COP30 President Andre Correa de Lago (centre) alongside Advisor and UN Climate Change Secretary Simon Stiel (left)
Pablo Porciuncula/AFP via Getty Images
The COP30 climate summit held by the United Nations in Brazil faced severe challenges, including heavy rainfall, protests, and a partial electrical fire. The concluding session was momentarily halted over objections to the perceived weakness of the finalized document.
Despite these hurdles, the globally recognized climate action framework continued, with nearly all nations except the United States engaging in 12 days of discussions in the Amazon to establish a unified framework.
Notably, the final agreement omitted any mention of fossil fuels, responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions, despite a prior commitment made at COP28 in Dubai to pivot away from such energy sources. Over 80 nations at COP30 aimed for a detailed transition plan regarding fossil fuels, but oil-exporting nations excluded a key clause that mandated unanimous consent from all 194 countries.
“An agreement born out of climate change denial is a failed agreement,” remarked Diana Mejía, the Colombian representative, expressing support from delegates from Panama and Uruguay who voiced frustrations about Brazil’s dismissal of their comments before the text’s submission.
Brazil argued it was unaware of the request but committed to helping draft a roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels outside the UN’s framework.
“It’s akin to designing a board game,” commented Natalie Jones, a professor at the International Institute for Sustainable Development, reflecting on the stalled transition roadmap, “We’re engaged in play, yet some are still deliberating on the rule set.”
The final decision, named “Global Mutilan” after an indigenous Brazilian term for “collective endeavor,” at least indicated that international collaboration on climate issues has withstood some severe challenges this year, as U.N. Climate Secretary Simon Stiel noted. said in his closing remarks.
President Donald Trump again withdrew the United States, the second-largest emitter globally, from the COP process, threatening to do the same with Argentina, raising alarms about the potential collapse of annual negotiations. Throughout other global conferences this year, the U.S. has sought to advance talks on minimizing shipping emissions and reducing plastic pollution.
Corporate entities, industry coalitions, and non-profits have also begun retreating from addressing climate change, with Bill Gates suggesting a focus on poverty and health instead of emissions at COP30.
A decade post the Paris Agreement at COP21, which aimed to cap global warming to 2°C above pre-industrial levels, we are currently experiencing steady progress towards 2.6℃— an increase that had already approached 4°C before the agreement’s onset.
In a letter to the UN last year, leading scientists and diplomats expressed concerns that the COP process is “no longer fit for purpose.” However, one of the letter’s signatories, former Irish president Mary Robinson, commented post-COP30 that many nations are moving forward “during a time when multilateralism is under stress.”
The nations reaffirmed their collective commitment to the Paris Agreement and the conclusions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In conjunction with climate pledges, the G20 Summit Declaration was issued on the same day, while participants from major economies, along with the U.S., opted out, describing it as “a significant pushback against Trump.” Joanna Depledge, a COP historian at the University of Cambridge, remarked.
This conveys a strong message to businesses, investors, and local authorities, according to her.
As foreign aid budgets decline and the U.S. eliminates aid agencies, low-income nations are expressing dissatisfaction with historically large polluters for not aiding them in coping with climate challenges. COP30 acknowledged the necessity to devise a “just transition mechanism” for support, also promising to triple adaptation funding, though the specifics remain vague, and the original deadline of 2030 has been postponed to 2035.
“Beyond the just transition mechanism… there’s little to celebrate,” said Harjeet Singh from the Satthat Sampada Climate Foundation, which aids climate-vulnerable populations. “We should have aimed higher.”
COP30, convened in Belém at the Amazon’s edge, did not achieve consensus on a plan to halt and reverse deforestation, despite the efforts of over 90 nations. Prior to the summit, however, Brazil launched the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, an investment initiative rewarding countries for maintaining forest areas.
Brazil and its sponsors have so far contributed $6.6 billion to the fund, which is far below the $25 billion target. Tightening the fund’s operational guidelines is necessary, stated Kate Dooley from the University of Melbourne, indicating that it represents a welcome shift away from carbon offsets that yield no actual climate benefits.
“Brazil’s leadership on deforestation could be among the top outcomes from COP30,” remarked Marco Duso, a sustainability consultant at Ernst & Young. “And this leadership is resonating on the global stage.”
This striking image of 3I/ATLAS was taken by the International Gemini Observatory in Chile, revealing the comet’s coma formed of gas and dust.
Image Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/Shadow the Scientist
3I/ATLAS, an interstellar comet traversing our solar system, presents a challenge in determining its origin due to potential alterations from cosmic rays over billions of years that could have completely transformed its characteristics.
Initially detected in July, astronomers have begun to analyze its intriguing traits, including its coma, which features carbon dioxide levels at least 16 times greater than standard comets in our solar system, marking it as one of the most CO2-rich comets ever seen.
While some researchers theorized that this might indicate an unusual star system as the comet’s birthplace (or, less plausibly, a link to extraterrestrial life), a more straightforward explanation has emerged.
Roman Maggiolo and colleagues from the Belgian Royal Institute for Astronautics and Aeronautics assert that the elevated CO2 concentrations are likely a result of significant alterations to the outer layers of 3I/ATLAS over billions of years due to cosmic rays.
“This slow process has often been neglected or underestimated, yet it profoundly impacts objects like comets and interstellar bodies,” Maggiolo states.
The team compared their findings from 3I/ATLAS to lab experiments that simulate cosmic ray bombardment of ice composed of water and carbon monoxide, akin to that found on comets. These experiments revealed that this process generates substantial CO2 and leaves behind a carbon-rich residue that aligns with observations from the comet.
“Gradually, cosmic rays create reactive radicals—molecular fragments that break down and reform, thereby altering the ice’s chemical makeup,” Maggiolo explains.
This revelation poses a setback for comprehending the origins of comets, as cosmic rays can obliterate critical evidence. Previously, astronomers thought interstellar comets like 3I/ATLAS were remarkably preserved, acting as cold fossils with vital data about other star systems; however, a more cautious approach may now be necessary concerning the insights they can provide.
Although its swift passage through the solar system limits the chances for satellites to explore and directly sample these comets, there remains a sliver of hope for clarifying the true nature of 3I/ATLAS.
Currently, the comet is nearing the Sun and isn’t visible from Earth but is anticipated to resurface in December. This close encounter might result in sufficient melting of the outer ice layer to unveil materials shielded from cosmic rays, as noted by Maggiolo. However, this is contingent upon how much ice has already vanished since its entry into the solar system and the thickness of the icy crust, details that are still unclear.
Cyriel Opitum, a professor at the University of Edinburgh in the UK, emphasizes that forthcoming observations utilizing both the James Webb Space Telescope and ground-based telescopes will be essential in uncovering primitive material beneath the comet’s surface. “We are looking forward to an exciting few months ahead,” she states.
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President Donald Trump made this announcement prior to his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to recommence nuclear weapons testing after a ban lasting decades. However, researchers from New Scientist contend that these tests bear no scientific relevance, are largely symbolic, pose a threat to global tranquility, and are likely to provoke public backlash in America. Ultimately, while the chances of these tests occurring seem slim, the announcement itself carries potential risks.
In a recent statement, President Trump revealed a new policy, stating in a post on Truth Social, “It’s in response to actions by other nations.” [sic] He further directed the War Department to initiate nuclear weapon tests on an equivalent basis, set to commence immediately.
The announcement lacked clarity, leaving experts puzzled as no other nation has conducted nuclear bomb tests recently. While Russia has experimented with nuclear underwater drones and nuclear-capable missiles, none of these actions involved actual nuclear detonations.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, indications have surfaced that several nations are preparing their historic nuclear testing sites, whether genuinely intending to test again or merely using it as a political display. Significant upgrades are underway at a Chinese testing site in Xinjiang, a Russian site in the Arctic, and a US site in Nevada.
However, restarting nuclear tests would contravene decades of effective yet uneasy bans. The Limited Test Ban Treaty, signed in 1963 by the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union, prohibits testing these weapons in the atmosphere, on water, or in space, yet allows for underground tests. Subsequently, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was drafted in 1996, effectively halting underground nuclear tests, albeit without formal ratification.
[Since the first Trinity explosion in 1945 in the United States, over 2000 tests have been conducted until the CTBT’s drafting. India and Pakistan conducted several nuclear tests in 1998, while North Korea remains the sole nation to have tested nuclear weapons in the 21st century, with its last test occurring in 2017. The United States has refrained from nuclear testing since 1992.]
Considering this context, many experts express skepticism towards President Trump’s remarks. There is speculation regarding a desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize, as the United States would be the first global superpower to restart nuclear testing.
John Preston, a researcher at the University of Essex, suggests the president’s declaration may merely be “Trump rhetoric,” lacking any genuine intention of conducting a nuclear test, though warns that even such statements can have perilous implications. Historically, the Soviet Union and Russia have aimed to exert pressure that compels their adversaries to de-escalate activities.
Preston notes that during the Cold War, nuclear powers invested considerable time and resources in bringing in diverse experts to thoroughly comprehend how nuclear testing and proliferation could heighten conflict. Recently, however, this issue has drawn less attention and has become increasingly secretive.
“I’m concerned that the escalation ladder may not be fully understood within the policy and nuclear strategy communities,” Preston commented. “Science has already grasped the effects of nuclear weapons; there’s nothing new to discover. Thus, these tests are strictly symbolic and could lead us into an escalation we no longer effectively understand.”
Indeed, the likelihood of generating significant scientific findings from such tests seems remote. Current nuclear testing relies on highly accurate physical simulations conducted via massive supercomputers. The two most powerful public supercomputers globally are operated by the US government and are utilized to affirm the effectiveness of the US nuclear deterrent without actual testing.
Christoph Laucht, a professor at Swansea University in the UK, asserts that restarting tests would signify a regressive step at a precarious juncture in history. The New START Treaty is set to lapse on February 4, 2026. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty puts the US and Russia in a situation where a formal nuclear treaty remains months away, with minimal prospects for a new agreement amidst the current tense global climate.
“There are genuine concerns that this could trigger a new form of nuclear arms race,” Laucht remarked. “We already possess a vast inventory of nuclear warheads, but we are reverting to a treaty environment reminiscent of the early Cold War, a time without arms limitation treaties.”
Laucht further warned that if one nation resumes testing, others may feel pressured to follow suit. Such testing could prompt protests from environmental activists, peace advocates, and communities near the Nevada test site, further straining an already divided United States.
Sarah Pozzi, a professor at the University of Michigan, argues that restarting nuclear testing would be illogical for the US. “Such actions would destabilize global affairs, incentivize other nations to resume their nuclear testing programs, and jeopardize decades of progress in nuclear arms control,” she stated. “Instead, the US should aspire to lead by example and bolster international efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation.”
