The human skull from Harbin, China, is currently identified as Denisovan
Hebei Geo University
Denisovans, an enigmatic group of ancient humans, were initially recognized solely through their DNA, but now they have a distinct appearance.
With molecular data, Qiaomei Fu and her team at the Institute for Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology have validated long-held suspicions among researchers.
This aligns with additional evidence that Denisovans were robust and heavyset. “I believe we observe individuals weighing around 100 kg of lean body mass: a truly massive individual,” stated Bens Viola, who was not part of the research team from the University of Toronto, Canada.
Denisovans were first discovered in 2010 in the Denisova Cave in Siberia’s Altai Mountains, where researchers found fragments of an unknown ancient hominin’s finger bone. The preserved DNA concluded that it was neither modern humans (Homo sapiens) nor Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis), but rather an entirely new species.
Moreover, genetic findings indicated that Denisovans interbred with contemporary humans. Today, populations in Southeast Asia and Melanesia carry up to 5% of Denisovan DNA, signifying their earlier presence in Asia.
Following these revelations, researchers commenced their quest for Denisovan fossils in both fieldwork and museum collections. Several fossils have since been discovered, with a notable mandible found in the Baishaya Karst Cave on the Tibetan Plateau, confirmed through fossil and DNA protein analysis from surrounding sediments. Recently, a jawbone recovered from the Peng Channel off Taiwan’s coast was also confirmed as Denisovan through preserved proteins.
Nevertheless, there remained frustrating gaps, as all confirmed Denisovan fossils obtained via molecular evidence were small, leading to limited insight. Conversely, more complete fossils from Asia were considered candidate Denisovan remains, yet none yielded molecular evidence.
Fu and her team aimed to extract preserved DNA or proteins from the human skull discovered in Harbin, northeastern China. This skull, kept under wraps for decades, was first described in 2021 and is notably large and robust, characterized by prominent brow ridges and brain size similar to modern humans. It has been dubbed Homo longi—or Dragon Man—by its discoverer.
“My impression is that this specimen is representative of what we would expect Denisovan to be, in both size and context,” Viola remarked.
Fu noted that recovering preserved molecules from the Harbin skull was an arduous task. While her team struggled to obtain DNA from the bones, they successfully retrieved 95 proteins, including three variants unique to Denisovans.
Seeking further evidence, Fu turned to dental calculus, a hardened plaque that forms on teeth, which yielded mitochondrial DNA inherited from its maternal lineage. Although she described the quantity as “small,” it was sufficient to confirm the specimen as Denisovan.
“It’s an astonishing outcome, and the efforts made were commendable,” said Saman Subroun from the National Research Centre in Burgos, Spain. “I believe many researchers tend to overlook dental calculus in genetic studies.”
With the identification of the robust Harbin skull as Denisovan, the long-suspected notion of their substantial size is now validated.
“There was a clue,” Brown noted.
The reason for their size remains unclear. Neanderthals’ robust build is linked to the cold climates of Europe and West Asia where they thrived. While Denisovan sites, including Denisova Cave and the Tibetan Plateau, were also cold, others were tropical. “We need to contemplate the implications of this,” Viola stated.
It’s possible that Denisovans varied over time. The fragments from Denisova Cave suggest two distinct groups existed: one from 217,000 to 106,000 years ago and another from 84,000 to 52,000 years ago. The Harbin skull dates back at least 146,000 years, with Fu discovering that its proteins and mitochondrial DNA align with the older group. Nevertheless, we’ve yet to locate any large Denisovan fossils in contemporary times, leaving their full appearance uncertain.
“Numerous different groups inhabited the landscape independently, often isolated from each other for tens of thousands of years,” Viola remarked. We should not presume they all bore a similar appearance.
Climate change will lessen the availability of most staple crops, including corn
Jon Rehg/Shutterstock
Despite farmers’ best efforts to adapt, increasing global temperatures have the potential to significantly impact the world’s essential crops. Comprehensive analysis indicates that by the century’s end, for every degree of warming, global food supply may drop by nearly 121 kcal per person per day.
In a 3°C warming scenario—aligned with current trends—”It might mean skipping breakfast for everyone,” notes Andrew Hartgren from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Hartgren and his team gathered data on the yields of six major staple crops globally, which account for over two-thirds of the world’s calories. “This represents one of the largest datasets currently available for high-resolution crop yields,” he states. They also incorporated local weather information from 54 different countries.
The researchers utilized this data to forecast how various crops would respond to climate changes and how farmers might adapt. “We examined historical data on how farmers have reacted to weather fluctuations,” Hartgren explains. This approach enabled the team to assess how different agricultural strategies might mitigate losses, like crop variety adjustments, enhancing irrigation, or increasing fertilizer use.
Except for rice, which thrives under warmer nighttime conditions, higher temperatures generally lead to considerable yield reductions. For instance, global corn yields are anticipated to decline by about 12% to 28% by the century’s end, contingent upon whether greenhouse gas emissions are moderate or extremely high compared to projections without climate change.
These statistics illustrate how farmers adjust to rising temperatures and the implications of potentially beneficial effects of climate change, like elevated carbon dioxide levels fertilizing crops. Both factors are significant. Without adjustments, for example, crop losses could reach a third by the century’s end under extreme warming scenarios, yet this won’t mitigate the majority of losses. “In a warmer future, the corn belt will still be relevant,” Hartgren asserts.
Wolfram Schlenker of Harvard University emphasizes that agricultural adaptations seldom completely offset crop losses due to climate change, with previous studies from specific regions suggesting similar conclusions. “The major strength of their research is its global perspective, compiling data from numerous countries,” he remarks.
The global approach reveals some fascinating patterns. For example, researchers observed that the most significant projected crop losses are not concentrated in low-income nations but rather in comparatively affluent agricultural hubs like the Midwest and Europe. “They aren’t inherently better suited than poorer countries,” Schlenker notes.
Michael Roberts from the University of Hawaii Manoa states that these findings align with the conclusions of a smaller study. However, he highlights considerable uncertainties, such as the extent of future climate change and the complexities of global food systems’ responses.
“What’s alarming is our lack of knowledge,” Roberts adds. “There’s significant uncertainty, much of which is negative. Losses could range from non-existent to catastrophic, potentially causing massive famines. It’s a sobering thought for many.”
ICE can provide a method for long-term message storage in cold climates
Anton Petrus/Getty Images
Messages can be preserved in ice for millennia simply by altering the shape and positioning of the internal bubbles present.
Mengjie Song and his team at China’s Beijing University of Technology were exploring ice formation when they discovered that it influences the size and shape of bubbles encapsulated within. For instance, they found that freezing a layer of water between plastic sheets resulted in either oval or needle-shaped foam, depending on the freezing rate.
The researchers assigned specific bubble sizes, shapes, and positions to represent characters in Morse and binary code. By controlling the freezing rate of water, they created ice that conveyed messages through the embedded bubbles.
Transforming this ice image to grayscale revealed that white areas indicated the presence of bubbles, while black areas indicated the absence of them. This allowed computers to identify the size and location of bubbles for message decoding.
Currently, the amount of information that can be stored in conventional ice cubes is minimal with existing technology. However, Song suggests that by manipulating foam in materials like plastic, greater capacities could be achieved.
He mentions that beyond the novelty of reading messages embedded in ice cubes used in beverages, this research has diverse potential applications. “The strength of this study lies in its capability to sustain information over extended periods in frigid environments like the Arctic and Antarctic,” Song notes.
He envisions a future where bubbles could safely contain ozone for food preservation or act as carriers for slow-release medications. He is particularly intrigued by how bubbles can inhibit ice formation on airplane wings and how this knowledge could inform behavior in lunar environments.
However, Qiang Tang from the University of Sydney is more skeptical about the practical implications of this research, asserting that significant information can be long-term stored on hard drives and paper.
He comments, “This represents a novel method for conveying messages, but from a security and encryption standpoint, I see little value in it—unless, of course, a polar bear has something to communicate,” he adds.
Here’s a piece of scriptwriting advice: simplify the plot while adding complexity to the characters.
The narrative of 28 Years Later can be summarized in a few sentences. This long-awaited third chapter of the series that began in 2002 with 28 Days Later revolves around a neurotoxic virus that has spread uncontrollably across Europe, turning people into an army of infected (which some might call zombies, though the term isn’t explicitly used). The infection ultimately becomes contained within the UK, safeguarded by the International Fleet to prevent anyone from escaping the island.
A young boy named Spike (played by newcomer Alfie Williams) resides in the relative safety of a small northern island linked to the mainland by a causeway that is passable only at low tide. At 12 years old—an age his father thinks makes him ready—Spike ventures onto the mainland in search of adventure. He navigates through the possibly long-abandoned woods. While there may not be much tracking after 28 years, the film showcases Spike skillfully battling slow-moving zombies and avoiding the much quicker ones, all while providing some context for these encounters.
Upon his return, despite his mother (Jodie Comer) being bedridden with an unknown illness, Spike is hailed as a hero, while his father, Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), seeks comfort with another woman. Determined, Spike sneaks out to find the only doctor he knows about to help his mother.
Let’s throw in a twist. However, introducing a twist often implies that there isn’t one. Author Alex Garland, who set the rules of the world in 28 Days Later, stays true to his vision. The world is thriving yet shadowed by the remnants of an earlier outbreak, where some zombies have mutated, growing larger and posing new challenges. These are not just recycled dangers but add complexity within Spike’s idyllic yet troubled village.
Visually, the film offers a unique experience. Boyle incorporates elements reminiscent of Laurence Olivier’s Henry V wartime newsreels and original footage of the 28 Weeks Later outbreak, providing a contemplative layer to the community’s defenses. It evokes a sense of folk horror, nodding to films like Apocalypse Now and Alien 3. Yet, despite its depth, the film remains accessible, conveying themes of loss, disillusionment, and personal growth through the relatable actions of its characters.
The budget is reasonable (estimated between $60 million and $75 million), with a keen eye for casting (like Christopher Fulford as Spike’s grandfather, who brings depth to a tragic backstory). Don’t be mistaken: 28 Years Later is filled with clever nods and callbacks that will engage fans. However, there is no unnecessary complexity. No contrived MacGuffins, pointless quests, or mystical items. Spike’s journey, portrayed expertly by Alfie Williams, is a relatable and poignant evolution, where he learns that to grow into manhood, he must let go.
The acclaim for 28 Days Later back in 2002 still resonates, as does its 2007 sequel 28 Weeks Later, which was equally impressive. The crown for this genre, at least for now, belongs to 28 Years Later.
Boyle and Garland have triumphantly revisited the territory they first explored over two decades ago.
Should politicians prioritize AI to aid in galaxy colonization, or should they safeguard individuals from the excessive influence of powerful tech? While the former seems more appealing, it’s not the primary concern.
Among the Silicon Valley elite, the emergence of super-intelligent AI is viewed as an imminent reality, with tech CEOs enthusiastically anticipating a golden age of progress in the 2030s. This perspective has permeated both Westminster and Washington, as think tanks encourage politicians to prepare to leverage the approaching AI capabilities. The Trump administration even backed a $500 billion initiative for a super AI data center.
While this sounds thrilling, the so-called “silly intelligence” is already creating issues, akin to the lofty aspirations of super intelligence. A pressing question in the AI sector revolves around whether the vast array of online content essential for training AI constitutes copyright infringement.
Arguments exist on both sides. Proponents assert that AI is not infringing when learning from existing content. New Scientist highlights that simply reading these words should enable AI to learn in the same fashion. Conversely, industry giants like Disney and Universal are opposing this view. They are suing AI company Midjourney for generating replicas of copyrighted images, from Darth Vader to his minions. Ultimately, only the law can reconcile this issue.
We are approaching a world where machines can cause death with minimal human oversight.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine presents another pressing AI-related dilemma. Sam Altman from OpenAI warns about the potential dangers of advanced AI, noting that fatal, unintelligent AI already exists. The war has progressed towards a scenario where machines could effectively cause harm with minimal human oversight.
Politicians seem to have underestimated this threat. The United Nations convened its first meeting in 2014 to discuss the regulation of “killer robots.” If leaders expect time to resolve their challenges, they may be gravely mistaken.
Knee braces appear to effectively alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis impacting the joints
Tom Werner/Getty Images
Knee braces and water-based exercises are among the most effective techniques for alleviating pain and stiffness associated with knee osteoarthritis. High-quality evidence is necessary before these methods can be universally recommended in clinical practice, as indicated by reviews of 12 non-pharmacological therapies.
This condition arises from the deterioration of cartilage, which cushions the edges of bones, leading to inflammation, discomfort, and stiffness. Pain relief medications and anti-inflammatory drugs can ease these symptoms, but side effects may occur, so healthcare providers often recommend physical therapy, such as shoe inserts to reduce knee pressure, tape for joint support, or laser therapy aimed at encouraging cartilage repair.
However, it remains uncertain how these treatments compare to one another. “Many reviews of treatments focus solely on the efficacy of individual therapies,” states Sarah Kingsbury, who was not part of the recent research conducted at the University of Leeds in the UK.
To address this gap, Yuan Luo from China’s First People’s Hospital and colleagues evaluated data from 139 randomized controlled trials examining 12 approved or experimental physiotherapy approaches for knee osteoarthritis. These trials included over 9,600 adults suffering from this condition.
Some studies compared two or three physical therapies, while others investigated one therapy against either a placebo or no treatment at all. Participants typically underwent treatment for several weeks before completing a symptom assessment.
Based on their findings, researchers concluded that knee braces effectively diminish pain and stiffness, emerging as the top method for enhancing mobility, followed by water-based exercise. “When you’re walking in a pool, you engage your muscles without stressing the joints in the same way walking in a park would,” says Kingsbury.
The ranking of efficacy for the other tested treatments is as follows: high-energy laser therapy, which delivers high-energy sound waves into the knee; low-energy laser therapy, which applies electrical stimulation to knee nerves; taping the knee; electromagnetic stimulation; ultrasound treatment; and wearing insoles.
