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“Mozart of Mathematics” Stays Silent on Politics—Until Funding Cuts Spark Change.

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Terence Tao, widely recognized as one of the world’s leading mathematicians—often dubbed the “Mozart of Mathematics”—tends to avoid discussions on politics.

As Tao stated, “I’m focused on scientific research. I participate in voting and sign petitions, but I don’t view myself as an activist.”

Following the halting of a $584 million federal grant at UCLA in July, Tao expressed concern regarding the potential impact on scientists, suggesting that if the current trend persists, it could lead to indiscriminate cuts affecting many, himself included.

“This administration has exhibited extreme radicalism, particularly in its alteration of scientific landscapes in ways even the first Trump administration did not,” Tao commented. “This is not normal, and I believe many people are unaware of the damage occurring.”

Tao is among a select group of prominent mathematicians who openly challenge the regime’s actions, labeling them as “existential threats” to his field and the broader academic science community. He has prioritized public advocacy over his research for the time being.

“The U.S. is the leading global funder of scientific research, and the administration is focused on consolidating America’s innovative edge. However, federal research funding isn’t a constitutional guarantee,” remarked White House spokesperson Kush Desai. “The administration’s duty is to ensure taxpayer-funded research aligns with the priorities of American citizens.”

During the Trump administration, UCLA faced scrutiny through the suspension of its federal grants, based on claims of racism and failure to maintain a “non-biased research environment.” Investigations noted these issues.

Having emigrated to the United States from Australia at the age of 16, Tao was recognized as a mathematical prodigy early on. He has developed a significant career at UCLA and was awarded the 2016 Fields Medal, often regarded as the equivalent of a Nobel Prize in Mathematics. Additionally, he has earned a MacArthur Fellowship and other prestigious honors.

As part of a comprehensive federal lawsuit against UCLA, the National Science Foundation suspended two of its TAO grants, one of which directly backed Tao’s contributions at UCLA and his work with the University’s Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics (IPAM). This was designated as a special project.

On August 12th, U.S. District Judge Rita F. Lynn mandated the reinstatement of the university’s NSF grants and the enforcement of previous provisional injunctions amid ongoing legal disputes. This ruling specifically pertains only to NSF grants at UCLA, including Tao’s. Other federal grants from agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the Energy Division remain suspended.

An NSF spokesperson confirmed, “The National Science Foundation has reinstated the awards that were suspended at the University of California, Los Angeles,” while withholding any further comment on Tao’s remarks.

Looking ahead, IPAM funding—established in 2000 to enhance collaboration among mathematicians, industry professionals, and engineers—remains at risk. The current grant is set to expire next year and awaits renewal, with the Trump administration proposing a 57% budget reduction for the NSF. Requests for 2026 are under consideration.

Tao’s NSF-funded research delves into advanced mathematical concepts, particularly focusing on understanding patterns in long numbers. Although this research may seem basic and lacks immediate practical applications, Tao suggests that its findings could influence encryption methods for security purposes.

On the other hand, IPAM’s research has yielded substantial public benefits. Two decades ago, Tao collaborated with other scientists to address signal processing challenges in medical imaging.

“An algorithm we developed with IPAM is routinely used in modern MRI machines, sometimes enhancing scanning speed by tenfold,” Tao noted.

The Trump administration has employed funding cuts or suspensions as leverage to push for reforms on university campuses, employing a multifaceted strategy. Initially, they sought to slash funding for scientific endeavors by reducing federal reimbursements for indirect costs like equipment and maintenance.

Subsequently, they focused on specific types of grants, including those addressing diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender identity.

The administration also singled out institutions like Harvard University, Columbia University, and, more recently, UCLA, over allegations of racism and anti-Semitism.

The lawsuit corresponds with numerous funding initiatives, leading to ongoing legal disputes which resulted in the cancellation and subsequent restoration of several grants.

Tao expressed that the recent disruption in financing for his project has compelled him to defer part of his own salary to maintain support for graduate students. His recent activities have shifted from mathematics to attending urgent meetings with university authorities, seeking donor contributions, and writing an opinion opposing the funding cuts.

“This is typically when I focus on my research, but this has become a top priority,” Tao emphasized.

