Tag Archives: losing

Where Did You Store It? Losing the Crucial Encryption Key Could Nullify the Election.

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Feedback A weekly column filled with strange stories, unbelievable marketing claims, and perplexing instructions.

Locked Out

Feedback believes that the expression “couldn’t make up for it” is frequently misinterpreted. This doesn’t imply a limit to creativity; rather, it signifies that some developments can’t fit into a fictional narrative because people insist, “That will never happen.” The issue is, those individuals are mistaken, as reality can be quite absurd.

One of the key organizations in cryptography is the International Association for Cryptographic Research. This non-profit organization is committed to advancing cryptographic science. Recently, the IACR held elections for new officers and board directors while also adjusting its bylaws. They executed this ingeniously, leveraging their expertise as cryptographers. They utilized an online voting platform called Helios, promising “verifiable online elections.”

Helios is remarkably efficient. Every vote is recorded, ensuring that your vote is counted and remains unchanged. Tampering is thus rendered impossible. Simultaneously, every vote is kept confidential. The system employs advanced encryption technology, where all encrypted votes are compiled into an encrypted tally, and only the tally is decrypted.

But how is this tally decrypted? An organization has to appoint multiple directors. The IACR chose three individuals, each granted one-third of the cryptographic keys. All three needed to enter their portions of the keys to decipher the tally and view the results. This was a complete process—partial decryption wasn’t an option.

Then the expected occurred. “Unfortunately, one of the three trustees lost their private key irretrievably, an honest but unfortunate mistake, and as a result, we are unable to compute the decryption share.” I wrote to the IACR on November 21st. “Consequently, Helios was unable to finalize the decryption process, making it technically impossible to obtain or verify the election’s final outcomes.”

The IACR was compelled to: void the elections and restart the entire process. They now plan to “implement a two-out-of-three threshold mechanism for managing private keys and distribute clear written procedures for all trustees to follow before and during elections.” Feedback is eager to scrutinize that “documented procedure” even if its sole instruction is “Remember” in large bold letters on the cover page.

We are also intrigued by how what the IACR calls “human error” can undermine even the most meticulously designed systems. Each time a Silicon Valley entrepreneur speaks of the imminent emergence of human-level artificial intelligence, we internally cringe. The first iteration of such AI will probably align with the average human’s capabilities.

Floating Like a Raisin

The creativity of science journalists in coming up with new and engaging units of measure is always impressive. On November 17th, New York Times featured a story about “a small radio-frequency tag powered by solar energy that weighs just 60 milligrams and retails for $200.” Entomologists utilize this tag to monitor monarch butterflies during their migration across North America.

Anthony Weaver highlighted a sentence aimed at illustrating how heavy the tag is compared to the butterfly. “Most monarchs weigh between 500 and 600 milligrams, meaning each tagged transcontinental traveler is like half a raisin carrying three grains of uncooked rice.”

In the feedback section, we can all agree that this explanation is far clearer than stating “about 1/10 of body weight” could manage. Or as Anthony phrased it, “When I envisioned myself as a half-raisin on a cross-continental trek with rice to Mexico, I genuinely grasped how butterflies relate to science.”

No, this is not a call for you to submit similar examples from your page. New Scientist. Don’t even think about it.

Boys Club

The reason you may not receive feedback on social media is simply because you lack the mental bandwidth to figure out how to stand out on six different platforms with entirely different algorithms. Nonetheless, we half-watch things, which is why I found the spontaneous experiment on LinkedIn intriguing. Women in the field altered their names and pronouns to appear male, resulting in a spike in engagement.

For instance, social media consultant Simone Bonnet observed a 1600 percent rise in profile views after changing her pronouns to “he/him” and her name to “Simon E.” According to The Guardian, others experienced similar increases. Meanwhile, Daniel Hyers, who possesses an ideal LinkedIn name, attempted the reverse by “changing his name to Daniela for 4 days.” Day 1: a -26% drop.”

