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Will You Face a Cyber Attack? 7 Essential Protection Tips | Consumer Concerns

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Keep an eye on your inbox

Cyberattack notifications flood our inboxes weekly, sparking concern over the personal data that may have been compromised.

Recently, Adidas disclosed that some personal information of customers was breached, including passwords and credit card details, although their payment data was secure.

Another incident involved unauthorized access to personal data of thousands of legal aid applicants from England and Wales, dating back to 2010, which followed significant disruptions caused by a cyberattack on Marks & Spencer.

If you see news about a cybersecurity incident affecting a company you’ve interacted with, stay vigilant regarding your email. Companies typically reach out to affected customers with details on what occurred and suggested actions.

Sometimes, only specific customer segments or users from particular regions may be impacted.

In Adidas’ case, it appears that those who contacted customer service recently are primarily affected, which may exclude many others. Occasionally, communication will confirm that you are unaffected.

If your information could be compromised, you’ll usually receive guidance on corrective measures or a link to a FAQs page. In some instances, firms may offer free access to support services from cybersecurity experts or credit monitoring.

In Adidas’ case, it seems to affect customers who contacted the service desk previously. Photo: Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images

Change Your Password

If you’ve conducted transactions with an organization that faced a cyber incident, change your password for that account immediately.

Ensure your password is robust and not used across multiple accounts.

Experts recommend creating passwords that are at least 12 characters long, including a mix of numbers, capital and lowercase letters, and symbols. Avoid easily guessed information like pet names, birthdays, or favorite teams.

“A great strategy to enhance password security is to combine three random words into one.” says the National Cybersecurity Centre in the UK. For example, consider something like Hippo! PizzaRocket1.

“Consider using a password manager to generate and securely store unique, strong passwords,” advises online security firm Nordvpn.

Utilize Two-Step Authentication

Two-step verification adds an extra security layer to your email and other key online accounts.

This generally involves receiving a code via the Authenticator app or sent to your registered mobile number to grant access.

Enable two-step verification on all services that provide this feature.

The second factor may include codes sent via SMS. Photo: Prostock-Studio/Alamy

Beware of Unsolicited Emails

Phishing emails often cite recent cyber events to lure unsuspecting targets who may be customers of the affected company.

Scammers might leverage personal information they’ve acquired to appear credible.

Avoid clicking on any link or attachment in emails, text messages, or social media posts unless you’re entirely certain of their legitimacy. These links can lead to phishing sites or include malware designed to steal your identity.

M&S advises potentially impacted customers that they “may receive emails, calls, or texts that appear to be from us.” “We will never reach out for your personal account details, such as your username or password.”

If an email claims to be from a business you interact with and you’re uncertain of its authenticity, ignore it or verify it through official contact channels.

Be cautious about links or attachments in emails unless you are completely sure they are legitimate. Photo: Tero Vesalainen/Alamy

Monitor Your Credit Record

If your personal data has been compromised, keep an eye on your credit report, which details your financial history and is used by lenders to judge your creditworthiness, in case someone attempts to open accounts in your name.

For instance, if a financial entity endures a cyber breach, the accessed data could include sensitive information such as your name, address, national insurance number, date of birth, bank account details, salary, and potentially your passport.

This information can be misused for identity fraud.

In the UK, the main credit reference agencies are Equifax, Experian, and Transunion, all providing various options to check your credit report for free or via subscription.

Credit Karma and Clear Score offer free lifetime access to your credit reports.

Experian provides an ID monitoring service, which checks your personal, financial, and credit information for suspicious activity. It’s a paid service, but if your data becomes compromised, they may cover the costs.

Be cautious if you suddenly find your applications for credit cards or loans being denied, or if you cease receiving bank statements for no clear reason despite a healthy credit score, as it may indicate identity theft.

More significantly, you may start receiving letters regarding debts that are not yours, or seeing transactions on your bank statements for items you didn’t purchase.

Many instances of financial fraud begin on social media and tech platforms, so remain vigilant, as scammers may possess details about you that can lend credibility to their deception.


The so-called “High Mama” scams have risen in recent years, where scammers impersonate relatives on platforms like WhatsApp, often pleading for urgent money transfers upon claiming to be locked out of their online banking.

Even with a sense of urgency, take the necessary time to verify the identity of anyone requesting funds.

Opt Out of Registration

When shopping online, retailers frequently prompt you to save payment card details for quicker checkout, but this may store your information with third-party services rather than just the retailer.

If you can avoid storing payment details across multiple sites, you reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your card information.

Source: www.theguardian.com

What to Do If Your Laptop Is Lost or Stolen: Essential Tips for Tough Situations

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lAptops are essential tools, housing countless important documents, images, and cherished memories. Losing them is about more than just work interruptions. Here’s what to do if the unfortunate occurs:

What should I do if my laptop is lost or stolen?

  • Try to locate it using Microsoft or Apple’s Find My services. Lock it remotely and mark it as lost to safeguard your data.

  • Remove it as a trusted device from services like your Apple or Microsoft account, cloud services, online shops, or other browser apps.

  • Change the password for your primary accounts, such as your Apple or Microsoft account, starting with email accounts that a thief might access through password resets.

  • In the UK, call 101 to report the theft to the police, providing details like the laptop’s make, model, color, and serial number.

  • Reach out to your insurance provider. If you have coverage, your laptop might be included in some home contents policies.

  • Inform your bank about credit cards that might have stored information on your laptop.

  • Contact the laptop’s manufacturer to report the theft and request to blacklist the serial number.

What should you do immediately after getting a new laptop?

Once you acquire a replacement laptop (whether new or used), there are several precautions you can take to ensure its safety.

  • Establish strong passwords or long pins that are difficult to guess. Enable and utilize face or fingerprint recognition, and ensure your laptop locks the screen after a brief period or when the display turns off.

  • If not already activated, enable device encryption in the Privacy and Security Settings.

  • Set up two-step verification for your Microsoft or Apple account, along with any other accounts you use.

  • Activate “My Device” in the Windows 10 or 11 Security Settings or in iCloud Settings on Mac. This helps you locate a lost laptop, lock it remotely, and display a lost message to anyone who finds it.

  • Regularly back up your data. On Windows, you can use Windows Backup to save files and settings, or utilize Microsoft’s OneDrive Cloud Service (5GB free). For Macs, use Time Machine to back up to an external drive, and sync iCloud with apps and files (5GB free). Alternatively, copy files to an external drive but ensure sensitive documents are encrypted before backup.

  • Store important documents in the cloud. Microsoft and Apple offer cloud services, but there are numerous alternatives, including Google Drive, Dropbox, and Proton Drive.

  • Keep your proof of purchase secure, and remember your laptop’s color, model number, and serial number.

  • Consider insuring your laptop under your home contents policy. You may need to add it to a list of high-risk or high-value items, especially when leaving home. Alternatively, seek dedicated laptop or gadget insurance, which often includes theft protection.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Protecting Your Data Post-Cyber Attack: Essential Strategies Against Cybercrime

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A new cyberattack has made headlines, compromising personal information from hundreds of thousands of legal assistance applicants in the UK and Wales.

Following the recent cyber incidents that severely impacted Marks & Spencer and co-ops, reminders are circulating about the increased risk of suspicious activities.

If you’re concerned that your data may have been exposed, here are some tips to help safeguard yourself.

