Tragic Loss of Their Children Sparks Hope for Change: Colorado’s Online Child Protection Bill Fails

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The parents of the family were left devastated when their aspirations for change were dashed after they sought to safeguard their children in the Colorado Legislature last month and online activism targeting a drug dealer resulted in tragedy.

Among those parents was Lori Shot, who was instrumental in crafting the bill. Her 18-year-old daughter Annaly tragically took her own life in 2020 after engaging with content on TikTok and Instagram related to depression, anxiety, and suicide.

“When lawmakers sidestep votes and shift discussions to an insubstantial calendar date without accountability, it feels like a betrayal to us as parents.” “It’s a betrayal to my daughter and to all the other children we’ve lost.”

Had the law been enacted, it would have necessitated investigations and the removal of accounts engaged in gun and drug sales, or the sexual exploitation and human trafficking of minors on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. It also required a dedicated hotline for law enforcement and a 72-hour response timeframe for police inquiries, which would significantly increase obligations compared to current legal standards.

Additionally, the platforms would have had to report on the usage statistics of minors, including how often and for how long they interacted with content violating company policies. Several major tech firms have taken official stances regarding the bill. As noted in Colorado’s lobbying records, Meta’s long-time lobbying firm, Headwater Strategies, has registered its support for revising the bill. Conversely, Google and TikTok employed lobbyists to oppose it.

‘[Legislators] chose self-interest over the protection of children and families. ” Illustration: Andrei Cojocaru/Guardian

“We are deeply disheartened,” said Kim Osterman, whose 18-year-old son Max died in 2021. “[Legislators] prioritized their own interests over the safety of my children and family.”

Protection for Social Media Users (SB 25-086) passed both legislative chambers, only to be vetoed by Democrat Governor Jared Polis on April 24th. His veto was justified by concerns that the bill would “erode privacy, freedom, and innovation.” On April 25, the Colorado Senate voted to override the veto, but on April 28, the House chose to delay the vote until the end of the legislative session, effectively blocking the override and keeping the bill alive.

Originally, the bill had passed the Senate with a 29-6 margin and the House with a 46-18 margin. On April 25, the Senate voted 29-6 for an override, and lawmakers anticipated that the House would take up the matter later that day, believing that there was enough bipartisan support to successfully overturn the veto.

“It was a straightforward vote for people because our goal was clear: to safeguard children from the predatory practices of social media companies,” remarked Senator Lindsey Dorgerty, a Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill. She expressed her disappointment that House leaders chose to sidestep the vote on Friday.

Advocating parents blamed the failure of the bill on an unexpected 11-hour lobbying blitz by The Far Right Gun Owners Association in Colorado. Two state legislators and seven other legislative participants corroborated the parents’ claims.

An unprecedented last-minute campaign disrupts bipartisan consensus

The owner of Rocky Mountain Guns (RMGO) characterized the bill as government censorship related to the statute against “ghost guns” assembled from kits purchased online.

RMGO initiated an extensive social media and email campaign, rallying its 200,000 members to contact lawmakers and voice their opposition to the bill. Sources familiar with the workings of the Colorado State Capitol explained that the gun group’s outreach included social media and text campaigns that encouraged Republican constituents to reach out to their representatives in opposition.

“[Legislators] were inundated with calls and emails from activists. It was an all-out assault. A campaign declared, ‘This is a government censorship bill,'” they stated.

The group’s actions contributed to efforts preventing Republicans from backing the veto override, leading to the bill’s demise. According to ten individuals involved in the bill’s development and the legislative process, this lobbying effort appeared unexpectedly robust, fueled by organizations that had previously faced financial constraints. An anonymous source from the Colorado State Capitol shared insights with the Guardian, citing fears of retaliation from RMGO.

The House of Representatives postponed its vote until April 28th, providing RMGO time to amplify its campaign over the weekend. When lawmakers reconvened on Monday, the House voted 51-13 to delay the override until the legislative session concluded, effectively dissolving the effort.

“It was a coordinated full-scale attack proclaiming this as a government censorship bill.” Illustration: Andrei Cojocaru/Guardian

A significant text messaging initiative targeted registered Republican voters, alleging that the social media bill “forces platforms to enforce extensive surveillance of content shared on their platforms,” claiming violations of Colorado’s gun laws, and framing the legislation as an affront to First and Second Amendment rights, according to texts reviewed by the Guardian.

A recurring adversary

Established in 1996, RMGO claims a membership exceeding 200,000 activists. It is recognized as a far-right organization staunchly opposed to regulations on firearms. Dudley Brown, its founder and leader president of the National Gun Rights Association, diverges significantly from the perspective of the National Rifle Association (NRA). RMGO is criticized for employing tactics labeled as “bullying” and “extremist” against both Democrats and moderate Republicans. The group has not responded to requests for commentary regarding legislative measures.

RMGO is a well-known presence at the Colorado State Capitol, typically opposing gun control measures. Daugherty described their usual campaign tactics as “intimidating.” Following backlash for her involvement in a bill banning assault weapons earlier this year, she deactivated her social media account.

“While advocating for gun legislation at the Capitol, RMGO published images of me and other legislators on their website,” she noted. An RMGO tweet depicted Daugherty alongside a bold “Traitor” stamp.

The group disseminated misinformation regarding the bill’s implications on gun ownership, as reported by sources who participated in the legislative discussions.

“My support for the bill and the veto override stemmed from concerns about child trafficking and safeguarding children,” stated Republican Senator Rod Pelton, who voted in favor of overriding the veto in the Senate. “I did not subscribe to the entire argument pertaining to the second amendment.”

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The bill garnered support from 23 district attorneys in Colorado as well as bipartisan backing from the state House of Representatives.

RMGO’s late-stage opposition to the social media bill deviated from its usual tactics. Typically, the organization weighs in on legislation early in the process, according to eight sources, including co-sponsors Daugherty and Representative Andy Boesenecker.

“Their surge of focused efforts caught my attention,” Boesenecker remarked. “It was curious to note that their resistance materialized so late in the process and appeared to be well-financed.”

In recent years, RMGO has experienced reduced activity attributed to financial difficulties that limited their legislative campaigning capacity. In a 2024 interview, the organization’s leader candidly acknowledged struggles with fundraising. Daugherty believes RMGO’s capacity for such a substantial outreach campaign would be unlikely without considerable funding. Others within Colorado’s political landscape echoed this sentiment.

“The Rocky Mountain Gun Owners had been largely ineffective in the legislature for several years due to financial constraints. Suddenly, they increased their influence, seemingly backed by substantial funds,” said Dawn Reinfeld, from a Colorado-based nonprofit focused on youth rights.

This context caused lawmakers to feel pressured, especially concerning primary elections in their districts, following RMGO’s recent social media attacks on supporters of the bill.

“The bill had given me hope that Avery’s legacy would make a difference, and its failure was incredibly disappointing.” Illustration: Andrei Cojocaru/Guardian

“There was a palpable concern among many about party affiliation; it certainly played a role,” remarked Dorgerty.

Aaron Ping’s 16-year-old son, Avery, passed away from an overdose in December after buying what he believed to be ecstasy on Snapchat, only to receive a substance laced with fentanyl instead. Ping viewed the organized opposition to the bill as a purposeful distortion.

“The narrative painted the bill as an infringement on gun rights, depicting it as merely a tool for targeting people purchasing illegal firearms online,” he stated.

Ping had testified in support of the bill alongside other families, recovering teens, and district attorneys back in February before the initial Senate vote.

“This bill carried the hope that Avery’s legacy would incite change; its rejection was truly disheartening,” Ping shared.

In the absence of federal action, states initiate online child safety legislation

A number of states, including California, Maryland, Vermont, Minnesota, Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Nevada, have introduced legislation over the past two years aimed at enhancing online safety for minors. These initiatives encounter vigorous resistance from the technology sector, which includes extensive lobbying efforts and legal challenges.

Maryland successfully passed the Children’s Code bill in May 2024, marking it as the first state to enact such legislation. However, this victory may be short-lived. The high-tech industry coalition, NetChoice, representing companies such as Meta, Google, and Amazon, has already launched legal challenges against these measures.

In the meanwhile, federal efforts have stalled, with the Children’s Online Safety Act (KOSA) faltering in February after failing to pass the House despite years of modifications and deliberations. A newly revised version of the bill was reintroduced in Congress on May 14th.

California’s similar initiative, the age-appropriate design code law, which mirrors UK legislation, was halted in late 2023 following a NetChoice injunction citing potential First Amendment infringements.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Advanced AI Experiences “Total Accuracy Breakdown” When Confronted with Complex Issues, Research Finds

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers at Apple have identified “fundamental limitations” in state-of-the-art artificial intelligence models, prompting concerns about the competitive landscape in the tech industry for developing more robust systems.

In a study, Apple noted that the advanced AI model, known as the large-scale inference model (LRMS), experienced a “complete collapse in accuracy” when faced with complex challenges.

Standard AI models outperformed LRMS on tasks of lower complexity, yet both encountered “complete collapse” on highly complex tasks. LRMS attempts to handle intricate queries by creating detailed reasoning processes to break down issues into manageable steps.

The research, which evaluated the models’ puzzle-solving capabilities, revealed that LRMS began to “reduce inference efforts” as it neared performance breakdowns—something researchers labeled as “particularly concerning.”

Gary Marcus, a noted academic voice on AI capabilities, characterized the Apple paper as “quite devastating” and highlighted that these findings raise pivotal concerns regarding the race towards achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), which would enable systems to emulate human-level cognitive tasks.

Referencing large language models (LLMs), Marcus remarked: “[of] AGIs, who can fundamentally change society, are joking about themselves.”

Moreover, the paper indicated that early in the “thinking” process, the inference model often squandered computational resources seeking solutions for simpler problems. However, as complexity increased, the model initially considered incorrect answers before ultimately arriving at correct ones.

When confronted with complex issues, the model experienced “collapse” and failed to generate accurate solutions. In one instance, it could not succeed even with an algorithm provided to assist.

The findings illustrated that “as problem difficulty rises, models begin to intuitively diminish inference efforts as they approach critical thresholds that closely align with the accuracy collapse point.”

According to Apple experts, these findings highlight “fundamental scaling limitations” in the reasoning capabilities of current inference models.

The study involved LRMS-based assignments like the Tower of Hanoi and River Crossing puzzle. The researchers acknowledged that their focus on puzzles signifies a boundary to their work.

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The study concluded that current AI methodologies may have hit fundamental limitations. Models tested included OpenAI’s O3, Google’s Gemini Thinking, Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet-Thinking, and Deepseek-R1. Google and Deepseek will be approached for comments, while OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, opted not to provide a statement.

Discussing AI models’ capacity for “generalizable reasoning” or broader conclusions, the paper observes:

Andrew Rogoiski from the People-centered AI Institute at Surrey University remarked that Apple’s findings illustrate the industry remains grappling with AGI, suggesting that the current methods may have hit a “dead end.”

He added, “The revelation that the large model underperforms on complex tasks while faring well in simpler or medium-complexity contexts indicates we may be approaching a profound impasse.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

London AI Firm Claims Getty’s Copyright Case Poses a Clear Risk to the Industry

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The London-based firm Stability AI, specializing in artificial intelligence, argues that the copyright lawsuit initiated by global photography agency Getty Images poses a significant “obvious threat” to the AI generation industry.

Stability AI contested Getty’s claims in the London High Court on Monday, which center on issues of copyright and trademark infringement regarding its extensive collection of photographic works.

Stability enables users to create images based on text prompts. Among its directors is James Cameron, the acclaimed director of Avatar and Titanic. In response, Getty criticized those training AI systems as “tech nerds,” suggesting they disregard the ramifications of their technological advancements.

Stability retorted by asserting that Getty is pursuing a “fantasy” legal path, investing around £10 million to challenge a technology it views as an “existential threat” to their operations.

Getty syndicates around 50,000 photographers’ work to clients across more than 200 countries. It alleges that Stability trained its image generation models using an extensive database of copyrighted photographs. Consequently, a program named Stability Diffusion continues to produce images bearing watermarks from Getty Images. Getty maintains that Stability is “completely indifferent” to the sources of their training data, asserting that the system “is associated with pornography-related trademarks” and generates “AI garbage.”

Getty’s legal representatives noted that the contention over the unauthorized utilization of thousands of photographs, including well-known images of celebrities, politicians, and news events, “is not a conflict between creativity and technology where a victory for Getty Images spells the end for AI.”

They further stated: “The issue arises when AI companies like Stability wish to use these materials without compensation.”

Lindsay Lane KC, representing Getty Images, commented, “These were a group of tech enthusiasts enthusiastic about AI, yet indifferent to the challenges and dangers it poses.”

In her court filing on Monday, Getty contended that Stability had trained an image generation model using a database that included child sexual abuse material.

Stability is contesting Getty’s claims overall, with its attorney characterizing the allegations regarding child sexual abuse material as “abhorrent.”

A spokesperson for Stability AI stated that the company is dedicated to ensuring its technology is not misused. It emphasized the implementation of strong safeguards “to enhance safety standards and protect against malicious actors.”

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This situation arises in the context of a broader movement among artists, writers, and musicians—including figures like Elton John and Dua Lipa—who are advocating for copyright protection against alleged infringement by AI-generated content that allows users to produce new images, music, and text.

The UK Parliament is embroiled in a related issue, with the government proposing that copyright holders should have the option to opt-out of the material used for training algorithms and generating AI content.

“Of course, Getty Images acknowledges that the entire AI sector can be a formidable force, but that does not justify permitting the AI models they are developing to blatantly infringe on their intellectual property rights,” Lane stated.

The trial is expected to span several weeks and will address, in part, the use of images by renowned photographers. This includes a photograph of former Liverpool soccer manager Jürgen Klopp, captured by award-winning British sports photographer Andrew Livesey, a photo of the Chicago Cubs baseball team by American sports photographer Gregory Shams, and images of actor and musician Donald Glover by Alberto Rodriguez, as well as photographs of actor Eric Dane and film director Christopher Nolan.

The case brings forth 78,000 pages of evidence, with AI experts summoned to testify from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Freiberg in Germany.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Sally Review: An Inspiring Documentary on Sally Ride, the First Woman in Space

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Sally Ride during NASA’s seventh space shuttle mission, STS-7 in 1983

NASA

Sally
Christina Costantini
Disney+ (Available from June 17th)

In 1983, Sally Ride made history as the first American woman in space, becoming the third woman overall to achieve this milestone, following Valentina Tereshkova and Svetlana Savitskaya. The new documentary, Sally, directed by Cristina Costantini, delves into her remarkable journey. It captures not just the media attention but also her personal complexities, including a 27-year partnership with science writer Tam O’Shaughnessy.

The film, debuting at the Sundance Film Festival in January, commences with an extensive montage of archival footage, featuring Ride’s television appearances, which serve as an introduction to her role as a beacon of empowerment.

You can sense the determination that fueled her journey. “It’s crucial to not do anything foolish,” she reflects during a segment, encapsulating her pursuit of excellence and the weight of expectations she faced in a male-dominated field.

Ride grew up in the thriving era of the US Space Program. NASA’s 1976 initiative to diversify its astronaut selection process paved the way for women and ethnic minorities. Out of 8,000 applicants for astronaut training, 1,500 were women, leading NASA to employ 40 aspiring astronauts.

The documentary employs a clever blend of interviews and meticulously crafted sequences that smoothly integrate with the archival material. Fellow astronauts like Kathy Sullivan, Judith Lesnick, and Anna Fisher, along with journalist Lynn Sherr and Ride’s ex-husband Steve Hawley, provide valuable insights into her character, enhanced by some archival bits.

For example, Fisher reflects on the pressures faced by female astronauts to downplay their femininity, particularly regarding attire and makeup. The film also portrays Mike Mullane, who initially appeared as a staunch sexist but later acknowledges his past mistakes in a heartfelt letter to Ride—highlighting the professional hurdles she navigated throughout her career.

In 1976, NASA’s decision to diversify its class opened the door for women and ethnic minority groups.

Costantini also tenderly explores Ride’s lifelong bond with O’Shaughnessy, who met Ride on a sunlit tennis court during their teenage years. Their private relationship, upheld for decades, reflects Ride’s reserved nature and the societal attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community at that time.

The soundtrack features notable tracks such as Lazy Calm by Cocteau Twins, Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra, and Neil Young’s Harvest Moon, adding emotional resonance to Ride and O’Shaughnessy’s narrative.

