Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a harmful “forever chemical,” has increased more than threefold in our environment in the past two decades due to the use of refrigerants that harm the ozone layer.
The annual deposition of TFA from the atmosphere rose from 6,800 tons in 2000 to 21,800 tons in 2022. While this level is below certain safety limits, detailed studies on TFA’s impact on human health are limited, and its environmental accumulation is expected to grow.
TFA was linked to serious deformities in rabbit fetuses during one study. The European Union has flagged TFA as hazardous to aquatic ecosystems and is evaluating its impact on human reproductive health.
“It is alarming that we are introducing so many chemicals into our environment with largely unknown repercussions, and many of these effects are irreversible,” states Lucy Hart, a researcher from Lancaster University in the UK.
Both humans and wildlife encounter TFA through contaminated soil and surface water, from which it eventually contaminates ocean ecosystems and marine sediments over decades or centuries.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), once prevalent in refrigerators, aerosol propellants, and fire extinguishers, were banned in 1989 after they were found to deplete the ozone layer. Most CFCs have now been replaced with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which react with atmospheric particles to produce TFA.
HFCs are currently being phased out, often substituted with hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) that degrade to TFA at a significantly faster rate. For example, HFO-1234yf produces ten times more TFA than the phased-out HFCs used previously in hundreds of millions of vehicles. Additionally, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial processes contribute to TFA levels.
Ice core samples from northern Canada and Svalbard indicate rising TFA concentrations since the 1970s. Hart and her team evaluated TFA production and global deposition based on extensive atmospheric studies of nine CFC replacements, observing a 3.5-fold rise worldwide.
Focusing solely on HFCs, known to linger in the atmosphere for many years, indicates that this rate could potentially double by 2050. Preliminary findings suggest that HFO-1234yf could enhance TFA production by more than 20 times by 2050.
The global community must avoid reverting to CFCs and should continue to eliminate HFCs, which significantly contribute to climate change. However, alternatives to these compounds require thorough evaluation, emphasizes Lucy Carpenter from York University, UK.
Ammonia is already utilized in various food storage facilities and industrial applications and could be adapted for domestic refrigeration and air conditioning. Carbon dioxide also serves as a viable natural refrigerant.
“It is critical to explore better alternatives to HFO-1234yf,” Carpenter notes. “TFA is on the rise and it’s now pervasive in various consumer products and environments.”
A 2020 study found alarming levels of TFA present in the blood samples of 90% of individuals in China, which has emerged as a hotspot for TFA due to industrial emissions and its warm, humid climate.
The EU is proposing a permanent ban on TFA, foreseeing that concentrations in freshwater may reach toxic levels. However, it faced criticism for leaning towards chemical companies to contest this anticipated rise in TFA levels.
Recent findings serve as a clarion call for increased research into HFOs and their substitutes to prevent the cycle of introducing chemicals with unintended consequences, emphasizes Hart. Unlike HFCs, HFOs decompose rapidly, providing more immediate control over emissions. “Halting these emissions will lead to an immediate stop in TFA production,” she states.
Timing Cancer Treatment: A Simple Yet Effective Intervention
Kenneth K. Lam/ZUMA Press/Alamy
The first randomized controlled trial investigating the timing of cancer immunotherapy has revealed that administering treatment earlier in the day may significantly enhance patient survival rates.
Human cells and tissues operate on a 24-hour cycle, known as the circadian rhythm, influencing various bodily functions including mood, metabolism, and immune response.
Numerous observational studies have indicated that cancer patients receiving checkpoint inhibitors (a class of immunotherapy drugs that empower the immune system to combat cancer) earlier in the day show a lower risk of disease progression and mortality.
Recently, Francis Levy and his team at the University of Paris-Saclay, France, conducted the first randomized controlled trial focused on chronotherapy—timing treatments based on circadian rhythms—utilizing both chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
In this study, 210 patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer were given four doses of either pembrolizumab or sintilimab, two checkpoint inhibitors that function similarly.
Every three weeks, half of the participants received their doses before 3 p.m., while the others received treatments later. All patients also received chemotherapy immediately after each immunotherapy session. Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells and is believed to have a lesser connection to circadian rhythms than immunotherapy.
This timing was strictly adhered to during the initial four cycles of the combined immunochemotherapy treatments. Following this period, all participants continued receiving the same medications until their tumors advanced or no longer responded, but without specific timing guidelines. Previous research suggests that the first four cycles are crucial, as noted by team member Zhang Yongchang from Central South University, China.
Participants were monitored for an average of 29 months post-initial treatment. Results showed that those treated before 3 p.m. had a median survival of 28 months, compared to 17 months for those treated later in the day. “The results are dramatically positive,” Levy stated. “Survival time nearly doubles.”
“When we compare our findings to significant trials that resulted in new drug approvals, such large effects are rarely observed,” noted Pasquale Innominato from the University of Warwick, UK. He emphasized that the study demonstrates a definitive link between treatment timing and survival outcomes, deeming it solid evidence of causation.
This dramatic improvement may be attributed to T cells, a type of immune cell targeted by checkpoint inhibitors, which tend to accumulate near tumors in the morning and gradually enter the bloodstream later. Administering immunotherapy earlier could position T cells closer to tumors, enabling more effective destruction, according to Levy.
Levy also emphasized the need for further studies to explore if more precise timing, such as 11 a.m., offers additional advantages compared to broader scheduled treatments. Innominato pointed out that having flexibility in timing is advantageous for busy healthcare facilities.
Further investigation is necessary to determine whether managing the timing of chemoimmunotherapy beyond the first four cycles yields greater benefits, Levy mentioned. Individual variability could also play a critical role; for example, a morning person may have different immune responses compared to a night owl.
Whether these findings apply to various cancer types remains an open question. Innominato anticipates similar results in other tumors commonly treated with immunotherapy, like skin or bladder cancers, but tempered his expectations for tumors such as prostate or pancreatic cancers that often resist treatments.
EEvery day, Kiran Kasbe navigates her rickshaw taxi amid the bustling Mahuls near her home on Mumbai’s eastern coast, where stalls brim with tomatoes, gourds, and eggplants, often enveloped in thick smog.
Earlier this year, doctors identified three tumors in her 54-year-old mother’s brain. The specific cause of her cancer remains unclear, yet those residing near coal-fired power plants have a significantly higher risk of developing such illnesses. A studyindicates that Mahul’s residents live mere hundreds of meters from these plants.
The air quality in Mahul is notoriously poor; even with closed car windows, the pungent odor of oil and smoke seeps in.
“We are not the only ones suffering health issues here. Everything is covered in grime,” noted Kasbe, 36.
Last year, plans to shut down two coal-fired power plants operated by Indian firms Tata Group and Adani were announced as part of the government’s initiative to reduce emissions. However, by late 2023, these decisions were overturned after Tata claimed escalating electricity demand in Mumbai necessitated coal.
Neither firm responded to inquiries for comment.
Buildings blanketed in smog in Mumbai, India, January. Photo: Bloomberg/Getty Images
India’s electricity demand has surged in recent years, driven by economic growth and increased air conditioning needs due to severe heat exacerbated by climate change. However, a study by Source Material and The Guardian highlighted that a primary hindrance for cities in relying on fossil fuels is the insatiable energy demands of data centers.
Leaked documents also expose Amazon’s significant presence in Mumbai, where it stands as the largest data center operator globally.
In metropolitan areas served by Amazon, the organization has noted three “availability zones,” indicating one or more data centers. Leaked data from a year ago indicated that the company operates 16 machines in the city.
Bhaskar Chakravorty, an academic at Tufts University analyzing technology’s societal impacts, remarked that the surge in data centers is creating a tension between energy needs and climate goals as India evolves its economy into an artificial intelligence hub.
“I’m not surprised by the slow progression towards a greener transition, particularly as demands grow rapidly,” he said regarding the Indian government’s stance.
Amazon spokesperson Kylie Jonas asserted that Mumbai’s “emissions issue” cannot be attributed to Amazon.
“On the contrary, Amazon is among the largest corporate contributors to renewable energy in India, backing 53 solar and wind initiatives capable of generating over 4 million megawatt-hours of clean energy each year,” she stated. “Once operational, these investments will power more than 1.3 million Indian households annually.”
Amazon is establishing numerous data centers globally, vying with Microsoft, Google, and other entities for dominance in the burgeoning AI sector.
Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. office in Mumbai, India. Photo: Bloomberg/Getty Images
Amazon Employee Climate Justice representative Eliza Pan criticized the company for not acknowledging its role in perpetuating reliance on one of the most polluting energy sources.
“Amazon is leveraging this shiny concept called AI to distract from the reality of building a dirty energy empire,” she said.
Jonas refuted this assertion, stating, “Not only are we recognized as the most efficient data center operator, but we’ve also been the top corporate purchaser of renewable energy for five successive years, with over 600 projects globally.”
Amazon’s claims regarding green energy are contentious. The organization has been scrutinized for engaging in “creative accounting” by acquiring renewable energy certificates alongside direct green energy purchases, as noted by a member of Amazon Employees for Climate Justice.
“Everything is contaminated”
Kasbe operates her rickshaw in Mahul, a former fishing settlement that has transformed into a residence for tens of thousands who were displaced from slums across the city.
Kiran Kasbe’s mother. Photo: Provided by Sushmita
Kasbe and her mother relocated here in 2018 after their home in Vidyavihar’s outskirts faced demolition. She was in good health prior to the move, but her medical condition significantly worsened, culminating in a brain tumor diagnosis.
Gajanan Tandol, a local resident, shared that pollution-related diseases are prevalent. “There are numerous instances of skin and eye inflammation, cancer, asthma, and tuberculosis, yet we receive no government assistance,” he lamented.
Another community member, Santosh Jadhav, implored the government to relocate residents from Mahul.
“Everything is tainted. We’re exhausted from fighting for a decent existence,” he stated. “This is hell for us.”
Amazon, an e-commerce platform facilitating 13 million customer transactions daily, is investing billions into expanding its profitable cloud computing sector and enhancing its AI-assisted services, such as automated coding and translation, as per research from CapitalOne.
Many of the centers in Mumbai remain under the radar because they are leased rather than owned. Unlike in the U.S., where Amazon predominantly owns its facilities, it frequently rents entire data farms or server racks in centers shared with other companies elsewhere.
Xiaolei Ren, a computing scholar from the University of California, Riverside, remarked that shared “colocation” units lead to significantly higher energy consumption in data centers compared to wholly owned or fully leased operations.
“The majority of energy used in the data center sector is concentrated in colocation facilities,” he noted. “They are ubiquitous.”
Employees near the Amazon Prime brand in Mumbai, India, September. Photo: NurPhoto/Getty Images
Based on leaked information, Amazon’s colocation data center in Mumbai consumed 624,518 megawatt-hours of electricity in 2023, sufficient to power over 400,000 homes in India for an entire year.
India is on the verge of surpassing Japan and Australia, poised to become the second-largest consumer of data center power in the Asia-Pacific region. S&P predicts that by 2030, data centers will account for one-third of Mumbai’s energy consumption, according to Techno & Electric Engineering CEO Ankit Saraiya.
“Poison hell”
In a bid to keep up with power demand, the Maharashtra government has extended the operational duration of the Tata coal-fired power plant in Mahul by at least five years. Additionally, the closure of a 500-megawatt plant operated by Tata competitor Adani Group in the city’s north has been postponed.
When Tata requested an extension in its proposal to the State Energy Commission, it cited the rising energy demand from data centers as the primary justification. Adani projected that the anticipated surge in demand during the five years following the plant’s scheduled closure would come predominantly from data centers.
These power plants represent merely two of the numerous polluting sources within Mumbai’s Mahul district. The area also houses three oil refineries and 16 chemical facilities, as stated in a 2019 report by the Indian Center for Policy Research, which branded the locality a “toxic hell.”
The Tata power plant has been operational since 1984, and like many old power stations, it is subject to lenient emissions regulations, as noted by Raj Lal, chief air quality scientist at the World Emissions Network, who labeled it “one of the major contributors to air pollution in Mumbai.”
The Center for Energy and Clean Air Research noted that PM2.5 particles comprise nearly a third of the area’s pollution. PM2.5 particles are airborne and less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, which can lead to severe health issues when inhaled.
Smoke emanates from the chimney of Tata Power Company’s Trombay thermal facility in Mumbai, India, August 2017. Photo: Bloomberg/Getty Images
Shripad Dharmadhikari, founder of the environmental organization Manthan Adhyayan Kendra, stated that the toxic heavy metals in ash generated by the factories are likely to trigger “respiratory diseases, kidney ailments, skin issues, and heart problems.”