Update Your Password – Ensure It’s Strong

Always ensure you use a strong password and avoid reusing passwords across multiple accounts.

If you’ve interacted with a company or organization that has suffered a cyberattack, promptly change the password for that particular website or app.

“Consider using a password manager to create and securely store strong, unique passwords,” suggests the online security firm Nordvpn.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your critical accounts by requiring a code sent via text or email for access. Be sure to enable 2FA on all services that offer it.

Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Emails, Calls, and Messages

Avoid clicking on links or attachments in unsolicited emails, texts, or social media messages, as they may lead to phishing sites or contain malware designed to steal your identity.

Phishing scams often leverage current events, like cyberattacks, to lure unsuspecting customers into providing sensitive information.

Scammers might possess personal details they obtained through breaches, making their communications seem more credible.

If someone claims to represent a company you use, verify their identity by ignoring their contact and checking official contact details instead.

Monitor Your Credit Report

In case your personal data gets compromised, regularly monitoring your credit report is crucial to detect any fraudulent attempts to create loans or acquire other products in your name. Several Credit Reference Institutions offer access, both free and paid.

We recommend checking your credit report periodically. You can access your credit data through the Credit Committee.

Credit Karma and Clear Score both provide free access to your credit report.

Be vigilant for signs of identity theft, such as being denied financial products unexpectedly or not receiving bank statements despite having a good credit rating. Additionally, receiving collection letters for debts you didn’t incur or items on your bank statement that you didn’t buy are clear red flags.

Most financial fraud is said to begin on social media and technology platforms. Remain cautious, as scammers may have enough information to impersonate someone you know.

The rise of “Hi Mom” scams, where criminals pretend to be relatives asking for urgent financial assistance via messaging apps like WhatsApp, has surged in recent years.

Even under pressure, take your time to verify the identity of anyone requesting money, ensuring you’re truly communicating with your loved ones.

Safeguard Your Devices

Keep your laptops and devices updated by ensuring they receive the latest software and security patches.

Only use official app stores and software update services for your downloads.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Essential Information on the Hepatitis A Outbreak in LA County

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Los Angeles County public health officials have reported an outbreak of hepatitis A. This highly contagious liver infection is caused by a virus that can, in rare instances, lead to serious illness.

Typically, there are fewer than 50 cases annually in LA County, but at least 138 individuals were infected in 2024, with cases continuing to rise significantly in 2025. These numbers are incomplete.

Here’s what you should know.

The hepatitis A virus is spread via the oral-fecal route, meaning it can be ingested through food and beverages contaminated with microscopic stool from infected individuals. The virus can also be transmitted through close contact with someone harboring it, even if they show no symptoms.

Certain individuals face a higher risk of contracting hepatitis A due to inadequate access to clean toilets and handwashing facilities. It is more prevalent among travelers, in settings with poor hygiene, among men who have sex with men, and among drug users.

Officials note that many recent cases have appeared in individuals lacking these risk factors. The reasons remain unclear, but Dr. Timothy Brewer, an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist at UCLA, is increasingly concerned about two issues: food contamination and community transmission.

“In a community with good hygiene and access to drinking water, we shouldn’t see high numbers of infections,” he remarked. “Something is happening, but we aren’t sure what it is.”

Initial symptoms include fever, fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite, followed by vomiting and diarrhea. Infected individuals may subsequently develop jaundice, dark urine, and pale stools.

One significant challenge in controlling the spread of hepatitis A is that contact tracing can be quite challenging. The virus can incubate for up to seven weeks before symptoms appear, and carriers can transmit it for up to two weeks before they feel ill.

Moreover, many infected individuals do not exhibit severe symptoms, according to Dr. Edward Jones Lopez, an infectious disease specialist at Keck Medicine at the University of Southern California, which means they might not seek medical evaluation, undergo blood tests, or report their cases.

Severe symptoms are predominantly observed in the elderly, those with chronic liver diseases, and individuals with compromised immune systems or HIV. While fatalities from hepatitis A are rare, at least seven deaths have been linked to the outbreak. Officials suspect that the true number of infections is significantly higher than reported, as many individuals likely remain asymptomatic or have mild symptoms that go unrecognized.

There are no specific antiviral treatments for hepatitis A, as the infection typically resolves on its own within weeks without causing permanent liver damage. However, hospitalization might be necessary for some patients.

In rare instances, hepatitis A can lead to acute liver failure, known as fulminant hepatitis, which may necessitate a transplant, stated Dr. Jones Lopez. “It can escalate rapidly. It’s a serious condition.”

If you believe you may be infected, consult your doctor, stay hydrated, and rest adequately.

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent hepatitis A. The vaccination schedule consists of two doses given at least six months apart, which provides substantial protection. While children have routinely received this vaccine for the past two decades, many adults over the age of 25 do not get vaccinated unless they belong to a high-risk group.

“Infection can occur anywhere,” warns Dr. Anne Limoyne, a professor of epidemiology at UCLA.

If you have been exposed to someone with the virus but haven’t been vaccinated, a prompt vaccination can prevent infection. Experts suggest that individuals with compromised immune systems may also benefit from receiving immunoglobulins. Practicing good hygiene, such as thorough handwashing with soap and water after using the restroom and before preparing food, is essential for everyone.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Essential Information About mRNA Vaccines

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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has raised concerns about the safety of mRNA vaccines for Covid-19. Scientists have sought funding from the National Institutes of Health: Scrub their grants of mRNA references. State legislatures nationwide are debating bills that aim to ban or limit these vaccines. Weapons of mass destruction.

Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) have gained significant attention recently, though they were first discovered in 1961. Since then, scientists have explored their potential in preventing infections and treating cancer and rare diseases.

mRNA is a large molecule present in all cells, serving as a template to produce the proteins encoded by our DNA. It carries instructions from the DNA in the nucleus to the cell’s protein synthesis machinery. According to Jeff Koller, a professor of RNA biology and therapy at Johns Hopkins University, a single mRNA molecule can generate multiple copies of a protein, and is designed to break down after fulfilling its role.

Currently, there are three FDA-approved mRNA vaccines for older adults. These vaccines utilize strands of mRNA that encode specific viral proteins.

Upon receiving a Covid-19 vaccine, the mRNA chains, encapsulated in tiny fat particles, enter muscle and immune cells, explained Robert Alexander Wesselhoif, director of the RNA Therapy Institute at Mass General Brigham’s Institute of Genetic and Cell Therapy. These intracellular factories then use mRNA instructions to produce proteins resembling those on the Covid-19 virus surface. The body perceives these proteins as foreign, triggering an immune response.

While most mRNA degrades within days, the body keeps a “memory” in the form of antibodies, noted Dr. Koller. As with other vaccines, immunity may wane over time, requiring updates for new variants.

In the mid-2000s, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered a method to introduce foreign mRNA into human cells without it degrading first, paving the way for vaccine development.

Currently, the primary application of these vaccines is to prevent infectious diseases like Covid-19 and RSV, according to Dr. Wesselhoeft, who founded a company focused on RNA therapy. mRNA vaccines can be developed quickly, as the non-RNA components remain consistent across different vaccines.

This rapid development could aid in creating annual flu vaccines, stated Florian Krammer, a virologist from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Typically, choice of flu vaccine strains is made in late winter, but mRNA vaccines can adapt more swiftly, allowing for better efficacy against circulating strains.

