Mondo News

X-ray Enhanced Fabric Potentially Alleviates Mammogram Discomfort

Posted on June 28, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Mammograms can be painful,

Dahlia Artemenko/Alamie

Getting X-rays can be quite uncomfortable. You might need to lie still while experiencing discomfort or as a part of your body is compressed. However, innovative flexible fabrics that enhance X-ray detection could alleviate this issue.

“Picture scanning your child for injuries and conducting a painless breast examination without requiring the child to stay still,” says Li Xu from the Hong Kong Institute of Technology. She and her team have developed a fabric known as X-Wear, which emits light when exposed to X-rays.

X-rays typically utilize scintillation components, which are harder to detect than visible light, in both medical and industrial applications. For example, they can convert rays that penetrate your limbs into visible light, allowing for the creation of images that reveal internal details like fractures. However, the current scintillators are usually rigid, which makes them uncomfortable for use in devices where they are embedded.

To tackle this issue, researchers have reformulated scintillating materials, like reshaping gadolinium oxide sprinkled with europium into fine fibers, which are then integrated into fabrics.

Xu mentions that crafting these fibers to be flexible while ensuring they emit sufficient light for producing high-resolution images when exposed to X-rays poses a technical challenge. Her team has demonstrated that fabrics can be utilized for dental X-rays – in tests, X-Wear adapted to the shape of a clay mouth model and teeth. It has also been used for mammography, where an X-Wear bra was created to eliminate the need for compressing a person’s breasts during imaging, a common current practice.

Imalka Jayawardena from the University of Surrey in the UK emphasizes that X-Wear’s body-compliant nature is a significant advantage over other flexible scintillator designs, which tend to be film-like and inflexible. However, he notes that the light detectors paired with X-Wear are still flat, limiting the fabric’s potential applications.

Currently, researchers can produce about a quarter of a square meter of X-Wear samples, meaning production must be scaled up and adapted for industrial-grade equipment before it can be used widely, according to Xu.

The team is also exploring X-Wear’s potential for industrial use, envisioning small, flexible devices for inspecting electronics and identifying defects in pipelines. Xu also notes that first responders in disaster zones could utilize X-Wear, equipped with smartphones and compact X-ray sources, for conducting on-site scans.

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Famous Authors Sue Microsoft Over AI Training Using Their Books

Posted on June 28, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A coalition of authors has accused Microsoft of utilizing nearly 200,000 pirated copies to develop an artificial intelligence model. This accusation adds to the ongoing legal struggles surrounding copyright issues between creative professionals and tech companies.

Kai Bird, Jia Tolentino, Daniel Okrent, and others argue that Microsoft intends to use a well-known digital version of their book to train Megatron AI for generating responses to user queries. Their lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York on Tuesday, is among several crucial cases initiated by authors, news outlets, and other copyright holders against tech firms regarding alleged misuse in AI training.

The authors are seeking a court order to prohibit statutory damages of up to $150,000 for each work that Microsoft is accused of misusing.

Generative AI products like Megatron can produce text, music, images, and videos based on user input. To develop these models, software engineers gather expansive databases of media and train AI to produce similar outputs.

The authors claim that Microsoft has utilized a trove of nearly 200,000 pirated books for training Megatron, which generates text responses to prompts. The complaint states that Microsoft employed these pirated datasets to “build not only computer models from the works of numerous creators and authors but also to produce a variety of representations replicating the syntax, sound, and themes of the copyrighted works.”

A Microsoft representative has yet to respond to inquiries about the lawsuit, while the authors’ attorney declined to comment.

This lawsuit against Microsoft was filed just after a federal judge in California ruled that the use of copyrighted material for AI training could be considered fair use, but acknowledged that they might still be liable for the utilization of pirated book versions. This marked the first US legal decision addressing the legality of using copyrighted materials without authorization for AI training. On the same day the complaint against Microsoft was filed, a California judge ruled in favor of Meta in a similar copyright dispute, attributing the decision more to the plaintiff’s weak argument than to the strength of the tech company’s defense.

The conflict over copyright and AI emerged soon after the launch of ChatGPT, encompassing various forms of media. The New York Times has taken legal action against OpenAI for copyright infringement related to article archives. Similarly, Dow Jones, the parent company of the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, has filed a lawsuit against the perplexed AI. Major record labels are pursuing legal action against companies producing AI music generators. Getty Images has also sued Stability AI concerning a startup’s text-to-image product. Just last week, Disney and NBC Universal initiated legal proceedings against Midjourney, a company operating popular AI image generators that are believed to misuse iconic film and television characters.

Tech companies argue that being compelled to use copyrighted materials fairly to create new, transformative content and to compensate copyright holders could hinder the burgeoning AI industry. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stated that the development of ChatGPT was “impossible” without incorporating copyrighted works.

Lake of the Lake: Why Did Adam Roberts Opt for Utopia Over Dystopia in His Novel?

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Two spacecraft explore the black hole, highlighted in Adam Roberts’ novel.

Science Photo Library / Alamy Stock Photo

The foundation of this novel stemmed from my desire to craft utopian fiction, a first for me, as my earlier works primarily revolved around traditional science fiction. The concept of utopia—portraying an improved or ideal world—predates science fiction itself, famously introduced by Thomas More in his 1516 work, Utopia.

Intrigued by the evolution of this genre, I noted that More’s Utopia inspired numerous copies. Over the subsequent 17th and 18th centuries, a multitude of utopian literature emerged. It flourished in the 19th century and continued into the 20th with notable works like Samuel Butler’s Erewhon (1872), William Morris’s News from Nowhere (1892), H.G. Wells’s A Modern Utopia (1905), and B.F. Skinner’s Walden Two (1948). Edward Bellamy’s Looking Backward (1888) stands out as a significant American bestseller, catalyzing the establishment of numerous “Bellamy Clubs” and a nationalist movement aimed at realizing his vision of utopia.

But what about our contemporary landscape? Utopian narratives seem largely relegated, replaced by an overwhelming prevalence of dystopian themes—the dark antithesis. Think of titles like The Hunger Games, Road, Divergent, and The Maze Runner, alongside numerous cyberpunk realms, Battle Royale, and Oryx and Crake. This raises an intriguing question: why has utopia fallen out of favor while dystopia thrives?

One potential explanation is that utopia inherently lacks conflict. When aspiring writers present their imaginative worlds, I often query, “Where’s the conflict?” Without conflict, there’s no drama or narrative. Crafting a perfect utopia is challenging because, by its nature, a flawless realm might lack the tension necessary for storytelling. I’ve often contended that no one truly writes a utopia, to which some might counter with Iain M. Banks’s Culture series as an example. Yet, Banks seldom delves into the euphoria of cultural existence, focusing instead on the dangers surrounding its covert agencies. In my own narrative, the characters are extricated from their utopian comforts, thrust into peril, monstrosities, and adventure.

However, I aspired to delve deeper and scrutinize the very essence of utopia itself. Is the ideal world even attainable? “Can we make the world a little better?”—this is certainly achievable, but can we fully reorganize society to achieve a flawless utopia?

Some years back, I was invited to deliver a keynote address at the Utopialess Conference, an annual event across Europe. During my visit to Tarragona, Spain, I presented my ideas, which can be summarized as follows: Utopia, as a concept, cannot elude the nuances of human nature. Some utopias manifest in authoritarian structures (as seen in More’s original vision), where the authority must reconcile power with utopian ideals. Conversely, others are grassroots endeavors, suggesting that with the removal of material or psychological ailments, humanity can coexist blissfully. I must express my skepticism; as literary critic John Carrey posits, all utopias share a fundamental desire to sanitize reality, simplifying the existence of actual human beings.

In my Utopial speech, I proposed that the most compelling representation of utopia in modern culture is a television series: Teletubbies. These entities—whether genetically modified posthumans, or simply whimsical beings—embody utopian principles, existing in a bubble of childlike simplicity where their needs are easily met, leading to constant joy. Yet, it’s unlikely that adults would perceive Teletubbyland as desirable. This suggests that the concept of utopia is somewhat infantilized. Following my lecture, I mingled at the reception, engaging with attendees. Some were dismissive and turned away when approached, a reaction clarified later by organizers. The conference attracted both literary scholars and true Utopians—those genuinely seeking to realize their visions. They felt I was mocking their aspirations.

I regret they felt insulted, but I stand by my interpretations in Lake of Darkness, where I intertwine social theory, imaginative technological elements, and distinct characters to explore utopian ideals.

Adam Roberts’ Lake of Darkness (Gollancz) is the latest selection for the New Scientist Book Club. Join us and read together here.

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New Scientist Book Club

Six Arrested During Protest Against Palantir’s Deportation Software for Trump Officials

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

On Thursday morning, six demonstrators were arrested while protesting outside their offices in New York City. The protest aimed to spotlight businesses engaged in controversial practices that facilitate the deportation of immigrants in the United States.

The activists gathered in front of the Palantir office located on Manhattan Avenue, linking their arms to obstruct the building’s entrance, effectively stopping several individuals attempting to pass. At one point, some protesters entered the lobby of the building, holding signs that read “Palantir Powers ICE,” referencing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Organized by Planet over Profit, a climate justice organization that addresses systemic inequality, the protest received support from the immigration rights group Mijente. After approximately an hour, police intervened, dispersing the crowd. The six arrested individuals were subsequently taken to the seventh precinct and released by 11:20 AM.

Protesters are arrested outside Palantir’s New York office. Photo: Luigi Morris

Caroline Chouinard, a Brooklyn resident among those arrested, stated that police began zip-tying individuals before fully complying with dispersal commands. Chouinard mentioned that some people identifying themselves as Palantir employees also physically advanced on the protesters. Video footage taken by Planet representatives did not confirm if those pushing the protesters were indeed Palantir employees. Chouinard was released on a subpoena for a court appearance regarding disorderly conduct charges.

“During the arrest, we faced significant physical violence,” Chouinard told the Guardian. “I didn’t plan to get arrested personally. I positioned my body to stand my ground. I was continually pushed down and grabbed.”

Chouinard expressed their reason for attending the protest was to oppose Palantir’s role in enabling institutions that “have harmed my neighbor and made them disappear.”

“We are interrupting Palantir’s normal operations because it doesn’t belong in NYC to create AI that strengthens and streamlines fascism,” Chouinard stated. “Palantir specializes in monitoring and tracking individuals. It’s our duty to keep them accountable. They collaborate with the Trump administration, ICE, and the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces). From New York to Los Angeles, fear is perpetuated by companies like Palantir.”

The company has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding the protest.

Protesters are demonstrating outside Palantir’s New York office. Photo: Luigi Morris

Founded in 2003 by billionaire investor Peter Thiel and currently led by CEO Alex Karp, Palantir, known for data mining, has garnered criticism due to its increasing contracts with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies. In April, Palantir received a $30 million contract to develop an immigration surveillance platform for ICE, aimed at expediting the identification and apprehension of targeted immigrants. This contract adds to previous ICE contracts, with Palantir first awarded one during the Obama administration in 2014, subsequently renewed multiple times. The company is set to assist in creating “Mega APIs” for data access within the Internal Revenue Service.

In a letter sent in mid-June, ten Democrats highlighted that Palantir’s initiative to construct a “mega-database” for the Trump administration would combine personal information from multiple government sources, risking violations of federal privacy laws according to reports from the New York Times.

The company refuted the claims made by the Democrats’ letter, asserting: “To clarify: Palantir does not create a master database, nor do we enable extensive surveillance of American citizens. We do not manage the system or determine its applications.”

Protesters did not expect any response from Palantir concerning their demands to cease collaborations with ICE or other federal entities. According to Liv Senghor, the lead organizer from Planet over Profit, their focus was on mobilizing “the average American.”

“We want everyday individuals who value freedom of speech and privacy to recognize how deeply ingrained Palantir is in not just our government and military, but also in our everyday lives,” Senghor stated. “Our objective is to stir sufficient anger and frustration toward Palantir, inciting a grassroots movement of common people who can be heard.”

The protest organizers are also planning to hold a demonstration in front of Palantir’s Palo Alto office on Thursday afternoon.

Alters: The Most Unexpected Parenting Game I’ve Played

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

oI often feel unprepared for parenting. During that wonderful time when they could enjoy games and vampire movies, they hadn’t yet turned into rebellious teenagers. As a new parent, I often felt superfluous and ineffective. I’ve found myself reminiscing about those days, and that’s alright. Nobody excels at everything. I can read texts upside down and backward, yet I consistently misplace my house keys. I’m fantastic at dancing to The Cure’s “The Lovecats” in Dance Stage Megamix, but I struggle with DIY projects.

Don’t get me wrong: my love for my child is immense. I enjoy social outings with them, as they’re both humorous and intelligent, but they’re always aware that I’m their dad.

Seizing the opportunity when they were away one weekend, I dedicated some uninterrupted father-son time to immerse myself in a new game without distractions. The game has changed my perspective.

I was captivated by the premise. You’re stranded on a planet and must clone different versions of yourself to build a base and survive. It’s incredibly clever. What’s even better is that you clone yourself by reflecting on your own life choices, selecting pivotal moments that shaped you into Jan Dorsky.

For instance, if you opt for studies instead of working in the mines like your father, you become January, the ace researcher. If you choose to work on an oil rig, you create Yang, the worker responsible for loading equipment. And should you decide to spend your days wordsmithing, you become a Yang Reiter. (Sadly, there isn’t a Yang Writer option. That clearly shows my struggle for survival.)

Choose from the fork paths of your life…change. Photo: 11 bit

The gameplay is thoroughly engaging, blending exploration, resource management, and problem-solving with philosophical musings about decision-making. It prompts you to consider how alternate choices might have changed your own life.

It’s somewhat unsettling and I wouldn’t recommend losing yourself in it. Focus on the game’s narrative, not your own.

The challenge escalates with each clone you alter; maintaining their health, hunger, and happiness proves daunting. Despite my best efforts—fresh food, captivating movies, or even intentionally losing at beer pong—my clones remained cranky. The Yang Miner was perpetually grumpy, while the Yang scientists fell into constant frustration.

Just when you feel you’ve managed your base well—setting up automatic production for essentials like radiation filters and assigning shifts to various clones—you realize the demands keep multiplying.