Sakshi Jain from LinkedIn stated that feedback indicates the platform’s “algorithms and AI systems are not utilized.” Demographic data (age, race, gender, etc.) are factored in as signals to assess the visibility of content, profiles, and posts in users’ feeds. We don’t dispute that, but we also theorize that unintended emergent outcomes play a significant role. Algorithm bias.

Meanwhile, Feedback is in the midst of creating a new LinkedIn page, which we will dub Mansplaining.

Got a story for Feedback?

You can email your article to Feedback at feedback@newscientist.com. Please include your home address. This week’s and past feedback are accessible on our website.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Liz Kendall: Ofcom Risks Losing Public Trust Over Online Harm Issues

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Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has warned that Britain’s internet regulator, Ofcom, may lose public confidence if it doesn’t take adequate measures to address online harm.

During a conversation with Ofcom’s Chief Executive Melanie Dawes last week, Ms. Kendall expressed her disappointment with the slow enforcement of the Online Safety Act, designed to shield the public from dangers posed by various online platforms, including social media and adult websites.

While Ofcom stated that the delays were beyond their control and that “change is underway,” Ms. Kendall remarked to the Guardian: “If they utilize their authority, they risk losing public trust.”

The father of Molly Russell, who tragically took her life at 14 after encountering harmful online material, expressed his disillusionment with Ofcom’s leadership.

Kendall did not offer any support when questioned about his faith in the regulator’s leadership.

Her comments come amidst worries that key components of the online safety framework may not be implemented until mid-2027—nearly four years after the Online Safety Act was passed—and that the rapid pace of technological advancement could outstrip government regulations.

Kendall also voiced significant concerns about “AI chatbots” and their influence on children and young adults.

This concern is underscored by a U.S. case involving teenagers who sadly died by suicide after forming deep emotional bonds with ChatGPT and Character.AI chatbots, treating them as confidants.

“If chatbots are not addressed in the legislation or aren’t adequately regulated—something we are actively working on—they absolutely need to be,” Kendall asserted. “Parents need assurance that their children are safe.”

With Ofcom Chairman Michael Grade set to resign in April, a search for his successor is underway. Ms. Dawes has been CEO for around six years, having served in various roles in public service. Ofcom declined to provide further comment.




Michael Grade will soon step down as chairman of Ofcom. Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images

On Thursday, regulators imposed a £50,000 fine on the Nudify app for failing to prevent minors from accessing pornography. The app typically uses AI to “undress” uploaded photos.

Mr. Kendall stated that Ofcom is “progressing in the right direction.” This marks the second fine issued by regulators since the law was enacted over two years ago.

He spoke at the launch of a new AI ‘Growth Zone’ in Cardiff, which aims to draw £10 billion in investment and create 5,000 jobs across various locations, including the Ford Bridgend engine factory and Newport.

The government noted that Microsoft is one of the companies “collaborating with the government,” although Microsoft has not made any new investment commitments.

Ministers also plan to allocate £100 million to support British startups, particularly in designing chips that power AI, where they believe the UK holds a competitive edge. However, competing with U.S. chipmaker Nvidia, which recently reported nearly $22 billion in monthly revenue, may prove challenging.


On Wednesday, Labour MPs accused Microsoft of “defrauding” British taxpayers, as U.S. tech firms raked in at least £1.9 billion from government contracts in the 2024-25 financial year.

When asked for his thoughts, Mr. Kendall praised Microsoft’s AI technology being utilized for creating lesson plans in schools within his constituency but emphasized the need for better negotiation expertise to secure optimal deals. He also expressed a desire to see more domestic companies involved, especially in the AI sector.

A Microsoft spokesperson clarified that the NHS procures its services through a national pricing framework negotiated by the UK government, which “ensures both transparency and value for money,” stating that the partnership is delivering “tangible benefits.”

“The UK government chooses to distribute its technology budget among various suppliers, and Microsoft is proud to be one of them,” they added.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Scientists Risk Losing Crucial Tools for Studying Melting Antarctic Ice Sheets Amid Rising Climate Threats

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The decommissioning of Palmer has played a significant role in contributing to sea level rise, particularly as certain regions of Antarctica face limited access, raising concerns among scientists regarding potential ice sheet collapses.

