Ken Harvey has been focusing on developing the business of Honda and Mazda dealers in Northern California, particularly in the area of selling used Teslas over the past few months.
Harvey frequently acquires second-hand Teslas at local car auctions and sells them at very reasonable prices, sometimes below $20,000, especially for the Model 3 sedan which is a popular choice among consumers eligible for state incentives.
As the owner of four Honda dealers and two Mazda franchises in Alameda County, Harvey mentioned that they have sold multiple Teslas this year, with most cars not staying in stock for long.
In a backlash against Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and a close confidant of President Trump, the used Tesla business has seen significant growth over the years.
This surge in the used Tesla market has been attributed to price cuts and decreased value of second-hand models by Tesla, which has led to a surge in sales.
Musk’s political activities, including his association with Trump, have sparked protests and encouraged Tesla owners to sell their vehicles, impacting Tesla’s business globally.
Dr. Jerome Winegarden of Ann Arbor, Michigan, recently traded his Model 3 Tesla for a Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup due to his disillusionment with Elon Musk’s actions.
The number of used Teslas for sale in the US has been increasing, with many owners opting to replace their Teslas due to various reasons, including political concerns.
Tesla’s sales have been impacted in various regions due to Musk’s political affiliations, leading to a decline in demand for the vehicles.
Protests against Tesla and Elon Musk have been on the rise, with some incidents of vandalism and destruction of Tesla properties reported.
Musk’s political activities have significantly impacted Tesla’s sales globally, including in European countries where sales have declined.
Analysts believe that Musk’s political involvement has influenced Tesla’s sales trends in the US, although the exact impact is hard to determine.
The number of used Teslas for sale in the US has been increasing, with more vehicles being traded in for new models or sold at dealerships.
Experts suggest that Musk’s political stance is damaging the Tesla brand, leading to changes in consumer behavior.
Enzo Costa, sales director for Patrick Dealer Group in Chicago, observed a decrease in the value of used Teslas in the market, prompting customers to trade them in for other vehicles.
Despite the challenges, Ken Harvey in California noted a steady demand for affordable Teslas, especially among customers looking to switch to electric vehicles.
Changes in the Tesla market have driven different strategies among dealers, with some opting to sell at auctions rather than to individual buyers.
Dear reader, I have a confession: I suffer from the illness that young people call “Brain corruption” Things I can’t think deeply after scrolling too much on my phone. It’s difficult to complete a book these days.
Many people have this problem. Many have created a category of minimalist tech products that strive to eliminate us to be distracted, from AI pins, the artificially intelligent lapel pins that take notes to phones that only have basic features.
The latest example, $600 Light Phone IIIa peeled mobile phone that does little from a Brooklyn startup. The latest version, which began shipping in March and has been set to a wider release in July, can call, text, take photos, view map instructions, play music and podcasts, and many others can’t.
There is no web browser. Also, there is no app store. That means there are no Ubers who welcome rides, slacks, or social media. There’s no even an email.
“When you use it when you need it and turn it back on, it goes away in your life,” said Kaiwei Tang, chief executive of Light, a startup that has developed multiple iterations of light phones over the past nine years. “We tell many customers that they feel less stressed, they become more productive and creative.”
I used it as my main phone for a week, because I wanted to know if a light phone can cure me brain rot. There was a moment when I enjoyed it. I didn’t want to stare at the phone screen while I was waiting for the train, resting at the gym or eating alone. The phone sounded wonderful and clear. The Maps app did an amazing job navigating me around town.
It reminded me of a simple time when we mostly used our phones for Converse before we put them away to focus on other tasks.
But for a week, the flaws of the stupid phone call were lacking in my enjoyment. I suddenly realized I couldn’t enter the station. We looked up the names of our new restaurants and controlled the garage doors.
Part of it has nothing to do with the light phone itself, which is a decent product, but how society as a whole relies on advanced smartphone capabilities.
This is how my week ran errands, commute, and went out on Lower Technology phones.
Get started
When I set up a light phone review unit over the weekend, the phone, which looked like a black rectangular slab, was quite bare bones. The phone’s menu was a black screen showing a white text list for mobile phones, cameras, photo albums and alarm functions. To add more tools, I had to access the dashboard using a web browser on my computer. There, we were able to install features such as the map app, notepad, and timers.
I was ready to go, so I decided to live without my iPhone for at least a while.
I’m commuting
On Monday morning, I took the train from Oakland, California to San Francisco and started commuting. When I arrived at the station I realized that I couldn’t get in without an iPhone. This is because many years ago, I had converted my physical transit pass, Clipper cards, into virtual cards stored in my smartphone’s mobile wallet.
The light phone didn’t have a mobile wallet to load a virtual transit card, so I went back home badly to get my iPhone and eventually showed up in the office 30 minutes late.
Go to the gym
One night, I got a similar hit at a rock climbing gym. To enter, members use their mobile phones to log in to the gym website and generate a temporary barcode that is scanned at the entrance. The light phone didn’t have a web browser and could not create a barcode, so we had to wait in line at the front desk.
Text a friend and take photos
I added some of my closest friends to my address book over a light phone and texted them explaining my experiment. When I typed the device’s keyboard, some felt slow as there was no auto-correct feature to fix typos. As a result, the conversation was concise.
The cheer continued as I sent pictures of people. The unlit and grainy image appeared to have been created with telephone cameras for at least 15 years.
“Retro!” said one friend in response to a blurry photo of my daughter.
“Wow, that’s bad,” another friend said of the dimly lit photo of my corgi Max.
Photo taken on the author’s Corgi’s light phone, Max looked unlit and grainy.credit…Brian X. Chen/New York Times
The founders of Light said they are proud of the Light Phone camera, which has a nostalgic feel to it.
I’m running errands
One afternoon I had to drop off Amazon’s return at the UPS store. We have selected the most convenient shipping options, including displaying QR codes for scanning.
problem? Light phones didn’t have an email app or web browser to download codes. Instead, I loaded it onto my computer screen and snapped mediocre photos on my phone.
When I brought the package to UPS and presented the photos, I held my breath and hoping the image was clear enough. UPS employees kept the scanner and after three attempts they heard beeps and transport labels printed.
Not only is it a relief, but how troublesome.
lunch
Another afternoon my wife and I went out for an improvised lunch. I had to back out the car and ask my wife to use her iPhone to close the garage door with the app myq. (Our physical garage door opener stopped working years ago.)
After that, I was trying to remember the name of a new sushi restaurant I read recently on my food blog. It was inevitable that I would dig deeper into my blog posts on a light phone. In the end we speculated and went to the wrong restaurant. However, it was good to have lunch together without the temptation to check my email.
Conclusion
I admire the goal of light phones, but my experience shows that there is nothing realistically possible or can buy to bring us back to a simpler era. Many aspects of our lives revolve around highly capable smartphones, travelling around town, working, paying for things, dominating home appliances.
This light cell phone experiment reminded me of glamping.
I can’t think of many people who make them work to make light phones realistically use only their mobile phones. Many of us rely on tools like Slack and email to communicate.
A light phone may be a good choice for unplugging while you’re off work, as a secondary leisure phone similar to a weekend car. But even so, camera quality may be a contract breaker for some.
Light’s CEO Tang admitted that Light Shone is not for everyone, but added that parents are considering buying a mobile phone for their children not distracted at school. The company is also working on adding more tools, including the ability to request mobile payments and Lyft cars.
Three young children huddle in front of the camera, nibbling and fidgeting. “Support us. We are extremely poor,” the boy says, gazing into the lens.
They appear to be in a mud brick hut in Afghanistan, experiencing severe poverty. Despite this, their live broadcasts have reached audiences in the UK and worldwide through Tiktok Live.
They spend hours soliciting virtual “gifts” that can later be exchanged for money. When they receive a gift, they politely applaud. In one live stream, a girl jumps up and exclaims, “Thank you, we love you!” After receiving a digital rose from a woman in the US, which costs approximately 1p on Tiktok, when converted to cash, it’s worth less than a third of a penny.
Tiktok claims to prohibit child begging and other forms of exploitation, deeming it exploitative, and states that there is a strict policy for users participating in live shows.
However, research by Observer has revealed widespread practices of begging on live streams, actively promoted by algorithms and benefiting Tiktok, which takes up to 70% of fees and charges.
Olivier de Schutter, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, has criticized this trend as “a shocking development,” accusing Tiktok and its intermediaries of profiting from people’s misery. He urges Tiktok to take immediate action, implement stringent policies against exploitative begging, and scrutinize the individuals profiting from the world’s most vulnerable.
“We have put a lot of effort into saving you,” said Jeffrey Demarco, a Digital Rights expert at Save the Children. “Documented practices reveal serious abuses that require immediate action to ensure the platform no longer allows or benefits from such content.”
An analysis conducted between January and April 2025 found evidence of live begging and related behaviors in countries like Indonesia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Egypt, and Kenya.
Many live streams show families begging in domestic settings, while some streams seem to involve organized begging activities.
Numerous mischievous posters have been popping up all over London in the past couple of months.
One of these posters, featuring Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, can be seen on the side of an East London bus stop. In the ad, Musk appears on the roof of a Tesla with a salute, accompanied by the text “It will be from 0 to 1939 in 3 seconds. Tesla. Swastical.”
Another mock ad portrays Musk and President Trump in front of a red Tesla with the phrase “Now on white power steering.” Additionally, fake movie billboards in North London display “The Fast and the Führer.” These satirical portrayals target Musk and his association with far-right ideologies.
Protest signs held by a group warn against supporting Elon Musk, labeling him a far-right activist. The backlash against Musk’s signature venture has sparked similar outrage as in the US, with some incidents of vandalism and protests occurring at Tesla dealerships in Europe.
Instances of unruly protests and destruction have been observed in Europe, targeting Tesla and Elon Musk. However, much of the dissent takes the form of political satire reminiscent of England in the 18th century.
Rebellious groups use creative tactics to highlight Musk’s controversial actions and far-right affiliations. Satirical representations aim to challenge Musk’s influence without resorting to violence, seeking to send a message to wealthy individuals supporting divisive politics.
Through a combination of protests, art installations, and public messaging, these groups aim to hold Musk and other billionaires accountable for their actions, leading to a decline in Tesla’s stock price and sales.
In Europe, Elon Musk is not just a symbol of American wealth and power but has become a target of political intervention and criticism. His actions and statements have sparked outrage among many, leading to widespread dissent and protests.
Criticism of Musk in the UK stems from his controversial statements and support for far-right figures. Protesters aim to challenge Musk’s influence through peaceful means, emphasizing the need to hold billionaires accountable for their actions.
Organizers believe their efforts are making an impact, with Tesla’s stock price declining and public opinion shifting against Musk and his brand.
Despite facing pressure and criticism, Elon Musk remains optimistic about Tesla’s future performance. Protesters seek to challenge Musk’s influence without resorting to violence, aiming to shift public opinion and hold him accountable for his actions.
Protesters in Europe utilize various creative methods to challenge Elon Musk’s influence, from artistic installations to satirical ads targeting his controversial actions. These efforts aim to spark public discourse and hold Musk accountable for his associations with far-right ideologies.
Rebel groups in Europe use a mix of protests, art installations, and creative messaging to challenge Elon Musk’s influence and controversial actions. By utilizing satire and public displays, they aim to shift public perception and hold Musk accountable for his support of divisive politics.
Dieting can become monotonous over time. While counting calories for a week or two may be manageable, doing it daily for months on end can be unbearable.
If you can relate to this struggle, a recent study conducted at the New Year’s trial might offer some relief. The research discovered that certain forms of intermittent fasting led to slightly more weight loss compared to traditional daily calorie counting.
Published in Internal Medicine Chronicles, the study compared two dietary approaches among 165 overweight or obese adults.
One group followed a 4:3 intermittent fasting plan (eating normally for four days, restricting intake for three days), while the other group reduced daily calorie consumption.
Calorie counting can result in deficits from weight loss, but the body’s metabolism is not an exact calculator, and individual responses to the same calorie intake can vary widely – Photo Credit: Getty
Both groups received exercise support and behavioral coaching, including food diaries, personalized feedback, and gym memberships.
After 12 months, participants in the fasting program lost an average of 7.6% of their body weight, compared to 5% in the daily calorie restriction group.
They also exhibited slightly positive changes in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and fasting glucose levels.
4:3 What is intermittent fasting?
Intermittent fasting (IMF) focuses on significantly reducing food intake on a few days a week, unlike time-restricted eating (TRE), which involves eating within a daily window (e.g., 10 am to 6 pm).
In the 4:3 IMF plan, participants chose three non-consecutive “fast” days (e.g., Monday, Wednesday, Friday) during which they consumed only 20% of their usual calorie intake, amounting to approximately 400-600 kcal for women and 500-700 kcal for men. The remaining four days emphasized healthy food choices, but participants were free to eat as normal.