A common question is whether mRNA vaccines can impact DNA. Dr. Boucher clarified that this is not possible; mRNA cannot be converted into DNA or integrated into the genome.

Covid-19 vaccines may cause temporary muscle pain and other mild side effects, as noted by Dr. Krammer.

Dr. Adam Ratner, a pediatric infection specialist in New York, remarked that in the over four years since the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine, there have been “no long-term safety signals.” He noted parental concerns regarding myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, but emphasized that the risks associated with actual Covid-19 infections far outweigh those of vaccination.

mRNA-based vaccines may target a variety of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular conditions, autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes, and rare diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

For cancer, the concept is that mRNA can encode tumor-associated proteins, prompting an immune response against tumors. In genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis, mRNA can produce a functional version of a missing protein, restoring normal function in affected tissues.

A recent paper published in Nature outlined an experimental mRNA vaccine for pancreatic cancer, which elicited immune responses in some patients post-surgery. Those who experienced immune activation had improved survival rates compared to those who did not.

Another study on monkeys investigated inhaled mRNA therapy aimed at producing proteins necessary for cilia formation, which play a crucial role in clearing mucus in the airways. This therapy targets dysfunctions associated with primary ciliary dyskinesia.

This research is in its preliminary stages, with the Phase I trial for pancreatic cancer involving only 16 patients, which may lead to variability in survival outcomes. Dr. Stephen Rosenberg, an expert in cancer immunotherapy at the National Cancer Institute, has indicated that interventions can stimulate immune responses without significantly altering patient outcomes.

Dr. Richard Boucher, a pulmonary scientist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, noted that targeting the correct cells with mRNA-carrying particles for lung diseases is particularly challenging.

Overall, Dr. Ratner described mRNA vaccines as “exciting” and holding promise for treating conditions where prior technologies have struggled. However, he cautioned that mRNA therapies should be seen as one of many drug technologies, with varying efficacy depending on the illness.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Removing barriers is essential for achieving true powerfulism, not turning a blind eye to them.

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Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times Getty Images

In the latter half of the 18th century, mathematicians and physicists Joseph Lewis Lagrange made a shocking discovery. His star student, Monsieur Le Blanc, was actually a woman.

Lagrange was taught by Ecall Police Technique in France. As a result, students were able to receive lecture notebooks and submit their jobs without going directly to the university. This was especially useful for Sophie Germann, who was forced to study mathematics despite objections from his parents. She picked up the expired student and may have escaped, but Lagrange realized the vast and sudden improvement of Le Blanc's work and demanded that she would meet directly.

Germain is not the only person who pays attention to how the name used is perceived. As the psychologist Kion West explains here, experiments using the same recruitment application belong to white people who belong to blacks. It indicates that it is not more successful than the person who thinks.

In recent years, many organizations have adopted measures to compete with these results, such as deleting names from recruiting applications. These measures fall under the umbrella of diversity, fairness, and inclusion (DEI). But now, US President Donald Trump has ordered government agencies to dismantle the DEI program, promising that society is a “merit base.”

Trump approaches to diversity, fairness, and wrapping are unlikely to create talentedism

Some DEI Initiative are based on stronger evidence than other Initiative. As the resume test shows, the benefits alone are not enough to overcome people's prejudice, but many researchs show it. Anonymous application tends to improve the results In the case of a blessed group. On the other hand, unconscious biastration is a one -time session in the form of a single session aimed at to make employees recognize snap -judgments for people based on races and gender. It turns out that there is almost no difference in changing people's behavior。

The harsh approach to Trump's Day, not evidence, is unlikely to produce his remarkable consequences of his remarkable ability. Instead of developing organizations that are encouraging the best people to prosper, the current efforts seem to promote the culture of fear. Government worker We are warned of “adverse effects” because we did not end DEI work.

Thankfully, Germain did not have such results. Lagrange accepted who she was and defended mathematical development. Nevertheless, she still used Le Blanc's pseudonyms in some communications. The most prominent is that when she discovered her true identity, she has “courage, extraordinary talent, and excellent genius.” If we want to prosper more germen, we must recognize and deal with the barriers they face.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Essential Winter Running Gear to Conquer the Cold

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I
If you’re tempted to give up running or hit the gym in the winter, think again. Whether you’re heading out for some fresh air and sunshine on a crisp blue-sky day, or blowing away cobwebs in the rainy darkness after work, running outdoors can make winter more bearable.


A few changes to your outfit and some clever accessories can help you stay warm, dry, and safer. Not all of the following are required. It depends on where you’re going, how far you’re going, and what time of day you’re going. Everything featured is unisex or has versions for women and men.

best winter running gear

protective headgear

Arc’teryx Norvan balaclava

£65 at Arc’teryx

Buff reflex DryFlx beanie hat

£21.07 on Amazon

£21.95 in buff

Wearing proper headgear can save you a run when the wind is blowing strongly or the temperature is very cold. The Arc’teryx Merino Balaclava can be worn around the neck, pulled up over the mouth, or as a balaclava that wraps around the ears and forehead. The top is open for ventilation. If you want full head coverage, you can also wear a Buff beanie. Both are highly reflective, breathable, and quick drying.

chest light

Provis chest light

£29.99 at Provis


£34.99 on Amazon

Wearing a chest light gives you the chance to see bikes, cars, and people long before they can reach you in the dark. This is especially important in areas without street lighting. It has super-bright 500 lumen front and backlights (white full, half, or low beam on the front, slow blinking red on the back), and a USB rechargeable battery that lasts 3 hours. The elastic, adjustable strap has Proviz 360 reflectance, which creates a dazzling shine when the light hits it.

bone conduction headphones

Shokz OpenPro2 headphones


£169 at Shokz



£169 on Amazon

If you can’t live without music or podcasts while running, but don’t want to lose awareness of your surroundings in the dark, bone conduction headphones are the perfect solution. Sound is conducted through the temporal bones at the sides and bottom of the skull, so you can hear cars, bikes, and people while immersing yourself in listening. This also eliminates the problem of earphones falling from sweaty ears.

If you’ve never tried it before, you’ll be amazed at the magic of hearing music as clearly as if it were through earphones. The sound quality on this wireless pair is great.

backpack cover

Provis backpack cover

£34.99 at Provis


£45.50 at Decathlon

If you’re a running commuter, you could buy a high-vis reflective backpack for those dark mornings and evenings, but this reversible cover is an inexpensive hack that you can slip over your existing backpack and enjoy its benefits. With its high reflectance, it lights up your body like a Christmas tree. Keeps the bag and its contents dry even when it rains.

technical base layer

love bridge line Long sleeve base layer for women

£59.99 on sports shoes



£59.99 at Base Camp Gear



love bridge line men’s long sleeve base layer

£59.99 on sports shoes


£60 on Amazon

Layering is key when running in the winter. A good quality technical baselayer and midlayer for the first few miles, combined with a running jacket (see below) if it’s wet or very windy, will keep you warm and sweat-free. can. You can delete either of the top two if you wish.

These baselayers are designed for mountain running, but are equally useful for urban runs. It’s made from breathable fabric with small vents in well-placed locations to quickly wick away sweat and moisture, and a deep chest zipper if you get too hot.

running jacket

asics metalan mens waterproof jacket

£142.99 in sports shoes


£151 at Asics


ASICS Metalan Women’s Waterproof Jacket

£120 at Sports Direct


£151 at Asics

If you’re going for a short 20-minute run in the rain, you can probably do without a running jacket. However, if you’re running long distances, a flexible, breathable technical running jacket is a wise investment for rainy and windy days.