The narrative takes a poignant turn with Ride’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2011, recounting her personal battle. After giving a speech at a conference in California, she felt a sense of unease, prompting her to seek medical advice the following day. An ultrasound revealed a tumor of golf ball size in her abdomen.

O’Shaughnessy’s testimony vividly illustrates how quickly their lives transformed. Nonetheless, they cherished their time together until Ride’s last moments. Her legacy extends beyond scientific achievements, encompassing the impact of Sally Ride Science’s nonprofit organization.

In summary, Sally presents a heartwarming and insightful tribute to a woman who defied conventions in both her career and personal life. Costantini captures not just Ride’s triumphs but also the sacrifices intrinsic to her groundbreaking journey, ensuring her story resonates with future generations.

Davide Abbatescianni is a Rome-based film critic

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Study Reveals TikTok Skincare Routines for Teens Offer Minimal Benefits

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A recent study indicates that the skincare routines showcased by young TikTok influencers offer minimal benefits, and may even heighten the risk of skin irritation and allergies in children.

The research team notes a surge in young girls posting videos of intricate skincare regimens, which often feature moisturizers, toners, acne treatments, and anti-aging products.

In this pioneering study, researchers examined these TikTok videos and found that not only is the process complicated, but many girls rush to complete their routines, leading to practices that are costly, unnecessary, and potentially harmful.

“The hazards of utilizing these products, particularly among younger girls, greatly outweigh the minor benefits derived from active ingredients,” stated Dr. Molly Hales, the study’s lead author from Northwestern University.

Dr. Hales remarked that while social media can provide a platform for creativity and self-expression, young girls do not require such complicated routines.

“The risk arises when girls interpret this as an essential step for caring for their skin and safeguarding their health,” she warned.

“These products do not enhance skin health and are likely to degrade skin integrity over time.”

Instead, she suggests using a gentle cleanser once or twice daily and emphasizes that applying sunscreen suffices.

In the journal Paediatrics, Hales and her team describe how they set up two TikTok accounts for a 13-year-old, collecting a sample of 100 videos showcasing skincare routines created by young users.

They discovered that 81 of the 82 content creators were girls, aged between 7 and 18.

“Most of these creators displayed clear, healthy skin without visible blemishes,” the researchers observed, noting that the videos often alluded to beauty ideals linked to whiteness.

The study revealed an average of six products per skincare routine, typically from the same brand, with a total average cost of $168 (£124). However, factoring in additional products, the overall cost could exceed $500 (£369).

“Get Ready With Me” videos were the most prevalent, followed by “skincare routines” and “after-school” skincare clips.

The team found that many featured ingredients, like citric acid, could lead to skin irritation and heightened sun sensitivity, raising the risk of sunburn and skin damage. Only 26% of the 84 videos that included sunscreen featured it in their daytime routines.

Dr. Hales noted that using products with multiple active ingredients or layering identical actives could further elevate the risk of irritation.

The researchers found that 76% of the 25 most viewed videos featured at least one potential contact allergen, frequently in the form of fragrances.

Dr. Tess McPherson from the British Association of Dermatologists, who did not participate in the study, emphasized its importance, as it corroborates anecdotal evidence of a rise in young people seeking treatment for skin irritation.

“We are witnessing a significant increase in individuals desiring what they term perfect skin. This mindset is unproductive and fails to bring true happiness,” she commented.

Dr. McPherson further noted that many young people are requesting birthday money for costly skincare products.

Echoing the study’s findings, she pointed out that such videos perpetuate stigmas regarding conditions like acne and eczema, as well as fears surrounding aging.

“Younger children are seeking skincare items that they don’t need; these products are ineffective,” she remarked. “This reflects a troubling societal view of what one’s skin should ideally look like.”

A TikTok representative responded, stating: “This kind of content appears across all media, and while the author acknowledges not assessing the impact on teenage well-being, they recognize genuine benefits in teenage self-expression, parental bonding, and building a supportive TikTok community.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Most Effective Workouts for Lowering Blood Pressure

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Should wall sits be part of your training routine?

Leopatrizi/Getty Images

Recently, my doctor advised me to monitor my blood pressure more vigilantly due to some medications I’m currently taking. While it’s still in the normal range, it’s been gradually increasing, leading me to ponder ways to manage it. Given that hypertension affects an estimated 12.8 billion adults and raises the risk of serious conditions like heart attacks and strokes if left unchecked, it’s a valid concern.

Exercise is widely endorsed as a key method for lowering blood pressure. Public health organizations often recommend moderate-intensity aerobic activities each week, like jogging and cycling, to help keep levels stable. However, recent studies indicate that this may not be the most effective approach.

A compelling study, a 2023 analysis, assessed 270 randomized controlled trials involving about 16,000 adults, focusing on various exercise regimens lasting at least two weeks. The analysis found that all types of exercise—from aerobic workouts to resistance training—significantly reduced blood pressure compared to inactive controls.

Interestingly, isometric exercises, like wall sits and hand grips where muscles are contracted in fixed positions, demonstrated a notable effect. On average, these exercises produced reductions in blood pressure comparable to those achieved with medication, showing drops of 8.24 and 4 mmHg respectively. Such reductions equate to a 22% decrease in the risk of major cardiovascular events over a few years. In contrast, aerobic exercise had nearly half that potency.

This difference likely stems from how isometric exercises impact blood flow. For instance, during wall squats or planks, one holds muscles in a contracted state for about 1-2 minutes, which temporarily restricts blood flow. Once the muscles relax, blood rushes back in, leading to lower blood pressure for several hours, a beneficial effect that can be sustained with repeated sessions.

What makes isometric training particularly enticing is its ease of integration into daily routines. A 2023 study revealed that just 12 minutes of these exercises, performed three times a week, were sufficient to substantially lower blood pressure over a 12-week period.

That said, I don’t intend to suggest neglecting other training forms. Aerobic and resistance exercises are still vital for cardiovascular health and muscle development. However, if your blood pressure is a concern, incorporating isometric exercises into your workout could be beneficial. I’m choosing to add wall squats to my leg day routine.

Grace Wade is a health reporter for New Scientist based in the U.S.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Forest Crisis Sparks Europe to Reassess Net Zero Goals

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Extreme weather and bark beetles have devastated many trees in the Harz Mountains, Germany

Rob Cousins/Alamy

The abrupt and significant drop in carbon absorption by European forests has ignited concern among scientists, who fear that a marked decline could hinder efforts to combat global warming.

For many years, European forests, which span around 40% of the continent’s land area, have played a dual role as sources of timber and as carbon sinks. However, increasing extreme weather events are pushing these forests beyond their limits, swiftly altering the landscape.

“Many [European Union] countries will struggle to meet their [land-use climate] targets due to this sink reduction,” states Glen Peters from the Cicero International Climate Research Centre in Norway.

Earlier this year, Finnish officials revealed that their forest ecosystem had shifted from functioning as a net carbon sink to becoming a net carbon source. This development follows Germany’s declaration that its forests became the first in the country’s history to record a net increase in carbon emissions. Additionally, the Czech Republic has reported its forests as net carbon sources since 2018.

While these instances are particularly severe, carbon absorption rates are dwindling rapidly in many other nations. For instance, in France, the carbon uptake by forests has nearly halved in just 14 years, with a study released last month documenting a decrease from a peak of 37.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually in 2008 to 74.1 million tonnes in 2022. Concurrently, Norway’s carbon absorption has plummeted from 32 million tonnes in 2010 to 18 million tonnes in 2022.

“The trend had remained relatively stable from 2013 to 2015,” comments Korosuo at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Belgium. “This is a widespread issue, not confined to just one or two countries. Similar patterns are observable across nearly all forested nations.”

Many forests in Europe are privately owned and commercially managed. Some of the decrease in carbon sinks has been linked to increased logging, particularly following the sanctions on Russian timber imports due to the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. For example, Finland has seen strong demand for wood, leading to heightened harvesting levels, notes Raisa from the Natural Resources Institute of Finland.

However, scientists also attribute the rapid decline in carbon storage to the escalating impacts of climate change.

Europe has faced several droughts in recent years, with 2018 and 2022 marking the harshest conditions. Wouter Peters at Wageningen University in the Netherlands highlights that his research indicates the 2022 drought caused a significant reduction in carbon intake by European forests during summer months. “We’re observing immediate effects; the trees are under stress,” he comments.

Researchers had expected that as global temperatures rise, European forests would diminish in health, yet the extent of the recent decline is still astonishing. Wouter Peters explains, “The impact seems to be more severe than anticipated.”

This downturn could be a result of successive droughts occurring within a few years, exacerbated by other extreme weather events such as storms that disturb forests. “We see not just one drought in 2018, but additional ones in 2021 and 2022,” Wouter Peters notes. “Our models have not effectively accounted for this concentration of drought events over such a short time frame.”

Moreover, rising temperatures are leading to more frequent and widespread infestations of bark beetles across Europe, which are severely damaging spruce forests. The Czech Republic, in particular, has faced seven major bark beetle outbreaks from 2018 to 2021.

A declining carbon sink poses a threat to the EU’s climate objectives, which depend on forests to absorb the bulk of emissions generated by other sectors. The EU is even aiming to enhance this carbon sink to support its climate ambitions, targeting a removal of 310 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents annually by 2030, a significant increase from the approximately 230 million tonnes currently removed.

However, a recent analysis published in April warns that European carbon sinks are projected to decrease by around 29% below the 2030 target, with researchers cautioning that the capability of European forests to absorb carbon will “gradually deteriorate.”

Preventative measures can help mitigate this decline, such as reducing harvesting rates and prohibiting clear-cutting in plantations, which can maintain carbon stocks. Additionally, increasing species diversity and retaining some deadwood can enhance forest health and resilience against pests and droughts.

Nonetheless, Wouter Peters argues that policymakers are overestimating the carbon absorption potential of forests in warmer climates. “There has likely been an over-reliance on forests, particularly in the context of greenhouse gas emissions,” he contends. He emphasizes that other sectors must rapidly reduce emissions to meet European climate goals. “This implies that we need intensified efforts in other areas.”

Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are rising at unprecedented rates, despite an overall stagnation in greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists attribute this acceleration to slower carbon absorption rates in forests, wetlands, and peatlands globally, compounded by deforestation and increased emissions from wildfires and droughts that weaken global land sinks.

This issue is most pronounced in mid-latitude regions. Alongside Europe, significant declines in carbon sink capacity have also been recorded in boreal forests of Alaska and Canada. Tropical forests are facing challenges from both deforestation and diminished carbon storage capacity, primarily due to wildfires.

This poses a serious challenge to global efforts to achieve net-zero emissions. “In a broad global context, the entire concept of net zero hinges on the functionality of forests and oceans. If these systems cease to effectively sequester carbon, it will lead to increased atmospheric carbon levels and accelerated global warming.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Former OpenAI Board Member: US Targets Science and Research While Criticizing ‘Big Gifts’ to China in AI Development

Posted on June 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The former OpenAI board member, Helen Toner, commented that the US administration’s focus on academic research and its approach to international students is “a tremendous gift” to China in the competition surrounding artificial intelligence.

Toner, who serves as the Strategic Director of Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), joined OpenAI’s board in 2021 following a career dedicated to analyzing AI and the dynamics between the US and China.

At 33 years old, Toner—an alumna of the University of Melbourne—was part of the board for two years until she left alongside founder Sam Altman in 2023. There were concerns regarding Altman’s communication consistency and the board’s confidence in his leadership.

In the following tumultuous month, Altman was initially dismissed and then reinstated, while three board members, including Toner, were sidelined. Their situation has become the subject of an upcoming film, and along with the film’s director Luca Guadagnino, they have reportedly met in person.

According to Time Magazine, Toner was recognized as one of the top 100 most influential figures in AI for 2024, a testament to her advocacy for AI regulation by policymakers worldwide.

At CSET, Toner leads a team of 60 researchers focusing on AI applications for white papers aimed at briefing policymakers, particularly in military, labor, biosecurity, and cybersecurity contexts.

“My primary focus is on the intersections of AI, safety and security issues, the Chinese AI landscape, and what is termed frontier AI,” explained Toner.

Toner expressed concern that the US may fall behind China in the AI race. Although US export controls on chips complicate China’s access to competitive computing power, the country is making substantial strides in AI, illustrated by the surprising success of its generative AI model, Deepseek, earlier this year.

Toner criticized the Trump administration’s research cuts and international student bans as being “gifts” to China in the AI competition with the US.

“It’s undeniably a significant gift for China. The current US approach to attacking scientific research and the talents of foreigners—a considerable part of the US workforce comprises immigrants, many from China—is a boon for them in this contest,” she remarked.

The AI boom has raised alarms about job security, with concerns that AI may replace many human jobs. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, which developed the generative AI model Claude, recently stated that AI could eliminate 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs, potentially leading to a 20% unemployment rate over the next five years.

Though Toner acknowledged Amodei’s predictions, she noted, “While I often find his assertions directionally correct, they tend to sound overly aggressive in timelines and figures,” but she agreed that disruptions in the job market are already occurring.

“The current capabilities of [language model-based AI] are best suited for small, manageable tasks rather than long-term projects that require human oversight,” she advised.

Experts suggest that organizations heavily invested in AI are feeling pressure to demonstrate returns on their investments. Toner remarked that while practical applications of AI can yield considerable value, it remains unclear which business models or players will successfully unlock that value.

The integration of AI services could range from enhancing existing applications, such as a phone keyboard that transcribes voices, to standalone chatbots, but she remarked that it’s still uncertain what role AI will ultimately play.

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Toner noted that the push for profitability presents risks that could overshadow the advancement race in AI.

“This reflects how companies are weighed down by the need to balance between rapid product releases and the thorough testing needed to implement additional safety measures that could also complicate user experience,” she elaborated.

“Such companies must make these trade-offs while feeling the pressure to accelerate as much as possible.”

Toner voiced her concerns regarding the concept of a “progressive power” of AI, which suggests gradual integration of AI systems into various societal and governmental facets; acknowledging it may be too late to reevaluate this path.

She expressed optimism regarding AI’s potential to enhance scientific research, drug discovery, and autonomous driving solutions like Waymo, which could significantly reduce road fatalities.

“With AI, the goal isn’t perfection; it’s to exceed existing alternatives. In the automotive sector, the alternative involves thousands of annual deaths. If we can improve that scenario, it’s remarkable; countless lives could be saved,” she articulated.

Toner humorously mentioned that a friend suggested potential actresses to portray her in the film.

“One suggestion was a stunningly talented actress,” she said. “Anyone they choose will definitely be a worthy pick.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

How Did You Obtain My Number? Exploring the Underworld of Data Brokers | Privacy Issues

Posted on June 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Priya Dev suspects she knows why political spam inundated her inbox during the 2025 federal election campaign.

Like many Australians, the developer endured an avalanche of unwanted patriotic text messages—Clive Palmer himself admitted to sending 17 million of them. However, it was the email spam from one of the major political parties that caught her attention.

Political parties are exempt from privacy laws, meaning they aren’t required to inform individuals about how to access their data, nor is there an option to opt out.

Nonetheless, clues surfaced for the Australian National University Data Science Academic. The email was sent to a pseudonym she used for an online purchase years ago—also employed in 2020 when she received spam from a minor political party.

“It appears to originate from a transaction,” she stated. “It could likely be from some online e-commerce deal, or energy trading, etc.”

Tracing how organizations access personal contact details is “extremely challenging for political parties because they often ignore inquiries,” Dev notes. “If we could uncover how this data was sourced, it would be groundbreaking.”

This marks the second time Dev has tried to trace how her data was accessed. Data brokers frequently buy and sell information to advertisers and other entities seeking insights into people without their consent.

After receiving numerous unwarranted calls last year, the developer tracked down who had her phone number. She returned to the real estate giant CoreLogic Australia, which informed her in 2023 that her data had been legally obtained from another data broker.

The company explained that it retrieved her data through a marketing campaign from 2014 and shared her information with at least 50 other companies.

Dev’s situation isn’t unique. Reports indicate that a child’s email, registered in a charity fundraiser over a decade ago, also received political spam from the Liberal Party during the recent election.

How did you get my number?

Understanding how marketers and others acquire your contact details and personal information is complex.

Katherine Kemp, an Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales leading the Public Interest Law and Technology Initiative, explains that this often occurs through data matching services that merge personal information from various service providers, subsequently sold via data brokers.

Kemp mentions she has encountered mortgage brokers in the mortgage industry.

Yet, discovering how they obtained that information can be quite elusive, Kemp adds.

When she inquires where people got her details, she often hears, “They either evade the question or abruptly hang up… providing vague answers, and if pressed, they quickly end the call.”

