US to Launch Small Nuclear Reactors by 2026: A New Era in the Nuclear Renaissance

Posted on January 1, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Valar Atomics’ Ward 250 Reactor Under Construction

Daria Nagovitz/Valar Atomics

Valar Atomics’ Ward 250 reactor under construction — Valar Atomics’ Ward 250 Reactor Under Construction

Daria Nagovitz/Valar Atomics

Despite contributing nearly one-fifth of the U.S. power generation, nuclear energy in the country has seen stagnation for decades. Factors such as regulatory challenges, public apprehension, and affordable energy sources have hindered growth, coupled with factory closure moratoriums and insufficient funding for new nuclear technologies. However, an increasing demand for power, especially from data centers, is reviving interest in nuclear energy. The Department of Energy is moving rapidly to rectify this delay with its reactor pilot program, aiming for a major milestone by mid-2026.

This initiative is part of the Department of Energy Strategy, which seeks to quadruple nuclear production by 2050. Eleven companies focused on advanced nuclear reactor technology have been chosen to participate, with expectations for at least three to reach criticality – a stable and self-sustaining nuclear fission state – by July 4, 2026.

“We intentionally set very ambitious deadlines,” stated Leslie Dewan, a nuclear engineer specializing in advanced reactor technology. “One of our pilot’s goals is to evaluate which concepts thrive under real-world conditions.”

The reactor designs under development range from molten salt and hot gas reactors to fast reactors, sodium-cooled systems, and pressurized water reactors. Notably, California-based Valar Atomics is regarded as a frontrunner, especially with its Ward 250 high-temperature gas reactor.

High-temperature gas reactors utilize small particles of uranium surrounded by carbon and ceramic coatings, transforming them into self-contained fuel units. This coating ensures that the particles remain intact even at extreme temperatures, creating a protective safety barrier to contain any radioactive materials.

Fuel particles are embedded within graphite blocks, which serve as the reactor core, featuring channels for helium gas circulation. The nuclear fission reaction generates heat that boils water, producing steam to power generators and generate electricity. The helium gas then returns to the reactor for reheating.

Valar broke ground on Ward 250 in September, marking it as the second company to initiate construction, following Texas-based Arlo Atomics which began in August. Valar has achieved the first low-temperature criticality, demonstrating a self-sustaining fission reaction under controlled conditions, offering valuable data to confirm core physics. “It’s not equivalent to constructing and operating your integrated test reactor at full power,” Dewan explained.

Texas-based Natura Resources is also developing molten salt reactors known for their inherent safety features, although they function differently. In these designs, uranium is dissolved in molten salt, heated by fission. A pump circulates this liquid salt to a heat exchanger, generating steam or driving a turbine. If overheating occurs, the molten salt expands and melts an emergency “freeze plug,” allowing the fuel to safely drain and preventing chain reactions.

“Molten salt reactors operate at atmospheric pressure, containing any accidents to the plant site,” emphasizes Dewan. “Even in a total power failure, the reactor can come to a safe stop without on-site operator intervention.”

Natura has not yet commenced construction but secured a permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build a 1-megawatt research reactor. Additionally, it has recently acquired Shepherd Power, which will enhance its supply chain and regulatory expertise to expedite its technology’s implementation. Dewan noted, “We have fostered a highly collaborative relationship with the NRC,” though she cautioned, “the challenges posed by molten salts, which are corrosive and radioactive at high temperatures, should not be underestimated.”

With the critical deadline approaching in about six months, Valar, Natura, and nine other companies in the pilot program must work at an exceptional pace to meet this goal. However, this is just one of many challenges that must be navigated.

“The true evaluations will center around whether we can safely power the reactor on and off, operate it for extended periods at design temperatures, and ensure that materials and fuel perform as anticipated. All of this must be reliably demonstrated to gain trust from the NRC and future clients,” Dewan concludes. “I see the 2026 date as the beginning of an intriguing data collection phase, far from the conclusion.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Study Reveals How Dinosaurs’ Free-Range Parenting Transformed the Mesozoic Era

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

University of Maryland paleontologist Thomas R. Holtz Jr. has explored how dinosaurs adapted to their ancient environments and the differences between those worlds and our own for decades. His recent research suggests that crucial factors may have been overlooked in comparing ancient dinosaurs with modern mammals.

Some sauropod dinosaurs, Alamosaurus sanjuanensis, formed herds divided by age. Image credit: DiBgd.

“Many people view dinosaurs as the Mesozoic equivalent of mammals since both groups were the dominant land animals of their respective eras,” says Holtz.

“However, a crucial difference relates to their reproductive and child-rearing strategies, which scientists haven’t fully considered when comparing these worlds.”

“The methods by which animals raise their young significantly influence their ecosystems. Understanding these differences can help scientists reevaluate ecological diversity,” he explains.

“Young mammals often receive extensive care from their mothers until they are nearly fully grown.”

“In essence, mammal offspring fulfill similar ecological roles as their parents; they consume similar food and interact within the same environment because adults handle most of the responsibilities.”

“You could say mammals have ‘helicopter’ parents—particularly helicopter mothers,” he continues.

“For example, mother tigers continue to hunt for cubs that are nearly their size.”

“Even young elephants, among the largest animals in the Serengeti at birth, rely on their mothers for years.”

“Humans exhibit similar behavior, caring for our children until they reach adulthood.”

“Conversely, dinosaurs exhibited different parenting behaviors. They offered some parental care, but their young were relatively independent.”

“After a short period, from a few months to a year, young dinosaurs left their parents to roam independently, often cautious of one another.”

Dr. Holtz notes that adult crocodiles, closely related to dinosaurs, demonstrate a similar trend.

Crocodiles guard their nests and protect their young for a limited duration; however, within a few months, the young disperse and lead independent lives, taking years to reach adulthood.

“Dinosaurs could be likened to ‘latchkey kids,'” Holtz states.

“Fossil evidence shows that juvenile skeletons were often found together, with no adults nearby.”

“These juveniles congregated in groups of similar ages, learning to feed themselves and fend for their safety.”

This parenting style suited the fact that dinosaurs laid eggs and produced relatively large chicks at once.

By producing multiple offspring at a time and reproducing more frequently than mammals, dinosaurs increased the chances of their lineage’s survival without significant resource investment.

“The key takeaway is that this early separation between parents and offspring, alongside size differences, likely had significant ecological implications,” Holtz noted.

“The dietary needs of dinosaurs shifted as they matured, as did their vulnerabilities to predators and their mobility.”

“Even though adult and juvenile dinosaurs belong to the same biological species, they occupy distinctly different ecological niches.”

“Therefore, they can be regarded as different ‘functional species.’

For instance, a juvenile Brachiosaurus, comparable in size to a sheep, couldn’t access food 10 meters above ground like its adult counterparts.

Juveniles faced different predators, feeding in different locations and avoiding fully grown adults.

As young Brachiosaurus grow from dog-sized to horse-sized to giraffe-sized, their ecological roles evolve significantly.

“This understanding has transformed how scientists perceive ecological diversity,” Holtz emphasized.

Typically, scientists argue that modern mammals inhabit more diverse ecosystems because of the coexistence of varied species.

However, if young dinosaurs are counted as separate functional species and their numbers recalculated, the total functional species in dinosaur fossil assemblages likely exceeds that of mammalian fossil assemblages.

How did ancient ecosystems accommodate all these functional roles? Dr. Holtz proposes two potential explanations.

First, the Mesozoic era featured unique environmental conditions, such as warmer temperatures and elevated carbon dioxide levels.

These factors likely enhanced plant productivity, generating more food energy to sustain larger populations.

Secondly, dinosaurs may have had lower metabolic rates than similarly sized mammals, demanding less food for survival.

“Our world might actually be less productive in terms of plant resources than the age of dinosaurs,” claims Holtz.

“A more robust food chain could support greater functional diversity.”

“If dinosaurs’ physiological demands were lower, their ecosystems might have accommodated far more functional species than found in mammalian systems.”

Dr. Holtz emphasizes that his theory doesn’t necessarily imply that dinosaur ecosystems were vastly more diverse than those of mammals, but rather that diversity may have existed in forms that have yet to be identified by scientists.

He intends to further explore similar patterns within the context of dinosaur functional diversity across different life stages to gain deeper insights into their world and its evolution into our contemporary ecosystem.

“We shouldn’t merely consider dinosaurs as scaled and feathered versions of mammals,” Holtz concludes.

“They are remarkable creatures in their own right, and the full scope of their existence is still being uncovered.”

This research will be detailed in Holtz’s paper, set to appear in the Italian Journal of Geosciences.

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Thomas R. Holtz Jr. et al. 2026. Raising Babies: A Preliminary Investigation into Ontogenetic Niche Partitioning in Dinosaurs and Long-term Maternal Care in Mammals within Their Ecosystems. Italian Journal of Geosciences 145; doi: 10.3301/IJG.2026.09

Source: www.sci.news

Deception, Misinformation, and AI: A New Era of Election Influence in US Politics

Posted on November 13, 2025 by

TThe New York mayoral election will likely be remembered not just for the impressive win of the young democratic socialists but also for a significant trend that could influence future campaigns: the rise of AI-generated campaign videos.

Andrew Cuomo, who lost last week to Zoran Mamdani, has notably engaged in the distribution of deepfake videos featuring his opponent, with one such video alleging racism against him.

Although AI has been utilized in political campaigns before—primarily for algorithms that target voters or create policy ideas—its evolution has seen the creation of sometimes misleading imagery and videos.

“What was particularly innovative this election cycle was the deployment of generative AI to produce content directly for voters,” stated New York State Representative Alex Boas, who advocates for regulations governing AI use.

“Whether it was the Cuomo team or not? Creating a housing plan with ChatGPT or AI-generated video ads targeting voters felt revolutionary during the 2025 campaign cycle, marking an unprecedented approach.”

Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who exited the race in September, also leveraged AI, utilizing it to generate a robocall and producing a feature in The New Yorker where he converses in Mandarin, Urdu, and Yiddish. An AI video depicted a dystopian view of New York and aimed critiques at Mamdani.

In a controversial move, Mr. Cuomo faced allegations of racism and Islamophobia after his campaign shared a video depicting a fictitious Mamdani eating rice with his fingers and included an unrelated portrayal of a black man shoplifting. The campaign also featured a black individual in a purple suit appearing to endorse sex trafficking, which was later deleted under the pretext of an error.

Boas, who is campaigning for a House seat, remarked that many AI-generated ads from the recent election cycle may have crossed into what could be deemed bigoted territories.

“We need to assess if this is due to algorithms perpetuating stereotypes from their training data, or if it’s simply easier to manipulate content digitally without the need to coordinate specific actions with actors,” Boas indicated.

“Digital creation simplifies the production of content that might be frowned upon by polite society,” he added.

