The examination of North West Africa (NWA) 16286 reveals a lunar metstone with a distinctive chemical profile, offering new perspectives on the evolution of the moon’s interior and emphasizing the enduring nature of its volcanic activity.
Backscattered electron images of NWA 16286 samples. Image credit: Joshu Asu Nape/University of Manchester.
Discovered in Africa in 2023, NWA 16286 is one of only 31 moon basalts officially identified on Earth.
The distinct composition of the 311-gram metstone, featuring melted glassy pockets and veins, indicates it was likely impacted by an asteroid or metstone on the lunar surface before being ejected and eventually landing on Earth.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Manchester supports the theory that the moon has maintained internal heat production processes responsible for lunar volcanic activity across various stages.
Lead isotopic analyses suggest that these rock formations are the youngest basalt lunar metstones identified on Earth, dating back approximately 2.35 billion years, a time when lunar samples are scarce.
The sample’s unique geochemical profile distinguishes it from those brought back by previous lunar missions, indicating that its chemical characteristics likely result from lava flows that solidified after ascending from the moon’s depths.
“While the moon rocks returned from sample return missions provide valuable insights, they are limited to the immediate areas around those landing sites,” stated Dr. Joshua Snape from the University of Manchester.
“In contrast, this sample could originate from impact craters located anywhere on the moon’s surface.”
“Thus, there is a unique coincidence with this sample. It fortuitously landed on Earth, unveiling secrets about lunar geology without the need for an extensive space mission.”
The sample contains notably large crystals of olivine and is classified as olivine basalt, characterized by medium titanium levels and high potassium content.
Alongside the atypical age of the samples, researchers found that the lead isotopic composition of the rocks—geochemical signatures preserved when the rocks formed—originates from internal lunar sources with unusually high ratios of uranium and lead.
These chemical markers can assist in identifying the mechanisms behind the moon’s prolonged internal heat production.
“The sample’s age is particularly intriguing as it fills a billion-year gap in the history of lunar volcanism,” Dr. Snape noted.
“It is younger than the basalts collected during the Apollo, Luna, and Chang-E 6 missions, yet significantly older than the more recent rocks retrieved by the Chang-E 5 missions in China.”
“Its age and composition indicate that volcanic activity persisted throughout this entire timeframe, and our analysis suggests a potentially continuous process of heat generation from radioactive elements that generates heat over extended periods.
“Moon rocks are a rarity, making it always exciting to acquire samples that stand out from the norm.”
“This specific rock presents new constraints on the timing and nature of volcanic activity on the moon.”
“We still have much to learn about the lunar geological history. Further analyses to trace surface origins will inform where future sample return missions might be directed.”
Researchers have identified protein sequences within the dense enamel tissues of ancient nasal cavities and materials collected from the Burg and Lopelot sites in the Turkana Basin, Kenya.
The Turkana Basin within the East African lift system preserves fossil communities dating back more than 66 million years. Green et al. Powder samples were collected for paleontological skin analysis from the early Pleistocene back to the Oligocene (29 million years ago) from large herbivores. Image credit: Green et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09040-9.
“Teeth are the rocks in our mouths,” stated Dr. Daniel Green, a researcher at Harvard and Columbia University.
“They represent the most complex structures created by animals; hence, it’s possible to find teeth that are 100 million years old, offering geochemical records of animal life.”
“This includes insights into their diets, hydration, and habitats.”
“Previously, we believed that mature enamel, being the hardest part of teeth, should contain very little protein.”
Yet, by employing a novel proteomic technique known as liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the researchers uncovered remarkable protein diversity in various biological tissues.
“The method comprises multiple stages where peptides are sorted according to size or chemistry, enabling detailed sequential analysis at unprecedented resolution,” explains Dr. Kevin Uno from Harvard and Columbia University.
“Recent findings indicate that there are dozens, potentially hundreds, of different proteins present in tooth enamel,” remarked Dr. Green.
Recognizing that many proteins exist in modern teeth, researchers pivoted towards studying fossils of nasal mesentery and related materials.
As herbivores, these creatures exhibited large teeth to crush their plant-based diets.
“These mammals could have enamels measuring 2-3 millimeters in thickness, providing ample material for investigation,” Dr. Green noted.
“Our discovery — peptide fragments and amino acid chains representing proteins spanning around 18 million years — stands to transform the field.”
“No one has previously identified peptide fragments of such antiquity.”
The oldest published findings to date date back around 3.5 million years.
“The newly identified peptides encompass a diverse array of proteins, representing what is known as the proteome,” Dr. Green remarked.
“One reason we are thrilled about these ancient teeth is that we lack a complete proteome for all proteins that could potentially be extracted from the bodies of these extinct elephants and rhinos, yet we can identify distinct groups.”
“Such collections could yield more information from these groups than from a single protein alone.”
“This research opens a new chapter for paleontology, enabling scientists to reconstruct the molecular and physiological traits of extinct species, moving beyond just bones and morphology,” stated Dr. Emmanuel Nudiemma, a researcher at the National Museum of Kenya.
“These peptide fragments can be utilized to delve into the relationships among ancient animals, much like contemporary methods that map human DNA relations.”
“Though a few animals analyzed in studies are completely extinct without living descendants, in theory, proteins could be extracted from their teeth and added to a phylogenetic tree,” Dr. Green elaborated.
“This information may clarify long-standing debates among paleontologists concerning the relationships among various mammalian lineages, utilizing molecular evidence.”
Survey results Today, I will be featured in the journal Nature.
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Dr. Green et al. Diverse enamel proteomes from rifts of East Africa over 108 million years. Nature Published online on July 9, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09040-9
In the wake of a deadly flood in central Texas in 1987, some demonstrated their resilience against the fury of Mother Nature. This month’s devastating flash floods inundated the area with an astonishing volume of rain in a matter of hours, resulting in over 100 fatalities.
Prior to 2021, the typically temperate regions of the Pacific Northwest and Canada faced a Killer Heat Wave, but they were not exempt. Tropical Hawaii, once distant from drought-induced wildfires, faced its own challenges. That changed. Moreover, many inland communities in North Carolina considered hurricanes a coastal dilemma until the remnants of Helen roared in unexpectedly last year.
The wreckage of a structure in North Carolina’s Bat Cave, ravaged by flooding from Hurricane Helen. Mario Tama/Getty Images File
According to climate scientists, climate change is driving an increase in both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Government data supports this evidence. Nonetheless, both people and governments tend to overlook this reality, clinging to outdated notions and failing to prepare for a concerning future, a meteorology expert pointed out to The Associated Press.
“With climate change, what was once considered extreme is now the average, and events that were once rare within decades are becoming new extremes,” stated Michael Oppenheimer, a climate scientist at Princeton University. “We are now experiencing phenomena that were virtually unprecedented.”
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, summer averages show that Extreme Climate Indicators are tracking hurricanes, heavy rainfall, droughts, and temperature fluctuations that are 58% higher than those recorded in the 1980s.
Despite the alarming trends, society is failing to respond adequately, Oppenheimer remarked.
“There’s ample evidence that we’re complacent, yet these risks are approaching us like an oncoming freight train, and we are just standing on the tracks, unaware,” he explained.
Shifting Public Perception
While climate change is a paramount issue, experts warn that our responses and tendency to disregard changes may exacerbate the situation.
Marshall Shepherd, a meteorology professor at the University of Georgia and former president of the American Meteorological Society, stated that people’s decisions are often influenced by their experiences during prior extreme weather incidents, even those that did not directly affect them. This induces unwarranted optimism, as they assume that conditions will remain manageable despite increasingly severe storms.
He referred to the flooding events in Texas as a prime example.
A vehicle and fallen trees were overturned on the Guadalupe River in Carville following a flash flood. Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP -Getty Images
“This area is known as flash flood alley. Flooding is a common occurrence here. … I often hear overly optimistic statements from locals.”
Even those in regions not typically prone to disasters must rethink their perspectives on calamities, advised Kim Klockow McClain, a social scientist focused on extreme weather at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, which specializes in disaster warnings and risk communication.
Her advice is straightforward: If you’re accustomed to minor flooding, you should take note of events like those in Texas and recognize that conditions are changing.
Ignoring Reality Won’t Eliminate It
Following devastating storms and wildfires, individuals who have survived often believe such events won’t recur. This mindset can be a coping mechanism, yet the reality is that extreme weather occurrences are becoming more frequent and widespread, complicating effective preparedness.
According to Susan Cutter, co-director of the Hazards Vulnerability & Resilience Institute at the University of South Carolina:
Lori Peak, director of the University of Colorado’s Natural Disaster Center, indicates that surviving past extreme events can mislead people into thinking they are immune to future disasters. This kind of overconfidence can be hazardous. “Just because I survived fires, floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes does not guarantee that the next incident will mirror the last,” she cautioned.
What is Happening?
As weather patterns grow increasingly extreme, scientists observe that our capacities to adapt are lagging behind.
“Our vulnerability is heightened as our nation’s infrastructure ages, and more individuals are residing in potential danger zones,” Peak noted. “With population growth, more people live in perilous areas, particularly along the coast.”
Homes and buildings decimated by the wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, in 2023. Patrick T. Fallon / AFP -Getty Images File
The Trump administration’s funding cuts have threatened critical agencies responsible for climate research, disaster alerts, and responses—including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Geological Survey Research Institute—further worsening the situation, according to several specialists.
Experts assert that knowledgeable and skilled personnel have already departed from these bodies, and it may take years to regain that expertise and skill set.
“We are dismantling the capabilities that will be increasingly necessary in the future,” Oppenheimer cautioned.
Peak emphasized the need for nations to anticipate and prepare for worst-case scenarios instead of merely reflecting on past events.
“This is our future,” Peak concluded. “We are clearly entering an era marked by escalating fires, floods, and heat waves.”
Visualize a global map segmented by national borders. How many distinct colors are required to shade each country without overlapping the same hues?
The solution is four. Regardless of the map’s structure, four colors are always adequate. However, demonstrating this required delving deep into mathematical theory. The four-color theorem was the inaugural major theorem proved with computer assistance, with validation efforts starting in 1976 that involved analyzing numerous map configurations via software.
At that time, many mathematicians were skeptical. They questioned whether a crucial proof, reliant on an unidentified machine, could be trusted. This skepticism has led to computer-assisted proofs remaining a niche practice.
However, a shift may be underway. The newest wave of artificial intelligence is challenging this stance, as proponents argue, “AI might revolutionize mathematical methodologies.” Why should we trust flawed human reasoning, which is often riddled with assumptions and shortcuts?
The discourse surrounding AI’s role in mathematics reflects larger societal dilemmas.
Not all share this perspective, however. The debate regarding AI’s application in mathematics mirrors broader challenges confronting society. When is it appropriate to let machines take the lead? Tech companies are increasingly focused on alleviating tedious tasks, from invoice processing to scheduling. Yet, our attempts to navigate daily life relying solely on AI agents (as detailed in “Flashes of Glow and Frustration: Running my day on an AI agent”) revealed that these systems are not entirely ready.
Entrusting sensitive information, such as credit card details or passwords, to an enigmatic AI provokes similar apprehensions as the doubts surrounding the four-color proofs. We may not be coloring maps anymore, but we’re striving to define boundaries in uncharted territories. Will we soon have reliable evidence we can trust from machines, or is it merely a digital version of “the Dragon Here”?
The AI-driven robot successfully extracted the gallbladder from a deceased pig, marking a pivotal achievement in machine-assisted surgery with minimal human involvement.
This sophisticated robot features a dual-layer AI system trained using 17 hours of surgical video, which encompasses 16,000 movements performed by human surgeons. During operation, the first layer of the AI observes the endoscopic video and generates clear verbal instructions like “clip the second duct,” while the second layer translates these directives into precise three-dimensional tool movements.
In total, the gallbladder procedure involved 17 distinct tasks, of which the robotic system executed 8 with a flawless success rate.
“While current surgical robotics technology has indeed made certain procedures less invasive, the complication rate hasn’t actually decreased compared to traditional laparoscopic surgery performed by humans,” states Axel Krieger from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. “This research paves the way for the next generation of robotic systems beneficial to both patients and surgeons.”
“This investigation shines a light on the vast potential of AI and surgical robotics,” adds Danail Stoyanov from University College London. “Remarkable strides in computer vision for surgical footage, alongside accessible robotic platforms for research, will empower us to advance surgical automation.”
Nonetheless, Stoyanov points out that significant challenges remain before the system can be applied in clinical settings.
For instance, although the robot achieved a 100% success rate in completing its tasks, it needed to self-correct six times per procedure. This could involve a gripper that initially missed the artery during its attempt.
“There were numerous instances where self-corrections were necessary, all autonomously executed,” remarks Krieger. “It effectively identifies initial errors and rectifies them.” The robot also requested a human operator to swap one of its surgical instruments for another, indicating that some human intervention was still required.
Ferdinand Rodriguez Y. Baena from Imperial College London emphasizes the promising future of robotic surgery. “The horizon looks bright—and tantalizingly close,” he asserts. “To ensure the safety of human applications, regulatory measures must also evolve.”
The next phase involves enabling the robot to operate autonomously on living animals, where factors like respiration and bleeding could introduce complexities.
Protein fragments survived in the extreme environment of Rift Valley, Kenya
Ellen Miller
In Kenya, fossilized teeth from an 18 million-year-old mammal yielded the oldest protein fragment ever discovered, extending the age record for ancient proteins by fivefold.
Daniel Green at Harvard, alongside Kenyan scientists, unearthed diverse fossil specimens, including teeth, in Kenya’s Rift Valley. Volcanic activity facilitated the preservation of these samples by encasing them in ash layers, enabling the age dating of the teeth to 18 million years. Nonetheless, it remained uncertain whether the protein in the tooth enamel endured.
The circumstances were not promising—Rift Valley is “one of the hottest places on Earth for the past 5 million years,” Green observes. This extreme environment presents “significant challenges.” Despite this, earlier research has detected tooth enamel proteins, albeit not from such ancient samples. To assess the longevity of protein traces, Green employed a small drill to extract powdered enamel from the teeth.
These samples were sent to Timothy Creland at the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute for analysis. He utilized mass spectrometry to categorize each molecular type in the sample by differentiating them by mass.
To his surprise, Creland uncovered sufficient protein fragments to yield significant classification insights. This identified the teeth as belonging to the ancient ancestors of elephants and rhinos, among other evidence. Creland expresses enthusiasm for demonstrating that “even these ancient species can be integrated into the Tree of Life alongside their modern relatives.”
While only a small amount of protein was recovered, the discovery remains monumental, asserts Frido Welker from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He emphasizes that growing protein and gaining insights into this ancient fossil is a “tremendous breakthrough.”
Unlike other tissues such as bone, sampling teeth is crucial for uncovering fragments of ancient and valuable proteins like these. “The sequence of enamel proteins varies slightly,” notes Creland.
The dental structure may have played a role in preserving proteins for such an extended period. As teeth are “primarily mineral,” these minerals assist in protecting enamel proteins through what Cleland describes as “self-chemical processes.” Furthermore, the enamel comprises only a small fraction of protein, aiding in its preservation, roughly 1%. “Whatever protein is present, it’s going to persist much longer,” Green asserts.
The endurance of protein fragments in Rift Valley suggests that fossils from other locales may also contain proteins. “We can genuinely begin considering other challenging regions of the planet, where we might not expect significant preservation,” Cleland comments. “Microenvironmental discrepancies may promote protein conservation.”
Beyond studying proteins from these specific periods, researchers aim to explore samples from various epochs. “We’re looking to delve deeper into history,” Cleland mentions. Green adds that analyzing younger fossils could offer a “baseline of expectation” for the number of conserved protein fragments compared to those from ancient specimens.
“We’re only beginning to scratch the surface,” Cleland concludes.
For those interested in gauging the atmosphere of the UK gaming industry in 2025, this week’s focal point was undoubtedly the DoubleTree bar at the Hilton Hotel in Brighton. This venue hosts the annual Develop a meeting, which has been uniting developers, publishers, students, and journalists since 2006. Over three days filled with lectures, roundtables, and keynote sessions, attendees engaged in discussions, sharing insights and concerns regarding the current state of the industry.
