Innovative Weather Conditioning Equipment by Rain Enhancement Technologies
Rainfall Enhancement Technology
Utah and several western states are grappling with severe snow droughts, raising urgent concerns about escalating wildfires and declining water levels in the critical Colorado River. A pioneering startup claims that by releasing negatively charged aerosols into clouds, it has managed to boost snowfall by 20% across some Utah mountain ranges.
Rain Enhancement Technologies conducted a comparative study of snowfall between the La Sal Mountains and the Abajo Mountains, located 70 kilometers to the south, during five recent dry winters. In January, while operating a high-voltage ionization array upwind of the La Sal Mountains, the company noted an unexpected nine centimeters more snow than anticipated based on the snowfall data from the Abajo Mountains.
However, scientists urge caution, indicating that these observed results might be coincidental and that it is premature to assess the technology’s overall effectiveness.
“While cloud seeding methods have been implemented for years, our approach offers an alternative to enhance precipitation without the need for chemicals,” explains the company’s meteorologist, Jeff Chagnon. “You can activate it from anywhere in the world without needing to fly into the clouds, typically running it for about 48 hours.”
The United Nations has signaled that the world is approaching an era of “water bankruptcy,” with three out of four individuals potentially facing water scarcity or pollution issues. In contrast, countries like Iran, grappling with severe water shortages that have incited protests, are attempting to induce rainfall by dispersing salts like silver iodide from aircraft. Currently, nine U.S. states are known to conduct cloud seeding programs.
Nonetheless, public apprehension about potential health risks linked to the substantial amounts of silver iodide released, along with conspiracy theories surrounding “chemtrails,” contribute to a growing distrust of climate modification initiatives. In fact, cloud seeding is either banned or under scrutiny for potential bans in ten U.S. states.
Rain Enhancement Technologies employs a system that passes 10,000 volts of electricity through coiled wires suspended between two 8-meter pylons. Tiny aerosols, such as dust, soot, and salt, acquire electrons as they pass near these wires, similar to how static electricity builds up on your body when you walk on a carpet. Wind subsequently carries these ionized particles into the clouds.
In the clouds, water naturally condenses around aerosols, forming droplets that can collide and coalesce. When they stick together, they fall as rainfall. However, many smaller droplets typically remain suspended due to upward air currents.
Charged droplets can interact even when they possess the same charge. The negative side of one droplet attracts the positive side of another, creating an electric polarity that enhances collision rates. When droplets coalesce around the negatively charged aerosols from Rain Enhancement Technologies, their increased interactions lead to enhanced rainfall, Chagnon explained.
Although this technique cannot create clouds or induce upward air movement, “we can effectively extract additional water from existing clouds,” notes Chagnon.
Evidence from the Cold War indicates that electrical charges can enlarge cloud droplets. A 2020 study revealed a 24% increase in precipitation day over day in the Shetland Islands, UK, attributable to ionized air resulting from a nuclear bomb test. When radioactive ionization occurred, cloud dynamics were altered.
“It’s fascinating that their findings align with observable changes in cloud behavior,” remarks Edward Grispeed from Imperial College London. “However, factors influencing precipitation, including snowfall and rainfall, are highly variable; thus, the chances of their results being coincidental cannot be dismissed.”
Rain Enhancement Technologies acknowledges that the five dry winters used as a baseline for assessment may not adequately represent the natural variability in snowfall from season to season, says Jeff French from the University of Wyoming.
“I recommend awaiting further experimental investigations and more extended data to confirm the viability of ionization as a snowfall catalyst,” adds Ibrahim Oloud from Mutah University in Jordan.
Discover the Health Benefits of Engaging in the Arts
Miguel Riopa/AFP via Getty Images
Engaging in the arts is not merely a delightful hobby; it significantly contributes to improved health. Recent groundbreaking research indicates that participation in creative activities correlates with decreased inflammation and positive changes in brain health-related proteins.
“We uncovered several new biological pathways that clarify the connection between art and beneficial health outcomes,” stated Daisy Fancourt from University College London.
Over the past decade, accumulating evidence highlights the substantial health benefits associated with participation in music, theater, and various creative arts. For instance, dance programs are shown to aid Parkinson’s patients, while art activities can lead to a lower risk of depression.
Previous studies also indicate that individuals engaged in the arts tend to exhibit lower inflammation levels, thereby enhancing both physical and mental health. However, prior research often focused solely on a few blood markers, limiting its utility. With advancements in technology, it is now possible to analyze hundreds of proteins, providing comprehensive insights into how behavior influences biology.
Utilizing this advanced methodology, Fancourt and colleagues examined data from approximately 6,000 British adults by analyzing one-time blood samples to explore how involvement in the arts links to 184 proteins associated with bodily and brain systems.
The researchers measured the frequency and variety of artistic activities, discovering that increased participation in arts such as dancing, singing, reading, photography, crafting, and attending performances correlates with significant changes in 18 specific proteins.
Tracking data also revealed that individuals actively engaged in the arts exhibited a reduced future risk for several health issues, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, depression, and dementia. Notably, the changes in proteins could explain between 16% and 38% of the link between artistic engagement and improved health, even after adjusting for factors like income and education.
Some affected proteins are crucial for metabolism, while others support brain cell health. Certain proteins also activate pathways that enhance anti-inflammatory processes. “Engaging in the arts may stimulate a rebalancing of the inflammatory system,” notes Fancourt.
“The benefits of engaging in arts activities on health and well-being have long been acknowledged, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear,” commented Darryl O’Connor from the University of Leeds, UK. While the findings need replication in different populations, he emphasizes that the study presents exciting new avenues for exploring how behavior impacts health.
Researchers from King’s College London, including Carmine Pariante, highlight that these findings align with established protective effects of artistic engagement on mental and physical health. However, the current study offers only a temporal snapshot, leaving questions about the duration of exposure to art needed to yield protective benefits.
Fancourt suggested that the next logical step would be to conduct causal studies, monitoring specific proteins before and after individuals participate in various artistic activities.
Just three cunning acts of cheating can drastically shift the odds in chess, turning an evenly matched game into an almost guaranteed victory, a new analysis reveals. This highlights the need for effective systems to detect and prevent cheating in chess.
Daniel Kellen from the University of Haifa, Israel, simulated 100,000 games using the advanced Stockfish chess engine. Famous for its unmatched performance, Stockfish can outplay any human world champion. In these matches, two computer engines competed at an average skill level (1500 Elo rating), while powerful interventions occurred from a more skilled computer with an Elo score of 3190—higher than any human’s.
Typically, playing as White confers a slight advantage with a 51% probability of winning, primarily due to the first move advantage. However, Kellen’s findings showed that leveraging a computer system like Stockfish for guidance on just one move amplifies that probability to an average of 66%. If a player resorts to three instances of cheating, the chance of victory escalates dramatically to 84%.
“We anticipated that the first act of cheating would raise the winning probability to 55%, with a second nudging it to 60%. However, cheating three times escalated the odds to an astonishing 84%,” Kellen notes. This is a crucial insight for players seeking victory.
A single, well-timed move suggested by a superior chess engine (approximately 30 moves into the game) can improve winning chances by 15 percentage points. In contrast, random interventions throughout the game yield a mere 7.5 percentage point boost.
The analysis employed a system that intervened only if the suggested move significantly enhanced winning chances compared to the player’s original choice. The thresholds for cheating became more stringent as gameplay progressed. “Initial acts of cheating are somewhat lenient; however, scaling up your cheating necessitates a marginally greater advantage,” Kellen points out.
Such tactics create a “camouflage measure,” according to Kellen, which enables cheaters to evade detection by the automated systems employed by online chess platforms. These systems may mistake a remarkably effective move as an exceptional human insight rather than a product of computer assistance.
“Proving selective cheating through manual analysis poses significant challenges, as a single strategic hint from an engine can determine the outcome of a game,” emphasizes Kellen. Kim Shu from the University of Mainz in Germany finds this research compelling.
Kellen clarifies that his work does not aim to facilitate cheating but rather to assist chess platforms in recognizing the threats posed by subtle cheating methods. “Understanding your adversary is crucial,” he concludes.
As online chess gains popularity, the community must intensify its efforts to uncover cheating instances, notes Shu. “An effective anti-cheating strategy demands a multifaceted approach,” he advises, suggesting the analysis of behavioral patterns, move timings, and comprehensive histories of online chess accounts.
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Electron Beam in Niobium Cavity: A Core Element of SLAC’s LCLS-II X-ray Laser
Credit: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
The Klystron Gallery at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is a concrete corridor lined with robust metal columns that stretch well beyond my line of sight. Yet, beneath this unassuming structure lies a marvel of modern science.
Below the gallery, the Linac Coherent Light Source II (LCLS-II) extends over an impressive 3.2 kilometers. This cutting-edge machine produces X-ray pulses that are the strongest in the world. I am here to witness it because a significant record has just been surpassed. However, an upgrade is set to take its most powerful component offline soon. When it reopens—anticipated as early as 2027—it will more than double its X-ray energy output.
“It’s like the difference between a star’s twinkle and the brightness of a light bulb,” says James Cryan at SLAC.
Dismissing LCLS-II as merely a sparkle would be profoundly misleading. In 2024, it achieved the most potent X-ray pulse ever recorded. Although it lasted a mere 440 billionths of a second, it released nearly 1 terawatt of energy—far surpassing the annual output of a typical nuclear power plant. Moreover, in 2025, LCLS-II set a record of generating 93,000 X-ray pulses per second, a remarkable feat for an X-ray laser.