“Counting calories can be mentally taxing,” said Professor Daniel Ostendorf, a co-author of the study, to BBC Science Focus. “Limiting it to three days a week may have made it easier to follow over time.”
A 4:3 fasting approach can promote a decrease in calorie intake without conscious effort and show weight loss benefits.
Despite both groups having the same overall calorie target for the week, the fasting group achieved slightly greater weight loss. However, this study suggests that 4:3 intermittent fasting could be a promising option but is not a cure-all.
“The key finding of this study was that the 4:3 approach resulted in more weight loss than traditional calorie restriction,” commented Dr. Adam Collins, a nutrition scientist at the University of Surrey not involved in the research.
Collins pointed out that some unmeasured factors could impact calorie intake, emphasizing the potential benefits of intermittent energy restriction over daily calorie restriction.
Should you give it a try? According to Ostendorf and lead researcher Professor Victoria Catenacci, they advise choosing a dietary strategy that feels sustainable in the long term for weight loss goals.
“Our study suggests that 4:3 IMF can be a viable option based on additional evidence,” they concluded.
About our experts
Daniel Ostendorf is an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, specializing in designing lifestyle intervention programs for adults. His research has been published in journals such as Nutrients and American Journal of Public Health.
Victoria Catenacci, MD is an associate professor at the Anschutz Medical Campus, Colorado, focusing on endocrinology, metabolism, and diabetes. Her research has been showcased in journals like Nature reviews endocrinology and Physiology and behavior.
Having low levels of “bad” cholesterol in your blood can decrease the risk of developing dementia, according to recent Korean studies published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. While the connection between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and heart health is well-known, its impact on brain health and dementia is still being studied.
Scientists analyzed data from 11 university hospitals in Korea, studying 571,000 adults without dementia. Participants were divided into two groups based on their cholesterol levels, with one group having high LDL-C levels above 3.4 mmol/L or 130 mg/dL, and the other group having low LDL-C levels below 1.8 mmol/L or 70 mg/dL.
The study found that individuals with low LDL-C were at a lower risk of developing dementia, with a 26% lower likelihood of being diagnosed with any type of dementia and a 28% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to the high LDL-C group. However, extremely low LDL-C levels below 1.4 mmol/L or 55 mg/dL did not show a significant decrease in dementia risk.
Additionally, the study observed that individuals in the low LDL-C group who took statins to lower their cholesterol levels had a 13% lower risk of dementia and a 12% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to those not taking statins.
While the study found a significant association between low LDL-C levels and reduced dementia risk, it had some limitations, such as being a retrospective study that did not consider other influencing factors like age, gender, genetic risk, and lifestyle. The study did not establish a causal link between LDL-C and dementia risk, emphasizing the need for further research.
Dr. Petra Proitsi, a genetic epidemiologist at Queen Mary University, London, acknowledged the complexity of the relationship between cholesterol and dementia, calling for more comprehensive studies involving diverse ethnic groups to explore this association further.
read more:
About our experts:
Dr. Petra Proitsi is a genetic epidemiology specialist at the Preventive Neurology Centre at Queen Mary University, London. She leads themes of digital and health data science at the Wolfson Institute of Population Health and holds a PhD in Neuroscience from King’s College London.
President Trump is being asked by two chemical industry groups to grant a complete exemption to free factories from new restrictions on dangerous air pollution.
The Biden administration’s new rules will require chemical plastics to monitor and reduce the emission of toxic pollutants like ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing ingredient used in antifreezes and plastics.
The American Chemical Council and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Makers are seeking a temporary presidential exemption for all polluters in response to these rules.
The Environmental Defense Fund obtained a letter dated March 31, which stated that the new requirement imposed a significantly more expensive burden on member companies with an infeasible timeline.
The groups have written to the Environmental Protection Agency administrator expressing concerns that some of the new rules could cost businesses over $50 billion.
The EPA recently allowed businesses to apply for exemptions from clean air rules by sending emails to agents, citing the Clean Air Act’s provision for temporary exemptions in cases where necessary technology is unavailable or for national security reasons.
During Trump’s administration, the EPA rolled back many of the same rules, allowing businesses to be temporarily exempt from compliance.
A White House spokeswoman stated that Trump’s commitment was to unleash America’s energy, protect national security, and ensure environmental control.
The Biden-era regulations aimed to address the disproportionate environmental hazards faced by communities near chemical plants, particularly low-income, black, or Latino areas experiencing rising rates of asthma, cancer, and other health issues.
Updated regulations governing emissions from chemical plants considered cumulative effects on communities near major chemical hubs, requiring companies to strengthen controls and processes to limit chemical emissions.
Fence line monitoring and other measures are needed to ensure compliance, especially concerning ethylene oxide, which is used in various products such as batteries for electric vehicles and medical device sterilization.
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers CEO criticized Biden-era rules as illegal and technically unachievable, posing risks to US manufacturing operations.
Environmental advocates expressed concerns that the Trump administration’s actions were allowing businesses to avoid complying with reasonable restrictions on toxic air pollution.
The move aligns with the administration’s efforts to prioritize cost reduction for businesses and promote energy control rather than environmental protection.
Last month, the administration halted a federal lawsuit against a chemical manufacturer accused of releasing carcinogenic substances from plants in Louisiana.
A large donation was reportedly made to the Molly Rose Foundation by Meta and Pinterest, two major companies in the online sphere. The foundation was established as part of the Internet Safety Campaign and is named after Molly Russell, a 14-year-old who tragically took her own life in 2017 after being exposed to harmful content related to suicide and self-harm on social media platforms.
The latest annual report of the foundation mentions grants received from anonymous donors, with the stipulation that the details of the donations remain private as requested by the trustee.
According to reports from the BBC, Meta and Pinterest are believed to have made these donations starting from 2024 and are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. The exact amount of the donations has not been disclosed, but it is known that the Russell family has not received any financial compensation from the contributions.
In a statement, the Russell family expressed their commitment to utilizing the funds for the shared purpose of promoting a positive online experience for young people, as a response to Molly’s tragic passing. They clarified that they will never accept any compensation related to Molly’s death.
These donations come at a time when social media companies are facing heightened scrutiny for the impact of their platforms on the mental health of children. Meta announced significant policy changes, including the removal of fact checkers to enhance freedom of speech and reduce censorship, relying on users to report objectionable content instead.
The Molly Rose Foundation has raised concerns about the heightened risk of young people being exposed to harmful content online due to these changes. They have launched campaigns advocating for stronger online safety regulations and increased accountability for content driven by algorithms.
The charity has recently expanded its team, recruiting a CEO, two public policy managers, a communications manager, and a fundraiser in the past nine months. Molly’s father, Ian Russell, serves as the foundation’s unpaid trustee and continues to be a prominent figure in internet safety advocacy.
Both Meta and Pinterest were contacted for comments by The Guardian but have not responded at the time of reporting.
Today, the Sahara desert is one of the least popular places on our planet. But that wasn’t always the case.
Returning the clock to 7,000 years, the Sahara is a lush green savanna filled with wildlife and dotted with lakes containing one of the sizes of modern Germany. In other words, it was the perfect place for our ancient ancestors to settle down.
But who were they? We may finally know.
Scientists analyzed the DNA of two naturally occurring mummy individuals from a shelter in Takalkori rock in what is now southwestern Libya. Their discoveries reveal something extraordinary. These ancient people belonged to previously unknown branches of human family trees.
The two women belonged to the so-called “ghost population.” This is something that modern humans have only seen glimpses of as faint genetic echoes, but they have not been seen in the body.
“These samples come from some of the oldest mummies in the world.” Professor Johannes Krause senior author of the new study said BBC Science Focus. He explained that it is surprising that genomic sequencing is absolutely possible because high-temperature conditions tend to decompose such information.
View from the Takalkolilock Shelter in southern Libya. – Archaeological mission at the Sahara University of Sapienza, Rome
Genomic sequencing is the process of reading a complete set of genetic instructions found in the DNA of an organism, a type of biological blueprint.
Previous studies have examined mitochondrial DNA in mummies, which is much more limited. It is passed only through the maternal line and is much shorter than the complete genome found in the cell nucleus.
“There are about 16,000 base pairs in mitochondrial DNA,” Klaus said. “It may sound a lot, but compared to the entire 3.2 billion genome, it’s just a small portion.”
So what have the team discovered from this new, unlocked genetic treasure trove?
First, they discovered that this lost lineage had split from sub-Saharan African ancestors about 50,000 years ago.
Surprisingly, this group remained genetically isolated from other human groups for tens of thousands of years.
“It’s incredible,” Klaus said. “When they were alive, these people were like most fossils, like things they shouldn’t be there. If I had said these genomes were 40,000 years old, I would have believed it.”
View of the Takarkoli rock shelter under excavation in southern Libya. – Archaeological mission at the Sahara University of Sapienza, Rome
This long-term quarantine reveals two key insights. First, the “Green Sahara,” which continued 15,000 to 5,000 years ago, was a lush human habitat, but as many scientists had previously envisioned, it was not useful as a moving corridor between the north and sub-Saharan Africa.
Second, there was genetic mixing with northern populations, including Neanderthals. But it was limited – much less than the non-African population, carrying about 10 times more Neanderthal DNA than the Takalkori people.
We know that these people were idyllics and meant that they kept livestock like cows. But they
Genetic segregation suggests that this lifestyle was adopted by exchanging knowledge and practice with neighbouring groups rather than moving or subsequent genetic mixing. Again, this is a surprise to scientists.
Unsolved puzzles
The whole mummy genome sequence revealed much about this lost human lineage. Still, there are many more mysteries left.
“The Sahara greening only happened 15,000 years ago. Before that, it was once again desert,” Klaus said. “So we don’t really know where they were strolling around 50,000 years ago, when they split from the population of Africa’s southern Africa, and 15,000 years ago.”
Wherever they went, they must have remained isolated for tens of thousands of years. Perhaps the lost Eden? We may never know.
Johannes Kraus is the director of the Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology at the Ministry of Archaeology’s Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany. He is also a professor of archaeology at the Institute of Zoology and Evolution at Jena, University of Friedrich Schiller, Germany. Krause is a predominantly peer-reviewed journal, with over 250 publications. Nature, Science, Cells, Nature reviews genetics. In 2010 he was awarded the AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Award and the 2017 Thuringian Research Award for Top Performance in Basic Research.
Smokers are becoming more hesitant about the benefits of using e-cigarettes to heat nicotine-containing liquids and inhaling vapors, as opposed to inhaling smoke from burning cigarettes.
Research in the UK last year showed that over a third of smokers now believe vaping is more harmful to health than smoking, compared to 12% four years ago, while another third think vaping is just as bad.
Despite scientific evidence showing the harmful effects of smoking and Cochrane reviews suggesting that vaping can help more people quit than other nicotine products, awareness about vaping remains crucial this year as smokers who perceive it as less harmful are more likely to switch.
While both vaping and smoking have known health effects, experts agree that vaping is less harmful than smoking, exposing individuals to fewer toxins at lower levels. This understanding is supported by research conducted by various experts in the field.
Vaping generally involves inhaling aerosols that may contain nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. – Photo credit: Getty
Dr. Jamie Hartman Boyce, a health policy expert, emphasizes that while e-cigarettes are not completely safe, they are significantly less deadly than smoking.
Although there are ongoing discussions in the media regarding the harms of vaping, it is important to consider the well-documented risks associated with smoking, which tend to impact older populations.
Health risks
Smoking remains a major risk factor for various health issues, including cancer, heart disease, infertility, and pregnancy complications, resulting in over 8 million deaths annually. Vaping, on the other hand, produces a lesser mixture of toxic substances compared to burning tobacco.
While more research is needed on the long-term effects of vaping, current evidence suggests that it is less harmful than smoking. Dr. Sarah Jackson highlights the importance of acknowledging potential long-term risks while focusing on the existing evidence supporting the relative safety of vaping.
Research suggests that switching to vaping is a more effective way to give up smoking than other nicotine replacement products – Photo Credit: Getty
Ongoing research by experts like Dr. Maxime Boidin is aimed at understanding the long-term impact of vaping on health, particularly its effects on blood vessels and the cardiovascular system.
As research progresses, it is crucial to rely on peer-reviewed studies to accurately assess the outcomes and implications of vaping. Media reports on ongoing research can sometimes lead to misconceptions and premature conclusions.
Non-smokers turning to vaping
Evidence suggests that vaping can be an effective method for smoking cessation, with e-cigarettes proving to be more useful than traditional nicotine replacements. However, concerns arise when considering individuals who have never smoked and are now turning to vaping.