Federal Privacy Commissioner Carly Kins described the data-broking sector as “extremely opaque” and possessing “a convoluted value chain of personal information.”

“Thus, people are left in the dark, lacking authority to voice their concerns,” she states.

“Many find it unsettling. I believe it’s concerning how personal information is relayed through data brokers, landing in unexpected places.”

Who are the data brokers and what do they collect?

A global data broker organization claims it will “facilitate the exchange of information for consumer benefit and support to Australian businesses and small enterprises,” as stated in a 2023 submission to the Australian Consumer Watchdog’s data brokerage survey.

Information collected can include name, address, age, viewing habits, purchasing patterns, financial status, employment background, qualifications, tenant history, and other socio-economic and demographic details.

Dev notes discussions about expanding privacy responsibilities for political parties may lead to mandated transparency in how they obtain personal data. Photo: Hilary Warduff/Guardian

According to Reset.Tech Australia, last year’s report highlighted the types of data purchased and sold by brokers, including location tracking over time, financial details, tendencies related to gambling and drinking, and recent online purchases.

Data broker companies include credit reporting agencies, identity verification firms, news organizations, real estate companies, tenancy data firms, marketers, loyalty programs, and social media platforms.

“Unpleasant” Australians whose personal information is sold

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission uncovered in last year’s data broker report that privacy policies often use “ambiguous language,” complicating consumers’ ability to identify data sharing practices. This makes it tougher to ascertain who has their data and opt out of such collections.

The average privacy policy contains 6,876 words, and it reportedly takes 29 minutes to read.

A survey featured in the report indicated that 74% of Australians are uncomfortable with the idea of their personal information being shared or sold.

Some companies attempt to downplay privacy concerns by outlining data collection to consumers and offering access to information held upon request. A consumer group found last year that a data broker claimed it didn’t retain data from loyalty program members.

Privacy Commissioner Kins noted that claims from data-collecting companies suggesting that personal information falls under the Privacy Act could be a “creative interpretation” of the law.

According to the ACCC, identified data, when aggregated with data points from other sources, still poses a risk of consumer identification.

Overall, without naming specific companies, many Australians expressed that some practices within the data brokering industry feel “very uncomfortable at best, often indicating serious breaches of trust.”

“Data transfer often occurs multiple times, creating a complicated environment. While much of this is legal, [privacy] practices remain vague and often reside in a gray area with minimal legitimate actions.”

Regulators can flex their muscles

Although the ACCC report didn’t issue any recommendations, it endorsed the strengthening of privacy laws in Australia.

Commissioner Kins indicated that the ACCC’s work could pave the way for her office to investigate practices in the sector, stressing that current privacy laws contain “various elements that could restrict practices applicable to data brokers.”

“I want to prioritize this issue, and my regulatory team is currently contemplating how to utilize our authority in this realm,” Kins remarked.

Dev emphasizes the need to discuss expanding privacy responsibilities for political parties to ensure they transparently disclose how they acquire personal data.

The current exemption allows political parties to bypass her inquiries concerning what data they hold, according to Dev.

Kemp believes there’s potential for stricter laws concerning data brokering, but expresses little desire to alter the legal obligations of political parties.

“However, I don’t believe we should abandon discussions on reform in this area.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Experts Warn: Hurricanes Are Intensifying – Time for a New Category

Posted on June 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

As the Atlantic hurricane season kicks off, millions are anxiously monitoring forecasts and looking for telltale signs of impending storms.

This year promises to be particularly severe. Ocean temperatures remain exceptionally high, and conditions in the Pacific are set to amplify Atlantic storm activity.

However, beyond the immediate forecasts, a more profound and surprising phenomenon is unfolding with tropical cyclones globally.

With rising global temperatures driven by human actions, climate change is reshaping our understanding of storms that batter coastlines. These storms are becoming wetter, more intense, and sometimes extraordinarily powerful. The current classification system for these storms is quickly becoming obsolete.

Indeed, it has been noted that Category 5 hurricanes (the most intense classification on the Saffir-Simpson scale) may no longer represent the upper limit. Future storms could necessitate an entirely new category.

“This is a discussion that has occurred several times, and I believe it is a valid argument,” says Dr. Tom Matthews, a senior lecturer in environmental geography at King’s College London. BBC Science Focus.

“We’ve expanded to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, so using the term Category 5 is misleading, and we do need a new category.”

How are hurricanes classified?

Hurricanes are currently classified using the Saffir-Simpson scale, which is based on sustained wind speeds.

Category 1 – 74-95 mph (119-153 km/h). Very dangerous winds cause minor damage.
Category 2 – 96-110 mph (154-177 km/h). Very dangerous winds cause significant damage.
Category 3 – 111-129 mph (178-208 km/h). Catastrophic damage occurs.
Category 4 – 130-156 mph (209-251 km/h). Catastrophic damage occurs.
Category 5 – Over 157 mph (over 252 km/h). Catastrophic damage occurs.

However, climate change is pushing storms far beyond these established limits. Hurricane Patricia recorded wind speeds of 215 mph in 2015. Hurricane Dorian in 2019 hovered over the Bahamas with wind speeds of 185 mph.

Additionally, Typhoon Haiyan, highlighted by Matthews as a prime example of these next-generation storms, struck the Philippines in 2013 with sustained winds of 195 mph (314 km/h), with gusts reaching up to 220 mph (354 km/h).

These storms are unlike any we have experienced before.

Devastation following Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. – Getty

How is climate change impacting hurricanes?

One might expect that as the planet warms, the number of hurricanes will increase. However, the situation is more nuanced.

“The upper atmosphere warms faster than the lower atmosphere, creating stability that resists the vertical movements essential for hurricane formation,” explains Matthews.

Hurricanes depend on rising air, but a heated atmosphere can suppress this necessary upward movement, making it more difficult to initiate a hurricane.

“It’s akin to trying to lift a hot air balloon when the surrounding atmosphere is warmer than the burner inside the balloon,” Matthews elaborates.

“Another apt analogy is that the atmospheric lid above convection—the vertical movement needed to kickstart a hurricane—is becoming stronger, impeding hurricane development.”

This translates to reduced chances of hurricane formation. Nonetheless, when they do occur, they tend to exhibit explosive intensity.

Mathews provides another perspective: “A hurricane serves as a mechanism for redistributing heat from the ocean to the atmosphere. More heat is needed to initiate a hurricane.”

“This could mean they are less frequent, but when they do occur, they pack a significant punch.”

Moreover, rising sea levels mean that even storms of similar intensity can push further inland, causing greater damage. “Unfortunately, this is an unavoidable reality,” Matthews concludes.

Why is a new category necessary?

The classification of tropical cyclones is not merely an organizational tool; it is crucial for understanding the evolving nature of storms. With storm intensity rising, the current five-level classification may be insufficient for effective assessment.

Even within Category 5, there exists a vast range that can mislead and obstruct preparedness efforts.

“What may seem like a minor change, especially in wind speeds, can correspond to significant differences in damage.”

This dynamic is amplified because the force of wind impacting an object relates to the square of its speed, and the resulting power grows proportionally. In simple terms, what may seem like a minor acceleration can lead to catastrophic consequences on the ground.

“What may appear to be a slight change can cause substantial damage. This is especially problematic when structures are designed to withstand specific wind speeds but are exceeded.”

This is a serious warning. With ongoing climate change, the strongest storms are intensifying, and our longstanding classification system may no longer suffice.

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About our experts

Tom Matthews serves as a senior lecturer in environmental geography at King’s College London, UK. His research delves into extreme meteorological environments and events. He has worked extensively in mountainous regions, such as the Himalayas, where he has been instrumental in setting up state-of-the-art weather stations on Mount Everest. His studies on severe extratropical cyclones and combined events have furthered the understanding of extreme humid thermal events and their prospective changes due to climate warming.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

British Minister Postpones AI Regulation to Develop a More “Comprehensive” Bill

Posted on June 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Proposals for regulating artificial intelligence are lagging by at least a year as the UK minister aims to advance a significant bill addressing the use of this technology and its associated copyrighted content.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle is set to present a “detailed” AI bill in the upcoming Congressional session to tackle pressing issues, including safety and copyright concerns.

This delay in regulation raises concerns ahead of the next King’s speech. While no date has been confirmed for this event, some reports suggest it may occur in May 2026.

Initially, Labour had intended to introduce a concise, targeted AI bill shortly after taking office, focusing specifically on large-scale language models like CHATGPT.

The proposed legislation would have mandated companies to provide their models for assessment by the UK AI Security Institute, aiming to address fears that advanced AI models might pose threats to humanity.

However, with the bill behind schedule, the minister has opted to align with the approach of Donald Trump’s administration in the US, fearing that excessive regulations might dissuade AI companies from the UK.

Now, the minister is eager to incorporate copyright regulations for AI firms within the AI bill.

“We believe this framework can help us tackle copyright issues,” a government source commented. “We’ve been consulting with both creators and tech experts, and we’ve uncovered some intriguing ideas for the future. Once the data bill is finalized, our efforts will begin in earnest.”

The government is currently facing a dispute with the House over copyright provisions in a separate data bill. AI companies can utilize copyrighted materials for model training unless the rights holders opt out.

This has led to a strong backlash from the creative community, with notable artists like Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Kate Bush lending their support to a campaign against these changes.

Recently, Piers backed an amendment to the data bill that would require AI companies to declare whether they are using copyrighted materials for model training, ensuring compliance with existing copyright laws.

Despite Kyle’s expressed concerns over the government’s approach, he has resisted calls to backtrack. The government contends that the data bill does not adequately address copyright matters and has vowed to publish an economic impact evaluation alongside several technical papers on copyright and AI.

In a letter to legislators on Saturday, Kyle further pledged to create a cross-party working group on AI and copyright.

Beevan Kidron, a film director and crossbench peer advocating for the creative sector, remarked on Friday that the minister “has neglected the creative industry and disregarded Britain’s second-largest industrial sector.”

Kyle mentioned in Commons last month that AI and copyright should be included in another “comprehensive” legislative package.

An overwhelming majority of the UK populace (88%) believes the government should have the authority to halt AI product usage if deemed a significant risk. This finding was published in March by the ADA Lovelace Institute and the Alan Turing Institute, which shows that over 75% of people feel that safety oversight for AI should be managed by governments or regulators, alongside private companies.

Scott Singer, an AI specialist at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, noted: “The UK is strategically navigating between the US and the EU. Similar to the US, the UK is aiming to avoid overly stringent regulations that could stifle innovation while exploring meaningful consumer protection methods.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Elon Musk’s Feud with Trump Mask Reveals the Consequences of Unregulated Money in Politics

Posted on June 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Elon Musk has remarked on the loud and public nature of money’s role in American politics, pointing out that it’s typically a quieter affair.

“Without me, Trump would lose the election, the Democrats would control the House, and Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate. That kind of dissatisfaction,” he stated on his X social media platform amid an ongoing feud with Donald Trump.

When right-wing commentator Laura Rumer mentioned Capitol Hill Republicans debating their allies in the intraparty conflict, Musk hinted at the extent of his influence. “Ah, food for thought, as they consider this: Trump has 3.5 years left as president, but I’m over 40 years old…” Musk wrote on X.

US billionaires frequently wield significant influence in politics, using their wealth to sway government actions. However, few have been as overt and impactful as Musk in the past year, demonstrating the transactions and dysfunction within US governance.

The Trump Judicial War offers a united snapshot of American politics. As the world’s richest individual, Musk has played a notable role in a new governmental initiative targeting the dismantling of unfavorable agencies after financially backing his preferred candidates.

We find ourselves amidst a clash between a billionaire president and an even wealthier Republican donor, both vying over how to reduce aid to the impoverished. As one satirical website observed: “Yeah! These billionaires are arguing over how much money they can siphon from the poor.”

Fifteen years ago, the US Supreme Court determined that corporations and outside groups could spend unlimited amounts on elections, leading to a ruling by Conservative Justice Anthony Kennedy:

Since then, it has become clear that such wealth injections are undermining democracy. Musk’s actions exemplify the already soaring levels of money’s influence in politics, with reports indicating he spent nearly $300 million to support Trump in 2024. We are now witnessing a government dominated by billionaires.

“Fifteen years post-decision, we observe the full consequences of living in a society where not just elections are for sale, but the entire government structure is for sale,” he told Bluwork earlier this year.

Musk is not alone in this arena. During election cycles, ultra-wealthy donors frequently fund candidates of their choice. This has become the standard landscape in current American politics across both parties. Bernie Sanders challenged the Democrats at last year’s convention, stating, “Billionaires in both parties cannot buy elections, even primaries.”

Earlier this year, Musk invested heavily in Wisconsin’s judicial elections but lost to a Democratic opponent. He also donated a smaller amount to Republicans seeking to oppose a judge who resisted the Trump administration. Despite an inconsistent success record, his financial threats remain significant for both parties.

However, due to his unelected status, Musk has been somewhat restricted in his ability to block Trump’s key spending bill. Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” didn’t meet Musk’s stringent expectations for budget cuts or support, and once the administration ceased to fulfill his wishes, he publicly expressed his discontent.

This reflects the volatile alliance between Trump and Musk, which began with mutual affection and a central role for billionaires during Trump’s administration. The fact that Musk has such sway over the budget process is troubling. Trump indicated that Musk was aware of the bill’s contents, suggesting that the administration sought his approval before any public fallout.

Musk has adopted a bold approach to political spending, which is rare among the ultra-wealthy, who generally let their financial contributions do the talking. A charitable expert previously noted to the Guardian that Musk’s distinctiveness lies in his “permanent discretion as a mode of political engagement.”

Now, Musk rallies his followers on X to sway Congress and halt the bill. This could prove effective as Republican lawmakers grapple with the ideological pressures of a president and a mega-donor known for his vindictive tendencies.

Within right-wing media, these conflicts have created divisions. At Breitbart, one commentator remarked that Trump “pokes a finger in the eyes of his biggest donor and it never ends well.” Another piece in American Spectator claimed Musk hadn’t picked Trump. However, the Washington Examiner praised Musk’s opposition to the bill, suggesting that Trump’s budget plan “deserves to fail.”

“I don’t care if Elon disagrees with me, but he should have voiced that a few months ago,” Trump said as he wrapped up a series of critiques targeting Musk. The president also remarked that Musk had “lost his nerve” during a recent television interview.

So far, Republican figures have rallied behind Trump, with JD Vance proclaiming, “President Trump has done more than anyone else in my lifetime to gain the movement’s trust.”

If Musk ultimately falters, he could take his wealth and seek influence elsewhere. He has floated the idea of forming a third political party, a notion that has failed in the past, but his financial clout and forceful personality might invigorate this endeavor. The Democrats already rely heavily on wealthy benefactors and would welcome a potential shift from Musk. Democratic Representative Ro Khanna proposed that the party should reach out to him.

Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley and encourages the left to embrace economic populism, faced significant backlash from his party for his comments but stood by them.

“If Biden criticized a major supporter, Trump would have embraced him the next day,” he posted on X.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Elon Musk’s Feud with Trump Reveals the Risks of Concentrating Power in One Individual

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

After a year of mutual admiration and affection, Elon Musk and Donald Trump dramatically severed their political ties this week. This notable split featured the world’s wealthiest individual accusing the President of the United States of having connections with notorious sex offenders. Trump remarked that Musk had “lost his heart.”

The fallout from their disagreement poses real threats, with both Musk and Trump publicly shaming each other on their respective social platforms. Trump hinted that all of Musk’s government contracts and subsidies could be scrapped – labeling it “The Best Way to Save Money,” a move that could have disastrous implications not just for tech billionaires, but also for federal agencies relying on them. In response, Musk announced that NASA would start withdrawing the SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft from transport missions, though he later backtracked on this decision.

While their feud plays out like a sensational reality show, the confrontation between Trump and Musk highlights the dangers of entrusting vital public services to private companies led by unpredictable billionaires. It showcases how something once seen as a proud national endeavor, like space travel, can become jeopardized by the emotional whims of a single individual.

The previously cordial relationship sparked months of concerns about potential corruption and calls for investigations into how Tesla’s CEO could leverage his government ties for personal gain. This division illustrates the hazards of Musk’s deep entanglements with the government, where his services could become collateral damage in personal conflicts. Millions of dollars hang in the balance as their rivalry unfolds.

The chaotic manner in which this dispute is transpiring reminds us of the unpredictability of their actions. Musk’s SpaceX spacecraft and its commitments, if disrupted, could prevent the United States from promptly reaching the International Space Station.

