New insights challenge the long-held belief that dark matter was “cold” in the immediate aftermath of the Big Bang. A groundbreaking study from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and the University of Paris-Saclay reveals that dark matter particles might have been extraordinarily hot and traveling at near-light speeds in the primordial universe, before cooling down during the formative epochs of galaxies and large-scale structures.
Hypothetical dark matter particles. Image credit: University of Adelaide.
For decades, physicists have categorized dark matter based on the velocity of its constituent particles. Cold dark matter is slow enough to clump under gravitational forces, contributing to the formation of galaxies and galaxy clusters.
This categorization is a cornerstone of the standard cosmological model, explaining the universe’s intricate web-like structure.
However, the recent findings indicate that dark matter may have emerged from the hot plasma of the early universe in an ultrarelativistic state—essentially moving at ultra-high speeds—before cooling adequately during the formation of cosmic structures.
This refined perspective broadens the potential behaviors of dark matter particles and expands the pool of candidate particles physicists can investigate through experiments and astronomical observations.
The study concentrates on a critical phase in the early universe known as reheating, which followed an explosive inflationary expansion.
During the reheating phase, the energy fueling the universe’s expansion transformed into a dense hot mixture of particles and radiation.
This discovery suggests that under certain conditions, dark matter produced during this period could exist at speeds approaching that of light while still aligning with the vast universe we observe today.
If validated, these findings could significantly impact ongoing dark matter detection initiatives, including particle colliders, underground detectors, and astrophysical studies.
Moreover, they pose new theoretical challenges regarding the fundamental nature of dark matter and its role in the universe’s evolution.
“Dark matter remains one of the biggest mysteries in physics,” explains Stephen Henrik, a graduate student at the University of Minnesota.
“Historically, one consistent assumption has been that dark matter must be cold at its inception in the primordial universe.”
“Our findings reveal a different narrative. In fact, dark matter may start off as red-hot, but has ample time to cool before galaxies commence formation.”
“The simplest dark matter candidate, low-mass neutrinos, was deemed incompatible decades ago because they could annihilate galaxy-sized structures instead of facilitating them,” states Keith Olive, a professor at the University of Minnesota.
“Neutrinos serve as a prime example of hot dark matter, whose structural formation relies on cold dark matter.”
“If a similar candidate arose during the hot Big Bang, it’s remarkable that it could cool sufficiently to behave as cold dark matter.”
“This new discovery allows us to explore a period in the universe’s history that is very close to the Big Bang,” adds Professor Yann Mambrini, a physicist at the University of Paris-Saclay.
The team’s research has been published in the journal Physical Review Letters.
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Stephen E. Henrik et al. 2025. Ultra-relativistic freezeout: Bridge from WIMP to FIMP. Physics Review Letters 135, 221002; doi: 10.1103/zk9k-nbpj
As the Trump administration winds down its recent medical research funding initiatives, there have been ongoing concerns among scientists and administrators at the National Institutes of Health regarding Dr. Jay Bhattacharya’s level of autonomy as the director of the institution.
The government’s efficiency project, championed by Elon Musk to reduce costs, has impacted decisions related to the cancellation or postponement of research grants. Some initiatives have also been adversely affected by President Trump’s confrontation with universities over anti-Semitism. However, during a Senate committee hearing on Tuesday, Dr. Bhattacharya had a chance to clarify his influence at the NIH but opted not to take ownership of the institution’s longstanding fundraising efforts.
When questioned about the freeze on grant payments to Northwestern University, Dr. Bhattacharya remarked, “That occurred before my tenure,” referring to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
He emphasized that the proposal to cut the NIH budget to $18 billion (a nearly 40% reduction) stemmed from “congress-administrator collaboration,” and he refrained from elaborating on how these cuts might impact institutions.
Further funding cuts were necessitated by rising research costs—an action integrated into the administration’s 2026 budget proposal. Dr. Bhattacharya mentioned ongoing litigation, stating, “I don’t want to delve into it.”
Several Democrats on the committee expressed confusion regarding the decision-making process at the agency.
Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat from Wisconsin, asked, “Who is withholding these funds?” citing evidence that the NIH reduced grants by billions compared to the previous year. “Is it you? Is it the OMB?” she inquired, referencing the Office of Management and Budget. “Who makes these decisions?”