Of course, there are various perspectives on the matter. In his typical style, President Trump has become fixated on cryptic, ambiguous social media posts that fail to convey the entire narrative.
Nick Ritchie, a researcher at the University of York in the UK, suggests that President Trump might merely be referring to testing nuclear delivery systems, such as missiles, rather than nuclear warheads themselves. Resuming warhead testing would likely necessitate years of planning, engineering, and political maneuvering beyond a single presidential term. However, if that is the case, it raises confusion because these delivery technologies are routinely tested alongside NATO allies.
“This is a quintessentially Trumpian method of discussing a variety of political matters, including potentially destabilizing and perilous issues like US nuclear weapons policy,” Ritchie observes. “While there remains a small chance of resuming actual testing preparations, I certainly have not seen any indications that this is on the horizon.”
Substantial investments in AI are suggesting a global financial bubble that may soon burst, exposing companies and investors to the risk of unmanageable debts unable to be serviced by the scant revenues from current AI applications. But what implications does this have for the future of the technology fueling this financial madness?
Recent warnings have emerged globally about the danger of an AI bubble. The Bank of England, the CEO of JP Morgan Chase, and even OpenAI’s Sam Altman have all cautioned against the current trends. “This isn’t merely a stock market bubble; it encompasses investment and public policy bubbles,” asserts David Edgerton from King’s College London.
The interconnected nature of deals among leading AI firms has raised concerns. Take Nvidia, for instance, which manufactures the GPU chips propelling the AI surge; it recently poured up to $100 billion into OpenAI, while maintaining its own data centers filled with Nvidia chips. Ironically, OpenAI also holds a stake in Nvidia’s competitor, AMD.
According to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, an estimated $400 billion is spent yearly on data centers, leading to increasing worries about the impending burst of the AI bubble. In the second quarter of this year, the US GDP saw a 3.8% increase, but as Harvard’s Jason Furman points out, excluding data center investment, the actual growth was merely 0.1% in the first half of the year.
Carl Benedikt Frey, a professor at Oxford University, notes that such frenetic deal-making isn’t uncommon in the technology sector’s history. “Overbuilding tends to happen; it unfolded during the railroad boom and again during the dot-com bubble,” he explains.
The concern is whether the fallout from the AI bubble will impact only the companies involved or whether it could ripple through the economy. Frey indicates that many data centers being constructed “off-balance sheet” entail creating new companies to bear the associated risks and potential rewards, usually supported by external investors or banks.
This opacity leaves many unsure about who might be negatively affected. The funding for data centers could be rooted in investments from influential tech billionaires or major banks, and substantial losses might trigger a banking crisis, adding turbulence to the economy. “While a financial crisis isn’t immediately on the horizon, the uncertainties breed potential risks,” Frey comments.
Benjamin Arold, a professor at Cambridge University, states that the crucial factor is the profit-to-company valuation ratio, revealing the disconnect between public perception and the actual financial performance of companies. Such metrics are, he warns, red flags for contemporary tech firms.
“We haven’t seen price levels like this in 25 years; it’s reminiscent of the dot-com bubble,” Arold warns. “It may work out in the end, but investing in it feels risky.”
James Poskett from the University of Warwick argues that the AI sector may face a downturn that could lead to many companies going out of business. However, he believes this doesn’t spell the end for the technology itself. “It’s essential not to conflate that with the notion that the technology itself is flawed or redundant,” Poskett emphasizes. “AI could falter, yet it won’t vanish.”
Poskett suggests we may end up with valuable technology, much like how the collapse of various railroad companies in the past left the legacy of a robust rail system, or how the dot-com bust concluded with an extensive fiber-optic infrastructure.
For consumers, the fallout from the AI bubble could translate to fewer choices, potentially higher costs, and a slower rate of technological advancements. Utilizing an expensive tool like GPT-5 for tasks such as email creation resembles using a sledgehammer to crack a nut and may reveal the concealed costs associated with its use, obscured by the present AI race. “There’s currently a lot of ‘free lunch,’ but eventually, these companies will need to start turning a profit,” Poskett notes.
For centuries, the greatest minds have pondered the concept of time, yet its absolute nature remains elusive.
While physics does not dictate that time must flow in a specific direction or define its essence, it is widely accepted that time is a tangible aspect of the universe.
The two cornerstone theories of modern physics, general relativity and quantum mechanics, perceive time in distinct ways. In relativity, time functions as one coordinate in conjunction with three spatial coordinates.
Einstein demonstrated the intricate relationship between these dimensions, revealing that the flow of time is relative, not absolute. This implies that as you move faster, time appears to slow down in comparison to someone who remains “stationary.”
Interestingly, photons traveling at light speed experience no passage of time; for them, everything occurs simultaneously.
On the other hand, quantum mechanics, which pertains to the macroscopic realm, views time as a fundamental parameter—a consistent and one-way flow from past to future, disconnected from spatial dimensions and entities (like particles).
This divergence creates a conflict between these two prominent theories and poses a challenge for physicists attempting to unify gravitational and quantum theories into a singular “grand unified theory.”
Crucially, neither general relativity nor quantum mechanics defines time as a “field,” a physical quantity that permeates space and can affect particle characteristics.
Each of the four fundamental force fields (gravity, electromagnetism, strong nuclear force, and weak nuclear force) involves the exchange of particles.
These particles can be viewed as carriers of force. In electromagnetism, the carrier is a photon, while strong interactions are mediated by particles known as “gluons.”
Gravity, too, is thought to be transmitted by hypothetical particles called “gravitons,” yet a complete quantum description of gravity remains elusive.
Scientists continue to struggle with the concept of time, which appears to lack tangible properties like discrete chunks – Credit: Oxygen via Getty
Other “fields” confer specific properties to particles. For instance, the Higgs field involves the transfer of Higgs bosons, endowing them with mass.
In the realm of physics, time—regardless of its true essence—differs fundamentally from a “field.” It is not a physical quantity (like charge or mass) and does not apply forces or dictate particle interactions.
Thus, in contemporary physics, time is not characterized by mediating particles as are the four fundamental forces. The notion of “time particles” does not hold relevance.
Remarkably, recent studies indicate that time might actually be an illusion. This intriguing theory emerges from quantum “entanglement,” wherein the quantum states of particles are interlinked, regardless of their spatial separation.
This article addresses a question posed by Brian Roche from Cork, Ireland: “Is it possible for a time particle to exist?”
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The asymmetry in the average temperature of the cosmic microwave background is inconsistent with the standard model of cosmology
ESA/Planck Collaboration
Cosmic anomalies have puzzled scientists for years, and recent examinations of data from various radio telescopes further complicate the understanding of their origins.
This peculiar fluctuation appears in the afterglow of the Big Bang, representing radiation that has journeyed toward us since the dawn of time, referred to as the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Physicists generally expect this radiation to be uniform in all directions; therefore, significant deviations are perplexing. Current measurements indicate a gradient in CMB temperatures, resulting in colder and hotter areas known as a dipole, as explained by Lucas Behme. His team at Bielefeld University in Germany utilized data from radio telescopes to delve deeply into these anomalies.
Böhme notes that while the presence of the CMB dipole isn’t surprising, its magnitude defies the expectations of our prevailing cosmological models. Radiation emitted from moving sources—and perceived by observers who are also in motion—appears warmer or colder due to the Doppler effect and other relativistic effects. Yet, the dipole observed is approximately ten times more intense than anticipated.
To analyze this discrepancy, Böhme and his colleagues examined data from six radio telescopes and meticulously narrowed their focus to the three most precise measurements. Böhme describes their method as dividing the sky into pixels to determine the number of radiation sources within each. Nevertheless, despite their exhaustive adjustments, the dipole mystery endured.
Dragan Huterer from the University of Michigan finds the team’s thorough analysis noteworthy. He emphasizes that this is crucial for establishing the dipole as an undeniable feature of the CMB. “This is a significant insight, indicating that we fundamentally misunderstand our spatial context within the universe, or that our most accurate theories fail to align with the evidence,” he states. However, Huterer also points out the challenges inherent in accurately measuring radio astronomical data, which may result in systematic errors.
Part of the difficulty lies in the faintness of the radio signals collected, Böhme explains. “We aim to measure extremely subtle phenomena. Fine-tuning this measurement is challenging,” he notes. Yet, this is not the only evidence supporting the existence of the dipole. Infrared radiation from quasars tends to reinforce the findings from radio wave measurements, and forthcoming telescopes may enhance precision in observations, potentially resolving some of the dipole’s enigmas.
In a recent study, researchers examined the ancient microbial DNA of 483 mammoths, preserved for over a million years. This included 440 newly analyzed unpublished samples from Steppe Mammoths dating back 1.1 million years. Through metagenome screening, contaminant filtering, damage pattern analysis, and phylogenetic inference, they identified 310 microorganisms linked to various mammoth tissues.
Ginet et al. Partial genome reconstruction of erysipelothrix, representing the oldest confirmed host-related microbial DNA from the oldest mammoth samples. Image credit: Ginet et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.08.003.
“Envision a mammoth tooth from a million years ago,” stated Dr. Benjamin Ginette, a postdoctoral researcher at Stockholm’s Paleogenetic Centre and the Swedish Museum of Natural History.
“Imagine if it still harbors traces of ancient microorganisms that existed alongside this mammoth?”
“Our findings push the boundaries of microbial DNA research beyond a million years, unlocking new avenues for understanding how host-associated microorganisms evolved in tandem with their hosts.”
The team discovered six microbial groups consistently linked to mammoth hosts, including relatives of Actinobacillus, Pasturella, Streptococcus, and erysipelothrix. Some of these microbes may have been pathogenic.
For instance, one Pasturella bacteria identified in this study is closely related to the pathogens responsible for a fatal outbreak among African elephants.
Given that African and Asian elephants are the closest living relatives of mammoths, these results raise concerns about whether mammoths could also be susceptible to similar infectious diseases.
Remarkably, scientists have reconstructed a partial genome of erysipelothrix from a Steppe Mammoth that lived 1.1 million years ago, marking the oldest known host-related microbial DNA ever recovered.
This advances our understanding of the interactions between ancient hosts and their microbiota.
“As microorganisms evolved rapidly, acquiring reliable DNA data spanning over a million years has felt like tracing a path that continually rewrites itself,” noted Dr. Tom van der Bark of the Paleobiological Centre and the Museum of Natural History in Sweden.