He grows increasingly anxious about the bigger picture, believing that the administration’s actions could dissuade young scientists from remaining in the U.S., asserting that if this pattern continues, he himself may have to reconsider his position.

Tao has observed from his vantage point at UCLA that graduate and postdoctoral students are increasingly inclined to seek opportunities outside the U.S. as funding uncertainty looms.

“In past eras, other countries with distinguished scientific heritages faced turmoil and conflict, prompting many to flee to the U.S. as a safe haven,” Tao remarked. “It’s paradoxical that we are now witnessing an inverse trend where other countries might begin to attract skilled talent currently based in the U.S.”

Just a year ago, Tao hadn’t considered leaving UCLA or the U.S., but he has received a handful of recruitment inquiries and is beginning to contemplate his future in America if the current situation continues.

“I’ve established my roots here. I raised my family here, so it would take significant incentives to uproot me. Nonetheless, these days, predicting the future is increasingly challenging,” Tao concluded. “I never envisioned moving at all; it was never on my radar. Yet now, whether for better or worse, all possibilities must be taken into account.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Flip Phones Make a Comeback: Could Apple’s Foldable iPhone Spark a New Design Era?

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Back in 2005, there was nothing quite as satisfying as closing a clamshell flip phone to end a call.

Now, two decades later, these devices are making a comeback, with rumors suggesting that Apple is developing its first flip phone.

Details remain scarce regarding its design, but it may take inspiration from Samsung’s flip models reminiscent of 2000s clamshell phones.

According to a JPMorgan report, the initial foldable iPhone is set to launch at a price point of $1,999 (£1,474) in September 2026, indicating a likely expansion in the foldable phone market, projected to hit 109 million units by 2025.

For the past 15 years, rectangular tablets have dominated phone design, raising the question: could Apple’s foray into flip phones signify a shift in direction?

Tech analysts suggest that the introduction of a new product reflects consumer demand for devices that offer extensive internet access on mobile phones rather than laptops or tablets. However, the premium pricing indicates these will remain luxury items.

“Apple and its competitors are constrained by a smartphone market that has lost its innovative edge. While essential for daily life, consumers are less excited about the next breakthrough,” remarked an industry expert.

This might explain why Apple is exploring fresh design concepts, such as the ultra-thin iPhone expected to debut in September.

Wood believes Apple’s entry into the foldable segment comes after competitors conducted their own experiments. Samsung’s initial Galaxy folding design faced screen issues, yet the upcoming Galaxy Flip and Fold 7 release boasts a sleeker design and enhanced display, aiming to represent the “next generation” of folding devices, especially following sales stagnation anticipated in 2024.

“Apple typically approaches developments carefully, focusing on refinement and reliability rather than rushing to market,” Wood noted.

He added that Samsung’s flip phone has garnered greater popularity than its fold model, owing to its affordability and unique attributes.

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However, he believes Apple’s foray into foldable mini tablets may have a significant impact by enabling users to easily watch videos, view photos, and utilize larger display areas for document viewing while working remotely.

Margarita Panaioto, a high-tech researcher at the University of Manchester, pointed out that research indicates a preference for larger screens among users for gaming and viewing, combined with the trend of younger individuals using smartphones to go online. This suggests that foldable designs could serve as ideal compromises for future consumers.

Professor Ben Carter, who examines the societal impact of smartphones at King’s College London, concurred that foldable phones excel in video consumption, especially as video increasingly dominates content consumption. They provide larger screens, thereby enhancing the viewing experience.

He posited that a design reminiscent of a “mini laptop that can fold” could yield mental health benefits. His research shows that minimizing notifications effectively combats screen time and smartphone dependency.

If the screen is closed, the “Variable Reward Scheme” associated with notifications is also shut down. This similarly applies to gambling addiction, which thrives on uncertainty. “If we can reduce distractions like a laptop, that could help,” he stated, though he acknowledged the absence of evidence showing foldable phones are being used that way.

Such an approach might be particularly advantageous for children, who typically receive over 200 notifications daily. Nevertheless, due to the high costs of foldable phones, it’s unlikely many will be accessible to them until parents transition to the indirect model a few years after launch.