In a statement to NBC News, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced plans to streamline resources by consolidating McMurdo, Amunsense Cott South Paul, and Palmer Station, with the goal of maintaining three research stations operating throughout the year in Antarctica.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) mentioned that they aim to “maintain an active and influential presence in Antarctica while facilitating cutting-edge research in biology and glaciology.”

The NSF was the first to propose the termination of the lease this spring, following the Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts of 55%. Scientists expressed their disappointment that Congress initiated the process of abolishing the ship before finalizing its budget.

“Oceanologist Karos Moffat, an associate professor at the University of Delaware, discussed the budgets that have made advancements in both Senate and House appropriations committees.

The NSF is exploring alternative vessels to take on some of Palmer’s responsibilities and plans to return the vessel to its owner, Edison Chowest, a marine transport company based in Louisiana.

In 2024, the NSF finalized the charter of another Antarctic vessel, RV Laurence M. Gould, which has been upgraded to operate in sea ice, rather than utilizing icebreakers. This reduces the options available for enhancing research in polar oceanography and supporting Palmer Station, an annual base on the Antarctic Peninsula that previously depended on two ships.

The NSF mentioned on Friday that there are “alternatives” available to support and resupply Palmer Station, including commercial options.

Measuring 308 feet, the Palmer, named after a 19th-century seal captain, commenced its service in 1992, exploring various regions of Antarctica. The vessel accommodates approximately 22 crew members and can host around 45 scientists.

No other U.S. research vessels can fulfill all the missions that this polar icebreaker is designed for. The vessel is crucial for studying Antarctic ecology, the Southern Ocean carbon cycle, and monitoring the rate at which ice shelves recede and melt, ultimately influencing sea level rise.

Julia S. Werner of the University of Houston, second from the right, friend of Nathaniel B. Palmer.Courtesy Julia S. Werner

While satellites offer valuable data on the dynamics of ice sheet growth and reduction, the primary research on these changes relies on subsurface measurements.

Without such data, U.S. scientists will lack critical insights into the major ice sheets of the Southern Ocean, which are key to predicting future flooding risks in U.S. coastal cities. For instance, researchers highlight that other U.S. vessels are not suitable for safely accessing the notorious Swaitonga glacier, often referred to as the “end of the Apocalyptic Glacier.”

Researchers frequently describe the West Ku as a cork for a bottle that could rapidly drain the West Antarctic ice sheet, serving as a protective barrier against its collapse into the Amundsen Sea. This could result in a sea level rise exceeding 10 feet over a span of hundreds of thousands of years.

By the year 2100, the likelihood of such a collapse could elevate sea levels significantly beyond the 1-3 feet previously anticipated, as indicated in recent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel.

This disintegration could also alter ocean circulation patterns, affecting how quickly the ocean absorbs carbon, which remains an active area of research. Several studies suggest that current Earth temperatures may have surpassed the threshold for collapse, although further investigation is necessary.

Current shifts in mass and stability are influenced by factors occurring hundreds or thousands of feet beneath the water’s surface, necessitating optimal access through robotic instruments.

“To grasp the drastic changes occurring, it’s essential to be at the edge of the ice where it interacts with the ocean,” Werner explained. “And that’s precisely what this boat allows us to do.”

Scientists typically travel to Palmer every two years, using the data collected over the course of a month or more to advance their laboratory research.

The information gathered aboard the vessel is invaluable, enabling scientists to study ice comprehensively for over a decade, adding vital icebreakers to the U.S. science fleet and alleviating the longstanding backlog of researchers seeking fieldwork opportunities at Palmer.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

The Global Battle Against Measles is Losing Ground

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A 7-year-old boy receiving the MMR vaccine in Texas amid a significant measles outbreak

Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images

This month, a British child succumbed to measles, and in June, a Canadian infant lost their life to the same disease. Additionally, two American children have died from measles this year. This situation is tragic considering measles is preventable, yet we are witnessing a regression in public health behavior. If we do not take appropriate action, we may see a resurgence of other vaccine-preventable diseases.