“Our discoveries illustrate that ancient artifacts can retain biological insights far beyond the host genome, offering a perspective on how microorganisms influenced Pleistocene ecosystem adaptation, disease, and extinction.”
Determining the exact impact of the identified microorganisms on mammoth health is challenging due to DNA degradation and limited comparative data, but this study provides an unparalleled view into the microbiota of extinct megafaunas.
The findings suggest that multiple microbial lines coexisted with mammoths for hundreds of thousands of years, spanning vast geographical areas and evolutionary timescales, from the extinction of woolly mammoths on Lengel Island over a million years ago to their decline around 4,000 years ago.
“This research opens a new chapter in understanding the biology of extinct species,” says Professor Love Darren, a researcher at the Swedish Museum of Natural History and the Paleogenetic Centre at Stockholm University.
“Not only can researchers study the mammoth genome itself, but they can also begin to explore the microbial communities that cohabited with it.”
This study was published this week in the journal Cell.
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Benjamin Ginet et al. Ancient host-related microorganisms recovered from mammoths. Cell published online on September 2, 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.08.003
Dennis “Tink” Bell (far right) during a Christmas celebration at Admiralty Bay Station in 1958
D. Bell; Archive REF: AD6/19/X/20/18
The remains of a meteorologist who perished on an Antarctic glacier 66 years ago have been unearthed and returned to England.
At just 25, Dennis “Tink” Bell embarked on a two-year mission to Antarctica in July 1959 to study the climate of the Falkland Islands, which was the predecessor of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
Bell encountered a crevasse but managed to call out for assistance. He secured a rope to his belt and was pulled to safety, although the belt broke, causing him to fall again. This time, he did not call out for help.
His colleague made it back to base, but worsening weather conditions jeopardized further rescue efforts.
Ieuan Hopkins noted that working in Antarctica during the 1950s and 1960s was perilous, and fatalities were tragically common. Many bodies of other BAS staff remain lost today.
“There was an average 1% chance that you wouldn’t return,” remarks Hopkins. “It’s an extremely hostile environment. We’re at risk of losing people.”
Earlier this year, a team from the Arkdowsky Poland Antarctic Station on King George Island discovered numerous bone fragments on the glacier’s surface, having been exposed as they shifted over time.
“It’s a large, dynamic glacier, so things are perpetually moving,” explains Hopkins. “The presence of bone fragments suggests significant forces at play.”
The remains were transferred to the Falkland Islands and subsequently returned to Britain by the Royal Air Force aboard an Antarctic research vessel alongside Sir David Attenborough.
Denise Syndercombe Court at King’s College, London, identified the body through DNA comparisons with samples from his older brother David Bell and younger sister Valerie Kelly, as Bell commented in a statement.
The Polish team also uncovered many personal belongings believed to belong to Bell, including radio equipment, flashlights, ski poles, engraved wristwatches, knives, and pipe stems made of ebonite.
Artistic impressions of the moa, one of the largest extinct birds
Christopher Cree/Colossal Biosciences
Colossal Biosciences has unveiled its ambitious project to “bring back” the New Zealand MOA, one of the most remarkable extinct birds in history, although critics claim the objectives may be scientifically unfeasible.
The MOA was the only fully known flightless bird, with no close relatives like emus. Nine species once inhabited New Zealand, including the turkey-sized bush moa (Anomalopteryx didiformis). The two largest varieties, the South Island Giant MOA (Dinornis robustus) and the North Island Giant MOA (Dinornis novaezealandiae), both stood at an imposing 3.6 meters tall and weighed around 230 kilograms.
By the mid-15th century, all MOA species were believed extinct, following the arrival of the Polynesian people, now known as Māori, in New Zealand around 1300.
Colossal has partnered with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, an indigenous institution affiliated with the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, along with filmmakers such as Peter Jackson and the Canterbury Museum. These collaborations are vital as Colossal aims to extract DNA and reconstruct the genomes of all nine species of MOA.
Similar to Colossal’s other “de-extinction” initiatives, this project involves modifying the DNA of currently existing species. Andrew Pask, a scientific advisor at the University of Melbourne, notes that the MOA’s closest living relative is the South American Tinamou, although it is considerably smaller.
This suggests the project may need to utilize the Australian EMU (Dromaius novaehollandiae) instead. As Pask explains, “Emus have large embryos and eggs, which are crucial for recreating the MOA.”
Previously, Colossal announced its so-called “de-extinction” of the thylacine. This endeavor has faced skepticism from external experts who argue that the animal is essentially a modified gray wolf. Pask insists that the MOA project involves greater genetic manipulation.
“With the MOA, we are making a concerted effort to accurately reassemble the species,” he states. “When this animal walks the Earth again, we will have no doubt it is a true MOA. It will be an engineered version of the original.”
The specific habitat for these reintroduced animals is still unclear. Mike Stevens from the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre emphasizes that both his organization and the local Māori community must fully grasp the “feasibility and ethical implications” of Colossal’s efforts. “Only after this discussion can we consider how and where the ‘giant MOA’ will fit into our world,” he mentions, raising numerous profound ethical and practical questions that need careful consideration before proceeding. Technology must prove its worth.
Conversely, Philip Seddon from the University of Otago believes that whatever Colossal creates won’t truly be a MOA and may exhibit distinctly different traits. He highlights that while Tinamous are the closest relative of the MOA, their evolutionary paths diverged over 60 million years ago.
“Ultimately, Colossal’s approach utilizes genetic engineering to produce GMOs that resemble an extinct species without genuinely solving contemporary global issues,” he asserts.
Pask vigorously challenges this viewpoint, arguing that insights gained from this de-extinction endeavor are crucial for the preservation of current endangered species.
Jamie Wood from the University of Adelaide believes this project may yield “valuable new perspectives on MOA biology and evolution.” However, he cautions that if Colossal employs similar methodologies to those used in the dire wolf project, they could struggle to persuade the public that the resultant creature can be regarded as a true MOA.
“While they may possess certain MOA-like characteristics, they are unlikely to behave as the originals did or occupy the same ecological roles.”
Deep within the shadowy oceans, a variety of curious and enigmatic creatures inhabit the depths, such as the frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus), which has been known for over a century, yet much of its lifestyle remains elusive.
We gain insight into their appearance through the occasional specimens caught in deep-sea fishing nets across the globe.
These sharks typically measure about 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length, with smooth, tube-like brown or gray bodies and dorsal fins positioned lower on their backs, close to the tail of their elongated form.
The most peculiar characteristic is found at the front end. The frilled shark possesses six prominent gill slits, exceeding the number found in most other sharks.
Indeed, there are five other known species in the frilled shark taxonomic order, Hexanchiformes, which include the Sixgill and Seven Gill sharks.
The name “frilled shark” derives from the unique ruffled edges of its gill slits, with the extended tips of the gill filaments visible.
The first pair of gill slits connects beneath the throat, resembling a lacy collar.
Moreover, their mouths are larger, akin to those of lizards, compared to typical sharks. Inside, they feature a series of three-pronged teeth resembling tiny tridents.
Studies of the stomach contents from rare specimens reveal that frilled sharks employ their three-pronged teeth to capture soft-bodied squid.
They are also reported to occasionally consume fish and other shark species. Unlike many sharks, pregnant female frilled sharks do not lay eggs; rather, the eggs hatch internally.
The newborn sharks begin life as embryos, attached to egg yolks, which serve as a nutritional source during their development.
Photos of the frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus) were taken in collaboration with the University of the Zoological Museum in Hamburg. – Photo credit: Aramie
One mystery that remains unsolved is the duration of their pregnancy. If other deep-sea sharks are indicative, it could take several years before a frilled shark pup emerges into the ocean.
Often mischaracterized as “living fossils,” frilled sharks garnered significant attention in 2022 after a viral video showcased rare footage of live frilled sharks in Japan, prompting news outlets worldwide to clarify misconceptions.
These creatures likely exist for decades.
However, it is indeed true that the oldest known fossils of frilled sharks date back to the late Cretaceous period, approximately 80 million years ago, displaying surprisingly little change through time.
The fossils indicate that the ancestors of frilled sharks exhibited similar deep-sea swimming behaviors.
This suggests that these unusual-looking sharks have been gracefully navigating the oceans with their snake-like bodies for millions of years, and although their young are rarely observed, they continue to thrive today.
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Over 50 years after its launch, the Soviet spacecraft Cosmos 482 is set to return to Earth. Initially designed to land on Venus, it began to disintegrate in low Earth orbit, never completing its intended mission. After orbiting our planet for decades, it is finally on a path to re-enter.
Kosmos 482 was launched in 1972; however, much about its mission and structure remains classified due to its Cold War origins. The intention to reach Venus is inferred from other Soviet missions focused on the planet at that time, and indications suggest that the spacecraft attempted a maneuver in orbit before fragmenting. The exact reason for its failure is unclear, but three out of four pieces landed in New Zealand shortly after launch.
The last fragment has drifted into a higher orbit, approximately 210 km at its closest to Earth and as far as about 9,800 km. Over time, particles from the Earth’s upper atmosphere have slowed its descent, gradually bringing it closer to re-entering. It is projected to crash on May 9th or 10th.
The capsule remains of the spacecraft are estimated to be over one meter wide and weigh nearly 500 kilograms. Given its size and the possibility that it was engineered to withstand the intense conditions during a Venusian descent, impact speeds may exceed 200 km/h.
Predicting the exact impact site for Kosmos 482 is challenging. Based on its current trajectory, it could land anywhere between the latitudes of 52° south and 52° north, covering a vast area from the southern tip of South America to parts of Canada and Russia. Fortunately, despite the extensive range of potential landing sites, the likelihood of it striking a populated area is minimal. “The numbers are infinitesimally small,” stated Marsin Pilinsky from the University of Colorado Boulder. statement. “The ocean is a likely landing zone.”
Pilinsky is part of a team monitoring the debris. As the re-entry date approaches, landing predictions will become more accurate. Instances of space debris falling to Earth are not rare; for instance, NASA tracks one orbital object entering the atmosphere daily, with most either burning up or landing in oceans. However, Kosmos 482 is notably larger and more robust than typical space debris.
Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, aims to establish the UK as a leader in artificial intelligence.
PA Images/Alamy
Numerous civil servants within the UK government are utilizing their own AI chatbots to assist with their duties, including those supporting Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as revealed by New Scientist. Officials have not accurately recorded how the Prime Minister is receiving AI-generated advice, whether civil servants are addressing the risks of inaccurate or biased AI outputs, or how the Prime Minister utilizes these tools. Experts express concerns over this lack of transparency and its implications for the reliability of governmental information.