Can you guess where I’m going with this?

Yand Doctor may be one of the most useful clones, but he is highly valuable. Photo: 11 bit

While Alterters is marketed as a sci-fi survival game, it feels more like a parenting simulation to me. Not exactly how I want to spend my leisure time. My failures in the game (and various aspects of life) feel like incessant screams from the flawed grass while resting for just five minutes. My neighbors might think my kids are still at home.

I’ve never felt so strongly that I was perhaps playing this game incorrectly. The script and narrative are striking, resembling an interactive version of Andy Weir’s “The Martian.” The philosophical themes, much like Camus’s, emphasize that true heroism lies not in grand achievements but in undertaking the ordinary challenges of life. The graphics, too, are stunning—akin to a futuristic rendition of “Howl’s Moving Castle.” The game raises profound questions about existence and what we ought to do within it, revealing the clones’ reactions to their new circumstances. Some admire you, while others despise you. Ultimately, we share collective memories ranging from whimsical childhood items to coping strategies for dealing with abusive parents.

The creative depth of this game is boundless, hinting at future novels and animated films filled with imagination and insight. If you’ve ever been childless and carefree in the 1990s, navigating interesting but demanding individuals (aka kids) may feel like a nostalgic but daunting game of life. While it was enjoyable as a board game as a kid, it becomes an arduous task when managing two squirming kids in the backseat. Perhaps “Alterters” is the ideal game for those contemplating parenthood. I wholeheartedly recommend that anyone of childbearing age try it out to gauge whether they are ready for real-life responsibilities, or if, like me, they discover parenting to be an incredibly challenging endeavor.

AMOC: An Ambitious Strategy to Preserve Vital Ocean Currents Using Giant Parachutes

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Strategies to uphold the current involve oversized versions of parachute-like ocean anchors

Ed Darnen (2.0 by CC)

As part of an ambitious initiative to avert severe climate change, large parachutes could be deployed into Atlantic waters using transport tankers, drones, and fishing vessels.

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) moves warm water from the tropics northward and helps stabilize temperatures in Northern Europe.

Nevertheless, the swift melting of Arctic ice and rising sea temperatures have hampered these currents, prompting some scientists to warn that they could falter entirely within this century. Such an event would disrupt marine ecosystems and exacerbate the cooling of the European climate.

Experts emphasize the urgent need to cut greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the risk of AMOC collapse and other catastrophic climate “tipping points.” However, some are exploring alternative, more fundamental methods to preserve the current.

Stuart Haszeldine from the University of Edinburgh, along with David Sevier, introduced a concept from the British water treatment firm Strengite during a recent meeting in Cambridge, UK. They propose utilizing just 35 ocean tugs, each capable of pulling underwater parachutes roughly half the size of a soccer pitch, which could effectively move enough water to maintain the current. “A modest amount of energy and equipment can yield a significant impact,” Haszeldine remarks.

These parachutes, designed similarly to existing ocean anchors, stabilize containers in rough weather while also aiding in water movement across the sea surface. Each parachute features a central hole 12 meters wide to allow marine creatures to escape.

The operation would run 365 days a year in a rotating schedule, using drones, transport tankers, tugs, or wind kits. “It’s a small but consistent intervention,” notes Haszeldine.

Sevier refers to this proposal as “any Mary,” indicating a solution to stave off the severe consequences of AMOC collapse. “This is about buying time,” he asserts, emphasizing the need for the world to reduce emissions sufficiently to stabilize global temperatures at safe levels.

However, leading AMOC researchers express skepticism about the idea. Rene van Westen from the University of Utrecht, Netherlands, highlights that the density differences between cold, salty water and warm, fresh water play a crucial role in the descent and upwelling movements that sustain AMOC.

“If this idea is to work,” Van Westen argues, “you can only use surface wind to influence the top layer of water.

Stephen Rahmstoef from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research concurs. “The challenge lies not in moving surface water horizontally but in sinking it to depths of 2,000 to 3,000 meters and returning it south as a cold, deep current,” he states.

Meric Srokosz of the UK National Oceanography Centre believes the proposal is “unlikely to succeed,” given the variable weather conditions that complicate equipment deployment in the oceans.

Haszeldine welcomes feedback from fellow scientists regarding the proposal and hopes it will inspire ocean and climate modelers to assess the ecological and environmental ramifications of the plan. “I believe this warrants further investigation,” he asserts.

More generally, Haszeldine argues for increased research focused on climate intervention strategies to sustain ocean circulation: “I don’t see anyone else working on ocean currents.”

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Trump’s Tax Bill Aims to Thwart AI Regulation, Experts Warn of Potential Global Consequences

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

US Republicans are advocating for the approval of significant spending legislation that contains measures to thwart states from implementing regulations on artificial intelligence. Experts caution that the unchecked expansion of AI could exacerbate the planet’s already perilous, overheating climates.

Research from Harvard University indicates that the industry’s massive energy consumption is finite, and carbon dioxide—amounting to around 1 billion tonnes according to the Guardian—is projected to be emitted in the US by AI over the next decade.

During this ten-year span, when Republicans aim to “suspend” state-level regulations on AI, there will be a substantial amount of electricity consumed in data centers for AI applications, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions in the US that surpass those of Japan. Every year, the emissions will be three times higher than those of the UK.

The actual emissions will rely on the efficiency of power plants and the degree of clean energy utilization in the coming years; however, the obstruction of regulations will also play a part, noted Genruka Guidi, a visiting scholar at Harvard’s School of Public Health.

“Restricting surveillance will hinder the shift away from fossil fuels and diminish incentives for more energy-efficient AI technologies,” Guidi stated.

“We often discuss what AI can do for us, but we rarely consider its impact on our planet. If we genuinely aim to leverage AI to enhance human welfare, we mustn’t overlook the detrimental effects on climate stability and public health.”

Donald Trump has declared that the United States will become the “world capital of artificial intelligence and crypto,” planning to eliminate safeguards surrounding AI development while dismantling regulations limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

The “Big Beautiful” spending bill approved by Republicans in the House of Representatives would prevent states from adopting their own AI regulations, with the GOP-controlled Senate also likely to pass a similar version.

However, the unrestricted usage of AI may significantly undermine efforts to combat the climate crisis while increasing power usage from the US grid. The dependence on fossil fuels like gas and coal continues to grow. AI is particularly energy-intensive, with a single query on ChatGPT consuming about ten times more power than a Google search.

The carbon emissions from US data centers have increased threefold since 2018, with recent Harvard research indicating that the largest “hyperscale” centers constitute 2% of the nation’s electricity usage.

“AI is poised to transform our world,” states Manu Asthana, CEO of PJM Interconnection, the largest grid in the US. Predictions suggest that nearly all increases in future electricity demand will arise from data centers. Asthana asserts this will equate to adding a new home’s worth of electricity to the grid every five years.

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Meanwhile, the rapid escalation of AI is intensifying the recent rollback of climate pledges made by major tech companies. Last year, Google acknowledged that greenhouse gas emissions from AI have surged by 48% since 2019 due to its advances. In effect, the deeper AI penetrates, “reducing emissions may prove challenging.”

Supporters of AI, along with some researchers, contend that advancements in AI could aid the fight against climate change by enhancing the efficiency of grid management and other improvements. Others, however, remain skeptical. “It’s merely an operation for greenwashing, and it’s clear as day,” critiques Alex Hanna, research director at the Institute of Decentralized AI. “Much of what we’ve heard is absolutely ridiculous. Big tech is mortgaging the present for a future that may never materialize.”

So far, no states have definitive regulations regarding AI, but state lawmakers may be aiming to establish such rules, especially in light of diminished federal environmental regulations. This could prompt Congress to reevaluate the ban. “If you were anticipating federal regulations around data centers, that’s definitely off the table right now,” Hanna observed. “It’s rather surprising to observe everything.”

But Republican lawmakers are undeterred. The proposed moratorium on local regulations for states and AI recently cleared a significant hurdle in the Senate over the weekend, as I’ve determined that this ban will allow Trump taxes and megavilles to proceed. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, chairing the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, has prohibited modifications to the language which would prevent spending bills from addressing “foreign issues.”

This clause entails a “temporary suspension” on regulations, substituting a moratorium. It additionally includes an extra $500 million to grant programs aimed at expanding nationwide broadband internet access, stipulating that states will not receive these funds should they attempt to regulate AI.

The suggestion to suspend AI regulations has raised significant alarm among Democrats. Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, known for his climate advocacy, has indicated his readiness to propose amendments that would strip the bill of its “dangerous” provisions.

“The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is already impacting our environment—raising energy prices for consumers, straining the grid’s capacity to maintain lighting, depleting local water resources, releasing toxic pollutants into our communities, and amplifying climate emissions,” Markey shared with the Guardian.

“But Republicans want to prohibit AI regulations for ten years, rather than enabling the nation to safeguard its citizenry and our planet. This is shortsighted and irresponsible.”

Massachusetts Assemblyman Jake Ochincross also labeled the proposal as “terrible and unpopular ideas.”

“I believe we must recognize that it is profoundly reckless to allow AI to swiftly and seamlessly fill various sectors such as healthcare, media, entertainment, and education while simultaneously imposing a ban on AI regulations for a decade,” he commented.

Some Republicans also oppose these provisions, including Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn and Missouri Senator Josh Hawley. The amendment to eliminate the suspension from the bill requires the backing of at least four Republican senators.

Hawley is reportedly ready to propose amendments to remove this provision later in the week if they are not ruled out beforehand.

Earlier this month, Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene admitted that she overlooked the provisions in the House’s bill, stating she would not support the legislation if she had been aware. Greene’s group, the Far-Right House Freedom Caucus, stands against the suspension of AI regulations.

Mathematicians Consistently Produce Tetrahedrons That Settle on the Same Side

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Self-correcting tetrahedron

Gergő Almádi et al.

SEI 257070964 — Self-correcting tetrahedron

Gergő Almádi et al.

Even decades after its initial proposition, a peculiar four-sided shape has been captured in mathematical intrigue, consistently resting on its desired side no matter how it lands.

The concept of self-righting shapes, particularly those with preferred resting positions on flat surfaces, has intrigued mathematicians for years. A notable example is the Gömböc—a curved object resembling a turtle shell, known for its unique weight distribution that allows it to rock back and forth until it finds its stable resting position.

In 1966, mathematician John Conway investigated the balance of geometric shapes. He established that four-sided shapes, or tetrahedrons, cannot achieve equilibrium through mass distribution. However, he speculated the existence of unevenly balanced tetrahedrons, though he did not provide concrete evidence.

Recently, Gábor Domokos from the Budapest Institute of Technology, along with his team, created a unique tetrahedral structure using carbon fiber struts and ultra-dense carbide plates. Its name, Viren, derives from Hungarian terminology.

Their journey began when Domokos tasked a student, Gerg Almádi, with using a high-powered computer to conduct a comprehensive search for Conway’s tetrahedron. “The goal was to examine all potential tetrahedrons. If we got lucky—or if computation power favored us—we might find something,” Domokos reflects.

True to Conway’s predictions, they didn’t locate a perfectly balanced tetrahedron but did identify several uneven candidates and confirmed their existence through mathematical proofs.

Determined to create a physical manifestation, Domokos found this task “significantly more complex.” Their calculations indicated that the density difference between the weighted and unweighted areas of the structure needed to be approximately 5000 times, essentially necessitating a material that’s predominantly air yet retains rigidity.

To fabricate their design, Domokos and his team collaborated with an engineering firm, investing thousands of euros to engineer carbon fiber struts with precision within a tenth of a millimeter and crafting a tungsten base plate with a variance of just a tenth of a gram.

When Domokos first witnessed a functioning prototype, he felt an overwhelming elation, remarking, “It was like rising a meter off the ground. The achievement was immensely satisfying, knowing it would bring joy to John Conway.”

“There was no blueprint, no prior example—essentially nothing suggesting to Conway that this form could exist,” Domokos adds. “This discovery was only possible with advanced computational power and considerable financial investment.”

The tetrahedron they’ve constructed follows a specific transition sequence between its sides, explaining that moving from B to A, C to A to C, and then to A can infer the necessary material distribution is indeed feasible.

Domokos envisions that their findings could inspire engineers to rethink the geometry of lunar landers, minimizing the risk of toppling, as has happened with some recent missions. “If we can achieve stability with four faces, similar principles could potentially apply to shapes with varying numbers of faces.”

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Google’s Emissions Projected to Increase 51% Due to Rising AI Electricity Demands

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Since 2019, Google’s carbon emissions have surged by 51%, with artificial intelligence proving to be a hindrance to tech firms’ sustainability initiatives.

While companies are pouring resources into renewable energy and carbon capture technologies, they struggle to manage emissions in Range 3, which originates further down the supply chain and is significantly influenced by the expanding data center capabilities required for artificial intelligence.

The company noted a 27% year-on-year increase as it grapples with decarbonization amidst rising energy demands.

Data centers are crucial for training and operating AI models like Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s GPT-4. The International Energy Agency projects that the total electricity consumption of data centers could reach double the level from 2022, with Japan’s electricity demand expected to hit 1,000 TWh (terawatt hours) by 2026. AI accounts for 4.5% of global energy production, according to estimates from Semianalysis for the year 2030.

The report expresses concerns that the rapid advancement of AI may trigger “nonlinear growth in energy demand,” complicating predictions for future energy requirements and emissions trajectories.

Additionally, Google pointed out the slow progress in new low-carbon power generation technologies. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are compact nuclear power plants designed for quick deployment to support the grid, are seen as a promising solution to lower the carbon footprint of data centers. Areas hosting numerous data centers could benefit from one or more SMRs to significantly cut down their electricity-related carbon emissions.

Google’s data center is situated in Grange Castle near Dublin. In 2022, Ireland’s energy grid operators halted the expansion of new data centers in Dublin until 2028. Photo: Patrick Bolger/Guardian

According to the report, the development of these technologies is lagging behind schedule. “The main obstacle is the slow rollout of large-scale carbon-free energy technologies, making it highly challenging to reach goals by 2030.

It further indicated that Scope 3 emissions pose a “challenge,” with Google’s total ambitions representing 11.5 million tons of CO2 equivalent, marking an 11% year-on-year rise since 2019, equating to a 51% increase. This is primarily driven by heightened emissions from the supply chain, with Scope 3 emissions surging by 22% in 2024.