This well-designed jacket packs into its own chest pocket, making it easy to store away when you don’t need it. It’s completely waterproof, so you can go out even during long downpours. It also switches around the bottom and hood to create a seal around the body. It’s also made from 50% recycled materials. A good running jacket will last for years if properly cared for.

running gloves

Limb Maze Runner gloves

£22.95 at Outdoor Action


£25.50 at Mountain Warehouse

Sealskins Wolferton running gloves

£40 at Sealskins

Cold hands and feet can ruin your winter run. Even if your face and body are hot, the wind will keep your hands cold. Regular gloves are cumbersome and make your hands sweaty, but running gloves are breathable and flexible.

These Extremities gloves feature superior insulation and reflective details. Sealskinz are water-repellent and have nifty retractable mittens that you can wear over your fingers on especially cold days. Both are touchscreen compatible, so you can keep your gloves on while using your smartphone.

warm socks

Sealskins Hillgay running socks

£18 at Sealskins


£18 on Amazon

For the other extremities, merino running socks will keep your feet comfortable without overheating and will quickly wick away moisture if they get wet. These are thicker than summer socks and reach mid-calf. In winter you can’t bare your ankles.

tracker device

Tile Pro

£34.99 on Tiles


£27.99 on Amazon

Running before and after work inevitably means running in the dark, but this Tile Bluetooth tracker gives you some peace of mind. Tile has partnered Life 360 is a safety app that shows your loved ones exactly where you are, so you can now use tiles to discreetly trigger SOS alerts. Press the button three times and your contacts will be asked to confirm their location. and Gold or Platinum membership Life360 allows you to dispatch emergency services to your exact location.

The tiles are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, so you can run with them or shove them in your pocket, and they have a range of 500 feet. Adding tiles can also save you tons of time spent looking for your keys or phone before heading out for a run.

hybrid running shoes

www.theguardian.com

The Evolution of Wildfire Monitoring Apps: From Alarm to Essential State of Mind in the Western US

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CRisti Thomas called 911 for the second time on a warm October day, but when she couldn’t get through, she began to panic. She watched anxiously as a plume of black smoke grew over a rural community in central California.

Just then, I heard a familiar ping.

Watch Duty, an app that warns users of the risk of wildfires and provides critical information in the event of a fire, was already recording the fires. She relaxed. The cavalry was coming.

“I can’t describe the sigh of relief,” she said, recalling the moments after sirens wailed through her neighborhood and helicopters roared overhead. “We saw it happen, so we had questions, and the oversight mandate answered them all.”

Thomas is one of the millions of Watch Duty evangelists who have helped the app spread rapidly. This organization has only been in existence for three years. Currently boasts up to 7.2 million active users At peak times, it receives up to 512 million page views. For a nonprofit organization run mostly by volunteers, those numbers are impressive even by startup standards. But they are not surprising.

Lookout duties have changed the lives of people in fire-prone areas. When the skies darken and ash fills the air, users no longer have to scramble for information, they can now rely on the app to get fast, accurate information for free.

Provides access to critical information about where the danger is, including fire perimeters, evacuation areas, and evacuation location maps. Users can find wildfire camera feeds, track aircraft locations, and see wind data all in one place. The app can also help identify when there is little need for alarm, when risks have subsided, and which agencies are active on the ground.

“This app isn’t just about alerts, it’s about your state of mind,” said Watch Duty CEO John Mills. The Silicon Valley alumnus founded the organization after moving from San Francisco to a large, fire-prone ranch in Sonoma County. After starting in just four California counties, Watch Duty covered the entire state in its first year and quickly expanded from the American West to Hawaii.

As the community grows to reach people in 14 states by 2024, Mills says new features and improved accuracy have made it more popular and filled an unmet need.

It’s not just residents who have become reliant on apps in recent years. A variety of responders, from firefighters to city officials to journalists, are also logging on to ensure key stakeholders are on the same page.

“People thank me for on-duty duty, but I’m like, ‘You’re welcome, I’m sorry you need it,'” Mills said. But it’s clear that the need is real. In each new area we served, word of mouth drove adoption.

“We didn’t spend any money on marketing,” Mills said. “To let the world know that we just let the genie out of the bottle and things are not going back to the way they were.”

CalFire supervisors watch over the Rhine Fire in San Bernardino County, California, in September 2024. Photo: Jon Putman/Sopa Images/Rex/Shutterstock

Source: www.theguardian.com

Mayors are essential leaders in the fight against climate change.

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2XMXH3D London, UK. July 30, 2024. UK Weather: A heatwave sunset over St Paul's Cathedral and Tower Bridge ends a warm Tuesday. Temperatures today are expected to reach over 30C, potentially making it the UK's hottest day of the year so far. Credit: Guy Corbishley/Alamy Live News

It hasn’t been a good year for people concerned about climate change. The expected peak in carbon emissions has not appeared, meaning global warming continues to accelerate (see ‘Humans have warmed the planet by 1.5°C since 1700’). Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s election as US president for a second term and his pledge to “drill, baby, drill” new oil and gas supplies could lead the country to backtrack on climate action. expensive.

Similar sentiments against fossil fuels come from Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, who called the oil-rich country’s natural resources a “gift from God.” Aliyev made the comments at the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku. Ironically, this “gift” will become increasingly unavailable as a warming world dries up the Caspian Sea and strands billions of dollars in fossil fuel infrastructure. (See ‘We face climate disaster as the world dries up’).

Given the failure of politicians on the international stage to grasp the reality of climate change, other leaders need to step up, but surprisingly, mayors are the best suited to do so. Maybe it’s the position.

It will be essential for cities to adapt to cope with the unique impacts of urban heat.

Mayors cannot be expected to influence the Earth’s climate, but they oversee the well-being of more than 50 percent of the world’s population who live in urban centers. This number is expected to increase to 70 percent by 2050. Current projections are for spot temperatures to increase by 2.5 degrees Celsius. Adapting cities to deal with the unique effects of urban heat will be essential, from promoting green spaces to investing in buildings that can be cooled without air conditioning (‘Extreme heat makes cities uninhabitable’). (See “How can I survive?”)

The good news is that many mayors already recognize their responsibilities. London Mayor Sadiq Khan aims for the city to be net zero by 2030. Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, France, planted trees in certain areas and banned cars from passing. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also pledged environmentally friendly changes in preparation for the 2028 Olympics. Organizations like C40 and Climate Mayors are helping to unite local politicians around the world into action. This won’t solve climate change, but it will make life in a warming world more bearable for many people.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Study finds earthquake-triggered piezoelectric effect is essential in the creation of sizable gold nuggets

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Gold nuggets reside primarily in quartz veins, and the current paradigm holds that gold precipitates from hydrothermal and carbon dioxide-rich fluids due to changes in temperature, pressure, and/or fluid chemistry. However, the widespread occurrence of large gold nuggets is inconsistent with the dilute nature of these fluids and the chemical inertness of quartz. Quartz is the only abundant piezoelectric mineral on Earth, and the cyclical nature of the seismic activity that drives the formation of gold deposits means that quartz crystals within veins are stressed thousands of times. New research by scientists from Monash University, CSIRO Mineral Resources and the Australian Neutron Scattering Centre suggests that stress on quartz crystals may generate enough voltage to not only electrochemically precipitate gold from solution, but also accumulate gold nanoparticles.