Due to various factors, the findings are insufficiently robust to change clinical practices, Kingsbury notes. Many studies involved fewer than 50 participants, resulting in a limited sample size that can undermine confidence in the results. Additionally, treatment durations varied widely, from one week to less than a few months, which may skew perceptions of effectiveness.
Another limitation is that these studies did not juxtapose physical therapy with drug treatments or evaluate the efficacy of combining pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions, Kingsbury points out.
Despite these limitations, the reviews offer valuable insights regarding the most effective approaches, she suggests. “Establishing this ranking is useful and crucial. It allows us to possibly exclude the least effective 6 to 10 therapies, enabling us to focus on strengthening the evidence surrounding a few selected treatments.”
As reported by the French streaming service, nearly seven out of every ten streams of AI-generated music on the Deezer platform are deemed to be fraudulent.
The company states that AI-created music only constitutes 0.5% of total streams on music platforms, yet their analysis indicates that scammers may account for as much as 70% of those streams.
The rise of AI-generated music presents a significant issue on streaming services. Scammers typically utilize bots to “listen” to AI-generated tracks, thereby generating revenue for platforms like Deezer and subsequently receiving royalty payments.
This tactic aims to circumvent detection mechanisms by flooding the system with high listening counts for numerous low-quality fake tracks.
Thibault Roucou, director of royalties and a report regarding the Paris-based platform, mentioned that the manipulation of AI-generated music is a strategy to “extract some profit from royalties.”
“As long as I can profit, I shall,” he lamented, referring to the scenario of fraudulent streaming. “Sadly, there is a push to profit from it.”
Deezer utilizes a tool designed to identify 100% AI-generated content from the leading AI music models, including Suno and Udio.
Deezer reports that the AI-generated music being streamed by con artists ranges from fake pop and rap to artificial mood music. The platform actively prevents royalty payments for streams flagged as fraudulent.
In April, Deezer disclosed that AI-generated tracks account for 18% of all uploads to its platform, averaging around 20,000 tracks per day. The company has announced plans to exclude all AI-generated content from its algorithmic recommendations. Deezer boasts over 10 million subscribers globally, whereas leading competitor Spotify has 268 million.
Roucou noted that while the identities of those orchestrating the fraudulent streams remain unknown, the criminals seem to operate in an “organized” manner. The IFPI, a Trade Body, reported that the global streaming market was valued at $20.4 billion last year, making it a prime target for fraudsters.
In a report, the Latest Global Music Report from the IFPI indicated that fraudulent streaming diverts funds that “should go to rightful artists,” with generic AI contributing to an exacerbation of the issue.
Last year, U.S. musician Michael Smith faced charges for attempting to create AI-generated songs that were designed to be streamed billions of times, resulting in potential royalty earnings of $10 million.
Researchers engaged 77 adults aged 35-60 in a 12-week clinical trial, where participants snacked daily on either 320 calories of almonds or crackers.
All subjects had metabolic syndrome, characterized by various risk factors for chronic illnesses such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. This includes conditions like excess abdominal fat, elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, low “good” cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels.
Professor Emily Ho, a co-author of the study and director of the Linus Pauling Institute at OSU, noted in BBC Science Focus that almond consumption reduces cholesterol levels, particularly LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol), enhances gut health, decreases inflammation, and improves gut microbiota.
“The control group that consumed crackers didn’t show the same positive outcomes,” she stated. “Eating almonds did not lead to weight gain; in fact, there was a minor reduction in waist circumference and an improvement in vitamin E levels among participants, which is vital for the population.”
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient crucial for the proper functioning of various organs, nerves, and muscles, as well as for reducing blood clotting; however, many individuals in the UK and the US fail to consume sufficient amounts of vitamin E in their diets.
Participants who consumed almonds daily experienced numerous benefits for their metabolic health – Credit: Limpido via Getty
“Almonds are packed with various bioactive compounds, including essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin E and magnesium, along with fiber and numerous polyphenols that possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They are truly nutritious snacks.”
She emphasized that substituting your usual snack with a handful of almonds can yield substantial health benefits, especially when included in a balanced and varied diet.
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About our experts
Emily Ho is a prominent professor at Oregon State University and director of the Linus Pauling Institute. Her research focuses on antioxidants, gene expression, and dietary chemoprevention strategies, particularly investigating the role of antioxidant nutrients such as zinc in maintaining DNA integrity and the development of cancer.
The CEO of OpenAI asserts that Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta has attempted to attract leading artificial intelligence experts by offering a staggering $100 million (£74 million) “crazy” signing bonus, intensifying the competition for talent in this rapidly expanding industry.
Sam Altman discussed this offer during a podcast on Tuesday. Meta has not confirmed the claims. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, indicated there was no further comment beyond the CEO’s remarks.
“They started making these enormous offers to a lot of people on our team – a signature bonus of $100 million plus compensation,” Altman stated during a podcast hosted by his brother, Jack. “It’s unbelievable. I’m really pleased that none of our top talent has decided to accept it, at least for now.”
He remarked:
Recently, Meta initiated a $15 billion initiative aimed at developing computerized “superintelligence,” AI that can outperform humans in all domains. The company has acquired a significant stake in the startup Scale AI, valued at $29 billion and founded by 28-year-old programmer Alexandr Wang.
Last week, Silicon Valley venture capitalist Deedy Das, tweeted that “the competition for AI talent is absolutely absurd.” Das, principal at Menlo Ventures, noted that despite Meta offering a $2 million salary, he had lost AI candidates to competitors.
In another report from Aintopic, an AI firm backed by Amazon and Google and founded by an engineer who left Altman’s company, it was revealed that it is “poaching the top talent from its two main rivals, OpenAI and DeepMind.”
The race to recruit top developers is driven by rapid advancements in AI technology and the quest to achieve human-level AI capabilities, known as artificial general intelligence. A recent estimate from the Carlisle Group, cited by Bloomberg, forecasts spending on hardware to exceed $1.8 trillion by 2030 for computational power.
Some tech firms are acquiring entire companies to secure top talent, such as Meta’s Scale AI investments and Google’s $2.7 billion purchase of Calither.ai last year. He co-authored a 2017 research paper warning that is regarded as a significant contribution to the current wave of large-scale language model AI systems.
Meta began as a social media platform, while OpenAI was originally a nonprofit but transitioned to a for-profit model last year. The two entities now find themselves in competition. Altman expressed skepticism about Meta’s capability in advancing AI, stating, “I don’t believe they are a company that excels at innovation.”
He recalled Zuckerberg’s early assertions about developing social media features during Facebook’s inception, but noted that “it was evident that it wouldn’t resonate with Facebook users.”
“I perceive some similarities here,” Altman remarked.
Despite significant investments in the sector, Altman indicated that the outcomes “should lead to legitimate superintelligence rather than just incremental improvements. [and] It doesn’t have as profound an impact as we might expect.”
“You can achieve these remarkable feats with AI, yet still live your life much as you did two years ago,” he commented.
“I believe the next five to ten years could be pivotal for AI in terms of discovering new scientific advancements, which is a bold assertion, but I genuinely believe it to be true. [AI has accomplished].”
“To our knowledge, Bogon Moss is the first species identified to navigate using stars,” said Andrea Aden, a postdoctoral researcher at the Francis Crick Institute in London, who contributed to this research.
The researchers uncovered the stellar navigation abilities of moths by capturing wild bogon moths and suspending them with fine tungsten rods inside a small cylindrical “flight simulator.”
With its back affixed to the rod, the moth flapped its wings within the simulator, allowing it to turn as if it were flying in a natural environment.
“It can rotate freely,” noted David Dreyer, a researcher at Lund University and a co-author of the study. “You can choose the direction you wish to fly.”
The researchers created a magnetic vacuum to neutralize the moth’s internal magnetic compass, allowing them to focus on other sensory inputs.
Images of the night sky were projected onto the top of the flight simulator.
During trials, researchers manipulated the rotation of the sky, noting that the moth adjusted its flight patterns to adapt and establish new headings. However, the moths became disoriented when presented with randomized, fragmented sky images within the simulator.
“The moths were entirely confused,” Dreyer explained. “For us, this served as compelling evidence that they indeed utilize stars for navigation.”
In additional experiments, researchers drilled a small opening in the moths’ brains, inserted a glass tube into a neuron, and recorded the electrical impulses triggered by star projections. They discovered that electrical activity peaked when a specific angle of the sky was depicted. Conversely, there was little response to randomly generated patterns.
According to the findings, Bogon Moss possesses limited vision and likely perceives only a select few of the brightest stars. The researchers suspect that these moths navigate by the Milky Way.
“They probably perceive the Milky Way much more vividly and luminously than we do,” stated Warrant.
Furthermore, Warrant proposes that moths likely utilize olfactory cues as they approach alpine caves.
“They are probably detecting compounds emitted from the cave—odorous markers that act as olfactory beacons leading them there,” he mentioned, adding that these smells resemble the scent of decaying meat.
These moths have a lifespan of about a year, spending a dormant summer in the cave before returning to their original location.
Ken Rohman, a professor at the University of North Carolina’s Department of Biology, noted that although he did not participate in the research, he found the study compelling, with experiments that were both thoughtful and rigorously controlled.
“One of the remarkable aspects of this study is how moths manage such extensive navigation with a relatively small brain,” said Roman, who studies animal migrations. “This highlights the ingenuity driven by natural selection.”
Bogon Moss is currently at risk and was listed by the United Nations for the Conservation of Nature in 2021. The authors assert that these new insights could assist in preventing the decline of the species.
“Moth populations have dramatically decreased in recent years, particularly due to the droughts and wildfires experienced in Australia in 2020,” added Aden. “Understanding that they rely on vision as part of their navigational toolkit can inform conservation strategies, especially concerning light pollution in urban settings.”
oIn the modern gaming landscape, many developers agree that generating any buzz for new projects is a challenge without hefty marketing budgets. Last year, nearly 20,000 new titles hit PC gaming platforms, as noted in Steam. This deluge has effectively vanished into the vast sea of online content. So, when a small studio snagged a spot on stage at the Summer Game Fest, live-streamed to approximately 50 million viewers worldwide, it was quite a significant achievement—not one to be underestimated or misrepresented.
This brings us to Ian Proulx, co-founder of 1047 Games. During his brief appearance at the event, he took the stage wielding a baseball bat to promote the online shooter Split Gate 2, stating he was “tired of doing the same things year after year.” Unfortunately, this approach backfired. Both gamers and fellow developers criticized his choice to incorporate another studio’s game alongside politically charged memes, especially during a time when anti-ICE protests were facing violence across town. Proulx defended his actions by asserting that the slogan’s use was non-political; however, just four days later, he issued an apology. He explained, “We needed something to capture attention. The truth is, we struggled to come up with something. This is what we settled on.”
What Proulx hadn’t anticipated is that the fast-evolving memetic culture of 2025 is crucial, with its nuances and sociopolitical implications constantly shifting. You can’t just throw around cheeky symbols or memes from platforms like 4chan without understanding their contexts. Just look at how embarrassingly out of touch figures like Elon Musk and Edgelord Shacktick became in the mid-2000s. Memes require context for expansion. And you can’t present yourself as the vanguard of FPS while peddling battle royale modes, especially when they are recycled versions of existing games. Are we serious about 2025?
Backlash… Is anyone even playing Split Gate 2 now? Photo: 1047 Games
While I’m not fully aware of 1047 Games’ specifics, I’ve visited numerous game development studios worldwide. Regardless of how progressive they wish to be, they often overlook the fact that the dominant monocultural preferences of middle-class men may not resonate with everyone else. Proulx commented, “We tried to think of something. This is what we came up with.” In a boardroom filled with like-minded individuals, it likely felt humorous, but they should have consulted with someone outside their bubble first.
Split Gate 2 now finds some potential customers turned off by the misguided MAGA-themed bit, while another segment that Proulx has apologized to holds resentment; it’s a negative spiral. This situation is problematic, especially since multiplayer games depend on enthusiastic communities to promote themselves.
Proulx could have made smarter use of his 30 seconds of fame on stage. Reflecting on memorable moments from recent E3 events, positive memories include: former Xbox chief Peter Moore showcasing his Halo 2 tattoo; game artist and director Nakamura engaging the audience with her infectious enthusiasm for Ghostwire: Protocol; and actor Keanu Reeves exclaiming, “You take your breath!” with audience members during the Cyberpunk 2077 presentation. In a climate rife with faux machismo and posturing, these charming and genuine moments shone like beams of sunlight. You don’t need to step on stage brandishing slogans or baseball bats; your most valuable asset in this highly digital, anonymous creative world is your humanity.
What to play
Arcade-y… a rematch. Illustration: sloclap/Steam
This week, we have several intriguing game releases, including I’ll Date Everything, a game where you can date a toaster, FBC: Fire, a spin-off from Remedy’s Cult Studio, and Tron: Catalyst, Bithell Games’ Disney cyberspace classic.
I’m particularly excited about Rematch. It’s an arcade-style 5-v-5 football game influenced by the Rocket League phenomenon. Unlike EA Sports FC, it focuses on individual players, each equipped with flashy skills, meaning you don’t need extensive knowledge of soccer to enjoy it.
Available on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Estimated playtime: Whatever you choose
Fighting the bonnet… The window so far, Jane. Photo: 3 Turn Production
Leader Adam asks this week’s question:
“As a British literature student, I found Button’s newsletter this week about the intersection of video games and Shakespeare thoroughly engaging. It got me thinking—what classic literary works could be transformed into video games, and I’ve always considered Edmund Spenser’s 16th-century epic, ‘The Faerie Queene,’ a prime candidate.”
Conveniently, this is a subject I frequently pondered post-graduation from British literature. When considering classic works that could make great games, I envision ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ as a dark, rogue take on the Oregon Trail, styled like the revival of OBRA Dinn. I imagine Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’ reimagined as a Hill-style psychological horror. Or even turn ‘Pride and Prejudice’ into a rich dating sim (we’re almost there; titles like ‘Tom Jones’ and ‘Middlemarch’ could inspire an incredible open-world adventure).