Google has made significant strides in acquiring clean energy, signing over 170 contracts for more than 22 gigawatts since 2010. In 2024, 25 of these contracts added 2.5GW of fresh clean energy to its operations, marking a record year in clean energy transactions with an agreement totaling 8GW.

The company has also achieved one of its environmental goals ahead of schedule by eliminating plastic packaging. Google announced that all new products launched and produced in 2024 will be entirely plastic-free. This goal was initially set for the end of 2025.

The report adds that AI may offer a “net positive potential” for the climate, with aspirations that emissions reductions facilitated by AI applications will outweigh the emissions generated by AI itself, including the energy used by data centers.

Google envisions aiding individuals, cities, and other partners in collectively lowering carbon equivalent emissions by 2030 through AI-powered products. These innovations can enhance energy usage predictions, reduce waste, and optimize solar panel placement to maximize energy generation.

Kaliane Bradley’s Verdict on Time of Timeistry for the New Scientist Book Club: Thumbs Up!

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Kaliane Bradley’s The Ministry of Time awarded mixed reviews at the New Scientist Book Club

One of the wonderful elements of science fiction is its vastness, a notion emphasized by our two recent readings. The New Scientist Book Club has transitioned from Larry Niven’s classic hard sci-fi piece, Ring World, to Kalian Bradley’s Time Saving, which we’ll delve into this June. The former rigorously engages with scientific principles, while the latter takes a more relaxed approach.

The narrative revolves around an obscure civil servant tasked with assisting historical figures—specifically, the Victorian explorer Commander Graham Gore from 1847. Time Saving intertwines elements of thrillers, romance, and touches of climate fiction, making it an engaging read. Although I adored it, the conclusion left something to be desired, which I’ll elaborate on later. For now, let’s explore the sci-fi elements of the book.

In Bradley’s interpretation, time travel serves as a plot device; it facilitates the transition of characters from the past to contemporary settings. As she notes, “Once you start contemplating the physics of time travel, you’ve entered a tricky realm.” I don’t necessarily view her reluctance to clarify time travel as a weakness—after all, even our greatest physicists have yet to fully understand it, a sentiment shared by many.

“I accepted time travel as a given and shaped the primary plot around it. In the end, it’s approached similarly to numerous other sci-fi narratives.” Facebook Group. “Ultimately, this emphasis on plot and character development made me feel that the novel transcended mere science fiction, transforming into a story set against a sci-fi backdrop.”

Pauline Moncrief, who previously engaged with Time Saving, praised Bradley’s portrayal of time travel as “spot-on” due to its exploration of the paradoxes surrounding it—questions like, “What happens if you travel back and eliminate your grandfather?” This intriguing concern worked well. “Thus, I appreciated the author’s decision to smoothly bypass the technical hurdles typically associated with time travel,” she remarked.

Kristen Millard Shore expressed similar sentiments: “I appreciated the author’s casual handling of time travel—’Let’s not overthink this’ was refreshing.” However, Gosia Furmanik felt differently. While she enjoyed the prose’s creativity and vividness, she found the main plot confusing and felt it lacked urgency until the very end. For someone looking for a focused sci-fi exploration, she wondered if the romance and themes of immigration and identity overshadowed the genre elements.

Gosia might have a point, but I found the romance to be a highlight of the novel, even developing an affection for Commander Gore (which Bradley seemed to share—check out my interview with her for more on this historical crush). As a fan of romantic narratives, I found this aspect delightful. Others echoed my feelings, too.

“I usually don’t gravitate towards romance in books, but I found it well-executed here. Nevertheless, I felt the story encompassed more than just romance; it was enriching overall.”

Phil Gurski, however, took a different stance: “While I enjoyed the concept, it leaned more toward romance than sci-fi,” he noted. “The lengthy sex scene felt unnecessary.” Despite this divergence of opinions, I cherished many aspects of Time Saving, particularly Bradley’s subtle yet brilliant humor. The contrast of a character from the 19th century grappling with modernity—whether it’s Spotify or dishwashers—provided a delightful layer to the storytelling.

“I found myself laughing aloud numerous times,” Kristen concurred. “Especially during the conversations among the female characters about chicken wallets!” The chicken wallet scene was memorable and the interactions among the characters stood out. I found myself smitten, much like Margaret Kemble and Graham Gore did in 1665.

Gosia nodded in agreement regarding the humor: “Initial moments were quite amusing, like the EastEnders reference, but at times, that tone was overshadowed, leading to inconsistencies that detracted from my enjoyment.”

Now, let’s discuss the ending. Provision. Spoiler alert for those who haven’t finished yet! The revelation that Adela was a future version of our narrator caught me off guard, adding an engaging twist that prompted me to revisit earlier elements of the story with this new perspective. I believed these elements held up, though the rapid pace towards the conclusion felt a bit jumbled, especially since I was invested in the romance. I recognize the inherent “time travel” aspect of the story, but I still hoped for more closure.

David Jones echoed my feelings: “I finished and felt disappointed. I loved the characters and believed they deserved a more satisfying ending.” Alan pondered, “Does the author’s craftsmanship with engaging, thoughtful narratives get compromised by editorial constraints?” He felt the conclusion appeared forced and disconnected from the author’s original vision.

“By the 80% mark, I was questioning, ‘Where is this going?’ The narrative seemed too precious until the end, without sufficient payoff.”

Phil shared his thoughts in a Facebook group, stating that the next session’s readings should return to genuine science (fiction), with Lake of Darkness—a paper edition exploring black holes and their mysterious signals—on the horizon. Adam has penned brilliantly insightful essays for our readers, while Emily H. Wilson, a reviewer for New Scientist, expressed her fondness for Lake of Darkness upon its hardcover release, calling it “smart, experimental, and full of imaginative ideas,” eagerly anticipating the journey into an advanced future.

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Denmark Addresses Deepfakes by Granting Copyright to Individuals for Their Likeness and Functions

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The Danish government is taking action to curb the creation and distribution of AI-generated deepfakes by revising copyright laws, ensuring that individuals hold rights over their own bodies, facial features, and voices.

On Thursday, Danish officials announced they would strengthen protections against digital imitation of personal identities, marking what they believe to be the first such law in Europe.

With support from a broad coalition across political parties, the Ministry of Culture is set to propose amendments to the existing law for consultation before the summer break, with the intention of submitting the changes in the fall.

Deepfake technology is described as an exceedingly realistic digital representation of an individual, including their appearance and voice.

Danish Minister of Culture, Jacob Engel Schmidt, expressed his hopes that the proposed legislation will convey a “clear message” to Parliament.

He stated to the Guardian: “We collectively send a clear message that everyone has the right to their body, their voice, and their facial features.”

He continued: “Humans can exploit digital duplication techniques for various malicious purposes. I will not accept that.”

The initiative reportedly enjoys support from 9 out of 10 MPs, reflecting rapid advancements in AI technology which have made it simpler than ever to create convincing fake images, videos, or sounds that mimic others.

If passed, the changes to Danish copyright law would allow citizens to request the removal of content from online platforms that is shared without their consent.

Additionally, the law would regulate “realistic and digitally generated imitations” of artistic performances without consent, with violations potentially leading to compensation for affected individuals.

The government has clarified that the new regulations will not interfere with parody and satire, which will still be allowed.

“Certainly, this is a new foundation for us being dismantled, and we are prepared to take further actions if platforms do not comply,” Engel Schmidt remarked.

Other European nations are looking to follow Denmark’s example. He plans to utilize Denmark’s upcoming EU presidency to share the initiative with his fellow European leaders.

Should tech platforms fail to comply with the new law, they may face “significant fines,” which could escalate to a matter for the European Commission. “This is why I believe high-tech platforms will take this very seriously,” he added.

Scientists Uncover Mars’ Unexpected Shape and Its Mysterious Origins

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Mars may appear spherical, yet it is actually a triaxial ellipsoid. Unlike the other rocky planets in our solar system, which resemble rugby balls, Mars varies in size along all three axes.

This is most apparent in the notable bulge of the Tharsis rise region and the contrasting region known as Sirtis Major.

Astronomer Dr. Michael Efroysky of the US Navy Observatory recently proposed that this peculiar shape may be attributed to the absence of an ancient moon on Mars.

The moon, named Nerio after the Roman goddess of war, who was associated with Mars, influenced the shape of the planet through tidal forces, similar to the oceans here on Earth.

However, once Mars cooled down, its deformed shape became permanently fixed.

Mars is roughly half the size of Earth, with a diameter of 6,790km (4,219 miles) compared to Earth’s 12,750km (7,922 miles) – Credit: Mark Garlic via Getty/Science Photo Library

Nerio’s tidal stress weakened the elevated regions of Mars, facilitating the impact of geological processes such as internal convection, structural shifts, and volcanic activity, all of which contributed to Mars’ asymmetrical shape.

Researchers propose that, in synchronous orbit around Mars, Nerio—being less than a third of Earth’s mass—could easily have formed the planet’s initial triaxial shape. The equatorial bulge would have been even more pronounced if Nerio had existed during the planet’s magma ocean phase.

Currently, Mars lacks such a moon, having only the small moons Deimos and Phobos. At some point, Nerio was either destroyed by another large body or pulled away by gravitational forces.

This article answers the question posed by Otto Sykes in an email: “Why does Mars have such a strange shape?”

Please email us to submit your questions at Question@sciencefocus.com or message us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram Page (don’t forget to include your name and location).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Webb Identifies Potential Saturn-Mass Candidates Around Young Star Twa 7

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilize the exceptional sensitivity of the Mid-infrared instrument (Miri) on the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope to investigate exoplanets within the three-ring debris disks surrounding the 6.4 million-year-old star TWA 7.

This Webb/Miri image shows the exoplanet TWA 7b, comparable in mass to Saturn. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/WEBB/AM LAGRANGE/M. ZAMANI, ESA & WEBB.

Debris disks, comprised of dust and rocky materials, can exist around both young and evolved stars, but they are more luminous and detectable around younger celestial bodies.

These disks are often identified by their visible rings and gaps, which are believed to be shaped by planets that form within them.

The star TWA 7 is a low-mass (0.46 solar mass) M-type star situated approximately 111 light-years away in the constellation of Antlia.

Also referred to as Ce Antilae or Tyc 7190-2111-1, it is part of the TW Hydra Association.

The nearly edge-on three-ring fragmented disks make TWA 7 an optimal target for Webb’s highly sensitive mid-infrared observations.

“Our observations indicate a strong candidate for the planet that influences the structure of the TWA 7 debris disk, located precisely where we anticipated finding a planet of this mass,” states Dr. En Marie Lagrange, an astronomer at the Observatoire de Paris-PSL.

On June 21, 2024, Dr. Lagrange and colleagues employed a coronagraph with Webb’s Miri instrument to effectively suppress the bright glare of the host star, uncovering faint nearby objects.

This method, known as high contrast imaging, enables astronomers to directly observe planets that would otherwise be obscured by the overwhelming light of their host stars.

After eliminating residual starlight through advanced image processing, a faint infrared source was detected near TWA 7, distinguishable from background galaxies or other solar system objects.

This source is located within one of the three dust rings previously identified around TWA 7 by earlier ground-based investigations.

Its brightness, color, distance from the star, and position within the ring align with theoretical expectations for a young, cold Saturn-mass planet that shapes the surrounding debris disks.

“They are also the most popular and highly skilled professionals,” remarked Dr. Matilde Marin, an astronomer at Johns Hopkins University and the Institute for Space Telescope Science.

The team’s preliminary analysis suggests that the object known as TWA 7B has a mass approximately 0.3 times that of Jupiter (about 100 times that of Earth) and may be a young, cold exoplanet with a temperature of 320 K (around 47°C).

Its positioning (approximately 52 AU from the star) corresponds with a gap in the disk, indicating a dynamic interaction between the planet and its surroundings.

Once corroborated, this discovery marks the first direct link between a planet and the structure of debris, offering initial observational insights into the Trojan disk.

“These findings underscore Webb’s capability to probe previously unobservable low-mass planets orbiting nearby stars,” the astronomer commented.

“Ongoing and future observations will seek to more accurately characterize candidates, investigate the state of their atmospheres, and enhance our understanding of planet formation in young systems and the evolution of disks.”

“This preliminary result represents an exciting new frontier where Webb sheds light on the discovery and characterization of exoplanets.”

These findings are detailed in a publication in the journal Nature.

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Lagrange et al. Evidence of sub-Jovian planets within the young TWA 7 disk. Nature Published online on June 25th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09150-4

Source: www.sci.news

Dog-Sized Neon Cyan Dinosaur Unearthed in Colorado

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Exciting discovery of a new genus and species of neornithischian dinosaur named Enigmacursor Mollyborthwickae. This dinosaur is recognized from its three-dimensionally preserved postcranial skeleton unearthed in the Morrison Formation in Colorado, USA.

Life reconstruction of Enigmacursor Mollyborthwickae. Image credit: Bob Nichols.

Enigmacursor Mollyborthwickae inhabited our planet during the late Jurassic period, approximately 150-145 million years ago.

This dinosaur was a bipedal herbivore standing about 0.5 m (1.6 feet) tall and measuring over 1 m (3.3 feet) in length.

It would have navigated the floodplains of the western United States alongside giants like diplodocus and Stegosaurus.

“There are indications that these dinosaurs are not fully mature. The upper vertebrae (neuronal arch) are formed separately and fused at the lower section, suggesting incomplete fusion,” noted Paul Barrett, a paleontologist at the Museum of Natural History in London, alongside Susannah Maidment.

The partial but well-preserved skeletons, along with several associated teeth, were excavated in 2021 and 2022 from a commercial quarry in Moffat County, Colorado, within the Morrison Formation.

Initially, this specimen was classified as Nanosaurus, a lesser-known herbivorous dinosaur first named in the 1870s.

However, upon thorough examination, paleontologists determined that the original Nanosaurus specimen was too poorly preserved to serve as a reliable reference for identification.

As a result, they set aside the name until higher quality fossils of Nanosaurus could ensure taxonomic stability.

The differences between the original and newly found specimens confirmed the classification as a new genus and species.