Energy dispersive spectroscopy map of the sample studied by Voysey othersImage courtesy of Chris Voisey.

“Prized for their rarity and beauty, gold nuggets have been at the heart of gold rushes for centuries,” says Monash University geologist Chris Voisey.

“The standard explanation is that gold precipitates from hot, water-rich fluids that flow through cracks in the Earth's crust.”

“As these fluids cool and undergo chemical changes, the gold separates and becomes trapped in the quartz veins.”

“Although this theory is widely accepted, it does not fully explain the formation of large gold nuggets, especially considering the extremely low concentrations of gold in these liquids.”

Dr. Voysey and his colleagues tested a new concept called piezoelectricity.

Quartz, the mineral that typically contains these gold deposits, has a unique property called piezoelectricity, which means it generates an electric charge when subjected to pressure.

This phenomenon is already well known in everyday items such as quartz watches and barbecue lighters, where small mechanical forces generate large voltages.

What if earthquake stresses caused something similar to happen within the Earth?

To test this hypothesis, the researchers conducted experiments designed to replicate conditions that quartz might experience during an earthquake.

They submerged the crystals in a gold-rich liquid and used a motor to apply pressure to it, replicating the shaking of an earthquake.

After the experiment, the quartz samples were examined under a microscope to see if any gold had been deposited.

“The results were surprising,” said Professor Andy Tomkins, from Monash University.

“The stressed quartz not only electrochemically deposited gold on its surface, but also formed and accumulated gold nanoparticles.”

“Surprisingly, the gold tended to deposit on top of existing gold grains rather than forming new gold grains.”

“This is because quartz is an electrical insulator, while gold is a conductor.”

“Once the gold is deposited, it becomes a focus for further growth, effectively attaching even more gold to the gold particle.”

“Our findings provide a plausible explanation for why large gold nuggets form in quartz veins,” Dr Voysey said.

When the quartz is repeatedly compressed by an earthquake, a piezoelectric voltage is generated, causing dissolved gold to be reduced and precipitated from the surrounding liquid.

Over time, this process can accumulate large amounts of gold, eventually producing giant gold nuggets that fascinate treasure hunters and geologists.

“Essentially, the quartz acts like a natural battery, with the gold as its electrodes, slowly accumulating gold with each earthquake,” Dr Voysey said.

“This process may explain why large gold nuggets are frequently associated with quartz veins that form in earthquake-related deposits.”

“This new understanding of the formation of gold nuggets not only solves a long-standing geological mystery, but also highlights the interrelationships between Earth's physical and chemical processes.”

a paper A paper describing the results was published today in the journal Nature Chemistry.

_____

CR Voysey othersThe formation of gold nuggets due to earthquake-induced piezoelectric effect in quartz. National GeographyPublished on September 2, 2024, doi: 10.1038/s41561-024-01514-1

Source: www.sci.news

Transform your diet with this essential food pyramid

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The food pyramid is a visual representation of a balanced diet, showing the types and proportions of foods that contribute to overall health.

Imagine a pyramid divided into sections, with each section representing a different food group. Specific designs vary, but a typical food pyramid usually includes the following categories from base to apex:

Base (grain)

At the bottom, widest part, are grains like bread, rice, and pasta. These provide complex carbohydrates, which are your primary source of energy. Whole grains are also a good source of added fiber.

Second layer (fruits and vegetables)

Next, fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. To get a variety of nutrients, try to eat at least five servings of colorful vegetables each day.

3rd layer (protein)

This section includes proteins like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, etc. Protein is essential for muscle maintenance, immune function, and growth, and helps you feel fuller for longer.

Top layer (dairy or alternative)

This section discusses fortified alternatives, such as dairy or soy milk, which provide calcium and other essential nutrients needed for bone health.

Outside the pyramid (sweets and fats)

Here are your fats and sweets: While fats are necessary for many bodily functions, choose healthy fats, such as those found in olive oil and avocado. Limit your intake of added sugars and sweets.

The food pyramid acts as a guide to creating a balanced diet by incorporating a variety of foods from different groups while avoiding relying too heavily on one category.

This concept was shaped into a plate in the UK, Eatwell Guide. It tells you how much of each food group you should eat based on the space it takes up on your plate.

According to the Eatwell Guide, eating healthy means making balanced choices from the five food groups over the course of a day or week: one-third fruits and vegetables, one-third grains and starches, and the remaining third a mix of dairy, proteins, and fats, both animal and plant-based.

This article is a response to the question “What is the food pyramid and can it help you eat healthily?” (asked by Diane Weeks from Glasgow).

If you have any questions, please send them to the email address below. For further information:or send us a message Facebook, Xor Instagram Page (be sure to include your name and location).

Ultimate Fun Facts For more amazing science, check out this page.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Scientists harness bottled ‘lightning’ to generate essential ingredients for life

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Nitrogen is an essential element for life and is an integral part of DNA and proteins. Most of the nitrogen on Earth exists in the atmosphere as gaseous nitrogen, denoted as N.2 However, most organisms cannot directly use nitrogen. In modern ecosystems, some microorganisms have specialized enzymes that convert nitrogen into nitrogen.2 It converts gases into a form that other living things can use. Fixed nitrogen These microorganisms Nitrogen fixing bacteria.

But 3 to 4 billion years ago, during a period in Earth's history called the Archean Era, life had not yet evolved and no nitrogen-fixing organisms existed, so scientists studying the origin of life are faced with a classic chicken-and-egg problem: life needed nitrogen to evolve, but before life evolved, there were no microorganisms to convert nitrogen into nitrogen.2 Let's turn gas into something we can use! So where did life get its nitrogen from before there were nitrogen-fixing organisms?

Researchers recently hypothesized that early life on Earth may have obtained fixed nitrogen from lightning. They propose that the high energy of a lightning spark could react with oxygen and N.2 Fixing atmospheric nitrogen2 The gas is converted into other usable forms of nitrogen. Nitrogen oxides.

Geologists have studied the sedimentary rock record to understand nitrogen throughout Earth's history, but they had no way to distinguish lightning-derived nitrogen in rocks from other ancient sources of nitrogen. To explore whether lightning provided fixed nitrogen to early life, researchers led by Dr. Patrick Barth created “lightning” in a jar and tested whether it would react with nitrogen.2 It emitted gases and produced nitrogen oxides that had an identifiable signal.

To simulate lightning, the researchers used electrodes in glass flasks filled with different gas mixtures: To mimic modern-day Earth, Barth and his colleagues used a flask with a composition similar to our current atmosphere, containing 85 percent nitrogen.2 They also used flasks containing an atmosphere similar to that of Archean Earth, which scientists believe was about 83% nitrogen.20% oxygen, 16% carbon dioxide.

The researchers added 50 milliliters (about a quarter cup) of water to the bottom of each flask to allow any nitrogen oxides and other compounds produced during the reaction to dissolve in the water. They discharged each experimental flask to about 50 kilovolts for 15 to 60 minutes — nearly 10 times the voltage of an electric car battery.