Dr. Bhattacharya responded, “There are many various decisions. For instance, it was his choice to pivot from what is termed ‘politicized science,’ a phrase he previously used to describe research concerning diversity and equity issues. However, he asserted that restricting research funding at Harvard and other prominent institutions was in “collaboration with the administration.”
Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois reacted sharply after Dr. Bhattacharya distanced himself from the decisions regarding funding for the halted study at Northwestern.
An email from an NIH staff member in mid-April, weeks post Dr. Bhattacharya’s confirmation, instructed employees to refrain from issuing grants to Northwestern and various other universities, without notifying them of the reasons for the funding freeze.
“The buck stops at your office,” Durbin said to Dr. Bhattacharya. “Don’t shift the blame.”
The Trump administration’s plans for significant spending cuts at the agency have drawn criticism from both parties, including Republican Senator Susan Collins from Maine.
She told Dr. Bhattacharya that the proposed cuts are “very intrusive,” warning that they could delay or halt the development of effective treatments for diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer, and type 1 diabetes, potentially leaving the U.S. “lagging behind China.”
In response, Dr. Bhattacharya noted that the NIH is engaged in Alzheimer’s and other disease research and will collaborate with lawmakers to address “the health needs of all Americans.”
The director hinted at a possible agreement between the Trump administration and major universities regarding the restoration of medical research funding, yet he did not offer details on the prospects of such an agreement or its prerequisites. “I am very hopeful for a resolution with the universities regarding the grants that have been suspended,” he stated.
In recent years, the NIH has abruptly terminated over 1,300 grant awards and postponed funding for more than 1,000 additional projects. On Monday, numerous NIH employees signed a letter asserting that these actions were dictated by ideological biases and lacked input from scientific staff, effectively suppressing research on health disparities, COVID-19, climate change, and the impacts on sexual health.
On Tuesday, Dr. Bhattacharya stated that scientists have established a process for appealing against funding reductions, and the agency intends to file appeals within weeks.
Take a look behind the scenes of the BBC’s remarkable new series and discover a wealth of dinosaurs that will reshape our understanding of the prehistoric era.
Canine Companionship
We all wish for more quality time with our dogs. Biotech firms are currently exploring ways to enhance the healthy lifespan of our beloved pets… and possibly uncovering secrets to human longevity.
Building Self-Confidence
Confidence is all about self-assurance. Psychologists believe this is a skill we can cultivate, often simpler than we think. Neuroscience suggests various methods to enhance your self-belief.
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Is it possible to lower cholesterol without statins? Research indicates that we can improve our cholesterol levels with some straightforward dietary adjustments.
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Life at the World’s End:The challenges faced by scientists working in Antarctica extend beyond harsh conditions and extreme isolation; they must also navigate the potential hazards they pose to one another. We provide a glimpse into life at one of the globe’s most remote research facilities.
AI as Therapist:While people utilize AI chatbots as mental health supporters, how dependable is the assistance offered by artificial intelligence? We consulted a licensed therapist for insights.
Q&A:Your queries addressed! This month: Why do emotions manifest in various body parts? Are receipts truly coated with chemicals? What scent does a mummy emit? How does background radiation impact particle detectors? What is the average weight of a human body? Are negative calorie foods a reality? Do different ocean tides influence one another? And much more…
Issue 420 Available for Purchase on Tuesday, June 10th, 2025
National Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vowed on Thursday to assemble experts from around the world to investigate the reasons behind the increasing rate of autism in the United States.
“We have initiated an extensive testing and research initiative involving hundreds of scientists globally,” Kennedy declared during a cabinet meeting hosted by President Trump. “By September, we will have identified the causes of the autism epidemic and will be able to eliminate those exposures.”
“This will be a significant press conference,” Trump responded.
However, scientists who have dedicated years to uncovering the cause of autism expressed doubts about Kennedy’s proposed timeline.
They noted the complexities involved in identifying a singular cause in potential contributors like pesticides, air pollution, and maternal diabetes.
Dr. Philip Landrigan, a pediatrician and expert in environmental toxins, cited the current extensive layoffs and reductions in Kennedy’s research at the Department of Health and Human Services as a reason to question such swift progress.
“It is hard to envision a significant scientific breakthrough by September, especially with the current pause of various other pediatric illness research at hospitals and medical schools due to funding cuts from HHS,” Landrigan remarked.
Kennedy’s office did not provide many specifics about the plan initially. Later that day, Kennedy offered more insights, indicating that the National Institutes of Health would lead the initiative.