“The discovery of Enigmacursor Mollyborthwickae enhances our understanding of the diversity of ornithischian dinosaurs from the Morrison Formation and provides new insights into their anatomy,” researchers explained.

“Moreover, it highlights a previously unrecognized diversity among the small Morrisonian dinosaurs, suggesting they represent a more diverse component of these late Jurassic ecosystems than previously acknowledged.”

A paper detailing Enigmacursor Mollyborthwickae was published this week in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

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Susanna CR Maid & Paul M. Barrett. 2025. Enigmacursor Mollyborthwickae, a neornithischian dinosaur from the Jurassic Morrison Formation in the western United States. R. Soc. Open Sci. 12(6): 242195; doi: 10.1098/rsos.242195

Source: www.sci.news

Study Reveals Cambrian Explosions Happened Millions of Years Sooner Than Previously Believed

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have studied the body shapes of Ediacaran Cambrian organisms by utilizing trace fossils as a stand-in for body fossils.

Reconstruction of early Cambrian marine life in southern China. Image credit: Dongjing Fu.

The Cambrian explosion is often referred to as a pivotal period in Earth’s history when distinct animal body plans emerged.

Most researchers indicate that this event took place between 541 and 530 million years ago, marking the onset of the Cambrian period.

“The Cambrian explosion represents a significant era in the history of life that poses numerous unresolved questions,” stated Dr. Olmo Miguez Saras from the University of Barcelona at the Museum of Natural History in London, alongside Dr. Zekun Wang.

“In investigating biodiversity during this period, paleontological studies primarily concentrate on organisms with hard structures.”

“Nevertheless, microfossil investigations open avenues for understanding the activities of hard, soft-bodied, or skeletal-deficient organisms preserved in stratigraphic records.”

“The microfossil evidence is essential for shedding light on the evolutionary phases dominated by soft-bodied faunas.”

“Fossil traces mirror the behaviors of habitat-forming organisms, determined by their environment and reactions to ecological factors.”

“Consequently, these traces act as indicators of the paleoecological conditions experienced by the organisms that produced them.”

In their research, the authors concentrated on trace fossils from the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition, a period of great paleobiological interest that represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of complex life on Earth.

This transition experienced substantial shifts in biodiversity as well as the structure of organisms and ecosystems.

“The Ediacaran fauna consisted mainly of complex, multicellular, flexible organisms,” noted Dr. Miguez Saras.

“The shift to the Cambrian era involved numerous extinctions within the Ediacaran fauna, accompanied by a rapid diversification of complex multicellular organisms possessing hard structures (e.g., exoskeletons).”

“This encapsulates the core of evolutionary development that led to the emergence of the most modern animal phyla, commonly referred to as the Cambrian Explosion.”

The research indicates that slender-bodied organisms thrived around 545 million years ago during the Ediacaran period.

“These organisms likely possessed a coelomic hydrostatic body with an anteroposterior axis, muscles, and perhaps segmented structures,” Dr. Miguez Saras explained.

“Additionally, these organisms may have exhibited directional movement and possessed sensory capabilities to navigate and feed on diverse substrates in environments dominated by microbial mats.”

“Thus, the so-called Cambrian explosion and its evolutionary significance could have arisen significantly earlier than previously thought.”

“These adaptations in body shape and mobility facilitated early animals in thriving within increasingly dynamic and complex environments, an ecological engineering process that could spur evolutionary innovation.”

The team’s study is slated for publication in the journal Geological.

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Zekun Wang & Olmo Miguez-Salas. Quantitative decoding of Ediacaran Motion Microfossil Morphology: Evidence for the appearance of elongated anteroposterior body profiles. Geological Published online on June 9th, 2025. doi: 10.1130/g53332.1

Source: www.sci.news

Fireball Captures Spectacular Meteor Shower Lighting Up the Southeastern US Sky

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A fireball was spotted soaring through the sky in the southeastern United States on Thursday afternoon, coinciding with reports of a meteor shower in the region, according to officials.

A representative from Forsyth County Emergency Management in Georgia stated that the meteor shower, validated by the National Weather Service, was still visible hours after the initial sighting.

The representative noted that there have been no reports of impacts or injuries, and monitoring of the showers is ongoing.

Earlier, the National Weather Service office in Charleston indicated that just before noon, there were “numerous reports of fireballs” across the area.

“While it’s not confirmed, satellite-based lightning detection indicated markings in the clear sky above the NC/VA border in Gasbury, Virginia,” reported between 11:51 am and 11:56 am the weather service noted at the time.

A video circulating on social media displays a fireball descending into a wooded area in South Carolina.

Kathryn Far posted a dashcam video taken while driving south on Interstate 85 toward Anderson, South Carolina, around 12:25 pm.

A video shared on social media shows a fireball being shot down into a wooded area of South Carolina.
Kathryn Rose Fur via Facebook

“It’s not something you witness every day.” She mentioned on Facebook.

Another perspective from Andrew Colley Road in Lexington, South Carolina depicted suspected meteor stones blazing bright white with an orange flame tail before vanishing into a wooded area.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia reported that the weather department has informed them that the fireball is likely a meteor.

“Currently, there is no information on where the meteor may have landed.” The sheriff’s office stated, noting that fireballs have been reported by residents in Covington and nearby areas.

Marlene Lenthang

Marlene Lenthang is a news reporter for NBC News Digital.

Rebecca Cohen I contributed.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

These Rocks May Be the Final Remnants of Earth’s Early Crust

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Canadian Nuvvuagittuq Green Stone Belt may contain the world’s oldest rock

Jonathan O’Neill

About four billion years ago, magma from Earth’s mantle intruded the primitive crust of a nascent planet. Over the next period, nearly all of the planet’s early crust melted back into the mantle, leaving behind a small remnant near the site of this intrusion that still exists today.

This remnant is part of the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt along Hudson Bay’s coast in Canada. Recent analyses of the rock’s radioisotope signatures have sparked debates among geologists about whether it is indeed the oldest rock on Earth or simply very ancient.

In a study published in 2008, Jonathan O’Neill from the University of Ottawa and his team posited that the surrounding rocks could be as old as 4.3 billion years, dating back to the Hadean eon—just a few hundred million years after Earth’s formation.

While there have been discoveries of older mineral grains, these ancient Hadean rocks provide critical insights into Earth’s formative years, possibly shedding light on geological enigmas like the onset of plate tectonics and early ocean compositions.

The method used for dating the rocks has drawn controversy, particularly regarding the claimed age of 4.3 billion years. Traditionally, old rocks are dated utilizing a robust mineral known as zircon, but these volcanic rocks lack zircon. “No one can date these rocks using the popular techniques,” O’Neill remarks.

Instead, researchers analyzed the isotopes of neodymium and samarium within the rock. As samarium decays, it generates different isotopes of neodymium at predictable rates, allowing the ratio of isotopes to serve as a “clock” marking the time since the rock crystallized from magma. Interestingly, two isotopes of samarium can decay at differing rates, acting as two parallel chronometers. Disagreement arose among researchers about whether the rock was genuinely Hadean, as the two clocks provided inconsistent age estimates.

“I’m not convinced that most of the early Earth research community agrees,” states Richard Walker at the University of Maryland.

Currently, O’Neill’s team is assessing the neodymium and samarium isotopes in the rock formations dating back 4.3 billion years. By definition, such intrusions are younger than the surrounding rock layers, implying that dating an intrusion yields the minimum age for the enclosing rocks.

Detailed view of the Canada Nuvvuagittuq Green Stone Belt

David Hutt/Alamy

In the findings, the two chronological indicators tell the same tale, indicating the rocks’ age to be approximately 4.16 billion years. “Both clocks yield identical results,” O’Neill states. This consistency bolsters the theory that the surrounding rocks were indeed solidified during the Hadean eon, making them potentially the only known remnants of Earth’s ancient crust.

“I believe they present the strongest argument possible,” asserts Graham Pierson from the University of Alberta, Canada.

“The simplest interpretation of this data is that these represent the oldest rocks on Earth,” says Jesse Reimink at Pennsylvania State University. Nevertheless, he cautions that this may not be the final word on the subject, stating, “When it comes to the oldest rocks and minerals, absolute certainty is hard to come by.”

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Deep Sleep Appears to Foster More Eureka Moments

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A nap may enhance problem-solving abilities

Pavel Mary / Alamy

A deep nap could improve one’s capacity for creative problem-solving.

A recent study revealed that individuals are more likely to experience a “Eureka” moment after entering the second stage of sleep—characterized by slower brain activity and bursts of electrical discharges known as sleep spindles—compared to those who have light sleep.

The results suggest that brief, deep naps can lead to valuable insights. Annika Rowe from the Max Planck Institute in Berlin notes, “We are uncovering what actually occurs during sleep, which I believe is quite beneficial.” She added, “During deep sleep, our brains may process irrelevant information related to the problem, enabling us to have these insightful moments upon waking.”

While previous research highlights that naps can enhance creativity and problem-solving, opinions vary regarding which sleep stages are most beneficial. Some argue that the lightest non-REM stage, N1, is best—citing how Thomas Edison embraced ideas while holding a steel ball that would audibly drop, waking him from deeper slumber. In contrast, some studies advocate that deeper N2 sleep (even lighter N3) fosters greater innovation.

To explore this further, Löwe and her team engaged 90 healthy participants aged 18-35 in a task where they classified the movement direction of rapidly flashing dot patterns on a screen, without informing them that the dot colors would gradually hint at correct answers.

Fifteen participants chose shortcuts in the first 25 minutes, while the remaining 75 were invited to take a 20-minute nap in a quiet setting, monitoring their brain activity with an EEG.

After napping, participants revisited the task. This time, most recognized color-based shortcuts, although the likelihood of a “Eureka” moment appeared to hinge on having napped. Among the 68 participants yielding quality EEG data, 85.7% who entered deeper N2 sleep recognized shortcuts.

This research distinctly illustrates that deeper sleep can trigger “Eureka” moments—at least for the specific task used. Itamar Rana from the University of Texas, San Antonio states, “The task type heavily influences whether sleep enhances performance.” ”

Delphine Oudiette from the Paris Brain Institute mentions that varying task designs might explain their findings of significant problem-solving post N1 sleep. “Both sleep stages could be significant, but different cognitive processes may necessitate isolation for a clearer understanding,” she points out.

Björn Rasch at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland notes that the findings support the notion that deeper sleep aids problem-solving, but cautions that the study’s design complicates distinguishing between causation and coincidence. Participants were not randomly assigned to sleep stages and were not studied across various sleep scenarios; thus, those who napped comfortably might simply possess a higher insight capacity.

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Ash Trees Are Adapting Quickly and Showing Some Resistance to Ash Blight

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Certain ash trees exhibit genetic variations that offer partial resistance to ash dieback

FLPA/Alamy

SEI 256924453 — Certain ash trees exhibit genetic variations that offer partial resistance to ash dieback

FLPA/Alamy

British ash trees are evolving resistant traits to combat ash dieback, evident from DNA sequences found in numerous specimens.

This discovery is promising, according to Richard Buggs at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England, although complete resistance in ash trees is not anticipated soon. “A breeding program may be necessary to assist nature in this process,” he states.

Ash dieback, caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, progressively impairs the tree’s capacity to transport water. It began its spread across Europe in the 1990s and made its way to the UK in 2012.

The demise of ash trees leads to increased carbon dioxide release and threatens various species that depend on these trees for their ecosystem. Additionally, fallen trees pose risks to people and property. “There are numerous ash trees close to footpaths and roads, creating significant hazards,” Buggs notes.

Buggs’ team compared genomes of 128 adult European ash trees. Since fungi take considerably longer to kill mature trees than younger ones (Fraxinus excelsior), this also included 458 seedlings at a location called Marden Park in Surrey. They discovered thousands of variations previously linked to resistance were more prevalent in younger trees, likely because those without such variations perished.

This study provides the most comprehensive genetic insight into evolutionary responses observed in nature. “The significance of this research is its ability to characterize the genetic foundation and demonstrate the changes occurring within a single generation,” Buggs explains.

However, each gene variant offers only a marginal effect, failing to provide complete resistance. As the older ash trees diminish and fungal spores decrease, the rate of evolutionary change may also slow in the future. This indicates that younger ash trees might have better survival prospects, Buggs suggests.

“It poses a major challenge, but these trees won’t vanish entirely,” he remarks. “Our findings inspire hope that some of these younger ash trees may mature and undergo natural selection for subsequent generations, if feasible.”

Ash dieback has yet to invade North America; however, the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) has been introduced, actively decimating ash tree populations there. The outcome of both ash dieback and the emerald ash borer coexisting in the same region remains uncertain but might exacerbate the issue.

“Globalization is mixing insects and pathogens across the globe, leading to increasing challenges for these trees, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to adapt,” Buggs states. “Trees now face threats they have never experienced before, and at unprecedented speeds.”

He believes interventions are essential to help trees withstand these pressures, such as creating resistant hybrids between resilient species and native trees.

“One potential solution is to enhance the genetic diversity of trees globally, keeping pace with the array of pests and pathogens we are spreading,” he concludes.

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Nearly one-third of Tuvaluans Seek Climate Transfer Visas

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Tuvalu is highly susceptible to rising sea levels

Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

What does it mean to lose your home because of climate change? About 10,000 residents of Tuvalu will soon find out.

With an average elevation of less than 3 meters, Tuvalu is on the brink of becoming uninhabitable due to floods, storm surges, and erosion. By 2100, a predicted rise in sea levels of 72 centimeters could result in one-third of the Coral Atoll Archipelago being submerged annually.

Yet, there are escape options for the people of Tuvalu. In late 2023, the Australian government revealed plans for the world’s first organized migration program.

Under the Australian-Tuvalu-Falapilli Union Treaty, 280 Tuvaluans will be granted residency in Australia each year through a lottery system. The inaugural lottery opened on June 16 and received applications from 3,125 citizens—nearly a third of Tuvalu’s population. Registration for this year’s lottery closes on July 18.

In a statement to New Scientist, the Australian government acknowledged the “devastating effects of climate change, especially in the Pacific, which faces challenges related to climate, security, and wellbeing.”

“This is the first agreement of its kind globally, offering a dignified migration pathway as climate conditions worsen,” the government commented.

