
“Many experts around the globe possess deep ocean knowledge,” Dr. Bell stated. “However, they lack the necessary tools to perform the research and exploration they aspire to.”
The findings reveal that dives are often concentrated in specific areas, such as the Mariana Trench and Monterey Canyon, focusing on similar features like hydrothermal vents. Since the 1980s, most deep dives have been in shallower coastal waters, leaving vast expanses of the deep ocean uncharted.
“This study provides a valuable overview of our current status and emphasizes where we still need to explore in the deep sea,” Dr. McClain noted.
OpenAI announced late Wednesday that it has appointed Fidji Simo, the former CEO of Instacart, to lead its business and operations team.
In a blog post, OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman stated he will continue to serve as the head of the company. Simo’s new role as application chief executive will allow Altman to focus on other critical aspects of the organization, such as research, computing, and safety systems.
“We have transformed into a global product company that serves hundreds of millions of users and grows rapidly,” Altman mentioned in his blog. He also noted that OpenAI has evolved into an “infrastructure company” delivering AI tools at scale.
“Each of these initiatives represents a significant endeavor that could stand alone as a large enterprise,” he wrote. “Attracting exceptional leaders is crucial for doing this effectively.”
Simo, who is on OpenAI’s board, will oversee sales, marketing, and finance while reporting directly to Mr. Altman.
As OpenAI announced its AI innovations with the ChatGPT chatbot, the company has experienced rapid growth and has been managing various initiatives. Based in San Francisco, it has consistently introduced new AI models and products, including various inferencing systems. In March, the company completed a $40 billion funding round, led by the Japanese conglomerate SoftBank, raising its valuation to $300 billion, positioning it among the world’s most valuable private companies.
However, as a nonprofit organization at inception, OpenAI faces challenges with its transition to a new corporate structure. With the increasing commercial viability of AI, the company has been moving away from its nonprofit roots, attracting scrutiny from critics like Elon Musk, the co-founder of OpenAI, who has sued the company, alleging it prioritizes profit over AI safety. Both the California Attorney General and Delaware authorities are looking into this restructuring.
On Monday, OpenAI indicated that their plan would support the nonprofit aspect, ensuring it retains some control.
(The New York Times has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its partner Microsoft, accusing them of copyright infringement related to news content concerning AI systems. OpenAI and Microsoft have denied these allegations.)
In a statement released later on Wednesday, Simo expressed her belief that the opportunity “could accelerate human potential at an unprecedented pace, and I am wholeheartedly committed to steering these applications for the public good.”
In a memo to her Instacart team, she conveyed her “passion for AI, especially its potential to cure diseases,” emphasizing that “leading such a pivotal part of our collective future is an opportunity I cannot pass up.”
Simo will remain at Instacart for the next few months while the company finds her successor, indicating this role will be taken over by members of Instacart’s management team. She will also retain her position on the company’s board of directors as chair.
“Today’s announcement does not signify any changes in our business operations,” Instacart affirmed in a statement.
Every year, tens of thousands of young women opt to freeze their eggs. This procedure can be costly and at times painful, with numbers rising as more Americans delay childbirth.
However, many uncertainties surround the process: What is the optimal donor age for egg freezing? What are the success rates? And importantly, how long can frozen eggs remain viable?
Finding reliable answers to these questions is challenging. During the significant downsizing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Trump administration disbanded a federal research team dedicated to collecting and analyzing data from fertility clinics aimed at enhancing outcomes.
According to Aaron Levine, a professor at Georgia Tech’s Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter School of Public Policy, who collaborated with the CDC team on research, the dismissal of the six team members was “a real, serious loss.”
“They held the most extensive data on fertility clinics, focused on ensuring truthfulness in patient advertising,” stated Barbara Collura, CEO of the National Infertility Association.
Collura emphasized that losing the CDC team is a significant blow to both couples facing infertility and women contemplating egg freezing.
These layoffs come amidst rising political interest in declining U.S. fertility rates. President Trump has dubbed himself the “infertile president” and signed an executive order aimed at expanding access to in vitro fertilization.
“The White House is committed to IVF and remains focused on it,” Collura noted.
With one in seven married or unmarried women experiencing infertility, she remarked, “Looking at these statistics, it’s disheartening—and not surprising—that our public health agencies have chosen to sidestep this issue.”
When asked about the team’s elimination, a health and welfare spokesperson commented that the administration is “in the planning stage” of transitioning maternal health programs to a new Healthy America initiative, offering no further details.
The scientists from the National Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance System were working to address numerous questions surrounding IVF research.
“We lack comprehensive data on the success rates of egg freezing for personal use because it’s relatively new and tricky to track,” Dr. Levine explained.
This uncertainty weighs heavily on women wishing to have children. Simeonne Bookal, who collaborates with Collura at Resolve, froze her eggs in 2018 while waiting to find the right partner.
She got engaged earlier this year, with her wedding scheduled for next spring. At 38, she expressed that having her eggs banked offers her a “security blanket.”
Though she still has reservations about her chances of conceiving, the frozen eggs provide her some assurance.
The precise success rate of the egg freezing procedure remains ambiguous, as many published studies are based on theoretical models that utilize data from infertile patients or egg donors, which differ significantly from women preserving their eggs for future use.
Some studies provide limited insights, often involving fewer than 1,000 women who thaw their eggs and undergo IVF, according to Dr. Sarah Druckenmiller Cascante, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Nyu Langone and author of a recent review paper on this topic.
“The available data is scant, and it’s crucial to be transparent with patients about this,” she said.
“I wouldn’t regard it as a guaranteed insurance policy. While it could lead to a baby, it’s more about improving the chances of having a biological child later in life, especially if done at a younger age.”
The CDC team maintained a database known as the National ART Surveillance System, established by Congress in 1992. This tracked success rates for various fertility clinics but now faces an uncertain future without continuous updates.
While the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology offers similar databases to researchers, they are not as comprehensive as the CDC’s since they contain data from approximately 85% of U.S. fertility clinics.
According to Sean Tipton, Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer for the American Association of Reproductive Medicine, no dedicated research team oversees the database.
The surge in women opting to bank their eggs for future use has intensified the scrutiny regarding the risks and benefits of freezing eggs.
This procedure was regarded as non-experimental as of 2012. In 2014, only 6,090 patients opted to bank their eggs for fertility preservation. Fast forward to 2022, and that number soared to 28,207, with 39,269 recorded in 2023, the latest year for which data is available.
HThe right to bare ankles is a cause for which Natalie Ormond is willing to fight. Millennial Ormond has a strong aversion to the socks of ZZ crew members. “I’m all about my trainer socks and I won’t budge,” says the 43-year-old. “The more prominent the socks, the better.”
A trend of concealing socks within low-top trainers is just one reason why everyone born between 1981 and 1996 is perceived as outdated by the next generation: Gen Z, or Zilennials. As seen in numerous TikTok videos, traits like millennial pink, social media, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes reflect a distinct generational divide. Choices in denim (with skinny and mom jeans front and center, while baggy styles fade) and passions for avocado toast (Gen Z’s version being matcha) emphasize differences, as does the emoji usage—particularly the crying-laughing face for millennials and the skull emoji for Zoomers, which connotes humor akin to “I’m dying of laughter.” Millennial videos often commence with a brief pause, known as the “Millennial Pause,” highlighting their nostalgia for outdated tech, as they check devices they record on.
Avocado toast…a quintessential choice for millennials. Photo: Ekaterina Budinovskaya/Getty Images
This suggests that in recent years, the once trendy youth, who appeared fresh alongside their millennial counterparts, now seems somewhat outdated, particularly in contrast to the unabashed baby boomers and the mysterious Generation X.
As a proud millennial born in 1991, I share the memories of a pre-tech era. I wasn’t on Facebook until my friend’s mother was attempting to join her sixth form. I remember when Netflix was a DVD rental service. Yet, being a millennial hasn’t been without its challenges. We’ve been labeled as lazy, entitled, and overly sensitive. Older generations often overlook the realities of rising salaries, student debt, and housing costs, blaming us for our financial habits and brunch preferences instead of understanding our struggles. Yet, I must admit that we are part of a pioneering generation that bridged the gap between analog and digital, making us significant, fascinating, and yes, undeniably cool. Realizing that you’ve suddenly been surpassed is quite a shock.
Matcha latte… Gen Z’s green glove of choice. Photo: Baoyan Zeng/Getty Images
Some millennials are resisting their newfound status with fervor. Lily Saujani, 37, feels insulted. “It’s absurd. We’re evaluated by younger generations who act like we invented everything,” she remarks. “But really, they’re just repurposing our teenage styles.” Saujani recalls first feeling this generational gulf while scrolling through TikTok, an app invented by millennials, as she realized being born before 1992 equates to being labeled ‘old’. “There’s certainly competition across generations on TikTok, and yes, I feel older while using it,” she states.
Much of the tension stemming from Gen Z’s teasing seems rooted in the notion that they are capitalizing on trends pioneered by millennials. “We carved paths that Gen Z now thrives upon, taking what we once did on MySpace into their college dorms,” comments Lizzie Cernik, 41, a strong advocate for hard work who identifies as a “tough cookie.” Meanwhile, Ormond, fond of trainer socks, aims to open a sustainable family store, Smallkind, in 2019, emphasizing that Gen Z’s eco-consciousness echoes the paths laid by millennials.
But when exactly did this shift in coolness take place? Selnik suggests the pandemic might have been pivotal. “Many older millennials, myself included, saw the end of our party days during the lockdown,” she reflects. “The pandemic accelerated this shift; when we emerged, Gen Z had taken over fashion with new trends.” Beauty editor and influencer Laura Pearson, 40, who feels under 25, concurs and has noted changes in the online milieu during COVID. “Previously, the internet was more exclusive, but now, there’s a wave of individuals without any prior credibility who are making careers on Instagram and TikTok.” Although Pearson, who stays relevant by mingling with Gen Z friends, insists she won’t be defined by labels, “If someone feels ashamed to be called a millennial, they’re handing over too much power.”
Generational disparagement is hardly a new trend. In fact, one could argue that millennials were partly responsible for the late 2010s’ “OK Boomer” meme, which dismissed baby boomers’ outdated viewpoints. This latest generational conflict has played out prominently online, becoming a very public battleground for two groups that are most at home in digital spaces.
Illustration: Edith Pritchett/The Guardian
Dr. Carolina, a social media researcher at the University of Northumbria’s Digital Civic Center, notes that Gen Z’s commentary on millennials’ perceived coolness mainly occurs online. As a millennial, she observes that the two generations often differ significantly in their online existence and that millennials tend to appear less stylish to younger peers.
“Being online necessitates a constant mediation of self through various platforms. So even those who claim to be ‘unfiltered’ can struggle to establish credibility,” she explains. “While millennials have curated sophisticated feeds and focused on their best moments and personas, Gen Z seems to favor a more chaotic and unpolished approach.”
When I asked my Gen Z younger sibling and their friends about their thoughts on what makes millennials feel outdated, it was revealing. Even comments that alluded to my excessive messaging were deemed “very millennial.” For instance, take selfies. My generation preferred front-facing angles, while Gen Z utilizes the 0.5x lens for expansive shots, which often include a distorted arm of the photographer.
Millennial selfies have a cultivated quality, yet looking through my collection, there’s my friend in a laid-back pose, drink in hand, and looking slightly self-conscious. Moreover, our penchant for taking selfies during various occasions (like in parks, pubs, or casual hangouts) underscores a millennial trait. “While Gen Z is also aware of social media’s pitfalls, they seem willing to embrace the chaos of our current reality,” they say. “The fact that millennials often post carefully curated images or try to project a polished image may strike them as out of touch.”
Gen Z’s unique selfie style. Photo: Stephen Zeigler/Getty Images
Perhaps Gen Z’s ribbing of millennials stems from their lived experiences, generating diverse humor. While millennial humor tends to lean toward self-deprecation, Gen Z’s is marked by absurdity, irony, and meta-commentary. My 25-year-old brother breaks this down: “We still feel the waves of social media, the consequences of 2008, climate anxiety, soaring housing costs, and the negativity of fractured news environments. This confluence of factors contributes to Gen Z’s more sarcastic, absurdist, and often angry humor.”
Ultimately, this generational coolness may inevitably shift to the younger generation, casting millennials in the shadows. Sam Harrington Law, 55, founder and editor of Silver Magazine, which focuses on “Generation X-ers and Beyond,” posits that Generation X (born from 1965 to 1980) is “arguably the coolest generation.” “Coolness is subjective,” she emphasizes. “The viral nature of ‘OK Boomer’ illustrated the sheer joy derived from ridiculing Baby Boomers’ outdated attitudes.”
One millennial who remains indifferent and seemingly embodies the millennial spirit is culture journalist and author Daisy Jones, 32. A Goldsmiths alum and Vogue writer, she notably lacks brunch selfies or cute animal photos on her Instagram. “I believe that ‘coolness’ doesn’t stem from hard work or consideration,” she asserts. “It’s about the relentless worry regarding trends, appearances, and persistence.” Jones further mentions that she and her followers share common cultural references; recalling the past is essential, especially regarding significant events like 9/11 or Limewire. “It’s strange to act as if I didn’t experience growing up on the internet; I was on MySpace.”
Truly, defining cool is subjective; what’s deemed cool to one may differ for another. Yet perhaps there’s hope for the millennial legacy. If we perceive ourselves as cool, does it truly matter? Maybe we can all embrace being like Ormond and wear trainer socks with pride. “As I grow older, it’s less about fitting in, and more about expressing who you are,” she remarks. “That authenticity may just be the coolest aspect of being a millennial today.”
True friends, as most would agree, support one another. This can mean offering emotional encouragement or lending a hand during a move. For a vibrant Sterling—a lively songbird from the African savanna—this includes feeding insects to your friends’ offspring, with the expectation that they will do the same for you in return.
Research has shown that social animals tend to form bonds primarily with their relatives. However, according to a study published in the Journal Nature Wednesday, researchers analyzed two decades of field data, revealing new interactions among unrelated members of great starling communities.
“These findings are the core of our study,” stated Dustin Reubenstein, an ecology professor at Columbia University and the paper’s author.
Alexis Earle, a biologist from Cornell University and co-author, noted that great starlings exhibit unique cooperative breeding behavior, blending family units with newcomers. New parents often depend on as many as 16 helpers.
Dr. Reubenstein’s lab has maintained a 20-year field survey of the species, encompassing 40 breeding seasons. They recorded thousands of interactions among hundreds of vocal birds and collected DNA samples to explore genetic linkages. When Dr. Earle, then a graduate student, began analyzing the data, she and her colleagues were not surprised to find that the birds predominantly assisted their relatives.
However, they were taken aback to discover that starlings also assisted non-relatives, even opting to help others when they could have aided their family members. Newcomers in the flock offered assistance to birds born within it, and vice versa. As great starlings frequently shift between parenting and supportive roles, the research team found that individuals who aided non-relatives tended to reciprocate those good deeds over time.
“Starlings consistently invest in the same valued social partners over their lives,” Dr. Earle remarked. “To me, that resembles friendship.”
Gerald Carter, an animal behavior expert at Princeton University and co-author, noted the controversy surrounding the idea of animals forming friendships with non-related individuals. Yet, increasing research supports the presence of long-term interactions among primates, elephants, crows, and whales. There are even vampire bats that share their blood meals with unrelated members of their colonies, alongside unrelated male lance-tailed manakins who act as each other’s “wingmen” to attract female attention.
Detecting long-term relationships, however, can be challenging, as Dr. Reubenstein points out. The research team required 27 seasons of data to reveal signs of reciprocity among starlings, and he believes they may still be underestimating it.
Dr. Reubenstein suggested that mutual support relationships may be more crucial than lab data indicates. “Having substantial long-term data is essential to uncovering these dynamics.”
The study presents a strong case, according to Jorg Massen, a behavioral ecologist at Utrecht University in the Netherlands who was not involved in the research. A key next step is to determine how these long-term relationships are sustained on a daily basis.
“Is it merely based on reproductive support, or does it involve other behavioral factors?” he posed.
