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Is This the Most Offensive Meeting Invitation Ever?

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Feedback delivers the latest updates in science and technology from New Scientist, covering trending topics in the field. If you have stories that might captivate our readers, feel free to email Feedback@newscientist.com.

The Dream of Electricity

Recently, Feedback was intrigued by a plethora of intriguing conference invitations we’ve received. Many come from organizers who operate under the pretense of contributing to science journalism, often resulting in underwhelming proposals about advancing G protein signaling, new discoveries related to mollusk biology, and so forth. However, one invitation stood out among the rest—an event taking place in Shaoxing, China.

Its opening line reads: “Love and Sex with a Robot”. This is the 12th International Edition of Landmarks slated for June 2026.

Before you conjure visions of a cybernetic utopia or dystopia, remember this is an academic conference, albeit one with TED Talk-level hype. They profess to be “preparing for an extraordinary convergence of visionary scientists, renowned researchers, and innovative thinkers who are redefining human intimacy with pioneering robotics and AI.” Participants can expect “incredible revelations, ground-breaking demonstrations, and provocative discussions exploring the future of love, relationships, and technology.”

Elsewhere, the invitation touts this gathering as an “inspirational event.” Not literally, and while I might remain skeptical, I also find myself intrigued. There will also be a practical demonstration addressing functional robotics, software, or innovative interactions. Who knows what surprises lie ahead?

While researching the conference online, I discovered that there is a “Supreme Council” guiding its vision and direction, composed entirely of male members. The “Supreme Leader”—and no, we did not make this title up—is David Levy, who might be recognizable to New Scientist readers as the author of the 2007 book Love and Sex with a Robot. Our reviewer pointed out that Levy’s tendency to focus on physical aspects of robotics sometimes leads him to ludicrous conclusions, making his arguments hard to take seriously.

Regardless, the organizers know what they’re doing. The invitation confidently states, “This is a meeting that the entire world is buzzing about,” and indeed, Feedback is discussing it.

Drone Defense

Recently, New Scientist contributor David Hambling posed an interesting question (June 21st, p. 8). He examined ways to combat drones by utilizing “movement measurements that can neutralize drones,” building physical barriers like nets, and employing electronic measures to disable threats. Ultimately, he found the situation somewhat complex.

While this approach could be effective, reader Robert Bull highlighted that the source and solution had already been mentioned by Robert Bunker, an expert in security and counter-terrorism.

I Squealed Cheese

US news editor Sophie Bushwick shared an eye-catching press release with Feedback. Scientists have discovered that cheese may actually trigger nightmares. “For the love of dairy, let’s hope this isn’t true—life would lose some joy without cheese!”

The press release encouraged exploration into the journal Frontiers of Psychology, featuring a study titled: More Dreams of the Rarebit Devil: The Correlation of Food Sensitivity and Sleep and Dreams. If you’re puzzled over the mention of rarebit, you might not be familiar with Welsh cuisine, as the PhD candidate describes it as “spicy melted cheese on toast.”

The authors were interested in whether specific foods genuinely impact sleep, as folklore suggests. They surveyed 1,082 individuals online and found that around one in five participants believed certain foods influenced their sleep quality, with some claiming they affected dreams as well. At this juncture, Feedback was less than impressed, finding it hard to emphasize the value of self-reported beliefs.

However, the paper dives deeper—perhaps too deep. Researchers found a notable link between reports of vivid nightmares and instances of lactose intolerance, suggesting that individuals with lactose intolerance may experience more nightmares due to aftereffects of consuming cheese.

This revelation certainly caught Feedback’s interest. Of course, lactose is the sugar inherent in milk, which until relatively recently could only be digested by infants. Over centuries, certain populations developed the ability to digest lactose as adults. Those lacking this trait tend to suffer from lactose intolerance when consuming dairy.

Interestingly, most cheeses have minimal lactose content, as the cheese-making process effectively removes it—this could have contributed to its early popularity among livestock communities. Thus, it’s doubtful that lactose-intolerant individuals would suffer greatly from cheese-induced nocturnal troubles.