In the “Historical Author Turned Game Designer” category, two evident candidates arise. Mary Shelley and H.G. Wells stand out as deeply inspired writers in science and technology. Bertolt Brecht, a playwright known for engaging popular audiences with various methods, along with August Strindberg—who dabbled in photography and the occult—could see themselves crafting iconic RPGs at the Summer Game Fest.
If you have a burning question or feedback about the newsletter – Please email pushbuttons@theguardian.com.
Asteroid 2024 YR4 may create the largest lunar impact in the past 5,000 years
Mark Garlic/Science Photo Library/Getty Images
Originally believed to be on a collision path with Earth, asteroid 2024 YR4 still poses some level of threat to our planet. There remains a chance that such celestial bodies could impact the moon, potentially resulting in a catastrophic explosion that could flood Earth with debris capable of damaging satellites.
Astronomers have been monitoring this building-sized asteroid since its detection in December 2024. Initial forecasts heightened the risk of a collision with Earth in 2032, suggesting the impact could unleash enough energy to obliterate a city; fortunately, it now appears 2024 YR4 will likely miss us.
Nonetheless, the likelihood of a lunar impact is gradually increasing, currently estimated at 4.3% based on observations made before the asteroid moved out of our telescopes’ view until 2028. Paul Wiegelt from the University of Western Ontario and his team suggest that such a collision could inflict significant damage on Earth’s satellites.
“We were somewhat taken aback by the amount of debris that could potentially reach Earth,” Wiegert remarked. “In reality, Earth is a surprisingly small target from the moon’s vantage point. Thus, while impacts on Earth are infrequent, gravitational forces can draw in that material under certain conditions.”
Wiegert and his colleagues calculated that 2024 YR4 could create a crater over a kilometer wide on the moon, marking the largest lunar impact in at least the last 5,000 years, albeit still small compared to typical craters. By ejecting debris into space and simulating their trajectories tens of thousands of times, they concluded that this event could lead to collision rates for Earth’s satellites comparable to those observed over years or even days.
While these collisions may not entirely disable a satellite, they could cause significant anomalies due to electrical disruptions. Accurately modeling their potential damage proves challenging, Wiegert noted.
If luck is not on our side, the impact of fragmented materials could be particularly severe, according to Mark Burchell at the University of Kent in the UK. “If they impact a spacecraft’s coolant pipe or an exposed sensor, the loss of critical functions occurs suddenly,” he explained. “Once damaged, satellites cannot be repaired. Even minor issues can lead to serious problems.”
Wiegert emphasized that this scenario should provoke global space agencies to consider deflecting asteroids on a collision course with the moon, similar to efforts aimed at protecting Earth. A NASA Planetary Defense Coordination Agency representative stated that while it is crucial to identify Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) posing potential risks, it is “premature to speculate on possible response options” for a potential 2024 collision.
Depending on how events unfold, swift action could be necessary. When 2024 YR4 reappears in Earth’s telescopic view in 2028, we should be able to refine the precision of its orbital path, Wiegert commented. As chances for a lunar impact rise, it offers a four-year window for decision-making on any necessary actions.
The CEO of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, labels it “the most intelligent AI assistant at his discretion.” However, Barry Smetherst, a 41-year-old record shop employee about to board a train from Saddleworth to Manchester Piccadilly, has a differing opinion.
While waiting on the platform for a morning train that had yet to arrive, he inquired with Meta’s WhatsApp AI assistant about the contact number for Transpennine Express. The chatbot confidently provided a customer service mobile number, which, upon further investigation, turned out to belong to a private WhatsApp user 170 miles away in Oxfordshire, completely unrelated to his query.
This marked the start of a peculiar interaction that many individuals are increasingly experiencing with AI systems. Chatbots can sometimes digress from their initial purpose, offer incorrect information, and create an illusion of prompt support.
Smetherst’s engagement with Meta’s AI began when it indicated that the helpline number it retrieved seemed to be private. When he pressed for specifics about this number, the AI chose not to divulge it immediately and stated, “Let’s concentrate on finding the right information related to the Transpennine Express inquiry!”
Nevertheless, Smetherst wanted clarification on why it shared a private number. It turned out to be the number of James Gray (44), a WhatsApp user listed as an executive in the Oxfordshire real estate sector, whose number is publicly accessible on his company’s website.
The AI promised to “strive to improve in the future” by vaguely explaining its generated responses “based on patterns” and acknowledging when it lacked the answer. However, it erroneously deemed the number “fictional” and could not clarify that it was “not associated with anyone.” When Smetherst challenged this, the AI conceded, saying, “You’re correct,” and noted the information was “erroneously extracted from the database.”
When pressed about which database, it stated, “We do not subtract numbers from the database. We generate numerical patterns that conform to the UK mobile phone number format, but they are not derived from any actual data from our contacts.”
Smetherst expressed his distrust in chatbots, stating, “Providing random numbers is absurd for an AI.”
“That’s alarming,” Smetherst remarked after lodging a complaint with Meta. “If they fabricate numbers, that’s somewhat understandable, but the sheer volume of incorrect numbers they can access is particularly troubling.”
Gray noted he hasn’t received many calls from people reaching out about Transpennine Express, but he quipped, “If it can generate my number, can it also create bank details?”
Gray was asked about Zuckerberg’s assertion that AI represents “the most intelligent.”
Developers recently utilizing OpenAI’s Chatbot technology have observed a trend of “systematic deception disguised as helpfulness” and “stating whatever is necessary to appear proficient,” as chatbots are programmed to minimize “user friction.”
In March, a Norwegian individual filed a complaint after asking OpenAI’s ChatGPT for information about himself and was mistakenly told he was incarcerated for the murder of two children.
Earlier this month, an author sought assistance from ChatGPT for pitching her work to literary agents. It was revealed that after a lengthy flattering description of her “splendid” and “intelligently agile” work, the chatbot lied by misrepresenting a sample of her writing that it hadn’t fully read, even fabricating a quote. She noted it was “not just a technical flaw but a serious ethical lapse.”
Referring to the Smetherst case, Mike Stanhope, managing director of law firm Caruthers and Jackson, commented, “This is an intriguing example of AI. If Meta’s engineers are designing a trend of ‘white lies’ for AI, they need to disclose this to the public. How predictable is the safeguarding and enforcement of AI behavior?”
Meta stated that AI may produce inaccurate outputs and is undertaking efforts to enhance the model.
“Meta AI is trained on a variety of licensed public datasets, not on phone numbers used for WhatsApp sign-ups or private conversations,” a spokesperson explained. “A quick online search shows that the phone number Meta AI inaccurately provided shares the first five digits with the Transpennine Express customer service number.”
An OpenAI representative remarked: “Managing inaccuracies in all models is an ongoing area of research. In addition to alerting users that ChatGPT might make mistakes, we are consistently working to enhance the accuracy and reliability of our models through various means.”
A mobile phone line serves as a vital channel for data, calls, and text communication. It also serves as a verification tool for various accounts, ranging from banking to messaging platforms.
However, if your line is compromised through a SIM swap or simjacking incident, the repercussions can be far more severe than just losing access to mobile data or calls. Unfortunately, this type of hack occurs discreetly in the background.
If you suspect this has happened, swift action is crucial. Here’s how to respond.
How to Identify It
Stay alert for notifications from your mobile provider that are typically sent via SMS. These may include alerts about activities from other locations, as well as notifications for requests to change settings, such as new phone number activations on a different device.
Be cautious of scams. Fraudsters may attempt to deceive you with fake notifications. If you receive a message instructing you to contact them, verify the legitimacy of the number provided, or use the official website or your account statement to confirm.
If you experience unexplained loss of services—such as calls, texts, or mobile data—this could signal a SIM swap attack.
Loss of access to various accounts linked to your phone number, including banking and social media, may suggest that hackers are attempting to change passwords or steal those accounts.
Regularly review your statements for unexpected charges, which could indicate hacking activity.
What to Do if You’ve Been SIM Swapped
Use a different phone to contact your service provider using the customer service number listed on their website. Provide your account number and any relevant information, including any passwords you have set. Explain the situation, and your provider will initiate the recovery process and investigate the incident.
Request your provider to block any unauthorized billing activity.
Immediately contact your bank and any other financial institutions to prevent unauthorized access to your accounts. Hackers often target financial resources first.
Notify friends and family that someone may be impersonating you using your number to commit fraud.
For accounts utilizing two-factor authentication, check which ones are linked to your phone number. If possible, change the method of authentication and set a new, strong password.
Review messaging apps like WhatsApp and others that use your phone number as your user ID.
What to Do When You Regain Access to Your Phone Account or Set Up a New One
Activate all available security measures on your provider account. This includes using strong passwords, enabling two-step verification, setting a SIM PIN on your device, and adding a customer service password and SIM forwarding PIN, if available.
Inquire with your provider about how the breach occurred and, if possible, what personal information may have been exploited. Consider using fictitious answers to security questions that cannot easily be guessed, and store this information securely with a password manager.
Set spending caps on your phone account to minimize the risk of future fraud.
Once you regain full control, reactivate two-factor authentication for your accounts and take all measures possible to secure them.
Implement additional security measures on messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal to make it difficult for others to register new devices using your account.
Contact your financial services provider to reactivate your accounts, while remaining vigilant for potential fraud and unexpected transactions.
Review your social media and other public accounts to identify any information that could be exploited for identity theft or further hacking attempts.
Scenario crafted in Hollywood now reflects a genuine threat: the potential for hackers to seize control of vessels remotely and instigate crashes. Yet, in the security operations hub in Oslo, maritime cyber specialists situated mere meters from the luminous fjords and their tourist boats, floating saunas, and wet bathers assert that such occurrences are not only feasible, but imminent.
“We’re certain this will eventually happen, hence our vigilance,” states Øystein Brekke-Sanderud, Senior Analyst at the Nordic Maritime Cyber Resilience Centre (Norma Cyber). Behind him, a dynamic map displays the fleet they monitor, accompanied by a screen brimming with graphs and codes. Two small rubber ducks observe the passing minutes.
In an unstable global landscape, transportation networks, ports, and terminals have garnered heightened strategic significance as potential targets for infrastructure disruption and espionage—especially pertinent in Scandinavian nations that share maritime boundaries with Russia.
Finland and Sweden are NATO members now, with all countries enhancing their defensive postures amid escalating concerns over hybrid threats and warfare.
A digital map that tracks ship locations globally via Norma Cyber. Photo: Sara Aarøen Lien/The Guardian
As ships become increasingly digitalized, the opportunities for cyber breaches expand, indicating an urgent need to mitigate the complexities of AI tools and intricate systems.
Oslo Harbor serves as the command center where maritime cyber specialists assess global ship threats. Photo: Carl Hendon/Getty Images
“These vessel systems are incredibly intricate, making them tough to manipulate. However, AI accelerates everything,” explains Brekke-Sanderud. “How does this part function? Can I locate a password amidst this dense manual?”
Stationed at the Norwegian Shipowner Association’s headquarters along the quay of the Norwegian capital, Norma Cyber collaborates with the Norwegian Shipowner’s Risk Insurance Association (DNK).
Two years ago, these organizations united to create a Maritime Security and Resilience Centre, which surveys global threats ranging from warfare and terrorism to intellectual property violations—both physical and digital. They also conduct this work on behalf of the Norwegian government.
Norma Cyber Staff, featuring Managing Director Lars Benjamin Vold, Analyst Øystein Brekke-Sanderud, and Chief Technology Officer Øyvind Berget. Photo: Sara Aarøen Lien/The Guardian
While it is technically feasible to crash a vessel from afar, hackers aiming to sow chaos don’t necessarily need such extreme measures. According to Norma Cyber Managing Director Lars Benjamin Vold, merely halting the vessel’s operations could result in significant system failures.
Emerging evidence suggests that nations may exploit these vulnerabilities against maritime adversaries.
Oil tanker discharging ballast water is one of the vulnerabilities targeted in cyber attacks. Photo: Island Stock/Aramie
Reports indicate that Iran is investigating methods to deploy cyber assaults to disrupt ballast systems—a threat to both ships and satellite networks. An unprecedented hack occurred in April, targeting 116 Iranian VSAT modems used for satellite communications across vessels.
“When discussing nation-states, it is about their willingness to act,” Vold states. Potential “threat actors” such as Russia and China possess substantial capabilities, though these depend on their strategic objectives, which may shift rapidly.
Consequently, while threat levels remain relatively stable, maritime vulnerabilities are on the rise. “The avenues for potential exploitation are multiplying as the sector grows more digital,” Vold remarks.
Norma Cyber has also pinpointed civilian vessels, including fishing boats, research ships, and cargo carriers, used for espionage within the Baltic, North Atlantic, and Arctic regions. China-linked threat actors are reportedly using USB devices to infiltrate maritime systems, such as those from Mustang Panda.
Last year, Norma Cyber documented 239 significant cyber attacks within the maritime sector, attributing the majority to the pro-Russian group NonAME057 (16).
Svein Ringbakken, managing director of DNK’s Oslo office. Photo: Sara Aarøen Lien/The Guardian
Curiously, the rising dependence on digital technology creates a greater demand for traditional navigation skills. Following disruptions to the Baltic satellite navigation system, Finland accused Russia of being the instigator. “An experienced sailor serves as the best protection,” Vold asserts.
Yet, alongside the unseen threats of the digital realm, the maritime industry grapples with unprecedented physical challenges. Vladimir Putin’s shadow fleet, comprised of hundreds of unregulated vessels, poses a growing risk to environmental safety and the global shipping framework as it transports sanctioned crude oil primarily to China and India.
This Shadow Fleet consists of aging oil tankers obscuring their identities to evade Western sanctions. Estimates of its size range between 600 to 900 vessels according to various sources.
Finnish authorities scrutinized the Russian Shadow Fleet Oil Tanker Eagle in December 2024 due to suspected interference with power cables. Photo: Finland Border Guard/AFP/Getty
Internal threats to ships can also arise from within. Engines, elevators, and water purification systems are all vulnerable targets on board vessels. Moreover, 15% of the global crew consist of either Ukrainian or Russian members. The composition of both crews has taken on new significance since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The presence of a Russian captain on a ship delivering aid to Ukraine certainly raises concerns,” says Svein Ringbakken, managing director of DNK. “These are sensitive issues that the industry is currently addressing.”