Successful lottery applicants will learn their results by the end of July, with the first migrants likely to arrive in Australia by year-end.

Bateteba Aselu, a PhD student at the University of Melbourne, examines the climate challenges facing her people. On a student visa in Australia, Aselu is considering applying for the lottery to join her husband, while her son, a recent high school graduate, has already submitted his application.

Aselu notes that the impacts of climate change are visible, as the freshwater aquifers critical for agriculture and drinking water are becoming saline due to rising sea levels. This forces residents to uproot crops in an attempt to mitigate saltwater intrusion.

Stephen Howes from the Australian National University in Canberra describes the new visa as “very progressive,” providing successful applicants access to nearly all Australian health and welfare benefits without discrimination based on chronic health conditions, disabilities, age, or other factors.

While ostensibly aimed at aiding Tuvalu in the face of a climate crisis, Howes asserts that Australia’s initiative also serves to counteract China’s influence in the Pacific. The treaty outlines that Australia and Tuvalu “must collaborate on security and defense matters pertaining to the island nations and external countries.”

“I view it as a security transition agreement,” Howes explains. “Climate change serves as a backdrop, but the arrangement essentially provides Australia with enhanced security cooperation in return for offering Tuvalu a unique migration pathway.”

Tuvaluans engaging in traditional fishing

Mick Tsikas/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Jane McAdam at the University of New South Wales in Sydney reports varied perspectives on the future among Tuvaluans. Some believe the island will soon be submerged, while others hold hope. She notes that elderly residents express a desire to remain there until their last days.

However, McAdam considers the new migration program to be a “fair and constructive” initiative. A key feature is that once Tuvaluans secure a visa, they can return home whenever they wish or even live there until conditions become unbearable.

It’s “like having an oxygen mask on an airplane,” McAdam adds. “Ideally, you won’t need it, but you’ll be grateful it exists.”

Wesley Morgan, also at the University of New South Wales, remarked that, should conditions worsen, Tuvaluans face limited escape routes. This agreement could pave the way for similar opportunities for other at-risk nations like Kiribati.

“This could set a precedent as the first instance where migration pathways are explicitly linked to climate change and rising sea levels,” Morgan states. “Given these unique circumstances, Australia might explore comparable arrangements with Kiribati in the future.”

A remaining concern for the Tuvaluan population is how they will navigate their identity and sovereignty once they leave the island. Will they be considered a Tuvaluan diaspora or a nation in climate exile?

“If you had to leave your childhood home due to circumstances beyond your control, how would it feel?” Aselu asks. “Would you feel lost? Absolutely. It’s that sentiment of losing a cherished place that defines who you are, regardless of where you are in the world.”

“You grow up there; your history resides there. It’s where your identity is rooted, no matter where you go afterwards.”

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Forget Terminator: Our Robotic Future Could Be Soft and Playful

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

“When I think about the future of robots and society, I don’t see machine overlords.”

Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images

Are you concerned that AI-driven robots might take our jobs or even pose a threat? You’re not alone. Yet, this fear invites a critical examination of whether the opposite might be true.

In my upcoming novel, Automatic Noodles, set to release later this year, I introduce four robots battling to secure jobs in a country where laws prevent them from unionizing, securing bank accounts, voting, or owning businesses. Although it’s a work of science fiction, it’s grounded in existing technology and delves into our fundamental anxieties about robots.

For years, I have written non-fiction on actual robotics, interviewing engineers and industry professionals to understand future advancements. Recently, I visited Yale University’s groundbreaking lab, the Faboratory, led by Rebecca Kramer-Bottiglio, where her team is developing soft robots. These include flexible, squishy creatures with circuits made of liquid metal. One such robot can swim like a turtle, aiding in environmental monitoring of wetlands. Another, named Tensegrity, resembles a cluster of plastic sticks connected by elastic bands, bouncing back when dropped to explore its surroundings.

Medha Goyal and researchers in the Faboratory showcased a tiny liquid ball that expands when warmed. These “Granular actuators” can be incorporated into robots to create varying rigidity and softness in their limbs. They also hold significant medical potential, enabling small robots to deliver medication or diagnose health issues.

Kramer-Bottiglio and her team are challenging traditional notions of robotics. Tomorrow’s bots may not resemble towering humanoids; instead, they could be softer, using air pressure instead of metal mechanics. Notably, one of my book’s characters is an octopus-like soft robot designed for underwater searches and rescues, aptly named Cayenne, equipped with sensors on its arms that allow it to interpret flavors.

Tomorrow’s bots probably won’t resemble gigantic humanoids; they might instead be soft little beings.

When you envision the future of robotics, you might picture something akin to Cayenne. All they and their robotic companions aspire to is to operate a noodle restaurant in San Francisco. Their crew includes Sweety, a three-legged wheeled bot, alongside a basic mixer with two arms and Staybehind, a humanoid soldier bot more interested in decorating the restaurant than fighting.

This makeshift family inhabits a remarkable era of human history. In the 2060s, California’s government decided that certain AI-powered robots should be regarded as individuals. However, officials worry that granting robots the same rights as humans could lead to an uncontrollable influx of robots dominating society. Thus, they have restricted essential rights “for their own good,” assuring the public that a vote could eventually expand robot rights.

Despite what their human counterparts fear, Cayenne and its companions do not seek dominance. They simply wish to pursue their passions. Rather than producing mediocre meals for distant human masters, they aspire to create what they genuinely care about. They symbolize immigrants in a new land, often viewed with skepticism, and at worst, they struggle to survive in a society that wishes them ill.

I’m intentionally drawing this parallel because it’s disconcerting how the fears surrounding immigration resonate with our anxieties about robots. We worry they will usurp our jobs, rise up against us, or disrupt cultural norms. Amazingly, those who voice such concerns about immigration often have never taken the time to understand the immigrants. Similarly, society projects those fears onto robots that do not yet exist. This reflects a troubling pattern: fearing those we don’t know or understand, and in the case of robots, not recognizing their potential.

This is why I do not envision a dystopian future dominated by machines when I think about robots and our society. Instead, I see a reality clouded by terrifying fantasies and restrictive laws. Rather than fearsome terminators, I imagine gentle, soft-bodied creatures like turtles and pneumatic arms. I’m observing Cayenne, apprehensive about human animosity and the vigilance against robot “threats.”

Humans craft narratives to brace for an unlikely future while often ignoring the realities unfolding right before us. Yet, we don’t have to follow this trend. We can develop our understanding based on empirical evidence and science, rather than indulging in surreal nightmares that will likely never materialize.

Annaly’s Week

What I’m reading

Torchon Ebuchi Racebook: A Personal History of the Internet, An engaging compilation of essays exploring cosplay, video games, and social media.

What I’m watching

Murder Bot, for sure.

What I’m working on

I’m wandering with an archaeologist through the Roman town of Talos in Sardinia, Italy. More details to come!

Annalee Newitz is a science journalist and author of the latest book, *Automatic Noodles*. They co-host the Hugo Award-winning podcast, *We Are Right*. Follow them @annaleen or visit their website at techsploitation.com.

The Arts and Science of Writing Science Fiction

Explore the realm of science fiction and discover the art of crafting your own captivating stories during this immersive weekend workshop.

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After Mating, Noisy Spiders Have a Taste for Their Peers—You’ll Be Surprised!

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Feedback provides the latest science and technology news from New Scientist, highlighting interesting items. You can reach out to Feedback@newscientist.com with stories that might intrigue readers.

Curious Connections

Earlier this year, feedback sought an example of “No kidding, Sherlock.” Reader Roger Eldem requested evidence supporting the claim that inadequate rest increases the risk of injury during prolonged tasks.

Roger hasn’t yet finished his research but continues to share examples of self-evident truths. Here are two more while we await further contributions. First, a paper published in June in Demographics presented findings concerning political preferences in relationships: Couples with opposing political views are more likely to separate. Phys.org has summarized this effectively: Research shows couples with conflicting political views face higher separation risks.

Feedback acknowledges that political differences can create tension in relationships. When did we start selecting partners solely by looks and style?

On the theme of problematic relationships, Roger shares another notable discovery from the 2016 Journal PLOS 1 titled Sexually cannibalistic behavior in colonial spider species. It discusses the dynamics of these spiders, where females often consume males post-mating. Research highlights that males may be choosy about their partners, preferring younger, more robust females.

As Phys.org aptly noted: Male orb-weaving spiders are often cannibalized by females.

No apologies here; feedback maintains its critical stance. The complexities are not as straightforward as they seem. Researchers indicate that males in solitary species may not be selected for, as they rarely encounter females, thus opting not to risk decapitation during mating. This contrasts with social species that carefully select males before sacrificing them for reproduction.

Clearly, many instances of “No kidding, Sherlock” exist. Can others find more examples? New insights are always welcome.

Disproven Fiction

As a long-time science fiction reader, Feedback enjoys revisiting stories that are now outdated. These narratives often held plausible premises that have since become unlikely or completely impossible.

Sometimes, what was once considered a “prediction” has been surpassed by time. For instance, Blade Runner was released in 1982 and set in 2019. Now, well over six years have passed since that date, with flying cars still absent. However, the film accurately portrayed the pitfalls of tech billionaires. Depending on your perspective, whether you subscribe to Star Trek or Terminator, the late 1990s were supposed to be defined by either superhumans born from eugenics or nuclear devastation.

We would like to highlight another phenomenon: groundbreaking scientific findings that undermine significant story premises. For example, World War discoveries previously attributed to the apparent absence of life on Mars.

A similar scenario unfolds in Revelation Space, a book by Alastair Reynolds. Feedback still cherishes these novels, and anyone who hasn’t delved into them should stop reading now.

The narrative revolves around the eventual clash between our galaxy and the Andromeda galaxy billions of years from now. Consequently, humanity is perceived to be limited by Inhibitors that restrict intellectual life until the crisis resolves.

However, on June 2nd, Natural Astronomy published a paper under an unexciting title: Uncertainty in Milky Way and Andromeda Collision. Researchers simulated the movements of galaxies within the local cluster and concluded that the current positioning and mass of galaxies leave room for dramatically different potential outcomes. They assert that “the fate of our galaxy remains completely open.”

Readers are encouraged to share other recent discoveries that have subverted plausible science fiction narratives.

More from GS

In the London Centric Newsletter, readers will uncover “The Real 5G Conspiracy: How Londoners Misrepresent Their Phone Signals“. The article addresses how, despite high mobile coverage signals, functional data download capabilities are absent. Londoners may claim to be connected to modern 5G networks, yet they lead lives devoid of 4G awareness.

The article was inspired by an app creator named SignalTracker, who tests various networks while roaming around London “with five different mobile phones.”

Capitalism continues to evolve. Reader Brian Darvel has drawn our attention to this mobile detective, Martin Sims.

Have you shared your feedback?

You can send your stories to feedback@newscientist.com, including your home address. Previous and current feedback can be found on our website.

Extreme Winter Weather Not Caused by Wavy Jet Streams

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Wavy polar jet streams can lead to icy storms extending further south

Images of the history of science / Alamy Stock Photos

SEI 256798260 — Wavy polar jet streams can lead to icy storms extending further south

Images of the history of science / Alamy Stock Photos

Recent studies indicate that the increasingly erratic winter weather in the Northern Hemisphere is not solely due to more pronounced wavy polar jet streams.

The Arctic jet stream functions as a wind current that helps to maintain the balance between temperate and cold air in the Arctic region.

For over a decade, some researchers have engaged in discussions regarding the effects of the warm Arctic on the jet stream. This warming has reportedly intensified in winter, leading to severe storms that carry snow and ice much further south than usual.
However, doubts persist about this theory.

Testing this hypothesis has proven challenging due to limited satellite data and the natural fluctuations of the jet stream during winter.

Researchers like Erich Osterberg from Dartmouth University have sought to determine whether the recent behavior of the jet stream deviates from the long-term average.

Since satellite observations of the jet stream began only in 1979, researchers leveraged temperature and atmospheric pressure data extending back to 1901 to reconstruct the movement of polar jets across the United States throughout the 20th century.

They discovered that polar jets exhibited wave-like patterns during various periods, indicating that the current erratic behavior may not be unprecedented. In fact, at times, the winter jet stream was even more undulating than it is today. “What we’re observing with the jet stream now is not particularly unusual when you consider the broader context of the 20th century,” Osterberg states.

The winters in the Northern Hemisphere are becoming warmer and wetter, a trend emphasized by Osterberg even as climate change continues to provoke more severe storms and precipitation. “It’s evident that climate change is influencing extreme weather events significantly,” he remarks. “However, in the context of winter jet streams, these changes don’t appear to be a fundamental factor.”

Similarly, Tim Woolling from Oxford University highlights the importance of long-term data in identifying shifts in polar jet stream behavior, noting its significant variability in the short to medium term. “Utilizing extensive data records and diverse methodologies reveals that today’s North American winter jet patterns are not necessarily worse than in previous decades,” he explains.

Contrastingly, during the Northern Hemisphere summer, emerging evidence suggests that climate change has elevated tropical temperatures, leading to broader polar waves in warmer months. “In summer, it seems that the jet stream undergoes a fundamental shift in behavior, with larger waves leading to intense heat waves, droughts, and wildfires,” Osterberg adds. “This phenomenon appears to be linked to climate change.”

Topic:

A Dying Star Gives Birth to a New Element

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Enthusiasts of Marvel movies and comics might recognize the tale of Thor’s Hammer, Mjolnir. This metal was crafted from the core of a dying star. While the power of the God of Thunder is not accessible to anyone, some of the heavy metals around us might originate from a long-dormant planet.

Similar to living beings, stars experience a life cycle. For stars with less than about 10 times the mass of the sun, the concluding phase is a White Dwarf. At this point, stars are compressed to the density of Earth and reach temperatures of around 100,000 Kelvin, approximately 100,000°C or 180,000°F. Unlike other stars, they cease to fuse elements in their cores for energy. Instead, they maintain their structure through Quantum mechanical principles and slowly release heat. This is why scientists often refer to white dwarfs as The dead star.