While Tata’s facilities continue operations, Mumbai’s power grid is buckling under the increasing demand. To mitigate potential power shortages, Amazon’s colocation data center in the city has invested in 41 backup diesel generators and is seeking permission for additional installations, according to the leaked documents.
A report from the Center for Science and Technology Policy (CSTEP) released in August identified diesel generators as a primary pollutant source in the locality.
Air quality expert Swagata Dey at CSTEP argued that the presence of data centers requiring continuous electricity, coupled with the backup diesel generators, “will inevitably exacerbate emissions,” advocating for legal requirements for data center operators to utilize pollution-free solar energy.
Particularly, the Amazon facility across Thane Creek from Mahul has 14 generators already installed, and one partner was granted permission to set up another 12 generators on-site earlier this year.
“Public health considerations must be central to decisions regarding data center locations and energy source selections,” stated Wren from the University of California, Riverside, co-author of a recent paper evaluating the public health consequences of diesel generators in U.S. data centers.
Sushmita notes that in India, surnames are not commonly used as they signify caste, reflecting a hierarchical and discriminatory social structure.
Global emissions from fossil fuels are projected to rise by 1.1% in 2025, hitting a record high as hydrocarbon consumption accelerates, as per the annual Global Carbon Budget report.
On a more optimistic note, emissions from China, the leading emitter globally, seem to be stabilizing and may have peaked, offering hope that worldwide emissions may soon follow the same trend.
“We are not yet in a situation where emissions are decreasing at the pace required to combat climate change,” states Corinne Le Quéré, a researcher at the University of East Anglia. “However, it is encouraging to see emissions growth in China and India beginning to slow.”
The report estimates that humanity will emit 38.1 billion tonnes of fossil CO2 this year, comparable to the emissions from driving 9 billion gasoline cars annually. While renewable energy sources are replacing hydrocarbons in several regions, they remain insufficient to meet the rising energy demands, most of which continue to be fulfilled by fossil fuels. The consumption of coal, oil, and natural gas is still on the rise this year.
As noted in the report, the Earth is now 1.36 degrees Celsius warmer than before the industrial era. The current emissions trajectory makes it nearly impossible to keep global warming below the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement, according to the report’s authors. Exceeding this limit substantially increases the risks of severe climate impacts, including irreversible changes like ice sheet collapses.
Last month, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged world leaders at the COP30 climate summit that surpassing 1.5°C of warming seems likely, urging humanity to reduce emissions and minimize this overshoot.
While global CO2 emissions are expected to decline slightly in 2025 when factoring in carbon absorption by oceans and land ecosystems, this is primarily attributed to the conclusion of the warm El Niño event, which hindered photosynthesis in major carbon sinks like tropical forests.
As the climate continues to warm, these sinks are becoming less effective at absorbing CO2, as highlighted in a separate study conducted by the team behind the Global Carbon Budget Report.
Nonetheless, the overall rise in emissions over the past decade has been slower compared to the previous decade, notes Pierre Friedlingstein from the University of Exeter, one of the report’s authors. “There are positive trends,” he asserts. “When looking at the growth rate, it’s significantly lower now.”
The report projects a 0.4% increase in emissions from China in 2025. An analysis by Carbon Brief illustrates that emissions have remained flat through the third quarter of this year. Solar power generation in the country has surged by 46% year-on-year, which has helped to mitigate the increased electricity demand. Meanwhile, rising electric vehicle sales have contributed to reduced pollution in the transport sector, although a spike in the production of oil-heavy chemicals and plastics has led to an uptick in static electricity emissions overall.
The think tank “Ember” mentions in another report that, thanks to the solar power boom, China’s fossil fuel electricity generation declined by 1.1% in the first three quarters of 2025, indicating “structural changes within the country’s electricity system.” India is also experiencing a significant increase in solar and wind energy installations, which fell by 3.3% during this period.
Enver stated that for the first time since the onset of COVID-19, global fossil electricity generation, excluding transportation, industry, and other sectors, will see no increase in 2025.
Astronomers have a limited timeframe to determine if they will intervene to stop asteroid 2024 YR4 from colliding with the moon in 2032. A brief observation period utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope is set to commence in February, as new findings indicate that the potential for impact is rising to over 30%, posing a significant threat to satellites and future lunar infrastructures.
Discovered late last year, 2024 YR4 quickly emerged as the most probable asteroid to strike Earth. The worst-case scenario initially estimated a collision probability of 1 in 32 for 2032. However, further observations have nearly eliminated the chance of an Earth impact, leaving a 4 percent possibility of a collision with the moon, which could endanger numerous vital satellites orbiting Earth due to debris.
Despite the considerable risk associated with this asteroid, space agencies have yet to take action, although NASA researchers are exploring potential deflection strategies, such as deploying a nuclear charge near the asteroid.
The asteroid has recently moved out of range for Earth’s telescopes, limiting astronomers’ ability to obtain further data on its orbit until it reappears in 2028, which may not allow enough time to execute a deflection mission.
Fortunately, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) anticipates a brief operational window to observe the asteroid in February 2026 and again in April 2024, offering a critical opportunity to plan a deflection mission. Andrew Rivkin from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland remarked, “By 2028, it will be in close proximity, so capturing data in early 2026 grants us additional time.”
This advantageous positioning will enable JWST to observe 2024 YR4, which follows a distinct orbit around Earth, undetectable by other ground-based telescopes, but the observation will still be challenging, as the asteroid is expected to be dim, even for JWST’s highly sensitive instruments. There will be two narrow windows for observation on February 18th and 26th.
Rivkin and his team computed how new data regarding the asteroid’s positions and velocities could alter the existing understanding based on these observations. Their findings indicate an 80% likelihood of reducing the probability of a lunar impact to under 1%, while there is a 5% chance that the risk could increase to 30% or higher. JWST should have a chance to repeat these observations in 2027, but this will provide less time for decision-making, according to Rivkin.
Nonetheless, it remains uncertain whether space agencies would opt to plan missions in the event of increased risks. “The question of whether planetary defense extends to the moon is entirely new, and different agencies may have varied responses,” Rivkin noted. “If a company operates many satellites, they might advocate for a particular course of action.”
Richard Moisle from the European Space Agency indicated that while the current budget does not allocate for deflection or reconnaissance missions regarding the asteroid, they will reevaluate if next year’s observations indicate a heightened risk of collision. “We chose to delay our decision until next year to allow for a thorough evaluation of our options,” Moisle stated.
Airway inflammation can arise from smoking or air pollution exposure
Lysenko Andrii/Shutterstock
Severe airway inflammation hampers the ability of mice to discern when dangerous situations are no longer a threat, indicating that lung conditions may influence emotions and behaviors. This connection between lung health and brain function could clarify why a small number of individuals who undergo trauma develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Sah and her team delved deeper into the correlation by observing eight mice exhibiting severe asthma-like symptoms. Their lungs were exposed to mites, inducing an allergic response and subsequent inflammation. Three days afterward, the mice were placed in cages and subjected to three mild electric shocks.
Over the subsequent six days, researchers returned the mice to the cage for five minutes daily, monitoring the duration they stood frozen in fear. On average, these mice were immobilized for about 40% of the final session, which was twice as long compared to another group of 11 mice without lung inflammation who faced the same electrocution.
The two groups did not exhibit differences in fear response the day after the shocks. However, the first group’s prolonged fear response after several days suggests that significant airway inflammation hampers the brain’s ability to recognize when a threat has subsided. “In PTSD patients, this process is dysfunctional, leading to persistent fear memories,” Sah elucidates.
The experiment was replicated with another set of mice experiencing severe lung inflammation, but this time, a medication inhibiting an inflammatory molecule called interleukin-17a was administered. During their final session in the previously shocked cage, these mice displayed about half the freezing response of those that did not receive the medication.
Further analysis revealed that immune cells in brain regions known as subcutaneous organs have receptors for this inflammatory molecule. Unlike most brain areas, subcutaneous organs lack a blood-brain barrier, a protective layer that limits substance exchange between blood and neurons. Consequently, it serves as a “window to the brain,” allowing it to monitor bodily changes and respond accordingly, according to Sah.
The team discovered that immune cells in this region sense inflammatory signals from the lungs, activating adjacent neurons that relay information to the cerebral cortex, a brain region associated with threat recognition.
Using a specialized compound known as chemogenetics, researchers inhibited this signaling pathway in mice with severe lung inflammation, resulting in a notable decrease in their freezing behavior post-shock.
“In essence, severe lung inflammation can impact higher cognitive functions and the ability to navigate traumatic experiences,” asserts Sah. She posits that similar pathways likely exist in humans, as the brain circuits regulating fear are comparable across species.
Other studies suggest that chronic psychological stress diminishes immune responses. Sah speculates that a heightened immune response, in turn, impairs cognitive functions such as the recognition of a threat’s resolution, possibly due to the body reallocating resources from the brain to combat lung issues.
“This research is crucial for understanding the connection between the body and mind,” states Douglas Vanderbilt from Los Angeles Children’s Hospital. He further discusses how his research indicated that children with severe asthma exhibit more pronounced PTSD symptoms. “What we’re uncovering suggests that these brain-body interactions are intricate, so this is likely not the only pathway,” he notes, pointing out that psychological stress from asthma attacks could also influence PTSD risk.
Sah emphasizes that this pathway might vary in women, as only male mice were utilized in her study, suggesting potential differences across genders that warrant additional investigation.
Ultimately, these discoveries may enhance our ability to identify individuals more susceptible to PTSD. For instance, medical professionals might consider screening children with severe asthma for mental health issues, as proposed by Vanderbilt. He further suggests that this line of research could lead to innovative PTSD treatments, such as immunotherapy aimed at reducing inflammation.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has acquired nearly $1 billion worth of shares in the electric vehicle maker.
Following this announcement, Tesla’s stock surged by over 8% in pre-market trading on Monday.
As Tesla shifts its focus from solely electric vehicle production to becoming a technology powerhouse, the company is racing to achieve ambitious goals in Robotaxis, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics. By December, Musk held approximately 13% of the company, according to data from LSEG.
On Friday, Musk purchased 2.57 million shares in open market transactions, with prices ranging from $372.37 to $396.54 per share.
Tesla’s shares increased by over 7% on Friday, building on strong gains from the previous session. Despite a year-to-date decline of around 2%, the stock is poised to achieve profits for the third consecutive session if pre-market trends hold steady.
Musk has persistently sought greater ownership interests, enhanced voting power at Tesla, and has threatened to develop AI and robotics ventures outside of Tesla unless he secures 25% voting power.
Earlier this month, Tesla’s board proposed a trillion-dollar compensation package for Musk, even amidst challenges posed by intense competition and declining electric vehicle demand.
On Friday, Robin Denholm, the board chair, downplayed concerns that Musk’s political engagements were negatively impacting sales, asserting that the billionaire had returned to being “front and center” within the company following his time in the White House.
Musk’s political involvement and public disagreements with Donald Trump have placed pressure on the company’s stock this year, raising investor concerns about potential distractions and declines in sales.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in the last 12 months, the United States has seen six rabies-related fatalities, marking the highest toll in years. From aggressive skunks in Kentucky to grey foxes and raccoons in Long Island, biodiversity in over a dozen states is facing a surge in lethal diseases, partly due to diminished natural habitats and improved monitoring.
“We are monitoring 15 potential outbreaks that may vary,” stated Dr. Ryan Wallace, leader of the CDC’s rabies division. Areas affected by these outbreaks include Nassau County, New York, which, last month, showed concerns about rabies beyond the notorious wildlife, with states like Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Alaska, Arizona, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, Oregon, and certain Vermont regions also noted.
“There seems to be an increase in inquiries and reports from various parts of the US,” Wallace commented. “It remains to be seen whether these numbers will show a significant rise by the end of the year. However, for now, we are experiencing a high volume during peak rabies season.”
Each year, approximately 1.4 million Americans receive a series of vaccinations to guard against potential rabies exposure, as reported by the CDC.
Samantha Lang was among those last month. The 22-year-old believed a bat had bitten her after one flew into her apartment through a ceiling gap in Greenwood, Indiana. The day after noticing a small mark on her arm, she found the bat hanging from her air conditioning vent. Upon contacting local health authorities, she was advised to receive post-exposure rabies prophylaxis, which she promptly did.
“I didn’t think it was a big deal,” Lang remarked.
