Superyachts are notoriously dirty luxury toys, with a single billionaire’s boat emitting as much as 7,020 tons of CO2 per year. And while it’s unlikely uber-wealthy shoppers are going to forgo from their statement vessels anytime soon, at the very least there’s now a chance to make superyachts greener. That’s the idea behind the new Project 821, billed as the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht.

Announced over the weekend by Danish shipyard cooperative Feadship, Project 821 arrives following five years of design and construction. Measuring a massive 260-feet-long, the zero-diesel boat reportedly sails shorter distances than standard superyachts on the market, but still operates its hotel load and amenities using completely emissionless green hydrogen power.

Hydrogen cells generate power by turning extremely lightweight liquid hydrogen into electricity stored in lithium-ion batteries. But unlike fossil fuel engines’ noxious smoke and other pollutants, hydrogen cells only emit harmless water vapor. The technology remained cost-prohibitive and logistically challenging for years, but recent advancements have allowed designers to start integrating the green alternative into cars, planes, and boats.

There are still hurdles, however. Although lightweight, liquid hydrogen must be housed in massive, double-walled -423.4 degrees Fahrenheit cryogenic storage tanks within a dedicated section of the vessel. According to Feadship, liquid hydrogen requires 8-10 times more storage space for the same amount of energy created by diesel fuel. That—along with 16 fuel cells, a switchboard connection for the DC electrical grid, and water vapor emission vent stacks—necessitated adding an extra 13-feet to the vessel’s original specifications. But these size requirements ironically makes superyachts such as Project 821 arguably ideal for hydrogen fuel cell integration.

And it certainly sounds like Project 821 fulfills the “superyacht” prerequisites, with five decks above the waterline and two below it. The 14 balconies and seven fold-out platforms also house a pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, gym, pantry, fireplace-equipped offices, living room, library, and a full walkaround deck.

Such luxuries, however, will need to remain relatively close-to-harbor for the time being. Project 821 still isn’t capable of generating and storing enough power to embark on lengthy crossings, but it can handle an “entire week’s worth of silent operation at anchor or [briefly] navigating emission-free at 10 knots while leaving harbors or cruising in protected marine zones,” according to Feadship.

[Related: This liquid hydrogen-powered plane successfully completed its first test flights.]

“We have now shown that cryogenic storage of liquified hydrogen in the interior of a superyacht is a viable solution,” Feadship Director and Royal Van Lent Shipyard CEO Jan-Bart Verkuyl said in the recent announcement, adding that “additional fuel cell innovations… are on the near horizon.”

Of course, the greenest solution remains completely divesting from ostentatious, multimillion-dollar vanity flotillas before rising sea levels (and angry orcas) overwhelm even the wealthiest billionaires’ harbors. But it’s at least somewhat nice to see a new eco-friendly advancement on the market—even if it still looks like a Bond villain’s getaway vehicle.

The post Welcome aboard the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht appeared first on Popular Science.

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Acura’s new ZDX Type S is the most powerful SUV the brand has ever produced, generating nearly 500 horsepower and maxing out at 544 pound-feet of torque. In other words, it’s punchy in all the best ways. The automaker is quick to point out that ZDX has more torque than its hybrid NSX Type S supercar and more horsepower than other luxury EVs like the Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 and Audi’s SQ8 e-tron. And it’s all electric.

Like the Honda Prologue, the ZDX was built side-by-side with engineers from General Motors. Drawing power from a 102-kWh GM Ultium battery pack, Acura’s EV shares several components with Cadillac’s elegant Lyriq and Chevrolet’s Blazer EV. In fact, the exterior dimensions of the ZDX are the same as the Lyriq’s and the ZDX was designed at GM headquarters in Michigan.

The pairing of the American legacy automaker with a Japanese manufacturer is an unusual one. Does this partnership work for Acura? We drove the ZDX on a variety of roads in southern California to find out.

Two motors, big power boost

Somewhat ironically–and perhaps with a cheeky wink–the ZDX recycles the name of a previous gas-powered Acura model. With the zero-emissions movement ramping up in recent years, it made sense to revive the Z moniker.

Boasting an EPA-estimated 313-mile range with the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive setup, the ZDX can power up at a DC fast charging station and gain up to 81 miles of range in about 10 minutes. It takes a shade longer than 40 minutes to reach 80 percent, or 250 miles. Opting for the dual-motor, all-wheel drive version reduces the range slightly to 304 miles, and the top-performing Type S gets 278 miles before requiring a full charge.

Compared to some of its all-electric rivals from Kia, Hyundai, and Genesis, the ZDX takes significantly longer to charge, which may be a deterrent for those without charging stations at home. On the other hand, the Acura EV has more range and more power.

As a bonus, the ZDX is equipped with a high-end 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio setup, an Acura first. Danish company Bang & Olufsen makes sound systems for Lamborghini, Bentley, Audi, and others, so this new vehicle is in good company. In the EV theme, Eddie Grant’s “Electric Avenue” or Børns “Electric Love” are apt candidates for a ZDX soundtrack.  

Economies of scale through a GM partnership

As it’s so for the Prologue, GM provided the battery, frame, suspension, chassis, powertrain, and electrical architecture, while Acura built everything above the chassis. That doesn’t include some of the interior switchgear (knobs and buttons). 

As we noticed when we tested the Honda Prologue earlier this year, the drive mode button is located to the left of the steering wheel, making it difficult to locate and activate easily while driving. It’s worth finding, though, because it activates a useful 25 millimeter lift in snow mode or it hunkers down by 15 millimeters in sport mode for improved aerodynamics.    

The engineers chose to carry over GM’s one-pedal driving for both the Prologue and the ZDX as is without any alterations. 

“We didn’t change a thing,” ZDX Development Leader John Hwang told PopSci in February. “When we were benchmarking and setting targets, we liked how GM was executing this feature, so we said, ‘Don’t touch it. It’s not broken.’”

Hwang says the concept of the Prologue and ZDX are very different. Honda’s EV has a more mainstream feel and employs front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the Acura has a much larger battery pack and the car is tuned for a more premium dynamic ride with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

What’s next?

Ultimately, Acura’s first EV appears to be a solid initial effort. That said, there’s room for the brand to dig deep into its own engineering expertise for its next EV without GM. We’d love to see Acura find a way to expand upon the genius of its hybrid NSX, which was powered by three electric motors working together with a 3.5-liter V6 engine.

However, Acura clearly stated several months ago that it was finished with hybrids. Instead, executives revealed a plan for a pilot production of solid-state batteries along with more research into hydrogen-powered vehicles. Hydrogen fuel cells are something that both Acura and GM are interested in pursuing, and while the automakers may have scrapped their plans for a smaller, more affordable EV collaboration, that doesn’t mean the partnership is completely kaput.

“The ZDX will have a complete lifecycle and there will be a refresh, so there is still a full team on the Honda/Acura side and a full team on the GM side,” Acura spokesman Jake Berg told PopSci. “This is definitely not the last time we’re collaborating with GM.”

The ZDX qualifies for the full federal $7,500 tax credit, putting the starting price at $57,500. It’s worth considering the extra $600 to get the ZDX in a luminous shade of Double Apex Blue Pearl, developed in-house by Acura’s color and materials team.  

The post Take a ride in Acura’s first EV, its most powerful SUV yet appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C)		SEE IT	The top-of-the-line AirPods Pro 2 are Apple’s best portable personal audio item yet.
Best over-ear		AirPods Max		SEE IT	Apple’s over-ear headphones have the longest battery and most distinctive look.
Best value		AirPods (3rd generation)		SEE IT	Many of the features you can get from AirPods Pro, but for a lot less money.

AirPods have come a long way since the first generation of Apple’s true wireless earbuds were released in 2016. Industry research firm Canalys found that TWS sales may have decreased in 2023, but Apple’s AirPods Pro remain dominant. The company’s success has contributed greatly to popularizing TWS earbuds and features like active noise cancellation, which was previously only available in over- and on-ear headphones but is now mainstream on earbuds. It’s also raised the bar for connectivity, ease of use, battery life, and, of course, sound quality. While the term “AirPods” was synonymous with in-ears, the company launched the AirPods Max, its first pair of over-ear headphones, in 2020. The company has continually updated its lineup to introduce models with additional features or design changes. The best AirPods will allow you to enjoy your favorite music on-the-go while ditching wires completely.

• Best overall: AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C)
• Best value: AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case
• Best over-ear: AirPods Max
• Best budget: AirPods (2nd generation)

How we chose the best AirPods for you

Our AirPods recommendations come from a mix of research and hands-on testing. When possible, we compared AirPods to different current-generation headphones in their respective categories. We also considered the style of headphones listeners preferred, the performance of features like active noise cancellation, battery life, and price. The good news is there’s no bad choice in the bunch; it’s just a matter of finding a set that best fits your needs.

The best AirPods: Reviews & Recommendations

The best AirPods will allow you to appreciate your music more than a typical budget pair of headphones because of their audio quality, while still fitting comfortably in a pocket or bag. They should fit your budget, and work just as well with your Android and Windows devices as your Apple gear.

Best overall: AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C)

SEE IT

Specs

• Headphone style: Earbuds
• Battery Life: Up to 6 hours listening time per charge
• ANC: Yes
• Connector: USB-C
• Price: $249.99

Pros

• Adaptive Audio (EQ) support
• Personalized Spatial Audio support w/ dynamic head tracking
• Comfortable to wear

Cons

• Less software customization than come competing brands
• Some features require the latest and greatest Apple hardware and an Apple Music subscription
• Not the most secure option for activity

The 2nd-generation AirPods with MagSafe Charging Case add small but consequential updates to what was already a fantastic flagship. As we declared in our full review of the AirPods Pro 2, these earbuds are “a highly noticeable improvement over their predecessors” thanks to a new low-distortion, high-excursion 11mm driver plus a custom amplifier. The augmented dynamics are richer, rounder, with textures splashier, crashier, crispier. And that’s before you add in any of the bells and whistles, like Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ, active noise cancellation, and transparency, which combine to narrow the gap between you and your music while widening the soundstage you experience it in. (And, if you happen to have the Apple Vision Pro headset, the H2 chip with Bluetooth 5.3 in the AirPods Pro 2allows you to get 20-bit/48 kHz lossless audio streaming with your spatial computing.)

In terms of build improvements, the latest AirPods Pro earbuds are IP54 for better sweat and dust resistance, with multiple sizes of silicone eartips that anchor in your ear canals and create a tight seal for optimized bass performance. Simultaneously, a vent system improves pressure equalization for comfort. Skin-detect sensors tell the earbuds when to pause and play music if you take the earbuds out and put them back in. Touch controls are more responsive. The beamforming microphones do a great job isolating your voice on calls. Perhaps the greatest quality-of-living change is that the case supports both wireless and USB-C charging, so you can put that last Lightning cable away.

All these factors contribute to our naming the AirPods Pro 2 the best overall earbuds for most people. If you have a newer-generation iPhone, iPad, MacBook, etc., an insatiable love of music, and the budget (these are often on sale for $179-$199), the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) earbuds are a splurge that justifies itself immediately.

Best value: AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case

SEE IT

Specs

• Headphone style: Earbuds
• Battery Life: Up to 6 hours listening time per charge
• ANC: Yes
• Connector: Lightning
• Price: $169.99

Pros

• Adaptive Audio support
• Spatial audio support
• Comfortable to wear

Cons

• Uses a proprietary connector

While the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) earbuds are our default suggestion for anyone looking for AirPods, we understand that some folks don’t want to spend that much or still have an older iPhone and would prefer not to replace their Lightning cable(s) until they must. In that case, the AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case is your choice, and it’s not a bad choice by any means. It has a lot of the same audio features as the AirPods Pro 2, including the custom high-excursion driver and high dynamic range amplifier, Adaptive EQ, and Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking. So, if you liked the sound of the sound in the AirPods Pro 2 description above, you’ll like how it sounds here. What you don’t get, however, does come into play when you hit play. The AirPods (3rd generation) have a hardshell design, no interchangeable tips, so it can be harder to get a tight seal (and therefore harder to get lower bass). Also, there’s no noise cancellation, so the world might intrude more on your tunes (and you might be tempted to turn up the volume more but please do not or you’ll need to buy these). The chipset is an H1 with Bluetooth 5.0, so these will become obsolete faster than the Pro 2. And you must click, not swipe, for certain controls. Still, these AirPods have the same battery life and IP durability rating as the AirPods Pro, plus a case with a Lightning jack for charging (or one that charges wirelessly if you’re inclined to spend a little more). You get the AirPods experience in a pair of earbuds that’s routinely discounted to $140-$150, and you may not miss active noise cancellation if you work from home or in quiet environments.

Best over-ear: AirPods Max

SEE IT

Specs

• Headphone style: Over-ear
• Battery Life: Up to 20 hours listening time per charge
• ANC: Yes
• Connector: Lightning
• Price: $549

Pros

• Better ANC than earbuds
• Solid battery life
• Comfortable to wear

Cons

• Cost

The AirPods Max are the only pair of over-ear headphones made by Apple, so they’re your sole option in this category. Apple brought over many of the same features that helped make its earbuds popular: instant pairing with Apple devices, support for Spatial Audio and quick access to Siri, active noise cancelation, a well-balanced sound profile, and a design that’s focused on comfort. They’re also available in four colors, while Apple’s earbuds are only available in white.

At $549 (though often on sale as low as $479), the AirPods Max are a lot more expensive than comparable flagship models from Sony and Bose, and those headphones have better battery life and noise cancellation performance. Headphones from those companies also feature a USB-C port rather than Lightning for charging. A big part of the AirPods Max’s appeal is the signature aesthetics and integration with the Apple ecosystem. Anodized aluminum and mesh textile aren’t materials we’re used to seeing in the headphone world, and they’re undeniably luxe. Aluminum is heavier than the plastic used by other headphone companies, so the AirPods Max will weigh more heavily on your head if you’re jumping from another over-ear pair (though that breathable headband distributes weight well).

On a technical level, the AirPods Max were cutting-edge when they were released, but have started to cede some ground to the competition in the past couple of years. They support Spatial Audio with head tracking, which makes music and movies with a Dolby Atmos mix sound more immersive and more like listening to audio on a pair of high-end speakers, but it’s not lossless audio. Their 20-hour battery life is way higher than what you’d get from a pair of AirPods Pro, but that’s to be expected when comparing over-ear headphones to earbuds. However, the AirPods Max’s battery life is so-so compared to other over-ear headphones.

Still, if you care about aesthetics and comfort and want the AirPods experience from a bigger set of cans, the AirPods Max headphones are your only choice.

Best budget: AirPods (2nd generation)

SEE IT

Specs

• Headphone style: Earbuds
• Battery Life: Up to 5 hours listening time per charge
• ANC: No
• Connector: Lightning
• Price: $129.99

Pros

• They pair easily with an iPhone
• They play music
• Compact design
• Price

Cons

• No special audio-processing/convenience features

If you want the classic Apple aesthetic without the expense, these are the AirPods for you. These are the long-stemmed earbuds that established the ubiquity of AirPods. They play nice with iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS devices, as well as Siri—no picky pairing or fussy settings, unlike competitors’ earbuds. They play music and can let you take calls. However, you’re not getting any of the advanced features that come with even the AirPods 3. There’s no custom, Adaptive, Personalized, active anything. But if you want the most affordable entry to portable personal Apple audio, this is it.

What to consider when shopping for the best AirPods for you

Picking a pair of AirPods is pretty simple because Apple doesn’t offer many models, and all of them are pretty good. The company has done an admirable job trickling certain features between its earbuds, including battery life, durability, and technical features. Unless you opt for the budget pick, your decision will come down to how much you’re willing to spend, whether you prefer earbuds or over-ear headphones, and if you care about USB-C charging.

Headphone style

While AirPods are synonymous with earbuds, Apple has branched out into offering an over-ear pair of headphones called the AirPods Max. Earbuds will always be more convenient to use because they can fit in your pocket comfortably with their charging case, whereas over-ear headphones need to be kept on your head, around your neck, or in a larger bag. The tradeoff is that over-ear headphones have larger drivers for better, louder sound, and a longer-lasting battery.

Connector

Once upon a time, all AirPods had a Lightning charging port. Apple developed the proprietary connector and featured it on the iPhone from 2012 until 2023, when it was replaced with a USB-C port. Now, most of Apple’s audio has a Lightning port, but the latest AirPods Pro (2nd generation) now comes with a USB-C charging port, and we expect this will become standard on all AirPods models in the next couple of years.

Battery life

All of Apple’s earbuds have the same six hour battery life, which is solid for this style of headphone. The amount you actually get will depend on whether you leave active noise cancellation enabled and your preferred listening volume. AirPods Max get up to 20 hours of usage per charge, which is more than enough to get you through a transatlantic flight with plenty of power to spare.

Active noise cancellation

Apple’s top AirPods—both earphones and headphones—have active noise cancellation, a feature wherein microphones analyze and algorithms neutralize outsound sounds before they reach your ears. Apple was one of the first companies to add credible active noise cancellation to the earbud world, and it’s only improved its performance in the second-generation AirPods Pro.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best AirPods

• Best overall: AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C)
• Best value: AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case
• Best over-ear: AirPods Max
• Best budget: AirPods (2nd generation)

AirPods have forever changed the world of earphones and made headway into headphones. And Apple’s continued pursuit of bringing technical improvements to a mass audience is laudable. It’s safe to say true wireless earbuds wouldn’t be as popular, and active noise cancellation would have been a lower priority for other headphone makers, if Apple hadn’t stepped up its game. With its latest generation of AirPods, Apple has shown there’s no better time to invest in easily pocketable portable audio accessories than now.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best AirPods in 2024: How to pick which ones are right for you appeared first on Popular Science.

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SpaceX has revealed its new Extravehicular Activity (EVA) suits that could make their low-Earth orbital debut by summer’s end. The new uniform is described as an evolution of the spacesuits currently worn by astronauts aboard Dragon missions, which are designed solely for remaining within pressurized environments. In contrast, the EVA suits will allow astronauts to work both within and outside their capsule as needed thanks to a number of advancements in materials fabrication, joint design, enhanced redundancy safeguards, as well as the integration of a helmet visor heads up display (HUD).

Announced over the weekend, the SpaceX EVA suits will be worn by the four crewmembers scheduled to comprise the Polaris Program’s first mission, Polaris Dawn. First launched in 2022, the Polaris Program is a joint venture through SpaceX intended to “rapidly advance human spaceflight capabilities,” according to its website. Targeted for no earlier than summer 2024, Polaris Dawn will mark the first commercial spacewalk, as well as the first spacewalk to simultaneously include four astronauts. While making history outside their Dragon capsule, the crew will be the first to test Starlink laser-based communications systems that SpaceX believes will be critical to future missions to the moon and eventually Mars.

Mobility is the central focus of SpaceX’s teaser video posted to X on May 4, with an EVA suit wearer showing off their smooth ranges of motion for fingers, shoulders, and elbows. As PCMag.com also detailed on Monday, SpaceX EVA suits are fabricated with a variety of textile-based thermal materials and include semi-rigid rotator joints that allow work in both pressurized and unpressurized environments. For the boots, designers utilized the same temperature resilient material found in the Falcon 9 rocket’s interstage and Dragon capsule’s trunk.

Polaris Dawn astronauts will also sport 3D-printed polycarbonate helmets with visors coated in copper and indium tin oxide alongside anti-glare and anti-fog treatments. During the spacewalk roughly 435-miles above Earth, each crewmember’s helmet will project a built-in heads up display (HUD) to provide real-time pressure, temperature, and relative humidity readings.

[Related: Moon-bound Artemis III spacesuits have some functional luxury sewn in.]

Similar to the Prada-designed getups for NASA’s Artemis III astronauts, the SpaceX EVA suit is also meant to illustrate a future in which all kinds of body types can live and work beyond Earth. SpaceX explains that all the EVA upgrades are scalable in design, which will allow customization to accommodate “different body types as SpaceX seeks to create greater accessibility to space for all of humanity.” Its proposed goal of manufacturing “millions” of spacesuits for multiplanetary life may seem far-fetched right now, but it’s got to start somewhere—even if only just four of them at the moment.

The post SpaceX reveals new sleek spacesuits ahead of upcoming historic mission appeared first on Popular Science.

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This article was originally published on KFF Health News.

With little pomp, California launched two apps at the start of the year offering free behavioral health services to youths to help them cope with everything from living with anxiety to body acceptance.

Through their phones, young people and some caregivers can meet BrightLife Kids and Soluna coaches, some who specialize in peer support or substance use disorders, for roughly 30-minute virtual counseling sessions that are best suited to those with more mild needs, typically those without a clinical diagnosis. The apps also feature self-directed activities, such as white noise sessions, guided breathing, and videos of ocean waves to help users relax.

“We believe they’re going to have not just great impact, but wide impact across California, especially in places where maybe it’s not so easy to find an in-person behavioral health visit or the kind of coaching and supports that parents and young people need,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom’s health secretary, Mark Ghaly, during the Jan. 16 announcement.

The apps represent one of the Democratic governor’s major forays into health technology and come with four-year contracts valued at $498 million. California is believed to be the first state to offer a mental health app with free coaching to all young residents, according to the Department of Health Care Services, which operates the program.

However, the rollout has been slow. Only about 15,000 of the state’s 12.6 million children and young adults have signed up for the apps, school counselors say they’ve never heard of them, and one of the companies isn’t making its app available on Android phones until summer.

Advocates for youth question the wisdom of investing taxpayer dollars in two private companies. Social workers are concerned the companies’ coaches won’t properly identify youths who need referrals for clinical care. And the spending is drawing lawmaker scrutiny amid a state deficit pegged at as much as $73 billion.

An app for that

Newsom’s administration says the apps fill a need for young Californians and their families to access professional telehealth for free, in multiple languages, and outside of standard 9-to-5 hours. It’s part of Newsom’s sweeping $4.7 billion master plan for kids’ mental health, which was introduced in 2022 to increase access to mental health and substance use support services. In addition to launching virtual tools such as the teletherapy apps, the initiative is working to expand workforce capacity, especially in underserved areas.

“The reality is that we are rarely 6 feet away from our devices,” said Sohil Sud, director of Newsom’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative. “The question is how we can leverage technology as a resource for all California youth and families, not in place of, but in addition to, other behavioral health services that are being developed and expanded.”

The virtual platforms come amid rising depression and suicide rates among youth and a shortage of mental health providers. Nearly half of California youths from the ages of 12 to 17 report having recently struggled with mental health issues, with nearly a third experiencing serious psychological distress, according to a 2021 study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. These rates are even higher for multiracial youths and those from low-income families.

But those supporting youth mental health at the local level question whether the apps will move the needle on climbing depression and suicide rates.

“It’s fair to applaud the state of California for aggressively seeking new tools,” said Alex Briscoe of California Children’s Trust, a statewide initiative that, along with more than 100 local partners, works to improve the social and emotional health of children. “We just don’t see it as fundamental. And we don’t believe the youth mental health crisis will be solved by technology projects built by a professional class who don’t share the lived experience of marginalized communities.”

The apps, BrightLife Kids and Soluna, are operated by two companies: Brightline, a 5-year-old venture capital-backed startup; and Kooth, a London-based publicly traded company that has experience in the U.K. and has also signed on some schools in Kentucky and Pennsylvania and a health plan in Illinois. In the first five months of Kooth’s Pennsylvania pilot, 6% of students who had access to the app signed up.

Brightline and Kooth represent a growing number of health tech firms seeking to profit in this space. They beat out dozens of other bidders including international consulting companies and other youth telehealth platforms that had already snapped up contracts in California.

Although the service is intended to be free with no insurance requirement, Brightline’s app, BrightLife Kids, is folded into and only accessible through the company’s main app, which asks for insurance information and directs users to paid licensed counseling options alongside the free coaching. After KFF Health News questioned why the free coaching was advertised below paid options, Brightline reordered the page so that, even if a child has high-acuity needs, free coaching shows up first.

The apps take an expansive view of behavioral health, making the tools available to all California youth under age 26 as well as caregivers of babies, toddlers, and children 12 and under. When KFF Health News asked to speak with an app user, Brightline connected a reporter with a mother whose 3-year-old daughter was learning to sleep on her own.

‘It’s like crickets’

Despite being months into the launch and having millions in marketing funds, the companies don’t have a definitive rollout timeline. Brightline said it hopes to have deployed teams across the state to present the tools in person by midyear. Kooth said developing a strategy to hit every school would be “the main focus for this calendar year.”

“It’s a big state—58 counties,” Bob McCullough of Kooth said. “It’ll take us a while to get to all of them.”

So far BrightLife Kids is available only on Apple phones. Brightline said it’s aiming to launch the Android version over the summer.

“Nobody’s really done anything like this at this magnitude, I think, in the U.S. before,” said Naomi Allen, a co-founder and the CEO of Brightline. “We’re very much in the early innings. We’re already learning a lot.”

The contracts, obtained by KFF Health News through a records request, show the companies operating the two apps could earn as much as $498 million through the contract term, which ends in June 2027, months after Newsom is set to leave office. And the state is spending hundreds of millions more on Newsom’s virtual behavioral health strategy. The state said it aims to make the apps available long-term, depending on usage.

The state said 15,000 people signed up in the first three months. When KFF Health News asked how many of those users actively engaged with the app, it declined to say, noting that data would be released this summer.

KFF Health News reached out to nearly a dozen California mental health professionals and youths. None of them were aware of the apps.

“I’m not hearing anything,” said Loretta Whitson, executive director of the California Association of School Counselors. “It’s like crickets.”

Whitson said she doesn’t think the apps are on “anyone’s” radar in schools, and she doesn’t know of any schools that are actively advertising them. Brightline will be presenting its tool to the counselor association in May, but Whitson said the company didn’t reach out to plan the meeting; she did.

Concern over referrals

Whitson isn’t comfortable promoting the apps just yet. Although both companies said they have a clinical team on staff to assist, Whitson said she’s concerned that the coaches, who aren’t all licensed therapists, won’t have the training to detect when users need more help and refer them to clinical care.

This sentiment was echoed by other school-based social workers, who also noted the apps’ duplicative nature—in some counties, like Los Angeles, youths can access free virtual counseling sessions through Hazel Health, a for-profit company. Nonprofits, too, have entered this space. For example, Teen Line, a peer-to-peer hotline operated by Southern California-based Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, is free nationwide.

While the state is also funneling money to the schools as part of Newsom’s master plan, students and school-based mental health professionals voiced confusion at the large app investment when, in many school districts, few in-person counseling roles exist, and in some cases are dwindling.

Kelly Merchant, a student at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, noted that it can be hard to access in-person therapy at her school. She believes the community college, which has about 15,000 students, has only one full-time counselor and one part-time bilingual counselor. She and several students interviewed by KFF Health News said they appreciated having engaging content on their phone and the ability to speak to a coach, but all said they’d prefer in-person therapy.

“There are a lot of people who are seeking therapy, and people close to me that I know. But their insurances are taking forever, and they’re on the waitlist,” Merchant said. “And, like, you’re seeing all these people struggle.”

Fiscal conservatives question whether the money could be spent more effectively, like to bolster county efforts and existing youth behavioral health programs.

Republican state Sen. Roger Niello, vice chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, noted that California is forecasted to face deficits for the next three years, and taxpayer watchdogs worry the apps might cost even more in the long run.

“What starts as a small financial commitment can become uncontrollable expenses down the road,” said Susan Shelley of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. 

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

Subscribe to KFF Health News’ free Morning Briefing.

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King Sargon II was a big fan of seeing his name around town—at least, that’s what one expert believes after reviewing a series of repeating mystery images that have confounded researchers for well over a century.

Ruler of the Neo-Assyrian empire from 721-704 BCE, Sargon II oversaw huge portions of ancient Mesopotamia, and is considered one of the era’s greatest military strategists. By the time of his death in 705 BCE, the king had either conquered or neutralized all his major political threats, a feat celebrated by his establishment of a new Assyrian capital in present day Khorsabad, Iraq, called Dūr-Šarrukīn, or “Fort Sargon,” in 706 BCE.

Excavations of the city during the late-nineteenth century revealed a sequence of five symbols repeated across multiple temples throughout Dūr-Šarrukīn—a lion, an eagle, a bull, a fig tree, and a plow. In some cases, however, there is similar art using just the lion, tree, and plough. Although the images appear similar to Egyptian hieroglyphics, the Assyrian empire during Sargon II’s reign had long utilized their non-pictorial cuneiform for written communication. Because of this, researchers have spent years theorizing about what the five total images might represent. Given Sargon II’s regal ego, historians have previously surmised the art could potentially represent his name in some form, but weren’t clear how that could be the case.

“The study of ancient languages and cultures is full of puzzles of all shapes and sizes, but it’s not often in the Ancient Near East that one faces mystery symbols on a temple wall,” Martin Worthington, a Trinity University professor specializing in ancient Mesopotamian languages and civilizations, said in a recent statement.

But according to Worthington, the answer is relatively simple and characteristic of the time. In his new paper published in the Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, Worthington argues the five images, when sounded out in ancient Assyrian, approximate “šargīnu,” or Sargon. Even when just the trio of pictures appears, their combination phonetically still resembles a shortened form of “Sargon.” Combined with the religious undertones of Assyrian constellations, Worthington contends the king was intent on making sure everyone knew just how great and powerful he was. 

“The effect of the symbols was to assert that Sargon’s name was written in the heavens, for all eternity, and also to associate him with the gods Anu and Enlil, to whom the constellations in question were linked,” he writes in his new paper’s abstract. “It is further suggested that Sargon’s name was elsewhere symbolized by a lion passant (pacing lion), through a bilingual pun.”

[Related: How cryptographers finally cracked one of the Zodiac Killer’s hardest codes.]

“[It was] a clever way to make the king’s name immortal,” Worthingon added through Trinity University’s announcement. “And, of course, the idea of bombastic individuals writing their name on buildings is not unique to ancient Assyria.”

Of course, given these are millennia-old metaphors sans concrete language reference points, it’s arguably impossible to state without a doubt these were Sargon’s regal brag banners. Cuneiform used at the time didn’t rely on literal pictures, and no codex is available to match the temple art with any translation. That said, Worthington believes the underlying logic, combined with Assyrian cultural reference points, makes a pretty convincing argument.

“I can’t prove my theory, but the fact it works for both the five-symbol sequence and the three-symbol sequence, and that the symbols can also be understood as culturally appropriate constellations, strikes me as highly suggestive,” Worthington said. “The odds against it all being happenstance are—forgive the pun—astronomical.”

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Rural and Indigenous communities are at risk of losing cell service thanks to a 2019 law intended to strip US telecom networks of Chinese-made equipment. And while local companies were promised reimbursements as part of the “rip-and-replace” program, many of them have so far seen little of the funding, if any at all.

The federal push to block Chinese telephone and internet hardware has been years in the making, but gained substantial momentum during the Trump administration. In May 2019 an executive order barred American providers from purchasing telecom supplies manufactured by businesses within a “foreign adversary” nation. Industry and government officials have argued China might use products from companies like Huawei and ZTE to tap into US telecom infrastructure. Chinese company representatives have repeatedly pushed back on these claims and it remains unclear how substantiated these fears are.

[Related: 8.3 million places in the US still lack broadband internet access.]

As The Washington Post explained on Thursday, major network providers like Verizon and Sprint have long banned the use of Huawei and ZTE equipment. But for many smaller companies, Chinese products and software are the most cost-effective routes for maintaining their businesses.

Meanwhile, “rip-and-replace” program plans have remained in effect through President Biden’s administration—but little has been done to help smaller US companies handle the intensive transition efforts. In a letter to Congress on Thursday, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel explained an estimated 40 percent of local network operators currently cannot replace their existing Huawei and ZTE equipment without additional federal funding. Although $1.9 billion is currently appropriated, revised FCC estimates say another $3 billion is required to cover nationwide rip-and-replace costs.

Congress directed the FCC to begin a rip-and-replace program through the passage of the 2020 Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act, but it wasn’t long before officials discovered the $3 billion shortfall. At the time, the FCC promised small businesses 39.5 percent reimbursements for their overhauls. Receiving that money subsequently triggered a completion deadline, but that remaining 61.5 percent of funding has yet to materialize for most providers. Last week, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced the Spectrum and National Security Act, which includes a framework to raise the additional $3 billion needed for program participants.

In her letter to Congress on Thursday, Rosenworcel said providers currently have between May 29, 2024, and February 4, 2025, to supposedly complete their transitions, depending on when they first received the partial funding. Rosenworcel added that at least 52 extensions have already been granted to businesses due in part to funding problems. Earlier this year, the FCC reported only 5 program participants had been able to fully complete their rip-and-replace plans.

It’s unclear how much of the US would be affected by the potential losses of coverage. To originally qualify for the reimbursement funding, a telecom company must provide coverage to under 2 million customers. The Washington Post cited qualified companies across much of the nation on Thursday, including Alaska, Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee, Kansas, and Oklahoma. 

“The Commission stands ready to assist Congress in any efforts to fully fund the Reimbursement Program,” Rosenworcel said yesterday.

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China launched its uncrewed Chang’e-6 lunar spacecraft at 5:27 PM local time (5:27 PM EST) on Friday from the southern island province of Hainan, accelerating its ongoing space race with the US. If successful, a lander will detach upon reaching lunar orbit and descend to the surface to scoop up samples from the expansive South Pole-Aitken basin impact crater. Once finished, the lander will launch back up to Chang’e-6, dock, and return to Earth with the first-of-its-kind samples in tow. All told, the mission should take roughly 56 days to complete.

China’s potential return to the moon marks a significant development in international efforts to establish a permanent presence there. As the US moves forward with its Artemis program missions alongside assistance from Japan and commercial partners, China and Russia are also seeking to build their own lunar research station. Whoever does so first could have major ramifications for the future of moon exploration, resource mining, and scientific progress.

[Related: Why do all these countries want to go to the moon right now? ]

The China National Space Administration’s (CNSA) previous Chang’e-5 mission successfully landed a spacecraft at a volcanic plain on the moon’s near side, but Chang’e-6 aims to take things further, both technologically and logistically. To pull off a far side feat, CNSA mission controllers will need to use a satellite already in orbit around the moon to communicate with Chang’e-6 once its direct relay becomes blocked. But if they can manage it, the payoff will be substantial.

As NBC News explained Friday, the moon’s far side is much less volcanically active than its near side. Since all previous lunar samples have come from the near side, experts believe retrieving new samples elsewhere will help increase their understanding of the moon’s history, as well as potential information on the solar system’s origins.

NASA most likely still has an edge when it comes to returning actual humans to the moon, however. Even with recent mission delays, Artemis 3 astronauts are currently scheduled to reach the probable ice-laden lunar south pole by 2026. China does not expect to send its own taikonauts to the moon until at least 2030, and its joint research station with Russia still remains in its conceptual phase.

That same year will also mark the official decommissioning of the International Space Station. After NASA remotely guides it into a fiery re-entry through Earth’s atmosphere, the only remaining orbital station will be China’s three-module Tiangong facility.

In an interview with Yahoo Finance earlier this week, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson didn’t mince words about the potential ramifications of who sets up on the moon first.

“I think it’s not beyond the pale that China would suddenly say, ‘We are here. You stay out,’” Nelson said at the time. “That would be very unfortunate—to take what has gone on on planet Earth for years, grabbing territory, and saying it’s mine and people fighting over it.”

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Parrots, renowned for their impressive intelligence and charming vocal mimicry, have gained popularity as pets in recent decades. Those same traits that make the birds fascinating to observe, however, can also cause issues. A lack of socialization and proper stimulation can cause parrots to act out, or in some cases, even harm themselves. An estimated 40% of cockatoos and African Greys, two popular species of parrots, reportedly engage in potentially harmful feather destruction. Many of these stress-induced, destructive behaviors are a byproduct of parrots living in environments drastically different from their natural habitats where they fly free among fellow birds. New research suggests modern technology, specially Facebook Messenger video chats, could help these birds regain their social lives

“In the wild, they live in flocks and socialize with each other constantly,” University of Glasgow associate professor Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas said in a statement. “As pets, they’re often kept on their own, which can cause them to develop negative behaviors like excessive pacing or feather-plucking.”

Researchers from Northeastern University, MIT, and the University of Glasgow recently set out to see how several species of parrots interacted when placed on brief video calls with one another. Over the course of three months, the researchers trained 18 parrots and their human caretakers to learn how to operate touchscreen tablets and smartphones. The birds were initially trained to associate video calls with a bell. Everytime the bell was rung during the training phase, the bird would receive a treat. Caretakers, meanwhile, were trained to end calls any time the bird showed signs of stress or discomfort. Once trained, the birds were free to ring the bell on their own accord. Doing so would result in their caretakers opening up Facebook Messenger and connecting them with fellow birds around the country involved in the study.  associated video calls with a bell and fed the birds a treat every time they rang the bell. The parrots were then able to access Facebook Messenger to video call fellow birds around the country. 

The results were shocking. In almost all cases, the birds’ caretakers claim the video calls improved their well-being. Some of the birds even appeared to learn new skills, like foraging or improved flight, after observing other birds doing so. Two of the birds, a cockatoo named Ellie and an African Grey named Cookie, still call each other nearly a year later. 

“It really speaks to how cognitively complex these birds are and how much ability they have to express themselves,” Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas said in a statement. “It was really beautiful, those two birds, for me.”

Bird video-calls resulted in long-lasting friendships 

The research into the birds was split up into two phases. For the first 10 weeks, caregivers were instructed on how to introduce and train the birds to interact with the touchscreen devices. Though previous research has explored using touchscreen with cats, dogs, bears, and rodents, parrots are particularly well suited to using the devices thanks to their combination of high cognitive ability, impressive vision, and flexible tongues. Once trained on the devices, all of the birds involved took part in a “meet and greet” where they were briefly placed in video calls with each bird at least twice. The birds were trained using treats to ring a bell to signal their interest in hopping on a call.

Stage two of the research removed the treats to see if the birds would still have any interest in requesting a video call without a food reward. Every one of the birds continued to ring the bell, with some doing so many times. Once rung, researchers presented the birds with a tablet home screen featuring photographs of different birds in the study. The parrot would then use its tongue to click on the companion it wished to interact with. Once presented with a bird on the other side of the call, the parrots would hop towards the screen, let out loud squawks, and bob their heads. Researchers believe the vocalizations in particular may mirror the type of calls and responses parrots often engage in when they are in the wild. 