Moreover, the behavior of great starlings suggests that everyone benefits from maintaining relationships with unrelated peers. “Birds residing in larger groups tend to have longer lifespans and produce more offspring over their lifetimes,” stated Dr. Reubenstein. In the harsh and unpredictable environments of the African savanna, maximizing resources is vital, and incorporating migrant birds enhances group stability.
According to Dr. Reubenstein, this mirrors the evolutionary trajectory of humans.
Amid growing concerns over the epidemic of human loneliness, experts may find valuable lessons in the lives of starlings. In essence, strong relationships often emerge from a foundation of support.
But you don’t need to feed your friends’ kids bugs! Luckily, there are always babysitting services available.
A group of states spearheaded by Washington, Colorado, and California has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming it is unlawfully withholding billions of dollars designated by Congress for electric vehicle charging stations nationwide.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Act of 2021 allocated $5 billion to states for the construction of charging stations across the country. Research firm Atlas Public Policy reports that 71 stations have been established thus far, with more on the way.
Litigation filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle states that the federal agency has unlawfully frozen these funds, halted the approval of new stations, deprived states of critical resources, and harmed the developing electric vehicle industry.
The White House’s Budget Proposals announced last week indicated a cancellation of funds for the “Failed Electric Vehicles – Charger Grant Program.” President Trump had already targeted the program in January. Presidential Order from the Transportation Department echoed similar sentiments the following month. However, the lawsuit contends that a Congressional approval is necessary to entirely revoke funding.
“The president is making unconstitutional efforts to withhold funds allocated to programs that Congress supported,” stated California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “This time, he’s unlawfully diverting billions meant for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, lining the pockets of his oil industry allies.”
California has approximately 2 million “zero emission vehicles” available, accounting for one-third of the national total, as part of an ongoing initiative in the car-centric state to reduce air pollution. According to Bonta’s office, California relied on $384 million from the federal program for charging stations.
The state has heavily invested in its charging infrastructure from its own budget and revenue from carbon credits sold to polluters, leading to more public and shared private chargers than gas station pumps. However, challenges remain when crossing state lines for charging.
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, or NEVI Program, initiated by President Joseph R. Biden Jr., aims to establish charging networks across urban and rural areas, including California, to combat climate change.
California officials remarked that one of the main beneficiaries of the national EV program is China, which currently leads in EV manufacturing and global sales. The most significant detriment would likely fall on Tesla, a Trump supporter, whose CEO Elon Musk expects the company to lead the EV market, despite a decline in sales during the first quarter of 2025.
“When America retreats, China prevails,” California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the federal fund withholding as “another Trump gift to China.”
“Instead of promoting Teslas on the White House lawn, President Trump should prioritize aiding Elon and the nation by adhering to the law and unlocking this bipartisan funding,” Newsom stated.
The lawsuit includes attorneys general from Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.
Transportation Department Notes indicate that state officials reported in February that the administration had considered the NEVI program and suspended approval of state plans. The lawsuit seeks a declaration that the memo is illegal and demands the administration release the funds.
An NEVI Funding Tracking Website operated by Atlas Public Policy shows that at least $521 million has been allocated, with approximately $44 million already spent. Data indicates that many operational stations are concentrated in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Loren McDonald, chief analyst at EV analytics firm Paren, commented that while the federal government plays a minor role in the EV charging sector, most stations are constructed by private companies. McDonald noted that the process of building the infrastructure and selecting contracting firms is lengthy and has led to delays. His experience with constructing charging stations reflects this trend.
That said, the plaintiffs asserted that the president’s orders have been detrimental.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser expressed that his state stands to lose tens of millions in funding after demonstrating significant advancements in establishing a robust foundation for electric vehicle adoption. He mentioned that federal support was crucial to bridging gaps in funding for rural Colorado and underserved communities.
“Congress showed foresight in approving funds for this essential infrastructure,” Weiser stated. “These funds need to be restored immediately.”
In Washington, the president’s directives halt 40 proposed projects and jeopardize $55 million in approved Congressional funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructures.
The White House and the Transportation Department have yet to respond to requests for comment.
On Wednesday, President Trump remarked that, similar to general surgeons, doctors educated at Stanford have increasingly vocalized concerns about the influence of corporations on medicine and health.
Dr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a supporter of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., expressed that founding medicine can lead to feelings of disillusionment. Last year, she and her sibling, Calley Means, gained attention after appearing on Tucker Carlson’s show, where Carlson serves as a White House health advisor and a former food industry lobbyist.
What is her field of medicine?
Dr. Means, trained as an ENT and head and neck surgeon, left her surgical training incomplete to pursue functional medicine, which focuses on identifying the underlying causes of disease. Last year, she released a diet and self-help book titled “Good Energy: Amazing Connections between Metabolism and Infinite Health.” Before that, she was primarily known for founding a company that offered wearable glucose monitors for health tracking.
Her work emphasizes the rising prevalence of chronic diseases in the United States, addressing issues related to obesity, diabetes, infertility, chemical and drug therapies, and sedentary lifestyles among the American population.
What did she say about the vaccine?
In line with some of Kennedy’s skepticism regarding vaccines, Dr. Means urged the new administration to reconsider the liability protections granted to vaccine manufacturers in order to promote research into “cumulative effects” and the development of new vaccines.
“Emerging evidence suggests that the heavy burden of the current extensive vaccine schedule is impacting the health of vulnerable children,” she stated. I discussed this in my October newsletter.
Experts in child health remain strongly opposed to reducing the list of recommended vaccinations, warning that such modifications could result in severe outbreaks of infectious diseases. They also emphasize that the government is responsible for both the safety data used in vaccine licensing and that gathered post-implementation.
What did she say about food supply?
Dr. Means is spearheading a collaborative initiative to modify corporate-friendly practices concerning food and medical production and sales. This includes promoting healthier diets in public schools, researching chemical usage in American food products, advocating for warning labels on ultra-processed foods, restricting drug company advertising to patients on television, and mitigating the industry’s influence over food and drug regulators.
“American health is being compromised,” she stated. During a Senate Roundtable Event addressing food and nutrition in September, she remarked, “If the current trends persist, we will face social instability at best, diminishing America’s competitiveness, or at worst, a level of health disruption akin to genocide.”
Six years ago, a Canadian neurologist noticed unusual symptoms among a group of patients in New Brunswick, a province next to Maine.
Dr. Arie Marrello reported that patients experienced hallucinations, convulsions, rapid memory loss, and a sensation of insects crawling under their skin, but these symptoms and brain scans didn’t align with existing diagnoses, making the cases puzzling.
Subsequent reviews by neurologists led to clear diagnoses, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer.
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology supports these findings, indicating that the likelihood of such mysterious illnesses is about one in one million.
The physicians involved in this study assessed 25 patients from the New Brunswick cluster. With 11 patients deceased, neuropathologists relied on autopsy findings to reach diagnoses. Among the 14 living patients, neurologists used cognitive assessments, concluding that all had well-documented conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, traumatic brain injury, and post-concussion syndrome.
Dr. Anthony Lang, a neurologist at the Krembil Brain Institute within the University Health Network, remarked, “I was confident that there was a clear explanation for 100% of the cases.”
Nevertheless, some medical professionals are concerned that this evidence may not quell speculation about an underlying unknown cause, which many patients and their families continue to believe in.
According to the authors of the study, 52 individuals connected to the New Brunswick cluster declined a second opinion, and another 42 individuals were unreachable. This lack of response has been attributed to the spread of misinformation through both traditional and social media, undermining trust in healthcare systems.
“These instances reflect misdiagnosis, leading to misinformation. Unfortunately, the doctors involved persist in convincing patients and their families that they have a mysterious illness,” Lang emphasized.
Marello expressed skepticism regarding the study’s methods and conclusions in a statement, saying, “I hold serious reservations about the validity of the research and have numerous questions regarding its methodology and content. We believe that our patients, families, and communities share these significant concerns.”
Dr. Valerie Sim, an associate professor of neurology at the University of Alberta and not part of the study, stated there is no evidence linking the patients’ illnesses. She noted that the description of the cases is too broad and could apply to multiple conditions.
“Sadly, the unifying factor is that all these patients saw the same neurologist,” Sim pointed out. “Patients evaluated by different specialists have been diagnosed with known conditions that aren’t mysterious.”
James Mastorianni, a professor of neurology at the University of Chicago, highlighted that while not included in the study, it underscores the importance of seeking second opinions from experts in the field.
Ongoing Investigation
The Mystery Disease Theory gained traction in 2021 when Canadian health officials launched an investigation based on Marello’s observations. However, even after the inquiry determined that most patients had identifiable conditions, skepticism remained among families. In November, Susan Holt, the Prime Minister of New Brunswick, called for a scientific review of the “mysterious brain diseases.”
“The residents of New Brunswick deserve answers,” Holt stated in a public statement last year. “We must understand the source of our illnesses.”
Some advocates for patients suspect that environmental factors may be contributing to the illnesses, noting that blood tests have detected heavy metals, pesticides, and rare antibodies, warranting further investigation.
“None of our patients received an alternative diagnosis,” said Kat Lantine, an advocate in New Brunswick. “What led to their neurodegenerative disease?”
Dr. Yves Legger, New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health, stated in a recent statement that the new study “does not alter our commitment to thoroughly investigating cases of undiagnosed neurological diseases in New Brunswick.”
His office has received 222 case reports in connection with this cluster.
Marello mentioned, “We have evaluated over 500 patients in this cluster and provided substantial evidence regarding environmental exposures, as well as rare autoimmune markers present in several cases.”
However, Lang cautioned that detecting substances in the blood or urine does not necessarily imply they are the cause of neurological symptoms.
“You cannot take a scattershot approach, where you find something and assert that it’s relevant to the health issue,” he explained.
Challenges in Diagnosing Neurological Problems
Neurologists not involved with the New Brunswick situation highlight several challenges that continue to spur discussions among advocates, doctors, and government officials about the illness’s origins.
For starters, they note that accurate diagnoses can take time. Some conditions highlighted in the study exhibit complex symptom profiles, like Alzheimer’s.
“We need a comprehensive history from the family along with a timeline to identify if someone is developing dementia. There may be early signs of confusion evident in neurological tests,” indicated Dr. Kimberly O’Neal, a neurologist at the Health Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center at NYU Langone.
Rapidly progressing dementia was one of the key symptoms observed in New Brunswick patients. However, families sometimes overlooked early indicators of neurodegeneration, which made it appear as though dementia appeared suddenly, according to Mastorianni.
When severe symptoms manifest, patients and their families often seek answers and can be hesitant to abandon their initial diagnoses, Sim noted.
“This phenomenon is common in medicine. Patients often become attached to a diagnosis or a group of conditions,” Sim remarked. “That is evidently the case here.”
Misdiagnosis can be “truly tragic,” as it may prevent patients from receiving effective treatment and proper care.
The Foresight AI Model employs information derived from records of hospitals and family practitioners across the UK
Hannah McKay/Reuters/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The developers assert that an AI model trained with medical records of 57 million individuals through the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) could eventually assist physicians in anticipating illness and hospitalization trends. Nonetheless, other academics express significant concerns over privacy and data protection associated with the extensive utilization of health data, acknowledging that even AI developers are unable to ensure the absolute protection of sensitive patient information.
This model, branded as “Foresight,” was initially created in 2023. Its first iteration leveraged OpenAI’s GPT-3, the prominent language model (LLM) that powered the original ChatGPT, using 1.5 million authentic patient records from two hospitals in London.
Recently, Chris Tomlinson from University College London and his team broadened their objectives, claiming to develop the world’s first “national generative AI model for health data” with significant diversity.
Foresight utilizes Meta’s open-source LLM, LLAMA 2, leveraging eight distinct datasets of medical information routinely collected by the NHS between November 2018 and December 2023, including outpatient appointments, hospital visits, vaccination records, and other relevant documents.
Tomlinson notes that his team has not disclosed any performance metrics for Foresight, as it is still undergoing evaluation. However, he believes that its potential extends to various applications, including personalized diagnoses and forecasting broader health trends such as hospital admissions and heart conditions. “The true promise of Foresight lies in its capacity to facilitate timely interventions and predict complications, paving the way for large-scale preventive healthcare,” he stated at a press conference on May 6.
While the foreseeable advantages remain unsupported, the ethical implications of utilizing medical records for AI learning at this magnitude continue to raise alarms. Scholars argue that all medical records undergo a ‘degeneration’ process before integration into AI training, yet the risk of re-identifying these records through data patterns is well-established, especially in expansive datasets.
“Creating a robust generative AI model that respects patient privacy presents ongoing scientific challenges,” stated Luc Rocher at Oxford University. “The immense detail of data advantageous for AI complicates the anonymization process. Such models must operate under stringent NHS governance to ensure secure usage.”
“The data inputted into the model is identifiable, so direct identifiers will be eliminated,” remarked Michael Chapman, who oversees the data fueling Foresight, in a speech at NHS Digital. However, he acknowledged the perpetual risk of re-identification.
To mitigate this risk, Chapman explained that AI functions within a specially created “secure” NHS data environment, guaranteeing that information remains protected and accessible solely to authorized researchers. Amazon Web Services and Databricks provide the “computational infrastructure,” yet they do not have access to the actual data, according to Tomlinson.
Regarding the potential to expose sensitive information, Yves-Alexandre de Montjoye from Imperial College London suggests evaluating whether a model can retain the information it encounters during training. When asked by New Scientist whether Foresight has undergone such testing, Tomlinson indicated that it has not, but they are contemplating future assessments.
Employing such an extensive dataset without engaging the public regarding data usage may erode trust, cautions Caroline Green at Oxford University. “Even anonymized data raises ethical concerns, as individuals often wish to manage their data and understand its trajectory.”
Nevertheless, prevailing regulations offer little leeway for individuals to opt out of the data utilized by Foresight. All information incorporated into the model emanates from NHS datasets gathered on a national scale and remains “identified.” An NHS England representative stated that the existing opt-out provisions do not apply, asserting that individuals not wishing to share their family doctor data will not contribute to the model.
As per the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), individuals should retain the option to withdraw their consent concerning personal data usage. However, training methods involving LLMs like Foresight make it impossible to eliminate a single record from an AI tool. An NHS England spokesperson commented, “The GDPR does not pertain since the data utilized to train the model is anonymized, and therefore we do not engage with personal data.”
While the complexity of GDPR concerning the training of LLMs presents novel legal issues, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office indicates that “identified” data should not be viewed as equivalent to anonymous data. “This perspective arises because UK data protection laws lack a definition for the term, which can lead to misunderstanding,” the office emphasizes.
Tomlinson explains that the legal situation is compounded as Foresight is only engaged in studies pertaining to Covid-19. This means that exceptions to data protection laws instituted during the pandemic remain applicable, points out Sam Smith from Medconfidential, a UK data privacy advocacy group. “This Covid-specific AI likely harbors patient data, but such information cannot be extracted from the research environment,” he asserts. “Patients should maintain control over their data usage.”
Ultimately, the conflicting rights and responsibilities surrounding the utilization of medical data in AI developments remain ambiguous. “In the realm of AI innovation, ethical considerations are often overshadowed, prompting a reevaluation beyond merely initial parameters,” states Green. “Human ethics must serve as the foundational element, followed by technological advancements.”
The article was updated on May 7, 2025
Corrections regarding the comments made by the NHS England spokesperson were duly noted.
The incidence of dementia is escalating in China at an unprecedented rate, with numbers exceeding four times the historical figures observed over past decades.
Daoying Geng from The University of Hudun conducted an analysis of dementia statistics across 204 countries and regions between 1990 and 2021. The focus was on dementia cases in individuals over 40, particularly other forms like Alzheimer’s and cerebrovascular dementia.
During this timeframe, researchers discovered that global dementia cases surged from nearly 22 million in 1990 to approximately 57 million by 2021. The situation was particularly alarming in China, which saw its case count increase over fourfold to reach about 4 million.
In-depth analysis indicates that population growth plays a pivotal role. China experienced a baby boom in the 1950s, which means those individuals are now in their 70s, the age group presenting the highest risk for dementia. Xi Chen from Yale University, who did not participate in the study, noted the uniqueness of China’s baby boom generation compared to other countries’ cohorts.