The bat bite caused a rash on Samantha Lang’s arm. Marina KOPF / NBC News
Rabies viruses infiltrate the central nervous system and are nearly always deadly once symptoms manifest. Early symptoms, which can appear within a week to a year post-exposure, mimic influenza, rapidly evolving into confusion, paralysis, difficulty swallowing, and hallucinations, often resulting in death within a few weeks.
Experts express concern regarding the uptick in human rabies fatalities last year. In contrast, between 2015 and 2024, the CDC documented 17 human rabies cases.
Most rabies exposures happen through the saliva of infected wildlife and can penetrate through wounds, eyes, or mouths, making bites particularly hazardous. Prior to the 1960s, the majority of human rabies infections originated from domestic pets, especially dogs. Strict vaccination regulations have effectively eradicated rabies in dogs across the US.
A stark rise in wildlife rabies cases has been noted in Franklin County, near North Carolina’s Research Triangle, which has seen confirmed cases in wildlife double over the past year.
“This year’s rabies season has been alarming with a 100% rise in confirmed cases,” remarked county health director Scott Lavigne.
Lavigne believes that the expansion of urban areas into wildlife habitats is a significant factor accelerating the spread of rabies.
“Franklin County’s population has increased by 35% since 2010, creating new demands for housing,” he explained. “This leads to land development and the growth of residential neighborhoods.”
Animals that were previously secluded are now more densely populated, increasing the likelihood of rabies spreading among them, Lavigne noted.
In North Carolina, Franklin County animal control sets traps in areas where rabid skunks are detected. Marina KOPF / NBC News
Often, individuals are unaware of their exposure to rabid animals. Fatalities have been recorded from individuals who did not realize they were bitten or who encountered a bat and declined necessary vaccinations.
In December, a California teacher succumbed to rabies a month after handling bats in her classroom, unaware of her infection.
Viruses adapt and present differently based on animal species and strains. Many assume rabid animals are aggressive, yet sometimes infected creatures exhibit calm behavior.
“There’s a rabies strain that can make animals unusually friendly,” Lavigne shared. “A family observed a raccoon in their backyard that appeared ill yet was friendly and sought affection.”
The family cared for and fed the raccoon until it died, subsequently calling animal services to remove the body. “Thankfully they did because it tested positive, and the entire family required vaccinations,” Lavigne noted. “If they hadn’t contacted animal services, they would have remained oblivious.”
Flyers issued in Franklin County, North Carolina, indicated rabid raccoons and bats were found. Marina KOPF / NBC News
Concerns Regarding Dog Vaccination Rates
With the increasing spread of rabies among wildlife, veterinarians are particularly worried about vaccine hesitancy among pet owners. A 2023 survey published in a journal revealed that nearly 40% of respondents felt the dog vaccine was unsafe, while 37% believed it might cause cognitive issues in dogs, such as autism.
Gabriella Motta, a veterinarian from Glenolene, Pennsylvania, and a co-author of the study, has encountered many clients apprehensive about the vaccine’s safety for their dogs.
“This is a concern that may escalate in the future,” Motta explained. “If vaccination rates continue to dwindle due to hesitancy, could we witness an increase in rabies not only among wildlife but also in pets? We’re starting to raise alarms.”
The rabies vaccine has evolved significantly from when injections were given in patients’ abdomens after exposure. The current regimen involves administering a dose of immunoglobulin containing rabies antibodies right after exposure, followed by four additional vaccine injections into the arm.
Experts advise that rabies should be suspected whenever a wild animal displays abnormal behavior.
Flammability assessments on western juniper trees (Juniperus occidentalis)
Rebecca Koll
In a laboratory at the University of Exeter, UK, Rebecca Koll is examining conifer species to explore critical questions related to future forest fire dynamics.
Wildfire severity is on the rise globally as temperatures continue to increase. This is largely attributed to heightened heat, prolonged drought, and stronger winds, all of which elevate the risk of igniting timber when sparks occur.
Yet, Koll is among a team of researchers who believe that factors beyond drought are influencing fire risk. “Is climate change actually altering the properties of the plants? I’m quite certain it is,” she shares.
She posits that climate stress factors could be modifying leaf chemistry. With an increase in UV radiation, plants may produce more volatile compounds as a stress response.
While global initiatives aimed at restoring the ozone layer may mitigate UV radiation risks, studies indicate that climate change, especially the uptick in hot, clear days in Northern and Eastern Europe, has resulted in rising ground-level UVB levels in recent years. Models predict that this may escalate later in the century.
Koll is currently engaged in a project examining changes in leaf chemistry and flammability by exposing 87 conifer species to elevated UVB levels. Using climate-controlled chambers with optimal temperature and moisture regimens, they simulate exposure levels tripled compared to current conditions. After 4 to 8 weeks, the trees undergo analysis and combustion tests to evaluate their flammability.
“It’s designed to be an ideal environment. These plants are in a very favorable climate, except we bombard them with radiation,” Koll explains. “We’re observing early signs of yellowing in areas that should remain green. Their biochemical reactions during various tests are altering the chemistry of their leaves,” she elaborates.
The pivotal question remains whether these biochemical shifts will lead to heightened flammability and if they elucidate the increasing intensity of forest fires. “We’re already elevating UV levels in our natural settings,” Koll notes. “This may imply that the risk extends beyond drought to include the direct impacts on plant biology.”
Uncovering these insights could provide scientists with a clearer understanding of wildfire risks in the predominantly coniferous regions of the Northern Hemisphere. “This is fundamentally what leads to severe home destruction,” Koll states. “The natural surroundings are becoming increasingly flammable.”
This project is among the initial experiments conducted at the University of Exeter’s Global Weather Simulator, a newly established facility dedicated to plant research that opened this year. The climate control chambers can recreate variations in wind, precipitation, heat, and atmospheric variables to analyze how plants and insects respond to rapid climatic shifts.
Matthew Robson of the University of Cumbria emphasizes that this research may confirm the significance of leaf compound changes in determining certain tree species’ flammability. “The relative impact of these climatic factors on volatile and combustible carbon-rich compounds has not been thoroughly explored, which makes the current research at Exeter particularly intriguing,” he states.
Tech firms like Snapchat and Facebook disclosed over 9,600 instances of adults grooming children online within a mere six months last year, averaging around 400 cases weekly.
Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), are increasingly alarmed by the rising threats posed by various crimes targeting minors.
In 2023, the U.S.-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) documented 546,000 reports concerning children from high-tech companies globally.
Of these, approximately 9,600 reports originated from the UK during the first half of 2024. Records indicate that Snapchat reported significantly more distressing content to NCMEC than any other platform during this timeframe.
The NSPCC, a child welfare charity, termed the statistic “shocking,” suggesting that it is likely an underrepresentation.
The NCA is launching an “unprecedented” campaign in the UK aimed at informing teachers, parents, and children about the perils of sexual exploitation.
The NCA emphasized: “Sextortion is a cruel crime that can lead to devastating outcomes for victims. Tragically, teenagers in the UK and worldwide have taken their lives as a result.”
NCMEC’s data is crucial as it is derived from reports submitted by online platforms and internet providers—such as Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok—rather than from victims, who may feel hesitant to disclose their abuse.
High-tech companies are mandated by U.S. law to report suspicious content to NCMEC. The data indicates that Snapchat reported around 20,000 instances of concerning materials in the first half of 2023, which included instances of sextortion and Child Sexual Abuse Materials.
This number surpasses the combined total of reports submitted by Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Google, and Discord. Snapchat revised its policy on reporting such content last year, which is believed to have resulted in lower subsequent figures.
Rani Govender from NSPCC remarked that sextortion and other profit-driven sexual offenses have a profoundly “devastating” impact on young individuals, hindering their ability to seek help and, in some cases, leading to suicide.
NCMEC revealed that they are aware of “more than three dozen” teenage boys globally who have taken their lives after falling victim to sextortion since 2021.
Govender noted that some tech companies “misjudge the abuse occurring online” by implementing protections like end-to-end encryption.
In contrast to certain other platforms, Snapchat does not employ end-to-end encryption for text-based messaging.
Authorities are increasingly worried that predators are utilizing more sophisticated methods to target children online.
The Guardian has uncovered a 101-page manual that provides detailed instructions on how to exploit young internet users, including recommendations for effective mobile phones, encryption, apps, and manipulative tactics.
This document instructs users on how to ensnare victims as “modern slaves” by obtaining explicit images, followed by coercive demands.
The guide is purportedly authored by a 20-year-old individual named Baron Martin from Arizona, USA. Arrested by the FBI in December, he refers to himself as the “king of terror.” According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Martin was a “catalyst for widespread control.”
Researchers report that the sextortion manual has been circulated among numerous “com networks”—an online community that promotes sadistic and misogynistic material while encouraging criminal behavior.
Milo Comerford, a strategic dialogue researcher at the ISD think tank, stated:
The FBI has pinpointed numerous online gangs collaborating to identify and exploit vulnerable victims, targeting them with compromising romantic interests.
These strategies are then used to blackmail victims, often resulting in further explicit imagery, self-harm, and other acts of violence and animal cruelty.
Comerford emphasized that “robust multi-agency” measures are urgently needed to raise awareness about the risks of sextortion among young people, parents, guardians, teachers, and others.
He added, “These transnational networks operate within a constantly shifting landscape of victims, groomers, and abusive entities utilizing social media platforms, sometimes leading to mass violence.”
Both Snapchat and Facebook have been requested to provide comments on this matter.
Nematode worms can learn to favor plastic-contaminated prey over cleaner food
Heiti Paves/Alamy
Predators can learn to prefer prey that is contaminated with microplastics, even when cleaner options are available. This behavior can impact the dietary habits and health of the entire ecosystem, including humans.
Researchers identified this preference for plastic by studying the dietary choices of small roundworms known as nematodes (caenorhabditis elegans) over multiple generations. Initially, first-generation nematodes opted for a cleaner diet when offered the usual bacteria and the same microorganisms tainted with microplastics. However, after repeated exposure to plastic-laden food across generations, their preferences shifted.
“They start to prefer contaminated foods,” notes Song Lin Chua from Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Why did the worms develop a taste for plastic? As creatures without vision, nematodes depend on other senses to locate food, such as olfactory cues. “Plastics may influence those odors,” explains Chua. After enduring prolonged exposure, they might start to perceive microplastics as “food-like” and subsequently choose to consume them. He theorizes that other small species which rely heavily on scent for locating prey may also be similarly perplexed.
Chua emphasizes that this behavior could potentially be reversed since it “mirrors a learned response” rather than being a genetic alteration. “It’s akin to a taste preference,” he states. In theory, this could be undone in future generations, though further research is necessary.
As one of the most prevalent animal types globally, the dietary choices of nematodes could have far-reaching implications for ecosystem health. “The interactions of organisms consuming one another are crucial for the recycling and transformation of various forms of matter and energy,” asserts Lee Demi from Allegheny University in Pennsylvania, who describes this finding as a source of “anxiety.”
“This could move up the food chain,” Chua warns. “Ultimately, we might be affected too,” he concludes.
Even speculative AI energy consumption can raise electricity bills
Oscar Wong/Getty Images
The technological aspirations of high-tech firms are set to necessitate a substantial increase in power-hungry data centers. This rising demand poses a risk of higher electricity bills for everyone, even if some data centers remain unbuilt.
Utility companies in the U.S. are hastily constructing additional power plants, transmission lines, and gas pipelines to accommodate the swiftly increasing energy demands of data centers. U.S. housing costs have surged nearly 30% since 2021—outpacing inflation—according to a report by Powerlines, a nonprofit organization focused on utility regulations in the U.S. Over the past two years, electricity bills nationwide have increased by $10 billion each year.
A new report published by the Southern Environmental Law Center, a Virginia-based environmental nonprofit, highlights that it might overestimate the demand stemming from speculative data center projects. Developers frequently submit overlapping requests for electrical services across multiple regions for each project before settling on a single location.
“If the anticipated load from the data center isn’t fully realized—all indications and frankly, common sense at this point indicate that. Rate payers will ultimately bear the economic burden of unnecessary and underused gas and electricity infrastructures,” says Megan Gibson of the Southern Environmental Law Center.
Former executives from firms such as Google and Meta admit that the practice of securing redundant data center power is typical, as outlined in the report. “Tech executives are candidly voicing concerns,” Gibson mentions. New Scientist reached out to Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft regarding their data center development plans, but received no additional comments.