Following the acquisition of the world’s first ChatGPT logs under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, New Scientist has reached out to 20 government departments to document their interactions with Redbox. Redbox is a generative AI tool being trialed among UK government employees, enabling users to analyze government documents and generate initial drafts for briefings. According to one of the developers involved, early tests reported that a civil servant managed to consolidate 50 documents in mere seconds, a task that typically would take a day.
All contacted departments stated they do not use Redbox or declined to provide a record of interactions, which New Scientist deemed “troubling.” This is a formal term used in responses to FOI requests, as defined by the Office of Information Commissioner, which describes it as likely to cause undue distress, confusion, or irritation.
However, two departments divulged information regarding Redbox’s usage. The Cabinet Office, which assists the Prime Minister, reported that 3,000 individuals engaged in 30,000 chats with Redbox. After reviewing these exchanges, they noted that redacting sensitive information requires more than a year before any content can be released under FOI regulations. The Trade Bureau acknowledged retaining “over 13,000 prompts and responses” while also requiring review before release.
Both departments were contacted for additional inquiries about Redbox use. The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), which oversees these tools, declined to respond to specific questions about whether the Prime Minister or other ministers received AI-generated advice.
A DSIT representative informed New Scientist that “time should not be wasted on AI which operates faster and faster.” They added that Redbox is integrated into Whitehall to help civil servants utilize AI safely and effectively, simplifying document summarization and agenda drafting.
Nonetheless, some experts raise concerns regarding the use of generative AI tools. Large language models are known to have significant challenges related to bias and accuracy, making it hard to ensure Redbox delivers trustworthy information. DSIT did not clarify how Redbox users could mitigate those risks.
“My concern is that the government exists to serve the public, and part of its mandate is providing transparency regarding decision-making processes,” asserts Catherine Flick from Staffordshire University.
Due to the “black box” nature of generative AI tools, Flick emphasizes the difficulty of evaluating or understanding how a specific output is produced, especially if certain aspects of a document are emphasized over others. When governments withhold such information, they diminish transparency further, she argues.
This lack of transparency also extends to the Treasury, the third government department. The Ministry of Finance stated, in response to the FOI request, that New Scientist staff members cannot access Redbox, indicating that “GPT tools are available within HM [His Majesty’s] Treasury without maintaining a log of interactions.” The specific GPT tool referenced remains unidentified. While ChatGPT is well-known, other large language models also bear the GPT label, suggesting that the Treasury employs AI tools but lacks a comprehensive record of their usage, as New Scientist sought clarification on.
“If prompts aren’t documented, it’s challenging to replicate the decision-making process,” Flick adds.
John Baines from Mishcon De Reya remarked that it’s unusual for a UK law firm to forego recording such information. “It’s surprising that the government claims it cannot retrieve the prompts used in the internal GPT system.” While courts have ruled that public agencies aren’t required to maintain records before archiving, “good data governance implies that retaining records is crucial, particularly when they may influence policy development or communication,” he explains.
However, data protection specialist Tim Turner believes the Treasury is justified in not retaining AI prompts under the FOI Act. “This is permissible unless specific legal or employee regulations determine otherwise,” he states.
A newly identified species of caterpillar has been found climbing the spider webs on Oahu, Hawaii, presenting an unprecedented sight for scientists.
This caterpillar not only thrives in a peculiar and precarious environment but also resides in tree hollows, rock crevices, and within the nets of curled logs. Interestingly, it is carnivorous and uses parts of its prey as camouflage after consuming them.
This unusual insect, recognized by researchers, is a rare outlier in the insect kingdom. Out of roughly 200,000 known species of moths and butterflies, only about 0.1% are carnivorous.
“Carthymen are extremely uncommon among caterpillars,” stated Professor Adam Hart, an ecologist, conservation scientist, and entomologist at the University of Gloucestershire who was not part of the study, as reported by BBC Science Focus. “In fact, it’s only found in Hawaiian species groups.”
Bone collector caterpillars share webs with spiders and consume their prey. -Rubinoff Lab, Entomology Section, University of Hawaii, Manoa
This newly discovered species is adept at scavenging. It consumes weak or deceased insects that become ensnared in spider webs and can even chew through silk to access its food source if needed.
Dragging a silk case (the protective outer layer before transforming into a moth), it accumulates adhesive threads, exoskeletons, and insect limbs, creating a creepy yet effective disguise.
Researchers uncovered body parts from over six different insect species attached to these caterpillars. This is not a random assortment but a carefully curated collection.
“Before caterpillars weave their collection, the body parts are meticulously sized,” explained the authors of the published study in Science.
The parts are arranged optimally, with oversized pieces being bitten down to size before being incorporated, resulting in a creepy yet intentional suit of armor fashioned from the remains of their prey.
“Many caterpillars possess incredible camouflage, typically integrated into their form and behavior,” Hart noted. “It’s rare for them to utilize their environment as camouflage in this manner, but it’s not unheard of in moths; for instance, bagworms use environmental materials to construct their cases.”
To further explore this species, researchers raised some caterpillars in captivity, where they soon observed another unsettling behavior: cannibalism. The solitary nature of these caterpillars in the wild may explain their isolation, as only one is found per web.
Large bone collector caterpillars share smaller specimens in captivity.
The researchers also tested whether bone collectors would use other types of debris for decoration, finding they only decorated with insect remnants.
Despite its peculiar lifestyle, this species has existed for a lengthy period, potentially six million years, which is more than twice the age of Oahu itself.
However, its current range is limited to just 15km² (5.8 square miles) and is at significant risk of extinction. Without immediate conservation efforts, researchers warn that “the last living representative of this lineage of carnivorous, body-adorned caterpillars will vanish, adapted to the precarious existence within spider webs.”
“There are countless extraordinary invertebrates out there, with much more yet to be discovered,” Hart remarked. “Moth caterpillars disguised as the remains of insect prey, living predatory lives on spider webs, is certainly one of the strangest and most fascinating things I’ve heard in quite a while.”
About our experts
Adam Hart is an entomologist and professor of science communication at the University of Gloucestershire. Besides his research and educational efforts, he frequently appears on BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service, participating in documentaries on various topics from trophy hunting to tree diseases. He also hosts a weekly science program, Science Behaviour for BBC World Services. On television, Adam has co-presented several documentary series, including BBC Four’s Planet Ant and BBC Two’s Living Hive.
Taiwan, the heart of the global supply chain for computer chips, woke up to news on Thursday that President Trump had placed a new 32% tariff on the island’s exports to the US. Excluding semiconductors.
The decision not to impose tariffs on the chip sector does not mean they will not come to Taiwan or anywhere else, including South Korea, another major source of tipping.
Taiwanese companies have spent billions of dollars over decades building networks of factories that carry out the complex processes of etching small circuits into silicon.
These chips, and the wide range of electronic devices that include them, are Taiwan’s major exports. And they are increasingly becoming the focus of Taiwan-US geopolitical ties, and have undergone significant changes in trading since Trump took office.
Trump has previously said that Taiwan has gained unfair control in building semiconductors and threatened to impose tariffs on the sector. He also denounces Taiwan, which relies on the US for political support for China’s claim that Taiwan is part of its territory and is too little to its own secure.
Taiwanese officials and businesses are rushing to ease the blow of Washington’s tariff threat. Last month, President Lai Qingte said that Taiwan is interested in purchasing natural gas from its long-term projects in Alaska.
A few weeks ago, the Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer, the world’s largest chip maker, said it would spend $100 billion in the US to expand its operations in Arizona. TSMC announced plans for the factory during Trump’s first term and received great financial support under former President Joseph R. Biden.
When he announced the tariffs in Taiwan on Wednesday, Trump praised TSMC for his investment in the US. He and his aides hope that South Korean giants Samsung and SK Hynix and other chip companies that have pledged to invest in US businesses during the Biden administration, like Taiwan’s global wafer, will pledge to spend more.
Semiconductors are a complex target for tariffs as the supply chain for creating them is global and highly specialized. Most advanced chips are manufactured in Taiwan, but many are sent to other countries, such as Malaysia, for testing. Second, you can place the chips on an iPhone or artificial intelligence server in Mexico or China before these devices are sold to people all over the world.
“In reality, very few semiconductors are imported directly to the US. Most are incorporated into the final product,” said Jimmy Goodrich, senior advisor to technical analysis at RAND Corporation.
“It’s much more difficult than saying, “I’m going to slap the tariffs on steel,” added Martin Cholzenpa, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. ”
Even the chips made by TSMC at its Arizona factory must leave the US to be packaged in other devices before they fall into the hands of American consumers.
“The chips currently made in Arizona will need to leave the US for a while before they can go back,” Ho said. “That’s just a fact of the global chip supply chain now.”
Trump announced 32% tariffs on Taiwanese goods exported to the US on Wednesday, with Taiwan sending nearly a quarter of its exports directly. In addition to non-taxable chips, Taiwan mainly exports electronic devices and components. Taiwan’s US Chamber of Commerce has said that Taiwan plays an integral role in the US economy, urging officials in Washington and Taipei to strengthen relations.
On Thursday, the Taiwanese government accused the tariffs of being unreasonable and unfair to Taiwan. The government will serve as a strong protest against US trade representative Lee Hui-Chy.The Taiwanese Cabinet said in a statement.
Taiwan’s exports to the US have been increasing in recent years, reflecting an increase in demand for Taiwan’s advanced technologies, including electronics and semiconductors, the statement said. President Lai said the Taiwanese government is concerned about the global impact of tariffs.
The Taiwanese government was “too optimistic about its relationship with Trump,” said Jason Huss, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and a former member of the Taiwan Congress for the opposition Nationalist Party. “I thought Trump was a bit naive to think it was good for them, especially after the TSMC announcement.”
Chris Buckley I contributed a report from Taipei, Taiwan.
When her school closed in March 2020, Baltimore English teacher Chimere Sweeney thought that once the US got the new SARS-COV-2 virus, she would return to her students. But “There was another plan in life,” she said when she quickly got Covid and never recovered.
Initially, Sweeney developed only muscle pain. By the second week she began having panic attacks, blurry vision, constipation and partial hearing loss. Half of her face freezes “like concrete.” She forgot her phone number and address and stuttered. Within a month of contracting, she lost 30 pounds.
“In two weeks, I was told I would be better,” said Sweeney, now 42. “But my two weeks didn't come.”
Almost five years later, she still suffers from severe whole body pain, insomnia, depression, painful rash and boiling, uncontrollable urination, short-term memory loss and irregular periods.
“I'm a healthy 37-year-old woman and I might have had to pop allergy pills many times, but I took 10-12 medications per day to control almost every system in my body,” Sweeney said.