It is essential to weigh the risks and benefits of vaping, especially for non-smokers, considering factors like exposure to chemicals and potential nicotine addiction. Choosing between vaping and smoking should be approached with caution, prioritizing health and well-being.
About our experts
Dr. Jamie Hartman Boyce: An assistant professor of health policy and management at the University of Massachusetts, whose work is published in reputable journals.
Dr. Sarah Jackson: A leading researcher in the UCL Alcohol and Tobacco Research Group, with work published in esteemed scientific journals.
Dr. Maxime Boidin: A senior lecturer in cardiac rehabilitation at Manchester Metropolitan University, focusing on cardiovascular health research.
In New York, 12 US copyright lawsuits against Openai and Microsoft have been consolidated, with authors and news outlets suing the companies for centralization.
According to a Transfer order from the U.S. Judicial Commission on Multi-District Litigation, centralization can help coordinate findings, streamline pretrial litigation, and eliminate inconsistent rulings.
Prominent authors like Ta-Nehisi Coates, Michael Chabon, Junot Díaz, and comedian Sarah Silverman brought the incident to California, but it will now be moved to New York to join news outlets such as The New York Times. Other authors like John Grisham, George Sounders, Jonathan Franzen, and Jody Picoll are also involved in the lawsuits.
Although most plaintiffs opposed the merger, the transfer order addresses factual questions related to allegations that Openai and Microsoft used copyrighted works without consent to train large-scale language models (LLM) for AI products like Openai’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s copylot.
Openai initially proposed consolidating the cases in Northern California, but the Judiciary Committee moved them to the Southern District of New York for the convenience of parties and witnesses and to ensure a fair and efficient conduct of the case.
High-tech companies argue that using copyrighted works to train AI falls under the doctrine of “fair use,” but many plaintiffs, including authors and news outlets, believe otherwise.
An Openai spokesperson welcomed the development, stating that they train on publicly available data to support innovation. On the other hand, a lawyer representing Daily News looks forward to proving in court that Microsoft and Openai have infringed on their copyrights.
Some of the authors suing Openai have also filed suits against meta for copyright infringement in AI model training. Court filings in January revealed allegations against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for approving the use of copyrighted materials in AI training.
Amazon recently announced a new Kindle feature called “Recaps” that uses AI to generate summaries of books for readers. While the company sees it as a convenience for readers, some users have raised concerns about the accuracy of AI-generated summaries.
The UK government is addressing peer and labor concerns about copyright proposals, and companies are being urged to assess the economic impact of their AI plans.
Congratulations, mommy, Galapagos turtle, and longtime resident of the Philadelphia Zoo, recently became their first mother at an estimated age of 100.
Mom, People who have lived in the zoo since 1932layed 16 eggs in November. Four of them have been hatched. It was the first successful hatching of her species at the zoo, which opened in 1874.
Of course, she had helped. Abrazo, male turtle, is estimated to be about a century ago.
Mama and Abrazo, members of the West Santa Cruz subspecies, are the oldest animals at the Philadelphia Zoo. But Galapagos turtles can live up to 200 years longer, the zoo said.
The first hatching was released on February 27th, and the zoo announced it on Thursday. The others continued within a few days, with the last one being hatched on March 6th.
Neither of the hatching has been named, but is expected to be in the public eye from April 23rd, the zoo said. According to Lauren Augustine, director of herpetology at the zoo, they do “fantasy.” (Herpetology refers to the study of reptiles and amphibians.)
“They’re the size of tennis balls and they’re actually pretty good,” Augustine said.
The turtles in the West Santa Cruz Galapagos are International Union for Conservation of Nature. According to the Philadelphia Zoo, before the new arrival, there were only 44 giant turtles in West Santa Cruz at every zoo in the United States.
Baby turtles will not share the same physical space as their parents. Their impressive size – Abrazo is 410 pounds, and Mama is about 280 pounds – poses the risk of crushing the hatch ring.
Unlike his peers, Abrazo is not his first parent. In 2011 he was part of a successful pairing; Unexpected discoveries of five hatching His previous home is Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens in Columbia, South Carolina
Abrazo came to the Philadelphia Zoo on the recommendation of the Zoo and Aquarium Association.
Abrazzo and Mommy were introduced in 2022, and Mama began laying eggs in 2023. She has now laid four rounds of eggs. The first three rounds were not feasible. But the fourth was.
Once she laid eggs, members of the zoo staff were set up to weigh, measure, and artificially incubate at two different temperatures.
All four hatch rings born this year are women, but Augustine said three more eggs are still being raised.
“It’s kind of testimony through the excellent care that she has to take at the institution,” said Stephen Diver, a professor of zoology medicine at the University of Georgia. “It’s not easy to keep a huge tropical turtle in the Northern Hemisphere properly.”
Being hatched will be taken prisoner for at least five years. The zoo then decides what to do with them, Consultation with the Zoo and Aquarium Association. If they were genetic matches for other turtles, they could either end up at another zoo or spend their days in the wild in the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. But that would take a risk, said Rachel Metz, vice president of animal welfare at the Philadelphia Zoo.
“They are at extreme risk from natural disasters, potentially diseases, climate change and invasive species,” she said.
Centuries ago, the Galapagos turtle population reached hundreds of thousands, but it fell over time as it was hunted for human consumption. However, in half a century, the population recovered. Up to about 17,000 For conservation and breeding programs.
Although estimates of the population of turtles in West Santa Cruz vary widely, Stephen Blake, an assistant professor of biology at St. Louis University who has worked extensively with turtles in the Galapagos, says it is likely to be thousands. The population appears to be growing steadily, he said.
The population is small and prisoner reproduction is very rare, so hatching would give researchers the opportunity to study turtles from young ages in captivity, said Juan Manuel Vazquez, a biologist who studied aging in long-standing living animals. Includes Galapagos turtles.
“Additional turtles count,” he said.
Dr. Blake said it is not uncommon for Galapagos turtles to breed in 100 in the wild. Given that, hatching the Philadelphia Zoo is unlikely to have a major impact on conservation efforts, but it could help raise awareness about the massive turtles in general.
“In my opinion, this is not intended to do much for what is happening in the wild directly, reproducing a turtle. But indirect terms, zoos can promote the wonder of producing 100-year-old reptiles for the first time, and use it as a means to surprise them among people.. ”
Enjoy the beautiful scene of Music sounds as Maria and von Trapp’s children sing about the lonely Jasteld Jodel in the Austrian Alps (lay-ee-odl-lay-ee-odl-lay-hee-hoo).
Despite the picturesque moment, I was unfamiliar with these characters. Comparing their yodeling to that of monkeys in the rainforest of Latin America, it seems somewhat embarrassing.
Recent research conducted by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and the University of Vienna in collaboration with experts from Japan, Sweden, and Bolivia sheds light on this topic.
Through recordings and analysis of black and gold Howler monkeys, tufted capuchins, black-cap squirrel monkeys, and Peruvian spider monkeys at Randa Verde Wildlife Reserve in Bolivia, scientists discovered that these primates can jump three or more musical octaves at once, unlike human yodelers who span sub-octaves.
Dr. Jacob Dunn, an associate professor of evolutionary biology at ARU, highlighted how these voice leaps contribute to the primates’ communication abilities in complex social settings.
The unique vocalizations known as “ultra yodels” are made possible by the distinct anatomy of the monkey’s throat, specifically the vocal membrane. This thin tissue ribbon allows for extended pitch ranges, enhancing the monkeys’ vocal repertoire.
The evolution of monkeys’ vocal membranes contrasts with human vocal abilities, as they enhance pitch range but may lead to voice instability.
Capuchin Monkeys are known for their intelligence and tool use
While humans yodel by shifting between voice registers, monkeys utilize vocal membranes to produce complex vocal patterns without the need for intricate neural control.
Not all monkeys excel at yodeling, with Latin American monkeys displaying a particular proficiency due to their vocal membranes. This suggests the importance of these calls for certain species.
Scientists have achieved a breakthrough in quantum physics, creating a “Schrodinger Cat” state at warmer temperatures than previously thought possible.
This state relies on the concept of superposition, where particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously, a key principle of quantum mechanics.
The famous thought experiment by physicist Erwin Schrodinger involving a cat in a box with a radioactive material highlights the paradoxical nature of this concept.
Physicists have managed to create real Schrodinger cat particles, where quantum objects can exist in two states simultaneously without needing to be cooled to ground state temperature.
A recent study published in the journal Advances in Science has reported the creation of quantum states at ground state temperature.
In Erwin Schrödinger’s thought experiment, cats are alive and dead at the same time. Similar to how quantum objects occupy multiple states at once – Innsbruck University/Halaldricksch
Researchers at Innsbruck University have successfully produced the Schrodinger Cat state at a temperature of 1.8 Kelvin, a relatively warm temperature for quantum experiments.
This discovery challenges the traditional belief that quantum effects are disrupted by higher temperatures and opens up new possibilities for quantum technology.
Quantum computers, which could revolutionize technology by operating in multiple states, currently require expensive cooling methods. However, this study suggests that quantum phenomena can still be observed and utilized in warmer environments.
“Our work demonstrates that quantum interactions can persist even at higher temperatures, making temperature ultimately irrelevant for certain quantum effects,” said Professor Gerhard Kirchmair, one of the researchers involved in the study.
Constituity, the ability to combine meaningful elements into larger meaningful structures, is a characteristic of human language. Constitutiveness is trivial (the meaning of a combination is the sum of the meaning of that part) or non-trivial (one element changes the meaning of another element). In a new study, scientists studied the behavior of voices Wild bonobo (Pampaniscus) – Our closest living relatives – Kokoropoli Community Reserve The Democratic Republic of the Congo has found robust empirical evidence for the existence of non-trivial constitutive properties in these primates.
Tupac, a young male bonobo scratching his head. Image credits: Lukas Bierhoff, Kokolopori Bonobo Research Project.
A distinctive feature of human language is its ability to combine individual elements to form more complex and meaningful structures.
This principle known as constituency allows morphemes to be constructed into words and sentences.
The overall meaning is determined by its components and their arrangement.
Constitutiveness can take two forms: trivial and non-trivial. In trivial composition, each word maintains an independent meaning.
Non-trivial constituency involves more complex and nuanced relationships where meaning is not merely a direct sum of words that involve.
Constituity may not be inherent to human language. Birds and primate studies have demonstrated that some animals can combine meaningful vocalizations with structures of trivial composition.
However, to date, there is no direct evidence that animals use non-trivial compositionality in their communication.
In their new study, Melissa Bursett, a biologist at the University of Zurich, and her colleagues, discovered strong empirical evidence that wild bonobos use non-trivial constitutiveness in their vocal communications.
The authors analyzed 700 recordings and call combinations of bonobo vocal calls and documented over 300 contextual features associated with each utterance
A linguistic framework that measures the similarity of meaning between words using methods derived from distribution semantics, and these contextual features were analyzed to infer the meaning of individual bonobo vocalizations and quantify the relationships.
Next, to assess whether Bonobo Call combinations follow construct principles, they applied a multi-step approach that had previously been used to identify the constitutive nature of human communication.
They found that the bonobo call types are integrated into four constituent structures. Three of these suggest that they share more structural similarities with human language than previously recognized.
“Our approach allowed us to quantify how the meaning of the combination of single-call and call on bonobos relate to one another,” said Simon Townsend, professor at the University of Zurich.
“Humans and bonobos had a common ancestor about 70-13 million years ago, so they share many characteristics through descent, and constitutiveness seems likely to be one of them,” added Martin Sarbeck, a professor at Harvard University.
“So our research suggests that our ancestors already use compositionality extensively, if not more, at least 7 million years ago,” Professor Townsend said.
According to a team of physicists at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, liquids that recover the newly discovered shapes go against years of expectation derived from the laws of thermodynamics.
This image shows emulsion droplets stabilized by silica nanoparticles with nickel nanoparticles remaining on the drop surface. Image credit: Raykh et al. , doi: 10.1038/s41567-025-02865-1.
“Imagine your favorite Italian salad dressing,” said Professor Thomas Russell, Amherst professor at the University of Massachusetts.
“It consists of oil, water and spices, and all the ingredients are mixed together and shaken with it before pouring it into the salad.”
“It is those spices, something else, that are usually mutually exclusive, that mix water and oil, allowing a process called emulsification, that is small bits of those spices, something else, explained by the laws of thermodynamics.”
“Emulsification underlies a vast amount of technology and applications that go far beyond seasonings,” said Anthony Leif, a graduate student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst University.
“One day I was in the lab to mix this batch of science salad dressing and see what I could create. Instead of spice, I used magnetized particles of nickel because I could design any kind of interesting material that has useful properties when it contains magnetic particles.”
“I made the mixture and rocked it – and to my total surprise, the mixture formed this beautiful, pristine ur shape.”