The research team identified three additional significant contributors to the escalating dementia rates in China. First, smoking predominantly impacts men, with only 2% of Chinese women being smokers about half of the male population smokes. This contrasts sharply with countries like the US and UK, where smoking rates are on a downward trend, according to Chen.
A Western trend mirrored in China involves rising rates of diabetes and obesity, particularly over recent decades, both recognized risk factors for dementia. This shift may be attributed to the adoption of a Western-style diet, which is generally higher in fat and calories, Chen explains. He posits that as younger generations in China smoke less, dementia rates may eventually mirror those of the US or UK, albeit the present conditions continue to exert a substantial influence on China.
“Dementia is among the costliest diseases globally, necessitating extensive care and treatment,” Chen emphasizes. “As for aging, China possesses the largest elderly population worldwide. There are few young individuals to care for this significant number of seniors living with dementia, presenting numerous challenges.”
hWelcome to Ello and TechScape! I’m your host, Blake Montgomery. In this week’s Tech News: Trump’s tariffs are impacting a tech firm that focuses on physical goods more than those solely digital. We dive into two stories highlighting the dark implications of AI on the labor market. Additionally, Meta has launched a standalone AI application, boasting an impressive claim of 1 billion users due to its rapid adoption. OpenAI has backed down from a controversial version of ChatGPT, and we revisit the early terminology surrounding Elon Musk.
High-tech revenue: bits rake it up, atoms face uncertainty
Four out of seven major tech giants reported their quarterly earnings last week. Meta, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon exceeded Wall Street projections, yet their outlooks revealed a clear divide between those moving physical products and those thriving in the digital realm. Atomic vs Bits.
Meta and Microsoft’s earnings skyrocketed, surpassing expectations and offering optimistic guidance for the next quarter.
In contrast, uncertainty loomed over Apple and Amazon. While both companies outperformed Wall Street expectations, recent news emphasized the adverse effects of Trump’s tariffs. At the end of Apple’s earnings call, CEO Tim Cook revealed that import tariffs would cost iPhone manufacturers $900 million in the upcoming quarter. Although Apple managed to adapt, planning to ship around $2 billion worth of iPhones from India to the US before tariffs took full effect, it’s still significant.
Last week, Amazon faced backlash from the Trump administration after it was reported that Punchbowl News might begin detailing tariff-related costs for individual items, much like discount retailers Shein and Temu. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned this move as “hostile and political.” Although Amazon considered the idea, it quickly decided not to pursue it and downplayed its competition with Shein and Temu, dubbed Amazon Haul. Following the controversy, the ecommerce titan announced it would cease the initiative.
Is AI taking jobs?
Photo: Science Photo Library/Aramie
Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to greatly disrupt the job market. Reports detail the direct impacts on jobs, leaving many employees in the lurch.
Technology skeptic Brian Merchant discusses Duolingo’s recent shift to an “AI-First” model, phasing out contractors for tasks that AI can manage. His piece, titled Machine Newsletter Blood, features a former Duolingo contractor who expressed disbelief at the rapid exchange for AI. Similarly, artists and illustrators reported losing opportunities as clients opted for AI solutions instead.
However, on a larger scale, immediate disruption following the launch of ChatGPT isn’t anticipated. Research indicates AI’s broader market impact has been slower than predicted. A study from the University of Chicago and the University of Copenhagen published in a Working Paper reveals that in Denmark, “AI chatbots have not significantly affected job revenue or recorded hours.” Rather than completely displacing jobs, AI is expected to enhance productivity, streamlining tasks and fostering new ideas. The study analyzed two comprehensive recruitment surveys encompassing 25,000 workers and 7,000 workplaces across 11 occupations considered vulnerable to AI.
Special thanks to Register for their insights in this paper.
Mark Zuckerberg will be speaking at Llamacon 2025, an AI developer conference in Menlo Park, California, on April 29th. Photo: Jeff Chiu/AP
Personally, I’ve never engaged Meta’s AI chatbots intentionally. I accidentally tapped a discreet blue circle in Instagram’s search bar during the spring of 2024, triggering a chat with AI agents. The chatbot enthusiastically prompted me to “imagine paradise” instead of using my recent search queries. Meta has integrated its AI into frequent sections of its core app.
The strategic placement of the Meta AI search bar and its integration into existing apps is evident. For example, you can easily tap the Meta AI button at the bottom right corner of the iPhone’s WhatsApp app. Meta has optimized the search functionalities across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, thereby promoting its rapidly expanding AI user base through prominently featured options. Recently, Meta AI stated it is “on track to become the world’s most utilized AI assistant,” with nearly 1 billion users reportedly engaged with the platform.
Last week, the company unveiled a standalone AI app, raising questions about user engagement without a physical interaction. For now, executives anticipate most users will continue to encounter AI through the conspicuous blue circles within popular social applications. Barge.
Meta isn’t the only player; Google also boasts a significant user base for its AI features, claiming over 1 billion users for AI-driven searches (recently reported as 1.5 billion). While it’s challenging to determine user engagement levels accurately, it’s evident that companies glean benefits from any interactions with their AI tools, making it nearly impossible for organizations like Google or Meta to be compelled to stop using their data for AI training. In the US, users can only request that Meta remove their data or abstain from utilizing it to aid in AI training, alongside chatting with Meta AI, which also includes posts and profile details.
The reality of AI seems grim, as it appears designed to lead users into its ecosystem early on. Within the US, where minimal privacy regulations exist, users often feel as if they are continuously training AI systems without their consent.
Sam Altman’s Rollback and Debut
“We missed Mark”… Sam Altman. Composite: Carlos Barría / Reuters / Guardian Design
Last week, OpenAI confirmed it would retract the latest ChatGPT update, with Sam Altman stating, “I missed the mark with last week’s GPT-4o update.” He described the prior updates as overly sycophantic and bothersome.
According to a venture capital firm, this update marks an unusual error for the creators of ChatGPT. Andreessen Horowitz is among investors in OpenAI.
The day after announcing the rollback, Altman shared news of the launch of his new startup, World, which specializes in ORBs that scan users’ IRIs for verification purposes. He proudly tweeted, “We did that!” alongside an image of himself in front of an American flag, creatively modified with the logo of another company.
Doge Days
“No modern precedent”… Elon Musk’s extraordinary role in the government. Composite: Guardian/Getty Images
The wealthiest individual in the world and a prominent figure in technology held a position in the White House for roughly 100 days. What impact did he have?
My colleague Nick Robbins notes:
“Musk left little of the federal government intact. In just a few months, he dismantled decades of government agencies and public services, which amassed considerable political power.”
“Musk’s influence within the Trump administration is unparalleled. The world’s richest person took on a role that allowed him to undermine the very institutions overseeing his enterprises. His attempts to radically reshape government branches significantly increased his influence, incorporating allies into key positions across federal agencies and gaining access to personal data from millions of Americans while laying off tens of thousands of workers. His leadership at SpaceX positioned the company to capitalize on billions in government contracts, leaving chaos in his wake.”
Discover more about Doge’s initial 100 days.
If you only read two more Elon Musk stories this week, check these out
Amazon announced a significant advancement in robotics, having developed a robot equipped with tactile sensors capable of grasping approximately three-quarters of items in its expansive warehouse.
During the “future delivery” event held on Wednesday in Dortmund, Germany, the US company unveiled plans to deploy this technology globally over the next few years. The aim is to assist humans in sorting items for storage and preparing them for delivery, amidst the growing operations of online retailers.
Aaron Parness, the Robotics Director at Amazon, referred to Vulcan as “a major leap in robotics,” highlighting the robot’s ability to not only observe its environment but also to perceive it through touch, facilitating tasks previously deemed impossible for Amazon robots.
These robots can identify objects through touch, utilizing AI technology. They work collaboratively with humans who handle and retrieve items from shelves to assist them at picking stations equipped with wheeled robots.
Vulcan robots facilitate storage in shelving units at both the top and bottom levels, referred to as pods, eliminating the need for workers to use ladders. Currently, Amazon’s warehouse robots can employ suction cups and computer vision to manipulate and select items.
Such advancements may evoke concerns about job losses, as retailers reduce human labor in distribution centers that employ thousands.
Many retailers are increasing automation investments due to rising global labor costs. Amazon faces industrial challenges beyond just low wages in its UK warehouses.
Goldman Sachs economists predicted in 2023 that as many as 300 million jobs globally could be eliminated by 2030 due to the rise of generative AI, fundamentally altering various roles.
In the UK, estimates suggest that between 60,000 and 275,000 jobs could vanish annually over the next decade amidst ongoing upheaval, as proposed by the Tony Blair Institute.
Nonetheless, Tye Brady, Amazon’s lead robotics engineer, asserted that robots cannot entirely replace humans in their facilities, stating that they “enhance human potential” to improve workplace safety. He humorously referenced his affection for R2D2, likening their supportive design to that of a “cooperative robot.”
“Humans will always be part of the equation,” he noted, explaining that robots take on “menial, mundane, and repetitive tasks.”
“Complete automation isn’t feasible just yet. We will always require human oversight to understand operational value.”
He also emphasized that individuals play a critical role in safeguarding against potential hacking, especially after incidents like the cyber attack that disrupted Marks and Spencer’s online services.
“Machines can detect hacks, but human intervention is often what reveals them, making it beneficial to have people involved,” said Brady.
He also noted that humans excel at identifying minor issues, such as package damage or leaks during delivery that could disrupt the system.
According to Brady, AI is enhancing robot development, allowing them to navigate complex spaces autonomously while learning to move safely alongside humans and other objects. He highlighted that the latest generation of robots can “seek help” and adapt to new methods effectively.
“It’s thrilling to integrate both cognition and physical capability,” he said. “We’re just starting this exciting journey.”
For instance, Amazon plans to incorporate technology leveraging machine learning and automation to create customized packaging that minimizes waste. By the end of this year, over 70 machines will be operational in Germany, the UK, France, Italy, and Spain, with more planned by 2027.
This announcement coincides with Amazon’s launch of a budget-friendly delivery service in the UK, featuring thousands of products priced under £20, as the company takes over low-cost competitors Sheen and Tem.
In the early 2000s, bats infected with coronavirus transmitted the virus to raccoon dogs and other wild mammals in southwestern China. Many of these animals were sold in markets where the coronavirus resurfaced. Consequently, the SARS pandemic spread to 33 countries, resulting in 774 fatalities. Months later, researchers identified a mammalian coronavirus known as Palmcoten, found in markets central to the outbreak.
In astudy published Wednesday, a team of researchers drew comparisons between the evolutionary paths of SARS and COVID-19, 17 years apart. They examined the genomes of the two coronaviruses responsible for the pandemics, alongside 248 related coronaviruses in bats and other mammals.
Jonathan Pechal, an evolutionary virologist at the University of Edinburgh and author of the study, noted that the histories of the two coronaviruses mirrored each other. “In my opinion, they are very similar,” he stated.
In both instances, Dr. Pekal and his team assert that coronavirus transmission originated from bats in southwestern China to wild mammals. Soon after, wildlife traders transported infected animals hundreds of miles to urban markets, leading to widespread human outbreaks.
“When wildlife is sold in urban centers, pandemics often follow,” stated Michael Warby, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona and co-author of the research.
This research appears at a politically charged moment. Last month, the White House launched a web page titled “Laborek: The True Origins of COVID-19,” asserting the pandemic stemmed from a lab accident in Wuhan, rather than market interactions.
In a budget proposal issued on Friday, the White House indicated that it was “confirming” the lab leak theory, which justified an $18 billion cut to the National Institutes of Health.
“A thorough and detailed investigation into the origin of the virus should be conducted in the United States,” the statement read.
Sergei Pond, a virologist at Temple University, expressed skepticism regarding the resolution of COVID’s origins. He voiced concerns that political rhetoric from both governments could hinder scientific inquiries into the virus’s origins.
“If it weren’t tragic, you’d have to laugh at how things have unfolded,” Dr. Pond commented.
In the initial weeks of the early 2020 pandemic, the virus responsible, SARS-CoV-2, emerged alongside notions of biological weapons created by the Chinese military. A cohort of scientists analyzing available data at that time dismissed this claim, indicating that while they could not dismiss accidental lab leaks, they leaned towards the natural origins of COVID.
Over the ensuing months, Dr. Warby, who was not part of that group, grew dissatisfied with the lack of compelling evidence favoring one theory over another. He co-signed an open letter with 17 other scientists advocating for further investigation to ascertain the most likely explanation.
“We felt there was much yet to be learned, so let’s not dismiss the lab leak theory,” Dr. Warby asserted. “Let’s investigate.”
As Dr. Warby and other researchers scrutinized COVID’s origins, the American intelligence agencies conducted their assessments. Their conclusions were varied. The FBI and CIA support the lab escape theory from the Wuhan Institute, albeit with little certainty. The Department of Energy expresses low confidence in the possibility of a virus escape from another lab in Wuhan, while other institutions favor a natural origin.
Scientists have struggled to evaluate the evidence behind these conclusions as the relevant institutions have not published supporting data or analyses. However, Dr. Warby and his colleagues have released several papers in scientific journals. Along this journey, Dr. Warby became convinced that the COVID pandemic originated at the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan.
“Scientifically, that’s evident,” Dr. Warby remarked, referencing both HIV and the Spanish flu, two diseases with origins that have been thoroughly studied.
In their recent study, Dr. Warby, Dr. Pekal, and their colleagues examined 250 genomes of coronaviruses, leveraging genetic similarities and differences to establish relationships. They successfully reconstructed the evolutionary timeline of the coronaviruses responsible for both SARS and COVID-19, known as SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.
The ancestors of both coronaviruses have been circulating in bats across China and its neighboring regions for hundreds of thousands of years, specifically inhabiting southwestern China and northern Laos for the last 50 years.
When coronaviruses infect bats, they sometimes cohabitate with another coronavirus. This can lead to the accidental creation of a hybrid virus carrying genetic material from both original coronaviruses, a process referred to as recombination.
“These are not ancient events,” noted David Rasmussen, a virologist at North Carolina State University involved in the new research. “These occurrences happen frequently; these viruses are truly mosaic in nature.”
In 2001, shortly before the SARS pandemic emerged, researchers found that SARS-CoV had undergone significant genetic mixing among bats. This led to the virus’s potential evolution into a human pathogen. However, given that Guangzhou is hundreds of miles from the ancestral area of SARS-CoV, it’s improbable that the virus gradually reached the city through bats.
Researchers generally concur that ancestors of SARS-CoV infected wild mammals, which were subsequently sold in markets around Guangzhou. Shortly after the onset of the SARS pandemic, the presence of SARS-CoV was confirmed in palm civets and other wild mammals traded in the market.
A similar trend was observed with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The final recombination event in bats occurred between 2012 and 2014, just five to seven years prior to the COVID outbreak, hundreds of miles away from northeastern Wuhan.
Moreover, this signifies a considerable distance from the area where the virus’s ancestors circulated, paralleling the journey that SARS-CoV undertook via the wildlife trade.
Proponents of the lab leak theory emphasize the significant distance between Wuhan and the habitats of the closest relatives of SARS-CoV-2. They argue that if bats traveled to the area around Wuhan without infecting local mammals, scientists must have been collecting coronaviruses from bats in southwestern China and experimenting on them in the lab.
American scientists have critiqued the Wuhan Institute of Virology for lax safety measures in their coronavirus experiments. Nevertheless, no evidence has confirmed that the ancestors of SARS-CoV-2 were present at the institute prior to the pandemic. Recent research by Dr. Warby and his colleagues illustrates that bat coronaviruses can traverse considerable distances via wildlife trade without any scientific intervention.
The researchers argue that these findings align with a study published in 2022, identifying the Huanan Wet Market in Wuhan as the site of the initial COVID outbreak. Wild mammals were sold at this venue, and early cases of COVID were documented there. Moreover, Chinese researchers collected various strains of SARS-CoV-2, exhibiting different mutations at this location. Dr. Warby and his team posited that the virus likely spilled over from wild mammals at the market on two separate occasions.
Dr. Pond stated that while the new study supports the wildlife spillover theory, he does not believe the issue has been definitively settled. He highlighted two statisticians’ critiques from last year, regarding the modeling behind the 2022 study. Dr. Warby and his colleagues have provided a rebuttal to those criticisms. “That debate is still ongoing,” Dr. Pond remarked.