Researchers observed multiple instances of birds appearing to mimic each other’s behaviors. Some would begin grooming themselves after watching a bird on the other end of screen do so. Other times, the birds would “sing” in unison. In one video, a colorful parrot can be seen eagerly waiting for a call to connect. A large white bird eventually appears on the other end of the call, which results in the red bird banging its head and chirping in excitement. In another case, a male macaw video-calling with a fellow macaw would let out the phrase “Hi! Come here!” If the second bird left the screen, the vocalizing bird would quickly ring a bell, which the caretakers interpreted as the bird asking his friend to return to the screen.                   

“Some strong social dynamics started appearing,” Northeastern assistant professor Rébecca Kleinberger said in a statement. 

Parrots prefer calling real birds over pre-recorded video

Interestingly, parrots included in the study appeared substantially less interested in video calls if they featured pre-recorded video of other birds. A related study published by University of Glasgow researchers show the parrots strongly preferred to chat with other parrots in real time. Over the course of six months of observation, the parrots spent more time engaged in the calls with real birds than with the pre-recorded videos. Those findings suggest the birds weren’t merely being existed by the presence of a screen. Rather, the actual communication with another living bird plays an important role. 

Combined, the birds in the study spent 561 minutes in love calls with other birds compared to just 142 minutes interacting with the pre-recorded videos. The birds’ caregivers reinforced that point and told researchers they appeared more curious and engaged when a live bird was on the other end of the call. 

“The appearance of ‘liveness’ really did seem to make a difference to the parrots’ engagement with their screens,” Douglas recently wrote. “Their behavior while interacting with another live bird often reflected behaviors they would engage in with other parrots in real life, which wasn’t the case in the pre-recorded sessions.”

Researchers are hopeful these findings could one day be used to help parrots improve their socialization. And while some of the parrot caretakers surveyed noted the steep learning curve to train the parrots, every one of them said the project was worthwhile once concluded. An overwhelming 71.4% of the caretakers in the video calling study said their birds had a very positive experience. By contrast, none of them described the experience as negative. One caretaker in particular claimed her pet “came alive during the calls.” 

“We’re not saying you can make them [the parrots] as happy as they would be in the wild,” Kleinberger said. “We’re trying to serve those who are already [in captivity].”

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The US Space Force located a tiny experimental satellite after it spent two-and-a–half decades missing in orbit. Hopefully, they’ll be able to keep an eye on it for good—unlike the last time.

The S73-7 Infra-Red Calibration Balloon (IRCB) was dead on arrival after ejecting from one of the Air Force’s largest Cold War orbital spy camera systems. Although it successfully departed the KH-9 Hexagon reconnaissance satellite about 500 miles above Earth in 1974, the S73-7 failed to inflate to its full 26-inch diameter. The malfunction prevented it from aiding ground based equipment triangulate remote sensing arrays and thus rendered it yet another hunk of space junk.

It wasn’t long afterwards that observers lost sight of the IRCB, only to once again locate the small satellite in early 1990s. And then, they managed to lose it again. Now, after another 25 years, the US Space Force’s 18th Space Defense Squadron rediscovered the experimental device.

The S73-7 satellite has been rediscovered after being untracked for 25 years. New TLEs for object 7244 started appearing on Apr 25. Congrats to whichever @18thSDS analyst made the identification. pic.twitter.com/YJOow5o4ND

— Jonathan McDowell (@planet4589) April 29, 2024

Confirmation came through a recent post on X from Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, who offered his “congrats to whichever… analyst made the identification.”

So how does a satellite disappear for years on end not once, but twice? It’s actually much easier than you might think. As Gizmodo explained on May 1, over 27,000 objects are currently in orbit, most of which are spent rocket boosters. These, along with various satellites, don’t transmit any sort of identification back to Earth. Because of this, tracking systems must match a detected object to a satellite’s predictable orbital path in order to ID it.

[Related: Some space junk just got smacked by more space junk, complicating cleanup.]

If you possess relatively up-to-date radar data, and there aren’t many contenders in a similar orbit, then it usually isn’t hard to pinpoint satellites. But the more crowded an area, the more difficult it is for sensors to match, especially if you haven’t seen your target in a while—say, miniature Infra-Red Calibration Balloon from the 1970s.

It’s currently unclear what information exactly tipped off Space Force to matching their newly detected object with the S73-7, but regardless, that makes it at least trackable above everyone’s heads. In all that time, McDowell’s data indicates the balloon has only descended roughly 9 miles from its original 500 mile altitude, so it’ll be a while before it succumbs to gravity and burns up in the atmosphere. Accounting for everything in orbit may sometimes be taken for granted, but it’s a vital component of humanity’s increasing reliance on satellite arrays, as well as the overall future of space travel.

The post Space Force finds a dead Cold War-era satellite missing for 25 years appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Dell S2722QC		SEE IT	Everything a creative professional or student needs in a single, well-constructed package.
Best for gaming		Samsung Odyssey Neo G8		SEE IT	A no-compromise display for serious PC or console gamers.
Best budget		Philips 288E2E		SEE IT	All the performance most people need—for a lot less money.

A solid 4K monitor provides all the screen real estate you need to get things done, whether working from home, gaming, or creating content. A high-resolution display will allow you to see text, photos, and video in great detail—especially recently created media. External monitors have been a common tech accessory for decades, but the marketplace for 4K displays specifically has expanded greatly over the past few years. The combination of 4K PC and console games, accessible 4K video, and the necessity of a home office or learning space has accelerated this change. If you’re assembling a new computer setup, these are the best 4K monitors available right now.

• Best overall: Dell S2722QC
• Best for gaming: Samsung Odyssey Neo G8
• Best curved: Gigabyte M32UC
• Best ultrawide: LG 38WN95C-W
• Best for video editing: BenQ PhotoVue SW272U
• Best portable: SideTrak Solo 4K
• Best budget: Philips 288E2E

How we chose the best 4K monitors

The monitor market has recently introduced several new 4K models, but these high-res options aren’t the standard—if you want 4K resolution, that narrows the field right off the bat. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Choosing the best one for your needs is easier by eliminating hundreds—if not thousands—of options. From that pool of possibilities, our recommendations are based on meticulous research and careful consideration of the most common uses of a 4K monitor. We’ve also considered the computer platform (Mac or PC) you’re using and whether you’d like to use your monitor with several devices or to replace a TV.

A monitor is the type of tech accessory most people will rely on daily for a decade or more, so our recommendations must stand the test of time and be ready to work with every computer you get. Longevity, multi-functionality, and value were the core virtues we considered when searching for and ultimately selecting the best 4K monitors.

The best 4K monitors: Reviews & Recommendations

Our selection of 4K monitors is designed to match any budget and lifestyle. Some are “all-rounders,” which means they’ll be pretty good for many tasks, while others are designed for a specific purpose—gaming, for example—or have a differentiating tech spec, like a curved panel. Our 4K monitor recommendations will serve you well while browsing the web or streaming video.

Best overall: Dell S2722QC

SEE IT

Specs

• Size: 27 inches
• Ports: 1 x USB-C PD, 2 x HDMI, 2 x USB-A, 1 x headphone jack
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• VESA compatibility: 100 x 100 mm
• Speakers: Yes

Pros

• Can quickly charge laptops while they’re connected
• Multiple USB-A ports
• Built-in speakers

Cons

• Low refresh rate for serious gaming

Dell’s S2722QC is an all-in-one package that offers the right mix of excellent performance for most uses and value. Its most convenient feature for MacBook and modern PC laptop users is a USB-C port, which allows you to connect your computer to it without an adapter. Yes, the S2722QC has multiple HDMI ports, but hooking your laptop up to it with a USB-C cable will charge the computer and allow you to connect other accessories to the monitor’s USB-A ports. This configuration turns the 4K monitor into a USB hub. This single-cable solution will make your home office setup look neater, and ensure your laptop is charged when you want to take it out of your home.

We’ve used Dell’s S2722QC hooked up to a 13-inch MacBook Pro via USB-C for several months and have never had an issue with the monitor recognizing the computer or flaking out mid-use. We’ve been especially pleased with the monitor’s color reproduction and overall sharpness when reading text and viewing photos. MacOS automatically puts the monitor in a scaled resolution mode, which admittedly makes text larger and easier to read, but you can switch it to 4K in the “Displays” section of the System Settings app. The monitor performs just as well whether we’ve used it at a scaled or default resolution.

One of this monitor’s most surprising features is integrated 3W speakers. They’re helpful in a pinch, but we still recommend picking up a dedicated set of speakers for your computer if you listen to music frequently. Still, if you’re on a video call and your Bluetooth headphones have run out of juice, it’s helpful to have speakers immediately at the ready. Ergonomically speaking, the S2722QC gets high marks for being height adjustable. The ability to raise and lower the monitor whenever we pleased made working more comfortable as we moved throughout the day.

The S2722QC’s only downside—depending on how you plan on using your 4K display—is its relatively slow 8ms (millisecond) response time and 60Hz panel. This won’t make a difference when you’re watching videos, browsing the web, or editing photos, and we never noticed any perceptible lag in day-to-day use. You’ll only notice this feature when you’re playing fast-paced games like first-person shooters. Casual or slower-paced games don’t require a fast refresh rate display, but cutting-edge titles will suffer slightly, so opt for a dedicated gaming monitor instead.

If you’re not a PC or console gamer looking for a high-resolution display primarily for gaming, the S2722QC will serve you very well.

Best for gaming: Samsung Odyssey Neo G8

SEE IT

Specs

• Size: 32 inches
• Ports: 2 x HDMI, 2 x USB-A, headphone jack
• Refresh rate: 240Hz
• VESA compatibility: 100 x 100 mm
• Speakers: No

Pros

• Extremely high refresh rate
• Support for Adaptive Sync with AMD and NVidia graphics cards
• Matte display won’t show glare from lights

Cons

• Price
• Curved display may not be for everyone.

If gaming is your primary use case for a 4K monitor, Samsung’s Odyssey Neo G8 is a no-compromise display. Its 240Hz panel is incredibly fast, allowing you to play the latest games at their fastest-possible speed—so long as your gaming computer‘s graphics card and processor are fast enough to handle them. The monitor’s display panel is complemented by built-in software support for Adaptive Sync, which will offer better performance when it’s hooked up to a computer with an AMD or NVidia graphics card.

Adaptive sync will further reduce latency (lag) and the frequency of image artifacts like screen tearing, which can occur when the screen is updated with new images quickly. This technology, which works with settings like low input lag mode and a refresh rate optimizer, increases the probability of smooth, consistent gameplay.

Many modern games support HDR (high dynamic range), which improves contrast and color accuracy when a PC or console is hooked up to a display that supports them. Samsung outfitted the Odyssey Neo G8 with Quantum HDR 2000, so newer games, TV shows, and movies will really pop. Games that don’t support HDR will also look nice, so don’t worry if you spend a lot of time playing the classics.

While Samsung focused primarily on optimizing the Neo G8 for gaming, it made design choices that make it a solid pick for general use. The 4K monitor can be tilted and height adjusted and rotated a full 90 degrees. This is a huge deal ergonomically, as it allows you to position the monitor exactly where you want it without having to get a third-party stand or mount.

The most controversial choice is that the Odyssey Neo G8 has a curved display, a love-it-or-hate-it situation. Curved displays have the advantage of taking up more of your peripheral vision, which, combined with the Odyssey Neo G8’s 21:1 aspect ratio, will create an immersive gaming experience. On the other hand, curved displays can reflect light from multiple angles, which can get frustrating if you’re playing in a well-lit room.

If you have a dedicated PC or console gaming setup, Samsung’s Odyssey Neo G8 can be an excellent 4K desk-friendly display. That said, its cutting-edge hardware does come at an extremely high price. Don’t get us wrong, the Odyssey Neo G8 is an excellent 4K gaming monitor and priced appropriately given its tech specs, but it’s a significant investment.

Game in a darker environment and willing to sacrifice a few pixels for a more immersive viewing experience? Our favorite ultrawide OLED monitor is also in the Samsung Odyssey G8 family.

Best curved: Gigabyte M32UC

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Specs

• Size: 31.5 inches
• Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x USB-C, 4 x USB 3.2 headphone jack
• Refresh rate: 160Hz
• VESA compatibility: 100 x 100 mm
• Speakers: No

Pros

• Large viewing angle
• Fast refresh rate
• Ergonomic design

Cons

• Curved display may not work in rooms with a lot of light

Curved monitors aren’t for everyone, but Gigabyte’s M32UC is our preferred 4K model due to its gamer-forward features and ergonomics. The big reason to get a 4K curved monitor is to have a display that covers more of your peripheral vision, which can be helpful if you get distracted while working. However, curved displays will catch and reflect light from more angles, so you should seriously consider the light source in your room before picking one up, as a constant bright blotch on your screen can also be distracting. If you already know the risks associated with curved monitors and want a high-resolution model, there’s a lot to like about the M32UC.

Serious video and photo editors will appreciate that the M32UC covers 93% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, 123% of the sRGB color gamut, and supports DisplayHDR 400. It’s paramount that the display you’re using is as accurate as possible, and this monitor will deliver for prosumers. Similarly, gamers who want a truly immersive high-resolution PC gaming experience will take advantage of the M32UC’s HDR (High Dynamic Range) support along with its 160Hz refresh rate. Modern games will move fluidly on this display—provided your PC has enough graphical hardware to run the latest titles at such a high resolution and frame rate simultaneously.

Every type of user will benefit from the M32UC’s height-adjustable stand—especially helpful if you’re using the monitor in a room where the sun is at risk of reflecting off its display throughout the day. You’ll also appreciate the monitor’s port selection, which includes multiple USB-A and HDMI ports in addition to a USB-C and DisplayPort. It’s easy to connect several peripherals, computers, and game consoles to the M32UC at the same time without using a single adapter.

If you’re comfortable using a curved monitor and want a 4K display as your digital canvas, GIGABYTE’s M32UC is our top pick.

Best ultrawide: LG 38WN95C-W

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Specs

• Size: 38 inches
• Ports: 1 x Thunderbolt (USB-C), 2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 2 x USB-A, 1 x Headphone jack
• Refresh rate: 144Hz
• VESA compatibility: 100 x 100 mm
• Speakers: No

Pros

• Massive display that’s still VESA-compatible
• Solid refresh rate for gaming
• Wide port selection

Cons

• Price
• May be too big for many desks

Ultrawide monitors have become popular recently because they allow you to have two full-sized windows open on a single display rather than requiring a dual-monitor setup. At 38 inches wide, the 38WN95C-W requires a huge space commitment, but you’re rewarded with a curved display guaranteed to take up all of your peripheral vision. Technically, this is a QHD+ (3840 x 1600) display, which isn’t quite a “true 4K,” but it’s the closest you’ll get with a display like this. The monitor would have to be comically tall to accommodate the extra 500 pixels, and you won’t miss them with this type of display.

The 38WN95C-W is stacked on the tech side, especially in its port selection. You can connect four devices to it simultaneously using its mix of HDMI, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt ports. The monitor’s Thunderbolt 4 input—the same shape as a USB-C port—has the same benefits as the one in our best overall pick for this guide. You can charge your laptop and connect it to accessories through the 38WN95C-W’s pair of USB-A ports with a single cable.

Gamers will appreciate the 38WN95C-W’s 1ms response time, 144Hz refresh rate, and support for AMD FreeSync and NVidia G-Sync, all of which make this monitor a solid pick for 4K gaming. The difference between a 4K 120Hz monitor and one that runs at 144Hz is noticeable when playing games that require precise movement. Its height, swivel, and tilt-adjustable stand also score points in the ergonomics arena. Frankly, it’s hard to find a task the 38WN95C-W isn’t well suited for.

The limiting factor for this display is space—if you have enough and are committed to living the ultrawide monitor lifestyle, the 38WN95C-W can handle anything you throw at it with aplomb.

Best for video editing: BenQ PhotoVue SW272U

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Specs

• Size: 27 inches
• Ports: 1 x USB-C, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x USB-B, 2 x USB-B, 1 x SD Card slot, 1 x Headphone Jack
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• VESA compatibility: 100 x 100 mm
• Speakers: No

Pros

• Support for 100% sRGB, 99% Adobe RGB, 99% DCI-P3 color spectrums
• Video and photo-centric built-in features
• Height-adjustable stand

Cons

• Cost

BenQ’s PhotoVue SW272U is the best monitor we’ve ever tested for video editing, and professionals in this field should take notice. The 4K display is calibrated and tested for color accuracy before leaving its factory for Delta E ≤1.5 accuracy. BenQ includes a certification report with the display so you can be sure it passed the inspection. The display covers 99 percent of DCI-P3 color gamut, is Calman-verified and Pantone-validated, and offers 10-bit support for 1.07 billion colors. This level of performance allows you to use the SW272U for professional video editing work right out of the box.

Additional video and photo editing-centric settings include a P3 color preview to ensure accurate colors before you deliver a video to clients and Paper Color Sync, which allows you to fine-tune color settings without burning through precious photo paper and ink. These features aren’t necessary for folks who need a 4K monitor for common uses but are essential for creative professionals whose work needs to be as polished as possible. The included Hotkey Puck G3 makes it easy to change settings with shortcuts, saving you time throughout the day.

If you’re working in an environment with a lot of natural light, the SW272U has you covered. We tested this monitor in a room with south and west-facing windows and have no issues seeing the screen, thanks to the 400 nits of brightness. In terms of ergonomics and build, this IPS monitor features an anti-glare coating, essentially eliminating reflections, making it more comfortable to look at for multiple hours in a row. It has a sturdy stand with plenty of adjustment options and a leatherette base. The SW272U doesn’t have built-in speakers, but its headphone jack allows you to plug headphones in if you’re mixing audio for a key scene.

It’s expensive, but BenQ’s PhotoVue S272U offers truly outstanding quality, a robust feature set for creatives, and excellent ergonomics for long editing sessions. 

Best portable: SideTrak Solo 4K

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Specs

• Size: 15.6 inches
• Ports: 2 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A, 1 x Mini HDMI
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• VESA compatibility: N/A
• Speakers: Yes

Pros

• Can be powered by a single cable
• Thin enough to pack in a backpack
• Improves the ability to multitask out of the house.

Cons

• Cost

SideTrak’s Solo 4K is far and away the most technically impressive portable monitor we’ve tested and a must-have for creatives who need as many pixels as possible when working from outside their home. The 15.6-inch 4K display weighs under three pounds and is under half an inch thick, which allowed us to take it around in a backpack during our tests without feeling over-encumbered.

We used the Solo 4K with a 13-inch MacBook Pro and connected the two using a single USB-C cable (included), which provided power and transferred data. Our computer immediately recognized the 4K display, configured it appropriately, and never lost its connection. MacOS put the Solo 4K into a scaled resolution mode by default, and it worked well whether we used this stock setting or adjusted it to its native 4K monitor resolution. SideTrak also configured the Solo 4K’s picture preset appropriately, so we didn’t have to touch that to get colors that looked accurate instead of washed out or overexposed.

If you’re used to working on two high-resolution displays at home, it’s incredible how much more efficient you can be when taking a similar setup on the road. We found ourselves using the Solo 4K as a separate pane dedicated to tasks like photo editing and keeping our e-mail and work chat apps open while using our laptop’s built-in display for writing posts. Having additional information available at a glance rather than having to break focus by switching to a different piece of software was immediately beneficial.

Multitasking became possible when working at a coffee shop—be sure to snag a table with enough space for both a laptop and monitor side-by-side—in ways that wouldn’t have been practical otherwise. Frequent travelers who find themselves at a disadvantage while working in transit or at their temporary destination will find their roadblocks eliminated. The only technical fault we could find with the SideTrak Solo 4K was its fairly weak speakers, which is understandable when you consider the thinness of this display. If you need a 4K display that can be reasonably taken anywhere, SideTrak’s Solo 4K is the solution.

Best budget: Philips 288E2E

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Specs

• Size: 28 inches
• Ports: 2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x Headphone jack
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• VESA compatibility: 100 x 100 mm
• Speakers: Yes

Pros

• Support for 120 percent of the sRGB spectrum
• Height and tilt adjustment
• Price

Cons

• Refresh too slow for gaming

Philips’ 288E2E proves how far the affordability of 4K monitor technology has come in a relatively short time. For $270 (at the time of this reporting), you’re getting a 28-inch 4K display with AMD FreeSync support, the ability to display 120 percent of the sRGB color spectrum, built-in speakers, and an ultra-slim design. Philips had to make very few feature cuts when designing this display, and they mostly come down to nice-to-have-but-unnecessary extras, namely a USB-A port and ultra-fast refresh rate.

These commissions aren’t glaring—though gaming on a 60Hz panel isn’t ideal—and make the 288E2E feel like a slightly more barebones version of our best overall pick, Dell’s excellent S2722QC. Part of this 4K monitor’s appeal is its averageness. Hear us out: There’s no curved panel or ultrawide design, just a straight-ahead high-resolution display. While this may be relatively boring, it’s exactly what most people are looking for in a 4K monitor for general tasks. This display even has built-in speakers, a relative niche feature not found in many of its competitors in this price range.

If your needs are relatively modest, the difference between Philips’ 288E2E and other picks is insignificant. You can use the money you save by picking up this display to upgrade additional parts of your home office setup.

What to consider when buying the best 4K monitors

Several factors should be considered when deciding which 4K monitor fits your needs. These are the five we’ve deemed most important when conducting our research to help you make your selection:

Screen size

4K monitors come in a variety of sizes, but bigger doesn’t always necessarily mean better. A large monitor will take up more room on your desk and may not be necessary if your needs are modest. Photo and video editors can take full advantage of the space available on a 38-inch 4K monitor more easily than a writer or typical student. Ironically, it’s easier to see individual pixels on a monitor as its screen size grows, which may annoy you if you’ve got very sharp sight. The 4K monitors we recommend run the gamut from 27-38 inches.

Ports

A monitor’s ports (also called inputs) determine which cable is required to connect it to a computer or other tech accessory. All 4K monitors above are equipped with multiple HDMI ports, the most common input found on external displays and TVs. Many also feature a DisplayPort or USB-C port, which are more niche but serve the same purpose. Some of our 4K monitor picks have USB-A ports, which allow you to use them as a hub to connect your computer to additional accessories.

Refresh rate

A monitor’s refresh rate—measured in hertz, shortened to Hz—determines how quickly it can be updated with new information. Refresh rates are measured in milliseconds, which means this tech spec isn’t important for common tasks but will make a difference if you choose to use your external display for gaming. A typical monitor offers a 60Hz refresh rate but can go much higher. Some gaming monitors go as high as 500Hz, but that’s extreme for the category.

VESA compatibility

All 4K monitors above come with a built-in stand, but you can replace it with a different one—whether it’s a wall mount or a monitor arm—if preferred, as long as they are VESA compatible. Switching to a different monitor stand may improve the ergonomics of your computing setup or save you desk space based on the one you choose.

Speakers

If you’d like to use your computer as a TV replacement, it’s smart to get one with built-in speakers. A monitor’s speakers will never match the quality of a true stereo pair but will work well in a pinch.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best 4K monitors

• Best overall: Dell S2722QC
• Best for gaming: Samsung Odyssey Neo G8
• Best curved: Gigabyte M32UC
• Best ultrawide: LG 38WN95C-W
• Best for video editing: BenQ PhotoVue SW272U
• Best portable: SideTrak Solo 4K
• Best budget: Philips 288E2E

A 4K monitor will quickly become the most important tech accessory in your computing setup, right next to the external hard drive you use for regular backups and the Wi-Fi router you rely on for a steady Internet connection. It used to be difficult to find monitors with this resolution without spending thousands of dollars or settling for sub-par specs, but thankfully, that’s no longer the case. Advancements in display technology have made 4K monitors more accessible and affordable than ever, and once you get one, there’s no going back.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio, to video games, to cameras, and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

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Billionaire LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman has recently released a video ‘interview’ with his new digital avatar, Reid AI. Built on a custom GPT trained on two decades’ worth of Hoffman’s books, articles, speeches, interviews, and podcasts, Reid AI utilizes speech and video deepfake technology to create a digital clone capable of approximating its source subject’s mannerisms and conversational tone. For over 14 minutes, you can watch the two Hoffmans gaze lovingly and dead-eyed, respectively, into the tech industry’s uncanny navel. In doing so, viewers aren’t offered a “way to be better, to be more human,” as the real Hoffman argues—but a way towards a misguided, dangerous, unethical, and hollow future.

Many people might shudder at the idea of unleashing a talking, animated AI avatar of themselves into the world, but the tech utopian “city of yesterday” investor sounds absolutely jazzed about it. According to an April 24 blog post, he finds the whole prospect so “interesting and thought-provoking,” in fact, that he recently partnered with generative AI video company Hour One and the AI audio startup 11ElevenLabs to make it happen. (If that latter name sounds familiar, it’s because 11ElevenLabs’ product is what scammers misused to create those audio deepfake Biden robocalls earlier this year.)

After teasing a showcase of his digital clone for months, Hoffman finally revealed a (heavily edited) video conversation between himself and “Reid AI” last week. And what does the cutting-edge, deepfake-animated culmination of a custom built GPT-4 chatbot reportedly trained on all things Hoffman? A solid question—and one that isn’t easy to answer after watching the surreal, awkward, and occasionally unhygienic simulated interaction.

“Why would I want to be interviewed by a digital version of myself?” Hoffman posits at the video’s outset. First and foremost, it’s apparently to summarize one of his books for an array of potential audience demographics: the smartest person in the world, 5-year-old children, Seinfeld fans, and Klingons. While Hoffman seems to love each subsequent Blitzscaling encapsulation (particularly the “smartest person” one) they all sound like it came from a ChatGPT prompt—which, technically, they did. The difference here is that, instead of only a text answer, the words get a Hoffman vocal approximation layered atop of a (still clearly artificial) video rendering of the man.

Amidst all his excitement, Hoffman—like so many influential tech industry figures—yet again betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of how generative AI works. Technology like OpenAI’s GPT, no matter how gussied up with visual and audio additions, is not capable of comprehension. When an AI responds, “Thank you” or “I think that’s a great point,” they don’t actually experience gratitude or think anything. Generative AI sees sentences as lines of code, each letter or space followed by the next, most probably letter or space. This can be adapted into conversational audio and dubbed to video personas, but that doesn’t change the underlying functionality. It simply received new symbolic input that influences what basically amounts to a superpowered autocorrect system. Even if its language is set to Klingon, as Reid AI offers at one point.

So when Reid AI warns Hoffman a wrong answer may result “because I misinterpreted the information you gave, or I don’t have the full context of your question,” Hoffman doesn’t pause to explain any of the above facts for viewers. He instead moves along to his next conversation point, which usually involves a plug for his books or LinkedIn.

[Related: A deepfake ‘Joe Biden’ robocall told voters to stay home for primary election.]

Meanwhile, Reid AI’s visual component is supposedly meant to simulate many of Hoffman’s conversational mannerisms and queues. Judging from Reid AI’s performance, these largely boil down to stilted attempts at “nodding vigorously,” “emphatically tapping to illustrate a point,” and “picking his nose.” As New Atlas points out, the moment at 10:44 is an odd quirk to include in such a clearly condensed and edited video—perhaps meant to illustrate some of humanity’s more awkward, relatable traits. If so, it does little to distract from the far more absurd and troubling sentiments said by both Hoffman’s.

Reid AI expounds on boilerplate techno-libertarian talking points for fostering a “framework that fuels innovation.” Hoffman repeatedly opines that any concerns about bias, privacy, labor, and digital ownership concerns are just “start[ing] with the negative and [not realizing] all the things that are positive.” The digital clone regurgitates bland, uncreative ways to spruce up Hoffman’s LinkedIn page, like adding “personal flair” such as a fun and colorful header image.

But the most worrisome moment arrives when Hoffman contends “Everyone should be asking themselves, ‘What can I do to help?’” make AI like digital avatars more commonplace. He even goes so far as to equate the current technological era to Europe’s adoption of the steam engine, which made it “such a dominant force in the entire world.” (Neither he, nor Reid AI, concede the other tools involved in the industrial revolution, of course—namely a colonialist system built on the labor of millions of exploited and enslaved populations.)

Hoffman says future iterations of Reid AI will add “to the range of capabilities, of things that I could do.” It’s an extremely telling sentiment—one implying people like Hoffman have no qualms with erasing any demarcation between their cloned and authentic selves. If nothing else, Hoffman has already found at least one task Reid AI can handle for him.

“I am curious to know what others’ thoughts are on how to mitigate impersonation and all other types of risks stemming from such a use-case and achieve ‘responsible AI,’” one LinkedIn user asked him in his announcement post’s comments.

“Great question… Here is Reid AI’s answer,” Hoffman responded alongside a link to a new avatar clip.

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Climate scientists, for years, have urged governments around the world to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Wind and solar plants have increased in popularity in recent years but they both have a fundamental problem. Lapses in sunlight and wind caused by weather events can make it difficult to reliably capture and store all that energy, especially when attempting to supply power to large cities. The solution to the reliability issue are batteries, and lots of them. 

A new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) recently argued these hordes of batteries will play a critical role in determining whether or not ambitious climate goals established by international experts are ever met. Recent innovations in lithium-ion battery tech have significantly lowered their costs which in turn is helping make switches to renewable energy power sources more viable for communities around the world. Battery prices by 2030, the report notes, could fall by 40%. 

At the same time, increased demand for battery powered electric vehicles and energy produced from renewable sources means battery tech will need to get even cheaper in only a few short years in order to meet rising demands. All of this, according to IEA estimates, will require a six-fold increase in energy storage capacity by 2030. Cheap batteries will need to get even cheaper. 

“Reducing emissions and getting on track to meet international energy and climate targets will hinge on whether the world can scale up batteries fast enough,” IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol wrote. “Batteries are changing the game before our eyes.”

Lithium-ion battery costs have fallen more than any other energy technology 

Though lithium-ion batteries are typically associated with gadgets and other consumer electronic gizmos, that’s increasingly no longer their main use case. In 2023, according to the IEA, the energy sector accounted for 90% of all battery demand. The total lithium-ion battery market has increased nearly ten times the size it was just eight years ago. Costs associated with those batteries have plummeted by 90% in just the past 15 years, according to the report. Overall, the report notes, batteries have seen the sharpest price drops of any energy technology to date. Those falling battery prices have led to more affordable electricity vehicles and solar energy offered at price points comparable to fossil fuels. 

“The combination of solar PV (photovoltaic) and batteries is today competitive with new coal plants in India,” Birol said in a statement. “And just in the next few years, it will be cheaper than new coal in China and gas-fired power in the United States.”

As impressive as all those figures may sound, the IEA notes it still might not be nearly enough to support rising energy demands. In order to meet the United Nations’ goals of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, the IEA estimates global battery storage will need to increase by six times its current size. To do that, battery storage deployment will need to increase by an average of at least 25% every year. Batteries will need to have steep price drops while simultaneously maintaining or improving performance. The IEA estimates new innovations in battery chemistry and manufacturing could reduce lithium-ion costs globally by 40% between now and 2030. Battery manufacturing capacity is also currently limited to a select few countries, something the IEA says will need to change moving forward. 

“A shortfall in deploying enough batteries would risk stalling clean energy transitions in the power sector,” the report reads.

What cheaper batteries mean for consumers 

Increased adoption of electric vehicles and renewables power sources are playing a meaningful role in efforts to cut back on emissions. While EV adoption in the US has slightly slowed compared to previous years, the trend globally is up. EV deployment increased by 40% in 2023, a figure which translated to 14 million EVs hitting roads. The IEA estimates the continually growing fleet of electric vehicles could displace the need for 8 million barrels of oil every day by the end of the decade. In practical terms, lower costs associated with batteries will translate to cheaper electric vehicles in the near future. US drivers repeatedly cite pricing as one of the primary factors preventing them from switching to an EV. More affordable models driven partly by falling battery prices could encourage more drivers to make a switch and could even help make a dent in the Biden Administration’s goal of having 50 percent of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2030.

On the infrastructure side of the equation, cheaper energy storage prices means developing countries looking to create new power plants can choose more renewable options at prices comparable to non-renewable alternatives. Falling battery prices are also making it possible to deploy renewable microgrids in areas that are currently underserved by traditional energy grids. 

In places like the US, a more reliable energy sector buttressed by batteries would further improve the country’s energy independence and cut down on the need to purchase fossil fuels from other countries. Renewable energy sources accounted for just 19% of the US energy grid in 2020 but affordable, more reliable storage could alter that dynamic. Researchers from Stanford provided some evidence of that scenario by recently running a simulation showing the possibility of the US maintaining a 100% renewable energy grid by 2050.

Batteries have a critical mineral problem 

Cheaper batteries, at least how they are currently manufactured, aren’t a silver bullet. Today, the global battery market is largely dependent on critical minerals sourced from a concentrated handful of countries. China alone accounts for more than half of material processing for lithium and cobalt. Extracting these minerals from the Earth is dangerous work and can create its own source of damaging pollution. Massive mines can also radically alter the environment of entire communities. 

New types of batteries could offer some solutions to the mineral problem. Lithium ion phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are increasingly being used in new electric vehicles, rely on a different chemistry method which does not contain nickel or cobalt. Though more mineral intensive lithium-ion batteries still make up the vast majority of battery storage, (LFP) batteries accounted for 80% of new batteries made last year. Efforts to more effectively recycle aluminum, copper, and other resources found in mounding e-waste could also potentially help build out future batteries with less intensive mining. Less than 1% of rare earth metals found in e-waste are currently recycled. 

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If you’ve ever wanted to own your very own supercomputer, then rejoice: the US General Services Administration is auctioning off Cheyenne, a supercomputer belonging to the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

Cheyenne is located at the NCAR’s Supercomputing Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It’s been in operation since 2016, and the havoc that COVID wrought on global supply chains means that it’s being retired two years later than anticipated. The extra work looks to have taken its toll: according to the auction listing, which was first spotted by Ars Technica, the machine’s water cooling system has had issues with “faulty disconnects causing water spray.” The idea of water spraying all over a multi-million dollar supercomputer is exactly as bad as it sounds, and the NCAR has decided that “the expense and downtime associated with rectifying this issue” has meant that “it’s deemed more detrimental than the anticipated failure rate of compute nodes.” It’s simply not worth it keeping it operational, so to the auction house it goes.

Supercomputers operate in a completely different realm to the consumer computers we use in everyday life. The most commonly used metric for making comparisons between supercomputers is the number of floating-point operations they can carry out per second, because these calculations are vital to scientific models, complex simulations, and various other high-end applications. “Floating-point operations” is abbreviated as FLOPS, and today’s supercomputers operate in the range of petaFLOPS. At its peak performance, Cheyenne was good for 5.34 petaFLOPS, which would place it just outside the top 100 most powerful machines in the world today. It’s unlikely to be able to reach that number these days, as the cooling issues mean that “1% of nodes [have] experienced failure … which will remain unrepaired.”

This might sound less than impressive, but even a water-damaged decade-old supercomputer is ridiculously powerful. How powerful? Well, consumer machines aren’t really designed to do the sort of floating-point operations in which supercomputers specialize, so it’s hard to do a direct comparison in terms of FLOPS. (For what it’s worth, here’s a guy on Twitter reporting that the same processor that’s in the 2019 MacBook Pro on which I’m writing this piece can achieve a brief peak of 200 gigaFLOPS.) 

However, it is possible to make comparisons between Cheyenne’s hardware and that of an average PC, because while early supercomputers often used proprietary hardware, Cheyenne uses plain old server-grade CPUs—specifically, 18-core Intel Xeon E5-2697 v4s. As a rough comparison, each of these processors is about twice as powerful as the CPU in my laptop… and the Cheyenne features over eight thousand of them.

The system as a whole has a whopping 145,142 processor cores; my poor little laptop has six. The other hardware specifications are equally startling: the system has 313 TB of RAM, a 40 PB storage system, and slurps up 1.7 MW of power. 

However, if you’re reading this and thinking that Cheyenne sounds like exactly what you need to run Dwarf Fortress, you’ll definitely want to read the fine print. For a start, Cheyenne is very, very heavy. It comprises 14 “E-Cells,” each of which weighs 1,500 lbs (680 kg), along with two “Management Racks” which weigh in at 2,500 lbs (1,133 kg). As the GSA auction site notes cheerfully, “Moving this system necessitates the engagement of a professional moving company.” 

Still, the logistical challenges haven’t entirely dampened interest in the machine. At the time of publication, 15 intrepid souls had placed bids, although the highest bid—$50,085.00—hasn’t met the auction’s reserve price. Bidding closes just after 6pm Central Time on May 3, so if you happen to be in possession of a crane, an oversized garage, a troublingly large bank balance and a hankering for absurd amounts of computing power… this may just be your moment.

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NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope isn’t only snapping some of the most detailed images of our cosmos—it’s also helping an international team of astronomers determine the weather on planets trillions of miles away from Earth. Its latest subject, WASP-43b, appears to live up to its extremely heavy metal-sounding name.

Astronomers discovered WASP-43b back in 2011, but initially could only assess some of its potential conditions using the Hubble and now-retired Spitzer space telescopes. That said, it was immediately clear that the gas giant is a scorcher.According to their measurements, the planet orbits its star at just 1.3 million miles away. For comparison, that’s not even 1/25th the distance separating Mercury from the sun. WASP-43b is also tidally locked in its orbit, meaning that one side is always facing its star while the other half is constantly cloaked in darkness.

But at 280 light-years away and practically face-to-face with its star, WASP-43b is difficult to see clearly through telescopes. To get a better look, experts enlisted JWST’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to measure extremely small fluctuations in the brightness emitted by the WASP-43 system every 10 seconds for over 24 hours.

“By observing over an entire orbit, we were able to calculate the temperature of different sides of the planet as they rotate into view. From that, we could construct a rough map of temperature across the planet,” Taylor Bell, a researcher at the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute and the lead author of a study published yesterday in Nature Astronomy, said in Tuesday’s announcement.

[Related: JWST images show off the swirling arms of 19 spiral galaxies.]

Some of those temperatures are blazing enough to forge iron, with WASP-43b’s dayside averaging almost 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit. And while the nightside is a balmier 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit, that’s still only about 120 degrees short of the melting point for aluminum.