He mentioned the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would be central to the effort. I’ll release the data soon, showing an increase in autism diagnoses in one in every 31 children. Many experts believe the rise in autism rates is due to heightened awareness of the spectrum of disorders and expanded diagnostics.
“We are receiving inquiries from scientists nationwide and globally,” Kennedy stated. In an interview with Fox News. “All factors are being considered—from our food system to water, air quality, child-rearing practices, and other changes that may have contributed to this epidemic.”
In an interview, Kennedy also mentioned the intention to compare autism rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated children. Many scientists dismiss this approach, pointing out that parents who vaccinate their children are more likely to seek diagnoses due to increased interactions with healthcare providers.
Numerous researchers and scientists have long worked to find the cause of autism. They have started to identify factors like pesticide exposure, solvents in the workplace, maternal infections during pregnancy, maternal diabetes, and exposure to chemicals like phthalates and PFA, known for their persistent nature in the environment.
Studies have indicated that environmental exposures may interact with human genes in varying ways, underscoring the complexity of autism. Dr. Hertz-Picciotto added that obtaining funding for clinical studies into autism causes is challenging, but new research could propel the field forward, although it may take years.
Describing all the research to be completed by September as “silly,” Dr. Alice Kuo, chief of pediatric medicine for autism at the University of California, Los Angeles, mentioned her involvement in a longstanding NIH project that investigated children’s health nationwide.
The study, which followed thousands of children and parents to uncover potential autism causes, was costly and prematurely terminated, according to Dr. Kuo.
She emphasized that planning and designing a study would take months, and unraveling the answers would require years of research.
In a social media post, Kennedy thanked the president and the Make America Healthy Commission for their support. The commission was established by executive order in February to assess threats to children from various exposures and propose a strategy to address the findings.
Seven billion years ago, the universe’s star formation boom began to slow. What did our Milky Way galaxy look like at that time? Astronomers using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have discovered a clue in the form of a cosmic question mark, the result of an unusual alignment in space spanning several light-years.
Galaxy cluster MACS-J0417.5-1154 is so massive that it warps the fabric of space-time and distorts the appearance of galaxies behind it. This phenomenon is known as gravitational lensing. This natural phenomenon magnifies distant galaxies, sometimes causing them to appear multiple times in the image, as Webb saw here. Two distant interacting galaxies (a spiral galaxy seen face-on and a dusty red galaxy seen edge-on) appear multiple times, tracing a familiar shape across the sky. Active star formation and the remarkably perfect spiral shape of the galaxy seen face-on indicate that these galaxies are just beginning to interact. Image credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/V. Estrada-Carpenter, Saint Mary’s University.
“There are only three or four known examples of similar gravitational lensing configurations in the observable universe, so this discovery is exciting as it demonstrates the power of Webb and suggests that we may find more like it in the future,” said Dr Guillaume Despres, from St Mary’s University.
The region has previously been observed by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, but Webb was the first to spot the dusty red galaxy forming an intriguing question mark shape.
This is because the wavelengths of light that Hubble detects are trapped in space dust, while longer wavelengths of infrared light pass through Webb’s instruments and can be detected.
Astronomers used both telescopes to observe the galaxy cluster. MACS-J0417.5-1154The cluster is so large that it distorts the fabric of space-time, acting like a magnifying glass.
This will allow astronomers to see clearer details of the much more distant galaxies behind the cluster.
But the same gravitational effects that expand galaxies also cause distortions, which can result in galaxies appearing spread out in an arc across the sky, or appearing multiple times.
This optical illusion in space is called gravitational lensing.
The red galaxy Webb uncovered, along with the spiral galaxy it interacts with, previously detected by Hubble, is magnified and distorted in an unusual way that requires a special and rare alignment between the distant galaxy, the lens, and the observer — something astronomers call hyperbolic umbilical gravitational lensing.
This explains five images of the galaxy pair seen in the Webb image, four of which trace the top of the question mark.
The question mark points are, from our perspective, unrelated galaxies that happen to be in the right place and spacetime.
In addition to developing a case study for Webb, Niris Noting the ability of their infrared imaging device and slitless spectrometer to detect star formation locations in galaxies billions of light years away, the research team also couldn’t help but notice the shape of the question mark.
“This is really cool. I got interested in astronomy when I was younger because I saw amazing images like this,” said Dr Marcin Sawicki, also from Saint Mary’s University.