The World Health Organization characterized Covid as a pandemic on March 11, 2020, so scientists don't fully understand why some people develop chronic diseases and disordered conditions after their first virus infection. The US may have come throughout the winter after the first pandemic without a massive surge in cases, but each infection is at risk of developing a long community. Some scientists are looking for a new type of clinical trial designed for the longest and most debilitating covid patients.
Long covid is known to be the cause Over 200 different symptoms There are no approved tests or recommended treatments in almost 12 organ systems, including those of the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, eyes and skin. Research shows long covid It's more common for middle-aged people, especially women and those with weakened immune systems, but anyone who catches the virus can get it.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there is one in every 20 adults in the United States, or about 14 million. Living with a long covid. Other data shows that 5.8 million children It may be affected by the condition as well. However, experts say these numbers are likely to be underestimated as there is no official surveillance system in place.
Billion Dollar Research Initiative Called Recover Started by the National Institutes of Health, finding the causes and potential treatments of covid, I've reached that promisesays scientists and patient advocates.
Meanwhile, experts fear that extreme cuts in federal spending by the Trump administration could be possible It undermines long Covid's research effortswhich could further delay the discovery of treatment. Last month, President Donald Trump ended his secretary as a health and welfare secretary Advisory Committee on Long Covid.
This indefinite dye microscope image, available to the US National Institutes of Health in February 2020, shows the novel coronavirus SARS-COV-2, shown in yellow, emerges from the cell surface and is cultured in laboratory culture.niaid-rml via AP file
W. Medical Director, UT Health Austin. Dr. Michael Broad Post-Covid-19 Program In Texas, “We build boats while we're at the sea and we're trying to understand together. [with patients] …But we need to build on the progress we have already made. ”
“We are not offering answers that are worthy of the public health crisis we are facing,” he said.
Causes of long covids
SARS-COV-2, which causes Covid, is not the only virus that causes prolonged symptoms. Another condition called myalgia encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) shares many similarities with the long community; Caused by infection Among other things, Epstein Barr, influenza, and water cell-zoster virus.
Brode said Covid is unique because it is more likely to cause chronic disease than other pathogens. It has not yet been determined why it could lead to long-term symptoms. Experts have come to several theories so far.
One idea is that Virus remains hidden in different tissues Broad said after the infection subsided. These viral particles continue to thrust and stimulate the immune system in ways that cause long covid symptoms.
Another potential cause is Reactivation of other virusessitting in a dormant state of people's bodies, such as EBV and HIV.
Dr. Igor Coralnik, co-director of Northwest Medicine's Comprehensive COVID-19 Centre, said Covid could also trick the immune system into producing antibodies that attack people's own healthy organs and tissues.
Some evidence shows covid It affects the inner layer of blood vesselswhich leads to the formation of small clots and helps explain the symptoms, such as irregular heartbeat and heart failure, that some long-term community patients experience, Koralnik said.
It is unclear whether one or a combination of these factors will cause long covid, experts say. But the evidence suggests that they are all linked to an increase in inflammation in the body, Coralnik said, it's yours The risk of long covid increases with each covid infection.
“It's like a river that's over a dam,” Coralnik said. “The more episodes of Covid, the higher the river levels will go to where it is overflowing, and there will be a long flood of COVID symptoms.”
Diagnosis of long covids can be complicated
There are diagnostic tools to check for long covid symptoms, such as MRI scans for heart abnormalities. There are no tests that can diagnose the condition Or distinguish it from similar diseases, the CDC says.
As a result, people need to stay away from work, school or other responsibilities and endure numerous clinical tests and scans that are not only expensive, but also stressful and time-consuming. This is a broad exclusion process that prevents people from getting the help they need, Broad said.
Eye, intestine, and immune system clue
The current challenge is to find one or more biomarkers of genes, proteins, or other substances associated with a particular condition that will help diagnose long covid.
a Recover your research Released last year, routine lab tests, including 25 standard blood and urine tests, showed little difference in biomarkers, with or without previous symbiotic infections. Researchers concluded that these tests may not be useful in the diagnosis of long-term COVID.
Koralnik and his team recently discovered that people with long covids are reducing blood flow in small blood vessels in the retina. This reduced flow is thought to reduce blood circulation in and around the brain, and the small organelles called mitochondria, which convert oxygen into energy, are described as “toxic.”
This theory can explain why many people with long covid experience cognitive problems, fatigue and exercise intolerance, Coralnik said. Overall, the findings published in the Journal of Imaging in February are The retina can become a long covid biomarker.
Other studies suggest that biomarkers may be present in the gut and immune system, but Brode noted that these early findings are based on small groups of people and should be considered in salt grains.
As useful as diagnostic tests, experts say that for those with prolonged symptoms, some experts should not slow scientists in searching for long covid treatments.
Julia Moore Vogel, senior program director at Scripps Research, and Patient-led research cooperation Regarding long covid, he said that other conditions like migraines do not have reliable biomarkers or tests to confirm the diagnosis. Several drugs have been approved To handle it.
“I think we'll get there,” said Vogel, a long-distance runner before developing the long-time Covid in 2020. “But I personally don't think it should contain anything.”
Unfortunate advances in long covid treatments
The Food and Drug Administration has not approved treatments, particularly for long covids. Experts are not sure if they'll get it anytime soon.
“When I first got sick, I was OK, I had to survive for just three to five years. At least, I think I have options as I have decent symptom management trial data. But we've made little progress in treatment,” Vogel said. “There are currently promising research beginning, but it's not close to the amount that should be burdened by the disease.”
Most clinical trials test whether medications used to treat other conditions are useful for long-term COVID. For example, researchers at the University of British Columbia Low-dose naltrexone – Approved drugs for opioid and alcohol use disorders. The drug is thought to have anti-inflammatory and pain relief properties and is used off-label in people with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, making it potential as a long-term symbiotic treatment.
Other drugs Barishinibapproved for treating rheumatoid arthritis and acute charlation, and Temelimabuexperimental drugs often administered to people with multiple sclerosis have also been investigated as potential long covid treatments.
Instead of a particular treatment, people with long covids must balance rest and activity in a strategy called pacing and undergo physical and cognitive behavioral therapy for further support. Many people will often rely on several drugs, including antiviral Paxlovid, to treat symptoms.
But realistically, “we may not actually have one silver bullet treatment,” says Alison Cohen, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, who coexisted for three years for a long time. Cohen said that long covid will take a “multi-faceted approach” to take a “multi-faceted approach” in a very diverse way.
What will you do in the future for recovery?
As long as SARS-COV-2 continues to spread, everyone is at risk of a long Covid, Cohen said. And now, evidence shows that recovery from the condition is rare. A survey released last month found it Only about 6% of people with long covid recover According to Cohen, two years later. Covid vaccinations were associated with better long-term recovery, especially among those who won booster shots.
People who improve are experiencing many “ups and downs,” Coralnik said. “You need to expect a lot of collisions on the road.”
“Living with a long Covid is tiring,” Cohen said. “So for everyone who doesn't live with it, it's important to think about what we can do to support those who have them.”
In the meantime, clinical trials must be designed to accommodate and include the patients they intend, Vogel said. Many people are tied to their homes and beds and cannot travel due to the risk of multiple in-person visits or flare-ups of symptoms, she added. “There are too many things you can't know until you put them on the table,” she said.
Although we don't know when a long community community finally gets the answers and security they need, Vogel keeps her head high.
“We know we can do that. We are confident that a well-designed and well-tested exam will at least improve the quality of life. “But I can't think of any other way. I can't accept that this is for my life.”
Elon Musk has stated that he will retract a $97 billion offer to purchase the nonprofit organization behind Openai if the makers of ChatGpt agree to abandon plans to convert them into for-profit entities.
“If the board of Openai, Inc is willing to uphold its charitable mission and ensure that any “sales” are conducted without conversions, Musk will withdraw his bid,” he stated on Wednesday. “If not, the nonprofit must be compensated based on the amount paid by the prospective buyer for the assets.”
Earlier this week, Musk and a group of investors made their offer, adding a new twist to the ongoing controversy surrounding the artificial intelligence company he co-founded a decade ago.
Openai is currently operated by a nonprofit board dedicated to its original mission of developing AI “safer and more advanced than humans” for the public good. However, as the business grows, it has announced plans to change its corporate structure formally.
Musk, along with his AI startup Xai and a group of investment firms, seeks control over Openai by transforming the nonprofit into a for-profit subsidiary.
Openai CEO Sam Altman swiftly dismissed the unsolicited offers in a social media post, reiterating at AI’s Paris Summit that the company is not for sale. Openai’s board chairman, Bret Taylor, echoed these sentiments at the event on Wednesday.
Musk and Altman were instrumental in launching Openai in 2015, but had disagreements over leadership, leading to Musk stepping down from the board in 2018 only to rejoin in 2024.
During a video call at the World Government Summit in Dubai, Musk criticized Altman once again, comparing Openai to turning the Amazon rainforest into a timber company. Altman countered that Musk’s legal challenges were influenced by his competing startups.
Musk is currently seeking a California federal judge’s intervention to prevent Openai’s commercial conversions, alleging breach of contract and antitrust violations. While the judge has shown doubt about some of Musk’s arguments, no ruling has been issued yet.
IIt’s one of the biggest injustices in video game history that the Sega Saturn is widely considered to be a failure. The console was released in Japan on November 22, 1994, almost two weeks earlier than the PlayStation, but has always been compared disparagingly to its rival. We hear that while Sony built high-end machine lasers intended to produce high-speed 3D graphics, Sega engineers had to add extra graphics chips to the Saturn at the last minute. I read that Sony’s Ken Kutaragi has provided creators with an even easier to use development system. We know that Sony used its power as a consumer electronics giant to take a financial hit and drive down the prices of Sega’s machines. That’s all true, but what’s always left unmentioned is the huge success of Japan’s Saturn launch and the extraordinary legacy left by Sega’s 32-bit machines.
What I remember is this. The Edge magazine reported from Akihabara, Tokyo, that its Japanese correspondent joined a line outside a major Laox computer game center to pick up one of the thousands of machines that fans had not yet reserved. I was trying to get it. Two and a half hours later, the author showed up with my purchase. Among them was a copy of Virtua Fighter, the best arcade fighting game of the year. It was a lucky purchase. Shelves around town were quickly emptying. Sega shipped an unprecedented 200,000 units that day.