In New York, campaigns are mandated to label AI-generated ads, but several—including one from Mr. Cuomo—failed to do so. The New York State Board of Elections oversees potential violations, but Boas pointed out that campaigns might risk penalties as the costs could be outweighed by the gains from winning.

“There will likely be campaigns willing to take that risk: if they win, the post-election fines become irrelevant,” Boas stated. “We need an effective enforcement mechanism that can intervene rapidly before elections to minimize damage, rather than simply impose penalties afterward.”

Robert Wiseman, co-director of Public Citizen, a nonprofit that has supported various AI regulations nationwide, noted that attempting to deceive the public is illegal in more than half of states and that campaigns must label AI-generated materials as such. However, he cautioned that the regulation of AI in political contexts remains a critical issue.

“Deception has historically been part of politics, but the implications of AI-generated misinformation are particularly concerning,” Wiseman explained.

“When audiences are shown a convincingly authentic video of someone making a statement, it becomes incredibly challenging for that individual to refute it, essentially forcing them to challenge viewers’ perceptions.”

AI technology can now generate convincing videos, but execution weaknesses still exist. A “Zoran Halloween Special” video released by Cuomo was clearly labeled as AI-generated yet showcased a poorly rendered image of Mamdani with mismatched audio and nonsensical dialogue.

With midterm elections on the horizon and the 2028 presidential campaign approaching, AI-generated political videos are poised to become a fixture in the landscape.

At the national level, this trend is already evident. Elon Musk shared an AI-generated video where Kamala Harris appeared to assert her role as a de facto presidential candidate and claimed she “knows nothing about running a country.”

While states are advancing in their efforts to regulate AI’s role in elections, there seems to be a lack of willingness to implement such measures at the federal level.

During the No King protests in October, Donald Trump released an AI video showcasing him in a fighter jet, dropping brown liquid on protestors, among his most recent AI content.

With President Trump’s evident support for this medium, it appears unlikely that Republicans will seek to impose restrictions on AI anytime soon.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Paleontologists Uncover New Long-Necked Dinosaur Species from the Triassic Era

Posted on October 17, 2025 by

Paleontologists have discovered a new collection of Triassic fossils at the Quebrada Santo Domingo site in the northern Pre-Cordillera Basin of northwestern Argentina. Among their findings are nearly complete skeletons of a previously unknown sauropod dinosaur species, along with several cynodonts, rhinocosaurs, and aetosaurs.

Huayracursor jaguensis. Image credit: Jorge Blanco.

The newly identified species existed in what is now Argentina during the Carnian period of the late Triassic, approximately 230 million years ago.

Known as Huayracursor jaguensis, this dinosaur was an early and primitive member of the clade sauropodomorpha.

The ancient creature featured a relatively long neck and was larger than many of its contemporaries.

“The Carnian period (237 to 227 million years ago) is significant in the evolution of tetrapods, holding the earliest records of several major clades, including dinosaurs,” stated paleontologist Dr. Martin Hechenleitner of the La Rioja Regional Research Center and CONICET, along with colleagues.

“Following the Carnian pluvial period, dinosaurs faced unprecedented radiation levels and quickly established dominance for the remainder of the Mesozoic era.”

“Most of the earliest records originate from a few well-researched regions in South America, specifically the Izquiguarasto-Villa Union Basin in western Argentina and the Paraná Basin in southern Brazil.”

“These locales have produced a variety of early dinosaurs, encompassing ornithischians, herrerasaurs, theropods, and sauropods.”

“While sauropods are the most taxonomically diverse, the majority (with a few fragmentary exceptions) were small, bipedal, and short-necked.”

“Despite the advances in our understanding of the quadrupedal fauna from the Carnian, no dinosaur-containing groups have arisen outside of traditional classifications.”

Selected bone of the Huayracursor jaguensis holotype. Image credit: Hechenleitner et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09634-3.

Dr. Hechenleitner and his co-authors uncovered fossilized remains of Huayracursor jaguensis and other Triassic animals in the Santo Domingo formation at Quebrada Santo Domingo, a remote region of the Andes Mountains in La Rioja, northwestern Argentina.

“This newly discovered fauna is the first from the newly characterized northern Pre-Cordillera Basin,” the paleontologists remarked.

“Current findings encompass ceratopsians of the hyperodapedontid family, cynodonts from the traversodontid and probynognathic families, a eurysaurian, and at least two sauropod dinosaurs, indicating a Carnian age.”

“Among the sauropods, Huayracursor jaguensis provides the earliest evidence of concurrent weight gain and neck elongation in sauropods, suggesting that these crucial traits emerged at the dawn of dinosaurs.”

“This discovery enhances our understanding of the diversity and geographic distribution of early dinosaur faunas and illuminates the evolution of sauropods during the Carnian period.”

The findings regarding Huayracursor jaguensis are detailed in a paper published in the journal Nature.

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EM Hechenleitner et al. A newly discovered long-necked early dinosaur from the Upper Triassic basin of the Andes. Nature, published online October 15, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09634-3

Source: www.sci.news

Incredible Amber Deposits Have Preserved Insects Since the Dinosaur Era

Posted on September 18, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Amber-preserved midge discovered in Ecuador

Mónica Solórzano-Kraemer

A remarkable collection of insects and a spider web encased in amber from 112 million years ago has been discovered in quarries within the Amazon rainforest.

Xavier Delclòs from the University of Barcelona, along with his team, learned that amber—resulting from fossilized tree resin—had been unearthed from the Genobeva quarry in eastern Ecuador’s Oriente Basin, prompting them to investigate the site in 2022.

The amber from this region is believed to originate from the resin of coniferous trees from the Araucaria family, prominent when modern-day Ecuador was part of the ancient Gondwana Supercontinent.

Amber deposits are sourced from two primary origins: the tree crown and the roots. Substances from the ground may entrap remnants of insects and other organisms in resin, later turning into amber—a process known as Bioin Crucion.

While most amber found in the quarry originated from underground sources, during initial diggings, the team collected 60 notable pieces of ground amber for further study in the lab.

Over a third of these specimens showcased the bioencapsulation of various insects, plants, and even spider webs, dating back to the Cretaceous period, particularly from the Mozazo era. “This is the first time [Mesozoic] amber with insects and spider biopackages has been discovered in South America, and they are certainly new species,” states Delclòs.

The insect specimens included diverse species of flies, bees, beetles, and mosquitoes. All thrived in a humid forest environment during the age of dinosaurs, likely near abundant lakes, rivers, and marshes necessary for some species’ life cycles.

Polypore beetle encased in amber discovered in Ecuador

Enrique Peñalver

Visitors to the site are definitely advised to use insect repellent. “And perhaps look for a way to avoid encounters with carnivorous dinosaurs,” he humorously suggests.

“Some mosquitoes exhibit blood-feeding behavior, implying that they at one time relied on vertebrate blood, possibly from birds or non-avian dinosaurs,” he notes.

However, the dinosaur DNA that mosquitoes may have ingested from amber is likely compromised by the chemical properties of resin. “We cannot recreate a Jurassic Park from Cretaceous amber, certainly not with current techniques,” Delclòs remarks.

Dinosaur exploration in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia

Join an exciting and immersive expedition into the remains of dinosaurs in the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert, known for its rich paleontological history.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Flip Phones Make a Comeback: Could Apple’s Foldable iPhone Spark a New Design Era?

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Back in 2005, there was nothing quite as satisfying as closing a clamshell flip phone to end a call.

Now, two decades later, these devices are making a comeback, with rumors suggesting that Apple is developing its first flip phone.

Details remain scarce regarding its design, but it may take inspiration from Samsung’s flip models reminiscent of 2000s clamshell phones.

According to a JPMorgan report, the initial foldable iPhone is set to launch at a price point of $1,999 (£1,474) in September 2026, indicating a likely expansion in the foldable phone market, projected to hit 109 million units by 2025.

For the past 15 years, rectangular tablets have dominated phone design, raising the question: could Apple’s foray into flip phones signify a shift in direction?

Tech analysts suggest that the introduction of a new product reflects consumer demand for devices that offer extensive internet access on mobile phones rather than laptops or tablets. However, the premium pricing indicates these will remain luxury items.

“Apple and its competitors are constrained by a smartphone market that has lost its innovative edge. While essential for daily life, consumers are less excited about the next breakthrough,” remarked an industry expert.

This might explain why Apple is exploring fresh design concepts, such as the ultra-thin iPhone expected to debut in September.

Wood believes Apple’s entry into the foldable segment comes after competitors conducted their own experiments. Samsung’s initial Galaxy folding design faced screen issues, yet the upcoming Galaxy Flip and Fold 7 release boasts a sleeker design and enhanced display, aiming to represent the “next generation” of folding devices, especially following sales stagnation anticipated in 2024.

“Apple typically approaches developments carefully, focusing on refinement and reliability rather than rushing to market,” Wood noted.

He added that Samsung’s flip phone has garnered greater popularity than its fold model, owing to its affordability and unique attributes.

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However, he believes Apple’s foray into foldable mini tablets may have a significant impact by enabling users to easily watch videos, view photos, and utilize larger display areas for document viewing while working remotely.

Margarita Panaioto, a high-tech researcher at the University of Manchester, pointed out that research indicates a preference for larger screens among users for gaming and viewing, combined with the trend of younger individuals using smartphones to go online. This suggests that foldable designs could serve as ideal compromises for future consumers.

Professor Ben Carter, who examines the societal impact of smartphones at King’s College London, concurred that foldable phones excel in video consumption, especially as video increasingly dominates content consumption. They provide larger screens, thereby enhancing the viewing experience.

He posited that a design reminiscent of a “mini laptop that can fold” could yield mental health benefits. His research shows that minimizing notifications effectively combats screen time and smartphone dependency.

If the screen is closed, the “Variable Reward Scheme” associated with notifications is also shut down. This similarly applies to gambling addiction, which thrives on uncertainty. “If we can reduce distractions like a laptop, that could help,” he stated, though he acknowledged the absence of evidence showing foldable phones are being used that way.

Such an approach might be particularly advantageous for children, who typically receive over 200 notifications daily. Nevertheless, due to the high costs of foldable phones, it’s unlikely many will be accessible to them until parents transition to the indirect model a few years after launch.

Professor David Ellis, chair of Behavioral Sciences at the University of Bath, added that additional benefits include improved screen protection and compact fit in pockets, alongside the “nostalgia associated with flip phones.”

However, he cautioned that it may not be the transformative product many anticipate, noting that Apple does not have a “100% success rate” — citing the Vision Pro headset as a notable failure.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Mafia: Old Country Reviews – Action Games Set in Sicilian Era Themes | Gaming Highlights

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

oIn time, this industry reached a standstill in a game of this nature. The single-player story-centric action experience intertwines weekend choreographic sequences with expansive worlds brimming with an enticing array of collectibles.