“Knowing when, where and how star formation occurs in galaxies is crucial to understanding how galaxies have evolved throughout the history of the universe,” said Dr Vicente Estrada Carpenter from Saint Mary’s University.
“The results show that star formation is widespread in both. The spectral data also confirm that the newly discovered dusty galaxy is located at the same distance as the frontal spiral galaxy, suggesting that the two are probably starting to interact.”
“Both galaxies in the question mark pair show several dense regions of active star formation, likely the result of the gas in the two galaxies colliding.”
“But neither galaxy seems particularly disturbed, so perhaps we are seeing the beginning of an interaction.”
“These galaxies, seen billions of years ago when star formation was at its peak, are similar in mass to the Milky Way at that time,” Dr Sawicki said.
“Thanks to Webb, we can now study what our galaxy was like in its teenage years.”
Team paper Published in Monthly Bulletin of the Royal Astronomical Society.
_____
Vicente Estrada Carpenter others2024. CANUCS JWST/NIRISS We will use grism spectroscopy to investigate when, where and how star formation occurs in a pair of galaxies at cosmic noon. MNRAS 532 (1): 577-591; doi: 10.1093/mnras/stae1368
This article is based on a press release provided by NASA.
a The Chinese game Black Myth: Wukong has become a summer sensation, selling 10 million copies in just three days, as reported by developer Game Science. With over a million daily players on Steam, it marks China’s first major success in the console and PC gaming market, typically dominated by mobile games. The game’s popularity as a single-player experience contrasts with previous multiplayer failures, indicating a growing demand for this type of adventure. still The game industry executives may have underestimated the appetite for such immersive experiences.
Goku, the main character of the game, has also sparked interest for other reasons. IGN’s report shed light on public comments by Game Science employees, revealing a concerning pattern of sexism. This led to conversations about gender inequality in Chinese gaming and society as a whole. While some defended Game Science, others criticized the studio for its alleged attitudes. This controversy further fueled the debate in the gaming community.
Black Myth: Wukong’s success has placed it at the center of cultural debates in the gaming world. Recent incidents of limiting discussions around sensitive topics in game demos amplified the scrutiny on the game and its developers. The game’s guidelines reflect broader restrictions in China, raising questions about creative freedom in the country’s gaming landscape. Despite these controversies, the game continues to thrive, attracting attention from global audiences.
Gamers in Shanghai try out Black Myth: Wukong on release day.
Photo: Héctor Retamal/AFP/Getty Images
These events underscore the multi-layered significance of Black Myth: Wukong’s success, highlighting the changing dynamics in China’s gaming sector. With the game’s roots in Chinese cultural heritage, it has garnered support from nationalist sentiments. However, critiques about its gameplay quality raise questions about its lasting impact. Despite differing opinions, the game remains a pivotal example of the evolving gaming industry landscape.
What to Play
Astro Bot: “Overflowing with ideas”
Photo: Sony/Team Asobi
Dive into the imaginative world of Astro Bot on PlayStation 5, a platform game that offers endless fun and creativity. Explore the galaxy as Astro and his robot friends in a spaceship-shaped adventure. Experience the PS5’s capabilities in a captivating storyline. Stay tuned for a detailed review coming soon.
Available: PlayStation 5 Estimated play time: 20+ hours
What to Read
Concorde.
Photo: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Sony’s cancellation of Concorde highlights the challenges of the gaming industry, with a failed release prompting quick action. The game’s premature end raises questions about market demand and quality standards.
Explore the legacy of Mabel Addis, the pioneering female game designer who revolutionized the industry. Her contributions to storytelling and character development set new standards for interactive entertainment.
Go to the Farm: Stardew Valley.
Photo: Photo from ConcernedApe’s High Score column
leader Adam question:
“I game online with friends regularly, and have been looking for a new story-driven online co-op adventure for a while. I'm struggling to find something to fit in for a short Friday night session. Any suggestions? As a kicker, something where he can act planned and careful, and I impulsively make a mess that he has to clean up, would be ideal.”
Discover exciting co-op adventures like Stardew Valley and Monster Hunter World, offering engaging gameplay experiences where collaboration and chaos collide. These titles provide an immersive escape for short gaming sessions with friends, catering to different play styles and preferences.
If you have a question for Question Block, or anything else you'd like to say about the newsletter, please click “Reply” or email us at pushingbuttons@theguardian.com.