“No matter how many times, how violently it was, the bones have always returned.”
The researchers determined that using additional lab experiments and simulations, they would explain the mysterious phenomenon of magnetism, strong magnetism, discovered.
“A very close look at the individual magnetized nickel nanoparticles that form the water-oil boundary gives you very detailed information on how the different morphologies are assembled.”
“In this case, the particles are magnetized so strongly that the assembly interferes with the emulsification process described by the laws of thermodynamics.”
The particles that are usually added to oil and water mixtures reduce the tension at the interface between the two liquids, allowing them to be mixed.
However, with a twist, the well-heavy magnetized particles actually increase the interfacial tension, bending the oil-water boundary into an elegant curve.
“When you see something impossible, you have to investigate,” Professor Russell said.
“We don’t have any applications yet in our discoveries, but we look forward to seeing how unprecedented states will affect the field of soft matter physics,” added Raykh.
Team’s work It will be displayed in the journal Natural Physics.
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A.Rafe et al. Shape recovery solution. nut. PhysPublished online on April 4, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41567-025-02865-1
The principle of quantum superposition allows the system to be prepared with two arbitrary state superpositions. A paradigmous example is the superposition of two coherent states. Superposition of such states is usually referred to as the Schrödinger cat state, but in Irwin Schrodinger’s original thought experiment, a cat-temperature-equal system system is prepared with superposition of two mixed states dominated by classical variation. Physicists at the University of Innsbruck have now managed to create the state of Hot Schrodinger cats with a superconducting microwave resonator.
Yang et al. We generated highly mixed quantum states with different quantum properties. Image credit: Innsbruck University.
SchrödingerCat states are an attractive phenomenon in quantum physics, where quantum objects exist simultaneously in two different states.
In Erwin Schrödinger’s thought experiment, it is a cat living and dead at the same time.
In real experiments, such simultaneity is seen in the positions of atoms and molecules, as well as the vibrations of electromagnetic resonators.
Previously, these analogues to Schrodinger’s thought experiments were first created by cooling quantum objects to their ground state.
In a new study, Dr. Gerhard Kirchumere and his colleagues at Innsbruck University demonstrated that it is indeed possible to create quantum superpositions from thermally excited states.
“Schrodinger also envisioned a living, namely “hot” cat in his thought experiments,” says Dr. Kirchumere, author of the study.
“We wanted to know if these quantum effects could also be produced if they didn’t start from the ‘cold’ ground state. ”
To generate the Schrödinger CAT state, researchers used a transmon Qubit with a microwave resonator.
They have succeeded in creating quantum layers at temperatures up to 1.8 k. This is 60 times the ambient temperature of the cavity.
“Our results show that it is possible to generate highly mixed quantum states with distinct quantum properties,” says Dr. Ian Yang, the first author of the study.
Scientists used two special protocols to create the state of Hot Schrodinger cats.
These protocols have been used previously to produce CAT states starting from the ground state of the system.
“It turns out that the tuned protocol also works at high temperatures and produces clear quantum interference,” said Professor Oriol Romero Isart, co-author of the study.
“This opens up new opportunities for the creation and use of quantum superpositions, for example, in nanomechanical oscillators.
“When I first mentioned our results, many of our colleagues were surprised because we usually think of temperature as a disruption to quantum effects,” says Thomas Agnius, co-author of the study.
“Our measurements confirm that quantum interference can last even at high temperatures.”
The findings could benefit quantum technology development.
“Our work reveals that quantum phenomena can be observed and used in warm, less ideal environments,” Dr. Kirchem said.
“If the system can create the interactions it needs, temperature is ultimately irrelevant.”
a paper The findings were published in the journal Advances in science.
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Ian Yang et al. 2025. Hot Schrodinger cat condition. Advances in science 11 (14); doi:10.1126/sciadv.adr4492
The Trump administration rejected the Biden plan on Friday, which proposed Medicare and Medicaid covering obesity drugs and increasing access to millions of people.
The Biden administration’s proposal aimed to circumvent the ban on Medicare paying for weight loss drugs by claiming they would treat diseases related to obesity.
Expanding drug coverage would cost the federal government billions of dollars, with an estimated cost of around $35 billion over a decade according to the Congressional Budget Office Estimates.
The decision was part of a larger set of regulations contained in a 438-page document aimed at updating Medicare benefits and private insurance plans used by about half of Medicare beneficiaries.
Catherine Howden, a spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, stated that the agency did not believe it was appropriate at the time to approve the Biden plan.
Medicare currently covers a limited set of weight loss medications for individuals with specific health conditions, such as diabetes and heart problems.
The Biden plan aimed to extend coverage to obese patients without these specific diseases, with an estimated 3.4 million people potentially benefiting from the policy.
Popular weight loss pills like Wegovy by Eli Lilly and other related products are now available at reduced prices to patients paying out of pocket.
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk offer discounts for their products to patients paying out of pocket instead of through insurance, significantly reducing the cost for individuals.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized weight loss pills, advocating for a diet of healthy foods instead.
Clinical trials have shown benefits of weight loss drugs beyond just weight loss, including preventing heart attacks and strokes.
Supporters of expanded drug coverage argue that the long-term health benefits will outweigh the costs, potentially reducing overall medical expenses. However, the realization of such savings remains uncertain.
States’ Medicaid programs now have the option to decide whether to cover obesity drugs or not, with some already opting to provide coverage. If the Biden policy had been implemented, all states would have been required to provide coverage.
The exact cost of obesity drugs for Medicare and Medicaid patients is undisclosed, but it is estimated to be several hundred dollars per patient per month.
Many employers and private health insurance plans do not cover weight loss drugs, leading some to discontinue coverage due to high costs.
Patients without insurance often rely on cheaper generic versions of drugs created through compounding, costing less than $200 a month. However, regulators are phasing out this option due to improved supply of branded products.
Congressional Republicans have shown some interest in urging Medicare to cover weight loss drugs, although this is not a current priority. Negotiations with Novo Nordisk for lower drug prices under a 2022 law have been initiated, with reduced prices scheduled to start in 2027 for eligible individuals.
Jerome Dewald sat with his legs crossed, his hands folded in his lap before a New York judge’s appeal panel, ready to argue for a reversal of the lower court’s decision in a dispute with his former employer.
The court had allowed Mr Dewald, who represented himself, not his lawyer, to involve his arguments in a pre-recorded video presentation.
When the video began to play, it showed that a man younger than Dewald’s 74-year-old was standing in a blue-collar shirt and beige sweater, wearing a blue-collar shirt and a beige sweater, in front of what appeared to be a blurry virtual background.
Seconds after the video, one of the judges confused by the on-screen image asked Dewald if the man was his lawyer.
“I generated it,” replied Dewald. “It’s not a real person.”
Judge Sally Manzanette Daniel, the first Judicial Division of the Appellate Division, temporarily suspended. It was clear that she was unhappy with his answer.
“It’s good to know that when you created your application she snapped him.”
“I’m not grateful for being misunderstood,” she added before someone yells at me to turn off the video.
What Dewald didn’t disclose is that he created digital avatars using artificial intelligence software, the latest example of AI sneaking into the US legal system in a potentially troublesome way.
Dewald, plaintiff in the case reached Friday, said he was overwhelmed by the embarrassment of the hearing. He then sent an apology letter to the judge soon after, expressing his deep regret and saying that he admitted that his actions “cautiously mislead” the court.
He said he relied on using the software after stumbling over his words in previous legal proceedings. He thought that using AI in his presentation might help ease the pressure he felt in court.
He said he had planned to create a digital version of himself, but did so he encountered “technical difficulties.”
“My intention was not to deceive, but to present my argument in the most efficient way possible,” he said in a letter to the judge. “But we recognize that appropriate disclosure and transparency must always be prioritized.”
Dewald, a self-proclaimed entrepreneur, had sued previous ruling in a contract dispute with his former employer. He eventually presented oral arguments at the appeals court, frequently pausing and frequently pausing to reorganize and read the statements he had prepared and prepared from his cell phone.
As embarrassing as he was, Dewald was able to provide some comfort to the fact that an actual lawyer got into trouble in using AI in court.
In 2023, New York State lawyers faced serious consequences after him I created a legal brief using CHATGPT Filled with false judicial opinions and legal quotations. The incident showed flaws relying on artificial intelligence and echoed through legal trade.
That same year, former President Trump’s lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen provided his lawyer with a fake legal quote he obtained from Google Bard, an artificial intelligence program. Cohen ultimately pleaded mercy from a federal judge who was the main side of his case, emphasizing that he had no idea that the generated text service could provide false information.
Some experts say artificial intelligence and large-scale language models can be useful for people who have legal problems to deal with but can’t afford a lawyer. Still, the risks of technology remain.
“They can still hallucinate. “We need to deal with that risk,” says Daniel Singh, assistant research director at the Law and Court Technology Center at William & Mary Law School.
An investigation is underway at a Boston area hospital involving five nurses who worked in the same department and developed brain tumors.
Mass General Brigham Newton Wellesley Hospital reported a total of 11 employees in the fifth floor obstetrics department have raised health concerns, with five of them being diagnosed with benign brain tumors. Two of these tumors are meningiomas, the most common and benign types of brain tumors.
“The investigation did not find any environmental risks associated with the development of brain tumors,” said hospital administrator Jonathan Sonis, in a statement alongside Associate Nurse Sandy Muse Jonathan Sonis.
The hospital conducted the investigation in collaboration with government health and safety officials, ruling out disposable masks, water supplies, nearby X-rays, and chemotherapy treatments as possible sources of the issue.
“Based on these findings, we can assure our staff and patients that there are no environmental risks within our facilities,” the administrator assured.
Exterior of Mass General Brigham Newton Wellesley Hospital in Newton, Massachusetts. Google Maps
The Massachusetts Nurse Association, currently negotiating nurse compensation at the hospital, expressed their commitment to ongoing investigation.
The union highlighted nurses’ concerns about workplace health, leading to the discovery of individuals with tumors.
“The hospital’s environmental tests were not comprehensive, and they only spoke to a few nurses,” stated MNA spokesman Joe Markman. “The hospital cannot sweep this issue under the rug.”
The state agency and federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration are yet to provide conclusive information on the matter.
According to the American Cancer Society, a cancer cluster would involve an unusually high number of cancer cases within a specific area sharing common characteristics.
“Four out of ten people in the US develop cancer during their lifetime,” stated the association, emphasizing the frequency of cancer occurrences.
This year was supposed to be a banner moment for digital commerce companies.
Digital payment giant Klarna was preparing for the first public offer. So did the financial services company Chime. StubHub, an online ticketing business, has been talking to bankers for months about their pursuit of an IPO.
But after President Trump announced the tariff barrage this week, businesses in the industry were rushing to deal with fallout.
Among other moves, Klarna, Chime and Stubhub are all aiming to suspend their IPO plans and wait for market volatility, people with knowledge of the issue said. Additionally, companies that provide payment processing services to online merchants such as Shopify are calling for changes to Trump’s customs policy and are advising customers on how to survive potential financial difficulties. Stripe, payment startups, and Block, a payment and remittance service company previously known as Square, is in a similar move.
It may seem counterintuitive that tariffs bring pain to digital commerce companies. However, these businesses are set up to be affected in a roundabout way.
Retailers like Amazon, which act as clearing houses for online merchants, can feel the impact when fewer people buy foreign exports on their platforms. Companies like Klarna benefit from the fees that charge small businesses for processing digital payments.
“If this chicken game continues until 2025 and continues for longer, this will be extremely painful for the retail industry as a whole,” said Shut Alitakodali, an analyst at Forester, which covers retail and e-commerce. “That would be bad for everyone.”
On Wednesday, Trump said tariffs would reverse decades of what he called unfair treatment in other parts of the world, bringing factories and jobs back to the United States. “The market will be booming,” he said, “the country will be booming.”
However, tariffs are far more wide and more severe than expected, and many tech companies quickly began to feel pain. Apple, Oracle and Dell have global supply chains that are likely to be destroyed by tariffs, but were the most obvious candidates facing fallout.
Digital-first companies dealing in online sales can lose just as much. For example, Meta and Google have been pressured by the threat of bringing back companies, particularly Chinese companies, to buy e-commerce ads on their platforms.
Amazon, the largest e-commerce company, has slid over 9% of its stake in the millions of third-party sellers who ship goods from China (one of the countries that was hit hardest by Trump’s tariffs) since the tariffs have been announced.
TD Cowen analyst John Blackledge has lowered Amazon revenue, operating profit and estimates of 3% to 4% during 2020, particularly as Trump’s “worse than expected” tariffs hurt the company’s market.