The United States is currently grappling with its largest measles outbreak since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000, with 1300 confirmed cases, marking the highest incidence in 33 years. Europe is not exempt; in 2024, it reported its worst outbreak in over 25 years, more than doubling the cases from the previous year. Last year alone, the UK recorded nearly 3000 confirmed cases, the highest since 2012. Meanwhile, Canada saw a rise in measles cases, reporting over 3,800 cases this year, a total not seen in the past 26 years.

This unprecedented situation mirrors a time when many countries experienced major outbreaks in the 1980s and 90s, largely due to a single-dose vaccination policy for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Implementing a two-dose program proved to be about 97% effective in preventing measles, leading to a significant decline in cases, and many nations had proclaimed the elimination of measles by the early 2000s.

This current crisis is astonishing. The resurgence of measles is not due to ignorance on how to prevent it but a lack of effort in vaccination campaigns. “We have never before seen measles spread this way, primarily driven by vaccine hesitancy,” says Tinatan from Northwestern University, Illinois. “This is particularly disheartening given the availability of a safe and effective vaccine.”

Herd immunity against measles occurs when over 95% of the population is vaccinated. This threshold was achieved in American kindergarteners with a two-dose regimen during the 2019-2020 school year, but by four years later, coverage dipped below 93%.

However, national averages can obscure the reality on the ground. Vaccination rates began to decline in many US counties prior to 2019. In fact, Peter Hotez from Baylor College of Medicine raised concerns about the declining vaccination rates in Gaines County, Texas—epicenter of the current outbreak—as early as 2016. Since then, coverage has deteriorated dramatically, from around 95% to under 77%. “We’ve been anticipating this situation for at least a decade,” Hotez states. “To understand the crisis, one must look at local vaccination rates, revealing pockets with alarmingly low coverage.”

Similar trends are evident globally. In Canada, vaccination rates for children aged two holding at least one MMR dose plummeted from nearly 90% in 2019 to below 83% in 2023. Alberta, a hotspot in the current outbreak, reported percentages dropping from over 83% in 2019 to approximately 80% in 2024, with some communities as low as 32%.

Meanwhile, the UK has seen less than 85% of five-year-old children receive both MMR doses between 2023 and 2024. Out of the 48 OECD member countries, the UK ranks 30th in measles vaccination rates with Canada at 39th, New Zealand at 32nd, and the US at 4th. Hungary leads with close to 100% coverage, while Romania lags behind at around 20%.

The rise in vaccine hesitancy significantly contributes to this decline, with prominent figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leading the charge against vaccination, making unfounded claims that equate the risks of the MMR vaccine with measles, which can include encephalitis and blindness. The risks tied to measles infections remain significant—about 1 in 1000 individuals contracting measles develops encephalitis, compared to 1 in 1 million vaccinated children.

Despite his stance, Kennedy encourages vaccinations. During a Fox News interview in March, he mentioned that the US government is committed to ensuring vaccines are accessible.

However, this may be too little, too late. While measles incidents seem to be decreasing in the US, Hotez warns of a potential spike in cases when children return to school. The ongoing outbreak, now in its seventh month, risks jeopardizing the US’s measles elimination status. The UK has already faced similar challenges, losing its status two years after eradicating measles in 2016, before finally regaining it in 2023.

Hotez expresses concern that the current measles outbreak may be just the beginning and that increasing vaccine refusals could hinder progress against other preventable diseases, such as polio and pertussis. “I fear this won’t stop with measles,” he warns.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

AI Companies Caution: Assess the Risks of Superintelligence or Face the Consequences of Losing Human Control

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Prior to the deployment of the omnipotent system, AI companies are encouraged to replicate the safety assessments that formed the basis of Robert Oppenheimer’s initial nuclear test.

Max Tegmark, a prominent advocate for AI safety, conducted analyses akin to those performed by American physicist Arthur Compton before the Trinity test, indicating a 90% likelihood that advanced AI could present an existential threat.

The US government went ahead with Trinity in 1945, after providing assurances that there was minimal risk of the atomic bomb igniting the atmosphere and endangering humanity.