I I considered leaving Twitter shortly after Elon Musk bought it in 2022 because I didn't want to be part of a community that could potentially be bought, much less by a guy like him. Soon, the nasty “long and intense” bullying of staff began. But I've had some of the most interesting conversations of my life on Twitter, randomly, hanging out, or being invited to talk. “Has anyone else been devastatingly lonely during the pandemic?” “Has anyone had a relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend from middle school?” We called Twitter a place to tell the truth to strangers (Facebook is a place to lie to friends), and the breadth of it was mutual and wonderful.
After the BlueCheck fiasco, things got even more unpleasant: identity verification became something you could buy, which made you less trustworthy. So I joined a rival platform, Mastodon, but quickly realized I'd never get 70,000 followers like I did on Twitter. I wasn't looking for attention. In itself, But my peers were less diverse and less loud, and my infrequently updated social media feeds gave me the eerie, slightly depressing feeling of walking into a mall only to find that half the stores are closed and the rest are all selling the same thing.
In 2023, the network now known as X began. Sharing advertising revenue with “premium” usersthen I joined Threads (owned by Meta), where all I see are strangers confessing to petty misdemeanors. I stayed with X, where everything is darker. People get paid for engagement indirectly through ads. It's also a bit vague. It's described as “revenue sharing,” but it doesn't tell you which ad revenues were shared with you. So you can't measure revenue per impression. Is X splitting it 50/50? Or is it 10/90? Are they actually paying you to generate hate?
Elon Musk: “Infiltrated into far-right politics” Photo: Getty Images
“What we've seen is that controversial content drives engagement,” says Ed Saperia, president of the London School of Politics and Technology. “Extreme content drives engagement.” It's become possible to make a living creating harmful content. My 16-year-old son noticed this long before I did with Football X. People are going to say obviously wrong things for the clicks of hate. David Cameron Similar to Catherine the GreatBut that's nothing compared to the engagement you get when attacking, say, transgender people. High-profile tweets are surfaced directly to the top of the “for you” feed by a “black box algorithm designed to keep you scrolling,” said Rose Wang, COO of another rival, Blue Sky, which serves up a constant stream of repetitive topics designed to annoy users.
As a result of these changes, “the platform has become inundated with individuals who were previously banned from the platform, ranging from extremely niche accounts to people like Tommy Robinson and Andrew Tate,” says Joe Mulhall, head of research at Hope Not Hate. We saw the impact of this reality this August when misinformation about the identity, ethnicity and religion of the killer of three girls in Southport sparked overtly racist unrest across the UK the likes of which had not been seen since the '70s. “Not only was X responsible for creating an atmosphere for rioting, it was also a central hub for the organisation and distribution of content that led to rioting,” says Mulhall.
A man named Wayne O'Rourke, a “keyboard warrior,” was convicted of inciting racial hatred on social media after the August race riots. Monthly salary of £1,400 From his activities at X. The vocal Laurence Fox last month Earn a similar amount Posted on X. O'Rourke had 90,000 followers, but Tommy Robinson has over a million followers and presumably makes a lot more money.
Meanwhile, governments have no surefire remedy, even when, as Mulhall puts it, “decisions made on the US West Coast clearly impact our communities.” In April, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sought to suspend fewer than 100 X accounts for hate speech and fake news, mainly as supporters of his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro challenged the legitimacy of his defeat. X refused, and also declined to defend itself in court. On Monday, Brazil's Supreme Court unanimously upheld the platform-wide ban, saying the platform “considers itself above the rule of law.” From a business perspective, it's surprising that Musk didn't try harder to avoid it, but there may be other things he values more than money, such as exemption from government and democratic constraints.
Tommy Robinson…Musk has rescinded the ban from X. Picture: James Manning/PA
So is it moral to remain on a platform that has done so much to help bring the politics of division and hate from our keyboards into real life? Is X worse than Facebook or TikTok or (wow!) YouTube? And is it intentionally bad? In other words, are we watching Musk's master plan unfold?
“This is not the first time that extremist content has been circulating online,” Saperia says. “There are a lot of bad platforms, and a lot of bad things are happening there.” X's problem may not be bad regulation, he points out, but bad enforcement. And it's not just X's problem. “Have you seen the UK court system these days? Cases from five years ago are being tried. Without the law, society would be impossible.”