MIRI’s broad spectrum mid-infrared light data, paired alongside additional telescope readings and 3D climate modeling, also allowed astronomers to measure water vapor levels around the planet. With this information, the team could better calculate WASP-43b’s cloud properties, including their thickness and height.

The light data also revealed something striking about the gas giant’s atmospheric conditions—a total lack of methane, which astronomers previously hypothesized may be detectable, at least on the nightside. This fact implies that nearly 5,000 mph equatorial winds must routinely whip across WASP-43b, which are fast enough to prevent the chemical reactions necessary to produce detectable levels of methane.

“With Hubble, we could clearly see that there is water vapor on the dayside. Both Hubble and Spitzer suggested there might be clouds on the nightside,” Bell said on Tuesday. “But we needed more precise measurements from Webb to really begin mapping the temperature, cloud cover, winds, and more detailed atmospheric composition all the way around the planet.”

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Boston Dynamics may have relocated the bipedal Atlas to a nice farm upstate, but the company continues to let everyone know its four-legged line of Spot robots have a lot of life left in them. And after years of obvious dog-bot comparisons, Spot’s makers finally went ahead and commissioned a full cartoon canine getup for its latest video showcase. Sparkles is here and like its fellow Boston Dynamics family, it’s perfectly capable of cutting a rug.

Unlike, say, a mini Spot programmed to aid disaster zone search-and-rescue efforts or explore difficult-to-reach areas in nuclear reactors, Sparkles appears designed purely to offer viewers some levity. According to Boston Dynamics, the shimmering, blue, Muppet-like covering is a “custom costume designed just for Spot to explore the intersections of robotics, art, and entertainment” in honor of International Dance Day. In the brief clip, Sparkles can be seen performing a routine alongside a more standardized mini Spot, sans any extra attire.

But Spot bots such as this duo aren’t always programmed to dance for humanity’s applause—their intricate movements highlight the complex software built to take advantage of the machine’s overall maneuverability, balance, and precision. In this case, Sparkles and its partner were trained using Choreographer, a dance-dedicated system made available by Boston Dynamics with entertainment and media industry customers in mind.

[Related: RIP Atlas, the world’s beefiest humanoid robot.]

With Choreographer, Spot owners don’t need a degree in robotics or engineering to get their machines to move in rhythm. Instead, they are able to select from “high-level instruction” options instead of needing to key in specific joint angle and torque parameters. Even if one of Boston Dynamics robots running Choreographer can’t quite pull off a user’s routine, it is coded to approximate the request as best as possible.

“If asked to do something physically impossible, or if faced with an environmental challenge like a slippery floor, Spot will find the possible motion most similar to what was requested and do that instead—analogously to what a human dancer would do,” the company explains.

Choreographer is behind some of Boston Dynamics’ most popular demo showcases, including those BTS dance-off and the “Uptown Funk” videos. It’s nice to see the robots’ moves are consistently improving—but maybe nice still is that it’s at least one more time people don’t need to think about a gun-toting dog bot. Or even what’s in store for humanity after that two-legged successor to Atlas finally hits the market.

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Toyota’s trusty Camry sedan has been around for more than two decades. Once a compact, boxy car, the Camry has become a predictable mainstay in America, a beloved four-door fit for everything from transporting clients to hauling families all over town. The humble Camry isn’t ready to lie down and play dead any time soon, either. In fact, it has a few new tricks up its… exhaust pipe, if you will.

Now sold exclusively as a hybrid for its ninth generation, the 2025 Camry is equipped with a steady 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine. Paired with a permanent magnet synchronous motor for a combined 225 horsepower with front-wheel drive and 232 horsepower with on-demand all-wheel drive, this Camry starts off with the most standard power in its history. 

This isn’t Toyota’s first time selling the Camry as a hybrid, but this is the first time that it’s on the market without a non-hybrid option. In a world that seems to have gone gaga for EVs, this hybrid can achieve up to 51 miles per gallon, which is a respectfully efficient option. All starting at $28,400, which is more than $400 less than the outgoing Camry Hybrid base model.

Retuned suspension 

The Camry has been a best-selling car in the U.S. for many years already, so updating it for 2025 required some finesse. Toyota engineers thirsted for ride improvements but they didn’t want to alienate its current fan base, says chief engineer for the Camry Mark DeJongh.

“We weren’t hearing anything negative about the current Camry, but it was our passion to make it better,” explains DeJongh. “We wanted to push the handling a little more because I knew we could, but without affecting ride comfort.” 

Toyota once again opted for a MacPherson strut up front, which uses a coil spring wrapped around a tubular shock absorber. The strut tower is mounted to the frame, which provides an upper anchor point, negating the need for an upper control arm; that’s important because there’s not as much room as there is in the back half of the car due to the placement of the engine. 

In the rear, the Camry is equipped with a multi-link suspension that allows for a lively ride while keeping the car steady. This suspension unit controls the front-to-back and side-to-side movements of the car, providing the sedan with a compliant ride that doesn’t veer into sterile territory. The entire suspension system got a makeover for 2025 with precise tuning by the engineering team.  

“The shocks and springs are what primarily allows the tires and wheels to move up and down to keep you comfortable on the road,” DeJongh says. “We tuned the spring rate, and then we tuned the absorber [shocks] for damping force.” 

Set a little lower and wider in the rear than in the previous generation, the 2025 Camry’s multi-link suspension includes a longer arm that allows for better dynamics, DeJongh explains. As a result, the car will feel natural and predictable. 

“The car should be doing what you want and expect it to,” he says. “It’s a Camry. You don’t want to be surprised.”

This Camry also includes a new electrical platform. Between that and software development, DeJongh estimates that about half of the engineering team’s time was spent on the software and electrical platform versus the mechanical elements. 

“Software in the future is going to completely take over,” he predicts.

Brakes and buttons

Toyota Vehicle Marketing and Communications Senior Analyst Chad Deschenes adds that one unsung enhancement to the 2025 Camry is the interior button layout. For many vehicles sold in the U.S. the interior integrates a button template that may leave “dummy plug buttons” where a feature might be included in a higher trim. For instance, if a customer chooses a base model there might be a blank space where an upgrade might feature a heated seat button. 

“The interior team spent a lot of time making sure that customers don’t have dummy buttons,” Deschenes says. “Your friends and family won’t ever see a dead button.”

When he was first assigned to the new Camry, DeJongh says, he knew the team could improve the steering response, wind noise, noise and vibration, and ride comfort. And he’s especially proud of the work they’ve done on the brakes and the steering. 

“Honestly, I think the brakes are one of the things we have done; you don’t even feel the regeneration,” he says. “In past hybrid generations, you could sometimes feel when the regen kicked in when braking. With this model, we have completely eliminated that.”

One of the improvements to the braking setup is a new booster system with an extra pump and software tuning. The brake booster plays a critical role in amplifying the force applied to the brake pedal by your foot. Toyota’s parts department explains that this system works by utilizing hydraulic pressure, stored in the accumulator, to assist the brake system when the pedal is engaged.

DeJongh says during development, he was eager to test the wind noise improvements and wanted to drive it. The first time he got behind the wheel, the team wasn’t finished tuning the suspension or the engine, but he could feel the difference, he says. And he expects it to continue getting better. 

“I’ve told the engineers that it’s better than it should be. It’s beyond where I thought we could take it,” he says. 

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The Federal Trade Commission has ordered Razer to issue over $1.1 million in full refunds for its Razer Zephyr facemasks after alleging the PC gaming accessory company falsely billed its futuristic “wearable air purifier” as equivalent to N95-grade respirators. In truth, the FTC says Zephyr’s makers never even submitted their product for testing to either the FDA or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 

Razer is best known for its sleek, futuristic, luminescent video gaming accessories—but during the height of COVID-19, the company specializing in RGB backlit keyboards and headphones thought it wise to wade into pandemic healthcare. Released in October 2021 following nearly a year of internet hype, the Razer Zephyr looked more like a cyberpunk cosplay accessory than an actual “wearable air purifier.” Still, the transparent, twin-fan mask included three replaceable filters supposedly functioned together as equivalents to existing N95-grade products.

Outlets approached the odd healthcare accessory with a mix of anticipation and skepticism after plans were revealed in January 2021, later considered the pandemic’s deadliest month in the US. In the months leading up to its official launch, Razer co-founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan repeatedly posted on social media “linking the mask to the rise of the COVID-19 Delta variant, making explicit health claims, positioning the mask as a reusable N95, and claiming that Razer was seeking certification… [but] knew that they had never sought—and were not seeking—such certification,” according to the FTC’s complaint.

[Related: Calling TurboTax ‘free’ is ‘deceptive advertising,’ says FTC.]

To qualify for N95 certification, filters must guard against at least 95-percent of ambient air particles between 0.1 and 0.3 micrometers in size, while also providing higher filtration rates for larger particulates. Although COVID-19 virus cells measure around just 0.1 micrometers or smaller, they are always bonded to larger bodies such as water molecules and other biological material, and thus are effectively blocked by N95-rated masks and filters.

Razer consulted with a Singapore-based quality assurance company during Zephyr’s development, and in emails wrote they intended to market the wearable as “N95 grade.” Subsequent reviews showed Razer’s design only achieved around 83 percent particulate filtration efficiency (PFE) while its fans were off, with just a three percent improvement with the fans enabled. Even then, FTC documents state the Razer Zephyr “frequently tested much lower” and “did not come close to consistently reaching a PFE of 95 percent.” The quality testing company even went so far as to warn against mentioning N95 ratings “as it is not relevant to this product, and the claim will cause confusion.” 

Despite this, Razer moved forward with its marketing and released Razer Zephyr in October 2021, amid spiking global COVID-19 rates due to the Delta variant. Masks and filter packs were made available online through limited drop releases, as well as at three physical locations in Seattle, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. A single mask and three sets of filter replacements retailed for $99.99, while a mask alongside 33 filter sets sold for $149.99. A single, 10-set filter pack cost its wearers $29.99. The company even announced plans for a “Pro” version featuring voice amplification in early January 2022.

Barely a week later, however, Razer began walking back its N95-grade marketing for Zephyr amid mounting scrutiny and criticism. The Pro edition never saw the light of day, and federal regulators eventually opened its official investigation into the situation. In addition to the more than $1.1 million in refunds, Razer must pay a $100,000 civil penalty, and is forbidden from making any future “COVID-related health misrepresentations or unsubstantiated health claims about protective health equipment.” All references to the sleek, shoddy masks now appear scrubbed from Razer’s official website.

“Products like the Zephyr invite a lot of scrutiny. Is this an honest, good-faith attempt to create an upgraded device for people who plan to wear masks in public long-term, or is it a cash grab? Does it work at all?” PopSci wrote in its official review from January 2022. “These are all good, fair questions to ask when a company with no history making medical technology quickly develops and launches an expensive piece of kit.”

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Every year, shortly after the Super Bowl, America’s best college football players head to Indianapolis. It’s a rite of spring, like the migration of birds. Their destination is the Combine, a weeklong event where National Football League teams evaluate the talent to determine whom they’ll select during the upcoming NFL draft.

In a convention center ballroom not far from the stadium, another “combine” is taking place. Here the marquee event is not the 40-yard dash but the six-minute research presentation. The competitors are not sports stars but data scientists who’ve come for the final round of the Big Data Bowl. Launched by the NFL in 2018, this competition challenges teams of researchers to apply analytics and AI tools to football data.

Over the last several years, analytics have enabled NFL teams to evaluate players in ways not possible before—for example, assessing a defender’s ability to create tackling opportunities, not just completed tackles. Coaches use the metrics to streamline game preparation. And fans, as well as bettors and bookmakers, crave the insights offered by what the NFL calls Next Gen Stats.

Big Data Bowl competitors, like their player counterparts, can be picked up by a football team. About 40 have been hired by some 20 teams, says Mike Lopez, the NFL’s senior director of football data and analytics. Others have joined companies, including Zelus Analytics, StatsBomb and Telemetry Sports, that provide data and services to NFL teams and other sports teams. (Stephanie Kovalchik, a data scientist at Zelus Analytics, described how the same techniques can be applied across different sports in 2023 in the Annual Review of Statistics and Its Application.)

More than 300 entries in 2024’s Big Data Bowl were winnowed to five finalist teams invited to Indianapolis. “You have academics here, industry professionals, students, and collaborations between students and coaches,” says Ron Yurko, a statistician at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and one of this year’s finalists. The goal is to gain insight “that has football meaning.”

Tracking every move

Beginning in 2014, NFL players have worn a computer chip in their shoulder pads. Ten times every second, the chip records player location, direction, velocity and acceleration. “Next Gen Stats in football means player tracking,” Lopez says. Since 2017, a similar chip has been in the ball, and all of the data have been made available to all of the teams since 2018.

But that’s only part of it. What really separates today’s statistics is the way they are analyzed. The goal is to understand not just what happened, but also why. Why did this run gain only three yards, while that one went for 88 yards and a touchdown? In the process, Next Gen Stats for the first time can quantify the contributions of the unsung players who don’t ever touch the ball, such as the blocker who sprang the runner loose for that 88-yard touchdown.

Katherine Dai, one of this year’s finalists, says the research presented in the 2024 Big Data Bowl featured two complementary approaches. Analytics generally use human-derived formulas to extract meaningful metrics from the data. In contrast, machine learning—the approach that has brought us generative AI like ChatGPT—trains the computer to figure out the most predictive features.

If a metric just captures what happened, it’s probably analytics. If it relies on a prediction or a probability of what could have happened, it’s probably machine learning, Dai says.

When the NFL hired Lopez, a former statistics professor at Skidmore College in New York State and a former college football player, he sold them on the idea of the Big Data Bowl in his interview and promised that, as in the 1989 film Field of Dreams, “if you put the data out there, the analysts will come.” But three hours before the submissions deadline for the first competition, only three had come in, and he was getting nervous. “Then they started pouring in,” he says—100 between 9 p.m. and midnight. “That was a lesson to me on how data scientists work.”

Every year since, the competition has had a specific theme. In 2020, for example, tracking data were used to predict the expected yards gained by a running play at any instant during the play, based on locations of the 22 players and their speeds—a task made to order for machine learning.

The winners were a pair of data scientists based in Austria, Philipp Singer and Dmitry Gordeev, who had only rudimentary knowledge of American football. They were both “grandmasters” of computer competitions, and they developed a neural network, a common type of machine-learning algorithm, that blew the others away.

Singer and Gordeev’s algorithm was adopted into several new Next Gen Stats: expected rushing yards, rushing yards over expected (the difference between actual yards gained and the prediction), first down probability and touchdown probability. The stats debuted on national TV just six months later.

Securing the win

If you were going to bet on the 2024 winner, a smart choice might have been Yurko’s team. He worked on football analytics even before the NFL got interested. In 2017, Yurko and colleagues presented a technique for estimating a football player’s WAR, or wins above replacement, defined as the number of fractional wins created by a given player compared with an average replacement player. (It’s “fractional” because only some portion of the credit for a win is granted to the player.)

In baseball, WAR has been a go-to metric for more than 20 years, but it wasn’t so easy to generalize to football. Yurko’s paper, reported in the Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports, inspired Nate Sterken, winner of the inaugural Big Data Bowl and now lead data scientist for the Cleveland Browns, to go into football analytics.

Yurko was a Big Data Bowl judge, but stopped judging when he joined the Carnegie Mellon faculty because, he says, “I wanted my students to win.” Indeed, his students were on two of this year’s five final teams, and one student, Quang Nguyen, was a finalist for the second year in a row.

The theme for 2024 was tackling, and Yurko’s team used tracking data to calculate a physics-based measure for fractional tackles. After identifying when the runner’s forward momentum decreases significantly, the computer identifies the nearby defenders and divides credit accordingly. If two defenders are nearby when the runner’s momentum decreases by 50 percent, for example, they each get credit for 25 percent of the ultimate tackle.

The fractional tackle metric highlights the contributions of defensive linemen, who often slow the runner down but less often complete the tackle. These linemen (or their agents) can use this stat when negotiating salaries, for instance.

But Yurko’s team didn’t win. Instead, victory—and a prize of $25,000—went to Dai, Matthew Chang, Daniel Jiang and Harvey Cheng. Three of the data scientists had met as graduate students at Princeton. None had entered a coding competition before. “We joked that it would be a good excuse to watch some football,” Dai says. None had worked in sports analytics, but “we’re open to it,” she adds.

The team first tried to predict at any moment the probability of a tackle within the next second, but three algorithms that used neural networks weren’t accurate enough. So the team pivoted to decision trees, another well-known machine learning method, and hit pay dirt. Predictions of tackles improved, plus the team could identify near misses.

After charting the probabilities of multiple defenders getting a tackle on the same play across time, Chang noticed peaks and valleys. Comparing that with video of the plays revealed that the peaks matched up with someone missing a tackle. “All credit to Matt,” Dai says.

That led the team to a quantifiable definition for a missed tackle: It occurs when a defensive player’s probability of making a tackle exceeds 75 percent for more than half a second, then drops below 75 percent, and neither he nor his teammates make a tackle within the next second. It’s a simple definition, but the trick is computing the probability, which depends on machine learning.

All of these metrics still have room to evolve. Matt Edwards, head of American football analysis at StatsBomb, notes that both teams evaluated tackling based on proximity to the runner, not actual contact. That’s a limitation of the tracking data; the chips can’t tell whether the players are touching. The old-fashioned approach of having humans watch game video can do that.

And though chip-based data aren’t available for college players, some teams will take tracking data from video alongside new analytics into consideration in the next NFL draft, which begins April 25.

Edwards points to the Los Angeles Rams. Instead of relying on how a player performs in the 40-yard dash and other Combine events that don’t replicate what happens in an actual game, the Rams are looking solely at tracking data. “You want to know how quickly he gets off the ball,” Edwards says. “What is his closing speed and reaction time when the ball is in the air? These are football-specific skills.”

This article originally appeared in Knowable Magazine, an independent journalistic endeavor from Annual Reviews. Sign up for the newsletter.

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If we want to establish a permanent human presence on the moon, we need more detailed maps than the existing options, some of which date back to the Apollo missions of 1960’s and 1970’s. After more than ten years of collaboration between more than 100 researchers working at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the newest editions of lunar topography are rolling out for astronomers and space agencies around the world.

As highlighted recently by Nature, the Geologic Atlas of the Lunar Globe includes 12,341 craters, 81 basins, and 17 different rock types found across the moon’s surface, doubling previous map resolutions to a scale of 1:2,500,000.

[Related: Why do all these countries want to go to the moon right now?]

Although higher accuracy maps have been available for areas near Apollo mission landing sites, the US Geological Survey’s original lunar maps generally managed a 1:5,000,000 scale. Project co-lead and CAS geochemist Jianzhong Liu explained to Nature that “our knowledge of the Moon has advanced greatly, and those maps could no longer meet the needs for future lunar research and exploration.”

To guide lunar mapping into the 21st-century, CAS relied heavily on China’s ongoing lunar exploration programs, including the Chang’e-1 mission. Beginning in 2007, Chang’e-1’s high-powered cameras surveyed the moon’s surface from orbit for two years alongside an interference imaging spectrometer to identify various types of rock types. Additional data compiled by the Chang’e-3 (2013) and Chang’e-4 (2019) lunar landers subsequently helped hone those mapping endeavors. International projects like NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, as well as India’s Chandrayaan-1 probe all provided even more valuable topographical information.

The pivotal topographical milestone wasn’t an entirely altruistic undertaking, however. While CAS geophysicist Ross Mitchell described the maps as “a resource for the whole world,” he added that “contributing to lunar science is a profound way for China to assert its potential role as a scientific powerhouse in the decades to come.” 

[Related: Japan and NASA plan a historic lunar RV road trip together.]

The US is also far from the only ones anxious to set up shop on the moon—both China and Russia hope to arrive there by the mid-2030’s with the construction of an International Lunar Research Station near the moon’s south pole. Despite the two nations’ prior promise to be “open to all interested countries and international partners,” the US is distinctly not among the 10 other governments currently attached to the project.

China plans to launch its Chang’e-6 robotic spacecraft later this week, which will travel to the far side of the moon as the first of three new missions. In an interview on Monday, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson voiced his concerns of a potential real estate war on the moon.

“I think it’s not beyond the pale that China would suddenly say, ‘We are here. You stay out,’” Nelson told Yahoo Finance. “That would be very unfortunate—to take what has gone on on planet Earth for years, grabbing territory, and saying it’s mine and people fighting over it.”

But if nothing else, at least the new maps will soon be available to virtually everyone. The Geologic Atlas is included in a new book from CAS, Map Quadrangles of the Geologic Atlas of the Moon, which also features an additional 30 sector diagrams offering even closer looks at individual lunar regions. The entire map resource will soon also become available to international researchers online through a cloud platform called Digital Moon.

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Online romance scams netted con artists over $1.1 billion in 2023, with an average reported loss of around $2,000 per target. These victims who span age, gender, and demographics often aren’t only out of money—their time, emotions, and sometimes even physical safety can be on the line. And while the CEO of the largest online dating company, Match Group, sympathizes, he contends that sometimes life just gives you lemons, apparently.

“Look, I mean, things happen in life. That’s really difficult,” Match Group CEO Bernard Kim told CBS Reports during an interview over the weekend, before adding they “have a tremendous amount of empathy for things that happen.”

“I mean, our job is to keep people safe on our platforms; that is top foremost, most important thing to us,” Kim continued. Kim’s statements come amid a yearlong CBS investigation series on online romance scammers, and the havoc they continue to inflict on victims. 

Match Group oversees some of the world’s most popular dating platforms, including Match.com, Tinder, Hinge, and OkCupid. According to its 2024 impact report, a combined 15.6 million people worldwide subscribe to at least one of its service’s premium features, with millions more utilizing free tiers. Although the FTC’s count of annual reported romance scams has declined slightly from its pandemic era highs, experts caution that these numbers could be vastly undercounted due to victims’ potential—and unwarranted—embarrassment.

Authorities believe as few as 7 percent of romance scams are actually reported, but while older age groups are frequently targeted, they aren’t alone. In fact, some studies show younger internet users are more likely to fall for online fraud than their elders, given a greater willingness to share personal information. Some of these con campaigns can span multiple years, and drain victims’ entire bank accounts and savings. At least one death has even been potentially tied to such situations.

[Related: Cryptocurrency scammers are mining dating sites for victims.]

Regulators and law enforcement agencies have attempted to hold companies like Match Group accountable as romance scam reports continue to skyrocket—an industry fueled in part thanks to the proliferation of tech-savvy approaches involving chatbots and other AI-based programs. In 2019, for example, the Federal Trade Commission filed a $844 million lawsuit alleging as many as 30 percent of Match.com’s profiles were opened for scamming purposes. A US District judge dismissed the FTC’s lawsuit in 2022, citing Match Group’s immunity against third-party content posted to their platforms.

Match Group says it invested over $125 million last year in its trust and safety strategies, and removes around 96 percent of new scam accounts created on any given day. The company reported a $652 million profit in 2023—up a massive 80 percent year-to-year.

[Related: Don’t fall for these online love scams.]

The FTC advises internet users to never send funds or any gifts to someone they never met in person, as well as keep trusted loved ones or friends informed of new online relations. Experts also caution against anyone who repeatedly claims they cannot meet in real life. Conducting reverse image searches of any photos provided by a new online acquaintance can help confirm fraudulent identities. The FTC also encourages anyone to report suspected frauds and scams here.

In its 2024 impact report, the company touted its inaugural “World Romance Scam Awareness Day” sponsored by Tinder alongside Mean Girls actor Jonathan Bennett, which promoted similar strategies. According to the event’s official website, however, the PSA event is technically called World Romance Scam Prevention Day.

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This article was originally published on KFF Health News.

For decades, concerns about automobile pollution have focused on what comes out of the tailpipe. Now, researchers and regulators say, we need to pay more attention to toxic emissions from tires as vehicles roll down the road.

At the top of the list of worries is a chemical called 6PPD, which is added to rubber tires to help them last longer. When tires wear on pavement, 6PPD is released. It reacts with ozone to become a different chemical, 6PPD-q, which can be extremely toxic—so much so that it has been linked to repeated fish kills in Washington state.

The trouble with tires doesn’t stop there. Tires are made primarily of natural rubber and synthetic rubber, but they contain hundreds of other ingredients, often including steel and heavy metals such as copper, lead, cadmium, and zinc.

As car tires wear, the rubber disappears in particles, both bits that can be seen with the naked eye and microparticles. Testing by a British company, Emissions Analytics, found that a car’s tires emit 1 trillion ultrafine particles per kilometer driven—from 5 to 9 pounds of rubber per internal combustion car per year.

And what’s in those particles is a mystery, because tire ingredients are proprietary.

“You’ve got a chemical cocktail in these tires that no one really understands and is kept highly confidential by the tire manufacturers,” said Nick Molden, CEO of Emissions Analytics. “We struggle to think of another consumer product that is so prevalent in the world and used by virtually everyone, where there is so little known of what is in them.”

Regulators have only begun to address the toxic tire problem, though there has been some action on 6PPD.

The chemical was identified by a team of researchers, led by scientists at Washington State University and the University of Washington, who were trying to determine why coho salmon returning to Seattle-area creeks to spawn were dying in large numbers.

Working for the Washington Stormwater Center, the scientists tested some 2,000 substances to determine which one was causing the die-offs, and in 2020 they announced they’d found the culprit: 6PPD.

The Yurok Tribe in Northern California, along with two other West Coast Native American tribes, have petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency to prohibit the chemical. The EPA said it is considering new rules governing the chemical. “We could not sit idle while 6PPD kills the fish that sustain us,” said Joseph L. James, chairman of the Yurok Tribe, in a statement. “This lethal toxin has no place in any salmon-bearing watershed.”

California has begun taking steps to regulate the chemical, last year classifying tires containing it as a “priority product,” which requires manufacturers to search for and test substitutes.

“6PPD plays a crucial role in the safety of tires on California’s roads and, currently, there are no widely available safer alternatives,” said Karl Palmer, a deputy director at the state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control. “For this reason, our framework is ideally suited for identifying alternatives to 6PPD that ensure the continued safety of tires on California’s roads while protecting California’s fish populations and the communities that rely on them.”

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association says it has mobilized a consortium of 16 tire manufacturers to carry out an analysis of alternatives. Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO, said it “will yield the most effective and exhaustive review possible of whether a safer alternative to 6PPD in tires currently exists.”

Molden, however, said there is a catch. “If they don’t investigate, they aren’t allowed to sell in the state of California,” he said. “If they investigate and don’t find an alternative, they can go on selling. They don’t have to find a substitute. And today there is no alternative to 6PPD.”

California is also studying a request by the California Stormwater Quality Association to classify tires containing zinc, a heavy metal, as a priority product, requiring manufacturers to search for an alternative. Zinc is used in the vulcanization process to increase the strength of the rubber.

When it comes to tire particles, though, there hasn’t been any action, even as the problem worsens with the proliferation of electric cars. Because of their quicker acceleration and greater torque, electric vehicles wear out tires faster and emit an estimated 20% more tire particles than the average gas-powered car.

A recent study in Southern California found tire and brake emissions in Anaheim accounted for 30% of PM2.5, a small-particulate air pollutant, while exhaust emissions accounted for 19%. Tests by Emissions Analytics have found that tires produce up to 2,000 times as much particle pollution by mass as tailpipes.

These particles end up in water and air and are often ingested. Ultrafine particles, even smaller than PM2.5, are also emitted by tires and can be inhaled and travel directly to the brain. New research suggests tire microparticles should be classified as a pollutant of “high concern.”

In a report issued last year, researchers at Imperial College London said the particles could affect the heart, lungs, and reproductive organs and cause cancer.

People who live or work along roadways, often low-income, are exposed to more of the toxic substances.

Tires are also a major source of microplastics. More than three-quarters of microplastics entering the ocean come from the synthetic rubber in tires, according to a report from the Pew Charitable Trusts and the British company Systemiq.

And there are still a great many unknowns in tire emissions, which can be especially complex to analyze because heat and pressure can transform tire ingredients into other compounds.

One outstanding research question is whether 6PPD-q affects people, and what health problems, if any, it could cause. A recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters found high levels of the chemical in urine samples from a region of South China, with levels highest in pregnant women.

The discovery of 6PPD-q, Molden said, has sparked fresh interest in the health and environmental impacts of tires, and he expects an abundance of new research in the coming years. “The jigsaw pieces are coming together,” he said. “But it’s a thousand-piece jigsaw, not a 200-piece jigsaw.”

This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. 

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

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After a five-year reign, the world’s largest 3D printer located at the University of Maine has been usurped—by a newer, larger 3D printer developed at the same school.

At a reveal event earlier this week, UMaine designers at the Advanced Structures & Composite Center (ASCC) showed off their “Factory of the Future 1.0,” aka the FoF 1.0. At four times the size of their previous Guinness World Record holder from 2019, MasterPrint, FoF 1.0 is capable of printing 96-by-32-by-18-foot tall structures and objects. Such sizable creations also require an impressive amount of building materials, however. According to its creators, FoF 1.0 can churn through upwards of 500-pounds of eco-friendly thermoplastic polymers per hour.

[Related: 3D printers just got a big, eco-friendly upgrade (in the lab)]

Global construction projects generate around 37 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from the carbon-heavy production of aluminum, steel, and cement. Transitioning to more sustainable architecture and infrastructure projects is a key component of tackling climate change, spurring interest in massive 3D printer endeavors like FoF 1.0.

But just because there’s a new printer on the block doesn’t mean UMaine’s previous record-holder is obsolete. Designers created FoF 1.0 to print in tandem with MasterPrint, with the two machines even capable of working together on the same building components.

ASCC researchers and engineers aim to utilize these industrial-sized 3D printers to help construct some of the estimated 80,000 new homes needed in Maine over the next six years. FoF 1.0’s predecessor, MasterPrint, has already helped build the surprisingly stylish, sustainable, 600-square-foot BioHome3D prototype a few years back. 

“It’s not about building a cheap house or a biohome,” ASCC director Habib Dagher said at this week’s event. “We wanted to build a house that people would say, ‘Wow, I really want to live there.’”

With FoF 1.0’s help, those plans could potentially expand to encompass whole neighborhoods. According to Engadget’s calculations, the new machine could make “a modest single-story home in around 80 hours.”

Of course, such biofriendly projects don’t only catch the eye of sustainable architects. Funding for FoF 1.0 came in part from contributors such as the Department of Defense, as well as the Army Corps of Engineers. UMaine’s announcement also notes these backers hope to harness such machines for other projects, including “lightweight rapidly deployable structures and vessel technologies.”

Going forward, ASCC researchers hope to experiment with additional bio-based polymer sources, particularly wood residuals from Maine—which just so happens to be the country’s most forested state.

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Energizer has designed a new lithium coin battery that releases a blue dye immediately upon interacting with moisture such as saliva. The marker offers parents a visible way to determine if their children accidentally swallowed one of these toxic products.

After two decades of steady integration into everything from key fobs and remote controls to cooking thermometers and smart watches, lithium button batteries are now extremely commonplace household items. Unfortunately, their ubiquity coincides with a major, ongoing spike in the number of children ingesting the small batteries. Over 70,300 emergency doctor visits were reported for children’s battery-related issues between 2010 and 2019. Of those, nearly 85 percent involved button batteries.

Apart from the choking hazard, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission warns a battery’s chemicals can cause severe bodily injury, and even death, within a matter of hours if ingested. Additionally, the electric current generated by saliva’s interactions with a battery can simultaneously burn through body tissue, leading to even more potentially lethal complications. Every year, thousands of emergency hospital visits occur because of ingesting batteries.

[Related: What to expect if your child swallows a button battery.]

To help address the continuing public health concern, Energizer recently partnered with the children’s safety nonprofit Reese’s Purpose to design a safer button battery, as well as even stronger childproof packaging.

Apart from a bitter-tasting, nontoxic coating increasingly found on similar products, the company’s newest coin-shaped batteries are also wrapped in a container that requires scissors to open. But even if a child does get their hands on one, parents and caretakers will almost instantly be able to see if they need to contact emergency medical services.

Described as a “color alert technology,” the battery’s dotted, negative underside releases a nontoxic, food grade blue dye when mixed with moisture, such as spit. According to Energizer’s website, the batteries contain about as much dye as an ounce of a flavored sports drink, and will disappear after a few water rinses or teeth brushing.

Hamsmith started the nonprofit advocacy group in honor of her 18-month-old daughter who died in 2020 after swallowing a remote control’s coin battery.

Regardless of childproofing innovations, however, caretakers should immediately take a child to medical professionals if they suspect battery ingestion. The National Capital Poison Center warns against inducing vomiting and instead suggests having any child over 12 months old to swallow honey. Doing so can coat the ingested battery, and thus help delay some chemical burning of internal tissue while en route to receiving medical attention. That said, children younger than 1-year-old shouldn’t eat honey, so rushing them immediately to the emergency room for an X-ray is the best approach.

In the event of suspected emergencies, parents are encouraged to call the National Battery Ingestion Hotline (800-498-8666) or Poison Control Center (800-222-1222).

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Earlier this week, NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) recorded a rarely seen event—four nearly-simultaneous flare eruptions involving three separate sunspots, as well as the magnetic filament between them. But as impressive as it is, the event could soon pose problems for some satellites and spacecraft orbiting Earth, as well as electronic systems here on the ground.

It may seem like a massive ball of fiery, thermonuclear chaos, but there’s actually a fairly predictable rhythm to the sun. Similar to Earth’s seasonal changes, the yellow dwarf star’s powerful electromagnetic fluctuations follow a roughly 11-year cycle of ebbs and flows. Although astronomers still aren’t quite sure why this happens, it’s certainly observable—and recent activity definitely indicates the sun is heading towards its next “solar maximum” later this year.

As Spaceweather.com notes, early Tuesday morning’s “complex quartet” of solar activity was what’s known as a “super-sympathetic flare,” in which multiple events occur at nearly the same time. This happens thanks to the often hard-to-detect magnetic loops spreading across the sun’s corona, which can create explosive chain reactions in the process. In this case, hundreds of thousands of miles separated the three individual flares, but they still erupted within minutes of each other. All-told, the super-sympathetic flare encompassed about a third of the sun’s total surface facing Earth.

[Related: Why our tumultuous sun was relatively quiet in the late 1600s]

And that “facing Earth” factor could present an issue. BGR explains “at least some” of the electromagnetic “debris” could be en route towards the planet in the form of a coronal mass ejection (CME). If so, those forces could result in colorful auroras around the Earth’s poles—as well as create potential tech woes for satellite arrays and orbiting spacecraft, not to mention blackouts across some radio and GPS systems. The effects, if there are any, are estimated to occur over the next day or so, but at least they’re predicted to only be temporary inconveniences.

Luckily, multi-flare situations like this week’s aren’t a regular occurrence—the last time something similar happened was back in 2010 in what became known as the Great Eruption.

[Related: Hold onto your satellites: The sun is about to get a lot stormier]

Still, these super-sympathetic flares serve as a solid reminder of just how much of our modern, electronically connected society is at the sun’s mercy. As recently as 2022, for example, a solar storm knocked around 40 Starlink satellites out of orbit. The risk of solar-induced problems will continue to rise as the skies grow increasingly crowded.

While many companies continue to construct redundancy programs and backup systems for these potential headaches, astronomers and physicists still can’t predict solar activity very accurately. More research and funding is needed to create early warning and forecasting programs.

This year alone has already seen at least two other solar activity events—and seeing as how we still haven’t passed the solar maximum, more impressive (and maybe damaging) activity is likely on the way.

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Most grocery store patrons take for granted just what it takes to transport a humble sweet potato out of the ground and into a shopping basket. The slightly-sweet red root vegetable can come in various sizes and flavor profiles but consumers have come to expect a level of consistency. To meet that market demand, sweet potatoes are subjected to rounds of laborious and time-consuming quality assessments to root out undesirable batches that are either too firm, not sweet enough, or otherwise deemed unlikely to sell. This process is currently performed methodically by humans in a lab, but a new study suggests hyperspectral cameras and AI could help speed up that process.

In a study published this week in Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, researchers from the University of Illinois set out to see if data collected by a hyperspectral imaging camera could help narrow down certain potato attributes typically determined by manual inspectors and tests. Hyperspectral cameras collect vast amounts of data across the electromagnetic spectrum and are often used to help determine the chemical makeup of materials. In this case, the researchers wanted to see if they could analyze data from the potato images to accurately determine a spud’s firmness, soluble solid content, and dry matter content—three key attributes that contribute to the vegetable’s overall taste and market appeal. Ordinarily, this process requires tedious, sometimes wasteful testing that can include leaving test potatoes heated in a 103 degrees celsius oven for 24 hours. 

“Traditionally, quality assessment is done using laboratory analytical methods,” University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences assistant professor Mohammed Kamruzzaman said in a statement. “You need different instruments to measure different attributes in the lab and you need to wait for the results.”

The researchers gathered 141 defect-free sweet potatoes and took photos from multiple angles. Hyperspectral imaging produces torrents of data, which can be both blessing and curse for researchers looking for specific variables. To solve that problem, the researchers used an AI model to help filter down the noisy data into several wavelengths. They were then able to connect those wavelengths to the specific desirable sweet potato attributes they were looking for. 

“With hyperspectral imaging, you can measure several parameters simultaneously. You can assess every potato in a batch, not just a few samples,” Kamruzzaman added.

AI and hyperspectral cameras could speed up vegetable inspection

The researchers argue farmers and food inspectors could use their combination of hyperspectral imaging and AI to accurately and cost effectively scan sweet potatoes for key attributes while simultaneously cutting down on food waste created as a byproduct of traditional testing. And while this particular study focused on sweet potatoes, it’s possible similar tactics could be used to find desired features in a host of other vegetables and fruits as well. Kamruzzaman says he and his colleagues eventually want to create quickly and easily scan sweet potato batches. On the consumer side, the researchers envision one-day building out an app grocery store patrons could use to scan a potato and look up its particular attributes. Such an app, in theory, could cut down on patrons awkwardly fondling their produce. 

“We believe this is a novel application of this method for sweet potato assessment,” doctoral student and study lead author Toukir Ahmed wrote. “This pioneering work has the potential to pave the way for usage in a wide range of other agricultural and biological research fields as well.”