The research team developed a device called Quadrupole Gas AnalyzerThey measured the nitrogen compounds in the gases coming out of each flask before and after they were ignited. They found that in the modern experiment, more fixed nitrogen was dissolved in the water than in the gas. But in the Archean experiment, the fixed nitrogen was split almost equally between the water and the gas.

After each reaction, the researchers placed the flask of water into an apparatus that measured the weight of the nitrogen atoms. Gas Source Mass SpectrometerThey explained that nitrogen atoms exist in two main forms with different masses, called isotopes. 14The N isotope is lighter and more abundant in nature, 15The N isotope is heavier and less common. The researchers used mass spectrometer data to calculate the ratios of nitrogen isotopes in the lightning-fixed nitrogen samples. They compared these nitrogen isotope ratios to those in rocks that are 3.1 to 3.8 billion years old to see if there was a match.

The researchers found that the nitrogen isotope ratio of the lightning-produced nitrogen was about 0.1% to 1% lighter than that of the rocks, and suggested that this difference in nitrogen isotopes indicates that most of the nitrogen in the Archean rocks was not produced by lightning.

The researchers also used the lightning flash rate on modern Earth to predict the amount of nitrogen oxides that lightning would produce per year. They estimated that the annual lightning flash rate alone could not have provided enough nitrogen to support ecosystems on early Earth. They explain that there was even less lightning in the Archean than there is today, so even less nitrogen was available to support early life.

The researchers concluded that lightning was not the main source of available nitrogen for early life. Because nitrogen-fixing organisms must have evolved very early in Earth's history, life did not need to rely solely on lightning, they suggested. However, one of the 3.7-billion-year-old rock samples showed nitrogen isotope ratios similar to lightning-fixed nitrogen, leading the researchers to speculate that small amounts of fixed nitrogen from lightning may have supported early life. Furthermore, the researchers suggested that the lightning-fixed nitrogen isotope ratios obtained in this study could be used to investigate how nitrogen is fixed on other planets in the solar system.


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Source: sciworthy.com

Introducing Galaxy Squad: 5 essential tips for selecting a gaming laptop

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When it comes to gaming, the experience is everything. Whether you’re into Fortnite or Baldur’s Gate 3, full immersion is key, and that requires a laptop that can keep up. According to expert Eleanor Alley, who coordinates events at the University of Warwick Esports Center, the laptop you choose will depend on the specific requirements of the game you want to play. From beginners to seasoned pros, there are certain technical aspects that everyone should be aware of…

What should you consider in a gaming laptop?
One crucial factor that can elevate your gaming experience is the speed of your computer. This directly impacts how smoothly the game runs and how realistic the graphics appear. Performance is influenced by three main components: the CPU (Central Processing Unit), which serves as the computer’s “brain”; RAM (Random Access Memory), which stores data required for quick access during operations, similar to short-term memory; and the GPU (graphics processing unit), which generates the images displayed on the screen.

What are the key features of a high-performance gaming laptop?
Nothing is more frustrating than a game freezing at a critical moment, indicating that your computer may not meet the game’s requirements. If the CPU, RAM, or GPU are not powerful enough, loading times and frame rates will suffer. Higher frame rates result in smoother visuals, while faster loading speeds lead to seamless transitions between scenes.

When shopping for a laptop, processing power should be a top consideration. The CPU, the main processor, typically contains multiple cores that handle instructions. While a “quad-core” processor may be adequate for some laptops, those designed for gaming should ideally have 8 or more cores. For top-notch performance, a processor with 16 cores, like the newly launched Intel Core Ultra 7 and Intel Ultra 9 in the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra, is recommended.

Immerse yourself in the action with high-quality audio

Increasing the amount of RAM can also enhance your gaming experience by ensuring smoother gameplay. Insufficient RAM can lead to lag, instability, and frustration. Gaming laptops should ideally have at least 16 GB of RAM, with options for more like the 32 GB available in the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra.

The final piece of the puzzle is the graphics processing unit, which is essential for better visuals and gameplay. A dedicated GPU, separate from the CPU, is crucial for improved performance, especially in demanding games like Red Dead Redemption 2. The Galaxy Book4 Ultra offers two highly acclaimed NVIDIA RTX graphics options.

For Lee, the overall gaming experience hinges on the integration of these elements.

Her recommendation is to compare your system’s specifications with the game’s hardware requirements and test your favorite games on the laptop you’re considering or try out more demanding titles like Baldur’s Gate 3.

What is the ideal screen size for gaming?
Lee suggests a minimum screen size of 15.6 inches, which is met by the 16-inch screen of the Galaxy Book4 Ultra. She advises opting for a screen resolution of at least 1080p and a refresh rate of 120 Hz for an enhanced gaming experience. The Galaxy Book4 series features a 3K screen resolution, providing a superior gameplay experience, especially for players who enjoy first-person games.

Modern laptops utilize AI and high-performance GPUs to create more realistic visuals. Vibrant colors and a visible touchscreen even in bright conditions further enhance the gaming experience.

Besides a great screen, top-notch audio is essential for gamers. Therefore, the inclusion of high-quality speakers and a studio-quality microphone with AI noise cancellation ensures immersive sound and minimal distractions.


How can I ensure my laptop is compatible with gaming hardware?
Portability is a key aspect of laptops. However, this should not limit your ability to use various hardware such as external screens, controllers, charging docks, headsets, and other accessories. Therefore, a laptop with multiple ports is essential. The Galaxy Book4 series laptops are equipped with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, along with USB, HDMI, headphone, and microphone jacks.

What are the most important factors to consider when choosing a gaming laptop?
As long as you have a capable CPU and GPU, sufficient RAM, and a quality screen, you likely have a great gaming laptop. While some may prioritize a 4K display, the graphics processor is more crucial and should be the main focus when balancing costs.

One of the advantages of laptops is their portability, as noted by Lee who values the ability to take it anywhere. In the past, this could mean compromising performance, but modern laptops maintain both portability and power.

For more information on which Samsung Galaxy Book4 laptop suits your gaming needs, visit: samsung.com/uk/galaxy-book

© Intel Corporation. Intel, the Intel logo, and other Intel marks are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

Source: www.theguardian.com

There May Be Less Oxygen in Europa’s Ocean, the Essential Fuel for Life, Than Previously Believed

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Jupiter’s moon Europa is covered with an icy shell

NASA/JPL-California Institute of Technology

Jupiter’s moon Europa may not be as ripe for life as we think. Beneath the icy shell is an ocean of water, but as we know, the frigid moon may lack the oxygen needed to support life.

On Europa, oxygen is produced when radiation hits the surface and breaks down the water ice there into its constituent parts hydrogen and oxygen. Models of this process suggest that oxygen production rates can range from 5 kilograms per second to more than 1000 kilograms per second.

Jamie Zareh Researchers at Princeton University made the new estimate using data from the Juno spacecraft, which flew just 353 kilometers above Europa’s surface in 2022. They discovered that oxygen is only produced at a rate of about 12 kilograms per second at the Earth’s surface. This corresponds to the lower bound of previous estimates.

“In a sense, the shell is like Europa’s lungs. It’s continually producing oxygen,” Zaray says. “That said, we can’t say what happens after the oxygen is produced at the surface. How much of the oxygen makes it into the ocean remains a question.”

But if less oxygen is produced in the first place, less oxygen will enter European waters. As a result, researchers may be less likely to discover organisms similar to those living on Earth.