While X may be a catalyst for inciting and rallying civil unrest, from the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol to Southport and beyond, Saperia says it's important to keep in mind that “politics is shifting rightward, but not just because of the media environment, but also for complex economic reasons: the middle-class West is getting poorer.” Donald Trump may have shocked the traditional U.S. media by speaking directly to voters with his crude and increasingly insane messages, but it's naive to think that a complacent public resting on a prosperous future would embrace his authoritarian moves. Whether social media is funding it or not, the anger is there, and “all the mainstream platforms have generally failed at hate speech,” Mulhall says. “They didn't want this content, but they were struggling to deal with it. And after Charlottesville, they made some progress.” [the white supremacist rally in 2017] Or Capitol Hill.”
Still, Hope Not Hate divides far-right online activity into three strains: mainstream platforms like X, Instagram, and Facebook that are not interested in fascism but are struggling to eradicate it and perhaps do not invest enough in moderation and regulation; hijacked platforms like Discord and Telegram that started as chat sites and messaging services and became the far-right’s favorite chat apps, probably due to their superior privacy or encryption; and bespoke platforms like Rumble (partially funded by fundamentalist libertarian billionaire Peter Thiel), Gab (which became a center of mainly anti-Semitic hate after the gunman of the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting posted his manifesto there) or Parler, which was acquired by Kanye West in 2022 after he was banned from Instagram and Twitter for anti-Semitism.
Synthesis: Guardian Design; X
“Twitter is unconventional,” Mulhall says. “It's ostensibly a mainstream platform, but now it has its own moderation policies. Elon Musk himself is steeped in far-right politics, so it's behaving like it's its own platform, which is what makes it so different. And it's so much more harmful, so much worse. And it's also because, although it has terms of service, it doesn't necessarily enforce them.”
Musk's commitment to free speech is surprisingly unconvincing. He used it to veto Lula's demands in Brazil, but was happy to oblige Narendra Modi's demands in India, where he suspended hundreds of accounts linked to the Indian farmer protests in February. “Free speech is a tool, not a principle, for Musk,” Mulhall says. “He's a techno-utopian with no attachment to democracy.”
But global civil society finds it very difficult to summarily reject the free speech argument because the counterargument is so dark: that many billionaires – not just Musk, but Thiel of Rumble, Parler's original backer, Rebecca Mercer (daughter of Breitbart funder Robert Mercer), and indirectly, billionaire sovereigns like Putin – have succeeded in transforming society and destroying the trust we have in each other and in institutions. It is much more comfortable to think that they are doing it by chance, simply because they love “free speech,” than to think that they are doing it deliberately. “The key to understanding neo-reactionary and ‘dark enlightenment’ movements is that these individuals have no interest whatsoever in maintaining the status quo,” says Mulhall.
“In some jurisdictions, the actions of state rulers and billionaires are pretty much correlated,” Saperia says. We see that in Russia. “Putin is using the state to manipulate social media to create polarization. That's pretty much proven,” Mulhall says. But where tech and politics don't line up, politics doesn't often prevail. Governments seem pretty powerless in the face of these tech giants. “Racial hatred and attempted murder are being nurtured on these platforms,” Mulhall says. “And people don't even believe it's possible to get Musk to Congress.”
Andrew Tait leaves court in Bucharest. Photo: Alexandre Dobre/AP
In Paris, Telegram founder Pavel Durov is under formal investigation over allegations that the app is linked to organized crime, and Musk is named as a defendant in a cyberbullying lawsuit brought by gold medallist Imane Kheriff. The boxer, who was born female and has never identified as transgender or intersex, has faced defamatory claims about her gender with an X from a number of public figures, including British politician J.K. Rowling and Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Andrew Tait has Charged by Romanian authorities He writes about human trafficking and rape, but his online The fantasy of misogyny The policy, which has far-reaching implications around the world, of treating women as a slave class has not received the same condemnation as YouTube, Insta, TikTok and Facebook's bans from their platforms, while the freedom to operate freely on X has lessened the impact of these bans and led to them being reversed. The EU has at least been more successful than the US in holding social media giants to the same corporate responsibility as, say, pharmaceutical or oil companies, but regulations are still scrambling to keep up with a changing reality where the sector is moving from the virtual to the real world at an ever-increasing rate.
But governments don't need to step in and tell us to stop using X. We can do it ourselves. Brazilians who don't use Twitter are migrating to Bluesky, which Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey founded in 2019. “We've had a tumultuous four days alone. As of this morning, we've added nearly 2 million new users,” Bluesky's Wang said Monday. If we all did that (I did!), would the power of X disappear? Or will it just be divided into good and bad places?