What a twist this journey took! I initially thought this would be a whimsical tale about cheese, but instead, we’ve uncovered a nuanced discussion around dietary impacts on sleep. Feedback will continue to keep an eye on these small yet significant concerns that tender our passions. Be warned!

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Tech Company Proposes Under-Skin Trackers for Criminals in Meeting with Attorney General

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Devices for tracking individuals implanted beneath the skin, robots designated to manage inmates, and unmanned vehicles for their transport are among the solutions proposed by technology firms to ministers seeking approaches to address the crisis in the UK’s judicial system.

This proposal arose during last month’s gathering of over 20 high-tech companies in London, chaired by Attorney General Shabana Mahmood, as highlighted by meeting notes reviewed by The Guardian. In light of a critical shortage of prisons and probation officers, struggling under immense pressure, the minister solicited ideas for utilizing wearable technology, behavioral surveillance, and geographical data to establish “prisons beyond the walls.”

Participants included representatives from Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Palantir, who collaborate closely with the US military as well as the NHS. IBM and Serco, a private prison operator, were also present, along with firms specializing in tagging and biometrics, in response to their freedom of information request.

Mahmood stated to the technology firms, “We seek to deepen cooperation between government and industry to confront the prison capacity crisis, reduce recidivism, and enhance community safety.” She expressed the need to “scale and improve” the current application of tagging technologies “to encourage rehabilitation, mitigate crime, and enhance surveillance.” Prison minister James Timpson advocated for a “technology-driven approach to justice.”

This initiative represents the latest move by the Labour government to integrate the tech industry into efforts to achieve cost efficiency across public services, from schools to healthcare. In January, Keir Starmer asserted that AI could significantly “transform public services” and spoke about an “entire overhaul of government.”

The Ministry of Justice’s advocacy continues after last month’s Judgment review where former Attorney General David Goke emphasized the need for shorter sentences and a greater utilization of AI in public spaces to alleviate the overcrowded prison population by almost 10,000.

During a recent meeting convened by industry lobby group Tech UK, the minister questioned tech companies about the vision for a “digital, data, and technology-enabled judicial system” by 2050. Proposals included “real-time behavioral monitoring and subcutaneous tracking” to facilitate “behavioral management” for individuals within the criminal justice system, as well as AI support for criminal rehabilitation. Robotics were suggested for the movement and management of inmates, including self-driving vehicles for transporting them.

Human rights advocates described the concept as “a troubling dystopia,” cautioning at the conference that the government appeared “too aligned with tech giants.” A follow-up meeting with tech firms is scheduled for Tuesday, where Lord Timpson is expected to hear a 20-minute presentation of an innovative proposal during the “Innovation Den.”

Government officials emphasized that the ideas discussed thus far are hypothetical considerations aimed at enhancing public safety and stimulating dialogue about the future of criminal management.

The Attorney General previously indicated that he does not shy away from employing technologies like “gait recognition,” a biometric method capable of analyzing unique human movement patterns.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice commented, “We are continually exploring technologies that aim to reduce crime, monitor offenders effectively, and ensure the safety of our citizens, as the public rightly expects.”

Donald Campbell, advocacy director at the nonprofit organization FOXGLOVE, which campaigns for equitable technology usage, labeled the ideas as “surprisingly dystopian.” He remarked, “It’s concerning that the Minister of Justice is considering using robots to manage inmates and embedding devices in people’s skin to monitor their behavior or ‘predict’ future actions.”

Other recommendations from tech firms included deploying powerful quantum computers to “analyze historical data to foresee future behavior” and automate decision-making processes for overburdened probation services.

Nevertheless, there are worries about the implications of over-reliance on technology. Meeting notes recorded the sentiment that “if misapplied, these methods could yield dystopian results that are challenging to rectify.”

Campbell further stated, “The notion that tech companies can create tools to ‘predict’ crime has been met with skepticism on several occasions. It’s unfortunate to see this push being made.”

Tech UK, the organization that hosted the conference, mentioned that its initiatives aim to cultivate a more equitable, improved, and efficient justice system. “It’s crucial that the future of justice is developed with transparency, accountability, and public trust at its foundation,” a representative noted.