“In response to the President’s statement about canceling my government contract, @Spacex will soon begin to abolish the Dragon Spacecraft,” Musk tweeted unexpectedly on Thursday.

“Good advice. Ok, we won’t abolish the Dragon,” Musk replied the next day, responding to an anonymous user with approximately 5,000 followers who suggested “we’ll calm down for a few days and take a step back.”

Had the Musk-Trump feud disrupted governmental operations or used them as political leverage, it wouldn’t have been unforeseen. Since Musk declined in 2023 to allow Ukraine to utilize Starlink in Crimea, the government has faced the harsher reality of relying on Musk’s global infrastructure, a precarious position in case of an unexpected attack on Russian forces. Musk’s assertion that he could disable Starlink almost led to a diplomatic incident earlier this year. Meanwhile, European authorities have recently rushed to seek alternatives to Starlink amid concerns over Musk’s erratic behavior.

Musk has positioned himself as an unpredictable global power broker, yet the U.S. continues to grant him contracts, further entrenching his corporate influence. Specifically, space operations have become synonymous with Musk.

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Since winning its first NASA contract in 2006, SpaceX has been awarded approximately $15 billion in government contracts, tasked with transporting astronauts and cargo into orbit. NASA has also contracted SpaceX for a mission to explore one of Saturn’s moons with a planned crewed endeavor. Last year, SpaceX was called upon to rescue two astronauts stranded on the ISS.

The government’s dependence on Musk extends beyond NASA. The Department of Defense maintains extensive contracts with Musk for launching intelligence satellites through SpaceX. The company has also emerged as the front runner in the Trump administration’s initiative to establish a “Golden Dome” missile defense shield, a priority for U.S. defense. Musk’s Starlink communications system has become integral to government operations, reaching the White House this year.

Musk remains a powerful figure in the market and among investors, as illustrated by the nearly 14% drop in Tesla’s share price during his fallout with Trump. Musk has indicated readiness to incur losses for his principles, and his immense wealth provides a buffer against major downturns in his business. The decline in Tesla’s shares on Thursday erased about $34 billion from his net worth in a single day, yet he remains the world’s richest person, with a margin exceeding $90 billion.

The significant reliance on Musk and the privatization of government functions have long drawn scrutiny from ethical watchdogs and industry specialists, but the current climate seems particularly precarious now that Musk has hinted at holding certain services hostage. This situation also highlights the consequences of the privatization initiatives that Musk supported during his tenure in the Trump administration. While Musk has firmly criticized bureaucracy, courts, and regulators as barriers to progress, they also serve as safeguards against the type of personal power and instability displayed by both him and Trump amid their escalating conflict.

Source: www.theguardian.com

High Court Calls on UK Lawyers to Halt AI Misuse After Noting Fabricated Case Law

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The High Court has instructed senior counsels to implement immediate actions to curb the misuse of artificial intelligence, following numerous false cases presented to the court featuring entirely fictitious individuals or constructed references.

While attorneys are leveraging AI systems to formulate legal arguments, two cases this year have been severely affected by citations from fictitious legal precedents, which are believed to have originated from AI.

In a damages lawsuit amounting to £89 million against Qatar National Bank, the claimant referenced 45 legal actions. The claimant acknowledged the use of publicly accessible AI tools, and his legal team admitted to citing non-existent authorities.

When Haringey Law Center filed a challenge against the London Borough of Haringey for allegedly failing to provide temporary accommodation for its clients, the attorney referenced fictitious case law multiple times. Concerns were raised when the counsel representing the council had to repeatedly explain why they could not verify the supposed authorities.

This situation led to legal action over unwarranted legal expenses, with the court ruling that the Law Centre and its attorneys, including the student attorney, were negligent. Although the barrister in that case refused to use AI, she stated that she might have inadvertently done so while preparing for another case where she cited the fictitious authority. She mentioned that she might have assumed the AI summary was accurate without fully understanding it.

In the Regulation Judgment, Dr. Victoria Sharp, President of the King’s Bench Division, warned, “If artificial intelligence is misused, it could severely undermine public trust in the judicial system. Lawyers who misuse AI could face disciplinary actions, including court contempt sanctions and referrals to law enforcement.”

She urged the Council of Lawyers and the Law Society to treat this issue as an immediate priority and instructed the heads of legal chambers and administrative bodies to ensure all lawyers understand their professional and ethical responsibilities regarding the use of AI.

“While tools like these can produce apparently consistent and plausible responses, those responses may be completely incorrect,” she stated. “They might assert confidently false information, reference non-existent sources, or misquote real documents.”

Ian Jeffrey, CEO of the English and Welsh Law Association, remarked that the ruling “highlights the dangers of employing AI in legal matters.”

“AI tools are increasingly utilized to assist in delivering legal services,” he continued. “However, the significant risk of inaccurate outputs produced by generative AI necessitates that lawyers diligently verify and ensure the accuracy of their work.”

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These cases are not the first to suffer due to AI-generated inaccuracies. At the UK tax court in 2023, an appellant allegedly assisted by an “acquaintance at a law office” provided nine fictitious historical court decisions as precedents. She acknowledged that she might have used ChatGPT but claimed there were other cases supporting her position.

Earlier this year, in a Danish case valued at 5.8 million euros (£4.9 million), the appellant narrowly avoided dismissal when relying on a fabricated ruling that the judge had identified. A 2023 case in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York faced turmoil when the court was shown seven clearly fictitious cases cited by the attorneys. After querying, ChatGPT summarized the previously invented cases, leading the judge to express concerns and resulted in a $5,000 fine for two lawyers and their firm.

Source: www.theguardian.com

This Unusual Miniature Frog Defies Nature’s Greatest Laws

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The world is full of fascinating paradoxes. For instance, does this article even exist before you’ve read it? If I traveled back in time and eliminated my grandfather, would I still be here writing this? And why is it that two socks can fit into the washing machine, yet only one emerges? Perhaps one of the grandest paradoxes is how a frog can shrink as it matures.

Meet the paradoxical frog (Pseudis Paradoxa). These frogs lay their fertile eggs in South America’s lakes and lagoons, where they hatch into tadpoles that begin to consume the eggs.

The voracious larvae feed mainly on algae and begin to grow quite rapidly. Initially, they develop like ordinary tadpoles, but…

If conditions are ideal, these tadpoles can grow remarkably large. Bigger than blueberries, larger than strawberries—think of it as if “satsuma stuffed into ankle socks.” That gives you a sense of their size, and perhaps you’ve even located your missing socks.

The tadpoles of the paradox frog, with their plump, rounded bodies and long muscular tails, can reach lengths of up to 22cm (8.6 inches). Rearrange the movie Jaws, and you’ll need a bigger jam jar!

This size is about three times more significant than the adult frogs they eventually become, with much of the necessary development already complete.

By the time they morph from tadpoles to frogs, males possess well-formed testes and can produce sperm, while females create mature eggs.

This is distinct from typical frog tadpoles, which take longer to reach sexual maturity during the male frog phase of their life cycle.

Paradoxical frog tadpoles can grow up to 22cm (8.6 inches). – Photo credit: Aramie

So, how does a giant tadpole transform into such a small frog? It’s remarkably simple! At least half of the paradoxical frog tadpoles are made up of tails. Once they lose their tails, they undergo a normal transformation into relatively small adults, measuring about 7cm (approximately 2.5 inches).

This “contraction” of the amphibians explains the phenomenon often referred to as frog shrinkage.

The paradox appears resolved. Yet, as one riddle is solved, another emerges: Why do the tadpoles expend such energy in growing so large in the first place?

One possible explanation lies in the timing and location of their birth. Paradoxical frogs time their spawning for the rainy season.

In Trinidad, this occurs around May.

Some eggs are laid in permanent bodies of water, while others are deposited in fleeting ponds that eventually dry up. Those born in small, temporary locations with limited food and aquatic predators do not grow much. In contrast, tadpoles born in larger, more stable ponds with abundant food and fewer predators tend to thrive.

In these circumstances, growing larger can enhance survival since larger tadpoles are less likely to be consumed by predatory fish and other animals.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

IXPE Measures X-Ray Polarization from Magnetic Explosions

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A magnetor is a type of neutron star that boasts an extraordinarily strong magnetic field, approximately one times stronger than Earth’s magnetic field. These colossal magnetic fields are believed to be generated when rapidly rotating neutron stars are birthed from the collapse of a giant star’s core. Magnetars emit brilliant X-rays and display erratic patterns of activity, with bursts and flares releasing millions of times more energy than the Sun emits in just one second. Polarization measurements offer insights into magnetic fields and surface characteristics. This was the focus of astronomers using the NASA Imaging X-ray Polarization Explorer (IXPE) to study 1E 1841-045, a magnetor located within Supernova Remnant (SNR) KES 73, situated nearly 28,000 light years from Earth. The findings are published in the Astrophysics Journal Letter.

Impressions of Magneter artists. Image credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/S. Wesinger.

Magnetors represent a category of young neutron stars. They are the remnants of giant stars that collapsed in on themselves at the end of their life cycles, resembling the mass of the Sun but compressed into a city-sized volume.

Neutron stars exemplify some of the most extreme physical conditions in the observable universe, offering a unique chance to investigate states that cannot be replicated in terrestrial laboratories.

The 1E 1841-045 magnetor was observed in an explosive state on August 21, 2024, by NASA’s Swift, Fermi, and other advanced telescopes.

The IXPE team has permitted several requests to pause scheduled observations of the telescope multiple times each year, redirecting focus to unique and unexpected celestial phenomena.

When 1E 1841-045 transitioned into this bright active phase, scientists chose to direct IXPE to capture the first polarization measurements of the magnetor’s flare.

Magnetors possess magnetic fields thousands of times stronger than most neutron stars, hosting the most powerful magnetic fields among known cosmic entities.

These extreme magnetic field fluctuations can lead to the emission of X-ray energies up to 1,000 times greater than usual for several weeks.

This heightened state is referred to as explosive activity, though the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.

IXPE’s X-ray polarization measurements may help unveil the mysteries behind these phenomena.

Polarized light carries information about the direction and orientation of emitted X-ray waves. A higher degree of polarization indicates that the X-ray waves are moving in harmony, akin to a tightly choreographed dance.

Studying the polarization characteristics of magnetors provides clues regarding the energy processes associated with observed photons and the direction and configuration of the magnetor’s magnetic field.

This diagram illustrates the IXPE measurements of X-ray polarized light emitted by 1E 1841-045. Image credit: Michela Rigoselli / Italian National Institute of Astrophysics.

IXPE results, supported by NASA’s Nustar and other telescope observations, indicate that X-ray emissions from 1E 1841-045 exhibit increased polarization at higher energy levels while maintaining a consistent emission direction.

This significant contribution to the high degree of polarization is attributed to the hard X-ray tail of 1E 1841-045, a highly energetic component of the magnetosphere responsible for the highest photon energies detected by IXPE.

Hard X-rays refer to X-rays characterized by shorter wavelengths and greater energy than soft X-rays.

While prevalent in magnetars, the processes that facilitate the generation of these high-energy X-ray photons remain largely enigmatic.

Despite several proposed theories explaining this emission, the high polarization associated with these hard X-rays currently offers additional clues to their origins.

“This unique observation enhances existing models that aim to explain magnetic hard X-ray emissions by elucidating the extensive synchronization seen among these hard X-ray photons,” remarked a student from George Washington University. First paper.

“This effectively demonstrates the power of polarization measurements in refining our understanding of the physics within a magnetar’s extreme environment.”

“It would be fascinating to observe 1E 1841-045 as it returns to its stable baseline state and to track the evolution of polarization,” added Dr. Michela Rigoselli, an astronomer at the National Institute of Astrophysics in Italy. Second paper.

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Rachel Stewart et al. 2025. X-ray polarization of Magnetor 1E 1841-045. apjl 985, L35; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/adbffa

Michela Rigoselli et al. 2025. IXPE detection of highly polarized X-rays from Magnetor 1E 1841-045. apjl 985, L34; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/adbffb

Source: www.sci.news

Paleontologists Unveil Europe’s Most Complete Stegosaurus Skull

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists discovered dinosaur skull fragments within the Upper Jurassic Villard Alzobispo layer in Teruel, Spain, and confidently identified them as belonging to the species Centegosaurus dacentrurus armatus.

Skull of dacentrurus armatus from the Villard Alzobispo Formation in Teruel, Spain. Image credit: S. Sánchez-Fenollosa & A. Cobos, doi: 10.3897/vz.75.e146618.

The name Stegosauria was first introduced in 1877, with the initial reference to dacentrurus armatus occurring two years later.

Stegosauria constitutes a small clade of theropod dinosaurs, featuring iconic and recognizable representatives such as the genus Stegosaurus.

These dinosaurs were characterized by two rows of bony skin (plates and spines), extending principally from the neck to the tail’s edge.

Stegosaur fossils date from the Middle Jurassic through the Late Cretaceous, and they are generally represented by a limited number of partial skeletons worldwide.

Skull remains of stegosaurs are often fragmentary and infrequently found in the fossil record.

Nearly half of today’s scientifically recognized stegosaur species lack preserved skull material.

A recent study by Fundación Dinópolis paleontologists Sergio Sánchez Fenollosa and Alberto Cobos focused on the skull of dacentrurus armatus, a type of stegosaurus that roamed Europe approximately 150 million years ago.

Life reconstruction of dacentrurus armatus. Image credit: Sci.News.

“A comprehensive study of this extraordinary fossil has revealed anatomical features previously unknown in dacentrurus armatus, a typical European stegosaurus,” noted Dr. Sanchez Fenollosa.

“Dinosaur skulls are seldom preserved due to their extreme fragility.”

“This discovery is crucial for understanding the evolution of stegosaur skulls.”

Additionally, alongside detailed anatomical studies, we proposed a new hypothesis that redefines evolutionary relationships among stegosaurs worldwide.”

“This research has established a new grouping termed Neostegosauria.”

According to the team, Neostegosauria includes moderate to large stegosaur species that existed in Africa and Europe during the Middle to Late Jurassic, as well as Late Jurassic and Late Cretaceous Asia.

“This dual outcome represents both a remarkable fossil study and the proposal of new evolutionary theories, positioning our work as a key reference in stegosaur research,” remarked Dr. Cobos.

“The fossil site at Riodeva remains a subject of ongoing research and holds many related fossils, including additional postcranial elements from the same adult specimen, particularly rare combinations of this dinosaur type.”

“These findings are significantly enhancing the paleontological heritage of Teruel, making it a central region for understanding life’s evolution on Earth.”

The team’s research paper was published in the journal Vertebrate Zoology on May 26, 2025.

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S. Sánchez-Fenollosa & A. Cobos. 2025. New insights into the phylogeny and skull evolution of the stegosaur dinosaur: an extraordinary skull from the late Jurassic (Dinosaur: Stegosauria) in Europe. Vertebrate Zoology 75:165-189; doi:10.3897/vz.75.e146618

Source: www.sci.news

These Cosmic Beasts Are Sparkling the Largest Explosion Since the Big Bang

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The immense void of space implies that only one star can occupy a region at a time.

This phenomenon occurs because the mass of these stars is 80 billion times lighter than Earth, with three colossal entities devouring stars ten times larger than our Sun.

A recent study from the University of Hawaii reveals that astronomers, while analyzing data from NASA and the European Space Agency, have identified three ultra-massive black holes. A gigantic one consumes stars far exceeding the sizes of those that orbit the center of our solar system.

The explosions reported by these researchers happened when the black holes tore apart and engulfed the remnants of these stars, yielding the largest events since the Big Bang that shaped our universe.

“What excites me about this research is that we are extending the boundaries of our understanding of the most energetic environments in the universe,” stated Anna Payne, a staff scientist at the Institute of Space Telescope Science and co-author, in a NASA article.

Black holes are cosmic entities that remain unseen by the naked eye, possessing a gravitational force so intense it can capture everything, including light itself. Supermassive black holes, the largest varieties, reside at the centers of galaxies, gradually consuming planets and other materials.

When a star falls under the influence of a supermassive black hole, new research published this week suggests it could end in a dramatic explosion categorized as an “extreme nuclear transient.”Journals advance in science

“These occurrences are unique as they provide the only means for us to illuminate a massive black hole that would typically remain dormant,” noted University of Hawaii graduate student Jason Hinkle in a related article from NASA.NASA article.

Hinkle serves as the lead author of a new study that documents two such events for the first time in the last decade.