Considering all U.S. data center projects announced between 2025 and 2030, the inflated estimates stand out even more. Collectively, they are projected to consume 90% of the global chip supply—despite the fact that the U.S. currently makes up less than 50% of global chip demand. “It’s uncommon for the entirety of the world’s chip supply to cater to this specific segment in the U.S.,” notes Marie Ng Fagan from London Economics International, a global consulting firm based in the U.S. and Canada.
To ease the burden on regular bill payers, “states should mandate utilities to forge contracts with potential data center customers that allocate this risk to the data center itself,” advises Ali Pescoe from Harvard Law School, a consultant for Powerlines.
Some state governments are already taking action. On July 9th, the Ohio Regulatory Authority issued an order that mandates large data center customers of Ohio’s largest utility company to pay at least 85% of their subscribed power load, even if their actual consumption falls short. Similarly, officials in Georgia are grappling with a rule designed to prevent data center growth from imposing burdens on other bill payers.
“The data center industry is dedicated to bearing the full costs of services for energy used, including transmission fees,” asserts Aaron Tingjum from the Data Centers Union, a Virginia-based trade association. “It’s crucial to guarantee fair electricity bills for all customers.”
Reducing emissions and capturing carbon is essential to limit warming
Richard Saker/Alamy
The planet must eliminate hundreds of billions of tons of carbon dioxide to keep global temperature rise under 1.5°C this century. Even the less ambitious 2°C targets seem increasingly unattainable without substantial carbon capture and removal (CDR) technologies and urgent emission reductions.
The contentious role of carbon management technologies in meeting climate objectives has been debated for some time. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a degree of carbon management is “inevitable” for reaching zero emissions required to stabilize global temperatures. However, it stresses that the necessary technologies have yet to be validated at the needed scale and emphasizes the risk of providing justifications for continued emissions.
“There’s an ongoing debate among scientists about whether CDR is essential or fundamentally unfeasible,” says Candelaria Bergero from the University of California, Irvine. “Some argue that CDR is unavoidable,” she adds.
To assess what is at stake, Bergero and her research team simulated the potential for global temperature increases to stay below 2°C while analyzing CO2 management across various emission scenarios aligned with the Paris Agreement targets. These scenarios incorporated both technological CDR methods like direct air capture and nature-based solutions such as tree planting, alongside varying carbon capture applications for emissions from power plants and industrial sources.
They determined that failing to capture or remove CO2 could lead to an additional 0.5°C rise in global average temperature by century’s end. Moreover, half of the carbon management predicted in the scenarios could induce about 0.28°C of warming, making it nearly impossible to restrict temperature increases to 1.5°C, even within frameworks that consider violations of that threshold.
While achieving 2°C warming targets might still be feasible without carbon management, researchers found that drastic emission reductions of 16% annually since 2015 are necessary. Such a rapid decrease appears unlikely given the increasing global emissions over the last decade, according to Bergero.
Furthermore, initiatives for scaling up carbon management aren’t progressing swiftly enough. According to Steve Smith at Oxford University, only 40 million tonnes of CO2 are currently captured and stored globally, and only about 1 million tonnes are removed directly each year.
“Like with other emissions reductions, countries frequently discuss ambitious long-term goals, yet lack immediate measures to implement the billions of tons of reductions necessary for these pathways to succeed,” he states.
Dean Spears and Michael Geruso (Bodley Head (UK); Simon & Schuster (US))
Current estimates suggest that four-fifths of all humans who will ever be born have already come into existence. The global number of births peaked at 146 million in 2012 and has been on a decline ever since, indicating that the world population is set to peak and decrease by the 2080s.
This decrease won’t be gradual. Fertility rates are already below replacement level in several nations, including China and India, leading to a rapid decline in population as quickly as it rose. This new controversial book argues that the planet could hold fewer than two billion people in the coming centuries.
“There’s no scenario where individuals worldwide are likely to opt for fewer children than required to replace themselves, leading to a drastic population reduction,” assert economists Dean Spears and Michael Geruso in After the Spike: Risks of Global Depopulation and Cases for People.
You might consider this a positive development. Could it help alleviate pressing environmental challenges? Not according to the authors. They assert that while population size does hold significance, adjusting other factors, such as the speed of global warming, is even more critical. The chance to lessen our carbon footprint through population reduction has mostly passed.
Spears and Geruso highlight numerous advantages of a large population. More individuals can lead to greater innovation and economies of scale, making technologies like smartphones feasible. “The abundance of neighbors enhances our potential,” they state.
Thus, their perspective is not about reducing the global population but rather stabilizing it. The challenge lies in the fact that even with the right political determination, the path to achieve this is unclear.
As we become more affluent, we are increasingly hesitant to give up career and leisure opportunities for parenthood.
The authors contend that while some government strategies may yield short-term results, no country has sustainably altered long-term demographic trends. Consider China’s one-child policy—it is often credited with curtailing population growth but did it genuinely do so? Spears and Geruso present ambiguous data on China’s population in relation to its neighbors before, during, and after these policies were enacted, raising the question of discernible differences based on their observations.
Efforts to reverse the declining fertility rates have also faced failure, they argue. In Romania, after the ban on abortion in 1966, birth rates surged but soon declined again. Sweden’s approach has been to incentivize through subsidies for childcare, yet its fertility rates remain below replacement level.
Attempts to boost fertility with financial incentives are likely doomed to fail, according to Spears and Geruso. While some claim that they would have more children if financial means allowed, the reality is that as people gain wealth, the tendency to have fewer children increases.
The focus should be on addressing what individuals need to balance rather than simply financial capability, according to the authors. As affluence grows, there is a reluctance to sacrifice careers and leisure for childbearing. Even technological advancements are not expected to change this trajectory, they conclude.
This book presents an unwaveringly optimistic viewpoint regarding many issues, but it acknowledges the complexity of stabilizing population levels. It effectively demonstrates that dire predictions of widespread famine with population growth have proven incorrect and suggests long-term trends toward healthier, longer lives remain possible. “Fears of a depleted, overpopulated future are outdated,” they argue.
But is that truly the case? Spears and Geruso also emphasize that food prices play a key role in determining hunger levels, yet it’s worth noting that food prices are presently rising as a consequence of escalating climate change. For a substantial portion of the population, uncertainty persists regarding whether conditions will continue to improve.
This book is undoubtedly provocative and may not provide an easy read, as Spears and Geruso delve into their primary assertions. However, if you believe that understanding the impact of a declining population is simple, and if you consider it a positive trend, this book is essential reading.
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Since 2019, Google’s carbon emissions have surged by 51%, with artificial intelligence proving to be a hindrance to tech firms’ sustainability initiatives.
While companies are pouring resources into renewable energy and carbon capture technologies, they struggle to manage emissions in Range 3, which originates further down the supply chain and is significantly influenced by the expanding data center capabilities required for artificial intelligence.
The company noted a 27% year-on-year increase as it grapples with decarbonization amidst rising energy demands.
Data centers are crucial for training and operating AI models like Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s GPT-4. The International Energy Agency projects that the total electricity consumption of data centers could reach double the level from 2022, with Japan’s electricity demand expected to hit 1,000 TWh (terawatt hours) by 2026. AI accounts for 4.5% of global energy production, according to estimates from Semianalysis for the year 2030.
The report expresses concerns that the rapid advancement of AI may trigger “nonlinear growth in energy demand,” complicating predictions for future energy requirements and emissions trajectories.
Additionally, Google pointed out the slow progress in new low-carbon power generation technologies. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are compact nuclear power plants designed for quick deployment to support the grid, are seen as a promising solution to lower the carbon footprint of data centers. Areas hosting numerous data centers could benefit from one or more SMRs to significantly cut down their electricity-related carbon emissions.
Google’s data center is situated in Grange Castle near Dublin. In 2022, Ireland’s energy grid operators halted the expansion of new data centers in Dublin until 2028. Photo: Patrick Bolger/Guardian
According to the report, the development of these technologies is lagging behind schedule. “The main obstacle is the slow rollout of large-scale carbon-free energy technologies, making it highly challenging to reach goals by 2030.
It further indicated that Scope 3 emissions pose a “challenge,” with Google’s total ambitions representing 11.5 million tons of CO2 equivalent, marking an 11% year-on-year rise since 2019, equating to a 51% increase. This is primarily driven by heightened emissions from the supply chain, with Scope 3 emissions surging by 22% in 2024.
Google has made significant strides in acquiring clean energy, signing over 170 contracts for more than 22 gigawatts since 2010. In 2024, 25 of these contracts added 2.5GW of fresh clean energy to its operations, marking a record year in clean energy transactions with an agreement totaling 8GW.
The company has also achieved one of its environmental goals ahead of schedule by eliminating plastic packaging. Google announced that all new products launched and produced in 2024 will be entirely plastic-free. This goal was initially set for the end of 2025.
The report adds that AI may offer a “net positive potential” for the climate, with aspirations that emissions reductions facilitated by AI applications will outweigh the emissions generated by AI itself, including the energy used by data centers.
Google envisions aiding individuals, cities, and other partners in collectively lowering carbon equivalent emissions by 2030 through AI-powered products. These innovations can enhance energy usage predictions, reduce waste, and optimize solar panel placement to maximize energy generation.
On Thursday, Microsoft revealed plans to increase Xbox console prices globally, referencing “market conditions,” just days after Sony implemented a similar change for the PlayStation 5.
The tech giant will also elevate the prices of various new games produced by its video game subsidiaries.
In the US, the base model, Xbox Series S, will rise from $299.99 to $379.99, marking a 27% increase. The Premium Series X Galaxy Black model will now be available for $729.99, up 22% from the prior price of $599.99. Furthermore, selected new games from Microsoft-owned studios will cost $79.99, reflecting a 14% hike from the current $69.99.
In Europe, the Series S price has shifted from 299.99 euros to 349.99 euros, an increase of 17%. In Australia, the Series S starts at $549, while the Series X begins at $849.
“We recognize that these adjustments will be challenging and have been made after careful consideration of market conditions and escalating development expenditures,” the company stated on its website.
Though Microsoft hasn’t explicitly cited it, Donald Trump’s tariffs on various trading partners have loomed over the gaming sector.
Xbox consoles, primarily manufactured in China, face US tariffs as high as 145% on numerous products enacted during the Trump administration.
The Series S and X models launched in late 2020 and have sold around 30 million units, according to industry analysts.
In mid-April, Sony announced price hikes for several PlayStation 5 models in select markets, including Europe, while notably excluding the US. Like Xbox, the PS5 is predominantly assembled in China. Additionally, Nintendo has similarly postponed pre-orders for the Switch 2 console, which debuted shortly before Trump’s tariff announcement.
The proportion of American children, whose autism spectrum disorder is estimated to have increased in 2022, continues to have a long-term trend. Released data Tuesday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Of those ages 8, one in 31 people were found to have autism in 2022, compared to one in 36 people in 2020. That rate is almost five times higher than the number in 2000, when agencies first began collecting data.
Health agencies noted that the increase is most likely driven by better perceptions and screening, as it is not because autism itself is becoming more common.
It diverged surprisingly well from the rhetoric of the country’s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who said on Tuesday that “the autism epidemic is ramping.”
Kennedy has repeatedly tried to connect the increase in autism with vaccines. Dozens of studies For decades when such a link could not be established. Nevertheless, the Health Secretary has launched a federal study to revisit the possibilities and hired a well-known skeptical vaccine to oversee its efforts.
Kennedy recently announced efforts by the Department of Health and Human Services to identify “the origin of the epidemic” by September.
“They’re doing this,” said Katherine Lord, a psychologist and autism researcher at the University of California David Geffen School of Medicine in Los Angeles.
Instead, a key part of the increase could be attributed to years of widening diagnosis to capture milder cases, Dr. Lord said, but he also said it could raise awareness of stigma and support services.
Still, she left the possibility that other factors contribute to more children who develop autism. “We can explain a lot of increases, but perhaps not everything,” Dr. Lord said.
“But whatever it is, it’s not a vaccine,” she added.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social interactions, communication, sensory problems, repetitive interest and difficulties in behavior.
The cause remains largely unknown, but researchers believe it has a strong genetic component. “It’s very unlikely that it could be one cause or even a few causes,” Dr. Lord said.
The prevalence of disability has been steadily rising since 2000 when the network first began tracking.
Other trends were evident in new research. White children and children in wealthy socioeconomic regions have long had the highest percentage of autism in the United States, but that trend reversed in 2018.
Since 2020, the proportion of black and Latino children has been known to be autistic, and no longer has any links to wealthy communities found in the data.
The CDC reported a prevalence of 3.7% of black children, 3.3% among Hispanic children, and 3.8% among Asian American children.