Google, Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, and Palantir did not respond to inquiries for comments. Serco stated, “We will not provide commentary on this initiative.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Meeting the “AI grandmother” who outsmarted a scammer with pastries

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An unexpected weapon against scammers regarding the darkness of the night sky is an elderly grandmother who chats about knitting patterns, scone recipes, and the enchanting blackness above.

Facing countless calls from scammers like many others, “Daisy” engages them in conversations about tea cups, leaving the fraudsters frustrated and foiled in their attempts to take control of her computer.

Not a real grandmother, Daisy is actually an AI bot developed by computer scientists to combat fraud by wasting scammers’ time.

O2 has extended Daisy, the “AI Granny,” for a limited time, demonstrating the potential of artificial intelligence in tackling the menace of scams.

Mixing bewilderment, nostalgia, and a touch of innocence, Daisy bewilders scammers with her musings, subtly thwarting their efforts.

Throughout her interactions, Daisy delays scammers by discussing knitting patterns, scone recipes, and navigation struggles, leaving them confounded and defeated.

A highlight of Daisy’s tactics is her faux ignorance when faced with computer-related queries, prolonging the wasted time of scammers trying to defraud her.

In the ongoing battle against scammers, Daisy’s innocent facade cloaks a cunning AI system, adept at stalling and deterring fraud attempts.

The collaborative effort between O2 and cybersecurity expert Jim Browning plants bait for scammers, exposing their tactics and wasting their time effectively.

While Daisy’s encounters with scammers may not have a widespread impact, they serve as a poignant reminder of the threat posed by cybercrime.

Artificial intelligence plays a pivotal role in combatting fraud across various sectors, from banking and insurance to travel and public services.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Camera captures rare meeting between endangered wombat and echidna

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A rare and lively encounter between a young wombat and an echidna has been caught on camera, delighting conservationists in Australia.

This active behaviour, captured on camera traps, is the work of the endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat (Laciorhinus kleftii) is proving successful.

At their lowest point in the late 1990s, with just 35 remaining in a small reserve in central Queensland, wombats were one of the rarest large mammals on the planet. Today, thanks to hard work, wombats' numbers have grown to around 400. In 2009, relocations began to the fenced Richard Underwood Sanctuary in southern Queensland, where around 15 wombats now live.

Andy Howe Howe of the Australian Wildlife Conservation Society in Newcastle, Australia, was sorting through 100 hours of footage recorded at the sanctuary when two clips caught his eye. The first, from early June, shows a northern hairy-nosed wombat baby, proving that the sanctuary's population has successfully raised young and that the pups are now foraging on their own. The wombats are well-groomed and at a healthy weight, Howe says.

Then, in footage taken a month later, he was seen with a young wombat and a short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatusThe echidna waddles around the frame, seemingly unfazed, while the wombat becomes increasingly agitated and throws himself into the dirt.

Tim Flannery A researcher at the Australian Museum in Sydney says he has never seen an interaction like this in his decades of experience studying mammals: “This is a nervous wombat and a happy echidna,” he says.

Northern hairy-nosed wombat, Richard Underwood Nature Reserve, Queensland, Australia

Brad Ruhe/Australian Wildlife Conservation Council

He says this is typical echidna behaviour, and that the animal's spine makes it difficult and dangerous to attack. For much of the video, the wombat points its tail at the echidna, a defensive posture in the tunnel where it presses the intruder against the roof of its burrow.

Flannery says it's “amazing” to see such natural, wild behaviour from a species so close to extinction. “It's very encouraging to see wombats thriving,” he says. Now that the transplant has proven successful, he suggests new populations be established elsewhere as soon as possible.

Before Europeans arrived, the species was found from northern Victoria through arid New South Wales and into central Queensland, and reestablishment of the species throughout its range would have major environmental benefits, Dr Flannery said.

“They're ecosystem engineers because they dig and burrow into the soil,” he says, “and their burrows provide shelter for other creatures during heat waves, droughts and fires.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Meeting the wind-powered sea monster with 30-metre tentacles: Nature’s most bizarre phenomenon

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The Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia physalis) is named after an 18th-century sailing ship due to its resemblance to a ship under full sail.