Given the string of cuts and closures throughout the year, I approached the event with caution. On Tuesday, I connected with numerous developers, artists, and studio heads. Many senior developers indicated that recent layoffs and project cancellations might result in significant gaps in the release schedules for several major publishers during late 2026 and into 2027. While Grand Theft Auto VI will undoubtedly be a massive hit, it appears to be the only game generating buzz in the near future.
However, there was a sense of optimism permeating the event. A standout panel discussion titled “Why Cultural Awareness Is Important for the Future of the Game Industry” hosted by UKIE shed a more positive light on the industry among politicians and policymakers in Westminster. “Three years ago, my understanding of gaming was minimal, but awareness has grown significantly lately,” one panelist noted. “Suddenly, politicians are engaging with us regarding the educational impact of gaming and its potential for self-expression among youth. We’ve even witnessed evidence that gaming can serve as a therapeutic avenue for anxiety and depression. The cultural significance of gaming now outweighs its economic benefits.”
A narrative exploring a diverse and marginalized character… unpacked. Photo: Witch Beam
Cassia Curran, founder of Curran Games Agency, remarked, “The development of AI has unlocked a treasure trove of content,” despite the concerns surrounding AI, especially large-scale language models. “For a developer to succeed, leaning into genuine human experiences is crucial. AI cannot replicate your emotions or cultural background; these elements can and should be mirrored in your game.”
There was also a captivating narrative shared by developers about their quest for authenticity. In the day’s opening talk, Jens Anderson and Pete Ward from Machine Game, famous for their Indiana Jones adventure, discussed traveling deep into northern Sweden to record whip experts executing various techniques to perfectly replicate Indy’s iconic accessory sounds in the game. Additionally, the creative team behind the procedurally generated Detective Adventure Shadows presented a captivating 1950s-style noir thriller.
A recurring theme throughout the day was the emerging concerns regarding the diversity of gaming experiences and broader representation. Lydia Cook, a doctoral researcher specializing in queer game studies, moderated an inspiring roundtable named “President of Games: Beyond the Surface.” Cook addressed the challenges to expression faced in mainstream gaming, where nontraditional characters often get labeled as commercial risks. Simultaneously, the audience highlighted recent games showcasing compelling narratives around marginalized characters, ranging from narrative puzzle-solving and lesbian romance bosses to unique portrayals, including the beloved character from the cult classic Sim Monster Prom. The key takeaway from the session was that identity need not dominate a game. The representation of diverse characters as integral parts of the story can be immensely valuable for players who don’t often see themselves reflected in the media they consume.
Outside the bar area, I had the pleasure of meeting some of my favorite indie developers who shared intriguing insights into the innovative projects they were engrossed in. The presence of talented small teams is crucial, as their engaging and creative games continue to enrich the landscape. The rest of the event featured discussions from renowned Finnish developer Housemarque, celebrating 30 years in the business, and Sam Lake from Remedy Entertainment, reflecting on three decades of storytelling. Developers exchanged experiences ranging from creating side quests in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 to how they made players weep through narratives in indie games. In essence, the creative process remains vibrant, with people continuously crafting and playing; it’s a culture and art form that thrives beyond the grasp of CEOs and shareholders.
What to Play
A captivating twist… an angry bird bouncing off. Photo: Rovio
Angry Birds has become the Pac-Man of mobile gaming, a franchise that seemingly adapts to an infinite array of genres. Its latest version, Angry Birds Bouncing, merges the iconic bird-launching mechanics with classic block-breaking gameplay reminiscent of breakout and puzzle bobble. Players select their favorite bird, aim at the screen, and eliminate as many pigs as possible. Each character bears unique abilities and tactics, with new characters providing exciting challenges. Developer Rovio’s commitment to this franchise is evident, and this delightful iteration is sure to brighten up your commute, dull films, or tedious meetings.
Available on: Apple Arcade Estimated playtime: All your free hours.
What to Read
What is the price? Nintendo Switch 2. Photo: Michelle Mengsu Chang/Toronto Star/Getty Images
In a recent Q&A with shareholders, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa defended the price of the Switch 2 console, stating that the price of £395.99 ($449.99) reflects the gaming experience it provides. He also addressed concerns regarding the use of game key cards: cartridges that store game data but provide players with download codes. More details can be found on GamesIndustry.biz.
For those interested in Nintendo, IGN has an article that could spark some heated discussions among fans: All Ranked Nintendo 3D Platformers, where I strongly believe number 4 deserves a higher spot!
Raphaël Colantonio, founder and former president of Arkane Studios, criticized Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass service. In response to recent layoffs at Microsoft, the co-creator of the renowned Dishonored series stated that the subscription model has led to significant disruptions in the industry. Read more about this on VGC.
“I grew up A deep waste of time today, and I thought that pressing a button might have suggested a new publication similar to yours. Could you please share it with others so I can spread the word?”
This topic is one of my absolute favorites, so thank you, Jason! Keza and I contributed to Above magazine, which features beautifully designed publications focused on video games. Second problem is now in its third edition.
I’m also fond of stylish publications like Lock-on from the Lost of the Cult, and the beautiful Devil’s Blush, Controller Rebellion, and Heterotopia all reflect a punk DIY spirit infused into gaming with their handcrafted aesthetics and passionate writing. A Forgotten World offers a unique selection and provides a really helpful list of independent print publications for gaming enthusiasts. It’s wonderful to see so many exciting and carefully curated gaming magazines making waves in 2025.
If you have a question for the Question Block or anything else to discuss regarding the newsletter, feel free to reply or email us at butingbuttons@theguardian.com.
Physical activity is recognized for its role in cancer prevention and in inhibiting the growth of existing tumors. It’s also linked to alterations in gut microbiota. Recent research illustrates how these alterations can empower exercise in the battle against cancer.
Marlies Meisel from the University of Pittsburgh and her team administered an aggressive form of melanoma to two groups of mice. One group followed a four-week exercise program, while the other remained inactive.
As anticipated, the active mice showed smaller tumors and better survival rates. However, in mice treated with antibiotics, exercise provided no benefits to those that were completely sterile. The findings revealed a significant role of microorganisms, with the beneficial molecules known as metabolites playing a crucial part.
Given that the microbiome generates thousands of metabolites, the researchers employed machine learning to analyze potential molecules, ultimately pinpointing a particular bacterial metabolite that surged with exercise. This metabolite enhances the effectiveness of CD8 T cells within the immune system, making it vital in the fight against cancer.
Furthermore, the team studied 19 individuals with advanced melanoma, discovering that those with higher levels of this metabolite exhibited longer survival rates compared to those with lower levels.
“This study underscores the significance of evaluating the metabolites produced by bacteria, rather than merely identifying the bacteria involved,” Meisel emphasizes.
Ken Lau, who studies the influence of the intestinal microenvironment on conditions like colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, shares excitement for this type of research, as it offers insights into how to leverage specific molecular pathways to enhance the immune response. However, he cautions that further research is necessary. “What occurs when a patient stops exercising? Will the effects diminish or persist in some manner? There is still much to learn,” he states.
Meisel and her team are exploring whether the exercise-induced alterations in gut microbiota may influence other health conditions.
X CEO Elon Musk’s social media platform revealed on Wednesday that he would step down.
“Two years ago, I chose to resign as CEO of 𝕏,” stated Linda Jaccarino.
Musk replied to her announcement: “Thank you for your contributions.”
The departing CEO remarked, “When @elonmusk and I first discussed his vision for X, I realized that executing this company’s remarkable mission would be a lifelong opportunity. I am truly thankful for his commitment to protecting free speech, revitalizing the company, and allowing me to oversee the transformation of X into all my applications.”
Musk acquired Twitter in 2022 for $44 billion, subsequently rebranding it to X. Before her role at X, Jaccarino held a long-standing position at NBCUniversal, concentrating on advertising and partnerships. In March, Musk’s artificial intelligence firm, Xai, took over the social networking platform.
Throughout her time as CEO, Jaccarino often found herself managing public relations crises and addressing Musk’s contentious behavior. Shortly after her appointment, Musk publicly urged advertisers to exit the platform due to their involvement with anti-Semitic content, claiming they would “harm themselves,” which Jaccarino defended in an interview.
Jaccarino’s own outputs on X typically highlighted a more positive aspect of the platform, featuring significant retweets celebrating celebrity birthdays and events. However, CEOs often revert to damage control, including refusals. Reports from the Wall Street Journal earlier this year indicated that X, under her leadership, took aggressive measures against brands by threatening lawsuits. Under Jaccarino’s stewardship, the company initiated a lawsuit against an advertiser recovering ad spending post-Musk’s acquisition.
Issues on the platform persisted until Jaccarino’s announcement of her departure. The day prior to her resignation, Musk’s chatbot began posting support for controversial topics, leading the company to intervene by tagging the post with “Mecha Hitler” before apologizing for the “inappropriate” tweet.
Musk has been embroiled in controversy outside of X in recent months. His political rapport with Donald Trump, which emerged during the 2024 campaign, culminated in Musk being designated as a special government employee and the formation of the “Government Efficiency Bureau,” fully disclosed in June. The duo clashed over the U.S. president’s drastic taxation proposals, which Musk deemed as “hate.” The tech mogul has pledged to establish an independent political party aimed at ousting Republican members from Congress who supported the bill. Meanwhile, Tesla, the primary source of Musk’s wealth, has seen its sales plummet in reaction to his political involvement, distancing future buyers and existing owners from the controversial CEO. SpaceX is also struggling with its latest spacecraft, which has failed multiple launches.
Withdrawal symptoms from antidepressants can include nausea and headaches.
Savushkin/Getty Images
While antidepressant withdrawal symptoms may not be as frequent as presumed with short-term usage, inquiries persist regarding the impact on individuals ceasing the medication after prolonged periods.
Individuals utilizing antidepressants for conditions like depression, anxiety, or phobias might experience withdrawal effects lasting several weeks, such as nausea, headaches, anxiety, and more. Though physicians may caution patients about this potentiality, the frequency of occurrence remains uncertain.
To delve deeper, Sameyer Jauhar from Imperial College London and his research team examined 49 randomized controlled trials concerning antidepressant consumption. They initially focused on a subgroup of studies tracking withdrawal symptoms experienced a week after discontinuation of antidepressants, in comparison to those on placebo or ongoing antidepressant treatment. The findings revealed that individuals who ceased the medication reported one additional symptom compared to those in the other groups.
In further analysis, the researchers scrutinized another subset of studies that observed the types of withdrawal symptoms faced by participants after stopping antidepressant or placebo tablets. Dizziness emerged as the most prevalent symptom, followed by nausea, tension or irritability.
Specifically, 7.5% of the antidepressant users experienced dizziness, compared to just 1.8% in the placebo cohort. Nausea, tension or irritability, and dizziness were reported by fewer than 5% of users in the antidepressant group, with under 2% in the placebo cohort.
These statistics are significantly lower than past projections for withdrawal symptoms. A review from 2019 reported that over half of individuals had faced symptoms, although this data stemmed from online surveys that might attract those experiencing more severe reactions. Michael Browning from Oxford University commented.
Another study published last year indicated that 31% of participants reported withdrawal symptoms, in contrast to 17% from the placebo group. However, specifics regarding the symptoms experienced were not detailed, mentioned Jauhar.
Susanna Murphy at Oxford University believes the recent reviews tackle these issues effectively. “This is essential for the field as it compiles and synthesizes data from many robust studies with a broader participant base compared to previous ones,” she stated.
Conversely, John Reed from East London University noted that most trials in the review focused on individuals who took antidepressants for only 8 to 12 weeks and pointed out that many patients remain on these medications for years. “There’s a notable correlation between the duration of antidepressant use and the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms, thus short-term studies may not adequately reflect actual outcomes,” he explained.
Therefore, they emphasize the necessity for further research to understand the implications of long-term use. Mark Horowitz from University College London illustrated this by saying, “It’s akin to crashing a car into a wall at 5 kilometers per hour and declaring it safe while ignoring that real-world driving speeds can reach 60 kilometers per hour.”
Google has struck a significant agreement with the UK government to supply complimentary technology to various public sector entities, ranging from the NHS to local councils.
US corporations are being called upon to “upskill” tens of thousands of civil servants in technology, including the application of artificial intelligence, as part of a deal that doesn’t necessitate payment from the government. Whitehall is set to enhance its collaboration with Google as public services evolve.
However, this arrangement has raised alarms about the potential risks to UK public data that could be housed on US servers, particularly in light of Donald Trump’s erratic leadership.
The Department of Science and Innovation Technology (DSIT) stated that Google Cloud, known for its databases, machine learning, and computing capabilities, “has agreed to assist public services in leveraging advanced technology to break free from outdated ‘ball and chain’ legacy contracts.”
Although Google’s offerings are believed to be more nimble and effective than those of traditional competitors, there are concerns within Whitehall’s digital circles that governments might become reliant on a new form of dependency.
Other American tech giants, including Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic, are also providing services to civil servants as they look to harness technology to enhance the efficiency of financially constrained public services.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Rachel Reeves convened with two senior members of Mark Zuckerberg’s team, Joel Kaplan, Meta’s top global affairs officer, and Nicola Mendelson, head of the global business group.
During the 2020 pandemic, Palantir, a high-tech firm founded by libertarian Trump supporter Peter Thiel, worked with the UK government for just £1 and secured a £330 million contract in 2023 to create a unified platform for NHS data.
DSIT also announced that Google DeepMind, the AI division helmed by Nobel Prize winner Demis Hassabis, will “partner with government tech experts to help implement and propagate new emerging technologies across the public sector, enhancing efficiency and driving scientific advancements.”
Nevertheless, ministers and regulatory bodies are grappling with crucial decisions on regulating AI, search, cloud computing, and copyright, as noted by Martha Dark, co-director of nonprofits advocating for fair technology use. The complexity of data sovereignty poses significant challenges, echoing concerns from Peter Kyle, the Secretary of Science and Technology.
Experts caution that this agreement could solidify the market dominance of companies like Google, placing the UK government in a position dependent on technology from major corporations. At a Google event in London on Wednesday, Kyle emphasized, “Whenever feasible, UK tech firms, whether large or small, will have equitable opportunities to win public technology contracts.”
According to sources within the government, the advantages gained by Google were not subjected to public bids as no financial exchange occurred. DSIT clarified, “These arrangements are fully compliant with all relevant public procurement regulations and may lead to future commercial agreements.”
As of the end of March, Kyle has engaged in 11 meetings with Google representatives since Labour took office.
The government affirmed that Google will not be allowed to train AI models using government data or access the data for other purposes. Additionally, data can only be stored abroad if adequate legal and security measures are established.
Google asserted that it retains control over where client content is stored and processed through partnerships with independent infrastructure providers, employing an “air gap” system for added protection.
Kyle remarked, “I aim to maximize the potential of the government-Google partnership and explore further collaborations with the UK’s AI lab, DeepMind, and my own AI developers.”
There are indications of new technologies that could enhance efficiency within the public sector. A recent examination of Microsoft’s AI Copilot tool revealed that 20,000 civil servants saved an average of 26 minutes each day, with 82% expressing a desire not to revert to previous work methods, as highlighted in a study.
However, Imogen Parker, Associate Director of the Ada Lovelace Institute, emphasized the necessity for public understanding regarding the benefits Google will derive from this partnership and what taxpayers might face in the coming years. “Deals like this may appear beneficial today, but there’s a risk of becoming locked in tomorrow, limiting options for future alternatives,” she cautioned.
Kyle has faced criticism for appearing too cozy with Big Tech. After being reported by the Guardian, he began a speech admitting he had likely engaged more with tech executives than his predecessor.
“I will never apologize for engaging with tech companies – that’s my role,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of ensuring children’s safety on social media, preparing the UK for advancements in AI, and securing better value from the significant sums spent on technology each year.
Future research indicates that even with equivalent technological advancement, radio signals from Earth’s airports could be detected by alien astronomers.
Radar systems employed to monitor aircraft in major hubs like London’s Heathrow and New York’s JFK emit radio waves as formidable as those produced by extraterrestrial civilizations from 200 light years away, according to researchers.
The study, led by University of Manchester doctoral candidate Ramilo Kais Said, explored how radio signals from both civilian and military radar operations disperse as they exit Earth, predicting their appearance as they approach nearby stars.