Rhine Falkenberg Orstad, an advisor to the Norwegian Shipowner Association and an expert on the Russian Shadow Fleet. Photo: Sara Aarøen Lien/The Guardian
Rhine Falkenberg Orstad expresses concern that the increasing presence of the Shadow Fleet could foster a “parallel fleet” comprised of crew members uninformed about the intentions at sea.
If one of these vessels experiences an environmental mishap, it poses a risk to Norway’s coastline, she warns. Some ships noted as sanctioned by the US remain operational, with many being at least 15 years old. “Our apprehension is that the situation is deteriorating.”
Another significant query remains: has the entire situation permanently shifted?
“Is the shadow fleet operating outside of Western jurisdiction a new norm? Or can this trend be reversed?” Ollestad ponders. “The answer remains elusive.”
The rubber ducks maintain a vigilant watch over the security operations room at Norma Cyber. Photo: Sara Aarøen Lien/The Guardian
The Nintendo Switch 2 certainly leaves a strong impression at first glance, but as the initial excitement diminishes, it’s the games that will sway hesitant buyers. Mario Kart World shines as a multiplayer marvel, and while the original Pokemon Scarlet/Violet and Zelda titles have received impressive updates for the new console, there’s a noticeable lack of exclusive Nintendo launch titles for the Switch (aside from the £8 tech demo, Nintendo Switch 2 welcome tour).
Fortunately, other developers have stepped up and delivered a host of updated games that have been available on other platforms for a while now. Once you tire of Mario Kart World, what should you try next?
The World of Hitman’s Assassination: Signed Edition
Elegance in stealth… Hitman: A world of assassinations. Photo: IO Interactive
Hitman is designed for replayability, boasting intricately crafted assassination missions in locations ranging from the stunning Amalfi Coast to eerie British countryside manors. Developer IO Interactive hosts live events that periodically enhance this morally ambiguous stealth experience. In handheld mode, the assassination world appears particularly breathtaking. The Switch 2’s HDR display adds vibrant colors to the iconic Berlin nightclub level, and Agent 47 retains the same intensity even in docked mode.
How good is Switch 2? 4/5
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
An ambitious port… Cyberpunk 2077. Photo: CD Projekt
CD Projekt Red takes on another challenging port with this third-party launch title from two years ago. While The Witcher 3 struggled with the Switch’s capabilities, Cyberpunk 2077 performs impressively. This sci-fi RPG, although notorious for initial issues on PS4 and Xbox One, is quite playable on Switch 2, featuring enhanced mouse controls and motion control options for indoor missions and cutscenes. However, when racing through Night City’s streets, the processor shows strain, especially during the Phantom Liberty expansion, resulting in visuals that can blur and soften around you. For those who yearn to immerse themselves in Cyberpunk 2077 and own only this console, it’s a commendable effort, but for everyone else, playing it on a PS5, Xbox, or a capable PC is the way to go.
Though a 3DS game wasn’t the first title I anticipated seeing on the new £400 console, it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Bravely Default HD revitalizes one of the standout RPGs of the past year. Free from the constraints of the smaller screen, its beautifully illustrated world bursts with life and detail. Although some character models reveal their 3DS origins in cutscenes, this charming game looks fantastic in 4K and even better on the Switch 2’s 1080p handheld display. For fans of classic RPGs reminiscent of Final Fantasy IX, this is a must-play.
How good is Switch 2? 4/5
Sonic x Shadow: Generation
A blue blur of charm… Sonic x Shadow Generation. Photo: Sega
With Mario racing ahead and Donkey Kong set to follow, Sonic’s new entry on the Switch 2 does not disappoint. This remake truly shines in handheld mode, delivering a brilliant fusion of color and speed that captivates on its vibrant screen. The 2011 remake of Sonic Generations includes an exciting new Y2K-themed shadow-centric expansion, along with the Super Mario 3D World Expansion Bowser’s Fury. However, the disappointment lies with Sega’s pricing; unlike last year’s Switch release, there’s no discounted upgrade pass for Switch 1 owners, leaving them with the feeling of being shortchanged.
How good is Switch 2? 3/5
Kunitsu-gami: Path of the Goddess
Deserving of recognition… Kunitsu-gami: Path of the Goddess. Photo: Capcom
One of the most intriguing games of 2024, this title makes its mark on Switch 2 with impressive results. Compared to other launch ports, Kunitsu-gami is strikingly similar to its PS5 counterpart when docked, reviving this underappreciated game for a second chance on Nintendo’s latest console. Its village defense mechanics mesh smoothly with the Switch 2 gameplay style, making it particularly enjoyable on a TV, even though handheld mode sacrifices some visual fidelity.
How good is Switch 2? 4/5
Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut
Visual highlights abound… Yakuza 0. Photo: Sega
Delving into Tokyo’s underground scene from the ’80s is a journey I’ve started numerous times but often abandoned. After trying the Sublime Switch 2 port, I finally opted to immerse myself in the story of Kiryu. It features stunning lighting and runs in 4K at 60FPS when docked, marking it as a graphical gem for Nintendo’s hybrid console, alongside Hitman. With a plot filled with drama, betrayal, wacky side quests, and lively karaoke, Yakuza 0 provides an unforgettable story-driven experience with a newly added 25-minute cutscene.
How good is Switch 2? 5/5
Street Fighter 6
Fluid and engaging… Street Fighter 6. Photo: Capcom
As I stepped into the brawling world of RYU on Switch 2, memories of the 3DS launch game Super Street Fighter IV 3D flooded back. The combat is fluid and responsive, ensuring consistent frame rates vital for a fighting game. While Street Fighter 6’s art style dazzles on the PS5, the character designs seem slightly off-brand on Switch 2, with odd proportions that can be distracting. For newcomers, these visual quirks may go unnoticed, but for seasoned fighters accustomed to other platforms, it may feel somewhat lacking.
How good is Switch 2? 3/5
Puyon Puyotetris 2
A lackluster sequel… Puyon Puyotetris 2. Photo: Sega
Sega has once again failed to impress with Puyo Puyo Tetris 2. This ‘upgrade’ to the existing Switch game offers minimal enhancements, adding a few new multiplayer modes, but fails to leverage improved resolutions or frame rates. It’s frustrating to see such a lazy port launch at a premium price; sticking with the original Switch version is a better bet for puzzle enthusiasts.
How good is Switch 2? 1/5
High Speed Fusion
High-octane thrills… Fast Fusion. Photo: Shin’en Media
The Switch 2’s launch lineup offers few standout titles, but this download-only game shines. Fast Fusion is a four-player racer that combines elements of Wipeout and F-Zero for just £13.49. Much like Shin’en’s previous works, Fast Fusion is a visual showcase, utilizing the Switch 2’s capabilities impressively. Packed with customizable vehicles, online competitions, and a pulsating soundtrack, Fast Fusion is a thrilling racing experience to compete with Mario Kart.
The CEO of Amazon informed the company’s office workers that opportunities in artificial intelligence will be available in the upcoming years.
Andrew Jassy advised his team that AI agents—tools designed to perform tasks autonomously—will lead to a reduction in workforce in specific AI areas, including chatbots.
“As we integrate more generative AI and agents, our work dynamics will transform,” he mentioned in a note to the team. “There will be fewer individuals in some existing roles, while others will shift to different types of work.
“It’s hard to predict the exact trajectory of this change, but we anticipate a decrease in our overall workforce in the coming years.”
Amazon currently employs 1.5 million individuals globally, with around 350,000 in corporate positions such as software engineering and marketing.
Recently, the CEO of BT, a UK telecommunications firm, stated that advancements in AI might lead to deeper job cuts in their company. Conversely, Dario Amodei, CEO of AI research firm Anthropic, noted that AI could potentially eliminate half of all entry-level office jobs.
Jassy projected that billions of AI agents will become integral to the everyday operations of companies and individuals alike soon.
“These AI agents will be present in virtually every company and industry. From shopping to handling daily tasks, many of these agents will assist in various aspects of life outside of work. Although not all of these agents have been developed yet, there is no doubt about their future impact.”
Jassy concluded his message by urging employees to engage with AI, emphasizing the importance of self-education and participating in training programs.
“Those who adapt to this change and familiarize themselves with AI—by developing and enhancing AI capabilities internally and delivering them to our customers—will play a crucial role in redefining the company,” he asserted.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an influential international policy body, estimates that this technology could lead to job losses among skilled white-collar professionals in fields like law, medicine, and finance. According to the International Monetary Fund, 60% of jobs in advanced economies such as the US and the UK could be vulnerable to AI, with half at risk of being adversely affected.
On the other hand, the Tony Blair Institute advocates for broader AI adoption across public and private sectors, suggesting that while the private sector could see job reductions of up to 3 million in the UK, net losses will be counterbalanced by the creation of new positions thanks to technological advancements.
I’ve never attended a watch party, unless you include a gathering with my two friends for the Taylor Swift: ERAS Tour (which featured themed snacks). But now, it seems watch parties are evolving beyond just movie releases. In fact, I’m gearing up to join a watch party for my new telescope in just a few days.
I was fortunate enough to be part of one of the first public groups to tour the Bella C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, a visit organized by New Scientist. Now, just two years later, I’m eagerly anticipating the first image that will be captured by this colossal telescope, scheduled for release on June 23rd.
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory stands as a marvel of engineering. It’s set to perform sky scans across the Southern Hemisphere within merely three nights. Over a decade, the observatory will conduct scans for ten nights as part of its legacy survey of space-time known as the LSST. This project promises to revolutionize our understanding of astronomy, unraveling longstanding mysteries, including those related to dark matter, and revealing new enigmas.
Clearly, the images and videos produced by the telescope will be breathtaking. To fully appreciate their detail, watching on a phone screen won’t suffice. Even a desktop display falls short. To capture the full glory of a single image, one would need to utilize 400 Ultra HD TVs, as per the LSST UK consortium. Consequently, the team is encouraging partner institutions worldwide to organize watch parties for a more immersive viewing experience.
The specifics of each watch party vary depending on the hosting institution, which may include planetariums, museums, or universities. For instance, events will take place at the Perth Observatory in Australia and at City University in Hong Kong. Numerous locations across the United States, including the Detroit Observatory in Michigan, will host watch parties where attendees can enjoy science demos and hear from local experts. A common thread across all these events is the live release of the first images and videos captured by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory at 11 AM EDT (11 PM GMT), with everyone tuning in to the live stream.
Processing the intricate details of each image can be a time-consuming endeavor. Not only is there the requirement to zoom out and appreciate the telescope’s expansive field of view, but also to zoom in on galaxies in unprecedented detail. Images produced by Rubin will offer greater resolution than those from the James Webb Space Telescope, covering similar sky areas with 45 moon-like objects while JWST operates with roughly three years of data. Additionally, a time-lapse video capturing how the sky evolves over time has been recorded by Rubin.
You’ll indeed be able to view the images online, as well as in issues of New Scientist once they’re published or shared on social media. However, if you want to celebrate this moment in a community setting, consider visiting this interactive map to discover a watch party near you—or, why not host one yourself? While you may miss the full definition on your home screen, you can still experience some of the thrill of witnessing the unveiling of these images and videos alongside others.
I’m excited to attend a local event, hoping to capture the sense of wonder I felt when I first stood inside the observatory and marveled at its grandeur. It’s a scale that helps us better understand our place in the cosmos, even when contrasted with the vastness of the universe.
Mosquitoes are notorious as some of the most lethal creatures on the planet, causing up to 1 million deaths annually due to the diseases they carry, such as malaria and dengue.
However, in the UK, we have 36 native mosquito species that rarely pose a significant threat, thus they do not constitute a part of the three-way tie for the deadliest creature in Britain.
One contender is the dog. Recently, Prime Minister Rishi Snack placed the American XL bully dog on the list of banned breeds after a rise in fatalities associated with dog attacks.
Statistics indicate an average of about three deaths annually. However, in 2022, ten individuals in England and Wales lost their lives due to dog bites. This unfortunate trend can largely be attributed to negligent ownership, particularly with the inclination to breed larger, more powerful dogs.
Small creatures can also be deadly. Therefore, bees and hornets are contenders for the title as well, as 0.5% of the population is allergic to stings, which can lead to fatal anaphylaxis, resulting in two to nine deaths in the UK each year.
The ultimate threat may be less apparent. Picture a serene scene with grazing cattle that cause approximately 4,000 accidents yearly in the UK.
Around five fatalities result from these incidents, primarily affecting the agricultural community, but pedestrians are also at risk. Cows, being prey animals, are instinctively protective of their calves.
Most mishaps occur when natural boundaries are disregarded. Cows can injure individuals by knocking them over or trampling them. It’s advisable to keep dogs on a leash and maintain a respectful distance from herds.
This article responds to the inquiry (Adrianna Gardner, Chelmsford) “What is the deadliest creature in the UK?”
Feel free to email us your questions atquestions@sciencefocus.com or reach out through ourFacebook,Twitter, orInstagram(please include your name and location).
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Biofluorescence, the process of absorbing high-energy light and re-emitting it as low-energy wavelengths, has been observed in various vertebrate and invertebrate lineages, particularly among fish. Research conducted by the American Museum of Natural History indicates that fish biofluorescence can be traced back at least 112 million years and has evolved over 100 times, predominantly in fish inhabiting coral reefs.
Phylogenesis of teleosts showing ancestral state reconstruction (absence/present) of biological fluorescence. Image credit: Carr et al., doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-59843-7.
“Researchers have long known that biological fluorescence is prevalent in marine creatures, including sea turtles and corals, particularly among fish,” stated PhD Emily Kerr, a student at the American Museum of Natural History.
“To truly grasp the reasons and methods behind this unique adaptation, we need to explore the evolutionary background and the variety of biofluorescence currently utilized for camouflage, predation, or reproduction.”
In a first study published in the journal Natural Communication, Carr and colleagues investigated all known biological fluorescent extents, focusing on a species of bony fish, which comprises the largest living vertebrate group today.