Nevertheless, under certain conditions, a white dwarf can experience one last surge of energy. There exists a limit to a white dwarf’s size, specifically 1.4 times the mass of the sun. If a star exceeds this threshold, gravitational forces can overpower its structural support, caused either by accumulating surrounding gas and dust or by merging with another white dwarf. This rapid compression ignites a chain reaction of fusion, culminating in an explosion known as a Type IA Supernova. Researchers estimate that such an explosion occurs in the Milky Way every 100-700 years.

A group of astrophysicists aimed to explore this phenomenon along with a rarer alternative. If a star is spinning while accumulating material, it can collapse into something even denser, a Neutron Star, and eject excess material without undergoing an explosion. The team simulated the aftermath of six different scenarios where the white dwarf collapsed after surpassing the size limit, known as Post Bounce. In these simulations, they adjusted various parameters, such as speed, width, temperature, and size thresholds of the white dwarfs.

They then controlled the initial conditions, including the mass of the white dwarf. Alkar simulated the behavior of low-energy particles referred to as liquid physics Neutrino 2D. Given the computational demands, astrophysicists typically simulate only a fraction of a second of post-bounce behavior. However, this team extended their simulation to 4.5-7 seconds to gain a deeper understanding of how ejected layers from white dwarfs behave.

The simulated white dwarf quickly collapsed, transitioning from a slower rate of 0.8 seconds to a rapid 0.04 seconds. The scenario diverged, with the unspinning white dwarf erupting into a supernova, while the spinning white dwarf transformed into a neutron star. In this latter case, the remnants of the stars were so densely packed that neutrinos collided with them, heating them up and ejecting them from the star.

The focus then shifted to the ejected material. The mass of material expelled ranged from 0.005 times to 0.05 times the mass of the sun, equivalent to about 1,700 to 17,000 Earth masses. Heavier elements like nickel can form during this process.

The researchers concluded that the outer layers ejected from collapsing white dwarfs could change rapidly during these events. They discovered that the material released was initially rich in protons and formed lighter elements but later became enriched in neutrons and heavier elements.

The team recommended developing more advanced 3D models of white dwarfs prior to their collapse for future studies. They suggested that astrophysicists could utilize these models to estimate the contribution of elements in the solar system originating from white dwarf collapses.

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Source: sciworthy.com

Revolutionary App Guides Cricket Fans with Visual Impairments Around Lord’s

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

“It’s 19 feet ahead,” announced the robotic voice from an iPhone held by Moshfik Ahmed, as he navigated through London’s Road Cricket Field in search of a seat.

“Up the stairs,” directed Ahmed, an English cricketer with visual impairment, as he tapped a white cane on his way to the Edrich Stand without any external assistance. “There’s one landing. We’re positioned at 9 o’clock at the base of the stairs. We’ve reached the fifth row.”

Ahmed was among the first to test the newly installed Wayfinding technology at Lord’s, designed for blind and partially sighted individuals, enabling disabled fans to enjoy live sports.

Waymap, the company behind this app-based navigation tool, asserts that the 31,000-seat cricket stadium is the first sports venue worldwide to offer personal GPS, specifically tailored to manage traffic in stadiums, shopping centers, and transportation systems.

Utilizing a £50,000 camera, Waymap meticulously mapped stairs, corridors, inclines, entrances, and concourses to develop a digital twin of this historic cricket ground, allowing the app to navigate users by meter precision.

This technology was implemented ahead of next month’s Test match between England and India. The Marylebone Cricket Club, which manages the venue, believes it can assist other cricket enthusiasts in discovering the most accessible routes throughout the premises.

“The concept is fantastic for the visually impaired,” said Ahmed, who tried the app upon the Guardian’s invitation after participating in a showcase match on Wednesday. “If it functions flawlessly, I can navigate to the station independently, cross the street by myself, arrive at the stadium, and find my way using the app. I know many sports enthusiasts who are visually impaired. This will make it completely accessible for them.”

Moshfik Ahmed at the cricket grounds on the road. Photo: Sean Smith/Guardian

It was Ahmed’s first experience with the app, which had some initial hiccups. At times, it mistakenly suggested he head in the wrong direction, pointing him to temporarily closed stairs, and even guided him to row 20 of the Edrich Stand instead of column 5.

However, it seemed that both the app and the user were still in the adaptation phase. For instance, the app should be customized to reflect the individual user’s walking pattern, which could clarify the misdirection he experienced.

“It must be precise and dependable,” stated Ahmed, who lost most of his vision in 2017.

“We’re dedicated to delivering an exceptional experience,” said Celso Zuccollo, CEO of WayMap. “WayMap represents a novel navigation approach. It usually requires multiple visits to fully grasp how to use the app effectively.”

“The objective is likely to extend this technology to venues like Wembley, various football stadiums, and we are in discussions with horse racing tracks,” he added.

Existing apps available for users of the Washington, DC public transport system do not adequately alert users to the movements of people around them, particularly those whom Ahmed noted can pose significant challenges in maneuvering safely and comfortably.

What is a Heat Dome? Understanding Hot and Humid Weather Conditions

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Sweltering and humid conditions have impacted nearly the entire eastern U.S. this week, triggered by “heat domes” settling over various regions.

On Wednesday, a heat advisory impacted approximately 150 million individuals, with temperatures exceeding 95 degrees Fahrenheit spreading through the Ohio Valley and along the East Coast. The National Weather Service predicts that “extremely dangerous heat” will persist until Thursday.

But what exactly is a heat dome, and how does it contribute to extreme heat?

Heat domes form when a strong high-pressure system remains stationary over an area, trapping warm air underneath like a lid on a pot.

These thermal domes are typically influenced by the jet stream’s behavior. The jet stream is a fast-moving ribbon of air that flows from west to east in the Northern Hemisphere, impacting weather patterns.

The jet stream is powered by the temperature disparity between the chilly polar regions and warm southern air masses. As it travels around the globe, it can create ripples that form troughs and ridges, leading to unusual weather phenomena.

For instance, certain ripples can intensify cold snaps, while others can move and amplify heat, resulting in higher humidity levels.

Heat domes can persist for days or even weeks, contributing to prolonged heat waves that can be deadly. Heat-related illnesses and fatalities can impact individuals of all ages, but children, those with pre-existing health conditions, and older adults are especially vulnerable to sudden temperature spikes.

Research indicates that climate change is increasing the frequency, intensity, and duration of heat waves globally. The hottest years on record since 1850 have all occurred within the last decade, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Some respite is anticipated later this week across the Midwest and East Coast, although temperatures are expected to remain high in the days ahead.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Why Climate Change Is Overlooked and How to Address It

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

For many years, climate scientists and advocates have held onto a sense of optimism. They believe that once the impacts of global warming become undeniable, both individuals and governments will take significant action. The hope is that a major disaster—whether it be a fierce hurricane, extreme heat, or widespread flooding—will force a collective recognition of the gravity of the issue and lead to meaningful change. However, despite the increasing frequency of such disasters, climate change continues to rank low on voters’ agendas, and effective policy responses remain elusive.

This widespread inaction is often attributed to various political or structural barriers. Yet, decades of psychological studies indicate that more profound factors may be at play. The human brain often fails to recognize gradual changes.

Many areas are experiencing severe climate-related issues, but for the majority of the world, the changes manifest as slow and subtle shifts in daily weather.

This gradual nature of change presents challenges. People primarily assess climate issues based on personal experiences: there’s a heightened concern for an unusually hot day than when the weather feels typical. However, as conditions quietly worsen, the perception of “normalcy” shifts. This is often referred to as the boiling frog effect, where subtle and gradual changes fail to trigger alarm bells, leading to a state of indifference: akin to a frog in a pot of water that is gradually heated.

In 2020, we researched climate impacts in Princeton, New Jersey. This area is not burdened by wildfires or droughts, but it has seen a loss of something significant: winter ice skating. For many years, Carnegie Lake would freeze enough for skating, but now it seldom does.

Conversations with long-time residents and a review of local newspaper archives revealed a marked decline in ice skating on the lake over the last century, evoking a sense of loss. This disruption to winter traditions made Princeton’s experience with climate change feel more immediate, tangible, and personal.

We then posed the question: could binary climate indicators—such as “Lake Frozen” vs. “Lake Not Frozen”—serve as more effective alerts than graphs depicting gradual temperature increases?

I explored this concept through a series of experiments. Participants were presented with one of two graphs. One illustrated rising winter temperatures in a fictional town, while the other depicted whether the lake froze each year. Notably, both graphs represented the same underlying climate trends, but reactions varied significantly.

Those who viewed the binary “freeze or not” graphs consistently acknowledged that climate change had a more substantial impact compared to those who saw the temperature graphs. Follow-up studies analyzing data from North American and European lakes corroborated these findings. When climate impacts were communicated in stark terms, individuals responded more seriously.

What motivated this difference? We discovered that binary data creates an impression of sudden shifts. When people observed a series of winters where the lake froze juxtaposed with years it didn’t, they perceived a distinct “before” and “after,” despite the gradual nature of change.

Climate change transcends mere physical challenges; it also encompasses psychological dimensions. As long as we convey it in ways that resonate, we risk desensitizing our warning signals until it’s too late.

We encourage policymakers, journalists, and educators to leverage these insights. Highlighting specific losses that resonate—such as winters without ice skating, drought-damaged harvests, and summers plagued by wildfires—can be impactful. Utilize visuals that contrast “what we had” with “what we’ve lost.”

Allow people to witness the changes—it’s not merely about the slope of the line.

Grace Lew is affiliated with Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, while Lachitt Dubay is affiliated with UCLA.

Topic:

Climate change/
Global warming

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/dfN5FxIs39w?wmode=opaque&feature=oembed" title="Little Droid – Launch Trailer | PS5 & PS4 Games" height="480" width="854" allowfullscreen="

Real Concern: Video Game Developers Face Accusations of AI Usage Despite Not Implementing It.

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

In April, game developer Stamina Zero made a significant marketing move with the launch trailer for their game, Little Droid, available on PlayStation’s official YouTube channel. The developers were taken aback by the reaction; while many found the game intriguing, it was “smashed down” by claims of AI-generated art. However, the cover art, featured in its YouTube thumbnail, was indeed created by a person. Developer Lana Ro stated, “We know the artist and have seen her work, so this negative feedback was unexpected. Initially, we were unsure how to react; it left us confused.”

There’s validity in people’s concerns regarding AI in video games. It’s important to ensure that the media you support aligns with your values. Discussions surrounding generative AI often touch on environmental impact, art theft, and overall quality. Video game developers are navigating how generative AI influences their work. However, the unexpected issue is the strong aversion to generative AI now translating to “Please don’t use it.” Veteran game developer Josh Caratelli, Digital Director of Chess Plus, remarked, “I’m all for caution, but collateral damage can be painful.”

Karatelli and his game, Chess Plus, faced a similar backlash when he shared art on Reddit, explicitly stating it was created without AI assistance. However, he received comments and messages accusing him of dishonesty or suggesting he was deceived. “It’s clearly handcrafted,” he asserted. “We spent a substantial amount to hire an indie artist for the artwork; it was a worthy investment.”

Darth Vader will be appearing in Epic Games’ Fortnite. Photo: Epic Games/Disney/Lucasfilm

Increasingly, games are being scrutinized for instances perceived as AI replacing human labor. (Epic Games has recently faced criticism for AI-generated Darth Vader, as noted). Sometimes, this anger is misdirected at individuals and small businesses, where the assumption is made that AI has been utilized. For example, an artist for Magic: The Gathering faced false accusations about using AI, prompting Wizards of the Coast to issue a statement. Even Nintendo was implicated in using AI-generated images for in-game signs in Mario Kart World back in May, leading to a denial from the company.

Major companies like Wizards of the Coast and Nintendo may weather unfounded accusations, but indie studios with lesser visibility can find it challenging. Released in April, Little Droid features small robots traversing a lush, pixel-art landscape. On the other hand, the cover art showcases the droid in a distinct style, known for the glossy finish typical of AI-generated art. YouTube commenters pointed out details that “prove” the art was AI-generated due to symmetry issues, even though the robot itself is asymmetrical. Stamina Zero consistently maintained that AI was not utilized in creating their game or art.

The studio eventually shared a video claiming to demonstrate the art process, highlighting early art concepts and various layers in Adobe Photoshop to illustrate how the piece was created. “We contacted the artist and insisted on all available intermediate sketches and source PSDs,” Ro explained. “I quickly posted a collection of videos based on the files we had. It was a damage control strategy—a way to calm the situation and promote more productive conversations. We have nothing to hide.”

Some viewers accepted the video as proof that AI was not involved, while others remained skeptical. The video didn’t contain the actual drawings, making it impossible to share the artist’s entire process unless recorded. Some artists do this already, but it adds to their workload. As Stamina Zero knows, there will always be those who refuse to believe.

Stamina Zero Little Droid trailer

“Honestly, we don’t have a clear strategy for the future,” Ro admits. “On Reddit, some suggested we avoid creating art resembling AI outcomes, which has triggered various reactions. This piece of advice might be effective.”

Karatelli also shares the community’s ethical worries surrounding AI, such as plagiarism, environmental concerns, and the ramifications for human creativity. However, he’s aware of the accusations against Chess Plus. “It’s exceptionally difficult for AI to create something meaningful. It’s a thousand small complexities that make a game exceptional… [That] work is often undervalued,” he concurred.

Both games illustrate how generative AI can taint creative processes. It doesn’t just end there. We can’t definitively know whether we’re witnessing human creation or AI output. For creatives and gamers alike, it ultimately boils down to a matter of trust.

Mind Electric Review: Purianand’s Enchanting Debut Unveils the Marvels of the Human Brain

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Pria Anand sees “a vast marginal space” between health and illness

David Degner

Electric of the Heart
Pria Anand (Virago) (UK); Washington Square Press (US)

As articulated in Gray’s Anatomy, it’s no surprise that healthcare professionals have inspired numerous popular narratives. The journey of a patient through the healthcare system mirrors the structure of classic storytelling, featuring beginnings, conflicts, and resolutions, often accompanied by various tensions.

Although medicine is often perceived as grounded in hard science (blood tests, medical imaging, treatment protocols), it fundamentally involves storytelling, a theme that Pria Anand explores in her debut book, Electric of the Mind: A Tale of the Strangeness and Wonders of Our Brains.

During her time at medical school in California, Anand was concerned that her aversion to storytelling might hinder her. Yet, she found that how individuals narrate their experiences could convey as much insight as any clinical test.