The Saturn brought the feel of arcade titles like Daytona USA into your home. Photo: Justin Layton/Alamy
The following September, I joined Edge as a writer and stayed there for two years, coinciding with the creative peak of Saturn’s short life. What was clear to me at the time, and what still rings true today, is that Sega’s first-party output on this machine was one of the best of the decade. Arcade megahits “Sega Rally” and “Daytona USA” set the challenge for a new era of stylish 3D racers, while “Virtua Fighter 2,” “Fighting Vipers,” and “The Last Bronx” challenge the 1-on-1 brings complexity and depth to fighting games. Sega’s platform-exclusive titles were similarly vibrant and groundbreaking. Panzer Dragoon, Night Into Dreams, and Burning Ranger reinvented stalwart genres for a new generation with imaginative and rich visuals. But I also loved wacky experiments. There’s the toy-like platformer Clockwork Knight, the weird and frenetic puzzler Bakubaku Animal, and the self-consciously stupid Virtua Fighter Kids.
It’s often said that what Saturn lacked was support from third-party developers, but that wasn’t the case in Japan. Veteran shooter creator Treasure developed two of their best titles for this machine, Radiant Silvergun and Guardian Heroes. If you still want to play classic 2D shooter games, the Saturn is the way to go. Batsugan, Battle Garegga, and Darius Gaiden are all considered staples of the genre.
X-Men vs Street Fighter: Sega Saturn was the beginning of Capcom and Marvel’s relationship. Photo: ArcadeImages/Alamy
Atlus adapted the arcade hit Donpachi and created the underrated role-playing adventures Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner and Princess Crown. For horror fans, there’s Warp’s survival thriller Enemy Zero, and Capcom created a Saturn port of Resident Evil that included exclusive mini-games and new enemies and costumes. Capcom also produced many of the best fighting games of the time, including X-Men: Children of the Atom (originally a home exclusive), X-Men vs. Street Fighter, and Darkstalkers 3. I put it into Saturn.
Sega also had decent developer support in Europe, with programmers who grew up on home computers having experience programming in the assembly language supported by the Saturn (the PlayStation had a much rarer development environment based on C). Core Design originally targeted Tomb Raider for machines (and also made the unfairly forgotten action-adventure Swagman for consoles). WipeOut brought Psygnosis. Gremlins loaded top-down brawler for both consoles. And Knutsford-based Traveler’s Tales, who would go on to create the Lego series, co-created the underrated racer Sonic R with Sonic Team. This was a great technology showcase for Saturn, with smooth frame rates and gorgeous transparency effects.
The Saturn was innovative in other ways as well. Saturn Bomberman remains arguably the best title in Hudson’s explosive series, especially considering its support for chaotic 10-player matches with two multi-taps. The Saturn was the first major console to offer online gaming via a Net Link modem, and in 1997 it allowed players to participate in direct sessions of Sega Rally Championship and Virtual-On over the Internet. A party title that supported this technology was Shadows of the Tusk, a deck-building strategy role-playing game (years before the genre became mainstream) that came with its own physical card pack. Additionally, Sega’s 3D Control Pad, an analog controller designed specifically for Nights Into Dreams, outperformed the Nintendo 64’s pad by several weeks by market launch.
There was a period, perhaps for a year or two, when Saturn’s disappearance was inevitable. It held its own and rivaled everything that Sony and its lead development partner Namco could offer. Daytona vs. Ridge Racer, Virtua Fighter vs. Tekken, Virtua Cop vs. Time Crisis. And this rivalry has been an absolute boon for gamers, driving 3D game design and creating the technical expertise needed for the next generation of open-world 3D console titles. There’s a reason why refurbished and modified Saturns are still being sold on eBay and retro gaming sites 30 years after its release. They are often region-free and come with a switch to toggle between European 50Hz or NTSC 60Hz TV options. And that’s because the games I’ve mentioned here are still worth playing in their original form, their original home. Although the Saturn never really caught on as a mass market device, it was successful in many ways. When we think about the history of video games, we need to talk more about it.
ohOn September 1, 1974, two men made the fastest trip ever between New York and London. Traveling three times the speed of sound and taking less than two hours, this incredible journey set a record that still stands 50 years later.
Even the mighty Concorde, which set the record for the fastest commercial transatlantic flight in 1996, was almost an hour late.
The US Air Force Lockheed Blackbird SR-71 jet, with a crew of two – pilot James Sullivan and reconnaissance systems operator Noel Widdifield – completed the flight between the two cities in one hour, 54 minutes and 56 seconds, before landing in triumph to a great welcome at the Farnborough Air Show in Hampshire.
Widdifield, now 83, divides his time between Virginia and Florida in the US. “In some ways it was a normal flight for us,” he said, reflecting on that momentous day. “There was nothing unusual about the flight or the way we flew the plane, but in July 1974 we were told we were going to attempt the world record for flying from New York to London, which had previously been held by a Royal Navy pilot. There was a lot of media interest.”
It wasn’t just the Air Force’s prestige that was at stake. America was facing an international public relations crisis. Just three weeks earlier, disgraced President Richard Nixon had resigned after the Watergate scandal and Gerald Ford had taken over the White House. The country was still reeling from its disastrous involvement in the Vietnam War. The country needed something to cheer about.
There were other schemes as well. Widdifield observer“Although I didn’t know anything about it at the time, behind the scenes, negotiations were taking place between the US and the UK to deploy Blackbird SR-71s on British soil.
Widdifield flew B-52 bombers before joining the Blackbird SR-71 program. Photo: Noel Widdifield
“There were fears in the UK that this move might cause a lot of backlash, especially in the Middle East. But after we broke the record and flew into the Farnborough Air Show, that seemed to be the clincher and the UK allowed the SR-71 to be parked.”
Widdifield was 33 when he made this historic flight. He originally wanted to be a train driver, but after seeing U.S. Air Force jets flying low over his house at age 12, he decided to become a pilot.
After training and flying B-52 bombers, Widdifield served in the Blackbird SR-71 program at Beale Air Force Base in California from 1971 to 1975, after which he retired from flying to serve in the U.S. space program until 1982.
Piloting a Blackbird was akin to being an astronaut: The crew wore space suits and flew at an altitude of 80,000 feet (most commercial airliners top out at 42,000 feet). “It was pitch black up there,” Widdifield said. “You could see the stars and, depending on the time of day, the moon or the sun.”
Their plane took off from Beale and had to fly along the coast to New York to avoid creating a sonic boom over populated areas and causing significant damage to buildings. High above the city was an invisible “gate” where the journey would begin. Reaching a speed of Mach 3.2 (three times the speed of sound, about 2,455 miles per hour), the Blackbird crashed through the gate and the record attempt began.
The plane had to refuel twice: once upon takeoff, once when it docked with a tanker over California to top off, and once en route to near Greenland.
In one incident that looked terrifying from the outside but was handled with cool by the crew, the Blackbird suddenly began to “yaw,” or move quickly from side to side, after losing thrust.
Because the Blackbird took in air from the front to provide thrust for the engines, the air intake mechanisms would often become misaligned, causing a momentary, significant loss of power in one engine.
Widdifield and Sullivan stand in front of a Blackbird SR-71. Photo: Noel Widdifield
“The automatic restart system was activated, the misaligned cones were corrected and the engine was restarted,” Widdifield said. “We had no real concerns other than what this would do to our record speed run.”
The plane then flew through the London “gates” without incident, and the Blackbird landed at Farnborough, where a large crowd waited and a press conference was held, during which Widdifield and Sullivan were on the phone with the new president. “It got huge international coverage for the next year,” says Widdifield, who has six scrapbooks of the clippings. “But what Jim and I always tried to emphasize was that although it was just the two of us who got the glory, there was a huge team behind every flight.
“When you take into account the support staff, the administrative staff and all the people who work to get us flying, that’s 1,000 people. They deserve as much credit as Jim and I do.”
Widdifield, who has been married to his wife Ann for 63 years and has two children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, is mourning the loss of his co-pilot, Jim Sullivan, who died in 2021, and the Blackbird SR-71 itself, which was officially retired in 1998.
He said: “Jim and I kept in touch but then lived far apart so we only saw each other a few times at SR-71 reunions.
“Obviously I was sad when the SR-71 program ended. So am I surprised that no one has beaten our record in 50 years? No, because no aircraft has been built since then that could break that record.”
MWhen I was a kid, my parents were somewhat skeptical of video games. When I was a kid, I had a Super Nintendo and his N64, but they only let me play on the weekends, so on Fridays I’d come home from school and munch on Mario 64 with a big pack of Haribo Tongue Fastiks. I was there. My gaming horizons didn’t expand until his teenage years. Around that time, I started making enough money to buy myself a PlayStation 2 and started participating in forums with other geeks whose gaming worlds were much broader than mine.
PlayStation 2 had several features strange game. While the N64 had some success, and I’ve developed a lasting attachment to his Mystical Ninja starring Goemon, it wasn’t as good as the Sony console. There was “Dark Cloud” and “Monster Hunter,” “Ryu ga Gotoku,” “Mojib Ribbon,” “God Hand,” “Okami,” and “Rivit King,” but as far as I know, this is Frolf (Frog Golf). This is the only game about.
And then there was Katamari Damacy, the very epitome of everything weird and wonderful in the PlayStation 2 library, a fun game that celebrates its 20th anniversary this week.
The premise is this. The eccentric king of the universe, who wears Shakespearean purple tights, drinks too much beer and messes up the universe. And you, his little green prince, have to take the sticky ball to Earth. Roll it and collect bigger and bigger objects until they are big enough to replace a moon or a planet. This song is a strong contender for the best theme song in video game history, and also one of his best intro sequences. Behold.
Actually, she’s only 5cm tall. “That body, that physique. Are you really our son?” cries the king. Therefore, he must start small. You’ll need to start with something really small, like rolled up thumbtacks, dice, or empty soy sauce packs. Animals will chase the ball to try to throw it off course, and precious trash will be scattered if it hits something too big to roll. Katamari Damacy is surreal, hilarious, and a lot of fun, winding up cows, cars, people, and eventually buildings, islands, and clouds. It’s only about four hours long, but it leaves a lasting impression on everyone who plays it, simply because the music is haunting. Twenty years later, it still pops into my head from time to time as I wait for the kettle to boil.
Katamari soul. Photo provided by Bandai Namco
Katamari Damacy symbolizes Japanese game development during this era. PS2 technology was good enough for game designers’ more ambitious ideas to start blossoming, and budgets weren’t yet so outrageous as to require multi-million sales. The result is a slew of short, surreal, and often quite broken games. who I really wanted that. You can clearly see the designer’s heart reflected in it. Many of these games were never released to the world. Katamari Damacy itself was never officially released in Europe, but fortunately for curious teenagers in the ’00s, importing the game was relatively easy if you knew how to use the Internet. Thankfully, the PS2’s region lock was easily circumvented. In 2004, getting a copy and putting it to work felt like unearthing an artistic treasure.