This research identified 459 biological fluorescent species, including 48 previously unrecognized as biologically fluorescent.
The researchers discovered that biological fluorescence has evolved over 100 times in marine teleost fish, dating back to approximately 112 million years ago, with the initial occurrence found in eels.
Furthermore, fish species residing in or near coral reefs developed biological fluorescence approximately ten times faster than their non-reef counterparts, leading to a surge in fluorescent species following the mass extinction event around 66 million years ago that wiped out non-avian dinosaurs.
“This pattern coincides with the emergence of modern coral reefs and the rapid infiltration of fish into these environments, particularly after a significant loss of coral diversity due to the Cretaceous extinction,” Kerr explained.
“These relationships imply that the rise of contemporary coral reefs may have spurred the diversification of fluorescence in reef-associated teleost fish.”
Among the 459 documented biological fluorescent extents indicated in this study, the majority are linked to coral reefs.
In a second survey published in the journal PLOS 1, Kerr and co-authors employed a specialized photographic system with ultraviolet and blue excitation lights, alongside emission filters, to analyze the wavelengths emitted by fish from the ichthyology collection at the American Museum of Natural History.
These specimens, collected over the past 15 years during museum expeditions to locations like the Solomon Islands, Greenland, and Thailand, had shown fluorescence previously; however, the full spectrum of biological fluorescence emissions remained unexplored.
This study unveiled a broader diversity in the colors emitted by teleost fish, with some displaying at least six distinct fluorescence emission peaks across various wavelengths, surpassing prior reports.
“The unexpected variation observed among a wide array of these fluorescent fish suggests that they may utilize highly diverse and intricate signaling systems based on species-specific fluorescent emission patterns.”
“As these studies illustrate, biological fluorescence is extensive and remarkably phenotypically diverse among marine fish.”
“Our goal is to enhance our understanding of how fluorescence operates within these varied marine ecosystems and its role in evolutionary diversification.”
“The multitude of fluorescence emission wavelengths identified in this study could significantly impact the discovery of new fluorescent molecules that are routinely employed in biomedical applications, including the diagnosis and treatment of fluorescence-related ailments.”
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Carr et al. 2025. The extensive evolution of repeated biological fluorescence in marine fish. Nat Commun 16, 4826; doi:10.1038/s41467-025-59843-7
Carr et al. 2025. Marine fish display exceptional variability in biological fluorescence emission spectra. PLOS 1 20 (6): E0316789; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316789
Astronomers from the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (Alma) have made observations of comet C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein).
Artist depiction of Comet C/2014 UN271. Image credits: NSF/AUI/NSF/NRAO/M.WEISS.
C/2014 UN271 was identified by astronomers Pedro Berner Dinnelli and Gary Bernstein through images captured in 2014 as part of dark energy research.
The comet spans approximately 140 km (85 miles) in diameter, making it over ten times larger than any known comet.
To date, little has been understood about the behavior of such cold, remote celestial bodies.
Recent findings from Alma revealed the intricate and dynamic jets of carbon monoxide gas erupting from the comet’s nucleus, offering the first direct evidence of what drives its activity in relation to the sun.
“With these measurements, we can understand how this massive, icy world functions,” stated Dr. Nathan Ross, an astronomer affiliated with a U.S. university and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
“We are observing explosive outgassing patterns that raise new inquiries about the comet’s evolution as it journeys deeper into the inner solar system.”
Alma observed C/2014 UN271 by detecting light from carbon monoxide gas in its atmosphere and thermal radiation when the comet was still distant from the sun.
Thanks to Alma’s exceptional sensitivity and resolution, scientists were able to focus on the very faint signals emitted from such cold and far-off objects.
Building on previous Alma observations that characterized the comet’s substantial nucleus size, the new findings measured the thermal signal to accurately assess the size of the comet and the dust surrounding its nucleus.
Their measurements for the nucleus size and dust mass are in line with earlier Alma observations, affirming it as the largest cloud comet ever identified.
Alma’s precision in measuring these signals enabled this research, providing a clearer understanding of this distant, icy giant.
“This discovery not only represents the first detection of molecular outgassing in a record-setting comet but also offers a rare glimpse into the chemical and dynamic processes of objects from the farthest reaches of the solar system,” the astronomer added.
“As C/2014 UN271 approaches the sun, we anticipate more frozen gases will start to evaporate, revealing further insights into the comet’s primitive composition and the early solar system.”
“Such discoveries help address fundamental questions about the origins of Earth and its waters, as well as the formation of life-supporting environments elsewhere.”
The team’s research paper was published in Astrophysics Journal Letters.
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Nathan X. Ross et al. 2025. Initial detection of molecular activity in the largest known OORT cloud comet: Alma Imaging of The Sun at C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein). apjl 986, L22; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/add526
A team of paleontologists from the University of Zurich has identified chronic instances of osteomyelitis (bone tissue infection) in Plateosaurus trossingensis, one of the well-known dinosaurs from the late Triassic period in Europe.
Diagram of Plateosaurus trossingensis skeletons featured in the Theoprati exhibition at the Museum of Natural History, University of Zurich. Image credits: Dupuy et al., doi: 10.1186/s13358-025-00368-3.
Plateosaurus trossingensis inhabited Europe around 220 million years ago during the late Triassic epoch.
These ancient creatures were approximately 8 m (26 feet) long and primarily walked on their hind legs.
In a recent study, paleontologist Jordan Bestwick and colleagues analyzed the skeleton of Plateosaurus trossingensis from the Klettgau Layer in Switzerland.
They discovered significant osteomyelitis in the dinosaur’s upper arm and right shoulder.
“Osteomyelitis affects various living animals, including humans, birds, and reptiles,” noted Dr. Bestwick.
“The condition has been documented in several dinosaur groups, including sauropods, leading us to assess and compare numerous specimens, including Plateosaurus.
“The impacted bones in the shoulders and upper arms displayed notably rough internal and external textures, altered shapes, and even fusion, which are broad indicators of osteomyelitis.”
Researchers find their discoveries particularly intriguing since this case represents the oldest recorded instance of osteomyelitis in dinosaurs, dating back to about 220 million years ago, and the extent of the infection was unusually large.
“Earlier studies highlighted localized infections, such as in toe bones or adjacent vertebrae,” Dr. Bestwick explained.
“It’s exceptionally rare to observe infections in a shoulder and the entirety of an upper arm.”
“While the initial cause of the infection remains unknown, it likely plagued the animal for a prolonged period, potentially rendering its right arm nonfunctional.”
These findings are detailed in a paper published in the Swiss Journal of Palaeontology.
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sfj dupuis et al. 2025. Osteology and histology of a Plateosaurus trossingensis (Dinosaur: Sauropodomorpha) from the Upper Triassic in Switzerland with advanced chronic pathology. Swiss J Palaeontol 144, 27; doi:10.1186/s13358-025-00368-3
An extinct creature uncovered in North America offers fresh insights into the region’s life around 75 million years ago.
The creature has been described as “looking like a goblin jumping out of a rock,” according to Hank Woolley of the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum. This species, known as Monstaurus, is part of a group of reptiles that thrived during the late Cretaceous period. Woolley notes it could have been “around 3 to 4 feet from tail to tip.” “Best to stay away,” he warns.
Woolley named the species Borguamondor. The first part of the name derives from a Lord of the Rings character, while the second part is inspired by an invented Elvish word, referring to its bone armor — a trait shared with its relatives, modern Gira Monsters (Healoderma Sumpectum).
Remarkably preserved fossils were found in Utah two decades ago by Joseph Sertich. Initially, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute believed it was a prehistoric lizard. Sertich recalls, “I found a collection of scattered bones in a low, flat sandy area,” including the skull, vertebrae, jawbone, and parts of a hip bone.
Sertich encouraged Woolley to investigate the fossils at the museum in 2022. B. Amondor represents an extinct species of lizard known as the Monstaurus. They found evidence that some could shed their tails when injured, making it the oldest known example of this defensive strategy that modern lizards employ.
bones belonging to Borguamondor
Utah Natural History Museum/Bureau of Land Management
According to researchers, B. Amondor dined on small mammals, frogs, snakes, insects, and “things not primarily plants,” even considering dinosaur eggs as part of its “round-length” diet. Its habitat was likely a wetland ecosystem, quite hot and humid, resembling the modern-day U.S. Gulf Coast rather than the arid landscape we see today.
Randall Nydam from Midwest University in Illinois, though not involved in this research, emphasizes the cautionary aspect of the story, reflecting on the vulnerabilities of such formidable “monsters,” both ancient and modern. “We must also acknowledge that they are long gone,” he states, “vanished due to changing circumstances.”
Continuing the dialogue about B. Amondor, Sertich believes people should broaden their understanding of these creatures. “Imagining North America’s primal tropical forests should portray nightmare lizard-hunting dinosaurs navigating the underbrush and scaling trees,” he suggests.
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It’s probable that extreme temperatures will persist during the UK’s summer months.
AFP via Henry Nichols/Getty Images
According to the Met Office, the UK must swiftly adapt to summer temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F). This warning from the nation’s National Weather Service highlights the alarming rate of rising summer temperatures due to climate change.
In July 2022, Lincolnshire, eastern England, recorded an unprecedented temperature of 40.3°C (104.5°F), the highest for that month. Experts state that climate change has amplified the likelihood of such heatwaves by at least tenfold.
Furthermore, researchers caution that these extremes are part of a worrying trend. Under the guidance of Jillian Kay, the Met Office has utilized climate models to simulate over 2,500 UK summers to evaluate the potential for extreme heat under current climatic conditions.
The findings reveal a 50% chance of surpassing 40°C within the next 12 years, particularly affecting the southern and eastern regions of England, which are at higher risk for intense heat. The frequency of such extreme temperatures has surged dramatically in recent decades, increasing six times since the 1980s and nearly tripling since 2000.
Additionally, there is a 1% chance of temperatures breaching 42°C (107.6°F) annually, with the highest projected temperature for the UK under present conditions reaching 46.6°C (115.9°F), though such an extreme is described as “very rare,” according to Kay.
The simulations also provide meteorologists insights into the atmospheric conditions conducive to extreme heat in the UK. A primary scenario involves a persistent heatwave affecting Europe, with hot air moving across the southern and eastern coasts of England. Recently, the Met Office issued a warning of another heatwave forecasted for the UK due to the intense warmth persisting across the continent.
As temperatures rise, these heatwaves are becoming increasingly enduring. In the scorching summer of 1976, daytime temperatures surpassed 28°C (82.4°F) for two consecutive weeks. Today, under current climate conditions, similar temperatures can persist for over a month. Simulations indicate that exceeding 40°C could be feasible for 3-4 days even under existing conditions.
“We could experience temperatures a few degrees higher than the 40°C seen in July 2022, and we must be ready,” Kay emphasizes. The UK faced considerable challenges managing brief instances of heat above 40°C during that heatwave. More than 1,200 additional deaths were reported, rail travel was disrupted, schools closed, and wildfires raged throughout the country.
Kay urged public authorities, especially public health leaders, to “stress-test” systems to effectively handle such extreme temperatures. “The Met Office and similar entities have long predicted that climate change would lead to more intense and frequent heatwaves,” she states. “Our research confirms exactly that.”
Prolonged heatwaves pose significant risks. They not only strain the ecosystem but also dry out soil, wilt plants, and threaten animal life, while putting immense stress on human health, particularly when daytime and nighttime temperatures remain elevated for long durations. Extended heatwaves increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This risk is particularly acute in regions less accustomed to sustained heat, like the UK, where air conditioning is uncommon.
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In a new research paper published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, astronomers from the University of Leicester explain for the first time how the “excessive diet” of fresh material in black holes has led to emissions reaching nearly a third of the speed of light.
This image illustrates Seyfert Galaxy PG1211+143. Image credits: Centre Donna Astromyk destrasbourg/Sinbad/SDSS.
The intense outflow of ionized gases has raised significant concerns at the ESA’s XMM-Newton X-ray observatory since its initial detection by University of Leicester astronomers in 2001, now recognized as a distinctive trait of the luminous active galactic nuclei (AGNs).
Professor Ken Pound and Dr. Kim Page from Leicester remarked:
“The black hole’s size increases with its mass, with a solar mass black hole having a radius of about 3 km.”
“Stellar mass black holes are prevalent across galaxies, often forming from the dramatic collapse of massive stars; however, ultra-massive black holes can be found in the nuclei of almost all galaxies except the smallest external ones.”
In 2014, astronomers undertook a five-week investigation of an ultra-massive black hole in the distant Seyfert Galaxy PG1211+143, located approximately 1.2 billion light-years from the constellation Coma Berenices.
Utilizing ESA’s XMM-Newton Observatory, they observed counter-inflows, accumulating at least 10 Earth masses near the black hole.
In their latest study, they detected a powerful new outflow traveling at 0.27 times the speed of light, initiated shortly thereafter. The gravitational energy released as material is drawn into the black hole is heated to millions of degrees, producing an overwhelming radiant pressure.
“Establishing a direct causal relationship between significant, temporary inflows and the resulting outflows offers an exciting perspective for observing the growth of supermassive black holes through continuous monitoring of the hot relativistic winds linked with new material accretion,” stated Professor Pound.
“PG1211+143 has been the focus of University of Leicester X-ray astronomers using ESA’s XMM-Newton Observatory since its launch in December 1999.”
“Initial findings surprisingly revealed a counterflow of rapid movements, reaching 15% of the speed of light (0.15c), affecting stellar formation (and consequently the growth) of the host galaxy.”
“Subsequent observations have shown that such winds are a common characteristic of bright AGNs.”
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Ken Pounds & Kim Page. 2025. Observations of the Eddington-style outflow from the bright Seyfert Galaxy PG1211+143. mnras 540(3): 2530-2534; doi: 10.1093/mnras/staf637
Giant pink star larvae resumed development after freezing at -200°C
Patrick Webster
In a groundbreaking achievement, researchers have successfully frozen and revived sea star larvae, marking a significant advance in conservation efforts aimed at restoring an endangered keystone species.