Mark Eloit, former director of the Pasteur Institute in Paris, emphasized the importance of the new research in clarifying the origins of SARS-CoV-2.
However, he also noted that the coronavirus exhibits significant differences from closely related bat viruses. Following its divergence from those viruses, it would have undergone mutations or recombination to effectively spread among humans.
“I contend that the potential for recombination events—either incidental or deliberate—remains as plausible as the hypothesis of zoonotic transfer via intermediate hosts at the market,” Dr. Eloit argued.
Dr. Eloit and other scientists concurred that discovering intermediate hosts of SARS-CoV-2 among wild mammals would significantly bolster the argument for natural spillover. However, Chinese officials examined various animals at the onset of the pandemic but found no traces of the virus.
Before scientists could conduct studies, wildlife vendors at the Huanan Market removed animals from the stalls, and when China ceased wildlife trade, farmers culled their animals.
“There are large gaps in our knowledge, and we can’t overlook that,” Dr. Pond remarked.
Stephen Goldstein, a geneticist at the University of Utah, remarked that while he was not involved in the new study, the findings serve as a cautionary reminder of future pandemic risks. Wild mammals traded in markets within regions where SARS and COVID-19 emerged can wreak havoc in urban centers hundreds of miles away. “These viral fragments are present in numerous places,” Dr. Goldstein concluded.
A hacking group supportive of Russia has announced that they targeted various UK websites during a three-day campaign, which included local councils and the Police and Crime Commissioners’ Association.
Through a series of posts on social media, the group, known as NonMaMe057 (16), claimed many sites were temporarily inaccessible, although reports indicate that the attack was not entirely successful.
The hackers attempted to overwhelm several websites with traffic in a type of attack known as a distributed denial of service (DDoS). They stated on platform X: “Ukraine disputes, and we are cutting that resource.”
Despite the group’s claims of success, Blackburn with Darwen and Exeter councils reported that their websites remained unaffected.
Many other targeted organizations, such as the Police and Crime Commissioners’ Association, Harwich International Port, and Cardiff City Council, were unable to comment on the situation.
Officials mentioned that if a website experienced temporary unavailability due to sudden traffic surges, it would typically be operational again within hours.
A spokesperson for Arun District Council commented, “On Tuesday morning, from around 7:15 am, our website was fully operational by 11:30 am. We are aware of the claims made on X and are continuing to investigate.”
National Highways also encountered a DDoS attack but stated that their website would soon return to normal functionality.
This incident mirrors an attempt to disrupt multiple council websites last October. While resident data was not compromised, the websites were briefly disabled due to overwhelming traffic.
The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) noted at that time that they “provided guidance” to the affected local authorities. “Although DDoS attacks tend to be less sophisticated and impactful, they can cause significant disruption by blocking legitimate users from accessing online services,” they added.
Since its inception in 2022, NONAME057 (16) has employed such tactics to disrupt the functioning of various Ukrainian, European, and American governmental entities and media outlets. In January 2023, they targeted the website of a Czech presidential candidate, marking their first political attack.
A survey by cybersecurity firm Bridewell last summer revealed that 63% of government sector companies experienced ransomware attacks over the past year. The National Audit Office cautioned in January that “cyber threats to the UK government will pose serious risks and evolve rapidly.”
Recently, the NCSC was compelled to issue new guidance on retailer cyber attack vulnerabilities, which appeared to originate from criminals targeting help desks. This included attacks on well-known retailers such as Marks & Spencer, the Co-op, and Harrods.
Criminals focused on these help desks to alter passwords and reset authentication processes in order to gain access to systems.
Regarding the attacks on retailers, the NCSC stated, “We are not in a position to determine whether this is connected, whether it represents a coordinated campaign by a single actor, or if there is no connection at all.”
yYou’re likely aware of how the right accessories can elevate your outfit: a well-chosen belt can smarten up your pants, stylish sunglasses can enhance a basic T-shirt, and bold jewelry can make a simple look pop. Enter the latest trend in accessories: phone straps.
For many, this accessory is indispensable. Practically, it means no more digging through bags just to check Google Maps, and it helps deter phone theft by keeping your device close.
You can opt for a striking strap that will draw attention or a more understated design. From high-end fashion straps to upcycled options and trendy finds on Jingiku, here are 15 picks to consider.
Top Phone Strap Cases, Straps, and Wristlets for 2025
Chain Reaction
AccessoriesBraided Chain Phone Strap
12 lbs at Accessorize
This robust gold and white braided strap allows you to wear your phone around your neck. Its elegance adds a touch of sophistication to everyday wear.
Nautical but Nice
Native Union City Sling Strap
£24.99 at John Lewis Starting at £17.99 on Amazon
Featuring a minimalist design, this strap employs a nautical knot and adjustable length, converting easily from a necklace to a crossbody style. Perfect for purists.
Atelge’s pearl straps gained popularity after being spotted in Mindy’s hands during Season 1 of *Emily in Paris* and reappearing in season 3. Designed with a long strap, it can be worn crossbody and comes with a recycled plastic case, made from recycled materials.
Crafted from paracord and hand-decorated using macrame techniques in a Bristol studio, this design also features hand-blown glass beads. The standard length is 120 cm, but custom length requests can be accommodated.
Utility Style
Bandrea Billy Strap
£135 at Bandalia
This utility strap eliminates the need for an extra handbag, featuring three compartments for items like glasses, cards, and makeup. It attaches easily to the right phone case, and add-ons like an AirPods pouch are available for £39.
Charlotte Hanson, the founder and textile artist at Charknots, creates handmade macrame straps in Sheffield using recycled cotton in a variety of colors like sage green and dusty pink. A wristlet version is also available.
Star Stock
Bandrier Milly Strap
£56 at Bandalia
With intricate chains and tiny stars, this crossbody strap is perfect for layering with gold jewelry. Available in black or dark brown to complement the gold accents.
Blooming Marvelous
SkinnyDip London Sage Flower Bead Strap
£12 at SkinnyDip London
This nostalgic strap from SkinnyDip embodies the spirit of flower children, appealing to those who embrace their inner bohemian.
This phone necklace from Xouxou features a built-in eyelet for decoration along with a matching iPhone case. Available in four colors: Burgundy, Black, Moss, and Taupe, the strap is detachable and the case is MagSafe compatible.
Lucky Star
It’s Not a Different Invoice Charm Phone Strap
£22 from Another Invoice
A celestial-inspired phone strap that adds a unique touch with a star motif.
Each colorful design is handcrafted in London by stylist Bertie Bowen, using vintage glass and resin beads. Custom smiley face beads are made by local artisans.
Neutral Number
Cased Pebble Crossbody Strap
Starting at £33 on Casetify
Ideal for those with a neutral wardrobe, this synthetic leather strap features Casetify’s metal hardware and comes in three shades: latte, oat milk, and beige, working seamlessly with most phone cases.
Rise and Shine
Stringing Breakfast Street
String Ting £44
Handcrafted in London, this wristlet is designed to bring joy, featuring whimsical motifs that are sure to elicit compliments like “I love your phone strap, where did you get it?”
Rooted in rock climbing, the topology strap mimics climbing gear with an adjustable bungee style that suits various body types. Available in 12 colors, it adds a unique flair to any outfit.
Designer Icon
Vivienne Westwood Phone Bag
£600 at Vivienne Westwood
We know it’s a splurge at £600, but if you’re in the market for something special, this phone bag is a work of art, featuring a Joan Lee check pattern and leather accents inspired by heirloom quilts. It snugly fits your phone, favorite lip gloss, and bank cards.
The Trump administration has dissolved a federal advisory committee responsible for guidance aimed at preventing the spread of infectious diseases in healthcare settings.
The Healthcare Infection Control Practice Advisory Committee (HICPAC) created national standards for U.S. hospitals concerning practices such as handwashing, mask-wearing, and patient isolation for those with chronic illnesses.
Four committee members reported that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the termination of HICPAC on Friday.
A letter obtained by NBC News — sent by the CDC following a virtual meeting — indicated that the committee ended over a month ago, on March 31. The letter referenced President Donald Trump’s Executive Order calling for significant cuts in the federal workforce.
Previously, four professional associations urged Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a letter dated March 26 to retain the committee amid extensive reductions to federal health agencies. Neither the CDC nor the Department of Health and Human Services responded immediately to a request for comment on Tuesday.
Some of the committee’s web pages have been archived, meaning they are still accessible online but will no longer be updated.
Committee members are concerned that the guidelines could become outdated, failing to incorporate new scientific research or address the spread of drug-resistant organisms, as outlined in specific threats to hospitals.
“If things need to change, the guidelines may not adapt, leading to a precarious situation,” stated Connie Steed, a HICPAC member since 2023 and a former president of the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
Dr. Anurag Malani, a fellow at the American Infectious Diseases Society who joined HICPAC in January, noted that the committee was nearing the completion of new guidelines for airborne pathogens before its termination. Previous guidelines had not been updated since 2007 and controversially recommended surgical masks over N95 respirators for preventing the spread of specific pathogens.
“There was much valuable information available. The lessons learned from Covid were shaping our guidelines to improve our previous protocols,” Malani reflected.
Jane Thomason, lead hygienist at National Nurses United, expressed regret over the committee’s dissolution, highlighting that it hampers the transparency of public health guidance. HICPAC had appointed Thomason to a workgroup last year.
“Concerns have been raised regarding HICPAC’s composition and proposed guidance, but its closure eliminates significant public transparency,” Thomason stated on Tuesday. “Without public HICPAC meetings, there is no access to the drafting process for CDC guidance on infection control in healthcare settings, ultimately compromising the safety of patients, nurses, and other healthcare personnel.”
According to a CDC letter from Friday, HICPAC had issued 540 recommendations since its formation over three decades ago, with 90% fully implemented.
Malani emphasized the need for consistent infection control practices nationwide, asserting that ongoing recommendations are essential.
“We should prevent state and local health departments from having to navigate this independently,” he concluded.
hWelcome to the depths of intricate turmoil and long-standing waves. A peace agreement is being negotiated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo this week after three months of intense conflict. I spoke with East Africa correspondent Carlos Mureicz about the situation, its rapid escalation, and the prospects for peace.
Echoes of the 90s
Flag Bearer… individuals will expand the monument during an anti-government demonstration in Bukabu in February. Photo: Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
In late January, in a swift and shocking turn of events, the M23 militia group captured Goma, one of the largest cities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Weeks later, these rebels took control of Bukabu, another strategically important city, successfully repelling attempts by Congolese troops to halt their advance. The M23’s rapid mobilization and territorial gains are rooted in decades of political and economic strife.
Carlos highlights that the conflict’s origins trace back to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Millions of refugees have crossed from Rwanda into the DRC, with Hutu and Tutsi factions still driven by ethnic narratives.
The M23 is primarily led by Tutsi, an ethnic group that has taken up arms over a decade ago and faced numerous skirmishes since. Their military actions are justified as necessary to protect minority communities from ongoing threats and marginalization, given that hundreds of thousands of Tutsi were slaughtered during the genocide by Hutu extremists.
Carlos notes that despite the longstanding conflict, the M23’s advances this year signify a new level of intensity, having made significant territorial gains in a remarkably short period. “This year, [the fighting is] the worst we’ve encountered.”
Conflict Minerals
Heavy Metal… the DRC is the leading producer of cobalt, accounting for over 70% of global production last year. Photo: Junior Kanna/AFP/Getty Images
The M23’s advancements represent a grave infringement on the sovereignty of the DRC, a situation exacerbated by the Rwandan government’s support for the rebel group. “Rwanda denies any involvement; however, according to the United Nations and the international community, Rwanda is financially backing the M23,” Carlos pointed out. The Rwandan government claims its assistance is limited to “protecting targeted Tutsis from genocide,” Carlos added.
However, local experts suggest that Rwanda has heavily invested in maintaining proxy control over parts of the DRC, driven not only by overlapping ethnic groups but also by the rich natural resources the DRC possesses. Often referred to as conflict minerals, these resources have fueled avarice and perpetuated military strife in Eastern and Southern DRC.
It is noteworthy that these regions are seldom discussed in light of their extraordinary beauty, showcasing unique landscapes of stunning red and orange hills, lakes, and fertile soil. Caught in the crossfire of political and economic aspirations, the area has become a battleground for ethnic and commercial conflicts. While the tensions initially stemmed from community disputes, minerals have since played a crucial role, according to Carlos.
These minerals are extremely abundant in the DRC; essential in modern technology. Cobalt, lithium, and coltan are vital components for lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. The DRC accounts for an astonishing 60-70% of the global supply of these minerals. Carlos emphasizes the extensive resources being allocated for the capture and trade of these natural riches.
A Surge of Violence
Uprooted… individuals fleeing the conflict arrive by handmade boats near Minova, South Kivu province of DRC. Photo: Alexis Huguet/AFP/Getty Images
“Rapid and brutal” is how Carlos describes the events of recent months. He underscores that this is merely the latest chapter in the ongoing strife, which has resulted in one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Since 1996, the conflict has led to over 6 million fatalities and displaced a similar number of individuals both within and outside the DRC.
In March, Carlos visited Sibi Talk in Burundi, DRC’s neighbor and a primary destination for refugees fleeing the violence. Those who escaped shared “truly horrifying experiences.”
As the M23 advanced through southeastern DRC, refugees witnessed numerous Congolese soldiers deserting. Carlos remarked: “To illustrate the dire situation, these soldiers told civilians, ‘We are fleeing from the M23. We are outmatched. You should consider leaving this town if you can.’
Those who managed to escape, carrying whatever they could, reached the Burundi border, navigating a perilous river along the way. “The Congolese army appeared utterly powerless. It was a desperate situation.”
Eastern DRC – Remote Regions of a Vast Country
The sunsets of Bulambo, DRC… the shadows of warfare loom in a nation celebrated for its diverse wildlife and landscapes. Photo: Pietro Olivetta/Getty Images/500px
A unique aspect of the DRC conflict is its localization, which may partly explain the tepid response from the Army and local security forces. The capital, Kinshasa, feels worlds apart from Goma, situated a 47-hour drive and ferry journey away. Refugees shared a common sentiment: they attributed their plight to the government, feeling that Kinshasa has neglected the Eastern DRC.
The government operates in the region, comprised of numerous political factions that exploit mineral resources and allocate contracts to foreign companies. Carlos states that many believe that as long as politicians can continue profiting from the region, conflict will persist.
The Prospect of Peace
Peace Process… Qatar’s chief speaks with the Rwandan president (left) and his Congolese counterpart in Doha last month. Photo: Mofa Qatar/AFP/Getty Images
This situation may be shifting, as the M23’s advances pose a threat to the stability of Kinshasa. Carlos mentioned that just weeks ago, the warring parties were inclined to engage in dialogue. Initial discussions held in Doha yielded promises from both sides to produce a preliminary peace agreement. The Trump administration has also shown interest, expressing a strong desire to sponsor peace negotiations.
According to Carlos, these discussions are among the most hopeful in recent times. While an end to hostilities is urgently needed and welcomed, a fragile resolution is only achievable if it doesn’t revert to current chaos. The key to durable peace lies in lifting the DRC out of its historical and geographical entanglements.
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Elimination presents a distinctly modern fantasy. It’s a captivating notion that, with merely a pipette or a computer, we can reverse the damage that continues to afflict the natural world. The first creature featured by Colossal is a forlorn wolf, an entity primarily born from imagination, fitting seamlessly into the realm of fantasy. Colossal’s advisory team included notable figures like George R.R. Martin, author of “Game of Thrones,” along with the HBO series adaptation, with promotional images depicting these creatures perched on the show’s Iron Throne. Many observers were taken aback upon learning that these forlorn wolves once roamed the earth as real animals, rather than being products of advanced genetic engineering.
For over 200,000 years, these forlorn wolves thrived across America, carving out a rich ecological niche; their remains have been found from Alaska to Peru. Over 4,000 wolves have been excavated from the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles alone. They were among the large mammal hunters who roamed America before humans arrived and are believed to have significantly impacted the continent’s ecology. Eventually, they vanished along with their prey, becoming early victims of the ongoing crisis of human-induced extinction.
Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi were edited and cultivated into embryos, originating from grey wolf cells implanted in the uterus of a surrogate dog. This genetic modification involved 20 alterations across 14 genes (a minor segment of the 19,000 genes that constitute the Grey Wolf genome), guided by a comparison between the Grey Wolf genome and DNA extracted from ancient tooth and bone fragments. While grey wolves and forlorn wolves share superficial skeletal similarities, scientists have determined that they are fundamentally distinct, with their evolutionary paths diverging millions of years ago. Beth Shapiro, the company’s chief science officer, argues that subscribing to the “concept of morphological species” suffices to categorize them as forlorn wolves if defined by appearance. “The notion of species is merely a human classification system,” she stated to New Scientist.
Many individuals voiced their disagreement. Referring to a puppy as a forlorn wolf is akin to suggesting that by donning a hat, a short Frenchman could resurrect Napoleon. Experts in canids from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which monitors biodiversity and maintains a list of endangered species, responded to Colossal’s announcement with their own statement, asserting that “the three animals created by Colossal are not forlorn wolves.” They noted that there’s no real way to ascertain if these wolves accurately represent animals that have been absent for 12,000 years. Furthermore, reducing them to mere physicality overlooks the ecology, behavior, and culture of the original forlorn wolves.
Even if Colossal could replicate the Kree-Wolf genome, it would vastly differ from reinstating a world where such an extraordinary creature could thrive. It also fails to encompass the various ways these beings once influenced their environment. Shapiro refers to Colossal’s research as “functional detension,” a term borrowed from the rewilding movement. This ties into the ecological concept of “functional extinction.” These animals technically exist but, with their drastically reduced numbers, they can no longer play a role in eating, pollinating, or impacting their ecosystems meaningfully. This term has gained urgency in light of the 73% decline in global wildlife populations from 1970 to 2020.
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Uber seems to be boosting the global economy, despite concerns that consumers are moving away from vehicle use and delivery services.
The company announced on Wednesday that its revenue reached $11.5 billion in the last quarter. This marks a 14% increase from the previous year, slightly below what Wall Street analysts anticipated. Total bookings also climbed 14% to $42.8 billion, meeting expectations.
Investors are keen to understand the impact of President Trump’s recent tariffs on Uber’s growth trajectory. While the company’s core business is minimally affected by customs duties, a sluggish economy could deter customers from spending on rides and deliveries.
Nonetheless, Uber forecasts that bookings will rise between 16% and 20% in the current quarter, surpassing Wall Street’s 14% estimate. In a statement, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi remarked on the strong start to the year, despite “a dramatic backdrop of trade and economic news.”
Uber’s profit for the quarter was $1.8 billion, a significant turnaround from a loss of $654 million in the same quarter last year, which included a $721 million impact from the revaluation of an investment.
Additionally, Uber revealed several new partnerships related to self-driving cars over the first four months of the year, as part of a broader strategy to engage with the robot taxi sector, which poses competitive challenges.
In March, the company initiated an exclusive collaboration in Austin, Texas, with plans to launch in Atlanta soon alongside autonomous automotive partner Waymo. By May, Uber had established 18 active self-driving car partnerships.
While rides continue to be the main source of Uber’s profits, the food delivery segment has seen a growth of 15%. Recently, the company invested $700 million to acquire an 85% stake in Trendyol GO, a Turkish grocery and cuisine service.
Furthermore, Uber experienced a relief from increasing car insurance costs that had affected driver earnings. The company has bolstered its short-term and long-term insurance reserves over the last quarter compared to the previous year.
Artificial intelligence software has significantly enhanced editing tools, surpassing basic spell checkers and old grammar aids. AI can proofread, rewrite, summarize, and generate text, making it simple to create polished, complex documents right on your smartphone. If you haven’t explored this yet, free tools from Apple and Google are great starting points. Feel free to experiment with the software and assess its capabilities; when in doubt, let AI take over. Here’s a guide to help you get started.
Using Apple Intelligence
Apple’s Integrated AI Tool Suite, known as Apple Intelligence, includes a selection of writing tools (requiring iOS 18.1 and a recent iPhone or iPad). This writing tool works with most applications that allow text input or speech-to-text. If you compose something (like a page), highlight the section you wish to edit. In the pop-up menu, tap [書き込みツール] or the circular Apple Intelligence icon on the toolbar.
From the menu, you can choose options such as proofreading, rewriting, or summarizing, or see how to modify the text. You can also view it as key points, lists, or tables, and adjust the tone to make it more friendly, professional, or concise. If you dislike the changes, you can revert to the original text.
With the popular ChatGPT chatbot integrated into Apple Intelligence, you can create a draft from scratch once you enable ChatGPT. Tap the Compose button and follow the on-screen instructions. (Note: The New York Times has filed a lawsuit against ChatGPT’s creator, OpenAI, and its partner Microsoft, claiming copyright infringement on AI-generated news content; the companies deny these allegations.)
Like any AI chatbot, Gemini responds to queries and prompts. For instance, you can copy text into a draft note and ask Gemini to proofread and fact-check. Gemini can also produce text on demand; for example, you can prompt it to “Draft a proposal to the city council for permission to hold the Summer Dog Festival on August 2nd and 3rd.” Once Gemini generates your proposal, you can save it as a Google Doc for further editing.
Other Options
Apple Intelligence may require a subscription if your device is outdated, or if you don’t regularly use Google products. Nevertheless, various AI tools are available. Grammarie, established in 2009, offers a mobile app that integrates with your device’s keyboard for tone adjustment and other AI features. Microsoft’s Copilot AI tools work seamlessly with Microsoft 365 Suite.
Various AI bots are available in app stores, including writing-specific assistants like Paragraph, which accommodates different communication styles (including support for authors with dyslexia), and Sudwrite for story projects. Common chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude also offer writing assistant capabilities.
Important Considerations
Please remember that AI is not infallible. Always proofread its output, as errors may occur. While AI support can enhance more impersonal documents, such as memos and suggestions, excessive reliance on it can dilute your unique voice and style.
For instance, consider the opening line of Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1891 short story “The Bohemia Scandal,” rewritten by software to portray Dr. Watson in a more casual tone:
Original: “She’s always on Sherlock Holmes’ mind. I rarely hear him mention her by any other name. In his eyes, she embodies and dominates her entire gender. It wasn’t that he felt any similar feelings to his love for Irene Adler.”
Apple Intelligence: “Sherlock Holmes always called her ‘the woman.’ He seldom used other names for her. To him, she was the most outstanding woman of all women. Not because he felt romantic feelings for Irene Adler.”
Gemini: “For Sherlock, she is always a ‘female.’ I rarely hear him call her anything else. The way he sees it, she outshines all other women. It’s not that he’s in love with Irene Adler or anything like that.”
Always ensure your own words remain central. This practice can prevent others from thinking, “Hey, did you write this?”
The robotic Soviet spacecraft has been floating in space for 53 years. It will return to Earth later this week.
Launched in March 1972, the Kosmos-482 was meant to land on the dynamic surface of Venus, marking the ninth mission in the Soviet Venella program. However, a malfunction left it orbiting Earth, where it has been circling ever since.
“This artifact was slated for Venus 50 years ago, lost and forgotten for half a century,” stated Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. He pointed to the Public Catalog of space objects, adding, “Although it’s headed for the wrong planet, it will still create a moment of atmospheric entry.”
Having a protective heat shield, the spacecraft weighs roughly 1,050 pounds and is built to endure its descent through Venus’s harsh atmosphere, meaning it may survive the plunge and reach at least partway to the surface.
Nonetheless, the chance of ground impact is minimal.
“I’m not concerned—I’m not warning my friends to hide,” said Darren McKnight, Advanced Technology Fellow at Leo Labs, a company tracking orbital objects, which monitors Kosmos-482 six times daily. “We typically see a large object re-enter Earth’s atmosphere about once a week.”
When is Kosmos-482 expected to return to Earth?
The estimates are updated daily, but the current anticipated re-entry date is Friday or Saturday. The New York Times will provide updated estimates as they arise.
According to the Aerospace Corporation, which monitors space debris, there is a predicted re-entry window of 12:42 AM Eastern Time on May 10, with a margin of error of 19 hours. Window Calculation
Marco Langroek, a satellite tracker at Delft Institute of Technology, has been monitoring Cosmos-482 for several years and estimates a re-entry around 4:37 AM Eastern Time on May 10, with similar uncertainties.
Where will it land?
The exact landing spot remains unknown. “And we won’t know until after it happens,” Dr. McDowell noted.
The Kosmos-482 travels at over 17,000 mph, and atmospheric friction slows it down rapidly, making timing crucial; even a slight miscalculation could land it in a completely different location.
What is certain is that the orbit of Kosmos-482 encompasses latitudes between 52°N and 52°S, covering large sections of Africa, Australia, North America, and much of Europe and Asia.
“There are three outcomes when an object re-enters: splashing, destruction, or injury,” Dr. McKnight remarked.
“A splash is ideal,” he added, noting that much of the Earth is ocean, while the undesired outcomes would be “destruction” or “injury.”
Will the spacecraft withstand the impact?
If Kosmos-482 endures the re-entry, it will impact at approximately 150 miles per hour, provided its heat shield remains intact. “I doubt much will remain after that,” Dr. McDowell stated. “Imagine crashing a car into a wall at 150 mph; not much would be left.”
If it returns over a populated area during nighttime, observers may see Kosmos-482 as bright streaks racing across the sky.
Should any part of the spacecraft survive the descent, it will legally be owned by Russia.
“Under international law, any found object must be returned,” explained Michelle Hanlon, Executive Director of the Aerospace Law Center at the University of Mississippi. “Russia is recognized as the registered owner and retains jurisdiction over the objects.”
How can I identify this object?
Roughly 25 years ago, Dr. McDowell sifted through Norad’s catalog of some 25,000 orbital objects, attempting to identify each one. He often found the answer was, “this is debris from a rather dull rocket explosion.”
However, one object, 6073, stood out; launched from Kazakhstan in 1972, it traveled between 124 and 6,000 miles from Earth in a highly elliptical orbit.
Analyzing its trajectory and dimensions led Dr. McDowell to theorize it was likely the much-anticipated Kosmos-482 lander rather than merely debris from a failed launch, a hypothesis confirmed by multiple ground observations and recently declassified Soviet documents.
fDuring the 10-day span of summer 2006, I handed in my resignation from my first job at a gaming magazine and returned to Scotland to start college. My life revolved around eating, sleeping, and losing myself in an Xbox 360. That was my entire existence. I played as a Khajiit thief, resembling a dark Mankilion in sleek black leather armor, boasting impressive pickpocketing skills. One afternoon, I decided to attempt stealing every item in the quaint town of Bravil, only to be apprehended by the guards for hours. I found myself running around, dropping random planks, cheese wheels, and trails of doublets.
Many of you may share similar experiences in Bethesda games—if not forgetting, perhaps in Skyrim or Fallout 3. Explore as you wish! Experiment with bizarre spells and test your luck against thieves! Venture into caves to battle necromancers, only to be ambushed by vampires! While open-world games like these may seem exhausting now, Forgetfulness was my introduction to gaming. Following Bethesda’s surprise release of a remake last Friday, I’ve been indulging in it nonstop.
It was indeed a surprise. The Oblivion Remake/Remaster is one of the industry’s worst-kept secrets, second only to the Switch 2, and I’ve been eagerly anticipating it for months. Over the last 20 years, Oblivion has gained notoriety for its technical quirks and amusing glitches, alongside its groundbreaking design. I was relieved to discover that Bethesda chose not to fix these quirks. Characters remain stuck in walls, reciting Asinine’s dialogue repeatedly. The facial animations still miss the mark. The game crashed mere minutes after Patrick Stewart’s opening line as the Emperor of Cyrodiil, and I found myself falling through the world, twice. Oddities happen so often that they’re rarely intentional. They are preserved in the Notorious voice-activated blooper, a perfect time capsule of ’00s accidental gaming comedy, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.
Game of choice without consequences… Elder Scroll: Forget.
Photo: Bethesda Game Studios
While Cyrodiil felt vast and picturesque, adorned with gentle, mystical ruins and rivers reflecting the light, by 2025’s standards, it feels quaint, resembling perhaps just the opening section of a much larger game map. (I’m particularly reminded of Avowed. It’s akin to a recent Elder Scroll offering from Microsoft Studio Obsidian.) The grand imperial city at the center feels more like a small village with interconnected districts housing around 30 characters. I still don’t understand how I spent over 100 hours in such a compact space as a teenager, but during a recent playthrough, I was astonished to find I remembered many details and had encounters with new characters from quests I’d not thought of in years.
In Oblivion, character development hinges on your actions. There’s no need to strictly choose between magic, stealth, or strength. Simply pick up a Great Sword and start using it. (The trick back then was to crouch in sneak mode, use a rubber band to hold the analog stick on the controller, and spin it until your stealth stats maxed out.) This mechanics creates a buffet-like experience where you can become a Battle Arena Champion all at once. It’s a game of choice without consequences, both forgiving and abundant, where a compact world unfolds around you.
I theorize that Bethesda RPGs offer only one immersive experience. You savor one life with Elder Scrolls, and each subsequent playthrough feels like an echo of the previous one. I spent numerous years playing Skyrim and Fallout 3, yet neither was completed. It turns out that Forgetfulness remains my game; newer, more refined open-world titles can often overwhelm me and push my patience to the limit. I still cringe at the hellish landscape of Forgetfulness, where battling the devil can feel like an eternity in a tower adorned with a flaming corpse. Its atmosphere recalls ’00s metal album art. Yet, the beauty of such a game is its ability to let you abandon the plot and explore carefree.
The Oblivion Remaster illustrates that older games don’t always need fixing—they may look different, but they retain their original soul. I believe my teenage self would agree.
What to do
One of the best puzzle games I’ve ever played… Blue Prince.
Photo: Dogubomb/Raw Fury
If you haven’t yet played Blue Prince, stop what you’re doing and download it immediately. You play as a teenage heir to a sprawling mansion, but there’s a catch: to keep it, you must uncover the secret 46th room. The mansion resets each time you sleep, making the routes different each day, and you’re left to discover randomly generated rooms you’ve never encountered before.
I played this with my eldest son. Memo Taker is the most captivating puzzle game I’ve experienced. Even upon discovering Room 46, there remains a deep mystery to explore. Several acquaintances I know have become completely engrossed in it. Its calming pace and intellectual challenges make it perfect for when you’re recuperating. Your reward for playing is always greater knowledge.
Available on: PC, Xbox, PS5 Estimated playtime: Over 30 hours
What to read
Fun and strange… split fiction.
Photo: Electronic Arts
Sydney Sweeney stars in the film adaptation of the Hazelight cooperative game Split Fiction. What do you think? Are you planning to work on it? My partner and I are currently midway through the game, and it’s a blast—odd and enjoyable, yet the plot and character development are… not particularly complex.
According to Video Game Chronicle, in October they shared details about The Ghost of Yotei, a sequel to the visually stunning, yet bloated, Ghost of Tsushima. “Players will pursue Yotei Six, a group of warriors responsible for devastation in Japan,” they reported. “As players hunt them down, the sash worn by the main character Atsuu will present the names of the Yotei Six being sought,” reminiscent of Arya Stark.
Call of Duty’s Warzone has gained fame for its quirky celebrity appearances, enabling players to take down a host of famous figures, including Nicki Minaj and Lionel Messi. The latest addition? Seth Rogen, as part of the new (Heaven help us) “Weed-themed Content Package.”
Divergence… Isabela Merced and Bella Ramsey from Season 2, our final episode 3.
Photo: Warner Bros Discovery
This week’s question comes from reader Toby:
“All video game movies and TV shows seem cursed, and I want to understand how adaptations of Our Last of Us Part II turn out in the end. I really feel that the interactive medium enhances that sentiment and theme. Can a story still carry the same impact when adapted to a passive medium? Which great video game narratives do you think cannot be adapted effectively into movies or shows?”