Katamari designer Keita Takahashi brought together students from publisher Namco’s design school and programmers from the arcade division to complete the game in less than a year on a budget of £650,000. Takahashi studied sculpture at art school and went on to create some interesting games, but it’s safe to say that none were as interesting as this one.Namco continued make a series without him Many years have passed since he left the company in 2009, but things have never been the same. Recent Katamari Damacy games have felt like self-parody. The reason Katamari Damacy is so loved is precisely because no one has ever seen anything like it before.
No doubt, this is mainly because I am not a teenager anymore, but I hardly ever feel that way now. It feels like you’re playing something you’ve never seen before.If you’re lucky do not have For those who have already experienced it, there is a great remaster of Katamari Damacy on Steam and all consoles called Katamari Damacy Reroll. Happy 20th birthday, beautiful weirdo.
what to play
Dragon’s Dogma 2. Photo: Capcom
dragons dogma 2 ‘ released on Friday and I’m having the time of my life. I’ve been waiting 12 years for a sequel to the weirdest medieval RPG I’ve ever played, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s like Elden Ring meets The Witcher, except it’s pleasantly silly in that it can pick up people and carry them around for hours. For no reason, you find yourself fighting an ogre in the middle of a crowded city where no one is paying attention.
This is the antithesis of the tightly scripted RPGs that currently dominate the genre, and instead allows you to mix and match a bunch of fun systems and experiment with how they collide, giving you a sense of the unexpected. always happens. As I type this, I’m in a haunted castle with a magician who looks like Aladdin Sane-era David Bowie and a retinue of greatsword-wielding warriors straight out of Dark Souls. I’m in the middle of an adventure.
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X, PC Estimated play time: 50+ hours
what to read
Sony’s PlayStation VR headset. Photo: Afro/Rex/Shutterstock
Bloomberg claims that Sony has temporarily suspended production of the product. PSVR2 virtual reality headset, thousands of units remain unsold. Sony has never fully bought into the luxury of this expensive accessory – it’s only released a few games for it since its launch last year – and consumer demand just isn’t there either. It seems that. I’m sorry I said that.
Mutsumi Inomatathe character designer and artist who defined the look of Bandai Namco’s Tales series of role-playing games; died63 years old.
EAstudio is the latest giant publisher to suffer layoffs. 5% reduction in workforce worldwide. Apex Legends developer Respawn was the hardest hit.
“Which Pokemon game for Nintendo Switch would you recommend for my introduction?” 9-and Will my 6-year-old daughters be involved in this series? ”
Luckily, Danny, I just introduced Pokemon to kids my age this year, and now they’re hooked. They get so much joy out of these games and it’s really gratifying. Here he has two good options. The first one Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee!is a remake of the OG Red/Blue Pokemon games that blends old-school combat and collecting with Pokemon Go-style catching, where kids can help catch creatures by simulating throwing Pokeballs at the screen. Masu. (Also, if you played the original version, your kids will think you’re omniscient.)
Other options are pokemon swordand shield, just finished with the kids. It’s simple, cartoonishly beautiful, easy to read, and comes with all the game mod cons that first-generation Pokemon trainers had to do without (which moves are effective against opponents, which (e.g. actually letting you know if a technique is ineffective). (on the battle screen).
If you have any questions for the questions block or anything else you’d like to say about the newsletter, please reply or email pushbuttons@theguardian.com.
A 1,000-year-old human brain unearthed from a churchyard in Ypres, Belgium.The tissue folds, which are still soft and wet, are stained orange with iron oxide.
Alexandra L. Morton Hayward
Studies of human brains that have been naturally preserved for hundreds or thousands of years have identified 1,300 cases in which the organ survived when all other soft tissue had decomposed. Some of these brains are over 12,000 years old.
“This type of brain is the only one with preserved soft tissue and has been found in sunken ships and flooded graves with only floating bones.” alexandra morton hayward at Oxford University. “It's really, really weird.”
“To be honest, we don't expect the brain to be preserved in any environment,” she says. “As an archaeologist, if you were to dig a grave and find a brain rattling inside a skull, you would be shocked. But you don't expect soft tissue to be preserved, especially in a waterlogged environment. yeah.”
Morton-Hayward first became interested in brain preservation while working as a mortician. “The brain is known to be one of the first organs to decompose after death. I saw it liquefy pretty quickly. But I also saw it preserved.” she says.
Many researchers point out that the human brain is preserved more often than expected and in surprising circumstances, says Morton-Hayward. Now, she and her colleagues are conducting the first-ever systematic study of this phenomenon. They compiled a database of more than 4,400 preserved human brains found around the world.
They also collected and studied many preserved brains themselves. “We actually put it in an MRI machine, and that was a terrible mistake. We didn't know how much iron was in there,” says Morton Hayward.
In most cases, brain preservation can be explained by known processes. For example, the brains of sacrificial Incas buried atop volcanoes in South America around 1450 AD were freeze-dried along with the bodies, Morton-Hayward said.
2,400 years ago, the bodies and brains of swamp people like Tollundman, who was hanged and dumped in a swamp in what is now Denmark, were preserved through a tanning process similar to that used for leather.
Saponification, in which fatty substances are turned into a soap form called grave wax, also preserved the brains of some people who were shot and buried in mass graves in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War.
However, the known process preserves all soft tissue, not just the brain. They do not account for the 1300 cases in which the brain is the only surviving soft tissue.
“This unknown mechanism is completely different,” says Morton-Hayward. “The key feature of this device is that only the brain and bones remain. There is no skin, no muscle, and no intestines.”
For example, St. Hedwig of Silesia was buried in Poland in 1243. When her body was exhumed in the 17th century, it was discovered that her brain was preserved, and at the time it was thought to be due to divine powers.
Alexandra Morton Hayward holds a preserved 1000-year-old brain
graham poulter
Morton-Hayward's working hypothesis is that under certain circumstances, substances such as iron can catalyze the formation of cross-links between proteins and lipids, forming more stable molecules that resist degradation. The nature or ratio of proteins and lipids in the brain may be key.
“The mechanisms are similar to those seen in neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia,” she says. “So if we can understand what happens to the brain after death, we may be able to understand what happens to the brain as it ages during life.”
“It's great news that the data is being made public,” he says. brittany moeller He is one of the researchers at James Cook University in Melbourne, Australia who discovered that: Brain preservation is more common than thought. “This may raise researchers' awareness of the possibility of preserving brain material,” she says.
This is important because preserved brains are often the same color as the surrounding soil. “Therefore, it is very likely that brain material is not recognized for what it is and is frequently discarded during archaeological excavations,” Moller says.
Although this study focused on the human brain, the findings should also apply to animals. Morton Hayward says there are at least 700 examples of animal brains preserved as fossils, the oldest of which he says is an arthropod from 500 million years ago.
The lunar lander, known as Odysseus, is in good condition but resting on its side a day after making history as the first civilian spacecraft to touch down on the moon’s surface and the first U.S. lunar landing since 1972, a company official confirmed on Friday.
The landing craft caught one of its six landing legs on a rock near the end of its final descent, causing it to tip over on its side, according to a data analysis by aeronautical engineers at Houston-based Intuitive Machines.
Despite the unexpected landing, Odysseus is believed to be stable and near its planned landing site near a crater called Malapart A in the moon’s south polar region, said Stephen Altemus, CEO of Intuitive Machines.
“We are in contact with the lander and are actively sending commands to it in order to capture the first images of the lunar surface from the landing site,” Altemus added.
An update on the mission’s status posted on the company’s website early Friday confirmed that Odysseus was still operational.
Although initial reports indicated that the lander had landed upright, company officials clarified that it had actually landed on its side due to telemetry errors, but most of the payloads onboard were still functional, allowing for communication.
While there are some challenges, such as certain antennas pointing towards the surface and solar panels facing in the wrong direction, the spacecraft’s battery is fully charged and the mission director remains optimistic about fulfilling all payload requirements.
Odysseus utilized liquid methane and liquid oxygen propellants and performed well during its flight to the moon, making it the first of its kind in space exploration.
After overcoming navigation system issues during the final approach and descent to the moon, engineers successfully landed the spacecraft, reestablished communication, and are now monitoring its operation as it begins its mission on the lunar surface.
Following the news of the lander tipping over, Intuitive Machines’ stock experienced a 30% decline in extended trading on Friday, offsetting gains made earlier in the day.
in new paper in diary natural ecology and evolution, paleontologists described the diversity of the Cabrières biota, a new Early Ordovician site in the Montagne Noire in southern France. During the Early Ordovician, this region was an open marine environment located in the southern hemisphere at high polar latitudes, on the margin of the Gondwana supercontinent.
Artistic reconstruction of Cabrière Biota: in the foreground, Unpix (trilobites) and various ostracods including brachiopods and cryoliths (bottom left corner). Behind the trilobites are lobopods, chelicerates, cnidarians (blue), sponges (green), thin branched algae (red and green), hemichordates (purple), and some soft bodies. There are animals. Bivalve arthropods live in the water column along with graptolites. Image credit: Christian McCall, Prehistorya Art.
“Early Paleozoic sites with preserved soft tissues provide a wealth of information about the evolution of past life and improve our understanding of earlier ecosystems, but they are unevenly distributed in time and space. ,” said paleontologist Farid Saleh of the University of Lausanne and his colleagues.
“About 100 soft-tissue preserved assemblages have been recorded from the Cambrian, while about 30 are known from the Ordovician, and only a few have been discovered in early Ordovician rocks. .”
“The distribution of early Paleozoic remains is also paleogeographically biased, as approximately 97% of the biota discovered represents tropical and temperate ecosystems within 65 degrees north and south of the paleoequator.”
“This pattern is especially true for the Ordovician, where very few sites are known to have polar environments.”
“Among the most famous Ordovician sites, Sumchere in South Africa, Big Hill in the United States, and Winneshiek exhibit tropical ecosystems.”
“Given the rarity of Ordovician sites and their lopsided paleogeographical distribution, discovering new biota with preserved soft tissues across the aforementioned paleogeographic zones and environments will deepen our understanding of this period and This is crucial for gaining better insight into the factors driving increases in animal diversity on Earth. ”
Biomineralized species of the Cabriere biota: (a) Trilobites of the genus Unpix(b) gastropods with tubular structures, probably conuraids Sphenothalas(c) biomineralized canine cnidarians; (d) Arthrobrachiopod attached to a spongiosa, probably of the leptomid family. (e) Assemblage formed by an articulated brachiopod (center), a flattened carapace of a probably bivalve arthropod (left and right of center), and the skull of a calimenin trilobite (left). (f) Possibly visceral cyst. Scale bars – (a) and (e) 4 mm, (b) and (d) 1 cm, (c) 5 mm, (f) 2 mm.Image credit: Saleh other., doi: 10.1038/s41559-024-02331-w.