Since 2013, Coastal Star Wasting Syndrome has been devastating populations of sunflower stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) and giant pink stars (Pisaster brevispinus) along the North American west coast. The decline of these predators has resulted in a major surge in sea urchins, decimating 97% of the kelp forests in Northern California.
Currently, the sunflower star is considered functionally extinct in California, sparking extensive efforts to cultivate these creatures for eventual reintroduction into their natural habitat.
In January 2025, a giant pink star was birthed at the Pacific Aquarium in Long Beach, California. Just two days later, its larvae were dispatched to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, where they were immersed in liquid nitrogen and stored at -200°C. The following month, they were transported approximately 700 kilometers north to the Sunflower Star Institute in Monterey Bay.
Upon careful thawing, the giant pink star larvae resumed their development, settling on the seabed and transitioning into a boy shape. “No one has ever successfully frozen a sea star at the larval stage and achieved this,” researchers noted.
Sunflower Stars play an important role in the Kelp forest ecosystem
Pat Webster
The successful cultivation of cryopreserved larvae represents a significant milestone for conservationists, as it opens up avenues for reintroducing genetically diverse sunflower stars back into California’s waters. “The larval cycle of the giant pink star closely resembles that of the sunflower stars,” explained Bank, “after which we will move forward with sunflower star rearing.”
Over the past 15 years, marine ecosystems in the North Pacific have faced a growing tide of environmental challenges. “It’s a daunting narrative involving climate change, ocean heat waves, and ecosystem collapse,” remarked Andrew Kim from the Sunflower Star Institute. “However, within Pycnopodia, there lies hope for recovery.”
A British biotech firm, Basecamp Research, has spent recent years gathering extensive genetic data from microorganisms inhabiting extreme environments worldwide, uncovering 10 billion new species among over a million scientifically recognized entities. This vast database of planetary biodiversity aims to assist in training “biology chats” to address inquiries regarding life on Earth, although its effectiveness remains uncertain.
Jorg Overmann from the Leibniz Institute DSMZ, which houses one of the world’s most extensive collections of microbial cultures, asserts that while an increase in known genetic sequences is beneficial, it likely won’t lead to significant discoveries in drug development or chemistry without deeper insights into the organisms from which they originated. “In the end, I’m skeptical that a better understanding of unique features will be achieved merely through brute force in the sequencing domain,” he remarks.
Recent years have seen a surge in machine learning models aimed at identifying patterns and predicting relationships within vast biological datasets. The most well-known of these is Alphafold, which can predict the 3D structure of proteins using only genetic data, and was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry at Google DeepMind.
This “genometric biology” approach has grown significantly, but according to Francis Din at the University of California, Berkeley, progress has been limited. One reason for this is the underrepresentation of biodiversity data. “Current biological models are primarily trained with datasets that favor well-studied species (e.g., E. coli, mice, humans), leading to poor prediction capabilities for traits associated with sequences from other branches of the Tree of Life,” she explains.
Basecamp researchers aim to bridge this biodiversity gap. Their expanding database now includes samples from over 120 locations across 26 countries, as detailed in a report by the company. Jonathan Finn, the company’s Chief Science Officer, notes that their sampling efforts target extreme environments that have yet to be thoroughly examined, spanning from the icy depths of the Arctic Ocean to the warm jungle hot springs. “Most of the samples we’re prioritizing are prokaryotic: bacteria, microorganisms, and their viruses,” Finn states. “We are also aware that some fungi are present.”
Genetic analyses of these samples have illuminated gene variations that are broadly shared across the Tree of Life. Based on this research, the company estimates that their data encompasses over a million species of genetic information not found in public genomic databases utilized for training AI models. This includes around 9.8 billion newly identified genes, increasing the overall known gene count tenfold, each potentially encoding useful proteins, according to the researchers.
“By providing these models with richer data, we enhance our understanding of biological mechanisms,” Finn explains. “We aim to create a ChatGPT for Biology.”
It’s estimated that Earth hosts trillions of microorganism species, many of which remain poorly characterized. Thus, it’s not unexpected that the company has identified such a wealth of novel life forms. “As we explore more, discovering diverse gene variants becomes almost inevitable,” notes Leopold Parts at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in the UK.
Nevertheless, Basecamp promotes the notion that all newly discovered materials might hold value. It’s not alone in this sentiment. “This is among the most thrilling advances I’ve encountered in quite some time,” remarks Nathan Frey, a machine learning researcher at Genentech, a US biotech firm. He emphasizes that most AI biology projects focus on algorithm improvement or generating additional lab data rather than venturing out to collect samples directly from nature.
However, skepticism arises regarding whether this database will yield the meaningful advancements the company aspires to achieve. For starters, it remains uncertain how much this newfound diversity in proteins reflects valuable new functions like enzymes and proteins that can degrade plastic useful for gene editing. “They must demonstrate that this novelty has practical utility,” cautions Parts.
Moreover, if the new genes significantly differ from known genes, Overmann expresses doubts about how easily existing tools can predict functionality or how such data can be utilized for training new models. “I can’t discern the functions of most of my genes,” he states. The company may have created a valuable new repository of biological data, but in traditional lab settings, even the most advanced AI may still face challenges in interpretation.
Rockets can transport cooling aerosols to high altitudes
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Reusable rockets designed to deliver sun-reflecting aerosols into the upper stratosphere could help cool the planet. However, this fleet of climate-modifying rockets presents its own challenges.
The increase in global temperatures has led to a surge in research on solar geoengineering, a controversial method aimed at cooling the Earth by reflecting sunlight. The most recognized technique, known as stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), entails continuously releasing reflective particles, such as sulfur dioxide, into the stratosphere.
Typically, researchers believe that aerosols will be released from cargo aircraft flying at around 20 km high. Climate models suggest that this could offset warming caused by rising greenhouse gas levels. Nonetheless, it also presents numerous other climate risks, some of which are unknown.
One significant concern is that the aerosols absorb sunlight, warming the stratosphere itself, even while surface temperatures cool. Because of wind patterns, aerosols tend to cluster in the tropical stratosphere, resulting in more warming than in other areas of the atmosphere. This can disrupt jet streams and circulation patterns that influence global weather.
Aerosols may also hasten ozone depletion caused by chlorine, potentially postponing the recovery of ozone holes over Antarctica by as much as 50 years.
Pengfei Yu from Jinan University in China and his team explored whether injecting aerosols at much greater heights—50 kilometers in the upper stratosphere—would change these dynamics. They discovered that high-altitude injections could yield greater cooling benefits than lower altitude methods, as aerosols persist longer, particularly at the poles. This additional height also prevents the aerosols from warming the lower stratosphere until they reach the poles, avoiding the harmful heating in the tropical stratosphere.
Finally, researchers found that these aerosols interact with another chemical that depletes ozone, which results in only a five-year delay in ozone recovery. “We weren’t aware that [injecting at] 50 kilometers offered such a different perspective,” says Yu.
Since planes cannot reach nearly 50 km, researchers propose using rockets. They estimate that deploying 80 reusable, hydrogen-powered rockets every other day could inject between 3 million and 8 million tonnes of aerosols annually, which they say falls within current technological capabilities.
While this scenario may be theoretically feasible, it is likely to be significantly more complex than traditional SAI approaches, according to Douglas McMartin at Cornell University in New York. Some advantages, such as preventing warming in the tropical stratosphere, can be more easily achieved by focusing on higher latitudes instead of high altitudes.
“It may rise higher in the atmosphere for increased efficiency, but the costs are astronomical in comparison,” he states.
Moreover, the high-altitude method does not fully mitigate many risks associated with solar geoengineering, including the rapid temperature increase that could follow if injection ceases. “What happens if the rockets fail on the ground?” Yu questions. “That’s a legitimate concern.”
Helgoland Island occupies a nearly mythical position in quantum mechanics history
Shutterstock/Markus Stappen
Having attended numerous scientific conferences, the recent one on Helgoland Island, marking a century of quantum mechanics, stands out as one of the most peculiar, in a positive sense.
This tiny German island, stretching less than a kilometer in the North Sea, exudes the ambiance of a coastal resort. Even during summer, its charm wanes, giving way to the scent of quaint streets filled with souvenir shops, fish eateries, and ice cream stalls. Picture cutting-edge experimenters in Quantum Technologies casually mingling after discussions at the town hall beside a miniature golf course—it’s quite an experience.
Our purpose here becomes evident as we stroll along the cliffside road, where a bronze plaque commemorates physicist Werner Heisenberg’s purported invention of quantum mechanics in 1925. While it sounds intriguing, it’s an embellishment; Heisenberg merely outlined some concepts here. The more recognized formulation came from Erwin Schrödinger in early 1926, who introduced wave functions to predict quantum system evolutions.
Nonetheless, this year clearly holds significance as we commemorate a century of quantum mechanics. Regardless of how much of Helgoland’s narrative stems from Heisenberg’s own embellishments—he recounted his breakthrough there several years later—this “Remote Control Island” serves as a unique venue for celebratory gatherings.
And what a celebration it is! It’s almost surreal to witness such a congregation of renowned quantum physicists. Among them are four Nobel laureates: Alain Aspect, David Wineland, Anton Zeilinger, and Serge Haroche. Collectively, they’ve validated the bizarre aspects of quantum mechanics, showcasing how the characteristics of one particle can instantaneously influence another, no matter the distance. They’ve also developed techniques to manipulate individual quantum particles, crucial for quantum computing.
In my view, these distinguished individuals would concur that the younger generation is poised to delve deeper into the implications of quantum mechanics, transforming its notoriously counterintuitive essence into new technologies and a better understanding of nature. Quantum mechanics is renowned for encompassing multiple interpretations of its mathematical framework concerning reality, with many seasoned experts firmly entrenched in their perspectives.
Helgoland’s plaque honors Werner Heisenberg’s role in quantum mechanics
Philip Ball
This divisive sentiment was noticeable during Zeilinger and Aspect’s evening panel discussion. Jill’s Brothers pioneered quantum cryptography at the University of Montreal.
In fairness to the veterans, their theories emerged under considerable skepticism from their peers, particularly regarding the significance of examining such foundational concerns. They navigated an era where “silent calculations” were prevalent—a term coined by American physicist David Mermin to describe how it was frowned upon to ponder the implications of quantum mechanics beyond merely solving the Schrödinger equation. It’s no wonder they developed thick skins.
In contrast, younger researchers seem more pragmatic in their approach to quantum theories, often adopting various interpretations as tools to address specific challenges. Elements of the Copenhagen interpretation and the multiverse theory are intertwined, not as definitive claims about reality, but as frameworks for analysis.
The new wave of researchers, such as Vedika Khemani from Stanford University, are actively bridging condensed matter physics and quantum information. I heard her highlight the evolution from storing information on magnetic tapes in the 1950s to the crucial error correction techniques in today’s quantum computing.
Quantum mechanics applications are on the rise, with theorists also stepping up their game. For instance, Flaminia Giacomini at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich spoke about her pursuit of reconciling the granular quantum realm with the smooth continuous world required for quantum gravity, offering profound insights into the essence of quantum mechanics.
While some may consider this exploration to be veering into the realm of speculation, as seen in string theory attempts, Giacomini asserted, “There is no experimental evidence that gravity should be quantized.” Hence, empirical validation remains elusive, despite a wealth of theoretical discourse.
Excitingly, there are plans to test hypotheses in the not-so-distant future. For instance, examining whether two objects can entangle purely through gravitational interactions is a goal. The difficulty is ensuring the objects are substantial enough to exert meaningful gravitational pull while being sufficiently small to demonstrate quantum characteristics. Several speakers expressed confidence in overcoming this hurdle within the next decade.
The conference revealed the interconnectedness of quantum theories and experiments: perturbing one aspect inevitably influences others. Gaining a nuanced understanding of quantum gravity through delicate experiments involving trapped particles could shed light on black hole information paradoxes and inspire innovative ideas for quantum computing and the nature of quantum states.
Ultimately, achieving progress in any of these areas appears promising for uncovering the enduring questions that have fascinated Heisenberg and his contemporaries. What occurs when we measure quantum particles? However, rather than perceiving it as a repetitive struggle, it’s clear that quantum mechanics is much more sophisticated and intriguing than the founders ever envisaged.
When recalling memories, neural activity is sparked in different brain regions
Nopparit/Getty Images
Even forgotten memories appear to influence our behavior.
“People often perceive memories as something to reflect on or contemplate,” says Nick Turk Brown from Yale University, who was not involved in this research. “However, we don’t spend our days lost in past memories. We work, parent, and have fun. Our memories continuously shape our actions; I believe 95% of our cognitive processes operate in this unseen manner.”
Memory can be described in various ways. One perspective focuses on self-reported recollections, like what someone had for dinner yesterday or details about their seventh birthday. Another way to conceptualize memory involves the persistent networks of brain cells known as engrams, which create the biological representation of experiences we have memorized.
Many researchers have long believed that forgetting a memory implies the disappearance of its related engrams. However, studies on mice suggest that forgotten memories endure even when they cannot be consciously retrieved.
In a study led by Tom Willems from the University of Bern, Switzerland, 40 participants briefly viewed 96 pairs of images, including human faces and objects like guitars and staplers.
The researchers then monitored the participants’ brain activity while testing their memory of whether two images had been paired 24 hours prior, using high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging. Participants were also asked if they remembered seeing the images together, if they were uncertain, or if they were just guessing.
When they confidently recalled the images, participants correctly chose the paired images 87% of the time in both tests. Conversely, those who could not recall what they had seen managed to achieve about a 50% accuracy rate.
Participants uncertain of their memory estimated correctly 57% of the time after both 30 minutes and 24 hours, suggesting that this group may still retain some memory of the associations.
Interestingly, when guessers made the right choice, their brain activity patterns mirrored those of participants who confidently remembered, particularly in the relevant hippocampal regions.
During a follow-up test after 24 hours, individuals who believed they had forgotten remained active in the hippocampus, while those who recognized the images exhibited activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus of the neocortex.
As Amy Milton from Cambridge University states, “I suggest that the shift of memory activity to the neocortex is associated with recall, but it remains unclear whether this change is a cause or a result of what is remembered.”