One of the next steps is to figure out how much of that oxygen can penetrate through the alien moon’s icy shell. NASA’s European Clipper mission, scheduled to launch in October, should help solve that problem. It is hoped that this will allow researchers to measure the thickness of the ice and determine whether elements and compounds useful for life can pass through it.

topic:

  • satellite/
  • extraterrestrial life form

Source: www.newscientist.com

Early Earth conditions could have supported the production of essential life chemicals

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Chemical reactions in volcanic pools may have contributed to the birth of life on Earth

Michael S. Nolan/Alamy

One of the most important molecules in living organisms is synthesized from scratch under everyday conditions. The discovery suggests that this chemical formed naturally early in Earth's history and may have played a role in the origin of life.

The substance in question is called pantetheine. It is not a well-known name at the DNA or protein level. However, pantetheine is an important component of a larger molecule called pantetheine. acetyl coenzyme A, A “cofactor” that helps enzymes work.

“Coenzyme A is present in every organism ever sequenced,” he says. Matthew Powner At University College London.

Powner has spent most of his career discovering ways to make biomolecules from simple chemicals in a way that can occur naturally. Over the past decade, he has shown that: aminonitrile can be used to make nucleotide – the building blocks of DNA – and peptide, Short version of protein.

His team has now shown that aminonitrile can be used to make pantetheine in a series of reactions starting with simple chemicals like formaldehyde. This was done in water, often at such dilute concentrations that the reaction mixture appeared like clear water. The team sometimes used heat to speed up their work, but otherwise did not need to intervene once the reaction started.

“We just put everything in one pot. We literally just throw everything in, we don't change anything, we don't do anything, and we have a 60% yield of product,” Powner says.

Acetyl coenzyme A is involved in the synthesis of several biologically important chemicals. Some of the oldest microbial groups use processes involving microorganisms to obtain carbon from the environment.

Importantly, pantetheine is the active portion of the acetyl-coenzyme A molecule. No more than one bit is “essential to its functionality,” Powner says.

This type of cofactor is present in all living organisms.They are described as follows Origin of life and remnants of early evolution.

“Obtaining key organic biological cofactors from scratch,” he says, is impressive, “not to mention one of such centrally important ones.” Zachary Adam from the University of Wisconsin-Madison was not involved in the study.

For Adam, the importance of this research extends beyond pantetheine and acetyl coenzyme A. “They report this particular part of the cofactor, but intermediates have been shown to be important as well,” he says. Other chemicals produced in the process have been shown to aid in the production of other biomolecules. “They're building a network of compounds.”

Many ideas about the origin of life have assumed that a small set of biomolecules formed long before other molecules. For example, the “RNA world” hypothesis states that first life was made solely of RNA, and other chemicals such as proteins and lipids were added after RNA was able to make them. .

Powner is one of several researchers pushing for an alternative scenario in which many important molecules form early and interact from the beginning. “These products can all be products of the same chemical reaction,” he says. Rather than starting with just RNA, or just peptides, “it might be easier to make them all together, so the chemical reactions they perform are integrated from the original state.”

topic:

  • chemistry /
  • origin of life

Source: www.newscientist.com

UK AI Safety Association: Setting Standards, Not Tests, is Essential for Artificial Intelligence Safety

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The UK should prioritize setting global standards for artificial intelligence testing, instead of attempting to conduct all reviews itself, as suggested by the company responsible for the government’s AI Safety Institute.

Mark Warner, CEO of Faculty AI, emphasized the institute’s commitment to AI safety and its development of technologies for chatbots like ChatGPT. He cautioned that excessive scrutiny of AI models could be limiting.

Last year, Rishi Sunak announced the establishment of the AI Safety Institute (AISI) ahead of a global AI safety summit. This initiative involved collaboration with large tech companies from the EU, UK, US, France, and Japan to prioritize testing of advanced AI models before and after deployment.

The UK’s leading role in AI safety was underscored by the establishment of the Institute, according to Warner, whose London-based company also works with a British lab to test AI model compliance with safety guidelines.

Warner stressed the importance of the institute becoming a global leader in setting testing standards: “I think it’s important to set standards for the wider world rather than trying to do everything ourselves,” he said.

He also expressed optimism about the institute’s potential as an international standard setter, promoting scalability in maintaining AI security and describing it as a long-term vision.

Warner cautioned against the government taking on all testing responsibilities, advocating for the development of standards that other governments and companies can adopt instead.

He acknowledged the challenge of testing every released model and suggested focusing on the most advanced systems.

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The Financial Times reported that major AI companies are urging the UK government to expedite safety testing of AI systems. Notably, the US also announced the establishment of an AI Safety Institute participating in the testing program outlined at the Bletchley Park summit.

The UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology emphasized the role of governments in testing AI models, with the UK taking a leading global role through the AI Safety Institute.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Intrinsic, supported by Y Combinator, is developing essential infrastructure for trust and safety teams

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Karine Mellata and Michael Lin met several years ago while working on Apple’s Fraud Engineering and Algorithmic Risk team. Both Mellata and Lin were involved in addressing online fraud issues such as spam, bots, account security, and developer fraud among Apple’s growing customer base.

Despite their efforts to develop new models to respond to evolving patterns of abuse, Melata and Lin feel they are falling behind and stuck in rebuilding core elements of their trust and safety infrastructure. I did.

“As regulation puts increased scrutiny on teams that centralize somewhat ad hoc trust and safety responses, we are helping modernize this industry and build a safer internet for everyone. We saw this as a real opportunity to do that,” Melata told TechCrunch in an email interview. “We dreamed of a system that could magically adapt as quickly as the abuse itself.”

Co-founded by So Mellata and Lin essentialis a startup that aims to give safety teams the tools they need to prevent product fraud. Intrinsic recently raised $3.1 million in a seed round with participation from Urban Innovation Fund, Y Combinator, 645 Ventures, and Okta.

Intrinsic’s platform is designed to moderate both user-generated and AI-generated content, allowing customers (primarily social media companies and e-commerce marketplaces) to detect and take action on content that violates their policies. We provide the infrastructure to do so. Intrinsic focuses on integrating safety products and automatically orchestrates tasks like banning users and flagging content for review.

“Intrinsic is a fully customizable AI content moderation platform,” said Mellata. “For example, Intrinsic can help publishers creating marketing materials avoid giving financial advice that carries legal liability. We can also help marketplaces discover listings such as:

Mellata notes that there are no off-the-shelf classifiers for such sensitive categories, and even for a well-resourced trust and safety team, adding a new auto-discovered category can take weeks of engineering. They claim it can take several months in some cases. -House.

Asked about rival platforms such as Spectrum Labs, Azure, and Cinder (almost direct competitors), Mellata said Intrinsic is superior in terms of (1) explainability and (2) significantly expanded tools. I said I was thinking about it. He explained that Intrinsic allows customers to “ask questions” about mistakes they made in content moderation decisions and provide an explanation as to why. The platform also hosts manual review and labeling tools that allow customers to fine-tune moderation models based on their own data.

“Most traditional trust and safety solutions were inflexible and not built to evolve with exploits,” Melata said. “Now more than ever, resource-constrained trust and safety teams are looking to vendors to help them reduce moderation costs while maintaining high safety standards.”