According to Cryan, this milestone enables researchers to undertake groundbreaking studies of how particles behave within molecules after absorbing energy. It’s akin to transforming a black-and-white film into a vibrant, colorful cinematic experience. With this breakthrough and forthcoming enhancements, LCLS-II has the capacity to revolutionize our understanding of the subatomic behavior of light-sensitive systems, from photosynthetic organisms to advanced solar cell technologies.
LCLS-II operates by accelerating electrons toward near-light speeds—the ultimate velocity threshold in physics. The cylindrical device known as the klystron, which gives the klystron gallery its name, generates the microwaves necessary for this acceleration. Once the electrons attain sufficient speed, they navigate through arrays of thousands of strategically placed magnets, enabling their oscillation and producing an X-ray pulse. These pulses can be utilized for imaging the internal structure of various materials, similar to medical X-rays.
During my visit, I had the opportunity to tour one of several experimental halls. Here, the X-ray pulses collide with molecules, enabling a closer look at their interactions. These experimental areas resemble futuristic submarines—with heavy metal exteriors and large glass windows—engineered to exclude stray air molecules that could disrupt their experiments.
Just before my visit, Cryan and his team conducted an experiment to examine proton movements within molecules. Traditional imaging techniques struggle to provide detailed insight into proton dynamics, yet these specifics are vital for advancing solar cell technology, Cryan emphasizes.
What awaits these investigations post-upgrade when LCLS-II evolves into LCLS-II-HE? Cryan states that the enhanced capability to examine particle behavior within molecules will be significantly augmented. However, the path to upgrades is challenging.
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John Schmage from SLAC notes that as the energy of the electron beam increases, the risk of particles straying becomes a significant concern. He recounts witnessing a misbehaving beam damage equipment at another facility, highlighting the necessity for precision. SLAC’s Ding Yuantao emphasizes that all new components installed during the upgrade are designed to endure higher power outputs, but they must increase energy levels gradually to ensure operational integrity. “We’ll activate the beam and closely monitor its performance,” he states.
In 2026, the team plans to engage in a significant engineering initiative to align the components, followed by one to two years of meticulous setup for a staged increase in power output. If all progresses according to plan, the upgraded LCLS-II-HE will be available for global researchers by 2030. Ongoing communication between X-ray users like Cryan, and operators like Schmage and Ding, will be essential. “This tool will evolve, and we will continually enhance its capabilities,” Schmage notes.
Current silicon chips are highly compact, but using ultrathin 2D materials could enhance their density even further.
Wu Kailiang/Alamy
A memory chip with a thickness of just 10 atoms could revolutionize the storage capacity of electronic gadgets like smartphones.
Despite decades of scaling down, modern computer chips often have very few components yet integrate tens of billions of transistors into an area comparable to a fingernail. Although the size of silicon components has significantly decreased, the thickness of the silicon wafers remains considerable, imposing limitations on increasing a chip’s complexity through stacking layers.
Researchers have been exploring the potential of thinner chips made from 2D materials like graphene. Graphene consists of a single layer of carbon atoms and represents the thinnest known material. However, until recently, only basic chip designs could be implemented with these materials, complicating their connection to traditional processors and integration into electrical devices.
Recently, Liu Chunsen and his team from Fudan University in Shanghai successfully integrated a 2D chip only 10 atoms thick with a CMOS chip currently utilized in computers. The manufacturing method for these chips yields a rough surface, making it challenging to layer a 2D sheet on top. The researchers addressed this issue by placing a glass layer between the 2D and CMOS chips, although this step is not yet part of the industrial process and requires further development for mass production.
The prototype memory module the team created achieved over 93% accuracy during testing. While this falls short of the reliability needed for consumer-grade devices, it serves as an encouraging proof of concept.
“This technology holds significant promise, but there’s still a considerable journey ahead before it can be commercialized,” says Steve Furber from the University of Manchester, UK.
Kai Shu, a researcher at King’s College London, mentions that further reducing current chip designs without utilizing 2D materials poses challenges due to signal leakage associated with traditional components made at very narrow widths. Thinner layers might mitigate this issue. Consequently, achieving greater thinness may facilitate additional reductions in width.
“Silicon is encountering hurdles,” said Xu. “2D materials might provide solutions. With their minimal thickness, gate control becomes more uniform and comprehensive, resulting in reduced leakage.”
Artistic Representation of Cha 1107-7626, a rogue planet located roughly 620 light years from Earth
ESO/L. Calçada/M. Kornmesser
The voracious rogue planet consumes a staggering 6 billion tons of gas and dust every second. This peculiar behavior challenges the distinction between planets and stars, indicating that both may form via similar mechanisms.
It appears that free-floating gas bodies, not gravitationally bound to a parent star, are quite common, potentially outnumbering stars in galaxies. However, astronomers remain uncertain about whether these bodies will develop like planets orbiting stars, wander alone through galaxies, or independently emerge like stars.
Víctor Almendros-Abad from Palermo Observatory in Italy, and his team have observed remarkable growth of the rogue planet now known as CHA 1107-7626.
The planet garnered astronomers’ attention back in 2008 due to what appeared to be a disc of primitive planets around it. Almendros-Abad and his colleagues began monitoring these celestial objects in April this year using a sizable telescope in Southern Europe, but by June, the planet’s mass consumption rate surged to nearly ten times what it had been previously.
Such a growth rate aligns with what has only been previously observed in stars, including our own Sun.
“This indicates that the formation processes of stars and these objects are likely very similar,” says Almendros-Abad. “Thus, when considering star formation, we must also account for these rogue planets.”
To elucidate this unprecedented growth rate, Almendros-Abad and his team speculate that a mechanism akin to that observed in stars is likely at work; however, the reason and timing of the planet’s sudden surge in mass consumption remain unclear.
The similarities in their growth mechanisms imply that the line between stars and planets may be even hazier than previously believed, suggests Almendros-Abad. “Every time I observe these rogue planets, I see that the boundary between a star and a planet is not as defined as we thought. There must be chemical signatures, yet we have yet to discover the ‘Rosetta Stone’ that differentiates the formation processes.”
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Scientists have discovered further reasons to embrace nature
Colin Anderson/Blend Images LLC/Getty Images
It’s well established that “forest bathing” offers numerous psychological benefits, like alleviating stress and anxiety, but recent studies indicate that it may also help in lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation, thereby enhancing physical health.
This practice, known as Shinrin Yoku, entails deep breathing and immersing oneself in nature while being aware of the surrounding sights, sounds, and scents.
Iwao Uehara from Tokyo University of Agriculture and his team aimed to delve deeper into the advantages of this practice by studying 36 adults aged between 60 and 80 who had high blood pressure.
Out of these, 24 participants engaged in a soothing hike lasting about 3.5 hours each day over the course of three days and two nights in the tranquil Qianjiangyuan National Park, China. They also took part in a one-hour guided mindfulness meditation session.
Additionally, they participated in Qigong, a traditional Chinese exercise characterized by slow, deliberate movements, along with a daily hour-long tea ceremony, enhancing their overall experience of forest bathing.
The researchers assigned 12 participants to urban living conditions, where they engaged in similar walking activities near their hotel and partook in a day-long group mindfulness meditation.
Both groups adhered to the same activity and sleep schedules and consumed identical meals, while the use of electronic devices, smoking, alcohol, and caffeine was forbidden during the study.
Heart rate, blood pressure, and C-reactive protein levels—a marker of inflammation—were measured in all participants before and after the intervention.
Results showed that those in the forest bathing group exhibited significantly reduced blood pressure and C-reactive protein levels in comparison to their urban counterparts. Additionally, a marked increase in heart rate variability was observed, which is associated with heart health. Higher scores correlate with better heart health.
“Forest therapy is a cost-effective and sensible treatment option for individuals with high blood pressure,” states Uehara. Researchers theorize that forest bathing may help soothe the nervous system and improve heart and circulatory health.
The forest group also reported notable decreases in anxiety and stress, along with enhanced energy levels compared to the urban group.
However, Julia Goffke of Virginia Tech pointed out that the study did not track the number of steps taken by the groups, suggesting that greater mobility among the forest bathing participants could explain some of the improved outcomes.
Nonetheless, the findings reinforce previous evidence that “being in a forest environment lessens stress-induced physiological and emotional reactions,” adds Gohlke.
How can I maintain my brain health for an extended period?
Tom Wang / Alamy
As we age, some cognitive lapses may appear unavoidable. However, in recent years, it’s become evident that age does not uniformly affect everyone’s brain. Even individuals with plaque buildup associated with Alzheimer’s disease can display sharp cognitive abilities, while others may experience considerable decline from relatively minor damage.
What distinguishes these individuals? The primary element is cognitive reserves, which provide a protective shield against brain aging and allow adaptation to various damages. This cognitive buffer is profoundly influenced by lifestyle choices, behaviors, and, perhaps, cognitive patterns.
With an improved understanding of cognitive reserves, scientists are increasingly exploring methods to enhance them. There are indeed ways to fortify our neural defenses, particularly during specific life stages.
The concept of cognitive reserve was first introduced by Yakov Stern at Columbia University in New York, indicating that higher levels of education and challenging professions are associated with a lower likelihood of developing dementia. Over the years, the ways we cultivate our brains can explain varying degrees of degeneration and differing outcomes influenced by numerous lifestyle factors.