Some digital commerce companies could survive the chaos. StubHub, which sells tickets to live events, bounced back after the recession during Covid Pandemic and the 2008 financial crisis. Additionally, Chime customers who provide digital services such as mobile banking apps and checking accounts tend to use their products to buy items such as gasoline and groceries that are usually not sensitive to economic fluctuations.
But Shopify, Klarna and Stripe are all vulnerable to Trump’s tariffs. Payment processing platforms like Stripe tend to be trending due to the global economy and the strength of online shopping. If a large company raises prices due to tariffs, consumers may purchase fewer products online. Additionally, these companies earn a large portion of their revenue from commissions to process sellers’ sales, so lower sales volumes can affect all businesses.
Klarna, Stubhub, Chime and Stripe declined to comment. For more information about Klarna, Stubhub and Chime’s IPO plans, see Wall Street Journal and axios.
A Shopify spokesperson pointed to a recent blog post advising sellers on how to navigate a choppy environment if tariffs hinder their business.
“Without small business protection, legitimate entrepreneurs suffer under policies aimed at curbing exploitation,” the company said. In a blog post. “This hiking cost will disrupt supply chains and hinder trade across borders.”
The company said it supported Trump to address several loopholes in the tariff system. This includes the “de minimis exemption,” in which businesses exempt customs duties on exports to the United States of less than $800.
However, they warned against overdone policies. “Dealing with this abuse is justified, but small businesses cannot be a secondary damage,” Shopify says.
Michael J. de la Mercedo Reports of contributions.
Four civil astronauts concluded their mission on SpaceX vehicles on Friday, landing in waters near Oceanside, California.
This marked the first time the company had brought people back to Earth in the Pacific Ocean after six years of Dragon Capsules splashing down in the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico.
The FRAM2 mission orbited the Earth for four days in a north-south trajectory, allowing astronauts to witness North and Antarctica directly from space for the first time.
SpaceX relocated its operations to the Pacific Ocean to prevent dragon capsule debris from falling into random parts of the Earth. The vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean and favorable weather along the US West Coast provided a safe and conducive environment for the astronauts’ return.
The first SpaceX Astronaut Mission, a test flight in May 2020, saw Douglas Hurley and NASA’s Robert Behnken launching to the International Space Station. They returned just two months later, splashing down in the Gulf waters off Pensacola, Florida. This mission introduced SpaceX’s upgraded Dragon 2 capsule design.
Subsequently, there were nine NASA-funded flights, five private flights, and ten cargo missions to the International Space Station, all safely landing in Florida.
However, fragments of the spacecraft’s trunk began descending in unexpected locations, such as Australian sheep fields and North Carolina hiking trails. While no injuries or property damage occurred, the continuous rains of space debris pose a risk that needs to be addressed.
SpaceX had initially expected the spacecraft’s trunk to completely burn up during re-entry, but this turned out to be untrue. Therefore, last year, SpaceX announced changes to their Dragon Landing process.
The Dragon Trunk is now abandoned later in the return journey after the spacecraft uses thrusters to deorbit. This ensures targeted debris disposal, with the Pacific Ocean providing a safe area for debris to land without posing a threat to people.
Previously, the Dragon Trunk remained on trajectory for extended periods without a clear prediction of its re-entry location.
The milder Pacific climate also benefits NASA in scheduling missions.
SpaceX’s move partially to the Pacific Ocean for Dragon Landing meets NASA’s requirements for faster processing of scientific experiments returning from space, allowing SpaceX time to prepare for subsequent flights.
The most recent East Coast landing featured a NASA mission returning from the space station with NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. Due to issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, their stay in orbit extended over nine months. The mission ended with a playful encounter with a pod of dolphins investigating the spacecraft.
In this week’s FRAM2 mission, Chun Wang, an investor in blockchain and cryptocurrency mining, funded a private mission and chose three companions: Norwegian filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, German robot researcher Laveer Lodge, and Australian explorer Eric Phillips.
Mr. Wang named the mission after the Norwegian ship Fram, which explored the Arctic Circle in the 19th century. He provided updates from orbit, including his experience with space sickness and the uniqueness of Pacific Ocean landings.
“Space motion sickness affected us all – we felt nauseous and vomited several times,” wrote Mr. Wang.
Splashdowns in the Pacific Ocean have historical significance in spaceflight, with most of NASA’s Apollo missions landing there. SpaceX’s return to Pacific landings marks a shift from previous missions primarily landing in Florida.
The curiosity of West Coast dolphins remains to be seen, adding a whimsical touch to the return of space missions.
President Trump has granted Tiktok another extension, pushing back the deadline for the popular app to make a deal regarding its Chinese ownership or face a US ban.
With the Saturday deadline looming, Tiktok now has an additional 75 days to find new owners who will comply with federal laws requiring structural changes to address national security concerns, setting a new deadline in mid-June.
This latest delay marks the second time President Trump has intervened in the Tiktok situation this year, having previously suspended enforcement of the law in January despite unanimous Supreme Court support.
In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump mentioned that the deal requires more work to secure necessary approvals, expressing his desire to avoid a dark outcome and stating his intention to collaborate with Tiktok and China to finalize the deal.
Trump’s recent actions highlight the ongoing complexity of the Tiktok situation. Despite concerns raised by lawmakers and US officials about Tiktok’s safety, the app has solidified its position as a cultural powerhouse.
The extensions raise questions about Trump’s willingness to prioritize presidential authority over the rule of law. The federal law aimed at changing Tiktok’s ownership and imposing a ban was passed last year with wide bipartisan support, only to be effectively nullified when Trump suspended its enforcement in January.
For now, Tiktok will continue operating in the US for the foreseeable future. The app came back to life in January after a temporary shutdown around the time the federal law came into effect.
Tiktok has not yet responded to requests for comment.
An influential book by botanist and pioneering photographer Anna Atkins, almost two centuries ago. British algae photos: impressions of cyanotypes surprised readers with its scientific power and artistry. In it, Atkins presented images of seaweed collected from the British coastline using the cyanotype method, a printing process carried out by laying objects on chemically coated paper, exposing them to ultraviolet rays and creating a cyan blue background.
Artist Mandy Barker’s new book, British algae photo: Cyanotype defects she uses the same technique to draw attention to the ongoing pollution crisis facing our oceans. Like Atkins, Barker also scrutinised the British coastline. But rather than finding the beauty of nature, she saw abandoned clothes washed down on the beach. Her first discovery, she says, looked like seaweed. “It was kind of an attractive and beautiful fabric.” However, when jackets, dresses, shoes, underwear and school uniforms began to appear, the scale of the problem quickly became clear to her.
Inspired by the “seaweed-like shape” of the clothing, Barker decided to create a new cyanotype print (photo not the photo above) from this discovered fabric (photo above, not the photo above) to replicate Atkins’ work, which involves small but large changes. She draws attention to the climate costs associated with fast fashion by inventing the Latin name for clothing. Delesseria Tunica Ictus – Nodded to both the shirt she found and the red algae that Atkins had photographed.
President Trump’s announcement this week about eliminating tariffs has caused concern for some major tech companies. Apple, Dell, Oracle, and Hewlett-Packard have seen a decline in stocks due to their reliance on hardware and global supply chains affected by tariffs. Surprisingly, the company that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp also experienced a drop in stock prices, despite not being directly related to hardware.
Shares in Meta fell by 9% on Thursday, from $52 to $531.62, showing vulnerability to trade behaviors similar to other tech companies. The reasons behind Meta’s decline may be more complex, but it is evident that social networking and metaverse companies are equally susceptible to trade policies as their Silicon Valley counterparts.
Meta’s Exposure to Tariffs and Its Impact on Advertising Business
Meta’s main business revolves around digital advertising, generating billions in revenue by selling ads on Facebook and Instagram. While large brands invest in brand recognition campaigns, the majority of Meta’s advertisers are small businesses engaged in direct response advertising.
The impact of tariffs on Meta’s advertising business is significant, as many advertisers come from different parts of the world. Trump’s tariffs make selling products to US customers costly, potentially reducing overall purchases and leading to a decline in advertising spending on Facebook and Instagram.
Meta’s complex factors, such as revenue from Chinese companies and dependence on e-commerce transactions, make it more susceptible to trade impacts. Chinese businesses affected by tariffs may reduce their ad spending on Facebook and Instagram, impacting Meta’s revenue.
The elimination of the “de Minimis exemption” further complicates the situation for Chinese e-commerce companies like Temu and Shein, potentially leading to a drop in advertising on Meta’s platforms.
The impact of tariffs on Meta’s revenue from Chinese advertisers could be substantial if these businesses reduce their ad spending on Facebook and Instagram. Meta’s exposure to fluctuations in Chinese spending poses a significant risk to its advertising revenue.
While Meta may have a diversified advertiser base, the overall impact of tariffs on Chinese ad buyers could affect its revenue streams beyond just specific companies like Temu and Shein.
Meta’s response to these challenges and the potential impact on its revenue remains to be seen. Other ecommerce and advertising tech companies like Shopify, Google, and Amazon could also face obstacles in global trade.
Investors will be closely watching Meta’s quarterly revenue report later this month to gauge the company’s resilience amidst trade uncertainties.
Scientists have a passion for categorizing things, especially when it comes to life on Earth. The common categories are animals, plants, fungi, protists (like algae and amoeba), bacteria, and archaea (microscopic single-celled organisms).
However, recent studies have hinted that there might be more to the tree of life than we previously thought. This is due to a prehistoric cylindrical life form that some British scientists believe belongs to a unique branch of life.
The mysterious creature is known as Prototaxite and existed around 44-360 million years ago.
Professor Benjamin J.W. Mills, an expert in the evolution of the Earth system at Leeds University, mentioned that these creatures evolved during a time when Earth was becoming more habitable for organisms like them. The spread of plants and fungi on land increased oxygen levels in the atmosphere, leading to a surge in global photosynthesis.
These Prototaxite towers could reach heights of up to 8 meters and were often mistaken for massive tree trunks, despite only being a few inches wide.
Initially thought to be a type of fungus, recent research on Prototaxite suggests otherwise. By analyzing the fossilized bodies of Prototaxites Taiti found in Scotland, scientists concluded that it was a distinct life form rather than a fungus.
Unlike true fungi, the cells of P. Taiti contained lignin instead of chitin. This difference in molecular composition confirmed that it was not a fungus but rather a member of an extinct lineage.
The implications of these findings raise questions about the evolution of life and its impact on Earth’s atmosphere. The study of P. Taiti sheds light on the intricate relationship between organisms and their environment over time.
Experts like Professor Neil Gow from the University of Exeter emphasize the significance of such discoveries in understanding our planet’s history and potential habitability of other worlds.
To learn more about the experts involved in this research:
About our experts
Benjamin JW Mills is a biogeochemist and professor of the evolution of the Earth System at Leeds University. His work focuses on understanding the environmental changes that shaped Earth’s habitability and whether similar conditions could exist on other planets.
Neil Gow is a former professor of microbiology at the University of Exeter. His research on fungal diseases and cell wall structure has contributed to our understanding of life-threatening infections.
The future of Tiktok in the United States is once again on the line. Following years of debates over whether to ban domestic apps, the deadline for the company to sell or transfer assets to non-Chinese owners is approaching on April 5th. Donald Trump has stated that his administration is nearing a deal with the app.
A few potential buyers have expressed interest in acquiring the immensely popular social media app. Reports have surfaced suggesting various deals, such as investments from Trump-friendly venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and bids from Amazon. In January, the president signed an executive order extending the ban or sale deadline to April. Despite his recent remarks expressing his desire to see Tiktok continue operating, the future for Tiktok and its 170 million US users remains uncertain.
In light of imposing sweeping tariffs on numerous countries, including China, Trump hinted during an Air Force event that trade penalties could be eased if the Chinese company owning Tiktok agrees to the sale.
Bytedance has stated that they have no intentions of selling the app, with court filings deeming the sale “simply impossible.” Bytedance and Tiktok have not responded to requests for comments.
The notion of banning Tiktok was first raised by Trump in 2020, citing national security risks posed by Chinese-owned apps. The issue garnered bipartisan support, leading to Congress overwhelmingly voting to ban the app last year. In January, the US Supreme Court sided with Congress, upholding federal law calling for the sale or ban of Tiktok. The original deadline was set for January 19th.
On the eve of the deadline, Tiktok ceased operations with a message stating, “I’m sorry, but Tiktok is currently unavailable.” Apple and Google also removed the app from their stores to comply with federal law. The social media company expressed gratitude that President Trump was willing to work towards a solution to bring Tiktok back online.
On his first day in office, Trump extended the deadline for the ban or divestment of Tiktok to the 75th. The looming deadline is now fast approaching.
Initially proposing a ban on Tiktok, Trump later joined the app and amassed millions of followers while campaigning for the presidency. He previously vowed to support Tiktok’s presence in the US and has endeavored to fulfill that promise.