Two of the three supermassive black holes were observed by ESA missions in 2016 and 2018, marking the first time they were documented. The third, cataloged as ZTF20Abrbeie, was discovered by the Caltech Observatory in California in 2020 and officially recorded in 2023.

The explosion’s magnitude rivals only that of the Big Bang, which initiated the universe.

Differing from typical stellar explosions, the variations in X-rays, optical, and ultraviolet emissions in these events indicated a “star-consuming black hole.”

NASA explains that black holes actually become brighter during these cosmic occurrences, with their luminosity lasting several months.

This brightness offers scientists a new methodology to uncover additional black holes in the far reaches of the early universe. As astronomers peer into the cosmos, the farther they look, the more ancient light they detect. For instance, light from the Sun takes eight minutes to reach Earth.

“You can use these three objects as a template for what to search for in the future,” Payne remarked.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

I’m Exhausted from Living in Tornado Alley

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Residents of Shipan City are increasingly worried about the potential for severe weather, as the community is set to lose 14 staff members, leaving it vulnerable to such events.

Wolf, a retired meteorologist from Davenport, expressed his concerns. He mentioned that up to 12 staff members were typically involved in managing severe weather incidents simultaneously. The cutbacks have resulted in a significantly reduced workforce for critical situations, especially when other forecast offices are also dealing with their own weather emergencies.

“With only 14 staff members, needing 10 leaves you in a tough spot,” Wolf remarked. “If we face a major weather event in the coming weeks, I’m confident they will still perform admirably, as they have in the past.”

Brian Payne, emergency manager for Scott County, Iowa, stated he has been receiving consistent service and hasn’t observed any issues.

“We depend on them heavily,” Payne noted. “They seem exhausted.”

A former National Weather Service staff member, familiar with the situation in Davenport, indicated that the team’s professionalism and commitment are crucial in preventing more serious outcomes.

“They all strive to accomplish their tasks despite time constraints and unpredictable conditions,” said the former employee, who preferred to remain anonymous due to fears of repercussions. “I genuinely feel for the team; they carry a heavy burden.”

Sorensen noted that employees are apprehensive about retaliation and hesitant to express their concerns.

“These are my friends and colleagues. I studied alongside a meteorologist 25 years ago,” Sorensen said, referencing Friedline. “They worry that their comments could have political consequences, and that someone might respond like a bully from high school, unjustly targeting them.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Exploring Inequality: How Mathematical “Equality” Literature Can Transform the Real World

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Numbers enable us to focus in detail on one aspect of a situation, but we can overlook complexities

Mika Baumeister/Unsplash

inequality
Eugenia Chen (Profile book (UK, for sale) Basic Books (We, September 2nd)

Are things equal or aren’t they? At least mathematically, that’s a question worth considering. Eugenia Chen argues in her new book, Inequality: With mathematics and tactics when things are done. In maths, as in life, some aspects have more weight than others.

Consider this: the equation 180 = 180 reveals nothing, yet x + y + z = 180°, where x, y, and z are the angles of a triangle, conveys a deeper insight. This statement holds true only under specific circumstances—yes, but not on the surface of a sphere.

Chen aims to investigate how mathematics identifies things as “equal.” Her methodology blends playfulness with the gravity of abstract concepts, linking them to diverse topics such as knitting and creating Battenberg cakes. She isn’t shy about tackling significant political and rights-related questions surrounding equality.

When simplifying through numbers, Chen humorously remarks that their dullness helps clarify potentially overwhelming complexities into a manageable figure. Numbers can be potent tools, focusing on a specific element of a situation.

However, overlooking this simplification can lead to misunderstandings. For instance, assuming two individuals with identical IQ scores are equally intelligent is misleading. As Chen remarks, “It’s alright to disregard the details, but you must remember that you have.”

Fortunately, mathematics encompasses more than mere numbers. Chen delves into the concepts of “local” and “global,” engaging in extensive discussions. Essentially, she explores surfaces formed by stitching together smaller flat areas.

By promoting “diverse thinking,” she proposes a valuable lens through which to view reality. In mathematics, debating whether a sphere and a torus are “the same” is futile. They can be understood as locally distinct but globally different. Similarly, in political discourse, it’s crucial to recognize when one faction utilizes localized arguments (“individual women benefit from the right to choose regarding abortion”) while the opposing side employs global ones (“all abortions constitute murder,” etc.).

Chen ventures deeply into abstract discussions regarding identity within categorical theory, guiding the reader through theoretical territories. Some of the most remarkable creations in art, literature, and music are indeed complex, yet we appreciate them without fully grasping the intricacies of chiaroscuro, counterpoints, or other sophisticated elements. Chen devotes herself to exploring the formal definitions of categories. Like art, we all appreciate certain abstract notions, but discovering their depth is worthwhile.

“If you believe that mathematics is solely about equations, seeing them as rigid black-and-white facts, then you likely perceive mathematics as solely stringent and binary,” states Chen. This book serves as a compelling counterargument to that misapprehension. Delving into the nuances of “equality” in mathematics will enrich your understanding of this field’s complexity and illuminate how the idea of equality is applied (and misapplied).

Sarah Hart is Professor Emelita and Provost of Geometry at the University of Gresham, UK. She authored Once Upon Prime.

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Top New Sci-Fi Releases for June 2025: Exploring Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Alternate 1980s

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

June’s new science fiction features Megan E. O’Keefe’s Space Opera

Science Photo Library / Alamy Stock Photo

Are you a fan of dystopian worlds plagued by relentless viruses and advanced technology? If so, June has a lot in store for you. Expect narratives that range from infections inciting greed to nerve chips that eliminate sleep. Inga Simpson delivers a tale of environmental apocalypse in Thin, while EK Sathue offers a feminist body horror twist in a story reminiscent of American Psycho meets Material. Also on the menu is the intriguing new space opera by Megan E. O’Keefe titled Atmosphere.

Those crafty scientists are up to something again, developing a nerve chip designed to eliminate sleep. This chip soon becomes ubiquitous, leaving humanity in a state of sleep deprivation. Survivors in the Tower of London work tirelessly to find a cure… it’s a mix of eerie entertainment and genuine fright.

We’ve encountered plenty of apocalyptic viruses before. In this installment, a deadly virus leaves infected individuals “wild with desire.” Sophie, our protagonist, is a “good Catholic girl” who will stop at nothing to find her family. Originally published in the US, this novel hits the UK shelves this month.

Although not strictly science fiction, the upcoming book offers a unique perspective against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program. Taylor Jenkins Reid, known for Daisy Jones & Six and Malibu Rising, introduces us to Professor Joe Goodwin, who begins training astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston in 1980. Everything shifts with Mission STS-LR9 in December 1984…

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere is set during the 1980s space shuttle program

NG Images/Alamy

This standalone space opera features Faven Sythe on a quest to find her missing mentor. Sythe, a “Crystbon,” charts stellar routes across the galaxy. The only individual who stands a chance of aiding her is the enigmatic pirate Amandine, and together they uncover a conspiracy that spans the galaxy.

Finn lives in a secluded area with his mother, Dianera, always ready to escape. The environment beyond their sanctuary is deteriorating, and as extinction looms, Finn must join forces with an unlikely ally—an evolved human—on a mission to restore the balance of nature.

As a virus decimates half of China’s population and heads towards the UK, the government resorts to distributing “pills of dignity.” Meanwhile, Hart Ikeda discovers a method to mutate the virus, reprogramming it to foster compassion in its hosts. Will this be the salvation needed?

Pitched as American Psycho meets Material, this body horror narrative follows a young woman who starts working for the upscale skincare brand Hebe. As Sofia quickly learns, all is not as it seems; the Youth Juice moisturizer she tests could come with costs she never anticipated. How far is she willing to go to preserve her youth?

This compelling tale unfolds as scientists, facing humanity’s potential extinction, utilize technology intended for interstellar exploration to send someone 10,000 years into Earth’s future. Microbiologist Nicholas Hindman finds himself navigating an uncharted wilderness, searching for the remnants of humanity amidst a devastating pandemic in 2068.

Enca and Mathilde bond as art school friends, but when Mathilde’s rise to fame threatens their relationship, Enca becomes desperate to maintain their connection. Will the cutting-edge technology known as scaffolding—allowing Enca to live within Mathilde’s mind—forge a stronger bond, or will it complicate their lives?

Beginning in present-day India and moving into a near future, this story centers around a populist movement that rejuvenates the ancient Saraswati River. Though it’s labeled “not exactly science fiction,” it contains “strong speculative elements deeply rooted in contemporary politics.” Compared to the works of David Mitchell, Zadie Smith, and Eleanor Catton, it’s certainly worth exploring.

Set in a near-future London where technology intertwines with everything from physical health to political dynamics, journalist Pers Budmouth seeks to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of young black children. Instead, her assignment takes her to cover protests in Benin, where tourists participate in sacred rituals. When she partakes in the Spirit Vine—an ingredient often found in ayahuasca—she uncovers a destiny that could change everything. This story is a must-read for fans of NK Jemisin’s Supacell.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Is it possible to create a gravity-powered space-time computer?

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Illustration of a giant object distorting spacetime

koto_feja/getty images

SEI 254380947 — Illustration of a giant object distorting spacetime

koto_feja/getty images

Exploring the mathematical nature of space-time and physical reality could pave the way for innovative computer-like systems that utilize gravity for data processing.

Is space-time an immutable expanse, or is it subject to distortion that influences the signals traversing it? While Albert Einstein’s special theory of relativity suggests stability, his general theory signifies otherwise. In this context, massive objects can create indentations and curves in space-time, altering signal trajectories, akin to a ball impacting a taut surface.

Eleftherios-Ermis Tselentis from the Brussels Institute of Technology and Ämin Baumeler of the University of Lugano in Switzerland have devised a mathematical framework to ascertain the constancy of space-time in specific regions.

They investigated a situation in which three individuals send messages amongst themselves. They posed the question: Could Alice, Bob, and Charlie discern if space-time distortions affected their information exchange? Could Alice receive a message from Bob if the spatial-temporal region through which the signal travels is altered? This might allow her to invert the causal dynamics between Charlie and Bob, thus causing Bob to influence the space-time around her prior to obtaining a reply from Charlie.

Tselentis and Baumeler formulated equations to assist Alice, Bob, and Charlie in recognizing the feasibility of these scenarios. After multiple rounds of communication, they compiled data on received messages, which was subsequently integrated into their equations.

The outcomes indicate whether their exchange occurred in an environment where space-time manipulation was viable. This mathematical construct is general enough that the participants do not need awareness of their locations or non-standard messaging tools.

Baumeler noted that while the general theory of relativity has long been a cornerstone of our understanding of physical existence, a rigorous mathematical connection between space-time fluctuations and information flow had been absent. Grasping the dynamics of information flow is foundational for computer science.

In this regard, he believes their research could initiate a nascent exploration of using gravitational effects to manipulate and navigate space-time for computational purposes.

“If one can harness the enigmas of physics for computation, why not explore the general theory of relativity?” stated Pablo Arrighi from Paris Clay University. He pointed out that while other researchers posit extreme concepts such as placing computers in black holes, space-time distortions at black hole edges slow down time, allowing for potentially extensive calculations to yield results.

Nonetheless, the new theory uniquely sidesteps a focus on specialized devices or specific aspects of space-time, allowing for a broader range of applications, according to Arrighi. However, creating “gravity-based information” systems does not appear feasible at present.

Tselentis and Baumeler also acknowledged that substantial additional research is necessary before devising a functional device. Their current calculations depend on fantastical scenarios, such as moving an entire planet to interject between Charlie and Bob. Practical applications will necessitate a deeper comprehension of gravity’s effects at much smaller scales.

Gravity is notoriously weak when it comes to smaller objects, thus one doesn’t typically perceive the impact of space-time distortions with everyday items like a pencil on a desk. Yet, certain instruments, such as clocks using ultracold atoms, can detect these phenomena. Future advancements in such devices, alongside theoretical progress linking gravity and information, could enable more applicable outcomes from Tselentis and Baumeler’s mathematical research.

Their work posits that diverse frameworks, like information theory and special relativity, can shed light on how causal relationships are perceived. V. Virasini from the University of Grenoble Alpes in France notes that the new research touches on concepts such as event order reversal, prompting inquiries into fundamental notions like events (e.g., Alice pressing a button to dispatch a message).

She suggests that the next step involves fully integrating this approach, facilitating further exploration into the essence of space-time.

“Do astrophysical events, like black hole mergers that generate gravitational waves impacting Earth, carry a meaningful signature of the correlations examined in this study?” she inquires.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

We Might Have Found the First Star Made of Dark Matter

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Mysterious stars might be fueled by dark matter

Artsiom P/Shutterstock

SEI 254497072 — Mysterious stars might be fueled by dark matter

Artsiom P/Shutterstock

Astronomers have uncovered compelling evidence for the existence of Dark Stars—massive stars in the early universe that might be partly energized by dark matter. If confirmed, these hypothetical stars could shed light on the enigmatic large black holes observed in the early universe, although skepticism remains among some astronomers regarding these findings.

The concept of Dark Stars was proposed in 2007 by Katherine Freese and her colleagues at the University of Texas at Austin. They theorized that immense clouds of hydrogen and helium in the early universe could interact with dark matter, forming gigantic and stable stars. Absent dark matter, such vast gas clouds would collapse into black holes, but energy from decaying dark matter can counter this collapse, resulting in star-like entities even without the nuclear fusion typical of ordinary stars.

Until recently, evidence for these exotic objects from the early universe was scant, but in 2022, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) began discovering numerous bright, distant celestial objects. Freese and her team identified three galaxies that exhibited several characteristics predicted by Dark Star models, such as round shapes and similar luminosity, though detailed spectral data was absent to confirm their hypothesis definitively.

Now, with new spectral observations from JWST, Freese’s team believes they can match theoretical predictions of what Dark Stars should resemble, including two additional candidates. One of these potential candidates shows intriguing hints of specific helium characteristics—missing electrons—which, if validated, could serve as a distinct hallmark of a Dark Star. Freese remarks, “If it’s real, I don’t know how else to explain it using Dark Stars.” She cautions, however, that evidence is still limited.

Meanwhile, Daniel Whalen from the University of Portsmouth in the UK suggests that an alternative theory of ultra-massive protostars, which do not involve dark matter, might also explain the JWST findings. “They overlook considerable literature concerning the formation of ultra-massive protostars, some of which can produce signatures remarkably similar to the ones they present,” claims Whalen.

Freese, however, strongly disagrees, asserting that burning dark matter is the only feasible method for creating such massive stars. “There’s no alternative route,” she insists.

A complicating factor arises from separate observations of the objects studied by Freese’s team using the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, which indicated the presence of oxygen. This element is not associated with Dark Stars, suggesting these candidates might be hybrid stars. On the other hand, Whalen and his team interpret the presence of oxygen as a strong indicator that these objects cannot be Dark Stars, attributing their formation to conventional stars that exploded as supernovae.

Should Freese and her collaborators confirm that these objects are indeed Dark Stars, it could address significant challenges in understanding the universe. Current models posit that such black holes can only originate from extremely massive matter, which raises questions about their formation in the early universe.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

US Halts Support for COVID-19 Vaccines for Children—Are Other Vaccines Next?

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy JR

Tasos Katopodis/Getty

One of the leading vaccine specialists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos, resigned on June 4th, just a week after Robert F. Kennedy JR announced that the Covid-19 vaccine would no longer be advised for most children and pregnancies.

This declaration prompted several days of uncertainty regarding the availability of the Covid-19 vaccine in the U.S. Although there has not been a significant shift in access, parents may face new challenges when trying to vaccinate their children. Nonetheless, Kennedy’s statement reflects a concerning departure from established public health practices.

“My career in public health and vaccinology began with a deep-seated desire to assist the most vulnerable members of our population. This is not something I can continue in this role,” Reuters reported.

Panagiotakopoulos was part of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) since 1964. However, last week, Kennedy, as the highest authority in public health in the country, reversed decades of protocol. “As of today, we are unable to announce that the Covid vaccine for healthy children and pregnant women has been removed from the CDC’s recommended vaccination schedule,” he stated in a video shared on the social media platform X on May 27th.

Despite his directive, the CDC has only made minor modifications to its recommendations regarding the Covid-19 vaccine. Rather than a full endorsement for children, it is now recommended “Based on shared clinical decisions,” meaning parents should consult their doctors prior to making a decision. It remains uncertain how this will impact vaccine access in various situations, but it may complicate obtaining vaccinations for children at pharmacies.