This phenomenon is generally referred to as “cognitive reserve,” which can be categorized into three types. “Brain reserve” refers simply to the physical size of the brain; a larger brain may be more resilient to cognitive decline. “Cognitive reserve” denotes the dynamic capability of our brains to adapt in the face of degeneration—akin to taking alternate routes when the primary road is obstructed. Lastly, “brain maintenance” describes the brain’s proactive measures to safeguard itself against diseases.
The encouraging news is that, aside from education, many lifestyle factors influencing these essential defenses against cognitive decline have been identified. “We now appreciate cognitive reserves as dynamic attributes that evolve throughout our lives,” states Alvaro Pascual-Leone from Harvard Medical School.
One significant factor is bilingualism. Research by Ellen Bialystok at York University, who first identified the correlation between speaking a second language and enhanced cognitive reserve, indicates that bilingual individuals can delay the onset of dementia by up to four years. The mental agility required for switching languages seems to grant greater neural flexibility, allowing bilingual individuals to maintain cognitive function despite increased brain atrophy. Additionally, a recent study found that bilingualism supports the maintenance of the hippocampus, a brain region integral to memory processing.
Musical training is another impactful activity. Research released in July shows that elderly individuals who received music training displayed superior ability to discern speech in noisy environments compared to non-musicians. Brain imaging revealed that, unlike non-musicians, they did not need to engage additional neural networks to perform the task.
If you play informally, research indicates there may be a threshold effect. While occasional play does offer modest cognitive benefits, significant improvements arise from practicing for at least an hour nearly every day.
Physical exercise is often cited as beneficial, although the evidence is mixed. One study analyzing 454 post-mortem brains revealed that the most physically active individuals retained better cognitive function despite comparable levels of Alzheimer’s-related brain damage. This was true even when controlling for cognitive decline impairing motor abilities. Exercise enhances cerebral blood flow and increases protective brain chemicals, yet further investigation is necessary.
Is it ever too late to enhance cognitive reserves?
For years, experts believed that cognitive reserve was largely established during childhood—and there is some truth to this theory. “Without early stimulation, certain neural pathways may not develop fully. If not utilized later, these pathways can diminish over time,” explains Rhonda R. Voskuhl at UCLA.
However, recent findings demonstrate that cognitive reserves continue to develop throughout our lives. Middle age might present a particularly critical period for enhancement. Research indicates that those who remain mentally and physically active in their 40s and 50s—through reading, socializing,playing card games, learning new instruments, etc.—exhibit improved recognition abilities later in life. Importantly, these advantages are independent of childhood education or later activities. Thus, midlife offers unique opportunities for bolstering cognitive reserves.
And there’s no reason to stop—taking piano lessons later in life can protect against neurodegeneration. Even if you’re beginning to experience the decline you’re aiming to evade, opportunities to build reserves still exist, according to Pascual-Leone. “Individuals experiencing mild early cognitive decline due to Alzheimer’s can still strengthen their cognitive reserve, helping to mitigate or suspend the risk of dementia,” he states. “It is never too late.”
Finally, while it’s easy to focus on physical activities that enhance cognitive reserves, emerging research suggests that psychological traits may also play a significant role.
For instance, having a sense of purpose correlates with a greater quality of life, where individuals with a more substantial sense of purpose experience superior cognitive functioning despite similar levels of Alzheimer’s damage.
Similarly, maintaining a consistent mindset—the belief that life is comprehensible and manageable—can further enhance resilience against brain damage. Although the mechanism remains unidentified, several studies suggest that people exhibiting high coherence show reduced brain activation when completing identical tasks, hinting at enhanced neural efficiency as opposed to those with lower coherence.
The takeaway is that while you cannot alter the brain you were born with or the education you received early in life, it’s never too late to influence how it ages. It may not always be straightforward. “What challenges the brain is beneficial to the brain,” says Bialystok. However, engaging in social activities, staying physically active, learning a new language, playing an instrument, and finding purpose in life appear to be incredibly impactful.
The Arts and Science of Crafting Science Fiction
Dive into the fascinating realm of science fiction and discover how to create your own compelling science fiction narratives during this immersive weekend experience.
“Like any other mathematical concept, this idea is open to exploration.”
Peter Rowlett
As a child, Mary Everest Boole discovered several cards adorned with evenly spaced holes along the edges. By tightening threads from each hole to its opposite, she created a line that gracefully crossed the center. This exercise allowed her to form a symmetrical curve and fostered her intuition for formal geometry.
A few years later, in 1864, she found herself a widow with five children. Despite the academic establishment’s disregard for women’s contributions, she persevered as a librarian and math tutor in London.
Boole believed that engaging children with mathematical objects, like her curve stitching activities, could deepen their understanding. She connected mathematical imagination and creativity in various ways, using fables and history to elucidate logic and algebra.
Now you can explore by creating a “string art” image inspired by her work. Begin with a pair of horizontal and vertical axes, each 10 cm long and marked with numbers 1-10 spaced 1 cm apart. Create a straight line from point 1 on the horizontal axis to point 10 on the vertical axis. Continue connecting points 2 to 9, 3 to 8, and so forth. While all lines are straight, the intersections will form curves.
You may have used drawing software to control the path’s shape via two endpoints. These represent Bezier curves, crucial in computer-aided design, reminiscent of Boole’s early stitching curves fixed to the axes and their intersection points.
With practice, you should be able to draw lines without numbering them—experiment with different colors as well. She recommended it as a stitching exercise rather than a drawing, which can also be approached using threads. Simply substitute the dots with holes.
Like other mathematical concepts, this idea invites exploration. For instance, alter the axes to meet at varying angles, or examine what occurs when the distances between dots differ, such as 1 cm for one line and 2 cm for another.
Consider drawing a circle or another shape, distributing dots evenly around it, then systematically connecting them. For example, connect all dots in a clockwise fashion for ten dots. You can even recreate the boat-like image shown above (center, right). What else can you create?
For more creative projects, visit newscientist.com/maker
Experience Ultimate Flexibility with Jarvis Standing Desk
Herman Miller’s Fully Jarvis Standing Desk – Photo Credit: Herman Miller
Sitting too long can lead to serious health issues, including early onset diabetes and potential longevity concerns, according to NHS data.
While regular breaks can help, I prefer not to take any chances.
There are various standing desk options available, from risers to full-sized desks, but I appreciate the sleek design and eco-friendliness of the Fully Jarvis bamboo standing desk.
It offers programmable height options, organized cable management, and operates quietly.
Recent studies suggest that standing can enhance focus and productivity.
ASUS ProART Display PA279CRV Computer Monitor – Photo Credit: ASUS
If you don’t have an AI assistant yet, are you truly working efficiently? While I’m still skeptical about AI-generated writing, I find it incredibly useful for tasks such as data organization and automated coding.
That’s why my next desk upgrade will likely include an additional monitor.
This ProArt model is affordable and performs exceptionally well, making it a fantastic first monitor for creative professionals. The display is sharp, bright, and color accurate.
Featuring a 27-inch (69cm) screen and versatile connectivity options, it’s also ergonomically designed for easy rotation into portrait mode, making it an ideal companion for digital assistants.
Hexcal Studio Monitor Stand – Image Credit: Hexcal
Most monitors and their standard stands fail to align with eye level, which can lead to neck strain and lower back pain.
While monitor arms are an option, they can be cumbersome to install. A desktop shelf that elevates your monitor to a comfortable height not only alleviates strain but also provides additional desk space.
This premium monitor stand serves a dual purpose as cable management and a docking station, offering extra USB ports for your workstation.
With adjustable feet and wireless charging capabilities, it even includes eight power sockets on the back for streamlined connectivity.
To explore these changes, Wenfang from Boston College, Massachusetts, and her colleagues examined data from 141 companies across the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Ireland that took part in a pilot initiative by the nonprofit 4 Day Global.
Prior to the trial, companies collaborated with external consultants to streamline their workflows and eliminate inefficiencies like unnecessary meetings.
After a six-month program, researchers compared self-reported productivity, health, and job satisfaction from approximately 3,000 employees at participating companies against 12 workers who were involved but opposed the trial.
Employees at companies that adopted a four-day work week reported lower rates of burnout and higher job satisfaction, alongside improvements in overall mental and physical health. These benefits were linked to better sleep quality, reduced fatigue, and enhanced work performance.
“Many individuals are concerned about a phenomenon called job intensification. If you’re required to complete all your work in four days instead of five, it might increase stress,” notes Fan. “Our findings indicate the opposite. When employees can reduce hours, they feel positive about themselves, contributing to greater happiness.”
The results were consistent across various employee demographics, including age and gender, regardless of whether they worked remotely or in-office. However, positions within the company appeared to impact results. Supervisors reported notable enhancements in overall well-being compared to non-supervisors.
The researchers indicated that participants did not clarify which specific aspects of the trial contributed to their perceived benefits, suggesting that the improvements might stem from reduced unnecessary meetings rather than merely switching to a four-day schedule, according to Ronnie Golden from Penn State University in Abington.
“If employees report higher happiness, could it be due to better treatment from their employer? They might trust their company more, benefit from fewer commuting days, or enjoy a few extended days for leisure,” states Golden. “Or is it simply a matter of increased productivity per hour with fewer distractions?”
Regardless, over 90% of firms that transitioned to a four-day work week chose to continue this model after the program ended, according to Fan.