The agriculture industry is increasingly turning to AI solutions to try and ramp up efficiency and head off growing farm labor shortages. From autonomous Tulip-inspecting machines in Holland to self-driving John Deere tractors, farmers across the world are hoping these new innovations can eventually drive down food prices and increase their own profitability at the same time. How exactly that will all play out, however, remains to be seen. Agriculture gains derived from AI solutions may also take longer to benefit economically developing countries, where some farming is still done by hand.

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When OceanGate’s under-tested Titan submersible went missing last summer, it captured the attention of millions worldwide. Authorities frantically scoured the North Atlantic Ocean for days only to eventually determine the small vessel had catastrophically imploded, killing its five passengers instantly. The tragic incident doesn’t appear to have actually slowed demand or interest in the vessels among its audience of passionate, and often wealthy, underwater exploration enthusiasts. The latest in ocean submersibles by a different company, Triton, recently delivered its most eye-catching submersible to date dubbed the 660/9 AVA. This particular submersible won’t dive as deep as some industry competitors—or as deep as the Triton 36000/2 aka Limiting Factor which Triton says is “the deepest diving sub in the world.” However, the new 660/9 AVA does promise passengers an over-the-top, luxurious experience. 

660/9 AVA can plunge 600 feet below the surface. (Deep-sea technically begins at 656 feet.) The submersible will offer eight passengers and a pilot a panoramic view of the water world surrounding them. In a video released this week highlighting the submersible, Triton described the 660/9 AVA as “a vessel of discovery crafted for extraordinary experiences.” Triton delivered its first 660/9 AVA to a cruise company earlier this month.

The vessel’s elongated, bubble-like design is part of what Triton describes as the world’s first “free-form acrylic pressure hull.” Occupants who can afford a trip in the glitzy submersible can explore marine life in style. Triton says passengers can engage in a variety of premium activities including “cocktail dives,” “spa treatment,” and “subsea gaming.” A render of the submersible on Triton’s website shows it equipped with a blackjack table, dining arrangements, and plenty of champagne. 

Triton derived its first 660/9 AVA to the firm Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours earlier this month. That specific sub has been bestowed the name “Scenic Neptune II.” Over the next two years passengers will have the opportunity to lower the submersible down for a look though ocean waters off the coasts of New Zealand, Indonesia, and even East Antarctica. 

“The clarity of the acrylic hull once submerged is such that you feel at one with the water,” Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours Director of Discovery Operations Jason Flesher said in a statement. “Encountering the vibrant marine life of the South Pacific and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef within Scenic Neptune II will create memories to last a lifetime.” 

Triton was founded in 2007. Since then, its fleet of various submersibles have been used for everything from deep-sea research and film making to ambitious ocean exploration. Some of the biggest celebrity names in submersible ocean exploration, like hedge fund manager Ray Dalio and acclaimed film director James Cameron, have previously partnered with the company. Both Dalio and Cameron have expressed interest in using vessels like these to discover new parts of the ocean still shrouded in darkness.

Updates 04/26/24: The spelling of “Triton” has been corrected in the final paragraph of this post. A mention of Triton’s other, deeper-diving sub has been added.

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A research team’s “bionic eye” deciphered thousands of new words hidden within an ancient scroll carbonized during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius—and the new text points to the long-lost, potential final resting place of the philosopher Plato.

The 1,800-scroll collection, located in the estate now known as the “Villa of the Papyri,” was almost instantaneously incinerated during the historic Mount Vesuvius eruption in 79 CE, before being buried in layers of pumice and ash. The latest discovery is part of ongoing global efforts focused on the ancient Greek library believed to belong to Julius Caesar’s father-in-law.

Although rediscovered in 1792, the trove of text remained almost entirely inaccessible due to the carbonized parchment’s fragility and blackened writing. In recent years, however, contributors to projects like the Vesuvius Challenge have worked to finally reveal the charred artifacts’ potentially invaluable information. In February, the project’s organizers announced that a team successfully translated 2,000 characters within a scroll through a combination of machine learning software and computer vision programming. Now, a separate group’s “bionic eye” has uncovered even more.

[Related: 2,000 new characters from burnt-up ancient Greek scroll deciphered with AI.]

According to Italian news outlet, ANSA, experts utilized infrared hyperspectral imaging alongside a relatively new approach known as optical coherence tomography (OCT) to see through the carbonized material. OCT employs cross-sectional, high-resolution imagery most often used by optometrists to photograph the back of the eye. In this case, however, combining the two tools allowed researchers to bypass the layers of carbon to read a major portion of the scroll by detecting faint evidence of handwriting that human eyes can no longer see.

Now, it appears the team helped solve a major mystery within the history of philosophy—the location of Plato’s grave. After translating the section, it appears Plato was finally buried in a garden near a shrine to the Muses at the Platonic Academy in Athens. What’s more, the text details the pivotal philosopher’s last night before reportedly succumbing to illness. Plato, suffering from a high fever, unfortunately wasn’t a fan of a nearby musician’s attempt to comfort him by playing “sweet notes” on flute. According to the scroll, he even went so far as to criticize their “scant sense of rhythm.”

The section also offers a revised timeline of Plato’s life by stating that the philosopher was sold into slavery in either 404 or 399 BCE. Before the new discovery, historians believed he was enslaved in 387 BCE.

Researchers aren’t stopping here, either. As Interesting Engineering notes, the team will use their “bionic eye” for further scans through 2026, while the Vesuvius Challenge will pursue its own methods to discover even more insights into the scrolls.

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Modern robotics is awash with human-made machines mimicking the animal world. From stadium-surveying robot dogs to daddy long-legs-inspired exploration bots and just about everything in-between, there’s no shortage of mechanized animal doppelgängers roaming the world. Advancements in AI systems, new synthetic materials, and 3D printing have greatly improved these machines’ ability to run, climb, and shimmy their way around obstacles, often in the name of scientific exploration or public after. 

But even with those technical advances and billions of dollars worth investment poured into the robotics industry in recent years, mechanized machines by and large still still lag behind against their biological equals in a head-to-head race. That basic observation underpins a new study by an interdisciplinary group of researchers published this week in the journal Science Robotics. 

The researchers looked at five different “subsystems” associated with running and compared how they stack up better between animals and their robot counterparts. Animals, which rely on a tapestry of delicate bones and tissues, initially seem worse than machines on almost every individual component level. Their true advantage, the researchers discovered, actually lies in their complex and interconnected control over their bodies. That fluid interoperability makes animals greater than the sum of their individual parts. 

“The way things turned out is that, with only minor exceptions, the engineering subsystems outperform the biological equivalents—and sometimes radically outperformed them,” SRI International Senior Research Engineer and paper co-author Tom Libby said in a statement. “But also what’s very, very clear is that, if you compare animals to robots at the whole system level, in terms of movement, animals are amazing. And robots have yet to catch up.”

Animals benefit from biological complexity and generations of evolution 

Each of the five researchers focused on one specific subsystem associated with running in both animals and machines. These systems were broken down into power, frame, actuation, sensing, and control. Individually, machines beat out animals in almost all of these categories. In the case of frames, for example, robots with lightweight but strong carbon fiber bodies could support larger mass structures without buckling compared to animal bones. Similarly, the researchers concluded a robot’s computer-aided control system outperforms an animal’s nervous system in terms of overall latency and bandwidth. 

But even though robots seemingly have stronger, more robust individual parts, animas are nonetheless more adept at making them work seamlessly together as a cohesive “whole.” That difference plays itself plainly when animals and robots are tested in real-world environments. While newer robots can certifiably accelerate quickly and even perform some acrobatic feats they pale in comparison to their biological counterparts in terms of fluidity and adaptability. Robots sometimes navigate tough terrain, but animals can effortlessly overcome obstacles like mud, snow, vegetation, and rubble without thinking twice about what they are doing. 

[ Related: Can this robot help solve a guide dog shortage? ]

“A wildebeest can migrate for thousands of [kilometers] over rough terrain, a mountain goat can climb up a literal cliff, finding footholds that don’t even seem to be there, and cockroaches can lose a leg and not slow down,” Simon Fraser University Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology professor Max Donelan wrote. “We have no robots capable of anything like this endurance, agility and robustness.”

Animals also have another huge leg up: time. Unlike advanced robots which have only really made strides in the past few decades, animals have had millions, or in some cases, billions of years of evolution on their side. Animals, the researchers note, have a “substantial headstart over engineering.” On the flip side, robots have done an admirable job of closing that gap with staggering speed. The researchers say they are “optimistic” that robots will someday outrun animals.

“It [advances in robots] will move faster, because evolution is undirected,” University of Washington Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Associate Professor Sam Burden said. “There are ways that we can move much more quickly when we engineer robots than we can through evolution—but evolution has a massive head start.”

Researchers hope these findings could help future development of running robots. Armed with these findings, robot makers could decide to focus more of their time and effort on component integration rather than simply building ever better and stronger hardware. 

“The lesson we take from biology is that, although further improvements to components and subsystems are beneficial, the greatest opportunity to improve running robots is to make better use of existing parts,” the researchers wrote.”

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What’s the weirdest thing you learned this week? Well, whatever it is, we promise you’ll have an even weirder answer if you listen to PopSci’s hit podcast. The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week hits Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts every-other Wednesday morning. It’s your new favorite source for the strangest science-adjacent facts, figures, and Wikipedia spirals the editors of Popular Science can muster. If you like the stories in this post, we guarantee you’ll love the show.

Check out Weirdest Thing’s new page on Reddit to meet fellow Weirdos!

FACT: These birds help humans hunt for honey, but it’s not as sweet as you might think

By Rachel Feltman

The greater honeyguide is a sub-Saharan bird that engages in a behavior that’s so fascinating to people that its entire genus and its entire family is named for it, even though they’re the only species in the bunch that definitely acts this way.

These birds literally guide humans to sources of honey. Humans call to the birds for help, the birds recognize the request and start leading the way, and the humans follow them straight to a big honeycomb. Hunter-gatherers are almost six-times more likely to find hives with a honeyguide assist than they are without. 

The people in question are The Hadza of Northern Tanzania. Even if you don’t recognize their name, you’ve almost certainly heard of or read research about them. If you’ve read an article about, for example, how eating a modern diet versus a traditional hunter-gatherer diet changes our microbiome, it was almost certainly based on research on the Hadza. 

Speaking of research on Hadza diets: Scientists have found that honey makes up a surprisingly large percentage of their caloric intake. It can make up around 20% of the calories they consume. 

That’s where the honeyguide bird comes in with a big assist. Some researchers estimate that up to 10% of the Hadza’s total diet is foraged with the help of these birds.

Incredible, right? But a lot of popular media on the subject takes things a little too far in the Disney Princess direction.

A lot of depictions of this process—including some documentaries—suggest that this is a mutually-beneficial partnership between birds and humans. Humans ask for help, birds provide it, and humans pay the animals for their services with chunks of honeycomb full of wax and grubs for them to eat. 

But as this feature in Atlas Obscura by Cara Giaimo explains, that isn’t quite true—and the sunnier portrayal of this relationship can cause trouble for the Hadza. Check out the article—and this week’s episode—for more on the (still very awesome) truth behind the misinformation. 

FACT: A barber may have come close to launching a massive revolt—until the Civil War got in the way

By Joel Cook

On this week’s episode of The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week, I’m sharing one of my favorite stories from my own show, Rogue History. It’s the story of a traveling barber named Moses Dickson. This jack-of-all-trades (seriously, he opened a fine dining restaurant at one point) may have laid the groundwork for a major insurrection. Dickson claimed to have recruited a vast network of enslaved people and free allies who were gearing up to revolt against their oppressors. He said the only reason it didn’t happen was that the Civil War started brewing, and he figured he’d let actual armies do the legwork instead. 

That might sound like a convenient claim for some random barber to make, but there’s some evidence that Dickson really had been about to light the fuse on a huge insurrection. Learn more in this week’s episode. You can also check out the Rogue History episode that inspired this fact.

FACT: Rats love taking selfies, too 

By Sara Kiley Watson

What’s not to love about a selfie? Millions are taken every single day, though the reasons why we snap so many pics of ourselves are still up in the air. Some folks guess it’s for vanity, but research has also shown that capturing a quick selfie can help us remember deeper meanings of those day-to-day events or big moments. 

One recent project from a Paris-based professional photographer and grad student shows that humans might not be the only animals that love a cheeky self-portrait. 

A Skinner box-inspired experiment showed that rats got a kick out of pressing a button that snapped selfies. They also enjoyed viewing the resulting images—even if they weren’t lured by a treat to do so. Of course, the psychological significance of rat selfies is still a mystery, and we’ll need to do a lot more research to truly understand our shared love of self-portraits (and/or button-pushing). But in the meantime, the photos produced by these curious little critters are still cute as can be. You can see them here. 

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NASA hitched a ride aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron Launcher in New Zealand yesterday evening, and is preparing to test a new, highly advanced solar sail design. Now in a sun-synchronous orbit roughly 600-miles above Earth, the agency’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) will in the coming weeks deploy and showcase technology that could one day power deep-space missions without the need for any actual rocket fuel, after launch.

The fundamentals behind solar sails aren’t in question. By capturing the pressure emitted by solar energy, thin sheets can propel a spacecraft at immense speeds, similar to a sailboat. Engineers have already demonstrated the principles before, but NASA’s new project will specifically showcase a promising boom design constructed of flexible composite polymer materials reinforced with carbon fiber.

Although delivered in a toaster-sized package, ACS3 will take less than 30 minutes to unfurl into an 860-square-foot sheet of ultrathin plastic anchored by its four accompanying 23-foot-long booms. These poles, once deployed, function as sailboat booms, and will keep the sheet taut enough to capture solar energy.

[Related: How tiny spacecraft could ‘sail’ to Mars surprisingly quickly.]

But what makes the ACS3 booms so special is how they are stored. Any solar sail’s boom system will need to remain stiff enough through harsh temperature fluctuations, as well as durable enough to last through lengthy mission durations. Scaled-up solar sails, however, will be pretty massive—NASA is currently planning future designs as large as 5,400-square-feet, or roughly the size of a basketball court. These sails will need extremely long boom systems that won’t necessarily fit in a rocket’s cargo hold.

To solve for this, NASA rolled up its new composite material booms into a package roughly the size of an envelope. When ready, engineers will utilize an extraction system similar to a tape spool to uncoil the booms meant to minimize potential jamming. Once in place, they’ll anchor the microscopically thin solar sail as onboard cameras record the entire process.

NASA hopes the project will allow them to evaluate their new solar sail design while measuring how its resulting thrust influences the tiny spacecraft’s low-Earth orbit. Meanwhile, engineers will assess the resiliency of their novel composite booms, which are 75-percent lighter and designed to offer 100-times less shape distortion than any previous solar sail boom prototype.

Don’t expect the ACS3 experiment to go soaring off into space, though. After an estimated two-month initial flight and subsystem testing phase, ACS3 will conduct a weeks-long test of its ability to raise and lower the CubeSate’s orbit. It’s a lot of work to harness a solar force NASA says is equivalent to the weight of a paperclip in your palm. Still, if ACS3’s sail and boom system is successful, it could lead towards scaling up the design enough to travel across the solar system.

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On the floor of General Motors’ new Design West building, various concepts and work-in-progress next-generation vehicles dot the vast, open space. From a level above and behind glass, all is quiet. Everyone appears to be wearing soft-soled, comfortable shoes, as the place is huge and walking is required. It’s not until you step onto the cement floor that you hear a confluence of murmurs and sounds from hundreds of people all working toward the same goal: to propel the legacy automaker forward as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

How do car designers peer eight to 10 years into the future to create vehicles that not only look good but will sell? In this building, GM creatives have moved into a new house, and the ideas are flowing. Here at the intersection of art, design, engineering, and technology, GM is flexing the vehicles the public already knows are coming, plus many more that very few people have seen. Except for those working in this building, of course. 

It’s all part of a $2 billion upgrade to the Technical Center campus, a significant investment for this century-old automaking conglomerate. Already, the 2025 Buick Enclave three-row SUV was uncovered recently with a clear nod to the Buick Wildcat EV concept unveiled in 2022. Sleek and angular with aerodynamic lines that suggest speed, the Wildcat seems to be the audacious kind of model inspiring future ideas and encouraging a second look at what may have been a lackluster brand in the recent past.

Using every resource available

When the GM campus was first built in the Detroit area in 1956, arriving on site was like “driving into the future,” says a GM spokesperson during my recent tour. Today’s updates leap forward another generation while keeping tokens from the past. For example, in the new conference room that hangs over the portico, a Cadillac goddess sculpture sits on a piece of elm from a tree that had been cut to make way for this building. Sculpted wood wraps around the wall near the lobby, finely crafted by three generations of woodworkers employed by GM.

In the Design West facility, collaboration is easier than it was before, as design teams have better access to varied physical scenarios for quicker and more impactful design reviews, a GM spokesperson told me. The floor-to-ceiling windows enable more natural light, and vehicles can be more easily moved on to the courtyard for viewing outdoors.

The new Digital Design Visualization Center includes a full audio setup with capacity up to 120 decibels–basically, the noise level of a jet plane–and a nearly 56-foot-wide screen with more than 76 million pixels. Virtual tools are incorporated into each studio area to enable real-time, on-demand global design collaboration, and it seems the line between where the computers start and people stop (and vice versa) is fluid.

3D modeling still reigns

Forty-four high-tech mill sites dot the surface, standing ready to carve giant blocks of clay into the desired shapes before sculptors take over with specialized tools. These are five-axis mills, capable of cutting across three distinct linear axes. At the same time, it rotates on two vertical axes to process five sides in total. Sculptors learn the software to program the mills so the process is hand in glove.

GM hasn’t completely eschewed analog techniques for vehicle creation, however. Supremely talented artisans sculpt details into clay models after the mills have completed their part of the job.

“We’ve been predicting coming off clay models for a long time,” says GM Senior Vice President of Global Design Michael Simcoe. “But this is an art form. By using a physical model, you have a unique reaction in three dimensions; judging proportions and scale is difficult, virtually.”

Side by side with the all-clay models are those that are partly cloaked in Di-Noc, a stretchy film used for decades in the automotive industry for wraps and color representation. Massive company 3M acquired Di-Noc in the 1960s and still uses the name. Today, GM staff in the Design West building apply it to clay models to help designers see the reflection of light on the surface as it plays on the body of the car.

Tearing down the walls

There’s more space in the new building for show and tell, and you can bet each of the automakers–Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, and GM–are checking each other out. There’s a sense of peripheral inspiration over one-upmanship. Even those on the virtual modeling side are nearby under an overhang to manage the influx of light on their computer screens. If the old buildings were siloed and compartmentalized, this is the exact opposite. GM’s world is topsy turvy in the most logical, ambitious ways.

On top of the new building, refreshed technology, and updated machinery, there are about 40 art installations throughout Design West, all created by current and past GM designers, creatives, sculptors, and fabrication shop employees. There is a large collage stretching four yards or more made from fabric swatches of all colors from past and current models. A massive, heavy aluminum piece of wall art was painted with various finishes. Employees host art shows on a regular basis to showcase what the designers can do beyond industrial sketches.

I can’t tell you about everything I saw on that design floor. There’s quite a bit of which I’m sworn to secrecy; at least for now. But if Buick’s Wildcat EV concept is any indication of the daring direction GM is taking into the next decade, it looks like that billion-dollar investment will pay off in spades. 

Update: The original version of this story stated GM spent $1 billion on the new facility, but a GM representative has said the investment is now $2 billion. The headline and story have been updated to reflect the correct number.

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Builders have officially broken ground on a new $12 billion train that could zoom travelers between Las Vegas and Los Angeles in just under two hours by the end of the decade. The new train, which is considered the first “high-speed” rail in the United States, could cut down commute time for travelers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that would otherwise be emitted from cars and planes. Brightline, the firm responsible for the project, received $3 billion in support from the federal government as part of the 2021 bipartisan Infrastructure law.

Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who was one of several Biden Administration officials on site for a groundbreaking ceremony Monday, described the moment as a “major milestone in building the future of American rail.” The ceremony symbolically took place on Earth Day. 

“Partnering with state leaders and Brightline West, we’re writing a new chapter in our country’s transportation story that includes thousands of union jobs, new connections to better economic opportunity, less congestion on the roads, and less pollution in the air,” Buttigieg said in a statement. 

On behalf of the Biden administration, it was my great honor to help break ground on what's expected to be the first operating high-speed rail line in American history! pic.twitter.com/VJjz849t03

— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) April 23, 2024

This day is a major milestone in building the future of American rail and the jobs that come with it.

Today we celebrate the groundbreaking of the Brightline West high-speed rail project, connecting Las Vegas to Southern California.

— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) April 22, 2024

Brightline expects its trains will depart every 40 minutes from a station outside of the Vegas strip and another one in the LA suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. When it’s completed, the train will travel at 186 miles per hour, making it the fastest train in the US and comparable to Japan’s famous bullet trains. For context, Brightline’s most recently completed train connecting parts of Florida is estimated to top out around 130 miles per hour. Both of those still fall far short of the speed achieved by the world fastest commuter train in Shanghai, which can reportedly reach a speed of 286 miles per hour. Still, the new train could complete the 218 mile trip between Sin City and a suburb of the City of Angels in just 2 hours and 10 minutes. That same trip would take about four hours by car, and that’s without substantial traffic. 

Once built, the trains will reportedly include onboard Wi-Fi, restrooms, and food and drinks available for purchase. Brightline hasn’t provided an exact price for how much an individual train ticket will cost but has instead said they expect it to be roughly equivalent to the price of an airline flight. Brightline reportedly believes the train could attract 11 million one-way passengers annually once it’s up and running.

“Today is long overdue, but the blueprint we’ve created with Brightline will allow us to repeat this model in other city pairs around the country,” Brightline founder Wes Edens said in a statement. 

The US Department of Transportation estimates the new train could cut back 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year and create 35,000 new jobs. It could also help foster new, much-needed competition. Amtrak, the nation’s primary long distance rail provider, has long held a monopoly over long distance rail in the US, but many areas still remain unserved. Prior to this project, Las Vegas, for example, did not have Amtrak service. Brightline is looking to build out more trains in the coming decade, with a focus on connecting areas that commuters find too close to fly and too far to comfortably drive.

American high-speed rail is having a moment (finally)

US infrastructure policy has long favored automobiles over long-distance rail and mass transit, much to the consternation of climate activists who argue an over reliance on gas burning cars is contributing to worsening climate change. But there are signs the country’s attitude toward rails is beginning to change. Brightline, the same company attempting to link Las Vegas and LA, recently completed a first-of-its-kind train linking Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach in Florida. Brightline reportedly claims its Florida train had 258,307 passengers in March. 

Elsewhere, other new high-speed train routes are being considered in Texas, the Pacific Northwest and other parts of California. Those efforts, if they materialize, will be made possible in part by billions of dollars worth of grants set aside for rail as part of the infrastructure law. Still, receiving funds and beginning projects are only the beginning of the battle. Rising costs and routing disputes can delay and complicate and delay actual development. One proposed rail line running roughly 300 miles between San Francisco and LA was first approved by voters in 2008 and has still yet to materialize. As of today, nearly two decades later, less than a quarter of that rail line has been completed. Brightline is hoping it can avoid those complications with its new high-speed rail. If it does, commuters could expect to make the trip between Sin City and Hollywood by 2028.

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For the first time since November 2023, NASA is receiving meaningful communication from its Voyager 1 probe. The agency has spent months troubleshooting a glitch in why the famed probe was sending home messages that looked like garbled up gibberish and not scientific data. The probe is now coherent, but according to NASA, the next step is to enable Voyager 1 to begin to return usable science information again. 

[Related: Voyager 1 is sending back bad data, but NASA is on it.]

Alongside its twin Voyager 2, these probes are the only spacecraft to ever fly in interstellar space–or the region between stars beyond the influence of the sun. Both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes launched in 1977. Their mission initially included detailed observations of Jupiter and Saturn, but it continued on exploring the outer reaches of the solar system. Voyager 1 became the first spacecraft to enter interstellar space in 2012. Voyager 2 followed Voyager 1 into interstellar space in 2018. 

On November 14, 2023, Voyager 1 stopped sending readable science and engineering data back to Earth for the first time. Mission controllers could tell that the spacecraft was still receiving their commands and otherwise operating normally, so they were not sure why it was sending back such incoherent information. In March, the Voyager engineering team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) confirmed that the issue was related to one of the spacecraft’s three onboard computers, called the flight data subsystem (FDS). The FDS packages science and engineering data before it’s sent to Earth so that NASA can use it.

The team pinpointed the code responsible for packaging the spacecraft’s engineering data. The glitch was only on one single chip representing around 3 percent of the FDS memory, according to Space. They were unable to repair the chip. On April 18, JPL engineers migrated the code to other portions of the FDS memory. This required splitting the code up into several sections to store them at multiple locations in the FDS. The code was adjusted to work from multiple locations as one cohesive process and references to its new directories were updated. 

“When the mission flight team heard back from the spacecraft on April 20, they saw that the modification worked: For the first time in five months, they have been able to check the health and status of the spacecraft,” NASA wrote in an update on April 22.

[Related: When Voyager 1 goes dark, what comes next?]

As of now, the usable data returned so far relates to how the spacecraft’s engineering systems are working. The team plans more software repair work in the next several weeks so that Voyager 1 can send valuable science data about the outer reaches of the solar system that is readable once again. As of now, Voyager 2 is still operating normally.

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Dyhia Belhabib’s journey to becoming a marine scientist began with war funerals on TV. Her hometown, on the pine-forested slopes of the Atlas Mountains in northern Algeria, lies only 60 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. But a trip to the beach was dangerous. A bitter civil war raged across the mountains as she was growing up in the 1990s; the conflict was particularly brutal for Belhabib’s people, the Berbers, one of the Indigenous peoples of North Africa. As she puts it: “We didn’t go to the ocean much, because you could get killed on the way there.”

The ocean surfaced in her life in another way, on state-run television. When an important person was assassinated or a massacre occurred, broadcasters would interrupt regular programming to show a sober documentary. They frequently chose a Jacques Cousteau film, judged sufficiently dignified and neutral to commemorate the deaths. Whenever she saw the ocean on television, Belhabib would wonder who had died. “My generation thinks of tragedies when we see the ocean,” she says. “I didn’t grow to love it in my youth.”

By the time she was ready for university, the civil war had ended. The Islamists had lost the war, but their cultural influence had grown. Engaged at 13 to a fiancé who wanted her to become a banker, Belhabib chafed at the restrictions. Her given name, Dyhia, refers to a Berber warrior queen who successfully fought off invading Arab armies over a thousand years ago; Queen Kahina, as she is also known, remains a symbol of female empowerment, an inspiration for Berbers and for the thousands of Algerian women who took up arms in the war of independence. In a society where one in four women cannot read, Belhabib realized she didn’t want to go to university only to spend her life “counting other people’s money.

One day, her brother’s friend visited their house. He was a student in marine sciences in the capital city, Algiers. When he described traveling out to sea, Belhabib felt a calling for an entirely unexpected path. “It was,” she recalls, “a career I had never heard of, and one that challenged every stereotype of women in Algerian society.” Soon after the visit, she moved to Algiers to study at the National Institute of Marine Sciences and Coastal Management, where she was one of the only women in her program. She also broke off the engagement with her fiancé, so that she could focus full-time on studies. She still vividly remembers her feelings of freedom, fear, and unreality on her first trip out to sea. While other students dove for samples, she floated on top of the water, trying to survive. “I never learned how to swim, and I still don’t know how,” she admits.

Belhabib graduated at the top of her class, but was repeatedly rejected when she applied to universities overseas. Her luck turned when she met Daniel Pauly, one of the world’s most famous fish scientists, at a conference. Unintimidated by the fact that Pauly had just won the Volvo Prize—the environmental equivalent of a Nobel—she introduced herself and told him she wanted to study with his team. Although she did not yet speak fluent English, Pauly accepted her as a student. When she began her doctoral research, over 90 percent of the world’s wild fisheries had been eradicated, and Pauly was sounding the alarm about a new, global surge in illegal fishing that was decimating marine food webs and depriving coastal communities of livelihoods. He wanted her to work on Africa, where illegal fishing had reached epidemic proportions.

Belhabib spent the next few years in West Africa. When her research uncovered the extent of illegal fishing to feed Chinese and European markets, she made the front page of the New York Times. “Being African myself, I was able to bring people together to openly share data in a way they never had before,” she explains. It’s not hard to imagine her corralling government officials: Disarmingly frank and engagingly energetic, the whip-smart, hijab-wearing Belhabib stands a little over five feet tall and talks a mile a minute, with a self-deprecating laugh and a talent for gently posed, bitingly direct questions.

Her startling findings touched a nerve. Tens of thousands of boats commit fishing crimes every year, but no global repository of fishing crimes exists. A fishing vessel will often commit a crime in one jurisdiction, pay a meager fine, and sail off to another jurisdiction, thus operating with impunity. If a global database of fishing vessel criminal records could be created, Belhabib realized, there would be nowhere left to hide. She suggested the idea to a variety of international organizations, but the issue was a political hot potato; national sovereignty, they argued, prevented them from tracking international criminals. Undeterred, Belhabib decided to build the database herself. Late at night, while her infant son was sleeping, she began combing through government reports and news articles in dozens of languages (she speaks several fluently). Her database grew, word spread, and her network of informants—often government officials frustrated with international inaction on illegal fishing—began expanding. She moved to a small nonprofit and began advising Interpol and national governments. The database, christened Spyglass, grew into the world’s largest registry of the criminal history of industrial fishing vessels and their corporate backers. But the registry, Belhabib knew, was useful only if the information made its way into the right hands. So in 2021 she cofounded Nautical Crime Investigation Services, a startup that uses AI and customized monitoring technology to enable more effective policing of marine crimes and criminal vessels at sea. Together with her cofounder Sogol Ghattan, who has a background in ethical AI, she named their core algorithm ADA, in homage to Ada Lovelace—the woman who wrote the world’s first computer program.

Belhabib is attempting to tackle one of the most intractable problems in contemporary environmental conservation: illegal fishing. Across the oceans, the difficulty of tracking ships creates ideal cover for some of the world’s largest environmental crimes. After the end of World War II, the world’s fishing fleets rapidly industrialized. Wartime technologies that had been developed for detecting underwater submarines were repurposed for spotting fish. The size of nets grew exponentially, and offshore factory ships were outfitted so they could spend months at sea, extending the reach of industrial fishing into the furthest reaches of the ocean. As the world’s population grew, fish protein became an increasingly important source of food. But warning signs soon appeared: crashes in key fish populations, an alarming trend of “fishing down marine food webs,” and a series of cascading impacts that rapidly depleted marine ecosystems.

In the wake of depleting stocks, fishers should have responded by reducing their take. Instead, they redoubled their efforts. After the world’s leading fishing nations—China and Europe are the largest markets—overfished their own waters, they began exporting industrial overfishing to the global oceans. China’s offshore fishing fleet of several hundred thousand vessels, which received nearly $8 billion in government subsidies in 2018, is now the largest in the world.

Governments of wealthier nations subsidized massive fleets of corporate-backed vessels to fish the high seas, using bottom trawling and drift nets stretching for dozens of miles, killing everything in their path. Artisanal fishers were squeezed out, and as fish stocks collapsed, rising food insecurity generated protests and political unrest. In West Africa, for example, fishing boats from the world’s wealthiest nations have depleted local fisheries to such an extent that waves of migrants—faced with food insecurity and uncertain futures—have begun fleeing their homes in a desperate, risky attempt to reach European outposts such as the Spanish Canary Islands; thousands of migrants have died at sea. The smaller fishing fleet, meanwhile, has struggled to remain solvent; impoverished fishers are increasingly vulnerable targets for criminal organizations seeking mules for hire to transport drugs, or boats to serve as cover operations for human trafficking.

Over 90 percent of the world’s fish stocks are now fished to capacity or overfished. Despite this, scientists’ calls for reduced fishing have largely fallen on deaf ears. Conventional attempts to manage fisheries are stymied by the limits of logbooks and onboard human observers, and local electronic monitoring systems. Fishing boats that exceed quotas or fish in off-limits areas are rarely caught, operating with impunity in front of local fishermen’s eyes; and even if caught, they are even more rarely punished.

Marine panopticon

The world’s oceans are experiencing an onslaught: As fish have become scarcer, illegal fishing has surged. Rather than merely document the decline of fish stock, Belhabib decided to do something about it. Her solution: to combine ADA, her AI-powered database of marine crimes, with data that tracks vessel movements in real time. She began by tracking signals from the marine traffic transponders carried by oceangoing ships—also known as automatic information systems (AIS). AIS signals are detected by land transceivers or satellites and used to track and monitor individual vessel movements around the world. AIS signals are also detected by other ships in the vicinity, reducing the potential for ship collisions. Belhabib and her team then built an AI-powered risk assessment tool called GRACE (in honor of the pioneering coder Grace Hopper), which predicts risks of environmental crimes at sea. When combined with vessel detection devices such as AIS, GRACE provides real-time information on the likelihood of a particular ship committing environmental crimes, which can be used by enforcement agencies to catch the criminals in the act. Belhabib’s database means that criminal vessels—which often engage in multiple forms of crime, including human trafficking and drug smuggling, as well as illegal fishing—now find it much harder to hide.

The high seas are one of the world’s last global commons, largely unregulated. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea provides little protection for the high seas, two-thirds of the ocean’s surface. The adoption of a new United Nations treaty on the high seas in 2023 will create more protection, but this will require years to be implemented. Even within 200 nautical miles of the coast, where national authorities have legal jurisdiction, most struggle to monitor the oceans beyond the areas a few miles from the coast. And beyond the 200-mile limit, no one effectively governs the open ocean.

So Belhabib hands her data on human rights and labor abuses over to Global Fishing Watch, a not-for-profit organization that collaborates with the national Coast Guards and Interpol to target vessels suspected of illegal fishing for boarding, apprehend rogue fishing vessels, and police the boundaries of marine parks. The observatory visualizes, tracks, and shares data about global fishing activity in near real time and for free; launched at the 2016 U.S. State Department’s “Our Ocean” conference in Washington, it is backed by some of the world’s largest foundations. Its partners include Google (which provides tools for processing big data), the marine conservation organization Oceana, and SkyTruth—a not-for-profit that uses satellite imagery to advance environmental protection.

Global Fishing Watch uses satellite data on boat location, combined with Belhabib’s data on criminal activity, to train artificial intelligence algorithms to identify vessel types, fishing activity patterns, and even specific gear types (tasks that would require human fisheries experts hundreds of years to complete). The tracking system pinpoints each individual fishing vessel with laser-like accuracy, predicts whether it is actually fishing, and even identifies what type of fishing is underway. Their reports have revealed that half of the global ocean is actively fished, much of it covertly.

Fred Abrahams, a researcher with Human Rights Watch, explains that this approach is just one example of a new generation of conservation technology that could act as a check on anyone engaged in resource exploitation. His team at Human Rights Watch uses satellite imagery to track everything from illegal mining to undercover logging operations. As Abrahams says: “This is why we are so committed to these technologies . . . they make it much harder to hide large-scale abuses.” Abrahams, like other advocates, is confident that the glitches—for example, AIS tags are not yet carried by all fishing vessels globally, poor reception makes coverage in some regions challenging, and some boats turn off the AIS when they want to go into stealth mode—will eventually be solved. Researchers have recently figured out, for example, how to use satellites to triangulate the position of fishing boats in stealth mode—enabling tracking of so-called dark fleets. These results can inform a new era of independent oversight of illegal fishing and transboundary fisheries. Meanwhile, researchers are developing other applications for AIS data, including assessments of the contribution of ship exhaust emissions to global air pollution, the exposure of marine species to shipping noise, and the extent of forced labor—often hidden, and linked to human trafficking—on the world’s fishing fleets.

It’s a herculean task for one organization to police the world’s oceans. And Global Fishing Watch’s data is mostly retroactive; by the time the data is analyzed and the authorities have arrived, fishing vessels have often left the scene. What is still lacking is a method for marine criminals to be more effectively tracked in real time, and apprehended locally. This is where Belhabib’s next venture comes in. She is now working with local governments in Africa—where much illegal fishing is concentrated—to provide them with trackers and AI-powered technologies to catch illegal fishing and other maritime crimes in the act. As she notes: “When you ask the Guinean Navy how much of their territorial waters they can actually monitor, it’s only a fraction of a vast area. They simply don’t have the resources.” Belhabib’s system pinpoints vessels that may be committing infractions, and assesses the risk live on screen. This allows the Coast Guard and other agencies such as Interpol to more easily find illegal fishers, while reducing the costs of deployment, monitoring, and interdiction.

She cautions, however, about the use of similar digital technologies to track illegal migrants. The European Union, for example, has strengthened its “digital frontier” through satellite monitoring, unmanned drones, and remotely piloted aircraft, in some cases relying on private security and defense companies to undertake data analytics and tracking. But these technologies are often focused on surveillance rather than search and rescue of migrants stranded at sea. As Belhabib relates: “Recently I spoke with the Spanish Navy and they told me they watched over 100 people die when a boat full of migrants capsized and they could only save a few people. They told me, ‘We take their fish away, they risk their lives to have a better and decent life.’ It’s heartbreaking and avoidable.” In Belhabib’s view, Digital Earth technologies should prioritize ecological and humanitarian goals, rather than surveillance and profit.

Digital Earth technologies enable more rapid detection and, in some cases, prediction of marine crimes. Digital monitoring, combined with artificial intelligence, allows precise analysis of fishing vessel locations and movements at a global scale. Although this does not guarantee enforcement, it could enable more efficient policing of the world’s oceans. The use of digital technologies enables conservationists to tackle two common flaws that lead to failures in environmental enforcement. First: data is scarce; if available, there is often a time lag, geographical gaps, or data biases. This makes evidence-gathering difficult or impossible. Second, enforcement often comes too late. Environmental criminals can be prosecuted, but legal victories are uncertain, and happen after the damage has been done. These shortcomings of contemporary environmental governance—sparse data, unenforceable regulations, and patchy, sporadic enforcement that punishes but fails to prevent environmental harm—can be overcome by digital monitoring, which mobilizes abundant data in real time to gather systematic evidence and enable timely enforcement.