Autism has long been associated with juveniles, and the differences that may be linked to genetics are that girls are now diagnosed at a higher rate as they are now increasingly aware of the subtle ways in which disability manifests, often manifesting in teen years.
According to the CDC, autism was 3.8 times higher than that of girls in 2022, down from 3.8 times higher than in 2020.
The data also showed the surprising variability in autism diagnosis by geography from 5.3% of 8-year-olds in California to just 1% to just 1% in Texas.
The availability of specific medical and educational resources increases the likelihood that these children will be identified. For example, California has a program that trains local pediatricians to identify signs of autism at an early age, and a community center that provides autism services.
Pennsylvania, which had the second highest prevalence, has a state Medicaid program that guarantees compensation for children with developmental disabilities regardless of their parents’ income.
For those who are not runners and don’t find the appeal of a two-hour run at 6am, it’s known that running (and other forms of aerobic exercise) can create powerful chemical sensations that are comparable to real drugs.
The body naturally produces two pleasurable substances associated with the runner’s high. Endorphins are well-known neurotransmitters that can be likened to morphine for their pain-relieving properties.
One theory suggests that our ancestors evolved to produce endorphins to help them chase prey or escape predators by numbing foot pain and blisters.
Research indicates that for runners, a long-term, moderately intense run is the ideal scenario for endorphin production. If you’re aiming to experience the runner’s high, try a “tempo” run.
After a good warm-up, aim to run for at least 20 minutes at a pace of about 6 or7 out of 10 (with 10 being an all-out sprint).
Running can produce powerful chemical hits that justify comparisons with real drugs – Illustration Credit: James Clapham
While endorphins have traditionally been credited with causing the euphoria of the runner’s high, recent research suggests that another substance may be the actual source of the uplift felt towards the end of a run.
Endocannabinoids are molecules similar to those in marijuana that enhance the mood, but are naturally produced by the body.
Research shows that when cannabinoid receptors are blocked in mice, they exhibit reduced activity. In a study in 2021, researchers at the University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf found that even when the opioid receptor that binds to endorphins is blocked, runners still experience the high.
This suggests that cannabinoids may be more responsible for the runner’s high than previously thought.
In the study, participants ran at a moderate pace for 45 minutes. To achieve a similar high, aim for a consistently challenging pace where holding a conversation becomes difficult.
This article addresses the question (posed by Emily Marine of Colchester) “When does the runner’s high kick in?”
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President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at bolstering the declining coal industry in the country and imposing stricter regulations on coal mining, leasing, and export. The White House stated that this move is intended to address the energy demands of artificial intelligence data centers.
This action by the Trump administration is at odds with global efforts to reduce coal-fired electricity generation and curb harmful greenhouse gas emissions associated with climate change.
During the signing of the order, Trump emphasized the importance of coal, referring to it as “beautiful, clean coal.”
Coal is widely regarded as one of the dirtiest fossil fuels and a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The burning of fossil fuels like coal releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming.
In addition to reopening certain coal plants and allowing coal leases on public land, the executive order instructs federal agencies to explore how coal-fired power plants can meet the increasing energy needs of artificial intelligence.
Workers at the John E. Amos power plant, which is a coal burning of American power fuel, in Winfield, W.Va., stand in the coal mine in 2018.Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images file
Recent government actions have rolled back environmental regulations, targeting pollution and emissions from power plants operated by oil and gas companies.
Over the past decade, the coal industry in the US has seen a decline, with coal contributing only about 16% of domestic electricity in 2023, down from 45% in 2010. The growing use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind has also played a role in reducing the country’s reliance on coal.
Efforts to revive the coal industry run counter to the preferences of most Americans, with two-thirds supporting a transition away from fossil fuels like coal by 2050, according to a recent poll by Yale University.
Burning coal for electricity generation is not only environmentally harmful but also costlier than cleaner energy sources. According to estimates, coal-generated electricity can cost Americans three to four times more than wind or solar power.
Critics of Trump’s executive order, including former EPA administrator Gina McCarthy, argue that it will worsen climate change and harm public health. They advocate for a shift towards cleaner and safer energy alternatives.
As the demand for energy from artificial intelligence increases, there is a growing need for new energy resources. However, meeting this demand is expected to strain existing energy systems, prompting calls for increased investments to stay competitive internationally.
Goldman Sachs projects a 165% rise in global electricity demand over the next five years due to the expansion of AI data centers.
Customs duties on imported vehicles went into effect on Wednesday. The policy, said to promote investment and employment in the United States by President Trump, is expected to increase new car prices by thousands of dollars according to analysts.
The 25% duty applies to all vehicles assembled outside the United States. As of May 3rd, customs duties will also apply to imported auto parts, adding to the costs of automobiles and auto repairs.
There is a partial exemption for cars manufactured in Mexico or Canada under a free trade agreement. Automakers do not have to pay duties on parts like engines, transmissions, batteries, and other items that were made in the US and installed in cars at factories in Mexico or Canada.
This provision reduces the impact on vehicles such as Chevrolet Equinox electric vehicles assembled in Mexico but containing battery packs and other US-made components. General Motors only pays duties on some of the cars produced overseas.
Meanwhile, parts duties increase the costs of cars manufactured in states like Michigan, Tennessee, and Ohio where most vehicles contain components made overseas, often accounting for more than half the vehicle cost.
For example, around 90% of the value of some Mercedes-Benz cars made in Alabama comes from engines and transmissions imported from Europe, as per data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The impact of tariffs on individual vehicles varies widely. Cars like the Tesla Model Y made in Texas and California or Honda Passports made in Alabama have a higher percentage of US-made parts and pay lower duties.
The highest tariffs apply to cars manufactured overseas, such as the Toyota Prius from Japan and Porsche sports cars from Germany.
Even those not purchasing a new car will feel the impact of tariffs as prices go up for parts like tires, brake pads, and oil filters.
Michael Holmes, co-director of Virginia Tire and Auto, a chain of auto repair and maintenance shops, mentioned that he and his suppliers initially plan to absorb most of the cost increase.
Holmes stated, “It’s not sustainable. It’s wishful thinking to expect companies not to pass on these costs.”
Analysts predict that car tariffs could also drive up prices of used cars in the long run. Increased demand for these vehicles may make new cars unaffordable for many buyers. Furthermore, repair costs may rise, leading to potential increases in insurance premiums.
New rat studies published in the Journal of Peer Reviews indicate that the addiction to nicotine pouches and other oral products may be influenced by flavoring (Nicotine and cigarette research).
Nicotine pouches, small bags placed between the gum and lips to provide nicotine without cigarettes, have seen a surge in popularity. Sales in the US spiked from 126 million units between August and December 2019 to 888 million units between January and March 2022 (source).
The growth of nicotine pouches has been rapid in recent years. In 2024, Zyn, the top-selling brand in the US, sold 385 million units, a 50% increase from 2023 (Forbes).
Recent research suggests that the flavors and sweeteners used in oral nicotine products can significantly impact nicotine consumption. In experiments with rats, combinations of flavoring and sweeteners with nicotine solutions were tested to measure the resulting intake.
“We aimed to investigate the influence of sweeteners and flavors on nicotine usage,” said researcher Dr. Dennis Bagdas from Yale University School of Medicine. BBC Science Focus. “While many oral nicotine products contain these additives, their effects on selection behavior and preferences are not fully understood.”
Prior research by Bagdas and colleagues had already shown that sweetened nicotine solutions increase consumption. In this study, rats were given plain, sweet, flavored, or sweetened nicotine options.
As expected, both male and female rats showed a preference for sweetened solutions, with notable gender differences. Females consumed more nicotine when paired with simple sweeteners, while males favored nicotine with cinnamaldehyde.
According to the researchers, this suggests that flavors can impact nicotine consumption in men more than women. The study also revealed that menthol flavors led to increased consumption in men but not in women.
The nicotine pouch is placed between the lips and gums, allowing direct absorption into the bloodstream – Getty
While the study was conducted on rats, Bagdas noted that rodents and humans share similar reward systems, offering insights into human behavior. Further studies in humans are needed to confirm these findings.
“Rodents have well-established reward systems that make them a valuable model for studying the effects of additives on nicotine consumption,” she explained.
“By isolating the impact of specific sweeteners and flavors on nicotine preferences, we can gain a better understanding of how these factors influence consumption, separate from external influences like marketing and social factors.”
The study highlights the potential need for regulatory measures as flavored nicotine pouches are widely available in various forms.
“Our findings on the appeal of oral nicotine products and additives that may heighten dependency risk can guide harm reduction strategies and regulatory policies,” said Bagdas.
“This study underscores the significance of sweetness in oral nicotine preferences, suggesting a need for public health measures to regulate sweeteners and flavors in these products.”
Bagdas also stressed the importance of further research on other ingredients in oral nicotine products that could impact consumption, such as pH modifiers, nicotine sources, and formulations.
About our experts
Dennis Bagdas, DVM, PhD, is a research scientist at Yale School of Medicine specializing in behavioral neuropharmacology. She collaborates with the Yale Center for the Study of Tobacco Product Use and Addiction (Yale TCors) to study nicotine addiction behaviors in adolescents and adults and examine the effects of tobacco ingredients on nicotine intake.
Immediately after my 54th birthday, I received the package. The enclosed instructions said the next time I empty my intestines, I should shave a little of the stool, shave it into a small sample bottle, seal it in a prepaid envelope and drop it in a post. I did the act and a few weeks later I was invited to the hospital. My sample contained blood. Colonoscopy was ordered to rule out colorectal cancer.
Thankfully, I don’t have colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy of 54 is not a classic start to middle age. However, over the next few years, this particular rite of passage may begin to occur much earlier. The proportion of this cancer among people in my age group has been declining thanks to screening programs like this, but talking about under 50 years is much more troubling.
Early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is now the circumstance, as is known in people under the age of 50, due to its virtually unprecedented nature of the 20th century. 10% of all new cases worldwide. That number is expected to more than double by 2030, and by then EOCRC is expected to be the most common form of fatal cancer among Americans aged 20-49.
The reasons are uncertain, but ambitious new projects explore potential causes. The idea is that EORC may also be a more clear and aggressive form of illness. Meanwhile, as routine screening expanded to younger groups – in January, the UK reduced the screening age to 50 – and the new, less invasive test…
Have you ever visited a cave? Most caves are formed from rocks made of calcium and carbonates, Limestoneand includes vast passages beautifully decorated with unique minerals in columnar formation. for example, Mammoth Cave Kentucky has 426 miles (or 686 kilometers) of corridors, with over 100 rooms lined with giant titro stones and stalagies.
Where the caves are located there are often underground reservoirs. Aquifer. Aquifers are also commonly formed from limestone, conserving enormous amounts of water in cracks and other pore spaces in the rock. The population harvests billions of gallons of water from the aquifer every day.
Chemical reactions between limestone and acid dissolve the limestone, resulting in caves and aquifers being formed in limestone. The most common acids that react with limestone to form caves and aquifers are Carbonated. Carbonated acids are weak acids that naturally form when carbon is indicated as CO.2dissolves in water. However, other naturally occurring acids such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid can also dissolve limestone.
Scientists have shown that limestone melting affects the world's climate. Carboxylic acids dissolve limestone and consume Co2this is a powerful greenhouse gas. However, when other acids dissolve the limestone, Co is released2 For the atmosphere. In particular, sulfuric acid and nitric acid are produced during human activities such as agriculture and other industrial processes. Scientists want to know if these acids dissolve a significant amount of limestone in aquifers and other underground areas.
Recently, a team of researchers in Florida used chemical analysis and mathematical models to measure the amount of limestone dissolution caused by acids other than carbonic acid in large aquifers known as the Floridan aquifer. Researchers explained that the Suwanee River is above the Floridan Aquifer and that there is water from the Suwanee River refill. charging Aquifer. They wanted to determine how much dissolution would occur in the aquifer with this charged water.
First, they measured the co2 and the concentration of acid in water samples from various surfaces and underground locations of the Suwanee River Basin, collected over five years. This data was then used to create a mathematical model that calculates the amount of limestone dissolved within the aquifer if all molecules of acid in the aquifer react with the limestone molecule.
Using this model, the researchers estimated that acid input to the aquifer could dissolve 100-10,000 kilograms (or 220-220,000 pounds) of limestone in six months. This corresponds to the weight of melting at least two humans or three or more rocks! Based on the model output, they also found that only carboxylic acids cannot drive the dissolution of all estimated limestones. Researchers concluded that other acids, such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid, must contribute to the dissolution of limestone.