Without third-party auditing, it is difficult to determine how accurate a particular vendor’s moderation model is or whether it is susceptible to some type of influence. prejudice It plagues content moderation models elsewhere. But either way, Intrinsic appears to be gaining traction thanks to its “large and established” enterprise customers, who are signing deals in the “six-figure” range on average.

Intrinsic’s near-term plans include increasing the size of its three-person team and expanding its moderation technology to cover not just text and images, but also video and audio.

“The widespread slowdown in the technology industry has increased interest in automation for trust and safety, and this puts Intrinsic in a unique position,” Melata said. “COOs are concerned with reducing costs. Chief compliance officers are concerned with mitigating risk. Embedded helps both. , to catch more fraud.”

Source: techcrunch.com

The Essential Handbook for Ethical and Responsible AI Governance

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Content Rewrite

Pani Dasari Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) is a global company specializing in digitally-driven customer experiences for hundreds of world-class brands. Fani has over 18 years of experience across areas such as governance, risk, compliance, client security management, data privacy and regulatory compliance, among others.

Rapid progress in Artificial intelligence (AI) technology, fueled by breakthrough advances in machine learning (ML) and data management, has propelled organizations into a new era of innovation and automation. AI applications continue to proliferate across industries and are expected to revolutionize the customer experience, optimize operational efficiency, and streamline business processes. However, this transformation journey comes with an important caveat: the need for robust AI governance.

In recent years, concerns about ethical, fair, and responsible AI deployment have become prominent, highlighting the need for strategic oversight throughout the AI lifecycle.

Rise of AI applications and ethical concerns

The proliferation of AI and ML applications is a hallmark of recent technological advances. Organizations are increasingly recognizing the potential of AI to improve customer experiences, revolutionize business processes, and streamline operations. However, this surge in AI adoption is raising concerns about the ethical, transparent, and responsible use of these technologies. As AI systems take on decision-making roles traditionally performed by humans, questions about bias, fairness, accountability, and potential social impact are looming large.

The imperative of AI governance

As AI systems take on decision-making roles traditionally held by humans, questions about bias, fairness, accountability, and potential social impact are looming large. AI governance has emerged as a cornerstone of responsible and trustworthy AI adoption. Organizations must proactively manage the entire AI lifecycle, from conception to deployment, to mitigate unintended consequences that can damage their reputation and, more importantly, harm individuals and society. The need to do it. A strong ethical and risk management framework is essential to navigating the complex landscape of AI applications.

The World Economic Forum defines responsible AI as the practice of designing, building, and deploying AI systems in ways that empower individuals and businesses while ensuring a fair impact on customers and society. It summarizes the essence. This philosophy serves as a guide for organizations looking to establish trust and scale their AI initiatives with confidence.

Key components of AI governance



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Source: techcrunch.com

Sustainable Scaling Strategies are Essential for Startups

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Baris Guzel He is an engineer with experience working at top investment banks and venture capital firms.he is a partner of BMW i VenturesAs a director and observer, he led investments and supported many companies.
brian way I am an associate of BMW i Venturesfocuses on early-to-growth stage investments in B2B applications and infrastructure software, industrial automation, mobility, and sustainability. Prior to joining BMW i Ventures, Brian was a strategy consultant at his KPMG Strategy.

Until recently, many Startups have prioritized growth at all costs, disregarding profitability and sustainability to acquire users and leverage deep venture capital to dominate markets. However, recent market conditions have shifted towards ‘lean growth’, which balances growth and profitability and creates a path to sustainable scale-up.

As investors, we focus on identifying efficient growth in a company’s early stages. What are the early indicators of long-term success and efficient growth of a startup? To find the answer to this question, we use a variety of analyses, some of which we will discuss in this article .

As investors, we leverage cohort analysis to uncover the mechanisms of growth, retention, and sales efficiency.

Given the different ways LTV can be calculated, the lack of steady-state churn data, and the estimates of LTV/CAC calculations, it’s possible that we don’t know the true meaning of what drives customer acquisition and retention for businesses. There is a gender. Given the shortcomings of LTV/CAC calculations, we suggest using cohort analysis to plot how long it takes to recoup the initial sales and marketing spend to acquire each cohort .

The flaws in using LTV/CAC — why use cohorts to measure sales efficiency?

Before getting into the analysis, I would like to explain why commonly used metrics can be misleading. Investors often evaluate a company’s go-to-market engine by its LTV/CAC (lifetime value/customer acquisition cost) metric, but this metric is not important for early-stage companies for several reasons. This often happens.

  1. There are too many ways to calculate LTV.
  2. Churn rates are not stable enough to accurately predict a customer’s lifetime. As an early-stage company, your customer churn rate will fluctuate as you pursue product-market fit. If the product improves over time by adding features that address customer needs, we would expect the churn rate to decrease. Despite product improvements, there are external factors beyond a company’s control, such as macro headwinds, that can drive higher churn rates.
  3. There is a time discrepancy in this ratio. LTV/CAC relates today’s sales and marketing spend to a customer’s future discounted cash flows, which are essentially estimates. For example, using metrics collected during the COVID-19 outbreak to predict the future may result in inaccurate predictions.

What is a cohort? Why is it important?

Cohort analysis is a method of evaluating a business by classifying customers into groups (cohorts) from different points of acquisition and observing how they behave over a defined period of time. Tracked behaviors include the number of orders placed, amount spent, and number of features used over a period of time.

This analysis can be applied to various business models such as SaaS, FinTech, and even marketplaces (at the time, we used this analysis to conduct our analysis) ride-hailing company).Cohort analysis is valuable in looking at specific variables over time This allows you to understand the business story regarding revenue, acquisition costs, and churn within a single cohort and across cohorts.

Here’s how we conducted the analysis:

Source: techcrunch.com

Comets are the most likely carriers of life’s essential building blocks to planets in clusters

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Nearby neighboring worlds can slow down the comet enough to allow the building blocks of life to survive

Shutterstock/Bradaki

It may be easiest to deliver materials for life to neighboring planets. Comets can carry many of the key building blocks of life, such as amino acids and other organic compounds, but their ability to deliver those building blocks to a particular planet depends on the configuration of their broader systems. It may depend.

There are several ideas about how the ingredients for life began on Earth, but the common idea is that a comet hit the Earth and organic molecules were deposited here. But comets tend to travel through space at extremely high speeds, and if they hit a planet at more than about 20 kilometers per second, the chances of their important compounds surviving the impact are almost zero.

Richard Anslow Researchers at the University of Cambridge ran a series of simulations to investigate how planetary systems can slow down comets and reduce their impact velocity enough to preserve these compounds. In ideal conditions, a slow impact would leave behind a type of prebiotic soup called a comet pond within the impact crater.

They discovered that there are two types of systems that can slow down a comet by 5 to 10 kilometers per second. One is a system with relatively massive stars, where everything tends to orbit slightly. For planets that are slow and have several planets spaced closely together like peas in a pod, the comet could weave between them and lose speed over time. there is.

“The best planetary systems are on relatively low-mass planets like Earth, around high-mass stars similar to the Sun but perhaps even more massive, and close enough for other rocky planets to pass through.” “It would be in a planetary system that has comets around it,” Anslow said.

He said that if astronomers eventually detect signs of life on other planets, simply examining the overall system configuration could help them understand how it got there. and that it could advance our limited understanding of how life formed. Earth.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com