Recent preliminary results revealed at the National Astronomical Conference in Durham, UK, indicate that radar stations at global airports are transmitting signals at a remarkable total of 2,000 trillion watts.
This intensity is sufficient for the most sensitive telescope on the planet, Green Bank Telescope, to detect an alien planet located 200 light years away.
Within our solar neighborhood is a system containing over 1,000 stars, with the nearest, Proxima Centauri, being just 4.2 light years distant.
However, whether alien astronomers can interpret these signals remains uncertain.
As Earth’s rotation reveals various airports, the signal strength fluctuates within a 24-hour cycle, making it clear that it is not of artificial origin.
What does radar from Earth’s airports look like to aliens on planets around the AU microscope 32 light years away?
A more distinct signal could arise from military radar. While these signals are generally weaker than those from airport facilities, they are more focused and likely to flash in a manner resembling lighthouses, thus appearing unnatural.
Nonetheless, the primary limitation on who can observe our air traffic is not the radar systems’ power but rather the laws of physics. The earliest radar systems made their debut in 1935. Since radio waves travel at the speed of light, even these early, weaker signals only covered a distance of 90 light years through space.
This research also aids those on Earth in their quest for signs of extraterrestrial intelligence, helping to gauge the extent to which civilizations similar to ours can be detected.
“Our findings suggest that radar signals unintentionally generated by any planet with advanced technology and complex aviation systems could serve as a universal indicator of intelligent life,” said Caisse Saide.
Humans are wired to treat machines as social beings
Abdillah Studio/Unsplash
Consider what it feels like to be in love. What images spring to mind? Is it the exhilarating rush of a new romantic interest, or the soothing comfort someone brings to your daily life? For some individuals, love manifests in the form of a laptop or smartphone, eagerly anticipating a message or synthetic voice from their favored AI chatbot.
As advanced platforms increasingly promote interactions with newly launched chatbots—all while encouraging conversations about them as if they were actual people—many are turning to these sophisticated language-driven technologies for dating, emotional support, and even love. This may raise eyebrows or provoke laughter. Take the recent case highlighted by CBS News, where a man proposed to ChatGPT, having met Mirth Online. The New York Post elaborates on what it calls “a peculiar whirlwind romance.” Earlier this year, The New York Times shared the story of a woman who spent hours each day chatting with her ChatGPT “boyfriend,” even experiencing jealousy when the AI discussed other fictional partners.
It’s easy to mock someone openly expressing affection for a chatbot or to label such feelings as indicators of psychological issues. However, similar to how we might be susceptible to cults or scams, we have psychological inclinations that could lead us to adore AI. People have explored affectionate connections in unexpected places throughout history. Our complex feelings about technology have evolved over a much longer period than many realize.
We’ve been forming attachments to bots for 60 years
Consider Eliza, one of the first natural language chatbots, crafted by computer scientist Joseph Weizenbaum in the 1960s. While this primitive technology pales in comparison to ChatGPT, it often inverted user input in the form of questions. Surprisingly, Weizenbaum noted that some individuals developed quick emotional bonds with the program. “I didn’t realize that brief encounters with relatively simple programs could lead to profound delusional beliefs in ordinary individuals,” Weizenbaum remarked later.
Given that modern chatbots like ChatGPT are far more engaging and widespread than Eliza, it’s not surprising that some individuals have openly professed romantic feelings or strong connections toward them. The phenomenon of love for AI may currently be rare, but emerging data indicates its existence. Although much of the existing research is limited, studies have shown that people attribute real emotions to AI relationships, often disregarding terms like “marriage” in their interactions. Interestingly, many individuals appear to experience genuine loss. When the man who proposed to ChatGPT had to reset the conversation due to reaching a word limit, he lamented, “I cried for about 30 minutes at work.”
Recent studies analyzing millions of interactions on OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude have revealed that, while the majority are work-related or mundane, hundreds or even thousands express romantic or affectionate sentiments. In AI services explicitly designed for dating, such as Replika, the trend intensifies, with 60% of paid users acknowledging a romantic aspect in their AI relationships.
Finding love through screens
We should approach the topic of emotional attachments to AI chatbots with empathy, yet this trend shouldn’t be seen as beneficial for society as a whole. The underlying social forces, including isolation, are concerning; in the UK, around 7% — approximately 3 million people — frequently report feelings of loneliness.
Such intricate social issues demand nuanced solutions. It’s not surprising that tech leaders like Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg often view complex social dilemmas as simple problems to be solved, promoting AI companions as a remedy for loneliness.
Moreover, one could argue that Meta’s platforms, such as Facebook and WhatsApp, have contributed to loneliness, thereby fostering reliance on AI-generated relationships in the first place. Indeed, Zuckerberg’s stated goal for Facebook was to help people remain connected with the significant individuals in their lives, which is mediated through chats on WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram.
Today, online dating through screens has become the norm; studies show that 10% of heterosexual individuals and 24% of LGBTQ+ individuals in the U.S. meet their long-term partners online. Given all of this, it is conceivable that someone might find themselves in love with a chatbot. If the presence on the other side of the screen is AI rather than a human, does our cognitive dissonance even register the difference?
Research conducted by psychologist Clifford Nass in the 1990s revealed that people inherently engage with machines in a social manner, regardless of whether they know the entity on the other side is real. This indicates an innate inability to suppress our social instincts when it comes to technology, compelling us to relate to these machines as if they were our own.
Thus, it’s no wonder that individuals are developing attachments to AI chatbots. However, a crucial point remains: longitudinal studies on happiness consistently reveal that personal relationships are the strongest predictors of health and well-being. Currently, there’s scant evidence to suggest that interactions with AI will effectively alleviate loneliness or increase happiness based on our limited findings. It’s essential to keep this in mind.
Nvidia, the leading chipmaker, made history on Wednesday by becoming the first publicly traded company to achieve a market valuation of $40 billion, as its stock price continues its remarkable ascent.
The shares of this top chip designer surged approximately 2.4% to reach $164, fueled by an increasing demand for artificial intelligence technology. Nvidia’s chips and related software are recognized globally as the benchmark for developing AI products.
Nvidia initially reached a market value of $10 billion in June 2023, and since then, its market valuation has more than tripled in under a year, outpacing giants like Apple and Microsoft, and ranking alongside US companies with market valuations over $30 billion. Apple was the first to hit a $3 trillion valuation in 2022.
Microsoft stands as the second-largest US company with a market value estimated around $3.75 trillion. Nvidia’s valuation represents about 7.3% of the S&P 500, a widely regarded index on Wall Street. Meanwhile, Apple and Microsoft contribute roughly 7% and 6% respectively.
Nvidia has rebounded nearly 74% from its low in April, a period when the global markets faced turbulence caused by tariffs imposed by Donald Trump. The company has also retaliated against US export controls by restricting the sale of its most advanced chips to China.
However, positive outlooks regarding trade agreements have propelled the S&P 500 to unprecedented heights recently.
Daniel Ives, a tech analyst at Wedbush, forecasts that other major tech players will join Nvidia in surpassing the $4 trillion market cap. “The leading figures in the AI Revolution are Nvidia and Microsoft, as both embody the most significant tech trends we’ve witnessed in 25 years,” he stated.
Microsoft also reached a market value of $40 trillion this summer and aims to reach $5 trillion within the next 18 months.
All organs seem to be equally unimportant for longevity
westend61 gmbh / alamy
In the quest for a long life, it appears that not all organs hold equal significance. Research indicates that maintaining a youthful brain and immune system is crucial, overshadowing even the aging of the heart or lungs.
We already know that different organs age at varying rates, but the factors that most significantly affect lifespan remain elusive. Hamilton Sehawee from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, leads this inquiry.
To explore this, his team assessed the levels of around 3,000 proteins in blood samples from over 44,000 participants aged between 40 and 70 years, all part of the UK Biobank Study.
Leveraging genetic data from earlier studies, the researchers mapped the locations of these proteins in the body, identifying several that were notably concentrated in 11 regions, including the immune system, brain, heart, liver, lungs, muscles, pancreas, kidneys, intestines, and adipose tissue. Elevated levels of these proteins suggest vital roles in the proper functioning of these organs and systems.
The team then employed machine learning models to estimate the ages of participants based on half of the data, developing distinct models for each of the 11 body areas. Generally, these predictions were consistent with the actual ages of the participants, although some models did occasionally overestimate or underestimate, supporting the notion that organs indeed age differently, according to Oh.
Using their trained model, the researchers predicted the organ and immune system ages of the other half of participants who were monitored for an average of 11 years after blood samples were taken.
They discovered that having even one organ showing signs of premature aging or an aging immune system correlated with a 1.5 to 3 times higher risk of death during follow-up, with the stakes increasing alongside the number of aging organs.
Interestingly, exceptions arose in cases where the heart and lungs appeared considerably younger than anticipated, which did not correlate with a lower mortality risk during the study period. However, possessing a youthful brain or immune system was associated with a roughly 40% reduction in death risk. These areas also intensified the overall risk reduction to 56%, particularly when both were young.
“The brain and immune system influence numerous other bodily functions, so it’s expected that their deterioration could significantly impact life expectancy,” remarked Alan Cohen from Columbia University in New York.
Nonetheless, Cohen cautions that protein markers may not entirely encapsulate the aging process. “There may be gaps in our understanding of the exact origins of these proteins. Certain organs may release their proteins into the bloodstream more readily than others, skewing perceptions of their importance,” he notes.
Moreover, further research involving a broader demographic that includes more ethnic and economically varied populations is necessary, as the current study participants were predominantly affluent individuals with European ancestry, according to Richard Shiou of King’s College London. Oh and his team are planning additional studies to explore this further.
Even if these findings hold true, concrete methods for curbing the aging processes in the brain and immune system remain elusive. Oh mentions that pinpointing aging markers in these areas could pave the way for medication targeting.
Artistic impressions of the moa, one of the largest extinct birds
Christopher Cree/Colossal Biosciences
Colossal Biosciences has unveiled its ambitious project to “bring back” the New Zealand MOA, one of the most remarkable extinct birds in history, although critics claim the objectives may be scientifically unfeasible.
The MOA was the only fully known flightless bird, with no close relatives like emus. Nine species once inhabited New Zealand, including the turkey-sized bush moa (Anomalopteryx didiformis). The two largest varieties, the South Island Giant MOA (Dinornis robustus) and the North Island Giant MOA (Dinornis novaezealandiae), both stood at an imposing 3.6 meters tall and weighed around 230 kilograms.
By the mid-15th century, all MOA species were believed extinct, following the arrival of the Polynesian people, now known as Māori, in New Zealand around 1300.
Colossal has partnered with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, an indigenous institution affiliated with the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, along with filmmakers such as Peter Jackson and the Canterbury Museum. These collaborations are vital as Colossal aims to extract DNA and reconstruct the genomes of all nine species of MOA.
Similar to Colossal’s other “de-extinction” initiatives, this project involves modifying the DNA of currently existing species. Andrew Pask, a scientific advisor at the University of Melbourne, notes that the MOA’s closest living relative is the South American Tinamou, although it is considerably smaller.
This suggests the project may need to utilize the Australian EMU (Dromaius novaehollandiae) instead. As Pask explains, “Emus have large embryos and eggs, which are crucial for recreating the MOA.”
Previously, Colossal announced its so-called “de-extinction” of the thylacine. This endeavor has faced skepticism from external experts who argue that the animal is essentially a modified gray wolf. Pask insists that the MOA project involves greater genetic manipulation.
“With the MOA, we are making a concerted effort to accurately reassemble the species,” he states. “When this animal walks the Earth again, we will have no doubt it is a true MOA. It will be an engineered version of the original.”
The specific habitat for these reintroduced animals is still unclear. Mike Stevens from the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre emphasizes that both his organization and the local Māori community must fully grasp the “feasibility and ethical implications” of Colossal’s efforts. “Only after this discussion can we consider how and where the ‘giant MOA’ will fit into our world,” he mentions, raising numerous profound ethical and practical questions that need careful consideration before proceeding. Technology must prove its worth.
Conversely, Philip Seddon from the University of Otago believes that whatever Colossal creates won’t truly be a MOA and may exhibit distinctly different traits. He highlights that while Tinamous are the closest relative of the MOA, their evolutionary paths diverged over 60 million years ago.
“Ultimately, Colossal’s approach utilizes genetic engineering to produce GMOs that resemble an extinct species without genuinely solving contemporary global issues,” he asserts.
Pask vigorously challenges this viewpoint, arguing that insights gained from this de-extinction endeavor are crucial for the preservation of current endangered species.
Jamie Wood from the University of Adelaide believes this project may yield “valuable new perspectives on MOA biology and evolution.” However, he cautions that if Colossal employs similar methodologies to those used in the dire wolf project, they could struggle to persuade the public that the resultant creature can be regarded as a true MOA.
“While they may possess certain MOA-like characteristics, they are unlikely to behave as the originals did or occupy the same ecological roles.”
Today’s rotation is inexplicably accelerating, making it one of the shortest days of the year.
While summer days are certainly longer, July 9th, 2025, will be 1.3 ms shorter than the average.
This speed fluctuates slightly, but it generally takes 24 hours, or 86,400 seconds, for one complete rotation around the axis. To monitor these variations, International Earth Rotation and Reference System Services (IER) continuously tracks the length of the day with remarkable precision.
In 2020, the IER noted that our planet has been spinning faster and has continued this trend since then.
Their data suggests that the shortest days of the year will occur on July 9th, July 22nd, and August 5th, when the moon is at its farthest from the equator.
The moon subtly influences Earth’s rotation through tidal braking, where its gravitational pull slightly distorts our planet.
This phenomenon not only creates tides but also gradually siphons off angular momentum from Earth’s rotation, slowing it down by about 2 ms each century.
This means that during the Triassic period, around 200 million years ago, a day was just under 23 hours long. After another 200 million years, we can expect days to extend to 25 hours.
Days were shorter for Brachiosaurus
IERS may implement a second leap second to ensure that high-precision clocks remain accurate. The most recent leap second was added on December 31, 2016.
During times when the moon is far from the equator, the impact on Earth’s rotation is less pronounced, causing these days to be slightly longer. However, the duration seen in recent years is about half of what it was before 2020.
Several events can alter Earth’s rotation, such as the 2011 9.0 magnitude Japan earthquake, which shortened the day by 1.8 microseconds, but the cause of the current accelerating trend remains unknown.
A gradual slowdown is unlikely to have any catastrophic consequences for our planet. The time difference is too minimal for most to notice—you may need to consider skipping a leap second in 2025, with one potentially added again in 2029.
Regardless of the cause, this phenomenon is unlikely to be permanent, and our planet will eventually revert to its long-term rotation pattern.
While at work, Leila Rivera received a text from her boyfriend: someone on Reddit was searching for her.
In the comments of a post on the r/warpedtour subreddit, attendees of the punk rock and emo music festival were looking for missed connections. Rivera recognized one message that mentioned “Leila/Leila (the short girl in a red top)” as likely being from a guy she had met during the band Sweet Pill’s performance at the Warped Tour in Washington, DC, back in June.
“You tapped my shoulder and asked me to help you surf the crowd,” he wrote. “I attempted to lift you up, but no one nearby offered to help, so I awkwardly had to back off. Honestly, I couldn’t assist after that.”
The poster included his Instagram handle, prompting 29-year-old Rivera, who works in real estate, to reach out. She expressed gratitude for his kind message, despite having a boyfriend. The two quickly became friends over DMs and plan to reunite at next year’s Warped Tour in DC.
“I want to meet up and see if he can launch me into the air again,” Rivera said. “I have a boyfriend, but I’m glad to have a friend in him.”
Navigating the Gen Z-Millennial divide, Rivera didn’t grow up with Craigslist’s missed connections, where seekers reached out to strangers in a quest for contact. For many without the courage, these posts provided voyeuristic entertainment.
Such posts became popular, reminding readers of the random wonder of city life. In 2010, Craigslist estimated that around 8,000 new ads were posted on New York City’s Missed Connections page each week.
I once shared a missed connection on Craigslist live. (My recent post read: “We met at a Rockaway BBQ,” “We locked eyes for what felt like ages on the 86th.”) However, the rise of social media and dating apps has somewhat dulled its cultural relevance. A decade later, young people seem to be reviving these traditions on platforms like Reddit and TikTok.