Indeed, the old country lacks fresh concepts for the cover shooter genre. Hangar 13 already released a remake of the original Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven in 2020, yet in this installment, it often feels as though the studio has recycled it in a new setting. Both the narrative and the framework of individual missions seem to honor Fedora, reminiscent of its 2002 classic.

You can see where this is going… Mafia: Old Country. Photo: 2K Game

A classic scenario: Mission trope “Win the race to impress your don.” This chapter was notorious in the original Mafia, as racing vehicles from the 1930s were notoriously tricky to manage and racing itself was rather uninviting. However, it presented a sophisticated multi-tiered mission filled with obstacles, thefts, and unexpected betrayals. In Mafia: Old Country, you’re merely cruising through a town prepping for the race, with the don needing a replacement rider, which offers a serene ride along a route filled with real challenges. While such experiences might have faced criticism a decade back, the scarcity of games like this today leads us to overlook basic mission design and rather appreciate its storytelling and the setting it represents.

It is the year 1904, and you embody Enzo Faraba, a young man down on his luck without family, working alongside peers in a sulphur mine, dressed in a yellow-dyed rag and sporting a shaved head. While the working conditions in the mine are dismal and perilous, Enzo contends with cruel employers, earning the ire of the local ‘businessman,’ Don Laggero Spadaro, who owns the mine. Fear not—after a narrow escape, he finds refuge with Don Trici, a rival of Spadaro who values the courage and diligence of the young man. You can see where this is leading.

A vibrant setting… Mafia: An Old Country. Photo: 2K Game

Next, you experience the typical quest for dominance within the criminal underworld, expressed through knife fights and vintage-style shooting with reloadable firearms. Local businesses are noncompliant. Workers are striking. Thieves and rival families threaten your reputation. You navigate environments where waist-high cover positions are conveniently placed, allowing for tactically advantageous standoffs.

Credit where it’s due: Enzo and his comrades’ missions aren’t solely about violence. Occasionally, you’ll employ stealth, tossing coins and bottles to divert guards away from your path. There is ample horseback riding and car driving, accompanied by rich dialogues that enhance the context surrounding your actions. While these non-combat mechanics may not be particularly thrilling, this is a mafia-themed game—not designed to be a grand, systemic experience, but rather to narrate the tale of a gangster.

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Despite the odds, it manages to succeed in its endeavors. However, it accomplishes this through storytelling rather than intricate plots. The rhythm is predictable. Memorable moments neither stem from witty dialogue nor dramatic turns of fate, nor are they rooted in evocative historical specifics. There are scenes of peasants raiding the pantry and heaps of citrus fruits piled in the fields. Workers stamping grapes in the Torrisi Vineyard. Authentic recipes for Spezzatino di Maiale resting on the kitchen counter. The Sicilian dialect makes fleeting appearances in every conversation (it’s highly advisable to use English subtitles to enhance understanding amidst Sicilian audio). This game demonstrates thorough research, successfully portraying cultural and historic contexts rarely explored in previous titles. It earns its title as a mafia game—it embodies this well: a tribute to the old country.

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Knife fights and gunplay do operate effectively, yet I find the missions a bit too simplistic compared to a franchise once celebrated for its dynamic pacing. Nonetheless, despite these caveats, it’s worth engaging with for the allure of its setting and the undeniable passion it holds for its bleak subject matter.

Source: www.theguardian.com

AOL to Terminate Dial-Up Internet Service After 30 Years: The End of an Era | US News

Posted on August 11, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

With the shutdown of AOL’s dial-up internet in late September, the iconic sounds, symbols, and experiences that ushered millions of Americans into the early digital age will come to an end.

AOL, or America Online, announced recently that it has evaluated its products and services and will discontinue dial-up connectivity options, ceasing support for its dial-up software as of September 30th.

These dates signal the end of an era for countless Americans from various generations: millennials, Gen X, Baby Boomers, and beyond. The familiar sounds of modems establishing connections and the excitement of getting online marked the dawn of a new era filled with wires, computer mice, emails, chat rooms, instant messaging, and the bright allure of digital screens.

Dial-up internet didn’t emerge in isolation; it was developed by Usenet in the late 1970s.

In 1979, Compuserve became the first to offer “Dial-Up Online Information Services to Consumers.”

By the mid-1980s, virtual communities started to emerge with platforms like The Well, which was founded in the Bay Area by Stewart Brand and Larry Brilliant, coinciding with the founding of America Online in 1985.

At its peak, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, AOL boasted over 23 million subscribers in the United States, solidifying its status as the leading internet service provider of that era. As noted by Jigso AI, new users were acquired approximately every six seconds.

AOL became a household name with its distinct “You’ve got mail!” notification, but it also became infamous in 1999 after a controversial merger, which is often viewed as one of the most disastrous deals in media history.

Gradually, the iconic sounds of dial-up began to fade as faster cable internet services emerged in 1995, leveraging existing cable television infrastructure.

Today, only a small fraction of U.S. households (around 175,000) still depend on dial-up internet access. This legacy technology stems from the intense rivalry between Microsoft and Netscape in the 1980s and 90s. As AI encroaches upon browsing, the days of dial-up seem ever more distant.

The rise of dial-up internet was partially fueled by demand for adult content, and its decline is now seen as part of the nostalgic farewell to other bygone pop culture artifacts, such as CDs, pagers, and landlines.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Rise of the Drone Era: Enhancing Production and Uplifting Morale in Agri-Tech | Agriculture

Posted on June 29, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

“The inspiration originated from Instagram videos,” remarks Tom Amery. It provides a stunning view of one of three large drones acquired to aid in cultivating watercress on a farm in Hampshire.

This drone is equipped with four rotary blades and can transport up to 50kg of fertilizer, seeds, or feed for spraying, thanks to extensive research conducted by Amelie, who frequently utilizes various social media platforms focused on agricultural technology.

Amery and The Watercress Company, led by managing directors, are among the food producers striving to integrate advanced technology into one of the oldest professions to accelerate processes and increase output amid extreme weather challenges. This critical issue has drawn government attention, resulting in the inclusion of Agri-Tech in its industrial strategy earlier this month.

The firm allocated £80,000 for an Agras T50 drone, produced by the Chinese manufacturer DJI and specifically designed for agricultural use.

Applying potash or phosphates using a drone is “two to three times quicker than manual application,” notes Amery. This facilitates more precise application, thereby minimizing the quantity of fertilizer needed. The produce is packaged in a 25m bag of salad sold annually through the UK’s largest supermarket.

Despite ongoing discussions about the potential for machines to replace human labor in agriculture, Amelie believes that such investments elevate morale. “It’s about retaining staff by alleviating job hardships,” he states. “We offer higher wages. With increased salaries, retention rates improve.”

Though drones are already in use on farms in North and South America, their presence remains relatively novel in the UK. Currently, The Watercress Company’s drones await necessary permissions from the Civil Aviation Authority, the aviation regulatory body.

Amelie hopes that soon, hoppers will be fitted with the essential equipment to cover the growers’ 20 hectares across 12 farms in Hampshire and Dorset. Flight paths for each field can be pre-set, and 20-year-old George Matthews has been trained and licensed to operate the drone.

The Watercress Company continues to follow traditional growing methods that date back to the Victorian era. Although innovative, it remains focused on providing for those in urban areas, where watercress first gained popularity due to its nutritional value.

Currently, crops are cultivated in watercress beds fed by natural streams in use since the 1880s, while bespoke harvesters are deployed to cut the leaves between May and October.

crops. Photo: Joanna Partridge/The Guardian

Growers are also experimenting with multispectral cameras, which capture images across various wavelengths. These images generate a “heatmap” of the fields, which AI can analyze to identify crop issues.

The Watercress Company is driving the type of innovation that the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) aims to promote across more UK farms, striving for efficiency and sustainability.

Nevertheless, many farmers are feeling financial constraints, as the NFU observes that few possess the funds or confidence to invest in new, potentially untested technologies.

This progress is essential for enhancing productivity in agriculture, with the NFU warning that, without it, the UK risks lagging behind international competitors.

“We are eager to see future developments,” stated Tom Bradshaw, president of NFU. “Evidence from some European neighbors highlights that we’re behind in certain areas and less productive overall.”

Within the industrial strategy, Agri-Tech, alongside precision breeding, is designated a focus area in the growth sector plan, which the NFU believes will help make agriculture “more productive, sustainable, and resilient.”

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The government has earmarked £200 million for its agricultural innovation program until 2030, with the Ministry of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) promising “targeted funding to foster agricultural innovation.”

“The push for innovation and growth in agri-tech is advantageous for the nation,” remarks Agriculture Minister Daniel Zechner. “Not only can we create jobs and enhance economic resilience, but we can also fortify food security and increase farmers’ and growers’ benefits through innovation.”

However, this announcement comes just days after the government cut the UK’s agricultural budget by £100 million annually. This reduction translates to a 2.7% decrease in DEFRA’s daily budget, a move that has been cautiously received by the NFU and agricultural organizations.

Back in Hampshire, the Watercress Company remains skeptical about benefiting from the funds allocated to its agricultural innovation program.

“Much of this funding is driven by high innovation levels but often fails to reach the farm gates or enhance production and productivity,” remarks Amery.

“It involves a significant investment in technology that hasn’t yet proven to yield results.”

The crop is harvested by the Watercress Company in Dorset. Photo: Finnbarr Webster/Getty

To date, growers have been bearing nearly all costs associated with innovation. They successfully obtained £20,000 in funding from the government’s shared prosperity fund through local councils, which accounts for about a quarter of their drone investment.

Nonetheless, Amery noted that the business rarely accesses funding avenues like R&D tax credits, available only to companies subject to corporate tax. Partnerships like the Watercress Company and many other agricultural entities don’t pay corporate tax and thus aren’t eligible.

This challenge hasn’t deterred growers from pursuing the latest advancements to enhance their crops. “Innovation typically stems from a desire to tackle challenges,” states Amery. “We generally experience a major innovation every five to ten years. This one is transformative.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

For Trump, a New Era of Trade Begins with Technology’s Most Diverse Innovations

Posted on May 12, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The regulations aimed to ensure that the largest data centers in the world were constructed by the United States and its allies, rather than by nations in the Middle East or elsewhere. Officials in the Biden administration expressed concerns about the authoritarian inclinations of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as well as their connections with China. They contended that these rules might restrict access to AI chips and data centers in other countries, subsequently bolstering Beijing’s strategic and military capabilities.

Set to take effect on May 15, the regulations permitted unlimited sales of AI chips to 18 allied nations, including the UK, Germany, and Japan, while prohibiting sales to China, Iran, and other adversaries. Nations such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, India, Israel, and Poland would face limitations on their chip purchases, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.