These techniques appear to be achieving some success. In Ghana, for example, there has been a long-standing conflict between industrial fishing boats and small-scale, artisanal fishers using canoes and small boats to fish near the shore. Satellite data has helped the government’s Fisheries Enforcement Unit track and reduce the incursions of larger fishing boats into near-shore waters. In Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago country with the second-longest coastline in the world, the government has entered into an agreement with Global Fishing Watch data to monitor fisheries and share the data about vessels’ movements publicly online, a major step forward in transparency in fisheries enforcement. The Indonesian partnership is an example of the longer-term aim of Global Fishing Watch: to share its geospatial datasets and online mapping platform with governments around the world.

Despite these recent gains to combat illegal fishing, digital tech is also exacerbating the underlying problem, as fishers themselves have started taking advantage of digital strategies. One example is the growing use of fish aggregating devices, which use acoustic technology, combined with satellite-linked global positioning systems, to better spot schools of fish. Fishers can effectively assess location, biomass, and even species, allowing them to aggregate and fish more efficiently. Digitization is ratcheting up the already intensely competitive fishing industry and accelerating the overfishing of endangered species.

Even if conservationists can win this digital arms race, there is a more fundamental problem: The underlying structural drivers of overfishing—consumer demand, particularly in Asia and Europe, and a lack of adequate governance for the high seas—are not solvable by digital technologies alone. Governance reform and digital innovation must work in tandem. For example, in the absence of government regulation, digital monitoring of fishing on the open ocean would be unlikely to scale up. But the adoption of the new UN treaty on the high seas in 2023 included a significant commitment to creating new Marine Protected Areas, aligned with Global Biodiversity Convention’s commitment to protect 30 percent of the Earth’s land and oceans by 2030.

These new developments create an impetus for digital monitoring; and, in turn, digital monitoring will increase the likelihood that Marine Protected Areas will be effective at protecting fish populations. This illustrates two key points about environmental governance in the 21st century: the interplay between digital and governance innovation, and the fact that planetary governance of the environment is possible only with planetary-scale computation.

Karen Bakker was a Guggenheim Fellow, a Professor at the University of British Columbia, and the Matina S. Horner Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. She was the author of “The Sounds of Life” (Princeton University Press) and “Gaia’s Web,” from which this article is excerpted. Karen Bakker died on August 14, 2023.

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Tesla is recalling nearly every one of its Cybertrucks due to a faulty accelerator pedal that could get stuck in place when pressed down. The mass recall, which will require a physical maintenance fix, comes less than five months after the company began shipping the vehicle.

In its recall notice issued this week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the pad on the truck’s accelerator could become “dislodged” if enough force was applied to it. Once the pad was dislodged, the pedal could become “trapped in the interior rim above the pedal.” If that were to happen, the NHTSA notes, the truck could continue accelerating even if the driver were to apply the brakes which could ultimately increase the risk of a crash or collision. The recall blames the malfunction on an unapproved introduction of lubricant to the pad during the manufacturing process. That lubricant, the recall notes, was soap. 

“If the condition [faulty accelerator pad] is present and the driver attempts to apply the accelerator pedal, the driver will detect the condition through immediate compromised performance and operation of the pedal,” the NHTSA wrote. “In addition, if the condition is present when the driver applies the brake pedal, the driver will receive an audible and visual alert that both brake and accelerator pedals are being pressed.” 

Tesla voluntarily agreed to recall the trucks and says it will “replace or rework” the accelerator pedal free of charge. The recall affects 3,878 Cyber Trucks manufactured between November 13, 2023, to April 4, 2024, which likely accounts for nearly all of trucks shipped to customers to date. When reached for comment, the NHTSA pointed PopSci to its recall notice. Tesla did not immediately respond to PopSci’s request for comment. Elon Musk, who has previously boasted about the vehicle’s “bulletproof” durability, acknowledged the recall on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

“There were no injuries or accidents because of this,” Musk wrote. “We are just being very cautious.”

Some Cybertruck owners began sharing their experiences of the accelerator getting stuck on social media last week. One Californian Cybertuck owner named Jose Martinez posted a video on TikTok explaining how the pad on his accelerator dislodged and got stuck on the driver-side carpet. Another Cybertruck owner who claims they experienced the issue says his truck continued accelerating even when he pressed on the brake pedal. Eventually, the driver alleged, he hit a light pole. 

Unlike other Tesla recalls 

Tesla owners over the years have come to expect recall notices with relative frequency. In just three years between 2020 and 2023, Tesla had 24 recalls of this Model Y SUV. In the past, Tesla has recalled vehicles for brake safety concerns, issues with its assisted driving software, and illegible warning lights. The sheer volume of the recalls sets the company apart. A 2022 analysis conducted by the price tracking firm iSeeCars.com found Tesla experienced the most recalls of any car brand that year, and by a wide margin. Tesla is somewhat unique though since the vast majority of those recalls are addressable via internet enabled, over-the-air updates. The Cybertruck recall is a notable outlier. Customers will actually have to physically have the truck serviced to address the accelerator issue. 

This isn’t the first issue Cybertruck owners have experienced in the vehicle’s brief life-span. Earlier this year, multiple owners said they saw small orange dots appear on the surface of their vehicles which resembled rust. One owner claims the discoloration occurs almost immediately after driving through a rain just one day after purchasing the car. A Tesla repair technician allegedly told one of the affected drivers they had a “procedure” for dealing with the splotchy red specks. 

[ Related: Owners worry Cybertruck of the future rusts after rain ]

Both the rust like spots and the apparent soap-induced accelerator pad issue appear to contradict Tesla’s branding of the Cybertruck as rugged, durable, off-road behemoth. Musk has previously referred to the vehicle as “badass” and possibly “the best product ever.” 

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In the near future, the tallest skyscraper in America might not appear in New York, or Chicago, or Los Angeles. Instead, it could jolt upward through the comparably sparse Oklahoma City skyline. If realized, the hulking building proposal referred to as the “Legends Tower” would be more than double the height of the city’s next tallest building. 

[ Related: The tallest building in the world remains unchallenged—for now ]

Oklahoma City’s planning commission approved a height increase request submitted by the tower’s developer last week, nudging the once seemingly unlikely idea close to reality. Designers want the building to soar 1,907 feet high, a number that purposely coincides with the date Oklahoma became a US state. That audacious height would make the Legends Tower more than 200 feet taller than New York’s 1,776-foot One World Trade Center. Globally, only five other buildings are taller. Developers previously suggested a 1750 foot tower prior to the height increase. Clearly, that wasn’t tall enough. 

The mixed used tower, as currently proposed, would be mostly residential with 1,750 apartments and a Hyatt hotel with hundreds of rooms. All told, the project, which includes a lagoon and nearby boardwalk, is estimated to cost $1.6 billion. Developers are reportedly planning to begin construction on two of the building’s towers this summer and expect the total project to take between 24-30 months to complete.

[ Related: 6 architectural facts about history’s tallest buildings ]

Why Oklahoma?

To say Oklahoma City is an unusual choice for what would be the world’s fifth largest building is an understatement. New York and Chicago are currently home to all 10 of the US’ tallest buildings. Those two cities each hold around 8 and 3 million people respectively. Oklahoma City, by contrast, has a population hovering at around 700,000 people. That said, it’s ticking up. Oklahoma city reportedly grew its popularity around 2% between 2020 and 2020, partly thanks to a larger population reorganization that occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic. The building’s developers are reportedly hopeful these new arrivals could help populate the mostly residential building.

The Legends Tower isn’t without its detractors. Members of the city’s planning commission and local residents have reportedly questioned the practicality of such a large building in a city not known for rows of large towers. Others worry how the building could stand up against the region’s heavy storms and not all that uncommon tornadoes. AO, the California architecture firm behind the tower, reportedly told the city’s planning commission the building would have concrete walls between and 5 and 6 feet thick around the elevator shafts as well as windows that can withstand tornado winds without shattering, according to the Wall Street Journal. Others, including Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, still seem uncertain whether the ambitious tower will actually ever materialize. 

“In my observation private developers often announce plans and some of those plans happen, and some don’t,” Holt told CNN earlier this year. “I have no strong opinion and look forward to following their effort.”

US still lags behind other countries for tallest building 

The days of US cities topping charts and listicles of “largest skyscrapers” have long since passed. That officially ended in 1998 when the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia took over Chicago’s Sears Tower. Buildings have gotten bigger and bigger since then. A 2021 report from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat estimated a staggering 84% of all buildings on Earth over 650 feet have been built since 2001. Now, in 2024 the top five tallest buildings in the world are located in Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Mecca, and Shenzhen. If the Legends developers complete their plans “Oklahoma City” could be the next entry on that list.

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Brain Computer Interface (BCI) companies are charging ahead with devices and services attempting to understand and manipulate human neural pathways. Some medical focused neurotechnology companies like Synchron are using surgically implanted devices to send signals to paralyzed patients’ brains in order to help them regain function of limbs. Other consumer focused firms are using chunky helmets and relatively normal looking smart headphones to measure their users’ brain signals. 

[ Related: Neuralink shows first human patient using brain implant to play online chess ]

Though the technology like this is still relatively nascent, neural rights activists and cornered lawmakers want to be ready for when it is more widespread. Critics warn companies may already possess the ability to “decode” consumers’ data presented in brain scans and translate that into written text. 

That decoded data can reveal highly sensitive details about an individual’s mental and physical wellness or their cognitive states. Researchers have already shown they can use AI models to read the brain data of patients watching videos and roughly reproduce the scenes those patients saw. This decoding process could become far easier, and more accurate, with the deployment of ever more powerful generative AI models. 

There’s also little preventing current neurotechnology companies from misusing or selling that data to the highest bidder. All but one (96%) of the neurotechnology companies analyzed in a recent report by the Neurorights Foundation appear to have had access to consumers’ neural data, which can include signals from an individual’s brain or spine. The Foundation claims those companies provide meaningful limitations to neural data access. More than half (66.7%) of the companies explicitly mention sharing consumer’s data with third parties. 

A first-of-its kind US law passed in Colorado this week could shift that dynamic by offering stricter, consumer-focused protections for all neural data sucked up by companies. The law, which gives consumers much greater control over how neurotechnology companies collect and share neural data, could add momentum to other similar bills making their way through state legislatures. Lawmakers, both in the US and abroad, are in the middle of a race to set meaningful standards around neural input data before these technologies enter the mainstream. 

Keeping personal neural data private

Colorado law, officially dubbed HB 24-1058 will expand the term “sensitive data” in Colorado’s Privacy Act to include neural data. Neural data here refers to inputs created by the brain, spine, or highway of nerves flowing through the body. In this context, neurotechnology companies typically access this data through a wearable or implantable device. These can range from relatively standard looking headphones to wires jacked directly into a patient’s central nervous system. The expanded definition will apply the same protection to this as is currently afforded to fingerprints, face scans, and other biometrics data. Like with biometric data, businesses will now need to obtain consent before collecting neural data and take steps to limit the amount of unnecessary information they scoop up. 

Coloradans, thanks to the law, will have the right to  access, correct, or have their neural data. They also opt out of the sale of that data. Those provisions are essential, the bill’s authors write due to large amounts of unintentional or unnecessary neural data likely collected  through neurotechnology services. Only 16 of the 30 companies surveyed in the Neurorights Foundation report said consumers can withdraw their consent to data processing under certain conditions. 

“The collection of neural data always involves involuntary disclosure of information,” the Colorado bill reads. “Even if individuals consent to the collection  and processing of their data for a narrow use, they are unlikely to be fully aware of the content or quantity of information they are sharing.” 

Supporters of stricter neural data protections, like Neurorights Foundation Medical Director Sean Pauzauskie praised Colorado’s action during a recent interview with The New York Times. 

“We’ve never seen anything with this power before—to identify, codify people and bias against people based on their brain waves and other neural information,” Pauzauskie said. 

Who else protects neural data? 

Colorado’s law could set the standard for other states to follow. On the national level the US currently lacks any federal legislation limiting how consumer companies access or use neural data. Outside of the The Centennial State, similar bills are under consideration in Minnesota and California. The California legislation stands since many of the biggest names exploring brain computer interfaces, like Neuralink and Meta, are headquartered within that jurisdiction. Other countries have stepped ahead of the US on neural data regulation. In 2021, Chile became the first country to include language legally protecting neural rights after it added them to its national constitution. Since then Brazil, Spain, Mexico and Uruguay, have also passed their own legislation.

All of this simmering regulatory interest may seem unusual for an industry that still appears relatively nascent. BCI users likely won’t be telepathically messaging their thoughts to friends any time soon and medical applications for paralyzed or other injured peoples remain reserved to a select few. But supporters of these relatively early emerging neural regulations hope these preemptive efforts can help set standards and potentially help model the growing neurotechnology industry towards a more privacy-conscious future. And if recent debates over social media regulations are any guide, it’s often easier said than done to try and retroactively apply new regulations to products and services once they’ve already become staples of modern life. When it comes to dystopian tinged mind-reading tech, Pandora’s Box is still mostly closed, but it’s beginning to crack open.

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Robotic engineers are no stranger to turning to nature for inspiration. In recent years, birds, dogs, extinct sea creatures, and even humans themselves have all served as jumping off point for new mechanical designs. Now, researchers from Stanford are citing the Harvestman spider, better known as a daddy long-legs as inspiration for a new robot design they believe could be better equipped at navigating uneven rocky caverns and lava tubes. One day, they hope this spider-like design could even help robots navigate the icy caverns of the moon and Mars. 

How does the spider robot work?

The researchers introduced their new machine called the “ReachBot” in a paper published today in the journal Science Robotics. ReachBot features multiple extendable boom limbs which it can use to reach out for rocks and propel itself forward. Each limb comes attached with a three finger gripper that grabs onto the rocks and uses them as anchor points. The long-legged design means the robot’s limbs can potentially access the floor, ceiling, and walls of a lava tube or cave, which in turn provide increased leverage. This unique positioning, the researchers write, lets the ReachBot “assume a wide variety of possible configurations, bracing stances, and force application options.”

ReachBot attempts to fill in a form-factor gap among existing exploration robots. Small robots, the researchers argue, are useful for navigating through tight corridors but typically have limited reach. Larger robots, by contrast, might be able to reach more area but can get bogged down by their heft mass and mechanical complexity. ReachBot offers a compromise by relying on a small main body with limbs that can expand and reach out if necessary. 

The robot utilizes a set of onboard sensors to scale the area ahead of it and look for concave rocks or other signs suggestive of a graspable area. Like a physical spider. ReachBot doesn’t immediately assume rock surfaces are flat, but instead seeks “rounded features that the gripper can partially enclose.” Researchers say they tested the robot in simulation to help it improve its ability to correctly identify grippable surface areas and aid in footstep planning. Following the simulation, ReachBot was tested in the real-world in an unmanned lava tube near Pisgah crater in Mojave Desert. 

“Results from the field test confirm the predictions of maximum grasp forces and underscore the importance of identifying and steering toward convex rock features that provide a strong grip,” the researchers write. “They also highlight a characteristic of grasp planning with ReachBot, which is that identifying, aiming for, and extending booms involves a higher level of commitment than grasping objects in manufacturing scenarios.”

ReachBot could help researchers explore deep caves and caverns on other planets

Researchers believe ReachBot’s arachnid design could have extraterrestrial applications. Lava tubes like in the Mojave Desert where the robot was tested removes some of the area on the surface of the moon and Mars. In the latter example, researchers say ancient subsurface environments on the Red Planet remain relatively unchanged the time when some believe the planet may have been habitable. These sheltered cavern areas, they write, “could provide sites for future human habitation.” 

In theory, future exploratory space robots could use a design like ReachBot’s to explore deeper into areas contemporary robots could find inaccessible. Elsewhere, researchers are exploring how three-legged jumping machines and four-legged, dog inspired robots could similarly help scientists learn more about undiscovered areas of our solar system neighbors. 

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Atlas, the hulking 330-pound acrobatic Boston Dynamics robot (that filled us with equal parts awe and horror) is officially going into retirement. The 11-year-old iconic bi-pedal giant will be replaced by a much lighter, all electric successor. The transition marks an end of an era for Boston Dynamics as consumer and investor interest turns increasingly toward smaller, scalable humanoid robots capable of performing manufacturing tasks.

Boston Dynamics commemorated the original “hydraulic Atlas,” with a farwell video this week. The video shows Atlas sprinting through an obstacle course before clumsily crashing to the ground. What follows is a collection of some of Atlas’ greatest hits over its 11-year-lifespan. Video clips show the robot evolving over the years from a rigid, slow hunk of metal to a powerful robotic athlete capable of performing backflips and hurling large objects with seemingly superhuman strengths. Of course, the video also shows Boston Dynamics engineers mercilessly showing, attacking, and tripping Atlas throughout the years to test its capabilities. 

Atlas was originally produced in  2013 for the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Agency. At the time, DARPA hearladed Atlas as “one of the most advanced humanoid robots ever built.” The impressive and often imposing machine went viral on the internet with a collection of eye-grabbing videos showing it engaging in everything from wild acrobatics and synchronized dance routines to over-the-top construction site work. 

Boston Dynamics pivots to lighter, more commercial humanoid robots 

In a surprise announcement Wednesday, Boston Dynamics revealed Atlas’ name will actually live on, though in a much different form factor. The company released a brief video showing off what looks like a match for a smaller, bipedal robot with a circular head lying on a test room floor.

In a blog post, the company described this new successor as a “fully electric Atlas robot designed for real-world applications.” The company says the new Atlas will have a broader range of motion than its predecessor. Hyundai, which acquired Boston Dynamics in 2021, will begin testing the new Atlas in its factories in the coming months, according to the blog post. 

Long-term commercialization and scalability appear to have been primary factors driving the old Atlas’ into retirement. Since the Hyundai question, Boston Dynamics has pushed to widely sell other, more affordable products like its “Spot” quadruped and its “Stretch” warehouse robot. The old Atlas, by contrast, was never sold commercially and may have simply cost too much for any manufacturer to justify buying it. Boston Dynamics hinted towards its commercial plans for the new Atlas in its most recent press release.

“Given our track record of successful commercialization, we are confident in our plan to not just create an impressive R&D project, but to deliver a valuable solution,” the company said. 

Despite being primarily an R&D tool, the original Atlas still played an important symbolic role, acting as a technical ceiling for what other bipedal robots could achieve. Its prominence helped usher in a new wave of human-like robots from startups like Figure and Agility Robotics, which are looking to combine robotics with large language models to make them more useful at completing tasks in the real world. Ironically, it’s looking like the new Atlas will now compete against the upstarts its predecessor inspired. 

[ Related: OpenAI wants to make a walking, talking humanoid robot smarter ]

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In 2013, Italian automaker Fiat launched its first EV, the 500e. The car was sold only in California and Oregon and discontinued in 2019. Going back to the drawing board for a European-spec 2000 model, Fiat built a new EV-only platform for its next generation. The small EV has reached American shores once again with a renewed commitment and a slightly larger package; the 2024 Fiat 500e is 2.2 inches wider and 2.4 inches longer than its predecessor.

While the 2024 model is bigger, Fiat managed to trim 50 pounds from the overall weight for a total of 2,952 pounds. EVs tend to be heavier, like the 4,861-pound Hyundai Ioniq 5 or 4,000-pound Volvo EX30, so the 500e is noticeably light on its feet. Maxing out at 149 miles of range, Fiat’s new EV is made for city driving, and it’s right at home in Europe. But can it fit into the American lifestyle? We drove it on the city streets of Miami’s Wynwood art district to find out.

Small package, big hopes

In 1957, American cars were getting bigger and bigger. Creased metal adorned the back end of sedans like the Chevrolet Bel Air in the form of stylish fins, and trunks were massive. That wasn’t the case in Italy, where Fiat launched its 500–a tiny, rounded car that seemed to barely encase its occupants.

When the first 500e launched in 2013, EVs weren’t on the fast track they are today. The experiment was carefully controlled, and retracted before the pandemic turned the world upside-down in 2020. When it launched in 2013, the range was considered good; not so much anymore. 

“The 500e boasts an EPA-estimated range of 87 miles, an above-average number for an EV,” Edmunds reported in 2013. “Further, Fiat says its EV hatchback can fully charge in less than four hours from a 240-volt outlet, also a good figure for this class.” 

Things have changed a lot in 10 years, and 87 miles is no longer impressive. Fiat relaunched its 500e in 2020 in Europe with a new platform and more than doubled its range to 199 miles on the European testing cycle. Seeing the diminutive 500e’s success across the pond, Fiat’s hopes were high for the car’s American rebirth.

“We realized we had magic in a very small package,” Fiat North America Aamir Ahmed says. “When we’re talking electrification, many [cars] lose their character. And now we take an electric battery and power this car that’s filled with charisma.”

This is a very different message than the one offered by Fiat maestro and chief executive Sergio Macchione a decade ago. Frustrated by federal and state mandates that encourage automakers to build EVs, Marchionne rebelled against the status quo.

“I hope you don’t buy it because every time I sell one it costs me $14,000,” he told the audience at the Brookings Institution in 2014. “I’m honest enough to tell you that.”

Today’s 500e is primed for the current EV appetites, and it’s designed to be a city car for those who drive the average (according to AAA) 30 miles a day. At that rate, one could go nearly a week between charges, and as charging infrastructure ramps up, it could be as easy as charging up at the coffee shop. With 85 kW of DC fast charging capability, the 500e can go from 10 percent to 80 percent in 35 minutes, Fiat says.

Fresh engineering and Andrea Bocelli-influenced acoustics

Chief engineer Paolo Gribaldi has been working on the 500e for the last two years, and he says the time frame was the most challenging piece of this project; it had to be finished in 22 months. The 500e (cinquecento, in Italian) was designed on a purpose-built platform, the first created for EVs. It’s fitted with the same power source as its older cousin in Europe, a 42 kilowatt-hour nickel manganese cobalt battery. 

Sporting 17-inch wheels and lower-profile tires, the previous model’s 15-inch wheels look way too small when compared side by side. Slide behind the wheel, and there is no need for a “start” button. It starts up when it detects the key fob, much like Volkswagen’s ID.4. The flush door handles are lifted from its sibling company Maserati, also owned by Stellantis, which helps with both aerodynamics and economies of scale. Other enhancements are under the surface.

“The suspension uses a wider track than the previous generation to fit the larger battery,” Garibaldi explains. “Then there were improvements to the brake system.” 

Also cribbed from the European version is the set of drive modes, which Fiat calls Normal, Range, and Sherpa. Normal mode offers low regenerative braking and a driving experience that feels “normal” to those used to combustion-engine vehicles. Range mode tweaks the regen for typical-EV one-pedal driving, slowing the car to a stop when lifting your foot from the accelerator. Lastly, Sherpa mode optimizes range by reducing power from 117 horsepower to 90 horsepower and turning off the heating and cooling system. Equivalent to what others call “Eco” mode, the maximum speed is set to about 50 miles per hour, which is fine for urban driving. 

I tried it in each mode, and I can say that driving in Miami (or anywhere it’s warm, really) in Sherpa mode is not pleasant with the air conditioning off. Opening the windows is an option, but then you’re altering the aerodynamics and thus, range. I can see how it could be helpful if you’re limping home or into a charging station and need to stretch the miles as far as possible. Most gas-powered car fans will appreciate the seamless transition to EV in Normal range, which feels familiar, and Range mode is handy in stop-and-go traffic. 

Fiat isn’t above having a little fun with its new EV, and it tapped one of the most famous Italian musicians–tenor Andrea Bocelli–to create concert hall-level sound inside its “Inspired by Music” limited edition model. Once the car reaches 20 miles per hour for the first time after starting up, the 500e’s pedestrian alert “sings” a tune called “The Sound of 500” composed by Flavio Ibba and Marco Gualdi. It’s just another way to communicate its unmistakable Italianness to passersby. 

This car is iconic and fun to drive, and it fits perfectly into a city environment. It’s not perfect, nor is any car, but it’s worth a look for those seeking a compact, adorable EV with the ability to park just about anywhere. And it doesn’t hurt that it includes Maserati parts, either: a city car with big aspirations. 

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Even without any known active tectonic movement, the moon can still rumble. Its dramatic thermal changes, miniscule contractions from cooling, and even the influences of Earth’s gravity have all contributed to noticeable seismic activity. And just like on Earth, detecting these potentially powerful moonquakes will be important for the safety of any future equipment, buildings, and people atop the lunar surface. 

But instead of traditional seismometers, NASA hopes Artemis astronauts will be able to deploy laser-powered fiber optic cables.

In a recent study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, researchers at Caltech made the case for the promising capabilities of a new, high-tech seismological tool known as distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). Unlike traditional seismometers, DAS equipment measures the extremely tiny tremors detected in laser light as it travels through fiber optic cables. According to a separate paper from last year, a roughly 62-mile DAS cable line could hypothetically do the job of 10,000 individual seismometers.

[Related: Researchers unlock fiber optic connection 1.2 million times faster than broadband.]

This is particularly crucial given just how difficult it’s been to measure lunar seismic activity in the past. Apollo astronauts installed multiple seismometers on the lunar surface during the 1970’s, which managed to record quakes as intense as a magnitude 5. But those readings weren’t particularly precise, due to what’s known as scattering—when seismic waves are muddied from passing through layers of extremely fine, powdery regalith dust.

Researchers believe using fiber optic DAS setups could potentially solve this problem by averaging thousands of sensor points, and the data to back it up. According to a recent Caltech profile, the team of geophysicists deployed a similar cable system near Antarctica’s South Pole, the closest environment on Earth to our natural satellite’s surface due to its remote, harsh surroundings. Subsequent tests successfully detected subtle seismic activity such as cracking and shifting ice, while holding up against the harsh surroundings.

Of course, the moon’s brutal surface makes Antarctica look almost pleasant by comparison. Aside from the dust, temperature fluctuations routinely vary between 130 and -334 degrees Fahrenheit, while the lack of atmosphere means regular bombardment by solar radiation. All that said, Caltech researchers believe fiber optic cabling could easily be designed to withstand these factors. With additional work, including further optimizing its energy efficiency, the team believes DAS equipment could arrive alongside Artemis astronauts in the near future, ready to measure any moonquakes that come its way.

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It’s a bold pitch for homeowners: What if you let a small tech startup’s crowdfunded AI surveillance system dispense vigilante justice for you?

A Slovenia-based company called OZ-IT recently announced PaintCam Eve, a line of autonomous property monitoring devices that will utilize motion detection and facial recognition to guard against supposed intruders. In the company’s zany promo video, a voiceover promises Eve will protect owners from burglars, unwanted animal guests, and any hapless passersby who fail to heed its “zero compliance, zero tolerance” warning.

The consequences for shrugging off Eve’s threats: Getting blasted with paintballs, or perhaps even teargas pellets.

“Experience ultimate peace of mind,” PaintCam’s website declares, as Eve will offer owners a “perfect fusion of video security and physical presence” thanks to its “unintrusive [sic] design that stands as a beacon of safety.”

And to the naysayers worried Eve could indiscriminately bombard a neighbor’s child with a bruising paintball volley, or accidentally hock riot control chemicals at an unsuspecting Amazon Prime delivery driver? Have no fear—the robot’s “EVA” AI system will leverage live video streaming to a user’s app, as well as employ facial recognition technology system that would allow designated people to pass by unscathed.

In the company’s promotional video, there appears to be a combination of automatic and manual screening capabilities. At one point, Eve is shown issuing a verbal warning to an intruder, offering them a five-second countdown to leave its designated perimeter. When the stranger fails to comply, Eve automatically fires a paintball at his chest. Later, a man watches from his PaintCam app’s livestream as his frantic daughter waves at Eve’s camera to spare her boyfriend, which her father allows.

“If an unknown face appears next to someone known—perhaps your daughter’s new boyfriend—PaintCam defers to your instructions,” reads a portion of product’s website.

Presumably, determining pre-authorized visitors would involve them allowing 3D facial scans to store in Eve’s system for future reference. (Because facial recognition AI has such an accurate track record devoid of racial bias.) At the very least, require owners to clear each unknown newcomer. Either way, the details are sparse on PaintCam’s website.

But as New Atlas points out, there aren’t exactly a bunch of detailed specs or price ranges available just yet, beyond the allure of suburban crowd control gadgetry. OZ-IT vows Eve will include all the smart home security basics like live monitoring, night vision, object tracking, movement detection, night vision, as well as video storage and playback capabilities.

There are apparently “Standard,” “Advanced,” and “Elite” versions of PaintCam Eve in the works. The basic tier only gets owners “smart security” and “app on/off” capabilities, while Eve+ also offers animal detection. Eve Pro apparently is the only one to include facial recognition, which implies the other two models could be a tad more… indiscriminate in their surveillance methodologies. It’s unclear how much extra you’ll need to shell out for the teargas tier, too.

PaintCam’s Kickstarter is set to go live on April 23. No word on release date for now, but whenever it arrives, Eve’s makers promise a “safer, more colorful future” for everyone. That’s certainly one way of describing it.

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This article was originally featured on Undark.

Various commercial products known as “griefbots” create a simulation of a lost loved one. Built on artificial intelligence that makes use of large language models, or LLMs, the bots imitate the particular way the deceased person talked by using their emails, text messages, voice recordings, and more. The technology is supposed to help the bereaved deal with grief by letting them chat with the bot as if they were talking to the person. But we’re missing evidence that this technology actually helps the bereaved cope with loss.

Humans have used technology to deal with feelings of loss for more than a century. Post-mortem photographs, for example, gave 19th century Victorians a likeness of their dead to remember them by, when they couldn’t afford a painted portrait. Recent studies have provided evidence that having a drawing or picture as a keepsake helps some survivors to grieve. Yet researchers are still learning how people grieve and what kinds of things help the bereaved to deal with loss.

An approach to grief that focuses on continuing bonds with the deceased loved one suggests that finding closure is about more than letting the person go. Research and clinical practice show that renewing the bond with someone they’ve lost can help mourners deal with their passing. That means griefbots might help the bereaved by letting them transform their relationship to their deceased loved one. But a strong continuing bond only helps the bereaved when they can make sense of their loss. And the imitation loved ones could make it harder for people to do that and accept that their loved one is gone.

Carla Sofka, a professor of social work at Siena College in New York state, is an expert on technology and grief. As the internet grew in the mid-1990s, she coined the term “thanatechnology” to describe any technology—including digital or social media—that helps someone deal with death, grief, and loss, such as families and friends posting together on the social media profile of a deceased loved one or creating a website in their memory. Other survivors like rereading emails from the deceased or listening to their recorded voice messages. Some people may do this for years as they come to terms with the intense emotions of loss.

If companies are going to build AI simulations of the deceased, then “they have to talk to the people who think they want this technology” to better create something that meets their needs, Sofka said. Current commercial griefbots target different groups. Seance AI’s griefbot, for example, is intended for short-term use to provide a sense of closure, while the company You, Only Virtual—or YOV—promises to keep someone’s loved one with them forever, so they “never have to say goodbye.”

But if companies can create convincing simulations of people who died, Sofka said it’s possible that could change the whole reality of the person being gone. Though we can only speculate, it might affect the way people who knew them grieve. As Sofka wrote in an email, “everyone is different in how they process grief.” Griefbots could give the bereaved a new tool to cope with grief, or they could create the illusion that the loved one isn’t gone and force mourners to confront a second death if they want to stop using the bot.

Public health and technology experts, such as Linnea Laestadius of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, are concerned griefbots could trap mourners in secluded online conversations, unable to move on with their lives. Her work on chatbots suggests people can form strong emotional ties to virtual personas that make them dependent on the program for emotional support. Given how hard it is to predict how such chatbots will affect the way people grieve, Sofka wrote in an email, “it’s challenging for social scientists to develop research questions that capture all possible reactions to this new technology.”  

That hasn’t stopped companies from releasing their products. But to develop griefbots responsibly, it’s not just about knowing how to make an authentic bot and then doing it, said Wan-Jou She, an assistant professor at the Kyoto Institute of Technology.

She collaborated with Anna Xygkou, a doctoral student at the University of Kent, and other coauthors on a research project to see how chatbot technologies can be used to support grief. They interviewed 10 people who were using virtual characters created by various apps to cope with the loss of a loved one. Five of their participants chatted with a simulation of the person they lost, while the others used chatbots that took on different roles, such as a friend. Xygkou said that the majority of them talked to the characters for less than a year. “Most of them used it as a transitional stage to overcome grief, in the first stage” she said, “when grief is so intense you cannot cope with the loss.” Left to themselves, these mourners chose a short-term tool to help them deal with loss. They did not want to recreate a loved one to keep them at their side for life. While this study suggests that griefbots can be helpful to some bereaved people, more studies will be needed to show that the technology doesn’t harm them—and that it helps beyond this small group.

What’s more, the griefbots didn’t need to convince anyone they were human. The users interviewed knew they were talking to a chatbot, and they did not mind. They suspended their disbelief, Xygkou said, to chat with the bot as though they were talking to their loved ones. As anyone who has used LLM-driven chatbots knows, it’s easy to feel like there’s a real person on the other side of the screen. During the emotional upheaval of losing a loved one, indulging this fantasy could be especially problematic. That’s why simulations must make clear that they’re not a person, Xygkou said.

Critically, according to She, chatbots are currently not under any regulation, and without that, it’s hard to get companies to prove their products help users to deal with loss. Lax lawmaking has encouraged other chatbot apps to claim they can help improve mental health without providing any evidence. As long as these apps categorize themselves as wellness rather than therapy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will not enforce its requirements, including that apps prove they do more good than harm. Though it’s unclear which regulatory body will be ultimately responsible, it is possible that the Federal Trade Commission could handle false or unqualified claims made by such products.

Without much evidence, it’s uncertain how griefbots will affect the way we deal with loss. Usage data doesn’t appear to be public, but She and Xygkou had so much trouble finding participants for their study that Xygkou thinks not many mourners currently use the technology. But that could change as AI continues to proliferate through our lives. Maybe more people will use griefbots as the shortage of qualified mental professionals worsens. People may become more comfortable talking to computers, or poor oversight might mean that many people won’t know they are talking to a computer in the first place. So far, neither questionable ethics nor tremendous cost have prevented companies from trying to use AI any chance they get.

But no matter what comfort a bereaved person finds in bot, by no means should they trust them, She said. When a LLM is talking to someone, “it’s just predicting: what is the next word.”

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If you’ve looked in your utility drawer lately, you may have noticed the various shapes, sizes and types of batteries that power your electronic devices. First, there are the round, non-rechargeable button cells for your watches and small items. There’s also the popular AA and AAA cylindrical batteries for calculators, clocks and remotes. Then you have the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in your laptops and phones. And don’t forget about the lead-acid battery in your car.

I’m a professor who studies batteries and electrochemistry. To understand why batteries come in many different sizes and shapes–and serve many purposes–look to the past, at how batteries originated and how they have developed over the years.

The first batteries were made in the 1800s, and they were quite simple. One of the first demonstrations was a series of metal discs soaked in brine, which Italian scientist Alessandro Volta found created an electric current. The first lead-acid battery was made of a few pieces of lead in a jar of sulfuric acid. The modern versions are not that different. They’re just easier to manufacture and contain various additives to improve performance.

In all cases, batteries perform in the same manner: a voltage difference between two dissimilar electrodes produces an electric current, which can be discharged to power a device. Rechargeable batteries can then reverse this current to charge back up. Inside the battery, the electric current is accompanied by the flow of ions through a liquid, the electrolyte.

The passage of each electron in the current is accompanied by the transport of one ion through the electrolyte. Electrodes that can store more ions lead to batteries that can hold more charge and therefore last longer on a single charge. Electrodes that are engineered for faster ion storage lead to batteries that can discharge faster, for high-power applications. Lastly, being able to charge and discharge many times without degrading leads to batteries with long lifetimes.

Lead-acid batteries

The lead-acid battery was the first rechargeable battery invented back in 1859 by Gaston Plante, who experimented with lead plates in an acidic solution and found that the flow and storage of electric current could be reversed.

A lead-acid battery has to be big enough to provide enough charge to start a car. It also has to be usable in cold climates and last many years. Since the electrolyte is a corrosive acid, the external casing has to be tough to protect people and car parts from any possible harm. Knowing all this, it makes sense that modern lead-acid batteries are blocky and heavy.

Alkaline batteries

On the other hand, household devices like calculators and digital scales can afford to use smaller batteries because they don’t require a lot of charge. These are primarily non-rechargeable alkaline batteries that have been used for decades. The standardized cell sizes are AAAA, AAA, AA, C and D, as well as button and coin cells and many others. The sizes are related to how much charge they store – the bigger the battery, the more it holds–and the sizes of the devices they power.

Sometimes, you may find alkaline batteries sold in rectangular shapes, like common 9-volt batteries, but open the outer casing and you’ll find that they are simply a few cylindrical cells connected together inside. Cylindrical batteries have been around so long and used so widely that it just doesn’t make sense for the companies to manufacture anything different–it would require an investment to change their manufacturing facilities, something they’d rather not do.

Lithium ion batteries

Nickel-cadmium batteries were the first widely used rechargeable batteries for household electronics and were popular through the end of the 20th century. But they had their pitfalls. Cadmium is very toxic, and the batteries suffered from a “memory effect,” which decreased their lifetime.

For many decades, lithium was studied for potential use in rechargeable batteries because of its unique properties as a lightweight metal that stores a lot of energy. Sony first commercialized the lithium-ion battery in 1991.

The company made cylindrical cells because these were the easiest to manufacture. In the 1990s, Sony was making lots of camcorders and tapes, and thus had lots of equipment for roll-to-roll manufacturing. It was natural to repurpose this equipment to produce rolls of battery electrodes, which are made by casting films on sheets of copper or aluminum and then rolling them up into a “jelly roll” cylinder.

The thick casing of these cylindrical cells is mechanically strong, and to add another layer of safety they have a pressure relief valve. Very quickly, these early lithium-ion cells took over the portable electronics market, especially for laptops and cellphones, because they stored more energy and lasted longer than the nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries.

Factors that shape batteries

Batteries are made in certain sizes and shapes for reasons of cost and manufacturability, but in other cases because of legacy manufacturing processes. Market demand also plays a role.