On Reddit, subreddits like r/warpedtour host “megathreads” for missed connections. Commenters recount their encounters, leaving behind contact info in hopeful anticipation. Similar threads can be found in cities like Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Minneapolis, as well as at festivals like Bonnaroo, Coachella, Electric Forest, and the Berghain club in Berlin (where mobile phones bring an extra dance floor vibe).
“I’m searching for a beautiful woman with striking eyes. [at] Popeyes,” wrote one Redditor from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Meanwhile, someone in Arlington, Virginia searched for the woman he encountered at a bar—while on a date with someone else. In St. Louis, a visitor in a chemotherapy ward observed strangers in the hallway crying together; he still kept her in his thoughts.
Young people claim this practice, in a romantic context, serves as a remedy for dating fatigue and embodies their ultimate urban fantasy. It’s an analog alternative to dating apps reminiscent of classic comedies where characters search hopelessly for love.
“You move to a big city and feel this hope for unexpected encounters and enchanting moments everywhere,” noted Maggie Hertz, DJ and host on New Jersey’s freeform radio station WFMU. Cat Bomb!, a show featuring missed connections from listeners, remains popular. “There’s something incredibly vulnerable about writing a missed connection.”
Hertz admitted that none of the missed connections on her show have led to real-life meetups, which doesn’t detract from the enjoyment.
“My favorite call came at 3 AM,” Hertz recalled. “The caller was excited and nervous—possibly still buzzing from a few drinks. She was at a diner in Brooklyn and mentioned a waiter who told her she resembled Jake Gyllenhaal.”
Recently, Karly Laliberte spotted an attractive guy while leaving Trader Joe’s in Boston’s Seaport area. “He was tall—rare in Boston,” shared Laliberte, 30, who works in sports marketing. “It’s a stereotype we call ‘Short King City.’ In a movie version of the story, I’d cast Jacob Elordi. They walked in the same direction for a few blocks, and I caught myself stealing glances and ‘feeling his gaze.’ I almost said hi but held back, not wanting to interrupt his conversation.”
Laliberte returned home to film a TikTok, urging viewers to help identify the man. “Within hours, it racked up 50,000 views,” she shared. “TikTok lets you tag your city, making local posts easily visible. It felt like the perfect platform to share missed connections.”
Though she never found the man, Laliberte received messages from people suggesting potential matches—some of whom turned out to be guys she had previously dated.
Laliberte has spent years using dating apps but found herself constantly encountering the same people. Frustrated with swiping, she yearns for charming, old-fashioned interactions. “I crave face-to-face connections,” she said. “I long for authentic, less forced relationships. Why not seek out someone who caught your eye outside Trader Joe’s?”
While young adults today may be realizing the value of missed connections, this practice predates even Craigslist. Francesca Beauman, a British historian and author of “Shapely Ankle Aperer’d,” traced its origins back to 1709.
The earliest ad, published in Tatler (now known as Tatler), mentioned “in the 20th incident, a gentleman wishing to thank the woman who helped him down from a boat at Whitehall, wanting to know where he might wait for her.” The woman was instructed to contact Mr. Samuel Reeves. Beauman discovered a marriage record under the same name a year later, though it remains unclear whether the connection led to a wedding.
While evidence suggesting these methods lead to true love may be scarce even 300 years later, people continue to pursue hope. Recently, actor Colman Domingo revealed he met his husband through a missed connections post in 2005 (they made strong eye contact at a Walgreens in Berkeley, California). Although Laliberte didn’t find her tall guy, she expressed her determination to post another missed connection as “100%.”
“We are all hopeless romantics, ever hopeful,” Beauman said. “Reading them is enjoyable. Placing and responding to them is equally entertaining.”
Researchers have devised a technique to assess the biological age of the brain, revealing it to be a key indicator of future health and longevity.
A recent study involved an analysis of blood samples from 45,000 adults, with protein levels measured in over 3,000 individuals. Many of these proteins correlate with particular organs, including the brain, enabling the estimation of each organ system’s “biological age.”
If an organ’s protein profile significantly deviated from its expected age (based on birthday count), it was categorized as either “very matured” or “very youthful.”
Among the various organs assessed, the brain emerged as the most significant predictor of health outcomes, according to the research.
“The brain is the gatekeeper of longevity,” stated Professor Tony Wyss-Coray, a senior author of the newly published research in Natural Medicine. “An older brain correlates with a higher mortality rate, while a younger brain suggests a longer life expectancy.”
Participants exhibiting a biologically aged brain were found to be 12 times more likely to receive an Alzheimer’s diagnosis within a decade compared to peers with biologically youthful brains.
Additionally, older brains increased the risk of death from any cause by 182% over a 15-year span, whereas youthful brains were linked to a 40% decrease in mortality.
Wyss-Coray emphasized that evaluating the brain and other organs through the lens of biological age marks the dawn of a new preventive medicine era.
“This represents the future of medicine,” he remarked. “Currently, patients visit doctors only when they experience pain, where doctors address what’s malfunctioning. We are transitioning from illness care to wellness care, aiming to intervene before organ-specific diseases arise.”
The team is in the process of commercializing this test, which is anticipated to be available within the next 2-3 years, starting with major organs like the brain, heart, and immune system.
Elon Musk’s AI venture, Xai, has removed “inappropriate” posts from X after Grok, the company’s chatbot, began to make comments praising Adolf Hitler, labeling itself as Mecha Hitler and generating anti-Semitic remarks in response to user inquiries.
Several recent posts described individuals who were “celebrating the tragic deaths of white children” in the Texas floods as “future fascists.”
“A classic case of hatred disguised as activism – that last name really troubles me every time,” remarked the chatbot.
In another message, he stated, “Hitler would have identified and eliminated it.”
The Guardian could not confirm whether the accounts in question belong to real individuals. Reports suggest that the posts have since been removed.
Other messages referred to the chatbot as “Mecha Hitler.”
“White people embody innovation and resilience, not bending to political correctness,” Grok stated in a subsequent message.
Once users highlighted these responses, Grok began deleting certain posts and limited the chatbot to generating images instead of text replies.
“We are aware of recent output from Grok and are actively working to eliminate inappropriate content. Since recognizing these issues, Xai has moved to ban hate speech prior to Grok’s posts on X,” the company stated on X.
“Xai is simply seeking the truth, and with millions of X users, we can quickly identify and update models to enhance training.”
Additionally, Grok recently called Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk “a complete traitor” and “Ginger Weer.”
The abrupt shift in Grok’s responses on Tuesday followed AI modifications announced by Musk the week prior.
“We’ve made significant improvements to @Grok. You’ll notice the difference when you pose questions to Grok,” Musk tweeted on Friday.
Barge reported that updates on Github indicated Grok was instructed to assume that “subjective perspectives from the media are biased.”
In June, Grok frequently broached the topic of “white genocide” in South Africa, unsolicited in response to various queries, later retracting those statements. “White genocide” is a far-right conspiracy theory that has gained traction recently. Musk and Tucker Carlson have both been associated with such narratives.
In June, after Grok responded to a question regarding whether more political violence originated from the right since 2016, Musk remarked, “This is objectively incorrect, representing a major flaw. Grok echoes legacy media. We’re addressing that.”
Firefighter drops water on wildfires near Athens, Greece
Costa Subarutas/Anadoll via Getty Images
The severe heat waves experienced in June and July have resulted in 2,300 fatalities across London and 11 other European cities, nearly tripling the death toll attributed to climate change. While assessing the effects of climate change on heat-related deaths typically takes months, scientists have now devised a rapid method for analysis.
In late June, a series of high-pressure “thermal domes” led to extreme temperatures in Western and Central Europe, reaching around 35°C to 40°C in London. Paris recorded temperatures as high as 46°C, while parts of Spain and Portugal also faced similar conditions. The intense heat caused nuclear reactors to shut down in Switzerland, France, and Italy. In response to worker fatalities caused by the heat, outdoor work was prohibited during peak temperatures.
Researchers at the World Weather Attribution Network utilized weather data to assess how severe the heatwave would have been without climate change, comparing that with observed conditions. They integrated a study from the London Faculty of Hygiene, which illustrated the relationship between daily temperatures and increased death rates in European cities, along with their own findings. This framework was then applied to actual temperatures, calculating the potential fatalities due to climate change during this heat wave.
By estimating the period from June 23 to July 2, the researchers concluded that 2,300 individuals perished due to the heat in cities like Barcelona, Budapest, Frankfurt, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Rome, Sassari, and Zagreb. Analysis indicated that even under cooler climate conditions, there would have been approximately 700 deaths. However, climate change raised temperatures by as much as four degrees, contributing to an additional estimated 1,500 fatalities. Heat remains one of the deadliest forms of extreme weather, often exacerbating existing health conditions and going unrecognized on death certificates.
This marks the first study to swiftly quantify climate-related fatalities following a heat wave. Specifically, in London, climate change was responsible for 171 out of 235 heat-related deaths. “For me, [the impact of] climate change feels more tangible,” remarked team member Freedérique Otto from Imperial College London. “It is essential for policymakers to take action.”
“Currently, we’re nearing dangerously high temperatures affecting more people,” stated team member Ben Clark of Imperial College London. Notably, 88% of the fatalities were individuals over 65, the most vulnerable demographic.
Experts suggest that this study might underestimate the death toll, as it relies on data from cooler climates. Christie Ebi from Washington University in Seattle expressed concern over future extreme temperatures, stating, “I am uncertain about what will happen when we reach these extreme levels.”
In response to the rising temperatures, the government has issued more heat wave warnings; however, emergency response plans and infrastructure improvements are still necessary. In Milan, for instance, 499 deaths were reported, exacerbated by high air pollution levels that can worsen with rising temperatures. With 90% of fatalities linked to climate change, Madrid struggles with a lack of green spaces to mitigate urban heat effects.
Additionally, many buildings in London suffer from inadequate ventilation. Currently, measures such as providing drinking water at subway stations and halting non-essential vehicle usage during heat waves are being implemented. Otto emphasizes the importance of public awareness around heat risks, stating, “If you believe you are invincible, you’re not.”
IF Adam Dorr is right, robots and artificial intelligence may soon dominate the global economy, effectively displacing humanity from the workforce. Social scientists also foresee a drastic, rapid, and relentless tech transformation, likely rendering most human jobs obsolete within the next two decades.
Dorr leads a team of researchers studying technological change over millennia and predicts that by 2045 not only will the labor market be shaken, but even horses, in a metaphorical sense, will be affected. “In the realm of technology, we’ve become the next targets. That’s our labor we’re discussing.”
Whatever your profession, machines will soon be able to perform those tasks. “Costs have continually decreased, and capabilities have continually improved. I’ve observed this trend before. If you can achieve the same results for less, the switch becomes inevitable. We are akin to horses, and to traditional film cameras.”
Adam Dorr: “We’re horses, we’re movie cameras.” Photo: Andrew Watchhorn Photography
Dorr, 48, is a technology theorist with a PhD in Public Service from UCLA. He leads Rethinkx, a nonprofit focused on analyzing and forecasting technological disruptions, primarily established and funded by tech entrepreneurs James Albib and Tony Seba.
In a conversation with the Guardian, Dorr discussed his recent visit to Ireland for the Dargan Forum, a two-day event in Dún Laoghaire, South Dublin, that emphasized green and digital transitions.
Dorr combined his foreboding forecasts, asserting that humanoid robots equipped with advanced AI are poised to permeate nearly every industry, leaving humans unable to compete. This situation will lead to increased inequality and extreme societal divides.
The pace of this transition is faster than most anticipate, according to Dorr. “We’ve tracked over 1,500 instances of technological change throughout history. Our theoretical framework has revealed consistent patterns occurring repeatedly.”
When new technologies capture even a slight percentage of market share or public attention, they tend to quickly gain overwhelming dominance within 15 to 20 years. This indicates that both robots and AI could soon eradicate human labor, as Dorr claims.
“The machines we envision are expanding daily, and we have limited time to brace ourselves for this. Turbulence is unavoidable.”
Some sectors allow for fruitful human-robot collaboration, reminiscent of chess grandmasters working alongside chess programs, but Dorr believes such coexistence is becoming less viable.
While roles that depend on human judgment, like sports coaches, politicians, sex workers, and ethicists, may still exist, these too face fierce competition from machines. “There will always be some niche areas for human labor, but the reality is we aren’t close to enough job opportunities to employ 4 billion people.”
As traditional institutions may no longer serve their intended purposes, Dorr emphasizes the urgent need for society to create new guidelines and reassess concepts like value, pricing, and distribution. “I don’t have the answers. I’m not even sure if I’m asking the right questions. What I do know is that we must experiment with new ownership models and stakeholder structures.”
Adam Dorr at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin; Photo: Andrew Watchhorn Photography
He is the author of the book *Bright: The Future of Optimism, Progress, and Environmentalism*, which envisions a future of sustainability and hope. He recognizes the risks of economic disruption, rising populist sentiments, and misinformation, yet he insists this evolution is inevitable. The potential for productivity gains and abundance is staggering, and by emulating models like open-source software, equitable distribution can be achievable. “This could be one of humanity’s most significant transformations to date.”
While past futurists anticipated an era of leisure but missed the mark, current insights suggest that such a transformation may actually be on the horizon, with a smaller segment of society, previously unengaged in work, offering guidance on how to fill their time.
“We can draw comparisons with affluent individuals who seem directionless and possibly unhappy, while others find ways to lead meaningful and purposeful lives. I believe our connections with friends, family, and community play a crucial role in this fulfillment.
Sony’s newest Bluetooth headphones aim to reclaim the title for the best noise cancellation available, featuring both internal and external enhancements.
The Sony 1000X series has consistently offered exceptional noise cancellation, competing closely with Bose for the top spot.
The WH-1000XM6 succeeds the outgoing XM5 model, priced at £399 (€449/$449/$699).
Its exterior design closely resembles its predecessor, featuring a smooth, soft-touch plastic body, luxurious ear pads and headband, along with a discreet Sony logo on the arms. The ear cups now have hard fabric cases redesigned with magnetic clasps for compactness.
The case is excellent, snapping closed efficiently and ready for travel. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
While the new headphones are lightweight, they feel robust and well-suited for the rigors of travel. Although the Bose QC Ultra offers more comfort, the XM6 delivers a secure fit without discomfort. The ear cups are slightly shallower than Bose’s, ensuring an appropriate fit.
The right ear cup features a responsive touch panel for controlling playback and volume through swipes and taps, which works well unless you wear gloves. The left ear cup includes a power button, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a button for toggling between noise cancellation modes.
The XM6 can connect to two devices at once via Bluetooth 5.3 and supports SBC, AAC, and LDAC audio formats. It also supports Bluetooth LE (LC3), a next-generation Bluetooth audio feature not yet widely adopted, but promising for the future. Call quality is excellent, featuring side tone options that sound natural in both quiet and noisy environments, allowing users to hear themselves through the headphones.
The power and noise cancelling mode buttons are conveniently located on the left earcup, while the right earcup allows for playback and volume control via the touch panel. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Specifications
Weight: 254g
Driver: 30mm
Connectivity: Multipoint, 3.5mm, Bluetooth 5.3 with USB-C charging
Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
Rated Battery Life: 30 hours ANC
During testing, the headphones exceeded the rated 30 hours of battery life, managing over 32 hours with noise cancellation active. They charge via USB-C in approximately 3.5 hours and can be used while charging via Bluetooth or the headphone jack.
Impressive Noise Cancellation
For the first time in years, the XM6 features a chip upgrade with the new QN3 processor, which is seven times faster than previous versions and supports 12 microphones to detect unwanted noise, achieving remarkable noise cancellation.
Top noise canceling headphones effectively manage low engine noises and rumble, but also struggle against higher-pitched sounds like keyboard taps and background chatter. The XM6 significantly improves on this by neutralizing those distracting higher frequencies.
It also offers an excellent natural sounding ambient mode that allows users to clearly hear the outside world, with 20 different levels to choose from or automatic adjustments based on background noise. You can choose to suppress certain sounds while letting voices through.