Jim Secre, the former vice-chief of staff at the Commerce Department, remarked that the regulations are designed to safeguard national security and influence the future of critical technologies. In the absence of these regulations, the combination of inexpensive energy and capital abroad could result in more data centers being established outside the US than within its borders.

“Controlling AI is the geopolitical challenge of our time,” he stated.

Companies like Nvidia and Oracle have raised objections to the regulations, arguing that they hinder the leadership of US technology. Officials from the Trump administration appeared to share this sentiment. On Wednesday, the current administration announced plans to introduce new regulations to replace the existing framework, though no timeline for these changes was specified.

“The Biden AI regulations are excessively complicated and bureaucratic, potentially stifling American innovation,” stated Ben Kass, a spokesperson for the Department of Commerce, which oversees technology policy. “We are focused on advancing US leadership and replacing it with a more straightforward and transparent framework that maximizes the potential of American AI innovation.”

Source: www.nytimes.com

The Era of Ozempic is Just Starting.

Posted on March 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

u grabowsky/imagebroker/shutterstock

Just a year ago, hype was being built around semaglutide drug Ozempic and Wegovy, so the conversation revolved around the possibility of “end obesity” by helping people lose a lot of weight.

Then there was talk about how the appeal for semaglutide weight loss caused a shortage in people who needed it to treat diabetes, and which celebrities got it. Despite the topic, these treatments were still somewhat exotic.

There is no more talk of shortages today. In fact, it’s easier than ever to get these medications from an online pharmacy if you have the funds and a proper BMI. At the speed of lightning, the jab has become a common name. You or someone you know may be taking it often.

Some data show that one in eight people in the US tried one of the new generation of weight loss pills. In the UK, they have taken about 1 in 7 people or have family and friends. It’s fair to say we live in the Ozempic era, and it changes much more than our collective waistline.

Many people experiment with small amounts of weight loss medication, is this a good idea?

This special report clearly looks at the new normality and the questions it raises. These treatments refer to traditional approaches to weight loss, particularly exercise (see Why exercise is more important than ever when taking weight loss medications). Drugs people see “GLP-1 drugs are the beginning – the next powerful drug is expected”)? Over the past year, studies have been found that examined the benefits of other conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and addiction. So how do they affect the brain beyond appetite regulations (see “Do GLP-1 drugs really tell us about the brain’s reward system?”)?

Many people are experimenting with taking them at lower doses, which is a good idea (“I’m getting an increase in microdeficient GLP-1 drugs, does that work?”)? We also ask what all of this means for society as a whole (see “Unexpected Effects of Society Transformed by Weight Loss Drugs”) and what comes next (see “GLP-1 Drugs Is the Beginning – The Powerful Drugs You Expect Next”).

What’s clear is that the new boom in weight loss pills is just the beginning. In another year, things can look very different again.

topic:

obesity/
Weight loss drugs

Source: www.newscientist.com

Astronomers Report Our Solar System Surpassed the “Radcliffe Waves” in the Miocene Era

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

As our solar system orbits the Milky Way, we encounter a variety of environments, including dense regions of interstellar media. These encounters can increase the flow of interstellar dust into the solar system and the Earth's atmosphere, exposing parts of the solar system to interstellar mediums. The discovery of new galactic structures, such as the Radcliffe waves over the 9,000 Wright years, raises the question of whether the Sun encountered any of them. New research shows that the solar system trajectories intersected with the waves of Radcliffe in the Orion star-forming region 15 to 12 million years ago (Miocene era). In particular, this period coincides with the mid-Miocene climate transition on Earth, providing an interdisciplinary connection with paleoclimatology.

Radcliffe wave visualization. Image credit: Alyssa Goodman/Harvard University.

When the solar system brings the Milky Way into orbit, we encounter a variety of galactic environments with different interstellar densities, including hot voids, fronts of supernova blasts, and cold gas clouds.

The passage of the sun through dense regions of interstellar media can affect the solar system in several ways.

For example, pressure enhancement compresses the heliosphere and exposes parts of the solar system to cold, dense interstellar media.

Furthermore, the amount of interstellar dust mounted on the Earth's atmosphere can increase, potentially enhancing the delivery of radioactive isotopes such as iron-60 through dust grains.

Radcliffe's waves are narrow sinusoidal gas structures and consist of many known star-forming cloud complexes, including CMA, Orion, Taurus, Perseus, Cephaus, North American Nebula, and Cygnus.

With an estimated mass of 3 million people, this gas structure appears to vibrate consistently like a moving wave and is thought to be part of the Milky Way spiral structure.

Dr. Efrem Macconi, a doctoral student at the University of Vienna, said:

“Our Sun encountered a higher gas density region as it passed through the waves of Radcliffe in the Orion constellation.”

Using data from ESA's Gaia mission and spectroscopic observations, Dr. Maconi and his colleagues identified the passage of the solar system through the Radcliffe Wave in the Orion area.

“The findings are based on previous works identifying Radcliffe's waves,” said Professor Joanne Albes of the University of Vienna.

“We passed the Orion area as well as famous star clusters like NGC 1977, NGC 1980 and NGC 1981.”

“The area is easily visible in the winter sky in the Northern Hemisphere and in the summer in the Southern Hemisphere.”

“Look for Orion Constellation and Orion Nebula (Messier 42) – our solar system has come from that direction!”

“The increased dust from this galaxy encounter may have had some effects.”

“It could potentially leave traces of radioactive elements from supernovas in the geological record that permeate the Earth's atmosphere.”

“Current technologies may not be sensitive enough to detect these traces, but future detectors may make it possible.”

This study shows that the solar system passing through the Orion region occurred around 18.2 to 11.5 million years ago, with the most likely time between 148 and 12.4 million years ago.

This time frame is in good agreement with the mid-Miocene climate transition, and is a major shift from warm variable climate to cool climates, leading to the establishment of a continental-scale prototype Antarctic ice sheet composition.

This study raises the possibility of a link between past crossings of the solar system through galaxy neighbours and Earth's climate through interstellar dust, but the authors need further investigation of the causal relationship. It emphasizes that there is.

“The basic processes responsible for the mid-Miocene climate transition have not been fully identified, but available reconstructions are most likely to be long-term reductions in atmospheric greenhouse gas carbon dioxide concentrations. It suggests that it is a high explanation.

“However, our research highlights that interstellar dust associated with the crossing of Radcliffe's waves has affected the Earth's climate and may have played a potential role during this climate change. Masu.”

“To change the Earth's climate, the amount of extraterrestrial dust on Earth needs to be much larger than what previous data suggests.”

“Future research explores the importance of this contribution. This past climate change and current climate change is comparable as this past climate change is unfolding over a timescale of hundreds of thousands of years. It is important to note that we do not do that.”

“In contrast, the evolution of global warming today has been happening at an unprecedented rate for decades to centuries due to human activity.”

study Published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

____

E. Machoni et al. 2025. Passing through the solar system through the waves of Radcliffe in the mid-Miocene. A&A 694, A167; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202452061

Source: www.sci.news

Identification of a newly discovered species of long-necked marine reptiles from the Triassic era in China.

Posted on February 18, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have identified a new genus and species of small dinophalosaurid archosauromorph from a fossilized skeleton found in China’s Yunnan province.

Holotype of Austronaga Minuta Most of the caudal vertebrae, which were found in looping in Yunnan Province, China, were found, and preserved in the skull, anterior cervical spine, and blocks. Image credit: Wang et al. , doi: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.231013.

Austronaga Minuta lived in the Thetis Sea during the Middle Triassic period around 244 million years ago.

This new species is an Archosauromorph, a member of a group that contains all forms more closely related to it (such as Crocodilians and dinosaurs, etc.) than Lepidosaurs.

Ancient reptiles are sister species Dinocephalosaurus orientalis, another amazing marine reptile from the Triassic period in central China.

“The Medium Triassic in southern China has produced a prominent marine vertebrate assembly that dramatically alters the understanding of the Tethys Sea and its coastline biota,” says Vertebrate paleontology and paleontology. A colleague and colleague at the institute said. National Geopark.

“The Triassic non-quadrilateral alxaulmorph group holds an important position in these findings.”

“They were traditionally called prototrosauria or prototrosaurs, but are now considered paraphrasing groups.”

“One species belonging to this group of reptiles, Dinocephalosaurus orientalis one of the most interesting reptiles discovered in recent years from the Triassic period in southern China,” they added.

“Its very elongated neck reminds me of a similar condition as seen in the ausauromorph, another aquatic creature. Tanistrophius. ”

“Both species have more than twice the necks as the trunk.”

“Yunnan’s new non-crocodile Archosauromorph shares many features Dinocephalosaurus And along with the latter, it can be distinguished from other long-necked Archosauromorphs. ”

“However, this new species also exhibits many different anatomical features. Dinocephalosaurus therefore, new genus and species have been proposed. ”

A small but mature skeletal specimen of Austronaga Minuta was recovered from the Guanling Formation in Waina village in Yunnan Province, southwestern China.

“The specimen is very compacted, but contains almost completely completely complete, with the anterior part of the skull joint with the skull, and most of the caudal tail of about 60.” The paleontologist said.

Their phylogenetic analysis shows that Austronaga Minuta With Dinocephalosaurus and Pektden It forms a clade representing the Dinocephalosauridae of the Archosauromorph family.

New marine reptiles probably had an aquatic or semi-aquatic lifestyle.

“The dentition Austronaga It's less specialized than that Tanistrophius and Dinocephalosaurus yet they have enlarged teeth like these species. This corresponds to the food possibilities of small aquatic animals, such as fish and cephalopods,” the researchers said.

“Other potential indicators for aquatic movement are Austronaga. ”

“The elaborate structure of the caudal neural spines and chevrons is only observed in Austronaga and Dinocephalosaurus Among these non-crocopodan alxaulmorphs. ”

“These structures of the tail are not essential for aquatic propulsion, taking into account the absence of other aquatic reptiles and even some aquatic lines.”

“Nevertheless, similar morphology converges in many aquatic reptiles: caudal neural spines like plates have been developed in basal fishy disease. Sclerocormus and Chaohusaurus. ”

“The T-shaped chevron is found in the mysterious Zauroptari horn Atopodentatus and with primitive placedonts Paraplacodos and Placodus. ”

“Therefore, we consider the morphology of the caudal vertebrae. Austronaga Suitable for aquatic or at least semi-aquatic animals. ”

Findings are reported in a paper In the journal Palasiatica spine.