For example, electric vehicles didn’t take off until Tesla started making cars using cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells rather than the rectangular pouch or prismatic cells other EV makers have used. Pouch and prismatic cells can be packed closely together, but because cylindrical cells were already being mass-produced for portable electronics, Tesla was able to make lower-cost EVs in the 2010s.

What shapes and sizes batteries will take in the future depends not only on how much energy they store, but also on market economics – how easy it is to make each type of cell, how much it costs to make them and what they’re used for. And those factors are a mix of innovation and history.

Disclosure: Wesley Chang receives funding from SolidEnergy Systems and the Electric Power Research Institute.

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The black sands of Iceland, snow-packed peaks of Chile, and burnt-orange sand dunes of Namibia: The natural scenery images from the 2024 Sony World Photography Awards document the wild, extraordinary, and intimidating beauty of Earth.

Photographer Liam Man nabbed top honors in the landscape category for an otherworldly drone-lit shot snapped in the Isle of Skye in Scotland. The photo (seen below) required precise timing and coordination to pull off. “Blizzards howled for the majority of the night,” Man said, “leaving mere minutes to execute this photograph before the moon became too bright.”

The overall winner from all categories will be announced on April 18 in London. More than 395,000 images from photographers around the globe were submitted as part of this year’s competition.

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For a moment, things weren’t looking great for the newest California condor chick. But thanks to some quick thinking and CT scanning technology, the San Diego Zoo welcomed its 250th hatchling in conservationists’ ongoing species recovery program. To celebrate, the wildlife park has released images and video of the moments leading up to the arrival of Emaay (pronounced “eh-my”), including a fascinating look within the egg itself.

When the California Condor Recovery Program began in 1982, only 22 of the critically endangered birds could be located. Since then, that number has grown over 560, with more than half of all California condors living in the wild. A big part of that success is thanks to the recovery program’s first adoptee, a three-month-old abandoned male named Xol-Xol (pronounced “hole-hole”). Xol-Xol, now 42, has fathered 41 chicks over his life, but his latest addition needed some extra care.

Zoologists placed the egg of the new chick in an incubator ahead of hatching, but noticed what appeared to be a malposition—a bodily angle that could have produced complications. The condor egg was then moved to the Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center and placed in a computed tomography (CT) imaging machine.

CT scanning takes a series of X-ray readings of an object from different angles, combining them through computer programming to create “slices,” or cross-sectional scans. The scans allow for far more detailed results than a basic X-ray image. Thankfully, subsequent CT scans of the condor egg confirmed a false alarm, allowing the team to return it to its incubator. 

[Related: California condor hatches after bird flu deaths.]

Upon pipping (a chick’s initial cracking of its shell), conservationists transferred the egg into the nest of Xol-Xol and his partner, Mexwe, who helped complete the hatching process. On March 16, Emaay greeted the world, with Xol-Xol and Mexwe caring for it ever since.

Emaay is one of about 50 California condor hatchlings now birthed every year—around 12-15 of which occur in the wild. But as San Diego Zoo’s 250th newcomer—and whose father was the program’s first adoptee—Emaay is particularly special to the team.

“Reaching this milestone feels incredible,” Nora Willis, senior wildlife care specialist at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, said. “There’s still a long way to go but being part of this and helping the species recover is life changing.”

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Andreas Mogensen returned to Earth in mid-March after a six-and-a-half month stint aboard the International Space Station. To mark his tenure as part of NASA’s Crew-7 mission, the Danish European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut has shared his souvenir from undock day—a guided video tour of the ISS.

It’s been a month now since I left the International @Space_Station.

One of the very last things that I did on undock day, was film a tour of the Space Station. It is as much a keepsake for me as it is a way for me to share the wonder of the International Space Station with you.… pic.twitter.com/oFR0VXR06A

— Andreas Mogensen (@Astro_Andreas) April 12, 2024

“It’s been a month now since I left the [ISS],” Mogensen posted to X early Friday morning. “… It is as much a keepsake for me as it is a way for me to share the wonder of the International Space Station with you. Whenever I will miss my time onboard ISS, and especially my crewmates, I will have this video to look at.”

Mogensen began his show-and-tell in the space station’s front end, above which a docked SpaceX Dragon craft awaited to take him home on March 12. On his left is the roughly 114-by-22-foot Columbus module—a science laboratory provided by the ESA back in 2008. Across from the lab is the smaller Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), nicknamed Kibō, which arrived not long after Columbus.

From there, Mogensen provides a first-person look at various other ISS facilities, including workstations, storage units, bathrooms, gym equipment, multiple docking nodes, and even the station kitchen. Of course, given the delicate environment, that module looks more like another lab than an actual place to cook meals—presumably because, well, no one is actually cooking anything up there.

But the most stunning area in the entire ISS is undoubtedly the cupola, which provides a 360-degree panoramic view of Earth, as well as a decent look at the space station’s overall size.

[Related: What a total eclipse looks like from the ISS.]

Speaking of which, Mogenen’s video also does a great job showcasing just how comparatively small the ISS really is, even after over 25 years of module and equipment additions. At 356-feet-long, it’s just one yard shy of the length of a football field, but any given module or transit space is only a few feet wide. Factor in the copious amounts of cargo, equipment, supplies, experiment materials, as well as the over 8-miles of cabling that wire its electrical systems, and it makes for pretty tight living conditions. Near the end of Mogensen’s tour, it only takes him a little over a minute to glide through most of the entire station back to his original starting point.

Of course, none of that undercuts one of humanity’s most monumental achievements in space exploration. Although the ISS is nearing the end of its tenure (it’s scheduled for decommission in 2031), Mogensen’s keepsake is a great document of what life is like aboard the habitat. But for those now looking for an even more detailed tour, there’s always NASA’s virtual walkthrough.

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Boeing 737 Max supplier Spirit AeroSystems is defending its controversial decision to use Dawn dish soap as a lubricant for the aircraft’s door seals. Spirit’s use of soap and other odd, everyday objects like hotel key cards and wet cheesecloths to perform maintenance drew immediate public scrutiny last month. Now, Spirit claims both the dish soap and key card use cases were not only justified, but innovative.

[ Related: Dish soap, hotel key cards, and confusion: Boeing FAA audit unearths dozens of issues ]

During its six-week audit, an FAA investigator claimed they saw Spirit mechanics apply Dawn dish soap (yes, the kind sitting in household kitchens) to a 737 Max door seal to act as a lubricant. Separately, the investigator also witnessed a Spirit mechanic using a generic hotel key card to check a door seal. Spirit defended both of those practices in a recent interview with The New York Times. 

Speaking with the Times, a Spirit spokesperson claims the company opted to use the dish soap because its particular chemical properties would not degrade the door seal’s materials over time. Once applied, the soap was intended to help prevent tears or bulges from occurring during the seal’s installation. It turns out dish soap wasn’t the first household product Spirit considered for the job either. 

“Spirit workers did not land on the dish soap on the first try. [The Spirit spokesperson] said that other common products had been used in the past — including Vaseline, cornstarch and talcum powder — but that they ran the risk of degrading the seal over time.”

Spirit similarly defended its use of the key card, claiming it was used to measure the gap between the seal and the door plug. The company claims mechanics tried to use other tools first but discovered they weren’t flexible enough to measure the gap without damaging the seal. The key card was. 

Spirit claims it has since developed its own in-house tools that function like the key card which it calls a “door rigger seal tool.” Each of these use cases, Spirit claims, authorized by engineers at Boeing as appropriate “shop aids.” 

“People look at the hotel key card or Dawn soap and think this is sloppy,” Spirit spokesman Joe Buccino said during a recent interview with the Times. “This is actually an innovative approach to solving for an efficient shop aid.” 

A Boeing spokesperson told the Times the company had indeed approved both the soap and key card-like tool as shop aids. When reached for comment, Boeing confirmed the Times’ reporting but declined to comment further.  An FAA spokesperson told PopSci it could not comment on the audit because it is part of an ongoing investigation into the two companies. 

The FAA began its investigation into the two companies after a door plug blew off a 737 Max plane during an Alaskan Airlines flight in January. Since then, passengers onboard Boeing aircraft have endured a sudden nose-dive, a mid-air wheel detachment, and, most recently, the frightening loss of an engine cover. The repeated safety incidents have sparked multiple federal investigations. Dave Calhoun, the company’s former CEO since January 2020, resigned last month.

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Before astronauts leave Earth’s gravity for days, weeks, or even months at a time, they practice aboard NASA’s famous parabolic flights. During these intense rides in modified passenger jets, trainees experience a series of stomach-churning ups and downs as the aircraft’s steep up-and-down movements create zero-g environments. Recently, however, a robot received similar education as their human counterparts—potentially ahead of its own journeys to space.

A couple years back, eight students at ETH Zürich in Switzerland helped design the SpaceHopper. Engineered specifically to handle low-gravity environments like asteroids, the small, three-legged bot is meant to (you guessed it) hop across its surroundings. Using a neural network trained in simulations with deep reinforcement learning, SpaceHopper is built to jump, coast along by leveraging an asteroid’s low-gravity, then orient and stabilize itself mid-air before safely landing on the ground. From there, it repeats this process to efficiently span large distances.

But it’s one thing to design a machine that theoretically works in computer simulations—it’s another thing to build and test it in the real-world.

Sending SpaceHopper to the nearest asteroid isn’t exactly a cost-effective or simple way to conduct a trial run. But thanks to the European Space Agency and Novespace, a company specializing in zero-g plane rides, the robot could test out its moves in the next best thing.

Over the course of a recent 30 minute parabolic flight, researchers let SpaceHopper perform in a small enclosure aboard Novespace’s Airbus A310 for upwards of 30 zero-g simulations, each lasting between 20-25 seconds. In one experiment, handlers released the robot in the middle of the air once the plane hit zero gravity, then observed it resituate itself to specific orientations using only its leg movements. In a second test, the team programmed SpaceHopper to leap off the ground and reorient itself before gently colliding with a nearby safety net.

Because a parabolic flight creates completely zero-g environments, SpaceHopper actually made its debut in less gravity than it would on a hypothetical asteroid. Because of this, the robot couldn’t “land” as it would in a microgravity situation, but demonstrating its ability to orient and adjust in real-time was still a major step forward for researchers. 

[Related: NASA’s OSIRIS mission delivered asteroid samples to Earth.]

“Until that moment, we had no idea how well this would work, and what the robot would actually do,” SpaceHopper team member Fabio Bühler said in ETH Zürich’s recent highlight video. “That’s why we were so excited when we saw it worked. It was a massive weight off of our shoulders.”

SpaceHopper’s creators believe deploying their jumpy bot to an asteroid one day could help astronomers gain new insights into the universe’s history, as well as provide information into our solar system’s earliest eras. Additionally, many asteroids are filled with valuable rare earth metals—resources that could provide a huge benefit across numerous industries back at home.

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Students worldwide are using generative AI tools to write papers and complete assignments. Teachers are using similar tools to grade tests. What exactly is going on here? Where is all of this heading? Can education return to a world before artificial intelligence? 

How many students are using generative AI in school?  

Many high school and college-age students embraced popular generative AI writing tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT almost as soon as they started gaining international attention in 2022. The incentive was pretty clear. With just a few simple prompts, large language models (LLMs) at the time could scour their vast databases of articles, books, and archives and spit out relatively coherent short-form essay or question responses in seconds. The language wasn’t perfect and the models were prone to fabricating facts, but they were good enough to skirt past some educators, who, at the time, weren’t primed to spot tell-tell signs of AI manipulation.

The trend caught on like wildfire. Around one in five highschool aged teens who’ve heard about ChatGPT say they have already used the tools on classwork, according to a recent Pew Research survey. A separate report from ACT, which creates one of the two most popular standardized exams for college admission, claims nearly half (46%) of high school students have used AI to complete assignments. Similar trends are playing out in higher education. More than a third of US college students (37%) surveyed by the online education magazine Intelligent.com say they’ve used ChatGPT either to generate ideas, write papers, or both.

Those AI tools are finding their way onto graded papers. Turnitin, a prominent plagiarism detection company used by educators, recently told Wired it found evidence of AI manipulation in 22 million college and high school papers submitted through its service last year. Out of 200 million papers submitted in 2023, Turnitin claims 11% had more than 20% of its content allegedly composed using AI-generated material. And even though generative AI usage generally has cooled off among the general public, students aren’t showing signs of letting up. 

Educators turn to imperfect AI detection tools 

Almost immediately after students started using AI writing tools, teachers turned to other AI models to try and stop them. As of writing, dozens of tech firms and startups currently claim to have developed software capable of detecting signs of AI-generated text. Teachers and professors around the country are already relying on these to various degrees. But critics say AI detection tools, even years after ChatGPT became popular, remain far from perfect.

A recent analysis of 18 different AI detection tools in the International Journal for Educational Integrity highlights a lack of comprehensive accuracy. None of the models studied accurately differentiated AI generated material from human writing. Worse still, only five of the models achieved an accuracy above 70%. Detection could get even more difficult as AI writing models improve over time. 

Accuracy issues aren’t the only problem with limiting AI detection tools effectiveness. An overreliance on these still developing detection systems risks punishing students who might use otherwise helpful AI software that, in other contexts, would be permitted. That exact scenario played out recently with a University of North Georgia student named Marley Stevens who claims an AI detection tool interpreted her use of the popular spelling and writing aid Grammarly as cheating. Stevens claims she received a zero on that essay, making her ineligible for a scholarship she was pursuing.

“I talked to the teacher, the department head, and the dean, and [they said] I was ‘unintentionally cheating,’” Stevens alleged in a TikTok post. The University of North Georgia did not immediately respond to PopSci’s request for comment. 

There’s evidence current AI detection tools also mistakenly confuse genuine human writing for AI content. In addition to general false positives, Stanford researchers warn detection tools may disproportionately penalize writing from non-native speakers. More than half (61.2%) of essays written by US-born, non-native speaking eighth graders included in the research were classified as AI generated. 97% of the essays from non-native speakers were flagged as AI generated by at least one of the seven different AI detection tools tested in the research. Widely rolled out detection tools could put more pressure on non-native speakers who are already tasked with overcoming language barriers. 

How are schools responding to the rise in AI?

Educators are scrambling to find a solution to the influx of AI writing. Some major school districts in New York and Los Angeles have opted to ban use of the ChatGPT and related tools entirely. Professors in universities around the country have begun begrudgingly using AI detection software despite recognizing its known accuracy shortcomings. One of those educators, Michigan Technological University Professor of Composition, described these detectors as a “tool that could be beneficial while recognizing it’s flawed and may penalize some students,” during an interview with Inside Higher Ed. 

Others, meanwhile, are taking the opposite approach and leaning into AI education tools with more open arms. In Texas, according to The Texas Tribune, the state’s Education Agency just this week moved to replace several thousand human standardized test grades with an “automated scoring system.” The agency claims its new system, which will score open-ended written responses included in the state’s public exam, could save the state $15-20 million per year. It will also leave an estimated 2,000 temporary graders out of a job. Elsewhere in the state, an elementary school is reportedly experimenting with using AI learning modules to teach children basic core curriculums and then supplementing that with human teachers. 

AI in education: A new normal 

While its possible AI writing detection tools could evolve to increase accuracy and reduce false positives, it’s unlikely they alone will transport education back to a time prior to ChatGPT. Rather than fight the new normal, some scholars argue educators should instead embrace AI tools in classrooms and lecture halls and instruct students how to use them effectively. In a blog post, researchers at MIT Sloan argue professors and teachers can still limit use of certain tools, but note they should do so through clearly written rules explaining their reasoning. Students, they write, should feel comfortable approaching teachers to ask when AI tools are and aren’t appropriate.

Others, like former Elon University professor C.W. Howell argue explicitly and intentionally exposing students to AI generated writing in a classroom setting may actually make them less likely to use it. Asking students to grade an AI-generated essay, Howell writes in Wired, can give students first hand experience noticing the way AI often fabricates sources or hallucinate quotes from an imaginary ether. AI generated essays, when looked at through a new lens, can actually improve education.

“Showing my students just how flawed ChatGPT is helped restore confidence in their own minds and abilities,” Howell writes. 

Then again, if AI does fundamentally alter the economic landscape as some doomsday enthusiasts believe, students could always spend their days learning how to engineer prompts to train AI and contribute to the architecture of their new AI-dominated future.

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As droughts continue to deplete the Panama Canal’s water levels, the maritime trading hub’s operators are planning a workaround. On Wednesday, Panama officials announced a new Multimodal Dry Canal project that will begin transporting international cargo across a “special customs jurisdiction” near the 110-year-old waterway.

The Panama Canal, which connects Atlantic and Pacific trading routes, has been in dire straits for some time. To function, ocean vessels pass through a series of above-sea-level “locks” filled with freshwater provided by nearby Lake Gatún and Lake Alajuela. Older Panamax locks require about 50 million gallons of freshwater per ship, while a small number of “Neo-Panamax locks” built in 2016 only require around 30 million gallons.

[Related: When climate change throws the Pacific off balance, the world’s weather follows.]

But the canal’s upgrades can’t keep up with climate change’s cascading effects. Lake Gatún and Lake Alajuela are replenished with rainwater, and a lingering drought compounded by El Niño has resulted in the second-driest year in the Panama Canal’s existence. To compensate, the daily average number of ships allowed to pass through the lock system has been reduced from 38 to 27, while each vessel is also now required to carry less cargo. Operators hope to soon raise that average to pre-drought levels, but likely at a cost to local marine ecosystem health and local drinking water supplies. Meanwhile, as the AFP reports, marine traffic jams routinely see over 100 ships waiting to pass through the 50-mile passage.

The new Multimodal Dry Canal project announced this week will attempt to further alleviate a global trade problem that particularly affects the Panama Canal’s most frequent users—the US, China, Japan, and South Korea.

Ship crews shouldn’t need to wait for a yearslong engineering process before seeing some relief to the passage’s congestion. During a presentation of project plans this week, Panamanian representatives said no additional investment or construction is needed. Instead, the dry thoroughfare will function as a complement to the canal by employing “existing roads, railways, port facilities, airports and duty-free zones,” according to the AFP on Wednesday.

Speaking with the BBC earlier this month (before the dry canal’s reveal), a shipping company general manager said such landbased detour routes could be costly—expenses that are “usually passed onto the consumer.”

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Japan has offered to provide the United States with a pressurized moon rover—in exchange for a reserved seat on the lunar van. Per NASA, the two nations have themselves a deal. 

According to a new signed agreement between NASA and Japan’s government, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will “design, develop, and operate” a sealed vehicle for both crewed and uncrewed moon excursions. NASA will then oversee the launch and delivery, while Japanese astronauts will join two surface exploration missions in the vehicle.

[ Related: SLIM lives! Japan’s upside-down lander is online after a brutal lunar night ]

‘A mobile habitat’

Japan’s pressurized RV will mark a significant step forward for lunar missions. According to Space.com, the nation has spent the past few years working to develop such a vehicle alongside Toyota and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Toyota offered initial specs for the RV last year—at nearly 20-feet-long, 17-feet-wide, and 12.5-feet-tall, the rover will be about as large as two minibusses parked side-by-side. The cabin itself will provide “comfortable accommodation” for two astronauts, although four can apparently cram in, should an emergency arise.

Like an RV cruising across the country, the rover is meant to provide its inhabitants with everything they could need for as long as 30 days at a time. While inside, astronauts will even be able to remove their bulky (and fashionable) getups and move about normally—albeit in about 16.6 percent the gravity as on Earth. Last week, NASA announced it had narrowed the search for its new Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) to three companies, but unlike Japan’s vehicle, that one will be unpressurized.

[Related: It’s on! Three finalists will design a lunar rover for Artemis ] 

“It’s a mobile habitat,” NASA Administrator Nelson said during yesterday’s press conference alongside Minister Moriyama, describing it as “a lunar lab, a lunar home, and a lunar explorer… a place where astronauts can live, work, and navigate the lunar surface.”

Similar to the forthcoming Lunar Terrain Vehicle, the Japanese RV can be remotely controlled if astronauts aren’t around, and will remain in operation for 10 years following its delivery.

“The quest for the stars is led by nations that explore the cosmos openly, in peace, and together… America no longer will walk on the moon alone,” Nelson added.

A total of 12 astronauts—all American men—have walked across the moon’s surface. When the U.S. returns to the moon with NASA’s Artemis missions, it will also be the first time a woman and a person of color will land on the moon.

After some rescheduling, NASA currently intends to send its Artemis II astronauts on a trip around the moon in late 2025. Artemis III will see the first two humans touchdown in over 50 years in either late 2026 or early 2027. The Artemis IV mission is currently intended to occur no earlier than 2030. Meanwhile, China is trying to land its own astronauts on the lunar surface in 2030. 

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Hey ‘80s kids, do you remember Captain Power? If you do, awesome. And if no, it’s not totally surprising. 

Action figures and toys tied to kids’ entertainment thrived in the 1980s–Thundercats, GI Joe, He-Man all dominated our toy boxes and our televisions. So how did a Gene Siskel-approved sci-fi show with a complementary ground-breaking toy technology fail so miserably? In the latest video for Popular Science, Kevin Lieber dissects the most monumental disconnect in TV history. 

Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future ran for a single season from 1987 to 1988. The 22 episodes followed Captain Jonathan Power (Timothy Dunigan) and a small team of specialized soldiers wearing power suits to battle the robot army of Lord Dread. The show featured interactive elements that kids could “shoot” using a toy XT-7 jet that was manufactured by Mattel. Sounds kind of cool, right? Well, not to thousands of parents who rallied against the show for blurring the lines between kids show, warfare, and toy commercials. 

The whole “shooting your TV” thing wasn’t the only problem Captain Power faced. The show’s writers insisted they weren’t writing for a child audience and instead wove complex stories with dramatic themes that appealed more to adults. They wanted to make a show for grownups to sell toys to kids, and that doesn’t quite work. 

Despite the show and toy’s failure, Captain Power proved to have a lasting influence. It was the first show to use CG-modeled characters as part of the main cast, may have inspired one of the most infamous villains on Star Trek, and the team responsible for the show went on to help define sci-fi entertainment for a generation.

The entire story of Captain Power is a fascinating study of the great impacts of failure. 

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Google DeepMind is now able to train tiny, off-the-shelf robots to square off on the soccer field. In a new paper published today in Science Robotics, researchers detail their recent efforts to adapt a machine learning subset known as deep reinforcement learning (deep RL) to teach bipedal bots a simplified version of the sport. The team notes that while similar experiments created extremely agile quadrupedal robots (see: Boston Dynamics Spot) in the past, much less work has been conducted for two-legged, humanoid machines. But new footage of the bots dribbling, defending, and shooting goals shows off just how good a coach deep reinforcement learning could be for humanoid machines.

While ultimately meant for massive tasks like climate forecasting and materials engineering, Google DeepMind can also absolutely obliterate human competitors in games like chess, go, and even Starcraft II. But all those strategic maneuvers don’t require complex physical movement and coordination. So while DeepMind can study simulated soccer movements, it hasn’t been able to translate to a physical playing field—but that’s quickly changing.

To make the miniature Messi’s, engineers first developed and trained two deep RL skill sets in computer simulations—the ability to get up from the ground and how to score goals against an untrained opponent. From there, they virtually trained their system to play a full one-on-one soccer matchup by combining these skill sets, then randomly pairing them against partially trained copies of themselves.

[Related: Google DeepMind’s AI forecasting is outperforming the ‘gold standard’ model.]

“Thus, in the second stage, the agent learned to combine previously learned skills, refine them to the full soccer task, and predict and anticipate the opponent’s behavior,” researchers wrote in their paper introduction, later noting that, “During play, the agents transitioned between all of these behaviors fluidly.”

Thanks to the deep RL framework, DeepMind-powered agents soon learned to improve on existing abilities, including how to kick and shoot the soccer ball, block shots, and even defend their own goal against an attacking opponent by using its body as a shield.

During a series of one-on-one matches using robots utilizing the deep RL training, the two mechanical athletes walked, turned, kicked, and uprighted themselves faster than if engineers simply supplied them a scripted baseline of skills. These weren’t miniscule improvements, either—compared to a non-adaptable scripted baseline, the robots walked 181 percent faster, turned 302 percent faster, kicked 34 percent faster, and took 63 percent less time to get up after falling. What’s more, the deep RL-trained robots also showed new, emergent behaviors like pivoting on their feet and spinning. Such actions would be extremely challenging to pre-script otherwise.

There’s still some work to do before DeepMind-powered robots make it to the RoboCup. For these initial tests, researchers completely relied on simulation-based deep RL training before transferring that information to physical robots. In the future, engineers want to combine both virtual and real-time reinforcement training for their bots. They also hope to scale up their robots, but that will require much more experimentation and fine-tuning.

The team believes that utilizing similar deep RL approaches for soccer, as well as many other tasks, could further improve bipedal robots movements and real-time adaptation capabilities. Still, it’s unlikely you’ll need to worry about DeepMind humanoid robots on full-sized soccer fields—or in the labor market—just yet. At the same time, given their continuous improvements, it’s probably not a bad idea to get ready to blow the whistle on them.

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Starting this week, Americans looking to purchase a new internet line will encounter a familiar looking box. Today, Internet service providers (ISP) and mobile broadband carriers began showing potential customers a Federal Communication Commission (FCC) mandated “broadband consumer label” that clearly explains how much they will have to pay for services and the estimated internet speeds they should expect to receive. Modeled after the ubiquitous nutrition labels in grocery stores, the FCC hopes these new labels could cut down on opaque hidden service fees and provide needed transparency to consumers trying to save money on broadband access. 

Internet providers are required to show the label anytime a consumer tries to purchase home or mobile broadband, be that online or in-person. The label must include a plan’s total monthly cost and note if there is a discounted introductory rate. Provides will also have to clearly list other additional costs like modem or router rentals, government taxes, and early termination fees. ISPs will have to provide estimated download and upload speeds as well as the total amount of data included in monthly plans where applicable.

Most importantly, the labels force providers to clearly list any separate, previously hidden fees they may charge in addition to the base line price. Critics have long argued these opaque additional charges, sometimes referred to as “junk fees” are needlessly confusing and lead consumers to pay more than they initially expect. Though most of the information included in the broadband labels is already publicly accessible, the FCC believes these prominent and easy to parse labels will give consumers more power to confidently understand what they are paying for and potentially give them the confidence to shop around for better deals. 

ISPs found in violation of the new measures could face penalties from the Federal Communication Commission under Section 503 of the Communications Act. While most broadband providers have until April 10 to implement the labels, ISPs with fewer than 100,000 lines have until October 10th of this year to do so. Several large providers like T-Mobile, Verizon, and Google Fiber have already released their labels.  

Hidden fees make it harder for some Americans to access affordable high-speed broadband 

Despite being increasingly necessary to operate in a digital first economy, access to fast, reliable internet in the US remains far from ubiquitous. A recent report from the FCC claims 24 million US residents currently lack access to high-speed broadband. Though a slew of economic and geographical factors contribute to that unequal access, the Biden administration has argued confusing, difficulty to parse “junk fees” make the problem worse. The administration cited recent research claiming hidden fees tacked on to broadband plans jacked-up overall plan prices by around 20%. 

“Junk fees cost American families tens of billions of dollars each year and inhibit competition, hurting consumers, workers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs,” the White House wrote in a statement. 

Other studies suggest “bundling,” the practice of combining TV, internet and phone services together under one bill, similarly make it difficult for consumers to know how much they’re paying for internet services on their own. The broadband nutrition labels, which must be shown whenever a consumer wants to purchase a new line, could bring some clarity to that notoriously opaque market. Consumer advocacy groups like Free Press and Consumer Reports have championed the labels and pushed for their implementation since 2009.

“Consumers are all too familiar with broadband bills that bury junk fees and service terms in the fine print.” Free Press Policy Director Joshua Stager said in a statement. “People deserve to know what they’re paying for, and this label will help.

ISPs, on the other hand, haven’t welcomed the labels with open arms. Trade groups representing some of the nation’s largest broadband providers have spent years lobbying to gut or remove the label requirement altogether. More recently, these groups fought the FCC over requirements forcing them to make the label clearly visible on consumers’ monthly billing statements. 

Supporters hope broadband labels can mimic food industry success 

FCC Bureau Chief for Consumer and Government Affairs Alejandro Roark reportedly told CNN this week the agency “borrowed” the label idea from figures already seen adorned on food packaging throughout the US. The Federal Drug Administration officially mandated food labels in 1990 following the passage of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act in order to standardize food nutrition reporting. Studies suggest those labels could drive improved public health outcomes.

The new labels are part of a broader set of efforts by the federal government to push back on onerous, non-transparent fees throughout the economy. Regulators recently released policy capping credit card late fees and have proposed penalizing concert ticket sellers and hotels that don’t clearly list the cost of their products up front to consumers. 

Most internet users in the US should expect to see the legal beginning this week. Consumers can file a complaint with the FCC if they believe they notice a company out of compliance.

The post Internet providers finally forced to reveal all hidden fees on ‘nutrition’ label appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Netgear Nighthawk Cable Modem Wi-Fi Router Combo		SEE IT	This modem-router combination takes the guesswork out of Spectrum compatibilty.
Best cyber secure		Gryphon AC3000		SEE IT	Hackers are no match for this protective router.
Best budget		TP-Link AC1750		SEE IT	Lots of expensive features are packed into this budget-friendly router.

If you work from home—and you’re a Charter Communications customer—you know there’s a huge difference between a bad router and a router that’s compatible with Spectrum internet. A bad router means long wait times talking to customer service, annoyingly slow load speeds, and a pixelated presence on work video calls. Choosing the best router for work, play, and just surfing the web makes life easier—and reduces the amount of low to no bandwidth-induced headaches you might get. 

• Best overall: Netgear Nighthawk Cable Modem Wi-Fi Router Combo
• Best for gaming: ASUS AX5700 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router
• Best for streaming: Linksys – Dual-Band AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Router
• Best mesh: NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System
• Best cyber secure: Gryphon AC3000
• Best budget: TP-Link AC1750

How we chose the best routers for Spectrum

We know how important a strong Wi-Fi connection is to effortless, lag-free performance on the best gaming laptops and streaming high-quality lossless audio. I personally have made the mistake of not doing my research before buying a router—would not recommend spending a few days Wi-Fi-less and with my own thoughts. To prevent you from facing a similar situation, we looked to personal testing, peer recommendations, critical reviews, and user impressions to find the best Spectrum routers.

The best routers for Spectrum: Reviews & Recommendations

The best routers for Spectrum can handle everything, whether it’s a day full of video meetings, nights scrolling TikTok, intense gaming sessions, or streaming lengthy explainer videos on YouTube. These are our top picks.

Best overall: Netgear Nighthawk Cable Modem Wi-Fi Router Combo

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Why it made the cut: You don’t have to worry about purchasing a separate modem with this trusted combination device.

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 1,900 Mbps
• Coverage: 1,800 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: Up to 400 Mbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: Four 1-gigabit Ethernet ports; one USB 2.0 port

Pros

• Easy installation
• Independent channels for 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz
• Warrants fast, reliable internet. 

Cons 

• Slow return on investment
• No support for Wi-Fi 6

The Netgear Nighthawk proves that two is better than one: This router also features a built-in modem, meaning you don’t have to shop for a Spectrum-compatible modem. This router covers 1,800 square feet for up to 30 devices and is compatible with Spectrum speed plans up to 400 Mbps. It includes separate networks for 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz bands, meaning you can organize your devices based on band level. You can plug in gaming consoles and computers to Ethernet thanks to four one-gigabit Ethernet ports, and can share storage with a connected device using the USB port. The router supports Wi-Fi 4 and 5 but does not support Wi-Fi 6. It features a WPA2-PSK security protocol, which is secure enough to protect your home without an enterprise authentication server—simply provide an 8- to 62-character-long passphrase to encrypt your network. However, it will take some time to see a return on your investment with the Nighthawk. Multiple reviews note that owners’ internet speed and performance were improved after setup, making the purchase worth it. Find more options for the best Netgear routers here.

Best for gaming: ASUS AX5700 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router

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Why it made the cut: Reduced lag and latency are a tap away thanks to the router’s game mode and support for Wi-Fi 6. 

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 5700 Mbps
• Coverage: 2,500 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: 1 Gbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: two 3.2 USB ports; one 2.5 G WAN/LAN port; one WAN port; four Ethernet ports

Pros

• Fiber internet compatible
• Easy installation
• Plenty of LAN ports for devices if need be

Cons 

• Upright design can hinder placement 

We are no strangers to the ASUS AX5700—we’ve previously named it the best all-purpose gaming router. And it is compatible with Spectrum’s Internet Gig plan, which can handle up to 1 Gpbs, making it a perfect addition to this list. It’s Wi-Fi 6 compatible and includes MU-MIMO functionality for increased speed and security. Download the ASUS Router app to turn on the mobile game mode, which reduces lag and latency for back-to-back Victory Royales. AiMesh support allows you to bring seamless, interruption-free coverage to your home—and, considering the price of mesh routers, that makes this one a steal. Hackers will be KO’d thanks to free lifetime access to ASUS AiProtection Pro, which includes WPA3 protection—the latest Wi-Fi security protocol—powered by Trend Micro, a cyber security software company. However, you can only set the router vertically, which could pose a problem if you need a horizontal router. 

Best for streaming: Linksys – Dual-Band AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Router

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Why it made the cut: Between the wide coverage range, support for more than 30-plus devices, and splittable price, this router means the only thing your roommates will lag on is doing their dishes. 

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 5.4 Gbps
• Coverage: 2,800 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: 1 Gbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: 4 Ethernet ports; 1 internet port; 1 USB port

Pros

• Easy setup
• Separate guest access
• Easy device connection thanks to a WPS button

Cons 

• Reviews note trouble connecting the router to the Linksys app

We’ve all had the problem of the internet slowing because it’s slogged down by everyone’s respective phone, laptop, and gaming system streaming at once. This problem is exacerbated if your roommates like Internet-of-Things smart devices that connect to the network. Expect the slog to stop with this dual-band router, which can connect to more than 30 devices. Additionally, this router is Wi-Fi 6 compatible, meaning it’s fast and futureproof. This router includes four Ethernet ports, one internet port to connect the router to the modem, and one USB port. Also, the router can create a guest access network so your roommates’ siblings or frequent callers don’t cause security problems or snag too much bandwidth when they add their binge-watching to what’s pulling down all the data. A WPS button makes device connection easy, and you can use your smartphone, tablet, or computer browser for quick set-up. The second biggest problem with this router is deciding who will take it at the end of the lease. The largest problem is connecting it to the Linksys app.

Best mesh: NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System

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Why it made the cut: Up to 5,000 square feet of coverage and an included satellite extender means you can take meetings almost everywhere in your home without lag.

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 4.2 Gbps
• Coverage: 5,000 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: 1 Gbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: 1 Ethernet WAN port; 3 Ethernet ports; 2 Ethernet ports on satellite extender

Pros

• No dead zones
• Wide coverage area
• Tri-band Wi-Fi

Cons 

• Must pay Netgear to service software issues
• Expensive
• App capabilities are only free for 30 days

We’ve all experienced the pain of being laggy and pixelated on a video call, either from weak signals or dead spots in the home. Say goodbye to all that with the Netgear Orbi, which covers 5,000 square feet and includes a satellite extender for more reach. This router, our pick for working from home, can support up to 40 devices and has a crazy-fast data transfer rate of 4.2 Gbps, plus support for Wi-Fi 6 for futureproofing. Unlike other routers, this one supports a tri-band frequency: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band for connecting your devices, and a separate 5 GHz band so the router and included satellite can communicate with each other. Netgear Armor Antivirus and data theft protection powered by Bitdefender means business secrets will stay secret. However, there is a catch: this capability, along with others in the Orbi app like parental controls, are only free for 30 days. Afterward, you’ll need a subscription. And you’ll have to pay Netgear for software troubleshooting—that can be a lot of money to spend after purchasing an already-expensive router.

Best cyber secure: Gryphon AC3000

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Why it made the cut: This router does not use a web browser for configuration, making it less likely that a hacker will jack your info. 

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 3 Gbps 
• Coverage: 3,000 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: 1 Gbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: 1 WAN port; 3 Ethernet ports with backhaul capabilities

Pros

• Easy installation with Gryphon app
• Free intrusion detection in the first year
• Responsive support team

Cons 

• No advanced customization options

You won’t need to worry about hackers and internet thieves with the Gryphon AC3000, which offers advanced security thanks to its Wi-Fi 6 functionality, vulnerability scans, and app configuration that prevents hackers from accessing your network via the web. It also secures connected devices and sends alerts when it detects vulnerabilities, weak passwords, or infected devices. The router has fantastic basic security and you also get one year of intrusion detection for free with purchase. Afterward, it’s $89 per year. It covers 3,000 square feet—an average 2-3 bedroom home—at lightning-fast speeds thanks to its 3 Gbps data transfer rate. If you purchase multiple Gryphon routers, you can create a mesh network for even stronger, wider coverage. The Gryphon Connect app includes robust parental controls, including content filtering, screen time, and usage monitoring. Its user interface is incredibly streamlined and simple. However, reviews note that there could be more advanced customization options, like more device categories and fields for categories that should be blocked.

Best budget: TP-Link AC1750

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Why it made the cut: The TP-Link AC1750 features high-end capabilities at a fraction of the cost. 

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 1750 Mbps
• Coverage: 2,500 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: 400 Mbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: 1 USB port; 1 WAN port; 4 Ethernet ports

Pros

• VPN Server
• Alexa compatibility
• Bandwidth prioritization (QoS)

Cons 

• Not compatible with Wi-Fi 6

The TP-Link AC1750 tops Amazon’s list of computer routers for a reason: it includes a VPN server, bandwidth prioritization, parental controls, Alexa compatibility, and can connect up to 50 devices—all for under $100. A 2,500-square-foot range means you can take video calls outside and bandwidth prioritization allows you to assign devices to either of the dual bands to prevent congestion and slow internet speeds. Connect it to Alexa to turn the guest Wi-Fi on or off using your voice, or use the TP-Link Tether app to set up and manage your network. WPA/WPA2 wireless encryption keeps the entire family protected from hackers, and parental controls protect your kids from looking up mature content on the internet. The only downside of this router? It’s not Wi-Fi 6 compatible, which means it could become obsolete as new Wi-Fi protocols come out.