Professor David Ellis, chair of Behavioral Sciences at the University of Bath, added that additional benefits include improved screen protection and compact fit in pockets, alongside the “nostalgia associated with flip phones.”

However, he cautioned that it may not be the transformative product many anticipate, noting that Apple does not have a “100% success rate” — citing the Vision Pro headset as a notable failure.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Could the Competition Among Microscope Manufacturers Spark the Next Major Breakthrough?

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Feedback presents the latest updates in science and technology from new scientists, highlighting recent developments. Share items that may captivate readers by emailing Feedback@newscientist.com.

Get Ready…

Attention athletics fans, there’s an intriguing new competition to check out: Sperm Race.

It’s been reported that male birth rates are on the decline, with reduced sperm motility (movement speed) being a significant contributing factor. To raise awareness, a teenage founder has introduced sperm racing as a sport. As they say: “We’re creating the first racecourse for sperm: two competitors, two samples, one microscope finish line.”

Their site showcases “microscopic racetracks” that mimic reproductive systems, using “high-resolution cameras” to “track all microscopic movements.” They claim, “It’s all streamed live,” suggesting the phrase choice is deliberate, with the victor being “the first sperm to cross the finish line, confirmed via advanced imaging.”

The inaugural race on April 25th featured entries from two California universities. Readers may question why feedback on this topic emerged slowly. It’s due to a twist in the tale post-event.

Unfortunately for organizers, journalists like River Page, Reporter at Free Press, revealed that “the winner was predetermined. The ‘race’ was computer-generated.”

The issue is that microscopes can’t function that way. To have tracks long enough for sperm to swim competently, tracking them on camera is impractical. In film, a cameraman can follow Tom Cruise sprinting along the roof of a moving train. Yet, focusing a microscope can be challenging, even when the cells are nearly stationary.

The creators apparently ran a real race in a private setting, relying on computer-generated imagery to “depict” sperm racing for paying spectators.

This has led to speculation that a second round of the sperm race is improbable. I can’t help but recall how millions relish completely fabricated “sports entertainment” like wrestling, and outcomes in football often hinge on which teams have the wealthiest billionaires. Perhaps sperm racing could indeed be the next big sensation.

Water-Based Cooking

Feedback loves to explore the latest food trends, from cutting carbs to eating only lean meats, salt, and water! There’s even talk of “Air Protein,” which involves “microbial organisms that harness carbon dioxide.”

Just when I thought there couldn’t be more to discover, I stumbled upon “water-based cooking.” Given that living organisms are thought to be 60% water, my initial thought was that this might just be another way to say “cooking.” However, I later uncovered articles titled: “Food Trends and Science – Why Cooking in Water May Help Slow Aging.” and “What is Water-Based Cooking? And Why is it Healthier?”. It’s time to delve deeper.

Essentially, water-based cooking means utilizing water for cooking whenever possible, in favor of oil. Think boiling, stewing, or steaming over stir-frying or roasting. This method reduces the formation of harmful advanced glycation end products (AGEs) found in the crispy bits of fried foods known to be linked to health complications. Hence, water-based cooking enthusiasts should steer clear of those.

Driving this trend is Michelle Davenport, a UCSF and NYU-trained nutrition scientist and the former founder of Digital Children’s Food Company. She educates followers on Instagram on how to manage metabolic health through water-based cooking inspired by family recipes.

Read TikTok posts like: “You’ve switched to water-based cooking, and now your skin is clear, your digestion is thriving, and illness recovery is rapid.”

Feedback perceives this might revolve around minor details, but it fits perfectly within wellness culture: if you’re not in peak health, it’s certainly your choice. Regardless, we find ourselves empathetic toward Elle from Bruski, who aptly stated: “It’s just soup. They’re making soup.”

Pizza Insights

We sought examples of “obvious” scientific inquiries that tend to extend far beyond what one might have already guessed. The first query involved research indicating that an SUV poses a greater risk to pedestrians than a compact car.

In response, reader Roger Eldem shared a collection of findings that were decidedly unsurprising. One notable study, from Journal of Knee Surgery, led by Steven Defroda, published a paper stating: “NFL players sustain a higher incidence of knee extensor tears during brief periods of rest compared to normal intervals.” Alternatively, check a press release here. This essentially confirms that “NFL players are prone to knee injuries following shortened rest phases.” Well, yes.