In the open ocean, they appear as floating pink party balloons with long trailing blue ribbons.

The balloon part is a life buoy filled with carbon monoxide gas, which acts like a sail, rising above the water and catching the wind.

This is how Portuguese man-of-war travel across the ocean, sometimes in groups numbering in the thousands. They rely entirely on wind power and are not active swimmers.

Depending on which way the sail is facing in relation to the wind, it can be right-handed or left-handed.

They share some similarities with jellyfish, such as their appearance up close and the fact that they have a painful sting.

If you come across a deflated pale balloon with a blue string on the beach, be cautious – it’s likely a deceased Portuguese man-of-war, which loses its color when it dies but retains its ability to sting.

The Portuguese man-of-war is a tubular animal related to jellyfish, sea anemones, and corals.

There are about 175 species of cetaceans. Some live on the ocean floor, others swim in the depths, but the Portuguese man-of-war is the only one that floats on the surface.

What sets weevils apart is their unique construction. Unlike other animals that grow larger and develop specialized tissues and organs, tubular algae replicate themselves to create genetically identical zooids that form colonies and tubular bodies.

These zooids come together in specific arrangements to carry out tasks like feeding, digestion, reproduction, and defense.

Portuguese man-of-war play a crucial role in the Pulston ecosystem, which exists at the boundary between sea and air. As they drift, they capture fish and larvae with their tentacles, which can extend up to 30 meters and paralyze prey with venomous spines.

Other creatures that prey on Portuguese man-of-war include the blue dragon sea slug, which eats the tentacles and uses its stingers for defense, and the Blanketed Octopus, which waves its tentacles to find food and deter threats.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

An unexpected meeting: Gray seal sprays water at white-tailed eagle

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This interaction sheds new light on the dynamics between. gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) and White-tailed eagle (Harrietus albicilla)says British birdwatcher Claire Jacobs.

Claire Jacobs captured a rare moment with a gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) Spray water at a swooping white-tailed eagle (Harrietus albicilla) on the Isle of Wight. Image credit: Claire Jacobs.

Claire Jacobs witnessed a white-tailed eagle swoop toward the surface at high tide.

As the eagle approached, an adult gray seal emerged from the water directly beneath the predator.

This unusual event occurred in the waters of the Newtown Estuary of the Newtown River called Cramerkin Brook or Cramerkin Lake.

The encounter was caught on camera, with the gray seal initially emitting a warning call, but then resorting to an unprecedented defensive tactic: spitting a stream of water directly at the eagle.

“I always enjoy photographing eagles,” Claire Jacobs said.

“However, my year was enriched by being able to capture such rare and never-before-seen interactions.”

“Sightings of gray seals and white-tailed eagles are now common on the Isle of Wight, but interaction between these two species has so far not been reported,” said Megan Jacobs, daughter of Claire Jacobs and a palaeontologist at the University of Portsmouth. says Mr. .

“This is the first record of an interaction between these two top predators, and the first report of a gray seal using spit as a means of defense or deterrence against an airborne enemy.”

“White-tailed eagles directly compete for fish stocks, so spitting may be a strategy to eliminate them from competition for prey.”

The white-tailed eagle, also known as the Steller's sea eagle, is the largest species of European eagle.

Their wingspan can reach up to 2.6 meters, but is usually smaller, with males measuring about 2.26 meters and females about 2.37 meters.

White-tailed eagles went extinct on the Isle of Wight in 1780, but a bold reintroduction program began introducing young white-tailed eagles from breeding pairs in Scotland in the summer of 2019.

“Spitting is a rare behavioral activity among vertebrates, which is why this event is so fascinating,” said Megan Jacobs.

“This challenges our existing understanding of animal defense mechanisms.”

“Spits are commonly found in humans, camels, llamas, and alpacas, but are also used in some snakes to deliver venom, and may also be used to capture prey by archers, so there is no photographic evidence I'm excited to have gotten this fish. “

This unusual event is described in the following paper: Journal of the Isle of Wight Natural History and Archeology Society.

Source: www.sci.news