Having just watched the third episode of Season 2 of Our Last of Us, it’s evident that this season deviates more from the game’s plot compared to Season 1. As you’ve noted, the emotional depth of the game hinges on experiencing it from multiple perspectives, thus necessitating a different approach. Nevertheless, the first game’s emotional weight came from Joel’s actions, whether you agreed with them or not. The series couldn’t replicate that dynamic, so they introduced fresh perspectives and expanded on existing narratives, showcasing the practical, even if less engaging, aspects. I’m particularly drawn to the remarkable episodes featuring Bill and Frank. This embodies the essence of adaptation: offering something novel.
Based on this: No great video game stories cannot be transitioned to film or television by a skilled and insightful writer. The critical terms here aren’t simply related to literal translation; movies and shows need to provide new interpretations and viewpoints. However, many games with weak narratives could make engaging TV shows or films, given that a true visionary is at the helm.
If you have questions for the question block or anything else you’d like to share regarding the newsletter, feel free to hit reply or email us at butingbuttons@theguardian.com.
OpenAI has reversed its decision regarding the transition to a for-profit model, with the nonprofit sector continuing to oversee the operations that produce ChatGPT and other AI products. Initially, the company sought greater autonomy for its for-profit entities.
“We listened to feedback from civic leaders and consulted with the California Attorney General and the Delaware office before the nonprofit opted to retain control,” said CEO Sam Altman in a letter to employees. Bret Taylor, chair of Altman and OpenAI’s nonprofit board, affirmed that the decision was made to ensure the nonprofit maintains oversight of OpenAI.
According to a company press release, the segment of OpenAI’s for-profit organization led by Altman, which secured billions in funding, will aim for profit but will transition to a public benefit corporation. This corporate framework is mission-driven, requiring a balance between shareholder profit and public benefit. The nonprofit will continue to hold significant control as a major shareholder of these public benefit corporations.
Initially founded by Altman and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, OpenAI started as a nonprofit research organization with the goal of safely developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) for the benefit of humanity. Nearly a decade later, OpenAI boasts a valuation of $300 million and an impressive 400 million weekly users of its flagship product, ChatGPT.
OpenAI has encountered several challenges in restructuring its governance. A significant hurdle has been a lawsuit from Musk, who criticized the company and Altman for betraying the ethical principles that motivated his initial investment. Following his departure, Musk established a rival AI firm called Xai, which recently acquired Twitter, now known as X. OpenAI ultimately prevailed in its conflict with Musk, who has struggled in the wake of OpenAI’s growing success.
Researchers at Talton State University have discovered that extracts from okra and/or fenugreek can attract and eliminate as much as 90% of microplastics from sea, freshwater, and groundwater.
Srinivasan et al. We demonstrated that plant-based polysaccharides exhibited better microplastic removal efficiency than polyacrylamides commercially used in water treatment. Image credit: Srinivasan et al., doi: 10.1021/acsomega.4C07476.
Microplastics are emerging as significant pollutants that pose a threat to aquatic environments globally.
These solid polymers, measuring less than 5 mm, originate from larger plastic debris and the fragmentation of environmental emissions.
These contaminants not only inflict physical damage but also act as carriers for other harmful pollutants that cling to microplastics.
When consumed by organisms, these microparticles can lead to bioaccumulation and bioproliferation.
Conventional wastewater treatment methods using inorganic and organic polymer flocculants are not eco-friendly and can introduce toxicity.
Dr. Rajani Srinivasan and her team at Talton State University have been investigating a safe, plant-based strategy for attracting and eliminating contaminants from water sources.
In laboratory experiments, they found that okra, fenugreek, and tamarind polymers effectively adhered to microplastics, allowing them to aggregate and sink for easy separation from water.
To prepare the sticky plant polymer, sliced okra pods were soaked in separate containers of water overnight.
The resulting extracts were collected, dried, and ground into a powder.
Analysis revealed that the powdered extracts contained polysaccharides, which are natural polymers.
Initial tests on pure water contaminated with microplastics indicated: (i) One gram of any of the quart (1 liter) powders was highly effective in trapping microplastics. (ii) Dried okra and fenugreek extracts removed 67% and 93% of the plastic in one hour, respectively. (iii) A combination of equal parts okra and fenugreek powder reached a maximum removal efficiency of 70% within 30 minutes. (iv) Natural polymers proved significantly more effective than synthetic commercial polyacrylamide polymers typically used in wastewater treatment.
The researchers conducted tests using real water samples contaminated with microplastics.
They collected samples from various water sources around Texas and analyzed them in the lab.
The removal efficiency of plant extracts varied based on the original water source: okra was most effective in seawater (80%), fenugreek showed 80-90% efficiency in groundwater, and a 1:1 mixture of okra and fenugreek achieved 77% efficiency in freshwater.
The scientists suggest that natural polymers display different efficiencies due to the diversity of microplastic types, sizes, and shapes across water samples.
“While polyacrylamide is commonly used for contaminant removal in wastewater treatment, extracts from okra and fenugreek provide biodegradable and non-toxic alternatives,” they stated.
“Using these plant-based extracts for water treatment can eliminate microplastics and other pollutants without introducing additional toxins into the treated water, thereby reducing long-term health risks for the public,” Dr. Srinivasan added.
The team’s work has been published in the journal ACS Omega.
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Rajani Srinivasan et al. 2025. Fenugreek and okra polymers as therapeutic agents for removing microplastics from water sources. ACS Omega 10(15):14640-14656; doi:10.1021/acsomega.4C07476
Astronomers utilizing the very large array (VLA) from NSF have made a significant discovery of a massive gas flow near HW2. Cephaus A enables rapid protostar growth.
Ammonia gas falls into the accretion disk that feeds Protostar HW2. Image credits: NSF/AUI/NSF/NRAO/B. SAXTON.
Extensive reservoirs of interstellar gas are essential for forming giant stars, several times the size of our Sun, accumulating over a vast scale of approximately Parsec (3.26 light years).
Ultimately, gas collects in a local area several hundred times larger than the Astronomical Unit (AU) to attach to small protostars nearly one million kilometers wide.
The flow, originating from very young stars to hundreds of AU away, has long presented observational challenges, particularly for the largest stars distant from solar-type stars.
“Our observations present direct evidence that giant stars can form with masses reaching dozens of solar masses through disks,” stated Dr. Alberto Sanna, an astronomer from INAF and the Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie.
“The exceptional wireless sensitivity of the VLA enabled us to discern features on a scale as small as 100 AU, giving us unprecedented insights into this formation process.”
Cephaus A represents the second closest star-forming region where large young stars of over 10 solar masses have been observed, providing an ideal setting for investigating these complex processes.
Dr. Sanna and colleagues employed ammonia, a common molecule in interstellar gas clouds, widely used on Earth as a tracer mapping gas dynamics around stars.
VLA observations revealed a dense ring of high-temperature ammonia gas with a radius of 200-700 AU surrounding HW2.
This structure was recognized as a component of the accretion disk, a crucial feature in star formation theory.
Astronomers found that the gas in this disk flowed inward and rotated around a young star.
Remarkably, the mass accreting onto HW2 was measured at one-two-thousandth of a solar mass annually.
These findings confirm that accretion disks can sustain such extreme mass transfer rates, even while the central star’s mass reaches 16 times that of the Sun.
The researchers also compared their findings with advanced simulations of large-scale star formation.
“The results align closely with theoretical predictions, suggesting that ammonia gas near HW2 nearly collapses at free-fall speeds and rotates at sub-critical speeds.
Interestingly, the asymmetry of the disk structure and turbulent flow indicate the presence of an external gas stream, known as a streamer, potentially supplying new material to one side of the disk.
Such streamers have been detected in other star-forming regions and may be significant in refreshing accretion disks around giant stars.
This discovery resolves decades of debate about whether HW2 and protostars can similarly form accretion disks capable of sustaining rapid growth.
It also reinforces the concept that similar physical mechanisms drive star formation across various mass categories.
“This research enhances our comprehension of how large stars are formed and influences broader inquiries into the evolution and chemical enrichment of galaxies in the universe,” the author remarked.
“Massive stars function as essential cosmic engines, generating winds and explosions that distribute heavy elements throughout the galaxy.”
Their paper will be published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
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A. Sanna et al. 2025. Gas infall through accretion disk feeding Cephaus A HW2. A&A in press; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202450330
Scientists have discovered a new genus and species of ZheLestid mammals from fossil sites in the Bien Series Formation located in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia.
Reconstruction of ravjaa ishiii (foreground) depicted near a hadrosaurus dinosaur Gobihadro. Image credit: kohei futaka.
This new species, named ravjaa ishiii, existed during the Cretaceous period approximately 90 million years ago.
The ancient mammals are mouse-sized; the ZheLestidae family of Eutherian mammals was widely found across Eurasia and North America in the late Cretaceous period.
“The remarkably preserved mammal fossils found in late Cretaceous deposits of the Gobi Desert have been crucial for understanding the evolution of Mesozoic mammals,” stated Tsukasa Okosi, a PhD candidate in Science at Okayama University, and a collaborator on the research.
“These extraordinary mammal fossils were primarily excavated from the Balungoyacht and Djadokhta formations, with only two fragmentary fossils obtained from the underlying Baianshiree formation.”
The new Zhelestid fossil was uncovered in 2019 in the Bayan Shiree area within the Bayanshiree Formation.
This specimen consists of the distal section of a premolar and part of a mandible, measuring 1 cm from the first to third molar.
“Discovering such a tiny fossil in the vastness of the Gobi Desert feels like a gift from nature. It’s truly miraculous,” remarked a professor from Okayama University of Science.
“Their exceptionally tall molars and unique jaw structures set them apart from known relatives, prompting us to establish a new genus and species,” explained the paleontologist.
“The robust nature of their molars is reminiscent of seed and fruit-eating mammals, which provides fascinating insights into how early mammalian species may have exploited plant resources.”
The research team asserts that ravjaa ishiii is the first Zhelestid identified from the Bien Series formation, indeed marking the first discovery of its kind in Mongolia.
“ravjaa ishiii may represent the oldest member of the Zhelestids, as the currently oldest known Zhelestids were found in Uzbekistan, indicating that this group’s emergence dates back to the early/late Cretaceous boundary,” the researchers noted.
Their study is published online in the journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica.
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Tsukasa Okoshi et al. 2025. A new Late Cretaceous Zhelestid mammal from the Mongolian Baiansilli formation. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 70(1): 193-203; doi: 10.4202/app.01213.2024
The National Institutes of Health has implemented a policy that prevents American scientists from allocating their funds to international research collaborators, raising concerns about the implications for studies on critical issues like malaria and pediatric cancer.
On Thursday, the new NIH director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, made this announcement. Coincidentally, Deputy Director Dr. Matthew J. Memoli criticized these so-called sub-awards in an email shared with the New York Times.
Dr. Memoli stated, “If you can’t clearly justify why you’re doing something overseas, you can’t do it anywhere else and can’t benefit Americans.”
The impending restrictions will also extend to domestic sub-awards in the future, coinciding with executive orders aimed at reshaping the nation’s scientific priorities amidst declining NIH funding and stalled federal grants at numerous premier universities.
On Monday, President Trump enacted an executive order to restrict experiments that could enhance the risks posed by pathogens and limit support for so-called gain-of-function research in nations like China.
Researchers receiving NIH grants have frequently employed sub-awards to foster international collaboration, a crucial component for studying diseases such as childhood cancer, malaria, and tuberculosis, which is less prevalent in the U.S.
However, there has been increased scrutiny in recent years due to lax reporting and tracking of funds. Following a critical report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in 2023, the NIH introduced more stringent oversight requirements.
Proponents of scientific and medical research argue that as science grows more complex, collaborative efforts that engage participants and researchers globally are becoming increasingly vital.
“Competitiveness in science necessitates a collaborative approach,” stated Dr. E. Anderskolb, CEO of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Association. “No single lab, agency, or investigator possesses all the necessary tools to address the complex questions we’re facing.”
Many of these studies require a significant number of subjects. For instance, scientists can more precisely classify the types of pediatric cancers, leading Dr. Kolb to comment, “we’re entering a niche of diseases that are becoming progressively smaller.”
“Thus, if you’re aiming to conduct clinical trials for new treatments that could aid these children, attempting to only enroll U.S. children might prolong the trial duration by decades,” he added. “Collaborating with international partners allows us to expedite these trials and deliver treatments to our children much sooner.”
In unveiling the new directive, Dr. Bhattacharya referenced a GAO report criticizing the funding awarded to international universities, research institutes, and firms.
Dr. Bhattacharya added that the issues raised by the GAO “could undermine trust and safety for U.S. biomedical research entities.”
Tracking NIH expenditures for these international organizations is challenging. A notable obstacle pointed out by the GAO, as reported by journal Nature, estimated total funding to be about $500 million annually.
Dr. Monica Gandhi, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, is utilizing NIH funding for HIV prevention and treatment research in Kenya and South Africa.
Researchers like her are required to furnish detailed information when applying for international sub-awards, she explained.
Currently, international partners must access lab notebooks, data, and other documents at least once annually, as noted by Dr. Gandhi. All expenses must comply with Foreign Awards and Component Tracking Systems.
“It’s extremely stringent, similar to using taxpayer funds,” Dr. Gandhi remarked.
“Each year, when submitting your progress report, you must account for every dollar spent on international locations. You’ll detail where it was allocated, how much laboratory testing costs, and who the principal investigators are—every facet.”
It remains unclear how the new policy will be implemented. The NIH has not responded to requests for further information.
The NIH stated it will not retroactively reverse foreign sub-awards that are already in effect “at this time,” and will continue to grant funding to international organizations.
However, the new policy prohibits the reissuance of new, competitive awards if they include proposals for sub-awards to foreign institutions.
“If the project is unfeasible without foreign sub-awards, the NIH will collaborate with the recipient to negotiate the bilateral termination of the project,” stated the agency.
The new policy seems to be slightly less comprehensive than what Dr. Memoli outlined in his internal email.
“Sub-awards to foreign sites cannot proceed,” he wrote. “This has been mismanaged horrendously in recent years and is utterly irresponsible. We must act immediately. If there is a foreign site involved in our research, we need to either start closing it or devise another method to track it properly.”
GAO reports indicate that several federal departments are seeking improved surveillance following criticism regarding lax reporting. However, the office did not advocate for the complete termination of such funding.
The 2023 GAO Report reviewed $2 million in direct and sub-awards, the majority coming from the NIH, awarded to three Chinese research institutions, including the Wuhan Virology Institute, between 2014 and 2021.
The Virology Institute received a sub-award from the University of California, Irvine and the non-profit EcoHealth Alliance. Collaborating with the Alliance and Chinese scientists led former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to suspend funding last year. Recently, the Trump administration updated its government portal for COVID-19 information to suggest that a novel virus emerged from a lab in Wuhan.
According to a GAO report, NIH oversight has not consistently ensured that foreign agencies comply with requirements, including biosafety regulations.
Another GAO report indicated that one reason for the difficulty in tracking spending is a federal policy requiring the reporting of sub-awards of $30,000 or more.
The report examined approximately $48 million in NIH and State Department funding provided to Chinese companies and research institutions between 2017 and 2021.
“The full extent of these sub-awards remains unknown,” and the data retrieved were found to be incomplete and inaccurate, with numerous expenditures exempt from reporting.
Israeli cybersecurity company NSO Group has been ordered to pay Meta $167 million in damages, concluding a six-year legal dispute after NSO hacked 1,400 WhatsApp accounts belonging to journalists, human rights activists, and government officials.
In December, U.S. District Court Judge Phyllis Hamilton ruled that NSO had breached cybersecurity laws by using the well-known Pegasus spyware to target mobile phones configured with WhatsApp across 20 countries. Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, provides an encrypted messaging platform used by over 2 billion individuals.
In March, Meta sought damages from NSO, and last week the court convened to discuss potential penalties. The ruling was made on Tuesday following two days of deliberation.
“Today’s verdict imposing penalties on NSO is a crucial deterrent for the spyware industry against unlawful activities targeting American companies and users globally. This is a threat to the entire industry, and we must all work to safeguard it.”
WhatsApp announced that it would donate the damages to digital rights organizations dedicated to protecting individuals.
“We are excited to share our commitment to providing a variety of services to our users,” stated Gil Rainer, Vice President of Global Communications at NSO Group. “We firmly believe that our technology plays a vital role in preventing serious crimes and terrorism, and is employed responsibly by authorized government agencies.”