Eldem’s second intriguing find came from research published in Nutrients, led by Iizuka. Its captivating title read: “The Type of Food, Not the Sequence, Influences Meal Duration, Chewing Frequency, and Pace.”

This study examines whether specific food types are consumed more quickly, potentially contributing to obesity later. A related article in MedicalXPress states: “Studies reveal that pizza is consumed more rapidly compared to meals that require chopsticks.” Clearly, food tasks can indeed be time-consuming.

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Send your stories to feedback at feedback@newscientist.com. Please include your home address. Past and current feedback can also be found on our website.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Can a 19-Year-Old Crush in Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Still Spark Excitement?

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fDuring the 10-day span of summer 2006, I handed in my resignation from my first job at a gaming magazine and returned to Scotland to start college. My life revolved around eating, sleeping, and losing myself in an Xbox 360. That was my entire existence. I played as a Khajiit thief, resembling a dark Mankilion in sleek black leather armor, boasting impressive pickpocketing skills. One afternoon, I decided to attempt stealing every item in the quaint town of Bravil, only to be apprehended by the guards for hours. I found myself running around, dropping random planks, cheese wheels, and trails of doublets.

Many of you may share similar experiences in Bethesda games—if not forgetting, perhaps in Skyrim or Fallout 3. Explore as you wish! Experiment with bizarre spells and test your luck against thieves! Venture into caves to battle necromancers, only to be ambushed by vampires! While open-world games like these may seem exhausting now, Forgetfulness was my introduction to gaming. Following Bethesda’s surprise release of a remake last Friday, I’ve been indulging in it nonstop.

It was indeed a surprise. The Oblivion Remake/Remaster is one of the industry’s worst-kept secrets, second only to the Switch 2, and I’ve been eagerly anticipating it for months. Over the last 20 years, Oblivion has gained notoriety for its technical quirks and amusing glitches, alongside its groundbreaking design. I was relieved to discover that Bethesda chose not to fix these quirks. Characters remain stuck in walls, reciting Asinine’s dialogue repeatedly. The facial animations still miss the mark. The game crashed mere minutes after Patrick Stewart’s opening line as the Emperor of Cyrodiil, and I found myself falling through the world, twice. Oddities happen so often that they’re rarely intentional. They are preserved in the Notorious voice-activated blooper, a perfect time capsule of ’00s accidental gaming comedy, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.




Game of choice without consequences… Elder Scroll: Forget.
Photo: Bethesda Game Studios

While Cyrodiil felt vast and picturesque, adorned with gentle, mystical ruins and rivers reflecting the light, by 2025’s standards, it feels quaint, resembling perhaps just the opening section of a much larger game map. (I’m particularly reminded of Avowed. It’s akin to a recent Elder Scroll offering from Microsoft Studio Obsidian.) The grand imperial city at the center feels more like a small village with interconnected districts housing around 30 characters. I still don’t understand how I spent over 100 hours in such a compact space as a teenager, but during a recent playthrough, I was astonished to find I remembered many details and had encounters with new characters from quests I’d not thought of in years.

In Oblivion, character development hinges on your actions. There’s no need to strictly choose between magic, stealth, or strength. Simply pick up a Great Sword and start using it. (The trick back then was to crouch in sneak mode, use a rubber band to hold the analog stick on the controller, and spin it until your stealth stats maxed out.) This mechanics creates a buffet-like experience where you can become a Battle Arena Champion all at once. It’s a game of choice without consequences, both forgiving and abundant, where a compact world unfolds around you.

I theorize that Bethesda RPGs offer only one immersive experience. You savor one life with Elder Scrolls, and each subsequent playthrough feels like an echo of the previous one. I spent numerous years playing Skyrim and Fallout 3, yet neither was completed. It turns out that Forgetfulness remains my game; newer, more refined open-world titles can often overwhelm me and push my patience to the limit. I still cringe at the hellish landscape of Forgetfulness, where battling the devil can feel like an eternity in a tower adorned with a flaming corpse. Its atmosphere recalls ’00s metal album art. Yet, the beauty of such a game is its ability to let you abandon the plot and explore carefree.