The CDC’s guidance on vaccination during pregnancy is rather unclear as well. The relevant website still recommends Covid-19 shots during pregnancy, noting that “This page will be updated to reflect your new vaccination schedule.”

Kennedy’s declaration also stands in stark contrast to the positions of major public health organizations. Both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have expressed opposition to this stance.

“The CDC and HHS advise individuals to consult healthcare providers regarding personal medical choices,” a spokesperson for HHS told New Scientist. “Under Secretary Kennedy’s leadership, HHS is re-establishing the connection between doctors and patients.”

However, Linda Eckart of Washington University in Seattle argues that these conflicting messages create confusion for the public, stating, “It opens doors for misinformation and undermines overall confidence in vaccines. I cannot fathom that vaccination rates will not decline.”

Numerous studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of Covid-19 vaccinations during adolescence and pregnancy. In fact, Martin McCurry, head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, emphasized this in a risk assessment for severe Covid-19 published a week before Kennedy’s announcement, further complicating the government’s public health message.

Kennedy’s announcement aligns with similar community policies in several countries. For instance, Australia and the UK do not recommend the Covid-19 vaccine for children unless they are at high risk of severe illness. Likewise, they advise against Covid-19 vaccinations during pregnancy for those already vaccinated.

Asma Khalil, a member of the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization, stated that the UK’s choice is informed by a reduced risk from omicron variants, the cost-effectiveness of vaccinations, and high herd immunity. Nevertheless, these variables can differ from one country to another. Eckart notes that the UK population generally has better access to healthcare than that of the U.S. “These evaluations necessitate a meticulous consideration of risks and benefits for the national populace,” Khalil asserts. HHS did not respond to New Scientist regarding whether a similar assessment influenced Kennedy’s decision.

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of Kennedy’s announcement is its circumvention of the expected ACIP vote on proposed revisions to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, which was slated for later this month. “This method of decision-making—by individual professionals who carefully review conflicts of interest and scrutinize the data—has never occurred in our country,” Eckart emphasizes. “We are traversing uncharted territory,” and she fears that Kennedy’s actions could establish precedents for other vaccine recommendations. “I am aware there are numerous vaccines he has actively opposed,” she continues, recalling Kennedy’s previous denunciations of vaccines linked to autism and false claims regarding the polio vaccine.

“What this implies is that [Kennedy] is undermining established scientific guidelines,” stated Amesh Adalja from Johns Hopkins University.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Women Discover They Are More Attractive Than Men

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Women’s faces are often viewed as more attractive than men’s

Aleksandarnakic/Getty Images

Research indicates that women’s faces are generally deemed more attractive than those of men. This conclusion comes from an extensive study involving 12,000 participants globally, revealing that women tend to rate other women’s faces as more appealing than men do.

“When analyzing the gender of the raters, it becomes clear that women’s preferences for female faces are significantly stronger,” says Eugen Wassiliwizky from the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Germany.

Typically, in many species of mammals and birds, males develop traits to attract females, as noted by Ushiri Withkey. For instance, male mandrill baboons showcase vibrant red and blue facial colors.

“Females are usually the selective sex,” he explains. “This has resulted in men appearing even more attractive over time.”

Yet, as biologists like Charles Darwin have suggested, humans seem distinct in their preference for women as the “fairer sex.”

“There has been ongoing discourse since the 19th century regarding the reversal of sexual roles in humans, but surprisingly, this has not been empirically tested,” Wassiliwizky comments.

Using raw data from various studies on facial attraction, he seeks to substantiate this assumption. For instance, one study his team analyzed looked at the impact of emotions on perceived facial attractiveness.

Much of the analyzed data stems from studies intentionally recruiting heterosexual participants for facial evaluations, according to Washiri Withkey. While some ratings come from volunteers identified as LGBTQ+, their numbers are too limited for substantial conclusions.

Women’s preferences for facial attractiveness seem to cross cultural and national boundaries, with the research revealing “moderate to large scale” trends in nearly all global regions, excluding sub-Saharan Africa and ethnic groups identified as African.

As noted by Washiri Withkey, the perception of women’s faces as more attractive correlates with distinct physical characteristics between genders, yet familiarity with individuals can also influence how attractiveness is perceived by both sexes.

By assessing women’s ratings between feminine and masculine facial features, the research concluded that roughly two-thirds of women’s preferences are attributed to physical disparities, while the remaining third reflects an understanding of gender.

Why do women regard other women as more attractive? “Women might display solidarity with each other or better appreciate one another’s beauty,” speculates Washiri Withkey.

Conversely, regarding why women rate men less favorably than other men, he suggests it might stem from a reluctance to acknowledge male attractiveness, compounded by awareness that their assessments are scrutinized.

Alternatively, women may consider a man’s character based on his appearance. Wassiliwizky advocates for more focused future research, proposing questions such as, “Do you find yourself physically attracted to this individual?” and “How appealing is this face?”

“This paper thoroughly displays the gender variations in attraction across numerous images and cultures,” states Anthony Little from the University of Bath, UK. “Nevertheless, researchers have long highlighted that appeal transcends merely selecting peers.”

“Meta-analytic studies decisively affirm the existence of a ‘gender attractiveness gap’,” adds Karel Kleiner from Charles University in the Czech Republic.

Kleisner’s research uncovered that physical differences in facial features are least pronounced in certain African populations, potentially explaining the lack of significant effects observed there.

Moreover, local beauty standards can vary considerably from global norms, Kleisner notes. “A key limitation of this study is its insensitivity to the unique aesthetics of African beauty.”

In addition, studies focused on body attractiveness might yield different results. “Truthfully, we remain uncertain,” Washiri Withkey admits, highlighting the absence of comparative studies on full-body appeal.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Trump vs. Mask: 10 Ways They Could Harm Each Other | Donald Trump

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The rift between the richest individual globally and the leader of the largest economy carries significant repercussions for both parties.

Elon Musk, who heads various companies including Tesla, and Donald Trump, who has gained from Musk’s backing during his presidency, share a symbiotic relationship.

Here are ten potential ways in which Musk and Trump could damage each other’s interests if they fail to reach an agreement.

Actions Trump Could Take Against Musk

Terminate government contracts linked to Musk’s business

In reaction to Musk’s criticism of his tax and spending plan, Trump expressed on his social media platform that canceling a contract with a billionaire could reduce government expenditures.

“The quickest way to save billions is to cut Elon’s government subsidies and contracts. I am surprised Biden hasn’t done that!” Trump stated.

In 2024, the New York Times reported that Musk’s businesses, including the electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla and the aerospace company SpaceX, had engaged in nearly $3 billion in contracts over the past year. These contracts spanned nearly 100 different agreements with 17 federal agencies.

Investigate alleged drug use by Musk

The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported on allegations of widespread drug use by Musk, raising concerns over NASA’s requirements for contractors like SpaceX to maintain a drug-free environment. The Times indicated that Musk received significant warnings regarding this matter. SpaceX has not commented.

In response to the allegations from last month, Musk stated: In 2024 I mentioned that I occasionally used ketamine based on a doctor’s prescription.

Question Musk’s immigration status

Trump supporter and prominent “alt-right” figure Steve Bannon suggested to the Times that Musk’s immigration status warrants investigation.

“They need to formally investigate his immigration status because I genuinely believe he is an illegal alien and should be deported promptly,” Bannon declared regarding Musk, who was born in South Africa and is a US citizen.

Utilize presidential authority against Musk

Observing Trump’s election, many noted the myriad opportunities for a Musk-friendly administration to bolster the economic benefits for the world’s richest. However, what might have been a supportive environment can equally turn adversarial.

Richard Pierce, a law professor at George Washington University and an expert on government regulation, remarked at the time:

Exclusion from influential circles

Trump has the ability to ostracize Musk within the “Make America Great Again” movement. Republican Rep. Troy Nairs criticized the billionaire, stating, “You’ve been a nuisance.” He added, “It’s more than enough.”

While Musk can weather such opposition, his considerable wealth makes him a crucial source of funds for Republican campaigns.

Potential Actions Musk Could Use Against Trump

Leverage X for political influence

Musk can harness his X platform and its over 220 million followers to bolster Trump’s campaign efforts for 2024. This can also serve as a venue for promoting far-right ideologies that align with the MAGA agenda.

Theoretically, Musk could use his X account to criticize Trump with the same fervor that has previously energized his policies (Musk is a frequent user of his platform).

However, this approach hinges on Musk’s perceived impact among US voters. According to the Pew Research Center, five in ten American adults view Musk unfavorably, though it is noteworthy that seven out of ten Republican adults have a favorable opinion.

Establish a new political party

With a valuation exceeding $300 billion, Musk has the capability to redirect substantial resources away from the Republican Party and form a new political entity. He has expressed a willingness to invest $250 million into Trump’s 2024 campaign and is keen to engage deeply in political matters.

Recently, he posted a poll on x, querying, “Is it time to establish a new political party in America that truly reflects 80% of the populace?” Over 80% of the 4.8 million respondents answered “Yes.”

Engender geopolitical complexities in business dealings

The Starlink Satellite Broadband Platform, managed by Musk’s SpaceX, plays a vital role in the Ukraine conflict against Russian invasion, yet China remains a significant market for Tesla. Through his ventures, Musk maintains political connections globally, often seen with world leaders. However, any damage to Trump’s international stature and profits must be weighed against potential repercussions for Musk’s business interests.

Pose challenges for NASA

NASA maintains a strategic partnership with Musk’s SpaceX, utilizing its Dragon spacecraft for astronaut transport to the International Space Station. Musk has hinted at plans to phase out the Dragon program entirely. Nevertheless, SpaceX is integral to NASA’s operations for the ISS.

Influence within Trump’s circle

Musk has been a consistent presence in Trump’s inner circle, as illustrated by the content on his X account, where he can deliver pointed critiques that might have far-reaching effects. However, individuals within Trump’s inner circle could also have access to Musk, with personal matters making headlines in the media.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Japan’s Sturdy Lunar Lander Successfully Touches Down on the Moon

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The surface of the moon as captured from orbit prior to the crash

ISPACE SMBC X Hakuto-R Venture Moon

On June 5th at 7:13 PM, a Japanese space endeavor aiming to be the third private lunar landing failed as ISPACE’s Resilience lander succumbed on the moon’s surface.

The lander began its descent from around 20 km above the moon, but ISPACE’s mission control quickly lost communication after the probe activated its main engine for final descent, receiving no further signals.

The company announced that the laser tool used to gauge the distance to the surface seemed to malfunction, leading to inadequate slowing of the lander and likely resulting in a collision.

“Given the absence of a successful lunar landing at this time, our top priority is to analyze the telemetry data collected so far and diligently investigate the cause,” stated ISPACE CEO Mr. Takeshi.

Had it succeeded, Resilience would have marked the second private moon landing of the year and the third overall, making it the first non-U.S. company to land on the moon after ISPACE’s prior attempt, the Hakuto-R mission, failed in 2023.

The Resilience Lander embarked on its lunar journey aboard a SpaceX rocket on January 15th, alongside Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander. While the Blue Ghost successfully landed on March 2, Resilience took a more circuitous route, moving into deeper space before returning on May 6 to enter lunar orbit. This complex trajectory was essential for targeting the challenging northern plain called Male Frigolis, which had not been surveyed by previous lunar missions.

Equipped with six experiments, the lander included a device for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, a module for algae-based food production, and a radiation monitor for deep space. Additionally, it housed a five-kilogram rover named Tenesial, designed to explore and capture images of the moon during the two weeks that Resilience was set to operate.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Janet Anderson: 10 Entertaining Finds I’ve Discovered Online | Culture

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Reducing all the fascinating things I’ve discovered on the internet to just ten is akin to condensing the Library of Alexandria into a single post-it note. I want you, dear reader, to understand that these ten selections don’t fully encompass my sense of humor; instead, they illustrate my broader journey of exploring amusing absurdities.

Back in 2000, my childhood relationship with the Internet was like that of a cherished heifer calf. It in many ways shaped the person I’ve become. The moment I felt the urge to connect with fellow misfits and the queer community, I found myself diving deep into subreddits, spending hours roaming pages, driven by curiosity until my eyes were strained.

On YouTube, I discovered my own existence. A video by Gigi Gorgeous educated me about hormones and facial feminization surgery in ways I never had known before. She deserves a purple heart for her invaluable contributions to Diva Nation. Not only did she clarify my understanding of femininity, but she also inspired my comedic creativity. Here are ten things designed to make you chuckle, stemming from the delightful chaos in my feed to you.

1. Cole Escola’s Mom Commercial

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/w8KjZ7wKYUc?wmode=opaque&feature=oembed" title="Mom Commercial" height="480" width="854" allowfullscreen="

The world is finally catching up to the brilliance of Cole Escola, who has been nominated for five Tony Awards! I knew he’d be a genius from the days he was making quirky YouTube videos during Tumblr’s heyday. This particular gem popped up in my pastel-themed feed and perfectly scratched my comedic itch. Nothing tickles me more than absurd humor linked with serious themes. It’s very John Waters, with cheap wigs and shaky cameras!

2. Dina and Doreen

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/WWQ9NMenbRQ?start=187&wmode=opaque&feature=oembed&start=187" title="Dina & Doreen" height="480" width="854" allowfullscreen="

Once more, we delve into the delightful absurdity where drugs meet art, and art becomes humor.

3. Jiminy Glick Interviews

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Oh, Martin Short, you have my heart! Regardless of my mood, Jiminy Glick’s interviews guarantee a good laugh. Why does he find power in screaming about donuts? Who really cares?

4. My Love for Goats

Firstly, rapper and reality star Sukihana (aka Suki the Goat) has an unforgettable one-liner. But this video isn’t hers, yet it’s still my favorite of hers. I adore the moment each girl realizes they were the ones twerking, understanding the hilarity of flaunting their assets for random passersby on their phones. Then the camera shifts, revealing they’re in the middle of the street. Kari girl, keep being you!

5. “Please Give Me My Food”

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/-Ng2Fs591dw?wmode=opaque&feature=oembed" title="Hello give me my dishes ring doorbell (ORIGINAL FULL VIDEO) #shorts" height="480" width="640" allowfullscreen="

This clip loops endlessly in my mind!

6. Disco Drama

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/E2RW–IqJVw?start=5&wmode=opaque&feature=oembed&start=5" title="Disco Drama | The Real Housewives of Orange County" height="480" width="854" allowfullscreen="

To me, the sound of wealthy white women fighting is like waves crashing on the shore. The inconsistency in their arguments brings me joy, and the ladies of Orange County truly reign supreme. I could’ve chosen from dozens of altercations, but this one meets all my criteria: tears, shouts, ridiculous outfits, and irrelevant characters that vanish forever. It hits me right in the feels!

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7. Schatar Sapphira’s Best Moments

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/R7T1PKsBMdk?start=151&wmode=opaque&feature=oembed&start=151" title="Schatar Sapphira ‘Hottie’ Best Moments" height="480" width="854" allowfullscreen="

I must say, I adore the fabulous Deluhl Diva! We all recall Tiffany Pollard from season one of Flavor Flav’s dating show, but in my view, the real star of the season was the underrated hottie (Schatar Sapphira). What would reality TV be without its fabricators?

8. The Katering Show

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/J55vgxNaaBY?wmode=opaque&list=PLZFXeozdia12APH8n9xsVNhd5qallmrz2" title="The Katering Show – MEXICANA FESTIANA" height="480" width="854" allowfullscreen="

I remember watching this during my high school English class (sorry, Chen-san!), unable to contain my laughter. I’m thrilled that both Cates continue to embark on such creative journeys; this was just the beginning.

9. Pennywise Makeup Tutorial

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/JKj57JzZD2g?start=215&wmode=opaque&feature=oembed&start=215" title="Pennywise Tutorial after Special Treats" height="480" width="640" allowfullscreen="

Watch a girl enjoy her food while tackling Halloween makeup tutorials. Sometimes, less is indeed more. A special shoutout to her nun tutorial as well!

10. Trixie and Katya’s Fashion Photo Review

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/xUtKgqq4epM?wmode=opaque&feature=oembed" title="Trixie & Katya’s Fashion Photo RuView, RuView of Raja & Raven" height="480" width="854" allowfullscreen="

This is the video that started it all! Before these two drag racing legends built an empire with UNHHHH and the Trixie & Katya Show (which you shouldn’t overlook), they rose from humble beginnings to become global sensations. These two queens have remained a constant source of joy in my adulthood.