What to consider when buying the best routers for Spectrum

Routers are not one-size-fits-all. Here is what you need to know when shopping for the best routers for Spectrum:

Modem vs. router

A modem connects you to a wide area network, or WAN—the internet that Spectrum provides. A router connects your devices to a local area network, or LAN—your own little piece of the internet that Spectrum provides. You can’t connect to a router without a modem. Spectrum customers are required to use an authorized modem, and the company provides a preconfigured Wi-Fi router for a monthly fee. However, that adds up, and purchasing your own can save money in the long run. If you buy your own router, you don’t have to give it back if you cancel your service—you can use it with your new internet provider.

Compatibility with Spectrum

Make sure that the router your purchase is compatible with Spectrum. Otherwise, you’ll have to return it. You can find a list of Spectrum-compliant routers on the company’s site. Although buying the correct modem is more important, it never hurts to double-check. Also, the router can only run as fast as your internet plan provides. For example, if you have a router that can only reach speeds of 300 Mbps and have an internet plan for 200 Mbps, you’ll only max out at 200 Mbps.

Wireless protocol

The wireless protocol, or Wi-Fi standard, determines your router’s throughput and range. You can determine the protocol by finding the number 802.11 and a certain letter combination:

• 11ax (Wi-Fi 6): Wi-Fi 6 is the newest standard and delivers speeds up to 10 Gbps. However, not all devices and internet connections support Wi-Fi 6. You may not need to upgrade just yet, but switching to Wi-Fi 6 will help futureproof your internet connection. This standard is the fastest.  
• 11ac (Wi-Fi 5): This standard appears on most routers, and supports speeds up to 3.5 Gbps. 
• 11n (Wi-Fi 4): This standard supports speeds up to 600 Mbps and was the first to allow both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. This standard, compared to Wi-Fi 5 and 6, is the slowest. 

Range and signal strength

Wi-Fi range is determined by the kind of router you’re using, the wireless protocol the router follows, and the space you’re in. Wi-Fi signals have a harder time permeating through concrete, compared to wood, stucco, and other building materials. For example, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi routers can reach up to 150 feet indoors and 300 feet outdoors and should be used if you’re looking for long-distance Wi-Fi. Routers running on 5 GHz bands can reach around one-third of these distances since it uses narrower wavelengths—because of this, you should choose a 5 GHz router for speed but only if your devices can be located nearer to your internet access point. Newer routers operate on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands to reach greater distances and achieve maximum throughput for devices in closer proximity.

Budget

The best routers range from $50 up to $500. The best Wi-Fi extenders can help with spotty internet, but Consumer Reports recommends using a mesh router system that relies on multiple systems to spread strong Wi-Fi signals. However, a mesh router system can be pricey. On the flip side, Wi-Fi extenders are cheaper and can be a perfect solution if you’re looking for more reliable coverage in certain areas of your home. However, poor placement of your extender won’t help your Wi-Fi woes and can cause more connectivity problems if your Wi-Fi extender creates a separate network that your device has to switch between.

Extra features

Many newer routers are compatible with voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, have parental controls, and provide separate networks for guests. Built-in VPNs and routers with multi-user, multiple-input, and multiple-output technology—also known as MU-MIMO—can help with security and network speed, respectively. However, if you would not benefit from the bells and whistles—and the added costs associated with them—then there’s no shame in going for a basic router.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best routers for Spectrum

• Best overall: Netgear Nighthawk Cable Modem Wi-Fi Router Combo
• Best for gaming: ASUS AX5700 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router
• Best for streaming: Linksys – Dual-Band AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Router
• Best mesh: NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System
• Best cyber secure: Gryphon AC3000
• Best budget: TP-Link AC1750

Whether you decide on a router that helps you jumpstart your streaming career, keeps your new battlestation in sync with the rest of the squad, or feeds your OLED TV buttery-smooth 4K video, the best routers for Spectrum will be suited to your lifestyle and internet needs. It doesn’t matter if you go ham-handed on the features or keep it simple—the best routers will get you streaming, web surfing, online gaming, and working with ease.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best routers for Spectrum of 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

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New data indicates a once-in-a-generation eclipse is a pretty surefire way to convince people to finally log off the internet—at least for a few minutes. According to estimates from cloud-computing provider Cloudflare, yesterday’s online traffic dropped between 40-60 percent week-to-week within the April 8 eclipse’s path of totality. In aggregate terms for the US, “bytes delivered traffic dropped by 8 percent and request traffic by 12 percent as compared to the previous week” around 2:00pm EST.

According to NASA, yesterday’s path of totality included a roughly 110-mile-wide stretch of land as it passed across Mazatlán, Mexico, through 13 states within the continental US, and finally over Montreal, Canada. In America alone, an estimated 52 million people lived within the eclipse’s path of totality. And it certainly seems like a lot of them put down their phones and laptops to go outside and have a look.

[Related: What a total eclipse looks like from space.]

As The New York Times highlights, Vermont saw the largest mass log-off, with an estimated 60-percent drop in internet usage compared to the week prior. South Carolinians, meanwhile, appeared to be the least compelled to take a computer break, since their traffic only dipped by around four percent.

Interestingly, you can also glean a bit about weather conditions during the eclipse from taking a look at Cloudflare’s internet usage map of the US. While most of the states within the event’s trajectory showcase pretty sizable downturns, Texas only experienced a 15 percent reduction. But given a large part of the Lone Star State endured severe weather conditions, it’s likely many people remained inside—maybe even online to livestream the views of the eclipse elsewhere.

[Related: The full sensory experience of an eclipse totality, from inside a convertible in Texas.]

So what were people doing if they weren’t posting through the eclipse? Well, snapping photos of the moment is always pretty popular, while NASA oversaw multiple volunteer research projects.

Judging from Cloudflare’s data, it didn’t take long for people to log back online once the eclipse ended above them. Usage appeared to spike back to pretty standard levels almost exactly in time with the event’s ending in any given state. No doubt most people rushed to post their reactions, photos, and videos… but maybe yesterday will still serve as a nice reminder that there’s a lot more to see when you take a break and go outside for a bit.

The post Internet use dipped in the eclipse’s path of totality appeared first on Popular Science.

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It could have been the perfect crime, had they used better spray paint.

Recently, authorities have seized over 320 lbs worth of suspected smuggled gold during a cargo freight search at Hong Kong International Airport, according to yesterday’s customs announcement. Bound for Tokyo on March 27, investigators recovered the roughly $10.7 million haul from within two actual air compressors, the bureau’s largest ever in terms of overall gold value. But these weren’t goldbond bricks or stacks of doubloons stashed deep within the machinery—they were hunks of precious metal molded into the shapes of compressor parts, then camouflaged with silver-colored spray paint.

Customs agents first noticed something suspicious after running the 1,708 lbs pair of air compressors through a security X-ray late last month during a standard screening process. As Business Insider explains, similar air compressors are made from aluminum or iron, and usually intended for industrial and mining projects, as well as to fill divers’ gas cylinders.

Speaking with the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on Monday, the assistant superintendent of Hong Kong International Airport’s customs air cargo division said technicians removed the motor casing and found a rotor “wrapped in a cord wheel which was tied to tape.”

“It was not similar to a normal motor,” he added.

After examining the rotor, authorities found traces of glue at both ends of the machinery part. Using a hammer, they then tapped the part and “noticed unevenness,” indicating the metal was far more malleable than it should have been. Scraping away at an outer layer of silver paint showed flecks of gold. At that point, the whole situation was pretty clear—these were dummy parts made of precious metal. Authorities believe the air compressor scheme was an attempt to evade Japan’s precious metals tariff that would have cost smugglers around $1.07 million, were they to go through official channels.

[Related: Montana traffickers illegally cloned Frankensheep hybrids for sport hunting.]

To create their industrial decoys, authorities believe smugglers must have first melted their gold down before pouring it into molds shaped to resemble motor rotors, screw shafts, and a gear piece. This probably was no easy feat, given that gold’s melting point is 1,948 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to Hong Kong Customs, police arrested the director of a local company on April 3 after finding his firm’s name listed as the shipment’s consignor. An initial investigation appears to show the company having no actual business dealings, potentially indicating it’s a shell outlet for smuggling. The investigation is still ongoing and the man has since been released on bail. Under Hong Kong’s Import and Export Ordinance, anyone found guilty of smuggling cargo could receive over $255,000 in fines alongside a maximum 7 year prison sentence.

The post Smugglers melted and spray painted $10 million in gold to look like machine parts appeared first on Popular Science.

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NASA’s Science Mission Directorate Heliophysics Division studies the nature of the sun and everything it touches. That includes the Earth, the atmosphere, and the magnetosphere, which is basically the planet’s force field against solar wind and radiation. As the United States amps up to a fever pitch due to today’s total solar eclipse, NASA is ground zero for the most interesting studies and history about this natural phenomenon.

Today the sun is more of a rock star than usual, with “eclipse parties” in full swing, and roadside stands selling commemorative t-shirts and cardboard viewing glasses are popping up all along the path of totality. Dr. Kelly Korreck, a heliophysicist and NASA’s eclipse lead, gave us the background on this captivating astro-event and offered tips on the best viewing areas.

We asked Dr. Korreck if watching the eclipse from a convertible (specifically, a tech-focused Audi S5 Cabriolet) would be a good idea, and she said it would be very appropriate. After all, besides safety glasses and a clear view of the sky, the only other thing you need is a great place to sit and lean your head back. 

As we waited for the clouds to clear from the sky, our photography team was a bit nervous. We got glimpses of the eclipse as the moon cast its great shadow, but would it clear? We’d soon find out.

Spoiler: It was amazing. Video: Audi

An eclipse ushers in boatloads of scientific data points

If the moon’s shadow doesn’t excite you, consider this: Albert Einstein published his theory of general relativity in 1915, but it wasn’t proven until the total solar eclipse of 1919 when Sir Arthur Eddington and his team measured the influence of the sun’s gravity on starlight.

Dr. Korreck has been fascinated by the biggest star in our universe–the sun, of course–since long before she earned her doctorate on the subject. Scientists have long used solar eclipses to make scientific discoveries, she says. Eclipses led us to the first detection of helium, for instance, and this one will continue to give scientists the opportunity to study the sun’s effect on the ionosphere. Disturbances in the ionospheric layer can cause blips in our GPS navigation systems and communications, especially radio waves.  

To that end, we tested the Audi S5’s unique Bluetooth-connected seatbelt microphones, which enable clear conversations even with the top down. Three thumbtack-sized microphones are built into the outward-facing side of the seatbelt, which makes talking to someone like a brilliant NASA heliophysicist even more interesting. We also kept an eye on the S5’s GPS system, which didn’t flinch. 

Eclipses happen about every 18 months somewhere in the world, but only in the same place every 400 to 1000 years, Dr. Korreck told us. In fact, the last total solar eclipse in Austin, Texas was more than 600 years ago, in 1397. Austin didn’t even exist back then. And the next one won’t be until 2343, long after we’re all gone. 

“Any specific town or city normally only gets an eclipse between every 400 and 1,000 years,” Dr. Korreck says. “So it’s very rare to [see one] in a specific location, but somewhere on Earth is getting this special dance, this special alignment of the planets.” 

The reason this particular total eclipse is so unusual is because it’s occurring during the period of “solar maximum,” when the sun is most active. There’s even a chance to see “streamers,” which NASA says will look like bright, pink curls or loops emanating from the sun. Heliophysicists (and the entire scientific community) are excited about this eclipse, because of the length and the intensity of the sun’s magnetic field in this period of time. 

“We’re at four and a half minutes for this eclipse,” Dr. Korreck says. “It was only two and a half minutes maximum in 2017, but it’ll be six-ish minutes in 2045. So we have more to look forward to in 20 years.” 

It’s more than just a visual event

When the moon stands between the sun and the Earth, the temperature outside can drop quickly – up to 10 degrees. I turned on the heated headrest, which blows warm air onto my neck; a welcome feature when you’re chilly. In Texas, it’s hot more often than it’s cold, so typically I’d use the cool setting to whisper cooling air instead. During an eclipse, the shroud of shadow blocking the sun erases heat quickly. So the sky goes dark, the temperature falls, and there’s even a measurable sound component. 

“We mapped the bright light of the sun to a flute sound,” Harvard astronomer Allyson Bieryla told CNN on Friday. “Then it goes to a midrange, which is a clarinet, and then during totality, it kind of goes down to a low clicking sound, and that clicking even slows down during totality.”

That doesn’t even count the chirps, croaks, whines, and other sounds of the animal and insect kingdom as they process the odd turn of light during the event. 

“I think in general, an eclipse is such a full body experience,” Dr. Korreck says. “It gets colder, the light changes, the shadow gets a bit sharper. It’s a way to really experience a celestial event more than just a visual. Take some time to really enjoy it and take advantage of the special alignment that we have.” 

As the moment of totality approached, nearby horses brayed and dogs barked, as if it were truly twilight. And then it happened: The clouds parted and the sky grew dark, the animals quieted, and a stillness blanketed the landscape. We could see solar flares peeking from behind the corona, and Venus appeared below the sun. Outside of the S5 Cabriolet, the car’s headlights and taillights cast a signature pattern. For a couple of minutes, time stood still, and then daylight crept in again. It’s something I’ll never forget.

The post The full sensory experience of eclipse totality, from inside an Audi convertible appeared first on Popular Science.

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A team of international researchers have developed an adaptation to potentially help with 3D printing’s polymer problem. 

For quick prototyping jobs, designers often turn to fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printers. In these machines, molten polymers are layered atop one another using a heated nozzle. This process is underpinned by what’s known as slicer software, which informs the device of all the little details like temperature, speed, and flow necessary to make a specific desired product, instead of an amorphous blob of congealed goo. But a slicer only works for a reliably uniform material—that wouldn’t be too much of a problem, except most of those materials are often unrecyclable plastics.

But thanks to engineers collaborating between MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA), the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the National Center for Scientific Research in Greece, a little computational fine-tuning can now allow an off-the-shelf device to analyze, adjust, and successfully utilize previously unrecognizable printing materials in real-time to create more eco-friendly products.

3D printers often rely on unsustainable materials, but you can’t simply swap out those polymers for potentially more sustainable alternatives. Unlike artificial polymers, eco-friendly options contain a mix of various ingredients that result in widely varying physical properties. Plant-based polymers, for example, can change based on what’s available season-to-season, while recyclable resins fluctuate depending on its source materials. Those can still be used, but a device’s software parameters would need tweaking for each and every batch. And considering how a 3D printer’s programming usually contains as many as 100 adjustable parameters, this makes recyclable workarounds a difficult sell.

[Related: A designer 3D printed a working clone of the iconic Mac Plus.]

In a new study published in Integrating Materials and Manufacturing Innovation, engineers detailed a newly designed mathematical function that allows off-the-shelf 3D-printer’s extruder software to use multiple materials—including bio-based polymers, plant-derived resins, or other recyclables.

First, researchers took a 3D printer built to provide data feedback while it is working, then outfitted it with three new tools to measure various factors such as pressure, filament thickness, and speed. Once installed, the team created a 20-minute test during which those instruments measured varying flow rates as well as their associated temperatures and pressures. After some trial-and-error, engineers realized the best approach to this was to set the hottest temperature possible for a 3D printer’s nozzle, also known as a “hotend,” for obvious reasons. In this case, the hotend’s maximum temperature lived up to the name—290 degrees Celsius, or about 554 Fahrenheit. They then set it to extrude filament at a steady rate, turned off the heater, and let it run.

“It was really difficult to figure out how to make that test work. Trying to find the limits of the extruder means that you are going to break the extruder pretty often while you are testing it,” CBA graduate student and study first author Jake Read said in a statement on Monday. “The notion of turning the heater off and just passively taking measurements was the ‘aha’ moment.”

Read and their collaborators then entered the information gleaned from their test into a new mathematical function that automatically computed workable printing parameters and machine settings depending on material. Once those were available, the team simply entered the parameters into the 3D printer software and let it run normally.

To test their system, researchers used six different materials to 3D print a small toy tugboat. Even including eco-friendly options derived from algae, wood, and sustainable polylactic acid, engineers reported no “failures of any kind” in their small model vessels—although from an aesthetically standpoint, the wood and algae resins did make for rather stringy-looking final products. 

But while the new alterations may not yet offer a “complete reckoning with all of the phenomenology and modeling associated with FFF printing,”  the team believes the system shows that “even simple methods in combination with instrumented hardware and workflows that connect machines to slicers can have promising results.”
Next up, researchers hope to expand on their computational modeling efforts, as well as design a way so testing parameters can automatically apply to a 3D printer instead of requiring manual entry. In the meantime, they have made their mechanical and circuit designs, as well as firmware, framework, and experiment source codes available online for others to try for themselves.

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“What can the astronomer do, when, just as the moon is about to obscure the sun during a total eclipse, a cloud intervenes?” Popular Science posed such a dilemma to its readers in a 1919 solar eclipse story. “Pack up and go home” was the answer for the average eclipse viewer. But even in 1919 extreme eclipse chasers had contingency plans.

The moon’s full shadow hurtles across the Earth at a breakneck 1,500 mph roughly every 18 months. By a twist of cosmic fate unique in our solar system, our planet’s one and only moon happens to be the right size and distance to completely block the sun’s face, briefly exposing its corona, creating a spectacular sight. But that complete overlap only happens in a narrow path about 100 miles wide—the path of totality. 

Extreme eclipse chasers, who call themselves umbraphiles, will seek that path whenever it comes around, even to the remotest regions of Earth. Since the path carved by the moon’s shadow typically traverses thousands of miles—across oceans and continents—the goal is to pick a destination known for its cloudless skies.

Kelly Korreck, NASA’s program manager for the 2024 solar eclipse, which will speed across the US from Texas to Maine on April 8, has viewed eclipses from places as different as the deck of a US aircraft carrier (USS Yorktown) and the northern Chilean coast. For Korreck, the experience is incomparable. “Very strong emotions come up,” she says, “from almost fear that the sun has gone away to something very magical and very exciting.” As soon as it’s over—totality only lasts several minutes or less, location dependent—she admits that her immediate thought is, “When’s the next one? Where are we going to go?”

In 1919, jetting across the world was not yet possible, and less of the planet was developed and accessible. Eclipse chasers were mostly well-funded scientists and astronomers who had the wherewithal to mount an expedition, set aside months for travel, and haul tons of equipment into remote regions. That’s why one astronomer’s plan in 1919 to mount a telescope on a seaplane and fly above the clouds seemed worth reporting, even though Popular Science’s editors were skeptical that it would work. The alternative, “unmanned balloons” fitted with cameras, proposed by George Hale, founder of the Mount Wilson Observatory in California, seemed much more practical. 

Whether the daring aeronautical astronomer, David Todd, an eccentric eclipse chaser and erstwhile professor at Amherst College, ever succeeded with his seaplane plan isn’t recorded. But the 1919 eclipse went down in the history books for its role in providing the backdrop for Arthur Eddington and Frank Dyson to prove Einstein’s theory of relativity. 

Today, NASA operates dozens of heliophysics missions, most from space-based observatories, free from the chance of cloudy skies.

A total eclipse of the sun can never last more than eight minutes. Usually it lasts much less. An astronomer will travel thousands and thousands of miles to an out-of-the-way place, in order to make the most of a few precious minutes. The actors in a play are no more carefully rehearsed than are astronomers stationed at the various instruments. No one member of an eclipse expedition sees the eclipse as a whole; each one performs the special duties assigned to him. 

What if cloud or fog should steal between the earth and the sun? What if it should rain? All these elaborate preparations, all this tedious traveling, go for nothing. But fogs are always low-lying—never more than a thousand feet thick. Therefore, if cloud or fog creep in between the earth and the sun, the solution is to climb above them and see the eclipse in all its uncanniness. 

No wonder, then, that astronomers are interested in the experiment undertaken by Professor David Todd, of the Amherst College Astronomical Observatory, of using a seaplane in which to rise high above the clouds to view the eclipse.

Professor Todd’s Experiment

With the assistance of United States Naval officers and a seaplane, Professor Todd set out to take photographs of the sun’s eclipse which occurred on May 29. It was planned that the steamship on which the expedition sailed would stop at a point near the equator off the South American coast, launch the seaplane, and then stand by while the astronomer tried out his plan.

It might have been expected that Professor Todd would be the first to carry astronomy into the air. He is the most enthusiastic, indefatigable, and ingenious of eclipse observers. He even went so far, some years ago, as to devise a method of operating a whole battery of astronomical instruments from a central point, but was unable to employ his invention for the observation of this particular eclipse because the sky was at the time obscured.

Although at the time of going to press the results of Professor Todd’s experiment have not been reported, it may be doubted that the plan of using a seaplane is practicable. Such is the vibration caused by a seaplane’s engine that the steady platform that must be provided for all telescopes becomes a shaking base hardly suitable for Professor Todd’s purpose. To be sure, it was his intention to offset the vibration by an elastic mounting of the telescope; but anyone who knows anything at all about the inertia of movable parts will admit that absolute steadiness can hardly be thus obtained.

A More Practical Scheme

Professor George E. Hale, of Mount Wilson Observatory, has a far more practical scheme, to our mind. His plan is to send an unmanned balloon above the clouds, and to steady the cameras, which the balloon will carry, by means of a gyroscope. Professor Hale plans to study the corona—that ghostly appendage which surrounds the sun, and which is visible from the earth only during an eclipse—at any time.

As we ascend in the atmosphere of the earth we finally reach a point, perhaps at an altitude of thirty miles or more, where the sky is not blue, but jet-black.

The sky is blue because the air is filled with countless billions of dust particles that diffuse the light of the sun. In the inky canopy of the sky above the region of dust particles, where the air is extremely thin, the stars appear in their proper places even in broad daylight. And the sun is a great blazing ball hung in the blackness. Its wonderful corona, the chief object of study during a total eclipse, gleams in all its pearly beauty.

Should Professor Todd Succeed

If Professor Hale succeeds in realizing his plan, we need not wait for a total eclipse in order to study the corona but we can photograph it whenever we please and study it day by day.

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This article was originally featured on The Conversation.

Do you ever use your cellphone while driving? Don’t feel too guilty about saying yes–nearly 60% of drivers admit to using their phone in hands-free mode while driving.

But don’t become complacent either. Using your cellphone in hands-free mode while driving is not a perfectly safe activity, despite the impression you might be getting from laws, marketing messages and the behavior of people around you.

Fatal crashes caused by driver distraction have not gone down significantly over time: Distraction caused 14% of fatal crashes in 2017 and 13% of fatal crashes in 2021. Given that these numbers are calculated based on police-reported crashes, many experts believe the actual number of crashes caused by driver distraction is much higher. For example, real-world crash data from teens indicates that 58% of their crashes are due to driver distraction.

I am a human factors engineer who studies how drivers interact with technology. I see a gap between what people are told and what people should do when it comes to using your cellphone behind the wheel.

Hands-free calling

Most U.S. states ban hand-held cellphone use while driving but allow hands-free devices. However, hands-free devices are still distracting. Talking on a hands-free phone and driving is multitasking, and humans are not good at doing two cognitively demanding tasks at the same time.

For example, having a phone conversation in hands-free mode while driving causes you to stop looking out for hazards on the road and gets you into more close calls where you slam on the brakes than if you were not on the phone.

[ Related: Too many screens? Why car safety experts want to bring back buttons ]

These detrimental effects last even after you end your call. There is a hangover effect: You can remain mentally distracted nearly 27 seconds after you finish using your cellphone. At 65 miles per hour, you’ve traveled nearly half a mile in 27 seconds.

Third-party apps

Third-party apps that connect your smartphone to your car’s interface, such ass Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, encourage you to use your phone in hands-free mode while driving. You can control things like music, navigation, text messaging and phone calls using voice commands and the car’s interface. IPhone users can connect their phones to more than 800 car models and Android phone users more than 500 models.

But is using these third-party apps while driving safe? Fifty-three percent of people say that if carmakers put the technology in vehicles, they must be safe. Though these third-party apps make cellphone use hands-free, they unintentionally cause you to look away from the road for dangerous amounts of time and they slow your reaction time.

Law-enforcement officers would like to remind you that distracted driving is a threat to the people around you, not just yourself.

Driving automation and distraction

Recent advances in technology have made driving a safer activity. Systems such as Cadillac Super Cruise and Tesla Autopilot control your steering and acceleration in limited situations, but they don’t mean you can text at will. Though it’s often lost in the marketing and enthusiasm for the systems, you are still required to pay attention to the road when you’re using them.

Research has shown that drivers using Level 2 automation, which combines adaptive cruise control with lane centering, are more likely to take their eyes off the road. Research also shows that watching a video or doing anything distracting while using these systems is unsafe–you stop looking at the road, and when you need to respond, it takes more time.

Some systems work to keep you focused on driving by monitoring your eye or head position to make sure you’re looking straight ahead. If your eyes are off the road for more than a few seconds, the systems alert you to bring your attention back to driving. This makes it difficult to get distracted by your phone.

Distracted driving awareness

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Distracted driving–in hands-free mode, using a third-party app or when using driving automation–still claims thousands of lives each year in the U.S. Despite continual advances in vehicle technology, cellphone use while driving is likely to remain a challenging problem for the foreseeable future.

To discourage distracted driving, it’s important to look back to see what’s worked in the past to keep roads safe. Modifying the culture around distracted driving as well as comprehensive education, training and media campaigns, similar to “Click It or Ticket” to encourage seat belt use, are good examples of what works. To that end, on April 1, 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched the “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign to discourage distracted driving.

And for all of those who drive with children in the car, be sure to model safe behavior–they are watching and learning from you.

Shannon Roberts receives funding from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, National Science Foundation, Sloan Foundation, Toyota Collaborative Safety Research Center, and US Department of Transportation. She has received funding from GM in past years.

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Sharks and owls are evolutionarily optimized in surprisingly similar ways. When it comes to the ocean’s apex predator, their skin’s textured patterns, known as riblets, help cut down on drag. With owls, their tiny feather ridges called serrations allow them to fly silently while hunting prey.

Although the naturally-occurring aids have inspired biomimicry-based aeronautic designs in the past, a collaborative team of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley and MIT Lincoln Laboratory recently investigated if these same principles could also apply to underwater tools. Their findings, published in a new study in Extreme Mechanics Letters, indicate the designs could be adapted to improve the towed sonar arrays (TSAs) utilized by ships and submarines.

TSAs are vital for marine vessels engaged in underwater security or exploration projects. But if ships start cruising at decent speeds, the ensuing drag around the equipment can generate extra noise that interferes with sonar capabilities.

[Related: Did sonar finally uncover Amelia Earhart’s missing plane?]

Utilizing computational modeling, researchers tested various riblet shapes and patterns interacting with simulated water environments. From calm currents to the more commonly unpredictable flows seen in oceans, the team observed how smooth, triangular, trapezoidal, and scalloped riblets might affect fluid dynamics and acoustics.

Of these variations, the rectangular form showed the most promising results in choppy water—reducing noise by over 14-percent alongside a roughly 5 percent reduction in drag. When the riblets were finer and closer to one another, drag could be reduced by as much as an additional 25 percent.

These simulations not only showcased potential riblet patterns for sonar casings, but also illuminated new fluid dynamics that underpin noise reduction during turbulent water flows. In a process researchers call “vortex lifting,” flows are elevated and redirected away from the textured surfaces while also lowering their rotational strength.

“This elevation is key to reducing the intense pressure fluctuations that are generated by the interaction between the water flow and the array wall, leading to noise production,” Zixiao Wei, a mechanical engineering graduate student and study first author, said in a recent statement.

The team also noted that adding the animal-inspired textures to TSAs and other underwater vehicles wouldn’t just help humans—it could improve habitat conditions for marine wildlife, as well. Systems reliant on riblet patterns could make for quieter operating, thereby reducing the chances of artificially disturbing their surrounding ecosystems.

That said, it’s one thing to simulate shark skin—actually replicating it has proven extremely difficult. But with additional testing and deployment, Wei believes the new designs will showcase “the vast potential of biomimicry in advancing engineering and technology.”

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The quest to harness the holy grail of clean energy is potentially moving a step in the right direction thanks to the same principles behind refrigerator magnets. Earlier this week, researchers at the Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) revealed their new stellarator–a unique fusion reactor that uses off-the-shelf and 3D-printed materials to contain its superheated plasma.

First conceptualized over 70 years ago by PPPL’s founder, Lyman Spitzer, a traditional stellarator works by employing electromagnets precisely arranged in complex shapes to generate magnetic fields using electricity. Unlike tokamak reactors, stellarators do not need to run electric current specifically through their plasma to create magnetic forces—a process that can interfere with fusion reactions. That said, tokamaks still effectively confine their plasma so well that they have been the preferred reactor choice for researchers, especially when factoring in a stellarator’s comparative costs and difficulties. Because of all this, Spitzer’s design has remained largely unused for decades.

[Related: The world’s largest experimental tokamak nuclear fusion reactor is live.]

Engineers behind the new stellarator known as MUSE, however, say their workaround could solve these barriers. Instead of electromagnets, the device uses permanent magnets—albeit much more powerful and finely tuned than ones found in everyday novelty and souvenir collectibles. MUSE requires permanent magnets made using rare-earth metals that can exceed 1.2 teslas, the unit of measurement for magnetic flux density. In comparison, standard ferrite or ceramic permanent magnets usually exhibit between 0.5-to-1 teslas.

“I realized that even if they were situated alongside other magnets, rare-earth permanent magnets could generate and maintain the magnetic fields necessary to confine the plasma so fusion reactions can occur, and that’s the property that makes this technique work,” Michael Zarnstorff, a PPPL senior research physicist and MUSE principle investigator, said in a statement.

Building a stellarator with permanent magnets is a “completely new” approach, PPPL graduate student Tony Qian added. Qian also explained that the stellarator alteration will allow engineers to both test plasma confinement ideas and build new devices far more easily than before.

Atop the promising design alterations, MUSE reportedly manages what’s known as “quasisymmetry” better than any previous stellarator—more specifically, a subtype called “quasiaxisymmetry.”

In extremely simplified terms, quasisymmetry is when a magnetic field’s shape inside a stellarator isn’t the same as the field around the stellarator’s physical shape. Nevertheless, the overall magnetic field strength remains uniform, thus effectively confining plasma and increasing the chances for fusion reactions. According to Zarnstorff, MUSE pulls off its quasisymmetry “at least 100 times better than any existing stellarator.”

From here, the researchers intend to further investigate the nature of MUSE’s quasisymmetry, while also precisely mapping its magnetic fields—all factors influence the odds of achieving stable, net positive fusion reactions.

Whether or not scientists will discover the breakthroughs necessary to make green fusion energy a reality anytime soon remains to be seen. But thanks to some creative problem-solving using what are ostensibly very heavy duty fridge magnets, the long-overlooked stellarator could prove a valuable tool.

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An international team of cryptographers has published a new whitepaper detailing the massive amounts of work, crowdsourcing, and computational programming that was required to translate a notorious serial killer’s half-century-old mystery message. Although one cryptographer uploaded a video rundown of their methodology to YouTube in 2020, the team’s new whitepaper further shows just how much work went into accomplishing their feat.

Between 1968-69, a man calling himself the Zodiac murdered at least five people in Northern California. During that time, as well as years after, the killer mailed a series of letters to local newspapers alongside a total of four ciphers. To this day, authorities have not formally named anyone as the Zodiac Killer, and only two of his cryptograms have been solved.

One of those, however, was long considered the most difficult to parse. First published in newspapers on November 12, 1969, the 340-character cipher (often referred to as “Z340”) baffled amateur and professional cryptographers alike for years. In December 2020, however, an international team announced they believed they finally cracked the Zodiac’s encoded message. A subsequent review by the FBI supported the solution offered by David Oranchak, Sam Blake, and Jarl Van Eycke, putting to rest a 51-year-old enigma.

[Related: Codebreakers have finally deciphered the lost letters of Mary, Queen of Scots.]

“I HOPE YOU ARE HAVING LOTS OF FUN IN TRYING TO CATCH ME,” the Zodiac Killer’s Z340 message begins, before clarifying he did not make the famous A.M. San Francisco television call-in on October 22, 1969.

THAT WASNT ME ON THE TV SHOW 

WHICH BRINGS UP A POINT ABOUT ME 

I AM NOT AFRAID OF THE GAS CHAMBER 

BECAUSE IT WILL SEND ME TO PARADICE ALL THE SOONER 

BECAUSE I NOW HAVE ENOUGH SLAVES TO WORK FOR ME 

WHERE EVERYONE ELSE HAS NOTHING WHEN THEY REACH PARADICE 

SO THEY ARE AFRAID OF DEATH 

I AM NOT AFRAID BECAUSE I KNOW THAT MY NEW LIFE IS

LIFE WILL BE AN EASY ONE IN PARADICE DEATH

Zodiac’s Z340 message, typos included

First spotted this week by 404 Media, the 39-page paper (accompanied by 23 pages of source materials) offers the fascinating and complex history behind Z340. According to the three authors, arriving at their ultimate solution had been preceded by “many years of failed experiments, dead-end ideas, and efforts to summarize what was known about the [Zodiac Killer].”

After countless fruitless attempts, the team felt confident that Z340 included some combination of homophonic substitution (one letter swapped for one or more symbols) and transposition (letters reordered according to a certain systematic logic). Unfortunately, that didn’t exactly narrow down the possibilities. As Discover Magazine explained in a 2021 profile, the cryptographers then faced hundreds of thousands of possible approaches to reading Z340.

To tackle all those potentials, the team turned to AZDecrypt, a program dedicated to homophonic decryption built by Van Eycke. The mathematical intricacies behind AZDecrypt are intense—but just for reference, the codebreakers say their program can solve up to 200 homophonic substitution ciphers per second with a 99 percent accuracy rate. After augmenting the software a bit to incorporate transposition options, AZDecrypt got to work, and soon yielded its first breakthroughs. Before long, the team finally unraveled Z340.

[Related: This ancient language puzzle was impossible to solve—until a PhD student cracked the code.]

Interestingly, the writers theorize it’s entirely possible the Zodiac Killer didn’t intend Z340 to be this difficult to decode. Speaking in 2021, Oranchak believes the computational power needed to ultimately break Z340 wasn’t even available in 1969. The Zodiac’s very first cipher, Z408, was decoded just days after being published, so it’s likely he meant to make Z340’s enciphering methods harder—but accidentally went too far as “a random unintended result of the encipherment process.” 

But as they make clear in their whitepaper, it wasn’t just computer software that solved one of the Zodiac Killer’s last mysteries. “The solution of this cipher was the result of a large, multi-decade group effort, and we ultimately stood on the shoulders of many others’ excellent cryptanalytic contributions,” they write.

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Apple’s vision for the future could involve an autonomous robot butler. That’s according to a new Bloomberg report which claims the iPhone maker is reallocating resources from its now defunct car project and shifting them towards an at-home, mobile robot. Though still in the early stages of research, the possible autonomous robot highlights Apple’s resparked interest in AI-enabled technology

The proposed robot, Bloomberg says, is intended for home use and could follow its users around. Apple engineers are reportedly considering using AI models to help the robot navigate through rooms. Presumably, that means it would also need cameras or other onboard sensors to see the world around it. 

[ Related: Watch us try to make ‘Butler in a Box’ work like it’s 1983 ]

Sources speaking with Bloomberg say Apple engineers are interested in a fully autonomous robot that can take care of everyday chores like cleaning up and washing dishes. The feasibility of that actually happening in the near term, however, remains technically challenging. Apple is reportedly also interested in having the robot function as a kind of mobile video conferencing tool. 

There’s still far more questions than answers about the supposed Apple bot. It’s unclear, for example, whether it will roll around on wheels like Amazon’s Astro home robot, or if it will follow the rising trend of bipedal robots that are shaped more like humans. It’s also unclear exactly  how it would complete its tasks , when it will ship, or how much it would cost. It’s entirely possible the robot, like many other early stage product ideas, may never see the light of day. Other unrealized Apple ideas left to the dustbin of history include a “AirPower” wireless charging mat and early tablet-like prototype supposedly capable of sending and receiving faxes. 

[ Related: OpenAI wants to make a walking, talking humanoid robot smarter ] 

Without more details, one can only speculate how an Apple bot may one day be put to use. Could it follow in the footsteps of past robots capable of assembling a salad? Or maybe it could give its users a relaxing massage or simply open a carton of eggs, as past robots have done. Other “assistance robots” are also being developed to guide people with vision loss and help people with dementia find lost objects. It’s unclear if Apple intends to enter those spaces. Apple did not immediately respond to PopSci’s request for comment. 

Apple reportedly shifting from cars to robots  

News of the alleged Apple robot comes just two months after the company officially ended its electric vehicle ambitions. The car project, known publicly as “Titan,” dated back to at least 2014 but was plagued by leadership shakeups and repeated delays. Many of the roughly 2,000 Apple employees working on the car were reportedly folded into the company’s other AI-related projects. Some of the insights and technology developed for the car, Bloomberg notes, could end up making its way into robots, if it’s in fact ever released.

The supposed robot project further signals Apple’s interest in tapping into AI products. Apple has faced criticism in recent months for looking like a generative AI laggard compared to top tech competitors like Google and Microsoft. To that end, the company is now reportedly in “active negotiations” with Google to bring its Gemini AI model to future iPhones. An AI-enabled robot, if successful, presents Apple with a unique opportunity to lean further into AI doing what they do best: seamlessly integrating hardware and software. 

Integrated large language can help robots interact with humans 

At home robots aren’t entirely new. iRobot, the company behind the popular Roomba  autonomous vacuum cleaner claims it has sold more than 40 million of the devices worldwide. Amazon is also pursuing its own, more advanced at robot primarily used for home monitoring. Those robots, however, are far less sophisticated than what could be around the corner. Robotics firms like Figure are already taking advanced language models and integrating them into bipedal, humanoid machines capable of performing tasks and holding a conversation. Figure recently partnered with BMW to bring its robots to a South Carolina manufacturing facility where it will move sheet metal and perform other tasks. Amazon is reportedly already testing humanoid robots in some of its warehouses. 

An Apple robot, if it ever materializes, will likely follow the trend of integrating large language models into advanced robotics in order to effectively communicate with its owner. Whether or not customers will actually welcome such a device into their homes remains to be seen. 61% of adults surveyed in 2021 by the Brookings Institution, a public policy think tank,said they were uncomfortable with robots. More than a third (37%) of adults polled by Pew Research said they were “more concerned than excited” regarding the prospect of more AI used in daily life. 