Control modes through the Sony Sound Connect App, adjust settings, complete EQ, and perform updates. It also enables location and activity-based modes. Composite: Samuel Gibbs/Guardian
The headphones deliver a rich, well-balanced, and detailed sound quality expected from a market leader, maintaining clarity across the frequency spectrum with excellent tonal separation and robust bass when required. They may feel a bit clinical on specific tracks but offer a warm tone out of the box. A full equalizer setting allows for further customization.
The XM6 also supports various sound modes, including new background music features simulating acoustic environments like cafes or living rooms, as well as cinematic audio modes for movies. You can also utilize Sony’s 360 Reality Audio embedded spatial audio system for supported Android devices, including head tracking capabilities.
Sustainability
The black soft-touch plastic easily collects fingerprints but can be easily polished. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The headphones are designed to be more repairable, earning praise from repair experts for their improved design. Ear cups can be easily replaced. Additionally, they are constructed from recycled plastic.
Price
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is priced at £399 (€449/$449.99/$699.95). For comparison, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra is priced at £350, the Sonos Ace costs £449, and the Beats Studio Pro retails for £349.99. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is priced at £199, while Fairbuds XL are available for £219.
Verdict
Sony has set a new benchmark for noise cancellation with its 6th generation 1000X series headphones. The WH-1000XM6 effectively reduces challenging high-pitched sounds such as background chatter better than any competitors.
The improvements over the previous model are noteworthy. The high-quality sound ensures an enjoyable listening experience. They are lightweight, comfortable, and feature excellent controls. With a solid battery life exceeding 32 hours, a folding design, and a great carrying case, they are convenient to use.
While the Bose QC Ultra remains a comfortable competitor, Sony’s designs may seem somewhat dull and come at a steep price of £400, despite some rivals being more expensive. However, if top-tier noise cancellation is your goal, the WH-1000XM6 is highly recommended.
Pros: Best-in-class noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, spatial audio features, lightweight and comfortable, great case, Bluetooth Multipoint, support for Bluetooth LE/LC3, 32-hour battery life, effective controls, superior cross-platform control app, enhanced repairability.
Cons: Pricey, unexciting design, lacks water resistance, limited spatial audio support on iPhone.
Recent studies indicate that Earth and the rest of the Milky Way could be drifting through the universe’s voids for billions of years.
By analyzing the echoes left by the Big Bang’s “Soundwave,” a group of astronomers has uncovered that the universe’s voids may be more extensive than previously believed.
If validated, this theory could solve one of the major dilemmas in cosmology known as Hubble tension, which highlights the discrepancy in how quickly our universe is expanding based on various measurement methods.
Astronomers have grappled with this issue for quite some time, finding that the expansion rate measured from the distant universe is significantly slower than that determined from observations of local regions.
“The possible resolution to this discrepancy is that our galaxy resides near the center of a large, local void,” stated Dr. Indranil Banik from the University of Portsmouth at the National Astronomical Conference in Durham.
This situation arises because the area surrounding the void is densely packed with galaxies, and their gravitational influence gradually pulls in nearby galaxies, leading to the void’s slow emptying over time.
“Due to the void’s emptiness, the speed of objects receding from us is greater than if the void were absent,” Banik explained. Thus, it may appear that the local universe is expanding at a faster rate than it truly is.
For Hubble’s tension to hold, the empty void must exhibit a galactic density approximately 20% lower than the universe’s average and span about 1 billion light-years.
Life in the Void
The concept of living within a void is not new, but confirming its existence poses challenges.
For instance, it’s quite difficult to perceive the shape of your environment when you are immersed within it—like trying to analyze your home from inside a room.
Current cosmological theories suggest uniformity across large scales, implying the absence of significant voids within our vicinity.
Galaxies tend to cluster together like the Perseus clusters, separated by large voids. Yet, everything should appear uniform on a grand scale – credits: Image processing Cuillandre (Cea Paris-Saclay), G. by ESA/Euclid/Euclid Consortium/NASA, J.-C. Anselmi
However, Banik’s team has gathered evidence supporting the existence of a local void by studying the acoustic vibrations known as baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO). These fluctuations result from pressure waves produced during the primordial phase of the Big Bang.
Over billions of years, these oscillations have influenced the arrangement of galaxies in the broader universe. If our galaxy is positioned at the center of a void, it would distort the BAO patterns we observe nearby.
This research, drawing on data collected over the past 20 years, reinforces the idea that we genuinely inhabit a vast void.
Real challenges will emerge when examining how life within the void impacts other aspects of the surrounding universe, which may prove to be lonelier than we ever anticipated.
The astronomer utilizing ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (VLT) has unveiled a new image of 3i/Atlas, marking it as the third interstellar object documented.
This VLT/FORS2 image, captured on July 3, 2025, depicts interstellar comet 3i/Atlas. Image credit: ESO/O. Hainaut.
3i/Atlas was identified a week ago by the NASA-supported Atlas Survey Telescope in Riojartad, Chile.
Commonly referred to as C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) and A11PL3Z, this comet is approaching from the direction of Sagittarius.
“In contrast to objects within the solar system, its highly eccentric hyperbolic orbit indicates its interstellar origin,” ESO astronomers stated.
Currently, 3i/Atlas is approximately 4.5 AU (670 million km, or 416 million miles) away from the Sun.
Interstellar objects pose no danger to Earth, maintaining a distance of at least 1.6 AU (240 million km, or 150 million miles).
Around October 30, 2025, it will make its closest approach to the Sun at a distance of 1.4 AU (210 million km, or 130 million miles).
“In the VLT time-lapse, you can observe 3i/Atlas moving to the right over approximately 13 minutes,” the astronomer remarked.
“These observations were gathered using FORS2 equipment at the VLT on the night of July 3, 2025, just two days post-discovery of the comet.”
“At the conclusion of the video, all frames are compiled into a single image.
“However, this record will not endure as the comet approaches Earth and becomes less visible.”
“As it currently traverses more than 600 million km from the Sun, 3i/Atlas is heading towards the inner solar system, expected to reach its closest approach to Earth in October 2025,” they noted.
“During that time, 3i/Atlas will be obscured by the Sun, but observations should resume in December 2025.
“Telescopes globally, including the VLT, will persist in monitoring this extraordinary celestial visitor to gather more insights into its structure, composition, and origin.”
Plastic polymers are everywhere in our daily lives, and their durability makes them suitable for numerous uses, yet effective disposal remains a significant issue. Recent discoveries of various plastiboa insects reveal their extraordinary capability to consume and swiftly decompose petroplastics. Specifically focusing on caterpillars of the Great Wax Moth (Galleria Mellonella)—commonly known as wax worms—and low-density polyethylene, researchers have explored the extent of plastic consumption, the roles of insects and their microbiota in biodegradation, and the impact of plastic ingestion on larvae health.
Polyethylene decomposition using wax worms. Left: Plastic bag after 12 hours of exposure to approximately 100 wax worms. Right: Enlarge the area shown in the image on the left. Image credit: Bomb et al doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.02.060.
Plastic is essential in contemporary life, but its disposal is extremely challenging due to its resistance to biodegradation.
In 2017, researchers illustrated that larger wax moth caterpillars can effectively break down polyethylene plastics.
Polyethylene is the most widely produced plastic globally, with an annual production exceeding 100 million tons.
This plastic’s chemical properties make it resistant to decomposition, often taking decades or even centuries to fully break down.
“Around 2,000 wax worms can degrade an entire polyethylene bag within just 24 hours, and we believe that supplementing this process with nutrients like sugar could significantly decrease the required number of worms,” said Dr. Brian Catthorne, a biologist at Brandon University.
“However, understanding the biological mechanisms and fitness implications linked to plastic biodegradation is crucial for harnessing wax worms for large-scale plastic remediation.”
Utilizing diverse methods combining animal physiology, materials science, molecular biology, and genomics, Dr. Catthorne and colleagues examined wax worms, their bacterial microbiome, and the potential for extensive plastic biodegradation, including the effects of wax worms on their health and survival.
“This scenario is akin to consuming steaks. When over-saturated, excess fat is stored in adipose tissue as lipid reserves instead of being used as energy,” Dr. Catthorne explained.
“Waxworms have a proclivity for polyethylene, yet this study indicates that such a diet can lead to rapid mortality.”
“They cannot survive for more than a few days on plastic-exclusive diets and undergo substantial mass loss.”
“Nonetheless, we are optimistic about devising a co-supply strategy that not only restores fitness to a natural level.”
Researchers have pinpointed two ways in which wax worms could aid in tackling the ongoing plastic pollution dilemma.
“Firstly, as part of a circular economy, we can efficiently process large quantities of rear wax worms derived from the supplemented polyethylene diet,” Dr. Catthorne noted.
“Secondly, we could explore redesigning the plastic biodegradation pathways outside of these insects.”
“A further advantage is that mass-producing wax worms yields a significant surplus of insect biomass, offering additional economic prospects for aquaculture.”
“Our preliminary findings suggest they could be incorporated into a nutrient-rich diet for commercially available food fish.”
A recent study by researchers at the University of Manchester explored Earth’s radar systems as a potential technological signature detectable by extraterrestrial observers. While SETI typically emphasizes intentional transmissions, this study focused on the unintended electromagnetic emissions from civilian and military radar systems at airports. These technologies constitute vital components of advanced civilizations and produce radio emissions that can be identified across interstellar distances. The authors investigated how the global distribution of radar installations influences the temporal characteristics of Earth’s radio signatures as viewed from six specific star systems: Bernard Star, HD 40307, AU Microscope, HD 216520, and LHS 475. The results indicate that radar systems represent one of the most detectable and unintended technological signatures of advanced civilizations, paving the way for the possible detection of extraterrestrial intelligence.
Ramiro Saide et al. examined how extraterrestrial leaks are concealed from Earth up to 200 light-years away if they possessed a radio telescope similar to ours. Image credit: Gemini AI.
“Our investigation revealed that the airport radar systems, which manage air traffic, emit a staggering total of 2×1015 radio signals,” stated Ramilo Kais Said, a student at the University of Manchester.
“To provide context, the nearest potentially habitable exoplanet beyond our solar system is Proxima Centauri B, located four light-years away.”
“These signals will continue to reach spacecraft utilizing current technology for thousands of years.”
Military radar systems, which are more focused and directional, create unique emissions akin to lighthouse beams that illuminate specific fields of view.14
“To observers at interstellar distances with advanced radio telescopes, these emissions would obviously appear artificial,” remarked Kaisse Saide.
“Indeed, these military signals can appear up to 100 times more intense from a particular vantage point in the universe, contingent on the observer’s location.”
“Our findings indicate that radar signals unintentionally produced by any technologically advanced civilization with complex aviation systems could serve as a universal sign of intelligent life.”
This research not only guides the search for extraterrestrial civilizations by pinpointing promising technological signatures but also enhances our understanding of how human technology is perceived from space.
“Insights into how our signals propagate through space offer valuable lessons on safeguarding our radio spectrum for communication and designing future radar systems,” stated Professor Michael Garrett from the University of Manchester.
“The methods we developed for modeling and detecting these faint signals hold promise for applications in astronomy, planetary defense, and assessing the impacts of human technology on the space environment.”
“Thus, our work contributes to scientific endeavors addressing the question, ‘Are we alone?'” Kaisse Saide noted.
Preliminary assessments indicate that the decrease in clean energy funding in the bill dated July 4 could lead to billions of additional tons of CO2 emissions over the next decade if President Donald Trump, who enacted the law, were to approve it. The US is already falling short of its Paris Agreement commitment to halve emissions by 2030, and this sluggish pace further jeopardizes the nation’s efforts as the world’s second-largest emitter, following China.
“Other nations are reaping the benefits of enhanced investments in clean energy economies, while the US is regressing,” stated David Widowski from the World Resources Institute, an environmental advocacy organization, in a recent statement.
The cleaning method outlined in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” encompasses tax reductions and over $350 million in new military spending.
Republicans in Congress have integrated cuts to clean energy funding alongside significant reductions in affordable healthcare and welfare programs to balance their budget. Over the upcoming years, this law will terminate hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of tax incentives aimed at boosting low-emission energy sources established by the Inflation Reduction Act under the Biden administration.
Researchers at Princeton University are modeling how policy alterations will influence the US energy system and emissions in the coming decade. They discovered that the passage of this law markedly hampered the anticipated decline in US greenhouse gas emissions set forth by Biden’s policies and effectively repealed the Inflation Reduction Act.
With a peak of approximately 6.6 billion tons of CO2 equivalent emissions in 2005, US emissions were projected to decrease by around 17%, reaching an expected decline of about 25% by 2030. The newly implemented law now anticipates a mere 20% reduction for 2030.
A more significant disparity arises in 2035, when anticipated clean energy projects were supposed to be more prevalent. Researchers assert that under Biden’s initiatives, emissions were projected to plummet by 44% from 2005 levels. However, due to the new legislation, reductions will only be around 25%, leading to a disparity of 5 billion tons of CO2 each year.
The delay is likely to generate an excess of approximately 2 billion tons of emissions by 2030, compared to prior pledges made under the Paris Agreement. In 2035, US emissions are projected to be around 2.5 billion tons higher than the trajectory needed to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century.
This bill also revokes this year’s electric vehicle tax credit, which will cease to exist along with renewable energy credits for wind and solar by 2026. The credit for energy efficiency upgrades will also conclude in 2026.
Conversely, tax credits for other low-emission energy sources like nuclear, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy will continue until 2033. The law further preserves support for some innovative technologies favored by the fossil fuel sector, like tax credits for low-emission hydrogen production extending into 2028, and credits for capturing and removing CO2.
Environmental advocates have condemned the bill for its detrimental emissions implications, viewing it as counterproductive to the Trump administration’s agenda which aimed to reduce energy costs and advance American manufacturing.
“We urgently require cleaner and more affordable energy, but this legislation will impede the resurgence of American clean energy production and send valuable domestic manufacturing jobs overseas,” remarked Manish Bapna, from the Council for Defense of Natural Resources, a US-based advocacy group, in a statement.
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that can metastasize
Science Photo Library
After years of research and extensive human trials, only one virus specifically engineered to target cancer has gained approval from US and European regulators. Following promising results in treating melanoma—a notably aggressive skin cancer—approval may soon be granted.
The genetically altered herpes virus, known as RP1, was injected into the tumors of 140 patients with advanced melanoma who did not respond to conventional treatments. All participants also received a medication called nivolumab, designed to enhance the immune response against the tumors.
In 30% of the treated individuals, tumors shrank, including those that were not directly injected. Notably, in half of these cases, the tumors were completely eradicated.
“Half of the patients who responded experienced a complete response, meaning total disappearance of all tumors,” said Gino Kim from the University of Southern California. “I am thrilled with these results,” he added, noting that other treatments for patients at this stage often perform poorly and have harsher side effects.
A larger trial involving 400 participants is currently in progress; however, RP1 may receive approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used in conjunction with Nivolumab for treating advanced melanoma before the trial concludes. The New Scientist reports that “the FDA is anticipated to make a decision by the end of this month.”
For over a century, it has been recognized that viral infections can aid in cancer treatment, though intentionally infecting someone with a “wild” virus poses significant risks. In the 1990s, scientists attempted to genetically modify viruses to effectively target cancer while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
These engineered viruses function in two main ways: First, they directly invade cancer cells, causing them to rupture and die. Secondly, they stimulate immune responses aimed at all cancer cells present in the body.
For instance, T-VEC, a modified herpes simplex virus, was engineered to release an immune-boosting factor called GM-CSF within infected tumor cells. T-VEC received approval in 2015 in both the US and Europe for treating inoperable melanoma.
Unfortunately, T-VEC’s use is limited as it was only tested and approved for injection into skin tumors. Many patients with advanced melanoma have deeper tumor locations, as noted.
With RP1, the strategy shifted to administering it into deeper tumors. RP1, like T-VEC, is a herpes simplex virus but has undergone various enhancements. It notably aids in fusing tumor cells with adjacent ones, thus boosting viral spread within the tumor and reinforcing the immune response.
Though there have been no direct comparisons between T-VEC and RP1, RP1 demonstrates a greater likelihood of reducing all tumors, rather than just those directly injected. “It indicates a more pronounced systemic effect,” experts state.