Janet Anderson will perform Sistren at the Old Fitz Theater from June 26th to July 12th, while Orlando will be at Belvoir from August 30th to September 21st.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Australians Could Soon Download iPhone Apps from External App Stores Under New Federal Government Proposals

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Soon, Australians will have the opportunity to download apps from sources outside the Apple App Store and circumvent additional fees on iPhone purchases, thanks to a proposal from the federal government. However, tech companies have expressed concerns that competition regulations similar to those in the EU might jeopardize security and adversely affect competition.

Currently, Australian users can’t subscribe to services like Netflix or Spotify through the iOS app. Additionally, Google imposes a premium for YouTube subscriptions via the App Store, while Amazon does not permit Kindle users to buy e-books through the app.

The reason for this is that Apple imposes a fee of up to 30% on in-app purchases, significantly impacting high-grossing apps. Due to Apple’s policies, companies are restricted from guiding customers on alternative purchase methods.

In released papers last November, the government proposed to “designate” digital platforms like the Apple App Store.

This would compel these platforms to meet obligations aimed at mitigating what the government perceives as anti-competitive practices.

The document underscores Apple’s preferred in-app payment structure as an example of behaviors that regulatory entities could target. This would facilitate users downloading apps from outside the official app store, a process known as sideloading.

In response to the proposal, Apple cautioned that the government should refrain from adopting the EU digital market as a “blueprint” for its strategy.

Apple stated, “DMA demands adjustments to Apple’s ecosystem, which may elevate privacy and security threats to users, create opportunities for malware, fraud, and expose users to illegal or harmful content.”

The company asserted that the 30% fee applies only to the highest-grossing apps, emphasizing that about 90% of transactions on iOS apps do not incur Apple’s cut. Many developers reported being charged a lower fee of 15%.

Apple has also expressed concerns about sideloading apps, highlighting security issues that could arise if users install apps without any vetting process. The EU indicated that such apps could include explicit content or tools for copyright violations.

This process would enable users to download apps on MacBooks and other conventional computing devices. Conversely, the Android platform accommodates sideloading apps and third-party transactions outside the Google Play Store.

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Apple has also indicated that the DMA is responsible for delaying the rollout of its AI features.

Foad Fadaghi, managing director and principal analyst at Telsyte, mentioned that while opening the Apple platform could benefit some users, the majority are unlikely to alter their usage of the iPhone.

“Users may have concerns about enhancing security and privacy with Apple devices. In many cases, we select lockdown mode as the default,” he noted.

Australia isn’t isolated in this regard; Apple faces restrictions and legal challenges surrounding its App Store controls in Asia, Europe, and the US. The company adheres to local regulations but resists pressure to maintain uniform App Store practices globally. Apple previously modified its hardware worldwide to comply with EU regulations mandating a USB-C connector.

The government has yet to announce the next steps in this process, and the Ministry of Finance has not yet released submissions to the paper.

The federal court ruling regarding Epic Games’ lawsuit against Google concerning App Store practices is still pending nearly a year after the hearing concluded.

Source: www.theguardian.com

A Mysterious Signal Emerges from a Dying Galaxy: Here’s What We’ve Uncovered…

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) represent one of the greatest mysteries of the universe in our time. Initially identified in 2007, these transient radio wave phenomena have perplexed astronomers ever since.

Although we have detected thousands of them, the precise causes, origins, and unpredictable behaviors of FRBs remain elusive.

Just when scientists thought they were starting to unravel the mysteries, two new studies published in January 2025 added twists to the ongoing FRB enigma, challenging earlier theories.

“The FRB is one of those cosmic mysteries that deserves to be solved,” states Dr. Tarraneh Eftekhari, a radio astronomer at Northwestern University, in reference to the first new paper published in Astrophysics Letter.

Though the solution may be a long way off, the universe continues to guard its secrets.

What Makes the FRB Mysterious?

While it may not be entirely accurate to say that FRBs were discovered purely by chance, their initial detection happened within data collected for an entirely different purpose.

Pulsars, or “pulsating radio sources,” are far better understood cosmic phenomena, having been discovered in 1967 by Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell, arising from neutron stars. These are incredibly dense remnants of giant stars boasting magnetic fields far stronger than Earth’s.

These rapidly spinning stellar remnants emit regular pulses of radio waves akin to cosmic beacons.

The consistency of these pulses and their emissions at specific frequencies initially led to the hypothesis that they could be of natural origin, which earned the first pulsar the nickname “Little Green Man 1.”

While pulsars quickly found their rightful place in astrophysics, FRBs tell a different story.

Jump forward to 2007 when they emerged unexpectedly from data gathered by the Parkes Multibeam Pulsar Survey, an international collaboration involving Jodrell Bank Observatory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bologna Astronomical Observatory, and Australia’s National Facilities.

The emission from this event was so powerful that it overshadowed all other known sources at the time by a substantial margin.

“In terms of energy output, a 1-millisecond-long FRB can emit as much energy as the Sun produces over three days,” says Dr. Fabian Djankowski, an astrophysicist at the French National Centre for Science and Technology specializing in FRBs.

However, for over five years after the initial detection, no similar events were recorded. Skepticism faded as more FRBs began to emerge.

Thousands have been detected since then, and astronomers estimate that two or three FRBs may blaze across the sky every minute.

These enigmatic signals release immense energy from deep space, illuminating the sky with their mysterious nature. And the strangeness does not end there.

Initially, FRBs were believed to be one-off occurrences, cosmic anomalies. This assumption seemed valid, as follow-up observations failed to reveal any repeating sources.

That changed in 2016 when FRB 121102 was found to emit repeated bursts. Currently, between 3% and 10% of FRBs are classified as “repeaters.”

Why do some FRBs remain silent after a single burst, while others emit multiple bursts? This is yet another mystery awaiting resolution.

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What Causes FRBs?

Numerous hypotheses have been proposed regarding the cause of FRBs, ranging from chaotic black hole collisions to extraterrestrial signals. Many explanations have emerged, including the unlikely scenario of a microwave being accidentally detected. However, one candidate seems to rise above the rest.

“When massive stars collapse and go supernova, they leave behind highly magnetized neutron stars, or ‘magnetars,'” notes Eftekhari. “The reason magnetars are a compelling candidate for FRBs is that we have observed similar events emanating from known magnetars within our Milky Way.”

Neutron stars already possess strong magnetic fields, but magnetars are in a category of their own, with magnetic fields thousands of times stronger than those of typical neutron stars.

Furthermore, a higher frequency of FRBs has been detected in galaxies with rapid star formation. As Eftekhari explains, “To produce a supernova that results in a magnetar, a massive star is required, and these giant stars are found in star-forming galaxies.”

So, is the case settled? Not quite.

The Canadian CHIME radio telescope detected FRB 20240209A, potentially originating from a globular cluster. – Photo Credit: CHIME Experiment

This is where the two new studies published in January 2025 come into play, both examining the recurring FRB known as 20240209A.

“The first exciting aspect of this FRB is that it originates outside our galaxy,” says Vishwangi Shah, a doctoral student at McGill University, referencing the second study.

“There is only one other FRB detected outside our galaxy. In terms of its repeaters, I believe it originates from a globular cluster.”

Both Eftekhari and Shah suggest that 20240209A is also associated with globular clusters (dense groups of ancient stars existing on the outskirts of galaxies).

“This is remarkable,” Eftekhari comments. “The notion of magnetar progenitors poses a challenge since they typically require a group of young stars to form magnetars.”

So what does this mean for FRBs? One possibility is that magnetars are still the culprits, but they may be generated through entirely different mechanisms.

For instance, within these stellar graveyards, two normal neutron stars might combine to form magnetars. Alternatively, a white dwarf—a stellar remnant too small to evolve into a neutron star—could gather material from a nearby companion, culminating in a massive explosion that results in a magnetar.

Ultimately, the exact origin of these outlier events remains unknown. “It’s thrilling to contemplate that we might be dealing with a subpopulation of FRBs,” Eftekhari remarks. “This case isn’t as clear as it appears.”

Can We Determine the Origins of FRBs?

Despite nearly two decades of research, many questions regarding FRBs linger. Which objects are responsible? What processes drive these phenomena? And why do some FRBs repeat while others do not?

Thanks to advances in FRB detection technology, answers may be nearer than anticipated.

Recent findings related to 20240209A utilized Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME), a novel radio telescope capable of detecting two to three FRBs daily.

CHIME is currently undergoing enhancements aimed at pinpointing bursts with unprecedented precision.

This advancement in FRB detection represents great progress in unraveling their mysteries. While many FRBs have been observed, accurately identifying their environments has left several key questions regarding their origins unanswered.

Jankowski believes that in the near future, many cases like 20240209A could be unlocked, revealing their underlying mechanisms. “I anticipate significant progress in the coming years,” he adds.

The Square Kilometer Array (SKA), a massive observatory spanning Australia and South Africa, aims to join the search for FRBs shortly.

Eftekhari and Shah have also proposed utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope to explore the region where 20240209A was detected.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time for FRB research,” highlights Jankowski. “We are poised to make remarkable discoveries in the next few years.”

Meet Our Experts

Dr. Tarraneh Eftekhari is a radio astronomer at Northwestern University, USA, with contributions to various scientific journals including Astrophysics Letter, Nature Astronomy, and Astrophysical Journal.

Dr. Fabian Djankowski is an astrophysicist at the French National Centre for Science and Technology who specializes in FRBs. His work has appeared in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Astrophysics Letter, and Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Vishwangi Shah is a doctoral student at McGill University in the USA and a researcher focusing on radio astronomy and FRBs. She has been published in Astrophysics Letter and Astronomy Journal.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Study: Bean Consumption Enhances Metabolic and Inflammatory Indicators in Prediabetic Adults

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A 12-week study involving 72 pre-diabetic adults revealed that the consumption of either chickpeas or black beans positively influences inflammation markers in diabetic patients. Additionally, chickpea intake helps in cholesterol regulation.

Incorporating one bean daily can yield significant benefits for both heart and metabolic health. Image credit: PDPICS.

“Pre-diabetic individuals often exhibit poor lipid metabolism and persistent low-grade inflammation, both of which can lead to diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.”

“Our findings indicated that levels of tofu remained constant, yet they may aid in lowering cholesterol within pre-tofu individuals while also diminishing inflammation.”

While black beans and chickpeas are widely consumed, they are frequently neglected in extensive studies examining their effects on cholesterol and inflammation in those at risk for heart disease and diabetes.

This research forms part of a broader project investigating how the intake of black beans and chickpeas influences inflammation and insulin response mediated by intestinal microbiome activity.

“Our study highlights the advantages of bean consumption for pre-diabetic adults, but these legumes are excellent choices for everyone,” stated Smith.

“These insights can help shape dietary recommendations, clinical practices, and public health initiatives aimed at preventing heart disease and diabetes.”

To enhance the practical relevance of the research, the study was conducted with participants in their natural living environments.

Participants were randomly assigned to consume either 1 cup of black beans, chickpeas, or rice (the control group) over the span of 12 weeks.

Blood samples were collected at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks to monitor cholesterol levels, inflammation, blood glucose, and glucose tolerance tests were administered at both the beginning and conclusion of the study.

The group consuming chickpeas saw a significant drop in total cholesterol, from an average of 200.4 milligrams per deciliter at the start to 185.8 milligrams per deciliter after 12 weeks.

In the black bean group, the average level of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6, which is a marker for inflammation, decreased from 2.57 picograms per milliliter at baseline to 1.88 picograms per milliliter after 12 weeks.

No noteworthy changes were noted in markers of glucose metabolism.

“Switching to healthier alternatives, like canned, dried, or frozen beans, is an excellent starting point for those looking to increase their bean intake,” explained the scientist.

“However, it’s crucial to watch for extra ingredients like salt and sugar based on your selections.”

“There are numerous ways to include beans in your regular diet as a budget-friendly method to enhance your overall health and lower the risk of chronic ailments,” Smith added.

“You can blend them to thicken soups, use them as salad toppings, or combine them with other grains like rice or quinoa.”

The findings were reported in a presentation on June 3rd during the Nutrition 2025 annual meeting held by the American Nutrition Association.

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Morgan M. Smith et al. Effects of chronic intake of black beans and chickpeas on metabolism and inflammatory markers in prediabetic adults. Nutrition 2025 Summary #or18-01-25

Source: www.sci.news

Fossils of 160-Million-Year-Old Blue-Stained Bacteria Discovered in China

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Fossilized blue-staining bacteria that inhabit coniferous wood, drawing the interest of insects. Xenoxylon Phyllocladoides from the Jurassic Tier Ojisian Formation in China extends the early fossil history of blue-stained bacteria by around 80 million years, reconstructing the evolutionary timeline of this fungal group and offering fresh perspectives on the evolution of ecological relationships with wood-boring insects.

Blue staining bacteria in wood tissue of Xenoxylon Phyllocladoides from the Jurassic in West Liaoning Province, China. Image credit: Tian et al., doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwaf160.

Blue staining bacteria form a distinctive group of wood-inhabiting fungi that do not have the capacity to degrade lignocellulose but can cause significant discoloration, particularly in conifers.

Generally, these fungi are not fatal to their hosts, though they can hasten tree mortality when linked with wood-boring insects.

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies suggest that blue-stained bacteria may represent an ancient group of fungi that existed during the late Paleozoic or early Mesozoic eras.

However, the geological aspects of blue-staining bacteria remain largely unexplored.

“Until 2022, the earliest confirmed fossil evidence of blue-staining bacteria was identified from the Cretaceous period in South Africa, around 80 million years ago,” stated Dr. Ning Tian, a paleontologist at Shenyang Normal University.

Dr. Tian and colleagues uncovered well-preserved fossilized hyphae from a 160-million-year-old petrified forest of Xenoxylon Phyllocladoides from the Tier Ojisian Formation in Northeast China.

“Microscopy revealed darkly pigmented fossil hyphae, resembling the characteristics of modern blue-staining bacteria responsible for forest discoloration,” they noted.

“Notably, when penetrating woody cell walls, hyphae usually form a specialized structure known as permeation pegs.”

“As they invade the wood cell walls, the mycelium tends to be finer and can more easily navigate this robust barrier.”

“The discovery of these penetrating pegs allowed us to confirm that the fossilized bacteria we encountered belong to the blue-stained fungal group.”

“Unlike wood-decomposing fungi that break down wood cell walls through enzyme secretion, blue-staining bacteria lack the enzymatic ability for wood degradation.”

“Instead, their mycelium breaches the wood cell wall mechanically using these penetrating pegs.”

“This discovery of Jurassic blue-staining bacteria from China marks the second report of such fungi and adds to the early fossil record of this group worldwide, as recognized by Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology.”

“It also sheds light on the ecological interactions between blue-staining bacteria, plants, and insects during the Jurassic period.”

The bark beetle subfamily Scolytinae is considered a major spore disperser for present-day blue stain fungi.

However, molecular and fossil data indicate that Scolytinae likely originated before the early Cretaceous period.

Given the current Jurassic age of the fossil fungi, it is proposed that the spore dispersing agent was not Scolytinae but another wood-boring insect prevalent during that time.

The findings are detailed in a paper published in the June 2025 issue of the journal National Science Review.

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Ning Tian et al. 2025. Jurassic blue staining bacteria provide new insights into early evolution and ecological interactions. National Science Review 12 (6): NWAF160; doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwaf160

Source: www.sci.news

Physicists Investigate Light’s Interaction with Quantum Vacuums

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers have successfully conducted the first real-time 3D simulation demonstrating how a powerful laser beam alters the quantum vacuum. Remarkably, these simulations reflect the unusual phenomena anticipated by quantum physics, known as vacuum four-wave mixing. This principle suggests that the combined electromagnetic fields of three laser pulses can polarize a virtual electron-positron pair within a vacuum, resulting in photons bouncing toward one another as if they were billiard balls.

Illustration of photon photon scattering in a laboratory: Two green petawatt laser beams collide in focus with a third red beam to polarize the quantum vacuum. This allows the generation of a fourth blue laser beam in a unique direction and color, conserving momentum and energy. Image credit: Zixin (Lily) Zhang.

“This is not merely a matter of academic interest. It represents a significant advance toward experimental validation of quantum effects, which have largely remained theoretical,” remarks Professor Peter Norries from Oxford University.

The simulation was executed using an enhanced version of Osiris, a simulation software that models interactions between laser beams and various materials or plasmas.

“We are doctoral students at Oxford University,” shared Zixin (Lily) Zhang.

“By applying the model to a three-beam scattering experiment, we were able to capture a comprehensive spectrum of quantum signatures, along with detailed insights into the interaction region and the principal time scale.”