This deficiency is crucial for energy production, brain development, and maintaining a robust immune system.
According to the World Health Organization, anemia affects 31% of women of reproductive age, 36% of pregnant women, and 40% of children under 5.
Inflammation can interfere with iron absorption, stemming from acute diseases or chronic conditions such as obesity. With rising global obesity and chronic disease rates, this creates additional challenges in tackling iron deficiency worldwide.
Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, as iron is vital for red blood cell production. Anemia is characterized by low hemoglobin levels, the protein that gives blood its red color and transports oxygen.
The World Health Organization reports that anemia affects 31% of adult women of reproductive age, 36% of pregnant women, and 40% of children under 5 years old. Approximately half of all global anemia cases result from iron deficiency. Common symptoms include pale skin, fatigue, shortness of breath, and irregular heartbeat (known as palpitations).
Iron deficiency poses serious health risks, especially when it causes anemia, including a weakened immune system, complications during pregnancy and childbirth, maternal and infant mortality, and delayed growth and brain development in children.
Diet can influence iron absorption. – Photo credit: Getty
The repercussions of iron deficiency are particularly severe for women and children, who are the most susceptible.
Menstruating women have a heightened need for iron due to monthly blood loss. Pregnant women require extra iron for the placenta, fetus, and increased blood volume. Children need iron for rapid growth and brain development, making adolescent girls—who are both growing and menstruating—especially vulnerable.
In their study, Benson and Law convened a panel of 26 experts alongside four patient representatives. Their collective recommendations advocate for a more positive and inclusive strategy for managing iron deficiency, particularly for at-risk populations.
The panel stressed the importance of regular screening during pregnancy and early childhood. They emphasized utilizing ferritin, a blood protein indicating liver iron storage, as a reliable marker for diagnosing iron deficiency and determining intervention timing.
If treatment is necessary, oral iron supplements are the first recommendation. They are effective, widely accessible, and cost-effective. For those experiencing side effects like nausea and constipation, the panel suggested taking supplements on alternate days to enhance tolerability. In more severe instances, or if oral iron proves ineffective, intravenous iron may be needed.
Lastly, the panel asserted that iron deficiency should not be viewed as an isolated issue, but rather part of the routine care for mothers and children, including pregnancy tests, child health visits, and nutrition programs.
Iron Advice
While some individuals may need treatments for iron deficiency, many cases can be prevented through daily dietary choices.
Begin by adding more iron-rich foods to your meals, such as pulses, legumes, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and iron-fortified cereals (opt for lower sugar options for kids and adolescents).
For those consuming animal products, limit intake to moderate amounts of lean meat—about 70g (2.5oz) per day, as recommended by the UK Eatwell Guide—which can provide easily absorbable iron.
If you primarily follow a plant-based diet, consider pairing iron-rich foods with vitamin C sources like lemon juice, tomatoes, and strawberries to enhance iron absorption.
Avoid drinking tea or coffee during meals as polyphenols can hinder iron absorption; this applies to taking iron supplements as well. Consuming them with a vitamin C source, such as orange juice, can significantly improve absorption.
If you belong to a higher-risk group—such as menstruating individuals or caregivers of young children—or if you experience excessive fatigue, consult your doctor. A simple blood test can evaluate your iron levels. In children, iron deficiency may also manifest as unusual cravings, such as for ice or non-food items.
Iron deficiency is prevalent but manageable and often preventable. With awareness and mindful choices, maintaining healthy iron levels can be as straightforward as selecting what goes on your plate.
An illustration depicting the drug rapamycin (red) inhibiting the protein complex MTORC1, influencing cell functionality
Science Photo Library/Getty Images
The drug rapamycin shows effects on life extension that are nearly comparable to calorie restriction, based on the largest study exploring the lifespan of various vertebrate species.
Researchers are probing if lifestyle changes like diet and exercise can enhance longevity while mitigating aging-related health issues. For instance, calorie restriction, when balanced with nutritional needs, has demonstrated extensions of lifespan in non-human animals of up to 40%.
“In our field, we have long recognized that calorie restriction often yields positive results,” says Matt Kaeberlein, who was not involved in the recent research from Washington University in Seattle.
Another area of interest lies with potential anti-aging medications, such as rapamycin, initially developed as an immunosuppressant. The combination of rapamycin with the cancer treatment trametinib has shown a 30% increase in mouse lifespan earlier this year.
Currently, Zahida Sultanova from the University of East Anglia, along with her collaborators, is reviewing data from 167 studies on lifespan interventions across eight vertebrate species, such as fish, mice, rats, and rhesus monkeys, though not in humans.
The findings indicated that dietary restrictions, regardless of whether they primarily involve calorie reduction or intermittent fasting, extend the lifespan of all eight species, regardless of sex. Rapamycin appears to produce effects similar to these. They also examined the type 2 diabetes medication metformin, which has been suggested as a potential longevity stimulant, but found no benefits regarding lifespan.
Kaeberlein also warns against using medication or limiting calories solely to combat aging, as this could be linked to physical debilitation and mental health issues. “We must better understand the ratio of risks to rewards in humans before making such decisions,” he states. “Rapamycin might be beneficial for certain individuals, and ongoing research aims to clarify who those individuals are.”
Other medications similar to rapamycin, termed Rapalogs, might offer even more promising options with fewer adverse effects for lifespan extension, claims Sultanova.
Kaeberlein adds that while these results align with existing literature, “the effect sizes observed in shorter lifespans typically surpass those in longer ones, so caution is warranted when comparing across species.”
Are these vacationers experiencing “seasonal body image dissatisfaction”?
Shutterstock/Puyalroyo
While winter still lingers in the Northern Hemisphere, we’re nearing the summer solstice. The sun overhead signifies one thing: a surge of lifestyle articles and social media posts encouraging you to “get your beach body ready.”
A friend of mine recently shared his anxiety about summer for this exact reason. “I’ve even stopped trying to get a six-pack,” he confessed. “But I feel really self-conscious without my shirt on.”
This conversation piqued my curiosity about whether this sentiment is widespread. I soon discovered several recent studies addressing “Seasonal Body Image Dissatisfaction,” along with strategies to combat it.
Scott Griffith and his team at the University of Melbourne conducted a groundbreaking study involving 823 gay and bisexual men globally. They found that over 70% reported significant physical dissatisfaction during summer, more so than in any other season, attributing it to societal pressures from the media and the increased exposure of their bodies.
These findings align with a recent analysis of 12 million social media posts from 2020 to 2023, revealing that expressions of self-loathing peaked in July, with similar trends noted for December in both hemispheres.
If any of this resonates with you, it may be beneficial to explore research on mindful self-compassion. This concept emphasizes three core aspects: recognizing that one’s struggles are universal, developing a mindful awareness of our experiences, and refraining from getting lost in negative thoughts and emotions.
Personally, I would love to see a rise in “body-neutral movements” on social media. Unlike “body-positive exercise,” which aims to celebrate our flaws, body neutrality prioritizes bodily function over appearance.
Forthcoming research by Raeanna Kilby and Kristin Mickelson of Arizona State University suggests that body neutrality may more effectively decrease self-objectification compared to body positivity. Jameela Jamil advocates for this perspective, stating, “My body is not an advertising board for others. It’s not something for them to judge, nor for me to judge… I focus on enjoying life to the fullest.”
This summer, my goals are centered on health, happiness, and friendships—the true #gains.
David Robson is an award-winning science writer and author of “The Law of Connection: 13 Social Strategies that Change Your Life.”
For more initiatives, visit newscientist.com/maker
Visitors to flowers, including pollinators, generate distinct sounds through the movement of their wings during flight. These sounds play a significant role in fitness, providing crucial information to flowering plants and potentially influencing resource distribution while attracting pollinators. Recent research conducted by Professor Francesca Barbero from the University of Turin and her team examined the acoustic characteristics of the sounds made by various flight visitors, focusing on the Snapdragon (Anti-Ruhinam sp.) flowers in their natural habitat. Their findings indicate that behaviors such as hovering, landing, and takeoff yield unique acoustic signatures. Moreover, plants exhibit responses to vibroacoustic stimuli from these pollinators, hinting at possible adaptive reactions.
Recording devices, models of Anti-Ruhinam plants, and an approaching Rhodanthidium staticum bee. Image credit: A lively lab.
When pollinators visit flowers, they generate various distinct sounds, ranging from the flapping of wings while hovering to the sounds of landing and taking off.
Nonetheless, these sounds are relatively subtle compared to other vibrations and acoustics present in insect life, leading researchers to overlook the acoustic signals linked to wing and body movements in these insects.
Professor Barbero and her collaborators have investigated these signals, creating a non-invasive and effective approach to monitor impacts on pollinator communities as well as plant biology and ecology.
“The coevolution between plants and their pollinators has largely been explored through visual and olfactory cues, despite emerging evidence that both insects and plants are capable of sensing, producing, or transmitting vibroacoustic signals,” Professor Barbero stated.
They discovered that the sounds of these efficient pollinators led snapdragons to enhance sugar and nectar production, even prompting changes in gene expression related to sugar transport and nectar formation.
These plant responses could serve as survival strategies and coevolutionary tactics, particularly as they can influence how long pollinators linger and their overall fidelity.
“The ability to recognize approaching pollinators through unique vibroacoustic signals may represent an adaptive strategy for plants,” Professor Barbero added.
“By responding to suitable vibroacoustic cues (like those from effective pollinators), plants can bolster reproductive success by encouraging favorable pollinator behavior.”