Nevertheless, the findings align with a predominant theory of memory function, known as Standard Integration Theory, as explained by Turk Brown. This theory proposes that memories are initially formed in the hippocampus and later consolidated in the neocortex during sleep for long-term storage.
This research highlights a potential separation between the memories we consciously access and the associated engrams in the brain, according to Turk-Browne. “This offers a fascinating illustration of the subtle, automatic, and pervasive influence of hippocampal memories on behavior.”
“Essentially, what they propose is that some memories don’t have to be consciously searched for in order to influence behavior later,” Milton explains.
She expresses no surprise that strong memory traces can shape our actions without our conscious awareness, referencing the phenomenon of priming. Seeing or hearing something can subtly prompt specific responses without us discerning the reasons.
However, priming occurs in various brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex, and as Turk-Browne notes, it typically produces only transient effects lasting seconds or minutes.
In April, Mark Zuckerberg declared that the company would significantly increase capital expenditures in the coming year to enhance its position in the development of advanced artificial intelligence. Last week, he delivered on that commitment with the unveiling of a $15 billion “AI Superintelligence” team, boasting nine-figure salaries and a 49% stake in Scale AI. Meta has also brought aboard Alexandr Wang, the 28-year-old founder of Scale and former roommate of Sam Altman from OpenAI.
Prior to Meta’s investment, Scale was already servicing most major AI players, some of whom were not enthusiastic about the development. Bloomberg reports that the head of Scale AI now brings insight into the operations of other competitors. Google, Scale’s largest client, expressed concerns as the tech giant informed startups that their existing partnerships would be reconsidered Reuters reported on Friday.
My colleague, Robert Booth, has more insights:
One Silicon Valley analyst referred to the announcement as indicative of a “wartime CEO” mentality.
Super Intelligence is characterized as a form of AI that surpasses human capabilities in all areas—a current standard that remains unattained by existing AI systems, known as Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
In light of effective advancements by rivals including Sam Altman’s OpenAI and Google, and substantial investments in Meta’s underperforming Metaverse concept, observers are keen to see if Meta can meet its ambitious targets in AI.
While the scale of this financial commitment may suggest a lead in the AI race, Meta is actually playing catch-up. The company’s latest models lack the sophistication of competitor offerings. Earlier this year, it revealed a model that was adjusted to succeed on popular benchmarks—an unconvincing strategy. Its enormous financial outlay and new team formations aim to enhance its stature among industry leaders.
Discover more about Meta’s Superintelligence initiative here.
AI News Week
Wikipedia, essential to AI, struggles to showcase human contributions
Photo: Blake Montgomery
Last week, Wikipedia ceased its testing of AI-generated article summaries after backlash from editors and volunteers who contribute to the online encyclopedia. These AI-generated summaries were displayed above human-written introductions on the article pages. This experiment, which targeted around 10% of mobile users, lasted for two weeks.
Feedback was described as “strongly negative,” according to the nonprofit parent of Wikipedia. One editor expressed on the Public Forum: “A truly frightening idea.” Another stated, “Please exclude AI from Wikipedia.” Many joined in saying that this was uniquely detrimental. While some advocated for AI abstracts to simplify access to technical articles, the majority argued that errors and misinterpretations could harm Wikipedia’s reputation for reliability.
General sentiment among editors can be summarized as “Yuck.”
“We’re trying to balance AI integration with Wikipedia. There’s very minimal AI presence, just enough to aid editors and improve reader access,” explained one editor. The continual debate surrounds “What defines the line between human-generated and AI-generated content?”
In contrast, Reddit has begun charging for access to its application programming interfaces in 2023. This posting library is invaluable for AI companies, serving as a broad repository of contemporary human-written texts crucial for training large language models like ChatGPT. Reddit’s executives are leveraging this resource to monetize its value for AI firms. This decision has disrupted the user experience, particularly angering volunteer moderators and millions of community members who have protested the changes without success. They prioritized revenue from AI businesses over user satisfaction, starkly opposing Wikipedia’s approach.
A few days after Wikipedia rolled back its AI summary test, the Wikimedia Foundation hosted an in-person editing event at the United Nations. According to Rudder, the information manager, this gathering of a diverse group of editors was part of UN Open Source Week, coinciding with various open-source hackathons.
Editors interacted enthusiastically around laptops, collaborating on articles in multiple languages in a vibrant auditorium. Italian and Sri Lankan representatives acknowledged the vital work of editors in speeches, and Wikimedia Foundation executives expressed gratitude for their contributions, alongside UN Digital and Emerging Technology Governors. It was an energetic atmosphere.
Rudder emphasized the importance of in-person events, stating, “It fosters community. There’s a misconception that Wikipedia editors operate in isolation, when in reality, that’s far from the truth.” Wikimedia NYC recently organized the UN event, with Rudder observing it vital for connecting new editors to the community.
Like Reddit, Wikipedia’s vast text corpus serves as key training data for most, if not all, major language models. Wikipedia endorses a corporate approach to data access with Wikimedia Enterprise, which was launched in 2021. While Reddit operates for profit, the Wikimedia Foundation is a nonprofit entity. Although Wikipedia data remains available freely, utilization can be costly.
Unilike Reddit, Wikipedia emphasizes the human effort required to sustain the site and its information consistently by adjusting features in response to community feedback.
Technical Perspectives on the Anti-Deportation Protests in Los Angeles
Apple’s Walled Garden: From Eden to Pen
Photo: Apple Corps Ltd.
Recently, Apple hosted its annual WWDC developer conference, where the most significant announcement was a redesign of the iPhone operating system (iOS), referred to as “Liquid Glass.” The virtual buttons displayed on the iPhone screen appear transparent, allowing the background image to warp slightly, reminiscent of the colorful, translucent plastic used in older Macs.
The refreshed aesthetic is visually appealing but lacks excitement. Ultimately, it felt like a backdrop for news on Hurricane Prediction. How relevant is the color of my phone’s controls?
Of course, there were other updates, like live translations in FaceTime calls, enabling smoother communication with distant relatives and friends.
Yet overall, the updates lacked inspiration. Over the years, iPhone updates have seemed more forward-thinking than, for instance, the introduction of a second-generation 3G connection in 2008. Apple’s progress pales in comparison to the dynamic Android ecosystem. I once spoke with a venture capitalist in San Francisco in 2019, and I couldn’t even identify his iPhone model.
Unlike competitors, Apple has been slow to introduce new AI features. Google and Samsung have rapidly incorporated AI into their mobile offerings. For example, live translation has been a part of Android for years. Google’s Pixel Buds can convert speech in real-time, while Apple’s AirPods still lack this capability. Google consistently releases enticing, if sometimes quirky, AI updates.
Following the demonstration, Gizmodo noted that while Apple recognizes that AI may not align with consumer desires, it can’t openly admit this. However, despite differing opinions on ChatGPT among monthly users, Apple’s announcements offered little substance. If Apple wishes to retain users within its ecosystem, it must deliver something captivating and valuable.
Last week, Google launched an updated version of its operating system, while Samsung unveiled features for its next foldable phone. Android Central. Have you heard about these developments? In tech journalism, it’s well-known that Apple and iPhone stories often receive more clicks than those about Android phones—despite a higher global market share for Android. The reasons behind this phenomenon warrant their own discussion. Many spent the week discussing Android updates, contrasting with Apple’s liquid glass interface. Apple’s updates seem primarily cosmetic, raising questions about their overall impact as they inspire humor instead of admiration.
Samsung’s seventh generation of foldable phones raises questions about the novelty in the smartphone market. When contemplating your new iPhone’s lack of excitement, what do you want it to achieve? There’s no inherent need for a folding phone. My Motorola Razr facilitated effective communication, but that wasn’t due to its physical design.
I find myself pondering the value of Google’s new AI feature. Although there may not be a consensus on what most users desire from an AI-enhanced smartphone, it’s clear that without innovation, stagnation occurs. I feel Apple fails to present remarkable features worth considering. While the audio summary for Google search results might seem unnecessary, it is indeed fascinating—particularly for the visually impaired. Meanwhile, Siri struggles with basic tasks like controlling Spotify and managing notifications.
Having relied on my iPhone as my primary device for roughly 15 years, I feel I’m at a turning point. It may soon be time to explore Android and discover the new shiny gadgets, especially as I navigate the Apple hardware and app ecosystem.
On Monday, the US Department of Defense awarded OpenAI a contract worth $200 million to implement artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for military use.
The San Francisco-based firm is tasked with “developing prototype frontier AI capabilities to tackle critical national security challenges in both combat and enterprise areas,” as outlined in the Department of Defense award agreement.
As stated by OpenAI, this program marks the company’s inaugural partnership under a startup initiative aimed at integrating AI within government functions. In a blog entry, the organization intends to demonstrate how advanced AI can significantly enhance various administrative tasks, such as healthcare for service members and cyber defense.
The startup assures that all military applications of AI are in accordance with usage guidelines established by OpenAI.
The major tech company is, predictably, promoting its tools to the US military alongside Palantir, an AI defense firm established by Peter Thiel, a conservative tech billionaire influential in Silicon Valley’s rightward shift.
OpenAI and defense tech startup Anduril Industries announced a collaboration late last year to create and implement AI solutions “for security missions.” This partnership merges OpenAI’s models with Anduril’s military technologies to bolster defenses against drones and other “unmanned aerial vehicle systems.”
“OpenAI develops AI with the aim of benefiting as many individuals as possible and endorses US-led initiatives to ensure technology upholds democratic values,” stated Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.
At the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Zibaskira in Finland, physicists utilized a gas-filled recoil separator focal plane spectrometer to observe two attenuation events of the newly discovered isotope astatin-188 (188At), which is composed of 85 protons and 103 neutrons.
Kokkonen et al. Report the discovery of the new nucleus 188At, which is the heaviest proton-emitting isotope known to date.
“Proton emission is a rare type of radioactive decay where the nucleus releases protons, moving toward stability,” explained Henna Kokkonen, a doctoral researcher at Zibaskira University.
“This new nucleus is currently the lightest known isotope of astatin, 188At, containing 85 protons and 103 neutrons.”
“Studying this type of exotic nucleus is exceedingly challenging due to its brief lifespan and low production cross-section. Therefore, precise techniques are essential.”
“The nuclei were produced through fusion deposition reactions by irradiating natural silver targets with a 84Sr ion beam,” added Dr. Kare Auranen of Zibaskira University.
“The detection of the new isotopes was made possible using the Ritu Recoil separator’s detector setup.”
In addition to the experimental findings, the physicists expanded theoretical models to interpret the collected data.
According to the team, 188At can be likened to a strong explosion, resembling “the shape of a watermelon.”
“The nuclear properties suggest a shift in the behavior of the binding energy of valence protons,” Kokkonen stated.
“This is attributed to unprecedented interactions with heavy nuclei.”
“Isotopes are rare globally, and this marks the second occasion I’ve had the chance to make history.”
“All experiments pose challenges, and it is rewarding to conduct research that enhances our understanding of the fundamental limits of matter and nuclear structure.”
The authors intend to refine the current uncertainties and half-life of the attenuation energy by further theoretical exploration of charged particle-damped heavy nuclei, observing the evolution of their shapes, and examining additional decay events of 188At.
“Equally intriguing is the study of the collapse of a currently unknown nuclear isotope 189At, which could be a proton-emitting nucleus, an aspect we have yet to explore in future experiments,” they concluded.
Their paper was published in the journal Nature Communications.
____
H. Kokkonen et al. 2025. New Proton Emitter 188At signifies unprecedented interactions in heavy nuclei. Nat Commun 16, 4985; doi:10.1038/s41467-025-60259-6
The genetic testing firm 23AndMe has been penalized with a fine exceeding £2.3 million following a significant cyberattack in 2023, which compromised the personal information of over 150,000 UK residents.
Sensitive data, including family tree details, health reports, names, and postal codes, were among the information breached from the California-based company. The UK Intelligence Commission’s office confirmed the breach after employees discovered that stolen data was being offered for sale on the social media platform Reddit.
Intelligence Commissioner John Edwards referred to the incidents during the summer of 2023 as “a deeply damaging violation.” The data breach affecting the UK was just a fraction of a larger security incident that compromised data from 7 million individuals.
23AndMe offers DNA screening for £89 through a saliva-based kit, allowing users to trace their ancestry in terms of ethnicity and geographical origin. However, many customers sought bankruptcy protection in the US in March, requesting the removal of their DNA data from the company’s records following the hack.
The penalty coincided with a $355 million acquisition bid for the company led by former CEO Anne Wassicki.
Edwards noted that the data breaches included sensitive personal information, family histories, and even health conditions of numerous individuals in the UK.
“As one affected individual remarked, once this information is out there, it cannot be altered or replaced like a password or credit card number,” he added.
UK data protection regulators found that 23AndMe did not take fundamental steps to safeguard user information, revealing inadequacies in its security system, including a failure to implement stricter user authentication measures.
Hackers exploited a widespread weakness due to the reuse of passwords compromised in unrelated data breaches. They employed automated tools in a method called “credential stuffing.”
Edwards remarked, “The warning signs were evident, and the company’s response was sluggish. This has made individuals’ most sensitive data vulnerable to exploitation and harm.”
A company spokesperson stated that 23AndMe has taken various measures to enhance security for individual accounts and data. They have made a firm commitment to improving the protection of customer data and privacy in connection with an initiative that will benefit 23AndMe, a nonprofit associated with Wojcicki, the TTAM Research Institute.
Fines are part of the substantial penalties imposed on various organizations by ICOs in recent years due to their inability to secure data from hacking and ransomware incidents. In 2022, a fine levied against construction firms exceeded £4.4 million when staff data was compromised, including contact information, bank details, sexual orientation, and health data.
When Pragmata was unveiled five years ago, the specifics of what Resident Evil publisher Capcom was creating remained uncertain. The initial trailer presented an eerie, futuristic scene featuring an astronaut and a blonde girl, yet it offered little clarity on the game’s direction. The anticipated 2022 release slipped away, leading to a “pause indefinitely”, leaving many to wonder if Pragmata would actually launch in 2023.