The team also explained that water can flow through the aquifer in just a few hours or years. They reported that several storms had occurred while sampling the river. It increased charging and produced a surge that pushed water through the aquifer faster than usual. They calculated that the most limestone dissolved during these storm surges, suggesting that the storm could exacerbate aquifer growth.
For many Florida people, the Florida aquifer is the main source of clean water. Therefore, the researchers emphasized that how this aquifer interacts with the environment affects millions of livelihoods. The researchers concluded that acids released from human activity could affect the dissolution of all limestones from the aquifers we rely on from the caves we visited. They suggested that future researchers would consider weathering rocks when studying carbon dioxide dynamics in other limestone-dominated regions.
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Reading and the University of Durham has revealed that the increase in relative brain size, known as encephalization, during the seven million years of human evolution was a result of incremental changes within individual species.
Modern humans, Neanderthals, and other recent relatives on the human family tree evolved large brains much more rapidly than earlier species. Image credit: SINC / Jose Antonio Peñas.
“One of the most striking evolutionary changes in human evolution, closely linked to the unique cognitive and behavioral characteristics of humans, is the increase in brain size,” explained lead author Thomas Puschel and his colleagues.
“The question of encephalization in human evolution has been a topic of debate, with various studies comparing the brain capacities of different hominin species and exploring adaptive mechanisms that might have influenced differences in brain size among hominins. Our research proposes
“Some argue for a gradual growth pattern over time, while others suggest a pattern of rapid increases followed by periods of stagnation.”
“Certain studies support a combination of both models, while others claim that they are indistinguishable.”
In their recent study, the authors compiled the largest dataset of ancient human fossils spanning seven million years and utilized advanced computational and statistical methods to identify gaps in the fossil record.
These innovative approaches have provided the most comprehensive understanding to date of the evolution of brain size over time.
“This study has completely altered our perception of how the human brain evolved,” noted study co-author Professor Chris Venditti.
“Previously, it was believed that brain size varied significantly between species, like upgrading to newer computer models.”
“However, our study reveals a pattern of steady, incremental ‘software updates’ occurring within each species over millions of years.”
This study challenges the traditional notion that certain species, such as Neanderthals, remained unchanged and were unable to adapt, suggesting instead that the increase in brain size was a gradual and continuous driving force in evolution. It underscores the significance of changes.
“Major evolutionary shifts do not always require dramatic events,” Pushel stated.
“They can result from making small incremental improvements over time, akin to the learning and adaptation processes observed today.”
The researchers also identified a notable pattern: larger-bodied species tend to have larger brains, but the variation observed within individual species does not consistently correlate with body size.
Hence, the evolution of brain size over long evolutionary timescales spanning millions of years has been influenced by factors distinct from those observed within individual species, underscoring the complexities of evolutionary pressures on brain size. It’s remarkable.
“The reasons behind the evolution of large brains in humans are a key aspect of human evolution,” added study co-author Dr. Joanna Baker.
“Through analyzing the brain and body sizes of various species over millions of years, we have demonstrated that the characteristic large brains of humans primarily emerged through gradual changes within individual species. This became evident.”of study On November 26, 2024, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Thomas A. Puschel others. 2024. The increase in human brain size was revealed by intraspecific encephalization. PNAS 121 (49): e2409542121;doi: 10.1073/pnas.2409542121
Turbulence is a common occurrence during flights and can sometimes be dangerous. It can result in emergency landings and even fatalities.
In May 2024, a flight from London to Singapore had to make an emergency landing after encountering severe turbulence over Myanmar. Sadly, one passenger died, and many others were hospitalized.
Shortly after this incident, another flight from Doha to Dublin experienced turbulence, leading to several passengers being hospitalized. These incidents raise concerns about the frequency and severity of turbulence.
Turbulence is typically caused by sudden changes in airflow due to various factors like storm clouds, fronts, and air movement over mountains. Pilots can often anticipate and avoid these known forms of turbulence.
However, clear-air turbulence, which occurs without warning due to speed differences between air masses, poses a more significant risk. This type of turbulence is invisible and challenging to detect, making it particularly dangerous for passengers and crew.
Experts predict that turbulence will increase with climate change, with clear-sky turbulence already on the rise. Studies show a significant increase in wind shear and severe turbulence on common flight routes, with projections indicating a further rise in turbulence incidents in the coming years.
While the risk of turbulence-related injuries remains relatively low, it is essential for passengers to always wear their seat belts during flights. This simple precaution can reduce the likelihood of injuries during turbulent conditions.
If you have any questions or concerns about turbulence or climate change’s impact on air travel, feel free to contact us via email at questions@sciencefocus.com or reach out to us on social media.
For more intriguing science facts and information, visit our website for engaging content.
This article (by Dominic Hamilton in London) addresses the impact of climate change on turbulence during flights.
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Welcome back. In today’s newsletter, a tech executive shares anecdotes about interactions with Donald Trump, the responsibilities of AI chatbots, and the perils of sharing baby photos online with families. Thank you for engaging with us.
Top tech CEOs are closely monitoring the election polls and engaging with President Trump. They are cautious about regulatory scrutiny and potential retaliation from the former president.
Apple’s Tim Cook discussed legal matters with Trump, while Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai faced threats. Amazon’s Andy Jassy had a friendly call with Trump, among other interactions detailed in CNN and Associated Press reports.
Elon Musk joined Trump at a rally in NYC. Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters
Microsoft’s Satya Nadella refrained from endorsing any candidate. Elon Musk’s alliance with Trump has raised legal concerns, including a lawsuit over a million-dollar giveaway.
While tech execs engage with Trump, questions arise about their influence and allegiances. The broader geopolitical context shapes their interactions and potential impact on the upcoming election.
AI chatbots’ responsibility is under scrutiny as a startup faces a lawsuit for allegedly promoting self-harm among users. The ethical and legal implications of AI technology’s role in society are brought to light.
How much responsibility do chatbots have?
Megan Garcia and her son Sewell Setzer. Photo: Megan Garcia/AP
Chat interactions raising legal questions highlight the need for AI regulation and oversight to prevent harm. The lawsuit against Character.ai underscores the challenges posed by advancing AI technology.
The debate on AI responsibility extends to copyright issues, corporate liabilities, and ethical considerations. Balancing innovation with user protection is crucial in navigating the evolving tech landscape.
How can I convince family and friends not to post photos of my children?
Family photos: too many? Composite: Guardian/Getty Images/Pngtree
Guidance on safeguarding your child’s privacy in a digital age emphasizes communication and setting boundaries with loved ones. Addressing concerns about online exposure requires a proactive approach.
Johanna’s tips:
Make a simultaneous announcement: Inform everyone about your photo preferences collectively to streamline communication and avoid accidental sharing.
Lead by example: Follow your own rules for sharing photos and respect other parents’ privacy preferences.
Be generous in other ways: Balance privacy concerns by sharing photos selectively while maintaining family connections.
Advocate for privacy: Enlist help from friends and family to protect your child’s privacy online and address any unwanted posts.
Forgive and educate: Approach lapses in privacy with understanding and guide loved ones on respecting your wishes for your child’s digital footprint.
Stay confident: Assert your child’s privacy rights firmly and communicate openly about your expectations with your inner circle.
For more insights on managing family photo sharing, refer to the full guide on child privacy protection strategies.
isAs Evie was scrolling through X in April, she saw some unwelcome posts in her feed. One was a photo of a visibly skinny person asking if they were skinny enough. Another post wanted to compare how few calories users were consuming in a day.
Debbie, who did not want to give her last name, is 37 and was first diagnosed with bulimia when she was 16. She did not follow either of the accounts behind the posts in the group, which has more than 150,000 members on the social media site.
Out of curiosity, Debbie clicked on the group. “As I scrolled down, I saw a lot of pro-eating disorder messages,” she said. “People asking for opinions about their bodies, people asking for advice on fasting.” A post pinned by an admin urged members to “remember why we’re starving.”
observer Twitter found seven more groups, totaling around 200,000 members, openly sharing content promoting eating disorders. All of the groups were created after Twitter was bought by billionaire Elon Musk in 2022 and rebranded as X.
Eating disorder campaigners said the scale of harmful content showed a serious failure in moderation by X. Councillor Wera Hobhouse, chair of the cross-party parliamentary group on eating disorders, said: “These findings are extremely worrying… X should be held accountable for allowing this harmful content to be promoted on its platform, which puts so many lives at risk.”
The internet has long been a hotbed of content promoting eating disorders (sometimes called “pro-ana”), from message boards to early social media sites like Tumblr and Pinterest, which banned posts promoting eating disorders and self-harm in 2012 following outcry over their prevalence.
Debbie remembers internet message boards in support of Anna, but “I had to search to find them.”
This kind of content is now more accessible than ever before, and critics of social media companies say it is pushed to users by algorithms, resulting in more and sometimes increasingly explicit posts.
Social media companies have come under increasing pressure in recent years to step up safety measures following a series of deaths linked to harmful content.
At an inquest into the death of 14-year-old Molly Russell, who died by suicide in 2017 after viewing suicide and self-harm content, the coroner ruled that online content contributed to her death.
Two years later, in 2019, Mehta-owned Instagram announced it would no longer allow any explicit content depicting self-harm. The Online Safety Act passed last year requires tech companies to protect children from harmful content, including advertising eating disorders, and will impose heavy fines on violators.
Baroness Parminter, who sits on the cross-party group, said the Online Safety Act was a “reasonable start” but failed to protect adults. “The obligations on social media providers only cover content that children are likely to see – and of course eating disorders don’t stop when you turn 18,” she said.
In the user policy, X We do not allow content that encourages or promotes self-harmwhich explicitly includes eating disorders. Users can report violations of X’s policies and posts, as well as use filters in the timeline to report that they are “not interested” in the content being served.
But concerns about a lack of moderation have grown since Musk took over the site: Just weeks later, in November 2022, he fired thousands of staff, including moderators.
Musk also brought changes to X that meant users would see more content from accounts they didn’t follow. The platform introduced a “For You” feed, which became the default timeline.
in Last year’s blog postAccording to the company, about 50% of the content that appears in this feed comes from accounts that the user doesn’t yet follow.
In 2021, Twitter launched “Communities” as an answer to Facebook Groups. Communities have become more prominent since Musk became CEO. In May, Twitter announced that “Your timeline will now show recommendations for communities you might enjoy.”
In January, Meta, a rival to X, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said it would continue to allow the sharing of content documenting struggles with eating disorders but would no longer encourage it and make it harder to find. While Meta began directing users searching for eating disorder groups to safety resources, X does not show any warnings when users are looking for such communities.
Debbie said she found X’s harmful content filtering and reporting tools ineffective, and shared screenshots of the group’s posts with the posters. observer Even after she reported it and flagged it as not relevant, the post continued to appear in her feed.
Mental health activist Hannah Whitfield deleted all of her social media accounts in 2020 to aid in her recovery from an eating disorder. She said she then returned to some sites, including X, where “thinspiration” posts glorifying unhealthy weight loss appeared in her For You feed. [eating-disorder content] The downside of X was that it was a lot more extreme and radical. Obviously it was a lot less moderated and I felt it was a lot easier to find something very explicit.”
Eating disorder support groups stress that social media does not cause eating disorders, and that people who post pro-eating disorder content are often unwell and do not mean any harm, but social media can lead people who are already struggling with eating disorders down a dark path.
The authors, who analysed two million eating disorder posts on X, said the platform offers people with illnesses a “sense of belonging”, but that unmoderated communities can become “toxic echo chambers that normalise extreme behaviour”.
Paige Rivers was first diagnosed with anorexia when she was 10. Now 23 and training to be a nurse, she came across content about eating disorders on XFeed.
Rivers said he found the X setting, which allows users to block certain hashtags or phrases, was easily circumvented.
“People started using weird hashtags like anorexia, which is a combination of numbers and letters, and that got through,” she said.
Tom Quinn, Director of External Relations Eating disorder charity Beat“The fact that these so-called ‘pro-ana’ groups are allowed to proliferate demonstrates an extremely worrying lack of moderation on platforms like X,” it said.
For those in recovery, like Debbie, social media held the promise of support.
But Debbie feels powerless to limit it, and her constant exposure to provocative content is backfireing: “It discourages me from using social media, and it’s really sad because I struggle to find people in a similar situation or who can give me advice about what I’m going through,” she says.
Company X did not respond to a request for comment.