____

W. Wang et al. 2024. A small dinophalosaurid archosauromorph from the Triassic period in central Yunnan Province, southwestern China. Palasiatica spine 62(1):13-32; doi:10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.231013

Source: www.sci.news

Mark Zuckerberg’s Era of Deception: The Battle for Truth on Social Media | Chris Stokel Walker

Posted on January 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

SSocial media has always served as an entertainment mirror for society as a whole. The algorithms and amplification of our always-on online presence have highlighted the worst parts of our lives while obscuring the best parts. This is part of why we are so polarized today, with two tribes screaming at each other on social media and plunging into a gaping chasm of despair.

This is what makes a statement released by one of the tech giants this week so alarming. Let those who enter give up hope. With less than two weeks until Donald Trump returns to the White House for the second runoff of the US presidential election, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Threads, is making major changes to its content moderation. added. In doing so, it appears consistent with the president-elect's views.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced in a bizarre video message posted to his Facebook page on Tuesday that the platform would be eliminating fact checkers. Instead of them? mob rules.

Zuckerberg said the platform: Over 3 billion people The company, which around the world logs on to its app every day, plans to adopt an Elon Musk-style community note format to police what is and isn't acceptable speech on its platform. . Starting in the United States, the company plans to dramatically shift the Overton window to those who can shout it loudest.

Meta's CEO largely acknowledged that the move was politically motivated. “It's time to go back to our roots around freedom of expression,” he said, adding that “restrictions on topics like immigration and gender… […] It deviates from mainstream discourse. ” He acknowledged past “censorship mistakes,” by which he likely meant the past four years of suppressing political speech during the Democratic president's tenure, and added that he “worked with President Trump to ensure that U.S. companies We will prevent foreign governments from attacking the United States.” Please check more. ”

The most dog-whistle comment was that Meta's remaining trust and safety and content moderation teams would be relocated from liberal California, and that its U.S. content moderation arm would now be based in solidly Republican Texas. It was a throwaway line. The only thing missing from the video was Zuckerberg wearing a MAGA hat and carrying a shotgun.

Let me be clear: all businessmen make smart decisions based on political circumstances. And few storms are as violent as Hurricane Trump as it approaches the United States. But few people's decisions are as important as Mark Zuckerberg's.

Over the past 21 years, Meta CEO has found himself a central figure in society. Initially, he oversaw a website used by college students. Now billions of people from all walks of life use it. In the early 2000s, the eccentric pursuit of online fun was nowde facto public town squareIn the words of Elon Musk. Where the meta goes, the world follows, online and offline. And Meta just decided to do a dramatic handbrake right turn.

Please don&#39t believe it. Trust the watchdog. “Today’s Meta announcement is a retreat from a healthy and safe approach to content moderation.” The Real Facebook Oversight Committeesaid in a statement that he is an independent person who sees himself as the arbiter of Meta&#39s movements.

They say that because if there&#39s one thing we&#39ve learned from social media polarization over the past decade, it&#39s that the angriest person wins the argument. Anger and lies can spread on social media, and are only partially contained by the platforms&#39 ability to intervene if things get out of hand. (Recall that exactly four years ago, Meta suspended Donald Trump from Facebook and Instagram for two years for inciting the violence that stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021.)

Social networks have always struggled with controlling speech on their platforms. Regardless of the outcome of the debate, what they are sure to do is annoy 50% of the population. These platforms are chronically underinvested in growing their businesses at all costs. Platforms have long argued that effective moderation is a problem of scale, and this is the problem they have created by pursuing scale at all costs.

To be sure, policing online speech is difficult, and the level of content moderation that companies like Meta are trying to operate at doesn&#39t work. But abandoning it completely in favor of community notes is not the answer. Suggesting that it is a rational, evidence-based decision masks the reality. It’s a politically expedient move for someone who this week supported the resignation of self-proclaimed “radical” centrist Nick Clegg as head of global policy. A person who leans toward the Republican Party. He appointed Dana White, CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship and a close Trump ally, to Meta&#39s board of directors.

In many ways, you can&#39t blame Zuckerberg for bending the knee to Donald Trump. The problem is that his decisions have a huge impact.

This is an extinction event for the idea of objective truth on social media. The creature was already on life support, but one of the reasons it&#39s hanging on is that Meta has decided to fund an independent fact-checking organization to try to keep some elements of social media afloat. This is because he was ambitious. Authenticity and freedom from political bias. Night is day. The top is the bottom. Meta is X. Mark Zuckerberg is Elon Musk. Live out four tumultuous, bitter and unfounded years online.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Nick Clegg’s exit signals the dawn of a new era in Meta Politics

Posted on January 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Hello. Welcome to TechScape. Happy new year! Headaches are less common in dry January. Today’s highlights from TechScape include Meta’s promotion of a Trumpian bulldog, TikTok facing challenges beyond bans, Meta receiving backlash over AI, and Elon Musk’s foreign involvement.

Former British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has resigned from Meta after six years as head of international affairs. He played a role in bridging technology and politics, earning approximately $19 million during his tenure.

Clegg, a centrist, may return to British politics following his party’s success in the last election. His departure marks a shift towards more partisan times at Meta under new appointee Joel Kaplan.

Meta’s approach to AI integration has faced criticism, with the company recently removing AI-powered profiles following negative feedback. Elon Musk’s political involvement extends to international affairs, with interests in Germany, France, and Canada.

TikTok faces second war in US: child exploitation lawsuit

Photo: Mike Blake/Reuters

TikTok faces legal challenges in the US over child exploitation allegations, with multiple states suing the app. Concerns have been raised about misuse of its livestreaming feature to harm children.

Meta’s AI strategy has stirred controversy, particularly with its AI-generated profiles causing backlash. The company plans to introduce more AI characters despite previous issues.

Elon Musk intervenes overseas

Photo: Argi February Sugita/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock

Elon Musk’s political influence extends across multiple countries, including Germany, France, and Canada. His support of far-right parties and involvement in international affairs has raised concerns about interference in elections.

Musk’s recent actions suggest a deepening involvement in Canadian politics, aligning himself with conservative figures and advocating for specific political initiatives.

Wider TechScape

Source: www.theguardian.com

BlueSky ushers in a new era of social media with proprietary algorithms

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Bluesky sign-ups continue to grow

Anna Barclay/Getty Images

As a technology reporter, I like to think of myself as an early adopter. I first signed up for the social network Bluesky about 18 months ago, when the platform saw a small spike in users dissatisfied with Elon Musk’s approach to what was then still called Twitter. Ta.

It didn’t stick. Like many people, I found Twitter too tempting and deleted my Bluesky account, but it has returned in recent weeks. I’m not alone. Xodus began as Musk continues to transform his social platform, now called X, while taking on a role in President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration. Blue Sky acquired 12 million users in 2 months which is approaching 20 million users. This time I’m going to stay here – and I think others will too.

The main reason is that I want to have a social media experience without being bombarded with hate speech, gore, and porn videos. All of these have been complaints from X users in recent months. But I also have my eye on Bluesky. Because we think this signals a more fundamental change in how social media works.

Social media algorithms, the computer code that determines what each user sees, have long been a source of controversy. Fears of disappearing down the “rabbit hole” of radicalization, or of becoming trapped in an “echo chamber” of consensual and sometimes conspiratorial viewpoints, have dominated the scientific literature.

Displaying information from followers in chronological order creates a confusing quagmire for the average user to process, so using algorithms to filter information has become the norm. Sorting and filtering what’s important or what’s likely to keep users interested has been key to the success of platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram.

But by controlling these algorithms, we can have a huge say in what people read. One of the problems many users have with X is its “For you” algorithm. Under Musk, comments by and about him appear to be pushed into users’ timelines, even if they don’t directly follow him.

Bluesky’s approach is not to do away with algorithms, but instead to have more than the average social network. in Blog Posts in 2023 Bluesky CEO Jay Graber outlined the ethos of the platform. Bluesky is promoting a “market of algorithms” rather than a single “master algorithm”, she wrote.

In practice, this means users will be able to see posts from users they follow on the app, and will be Bluesky’s default standard view. But they can also choose to see What is popular among your friends? selects posts that your peers will enjoy based on an algorithm. There is Feed exclusively for scientists curated by people who work in or work in the field. to promote black voices often decimated by algorithmic filtering.

Specifically one feed Promoting “Quiet Posters” – Users who post infrequently and whose opinions are drowned out by users who share all their opinions with their followers.

This menu of options allows Bluesky to serve the dual purpose of bridging the past and future eras of social media. The platform has the potential to function as a “de facto public town square” once it reaches a certain number of users. Musk’s Twitter dubbing before he buys it. Given that X has steered toward excluding many mainstream voices, and competitors like Threads have chosen to avoid promoting politics and current events, perhaps Bluesky will have a place in such a forum. It is probably the only one left.

But beyond feeds, Bluesky lets you tailor the app to your needs through other elements, like a starter pack of recommended users to jump-start your niche, and blocking tools to silence unruly voices. You can also.

No doubt, there are still problems. Finding the right feed for you can be difficult, but creating your own is even more complicated and requires third-party tools. But it’s exciting to be able to see the big picture of public conversations and delve into smaller debates within wider clusters and communities of society. This is a new social media model where users, rather than large corporations or mysterious individuals, control what they see. And if Bluesky continues to add users, it could become the norm. Come with me – I @stokel.bsky.social.

Chris Stokel-Walker is a freelance technology journalist.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Abyssaurid birds from the Cretaceous era might have hunted similar to present-day hawks and owls

Posted on October 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have explained three new things Enantiornithine Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation birds, two of which are new species abysauridae seed. These birds lived alongside dinosaurs 68 million years ago, and their powerful leg bones suggest they may have captured and carried off prey.

Restoration of abyssaurids (e.g. Avisaurus Darwini). Image credit: Clark others., doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310686.

The most diverse bird species of the Cretaceous period was a now extinct group called the enantiornithines, which were known throughout the world during this period.

However, enantiornithines and other Mesozoic birds are known primarily from Early Cretaceous deposits, with records from the Late Cretaceous being relatively sparse.

Therefore, there is a general lack of understanding of the evolutionary trends of birds towards the end of the Mesozoic Era.

The fossilized remains of three new enantiornithine birds have been discovered in the Hell Creek Formation of Montana and date to the late Cretaceous period.

Two species were named new species. Magnusabis ekarakaensis and Avisaurus Darwiniwhile the third is an unnamed species. Avisaurus.

All of these birds were larger than the Early Cretaceous enantiornithines; Avisaurus Darwini It is estimated to weigh more than 1 kg, making it about the size of a large hawk.

“These discoveries virtually double the number of bird species known from the Hell Creek Formation and are important for a better understanding of why only some birds survived the mass extinction event. It will be.” tyrannosaurus and the abysaurid described here,” said Dr. Jingmai O'Connor, associate curator of fossil reptiles at the Field Museum.

When the team analyzed the leg bones, they found Avisaurus Hawks and owls and their relatives exhibit hawk- and owl-like proportions and adaptations, and, like some modern raptors, have powerful legs that can grasp and carry proportionately large prey. Shows muscles and legs.