Anand pays homage to her predecessor, neurologist Oliver Sacks, drawing from his personal anecdotes while diagnosing and empathizing with patients. In Electric of the Heart, she acknowledges the influence of Sacks’s iconic work, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat.

While it’s unrealistic to expect anyone to reach Sacks’s level of ingenuity, Anand embodies his empathy, curiosity, and intellectual breadth. Her writing is both polished and insightful as she navigates complex neurological concepts, addressing the narratives of individual patients with similar finesse.

However, Electric of the Heart transcends mere “clinical anecdotes.” Anand’s core message emphasizes the vital role of storytelling in medical practice. The human craving for narratives is ancient, universal, and remarkably resilient, often thriving even in the aftermath of severe brain injuries, as she notes.

Regardless of health status, how individuals articulate their condition may diverge significantly from a physician’s evaluation or observable metrics. Anand recounts the story of a patient who entered a coma following a cerebral hemorrhage but appeared to recover fully, often mistaking Anand and her colleagues for her former medical team as she made her rounds among fellow patients.

No one can match the brilliance of Sacks, but Anand embodies the writer’s humanity and broad intellect.

Anand delves into the way our brains can mislead us, highlighting both the hurdles and the character of medical practice. However, it’s not just the patients’ misconceptions that warrant attention; doctors can exhibit similar biases and errors.

The evolution of her own health conditions has profoundly informed Anand’s work ethic—from sleep deprivation during her training to the “phantom noises” she began experiencing that prompted her concern. It was later discovered that these sounds stemmed from a vascular malformation connecting her brain to her heart.

The inherent “imbalance of power” in medicine signifies an ongoing struggle between empirical evidence and narrative, as well as between objective truths and subjective experiences—this dynamic exists not only in the realm of physicians but also among the false dichotomies pervasive in healthcare. Historically, many confidently given diagnoses have been based solely on “scientific” definitions. One can reflect on the notion of a “wandering uterus.”

Although comparisons between Anand and early reviewers might not be misleading, Electric of the Heart invites parallels with Glass Body, a personal narrative by Caroline Crampton that also explores hypochondria. Like Crampton’s insightful account, Anand elucidates “a vast liminal spread between health and illness” from her perspective as a physician.

Both works suggest a growing openness in mainstream media to not only drama but the complexities of medical intricacies, challenging the traditional notion that the divides between “healthy brains and failing brains” or illnesses and wellness are as clear-cut as they seem.

In Electric of the Heart, Anand exhibits empathy, humility, and a profound interest in humanity—qualities that define outstanding doctors and ideally should be prevalent throughout the medical profession.

Elle Hunt is an author based in Norwich, UK

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Should YouTube Be Part of Australia’s Social Media Ban for Under-16s? Key Insights You Need to Know

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Australia’s online safety regulators advise that YouTube should not be granted an exemption from a social media ban for individuals under 16, stating that video streaming platforms can expose children to dangerous content.

In contrast, YouTube contends that it should adhere to a proposed regulation indicating that the government will provide exemptions to the platform.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of regulating YouTube? And what implications does this have for a child watching YouTube if it becomes prohibited?

Why did the government consider exempting YouTube initially?

Last November, when Congress introduced legislation banning access to social media for children under 16, then Communications Minister Michelle Roland indicated that YouTube would be exempted.

This exemption was justified on the grounds that YouTube serves “an important purpose by providing youth with educational and health resources.”

The ban on social media in Australia for individuals under 16 is now law. Many details remain unclear – Video

This exemption came just 48 hours after revelations in April by Guardian Australia regarding the minister’s direct lobbying efforts involving the global CEO of YouTube.

This decision surprised YouTube competitors such as Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat. TikTok described it as a “special deal.” YouTube has launched vertical video products like Instagram and TikTok reels, leading its competitors to believe it should be included in the ban.

As new regulations regarding social media platforms were being formulated, the Minister consulted with eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant.

In a recent report, Inman Grant highlighted findings from a youth survey indicating that 76% of individuals aged 10 to 15 use YouTube. The survey also showed that 37% of children who experienced potentially harmful content online encountered it on YouTube.

Additionally, it was observed that increased time spent on YouTube correlates with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and insomnia among youth, according to the Black Dog Institute.

“Currently, YouTube boasts persuasive design elements associated with health risks, including features that could encourage unnecessary or excessive usage (such as autoplay, social validations, and algorithm-driven content feeds),” noted Inman Grant.

“When combined, these elements can lead to excessive engagement without breaks and heighten exposure to harmful material.”

Inman Grant concluded that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that YouTube provides exclusively beneficial experiences for children under 16.

However, it’s noted that children may still view content on YouTube even if they are logged out and thereby prohibited from using accounts.

What is YouTube’s position?

In a recent statement, Rachel Lord, YouTube’s senior public policy manager for Australia and New Zealand, commented on the eSafety Commissioner’s advice which was examined and subsequently supported by Parliament. YouTube views the findings on community opinion regarding the platform’s suitability for younger audiences as being “inconsistent with government commitments.”

YouTube has been developing age-appropriate offerings for over ten years, and in Q1 of 2025, the company removed 192,856 videos for breaching its hate speech and abusive content policies, a 22% increase from the previous year.

The platform asserts its role primarily as a video hosting service rather than a promoter of social interaction. A survey conducted among Australian teachers revealed that 84% use YouTube monthly as a resource for student learning.

YouTube also stated that the eSafety Commission and potentially the Communications Minister may be reconsidering the exemption following pressures from YouTube’s competitors.

What about YouTube Kids?

YouTube asserts that it offers a platform tailored for younger users, restricting both the uploading of content and commenting features for children.

The company does not seek exemptions solely for its children’s products.

When questioned about YouTube Kids during the National Press Club event, it was indicated that the platform is considered low-risk, designed specifically for children, and possesses adequate safety measures. However, it was stated, “I cannot respond until I have seen the regulations.”

Can children access YouTube without an account?

Yes. Inman Grant confirmed that if teachers wish to show videos to their students, they can access YouTube without needing to log in.

She noted that YouTube has “opaque algorithms that create addictive ‘rabbit holes’,” and remarked that when she accessed the site while logged out, her experience was positive, empowering users to engage without being subjected to addictive technological features.

In response to YouTube’s assertions on Thursday, Inman Grant reiterated that the call for exclusion from the ban aims to “allow young Australians to access YouTube’s diverse content.” However, she clarified that her advice does not imply that children will lose access to YouTube’s educational resources.

“The new law strictly restricts children under 16 from holding their own accounts. They will not be able to access YouTube or other services while logged out,” she added.

“There is nothing preventing educators with their own accounts from continuing to share educational content on YouTube or other platforms approved for school use.”

What are the next steps?

The Minister will finalize the guidelines and identify the social media platforms covered by the ban in the upcoming months.

A trial on age verification technology is expected to be reported to the Minister by the end of July, which will establish the technology platforms must implement to prevent access for users under 16.

The government has announced that the ban is anticipated to come into force in early December.

Tips from Sleep Scientists for Falling Asleep More Easily

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A restless mind is a prevalent obstacle to achieving sleep

Andrii Lysenko/Getty Images

It might be due to age and warmer temperatures, but sleep is becoming increasingly elusive in my household. Between my husband’s insomnia, my child’s energy, and my own racing thoughts, our nights are filled with as much activity as our days. My social media feed has begun presenting videos featuring a technique known as “cognitive shuffle” for inducing sleep, prompting me to explore whether it actually works or if there are other mental tricks that could prove beneficial.

One major hindrance to restful sleep is a restless mind, the very challenge that cognitive shuffle aims to alleviate. Luc Beaudoin from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada, has devised methods to help you divert your attention from spiraling thoughts and worries before drifting off.

How to Practice Cognitive Shuffling

The concept is straightforward. Pick a random word, such as “plonk,” and think of all the words you can generate from each letter. Examples include Primsol, Puma, Awards…lion, lemon, levitation, and more. As each word surfaces, spend some time visualizing it. This process creates a transitional phase between wakefulness and slumber, mirroring the spontaneous imagery seen in a “hypnotic state.”

Individuals who are good sleepers often report experiencing vivid images just before sleep, while poor sleepers tend to find themselves planning and problem-solving, as noted by Sophie Bostock, a doctor and sleep consultant. “It’s not that we need to empty our minds (which can actually be counterproductive), but rather we should steer our thoughts away from overly logical thinking,” she explains.

Cognitive shuffling seems to foster more fluid thinking. In a small study involving 154 students, those who reported struggling with “pre-sleep wakefulness” benefited from this technique, which shortened their time to sleep.

However, there lacks a gold-standard study on cognitive shuffling. Beaudoin himself conceded that there is no direct comparison between various cognitive techniques utilized at bedtime within the scientific literature.

Consequently, I turned to some of the world’s leading sleep scientists to inquire about their recommendations for anyone hoping to calm their minds at night.

Strategies for Insomnia Relief

Kevin Morgan from the Clinical Sleep Research Unit at Loughborough University in the UK directed me towards Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI). “CBTI is internationally recognized as the first evidence-based treatment for insomnia disorders,” he asserts.

This therapy focuses on training individuals to manage intrusive thoughts, which can otherwise lead to cognitive arousal (mental alertness), elevate hormones like adrenaline, and disrupt the normal sleep process. CBTI also tackles other facets of insomnia by assisting individuals in overcoming anxieties about sleeplessness and teaches meditation techniques.

While effective, acquiring CBTI techniques typically takes about 6–8 weeks, leading to a high dropout rate.

Nonetheless, various elements of CBTI may be beneficial on their own. A 2021 randomized controlled trial indicated that meditation apps may alleviate depression and anxiety in individuals with sleep disorders, potentially contributing to better pre-sleep relaxation.

Morgan mentions that the component of CBTI that appears to yield the greatest benefits is sleep restriction therapy. This counterintuitive method “has proven to be extremely effective” by reinforcing the idea of spending limited time in bed without sleeping.

This echoes the advice I received from Colin S.P., a professor of sleep medicine at Oxford University. He emphasized that “you cannot force sleep. It doesn’t exist in a tangible sense,” he notes. “You can only encourage sleep. It’s an involuntary process that occurs naturally, not something you can will into being. So rather than trying to sleep when you feel ‘slept and tired,’ focus on creating a conducive environment.”

Designing a Sleep Sanctuary

Another straightforward suggestion from several experts is to cultivate a sleep sanctuary in your bedroom. “Sleep-friendly environments are crucial,” advises Joseph Zielzevsky, Senior Vice President of Research and Science Affairs at the National Sleep Foundation. Others concur. “The top recommendation is to create a bedroom that promotes sleep—dark, cool, quiet, and uncluttered,” states Emerson Wickwire, Head of Sleep Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Many experts also highlighted the importance of avoiding screens before bedtime. The blue light emitted can inhibit melatonin production, disrupt circadian rhythms, complicate the process of falling asleep, and prompt unnecessary thoughts. However, Dzierzewski points out that many people engage with emotionally stimulating content, such as news and social media, right before bed. “Regrettably, over half of Americans admit to using screens within an hour of bedtime,” she mentions.

What I might implement with my children is a gratitude practice, as suggested by Bostock, backed by research indicating its efficacy in alleviating pre-sleep anxiety. “It’s remarkably difficult to feel grateful and stressed simultaneously,” she notes.

Perhaps the most significant advice I received wasn’t a trick or hint to quiet our racing thoughts at night but rather a prompt to genuinely prioritize sleep. Numerous specialists, including Aparajitha Verma, a sleep medicine neurologist in Houston, Texas, emphasized the necessity of treating sleep as a priority. Morgan reiterates that anyone dealing with insomnia should “seek expert help and engage in recommended treatment strategies as soon as possible.”

Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to increased risks of dementia, type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and even cancer. This reality alone is enough to keep anyone awake at night. Additionally, thoughts of “organizing” my child’s room linger in my mind. Yet, I am resolved to place it at the top of my to-do list as an immediate concern—hopefully, that will serve as a positive first step towards achieving a restful night for all.

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Meta Prevails in AI Copyright Lawsuits as US Ruling Favors Company Over Authors

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta has secured judicial backing in a copyright lawsuit initiated by a collective of authors this week, marking a second legal triumph for the American Artificial Intelligence Industry.

Prominent authors, including Sarah Silverman and Ta-Nehisi Coates, claimed that the owners of Facebook utilized their books without authorization to train AI systems, thereby violating copyright laws.

This ruling comes on the heels of a decision affirming that another major AI player, Humanity, did not infringe upon the authors’ copyrights.

In his ruling on the Meta case, US District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco stated that the authors failed to present adequate evidence that the AI developed by tech companies would harm the market to establish an illegal infringement under US copyright law.

However, the judgment offered some encouragement to American creators who contended that training AI models without consent was unlawful.

Chhabria noted that using copyrighted material without permission for AI training is illegal in “many situations,” contrasting with another federal judge in San Francisco who recently concluded in a separate case that Humanity’s AI training constituted “fair use” of copyrighted works.

The fair use doctrine permits the utilization of copyrighted works under certain conditions without the copyright holder’s permission, which serves as a vital defense for high-tech firms.

“This ruling does not imply that Meta employs copyrighted content to train language models,” Chhabria remarked. “It merely indicates that these plaintiffs presented an incorrect argument and failed to establish a supportive record for their case.”

Humanity is also set to face further legal scrutiny this year after a judge determined that it had illegally utilized over 7 million books from the Central Library, infringing on the authors’ copyrights without fair use.

A representative for Boys Schiller Flexner, the law firm representing the authors against Meta, expressed disagreement with the judge’s ruling to favor Meta despite the “uncontroversial record” of the company’s “historically unprecedented copyright infringement.”

A spokesperson for Meta stated that the company valued the decision and characterized fair use as a “critical legal framework” for developing “transformative” AI technology.

In 2023, the authors filed a lawsuit against Meta, asserting that the company exploited unauthorized versions of their books to train the AI systems known as Llamas without consent or remuneration.

Copyright disputes are placing AI firms in opposition to publishers and creative sectors on both sides of the Atlantic. This tension arises because generative AI models, which form the foundation of powerful tools like ChatGPT chatbots, require extensive datasets to be trained, much of which is comprised of copyrighted material.