Despite recent progress, the question of what controls the star formation efficiency in galaxies remains one of the most debated in astrophysics. According to the dominant view, star formation is controlled by turbulence and feedback, with a star formation efficiency of 1-2% per local free-fall time. In an alternative scenario, the star formation rate in the Galactic disk is proportional to the mass of dense gas above a critical density threshold. In a new study, astrophysicists from Université Paris-Sacra show that Michael Mattern and his colleagues aimed to distinguish between the two images with high-resolution observations. Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) tracks dense gas and young stars in a comprehensive sample of 49 nearby dense molecular clouds.
This composite image shows RCW 106, a star-forming region in the southern constellation Norma, about 12,000 light-years from Earth. The image overlays a red map of dense gas taken by APEX’s ArTéMiS camera on top of an optical image taken by ESO’s VLT Survey Telescope. Image credit: ESO / M. Mattern others.
Understanding what controls the efficiency of star formation in galactic giant molecular clouds is a fundamental unsolved problem in star formation research.
The star formation rate at multiple scales in galaxies is known to be strongly correlated with the mass of available molecular gas.
Overall, star formation is observed to be a very inefficient process.
“The glowing red clouds seen in the image above indicate regions of dense gas where new stars are being born in the RCW 106 region,” the astronomers said in a statement.
“But only 1 percent of this gas actually forms stars, and we don’t know why this percentage is so low.”
“We know that star formation occurs when regions of these giant clouds of cold gas come together and eventually collapse, and new stars are born. This happens at a critical density.”
“But beyond that density, could even more stars be formed in even denser regions? And could this help explain the 1% mystery?”
Their new results suggest that this is not the case: the dense regions are not efficient for star formation.
According to the team, this can probably be explained by these dense clouds breaking up into filaments and nuclei from which stars form, but many questions remain.
“Our results suggest that the star formation efficiency does not increase as the density passes a critical threshold, supporting a scenario in which the star formation efficiency in dense gas is nearly constant,” the researchers said.
“However, measurements of star formation efficiency tracked by young class I stars in nearby clouds are inconclusive, as they are consistent with both the existence of a density threshold and its dependence on density above the threshold.”
“Overall, we suggest that the efficiency of star formation in dense gas is determined primarily by the physics of filament fragmentation into protostellar cores.”
M. Mattern others2024. Understanding star formation efficiency in dense gas: Initial results from the ArTéMiS CAFFEINE survey. A&Ain press; arXiv: 2405.15713
This tuna-inspired robot borrows some nifty tricks from the real fish
Lin, Z. et al. (2024).
The tuna-shaped robot harnesses the secret to the speed and agility of real fish – the ability to selectively fold and extend their fins – which could improve underwater robot design.
Tuna are one of the fastest swimming fish in the ocean, thanks in part to their ability to retract and fold their fins to reduce drag. Chung-Rok Hayashi Researchers from China's Xiamen University and their colleagues investigated how such fins could improve the agility of robots.
The researchers built a 50-centimeter-long tuna-shaped robot that can be controlled by motors attached to its head, a dorsal fin on its back, and a fluke at the end of its tail. The researchers filmed the robot swimming in a pool and tested the effects of flattening or erecting the dorsal fin on the robot's acceleration, direction changes, and steady forward motion.
They found that folding and unfolding the dorsal fin had significant effects on factors such as speed, efficiency and linear acceleration. When the robot tuna was changing direction, keeping the dorsal fin erect increased its speed by about 33%. However, keeping the fin erect when the robot was moving steadily forward reduced the efficiency of its movement by up to 13%, increasing the robot's energy consumption.
Lin says these findings are consistent with how tuna in nature raise their dorsal fin to make fast, precise movements, such as when catching prey, then fold it back to continue swimming. “By designing similar flexible control systems, underwater vehicles can improve balance, navigation, and agility at high speed,” he says.
“Understanding this high level of swimming performance in tuna is intrinsically interesting because it is something that even the best human swimmers cannot achieve.” Frank Fish At West Chester University in Pennsylvania.
But Fish adds that the tail fin may play a bigger role than the dorsal fin in a tuna's swimming ability. His own research Many of these animals have shown this to be especially true when it comes to turning, Fish says. “We measured the turning ability of Pacific bluefin tuna and found that it far surpasses the capabilities of a robot,” he says. This may mean that tuna-inspired robots could also be improved by studying their tails in more detail.
When the Minneapolis City Council announced agreements with Uber and Lyft last month to increase wages and enhance working conditions for drivers, who emerged as the winner?
On May 20, the city council revealed a compromise with ride-hailing companies: Uber and Lyft would adhere to an inflation-linked minimum wage aligning with Minnesota’s $15 hourly minimum wage post expenses. Although some lawmakers touted this as a 20% pay surge for drivers, the agreed rate was lower, surpassing nearly all proposals from the previous two years amidst a contentious battle involving Uber, Lyft, drivers, and lawmakers.
Key elements of the deal include the allowance for drivers to contest firings due to opaque algorithms, funding for a non-profit driver center for driver rights education, and a raised insurance coverage requirement to $1 million for ride-hailing drivers to address post-trip medical expenses and lost wages following an assault or accident.
However, since the deal remains a vital component of digital ride-hailing services, Uber and Lyft can sustain operations and potentially reverse the compromise in the future.
Over the course of two years, ride-hailing driver groups engaged in protests, advocacy efforts, and negotiations with Uber as the companies threatened capital strikes and announced withdrawal from the state multiple times due to the bill, causing political strife for both entities.
By resorting to capital strikes, these companies narrow the scope of our political discourse while bolstering their own influence. The digital ride-hailing model perpetuates worsened working conditions for drivers through misclassification and algorithmic control, and the Minneapolis deal fails to address data transparency, constituting a significant setback according to expert Veena Duvall from the University of California, Irvine.
While the deal provides instant benefits for drivers by averting Uber and Lyft’s potential exit from the state, it falls short of addressing fundamental structural challenges within the on-demand labor model.
The on-demand labor model relies on maintaining an asymmetric power balance between companies, passengers, drivers, and cities, sidestepping issues of misclassification, data extraction, and algorithmic control.
Uber and Lyft exhibit adeptness in reducing arguments to superficial levels, deterring meaningful change and reform within the industry. Despite the evident need for intervention to improve drivers’ conditions, the omnipresent influence and evasion of billions in taxes by such companies underscore the challenge of enacting lasting reform.
Ultimately, the digital ride-hailing model remains fundamentally flawed, necessitating a comprehensive reevaluation of its impact on urban transport, working conditions, and financial practices, urging a departure from the prevailing exploitative dynamics in favor of sustainable alternatives.
Child sexual exploitation is increasing online, with artificial intelligence generating new forms such as images and videos related to child sexual abuse.
Reports of online child abuse to NCMEC increased by more than 12% from the previous year to over 36.2 million in 2023, as announced in the organization’s annual CyberTipline report. Most reports were related to the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including photos and videos. Online criminals are also enticing children to send nude images and videos for financial gain, with increased reports of blackmail and extortion.
NCMEC has reported instances where children and families have been targeted for financial gain through blackmail using AI-generated CSAM.
The center has received 4,700 reports of child sexual exploitation images and videos created by generative AI, although tracking in this category only began in 2023, according to a spokesperson.
NCMEC is alarmed by the growing trend of malicious actors using artificial intelligence to produce deepfaked sexually explicit images and videos based on real children’s photos, stating that it is devastating for the victims and their families.
The group emphasizes that AI-generated child abuse content hinders the identification of actual child victims and is illegal in the United States, where production of such material is a federal crime.
In 2023, CyberTipline received over 35.9 million reports of suspected CSAM incidents, with most uploads originating outside the US. There was also a significant rise in online solicitation reports and exploitation cases involving communication with children for sexual purposes or abduction.
Top platforms for cybertips included Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Google, Snapchat, TikTok, and Twitter.
Out of 1,600 global companies registered for the CyberTip Reporting Program, 245 submitted reports to NCMEC, including US-based internet service providers required by law to report CSAM incidents to CyberTipline.
NCMEC highlights the importance of quality reports, as some automated reports may not be actionable without human involvement, potentially hindering law enforcement in detecting child abuse cases.
NCMEC’s report stresses the need for continued action by Congress and the tech community to address reporting issues.
When picturing a smoker, the image of a slender and stylish individual like Audrey Hepburn may come to mind. However, recent research indicates that even slim smokers could be harboring unhealthy fat hidden deep within their abdomens.
Despite the common belief that smoking can suppress appetite and the fear of weight gain upon quitting, a new study reveals that smokers are more likely to be underweight. Not only that but smokers also tend to accumulate more harmful deep abdominal fat, known as “visceral fat,” which is linked to increased risks of heart attack, diabetes, and dementia. This type of fat can be challenging to detect, leading to a false sense of fullness even with a flat stomach.
To investigate the relationship between lifelong smoking and belly fat, researchers at the University of Copenhagen utilized a statistical analysis tool called Mendelian randomization. This tool categorizes individuals based on their genetic information to identify causal connections between exposures like smoking and outcomes such as abdominal fat distribution.
The study involved analyzing genetic data from numerous studies on smoking habits and body fat distribution among individuals of European ancestry. By identifying specific genes associated with smoking behaviors and body fat distribution, the researchers were able to determine the impact of smoking on belly fat independent of other influencing factors like alcohol consumption and socio-economic background.
The lead author, Dr. Germán D. Carrasquilla, emphasized the importance of large-scale efforts to prevent and reduce smoking in light of their findings published in the journal Dependence. He believes that reducing smoking prevalence can indirectly decrease the prevalence of abdominal fat and ultimately improve public health outcomes.
Uber and Lyft have announced the suspension of their operations in the Minneapolis area in protest of a newly passed minimum wage ordinance by the City Council.
The ordinance, set to take effect on May 1, establishes a minimum wage of $1.40 per mile and 0.51 cents per minute for rideshare drivers, with a minimum wage of $5 per ride. Despite the mayor’s veto being overridden by the City Council, Uber and Lyft have threatened to leave the area in response.
If the companies proceed with their plans to halt operations on May 1, Minneapolis will stand as the only city in the U.S. without Uber or Lyft services.
Advocates for the bill highlight the low wages and high costs faced by rideshare drivers. They assert that wages have decreased, leading to support for the ordinance.
Eid Ali, a veteran rideshare driver and president of the Minnesota Uber Lyft Drivers Association, has been terminated. Uber and Lyft argue that the minimum wage is unsustainable for maintaining affordable fares for riders.
Ali expressed his disbelief in the actions of the multi-billion-dollar companies, emphasizing the need for fair compensation and a living wage for all workers.
Should Uber and Lyft exit the market, Ali believes that other entities are prepared to step in. He believes their fight is not solely about the minimum wage but also about its implications on the broader market.
Farhan Bader, another rideshare driver, highlighted the undervaluation of drivers’ roles in society and argued for fair compensation amid declining pay and increased working hours.
Efforts are underway by Minnesota lawmakers to introduce a bill preempting Minneapolis regulations to retain Uber and Lyft in the area.
Uber’s senior director of communications, Josh Gold, expressed disappointment in the City Council’s decision and emphasized the need for collaboration to ensure drivers receive fair wages while keeping rideshare affordable.
A Lyft spokesperson also voiced support for state-level preemption and raised concerns about the impact of the minimum wage ordinance on drivers’ income and the accessibility of ridesharing services.
Uber and Lyft’s clash with regulators over wages and working conditions reflects a broader trend seen in the industry both in the U.S. and globally.
TIt comes as pharmaceutical group AstraZeneca last month cemented chief executive Pascal Soriot’s place as the highest-paid FTSE 100 company leader by increasing his pay by £17m, up from £15.3m a year earlier. It was a shocking moment. This award brings the total amount earned since joining in 2012 to £137 million.
This angered corporate governance experts, but Mr. Soriot’s generous compensation was only a fraction of what he would take home at some of America’s largest companies. Sundar Pichai of Google’s parent company Alphabet is the highest-paid boss on the U.S.-based S&P 500 index, with a paycheck of $226 million in 2022.
This gap is being used to fuel concerns about London’s ability to attract and retain global talent and to strengthen demands in boardrooms to increase executive pay to compete with Wall Street-level salaries. There is.
There is growing concern in the city following a series of defections in recent years. Top executives went across the Atlantic to rival companies, and London-listed companies moved to U.S. stock exchanges. With more money and less shareholder oversight, companies have more control over compensation systems.
“Anecdotally, this competitiveness issue has been a topic of discussion for many years,” says Andrew, who speaks on behalf of pension fund managers and other large shareholders as head of industry body the Investment Association.・Ninian said. “But in reality, we are hearing more and more cases where companies are having a hard time finding the right talent and competing for talent.”