“Based on clues in the leg bones, we think these birds were able to capture and transport prey, similar to modern hawks and owls,” said Dr. Alex Clark. students at the Field Museum and the University of Chicago.

“They may not have been the first raptors to evolve, but their fossils are the oldest known examples of predatory birds.”

This new species expands the known diversity of Late Cretaceous birds, confirms trends toward larger body sizes, and sheds light on how enantiornithines evolved a diversity of ecological roles over time. It's highlighted.

“Abyssaurids, the latest Cretaceous enantiornithid birds, display hindlimb features with strong ankle flexion, which contributes to the ability to carry heavy prey and similar behavior to modern raptors. “This suggests that,” the paleontologists said.

their paper Published in today's diary PLoS ONE.

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AD Clark others. 2024. New enantiornithine diversity of the Hell Creek Formation and functional morphology of avian tarsometatarsals. PLoS ONE 19 (10): e0310686;doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310686

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient coelacanth fossil from the Devonian era discovered in Australia

Posted on September 13, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Living Coelacanth Latimeria Coelacanths are iconic “living fossils,” one of the most conservative groups of vertebrates. Now, paleontologists have described a new species of primitive coelacanth from fossils discovered in the Late Devonian Gogo Formation of Western Australia. Ngamgawi WirungariThe 375-million-year-old fossil fish fills an important transitional period in the differentiation and evolution of coelacanths.

Reconstructing your life Ngamgawi WirungariImage courtesy of Katrina Kenny.

coelacanth It is an evolutionarily unique lobe-finned fish that first appeared in the fossil record during the Early Devonian period, approximately 419 million years ago.

More than 175 species of coelacanth fossils are known from the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras.

During the Mesozoic era, they diversified greatly, with some species developing unusual body shapes.

But at the end of the Cretaceous period, about 66 million years ago, they mysteriously disappeared from the fossil record.

The end-Cretaceous extinction, caused by a giant asteroid impact, wiped out about 75% of all life on Earth, including the non-avian dinosaurs.

It was therefore assumed that the coelacanth was also a victim of the same mass extinction.

However, in 1938, the first specimen of this species was discovered. Latimeria chalumnae It was caught by chance in South Africa.

The second known species, Latimeria menadoensisIt lives off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Specimen Ngamgawi WirungariImage courtesy of John A. Long.

“Our study calls into question the idea that extant coelacanths are the oldest 'living fossils,'” said Professor Richard Cloutier, a vertebrate paleontologist at the University of Quebec.

“It first appeared in the geological record more than 410 million years ago, with fragmentary fossils found in places such as China and Australia.”

“But most of the early forms are poorly known. Ngamgawi Wirungari It is the best known of the Devonian coelacanths.

“As we slowly fill in the gaps, we can see how extant coelacanth species are LatimeriaAlthough they are commonly thought of as “living fossils,” they are in fact constantly evolving and may not deserve this enigmatic title.”

Specimen Ngamgawi Wirungari It was discovered in the Late Devonian Go Go Formation Gooniyandi Country in the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia.

Although now covered by a dry rock outcrop, around 380 million years ago the formation was part of an ancient tropical coral reef teeming with more than 50 species of fish.

Coelacanth phylogenetic relationships and divergence dates. Image courtesy of Clement others., doi:10.1038/s41467-024-51238-4.

“Ngamgawi Wirungari “This discovery gives us great insight into the early anatomy of the lineage that ultimately led to humans,” said Professor John Long, from Flinders University.

“Over 35 years, the Gogo site has yielded some perfectly preserved 3D fish fossils and many other important discoveries, including petrified soft tissue and the origin of complex sexual reproduction in vertebrates.”

“The study of this new species has allowed us to analyse the evolutionary history of all known coelacanths.”

“We calculated evolutionary rates over 410 million years of history,” they said.

“This study reveals that the evolution of coelacanths has slowed significantly since the time of the dinosaurs, with some intriguing exceptions.”

of Survey results Published in a journal Nature Communications.

_____

Alice M. Clement othersLate Devonian coelacanths reconstruct phylogeny, differentiation and evolutionary dynamics of Actinobacteria. Nature Communicationsin press; doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-51238-4

Source: www.sci.news

Toothed birds in the Cretaceous era primarily consumed gymnosperm fruits, not fish.

Posted on September 11, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists found fossilized seeds of gymnosperms, relatives of today’s conifers and ginkgo trees, in the stomachs of two of the specimens. Longipteryx caoyangensis One of the oldest known birds, and also one of the strangest. This discovery shows that these birds ate fruit, despite the long-held assumption that they were fish eaters, and the more recent hypothesis that they ate insects with their incredibly strong teeth.

Skull Longipteryx caoyangensis Image courtesy of Xiaoli Wang.

Longipteryx caoyangensis It lived in what is now northeastern China during the Cretaceous period, about 120 million years ago.

First described in 2000, this ancient bird had a long skull and teeth only at the tip of its beak.

“Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body. Longipteryx” Human tooth enamel is 50 microns thick,” says Alex Clark, a doctoral student at the Field Museum and the University of Chicago.

“That’s the same thickness as the enamel of a large carnivorous dinosaur. Allosaurus It weighed 4,000 pounds. Longipteryx It was about the size of a blue jay.”

Scientists have previously found that the elongated skull of a kingfisher Longipteryx caoyangensis This means they hunted fish, but this hypothesis has been called into question by a number of studies.

“There are other fossil birds. Janornis “We know they ate fish because specimens have been found with preserved stomach contents, and fish tend to preserve well,” said Dr. Jingmai O’Connor, associate curator of fossil reptiles at the Field Museum.

“In addition, these fish-eating birds had many teeth throughout their beaks. Longipteryx “It only has teeth at the tip of its beak. That doesn’t make sense.”

but, Longipteryx caoyangensis In some cases, animals have been found with fossilized food still in their stomachs, allowing scientists to determine what they had been eating.

In the new study, paleontologists examined two new specimens of this species.

They found that the small round structures in the bird’s stomach Gymnosperms seed.

Since Longipteryx caoyangensis Since they lived in a temperate climate, it is unlikely that they ate fruit all year round.

The authors speculate that when fruit was unavailable, they may have had a mixed diet that included insects.

Longipteryx caoyangensis Part of a larger group of prehistoric birds called enantiornithines, the discovery marks the first time that scientists have found the stomach contents of an enantiornithine in China’s Jehol Biota, despite the discovery of thousands of fossils.

“It’s always puzzling not to know what they were eating, but this study points to a larger problem in palaeontology, which is that the physical characteristics of fossils don’t always tell the whole story about what animals were eating or how they lived,” Dr O’Connor said.

Since Longipteryx caoyangensis It apparently did not hunt fish, which raises the question of what it used its long, pointed beak and unusually strong teeth for.

“The thick enamel seems to be overpowering and weaponized,” Clark said.

“One of the most common skeletal parts that birds use in aggressive displays is the proboscis, or beak.”

“Using the beak as a weapon makes sense because it keeps the weapon away from the rest of the body and helps prevent injury.”

“Modern birds don’t have teeth, but there are some really cool little hummingbirds that have keratinous projections near the tip of their snouts. Longipteryx And they are using it as a weapon to fight each other,” Dr O’Connor added.

“Hummingbird beaks have evolved at least seven times, allowing them to compete for limited resources.”

of Survey results Published in the journal today Current Biology.

_____

Jinmai O’Connor others Direct evidence for frugivory in Mesozoic birds Longipteryx This is inconsistent with morphological indicators of diet. Current Biology Published online September 10, 2024; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.08.012

Source: www.sci.news

Research uncovers evidence of active volcanoes on the moon during the dinosaur era

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

New research suggests that volcanoes on the Moon were active during the time of the dinosaurs on Earth, but much more recently than previously believed.

Three small glass beads gathered from the lunar surface by a Chinese probe in 2020 indicate volcanic activity on the Moon 120 million years ago, according to the study. The findings were published Thursday in the journal Science.

Initial analysis of samples collected by the Chang’e-5 lunar mission suggested that volcanic activity ceased approximately 2 billion years ago, updating an earlier evaluation that the Moon had been devoid of active volcanoes for about 4 billion years.

Researchers examined around 3,000 lunar glass beads that may have been produced by volcanic eruptions or meteorite impacts, identifying three of them as of volcanic origin based on their texture and chemical makeup.

The research team expressed being “surprised and excited” by their “unexpected” discoveries.

The presence of relatively recent lunar volcanism “implies that a small celestial body like the Moon may have retained enough internal heat to support activity until very late,” co-authors Professor Li Qili and Associate Professor He Yuyang from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, shared in an email.

However, it remains “unclear” why the Moon has remained volcanically active for such a long period, as per the study.

Planetary volcanologist Qian Yuqi from the University of Hong Kong commented that identifying such a young volcano has “major” implications for the Moon’s development.

“Where did they originate from?” Qian, who was not part of the research, inquired in an email. “This could lead to future missions to search for them.”

The Chang’e-5 lunar mission marked the first return of lunar samples since the U.S. Apollo program in the 1970s and the Soviet Union’s Luna 24 mission. In June, China achieved a historic feat by retrieving rocks from the far side of the Moon through its Chang’e-6 mission.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Civilization 7 ushers in a new era, bringing the tumultuous history of humanity to life in a more accessible manner | Gaming

Posted on August 20, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

IIt’s been eight years since Civilization 6 launched, the latest in the long-running strategy game series in which you lead a nation from the first town in prehistoric times through centuries of development to the space age. Since 2016, the game has accumulated a plethora of expansions, scenario packs, new nations, modes, and systems for players to master, but Dennis Shirk, series producer at Firaxis Games, feels like he’s had enough. “It was getting out of hand,” he says. “It was time to build something new.”

“Even completing the whole game is a struggle,” says designer Ed Beach, citing a key problem Firaxis is trying to solve with the upcoming Civilization 7. While the early turns of Civilization 6’s campaign may be quick, when you’re only deciding what the inhabitants of a single town will do, “after a while you explode with the number of systems, units, and entities you have to manage,” Beach says. From turn one to victory, a single campaign can take more than 20 hours, and as you start to fall behind other nations, you might want to start over long before you see the endgame.

To that end, Civilization 7’s campaign is split into three eras — Ancient, Exploration, and Modern — with each era ending in a dramatic explosion of global crisis. “By dividing the game into chapters, we’re giving people a better sense of history,” Beach says.

Mongolian city in Civilization 7. Photography: Firaxis Games

When you start a new campaign, you choose a leader and civilization to rule, and lead your people to establish their first settlements and encounter other peoples in a largely undeveloped land. Choose which technologies to research, which cities to expand, and who to befriend or conquer. Every turn completed and every scientific, economic, cultural and military milestone passed adds points to a meter running in the background. When the meter reaches 200, you and all other surviving civilizations on the map will move on to the next era.