Bluesky serves a similar purpose to X, but is designed quite differently. Wang explains: “No one organization controls the platform. All the code is open source, and anyone can copy and paste the entire code. We don't own your data; you can take it wherever you want. We have to acquire your users through performance, or you'll go away. It's a lot like how search engines work: if you make them attractive by putting ads everywhere, people will go to another search engine.”
Noland Arbor can play chess using Neuralink implant
Neuralink
Neuralink, the brain-computer interface company founded by Elon Musk, has revealed the identity of its first patient who says its implant “changed his life.” But experts say it’s not yet clear whether Neuralink has done more than replicate existing research efforts.
Who was Neuralink’s first patient?
Musk announced in January that the first human patient had received a Neuralink implant, but few details were released at the time. We now know from something. Live stream video by company – Who is that person and how will the test be done?
Noland Arbaugh explains in the video that an accident eight years ago dislocated his fourth and fifth vertebrae, leaving him a quadriplegic. He previously controlled the computer with a mouth interface, and is shown moving the cursor with just his thoughts, apparently using a Neuralink implant.
“Once I started imagining the cursor moving, it became intuitive,” Arbaugh says in the video. “Basically, it was like using ‘force’ on the cursor, and I was able to move the cursor anywhere I wanted. I could just look anywhere on the screen and the cursor would move where I wanted it. It was a very wild experience.”
He uses the device for reading, language learning, and computer games such as chess, and claims he uses it for up to eight hours at a time, at which point he needs to charge the device. “It’s not perfect, I’ve run into some problems. But it’s already changed my life,” he says.
What does the implant contain?
Neuralink did not respond to requests for an interview, but its website says the current generation coin-sized implant, called N1, generates neural activity through 1,024 electrodes distributed across 64 threads that extend into the user’s brain. It is said that it records. These are so fine that they must be placed by a surgical robot.
In a livestream video, Arbaugh said he was discharged from the hospital the day after his implant surgery, and that from his perspective the surgery was a relatively simple process.
The implant uses a small battery that is charged through the skin by an inductance charger and communicates wirelessly with an app on your smartphone.
Does this mean the first human trials were successful?
Reinhold Scherrer Researchers at the University of Essex in the UK will decide whether Neuralink’s first human trial was a success because the company “has not released enough information to form an informed opinion” He said it was too early.
“While the video is impressive and there is no doubt that it took a lot of research and development work to get to this stage, it is unclear whether what is being shown is new or groundbreaking,” he said. Masu. “Although control appears to be stable, most of the studies and experiments presented so far are primarily replications of past studies. Replication is good, but major challenges still remain. ”
Who else is working on brain implants?
Neuralink isn’t the only group exploring this idea. A number of academic organizations and commercial startups have already conducted human experiments that have successfully interpreted brain signals and produced some sort of output.
A team at Stanford University in California placed two small sensors just below the surface of the brain of a man who was paralyzed from the neck down. Researchers may be able to interpret the brain signals when a man decides to put pen to paper and translate them into text that can be read on a computer.
When will Neuralink be available and how much will it cost?
It’s too early to tell, as this has a long way to go before it becomes a commercial product, with much testing and certification to come. But Musk has made it clear that he intends to commercialize the technology.of The first product planned was named Telepathy.allows users to take control of their mobile phones and computers.
Many people are passionate about reusable water bottles, from wide-mouth Nalgene bottles popular with Millennials to stainless steel containers like Hydro Flask, S’well, and Yeti tumblers. The latest trend is the giant 40 oz. Stanley tumblers, available in a variety of colors to match personal style and mood.
While these products are designed to offer an environmentally friendly alternative to single-use plastic bottles, some people question whether these trendy, reusable tumblers are actually part of the problem. This debate ties into the broader environmental conflict about individual contributions versus larger, systemic issues.
In the case of the 40 oz. Stanley tumblers, the popularity has surged in recent years, with social media influencers and collectors showcasing the cups. This popularity has propelled the company’s annual sales from $70 million to $750 million in the span of just a few years.
At first glance, Stanley tumblers appear to be environmentally responsible, known for their durability and long-lasting design. However, they have also become a symbol of overconsumption, raising questions about the true environmental benefits of these products.
According to experts, while the use of reusable water bottles can be sustainable when used properly, overconsumption of these products contributes to climate change and environmental degradation. The potential impacts of unnecessary consumption include greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, land use issues, pollution, and human health impacts.