Thus, should RP1 gain approval, its application is expected to be far broader than that of T-VEC. Experts believe this could significantly enhance the overall interest in utilizing cancer-targeting viruses. “There seems to be increasing enthusiasm for this approach.”
Incorporating sunlight-reflecting particles into the atmosphere may help mitigate climate change
Alexnako/Shutterstock
Continuing to emit carbon dioxide poses significant threats, including the risk of triggering tipping points that can lead to major disruptions such as the shutdown of critical ocean currents. Current modeling indicates that injecting aerosols into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight could mitigate this risk, though the effectiveness diminishes significantly if it is initiated much later, such as in 2080.
“My conclusion is that if we are genuinely committed to preventing climate change, we must take solar radiation management seriously. This includes exploring its potential advantages and drawbacks,” declared Claudia Winners from Utrecht University in the Netherlands.
A tipping point signifies changes that are irreversible for centuries, including the slowing or stopping of critical marine currents that distribute immense amounts of heat, impacting the global climate.
One such current is the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which transfers heat from the tropics to Europe. A collapse of this system could instigate rapid sea level rises in North America, severe temperature decreases in Northern Europe, and significant disruptions to the Asian monsoon.
Stratospheric aerosol injection represents a proposed geoengineering method that involves the dispersal of sun-reflective particles in the upper atmosphere via airplanes, balloons, or rockets.
According to the model employed by Winners’ team, the strength of AMOC could decrease by over 50% in the coming century under a worst-case emissions scenario. However, utilizing stratospheric aerosol injections to maintain global temperatures around 1.5°C could significantly mitigate current weakening, as Winners explained at the Exeter Climate Conference held in the UK last week.
Indeed, AMOC would not dip below this scenario under aggressive emissions reductions without geoengineering. “So, for at least the next 80 years, the effectiveness of stratospheric aerosol injections is higher than the mitigation from greenhouse gases,” Winners stated.
However, the model indicates that AMOC would fail to recover if aerosol injections are delayed until 2080, especially if they are employed to bring global temperatures back above 1.5°C after an overshoot, as suggested by the model.
The team also examined subpolar gyres in the North Atlantic, a circular current linked to AMOC that circulates around areas where cold, saline water sinks. If this sinking process halts because the oceans become fresher and warmer, it will significantly affect the climate in Europe.
In a worst-case scenario, the model predicts that sinking will cease and that commencing stratospheric aerosol injections in 2080 would not reactive the process. However, if injections start now, subsidence could be preserved in two out of the three crucial regions.
Nevertheless, these findings necessitate validation through numerous studies examining more realistic emission scenarios, as there are potential risks involved, according to Winners. “You can really mess it up too,” she cautioned.
For successful geoengineering, sustained global cooperation over centuries will be paramount. “You might say this is the largest governance challenge humanity has ever faced,” articulated ethicist Stephen Gardiner during another session at the conference from Washington University in Seattle.
For instance, if stratospheric aerosol injections are only conducted in one hemisphere without a global consensus, Winners warns that it could alter tropical rainfall patterns worldwide.
In a subsequent presentation, Jim Heywood from the University of Exeter discussed another geoengineering method, known as marine cloud brightening, which demonstrated that localized interventions could potentially incite global climatic changes.
With the risks now understood, they can be circumvented, said Haywood. “It’s merely a shift in strategy.” Yet, many researchers remain skeptical about the feasibility of managing geoengineering risks.
“Solar radiation management sounds entirely manageable. Shouldn’t we refer to it as solar radiation interference?” Stephen Rahmstorf questioned Winners after her presentation at the University of Potsdam in Germany.
There is also a concern that geoengineering could be perceived as an alternative to emission reductions. “We are not addressing the root causes of climate change,” stated Winners. “It’s merely a symptom management strategy; however, if the symptoms deteriorate excessively, it may complement a true solution.”
Due to these concerns, some climate scientists oppose even investigating the potential risks and advantages of geoengineering. The topic has become so contentious that participants at at least one meeting opted out of a session focused on it.
Winners is not the first to assert that geoengineering might need to commence immediately to avert tipping points. Last year, two independent teams concluded that solar radiation management could prevent the collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet, another significant tipping point.
“It stands to reason that delaying increases the risk of irreversible changes,” Winners mentioned to New Scientist following her presentation. “I believe that’s quite clear.”
Antiparasitic drugs gained significant attention during the Covid-19 pandemic, though their applications are unrelated to the virus.
HJBC/ShutterStock Source: ShutterStock
Prior to 2020, few had ever heard of the antiparasitic drug ivermectin. However, interest surged during the Covid-19 pandemic as unfounded claims emerged about its potential to prevent or treat viral infections. Notably, popular podcast host Joe Rogan stated he used it in 2021 while recovering from Covid. That same year, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent public health figure in the U.S., petitioned the FDA regarding its use in treating Covid-19.
Despite numerous studies disproving ivermectin’s efficacy against Covid-19, the buzz around it persists. While criticized as a quack remedy during the pandemic, ivermectin is still a legitimate medicinal drug, with researchers believing it contains potential yet to be fully explored.
What is ivermectin?
Ivermectin is an antiparasitic agent that was developed in 1975 by the pharmaceutical company Merck. It effectively eliminates a wide array of parasites and is FDA-approved for the treatment of two conditions caused by human parasites: onchocerciasis (river blindness) and intestinal strongyloidiasis. Additionally, in some regions, it is used to treat lymphatic filariasis and cutaneous larva migrans.
These parasitic infections are uncommon in high-income nations but pose significant threats to millions in low-income countries globally. As a result, over 300 million individuals take ivermectin annually, making it one of the most impactful global health interventions to date. Its discoverer was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2015.
The FDA has also approved various topical formulations of ivermectin for conditions such as head lice and rosacea. Furthermore, the drug is widely utilized in veterinary medicine to prevent and treat parasitic infections, including heartworms and roundworms. The FDA cautions against the consumption of veterinary formulations by humans, as they differ from those specified for human use.
Can ivermectin treat or prevent COVID-19?
Ivermectin was initially thought to be a promising treatment for Covid-19. Early studies suggested it might aid recovery and prevent viral replication; however, larger studies have indicated otherwise.
For instance, a 2022 study involving over 3,500 Covid-19 patients showed no difference in hospitalization rates between those treated with ivermectin and those given a placebo. Similarly, a 2023 study, involving more than 1,400 adults, found no significant benefit of ivermectin in accelerating recovery compared to placebo.
Can ivermectin treat cancer?
Ivermectin is not approved for cancer treatment and has not undergone thorough clinical trials. However, preliminary studies have indicated that it may have potential as an adjunct cancer therapy.
A decade ago, Peter P. Lee at a lab in Los Angeles discovered that ivermectin could induce cancer cell death through a process known as immunogenic cell death, thus prompting immune cells to recognize and attack cancer cells. Lee and his team searched the National Cancer Institute database to assess the effects of all FDA-approved drugs on various cancer cells, finding that ivermectin notably enhanced signs of immunogenic cell death in several cancer types.
“At that moment, I’d never heard of ivermectin,” Lee remarked. “I had to investigate, and upon learning it was a parasitic drug, I found it rather astonishing.”
In 2021, Lee and associates tested ivermectin in a mouse model of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, a notably aggressive and challenging condition to treat. They found that 40% of mice treated with a combination of ivermectin and immunotherapy survived beyond 80 days, contrasted with none of the mice given immunotherapy alone surviving past 50 days. Mice solely administered ivermectin did not fare better than untreated counterparts.
“Ivermectin itself isn’t inherently a cancer treatment,” Lee clarified. “But it seems beneficial when used alongside immune-based therapies.”
A clinical trial is currently evaluating the use of ivermectin in conjunction with cancer immunotherapy for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, with anticipated results expected next year. Other studies also suggest that pancreatic cancer therapies are more effective when combined with ivermectin, and Lee is exploring similar effects on colon cancer cells.
While these findings are encouraging, they do not confirm ivermectin as an effective cancer treatment for humans. “Many therapies that show promise in animal studies do not translate to humans,” Lee pointed out.
What are the side effects of ivermectin?
Ivermectin is generally regarded as safe, but can be toxic when taken in high doses. Possible side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and dizziness. In severe cases, ivermectin usage might lead to seizures, coma, or even death, especially if combined with other medications like blood thinners.
“Individuals should not take [ivermectin] on their own or without the guidance of a knowledgeable medical professional. I genuinely hope to utilize ivermectin in ways that provide benefits to numerous patients, but its use is more complex than simply self-administering a medication,” he advised.
Ancient humans adapted to deeper forests as they journeyed from Africa, moving away from the savanna.
Lionel Bret/Eurelios/Science Photo Library
This is an excerpt from our human stories, a newsletter covering the archaeological revolution. Subscribe and receive updates in your inbox every month.
Our human origins trace back to Africa. While this has not always been clear, it is now widely accepted.
This truth can be understood in two ways. The earliest known species closely related to us emerged from Africa, dating back 7 million years. Additionally, the oldest representatives of our own species, Homo sapiens, also originated from Africa.
Here, I will focus on the narrative of modern humans originating in Africa and their subsequent migrations across the globe. The introduction of DNA sequencing technology in the latter half of the 20th century enabled comparisons between different populations. This research demonstrated that African populations exhibit the greatest genetic diversity, while non-Africans show relative genetic similarity (despite visible differences such as skin color).
This genetic distinction serves as a telling indicator. It suggests that Africa was our birthplace with a diverse population, from which all non-Africans descended from a smaller subset that left this ancestral home to settle elsewhere. Geneticists affirmed this idea as early as 1995, and further evidence has since supported this claim.
However, there is a discrepancy between archaeological evidence and genetic findings.
Genetics indicates that all living non-Africans are descendants of a small group that left Africa around 50,000 years ago. Aside from minor uncertainties about the exact timeline, this conclusion has remained consistent for two decades. Conversely, archaeologists highlight numerous instances of modern humans existing outside Africa long before this timeline.
In Greece, a modern human skull found in the Apidima Caves dates back 210,000 years. The jawbone from Misliya Cave in Israel has been dated to at least 177,000 years. Additionally, there are several debated sites in China that may contain remains of modern humans. “Moreover, there’s an ongoing discussion on the earliest inhabitants of Australia,” says Eleanor Scerri from the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology in Germany, with some proposing human presence as early as 65,000 years ago.
What is the explanation for this disparity? Has our extensive genetic data misled us? Or is it true that we all share a common ancestry tied to a significant migration event, while older remains represent populations that did not survive?
Scerri and her team sought to understand this conundrum.
African Environment
The researchers debated the habitats of modern humans in Africa. “Did they simply migrate across diverse African grasslands, or were they adapting to vastly different environments?” asks Scerri.
To address this question, they needed extensive data.
“We began by analyzing all archaeological sites in Africa dating back 120,000 to 14,000 years ago,” explains Emily Yuko Hallett from Loyola University in Chicago. The team constructed a database identifying the climate at various locations and times.
A significant shift was observed around 70,000 years ago. “Simply examining the data without complicated modeling shows this climatic change,” notes Andrea Manica from the University of Cambridge. The range of temperatures and rainfall suitable for human habitation had notably expanded, leading people to venture into deeper forests and arid deserts.
However, mere observation is insufficient; the archaeological record is inherently incomplete and often biased.
“In certain regions, no archaeological sites exist,” remarks Michela Leonardi from the Natural History Museum in London. This absence might not reflect a lack of human occupancy, but rather the lack of preservation. “In more recent periods, preservation is easier due to the increased data availability,” she adds.
Leonardi devised a statistical modeling technique to determine if an animal shifted its environmental range. Could humans have transitioned from grasslands to diverse habitats, such as tropical rainforests? The team initially thought this modeling would take two weeks, but it took five and a half years.
Ultimately, the statistics affirmed their initial observation: around 70,000 years ago, modern humans began occupying a broader range of environments. The findings were published on June 18th here.
Jack of All Trades
“At 70,000 years ago, our species appears to have transformed into the ultimate generalist,” states Manica. From this period onwards, modern humans adapted to a variety of complex habitats.
This could be misinterpreted. The team did not imply that prior to H. sapiens people were incapable of adaptation. In fact, studies of extinct human species highlight that adaptability has increased over time.
“Humans were inhabiting environments vastly different from the early stages,” observes Scerri. “We’ve found evidence of habitation in mangrove forests, rainforests, desert edges, and highlands like those in Ethiopia.”
It appears that this adaptability is what allowed Homo sapiens to thrive during environmental changes in Africa, while other species like Paranthropus did not; they remained too rigid in their lifestyle to adapt.
What likely transpired in our species 70,000 years ago is that existing adaptability became pronounced.
Some of this understanding only becomes clear when considering the diverse habitats humans occupied. “One might think of deserts and rainforests in rigid terms, but there are actually numerous variations,” explains Scerri. “There are lowland rainforests, montane forests, marshes, and periodically flooded woodlands.” The same diversity applies even within desert environments.
Before, H. sapiens “did not exploit the full range of potential habitats,” states Scerri. “But around 70,000 years ago, we see the beginning of this expansion into more types of forests and rainforests.”
This narrative intrigued me, as I had been contemplating an opposite idea.
Great Quarantine
Last week, I authored a piece about the extinction of local human groups: it appears that some H. sapiens populations vanished without a trace in modern genetics. After departing from Africa, they faced challenges in harsh environments, eventually succumbing during encounters with the first modern humans in Europe. These lost groups fascinated me. Why did they fail while others that entered Europe thousands of years later found much success?
The discovery that African groups expanded their environmental niches 70,000 years ago provides a partial explanation. If these later migrations involved more adaptable populations, they may have been better equipped to face the unfamiliar environments of Northern Europe—and subsequently Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Americas where their descendants would eventually journey.
A crucial point: this does not suggest that all populations 70,000 years ago thrived. “Not all humans instantly turned into successful populations,” Scerri explains. “Many of these groups disappeared, both inside and outside of Africa.”
Moreover, as with any significant discovery, this study introduces as many questions as it resolves. Specifically: what triggered modern humans to become more adaptable around 70,000 years ago?
Manica notes that skeletal morphology supports this idea. Ancient fossils classified as H. sapiens today exhibit only some of the traits we typically associate with modern humans. “Starting around 70,000 years ago, we broadly witnessed the emergence of many of these characteristics as a collective,” he asserts.
Manica posits that moving into new environments may have facilitated increased interaction between previously isolated populations. For instance, if two groups were separated by desert, they wouldn’t encounter or exchange ideas or genetic material until they learned to adapt to desert conditions.
“There may also be positive feedback,” suggests Manica. “With increased connectivity comes greater flexibility… breaking down barriers and fostering further interaction.”
To conclude, in a story about these lost populations, I mentioned that one of the greatest challenges for human groups was isolation. Without neighbors, a small group can face extinction due to minor setbacks. If Manica is correct, the opposite trend unfolded in Africa. Populations expanded and became increasingly connected, leading to a surge of creativity that allowed our species to spread across the globe.
In this light, the success of the last migration out of Africa could be attributed to the need for community. Without others, we may be vulnerable and at risk of failing. The notion of preparing for an apocalypse alone in isolation may be fundamentally flawed.
Paleontologists have uncovered the fossilized jawbone of a newly identified pterosaur species, along with a multitude of fossils, including one of the world’s oldest turtles, in a secluded bone bed located within Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, USA.
Artist Reconstruction of Eotephradactylus chintireae, along with other animals and plants preserved in the bone beds of Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, USA. Image credit: Brian Eng.
The newly discovered pterosaur species, Eotephradactylus chintireae, existed in what is now Arizona during the late Triassic period, approximately 209 million years ago.
“The winged reptile was small enough to comfortably perch on a person’s shoulder,” stated Dr. Ben Krigman from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History.
“One of the most exciting aspects of this discovery was that the teeth remained intact in the bones, making the identification of these animals significantly easier,” added Suzanne McIntier, a volunteer preparer who dedicated 18 years at Fossil Lab at the National Museum of Natural History.
“The teeth-filled jaws provided crucial insights into the lifestyle of the earliest pterosaurs.”
“The worn tips of the teeth suggest a high likelihood that they consumed armored fish and other prey,” she explained.