Recent reports from CBS suggest that Trump is considering final proposals for Tiktok, including bids from various investors in private equity, venture capital, and the high-tech industry. Investors like Blackstone and Oracle are among those interested in acquiring Tiktok. Oracle, co-founded by Trump’s ally Larry Ellison, has been eyeing Tiktok’s profitable stake for years.
Analysts believe that it is highly unlikely for Tiktok to face another ban. Speculations point towards a potential sale or another form of expansion. The key question revolves around whether the algorithm will be included in the sale, as Tiktok without its algorithm would significantly impact its power and appeal.
sDevelopment cost. A long-term production cycle. Careful C-sweets that are trying to provide shareholders with reliable returns: For many reasons, big-budget video games lack original programming. Already this year we have seen the arrival of the 7th Mainline Civilization Game, the 14th entry in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, and the 27th Monster Hunter title of all the brain melting. But let’s take a look. This is a magical, authentic story with moody, hurricane-difficult imagination in America’s Deep South.
Midnight South gives a wonderfully atmospheric first impression. BL links with dim wind. It rains on the tin roof. The world is rendered in the creepy, bent details of Tim Burton’s films. Within minutes, the home of high school athlete Hazel and her mother, a social worker, are transported along the flooded river. Play as Hazel, you chase and run the boundaries with whimsical teenage wanderings across different platforms until the storms are harmonious. Then there are miles of stagnant, unfurried swamps. At one horrifying point, we explore a farm stacked with dead pigs that did not survive the typhoon.
As the main character, Hazel holds himself against this vivid and unusual world (at least for video games). With a mere flick of her wrist, a metaphysical sickle-like blade, Hazel tears through reality itself. This brave and determined young woman is a weaver, skilled at magically dispelling the unpleasant spirit that lurks in the shrilling glass bottles of her southern home. As a weaver, she can see a spectacular tapestry of a massive universe where myths, reality, time and space collide. Looking into the past, she learns the ancestors who helped her free slaves and tragic children die.
Vivid and unusual… Midnight South. Photo: Xbox Game Studio
Layout an energy-sprinting imaginative food stall in the south of midnight. The action-packed chapter whisks the action-packed chapter from Bios to chilly mountains, which feel like they’re bordering towards Appalachia. The atmosphere is thick – sometimes it becomes a little too thick. A friendly guide to this folktales is the giant catfish who speak in a clear Creole roll, especially about the classic Southern Dish Grits.
However, in actual performances, Midnight South is simply thin. With its almost linear mix of 3D platforms and close combat, the game evokes the PlayStation 2 era title. However, neither element has much personality. The brawl looks stylish and ends with a brutal finishing move where Hazel unleashes the very fabric of her wraith-like enemy presence. Truly, it lacks the depth and expressive possibilities of titles such as God’s War. The platform feels floating, from one prominently painted white shelf to another. And it just feels normative and clunky.
A team of visual artists, sound designers and screenwriters for the Microsoft-owned studio, Forced Games, created this sturdy, rustic place, but was able to be reverted with the gameplay of heartfelt smoothness. At various points, you have to escape from the vague, misty beings. However, these sequences are simple enough to lack dramatic tension. It is repeated many times throughout the approximately 12-hour period of the game, with the difficulty increasing slightly each time.
The other loops grate when time is stacked. Clear this area of decaying material (visual symptoms of land pain and trauma). Check out another lightly animated flashback. This lovingly described portrayal of Minami is rich and arrested, but the game is memorization.
All you’re left is a game where all the best ideas are optical. The Southern style of fairy tales unfolds like modern, summoning some of the whimsical and damaged beauty of 2012’s Beast of the Southern Wild, while taking on Toni Morrison’s fiction. The soundtrack is a rough collage of Howling Blues, awful folk and light-hearted jazz. Forced Game bottled a lot of Southern magic during the creation of this seemingly dangerous gambit for Microsoft, but it couldn’t take risks where it really matters.
When you arrive at work, what is the first thing you do? Do you unpack your bag, set up your desk, and then head straight for the coffee machine? You’re not alone.
According to the National Coffee Association, the average American drinks more than three cups of coffee a day. In moderation, coffee is often considered part of a healthy lifestyle for good reason. It is linked to a reduced risk of conditions like diabetes and certain types of cancer.
However, your morning brew may not be as healthy as you think. Coffee contains natural compounds that can raise cholesterol levels, and depending on how it is prepared, your daily cup may contain more of these compounds than ideal.
A team of Swedish researchers investigated coffee machines in workplaces and found that many people brewed coffee with high levels of these cholesterol-raising substances.
“For decades, we’ve known that certain types of coffee can elevate cholesterol levels,” said Dr. David Igman, co-author of new research published in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism, Cardiovascular Disease to BBC Science Focus.
In particular, unfiltered or boiled coffee is known to contain two cholesterol-raising compounds (cafestol and kahweol) that belong to a group of naturally occurring fats called diterpenes.
Liquid model coffee machines contain lower levels of diterpenes than other brewers. – Getty
These compounds are associated with an increased risk of high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease, as well as a slight reduction in “good” cholesterol (HDL).
In contrast, filtered coffee typically contains much lower levels of these compounds and is considered a safer choice in terms of cholesterol levels.
Dr. Igman explained, “At work, many people get their coffee from machines, and yet no one has actually tested these machines to see if they produce filtered or unfiltered coffee.”
To investigate, the team tested 14 coffee machines in different workplaces, collecting samples brewed on different days and measuring the levels of cafestol and kahweol in the final cup.
In their analysis, they also examined other common types of coffee, such as Scandinavian-style drip coffee, percolators, French presses, espresso, and boiled coffee.
The results showed significant variations between the machines, with some producing coffee with very low diterpene levels similar to paper coffee.
Paper-filtered coffee contains minimal cholesterol-raising cafestol. – Erik et al. Nutrition, Metabolism, Cardiovascular Disease
Dr. Igman concluded, “From our data, liquid model machines are definitely a better option, producing coffee with very low diterpene levels similar to paper coffee.”
Liquid model machines do not brew coffee in the traditional way; they combine liquid coffee concentrate with hot water to create a cup.
In contrast, traditional brewers use ground or whole beans, passing hot water through a metal filter, resulting in higher levels of cholesterol-raising compounds.
In summary, Dr. Igman advised, “Don’t worry about drinking coffee, as it is associated with various health benefits. However, if you regularly consume machine-made coffee at work, pay attention to how it is brewed, especially if you are monitoring your cholesterol levels.”
“While we don’t fully understand how these machines affect blood lipids, it’s likely dependent on the amount of coffee consumed. Using a paper filter or instant coffee is the safest option for cholesterol levels,” he added.
About our experts
David Igman is a research associate at the Dalana Centre for Clinical Research at the University of Uppsala, Sweden. His research focuses on American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Diabetes, and Internal Medicine.
hDoes OW follow just as complete and wide-ranging games as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? Nintendo has banked in the answer: it’s getting bigger. Double the number of racers to 24. Increase the number of characters (total of 60). More weapons. And, by catching the eye the most, more exploration.
While this is not a term related to closed circuits, the three-lap formula that the series has completed over the past 30 years, in the upcoming Switch 2 flagship launch title, Mario Kart World, Nintendo has demolished the tire barrier and offers players a For the Horizon style open world. It’s not exactly a complete reinvention of the wheel, but it’s a major change in format since the series began. Considering that a physical copy of Mario Kart World is retail for £75, is that enough?
I had the opportunity to spend some time playing new games, but what immediately struck me was that it was what I would expect from the next generation Mario Kart title. It’s familiar, incredibly refined, it plays perfectly no matter what’s slaughtered, and it looks fantastic. As I ran through the course, the temptation was to slow down and incorporate all the small, quirky details.
The famous internet… Mu Moo Meadows Beef. Photo: Nintendo
Perhaps you’ll have the opportunity to do that with the free roaming element of the game. I didn’t get much opportunity to explore this. It was essentially a lobby while waiting for 24 players to join. I had two modes. First it was the Grand Prix. This is your traditional Mario Kart incident: start, 3 laps, finish. The slight tweak here is that it’s not using closed circuit courses, but sprints all over the world. The moment you are in Boo’s cinema, the next moment you’ll become a prehistoric jungle. I chose to play as a cow of Mu Moo Meadows, a breakout star known for the recent Nintendo direct internet.
As a veteran Mario Kart player (to put it gently), I found you to play as expected. Muscle Memory Takes over: You skid (maybe less agile than the MK8D to explain the wider track). You throw a shell at the enemy. Just like he was trying to use the boost, he screams in frustration when he gets hit by lightning. The level’s design is beautiful, with each track apparently packing with alternative routes and small secrets. Wideer roads mean that the game will lose some of the claustrophobic massacre and cannot escape the sense that the emphasis on weapons rather than promoting skills in the series iterations, but I can live with it. Anyway, I win my first race – I want to record it – and my cow is given a glorious crown.
My time in the game also had one race in the knockout tour mode in Nintendo’s Battle Royale Style series. Follow the course and you will encounter checkpoints on the horizon. Crossing these, the four racers below block continuous and dropouts. This continues up to the final track where the remaining four races compete on the podium. I hadn’t noticed that I would race 23 other journalists in the room with me, so I chose to choose a racing comedy choice as a Wiggler on the Pink cruiser. If I had noticed the stakes, I would have been a Wario/Monster bike, but it’s my fault to assume that it’s a race that doesn’t matter. They are all important.
Knockout Tour mode is refreshing. If, like me, you believe you can achieve a godlike position in the MK8D and run each course during your sleep, if you are used to cruising in the first place without any single bananas in your name, prepare yourself. In Knockout mode, you may start from 24th to 24th.
The solution is to embrace the massacre. I feel that weapons are more important (I lost the number of golden mushrooms, bullet bills, and star powers I experienced). Amidst all the enthusiastic confusion, I had no idea how long the race had lasted – I think I’m somewhere between 3 minutes and 3 hours. I see the checkpoint and know that I know there is only one scary, timing red shell apart. Clearing the checkpoints provided relief. It was a hurry. I finished fifth and couldn’t qualify for the final section. Aside from this shame mark, my first impression of knockout mode is that it is an exciting reinvention of form and there is a strong chance that it is trying to become my whole personality.
I stumbled upon my homeless billionaire husband for Christmas, the quarterback by my side, XXL’s wife’s revenge, and my secret agent husband.
These may seem like whimsical fantasies, but they are actually part of a genre known as “vertical drama.” This innovative format for episodic television has captured the attention of millions of people worldwide.
Originating from China, the genre, often referred to as “Tiktok generation television,” consists of short episodes designed for viewing on smartphones. By 2027, the market for vertical drama is expected to reach a value of $14 billion (£11 billion).
“The growth of this genre signifies a demand among audiences that is not being met by the current media landscape,” explains Zhou Yuan, the founder of content Republic, a Beijing-based vertical film production company, as reported in a recent interview with a Hong Kong cinema.
Micro-dramas, known as Duanjus in Chinese, have made a significant impact on the Chinese audiovisual market before expanding globally, transforming the industry. Chinese companies are collaborating with foreign production firms to export this format, supported by a range of new streaming apps such as Reelshort, ShorttV, Dramapops, and FlextV.
In November of last year, California-based Reel Short, backed by Chinese investors, surpassed Tiktok as the most popular entertainment product in the Apple App Store in the US.
“Some skeptics questioned the willingness of audiences to pay for this content,” remarked Joey Jia, the CEO of Crazy Maple Studio, the company behind Reelshort, in an interview with the Washington Post.
Romantic soap opera posters feature titles like “Love is Sin” and “I’m Going to Hell.” Photo: Reel Short
Viewers are captivated by the familiar tropes found in Booktok readings, such as secret billionaires, forbidden love, and supernatural enemies. They are hooked by catchy titles, suspenseful cliffhangers, and dramatic moments. Typically, these apps offer a few free episodes before requiring a paid subscription. Similar to video games, Reelshort allows users to purchase “Coins” to access additional episodes.
Jen Cooper, the UK-based founder of Vertical Drama Love, has a passion for romantic films and comedies, which drew her to this format.
“Last April, during a challenging personal time, I found it difficult to focus on full-length dramas,” Cooper shared. “One day, I stumbled upon a vertical drama ad on Tiktok that piqued my interest.”
She delved into her first vertical drama, a captivating tale of a woman torn between her ex and uncle, titled “You Belong With Me.” “It embodies classic themes but at its core, it’s a beautiful love story with genuinely entertaining moments,” she remarked.
Cooper fell down the rabbit hole, creating an Instagram account to share reviews, connecting with industry insiders, and fostering a community of enthusiasts. The response was overwhelming, with over 16,000 votes from around the globe within a week of launching a fan award.