“We’ve rigorously benchmarked the simulation, enabling our focus to shift to more intricate, exploratory scenarios, like exotic laser beam structures and dynamic focus pulses.”

Crucially, these models furnish the specifics that experimentalists depend on to design accurate real-world tests, encompassing realistic laser configurations and pulse timing.

The simulations also uncover new insights into how these interactions develop in real-time and how subtle asymmetries in beam geometry can influence the outcomes.

According to the team, this tool not only aids in planning future high-energy laser experiments but also assists in the search for evidence of virtual particles, such as axes and millicharged particles, or potential dark matter candidates.

“The broader planned experiments at state-of-the-art laser facilities will greatly benefit from the new computational methods implemented in Osiris,” noted Professor Lewis Silva, a physicist at the Technico Institute in Lisbon and Oxford.

“The integration of ultra-intense lasers, advanced detection techniques, cutting-edge analysis, and numerical modeling lays the groundwork for a new era of laser-material interactions, opening new avenues for fundamental physics.”

The team’s paper was published today in the journal Communication Physics.

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Z. Chan et al. 2025. Computational modeling of semi-real-world quantum vacuums in 3D. Commun Phys 8, 224; doi:10.1038/s42005-025-02128-8

Source: www.sci.news

Texas Woman Dies from Brain-Eating Amoeba After Using Tap Water for Sinus Rinse

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that a Texas woman died from an infection linked to an amoeba after using tap water for sinus irrigation, which ultimately led to brain damage Case report.

The 71-year-old woman, who was otherwise healthy, experienced severe neurological symptoms, including fever, headache, and altered mental status, four days after using tap water from the RV’s water system to fill her nasal irrigation device at a Texas campground.

She received treatment for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, an infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, often referred to as the “brain-eating amoeba.” Despite medical intervention, she suffered a seizure and succumbed to the infection eight days post-symptom onset, according to the CDC.

Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the amoeba in the woman’s cerebrospinal fluid.

The CDC noted that while infections commonly occur after recreational water use, using undistilled water for sinus irrigation is also a significant risk factor for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.

A survey conducted by the agency revealed that although the woman had not been recently exposed to freshwater, she had used non-boiled water from the RV’s drinking water tap for nasal irrigation multiple times prior to her illness.

According to the survey findings, the RV’s drinking water tanks were filled and potentially contained contaminated water before the RV was purchased three months earlier. The investigation concluded that contamination could have originated from local government water systems linked to the drinking water systems and bypassing the tanks.

The agency underscores the importance of using distilled, sterilized, or previously boiled and cooled tap water for nasal irrigation to lower the risk of infection or illness.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Retinal Implants Regain Vision in Blind Mice

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Retinal damage can result in blindness

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Retinal implants have shown potential in restoring vision in blind mice, indicating that they may eventually help those with conditions like age-related macular degeneration, where photoreceptor cells in the retina deteriorate over time.

Shuiyuan Wang from Fudan University in China and his team developed a retinal prosthesis composed of metal nanoparticles that replicate the function of lost retinal cells, converting light into electrical signals to be sent to the brain.

In their experiments, the researchers administered nanoparticles into the retinas of mice that had been genetically modified to be nearly completely blind.

They restricted water access for three days to both the modified blind mice and those with normal vision. Subsequently, they trained all mice to activate a 6cm wide button on a screen to receive water.

Following training, each mouse underwent 40 testing rounds. The fully sighted mouse pressed the button successfully 78% of the time. Mice with implants achieved a 68% success rate, while untreated blind mice only managed 27%. “That presents a very noticeable effect,” stated Patrick DeGenard, who wasn’t involved in the research but is affiliated with Newcastle University in the UK.

After 60 days, researchers observed minimal signs of toxicity from the implants in the mice. However, Degenaar emphasized the need for long-term safety data, stating, “For clinical application, extensive animal testing lasting approximately five years will be necessary.”

“Patients with age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa could benefit from this prosthetic,” noted Leslie Askew from the University of Surrey, UK, who was not part of the study.

Degenaar also remarked that justifying this solution for age-related macular degeneration patients is complex, as they possess a degree of vision that may not warrant the risks associated with implanting prosthetics.

Furthermore, he noted that mice generally have inferior vision compared to humans, raising uncertainty about how beneficial the findings will be for people until comprehensive clinical trials are conducted.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Taurine Might Not Play a Significant Role in Aging After All

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Taurine supplements are seen as potentially effective in slowing aging, but this may not hold true

Shutterstock / Eugeniusz Dudzinski

While it was previously thought that taurine, an amino acid, diminishes with age, research in animals suggested that taurine supplements might help slow down the aging process. New studies, however, indicate this decline is not consistent. In fact, taurine levels often increase with age, indicating that low nutrient levels might not be the primary factor driving aging.

Earlier research indicated that taurine levels decrease in aging men, with those exhibiting higher taurine levels at age 60 experiencing better health outcomes. This correlation suggests low taurine levels might contribute to aging, supported by evidence that taurine supplements can extend the lifespans of mice and monkeys.

The challenge lies in the fact that taurine levels can fluctuate due to various factors, including illness, stress, and dietary habits. Thus, a reduction in this vital amino acid may not be directly linked to the aging process. Maria Emilia Fernandez and her team from The National Institute of Aging in Maryland assessed taurine levels in 742 individuals aged 26 to 100. The cohort consisted of roughly equal numbers of men and women, with no major health issues and multiple blood samples taken between January 2006 and October 2018.

On average, women aged 100 had taurine levels that were nearly 27% higher than those aged 26, while men aged 30 to 97 exhibited an approximate 6% increase. Similar trends were noted among 32 monkeys sampled at ages ranging from 7 to 32 years, where female monkeys saw taurine levels rise by an average of 72% and male monkeys by 27% between ages 5 and 30.

These results underscore that taurine levels may not be a reliable indicator of aging. Importantly, taurine concentrations vary widely among individuals and can change over time due to external factors, according to Fernandez.

Nevertheless, some individuals may still find taurine supplementation beneficial. Fernandez highlights research indicating its potential to help regulate blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes or those who are obese. However, the question of whether taurine can slow aging in otherwise healthy individuals remains unanswered.

Vijay Yadav from Rutgers University and his colleagues are currently leading clinical trials on taurine supplementation in middle-aged adults. “We aim to conclude the trial by the end of 2025,” he states. “Our goal is to produce robust data to determine if taurine supplementation can decelerate human aging or enhance health and fitness.”

The article was revised on June 5th, 2025

Vijay Yadav’s affiliation has been corrected

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Worms Unite to Create Tentacles and Explore New Areas

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jlpeimmgyw

What should a tiny millimeter worm do when food is scarce? The solution lies in teaming up with countless companions to form tentacle-like structures that can bridge gaps to nearby objects or capture larger prey to aid in their journey.

Researchers examining nematode worms in laboratory settings have long observed their ability to construct “towers,” yet these phenomena lacked thorough exploration, states Serenadine from the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior in Germany. Therefore, she and her team aimed to investigate this further.

The research focused on the Caenorhabditis elegans worm species. In their experiments, when food was inadequate, and given a structure to assemble, a significant number of worms tended to create towers. For these studies, they utilized toothbrush bristles as a base.

While worms occasionally formed towers without any physical support, these structures were typically under 5 mm tall and only lasted about a minute. In contrast, when built upon the bristles, the towers reached heights of 11 mm and could endure for up to half a day.

In other nematode species, reports indicate towers can grow as tall as 50 mm. “They can expand significantly,” notes Din.

Although the base of the tower remains steady, the upper portion can extend well beyond the support and exhibit movement similar to tentacles. This allows the towers to reach out to nearby surfaces, forming bridges that enable the worms to traverse much wider gaps than individual organisms could manage.

“Tower” of nematode worms on rotten apples

Perez et al. Current Biology (2025)

The towers are capable of gripping objects that come into contact with them, such as fruit fly legs, effectively hitching a ride for the worms. This allows them to travel further without exerting their own energy.

While it’s known that individual nematodes can latch onto insects for transportation, the idea that an entire tower could do the same was previously unverified. “That’s a feature we expect to observe,” says Ding.

Utilizing a digital microscope, the researchers documented the tower’s formation on a decaying apple in an orchard adjacent to their laboratory.

Worm towers are exclusively formed by a single species, despite the presence of various species around them. They can consist of worms at any stage of their life cycle, even if the team discovers them during the process. Previously, it was believed that only “Dawer” worms, which are in their hard larval stage during stressful conditions, could create these towers.

There are other similarly crude forms of aggregation. For instance, slime molds, which are single-celled organisms like amoebas, can group together to form larger masses that move in search of nourishment.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

We learned how our brains distinguish between imagination and reality.

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Overlap of Brain Regions in Imagination and Reality Perception

Naeblys/Alamy

How can we differentiate between what we perceive as real and what we imagine? Recent findings have uncovered brain pathways that may assist in this distinction, potentially enhancing treatments for hallucinations associated with conditions like Parkinson’s disease.

It’s already established that the brain regions activated during imagination closely resemble those engaged when perceiving real visual stimuli; however, the mechanism distinguishing them remains elusive. “What allows our brains to discern between these signals of imagination and reality?” asks Nadine Dijkstra from University College London.

To explore this, Dijkstra and her team observed 26 participants engaged in visual tasks while their brain activity was monitored via MRI scans. The tasks included displaying static grey blocks on the screen for 2 seconds, repeated over 100 times. Participants were prompted to imagine diagonal lines within each block, with half of the blocks containing actual diagonal lines.

Subsequently, participants rated the vividness of the lines they perceived on a scale of 1-4 and indicated whether the lines were real or imagined.

Through the analysis of brain activity, researchers found that when participants viewed the lines more vividly, the fusiform gyrus, a specific brain area, was more active, irrespective of the line’s actual presence.

“Prior research indicated that this area is engaged in both perception and imagination, but this study reveals its role in tracking the vividness of visual experiences,” notes Dijkstra.

Crucially, a spike in activity in the fusiform gyrus above a certain threshold led to increased activity in an associated area known as the previous island, causing participants to perceive the lines as real. “This additional area connects to the spindle-like moment, possibly aiding decision-making by processing and re-evaluating signals,” she adds.

While it’s likely that these brain regions are not the sole players in discerning reality from imagination, further investigation into these pathways could refine our understanding of treating visual hallucinations linked to disorders such as schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease.

“Individuals experiencing visual hallucinations might exhibit heightened activity when visualizing their imagined scenarios, or the monitoring of their signals could be inadequate,” Dijkstra suggests.

“I believe this research could be pivotal for clinical cases,” says Adam Zeman, from the University of Exeter, UK. “However, distinguishing whether minor shifts in sensory experiences are driven by real-world events, discerning fully formed hallucinations, and determining the duration of beliefs remains a significant challenge,” he explains.

To address this knowledge gap, Dijkstra’s team is currently studying the brain pathways of individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Fusion Potential Won’t Be Realized Without Resolving the Lithium Bottleneck

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The ITER project is an experimental fusion power reactor

iter

Nuclear fusion holds the promise of nearly limitless energy, but achieving this goal requires the world to produce a significant amount of concentrated lithium fuel from the ground up.

“A major challenge is the concentration phase, where specific lithium types are concentrated,” explains Samuel Ward from Woodruff Scientific Ltd, a British firm dedicated to nuclear fusion. “There is currently no scalable solution capable of providing the fuel required for future fusion reactors.”

Lithium is essential for the most prevalent fusion technology being developed, which combines two forms of hydrogen to generate energy. Moreover, the rare lithium-6 isotope, constituting only 7.5% of naturally occurring lithium, is the most effective for sustaining the fusion process. Consequently, many fusion power projects depend on “enriched” lithium, increasing the lithium-6 content to over 50%, and occasionally as high as 90%.

Only one demonstration fusion plant is set to outpace experimental reactors by delivering net electricity to the grid. Ward and his team require between 10 to 100 tons of concentrated lithium to initiate and sustain operations. The emergence of a new demonstration plant is expected to heighten this demand.

The initial such plants are projected to be operational by around 2040, allowing time for the enhancement of lithium supplies. However, the enrichment strategy must accelerate—one report indicates that the current lithium-6 supply is nearly non-existent. The U.S. amassed stockpiles during the Cold War, producing approximately 442 tons of enriched lithium from 1952 to 1963 to support nuclear weapon fabrication. This process utilized toxic mercury, leading to environmental pollution that needed remediation for decades.

At present, low-purity lithium for fusion is transitioning from the scarce amounts of highly enriched lithium required for nuclear armaments, according to EGEMEN KOLEMEN at Princeton Plasma Physics Institute, part of the U.S. Department of Energy.

For early integration of power, researchers are advocating for a modernized, eco-friendly version of the enrichment process—yet it still relies on mercury. Last year, the German government allocated funds for a project aimed at advancing this form of lithium enrichment while improving cost-effectiveness. “We plan to launch the first concentration facility in Karlsruhe by 2028,” says Michael Frank, who is participating in this initiative at Argentum Vivum Solutions, a German consultancy.

“The only viable approach for supplying adequate lithium concentrate [in the] short and medium term relies on mercury-based methods,” asserts Thomas Giegalich from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany, also a collaborator on the project. However, this type of method will not suffice for the extensive requirements of hundreds or thousands of commercial fusion reactors.

“There is broad recognition that mercury-dependent processes cannot sustainably support the widespread deployment of fusion energy,” states Adam Stein from the Breakthrough Research Institute, a research center based in California.

Various mercury-free concentration techniques are under exploration, but they are not yet suitable for immediate application. This is also the case with the UK’s Atomic Energy Agency, which is funding the development of a clean lithium enrichment process, including efficient lithium-6 separation through microorganisms.

“Given the current lack of demand and the need for further innovation, other techniques have yet to be demonstrated at a commercial level but must succeed,” says Stein.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Earth’s Atmosphere Reaches CO2 Levels Not Seen in Millions of Years

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Recent data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at the University of California, San Diego, indicates that the Earth’s atmosphere contains millions, and potentially tens of millions, of carbon dioxide molecules.

For the first time ever, the global average concentration of carbon dioxide—a greenhouse gas emitted from burning fossil fuels—surpassed 430 parts per million (ppm) in May. These measurements represent a record high, with an increase of over 3 ppm from last year.

The findings suggest that efforts to curtail greenhouse gas emissions and reverse the growing accumulation of CO2 are insufficient.

“Another year, another record,” stated Ralph Keeling, a professor of climate science, marine chemistry, and geochemistry at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, California; he commented. “I am saddened.”

Carbon dioxide, like other greenhouse gases, traps heat from the sun and can persist in the atmosphere for centuries. High levels of these gases contribute to rising global temperatures and other adverse effects of climate change, including increased sea levels, polar ice melt, and more frequent extreme weather events.

Since the pre-industrial era, CO2 levels in the atmosphere have sharply risen, primarily due to human activities that release greenhouse gases.

Just a few decades ago, crossing the 400 ppm threshold seemed unimaginable. This means that for every million molecules of gas in the atmosphere, over 400 would be carbon dioxide. The planet reached this daunting milestone in 2013. Current warnings suggest that CO2 levels could approach 500 ppm within the next 30 years.

Human society is now in uncharted territory.

According to Keeling, the planet likely experienced such high atmospheric CO2 levels over 30 million years ago, during a time with very different climatic conditions.

He noted the remarkable speed at which CO2 levels are rising.

“It’s changing very quickly,” he told NBC News. “If humans had evolved in an environment with high CO2 levels, the absence of suitable habitats would have likely shaped our evolution. We could have adapted to that world, but instead, we’ve constructed society and civilization based on the climate of the past.”

CO2 levels are typically illustrated using the Keeling Curve, named in honor of Keeling’s father, Charles David Keeling, who began daily atmospheric CO2 measurements in 1958 from the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii.

The Keeling Curve prominently displays the steep rise in CO2 since the Industrial Revolution, attributed to human-induced climate change.

Ralph Keeling and his colleagues at the Scripps Oceanographic Institute reported that the average atmospheric CO2 concentration for May was 430.2 ppm, while NOAA’s Global Monitoring Institute, which has been conducting separate daily measurements since 1974, noted an average of 430.5 ppm for the same month.

Monitoring atmospheric carbon dioxide levels is crucial for understanding how human activities impact the Earth’s climate. These measurements also serve as key indicators of the planet’s overall health.

“These measurements provide insight into the health of the entire system with just one data point,” Keeling explained. “We achieve a comprehensive view of the atmosphere through relatively simple measurement techniques.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com