While it’s evident that lively sounds can elicit plant responses, it’s yet undetermined if plant acoustics can also influence insect behavior.
“If insect reactions to these responses are confirmed, we could harness sound to enhance economically significant plants and crops and increase their appeal to pollinators,” Professor Barbero mentioned.
The research team is continuously analyzing and comparing snapdragon reactions to various pollinators and nectar robbers.
“The myriad ways plants can discern biological factors, including beneficial and harmful insects, neighboring plants, and abiotic signals like temperature, drought, and wind, are genuinely remarkable,” Professor Barbero remarked.
Tianwan Nuclear Power Station on the Yellow Sea coast of China
Xinhua Newsletter/Alamie
Researchers in China have created a cost-effective and energy-efficient method for extracting uranium from seawater. As the global leader in nuclear power plant construction, China’s advances will bolster its uranium supply.
The oceans are estimated to contain around 4.5 billion tonnes of uranium, significantly more than is available through traditional mining methods. However, these resources are challenging to extract. Previous methods have involved immersing materials in artificial sponges or polymers inspired by natural structures, or utilizing a more costly electrochemical approach to capture uranium atoms via an electric field.
A team led by Shuangyin Wang from Hunan University has developed an enhanced electrochemical technology that is not only cheaper but also requires less energy than existing methods. Unlike conventional systems that draw only uranium atoms towards a positive electrode, this new device utilizes two copper electrodes.
This innovative method managed to extract 100% of uranium from a brine solution within 40 minutes, whereas physical adsorption techniques typically yield less than 10% of the available uranium.
When tested with small amounts of natural seawater, the system processed about 1 liter at a time, achieving 100% extraction from East China Sea water and 85% from South China Sea water. In the latter scenario, larger electrodes allowed for complete extraction.
The energy cost of this method is over 1000 times lower than that of traditional electrochemical procedures, with extraction costing approximately $83 per kilogram of uranium—four times cheaper than earlier methods and significantly less than the $360 per kilogram average.
By scaling up production and device size, researchers believe this technique could lead to the “industrialization of uranium extraction from seawater” in the future. During a 58-hour test in 100 liters of seawater, the largest experimental setup managed to extract over 90% of the available uranium.
A notable earlier success in uranium extraction from seawater occurred during the 1990s, when the Japanese Atomic Energy Agency used physical adsorption methods to recover kilograms of uranium, setting a significant benchmark for subsequent research in China.
In 2019, China’s state-run nuclear power company partnered with research institutes to form the Innovation Alliance for Seawater Uranium Extraction Technology. The goal is to establish a demonstration plant by 2035 and achieve continuous industrial production by 2050. South China Morning Post.
Half of the reactor projects currently in development are located in China. The country is positioned to significantly increase its nuclear capacity by 2030, potentially surpassing both the US and the EU. International Energy Agency.
Nonetheless, China still imports the majority of the uranium it requires, making any economical extraction from seawater highly valuable.
year: It was founded in 2009 as a Google Autonomous Car Project.
exterior: Unmanned taxis and recruitment services.
What a futuristic – And have they been working on this since 2009? In fact, it is a prototype self-driving car built by Stanford University, dating back to 2004. The Google Project became known as Waymo in 2016.
Have you been thinking about it for so many years before you first saw the self-driving taxi? They already have them in San Francisco, LA, and Phoenix.
Does that mean they are testing technology on real roads? No, I mean you can get a Waymo to take you somewhere in San Francisco now…
That’s a miracle! … and perhaps provide you with work while you’re there.
That’s the service now.How does the technology behind adoption work at the end of this whole end? That’s amazing. That’s amazing. Those on Waymo left handwritten notes promoting senior software engineers “to tackle AI/Music Project.”
Do you think people who enter unmanned taxis are exactly like the devil’s May care nerd they were looking for? that’s right.
Did it work? The person who left the note, flu CEO Alessandra Angelini, says he received around 60 CVs as a result.
I’m amazed that 60 qualified applicants had entered the same Waymo that day. That’s statistically unlikely, but the taxi hire took photos of the notes and posted them on social media, where they saw them 300,000 times.
That’s how it works. It’s not just the advantages of driverless technology. Another rider left a note to Waymo looking for the date, listing his age (26), his height (5 feet 10 inches on a good day), other details (“run marathon”), and phone number.
did that work? He got 200 replies, but again, because someone else posted a photo on social media.
This new recruiting system appears to be quite dependent on third parties. X account. Also, taxis are cleaned quite regularly, so ads don’t last long.
Will the novelty of this approach be exhausted when driverless taxis become commonplace? probably. This means that it won’t respond to ads for dates someone left with Uber.
say: “Enjoy your ride and thank you for your application!”
rEid Hoffman is a prominent Silicon Valley billionaire entrepreneur and investor known for co-founding LinkedIn, a professional social networking site currently owned by Microsoft. He is also solidly anti-Trump. Longtime Democrat donors threw his support behind Kamala Harris at the White House race. Hoffman spoke observer His new book on our future with new political environment technology and artificial intelligence; Super Agency. The book doesn’t ignore any issues that AI can cause, but, This technology claims to be poised to provide a cognitive superpower that will increase our personal, collective human institutions and create a broad state of empowerment in society.
You have a vested interest in being positive about AI, including companies focused on conversational AI for business, Inflection AI. Why should we listen to you? First, economic benefits don’t necessarily make what someone is saying wrong, I am transparent and I try not to hide mine. Secondly, I tend to start with my beliefs and follow my own money. And sometimes it means doing something against my financial interests. Don’t kiss [Trump’s] The ring is probably an economic limiter, as many others have, but in principle it’s better to do it. I could have put the time and energy I spent writing Super Agency I made more money for my company, but I would like to share my intellectual discourse.
What are your hopes for books? I want to at least make people ai-curious, so they start exploring these superpowers that we all may be getting. There is a flood of debate about AI, which tends to be negative and has to do with a decline in human institutions. And it’s a general response to new technology, but in previous cases it didn’t go through – the human institutions have increased – and I predict that the AI revolution will land in the same place. However, there is a turbulent transition. I call it the “Cognitive Industrial Revolution.” Not only because of the expected superpowers and superinstitutions, but as with the Industrial Revolution, the transition will be difficult. When we use techno and humanist compasses that point us towards building technology that increases human institutions, we can overcome it with less pain and more bounty.
It claims like an AI chatbot chatgpt Because of the comparison, it was a turning point when increasing the number of human agents. With AI technologies like facial recognition, predictive policing, and algorithmic surveillance, they work for With us and Not us Above We must choose to use them positively. But they still lead us towards a specific perspective, paralyze critical thinking, and of course, could overturn our work – It seems to undermine human agents. They are transformed to do their jobInformation experts need to use AI tools to do some of the work. Otherwise you’re short on tools and not competitive. And you may feel it as a loss of the agency. You don’t want to change, but you can’t choose not to do so. But then you start to see the benefits. Iterative tasks can be automated and accelerate creative processes. You get more agents, so do other people.
So, isn’t we all going out of date? I believe that AI will mostly still be copilots, but obviously some job types will disappear. We need to build technology that can help people whose jobs change their adaptation. Or, if the job is completely gone, you can find other jobs that they can learn and do with AI.
You label people who harm AI’s short-term risks and harms as “dark,” but isn’t it important to criticize new technology? yes. But if it makes sense, you need to stop or slow down significantly. It’s not helpful. This is especially true because countries that are adopting the cognitive industrial revolution early and firmly will gain a large amount of economic strength, and their values will shape the world. I want them to acquire Western democracy before others like China who are trying to embrace it through dictatorships.
You will reach a good future by piloting towards it. It’s not that we’re not paying attention to a bad future, but we do so because we’re thinking about how to navigate the right way. It adopts a repetitive unfolding stance – tests deliberately progressive versions in the real world at once to see where criticism plays and adjusts (this is how Openai unfolds ChatGpt).
Where is wealthy leadership? Democrats against Trump? Or people are lying low for fear of political retaliation You said Are you worried? Personally, I am reorganizing. For me, the point is not fighting Trump. It helps to improve humanity and society, including American society. And you may be thinking that this administration is not going to listen to my thoughts on what the government should do with AI, so I should focus on contributing elsewhere. I recently launched Manas AI, focusing on the discovery of drugs to cure cancer. He also recently became a fellow at the London School of Economics, helping AI think about how to reinvent the university.
That being said, obviously I was disappointed and deeply concerned about the various things that have happened since Trump took office, as if he had formed a seemingly alliance with Russia and Putin and resigned from an offensive cyber operation.
You’re in itFew high-tech moguls are not jointlyHeaded towards President Trump. What should we conclude about the morality of this industry? Roll back the Dei (Diversity) initiative and drop FactCheckinglike Meta did? I have a quiet friend! The tech industry should talk and take some of the clues from governments elected by Democratic votes. The fact that you happen to not like this government does not deny it. But on the other hand, frankly, there are times when something bad is happening for society. It can be easily argued that some Dei initiatives are going too far and it’s good to adjust them, but part of Dei is civil rights.
I clearly disagree with some of the moves made to remove fact checks. There are anti-Vax claims on various social networking platforms, very easily false and have a double-digit percentage of Americans who believe in various vaccine-related conspiracy theories. Such a level of disinformation within society makes it difficult for democracies to operate. LinkedIn is criticized for being boring, but it illustrates many of the things you think should be happening on social networks around fact checking.