The Oblivion Remaster illustrates that older games don’t always need fixing—they may look different, but they retain their original soul. I believe my teenage self would agree.

What to do




One of the best puzzle games I’ve ever played… Blue Prince.
Photo: Dogubomb/Raw Fury

If you haven’t yet played Blue Prince, stop what you’re doing and download it immediately. You play as a teenage heir to a sprawling mansion, but there’s a catch: to keep it, you must uncover the secret 46th room. The mansion resets each time you sleep, making the routes different each day, and you’re left to discover randomly generated rooms you’ve never encountered before.

I played this with my eldest son. Memo Taker is the most captivating puzzle game I’ve experienced. Even upon discovering Room 46, there remains a deep mystery to explore. Several acquaintances I know have become completely engrossed in it. Its calming pace and intellectual challenges make it perfect for when you’re recuperating. Your reward for playing is always greater knowledge.

Available on: PC, Xbox, PS5
Estimated playtime: Over 30 hours

What to read




Fun and strange… split fiction.
Photo: Electronic Arts

  • Sydney Sweeney stars in the film adaptation of the Hazelight cooperative game Split Fiction. What do you think? Are you planning to work on it? My partner and I are currently midway through the game, and it’s a blast—odd and enjoyable, yet the plot and character development are… not particularly complex.

  • According to Video Game Chronicle, in October they shared details about The Ghost of Yotei, a sequel to the visually stunning, yet bloated, Ghost of Tsushima. “Players will pursue Yotei Six, a group of warriors responsible for devastation in Japan,” they reported. “As players hunt them down, the sash worn by the main character Atsuu will present the names of the Yotei Six being sought,” reminiscent of Arya Stark.

  • Call of Duty’s Warzone has gained fame for its quirky celebrity appearances, enabling players to take down a host of famous figures, including Nicki Minaj and Lionel Messi. The latest addition? Seth Rogen, as part of the new (Heaven help us) “Weed-themed Content Package.”

  • An important essay from Gizmodo raises a pertinent question: Is it time for a Predators game?

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What to click

Question block




Divergence… Isabela Merced and Bella Ramsey from Season 2, our final episode 3.
Photo: Warner Bros Discovery

This week’s question comes from reader Toby:

“All video game movies and TV shows seem cursed, and I want to understand how adaptations of Our Last of Us Part II turn out in the end. I really feel that the interactive medium enhances that sentiment and theme. Can a story still carry the same impact when adapted to a passive medium? Which great video game narratives do you think cannot be adapted effectively into movies or shows?”

Having just watched the third episode of Season 2 of Our Last of Us, it’s evident that this season deviates more from the game’s plot compared to Season 1. As you’ve noted, the emotional depth of the game hinges on experiencing it from multiple perspectives, thus necessitating a different approach. Nevertheless, the first game’s emotional weight came from Joel’s actions, whether you agreed with them or not. The series couldn’t replicate that dynamic, so they introduced fresh perspectives and expanded on existing narratives, showcasing the practical, even if less engaging, aspects. I’m particularly drawn to the remarkable episodes featuring Bill and Frank. This embodies the essence of adaptation: offering something novel.

Based on this: No great video game stories cannot be transitioned to film or television by a skilled and insightful writer. The critical terms here aren’t simply related to literal translation; movies and shows need to provide new interpretations and viewpoints. However, many games with weak narratives could make engaging TV shows or films, given that a true visionary is at the helm.

If you have questions for the question block or anything else you’d like to share regarding the newsletter, feel free to hit reply or email us at butingbuttons@theguardian.com.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Rumors of Disturbing Drone Sightings in New Jersey Spark Interest

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KIle Breeze, 36, works remotely for an insurance company and lives in Ocean Township, New Jersey, a quiet suburb with tree-covered streets not far from the beach. Last Saturday night, he was inside his house with his wife and two children, let his elderly dog ​​Bruce out into the backyard, and then looked up.

There was an unmistakable floating object in the sky. It’s not as high as a planet or star, but it’s about as high as an airplane.

“It’s not just an airplane hovering there,” he explained. “What it looked like, it was so high up that it was hard to see, but it was like a red light and a white light.”