Choose and lead a new civilization as you move from Ancient to Exploration and from Exploration to Modern. You’ll keep all the cities you previously controlled, but you’ll have access to different technologies and attributes. This may seem odd, but it’s designed to reflect history – think of London, once ruled by the Romans, then replaced by the Anglo-Saxons. No empire lasts forever, but not all fall.

Dividing Civilization 7 into chapters also gives the campaign a new rhythm. As you approach the end of an era, you start to face global crises. In ancient times, for example, you see a surge of independent factions similar to the tribes that toppled Rome. “We don’t call them barbarians anymore,” Beach says. “It’s a more nuanced way of describing it.” These crises increase and intensify until you reach the next era. “It’s like a sci-fi or fantasy series that has a big, crazy ending, and then the next book is a calm, feel-good beginning,” Beach says. “There’s a moment of relief when you get to the next era.”

Veteran players will recognize the flow of Civilization 7’s franchise-wide offerings, but this new structure is certainly a radical change, introducing more chaotic and dramatic moments to every campaign. Whereas previously you were assured of victory (or defeat) after a few hours of play, each new era brings with it climactic crises and plenty of opportunities for game-changing moments. “Not everyone will survive,” Shirk says. “It’s a lot of fun to play.”

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Civilization 7 is scheduled to release on February 11, 2025 for PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation 4/5, and Nintendo Switch.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Paleontologists discover significant discrepancies in growth patterns between ancient and modern mammals from the Jurassic era

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

In a new study, paleontologists used synchrotron X-ray tomography of annual growth in dental cementum from fossil mammals belonging to three Jurassic animal groups to elucidate the origin of mammalian growth patterns that are intrinsically linked to mammals being warm-blooded.

“This is the first time we've been able to reconstruct the growth patterns of early mammals in such detail,” said Dr Elise Newnham, a postdoctoral researcher at Queen Mary, University of London and the University of Bonn.

“By studying the spacing and texture of these growth rings, we can not only tell us how fast they grew at different stages of their life, but also make inferences about their metabolism and overall lifespan.”

The study calls into question previous assumptions about the growth patterns of our mammalian ancestors and the idea that these animals may have grown in a way similar to modern mammals.

Instead, the study answers a question raised by similar recent studies of early mammalian ancestors: when did modern mammalian life cycles evolve?

The researchers found that the first signs of modern mammalian growth patterns — high growth rates in young animals that stop at puberty — began in the earliest true mammals about 130 million years ago, compared with relatively little change throughout their lives in previously evolved mammalian forms.

However, like mammals, these animals grow slower and live much longer than modern small mammals such as mice and mice, with a maximum lifespan of 8 to 14 years.

The timing of this change in growth rate, combined with changes in tree-ring structure, indicates when these animals reached puberty and possibly sexual maturity.

“These data suggest that while all living small mammals reach sexual maturity within a few months of birth, the earliest mammals took several years to reach sexual maturity, supporting the results of a recent study on one of our study animals. Cruxatodon” Dr Pam Gill, a researcher at the Natural History Museum and University of Bristol, said:

“What's more, we find that this long, drawn-out life history was common to early mammals throughout the Jurassic Period.”

“Our results suggest that distinctive mammalian life history traits, such as high metabolic rate and extended parental care, evolved gradually over millions of years,” Dr Newnham said.

“The Jurassic period appears to have been a pivotal period in this evolution.”

The researchers used a technique called synchrotron X-ray tomography to image tiny growth rings in fossilized root cementum, the bone tissue that attaches teeth to the jaw. These rings are similar to those found in trees, but on a microscopic scale.

By counting the growth rings and analysing their thickness and texture, they were able to reconstruct the growth patterns and lifespan of the extinct animals.

“This work is a great example of how new technologies are revolutionizing our understanding of the distant past,” said Professor Thomas Martin from the University of Bonn.

“By closely examining these fossilized teeth, we can gain valuable insight into the lives of organisms that lived millions of years ago.”

“We are incredibly excited to be involved in this project,” said researcher Dr Jen Bright, from the University of Hull.

“Putting Jurassic fossils in a particle accelerator (synchrotron) to reconstruct the past sounds like science fiction, but it's actually possible!”

of Investigation result Published in a journal Scientific advances.

_____

Ellis Newham others2024. Origin of mammalian growth patterns during the Jurassic mammalian radiation. Scientific advances 10(32); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ado4555

Source: www.sci.news

The closure of Xbox 360’s innovative online store marks the end of a gaming era | Gaming

Posted on July 31, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

TThe Xbox 360 digital store is the latest to go offline, following the closure of the Wii U and 3DS stores in March. About 220 games were shut down on Monday, according to the analysis. Video Game ChroniclesPreservationists at the Video Game History Foundation Made a funeral cake.

When it comes to backward compatibility and game preservation, Microsoft is arguably the best of the big companies. Despite the loss of 220 games, the majority of the Xbox 360 back catalogue is legally playable on subsequent consoles. It’s also worth noting that the Xbox 360 Marketplace lasted for nearly 20 years (the console was released in late 2005). It wasn’t the first digital store for the console, but it was the first one I used, and I’m sure many UK players did too. The Xbox 360 was the most popular console of its generation in the UK. Looking back, the Marketplace was astonishingly ahead of its time.

In the 2000s, brick-and-mortar video game retail still ruled the roost, and retailers had a lot of influence over game pricing and distribution. Back then, offering digital-only games risked retaliation from players like Electronics Boutique and Game. I remember reports at the time reporting rumors that some stores were threatening to not stock Xbox 360s at all, because allowing players to download games digitally would severely undermine retailers’ business models. (To be fair, they were right; video game retail had been in a protracted death spiral for years.)

The Xbox 360 Marketplace didn’t bring about a big change on its own. The transition to digital stores was gradual, with all the major players, from Steam to Sony to Nintendo, playing a role over the years. “Digital was somewhat additive to retail to begin with,” says Chris Dring, head of GamesIndustry.biz. “At the time, over 90% of console games were bought in a box that sat on the shelves of stores like GameShop or Tesco, but it wasn’t until 2019 that the majority of AAA console games (51%) were downloaded rather than boxed. The Xbox Live Marketplace was primarily where people bought DLC and occasional indie gems that were only accessible via digital stores. But it was fundamentally the beginning of the transition to the digital future we live in today. Now everyone is copying what Xbox did with Xbox Live and the Marketplace.”

Shoppers look at computer games at an electronics boutique on Oxford Street in London. Photo: Graham Turner/The Guardian

But what the Xbox 360 Marketplace really changed for console players was how Which There’s a limited number of games you can buy, and while it’s always been possible to download and play small, experimental games on PC, the same wasn’t possible on consoles before the Xbox 360. I think the Marketplace directly enabled the indie renaissance of 2010 and beyond by giving smaller game developers and publishers a way to sell their games to millions of console players without the expense and logistical issues of releasing boxed copies.

Starting with the original Xbox and gaining momentum in the 360 era, Xbox Live Arcade was revolutionary. Every week a new, small, downloadable game under £10 was released, from developers big and small. I played hundreds of games this way, and they were some of the first unboxed games I owned. Among them were Limbo, Fez, Geometry Wars, Super Meat Boy, and the greatest version of Uno ever (don’t @ me). There’s a strong case to be made that the Xbox 360 Marketplace introduced indie games to millions of console players.

As Dring points out, digitalisation also has its downsides: “In 2005, Xbox (and PlayStation and Nintendo) were platforms. Now they are the platform, the distributor, and the retailer. They control the whole chain. And they are increasingly becoming media themselves, through their websites, YouTube channels, and announcement videos.”

We’ve become so used to downloading games digitally that it’s easy to forget how refreshing it once was. Saying goodbye to the Xbox 360 Marketplace also means saying goodbye to an era of gaming where even DLC felt new and exciting. I rather miss those days, and the long hours of late-night gaming on Xbox 360 Uno.

What to Play

Short and sweet…Thank you so much for having me here! Photo: Panic

A very British slapstick comedy game Thank you so much for coming! It was released today, and the reviews (including our own) have been rave. Created by two Barnsley residents and set in the fictional northern town of Barnsworth, which seems to be built around visual gags, it’s short and sweet, but packed with great jokes and quirky situational comedy in the tradition of Monty Python and the Mighty Boosh.

Available on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, PC
Estimated playtime: 3 hours

What to Read

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Question Block

XCOM: Enemy unknown. Photo: Filaxis

reader Akshay Question of the week:

“I recently finished Yakuza 7: Whereabouts of Light and Darkness and found myself completely lethargic for a few days after completing it. I’d spent nearly 180 hours playing the game and had developed some good habits, so it was a real shock when I had to say goodbye. What’s the best way to get out of a post-game slump?

Ah, I know that feeling! I remember beating XCOM (above) in one weekend, saving the world, then sitting aimlessly on the couch in my pajamas, not knowing what to do next. I remember playing The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion for so long that I left my apartment after the credits finished and walked listlessly around the city. TV shows and books can give you that same feeling when it’s time to say goodbye to characters and worlds you’ve lived with for a while. But games are much more time-intensive, and much more immersive. Ending a game can feel like a farewell.

And just like after a breakup, it’s not a good idea to jump right into a new game; it only invites negative comparisons. So in between big games, go out, read a novel, or grab a drink with a friend you temporarily lost because of Breath of the Wild, and really feel That you’re ready to try something new.

If you have any questions for the Question Block or any other comments about the newsletter, Please email us at pushingbuttons@theguardian.com.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Prehistoric crocodile-like reptile unearthed in Brazil’s Triassic era

Posted on June 21, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A new genus and species of Triassic gracillid reptile has been identified from fossils discovered in the Santa Maria Formation of Brazil.

Artistic representations of the Middle to Late Triassic landscape of southern Brazil: (a) large Prestosuchus chinensis It feeds on the carcasses of dicynodonts, Parvosuchus aurelioi Compete for scrap metal. (b) and (c) Parvosuchus aurelioiImage courtesy of Matheus Fernandes.

Named Parvosuchus aurelioiThe new species roamed the Earth about 237 million years ago (during the Triassic Period).

The ancient reptiles Gracilidae (Gassiliscidae), an extinct family of pseudo-nudibranchs that lived in China, Argentina, and Brazil.

“Pseudobranchs were a common group of ancient tetrapod reptiles during the Triassic, before the dominance of dinosaurs, and some of their species were among the largest carnivores of their time,” says paleontologist Rodrigo Muller of the Federal University of Santa Maria.

“Smaller pseudosuchians, known as gracilischiidae, live alongside these apex predators and have been found in areas such as China and Argentina.”