Donald Trump and Elon Musk are outside the White House. Photo: Shutterstock
How worried was it to see the “fast move, break things” technical approach applied to the US federal government by DOGE? [Elon Musk’s department of government effeciency]in some cases, do you use AI software to identify budget cuts? I think most businessmen, including myself, would think that coming up with ways to make government more efficient is a good goal. But you can do it in a more legitimate way than you do it. They are trying to fire all these professionals and rehire them. It’s a hot mess of incompetent behavior. Even if you’re doing it vigorously and quickly, there are ways to do it. They may have asked for notes about the program they were considering cutting off. “Just cancel everything and see what happens” is a path with large external costs.
You and Elon Musk were once friends. However, he condemns you and continues to repeatedly accus you of being one of Jeffrey Epstein’s clients. What you said “demons and lies” and your only involvement with Epstein, which you apologise, is to help raise funds for MIT Media Lab.Do you have any plans to take legal action? I have not filed a personal lawsuit yet. I tend to be a builder, and this kind of manufacturer and legal action is very difficult in the US. I also thought of calling for the release of the Epstein Files to unravel the truth. But do I really want to get into that tar pit? I question Yellon’s motivation for saying these things that he is given to him now in government. I think he’s trying to smear my voice down to reduce its connection with Americans.
How do you equip yourself? What advice do you have for young adults thinking about their career path? I don’t think it would prevent myself. It’s about amplifying yourself. The key is to engage with AI and learn the tools. And young people have real benefits. They tend to easily adopt new technologies, which can bring skill sets and mindsets to the workplace that can help transform the workplace.
Your previous book, Improvingis described as “written.”Reed Hoffman With chatgpt-4“And it documents the conversation with the chatbot. How much did you use AI to write this book? meanwhile [my co-author and I] Feeling that we own all the words here, we use it a lot! For research, I would like to give us the advantages and disadvantages of what we discussed in the various sections, suggesting rewriting the paragraph and giving us more zing. My recommendation for all writers is to start using AI in depth. It’s a huge intelligence amp. And the way we used it was not wholesale to say “written in ai”. It’s like saying “written on a Mac.”
How should AI be regulated? Biden’s 2023 executive order, which aimed to reduce the risk of the US closest to federal AI regulations, was rescinded by Trump, who described it as a barrier to American AI innovation. Regulations, such as deployment, must be repetitive. Certainly, regulations as we go, and now even some regulations. Biden’s executive order was right in the direction of dealing with great harm, not all the harm you could think of. But that’s not just a regulation. Feedback from customers, employees and the public is all part of steering the road here. Benchmarks and metrics are also important ways to combine non-legs of low-performance shelf algorithms.
Will it be a chatbot built on a leading partisan language model (LLM) that eschew the truth and strengthens your worldview? Obviously, it’s not good that we’re in a perfect filter bubble. And I think you’ll get some of that with some LLM. I’m a fan of identifying the principles you are training in your LLM and clarifying rational arguments for that. So: I believe this, this, and this, so I believe that I am a “confession” LLM, because I believe that people who oppose you are LLM that let you know because it is important for you to be informed. That way people will know what they are using.
The Holy Grail of Engineers to Reach Artificial General Information – AI can carry out the intellectual tasks that humans can do in cans and what many expect will be achieved by the end of the decade. Industrial Revolution? Although not necessarily, it will amplify even more. Today’s LLM allows us to do things that humans cannot do in terms of knowledge and can bring things together. Within three years the tools are sufficient, so if you don’t use them, you’ll be like an expert who doesn’t have a mobile phone. But are we talking about AGI or artificial super intelligence (ASI)? [greatly exceeding human cognitive abilities]And I think it’s at least decades away, but we should try to shape them in a way that’s good for us and in a way that’s good for society. Let’s make sure ASIS is essentially Buddhist in their values.
Superagency: What could work with the future of AI? Reid Hoffman and Greg Beat are issued by Authors Equity (£22). Supporting Guardian and observer Please order a copy at Guardianbookshop.com. Shipping charges may apply
Exciting news for pecan enthusiasts: these tasty nuts may be even more beneficial for your health than previously thought. Swapping out your usual snacks for pecans could be a smart move for your overall well-being.
A recent study revealed that incorporating pecans into your daily snack routine can lead to improvements in cholesterol levels and enhance the quality of your diet. The research, as featured in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, focused on adults dealing with or at risk for metabolic syndrome—a condition that raises the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes or heart-related issues.
Participants in a 12-week study were split into two groups: one replaced their usual snacks with 57g of pecans daily, while the other maintained their regular diet. The outcome? Those snacking on pecans experienced a reduction in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (commonly known as “bad” cholesterol), and non-HDL cholesterol.
Lowering LDL levels and improving the HDL to total cholesterol ratio are crucial steps in reducing the risk of heart disease. Dr. Christina Petersen, an associate professor of nutrition science from Pennsylvania, highlighted the benefits of substituting typical snacks with pecans for heart health.
Participants who replaced regular snacks with 57g of pecans per day saw improvements in their cholesterol levels and overall diet quality. – Getty
The study involved 138 adults aged 25 to 70, all meeting criteria for metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, low HDL, and hypertension. Results showed enhanced adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and a higher consumption of plant protein and seafood among those who opted for pecans as snacks.
While weight gain was observed in the pecan group compared to the non-pecan group, the cholesterol-lowering benefits of pecans remained unaffected. According to the researchers, additional guidance on calorie intake could help achieve a balance between energy consumption and pecan nutrition.
In conclusion, making the switch to pecans from less nutritious snacks can have a positive impact on heart health and overall dietary patterns. It’s important to be mindful of calorie intake while enjoying the benefits of these nutritious nuts.
Mixing 50 grams of walnuts with muesli and yogurt increased faster reaction times throughout the day, and later in the day, according to a team of scientists at USDA Human Nutrition Research Center, a reading university at Tufts University's Aging, which improved memory performance later that day compared to eating a breakfast that suited comparable calories.
Eating walnuts for breakfast can improve brain function in healthy young adults. Image credit: Tim Ulama.
“Diet is one of the most important lifestyle factors that strongly affect cognitive function,” says Professor Claire Williams of the University of Reading and a colleague.
“Therefore, a balanced diet rich in nutrients can improve cognitive function throughout your life.”
“One of the class of foods linked to beneficial cognitive health is the nut family, and several epidemiological studies highlight the positive relationship between regular nut consumption and cognitive function.”
“For example, epidemiological studies, such as the Doetinchem Cohort study, found that levels of nut consumption were positively predicted for memory, processing speed, cognitive flexibility, and global cognitive function in middle-aged adults.
“Preclinical studies have also demonstrated the cognitive benefits of walnut supplementation.”
“Rodent studies have shown that walnuts promote improved working memory performance on Morris' water maze tasks and improve learning and memory performance in elevated and radial arm mazes.”
“The cognitive benefits of walnuts can be due to certain nutrients, as they are known to be high in omega-3 fatty acids, protein/peptides, and flavonoids and polyphenol classes,” they added.
“The main purpose of our study was to determine the cognitive and mood effects of acute consumption of walnut-rich breakfasts in healthy young adults throughout the day, and secondly, to investigate the potential neurological and physiological mechanisms that explain the benefits of cognitive.”
In this study, 32 healthy young adults ages 18-30 consumed both walnut-rich and matched breakfasts on separate occasions.
Participants completed various cognitive tests while monitoring brain activity 6 hours after eating each breakfast.
“Breakfast and some walnuts can give young adults a mental advantage when they need to play at the top of the game,” Professor Williams said.
“It's particularly exciting that this simple diet can make a measurable difference in cognitive performance.”
Brain activity records revealed changes in neural activity suggesting that walnuts may help the brain work more efficiently during challenging mental tasks, and blood samples revealed positive changes in glucose and fatty acid levels.
“Our findings provide evidence of the benefits of reaction time throughout the day after a walnut-rich breakfast, but memory findings were mixed with benefits observed only later in the day,” the researchers said.
“However, more research is needed on how walnut-containing diets modulate cognitive improvement in humans both postpartum and long-term.”
result Published in the journal Food and Function.
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L. Bell et al. The effect of walnut-rich breakfast on daily cognitive performance and brain activity in healthy young adults: a crossover intervention trial. Food functionsPublished online on February 3, 2025. doi:10.1039/d4fo04832f
According to one researcher, daily consumption of strawberries (1-4 cups per day) improves lipid metabolism and inflammatory outcomes in people at high cardiovascular risk. new review paper Published in a magazine Critical reviews in food science and nutrition.
Strawberries are a natural and delicious way to support heart health and manage cholesterol. Image credit: D. Сroisy.
“Strawberries contain a number of potentially health-promoting phytonutrients, including phenols, polyphenols, fiber, micronutrients, and vitamins,” said Roberta Holt, a researcher at the University of California, Davis, and colleagues.
“The purpose of our review is to provide a comprehensive overview of recent human studies on the effects of strawberry and strawberry phytonutrient intake on human health.”
For the review, the authors conducted a literature search through the PubMed and Cochrane databases.
They combined results from 60 papers (47 clinical trials and 13 observational studies) published from 2000 to 2023.
They found that strawberries are rich in beneficial phytonutrients such as polyphenols and fiber, which help lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels while reducing inflammation.
The result is improved overall heart health and better management of cardiovascular risk factors.