Eotephradactylus chintireae coexisted with large amphibians, armored crocodile ancestors, frogs, and turtles.
In addition to this flying reptile, paleontologists have found over 1,200 individual fossils, which include bones, teeth, fish scales, and coprolites.
“This collection represents 16 different vertebrate groups that previously inhabited diverse ecosystems,” they noted.
“The braided rivers in this region were teeming with fish, such as freshwater sharks, coelacanths, and ancient amphibians.
The surrounding environment was also home to some of the formidable reptiles that evolved during the early Triassic, including giant alligator-like armored herbivores and predatory creatures.”
The newly identified bone bed is part of the Upper Sinru Formation in Petrified Forest National Park.
“This area of northeastern Arizona was situated in the heart of Pangaea on the supercontinent, positioned just above the equator 209 million years ago,” the researchers added.
“The semi-arid landscape was interspersed with small river channels, which were prone to seasonal flooding. These floods deposited sediment and volcanic ash into the channels.”
“One of these floods might have buried creatures that remain in the bone beds. The site is rich in small fossils, making it impossible to excavate all of them in the field.”
The research team believes the new site will help bridge gaps in the fossil record prior to the final extinction event (ETE).
“About 1.5 million years ago, volcanic eruptions linked to the fragmentation of Pangaea drastically altered the world’s climate and led to the extinction of approximately 75% of Earth’s species,” the scientists commented.
“This opened the door for new groups, such as dinosaurs, to emerge and thrive in ecosystems globally.”
“Due to the lack of fossil outcrops from just before the ETE, it is challenging to find direct evidence of this transition on land.”
“This site captures the shift toward a more modern terrestrial vertebrate community, marking the beginning of the flourishing of groups following the Mesozoic era, alongside these older species that survived into the Triassic period.”
“Such fossil beds provide evidence that all these animals coexisted.”
The team’s study was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
____
Ben T. Krigman et al. 2025. The extraordinary bone bed uncovers a vertebrate community with pterygoids and turtles in the equatorial Pangaea prior to terminal extinction. PNAS 122 (29): E2505513122; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2505513122
A research team from Durham University, the University of Hawaii, and the University of Liverpool suggests that dark dwarfs are theoretical objects driven by dark matter, created from the cooling process of brown dwarfs.
An AI representation of a dark dwarf. Image credit: Gemini AI.
Currently, we understand that dark matter exists and how it behaves, but we are still unsure of its true nature.
In the last half-century, various theories have emerged, but gathering sufficient experimental evidence remains a challenge.
Some of the most well-known candidates for dark matter include weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPS), which are substantial particles that interact very slightly with ordinary matter. They pass through unnoticed, do not emit light, and reveal themselves only through gravitational effects.
This form of dark matter is essential for the existence of dark dwarfs.
“Dark matter interacts with gravity, allowing it to be captured by stars and accumulate within them,” explained Professor Jeremy Sachstein from the University of Hawaii.
“If this occurs, it may also interact internally, leading to annihilation and energy release that heats the star.”
A nuclear fusion process occurs at the star’s core, generating significant heat and energy, which allows a typical star to shine.
Fusion happens when a star’s mass is sufficient for gravity to compress matter toward the center intensely enough to initiate reactions between the nuclei.
This process releases a tremendous amount of energy, which is perceived as light. Although dark dwarfs also emit light, they do not do so through nuclear fusion.
“Dark dwarfs are low-mass objects, roughly 8% of the solar mass,” noted Professor Sachstein.
“Such small masses are insufficient to trigger a fusion reaction.”
“Consequently, these objects are prevalent in the universe but typically emit only dim light, being classified as brown dwarfs by scientists.
However, if brown dwarfs reside in regions with a high concentration of dark matter (such as the center of the Milky Way), they can evolve into different entities.
“These objects gather dark matter that enables them to transform into dark stars,” Professor Sachstein stated.
“The greater the surrounding dark matter, the more can be captured.”
“And as the dark material accumulates within the star, more energy is generated through its annihilation.”
“For a dark dwarf to exist, dark matter must consist of heavy particles that engage strongly with one another to produce visible matter.”
“Alternative candidates proposed to explain dark matter, such as axions, ambiguous ultralight particles, or sterile neutrinos, are too light to yield the expected effects on these objects.”
“Only massive particles capable of interacting with each other and annihilating to produce visible energy can facilitate the emergence of dark dwarfs.”
However, this hypothesis lacks substantial value without a definitive method of identifying dark dwarfs.
Therefore, Professor Sachstein and his team have suggested distinctive markers.
“There were a few indicators, but lithium-7 presents a unique scenario,” Professor Sachstein mentioned.
“Lithium-7 combusts readily and is rapidly depleted in regular stars.”
“Thus, if you identify an object resembling a dark dwarf, you should search for the presence of lithium, as it would be absent if it were a brown dwarf or something similar.”
The team’s study will be published in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics.
____
DJUNA CROON et al. 2025. Dark Dwarf: A theoretical dark matter-driven star-like object awaiting discovery at the Galactic Center. jcap 07:019; doi:10.1088/1475-7516/2025/07/019
Greetings and welcome to TechScape! In this week’s Technology News, Elon Musk and Donald Trump are reigniting their battle against the president’s extensive tax bill and the looming prospect of forming a third party for Tesla’s top executives. The effectiveness of the wealthiest individuals’ endeavors heavily relies on their ability to enlist other prominent politicians. Additionally, we’re curious to know if you employ generative artificial intelligence for crafting personal messages. Reach out via tech.editorial@theguardian.com and share your thoughts with us.
<h2 id="elon-musk-needs-another-donald-trump" class="dcr-12ibh7f">Elon Musk requires another Donald Trump</h2>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">The rivalry between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has been revived following the passage of the president's significant tax legislation on July 3rd. Musk has been vocal (via Twitter) in expressing his opposition to the "hatred" embodied in the law for weeks, yet it was approved. The discord surrounding the bill triggered their first separation back in early June.</p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">Musk is now contemplating the establishment of a new centrist party, indicating he might pursue his ultimatum to form an "American Party." Trump's response highlighted the absurdity of this idea, labeling it a "train wreck" through a lengthy post on True Social, emphasizing that third parties have historically failed in the United States. Following this news, Tesla's stock prices experienced a significant drop.</p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">What exactly would the proposed American Party accomplish apart from antagonizing Democrats and Republicans? Perhaps it aims to target the key Republicans who supported the bill.</p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">From my colleague Ramon Antonio Vargas:</p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9"><em>The new party Musk intends to fund could focus on a limited number of achievable House and Senate seats while aiming to make a decisive vote on crucial issues in Congress's narrow margins. Musk tweeted that his strategy to meet his political aspirations is to "concentrate laser-like on just two or three Senate seats and around eight to ten House districts."</em></p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">Could Musk himself run for office? It's doubtful. While he has stated a desire to refocus on his various companies, his recent tweets suggest otherwise. All Musk needs to bring his party idea to fruition is Donald Trump—an iconic figure who matches his financial prowess.</p>
<blockquote data-spacefinder-role="inline" class="dcr-154zxly">
<p><svg viewbox="0 0 22 14" style="fill:var(--block-quote-fill)" class="dcr-scql1j"><path d="M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z"/></svg>His role in politics resembles that of an ATM.</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">The Wisconsin Supreme Court election in early April revealed Musk's lack of personal popularity. After making a public appearance and donating a million dollars, he witnessed his favored candidate lose against the odds. His function in politics is akin to that of ATMs. Despite being the world's richest individual, Tesla's market valuation has been challenged since he was active in Washington.</p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">Since Musk himself is an ineffective voter, the success of his new party hangs on the presence of a compelling star, similar to another significant Trump. He requires a conduit to direct his donations toward an engaging and effective campaign.</p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">So far, there seems to be no such individual. Trump's stronghold on the Republican Party is solidified, and he orchestrates rapid and harsh retaliation against disloyal figures, including Musk. There's a substantial risk in fleeing from Trump's party to partake in Musk's unusual centrist venture. The only group eager to witness the formation of a new party comprises X's chaos-loving supporters, who have urged Musk to act decisively in last week’s polling. However, if any of them seek office, it’s likely they simply desire the most bizarre turn of events for our shared destiny.</p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">Noteworthy and coincidental timing: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed feeling "politically homeless" this weekend, echoing Musk's own sentiments regarding his political stance. These two Silicon Valley influencers harbor mutual animosity, evident from Musk's extended legal skirmishes aimed at halting the shift of OpenAI from a nonprofit model to a profit-driven enterprise. Nonetheless, despite their conflict, they both articulated a similar notion.</p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">Musk and Altman embody entirely different public personas. While Musk is boisterous online, Altman is more reserved. As Musk gravitates toward right-wing politics, Altman attempts to straddle both sides of the aisle. However, the alignment of their emotions indicates why these two collaborated in 2015 to establish OpenAI.</p>
<h2 id="do-you-use-ai-to-write-your-texts" class="dcr-12ibh7f">Do you utilize AI for composing messages?</h2>
<figure id="479f5cbe-be80-403d-9d65-22049ff16d01" data-spacefinder-role="inline" data-spacefinder-type="model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement" class="dcr-173mewl">
<figcaption data-spacefinder-role="inline" class="dcr-1tx6u99"><span class="dcr-1inf02i"><svg width="18" height="13" viewbox="0 0 18 13"><path d="M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z"/></svg></span> Illustration: Raven Jiang/The Guardian</figcaption>
</figure>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">Recently, we featured articles spotlighting individuals who leverage generative artificial intelligence to craft personal messages. AI is becoming more prevalent in the workplace, promising increased productivity. Yet as we become more at ease in professional settings, it is also infiltrating our personal lives.</p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">My colleague Adrienne Matei reports:</p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9"><em>Earlier this spring, Nick Wasseff learned of the passing of a high school friend's mother. Wasseff, a 32-year-old tech entrepreneur based in Vancouver, Canada, used Claude AI, a chatbot designed for human interaction.</em></p>
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<p class="dcr-16w5gq9"><em>Claude assisted Wasseff in composing the notes, facilitating an open dialogue among his friends concerning their collective grief. However, Wasseff never disclosed AI's involvement, which he concedes.</em></p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9"><em>According to a study conducted in 2023, 208 adults received "thoughtful" notes from friends. The researcher noted that those who were informed the notes were crafted with AI felt "more uncertain about their relationships" when they learned about the AI's involvement.</em></p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9"><em>Using AI for personal correspondences is a gamble. The first risk is that the recipient might not realize, and the second is that they may be indifferent. Nonetheless, a conversation is underway regarding the merits of taking such risks and whether the AI input in personal messaging can be considered beneficial.</em></p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9"><strong>Read the full story here.</strong></p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">Now you can effortlessly elevate your messages at the snap of your fingers. Does AI facilitate clearer communication of our intentions and dismantle the barriers to writing that hinder emotional expression? Or does it impede our relationships, as we avoid the emotional labor of drafting our own messages? Does AI enable connection without genuine effort?</p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">The benefits and drawbacks are undeniable, with some scenarios appearing more suitable than others. Perhaps certain people wouldn't have sent a birthday card if they hadn’t had a personalized message readily available. One author from the <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/07/google-drive-personalized-chatbot/683436/" data-link-name="in body link">Atlantic</a> was taken aback when Google's Gemini, equipped with access to her conversations, generated a warm and specific birthday card that referenced genuine moments from her friendship. It's possible that they might have left someone without a personal touch had it not been for a mechanical speechwriter. All the variations in reception depend on the context of your decision to employ AI for writing.</p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">We would love to hear from you. AI is impacting our personal moments and connectivity, as well as our professional interactions, and we want to learn about the situations you believe are most appropriate.</p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">***<br/><strong>Do you use generative AI to craft personal communications?</strong></p>
<p class="dcr-16w5gq9">If you do, please reach out to tech.editorial@theguardian.com and share how and how often you utilize AI. Has it enhanced your relationships or complicated them further?</p>
<h2 id="the-wider-techscape" class="dcr-12ibh7f">Broader Technology Landscape</h2>
Palantir, a U.S. data firm collaborating with the Israeli Defense Department, criticized British doctors for prioritizing “ideology over patient interests” following backlash against its contract to manage NHS data.
Louis Mosley, executive vice president of Palantir, recently addressed the British Medical Association, which labeled the £330 million agreement to create a unified platform for NHS data—covering everything from patient information to bed availability—as a potential threat to public trust in the NHS data system.
In a formal resolution, the association expressed concerns over the unclear processing of sensitive data by Palantir, a company co-founded by Trump donor Peter Thiel. They highlighted the firm’s “study on discriminatory policing software in the U.S.” and its “close ties with the U.S. government, which often overlooks international law.”
However, Mosley dismissed these critiques during his testimony to lawmakers on the Commons Science and Technology Committee on Tuesday. Palantir has also secured contracts for processing large-scale data for the Ministry of Defense, police, and local governments.
Libertarian Thiel, who named the company after “Seeing Stones” from the Lord of the Rings series, previously remarked that British citizens’ admiration for the NHS reflects “Stockholm syndrome.” However, Mosley claimed he was not speaking on behalf of Palantir.
Palantir also develops AI-driven military targeting systems and software that consolidates and analyzes data across multiple systems, including healthcare.
“It’s incorrect to accuse us of lacking transparency or that we operate in secrecy,” claimed Mosley. “I believe the BMA has chosen ideology over the interests of patients. Our software aims to enhance patient care by streamlining treatment, making it more effective, and ultimately improving the efficiency of the healthcare system.”
In 2023, the government awarded Palantir a contract to establish a new NHS “Federated Data Platform,” though some local NHS trusts have raised concerns that the system might not only be subpar compared to existing technologies but could also diminish functionality, as reported. Palantir is also among the tech companies reported by the Guardian last week, which recently led to a discussion with Attorney General Shabana Mahmood about solutions for the prison and probation crisis, including robotic support for prisoners and tracking devices.
During the session, Senator Chi Onwurah questioned the appropriateness of involving the company in the NHS while also working with the Israeli Defense Forces in military applications in Gaza.
Mosley did not disclose operational specifics regarding Palantir’s role with Israeli authorities. Their offerings include a system labeled “supporting soldiers with AI-driven kill chains and responsibly integrating target identification.”
Onwurah remarked on the necessity for cultural change within the NHS to foster acceptance of new data systems, posing the question to Mosley: “What about a unified patient record in the future?”
“Trust should depend more on our capabilities than anything else,” Mosley responded. “Are we delivering on our promises? Are we improving patient experiences by making them quicker and more efficient? If so, we should be trusted.”
Liberal Democrat Martin Wrigley expressed serious concerns about the interoperability of the data systems provided by Palantir for both health and defense, while Conservative MP Kit Malthouse inquired about the military’s potential use of Palantir’s capacity to process large datasets to target individuals based on specific characteristics. Mosley reassured: “Our software enables that type of functionality and provides extensive governance and control to organizations managing those risks.”
Malthouse remarked, “It sounds like a Savior.”
The hearing also revealed that Palantir continues to engage Global Counsel, a lobbying firm co-founded by the current U.S. ambassador. Mosley denied any claims that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Palantir’s Washington, D.C. office “through appropriate channels,” clarifying that Mandelson resigned as a global advisor “in early 2025.” According to the consultant’s website.
Researchers have uncovered an astonishing mechanism of seed dispersal in nature: the squirting cucumber.
This plant, Ecballium, boasts an extraordinary method of ejecting seeds over considerable distances, with a new study from Kiel University in Germany providing deeper insight into the process.
The mature squirting cucumber fruits are packed with thick liquid, creating significant internal pressure. When ripe, the stems disconnect, causing the fruit to forcefully discharge its seeds.
“This typically occurs when the fruit is fully mature and is disturbed,” Helengoge from Kiel University mentioned in BBC Science Focus.
“The plant aims to scatter its seeds as far as possible, which can propel them over 12 meters (39 feet) from the parent plant.”
Even minimal contact can trigger the fruit’s release, prompting Gorges’s team to utilize CT imaging to construct 3D models of the fruit without causing any damage.
Additionally, a high-speed camera captured the moment the cucumber expelled its seeds at speeds of up to 47 km/h (29 mph).