In a paper published by Tegmark and three students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the “Compton constant” is suggested for calculation. This is articulated as the likelihood that omnipotent AI could evade human control. Compton mentioned in a 1959 interview with American author Pearlback that he approved the test after evaluating the odds for uncontrollable reactions to be “slightly less” than one in three million.

Tegmark asserted that AI companies must diligently assess whether artificial superintelligence (ASI)—the theoretical system that surpasses human intelligence in all dimensions—can remain under human governance.

“Firms developing superintelligence ought to compute the Compton constant, which indicates the chances of losing control,” he stated. “Merely expressing a sense of confidence is not sufficient. They need to quantify the probability.”

Tegmark believes that achieving a consensus on the Compton constant, calculated by multiple firms, could create a “political will” to establish a global regulatory framework for AI safety.

A professor of physics at MIT and an AI researcher, Tegmark is also a co-founder of The Future of Life Institute, a nonprofit advocating for the secure advancement of AI. The organization released an open letter in 2023 calling for a pause in the development of powerful ASI, garnering over 33,000 signatures, including notable figures such as Elon Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

This letter emerged several months post the release of ChatGPT, marking the dawn of a new era in AI development. It cautioned that AI laboratories are ensnared in “uncontrolled races” to deploy “ever more powerful digital minds.”

Tegmark discussed these issues with the Guardian alongside a group of AI experts, including tech industry leaders, representatives from state-supported safety organizations, and academics.

The Singapore consensus, outlined in the Global AI Safety Research Priority Report, was crafted by distinguished computer scientist Joshua Bengio and Tegmark, with contributions from leading AI firms like OpenAI and Google DeepMind. Three broad research priority areas for AI safety have been established: developing methods to evaluate the impacts of existing and future AI systems, clarifying AI functionality and designing systems to meet those objectives, and managing and controlling system behavior.

Referring to the report, Tegmark noted that discussions surrounding safe AI development have regained momentum following remarks by US Vice President JD Vance, asserting that the future of AI will not be won through mere hand-raising and safety debates.

Tegmark stated:

Source: www.theguardian.com

Consumers steer clear of company with Trump as boss after losing trust: Consumer concerns

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In In late January, Lauren Bedson did something that many people thought could not think. She has cancelled her Amazon Prime membership. The catalyst was Donald Trump's inauguration. More Americans are planning to make similar decisions this Friday.


Bedson moved her after seeing pictures of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos sitting with other tech moguls and billionaires.

Bedson of Camas, Washington, told the Guardian. “I've lived in Seattle for over 10 years. I've been an Amazon fan for a long time and I think they have good products. But I'm so tired of it. I don’t want to give these billionaire oligarchs my money anymore.”

Emotions have been felt by many Americans since Trump entered the White House. Business and business leaders who were once passive or vocally critical of Trump are trying to protect what they feel comfortable with, questioning the value of brands that consumers trusted. A recent Harris poll found that a quarter of American consumers have changed in their political stance and are no longer shopping at their favorite stores.

Many are inspired by the calls to boycotts coming from social media. One boycott It has become a virus over the past few weeks. “Power blackouts” for businesses that have reduced some of their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals, including Target, Amazon, and Walmart, are scheduled for February 28th, with protesters planning to halt all spending on these companies.




Lauren Bedson has cancelled his Amazon Prime membership. Photo: Lauren Bedson

But people are also deciding to boycott within their communities at kitchen tables, trying to find a way to resist Trump, and perhaps corporate capitalism.

The Guardian asked readers how their shopping habits have changed over the past few months as the political situation began to change after Trump's victory. Hundreds of people from across the country say they no longer shop at stores like Walmart and have targeted targets who publicly announced the end of their DEI goals. Dozens, like Bedson, had cancelled their long-held Prime accounts. Others shut down their Facebook and Instagram accounts in protest of the meta.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The reasons behind weight regain after losing it: a new understanding emerging

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Losing weight can be difficult

Tero Vesalainen/Getty Images

Obese people often lose weight but gain it back, but this may be partly due to permanent changes in the DNA within fat cells, a discovery that could one day lead to new treatments. may lead to.