Daily consumption of strawberries, whether in fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried form, can have a significant impact on cardiometabolic health, especially in those at high risk for heart disease.
Strawberries can help lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by improving lipid metabolism and reducing systemic inflammation.
“Our research shows that regular consumption of strawberries not only lowers cholesterol, but also helps reduce inflammation, a major contributing factor to heart disease,” Dr. Holt said.
“This means that simply adding a cup of strawberries to your daily routine can significantly reduce your risk of cardiovascular events.”
Beyond heart health, the team's review revealed exciting benefits for brain health.
The findings suggest that strawberries are rich in flavonoids, which may help slow cognitive decline and prevent dementia.
The researchers said, “Strawberries may support cognitive function and fight oxidative stress, which is an important factor in keeping the brain sharp as we age.”
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Phrae Charonwoodhipon others. strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) Intake on human health and disease outcomes: a comprehensive literature review. Critical reviews in food science and nutritionpublished online on September 11, 2024. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2024.2398634
Marks & Spencer is utilizing artificial intelligence to offer advice to shoppers regarding clothing choices based on their body type and style preferences in order to enhance online sales.
The 130-year-old retailer is employing this technology to customize consumers’ online experiences and suggest products for them to purchase.
Stephen Langford, the company’s online director, mentioned that M&S is using AI to adjust the language it uses when communicating with shoppers to cater to six different preferences, including emotive, descriptive language, and more direct prose.
One objective is to tailor online interactions with shoppers, prioritizing the products that are most suitable for them – for instance, a male shopper might not be shown the latest sale on bras.
Shoppers can also participate in a quiz about their size, body type, and style preferences to receive appropriate outfit ideas generated by M&S’s AI-driven technology.
Langford noted that 450,000 M&S shoppers have taken the quiz so far, which enables them to select an outfit from 40 million options.
The service combines input from the £7 billion company’s in-house stylists with feedback from shoppers to offer suggestions on how to mix and match various outfits.
While automation of product descriptions using AI has increased from nearly zero to 80% in the past year, Langford emphasized that “humans are still essential in the process to validate the output.”
M&S’s managing director of clothing and homewares, Richard Price, stated that the fashion industry is “accelerating its shift online” with the goal of achieving approximately a third of sales digitally by 2028.
The retailer, which operates 240 full-line stores and 325 food outlets, reported a 41% increase in profits last year, with sales climbing 9.4% to £13 billion.
Online Fashion and Home Goods Sales increased 7.8% M&S acquired over one million customers last year, with two-thirds of them coming through the internet.
The increase in online sales is partly driven by an 80% surge in spending on social media marketing and advertising in the past year, with the company now allocating more funds to Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok than to TV, and almost a third of its TikTok revenue coming from entirely new customers.
During the presentation of its autumn range, Price stated that M&S had captured its first share of the women’s wear market in nine years this summer, despite facing challenging weather conditions until late July.
Although the company has traditionally been a leader in categories like knitwear and lingerie, it is gaining market share in other areas like denim, and with the winter party season approaching, it aims to surpass Next as the top seller of occasionwear.
In 1999, the sports world experienced a significant change. On November 10, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was founded with the goal of “protecting athletes, promoting clean sport values, and upholding the spirit of sports globally.”
WADA was established in response to various high-profile drug-related incidents, such as Ben Johnson’s steroid scandal in the 1988 Olympics and the 1998 “Festina Scandal” involving drugs found in a team car at the Tour de France. It was created out of concern for athlete safety and the potential backlash from audiences towards professional sports.
The WADA Code includes an annual publication of a Prohibited List, which outlines banned substances and methods for both in-competition and out-of-competition use. A substance or method is considered prohibited if it meets two out of three criteria – it may enhance performance, poses health risks to athletes, or goes against the spirit of sport.
This framework aims to create a safer environment for athletes but also presents a grey area where certain substances or methods could be legal but potentially illegal in the future.
As a result, there is ongoing investigation into legal methods and substances commonly used by professional athletes that may face bans in the future.
1. Carbon monoxide rebreathing
With more than 100 deaths annually in the UK due to carbon monoxide poisoning, the use of carbon monoxide rebreathing in sports science may raise eyebrows. However, this method is commonly used to measure hemoglobin levels in athletes.
Through carbon monoxide rebreathing, athletes inhale the gas to measure various blood parameters, particularly hemoglobin content, which impacts oxygen delivery to muscles. This process simulates the effects of training at high altitudes, where athletes produce more red blood cells to enhance performance.
Inhaling carbon monoxide can raise the carbon monoxide level in your blood to about 5 percent. – Photo credit: Getty Images
While this method has its benefits, prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can have adverse effects on an athlete’s oxygen-carrying capacity, leading to concerns about its use.
2. Oxygen Tent
Similar to carbon monoxide rebreathing, oxygen tents are popular among athletes to simulate high-altitude environments and enhance red blood cell counts. These tents have been used by various sports teams and athletes to improve performance through altitude training.
Former footballer Graham Cooper trains wearing a training mask connected to an altitude generator for low-oxygen training. – Photo credit: Getty
Despite its benefits, the use of oxygen tents has stirred controversy in the past due to concerns about artificially elevated blood parameters and its impact on the spirit of sports. Regulations and bans have been enforced in some regions to address these issues.
3. High-tech trisuit
Alex Yee overtakes New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde in a dramatic finale of the Paris 2024 Olympic triathlon – Photo Credit: Getty
Modern trisuits, like the one worn by British triathlete Alex Yee at the Paris Olympics, incorporate cutting-edge technology to enhance performance. These suits are designed to optimize aerodynamics, improve speed, and potentially provide advantages in water sports.
With innovations in fabric technology and fit, these trisuits are custom-made to maximize performance while complying with sports regulations. The use of advanced materials and design elements can influence race outcomes significantly.
4. Ketone Drinks
Ketone drinks have gained popularity among athletes for their potential to boost energy levels without the need for starvation. These drinks can help conserve glycogen reserves during intense exercise, improve endurance, and enhance recovery between workouts.
Despite their benefits, the use of ketone drinks raises concerns about their long-term effects on health and athletic performance. Organizations like the Movement for Credible Cycling (MPCC) advocate against the use of ketones due to insufficient research and potential risks associated with their consumption.
5. Caffeine
Caffeine remains a popular dietary supplement among athletes due to its proven performance-enhancing effects. Studies have shown that caffeine can improve fat burning, speed, and endurance by stimulating neuronal activity in the brain and triggering the release of adrenaline.
While caffeine is legal and widely used, there are concerns about its safety when consumed in excessive amounts. Regulations on caffeine use have evolved over time, with bans being implemented and lifted based on scientific evidence and health considerations.
When you’ve tried to order something online during a work break, like a new electric toothbrush, you likely expected it to be simple. However, the overwhelming number of choices and options may have left you feeling paralyzed by decision making.
There are numerous factors to consider beyond just price and delivery time, such as battery life and advanced features like warning lights for excessive pressure or accompanying apps.
Decision paralysis occurs when the abundance of options and the challenge of weighing them all prevent you from making a choice, especially within a limited time frame.
It was once believed that more choices would benefit consumers, but in reality, it can lead to decision fatigue and drive people away.
In other life situations, the weight of decision making may weigh heavily on you, even if you only have a few options. The fear of choosing wrongly, whether it’s a college, job, or romantic partner, can cause decision paralysis.
Individuals known as “maximizers,” who strive to find the optimal choice, are more prone to decision paralysis compared to “satisfied people” who are content with a good enough decision.
The fear of regret for making a wrong decision can also contribute to decision paralysis, as can the concept of opportunity cost – what you’ll miss out on by choosing a particular path.
There are several ways to overcome decision paralysis: realize that perfect decisions are rare, understand that not deciding is a decision in itself, and simplify the decision-making process by prioritizing important factors and scoring options against them.
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Scroll through social media and you’ll come across numerous posts from individuals claiming they possess the secrets to boosting productivity, such as waking up at 4 a.m., consuming specific supplements, or cramming your schedule with activities.
However, many of these assertions lack scientific backing and are often misguided. So, are there truly any strategies for enhancing productivity? Are there any straightforward life hacks backed by science that we should all integrate into our daily routines?
While there may not be a miraculous hack that transforms you into the next Bill Gates, there are some minor adjustments you can make to heighten your productivity at work.
The ongoing debate regarding productivity often pits working from home against working in an office, with each side claiming the superiority in terms of focus. Yet, one often overlooked aspect is the potential benefits of certain distractions in boosting productivity. While some individuals prefer a quiet work environment, many find that ambient noise, like background music, actually enhances their productivity. This is because such music masks distracting noises, capturing our subconscious attention and aiding concentration.
Interestingly, video game soundtracks have been found to be particularly effective in boosting productivity, as they are designed to stimulate focus while engaging in other activities.
Overall, ambient noise or music can contribute positively to productivity in many scenarios.
Forcing yourself to wake up at ungodly hours to enhance productivity can backfire. It’s crucial to prioritize getting sufficient sleep, as it has numerous health benefits that can bolster memory retention, concentration, overall health, mood, and productivity. Sleep aids in processing memories and integrating daily thoughts into our neural network, facilitating problem-solving abilities. Hence, prioritizing adequate sleep is key to productivity, surpassing the significance of waking up at a specific hour.