She discovered that many individuals turned to vertical dramas during challenging periods in their lives. “I’ve heard stories from family members, fans battling serious health issues or caring for loved ones. The audience ranges from women in their early 20s to their 60s. I’ve spoken to a Pakistani student, an elderly Italian woman bedridden, and a mother who lost her husband while doing household chores,” she shared.
The universal appeal lies in escapism, offering a quick dose of dopamine when life becomes overwhelming. “People yearn for satisfying outcomes, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy seeing incredibly attractive individuals fall in love?
Defne Turan, a production manager at London’s Seastar Productions, believes that vertical drama is the way forward.
She noted a surge in interest from filmmakers and actors eager to be part of this burgeoning genre. “It’s a new frontier, and we must approach it with the same level of care as traditional productions. Just because it’s different and fast-paced doesn’t mean we compromise on quality,” she emphasized. “We utilize industry-standard equipment, and many experienced production crews and makeup artists from major productions are involved.”
For many actors like Teig Sadana, vertical dramas offer a lifeline in a competitive industry. They provide consistent work amidst strikes and cutbacks. Verticals are typically shot in just 7-10 days, with two cameras capturing scenes in a single take.
Australian and British actor Teig Sadana credits the format for providing him with steady work opportunities. Photo: Jennifer Cooper
Teig Sadana, a 29-year-old Australian British actor based in New York, transitioned to vertical dramas after completing his studies at Stella Adler Studios.
“I responded to a rather standard acting job ad on a website, not fully comprehending what ‘vertical’ entailed. I needed the paycheck,” he admitted. After a brief conversation with the supervisor, he found himself on set a few days later filming “Glory of Pennsylvania’s Revenge.”
“Since then, I’ve worked on 10 films across various major vertical platforms, collaborating with talented professionals and experiencing the joy and stability of consistent work,” Sadana shared.
Initially challenged by the format’s constraints on character development, Sadana learned to embrace its unique style, preventing him from “overindulging.”
Nick Westway, a former star of the Australian soap opera “Home and Away,” currently stars in “The Double Life of Hitmaster President.”
According to Zhou, Content Republic plans to produce 400 vertical dramas annually, with 200 intended for the domestic Chinese market and 200 for international audiences.
While it remains to be seen if the novelty of the genre will fade (some platforms have ceased operations within six months), even established media companies are taking note of the trend and striving to engage younger audiences. In 2023, Paramount Pictures released a series of 23 snippets from “Mean Girls” on Tiktok.
“This is a space that resonates with audiences and offers valuable insights into how creators and viewers embrace it,” remarked Sacha Kari, Channel 4’s digital commissioning manager.
There is a higher likelihood of newer and more expensive medicines being produced in the US or Europe, with Ireland emerging as a hub due to its tax benefits.
Many major pharmaceutical products, such as Merck’s keytruda, Eli Lilly’s Zepbound, and Johnson & Johnson’s Stellara, are at least partially manufactured in Ireland.
President Trump acknowledged Ireland’s significance in the pharmaceutical industry during a meeting with Prime Minister Michael Martin in March.
Why did American drug manufacturing move overseas?
US drug production peaked in 2006, coinciding with the loss of patent protection for several top-selling American drugs and the rise of generic manufacturers in India and China. The phasing out of incentives for manufacturing in Puerto Rico led to the shift of production overseas, particularly to countries like Ireland offering tax benefits.
In 2021, most major generic drugs, antibiotics, and antivirals in the US rely on active ingredients produced outside the country, posing a potential risk to domestic drug supply.
President Trump expressed concern about the US’s reliance on foreign sources for essential medicines like antibiotics.
One example is the production of amoxicillin, a common antibiotic, which is predominantly located in China, India, and Europe, highlighting the vulnerability of US drug supply chains.
Has drugs been previously affected by tariffs?
While drugs are typically exempt from tariffs under global trade agreements, recent tariffs imposed by Trump on Chinese imports have impacted drug manufacturers importing active ingredients from China to the US.
The additional costs of tariffs could potentially lead to drug shortages, particularly for generic drugs with slim profit margins, prompting manufacturers to consider exiting the market.
Will tariffs lead to drug shortages?
Tariffs on active ingredients from China may exacerbate existing drug shortages, especially for generic injectables that are more challenging and less profitable to produce compared to new drugs.
Concerns have been raised about the impact of tariffs on drug supply chains, particularly for essential medications like lidocaine, where most active ingredients are sourced from India.
Campaigners for child safety have cautioned the government against including significant online regulations in the UK-US trade deal, labelling any potential compromise as a “disturbing betrayal” that goes against public sentiment.
The preliminary Trans-Atlantic Trade Agreement, despite objections from the White House, contains provisions to consider implementing online safety regulations, a move that could endanger freedom of speech, as reported on Thursday.
The Molly Rose Foundation, established by the relatives of Molly Russell, a British teenager who tragically ended her life after encountering harmful online content, expressed disappointment and dismay at the prospect of these regulations being used as bargaining chips in a trade agreement.
In a statement to business secretary Jonathan Reynolds, the MRF urged against continuing the troubling trend of compromising child safety.
Reports from the online newsletter Playbook revealed the commitment to enforce the Online Safety Act (OSA) alongside another law – Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Law – with a focus on high-tech platforms.
This week, concerns were raised as the US State Department engaged with the UK communications regulator OFCOM regarding the potential impact on freedom of expression due to OSA.
The Online Safety Act is geared towards safeguarding children, mandating that individuals under 18 are shielded from harmful material like content related to self-harm and suicide. Companies found in violation of the Act can face hefty fines or service suspension in the UK.
Beevan Kidron, a crossbench peer and advocate for internet safety, criticized the Labour Party for potentially trading child safety guidelines for economic benefits. The NSPCC urged the government not to backtrack on commitments to enhance online safety for children.
When questioned in parliament about the inclusion of the Digital Safety and Competition Act and Digital Services Tax in trade discussions, the business secretary acknowledged differing opinions on issues like VAT but declined to delve into specifics. Sources close to Reynolds did not dispute the Playbook’s findings.
Peter Kyle, the Technology Secretary, affirmed the government’s stance on online security, asserting that protections for children and vulnerable individuals are non-negotiable.
A spokesperson for the prime minister reiterated the government’s steadfast position on online safety, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding children online and ensuring that illegal activities offline remain prohibited on the internet.
Approximately 6,500 years ago, hunting kits included spear throwers, boomerang fragments, wood and stone tipped darts. These were discovered in a cave in West Texas near remnants of a small fire and a well-preserved pile of human waste, suggesting past human habitation.
Recently, archaeologists from Surros State University and Kansas University uncovered one of the oldest almost complete wooden and stone hunting weapons in North America. The findings are still being studied, but initial assessments indicate that one weapon may be around 7,000 years old.
Brion Schroeder, director of the Big Bend Research Center, expressed surprise at the discoveries, highlighting the unique insights into ancient hunting methods and tool maintenance.
Recent discoveries in a cave near Malfa, Texas have revealed hunting kits containing weapons and antelope skins likely used for clothing. The excavation, funded by the University of Kansas, aims to uncover ancient human artifacts in North America.
Dr. Schroeder and his team faced challenges from looters but persisted in their search for ancient artifacts. The depths of the cave yielded valuable insights into the hunting practices of early humans.
During the excavation, researchers unearthed parts of a hunting kit, suggesting the cave was used by hunters to store and repair their weapons. This sheds light on how ancient hunters maintained their tools and equipment.
The discovery of various tools and their arrangement indicates a systematic approach to hunting and tool maintenance by the ancient inhabitants of the cave.
Among the artifacts found is an atlatl, or spear thrower, considered one of the oldest in North America. The well-preserved wooden components of the atlatl provide valuable insights into ancient hunting techniques.
In addition to the atlatl, researchers discovered fragments of boomerangs, wooden darts, and stone tips, indicating a sophisticated approach to hunting and tool usage by ancient humans.
The discoveries offer a rare glimpse into the daily lives and hunting practices of ancient people, showcasing their advanced technology and strategic planning.
The age and completeness of the artifacts suggest a well-maintained weapon kit used by ancient hunters, providing valuable insights into their behavior and technology.
The discoveries shed light on the skills and foresight of ancient hunters, highlighting their ability to adapt to their environment and plan for their hunting expeditions.
Anthropology experts emphasize the rarity of finding well-preserved organic materials in ancient tools, showcasing the complexity of ancient hunting equipment beyond stone tools.
Ongoing analyses of the artifacts aim to uncover not only insights into ancient human diet and DNA but also the advanced weaponry used by early hunters. Collaboration with Indigenous groups ensures respectful research practices and eventual public sharing of findings.
The discoveries challenge preconceived notions of ancient hunting methods and highlight the intelligence and adaptability of early human societies.
Archaeologists and researchers emphasize the importance of these findings in understanding the behavior and technology of ancient hunting communities.
A lawsuit totaling $2.4 billion (£1.8 billion) has been filed against Meta, accusing the owners of Facebook of contributing to violent activities following a ruling by the Kenya High Court allowing legal proceedings against US technology companies to proceed.
The suit, brought by two Ethiopians, demands that Facebook change its algorithm to increase the number of content moderators in Africa and prevent the promotion of hate-driven material and instigation of violence. It also seeks a $2.4 billion “return fund” for victims affected by hatred and violence incited on Facebook.
One of the plaintiffs is the son of Professor Meareg Amare Abrha, who was killed in Ethiopia after his location and threatening position were exposed on Facebook during a civil war in 2021. The other plaintiff, Fissehatekle, a former Amnesty International researcher, released a report on violence during a conflict in Tigray, northern Ethiopia, and also faced violence orchestrated through Facebook.
Meta argues that the Kenyan court, where Facebook’s Ethiopian moderator was situated, does not have jurisdiction over the case. However, the Kenya High Court in Nairobi ruled that the case falls within the state court’s jurisdiction.
Abrham Meareg, son of Meareg, expressed gratitude for the court’s decision, emphasizing the importance of Meta being accountable under Kenyan law. Tekuru, unable to return to Ethiopia due to Meta’s insufficient safety measures, called for fundamental changes in content moderation on all platforms to prevent similar incidents.
The lawsuit, backed by nonprofit organizations like Foxglove and Amnesty International, also demands a formal apology from Meta for Meareg’s murder. Katiba Institute, a Kenya-based NGO focusing on constitutional matters, is the third plaintiff in the case.
In a 2022 analysis, it was found that Facebook allowed content inciting violence through hatred and misinformation despite knowing the repercussions in Tiggray. Meta refuted the claims, citing investments in safety measures and efforts to combat hate speech and misinformation in Ethiopia.
In January, Meta announced plans to remove fact checkers and reduce censorship on its platform while continuing to address illegal and severe violations. Meta has not commented on the ongoing legal proceedings.
The destructive forces of shocking asteroids are estimated primarily by knowledge of their size. Near Earth Asteroid 2024 YR4 reached a peak 2032 impact probability on Earth at 3%, motivated the desire to determine its size. Due to its infrared capabilities, the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webbspace Telescope is uniquely suited to such evaluations. Johns Hopkins University astronomer Andrew Livkin and his colleagues used two Webb instruments to measure the diameter for 2024.
These web images show asteroid 2024 YR4 near Earth. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/STSCI/A. RIVKIN, JHU/APL.
2024 yr4 On December 27, 2024, the Asteroid Terrestrial Impact of Río Hurtado was discovered by the Last Alert System (Atlas) station.
The asteroid took a close approach to Earth at a distance of 828,800 km (515,000 miles) two days before its discovery.
Initial observations from the 2024 YR4 showed that the diameter was 40-90 m (131-295 ft).
Dr. Eric McLennan, an astronomer at the University of Helsinki, said:
“However, thermal radiation at infrared wavelengths is a direct indicator of size.”
Nircam data reflects light, while Miri’s observations show heat light.
“The observations were taken to study the thermal properties of the 2024 YR4, including how quickly it heats and cools at the current distance from the sun, and how hot the heat is,” the astronomer said.
“These measurements show that this asteroid does not share the properties observed on the larger asteroid.”
“This could be a combination of its fast spin and a lack of fine sand on its surface.”
“More research is needed, but this is thought to coincide with surfaces dominated by rocks that are roughly below the size of a fist.”
New Webb observations show that the asteroid measures approximately 60 m (197 feet).
“The 2024 YR4 has been the smallest object that Webb has ever targeted and is one of the smallest objects that directly measure its size,” the researchers said.
“New observations from Webb provide unique information about the size of the YR4 in 2024, as well as complement the ground-based observations of the object’s location to improve understanding of the object’s trajectory and future trajectory.”
Team’s Survey results It was published in AAS research notes.