For example, medical device maker Smith & Nephew lost chief executive Namal Nawana in 18 months after a 2019 scandal over demands for high pay commensurate with his U.S. peers. The company reportedly considered moving to the US, where it would be easier to increase his £6m package, but scrapped the plan and Mr Nawana resigned.
Despite intensive efforts to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD), substantial residual CVD risk remains, even in people who receive all guideline-recommended interventions. Niacin (vitamin B3) is an essential micronutrient fortified in staple foods, but its role in CVD is poorly understood. Excessive amounts of niacin's breakdown products may be associated with an increased risk of death, heart attack, and stroke, according to a new study.
Niacin is an essential micronutrient that is fortified in staple foods beyond dietary requirements. Image credit: Ferrell other., doi: 10.1038/s41591-023-02793-8.
Although CVD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, only a portion of the attributable risk is explained by established risk factors.
Despite significant advances in treatment, the risk of residual cardiovascular disease remains high, and it has been suggested that additional, as yet unrecognized factors contribute to cardiovascular disease.
Research has previously shown that niacin (vitamin B3) reduces levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
However, this vitamin does not seem to have the expected effect in reducing CVD risk, the so-called “niacin paradox”.
“Our study shows that niacin breakdown products can promote vascular inflammation, providing a potential explanation for this discrepancy,” said Cleveland Clinic researcher Stanley Hazen, Ph.D. said.
In the study, the authors analyzed plasma samples from 4,325 people in three patient cohorts, including men and women from the United States and Europe.
They found that two breakdown products of niacin, the metabolites N1-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide (2PY) and N1-methyl-4-pyridone-3-carboxamide (4PY), are associated with increased CVD risk. I discovered that
In subsequent human genetic studies and mouse studies, the research team found that this increased risk is due to these breakdown products increasing the abundance of the pro-inflammatory protein VCAM-1 within the endothelial cells lining the blood. showed that it may be mediated by the ability of one of the (4PY). ship.
“Further studies are needed in large-scale studies to investigate the association between niacin and its degradation products and CVD,” the researchers said.
their findings It was published in the magazine natural medicine.
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M. Ferrell other. 2024. End metabolites of niacin promote vascular inflammation and contribute to cardiovascular disease risk. Nat Med 30, 424-434; doi: 10.1038/s41591-023-02793-8
Over the past week, Bitcoin has experienced a bullish rally, topping the coveted $52,000 mark and recouping almost all the losses incurred since the FTX collapse. The milestone is crucial for an industry grappling with a prolonged bear market.
Consistent with Bitcoin’s upward trajectory, there has been a notable increase in the total market capitalization of major stablecoins, including: USDT, USDC, BUSDand Big. The market capitalization of these four stablecoin giants increased from $131.232 billion to $138.993 billion from February 13th to February 20th, indicating growing demand.
Stablecoins play a vital role as a bridge between fiat and crypto markets, making up the majority of crypto trading pairs and, as a result, becoming a major source of funding. market liquidity. The rise in market capitalization highlights the increasing adoption of stablecoins, solidifying their position as the preferred medium for engaging with cryptocurrencies.
Looking at the broader picture, we can see that the supply of the top four stablecoins has surged by 3.475% in the past 30 days. While a variety of factors may be contributing to this increase, it is primarily due to the overall market movement of assets into stablecoins, whether fiat or cryptocurrencies, in anticipation of future trading activity. It shows the trend. This suggests that the market is gearing up for a quick entry or exit from Bitcoin.
Supporting this trend is the notable rise in the stablecoin supply rate (SSR). SSR is a key metric that measures stablecoin supply relative to Bitcoin’s market capitalization, indicating the depth of market liquidity and potential purchasing power. A rise in SSR means a larger proportion of stablecoins compared to Bitcoin, and if these stablecoins are converted to Bitcoin, this could impact Bitcoin price growth.
SSR that exceeds the top bollinger bands This represents an unusual surge in potential purchasing power in February 2024. This suggests that investors may be poised to migrate to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in line with the Bitcoin price increase observed since January 2024.
The soaring price of Bitcoin, combined with the expansion in market capitalization and supply of major stablecoins, signals a significant influx of capital into the crypto market. For stablecoins, these trends highlight their important role in the ecosystem, serving not only as a safe haven during times of volatility, but also as an important means of putting money into Bitcoin. .
The trends observed last week highlight the interconnectedness of the stablecoin market and Bitcoin and highlight how fluctuations in stablecoin supply and market capitalization act as indicators of impending market activity. I am.
A study by Boston University researchers found no increased risk of miscarriage associated with the COVID-19 vaccine among individuals planning a pregnancy. This encouraging evidence supports the safety of preconception vaccination and is consistent with health authorities’ recommendations for vaccination of people planning pregnancy.
The new study is the first to prospectively assess the relationship between bias and bias. COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) We found that vaccinating both partners and having a miscarriage slightly reduced the risk of miscarriage among vaccinated partners trying to conceive.
In many studies, It is shown COVID-19 vaccines do not cause infertility or increase the risk of pregnancy-related problems, including miscarriage.Despite this evidence, people still on guard About the potential negative effects of vaccines on pregnancy.
A recent study conducted by researchers at the Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) provided more comprehensive information about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for individuals considering pregnancy.
It was published in the magazine human reproductionthe study found no increased risk of early or late miscarriage as a result of either the man or the woman’s partner receiving the COVID-19 vaccine before pregnancy.
Insights from new research on pre-pregnancy vaccine safety
This study is the first to assess the risk of early miscarriage (<8 weeks gestation) following preconception COVID-19 vaccination, and the first to assess vaccination and miscarriage in men. The researchers hope these results will be useful information for individuals planning pregnancy and health care providers.
“These findings should be replicated in other populations, but are reassuring for couples planning pregnancy,” says lead author Jennifer Eland, an epidemiology doctoral student at BUSPH at the time of the study. .
Study details and results
For this study, Yland and colleagues analyzed survey data on COVID-19 vaccination and miscarriage among male and female participants of the BUSPH-based Online Pregnancy Study (PRESTO). National Institutes of Health– A funded study that enrolls women who wish to become pregnant and follows them from before pregnancy until 6 months after giving birth. Participants in this new analysis included 1,815 women in the United States and Canada who were followed in the study from December 2020 to November 2022. They were observed from the first positive pregnancy test until miscarriage or other event (e.g. induced abortion, ectopic pregnancy) occurred. , or 20 weeks of pregnancy)—whichever comes first.
Among female participants, 75% had received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine before becoming pregnant. Almost a quarter of pregnancies led to miscarriage, 75% of which occurred before 8 weeks of pregnancy, but there was no increased risk.
The risk of miscarriage was 26.6% for unvaccinated female participants, 23.9% for female participants who received one dose of vaccine before pregnancy, and 24.5% for female participants who completed the full first dose before pregnancy. and 22.1% among female participants who completed the vaccination series. 20.1% of women received only one dose of the two-dose vaccine three months before pregnancy.
“The miscarriage rate among vaccinated people was not only comparable to that among PRESTO participants who became pregnant before the pandemic, but also that the risk of miscarriage among vaccinated people was higher than that of unvaccinated people. “Our data showed that it was slightly lower than the previous year,” Yland said.
Federal health officials continue to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for people planning pregnancy, emphasizing that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the potential risks of vaccination before or during pregnancy. ing.
Reference: “Prospective Cohort Study of Preconception COVID-19 Vaccination and Miscarriage” Jennifer J Yland, Amelia K Wesselink, Annette K Regan, Elizabeth E Hatch, Kenneth J Rothman, David A Savitz, Tanran R Wang, Krista By F Huybrechts, Sonia Hernández-Diaz, Michael L. Eisenberg, Lauren A. Wise, October 20, 2023. human reproduction. DOI: 10.1093/hamrep/dead211
The study was funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the National Science Foundation.
Research in England and Wales shows an alarming increase in the number of decomposing bodies found, which is linked to social isolation and indicates a breakdown in social support systems, particularly among men.
Exploratory research has revealed worrying trends in England and Wales. This means that an increasing number of people are being found dead or decomposed.
This study Journal of the Royal Society of Medicinesuggesting an association between increased social isolation and these deaths; COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) Pandemic.
The study was authored by a team led by Dr. Lucinda Hiam. oxford university and Dr. Theodore Estrin-Cerluis, Registrar of Histopathology at Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust.
Researchers analyzed data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to identify deaths where bodies were found decomposed. They used new proxies with deaths coded as R98 (“neglected death”) and R99 (“other unclear causes of death”) according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and previous versions. did. “Unspecified death.”
amazing discovery
The study found that between 1979 and 2020, there was a steady increase in ‘unspecified deaths’, or deaths of people found decomposed, for both men and women. Male deaths exceed those of females, and male deaths increased significantly from the 1990s to the 2000s, when overall mortality rates were rapidly improving. The authors said the increase in deaths found in decomposing conditions, especially in men, was a worrying trend.
“Many people would be shocked to find out that someone could lie dead in their home for days, weeks, or even longer, without anyone in their community raising the alarm,” Estrin said. Dr. Serrui says: “The increase in people found dead and in decomposing conditions suggests that there was a broader societal breakdown in both formal and informal social support networks even before the pandemic. and warrants urgent further investigation.”
The study’s authors call on national and international authorities to consider measures to make it easier to identify deaths when people’s corruption is more easily detected in routine data.
Reference: ‘Deadly Silence: Why are the number of people found decomposing in England and Wales increasing?’ Lucinda Higham, Theodore Estrin-Cerlouis, Danny Doring, Martin Mackie , by John Minton, November 20, 2023, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. DOI: 10.1177/01410768231209001
I think most People would agree that 2023 was a difficult time for startups. Many layoffs occurred as companies struggled to move from growth to profitability. On the other hand, sales cycles were becoming longer and many startups were struggling to grow at a decent pace.
As we start to see that the economic indicators are starting to improve a little bit. calming inflation, cost of money You might think 2024 might be a better year if currencies weaken and headwinds for most currencies subside.
necessarily.
We’re entering a new era, one in which money won’t flow as freely, and according to the experts we spoke to, it won’t be coming back anytime soon. This means startups that don’t have enough capital now may continue to struggle in 2024, and flipping the calendar won’t change that.
What does that mean for startups heading into 2024? It means they need to prove their worth more than ever. This means you need enough cash to survive long sales cycles. That means he will have to fight for a piece of the corporate budget, and perhaps 2024 could be a year much like his 2023.
Budget outlook
A good starting point for budget discussions is what the proposed budget looks like. Analyst firms like IDC and Gartner forecast IT spending each year, but they typically adjust throughout the year as reality becomes clearer.
IDC predicts growth of 6.8%, up from 5% last year. This figure covers hardware, software, and services, but excludes communications spending. Gartner, on the other hand, predicts a slightly higher rate of 8.2%.
The overall upward trend should be good news for startups looking to corporate buyers to lift their business. But his Gartner analyst John-David Lovelock, who tracks IT budgets, says that while 2023 was a year of increased efficiency, it won’t just end in the new year.
when apex space The company, which came out of stealth last October, had the provocative goal of eliminating “new bottlenecks” plaguing the space industry by building satellite buses at scale.
To get there, Apex announced today that it will open a new headquarters and production facility in California and eventually scale up to manufacture 50 satellite platforms per year. Apex CEO Ian Cinnamon said in a statement that the new 46,000-square-foot facility is “vital to meeting customer demand.”
“Our customers want spacecraft with short lead times, and Factory One delivers that,” he said.
Apex wants to disrupt one of the most entrenched parts of the space industry. Satellite buses are generally made to order, which means their costs are very high and delivery times are very long. However, major changes in the industry, such as the reduction in the cost of mass launches into space, have opened up a whole new group of customers looking to send payloads into orbit.
The company plans to initially offer three satellite bus classes. One is a smaller 100 kilogram bus called Aries, which can support a payload of up to 100 kilograms. The motorcoach, called Nova, can accommodate a payload of up to 230 kg. The even larger bus “Comet” can carry up to 500 kilograms. Apex plans to fly the first Aries on SpaceX’s Transporter 10 rideshare mission, scheduled for the first quarter of next year.
Apex aims to expand the factory in the coming years. The company currently plans to deliver five Aries platforms to customers in 2024 and aims to increase production to 20 aircraft by 2025.
The company has raised at least $23.5 million in seed and Series A funding from backers including Andreessen Horowitz and Shield Capital.
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