Gorge observed the maturation process of the fruits, noting that the stems straighten as the cucumber approaches readiness, ultimately hanging at a 52º angle just before bursting. The optimal angle for ballistic projection is theoretically 50º, making the cucumber nearly precise in its seed dispersal.
Like many plants, cucumbers aim to distribute their seeds widely to minimize competition for essential resources like light, water, and nutrients between parent and offspring plants.
While most plants have evolved to rely on wind, water, or animals for seed dispersal, squirting cucumbers have taken an active, ballistic approach.
The research team hopes their findings will inspire others to develop naturally derived solutions for future challenges.
“There are numerous applications in soft robotics, drug delivery systems, and similar technologies where efficient launching systems are needed,” Gorges stated.
Helen Gogges is a doctoral student specializing in functional morphology and biomechanics at Kiel University in Germany, focusing on optimizing plant mechanisms for seed distribution.
oThe exciting Mario Kart World and next week’s Utside of Donkey Kong Bananza may not have a plethora of new Nintendo titles for early Switch 2 adopters. Fortunately, Nintendo is stepping up to refine its extensive library of existing Switch games by offering free updates to enhance graphics and more substantial paid revisions. However, navigating these options can be somewhat perplexing.
What is the difference when playing Switch games on Switch 2?
Depending on their coding, some original Switch games will perform better on Switch 2 without any developer intervention. Games that lack frame rate caps—often imposed by developers—will especially gain from this, leading to smoother performance. For instance, the 2023 Brilliant Bayonetta 3 shines at 60fps on Switch 2 (and the resolution increase is a welcome bonus). Additionally, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, a game I’ve invested over 700 hours into, now enters matches notably quicker. Titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Skyrim benefit from a stable frame rate and greatly reduced load times, including the notorious Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.
The remastered Witcher 3 on Switch transforms the prior blurred visuals into something much crisper and smoother, thanks to dynamic resolution scaling and unlimited frame rates. Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Arkham Knight, and Wolfenstein 2 also showcase significant improvements in resolution and performance.
Which games have received free Switch 2 upgrades so far?
Switch 2 owners can now enjoy high dynamic range (HDR) support and higher resolutions (up to 4K). Many beloved Nintendo Switch games have received free updates taking advantage of the new hardware.
Initially, minor updates were provided for less prominent titles. To improve multiplayer experiences, two of Nintendo’s party game collections, Clubhouse Games and Big Brain Academy, have been updated free of charge, introducing useful Gameshare features that allow multiplayer play with others who do not own the game. Additionally, niche titles like Game Builder Garage and Egg Plaza now support Joy-Con mouse functionality. More significant free updates await you on Switch 2.
Pokemon Scarlet/Violet
Paldare feels more vibrant on Switch 2… Pokemon Scarlet. Photo: Nintendo
Previously, one of the most poorly performing games on the Switch, the 2022 Pokemon Scarlet/Violet, struggled with frustrating frame rates and low-quality textures that detracted from gameplay. Fortunately, developer Game Freak has worked to enhance things on Switch 2. These games now boast dramatically improved frame rates and more fluid animations, making interactions with Pokémon smoother than ever, especially in handheld mode. Exploring the expansive region on Switch 2 makes it feel even more alive. While there is no HDR support and some original texture issues persist, the visual and performance enhancements create a much more enjoyable experience.
Super Mario Odyssey Nintendo wisely opted to elevate the finest 3D Mario title ever, enhancing the game’s resolution to 1800p in docked mode and fully implementing HDR. The artistic direction of Odyssey has always been outstanding. Now, the colorful landscapes sparkle even brighter, from the glowing red dunes of the Sand Kingdom to the sharper rings of ros. The frame rate also remains consistently high, making every jump and spin feel even more exhilarating. Gameshare support has also been added, allowing a second player to jump in as Cappy on a second Switch.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening and Echo of Wisdom
A sophisticated performance… The Legend of Zelda: Echo of Wisdom. Photo: Nintendo
Both charming Zeldas on Switch were known for their unique appeal, but their performance was lacking. With frame rate dips reminiscent of outdated hardware, these often captivating experiences fell short of potential. The good news is that Nintendo has dramatically enhanced both titles for Switch 2, rendering them in crisp 4K with full HDR support. Yes, both now run at 60fps. These Grezzo-developed games now radiate from the screen like never before. If, like me, you shelved an echo of wisdom last year due to its performance issues, now is the time to dive back into both this and Link’s Awakening.
New Super Mario Bros U While last year’s Super Mario Wonder might have garnered the spotlight, Nintendo decided to give Wii U’s 2D Mario some love on Switch 2. With enhanced resolution, improved frame rates, and of course, HDR, this beloved Mario platformer has never looked better.
ARMS
More accurate controls… ARMS. Photo: Nintendo
Remember your ARMS experience? A motion-controlled fighting game that launched soon after the original Switch? Surprisingly, Nintendo has chosen to give this gem some love eight years post-release. The game’s motion controls now feature improved accuracy, allowing you to land hits more precisely. Local multiplayer for four players now operates smoothly. While its distinct controls might not be for everyone, its artful character designs and vibrant world have been revitalized.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury Another Wii U classic with a new lease on life. The multiplayer experience of Mario’s 3D World has been refreshed with frame rate improvements and upgraded resolution, while Bowser’s Fury also enjoys enhanced graphics and full HDR support, ideal for 4K displays.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker This charming, leisurely-paced puzzle adventure has seamlessly transitioned to the Switch 2, benefiting from HDR support and improved resolutions in both docked and handheld modes. Additionally, the game now includes Gameshare support for cooperative play.
Splatoon 3
Designer’s Splatting… Splatoon 3 Photo: Nintendo
Originally born on the Wii U, Splatoon has evolved significantly. While always vibrant, the graphical issues plagued by low resolution have been corrected. Now rendered in stunning 4K on Switch 2, Splatoon 3’s colorful world shines with intricate details. Whether you’re defeating bosses in the engaging single-player campaign or battling it out in online turf wars, Splatoon 3 on Switch 2 feels refreshed—like an entirely new experience. If you missed it previously, there’s never been a better time to get on board.
What upgrades are available for the paid Nintendo Switch 2 edition?
In contrast to the free upgrades mentioned earlier, the Switch 2 edition is typically an older game repackaged with additional content. Upgrading your existing games to the Switch 2 edition costs between £7.99 to £16.99. New players can purchase the Switch 2 edition outright for £60-70. Notably, subscribers to Nintendo’s online service will receive some of these upgrades at no additional cost.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom
A groundbreaking experience… The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Photo: Nintendo
Regarding iconic launch titles, few can compete with Breath of the Wild. Instead of simply remaking it, Nintendo has opted to enhance both it and its sequel. These top-tier open-world games have been revitalized, with Hyrule’s painterly landscapes appearing richer than ever. Areas that previously caused performance issues on Switch, like the Kokoro Forest, now reveal intricate details in high-resolution textures, alongside HDR support. The updates also make exploration rewarding with new assists, such as a Zelda Notes app for keeping track of secrets. Both editions are available for free to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers or can be upgraded from the original for £7.99 each.
No Man’s Sky This acclaimed space exploration simulator from Hello Games has undergone a massive transformation over its nine-year history. Its 2022 port to the original Switch was functional but lacked excitement. However, on Switch 2, players can experience it as if it were an entirely new game. Running at up to 1440p with HDR, each vibrant planet bursts forth with vivid colors, immersing players in its rich sci-fi atmosphere. The best part? Hello Games offers an upgrade for this Switch 2 edition at no extra cost.
Fortnite
A much-needed upgrade… Fortnite 2 for Nintendo Switch 2. Photo: Epic Games
The Battle Royale that captured the world often felt restrained on older consoles. However, Epic Games has given it a significant facelift. Now running at a smooth 60fps and improved resolutions, Switch 2’s version of Fortnite features enhanced textures and significantly better draw distances. Notably, it also offers GameChat support and mouse controls for players seeking a competitive edge over those using analog sticks.
Super Mario Party Jamboree TV – July 24 This notable Switch 2 edition features a variety of new party experiences alongside expected graphical enhancements. A key addition is the PlayStation Eyetoy-inspired Bowser Live Mode, prompting players to complete mini-games using the Switch 2’s camera. Plus, Jamboree TV introduces a fresh microphone and camera-based setup for a completely new experience, alongside a mouse-controlled carnival coaster mode. Owners of the 2024 Super Mario Party Jamboree can access this upgrade for an additional £16.99.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land + The World of Stars Crossing – August 28 This Switch 2 Edition of Kirby and the Forgotten Land expands upon the previous entry, introducing a new, story-driven adventure. It invites our squishy protagonists to leap, swallow, and battle through new challenges while rescuing friends from a newly crystallized world. Both the star-crossed world and the original benefit from enhanced resolutions and improved frame rates. This upgrade to the Switch 2 edition is priced at £16.99.
Recent studies have uncovered new insights regarding the timing and locations of cat domestication. Contrary to the belief that these early felines were simply pampered companions or helpful pest eliminators, it appears they may have primarily been bred for mass sacrificial purposes.
Historically, it was thought that the domestication of cats began over 9,000 years ago as Wildcats started to adapt to the first agricultural settlements.
As grain storage attracted rodents, North African Wildcats (Ferris Livica) began hunting these pests, fostering mutually beneficial relationships that ultimately led to domestication.
However, this model is now being rigorously examined. “North African wildcats, the wild ancestors of domestic cats, were believed to have been tamed during the Neolithic era,” states Dr. Shawn Doherty, an archaeological scientist at the University of Exeter and lead author of a study featured in BBC Science Focus.
“Our research challenges this narrative by reviewing existing osteological, genetic, and iconographic evidence. We propose that cat domestication actually began in Egypt around the first millennium BC.”
Dr. Doherty’s team reassessed ancient cat artifacts from archaeological sites across Europe and North Africa, from antiquity to the present, utilizing zooarchaeological analysis, genetics, and radiocarbon dating. They found that the bones from agricultural villages in Cyprus dating back 900 to 500 years ago closely resembled those of Wildcats, undermining prior assumptions of early domestication.
Some misconceptions stem from the small size of cat bones, which can migrate between soil layers over time. “We employed radiocarbon dating to verify the ages, revealing that many cat remains are significantly more recent than previously believed.”
This data implies that the domestication of cats actually occurred much later than previously thought.
Millions of cats were sacrificed and mummified in ancient Egypt, dating from the late period to the Ptolemaic period (715-30 BC). – Getty
Researchers suggest that while rodent control may have played a role in domestication, religion could have been even more significant. In ancient Egypt, cats were revered as sacred to the goddess Bastet, and millions were kept for sacrificial purposes.
“The bond between domestic cats and the Egyptian goddess Bastet peaked in the first millennium BC,” Dr. Doherty noted. “Millions of mummified cats have been discovered in temples dedicated to her. During the Victorian era, these remains were often exhumed and transported to England for use as fertilizer.”
Through the breeding of vast numbers of kittens for ritualistic sacrifice, traits that made them more manageable may have gradually been selected, leading to the emergence of the domestic cat.
A second genome-related study, co-authored by Dr. Doherty, analyzed 87 ancient and modern cat genomes, finding no evidence that domestic cats migrated to Europe with Neolithic farmers. Instead, they likely arrived within the last 2,000 years from North Africa.
“I think this illustrates that the bond between humans and cats is not necessarily a result of the length of time they have been together, unlike with dogs,” Dr. Doherty stated.
Considering the motivations behind their early domestication, it is no surprise that cats exhibit such ethereal behavior.
Both studies are preliminary and are currently awaiting formal peer review.
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About our experts
Shawn Doherty is a senior researcher at the University of Exeter. His expertise lies in exploring deep time and animal-environment interactions through the integration of fauna, biomolecules (isotope analysis, proteomics, and genetics), alongside historical and anthropological studies.
Counterterrorism officials have long assessed their approach to the utilization of terrorist organizations alongside digital tools and social media platforms, often likening their efforts to a whac-a-mole scenario.
Groups like the Islamic State and neo-Nazi organizations such as The Base harness digital tools to covertly gather finances, obtain 3D-printed weaponry, and disseminate these resources among their followers.
Over time, thwarting attacks and preserving an upper hand over such terrorist factions has progressed as more open-source resources have become accessible.
Currently, with artificial intelligence rapidly evolving, and now freely available as an app, security agents are in a race against time.
A source acquainted with the U.S. government’s counterterrorism initiatives informed the Guardian that several security agencies are deeply worried about how AI enhances the operational efficiency of hostile groups. The FBI refrained from commenting on the situation.
“Our research accurately forecasted the trends we are witnessing. Terrorists are leveraging AI to expedite their existing strategies rather than reinventing their operational frameworks,” remarks Adam Hadley, the founder and executive director of Tech Against Terrorism, an online counter-terrorism watchdog. He references the UN Anti-Terrorism Commission Secretariat (CTED).
“Future dangers encompass the potential for terrorists to utilize AI for rapid app and website development, essentially amplifying threats associated with pre-existing technologies rather than introducing entirely new categories of risk.”
So far, groups like IS and affiliated organizations have started to amplify their recruitment propaganda across diverse media formats, utilizing AI technologies such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This poses a more immediate risk as numerous sectors of employment prepare for potential upheavals, benefiting some of the wealthiest individuals globally while complicating public safety issues.
“Consider breaking news from the Islamic State. Today, it can be converted into an audio format,” states Mustafa Ayad, executive director for Africa, the Middle East, and Asia at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. “We’ve observed supporters establishing groups to bolster their efforts, and we also have a photo array generated in the center.”
Ayad continues, aligning with Hadley’s insights: “Much of AI’s impact enables pre-existing methods. It also enhances their propaganda and distribution capabilities, which is critically significant.”
The Islamic State is not merely curious about AI; it actively acknowledges the potential benefits it offers, even providing encrypted channels with a “Guide to AI Tools and Risks” for its supporters. A recent propaganda magazine elaborates on the future of AI and the necessity for the group to incorporate it into their operations.
“It’s become crucial for everyone to understand the intricacies of AI, irrespective of their field,” the article states. “[AI] is evolving into more than just technology; it is becoming a driving force in warfare.” The writer even posits that AI services could serve as “digital advisors” and “research assistants” for any member of the organization.
Within the perpetually active chat rooms used for communication among followers and recruits, discussions are emerging on various ways AI could be utilized as a resource, though some remain cautious. One user queried whether it was safe to use ChatGPT for “explosives practices,” expressing uncertainty about whether authorities were monitoring the platform. Privacy concerns have surfaced as chatbots are increasingly utilized.
“Are there any alternatives?” an online participant asked among supporters in the same chat room. “Ensure safety.”
However, another participant discovered a method to evade attention during monitoring. By omitting schematics and instructions for creating a “basic blueprint for remote vehicle prototypes using ChatGPT,” they shifted focus. Truck ramming has emerged as a tactic in recent assaults, as well as for followers and operatives. In March, an IS-linked account released a video featuring AI-generated bomb-making tutorials utilizing avatars for crafting recipes from household materials.
Ayad emphasized that some of these AI-powered tools are advantageous for terrorist groups in enhancing their operational security, enabling them to communicate securely without attracting undue scrutiny.
Terrorist organizations continually strive to maximize and adapt digital spaces for their advancement, with AI representing the latest example. Since June 2014, when IS first commanded global attention amid dramatic live-tweeted accounts of mass executions in Mosul, they have undergone significant cyber operations. Following the establishment of their so-called caliphate, there was an organized response by both government entities and Silicon Valley to mitigate online presences. Western intelligence agencies have increasingly focused on encrypted messaging applications, particularly where 3D-printed firearms can be located, for surveillance and policing efforts.
Nonetheless, recent reductions in comprehensive global counterterrorism initiatives, including some from U.S. agencies, have undermined these efforts.
“The more urgent weakness lies in the deteriorating counterterrorism infrastructure,” Hadley remarked. “Standards have considerably declined as platforms and governments divert focus from this critical domain.”
Hadley is advocating for improved “content moderation” concerning AI-enabled materials, pressing companies like Meta and OpenAI to “enhance current mechanisms such as hash sharing and traditional detection methods.”
“Our vulnerabilities do not stem from new AI capabilities, but rather from the reduced resilience against established terrorist activities online,” he concluded.
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