Approximately 85% of overweight or obese people lose at least one-tenth of their body weight get it back within a year.

Part of the reason is that low-calorie diets are difficult to maintain over long periods of time, but that likely plays a relatively small role, he said. Laura Katarina Hinte at the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland. “There's no way we all don't have enough willpower to keep off the weight we lose.”

Research shows that the brain interprets a sudden drop in body fat as dangerous; It responds by reducing the body's energy expenditure.

To learn more about this process, Hinte and his colleagues sampled adipose tissue from 20 obese patients, who were about to undergo bariatric surgery (a procedure that shrinks the stomach to help you feel full more quickly) and who had at least lost weight. It was analyzed two years later. 1/4 of the original weight. They also examined adipose tissue in 18 people with healthy weight.

Researchers have sequenced a type of genetic molecule called RNA that codes for proteins in fat cells. They found that obese people had increased or decreased levels of more than 100 RNA molecules compared to healthy weight people, and these differences persisted two years after weight loss.

These changes appear to exacerbate inflammation and disrupt the body's state. Fat cells store and burn fat, both of which increase the risk of future weight gain, according to team members. Ferdinand von Mayenalso at the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich.

To examine whether these RNA changes could cause rebound weight gain, the researchers first determined that similar changes persisted even after obese mice lost weight. These mice, as well as mice of healthy weight, were then fed a high-fat diet for one month. The previously obese mice gained an average of 14 grams, while the other mice gained only 5 grams.

The researchers also found that fat cells from previously obese mice took up more fat and sugar than fat cells from other mice when cultured in a laboratory dish. Taken together, these results show how obesity-related RNA changes can increase future weight gain, von Mayen said.

Finally, the research team found that molecular tags, or epigenetic marks, on the DNA within fat cells appear to drive RNA changes associated with obesity. They change RNA levels by changing the structure of the DNA that encodes it.

Although the study did not look for these molecular tags in the people studied or see if they regained the weight they lost, the findings likely apply from mice to humans. states. henriette kirchner At the University of Lübeck, Germany.

This is based on similarities between the physiology of these species and how the environment can change the way their genes work, known as epigenetics, she says. In the coming decades, Kirchner says drugs that target epigenetics could help treat obesity.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Retired employee sues bank after losing virtual currency fund in Hyperverse

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Catalina de Solieu had high hopes for a comfortable retirement. She had completed her career as a nurse, paid off the mortgage on a property in regional Victoria, and had savings in the bank.

A friend from a network marketing group introduced her to an investment opportunity called Hyperfund, with the promise of using the returns as a source of income for her retirement. After initially investing small amounts, she eventually invested $80,000.

Within a few months, the money vanished.

“I lost my home,” she says three years later. “I lost all my money. I couldn’t pay the mortgage. When I actually sold the house and paid off the rest of the mortgage, I was in a lot of debt. By that time I had no money. There wasn’t much left.”

Now 71, de Solieu says she lives on a pension that barely covers her rent.

“Right now, I don’t have a nickel in the bank or in my pocket. I can’t go to the dentist. I can’t get my car serviced properly.

“It goes on and on. I can’t get it either. [hearing] Checked out. I even had a friend deliver groceries to my door. I have nothing left. ”

This experience left de Solieu feeling depressed and suicidal.

“I became so depressed that I wanted to commit suicide. It’s a terrible thing for anyone to admit, but that’s how I felt.

“I still wake up every morning and sob. Ever since that happened, every morning I can’t get up because I don’t forgive myself and I want to beat myself up.”

After losing $70,000, Des Solieu was unable to pay his dentist fees. Photo: Steve Wormersley/The Guardian

Mr. De Solieux is one of several Australians who have suffered losses from the HyperVerse project and is taking part in a legal effort to recover the losses from the banks that oversaw the transfer of money to the project.

UK-based investment fraud law firm Wealth Recovery Solutions has identified an Australian who transferred funds to a cryptocurrency exchange to become a member of Hyperfund, later renamed Hyperverse. This person is leading Mr. Des Solieu’s legal action.

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Source: www.theguardian.com