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As Livin et al. 2025. JWST observation of potentially dangerous asteroid 2024 YR4. res. Note AAS 9, 70; doi:10.3847/2515-5172/ADC6F0
According to a major academic mission by the UK government to review the impact of smartphones on teenagers, a blanket ban is considered “unrealistic and potentially harmful.” Amy Oben, a former member of Cambridge University, leads the research on children and smartphone use commissioned by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), along with other academics from various UK universities.
Despite resistance from the Minister to impose new legal restrictions on social media and smartphones for children, beyond existing online safety laws that protect against harmful content, some lawmakers are advocating for further restrictions such as limiting access to social media for individuals under 16, a complete ban on smartphones in schools, or regulating social media algorithms that expose young teens to addictive content.
A recent paper by four co-authors of the British Journal of Medicine (BMJ) argued that bans and restrictions are ineffective, although they acknowledged the importance of providing children and teens with phone-free spaces.
The paper highlighted the challenges of protecting youth from potential harms of technology while also recognizing the benefits of information access and social support provided by smartphones and social media.
Researchers emphasized the need for a nuanced approach, acknowledging that there is no one-size-fits-all solution and that banning devices could hinder children’s rights to access beneficial technologies that support their development.
The Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, appointed Orben to lead further research on the impact of smartphones on child health and welfare. Orben emphasized the complexity of understanding the digital impact on youth and the importance of generating quality evidence for informed decision-making.
Ministers face pressure to address the use of smartphones by teenagers, especially concerning harmful online content. Discussions about restrictions on social media algorithms for teens and bans on smartphones in schools are ongoing.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is reviewing guidelines on smartphone bans in schools to assess their effectiveness, while Prime Minister Kiel Starmer is engaging in discussions with stakeholders to address potential harm associated with smartphone and social media use.
DSIT has been approached for comment on this matter.
Apes and monkeys have special anatomy in their throats Voice membraneit disappeared from humans through evolution, allowing for more stable speech. However, the exact benefits these offer to non-human primates were previously unknown. New research provides important new insights Various vocal sounds It reveals for the first time how nonhuman primates and certain calls are generated.
The range from Mexico to Argentina has been found to have evolved the largest vocal membranes of all primates, suggesting that these thin tissue ribbons play a particularly important role in the repertoire of vocal production and calling. This image shows the black and gold Howler monkeys (Alouatta Caraya). Image credit: Jacob Dunn of Anglia Ruskin University.
Humans have evolved their ability to speak, but apes and monkeys, closest relatives in the animal kingdom, lack this skill.
However, they have a special anatomy in the larynx that humans have lost during their evolution: a thin, lightweight tissue membrane at the top of the crease of the voice.
Previous studies have suggested that these structures contribute to the complexity of animal vocalization, but their precise roles remain largely unclear to date.
The new study, led by researchers at Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Vienna, shows that these membranes promote rapid frequency transitions and significantly expand the range and complexity of monkey vocalization.
Scientists documented and studied the appeals of various primate species at the La Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary in Bolivia.Alouatta Caraya), tufted cappuchin (Sapaju Appella), black capped squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis), and Peruvian spider monkeys (Atheres Chamek).
A combination of methods was used to identify two different modes of vocal fold vibration.
The first mode, which involves only the folding of the voice, produces a low-frequency sound similar to human ponation.
The second mode, which also involves the vocal membrane, results in much higher frequency oscillations, and, like human yodel, produces dramatic “mutation.”
In some cases, these shifts span octaves over 3 octaves. This goes far beyond the human ability of voice breaks, usually limited to a single octave.
“This is an attractive example of how nature offers a means to enrich animal vocalization despite the lack of language,” says Dr. Christian Herbst, a researcher at the University of Vienna.
“The production of these complex vocal patterns is almost possible by the way the animal’s larynx is anatomically shaped, and does not require the complex neural control produced by the brain.”
“These results show how monkeys can exploit new evolutionary features that can generate a wider range of calls, including these ultra-yodel,” says Jacob Dunn, a researcher at Anglia Ruskin University.
“This may be especially important for primates who have complex social lives and need to communicate in a variety of ways.”
This study further suggests that the vocal membrane also introduces vocal instability while enhancing the pitch range.
“Our research shows that the vocal membrane extends the pitch range of monkeys, but it also makes the voice unstable,” says Dr. Tecumse Fitch, a researcher at the University of Vienna.
“They may have been lost during human evolution to promote stability in the pitch of songs and speech.”
study Published in the journal Philosophical trade of the Royal Society b.
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Christian T. Herbst et al. 2025. “Monkey Yodel” – The new world’s frequency jumps far outweigh the human vocal register transition. fill. transformer. R. Soc. b 380 (1923): 20240005; doi: 10.1098/rstb.2024.0005
Dust devils are formed by rising warm air and rotating columns.
Air near the planet’s surface is heated by contact with warm ground and rises through the dense, cold air above.
It starts to spin as other air moves along the surface and replaces the warmer air rise.
As the incoming air rises to the pillar, the rotating ice skater speeds up so that it brings its arms closer to his body.
The air that charges also picks up dust, creating a dusty demon.
“The Dust Devils play an important role in Mars weather patterns,” said Dr. Katie Stack Morgan, a researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
“These phenomena indicate atmospheric conditions such as wind direction and velocity, and are responsible for about half of the dust in the atmosphere of Mars, so the dust devil is important.”
NASA’s Viking Orbiter in the 1970s was the first spacecraft to photograph the Dust Devils on Mars.
Twenty years later, the agency’s Pathfinder mission first took images from the surface, detecting the dust demon passing by the Lander.
The spirit and opportunity of the Twin Rovers was able to capture a significant share of the dusty whirlwind.
Curiosity is patience exploring a place called Mount Sharp in Gale Crater, opposite Mars.
Since landing in 2021, perseverance has whirlwind many occasions, including one on September 27, 2021. There, a group of Dust Devils danced across the Jeza Crater floor, and the rover used a super-cam microphone to record the first sounds of the Dust Devils on Mars.
Three dust devils can be seen in this image, taken on the rims of Jezero Crater by NASA’s Patience Mars Rover on January 25th, 2025. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI.
When I snapped a new image with patience about 1 km (0.6 miles), the large dust devil was about 65 m (210 feet) wide, but the smaller, and the driving dust demon was about 5 m (16 feet) wide.
Two other dust devils can also be seen in the background on the left and center.
Patience documented the scene as he explored the western edge of Mars’ Jezero Crater on January 25th, 2025.
“The patience scientist of the Institute of Space Sciences” said: “The patience scientist of the Institute of Space Sciences.”
“These mini-twisters wander the surface of Mars, pick up dust and lower the view of nearby areas.”
“If two dust devils arise from each other, they can either wipe them out or the stronger one can consume the weaker one and merge them.”
This article is part of It’s overlookedno obituaries were reported in the times about the astonishing people who died in 1851.
Katherine Dexter McCormick was born into a life of wealth that has deteriorated through marriage, but may have simply enjoyed many of the benefits that flowed in her way. Instead, she placed her considerable fortune, in line with her considerable intentionality, to make the woman’s life better.
Activist, philanthropist and benefactor McCormick strategically used her wealth. Most notably, he undertook basic research that led to the development of contraceptives in the late 1950s.
Previously, contraception in the US was very limited, with diaphragm and condoms being banned. The advent of pills made it easier for women to plan when and whether they have children, and promoted the explosive sexual revolution of the 1960s. Today, the pill is despite some side effects Most widely used A reversible form of birth control in the United States.
McCormick’s interest in birth control began in the 1910s when she learned of Margaret Sanger, a feminist leader who was imprisoned for opening the country’s first birth control clinic. She shared Sanger’s passionate belief that women should be able to diagram their biological fate.
The two met in 1917 and soon hatched an elaborate scheme for smuggling diaphragms into the United States.
Diaphragm was prohibited under the Comstock Act of 1873, resulting in a federal crime of mailing or delivering “indecent, indecent or crude” material, including pornography, birth control, and items used for abortion. (I have received laws that still prohibit mailing items related to abortions New attention (Because the federal rights to abortion were overturned in 2022)
Fluent in French and German, McCormick traveled to Europe, where the diaphragm was commonly used. She studied biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was able to possibly possibly in a meeting with the diaphragm maker. “She bought hundreds of devices and hired a local tailor to sew it on her dresses, evening dresses and coats.” Articles from 2011 MIT Technology Review. “Then she wrapped her clothes around and stuffed them neatly into the trunk for shipping.”
She and her steamer trunks passed through customs. If authorities had stopped her, they would have said, “Only the slightly fluffy dresses that own the boss’s socialites would ooze such self-importance, grandly restraining Porter and doubting nothing.”
From 1922 to 1925, McCormick smuggled over 1,000 diaphragms into Sanger’s clinic.
After her husband passed away in 1947, she took over a significant amount of money, and she asked Sanger for advice on how to put it to use birth control advances. In 1953, Sanger introduced Gregory Goodwin Pinkus and Min Chew Chan, a researcher in Worcester experimental biology in Massachusetts.
She was excited by their work and provided what she needed to provide almost all of the funding (about $23 million today). She even moved to Worcester to monitor and encourage their research. Pincus’ wife Elizabeth explained that McCormick was a warrior.
Katherine Moore Dexter was born on August 27, 1875 in Dexter, west of Detroit, to a family of wealthy social activists. The town is named after his grandfather, Samuel W. Dexter. Samuel W. Dexter founded it in 1824, maintaining an underground railway stop in the home where Catherine was born. Her great grandfather, Samuel Dexter, was the Secretary of Treasury under President John Adams.
Catherine and her brother, Samuel T. Dexter, grew up in Chicago. Their mother, Josephine (Moore) Dexter, was a Boston Brahmin who supported women’s rights. Their father, Wirt Dexter, was a powerful lawyer who served as president of the Chicago Bar Association and director of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroads. He also later led the relief committee. Amazing Chicago Fire In 1871 he was a major real estate developer.
He passed away when Catherine was 14 years old. A few years later, her brother died of meningitis while attending Harvard Law School. Those early deaths directed her into a medical career.
She attended MIT and majored in biology. A rare achievement for women of that era. She arrives with her own heart and successfully completes the rule that female students must always wear hats, claiming that they always pose a fire risk at the Institute of Science. She graduated in 1904 and was planning to attend medical school.
But by then she had begun dating the dashing Stanley Robert McCormick, whom she knew in Chicago. She knew in Chicago. As a young lawyer, he helped negotiate the merger that became his family. Main owner of International HarvesterBy 1909 it was America’s fourth largest industrial company and was measured by assets.
McCormick persuades Katherine to marry him instead of going to medical school. They married at their Swiss mother Chateau and settled in Brookline, Massachusetts.
However, even before they got married, he showed signs of mental instability, so he began to experience violent and delusional delusions. He was later admitted to hospital with what was later determined to be schizophrenia and remained under psychiatric care – almost Riven Rock, Until his death, McCormick Family Estate in Montecito, California. She never divorced him and never remarried. They had no children.
Katherine McCormick spent decades in personal, medical and legal disputes with her husband’s siblings. They fought about his treatment, his protection, and ultimately his property, Prologue Magazine’s 2007 articlePublications of the National Archives. She is his sole beneficiary, inheriting about $40 million ($563 million in today’s dollars). She combined with the $10 million inherited from her mother (more than $222 million today) made her one of America’s wealthiest women.
As her husband’s illness consumed her personal life, McCormick threw herself into social causes. She contributed financially to the suffrage movement, gave speeches, demonstrated leadership and demonstrated leadership to become treasurer and vice president. National Women’s Suffrage Association. After women gained the right to vote in 1920, the association evolved into a federation of women’s voters. McCormick has become vice president.
In 1927 she founded the Neuroendocrine Research Foundation at Harvard Medical School. She provided funding for 20 years, gaining expertise in endocrinology, and later conveyed her interest in the development of oral contraceptives.
After the FDA approved the pill, McCormick turned his attention to funding the first on-campus residence for women at MIT when he studied there. The women did not have a home. “If we can properly accommodate them, the best science education in our country will be open forever,” she said.
Named after her husband, McCormick Hall opened in 1963 on the Institute’s Cambridge campus. At the time, women accounted for about 3% of the school’s undergraduate students. Today they make up about 50%.
By the time she died of a stroke at her Boston home on December 28, 1967, McCormick was playing a major role in expanding opportunities for women in the 20th century. She was 92 years old.
Apart from the short Boston Globe article, she barely noticed her death. The later obituaries of birth control researchers she supported did not mention her role in their achievements.
At her will, she left $5 million in the planned Parent-Child Relations Federation (more than $46 million today) and $1 million in the Pincus Institute (more than $9 million today). Previously, she had donated Swiss successive property to the US government for use by diplomatic missions in Geneva. She left most of the rest of her property
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