“These creatures were characterized by relatively large heads with wide mouth openings, carnivore-like teeth, slender limbs, and a quadrupedal posture.”

Partial skeleton of Parvosuchus aurelioi Found in Santa Maria Formation Paraiso do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

It consists of a complete skull including the lower jaw, 11 dorsal vertebrae, a pelvis, and partially preserved limbs.

“The reptile’s skull is 14.4 centimetres long and features elongated jaws with pointed, backward-curving teeth and several skull openings,” Dr Muller said.

“The skeleton is lightweight and estimated to be less than one metre long.”

“These characteristics are Parvosuchus aurelioi This is the first time that a species of this group has been identified in Brazil.”

“This discovery highlights the diversity of Triassic pseudo-pinnids.”

Discovery Parvosuchus aurelioi It has been reported paper Published in the journal today Scientific Reports.

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R.T. Müller. 2024. A new small, predatory pseudobranchial sauropod from the Middle to Late Triassic of southern Brazil. Scientific Reports 14, 12706; doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-63313-3

Source: www.sci.news

The importance of passwords in the AI era: Why they still matter | Apple

Posted on June 11, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

AI, whether it stands for artificial intelligence or Apple intelligence, is a hot topic today. It’s time to have a conversation about it. [sits backwards on chair] password.

One significant change coming to Apple’s platform next year is the creation of a new Password app. This was somewhat overshadowed by the reporting from last night’s Apple event in Cupertino and New York by Kari Paul and Nick Robbins-Early.

9to5Mac reports that the new passwords app on iPhone home screens this fall will enhance the security of computing for average users who may not be familiar with password management apps.

The new Passwords app consolidates and simplifies existing password features on iOS and macOS, making them more accessible to users. It will display a list of all user logins after verifying identity.

Apple has expanded its password management capabilities over the years, offering security audits, alerting users to compromised passwords, sharing options, and data import/export features.

The focus on identity, rather than just passwords, highlights Apple’s aim with the new Passwords app. Managing digital identity remains a challenge, with passwords serving as the primary method of online identity verification but coming with inherent security risks.

Password managers like 1Password have emerged as a solution, but the industry is exploring alternatives like passkeys to address the limitations of traditional password systems.

While passkeys promise a password-free future, their adoption has been slow due to limited support from websites and initial user challenges. Despite the potential benefits, concerns remain about the security and user experience of passkeys.

From password managers to passkeys, the quest for secure and user-friendly authentication methods continues.

The evolution of identity verification extends beyond passwords to technologies like AI avatars. While the concept of AI systems participating in meetings remotely is not yet fully realized, advancements in voice synthesis and AI present new challenges and opportunities for digital identity verification.

As technology progresses, ensuring secure and seamless identity verification methods remains a crucial aspect of digital life.

The Wider TechScape

European brown bears play in the pool at Bristol Zoo’s Wild Place Project in 2020.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Arkansas Unearths Fossil of Devonian Era Shark

Posted on March 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A team of paleontologists from California State Polytechnic University and others has described a new genus and species of shark-like fish from the Fayetteville Shale in late Mississippi, Arkansas.

Reconstruction by artist Cosmoserax meringii. Image credit: American Museum of Natural History.

The newly described species lived in the Devonian seas, about 326 million years ago.

named Cosmoserax meringii This is one of many well-preserved shark fossils discovered from oil-producing seas. fayetteville shale formation Stretching from southeastern Oklahoma to northwestern Arkansas, it has been studied for many years for its well-preserved invertebrate and plant fossils.

“These creatures are part of an ecosystem that recovered after the mass extinction of fish communities at the end of the Devonian period, so they're part of the cartilaginous fish family, which includes all sorts of strange anatomy not seen in modern sharks. We're at a point where the morphological diversity of the species is astonishing,” said Dr. Alison Bronson, a researcher at California State Polytechnic Institute.

fossil of Cosmoserax meringii It was collected by Professors Royal and Gene Mapes of Ohio University in the 1970s.

Dr. Bronson and his colleagues performed a CT scan of the specimen and digitally reconstructed it.

They spent months studying to describe its anatomy, which includes dozens of tiny pieces of cartilage.

Once the reconstruction is complete, they Cosmoserax meringii In the early cartilaginous fish tree of life.

Cosmoserax meringii It was photographed in the 1970s and positioned so that the throat, jaw, and underside of the pectoral fins are visible. Image credit: Royal Mapes.

The authors found that this new species plays an important role in understanding the evolution of a mysterious group called green sea turtles. Shinmori form.

“This group has been alternately associated with sharks and mousefish, and different researchers have reached different conclusions,” they said.

“Cosmoserax meringii Most have shark-like features, but with long pieces of cartilage forming gill operculae, which are only seen today in ratfish.”

of study It was published in the magazine geodiversity.

_____

AW Bronson other. 2024. A new gilllike simoliform chondrich from the Late Mississippian Fayetteville Shale (Arkansas, USA). geodiversity 46 (4): 101-117; doi: 10.5252/geodiversitas2024v46a4

Source: www.sci.news

Argentina Unearths New Species of Titanosaurus from Cretaceous Era

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A genus and species of sauropod, a titanosaur mimicking rebachisaurid, measuring over 15 meters (50 feet) in length, has been unearthed in Patagonia, Argentina.

rebuilding the life of Inawentu Osratus. Image credit: Gabriel Rio.

The newly discovered dinosaur roamed the Earth during the late Cretaceous period, about 86 million years ago.

dubbing Inawentu Osratusthe animals were of the following types: titanosaurusa diverse group of long-necked sauropods that lived from the Late Jurassic period (163.5 million to 145 million years ago) to the end of the Cretaceous period (145 million to 66 million years ago).

They are known for their large body size, long necks, and wide stance, and include species ranging from the largest known land vertebrates to “dwarfs” as large as elephants. Some species had osteoderm (armor plate).

“During the late Mesozoic Era, sauropod dinosaurs constituted the main herbivores in all terrestrial ecosystems of polar Gondwana,” said paleontologist Leonardo Filippi of Argentina's Municipal Museum of Urquiza and his colleagues.

“Quadrupedal locomotion and a gravitational posture, a proportionately small cranio-body ratio, and a common bow plan consisting of a series of elongated necks and tails made sauropods capable of large size, locomotion, defense, physiology, and feeding. They have evolved a variety of notable adaptations related to food and behavior.”

“They represented, in terms of diversity and abundance, the major medium- to large-sized herbivore component of the fauna in most of these southern landmass.”

partially completed specimen Inawentu Osratus It was recovered from fluvial deposits at the La Invernada archaeological site, part of the Bajo de la Carpa Formation in the Neuquen Basin of Patagonia, Argentina.

“The recovered human bones were found interlocked within a horizon of massive reddish solidified mudstone covered by a thin layer of sand (30 cm thick) associated with flood deposits of the river bank. ' explained the researchers.

Inawentu Osratus It shows remarkable convergent properties of the skull anatomy. rebatisauridae sauropodaccording to the author.

“Inawentu Osratus “It belongs to the square-jawed titanosaur clade and was restricted to the final stages of the Late Cretaceous of South America,” the researchers said.

“The discovery of new materials and different datasets providing new morphological information allows us to provide better support in future phylogenies confirming the existence of this square-jawed titanosaur clade. Become.”

“Inawentu Osratus And perhaps other members of this clade have obvious nutritional adaptations seen in preceding rebatisaurid sauropods, such as broad snouts and relatively short necks. ”

“In this connection, a series of shortened cervix Inawentu Osratus This may be consistent with low browsing feed behavior. ”

“This could have paleoecological implications, such as a zoological alternation in the Gondwanan ecosystem since the Turonian period or a low-browsing diet in two distinct lineages of sauropod dinosaurs.”

team's findings It was published in the magazine Cretaceous research.

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Leonardo S. Filippi other. 2024. Rebachysaurid-mimic titanosaurs and evidence of faunal disturbance events in southwestern Gondwana during the Late Cretaceous. Cretaceous research 154: 105754; doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2023.105754

Source: www.sci.news

The Emergence of the Anthropocene Era

Posted on December 16, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

New research supports the concept of the Anthropocene, a proposed geological era characterized by the significant impact humans have had on Earth. This study used fossil pollen data to analyze changes in North American vegetation since the end of the Pleistocene. Their findings show that recent changes in vegetation are comparable to those observed during the last epoch transition, suggesting significant changes in ecosystem function that justify the classification of a new epoch. There is.

The researchers determined that human activity shaped the environment as much as the retreat of glaciers at the end of the Ice Age.

Scientists have long debated the Anthropocene, a proposed unit of geological time that corresponds to the most recent epoch in history. It is characterized by the enormous impact humans have on the earth.

Are we living in the Anthropocene? If so, when did it start?

In a research paper published this month, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Trisha Spanbauer of the University of Toledo and Dr. M. Alison Stegner of Stanford University lend credence to the argument for its existence. The pair analyzed open-source data to track changes in vegetation across North America since the end of the Pleistocene and concluded that humans have impacted the landscape as much as the retreat of glaciers at the end of the Ice Age. Ta.

research method

“As a paleolimnologist, I’m very interested in what the past can tell us about the future,” said Spannbauer, an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences. “Biological changes have been used to delimit eras in the past, so this analysis suggests that what we see today is what we would have seen during the transition between the Pleistocene and the Holocene. It provides valuable context for understanding whether the scale is essentially the same over time.”

Spanbauer and Stegner used the Neotoma Paleoecology Database, a community-curated repository of multi-species paleoecological data. They specifically looked at fossil pollen data from 386 sediment core records taken from lakes across North America.

Sediment cores are samples taken from the bottom of a lake that preserve the sedimentary order. Spannbauer and Stegner looked at samples taken during the late Pleistocene, about 14,000 years ago.

Analysis of ecological change

They analyzed the data according to seven indicators: taxonomic richness, or pollen diversity; seed; first occurrence data, last occurrence data, and short-term gains and losses in taxa. It measures how often species appear and disappear in the fossil record. A sudden change in the community, referring to the species identified in the sample. They organized data points within a 250-year period at both continental and regional scales, incorporated age model uncertainties, and produced conservative estimates to account for differences in sample sizes.

Their results show that vegetation changes over the past several hundred years are comparable to those associated with the last epochal transition, including increases in first and last emergence and abrupt community shifts.

“The power of a database like this is that you can ask questions about macroscale ecological change,” says Spannbauer. “While scientists have documented the effects of human activities on single species and on biodiversity generally, our study places these observations in a broader context. “We show corroborating changes in ecosystem function.”

Reference: “North American pollen record provides evidence of large-scale ecological change in the Anthropocene,” by M. Alison Stegner and Trisha L. Spanbauer, October 16, 2023. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306815120

Source: scitechdaily.com