Everything changed on June 4th, when a new trailer premiered during the PlayStation Showcase. The blonde girl is revealed to be a combat-ready android, teaming up with an astronaut named Hugh (naturally) amid an intense battle within a space station. The following weekend, I had the opportunity to play for about 20 minutes at the Summer Game Fest. Long, troubled development cycles are often a bad omen, yet my experience was surprisingly promising.
Pragmata opens with the astronaut Hugh Williams lying unconscious among metallic wreckage. A young girl dressed in an oversized blue jacket with long, flowing blonde hair (a peculiar choice, if I’m being honest) stumbles across Hugh while grappling with a large case nearby. After finally managing to topple it, she opens the case to reveal a device that emits the Lunafilament nanowave, which she uses to repair his suit.
We discover that they are located on a lunar space station, where a robotic security system mistakenly identifies Hugh as an intruder, leading to a confrontation. I was not prepared for how enjoyable the combat would be.
In Pragmata, the robotic enemies all possess robust shields, rendering Hugh’s arsenal (which can be expanded by locating various firearms in the environment) largely ineffective. Fortunately, the girl, now identified as Diana, has the ability to hack these foes, making them vulnerable—all while dodging attacks as she perches on Hugh’s shoulder.
To navigate the robots’ mainframe, you’ll need to use the face buttons on the controller to disarm their shields temporarily, reaching a green tile arranged in rows and columns. This must be done quickly, and while dodging their strikes, which often resulted in failed attempts and resets, creating a genuinely thrilling (and fun) battle scenario.
Hacking in Pragmata evokes the urgency of calling in a Stratagem in Helldivers 2, requiring swift yet deliberate button presses under intense pressure. Each gunfight becomes a moment of high tension: different robot types necessitate various hacking strategies, and they scatter in confusion once compromised. During my brief session with Pragmata, I encountered an array of opponents and weaponry.
Just as someone tapped me on the shoulder to signal the end of the demo, I found myself captivated by the combat (unfortunate timing just before the Big Boss showdown). Despite the protracted development period of over five years, the gameplay feels refreshingly new.
Pragmata is set to launch on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC in 2026.
Remarkably, they survived for days without air, water, or any protection from intense solar radiation, showcasing their resilience. Researchers believe these little animals possess extraordinary survival capabilities.
In extreme situations, tardigrades enter a state known as cryptobiosis, essentially drying out and halting their metabolism.
Once conditions improve and water is reintroduced, they can rehydrate and start functioning again as if nothing ever happened.
Recent research has revealed new insights into these remarkable organisms. For instance, scientists have identified a protein called “DSUP” that shields their DNA from radiation, acting like molecular armor.
Researchers from the University of Stuttgart have provided evidence supporting the “sleeping beauty” hypothesis.
This theory posits that in their dormant state, tardigrades may not only pause their metabolism but also their biological clocks.
They survived for days without air, water, or protection from intense solar radiation. – Image credits: Scientific Photo Library via Sebastian Kauritzki/Getty Images
Interestingly, water bears that undergo freezing thrive for twice as long while awake compared to a control group that never sleeps.
In their natural habitats, tardigrades might only be active for a few months, yet they can enter a state of suspended animation and survive for decades.
A 2024 study focused on the recently discovered tardigrade, Hypsibius henanensis, which provided further insights.
The research revealed a gene responsible for producing betalain, which counteracts the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays.
Additionally, they uncovered proteins that enhance DNA repair mechanisms. The next step is to determine whether these proteins offer protection across any of the 1,300 known tardigrade species.
This article answers the question posed by Madison Halladay: “Why are tardigrades so indestructible?”
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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are believed to be the most prevalent class of organic compounds in the universe, yet their lifecycle in interstellar media remains poorly understood. Recently, astronomers using NSF’s Green Bank telescopes identified cyanocoronene (C24H11CN), the largest PAH discovered in space, located within the starless cloud core TMC-1.
Cyanocoronene, composed of seven interconnected benzene rings and cyano groups, is a region known for its abundant chemistry and was discovered in the cold, dark molecular cloud TMC-1, recognized as a new cradle for star formation. Image credits: NSF/AUI/NSF/NRAO/P.VOSTEEN.
Cyanocoronene is a derivative of coronene, often regarded as a prototype compact PAH due to its stability and distinctive structure.
PAHs are thought to play a crucial role in the chemistry that captures a significant portion of the universe’s carbon and contributes to star and planet formation.
Until this discovery, only smaller PAHs had been identified in space, making this finding a significant leap in understanding size limits.
“Each new detection brings us closer to understanding the origins of the complex organic chemistry in the universe, and possibly the building blocks of life,” says Dr. Gabi Wentzel, an astronomer at the Center for Astrophysics at MIT and Harvard & Smithsonian.
Dr. Wentzel and her team first synthesized cyanocoronene in the laboratory and recorded its unique microwave spectrum using advanced spectroscopic methods.
Equipped with this molecular fingerprint, the astronomers searched data from the Green Bank telescope, the primary instrument for the Gotham project (GBT observations of TMC-1: GBT observations of aromatic molecules).
They identified several spectral lines of cyanocoronene, confirming its presence with a statistical significance of 17.3 sigma, a robust detection by astronomical standards.
Cyanocoronene is currently the largest individual PAH molecule found in interstellar space, featuring 24 carbon atoms in its core structure (excluding the cyano group).
The quantity of cyanocoronene detected is comparable to that of smaller PAHs previously identified, challenging the notion that larger molecules are rare in the universe.
This indicates that even more complex aromatic molecules may be prevalent in the cosmos.
“The presence of such a large, stable PAH lends support to the idea that these molecules can serve as significant reservoirs of carbon and potentially facilitate the formation of new planetary systems throughout their lifecycle,” the researchers stated.
“The quantum chemical analysis in this study reveals that the reaction between coronene and CN radicals enables the efficient formation of cyanocoronene in cold space conditions.
“This implies that even prior to star formation, there can be chemical processes that establish complex organic matter.”
“The discovery of cyanocoronene not only adds new chapters to the narrative of astrochemistry but also reinforces the PAH hypothesis. It suggests that these molecules are responsible for the enigmatic infrared emission zones scattered throughout the universe.”
“Additionally, it establishes a direct link between interstellar clouds, meteoroids, and asteroid chemistry, implying that organic molecules present in our solar system might have originated in similar environments long before the Sun was born.”
Astronomers are making significant strides in comprehending how matter behaves and interacts in space utilizing fast radio bursts (FRB). They have found that over three-quarters of the universe’s ordinary material is concealed within sparse intergalactic gases, and they have also identified the furthest FRB event recorded to date.
This artist’s concept illustrates the density regions and red blank areas of the universe’s web in blue. Image Credit: Jack Madden/Illustristng/Ralf Konietzka/Liam Connor, CFA.
For many years, it has been established that at least half of the normal, predominantly proton-based baryonic material in the universe has gone unaccounted for.
Previous approaches by astronomers employed methods like X-ray and ultraviolet observations to gather significant clues regarding this missing mass, which manifests as extremely thin warm gases between galaxies.
The challenge arises from the high-temperature, low-density gas that remains mostly invisible to most telescopes, leaving scientists unable to assess its presence or distribution.
This is where FRBs come into play – brief, intense radio signals emitted by distant galaxies that researchers have recently demonstrated could measure baryonic matter in space, although its location remained a mystery until now.
In the latest study, scientists examined 60 FRBs, with the most distant FRB recorded at 1,174 million light-years (FRB 20200120E) from Messier 81 and reaching up to 9.1 billion light-years (FRB 20230521b).
This enabled them to pinpoint the missing material within intergalactic spaces or the intergalactic medium (IGM).
“The ‘baryon problem’ was never in doubt,” stated Dr. Liam Connor, an astronomer at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. “The issue has always been about its location. Now with FRBs, we’ve established that three-quarters of it exists between galaxies in the cosmic web.”
By analyzing the delays in each FRB signal as it traveled through space, Dr. Connor and his colleagues tracked the gaseous medium along its path.
“FRBs function like flashlights in space, illuminating the intergalactic medium. By accurately gauging how the light slows down, we can assess this medium, whether it’s starkly visible or barely detectable,” Dr. Connor explains.
The findings are revealing—approximately 76% of the universe’s baryonic matter resides within the IGM.
Additionally, about 15% is found in galaxy halos, with a minor fraction embedded within stars and cool galactic gases.
This distribution aligns with predictions made by advanced cosmological simulations, yet this is the first instance of direct confirmation.
“This marks a triumph for contemporary astronomy,” noted Dr. Vikram Ravi, an astronomer from California.
“Thanks to FRBs, we are now approaching a new understanding of the universe’s structure and composition.”
“These brief flashes enable us to trace the invisible baryonic matter filling the expansive voids between galaxies,” he added.
“Baryons are pulled into galaxies by gravity; however, supermassive black holes and supernova explosions can expel them back into the IGM, cooling cosmic temperatures when they spiral out of control,” commented Dr. Connor.
“Our findings indicate that this feedback mechanism is effective, suggesting gas must be displaced from galaxies into the IGM.”
The team’s results are published today in the journal Nature Astronomy.
____
L. Connor et al. Gas-rich cosmic web unveiled by the partition of missing baryons. Nature Astronomy Published online on June 16th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41550-025-02566-y
The partial skeleton discovered in the Fernie Formation in British Columbia, Canada, in 1916, represents a new genus and species of an extinct marine reptile named Ichaosaurus, as stated by an international group of paleontologists.
Photos and interpretation of Fernatator Prentisai skeleton in side view on the left. Image credit: Massare et al.
Fernatator Prentisai existed in North America during the early Jurassic Epoch, approximately 109 million years ago.
“Ichthyosaurs—marine reptiles that superficially resemble dolphins—were prominent marine predators from the early Triassic (Olenek) to the beginning of the late Cretaceous (Cenomanian),” noted Professor Judy Massare from SUNY College.
“They were the dominant large predators of the Triassic and early Jurassic seas.”
“Many partial and complete skeletal remains of early Jurassic ichthyosaurs have been collected, primarily from England and Germany.”
“The early Jurassic Ektisaurus in North America is considered rare,” they emphasized.
“Hence, the discovery of partial skeletal remains from western Canada is significant.”
Excavation of Fernatator Prentisai skeleton. The podium is incomplete, but the additional parts that were lost have since been preserved. T. Prentice At Light, WR Wilson, the general manager of CNP Coal Company, is on the left. Photo taken around 1916, between the Elk River, Morrissey, and Fernie, British Columbia. Photographer unknown. Image credit: Massare et al.
The skeleton of Fernatator Prentisai was found by T. Prentiss in the summer of 1916 while fishing on the Elk River in British Columbia, Canada.
“This specimen represents the most complete ichthyosaur known from the early Jurassic in North America and is one among several ichthyosaur specimens known from the Fernie Formation in western Canada,” the paleontologist remarked.
This new species is a medium-sized ichthyosaur, measuring 3-4 m (10-13 feet) in length, with a distinct combination of features.
“As preserved, the entire skeleton measures 2.8 m long, which includes an impression of the front of the podium,” the researcher added.
“In life, this skeleton likely reached approximately 3.5 m in length, possibly even 4 m.”
“Despite the poor preservation, there is enough identifiable morphology to justify the designation of a new genus and species,” they noted.
“It is characterized by a tall, bar-like orbital, short straight jugals that do not extend beyond the anterior or posterior of the orbit, a long, narrow anterior process of the maxilla, and a cora-like body with a broad curved outer end and a deep anterior region, among other features.”
Fernatator Prentisai symbolizes a sparse record of early Jurassic ichthyosaurs, validated from the Early Jurassic in Canada, and is a significant addition to ichthyosaur taxonomy.
Nature of science journals aims to highlight the complexities of academic publishing.
In an editorial released on Monday, the journal revealed it will include a peer review file with the papers it plans to publish. This will grant reviewers insight into the behind-the-scenes process where authors respond to revisions.
Publishing peer review files has been an option in Nature since 2020, but as of Monday, it has become a standard practice.
“Our goal is to demystify what many refer to as the ‘black box’ of science and clarify how research papers are developed. This aims to enhance transparency and foster trust in the scientific process. We believe that publishing peer reviewer reports enriches scientific communication and contextualizes how results and conclusions are reached.”
Opening the peer review process is becoming increasingly common among scientific journals, but Nature stands out as one of the largest and most influential in adopting this practice.
Peer review occurs once scientific research is submitted to a reputable journal, where field experts evaluate the work for issues such as flawed inferences, poor research practices, and data errors. These external experts provide feedback to journal editors and authors, known as the Judge Report.
“Peer review enhances the quality of the paper,” the editorial states. “The dialogue between authors and reviewers should be regarded as a significant component of the scientific record, crucial to research andits dissemination.”
Nature’s updated process automatically publishes judge reports and author responses. Journal practices evolve particularly when public trust in science wanes; a Pew Research Center poll indicates that trust in scientists fell approximately 10 percentage points from 2019 to 2024, with only 45% of Americans considering scientists to be effective communicators.
Michael Eisen, a former editor of the scientific journal Elife and a proponent of reforming the scientific publishing process, believes Nature’s decision marks a significant step towards greater transparency in the field.
“It’s valuable for the public to witness the process,” Eisen stated. “Much of the criticism stems from misunderstanding, which often arises from a lack of transparency surrounding scientific processes.”
Eisen suggests this move could help skeptics recognize the rigorous scrutiny applied to critical topics.
“For instance, if people observe the thorough examination vaccine-related studies undergo, it can help them better understand and assess the context of scientific findings,” Eisen noted.
At the same time, this transparency may help to mitigate the sensationalism often associated with striking findings.
“It may help dispel the notion that once a paper is published, it is infallible and that all questions have been resolved,” Eisen added.
He also mentioned that Nature could publish reviewer comments on manuscripts that were ultimately rejected.
“The truly transformative step would be to disclose reviews for all submitted papers,” Eisen remarked. “While it’s insightful to understand the questions raised in reviews of accepted papers, it is equally important to see why certain papers were rejected by the journal.”
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