Take a Walk or Surround Yourself with Plants
Image credit: Rachel Tunstall
Incorporating plants into your workplace or having a view of nature can enhance productivity. Studies support the positive impact of plants in the workplace, as they aid in restoring attention and providing a calming effect on our brains. Greenery helps replenish brain resources, making it beneficial for productivity. Going for a walk in nature can also clear your mind and stimulate productivity.
While some touted diet and exercise regimens may seem extreme, incorporating healthy practices can significantly boost productivity. Regular exercise benefits both the body and brain, while a balanced diet can positively impact brain function and focus. Avoiding overly processed foods that can impair brain function and opting for nutritious choices can enhance productivity.
Lastly, understanding your individual preferences and what works best for you is essential for maximizing productivity. Achieving a state of cognitive “flow,” where you are fully immersed in a task and performing at your peak, can significantly boost productivity. Identifying the specific conditions that help you enter a flow state can enhance your overall effectiveness.
Ultimately, while seeking productivity tips can be beneficial, personal experimentation and awareness of what works best for you are key to achieving maximum productivity.
Maybe my father walked out on me, the speaker theorized, his voice sounding like the crash of drums (often typical of tense moments on reality TV shows).
Father absence is a common theme in motivational training speeches, so the narrator in my earphones takes the form of a father. Sometimes they encourage dad, but more often dad yells angrily from the sidelines.
Motivational speeches were first adopted by weightlifters who called for loud encouragement during bench presses, but have since made their way into the fitness mainstream. These stand-in dads live in a maze of proliferating playlists on Spotify and YouTube. So you can listen to it at the gym, or if you’re feeling bored, you can watch a montage of stock footage of people screaming in the rain on your laptop. Tracks can feature snippets from solo speakers or multiple sources. Ministers, athletes, and business leaders feature prominently, but their voices are often uncredited. The voice is usually accentuated with dramatic music.
you probably know better david goggins a former U.S. Navy SEAL lashed out at the cameras during a run, ordering his 10.4 million Instagram followers to “numb your mind.”
Jenny Valentish poses before a bodybuilding competition. Photo: Diana Domonkos
When it comes to motivation, I prefer carrots to sticks. “Great work” makes me blossom. But after a few months of overindulgence, you need a strict taskmaster. I usually take my training seriously, fighting in Muay Thai and competing in amateur bodybuilding, but if anything, when I started going into full beast mode, my true self… ‘s father was a little confused.
tunnelSouth African parcel delivery platform has secured $1 million in pre-seed funding from investors including Founders Factory Africa, Digital Africa Ventures, E4E Africa and Jozi Angels.
The platform claims that e-commerce merchants can save between 50% and 80% on international shipping costs, and the funding will fuel expansion in its key market South Africa, as well as launches in other key African countries. He said that he would lay the foundation for the Emerging markets.
CEO Matthew Davey cum COO craig lowman Mr Davey founded the company in 2022 after seeking a solution to the challenges he faced as managing director of a Dutch company importing South African engineering materials into Europe. In his interview with TechCrunch, Davey said the process of moving these materials is cumbersome and expensive, and his experience shows that transportation costs are widespread, especially for small and medium-sized businesses in emerging markets like South Africa. I’ve come to recognize the problem.
Current challenges in cross-border transportation are costing African businesses an estimated $50 billion a year in missed opportunities. The founders of TUNL identified a recurring problem among small and medium-sized traders in South Africa during the pandemic. That meant that shipping costs could exceed the value of the item. This also applies to high-quality goods such as textiles, clothing, footwear, camera accessories, and specialty components, despite the presence of major courier services such as DHL, UPS, and FedEx.
Typically, Cape Town sellers offer only one shipping option, such as DHL, to customers looking to purchase goods abroad. For example, a backpack might cost $60, and shipping from South Africa to the US could be about the same, $50-60, which could negatively impact your conversion rate. What TUNL has done is partner with delivery services like UPS and FedEx to ensure reasonable rates and subsidize shipping costs for small and medium-sized businesses by 50% to 75%.
“Our pricing is fully transparent and democratized. We want every business, large or small, to be able to transform their international sales by reducing shipping costs as much as possible. We want to make sure they have an equal opportunity to do the same,” Lowman said in a statement.
On the TUNL platform, sellers offer a variety of shipping options to their customers at checkout. This includes an “economy” option that incorporates shipping costs into the product price, allowing free shipping via TUNL’s courier service and slightly longer delivery times (approximately 10-14 days). Reduce cart abandonment at checkout. Alternatively, customers can choose expedited shipping options (within a week) via FedEx or UPS for a more reasonable price, such as $10 for the same backpack, allowing for more flexibility and potentially higher exchange rates. (The exact price may vary depending on destination and weight, but Davey says this is a consistent approximate number).
“It’s all about helping sellers succeed,” said the CEO. “Because if there’s only one expensive shipping option at checkout and the customer has two choices, they’re not going to buy it. “They can decide to abandon their cart or pay up.” “But when you introduce two shipping options, especially a free shipping option, human psychology forces the customer to choose one of the two, rather than abandoning the cart. .”
Primarily, South African e-commerce merchants using TUNL tend to ship most of their goods to the US, UK, Europe and Australia. Two-thirds of the shipments end up in the United States, Davey said. TUNL, which competes with Ivorian startups and platforms such as DHL partner ANKA, has grown 35% month-on-month since its launch and now has more than 700 merchants in its “delivery club.” TUNL’s merchants shipped more than 8,000 international parcels in 2023, representing R19.5 million worth of exports from South Africa, the company said in a statement.
The two-year-old e-commerce platform makes money by taking a margin from orders placed on its platform. The products we handle are wide-ranging, including backpacks, fashion shoes, arts and crafts, books, nanofiber materials, high-performance springs, various furniture, musical instruments, cosmetics, and other preserved foods. South Africa is known for its wine industry, with exports reaching 368.5 million liters last year. And although the transport of wine (alcohol) is not yet included in TUNL’s export items due to existing restrictions, Davey said the startup is now one of South Africa’s largest wine subscription businesses and its business He said he is in discussions about the possibility of participating. .
“We are getting a message from our merchants that we have transformed their business. They are adding new employees and growing because of us. So if our merchants are only serving the South African market, “It’s a win-win for the ecosystem to make people feel like they can look at the world as a market, rather than the only market they can serve,” he said. “We help merchants grow internationally just as we help them succeed, because the overseas consumer market is much larger than the domestic market for these types of products. ”
Davey said TUNL, which makes about $60,000 a month, will now focus on using the seed funding to improve sales and the onboarding process for new franchisees. In particular, the onboarding experience has been streamlined, relying primarily on customer support assistance and taking a more self-service approach.
As part of the 2024 French budget passed by the French government last week. without voting, France plans to create a new tax break for angel investments in technology startups. In many ways, France is drawing inspiration from the UK’s tech ecosystem for this change.
If you are a UK angel investor, you may already be familiar with the acronyms SEIS and EIS, which stand for Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and Enterprise Investment Scheme. These two tax breaks have encouraged angel investments in small private companies, typically technology startups, since 1994.
In the UK, investments in early-stage startups have an annual investment cap of £200,000 and are eligible for a 50% income tax deduction. You may be wondering, what exactly is an early-stage startup? Criteria change over time, but currently, SEIS-compatible companies are those that are less than three years old, have fewer than 25 employees, and have total assets. UK businesses under £350,000.
“I have benefited from SEIS both as a founder and as an investor. SEIS funding reduces the risk of angel investing and allows startups to close rounds faster,” said Reedsy. co-founder and CEO Emmanuel Nataf told me. “The fact that all taxpayers, not just the wealthiest, can benefit from tax cuts makes them a real enabler for the UK’s tech ecosystem.”
When it comes to corporate investment schemes, as the name suggests, they cover a wider range of companies. However, in that case, individual investors will only receive a 30% income tax reduction. EIS-compatible companies should be less than seven years old, have fewer than 250 employees and have total assets of less than £15m.
Interestingly, deep tech companies still qualify if they have been in business for less than 10 years, so they have a little more leeway. An individual can invest up to £1 million a year to receive a tax deduction (for deep tech investments he can invest £2 million).
And it’s working incredibly well.According to Report from Paul MidiThe MP, who represents Emmanuel Macron’s party on the subject, said a total of £175 million and £1.6 billion have been invested in private companies through SEIS and EIS respectively (as of today). 213 million and $1.95 billion respectively) (exchange rates).
“Angel investors who use this system also provide significant support to founders, which may be difficult to obtain from institutional investors,” Nataf added.
Importing SEIS and EIS schemes
Now that we understand how this works, France is essentially copying these systems with a different standard. From 2024, the JEI label (Jeunesse Entreprize Innovantes) is eligible for a 30% income tax reduction.
Starting in 2025, two new categories will be created: JEIC and JEIR. C is Croissant and R’s rupture. These acronyms are a bit technical, but the bottom line is that an investor in a deep tech startup can receive a 50% tax break on investments of up to 100,000 euros per year. Investors in other start-ups can enjoy a 30% tax break on investments of up to €150,000 per year.
“This scheme for so-called ‘young enterprises’ aims to help thousands of young innovative businesses gain jobs, raise capital, improve cash flow and access public contracts. .” Said In a video on X (formerly Twitter). “This should enable our startups to raise an additional EUR 500 million annually, especially in their early stages.”
It will take some time for the French tech ecosystem to feel the impact of this regulatory change. But this is a welcome change, as France, like many tech ecosystems around the world, is experiencing a slowdown in traditional VC investment.
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