WhatsApp initially filed a lawsuit against NSO in 2019, claiming they had accessed WhatsApp servers without authorization. An NSO executive testified about the company’s capability to install Pegasus software on targeted mobile devices without users’ awareness. This executive asserted that Pegasus assists law enforcement and intelligence agencies in combating crime and securing national safety.
Similarly, Apple sued NSO for device hacking in 2021, though it dropped the case in September. Additionally, in 2021, the Commerce Department blacklisted NSO, stating the firm acted “contrary to U.S. national security or foreign policy interests.”
Spyware, a type of software that infiltrates mobile phones, laptops, and other devices, is increasingly used to surveil unsuspecting victims. Initial spyware from NSO required targets to click on links or images sent via WhatsApp, which would then be unintentionally downloaded on their devices.
Evidence presented during the trial indicated that the latest version can penetrate phones through sent text messages without any action needed from the recipient. The proceedings also revealed that NSO has developed technology capable of infiltrating other messaging applications.
John Scott-Railton, an external expert whose work highlights how NSO Group’s spyware targets individuals through WhatsApp, remarked that Tuesday’s decision would adversely affect the company.
“NSO’s operations rely on compromising American companies,” stated Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity watchdog affiliated with the University of Toronto. “Dictators can exploit this to track dissidents. This ruling conveys a strong message.”
Philip Sunshine, a physician at Stanford University, significantly advanced neonatal theory as a medical specialty, transforming the care for premature and severely ill neonates, who previously faced little hope of survival. He passed away on April 5 at his home in Cupertino, California, at the age of 94.
His daughter, Diana Sunshine, confirmed his death.
Before Dr. Sunshine and a few other dedicated doctors took an interest in caring for infants in the late 1950s and early 1960s, more than half of these incredibly vulnerable patients died shortly after birth, often without insurance coverage for their treatment.
As a pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Sunshine believed that with proper attention, many premature babies could be saved. At Stanford, he assembled a multidisciplinary team to treat these infants in specialized intensive care units. Alongside his colleagues, he developed innovative feeding methods and breathing assistance techniques using ventilation.
“We managed to keep babies alive who would have otherwise not survived,” Dr. Sunshine recounted during an interview in 2000 with the Pediatric History Center at the American Academy of Pediatrics. “And now, this progress is often taken for granted.”
The early 1960s marked a pivotal moment for the care of premature babies.
As noted by the Oxford English Dictionary, the term “Neonatology” first appeared in the 1960 book “Isises of Newborn” by pediatrician Alexander J. Schaffer from Baltimore. By that time, Stanford’s Neonatology School, one of the nation’s earliest schools for this field, was already functional.
In 1963, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, the second son of President John F. Kennedy, was born nearly six weeks prematurely and sadly passed away just 39 hours later. This tragic event captured the attention of newspapers across the nation and spurred federal health officials to begin funding research focused on newborns.
“Kennedy’s situation was a significant turning point,” Dr. Sunshine remarked in 1998 to Aha News, a publication of the American Hospital Association.
Serving as the Newborn Dean at Stanford from 1967 to 1989, Dr. Sunshine played a crucial role in training hundreds, if not thousands, of doctors who went on to work in neonatal intensive care units worldwide. Upon his retirement in 2022 at the age of 92, the survival rate for babies born at just 28 weeks had surpassed 90%.
“Phill is one of the pioneers in neonatology—an exceptional neonatologist and one of the finest in our field’s history,” stated David K. Stevenson, the head of the neonatology division at Stanford, who succeeded Dr. Sunshine, in a 2011 graduate journal.
Dr. Sunshine understood that providing care for young children involves both technical skills and personal connection. He advocated for allowing parents to visit the neonatal intensive care unit to hold their newborns, noting that skin-to-skin contact was highly beneficial.
He also encouraged nurses to exercise their judgment and express concerns when they felt something was amiss.
“Our nurses have always been invaluable caregivers,” Dr. Sunshine recounted in oral history. “Throughout my career, I collaborated with nursing staff who often recognized baby issues before the doctors did, and they continue to do so.”
A newborn nurse who worked alongside Dr. Sunshine for over 50 years shared in a blog post for Stanford Medicine, “Phil exuded a deep kindness—towards the babies, us, and everyone around him.”
“He viewed everyone as equally important,” she commented.
It was a challenging journey, and the pressure was immense.
“He had a calming, encouraging presence and was completely unflappable,” Dr. Stevenson said in an interview. “He would often say, ‘If you’re going to be up all night in the hospital, what better way to spend your time than by giving someone 80 or 90 years of life?'”
Philip Sunshine was born in Denver on June 16, 1930, to parents Samuel and Molly (Fox) Sunshine, who owned a pharmacy.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in 1952 and graduated from medical school in 1955.
After his first year of residency at Stanford, he was drafted into the US Navy, where he served as a physician. Upon returning to Stanford in 1959, he trained under pediatrician Louis Gulac, later developing a modern neonatal intensive care unit at Yale University.
“He inspired my passion for caring for newborns and made the field so fascinating,” Dr. Sunshine recalled. He stated.
Since there was no neonatal fellowship available at the time, Dr. Sunshine pursued advanced training in pediatric gastroenterology and pediatric metabolism fellowships.
“This was a really thrilling period,” he commented in a Stanford Medicine Children’s Health blog post. He remarked. “People from diverse backgrounds were contributing valuable skills for newborn care—like neonatal specialists, cardiologists, and those with interests in gastrointestinal issues with infants. I learned a wealth of information and enthusiasm from them.”
Dr. Sunshine married Sarah Elizabeth Vryland, dubbed Beth, in 1962.
He is survived by his wife, daughter Diana, four other children—Rebecca, Samuel, Michael, and Stephanie—and nine grandchildren.
In many ways, Dr. Sunshine’s surname aptly captured his essence; it resonates perfectly with his profession and approach.
“Beyond being a pioneer in neonatology, he truly brought light to every environment he entered,” Susan R. Hintz, a neonatologist at Stanford University, shared in an interview. “He was a soothing presence, especially during incredibly stressful times. Nurses frequently remarked, ‘He is someone everyone remembers.’
Not many individuals are eager to publicize their disputes with neighbors, and Elon Musk is no exception.
In March, Musk’s team engaged with officials from the upscale city of Westlake Hills, Texas, while keeping details about his mansion and security measures under wraps.
In emails, employees from Tech Bylionaire requested Westlake Hills officials to release their private information in April. They pointed out Musk’s involvement with the Trump administration as grounds for considering his property records and communications with the city exempt from state and federal public records regulations, according to the email.
One of Musk’s employees mentioned in a March 3 email that homeowners should be exempt from public disclosure as they are “federal civil servants,” and that “federal clearance documents can be provided if required.”
At age 53, Musk aimed to shield his neighbors from tensions surrounding the construction of a 16-foot chain-link fence and a metal gate equipped with cameras near his apartment complex. He modified the property without the necessary permits, violating six city ordinances, and sought to address the matter retroactively.
However, Musk’s attempt to safeguard his privacy was unsuccessful. City lawyers in Westlake Hills opposed the closure meeting, as shown by emails. Recently, at a Zoning and Planning Committee meeting, Musk’s appeal to keep the fence and gate on his property was denied. This matter will be discussed in a city council meeting originally set for May 14 but postponed to June 11 at the request of the applicant.
Fletcher declined to comment on the city’s records, and Musk’s team did not respond to requests for comment.
The 6,900-square-foot mansion in Westlake Hills is one of three properties Musk has acquired in recent years for his children and mother. This apartment complex, located at the end of a street lined with four homes, served as Musk’s base during his stays in Austin and became central to his expanding security business. He acquired the property in 2022 through a limited liability company.
Following the installation of the 16-foot fence and separate gates, neighbors raised concerns regarding traffic and the structure’s impact on the neighborhood. Consequently, officials in Westlake Hills initiated an investigation.
By March, Musk’s staff expressed concern that documents they had submitted to the city might be disclosed, according to the email. Tisha Litta, a licensing officer working for Musk’s limited liability company, reached out to the city requesting a hearing to discuss keeping the property issues private.
Inna Kaplun, identified as a lawyer representing a “real estate owner,” also contacted the city asserting that owners should be exempt from hearings due to the presence of numerous security personnel on-site, including former federal agents. Citing Texas law, the lawyers contended that agencies are not required to hold public meetings to deliberate on matters involving “security officers or devices.”
Musk’s team and city officials convened at least once in March to discuss the property, per the email. In mid-March, the Westlake Hills city attorney challenged Musk’s request for a private hearing, referencing the Texas Open Meeting Act in an email.
During a meeting of the Public Zoning and Planning Committee last month, city employees recommended that Musk be allowed to keep the fences and gates that were erected without permission, although minor adjustments were deemed necessary. Meeting records indicate that several committee members inquired about the proposal.
Ultimately, the committee voted in favor of recommending that the city council deny Musk’s exception for his project.
Many individuals endure chronic pain for years or even decades
Asiavision/Getty Images
Understanding how to manage negative emotions like anxiety can help ease chronic pain. Research shows certain therapies that emphasize pain tolerance may be more effective than current treatments.
“Chronic pain is not just a physical sensation; it’s deeply emotional,” explains Nell Norman Knott from the University of New South Wales, Australia. “Around 80% of those with chronic pain experience heightened levels of anxiety and depression,” she adds, noting how existing pain exacerbates negative feelings, intensifying the pain experience.
To assess if this cycle could be disrupted, Norman Knott and her team implemented a program inspired by dialectical behavioral therapy, a variation of cognitive behavioral therapy catering to those with strong emotions. The program centered on mindfulness, emotional management, and pain tolerance.
Eighty-nine chronic pain sufferers, averaging 16 years of discomfort, were assigned to either an 8-week online therapy program with therapists or to receive their prior treatments, such as medications or physical therapy.
After nine weeks, the treatment group showed a roughly 5-point improvement in emotional regulation on a scale of 18-90 compared to the control group. Their pain intensity began to decrease by week 21, and after six months, participants in the control group reported significantly less pain.
“This is both intriguing and hopeful,” remarks Benedict Alter from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He notes that it could particularly benefit individuals without easy access to in-person care. “The online format is significant, as a small number of providers offering treatment is a substantial challenge, often limited to urban settings.”
While the specific mechanisms behind pain reduction remain unclear, he asserts, “Better emotional regulation correlates with improved quality of life, resulting in less pain and decreased functional impairment. Future studies with larger sample sizes could elucidate these mechanisms.”
Could there be hydrogen under Mount Grison in Switzerland?
Thomas Stoyber/Alamie
Mountain ranges may serve as a significant source of clean energy in the form of unexplored hydrogen. Previous investigations hinted at the presence of “geological” hydrogen underground, but researchers have now pointed to mountains as potential reservoirs.
“Some minerals can react with water to produce hydrogen, serving as a source of sustainable green energy,” explains Frank Zwarn from the Helmholtz Geoscience Centre in Germany.
While a plethora of minerals exists on Earth, most are located at great depths in the mantle. However, during the formation and elevation of mountain ranges, certain mantle materials can be brought nearer to the surface, where they might interact with water through a process called meandering.
To understand the potential for hydrogen generation, Zwaan and his team modeled the uplift process and assessed the mantle material reaching areas with optimal temperatures and adequate circulating water for this reaction to occur. Their findings support the notion that large quantities of hydrogen could form below these mountains.
Serpentine minerals also exist in the ridges of the Central Sea, which some speculate may have played a role in the origin of life. However, Zwaan notes that the hydrogen created there is unlikely to remain trapped due to temperatures below 122°C (252°F), as bacteria can consume the trapped hydrogen. In contrast, it can be drilled from deeper areas of higher temperature below the mountains.
“I wouldn’t want to inhabit that area, but it’s ideal for preserving hydrogen,” Zwaan stated at the European Geoscience Union conference in Vienna last week. “There may be an additional opportunity to drill into what is known as a hydrogen kitchen, the zone where hydrogen is generated.”
The model’s outcomes are corroborated by preliminary findings from studies on various mountain ranges. For instance, Gianreto Manatschal from the University of Strasbourg in France confirmed evidence of hydrogen production beneath the Grison region of the Swiss Alps. However, he emphasized that there remains much to learn. “Our research is merely the beginning,” he remarked.
Notably, some hydrogen has been reported to be seeping from beneath the Northern Pyrenees, according to Alexandra Robert at the University of Toulouse, France. This research is still in its formative stages.
Five former directors of the National Weather Service have expressed serious concerns that further staffing reductions within the agency could result in unnecessary fatalities during extreme weather events such as tornadoes, wildfires, and hurricanes.
“Our greatest fear is that with the weather offices being severely understaffed, lives that could have been saved will sadly be lost. This is a shared nightmare among those at the forefront of forecasting and the communities who depend on their expertise,” they stated. An open letter was published on Friday.
The former director, who served from 1988 to 2022, noted that staffing levels at the Weather Service decreased by over 10% during critical forecasting periods due to budget cuts from the Trump administration and staffing reductions from agency consolidations.
They also voiced concerns regarding the budget proposal from the Trump administration for the upcoming fiscal year, highlighting an outlined Letter to Congress that recommended a $1.52 billion reduction for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees the Meteorological Service.
“The NWS workforce is facing intolerable challenges to maintain current service standards,” they remarked. “Some forecast offices are inadequately staffed and may have to resort to limited part-time services.”
Curious about how NWS staffing cuts could lead meteorologists to miss tornado detections? Tune in to Harry Jackson’s report on NBC News Now, airing today at 5pm EST.
Their objections, along with NOAA’s stance on funding cuts at the Weather Bureau, underline the political pressures agencies face as governments aim to downsize. Meteorologists have indicated that reduced staffing has resulted in less effective forecasting.
The letter shared with journalists by a spokesperson and circulated on social media was co-signed by directors from the Elephant Bureau, including Louis Uckellini, Jack Hayes, and Brig Gen. DL Johnson of the US Air Force, alongside Brig. Gen. John J. Kelly Jr. and Colonel Joe from the US Air Force.
Louis Uccelini at a press briefing in Maryland in 2016. Alex Wong/Getty Images
They remarked: “Having served as a director of the National Weather Service, I understand firsthand the requirements for delivering accurate forecasts. I stand united against further staffing and resource cuts in the NWS and am deeply worried about NOAA’s long-term health.”
In a statement, the weather service indicated it would refrain from discussing internal personnel matters but acknowledged the ongoing staffing challenges.
“We remain committed to providing weather information, forecasts, and warnings in line with our public safety mission,” the statement read. “The National Weather Service is adjusting some services by implementing temporary staffing changes at local forecast offices nationwide to better meet the needs of our citizens, partners, and stakeholders.”
The White House did not respond to requests for comment.
Recent forecasts for Nebraska amid inclement weather have heightened concerns regarding staffing cuts and prompted calls for Congressional Republicans to take action.
On April 17, as thunderstorms loomed over Iowa and Nebraska, the Valley, Nebraska forecast office near Omaha attempted to launch a special weather balloon at 3 PM to evaluate storm risks, but staffing reductions halted the planned 7 PM launch.
The Valley office was among more than 10 locations where weather services announced the cancellation of balloon launches due to insufficient staffing.
An internal meteorologist noted that a timely balloon launch at 7 PM could have significantly aided in identifying tornado risks sooner. The storm, which posed a threat to the data from the 3 PM balloon, ultimately spawned six tornadoes across eastern Nebraska.
Following the storm, Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) took action to address the situation. During a press conference on April 25, documented by Wowt—a local NBC station in Omaha—he revealed that staffing in the Valley office had decreased from 13 forecasters to just eight.
After bringing this issue to light, Flood reported receiving a call from the White House acknowledging that changes were indeed necessary. Shortly thereafter, the Weather Bureau dispatched two forecasters for temporary assignments to the Valley office.
“We have implemented policy adjustments throughout the country. These temporary assignments can now be utilized by forecasters to address staffing shortages at various weather stations,” Flood mentioned, adding that these measures would become permanent, allowing the Weather Bureau to hire additional staff.
He expressed intentions to propose legislation classifying forecasters as public safety officials, a designation likely to exempt them from federal procurement and staffing cut policies.