This lawsuit is part of a series of copyright cases filed by authors, media organizations, and other copyright holders against OpenAI, Microsoft, and companies like Humanity regarding AI training.

AI enterprises claim they are fairly using copyrighted materials to develop systems that create new and innovative content, while asserting that imposing copyright fees on them could threaten the burgeoning AI sector.

Copyright holders maintain that AI firms are unlawfully replicating their works and generating rival content that jeopardizes their livelihoods. Chhabria conveyed empathy toward this argument during the May hearing, reiterating it on Wednesday.

The judge remarked that generative AI could inundate the market with endless images, songs, articles, and books, requiring only a fraction of the time and creativity involved in traditional creation.

“Consequently, by training generative AI models with copyrighted works, companies frequently produce outputs that significantly undermine the market for those original works, thereby greatly diminishing the incentives for humans to create in the conventional manner,” stated Chhabria.

Archaeologists Discover 3,500-Year-Old Rice Remnants in Guam

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Rice served as a fundamental crop in the Austronesian region, which includes the ancestors of Taiwan and the islands of Southeast Asia. However, it was largely unknown in the Pacific Islands during their initial encounters with Europeans, with the exceptions of Guam and the Mariana Islands. A recent study conducted by scientists from Guam, China, and Australia highlights the discovery of abundant rice husks and leafy plant oils associated with red melted pottery found in the Litidian Beach Caves in Guam, dating back between 3,500 and 3,100 years ago.

Ritidian Beach Cave, Guam. Image credit: Hsiao-Chun Hung.

The presence of early rice in Pacific Island settlements is part of a broader narrative about rice as a staple in the diet of ancient Austronesian speakers, who formed the world’s most extensive language family prior to the onset of global colonial expansions.

Austronesian communities cultivated rice in Taiwan no less than 4,800 years ago, but cultivation of rice among populations in eastern Indonesia seems to have been carried over into the more remote Pacific Islands. The Austronesian ancestors migrated from Taiwan across the Asia-Pacific region approximately 4,200 years ago.

These early islanders introduced domesticated rice from Taiwan and returned to the Yangtze River Basin in mainland China, the source of these resources.

In this context, rice’s significance in the Mariana Islands in Guam and western Micronesia has garnered significant interest, as it was the sole island in the distant Pacific where rice cultivation occurred, as evidenced by historical records from the 1500s and 1600s.

“These findings provide fresh insights into ancient migration and culture,” states Dr. Hsiao-Chun Hung, an archaeologist at the Australian National University.

“To this point, archaeological records only showed traces of rare rice in the remote Pacific Ocean, dating back perhaps 1,000 to 700 years ago. The evidence we have found pushes that timeline significantly forward.”

Rice cultivation from excavations at Litidian Beach Cave in Guam. Scale bar – 10μm. Image credits: Carson et al. , doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adw3591.

Dr. Hung and her team discovered ancient rice remnants in a cave at Ritidian Beach in northern Guam.

“Rice served as a daily staple in many ancient Asian societies, yet this discovery reveals that, in the remote Pacific Ocean, it was regarded as a valuable item reserved for rituals rather than regular consumption,” Dr. Hung remarked.

“Our investigations found no signs of ancient rice paddies, irrigation systems, or harvesting tools in Guam.”

“Our findings bolster the hypothesis that the first Pacific Islanders transported rice from the Philippines over 2,300 km of open ocean.

“This indicates not just their exceptional navigation abilities but also their foresight in storing and carrying essential resources across vast distances.

“The caves at Ritidian Beach offer unique insights into the lives of early inhabitants in the region, especially given that most other cave sites in Guam were affected during World War II.”

“Despite extensive exploration of outdoor sites, evidence of early rice usage had not been uncovered until this point.”

“This discovery highlights a profound and enduring connection between our ancestral heritage and our Asian roots.”

“Rice husks were found in the oldest cultural layer of this site, dated through a range of advanced methods including radiocarbon analyses of nearby human waste deposits.

“It is likely that rice was prepared and cooked elsewhere, as the grain processing would have left different kinds of evidence.”

“The humid cave conditions were not suitable for storing raw rice in a pot.”

“Ancient residues were only located on ceramic surfaces, ruling out conventional food storage options.”

Details of these findings are documented in a study published in the journal Advances in Science.

____

Mike T. Carson et al. 2025. The earliest evidence of rice cultivation in remote Oceania: ritual use by the first islanders of the Marianas 3,500 years ago. Advances in Science 11 (26); doi:10.1126/sciadv.adw3591

Source: www.sci.news

Gastric Bypass Surgery Potentially Lowers Intestinal Cancer Risk

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Gastric bypass surgery is primarily utilized for weight loss, but it may provide other advantages

Portra/Getty Images

A widely recognized form of weight loss surgery may lower the risk of colorectal cancer by changing the levels of bile acids in the bloodstream. These findings could pave the way for new bowel cancer treatments.

During gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is surgically altered to create a small upper pouch and a larger lower pouch. The small intestine is then connected to the upper pouch, allowing food and digestive juices to bypass most of the upper stomach and small intestine. Post-surgery, patients often feel fuller and experience quicker weight loss.

Earlier research indicated that this procedure is associated with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer; however, the underlying reasons remained unclear. To investigate further, Rebecca Kesselling of the University of Freiburg, Germany, and her team fed mice a high-fat diet until they reached approximately 50% of their starting weight. They then performed a partial gastric bypass on some of the mice, while the remaining mice underwent a sham surgery that did not alter their digestive systems.

To isolate the weight-loss effects of gastric bypass surgery, the team grouped the gastric bypass mice alongside half of the sham-operated mice. Over six weeks, the gastric bypass mice lost about 20% of their body weight on average.

Subsequently, the researchers implanted colorectal cancer cells into the colons of the mice. After an additional six weeks, it was observed that colon tumors in the gastric bypass mice were two-thirds smaller than those in the mice that either continued gaining weight or lost weight solely through diet.

Additionally, cancer spread to the liver was seen in only one out of twenty gastric bypass mice, while it occurred in most of the sham-operated mice.

“Both sham groups exhibited similar tumor levels, but weight loss alone could not account for the lower cancer risk, suggesting that gastric bypass involves additional factors,” Kesselling explains.

The researchers speculated that this might be attributed to alterations in bile acids, which are compounds that aid in fat digestion. These molecules are typically produced by the liver, move through the gallbladder, stomach, and small intestine, and then return to the liver via the bloodstream.

“Bile acids are reintroduced into the small intestine during bypass surgery,” Kesselling states, implying that this process may lead to variations in intestinal bacteria that chemically modify these molecules.

The mice that underwent gastric bypass surgery displayed lower levels of specific bile acids, known as primary bile acids, in both their colon and bloodstream compared to the sham group.

To further explore whether changes in bile acids influenced cancer risk, the team conducted a similar experiment with another group of mice. Instead of gastric bypass, these mice had surgery that redirected bile acids to the latter part of the small intestine without altering the stomach.

Significantly, the team noted that this surgery also lowered primary bile acid levels in the bloodstream and decreased the size and spread of colorectal tumors as effectively as gastric bypass surgery. This was supported by an additional experiment, where they identified that primary bile acids promote the growth of colorectal cancer cells in laboratory settings.

The results indicate that focusing on primary bile acids may hold promise for cancer treatment. “We might be able to leverage various oral medications designed to reduce these bile acids to replicate some of the advantageous effects of gastric bypass surgery,” notes Vance Albaf from Louisiana State University.

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The Ancient Mammoth Task Boomerang is Twice as Old as Previously Believed

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Ancient artifacts crafted from mammoth tusks are the earliest recognized boomerangs

Talamo et al., 2025, PLOS One, CC-BY 4.0

The earliest known boomerang could be over 22,000 years older than previously believed, indicating it was crafted during a time when early humans exhibited a rise in artistic expression.

In 1985, archaeologists discovered a 72-centimeter ivory boomerang buried beneath six layers of sediment within the Obwazwa Cave in Poland. Further analysis of sediment revealed bone beads from Homo sapiens, made from nearby thumb bones, antlers, fox teeth, and pendants. In the 1990s, radiocarbon dating estimated the thumbs to be 31,000 years old, while surprisingly, the boomerang dated only to 18,000 years ago—thousands of years younger than the associated crafts.

Sarataramo at the University of Bologna suspects contamination. “Even minor amounts of modern carbon from adhesives and maintenance can skew radiocarbon dates by tens of thousands of years,” she explains. The analysis of carbon-nitrogen ratios in the thumbs indicated collagen changes, suggesting that the samples were not suitable for reliable radiocarbon dating.

Redoing the dating on the contaminated boomerang would have wasted resources and unnecessarily harmed significant artifacts, according to Taramo. Instead, she and her team re-dated the human thumb bones and 13 nearby animal bones, using statistical modeling to reconstruct the timeline. Their findings indicated that the entire sediment layer—along with the boomerangs and thumb bones—dated to approximately 39,000 to 42,000 years ago.

“In a way, this serves as a reminder for museums; if you discover something extraordinary, avoid covering it with glue or any repair materials prior to completing thorough analysis,” she asserts.

This new timeline suggests that the ivory boomerang predates the second oldest known wooden boomerang created by Australian Indigenous peoples. Unlike other simpler throwing tools, like the 300,000-year-old wooden artifact found in Schoningen, Germany, the boomerang has a curved, aerodynamic design, although it may not always return when thrown, according to Taramo.

While it’s likely that these ancient boomerangs could fly, their size and construction likely meant they did not return to the thrower. They may have held symbolic or ritual significance, potentially related to their placement alongside the thumb bones within a decorative stone ring, which featured intricate carvings and reddish pigments, along with a smooth polished surface.

This discovery provides insight into the cognitive abilities and craftsmanship of early humans during a remarkable period of artistic growth, known as the early Aulignacian, which began around 40,000 years ago. This era saw the emergence of iconic artifacts, including mammoth ivory figurines, rock art, and aesthetically refined tools in Europe, notes Taramo.

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Independent Estimates of Gaza’s Death Toll Exceed Official Figures

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Buildings destroyed in Gaza, February 2025

Imago/Alamy

SEI 256827338 — Buildings destroyed in Gaza, February 2025

Imago/Alamy

According to an independent survey derived from household interviews, about 75,000 individuals (3.6% of the population) in the Gaza Strip lost their lives due to violence between October 7, 2023, and January 5, 2025. This figure exceeds the Gaza Health Ministry’s estimate of 46,000 violent deaths in the same timeframe.

The research also indicated that approximately 9,000 additional non-violent deaths occurred during this period compared to expected norms in the Gaza Strip. This marks the first estimate of indirect deaths stemming from the conflict that began in October 2023.

The survey involved interviews with 2,000 randomly selected households, which detailed the current and prewar conditions for all household members. “We were present on-site and gathered data directly from the population,” says Debarati Guha-Sapir at Louban Catholic University in Belgium.

The research team encountered restrictions in several locations due to ongoing combat and Israeli evacuation orders, but they believe these limitations likely understate the actual figures rather than exaggerate them.

Guha-Sapir notes that Gaza’s Ministry of Health maintains strict death counting standards. For instance, deaths of unidentified bodies, such as those buried in tunnels, are excluded from the counts. This leads her to conclude that their estimates may closely reflect the true numbers.

Another independent study published in February determined that the death toll up to June 24, 2024, surpassed the official count. However, this study relied on online research and social media obituaries, making Guha-Sapir regard the current research approach as more credible.

Francesco Checchi from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, which conducted the February research, disagrees, stating, “The findings aren’t necessarily more accurate than ours.” Nonetheless, he acknowledges that Guha-Sapir’s research is more recent and includes indirect deaths, providing a more comprehensive mortality picture.

The estimated 9,000 indirect deaths from the conflict is lower than previous estimates. For example, a letter in The Lancet in 2024 suggested that for every direct death, there could be four indirect deaths in Gaza, projecting a death toll of around 186,000.

However, Guha-Sapir points out that the direct death rates observed in countries like Sudan, where extreme poverty and inadequate healthcare predate the conflict, do not apply to Gaza’s context prior to the war. This distinction is crucial in interpreting the current situation.

Nevertheless, changes may occur if conditions continue to deteriorate. “As the situation worsens, the rate of non-violent deaths could escalate quickly,” warns team member Michael Spagat from Royal Holloway University in London.

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Dan Russ: The Funniest Things I’ve Discovered Online | Comedy Insights

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

I plan to purchase the Guardian from the newspaper publisher. Digital mediums are intertwined with analog ones, allowing you to discover trends through print. I’ll grab it a bit later. I got some insights after reading the Economist last week.

I wish technology had paused in 1996, when playing Mario Kart was sufficient but not life-altering. Just a need for Microsoft Excel was all that was required.

Aidan Jones: 10 Funniest Things I’ve Encountered (On the Internet)

I avoid social media, leading others to think I possess mental clarity. Yet, I’ll attribute it to the shop hours of Harvey Norman.

Here are my favorite moments I’ve stumbled upon on TV via YouTube late at night. They all seem to speak for themselves.

1. Norm Macdonald on a Morning TV Show

This is one of his numerous hilarious appearances across various platforms.

2. Rodney Dangerfield on Various Late-Night Shows

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I’ve revisited this quite a bit.

3. Don Rickles in Various Late-Night Clips

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This is another clip I frequently watch to uplift my mood. I tend to replay the same ten clips repeatedly. Many are featured here.

4. Joan Rivers

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I also enjoyed her documentary which she referred to as “the work.”

5. Isn’t Damien Power Quite Engaging?

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This one is truly intriguing.

6. John Curkshank’s Redfern Electrical

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He has his unique slang that is both subtle and bland simultaneously.

7. Eddie Pepitone: For the Masses

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We watched this during the pandemic, and it made for a great pairing.

8. Sam Campbell

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He builds one gag at a time into something larger.

9. Robbie Hoffman’s Zero Personality Disorder

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Another fantastic viewing experience during the pandemic.

10. Zach Galifianakis

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It feels very immersive, as if you’re right there, even while feeling uncomfortable.

Dan Russ is a comedian. He will be performing his award-winning short “Tropical Death Paucity” at Monkey Barrel Cabaret Voltaire from July 31st to August 24th. Edinburgh Fringe.