In a new paper, paleontologists describe a group of 470-million-year-old (early Ordovician) fossils, named Cabrière Biota, discovered in southern France's Montagne Noire.
The fossil site was discovered by two French amateurs, Eric Montseret and Sylvie Montseret Goujon.
Saleh and his co-authors examined about 400 extremely well-preserved soft tissue fossils taken from the site.
Fossils typically exhibit shades of brown, red, or orange and are embedded within a siliciclastic matrix of mudstone and siltstone, and their colors range from blue to green to yellow.
The Cabriere biota is characterized by a prevalence of sponges and branched algae, which constitute 26% of all identified fossils.
Also included are molluscs (14%), trilobites (12%), brachiopods (9%), cystoliths (7%), and cnidarians (6%).
An interesting feature of this biota is its rarity, with echinoderms being represented by only three specimens.
The Cabrières biota also exhibits the shells of various bivalve arthropods, which constitute 16% of the fossils identified.
Some wormlike organisms are also present in the biota (approximately 1% of identified fossils).
“The Cabrière biota was once located in close proximity to Antarctica and reveals the composition of the southernmost Ordovician ecosystem,” Dr Saleh said.
“The high biodiversity of this site suggests that the area served as a refuge for species fleeing the high temperatures that were prevalent further north at the time.”
“During this period of global warming, animals were certainly living in high-latitude refuges, escaping the extreme temperatures at the equator.”
Dr Jonathan Antcliffe, a paleontologist at the University of Lausanne, said: “The distant past gives us a glimpse of the near future that could happen to us.''
_____
F. Saleh other. Cabrières Biota (France) provides insight into Ordovician polar ecosystems. Nat Ecole Evol, published online on February 9, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41559-024-02331-w
Over the past few years, I’ve asked countless people in the robotics industry, “What’s next for warehousing/distribution?” An already popular category got even hotter during the pandemic, as online shopping went from a convenience to a necessity.
While Amazon has led the field with in-house systems for more than a decade, companies like Locus, 6 River Systems, and Fetch (now owned and branded by Zebra) are partnering with top retailers. are tied. But the question “what’s next?” by no means signals the end of the spotlight on fulfillment. Despite the economic slowdown in investment, this is a huge category and it’s only getting bigger.
GreyOrange was founded in 2011 and is headquartered outside Roswell, Georgia, about 20 miles north of Atlanta. This was the year before his Kiva deal with Amazon shocked the industry. Over the past decade, the company has acquired a number of high-profile clients, including Walmart Canada, Nike and Swedish fast-fashion retailer H&M.
Image credits: gray orange
The company does not have any major problems in raising funds. GreyOrange announced a $140 million Series C in 2018 and today announced that it has raised $135 million in Series D growth funding. Anthelion Capital led the round, with return investment from Mithril, 3State Ventures, and Blume Ventures.
The company has been working for years to build full-stack solutions for warehousing, fulfillment, and 3PL needs. This includes his AMR (autonomous mobile robots), forklift and box picking systems like Kiva, as well as proprietary first-party (“hardware agnostic”) fleet management software.
CEO Akash Gupta said the round will be partially directed toward delivering the system to customers.
Even though the economy is showing some improvement, 2024 may not be much better than 2023 in terms of startups getting a slice of the budget pie.
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If startups want to have any chance of making it through another difficult year, they need to prove their worth now more than ever. Investors told TechCrunch’s Ron Miller and Rebecca Szkutak that they still expect some growth. And let’s not forget the elephant in the room: generative AI.
The Law of X and how cloud leaders should think about growth and profits
Image credits: Kostyantin Filichkin/Getty Images
Bessemer Venture Partner Byron Dieter and Bessemer Investor Sam Bondi said, “Many financial executives like the ‘Rule of 40’ because of the clarity of the rules, but it’s important to understand that late-stage business growth “Equivalent emphasis on profitability and profitability is flawed and leads to poor business decisions.”
That’s why the company wants to introduce a new formula into the ring. It is, according to the author, a “rule of X” that provides more “accurate weighting.” [a company’s] Growth and future recurring revenue. ”
Breaking down the pitch deck: Metafuels’ $8 million climate technology seed deck
Metafuel has raised $8 million in seed funding to support its plan to reduce aircraft emissions. However, resident pitch expert Hadje Jan Kamps quickly realized that there were some areas that could be improved. The competition slides are missing, the team his slides are a bit lacking in vibrancy, and the lack of clear questions and use of the funding slides.
Still, Metafuels can paint a picture of a rapidly growing market and how it is positioning itself as a key player within it.
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Why 30 Web3 founders are optimistic about 2024
Image credits: Raw Pixel/Getty Images
CoinFund’s Founder Forecast looked at 30 companies across the company’s Web3 portfolio and found that things are looking good for Web3 companies heading into 2024. For example, he found that 70% of respondents said they were planning to hire in the next year, but no companies were looking to downsize.
A quick guide to ethical and responsible AI governance
Image credits: DNY59/Getty Images
“A strong ethical and risk management framework is essential to navigate the complex landscape of AI applications,” said Phani Dasari, Chief Information Security Officer, Hinduja Global Solutions.
Dasari thoroughly implements key components of AI governance, including policies, procedures, and the processes themselves, helping businesses avoid the risks and benefits of using AI.
Does Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian have any regrets about his creation? The entrepreneur and founder of venture fund Seven Seven Six spoke at an event at the University of Virginia, where he asserted a rather negative view of the current social media environment and the creator economy. The environment, he says, is one in which everyone is “very trained and now conditioned to just getting likes, retweets and upvotes…More optimistic We want to be, and we see it happening before our eyes. Still, he ultimately described himself as a “techno-optimist.” This is a clear nod to a16z general partner Marc Andreessen’s recent accusation that technology can solve all problems.
“He is guilty as charged,” Ohanian said at the hearing. interview With Kara Swisher. “I think the pendulum will swing back. We’re thinking even faster than we think.” To understand the world, we need better platforms than we have today. He theorized that a war in the Middle East could even be a turning point because it is “so clear” that something is needed.
As you may recall, the founder notably resigned from Reddit’s board in 2020, citing disagreements over moderation and a desire to police the community on violence and hate. It was a moment when he seemed to be thinking about what his platform had brought him. At the time, he called for his board seat to be replaced by a black director. The company agreed and appointed Y Combinator partner Michael Seibel as its first black board member.
Reddit has since also banned several toxic communities, including r/donaldtrup, in the wake of the violence at the U.S. Capitol, but Ohanian said the site has “definitely gotten better” since then, and that the business He also said that he had improved.
But when it comes to social media as a whole, of which Reddit will be a part, Ohanian said social media brings out “the worst parts of human nature in many ways.” Additionally, he is concerned that with any leaderboards the platform has, people have a desire to be first and want to win, which can lead to situations where misinformation can be spread. I announced.
Humans have evolved to trust familiar faces and voices around the campfire. The idea of believing in something from an expert or institution you’ve never met is actually new to our species.
“There’s so much pressure to be number one right now, and UGC (user-generated content) always wins. But that doesn’t mean it’s always true. But it becomes the epicenter of the conversation. And what percentage of our population is going to really seriously take a breath and say, “Let me stop doomscrolling, and people can do the work and integrate it and then help me react.” Do I want to say, “Let’s just wait until it happens?” he continued.
“Also, we are deeply involved in all these storylines, whether they come from traditional media, user-generated ones, or posts on Telegram groups on our phones. We’re overwhelmed, we’re overloaded, and unfortunately that appeals to our worst instincts,” Ohanian added.
Part of the problem with how social media platforms were developed had to do with how companies originally developed them. For example, Ohanian said Reddit grew out of running his site online, a forum in college where he believed the community felt just as real as offline. He said when Reddit became a multibillion-dollar business with hundreds of millions of users, he never imagined the site would one day become so influential. That idea would be “ridiculous,” he says. And he never could have imagined that his startup would be so successful as to influence elections and democracy.
“It takes a level of delusion that even I, as a first-time CEO, can’t think to think, “Oh my god, I’m going to be this successful, that I can have such a huge impact on our democracy,” he said. Stated. . “Was that a blind spot? Of course,” he admitted.
Ohanian noted that another part of the problem is that there are more people online today than early technology founders imagined. While he’s happy to see greater access to technology, it also comes with many complications.
“I don’t like the idea that the Internet, which I’m so nostalgic about, was actually an ivory tower,” he said, but on the other hand, he said, we’re exposed to more people in real time. said. More than we could have imagined. And that can pit people against each other and against their different versions of the truth — even if their version of the truth believes in something as far-fetched as the Earth is flat, he said. He cited one example that has supporters on Reddit.
On the other hand, he said, getting platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Reddit to take on the responsibility of verifying truth and accuracy is a challenge. Ohanian also described TikTok as a “weapon of the Chinese government” that is very good at “giving us what we want, when we want”, meaning it is always a fountain of truth. He also said that there is no limit.
If anything, Ohanian credits Twitter (now called X) with devising the best moderation system ever.
“I personally think community notes are a good thing. It’s the best instrument I’ve ever seen. And frankly, I wish we had thought of it in the first place. I think so,” he said.
Still, he championed the notion that platforms like the X could become town squares.
“The public square is [analogy]…I feel depressed. I mean, if you mean the public square, I mean, what? Is it a town or a city? If you’re in charge, you’re the mayor. But there are no democratic elections,” Ohanian said. “You’re the CEO. So you’re like a king? If you want to lean into the town square, fine. Just own it and say, yeah, this is the town square and I’m Just say that there is an endless dictator, a tyrant.”
Despite the challenges and urgency of social media, Ohanian believes there is still hope in terms of social impact. For example, he noted that the founders his fund 776 invests in are much smarter and more aware of the issues than they were at their age. Perhaps the next platform will still be addictive, but in a way that “doesn’t disrupt democracy further,” he mused.
He also believes that if everything on social media is perfectly curated for us, our brains will start craving things that aren’t. “I think live gatherings and in-person experiences will return. The bright side of this is that I hope we can reconnect with our humanity and the things that no amount of AI can replace.”
“I’m trying to be an optimist about it,” Ohanian added. “And I think we still have a way to go, but we’re fighting a very, very powerful human thing. And if we can solve that, we’ll have a very good outcome. Because we… Because you can see that they have more in common than they don’t have,” he said.
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