Ultimately, experts emphasize the importance of using products like reusable tumblers thoughtfully and regularly to have a positive environmental impact. Additionally, companies are encouraged to prioritize sustainability and recycling initiatives to mitigate the environmental burden of their products.
Understanding the psychological and social factors that influence consumer behavior is also crucial in addressing overconsumption. Advocates urge individuals to make informed, mindful choices and to feel a sense of agency in contributing to environmental solutions without becoming discouraged or overwhelmed by global issues like climate change.
“We don’t want to get to the point where we’re completely discouraged about climate change,” said one expert. “We need to determine our real choices from the details. We can look at our own choices and find ways to help and encourage others, but we can’t shame or blame. But I don’t think we’re going anywhere.”
Researchers at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have uncovered the structure of VMAT2, a crucial neurotransmitter transporter, shedding light on its interaction with drugs used to treat conditions like Tourette syndrome. This pioneering study offers insights into neurotransmitter transport and advances the field of neuropharmacology.
Neurons communicate through neurotransmitters, and experts at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have utilized their knowledge in structural biology to reveal the structure of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), an essential component of neurotransmission.
By visualizing VMAT2 in different states, researchers can now better comprehend its function and how its different conformations impact drug binding. This knowledge is crucial for the development of drugs to treat hyperactivity disorders such as Tourette syndrome.
This work was recently published in the journal Nature. Monoamines, including dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline, play a central role in neurotransmission by influencing various brain functions. Before they can be released, these molecules must be packaged into vesicles, which are compartments in cells that store neurotransmitters.
VMAT2 is a protein that moves monoamines into these vesicles, acting like a loading crane on a cargo ship. The study, led by researchers such as Dr. Chia-Hsueh Lee, Dr. Shabareesh Pidathala, and Dr. Yaxin Dai, utilized cryo-electron microscopy to analyze the structure of VMAT2 and its interactions with serotonin and drugs used to treat certain conditions.
The study revealed that different drugs bind to specific conformations of VMAT2, providing detailed insights that can aid in developing treatments for various disorders. The research also identified amino acids that facilitate neurotransmitter transport, laying the groundwork for future studies to fully understand the mechanisms involved.
The study was supported by grants from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Sophie Alcorn is the founder of alcorn immigration law Silicon Valley and “California Law Firm of the Year for Entrepreneurial Immigration Services” at the 2019 Global Law Experts Awards. She connects people with opportunities to expand their businesses and lives.
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Sophie Alcorn, AttorneyAuthor and Founder of alcorn immigration law The Silicon Valley, California, resident attorney is an award-winning Immigration and Nationality Law certified attorney in the State Bar Board’s specialty area. Sophie is passionate about crossing borders, expanding opportunity and connecting the world through compassionate, forward-looking and professional immigration law. Connect with Sophie upon linkedin and twitter.
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Dear Sophie
I am currently working for my employer on an H-1B in the United States. I wanted to start my own company, but transferring an H-1B to a startup has many downsides for startup founders, including giving up control and capital. How has that changed now?
— Future Founder
Hey, future!
The future is now! Thank you for your entrepreneurial spirit and great questions. In October, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a new report. proposed rule with the drawbacks removed H-1B The professional visa for startup founders you mentioned.
“If more entrepreneurs can obtain H-1B status to develop their businesses, the United States could benefit from the creation of jobs, new industries, and new opportunities,” the proposed rule states. It is being
After reading this column, I encourage you and others to speak up about this rule. DHS is accepting public comments on this rule until December 22, 2023. After the comment period ends, DHS will consider the comments, potentially modify the rule based on the comments, and issue a final rule and effective date. I hope to be in time for his next H-1B lottery in March.Comments can be submitted at the top proposed rule Select the “Submit a formal comment” link.
Comments must be in English. However, business owners and non-citizens are also eligible to comment. You can also post comments anonymously.
Maintain control and fairness
As you know, as with all work visas, the employer sponsor must submit the H-1B application on behalf of the employee. There is no self-sponsorship for work visas, and the H-1B is tied to the sponsoring employer and the job and location specified on the petition.
DHS’ proposed rule clarifications already provide founders with more freedom to grow their startups without any restrictions on capacity (and without the need for future regulations) by eliminating the need to reduce majority stakes in startups. It gives you flexibility. this point).
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