“They are undeniably public safety personnel, and it is imperative we act on this in Congress,” Flood declared.
Rick Spinrad, former NOAA administrator for President Joe Biden, pointed out that the Weather Service should not be viewed as a target for budget cuts.
“Weather services cost every American just a cent per day,” Spinrad stated.
The staffing reductions have implications extending beyond just weather balloon launches. Last month, the Weather Services office in Sacramento, California, informed local media partners of its decision to cut overnight staffing and cease responding to public inquiries.
On Friday, one former manager expressed concern that further cuts might exacerbate stress levels in overnight staffing.
“The worst-case scenario is if a severe storm develops after midnight,” he cautioned, adding that decisions made overnight by the Weather Bureau and local emergency teams could be critical for issuing tornado warnings. “There are now significant gaps in the entire weather service, which is a troubling reality.”
Subneptin is a type of exoplanet characterized by high birth discharge thrombosis and lacks analogs within our solar system. Significantly smaller than gas giants, and typically cooler than Hot Jupiter exoplanets, these worlds were notably challenging to study before the launch of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope. Many subneptins are obscured by thick clouds and hazards, hindering our ability to analyze their atmospheric structures. Utilizing the Webb, astronomers have obtained the transmission spectrum of subneptin TOI-421B, unveiling its atmospheric chemical signatures.
TOI-421 is a solar-type star located approximately 245 light years away in the constellation of Repas.
Commonly known as BD-14 1137, this star is around 10 billion years old and hosts at least two giant exoplanets.
The inner planet, TOI-421B, is a subneptin with a radius of 2.65 times that of Earth and boasts a high equilibrium temperature of 647 degrees Celsius (1,197 degrees Fahrenheit).
“Prior to Webb, scientists had scant information regarding subneptins,” stated University of Maryland astronomer Brian Davenport and his team.
“These planets are several times larger than Earth, yet still much smaller than gas giants, usually cooler than hot Jupiters, and significantly harder to observe than their larger gas analogs.”
“A crucial finding before Webb was that many Neptune-like atmospheres exhibited flat or featureless transmission spectra.”
“This indicates that when scientists scrutinized the spectrum of planets transiting in front of a host star, they only observed flatline spectra, missing the details of the spectrum (chemical fingerprints revealing atmospheric composition).”
“Based on these flatline spectra observations, it was concluded that certain subneptins are extremely obscured, potentially due to clouds or haze.”
“Why did we focus on planet TOI-421B? Because we hypothesized it might be an exception,” said Eliza Kempton, an astronomer at the University of Maryland.
“This hypothesis stemmed from previous data suggesting that planets within specific temperature ranges were less likely to be shrouded in haze or clouds.”
“The temperature threshold is around 577 degrees (1,070 degrees Fahrenheit); beneath this, it was assumed that complex photochemical reactions occur between sunlight and methane gas, leading to haze.”
TOI-421B, with a temperature of approximately 727 degrees Celsius (1,340 degrees Fahrenheit), is significantly above this threshold.
The transmission spectra of subneptune TOI-421B uncover the presence of water and potential indications of sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide, without signs of carbon dioxide or methane. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/Joseph Olmsted, STSCI.
Without the interference of haze or clouds, astronomers anticipated observing a clear atmosphere.
“We identified spectral features attributable to various gases, which empowered us to ascertain the atmospheric composition,” explained Davenport.
“In many previously studied subneptins, although I inferred that their atmospheres contained specific gases, they remained obscured by haze.”
Researchers have identified atmospheric water vapor along with tentative signatures of carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide.
However, they did not find molecules such as methane and carbon dioxide.
From the gathered data, they speculate a substantial amount of hydrogen constitutes the atmosphere.
This prevalence of lightweight hydrogen was an unexpected revelation for scientists.
“We recently came to grips with the notion that one of the initial subneptins observed by Webb has a significant molecular atmosphere.
“This implies that TOI-421B may have formed and evolved differently compared to other cooler subneptins.”
“The hydrogen-rich atmosphere is intriguing, as it resembles the composition of its host star TOI-421B.”
“By incorporating the same gases that formed the host star into the planet’s atmosphere, and cooling them, one could replicate the same gas combination.”
“This process aligns more closely with the giant planets of our solar system, differing from previously observed subneptins through Webb.”
The team’s research paper was published this week in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
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Brian Davenport et al. 2025. TOI-421B: High-temperature Neptune with a low average molecular weight atmosphere, haze-free. apjl 984, L44; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ADCD76
Community members investigating a landslide in Yangbari, Papua New Guinea, in 2024
Xinhua Newsletter/Aramie
In the event of a landslide, pinpointing the location can be crucial for rescue teams. Recent advancements in earthquake data analysis have made it possible to identify the source of such disasters within just a few kilometers in a matter of seconds.
Current methods can generally limit the area of interest to tens of kilometers, as noted by Stefania Ursica from the Helmholtz Geoscience Centre in Germany. This limitation can result in significant delays if rescuers are directed to an incorrect site. “The time lost is critical,” Ursica stated during a press briefing at the European Geoscience Union Conference in Vienna last week.
Numerous countries maintain seismic monitoring networks to track earthquakes and volcanic activity. This data can also aid in detecting landslides, especially as the risks associated with climate change intensify. However, analyzing data from landslides is considerably more complex than that from earthquakes, according to Ursica.
Her team’s innovative approach involves two key components. First, they assess five distinct facets of the seismic waveform and filter out noise when an event occurs.
This information is processed by numerous mathematical agents that seek the origin of the initial rock-like event that leads to a landslide. They accomplish this by estimating which waveforms would have been generated at various possible locations and comparing those estimations with the data captured. If the waveforms do not align, they will explore other options.
Each agent “travels” following patterns inspired by animal behavior, such as the spiral of falcons or the migration paths of elephants, until they converge back to the most plausible site of the event. This whole procedure takes approximately 10 seconds, providing far greater accuracy than previous methods. “It’s a few digits of improvement,” Ursica adds.
Aside from enhancing rescue operations, this new technique will assist researchers in locating events in remote regions where satellite data may be limited or unavailable.
The team plans to release their findings and make the underlying code accessible to the public.
the indie video game landscape is currently shaped by two standout genres: rogue-like games and deck builders. The former invites players into action-adventure gameplay, exploring procedurally generated terrains teeming with enemies, leveling up, and meeting their demise. The latter lets players construct decks of collectible cards (think Pokémon or Magic: The Gathering, but in digital form) and engage in battles. Titles that ingeniously merge these two elements, like Balatro or Slay the Spire, often achieve significant crossover success. In a saturated market, developers are now seeking fresh genres that blend into this dynamic gaming concoction.
Enter Drop Duchy—a game that daringly combines rogue deck builders with… Tetris. Yes, the action unfolds on a playfield where different-shaped objects descend from the top of the screen. Here, each falling piece represents a type of landscape or building, and players endeavor not only to complete unbroken lines but also to generate resources for these structures. For instance, placing a farm next to grassy plain blocks will yield wheat, while situating a wooden fortress near a forest will provide farmland and swordsmen. Upon completing a line, instead of disappearing, the resources you’re collecting multiply. Why accumulate soldiers, you ask? Alongside constructing your military base, you must also make room for randomly generated enemy bases. At the end of each round, when all blocks are positioned, a battle sequence commences where your troops engage the enemy.
Drop the Tetris… Duke in a whole new way. Photo: Arcade Crew
The deck-building aspect is perhaps the most innovative. Each random block that falls into the play area corresponds to the cards you have in your deck. As you advance, you can add new cards to enhance your tactical options. You might start with farms, lumber (transforming forests into farmland), and watchtowers (producing archers), but as you progress through the acts, you’ll unlock additional cards and enhancements through battles culminating in boss encounters. Each boss battle presents unique challenges and themes; for example, the boss in Act 1 is a wall that restricts the play area, constraining construction into a tight spot, while the final challenge of Act 2 involves a keep.
It may sound complex, and it is somewhat. However, credit where it’s due: developer Sleepy Mill Studio has designed the game with intuitive learning, enhanced by effective tutorial levels and numerous on-screen tips. Like many rogue-lite games, a progression tree exists, allowing you to unlock more powerful card types and mechanics that persist through future playthroughs. This way, you can steadily refine your strategy, learning from the inevitable mistakes along the way.
What’s particularly fascinating about this game is the way it forces you to think of Tetris in an entirely new light. You aren’t merely placing blocks to clear lines; you must also consider how each piece interacts with nearby units and devise strategies to hinder your opponents’ resource collection. It’s effectively a multidimensional challenge, cleverly disguised as a simple puzzle game.
Yet, this constant strain on your cognitive abilities can sometimes feel overwhelming. The initial hours can be seemingly pointless due to boss encounters, especially if you find yourself unlucky with the random card draws at the start of each battle.
Nevertheless, the charming pastel visuals, calming music, and ever-expanding resources keep players engaged. Much like Balatro, it often feels as if you understand only about 20% of the game at first, resulting in you throwing down pieces and hoping for a fortunate outcome. However, as you persist, a deeper strategy unfolds to bolster your army while limiting your opponents.
Drop Duchy is a fascinating experiment in game design, and with every new feature, I find myself curious about how the team manages all the moving parts. The appeal of the deck builder genre is evident; they’re addictive, challenging, and systematically engaging, each contributing their unique twist to the overarching dynamics of gameplay. For Drop Duchy, the quirks indeed justify the entry price.
Is your cherished puppy turning out to be a gentle companion or a little troublemaker? Simple behavioral tests can offer valuable insights.
A recent adorable study from the University of Helsinki found that specific playful tasks can reveal significant personality traits in puppies as young as 3 months old.
The tests assess how the puppy navigates obstacles to reach a treat, their ability to follow human gestures, and their reactions to unfamiliar people and environments.
Researchers aim for these assessments to aid dog owners in understanding their puppies and fostering their development from an early age.
“Most previous research has concentrated on whether cognitive testing can predict puppies’ suitability for roles like detection or guide dogs,” said Saara Junttila, a researcher at the University of Helsinki and leading figure in the study, as reported by BBC Science Focus.
“However, there hasn’t been a study examining whether these tests can predict behavioral traits relevant in pets and daily interactions with owners.”
The puppy faced the challenge of retrieving a treat from inside a transparent cylinder – Credit: Elisenbera
In this investigation, 99 puppies were tested between 3 and 7 months of age and were later retested as adults (1 to 8 years old).
Prior studies have indicated that behavioral tests are not reliable indicators for puppies younger than 8 weeks, as their personalities are still developing (and they are often too sleepy to be properly evaluated).
Multiple puppy assessments have shown promising links to identifying the personalities of adult dogs.
Puppies who excelled in the gesture test displayed strong responsiveness to human cues and were generally easier to train. Conversely, puppies that persistently sought treats through clear barriers without learning to circumvent them tended to be more impulsive as adults.
An intriguing finding arose from a challenging task involving a sealed box where puppies attempted to retrieve treats. Interestingly, those exposed frequently to nearby humans were often more likely to fear unfamiliar humans as adults, even if they were strangers.
How to Ensure a Happy Dog
Understanding potential behavioral issues can significantly improve how you train your dog and cater to their needs.
“Pet owners often struggle to recognize when their dogs or cats are feeling anxious,” notes Dr. Emily Blackwell, a behavioral researcher at the University of Bristol who was not involved in the study.
“If you can anticipate which puppies may develop fears, owners can provide additional support during interactions and experiences.”
Similarly, impulsive and high-energy puppies may require different training approaches compared to those that thrive in calm environments.
“Puppies don’t misbehave deliberately,” Junttila explains. “High energy and impulsivity are simply traits inherent in a puppy’s personality.”
Meet Our Experts
Saara Junttila is a doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki, investigating the relationship between cognitive development and behavior in dogs.
Emily Blackwell is a senior lecturer in animal behavior and welfare at the University of Bristol’s Veterinary School. Her research spans various domestic animal species regarding behavior and welfare.
Joshua Goodman, an associate professor of education and economics at Boston University, observed similarly remarkable outcomes at the university level. He analyzed a dataset of students whose scores were close to the cutoff points for entry into what are referred to as “target colleges.” These candidates are nearly identical, differing by just 10 points or less, highlighting that one student’s score can hinge on minor variations. Generally, those who were just above the threshold gained admittance, while those just below did not. Goodman discovered that younger siblings of successful individuals were significantly more likely to attend equally selective universities compared to older siblings who missed the cutoff by a few points. The younger siblings who managed to enter a prestigious university likely elevated their aspirations, seeing a clear path ahead thanks to their older siblings’ experiences.
Michelle Obama’s university experience mirrors Goodman’s findings, despite his research being conducted decades later. Raised in a working-class neighborhood on Chicago’s south side, Obama’s parents did not initially consider Ivy League schools for her. Her older brother Craig excelled academically and gained the advantage of athletic prowess, earning a spot on the basketball team at Princeton University. In her book, Becoming, Obama reflects on the impact of observing her brother’s journey, stating, “No one in my family had any first-hand experience with university, so there was little discussion or exploration.” She noted that she wanted to emulate her brother’s achievements, which ultimately made Princeton a viable choice for her. Despite a guidance counselor suggesting she “wasn’t Princeton material,” Obama remained undeterred, confident in her abilities and potential.
Research by Zang and Goodman indicates that positive interventions for one child from a low-income family can ripple out to benefit their siblings. This suggests that interventions may yield greater overall impact than previously thought, enhancing not just the individual child’s experience, but potentially altering the life trajectories of their entire family.
Zang’s study revealed that nearly one-third of academic similarities among siblings could be attributed to these spillover effects, rather than shared environments or common genetics. However, these ripple effects can also be detrimental, particularly in disadvantaged families. Children from such backgrounds often face academic challenges due to various obstacles. Zang posits that a child with academic ambitions may experience greater distress if their sibling suffers setbacks, as academic performance is a reliable predictor of future income, which can subsequently lead to diminished earnings across the family.
Both Zang and Goodman emphasize that the spillover effect is most pronounced in underprivileged families, suggesting a need for researchers to recognize that sibling influences function differently based on socioeconomic status. For instance, a 2022 study published in the *Frontiers in Psychology* complicated the well-known assertion that the eldest siblings are the most academically esteemed within families. It found that the oldest children in high-risk families and those with non-native English speaking parents do not perform better on cognitive tests, even if they are more prepared for school at age two. This suggests that these families experience increased interaction with older siblings due to their unique challenges.
You might have heard discussions about the “headache bones” located at the base of your skull, where headaches seem to originate. However, these are not problematic bones.
This area includes the bones of the occipital region and a small group of muscles known as the inferior muscle.
These muscles facilitate head movement and help maintain proper posture. When they become tight or overworked, they can lead to tension headaches and neck pain. Fortunately, alleviating this discomfort is possible.
1. Posture
Excessive screen time can strain these muscles. Keep your head aligned with your spine and visualize a string pulling gently from above your head.
Ensure you have a supportive chair and adjust your desk’s height and position to contribute positively to your posture.
2. Sleep
An unsuitable pillow can worsen your condition. Look for one that supports your neck’s natural curve. If you sleep on your back, a contoured pillow may suit you well. You might need to experiment with a few options to find the best fit.
3. Stretch
Simple exercises like chin tucks (gently pulling your chin toward your neck and holding for 5 seconds) and slow neck rolls can help release tight muscles.
4. Massage
Applying pressure in the right spots can be incredibly effective. Use your fingers or a tennis ball to massage the base of your skull.
Massaging the skull, especially around the temples and base, can relieve tension headaches by relaxing tight muscles and boosting blood flow to the brain – Photo Credit: Getty
5. Break
If you’ve been sitting for extended periods, make sure to stand up and adjust your posture to reset. Small changes can prevent muscles from tensing in the first place.
Making minor adjustments to your sitting, sleeping, and moving habits can create major improvements. However, if your headaches persist, consulting a doctor for a more in-depth examination is advisable.
This article addresses the question posed by Petra Bell of Peterborough: “What is the bone associated with a headache? Can you ‘work’ it to reduce headaches?”
Please email us your questionsat Question@sciencefocus.com or message us onFacebook,Twitter, or Instagram(please include your name and location).
Check out our ultimateFun Fact and explore more amazing science content.
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