Brees said he and his wife had seen others on their way to dinner the previous day. Her mother, Luan, 68, said she also saw bright white and red lights floating in the night sky.

“To me, it’s like they’re looking for something,” Luan said of the drones. “My concern is that we have an ammunition base here in New Jersey.”

The Brees family isn’t the only one noting the disturbing activity of drones and some types of airborne vehicles popping up across the state. Thousands of people have called local police, the FBI and even the Department of Defense about the relentless swarm of drones that suddenly appeared in New Jersey airspace last month.

“The FBI has received more than 5,000 reports of drone sightings in the past few weeks, resulting in approximately 100 leads, and the federal government is assisting state and local authorities in investigating these reports. ” said a joint statement released by the FBI and the department. Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and Federal Aviation Administration.

“We have sent advanced detection technology into the area, and we have sent trained visual observers.”

So far, authorities have remained tight-lipped. Everything authorities see looks like a combination of a hobbyist drone, a helicopter, an airplane, and a star, he said. But Neighbors, created by the company that created Ring surveillance cameras, allowed New Jersey residents to spam the app, which is used for crime and safety updates, with videos of floating orbs and suspicious night lights. are.

Some say they are aliens who infiltrated Iranian drones originating from a mothership off the Atlantic coast. Maybe it’s a secret weapon experiment.

“I heard it was Al Qaeda,” one man who lives near Ocean Township, an off-duty firefighter who did not want to be identified, told the Guardian.

Whatever it is, residents of the Garden State, known for legendary rock stars Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen, are buzzing about drones.

The consensus was that while it was strange at first, there was no need to worry. Well, most people want answers.

Sightings are common during the summer in coastal towns like Asbury Park, a popular vacation destination. There are rumors among local residents that drones don’t come out when it rains and that they originate from the sea.

“I started watching it two weeks ago,” said Garrett Openshaw, 24, who works as a maintenance worker at the Asbury Hotel near the waterfront. “In front of the press”

On a cold night in early December, he went out onto the roof of his hotel. Folded beach chairs are usually spread out on the rooftop for sunbathing during the warmer months. As I stared out into the open ocean, I saw the unmistakable red, green, and white lights that I remember seeing as at least 12 sedan-sized drones flying all at once.

“There’s always something going on in this town,” said Colin Lynch, 26, the hotel’s food and beverage manager, who witnessed the drone swarm with Openshaw. “It’s hard to tell if they’re just filming a movie or something else.”

In between discussions of UFOs and government secrets, Asbury Park residents also gossip about celebrity sightings in the city, which is the location for a Springsteen biopic starring Jeremy Allen White.

“Look at this,” Openshaw said as he toggled through the drone’s homemade video, landing on a photo of him and Allen White from the start.

At Frank’s Deli, a popular diner and recent filming location for the film, staff members are excitedly discussing the theories behind the sightings.

“They’re having kind of a drone watching party on Long Beach Island,” said Daniel Coyle, a diner server wearing a green and red Christmas hat. She said some of her colleagues and friends, “men in their 40s,” had gone to the coastal island to look for drone sightings.

Some people in town have more sinister questions.

At Kim Marie’s, a local Irish bar with a low wooden ceiling a block from the boardwalk, people were commenting on the drones. Kathy Miller, 26, said she saw two drones near Monroe, where she lives, and showed a video of the moment.

“We’re looking at two people, one close together, one far away, and the second one turns the exact same corner 30 or 40 seconds apart, chasing it. ” she said in the video’s voiceover.

Miller continued: “Then I saw two more people, and they were all turning the same corner. I think there were five or six in total…I heard a hum, but it was pretty low, not that high. Probably 200 or 300 feet.

Miller said her TikTok and Instagram feeds are filled with similar cell phone videos, and rightly pointed out that she can’t tell if some of them were generated by artificial intelligence.

“It’s so hard to know now,” she said. “I saw a video of them firing at something and I thought, ‘Is that fake or is it really real?'” Impersonation is so easy now. ”

But for Brees, the lights lurking in the sky overlooking his town are both very real and disconcerting.

“It’s weird because I have kids,” he said. “Are they filming or is this a creepy thing happening with the camera?”

Source: www.theguardian.com