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NASA has announced three finalists to pitch them their best moon car ideas by this time next year to use on upcoming Artemis lunar missions. During a press conference yesterday afternoon, the agency confirmed Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Venturi Astrolab will all spend the next 12 months developing their Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) concepts as part of the “feasibility task order.”

According to Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, the final LTV will “greatly increase our astronauts’ ability to explore and conduct science on the lunar surface while also serving as a science platform between crewed missions.”

While neither Lunar Outpost nor Venturi Astrolab have been on the moon yet, they are planning uncrewed rover missions within the next couple years. In February, Intuitive Machines became the first privately funded company to successfully land on the lunar surface with its NASA-backed Odysseus spacecraft. Although “Odie” officially returned the US to the moon after an over-50 year hiatus, touchdown complications resulted in the craft landing on its side, severely limiting the extent of its mission.

[Related: NASA’s quirky new lunar rover will be the first to cruise the moon’s south pole.]

The last time astronauts zipped around on a moon buggy was back in 1971 during NASA’s Apollo 15 mission. The new LTV, like its Apollo predecessor, will only accommodate two people in an unpressurized cockpit—i.e. exposed to the harsh moon environment.

Once deployed, however, the LTV will differ from the Lunar Roving Vehicle in a few key aspects—most notably, it won’t always need someone at the steering wheel. While astronauts will pilot the LTV during their expeditions, the vehicle will be specifically designed for remote control once the Artemis crew is back home on Earth. In its initial May 2023 proposal call, the agency explained its LRV capabilities will be “similar to NASA’s Curiosity and Perseverance Mars rovers.” When NASA isn’t renting the LTV, the winning company will also be free to contract it out to private ventures in the meantime.

But while a promising lunar rover design is great to see on paper, companies will need to demonstrate their vehicle’s capabilities before NASA makes its final selection—and not just on some desert driving course here on Earth.

After reviewing the three proposals, NASA will issue a second task order to at least one of the finalists, requesting to see their prototype in action on the moon. That means the company (or companies) will need to plan and execute an independent lunar mission, deliver a working vehicle to the moon, and “validate its performance and safety.” Only once that little hurdle is cleared does NASA plan to greenlight one of the company’s rovers.

If everything goes smoothly, NASA’s Artemis V astronauts will use the winning LTV when they arrive near the moon’s south pole in 2030.

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The slide whistle isn’t known as a particularly difficult instrument to play—there’s a reason they’re usually marketed to children. But designing, programming, and building a robotic slide whistle quartet? That takes a solid background in computer science, a maddening amount of trial-and-error, logistical adjustments to account for “shrinkflation,” and at least two weeks to make it all happen.

That said, if you’re confident in your technical abilities, you too can construct a portable slide-whistle symphony-in-a-box capable of belting out Smash Mouth’s seminal, Billboard-topping masterpiece “All Star.” Fast forward to the 4:47 mark to listen to the tune. 

Despite his initial apology for “crimes against all things musical,” it seems as though Tim Alex Jacobs isn’t feeling too guilty about his ongoing robot slide whistle hobby. Also known online as “mitxela,” Jacobs has documented his DIY musical endeavors on his YouTube channel for years. It appears plans to create MIDI-controlled, automated slide whistle systems have been in the works since at least 2018, but it’s difficult to envision anything much more absurd than Jacob’s latest iteration, which manages to link four separate instruments alongside motorized fans and mechanical controls, all within a latchable carrying case.

Aside from the overall wonky tones that come from slide whistles in general, Jacobs notes just how difficult it would be to calibrate four of them. What’s more, each whistle’s dedicated fan motor differs slightly from one another, making the resultant pressures unpredictable. To compensate for this, Jacobs drilled holes in the pumps to create intentional air leaks, allowing him to run the motors closer to full power than before without overheating.

[Related: Check out some of the past year’s most innovative musical inventions.]

“If we can run them at a higher power level, then the effects of friction will be less significant,” Jacobs explains. But although this reportedly helped a bit, he admits the results were “far from adequate.” Attaching contact microphones to each slide whistle was also a possibility, but the work involved in calibrating them to properly isolate the whistle tones simply wasn’t worth it.

So what was worth the effort? Well, programming the whistles to play “All Star” in its entirety, of course. The four instruments are in no way tuned to one another, but honestly, it probably wouldn’t be as entertaining if they somehow possessed perfect pitch.

Jacobs appears to have plans for further fine tuning (so to speak) down the line, but it’s unclear if he’ll stick with Smash Mouth, or move onto another 90s pop-rock band.

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Internet users in a handful of states across the US are finding it more difficult to browse parts of the web anonymously. Over a dozen states, including Texas and Louisiana, have enacted legislation forcing Pornhub and other purveyors of streaming online adult videos to verify the identities of its users to ensure children and teens aren’t accessing “sexual material harmful to minors.” Elsewhere, in states like Florida, lawmakers have introduced so-called online parental consent laws that would limit or ban underage users from accessing social media services over claims they cause psychological harm. In each case, lawmakers want online platforms to collect government-IDs from users or have them submit to third-party age verification methods to ensure they are indeed adults.

But determining whether or not kids and teens are actually accessing those sites means platforms have no choice but to verify the ages of all users accessing their sites, minor or otherwise. Adult porn viewers, who could previously dip in and out of websites with a relative degree of anonymity, may now fear having their government name and photograph at arms length away from their last Pornhub search query. At the same time, critics of the new laws worry some far-right, religiously conservative lawmakers could broadly interpret “adult” material to include content from LGBTQ+ creators or other people from marginalized groups who rely on the internet for a sense of community. In that scenario, teens from abusive or difficult family structures could find themselves shut out from support structures online. 

Experts speaking with PopSci say there are signs internet users in many of these states are turning to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access otherwise blocked materials. Leading VPN provider Top10 VPN claims demand from VPN services jumped 275% on March 15, the same day Pornhub cut off access in Texas. The site says demand for VPNs similarly surged by 210% the day after a similar law took effect in Louisiana last year. ExpressVPN, another popular VPN provider, told PopSci it saw increased web traffic to its site the day anti-porn, online age verification bills took effect in seven out of eight states. 

“Wherever U.S. lawmakers have imposed age verification on internet users trying to access adult content online over the past 12 months, there has been a clear trend in the corresponding surges in demand for VPNs,” Top10 VPN Head of Research Simon Migliano told PopSci. In the most extreme case, Migliano claims Top10 VPN saw demand for the technology jolt up 847% the day the state’s new laws came into effect.

How are VPNs being used?

VPNs, which date back to the mid 1990s, create an encrypted tunnel for user’s data and can make it appear as if their computer is based in a different geographical location. Digital streaming viewers often use this VPN masking technology to access shows restricted in certain markets and blacked out sports events. Others view VPNs as useful tools for adding layers of security to private communications. That same technology has, for years, been used by whistleblowers, journalists, and political dissidents worldwide to bolster their anonymity online, especially in authoritarian countries. 

“A VPN is an effective tool for circumventing any kind of internet censorship, as it allows users to access the restricted content via an IP address from a location under a different jurisdiction from their own,” Migliano said. 

Though commonly used to bypass content restrictions in other countries, Center for Democracy and Technology Vice President of Policy Samir Jain says their apparent use by Americans to sidestep domestic content restrictions feels “relatively new.” That sudden shift, Jain said, owes itself partly to the language of these new laws which would have previously struggled to stand up to legal scrutiny. Jain, whose organization signed onto an amicus’s brief calling on a court to block the Texas law, said he wasn’t surprised users from affected areas states appeared to be seeking out VPNs. 

“If you provide a government ID to prove you are in effect no longer anonymous,” Center for Democracy and Technology Vice President of Policy Samir Jain told PopSci. “If people no longer feel like they can do that [access information anonymously] that infringes on their First Amendment expression right.”

ExpressVPN Privacy Advocate Lauren Hendry Parsons echoed that sentiment. 

“We know that when legislators restrict consumer access to services like porn, citizens still find a way to access it,” Hendry Parsons told PopSci. “There is absolutely a middle ground to be found that leans on third-party cooperation instead of limiting consumer rights.”

How are platforms responding to the new laws?

As of writing, seven mostly Republican-led states have passed some form of legislation relying on age-verification to prevent minors from accessing pornographic material. Nearly all of these so-called “age-gating” bills are copy-cat versions of a pioneering Louisiana legislation, which passed in 2022 and took effect early last year. The Verge estimates the Louisiana bill inspired at least 17 copycat bills, a handful of which are on their way to becoming laws. In Texas, sites found in violation of its law could face penalties of up to $10,000 per day. 

Some adult content sites like Pornhub have opted to block IP addresses originating from states with these new laws in order to avoid running afoul of the laws. Last month, internet users in Texas attempting to access the world’s largest purveyor of online adult video content were greeted instead with a 10 paragraph note from the company explaining its opposition to the state’s “ineffective, haphazard, and dangerous” law. Pornhub has similarly restricted access to users from half a dozen other states with similar age verification laws. In addition to wanting to steer clear of penalties, experts told PopSci platforms also oppose the laws because they don’t want to be responsible for collecting and maintaining torrents of sensitive users’ data that could pose a ripe target for cybercriminals.

“Age verification systems collect a huge amount of data, not only the personal information from each ID but also a record of each and every authentication made—essentially any site you access that features adult content,” Hendry Parsons said. “Combined with the data profiling social media companies create about their users, this treasure trove of personal information is a perfect target for bad actors.”

Rising VPN use could attract new lawmaker scrutiny

US internet users are reportedly using VPNs to access non-porn related material as well. College students around the country are reportedly already using VPNs to get around efforts from some universities to ban TikTok on campus networks. In Montana, where lawmakers passed a first-of-its kind statewide TikTok ban, creators have been preparing to similarly use the technology to stay connected to their followers. Lawmakers interested in restricting popular online content of various kinds will inevitably find themselves running into a VPN service willing to offer users an escape tunnel. 

But a continued uptick in VPN to access blocked risks inviting unintended consequences. Internet users appearing to use VPNs to blatantly run afoul of new legislation could incentivize lawmakers to clamp down on the technology. Some of the anti-porn laws, like the one enacted in Utah, already possess language explicitly prohibiting online platforms from letting minors “change or bypass restrictions on access.” Digital rights activists fear other recently proposed legislation aimed at limiting US user access to foreign apps may include provisions in it that would criminalize the use of VPNs.

Jain, from the Center for Democracy and Technology, acknowledged those concerns but said new laws banning criminalizing or restricting VPNs could do more harm than good and may face constitutional legal challenges. As for the new wave of laws appearing to fuel the rise in American VPN adoption, Jain said debates over one of those laws could eventually make its way up to the Supreme Court. 

“There are a lot of legitimate reasons to use VPNs to protect your privacy and anonymity,” Jain said.

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Transitioning towards sustainable clothing practices is a must for combating climate change, so researchers are turning to bacteria for their fashion inspiration. As detailed in the research journal Nature Biotechnology, a team at Imperial College London has genetically engineered new microbial strains capable of being woven into wearable material, while simultaneously self-dyeing itself in the process. The result is a new vegan, plastic-free leather that’s suitable for items such as wallets and shoes—although perhaps not the most fashionable looking shoes at the moment. 

As much as 200 million liters of water is consumed across the global textile industry every year, and 85 percent of all used clothing in the US winds up in landfills. Meanwhile, the particulates shed from washing polyester and other polymer-based fabrics already make up 20-and-35 percent of the oceans’ microplastics. Then there’s all the pesticides used in industrial cotton farming. And when it comes to animal leather production, the statistics are arguably just as bad. Basically, from an ecological standpoint, it costs a lot to dress fashionably.

Sustainable, microbial-based textile alternatives haven increasingly shown promise for greener manufacturing, especially the utilization of bacterial cellulose.

[Related: A new color-changing, shape-shifting fabric responds to heat and electricity.]

“Bacterial cellulose is inherently vegan, and its growth requires a tiny fraction of the carbon emissions, water, land use and time of farming cows for leather,” Tom Ellis, a bioengineering professor at Imperial College London and study lead author, said in a statement on Wednesday. “Unlike plastic-based leather alternatives, bacterial cellulose can also be made without petrochemicals, and will biodegrade safely and non-toxically in the environment.”

Unfortunately, synthetically dyeing products like vegan leather remains some of the most toxic stages within the fashion industry. By combining both the manufacturing and dyeing processes, researchers believe they can create even more environmentally friendly wearables.

To harness both capabilities, Ellis and his colleagues genetically modified bacteria commonly used in microbial cellulose to self-produce a black pigment known as eumelanin. Over a two-week period, the team then allowed their new material to grow over a “bespoke, shoe-shaped vessel.” Once completed, the leather-like cellulose was loaded into a machine that gently shook it for about 48-hours at roughly 86-degrees Fahrenheit, which stimulated the bacteria to begin darkening from the inside out. Finally, the material was attached to a pre-made sole to reveal… well, if not a “shoe,” then certainly a “shoe-shaped vessel.” Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course. But if the bulbous clogs aren’t your style, maybe the team’s other example—a simple bifold wallet—makes more sense for your daily outfit.

According to their study, the team notes they still want to cut down the cellulose’s water consumption even further, as well as engineering their bacterial cellulose to allow for additional colors, materials, and even patterns.

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What time is it on the moon?

Well, right now, that’s somewhat a matter of interpretation. But humanity is going to need to get a lot more specific if it intends to permanently set up shop there. In preparation, NASA is aligning its clocks in preparation for the upcoming Artemis missions. On Tuesday, the White House issued a memo directing the agency to establish a Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC), which will help guide humanity’s potentially permanent presence on the moon. Like the internationally recognized Universal Time Zone (UTC), LTC will lack time zones, as well as a Daylight Savings Time.

It’s not quite a time zone like those on Earth, but an entire frame of time reference for the moon. 

As Einstein famously noted, time is very much relative. Most timekeeping on Earth is tied to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which relies on an international array of atomic clocks designed to determine the most precise time possible. This works just fine in relation to our planet’s gravitational forces, but thanks to physics, things are observed differently elsewhere in space, including on the moon.

“Due to general and special relativity, the length of a second defined on Earth will appear distorted to an observer under different gravitational conditions, or to an observer moving at a high relative velocity,” Arati Prabhakar, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director at the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTB), explained in yesterday’s official memorandum. 

Because of this, an Earth-based clock seen by a lunar astronaut would appear to lose an average of 58.7 microseconds per Earth day, alongside various other periodic variational influences. This might not seem like much, but it would pose major issues for any future lunar spacecraft and satellites that necessitate extremely precise timekeeping, synchronization, and logistics.

[Related: How to photograph the eclipse, according to NASA.]

“A consistent definition of time among operators in space is critical to successful space situational awareness capabilities, navigation, and communications, all of which are foundational to enable interoperability across the U.S. government and with international partners,” Steve Welby, OTSP Deputy Director for National Security, said in Tuesday’s announcement.

NASA’s new task is about more than just literal timing—it’s symbolic, as well. Although the US aims to send the first humans back to the lunar surface since the 1970’s, it isn’t alone in the goal. As Reuters noted yesterday, China wants to put astronauts on the moon by 2030, while both Japan and India have successfully landed uncrewed spacecraft there in the past year. In moving forward to establish an international LTC, the US is making its lunar leadership plans known to everyone.

[Related: Why do all these countries want to go to the moon right now?]

But it’s going to take a lot of global discussions—and, yes, time—to solidify all the calculations needed to make LTC happen. In its memo, the White House acknowledged putting Coordinated Lunar Time into practice will need international agreements made with the help of “existing [timekeeping] standards bodies,” such as the United Nations International Telecommunications Union. They’ll also need to discuss matters with the 35 other countries who signed the Artemis Accords, a pact concerning international relations in space and on the moon. Things could also get tricky, given that Russia and China never agreed to those accords.

“Think of the atomic clocks at the US Naval Observatory. They’re the heartbeat of the nation, synchronizing everything,” Kevin Coggins, NASA’s space communications and navigation chief, told Reuters on Tuesday. “You’re going to want a heartbeat on the moon.”

NASA has until the end of 2026 to deliver its standardization plan to the White House. If all goes according to plan, there might be actual heartbeats on the moon by that point—the Artemis III crewed lunar mission is scheduled to launch “no earlier than September 2026.”

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Cars, especially fast cars, represent an experience that touches all the senses except taste (because biting down on metal is ill-advised). Every vehicle has a sound–even EVs–that identifies the type of powertrain propelling it. Once you’ve heard a Toyota hybrid system, it’s hard to mistake that sonorous tone for anything else. Honda hybrids have a similar sound but with their own inflection, like a Georgia native’s accent versus someone else’s twang in Texas.   

A supercharger has its own specific whine, especially inside muscle cars like a Dodge Challenger Hellcat. Hearing a Hellcat go by may send chills up your spine (as it does mine) as your brain recognizes the 717 to 800-plus horsepower at the ready. The noise itself isn’t the main attraction, though. Power is the big reason automakers use superchargers from the factory, and it’s the same goal for wrenchers who want to boost their engines’ capacity for horsepower.

Superchargers, like turbochargers, are air compressors that feed oxygen to the engine. As part of the intake stroke, a supercharger pulls and squeezes air into the engine to create that beastly whine. Mobil oil explains the differences between turbocharging and supercharging as such: “Turbochargers use the vehicle’s exhaust gas; two fans–a turbine fan and a compressor fan–rotate from exhaust gas. Conversely, superchargers are powered directly by the engine; a belt pulley drives gears that cause a compressor fan to rotate.”

To really blow your mind, know that a car can be turbocharged and supercharged at the same time. These twin-charged vehicles are rare, but they’re out there.

Supercharger types

Superchargers were invented back in the late 1800s; prolific German inventor Gottlieb Daimler received a patent for supercharging an internal combustion engine in 1885. Today, there are basically three types of superchargers: roots, twin-screw, and centrifugal.

The roots version, which uses two rotors to push high-volume air into the motor then compressed into the manifold, is the kind you might see poking out of a hood at a hot rod show. Twin-screw is an evolution of the Roots brothers’ design, using specific rotor shapes to compress air as the rotors turn. And centrifugal superchargers look like their turbocharger cousins, employing a compact, round shape. A centrifugal supercharger uses natural centrifugal energy (which moves away from the center) to force additional oxygen into an engine, increasing airflow to burn more fuel. As a result, the engine can crank out more power.

“Centrifugal superchargers by design tend to be more efficient than more conventional roots style superchargers,” Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Chairman Kyle Fickler told PopSci. As a family of drag-racing champions, Fickler, his daughter Danika, and his wife Debra are bona-fide speed and power experts. 

Fickler also works with ProCharger, which manufactures superchargers. The company advertises a 215-horsepower gain for a 6.4-liter engine with one of its centrifugal superchargers, or a 160-horsepower boost when working with a 5.7-liter Hemi. In essence, what the company is selling is the option to transform a lower-trim Dodge Challenger into a Hellcat for a lower price. A Challenger SRT Hellcat sticker price might top $80,000, so it’s cheaper to add a supercharger to a lower-priced model for about $7,000. For those comfortable tinkering with their engine setup, it may sound like a no brainer.

Not just for muscle cars

Sure, superchargers can boost speed, but that’s not their only function. A supercharger is a cost-effective and smart way to add power to a truck to improve towing and hauling capability as well. 

Ford figured that out with its F-150 Raptor R, which boasts a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine delivering 700 horsepower and 640 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s quick from the start, and it can also catch air while bolstered by high-end Fox shocks. The brand says it recalibrated the Raptor R’s supercharger, installing a new pulley to increase torque delivery at the low-end and mid-range and increase off-road power. It also augments the truck’s towing power up to 8,200 pounds. 

Boosting power isn’t out of the question for sedans, either, but they’re going electric. Genesis uses a 48-volt mild-hybrid paired with an electric supercharger in its sleek G90 sedan, as does Audi’s S7. In these cases, the supercharger allows the twin turbos to build turbo boost pressure, eliminating that pesky turbo lag that can delay acceleration. 

Whether you’re starting with a factory-installed supercharged engine or an aftermarket add-on, these compressors contribute a lot more than hot air. And the delicious sound of a whining supercharger is a bonus. 

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The world’s largest digital camera is officially ready to begin filming “the greatest movie of all time,” according to its makers. This morning, engineers and scientists at the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory announced the completion of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) Camera, a roughly 6,610-pound, car-sized tool designed to capture new information about the nature of dark matter and dark energy.

Following a two-decade construction process, the 3,200-megapixel LSST Camera will now travel to the Vera C. Rubin Observatory located 8,900-feet atop Chile’s Cerro Pachón. Once attached to the facility’s Simonyi Survey Telescope later this year, its dual five-foot and three-foot-wide lenses will aim skyward for a 10-year-long survey of the solar system, the Milky Way galaxy, and beyond.

Just how much detail can you get from a focal plane leveled to within a tenth the width of a human hair alongside 10-micron-wide pixels? Aaron Roodman, SLAC professor and Rubin Observatory Deputy Director and Camera Program Lead, likens its ability to capturing the details of a golf ball from 15-miles away “while covering a swath of the sky seven times wider than the full moon.” The resultant images will include billions of stars and galaxies, and with them, new insights into the universe’s structure.

[Related: JWST takes a jab at the mystery of the universe’s expansion rate.]

Among its many duties, the LSST Camera will search for evidence of weak gravitational lensing, which occurs when a gigantic galaxy’s gravitational mass bends light pathways from the galaxies behind it. Analyzing this data can offer researchers a better look at how mass is distributed throughout the universe, as well as how that distribution changed over time. In turn, this could help provide astronomers new ways to explore how dark energy influences the universe’s expansion.

To achieve these impressive goals, the LSST Camera needed to be much more than simply a scaled-up version of a point-and-shoot digital camera. While lenses like those within your smartphone often don’t include physical shutters, they are still usually found within SLR cameras. That said, their shutter speeds aren’t nearly as slow as the LSST Camera. 

“The [LSST] sensors are read out much more slowly and deliberately… ” Andy Rasmussen, SLAC staff physicist and LSST Camera Integration and Testing Scientist, tells PopSci. “… the shutter is open for 15 seconds (for the exposure) followed by 2 seconds to read (with shutter closed).” This snail’s pace allows LSST Camera operators to only deal with lower noise—only around 6 or 7 electrons—resulting in capturing much darker skies.

“We need quiet sensors so that we can tell that the dark sky is actually dark and also so that we can measure very dim objects in the sky,” Rasmussen continues. “During this 2 second readout period, we need to block any more light from entering the Camera, so that’s why we have a shutter (one of several mechanisms inside the Camera).”

To further ensure operators can capture the measurements of dim objects, they also ostensibly slow atomic activity near the LSST Camera’s focal point by lowering surrounding temperatures as low as -100C (173 Kelvin).

Beyond dark matter and dark energy research, cosmologists intend to use the LSST Camera to conduct a new, detailed census of the solar solar system. Researchers estimate new imagery could increase the number of known objects by a factor of 10, and thus provide additional insight into how the solar system formed, as well as keep track of any errant asteroids that may speed by Earth a little too close for comfort.

“More than ever before, expanding our understanding of fundamental physics requires looking farther out into the universe,” Kathy Turner, the Department of Energy’s Cosmic Frontier Program manager, said in today’s announcement. With LSST Camera’s installation, Turner believes researchers will be on the path to “answer some of the hardest, most important questions in physics today.”

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Each day an estimated 95 percent of the world’s data travels across the roughly 900,000 miles of submarine fiber optic cables criss-crossing the ocean floor. Modern life as we know it—from internet communications to video calls to streaming services—would look significantly different without this massive infrastructure. To keep up with the world’s insatiable data needs, construction could soon begin on a new cable located within a once-inaccessible environment.

Politico reports that a consortium of companies intends to move forward with the Far North Fiber project—a deep sea cable that would stretch over 9,000 miles through the Northwest Passage, connecting Europe to Japan, alongside additional landing sites in Alaska, Canada, Norway, Finland, and Ireland. Ironically, the potential endeavor is only possible due to one of the most pressing threats facing humanity.

As our digital lives travel along these submarine cables, they devour gigantic amounts of energy and further exacerbate climate change. The Arctic, for example, is currently warming almost four times faster than the rest of the planet, causing its sea ice to shrink by roughly 13 percent per decade. According to one Far North Fiber developer, however, all that terrifying environmental decimation creates a new business opportunity.

[Related: A 10-million-pound undersea cable just broke an internet speed record.]

The Arctic’s previously unthinkable thaws will present a “sweet spot where it’s now accessible and allows us a time window when we can get the cable safely installed,” Ik Icard, chief strategy officer at Far North Digital, told Politico.

Far North Fiber’s backers claim that, once constructed, their cable would also be better protected compared to similar lines elsewhere in the world. An estimated 100 to 150 lines are damaged every year globally, be it from accidental encounters with boat anchors and fishing equipment, or due to intentional sabotage.

The threat of sabotage is an increasing concern to the telecom companies overseeing deep sea cable systems. More than 90 percent of all Europe-Asia data traffic travels along cables within the Red Sea trading corridor. Thanks to a recent increase in the region’s geopolitical unrest and violence, cable lines face greater risk of damage. Just last month, three such lines were cut during ongoing Houthi rebel attacks on nearby shipping vessels.

Company representatives believe establishing a new route through the Northwest Passage could avoid similar issues in the future—at an estimated cost of €1 billion ($1.08 billion). That’s about four times the cost of laying a cable across the Atlantic Ocean, and around three times as much to do so in the Pacific. But despite the exponential price tag, the European Union has signaled its interest with a €23 million investment in Far North Fiber. The project’s developers also hope to convince the US and Canada to get involved. 

“Nobody wants to cut a cable under the ice, it’s really hard to do,” Far North Digital co-founder Ethan Berkowitz said.

A study published in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment estimates the Arctic could experience seasonally ice-free waters as soon as 2035—less than a decade removed from Far North Fiber’s proposed 2026 launch date.

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A team of scientists is attempting to grow a new liver inside of a human using lymph nodes. While this sounds like science fiction, Pittsburgh-based biotech company LyGenesis announced that a volunteer has received an injection of liver cells from a living donor that could turn one of their lymph nodes into a second and functioning liver.

The experimental procedure took place in Houston on March 25. It is part of a Phase 2a clinical trial that will test this treatment in 12 adults who have end-stage liver disease (ESLD). This illness occurs when the liver is damaged beyond repair, primarily due to chronic liver disease or acute liver failure. Over 50,000 Americans die of chronic liver disease every year. 

Patients with ESLD typically require a liver transplant, but roughly 10,000 people are currently on the waiting list in the United States alone. In 2021, a record of 9,234 liver transplants were performed in the US, according to the federal government’s Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. LyGensis hopes that this procedure will create the growth of enough liver tissue that patients won’t need a transplant. 

[Related: Swiss researchers kept a donor liver healthy for a remarkable 68 hours.]

“This therapy will potentially be a remarkable regenerative medicine milestone by helping patients with ESLD grow new functional ectopic livers in their own body,” LyGenesis co-founder and CEO Dr. Michael Hufford said in a statement. “If our study is successful and we obtain FDA approval, our allogeneic cell therapy could enable one donated liver to treat many dozens of ESLD patients, which could help to tilt the current organ supply-demand imbalance in favor of patients.”

The technique has been in the works for over a decade. It takes liver cells–or hepatocytes–from a donated organ and injects them into the lymph nodes that are found all over the body. In the lymph nodes, the liver cells will hopefully divide, grow, and develop blood vessels. It targets a group of lymph nodes in the abdomen that are connected to the liver via a system of veins.

According to MIT Technology Review, LyGenesis has tested their approach in mice and pigs, finding that the cells can flourish and form an additional liver that will take over the function of an animal’s failing organ. Chief scientific officer of LyGenesis and University of Pittsburgh pathologist Dr. Eric Lagasse published a study in 2020 that found the pigs regained their liver function following the injections. They also noted that the more severe the damage to the pig’s original liver, the bigger the second livers grew. The pig’s body may be able to recognize the more healthy tissue and give the new liver more responsibilities. 

In the trial procedure, the doctors threaded a thin flexible tube down the end of the patient’s throat through the digestive tract, according to Wired. They then used an ultrasound to identify one of the target lymph nodes and put 50 million hepatocytes into it.

[Related: Surgeons complete first-ever gene-edited pig kidney transplant.]

“LyGenesis’ cell therapy platform represents a truly remarkable potential commercial opportunity and may be transformative for chronic liver failure patients who do not have access to a donor liver,” LyGenesis investor Justin Briggs from Prime Movers Lab said in a statement. “Their use of an endoscopic ultrasound as a low risk and low cost route of cell therapy administration is another way this pioneering technology could provide patients with access to life-saving therapies and address complex medical challenges by upending transplant medicine.”

The results won’t be available for a few months and the team will be monitoring how many cells are required to grow a liver that is large enough to filter blood and produce bile. If it works, it could mean a major change for the treatment of liver disease, which affects roughly 4.5 million people in the United States. 

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Arachnids are born dancers. After millions of years of evolution, many species rely on fancy footwork to communicate everything from courtship rituals, to territorial disputes, to hunting strategies. Researchers usually observe these movements in lab settings using what are known as laser vibrometers. After aiming the tool’s light beam at a target, the vibrometer measures miniscule vibration frequencies and amplitudes emitted from the Doppler shift effect. Unfortunately, such systems’ cost and sensitivity often limit their field deployment.

To find a solution for this long-standing problem, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln PhD student recently combined an array of tiny, cheap contact microphones alongside a sound-processing machine learning program. Then, once packed up, he headed into the forests of north Mississippi to test out his new system.

Noori Choi’s results, recently published in Communications Biology, highlight a never-before-seen approach to collecting spiders’ extremely hard-to-detect movements across woodland substrates. Choi spent two sweltering summer months placing 25 microphones and pitfall traps across 1,000-square-foot sections of forest floor, then waited for the local wildlife to make its vibratory moves. In the end, Choi left the Magnolia State with 39,000 hours of data including over 17,000 series of vibrations.

[Related: Meet the first electric blue tarantula known to science.]

Not all those murmurings were the wolf spiders Choi wanted, of course. Forests are loud places filled with active insects, chatty birds, rustling tree branches, as well as the invasive sounds of human life like overhead plane engines. These sound waves are also absorbed into the ground as vibrations, and need to be sifted out from scientists’ arachnid targets.

“The vibroscape is a busier signaling space than we expected, because it includes both airborne and substrate-borne vibrations,” Choi said in a recent university profile.

In the past, this analysis process was a frustratingly tedious, manual endeavor that could severely limit research and dataset scopes. But instead of pouring over roughly 1,625 days’ worth of recordings, Choi designed a machine learning program capable of filtering out unwanted sounds while isolating the vibrations from three separate wolf spider species: Schizocosa stridulans, S. uetzi, and S. duplex.

Further analysis yielded fascinating new insights into arachnid behaviors, particularly an overlap of acoustic frequency, time, and signaling space between the S. stridulans and S. uetzi sibling species. Choi determined that both wolf spider variants usually restricted their signaling for when they were atop leaf litter, not pine debris. According to Choi, this implies that real estate is at a premium for the spiders.

“[They] may have limited options to choose from, because if they choose to signal in different places, on different substrates, they may just disrupt the whole communication and not achieve their goal, like attracting mates,” Choi, now a postdoctoral researcher at Germany’s Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, said on Monday.

What’s more, S. stridulans and S. uetzi appear to adapt their communication methods depending on how crowded they are at any given time, and who was crowding them. S. stridulans, for example, tended to lengthen their vibration-intense courtship dances when they detected nearby, same-species males. When they sensed nearby S. uetzi, however, they often varied their movements slightly to differentiate them from the other species, thus reducing potential courtship confusion.

In addition to opening up entirely new methods of observing arachnid behavior, Choi’s combination of contact microphones and machine learning analysis could also help others one day monitor an ecosystem’s overall health by keeping an ear on spider populations.

“Even though everyone agrees that arthropods are very important for ecosystem functioning… if they collapse, the whole community can collapse,” Choi said. “Nobody knows how to monitor changes in arthropods.”

Now, however, Choi’s new methodology could allow a non-invasive, accurate, and highly effective aid in staying atop spiders’ daily movements.

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This article was originally featured on The Conversation.

Solar cars exist. The best place to see them is the World Solar Challenge, a race that’s held every two years in Australia. Competitors have to drive about 1,870 miles (3,000 kilometers), from Darwin on the country’s north coast to Adelaide on its south coast, using only energy from the Sun.

Many cars that compete in this race look more like amusement park rides or science fiction vehicles than the cars you see on the road. That tells you something about why solar cars aren’t an option for everyday travel, at least not yet.

Collecting enough sunlight

While a lot of sunlight falls on Earth during the day, the light becomes scattered as it travels through the atmosphere, so the amount that hits any given surface is fairly low. Averaged out over a full year to remove the effects of different seasons, it’s about 342 watts per square meter, an area equivalent to about 10 square feet. That’s approximately enough power to run a standard refrigerator.

Car sizes vary a lot, but a full-size car in the U.S. is about 18 feet long and 6 feet wide, so it has about 100 to 110 square feet (9 to 10 square meters) of horizontal surface. That would collect roughly 3,420 watts–enough to run a refrigerator, a dishwasher and a microwave oven.

Large solar farms that send electricity to cities and towns compensate for the fact that sunlight is spread across such a large area by putting up millions of solar panels across thousands of acres. Some, mainly in desert areas, use fields of mirrors to concentrate the Sun’s energy. But a standard car doesn’t have enough surface area to collect a lot of solar energy.

Turning sunlight to energy

Another issue is that today’s solar panels aren’t very efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. Typically, their efficiency is around 20%, which means they convert about one-fifth of the solar energy that reaches them into electric current.

This means that 3,420 watts of solar power falling on an average car covered with solar panels would yield only about 684 watts that the car could use. In comparison, it takes about 20,000 watts for an electric vehicle to drive at 60 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour).

Vehicles that compete in the World Solar Challenge tend to be large and have designs that maximize their horizontal surface area. This helps them collect as much sunlight as possible. As a concept vehicle, that’s fine, but most models don’t have many windows, or space for anything except a driver.

Highlights from the 2023 World Solar Challenge show that solar cars are designed very differently from conventional models.

When the Sun doesn’t shine

Yet another challenge is that geographic locations, daylight hours and weather conditions all affect how much solar energy can be generated.

The Earth is tilted on its axis, so not all areas receive equal amounts of sunlight at any given time. When the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun, the upper part of the globe gets more Sun exposure and observes spring and summer, while the Southern Hemisphere is colder and darker. When the southern half of the planet tilts toward the Sun, areas on Earth’s southern half get more Sun and the upper half gets less.

Areas near the equator get consistent sunlight year-round, so zones closer to it–such as Southern California or the Sahara desert–have more intense solar power than places closer to Earth’s poles, such as Alaska.

Solar cars would also struggle to collect enough sunlight on overcast or rainy days. Even big utilities with huge solar farms have to plan for times when the Sun doesn’t shine.

And drivers need their cars to operate at night. In order for a solar car to run after dark, it would need to use extra energy that it collected during the day and stored in a battery. Solar panels and batteries increase the weight of the car, and heavier cars need more power to run.

Researchers are working to design solar cars that are more suitable for everyday use. For this to happen, designers will need to make solar panels more efficient at converting sunlight to energy and design solar panels that are more suitable for cars. It also will be critical to make solar systems for cars cheaper, so average buyers can afford them.

For now, the closest option to a solar car is an electric vehicle that’s charged at home or at a charging station. Depending on how that electricity is generated, some of the energy that flows into these cars is likely from solar panels, wind turbines, hydropower dams or other renewable sources. And that share will rise as states work to switch to clean energy over the next several decades. If you’re driving or riding in an electric car, you might be traveling on solar power right now.

The post Why aren’t there solar-powered cars on our roads? appeared first on Popular Science.

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Multiple brain-computer interface (BCI) devices can allow now users to do everything from control computer cursors, to translate neural activity into words, to convert handwriting into text. While one of the latest BCI examples appears to accomplish very similar tasks, it does so without the need for time-consuming, personalized calibration or high-stakes neurosurgery.

As recently detailed in a study published in PNAS Nexus, University of Texas Austin researchers have developed a wearable cap that allows a user to accomplish complex computer tasks through interpreting brain activity into actionable commands. But instead of needing to tailor each device to a specific user’s neural activity, an accompanying machine learning program offers a new, “one-size-fits-all” approach that dramatically reduces training time.

“Training a BCI subject customarily starts with an offline calibration session to collect data to build an individual decoder,” the team explains in their paper’s abstract. “Apart from being time-consuming, this initial decoder might be inefficient as subjects do not receive feedback that helps them to elicit proper [sensorimotor rhythms] during calibration.”

To solve for this, researchers developed a new machine learning program that identifies an individual’s specific needs and adjusts its repetition-based training as needed. Because of this interoperable self-calibration, trainees don’t need the researcher team’s guidance, or complex medical procedures to install an implant.

[Related: Neuralink shows first human patient using brain implant to play online chess.]

“When we think about this in a clinical setting, this technology will make it so we won’t need a specialized team to do this calibration process, which is long and tedious,” Satyam Kumar, a graduate student involved in the project, said in a recent statement. “It will be much faster to move from patient to patient.”

To prepare, all a user needs to do is don one of the extremely red, electrode-dotted devices resembling a swimmer’s cap. From there, the electrodes gather and transit neural activity to the researcher team’s newly created decoding software during training. Thanks to the program’s machine learning capabilities, developers avoided the time-intensive, personalized training usually required for other BCI tech to calibrate for each individual user.  

Over a five-day period, 18 test subjects effectively learned to mentally envision playing both a car racing game and a simpler bar-balancing program using the new training method. The decoder was so effective, in fact, that wearers could train on both the bar and racing games simultaneously, instead of one at a time. At the annual South by Southwest Conference last month, the UT Austin team took things a step further. During a demonstration, volunteers put on the wearable BCI, then learned to control a pair of hand and arm rehabilitation robots within just a few minutes.

So far, the team has only tested their BCI cap on subjects without motor impairments, but they plan to expand their decoder’s abilities to encompass users with disabilities.

“On the one hand, we want to translate the BCI to the clinical realm to help people with disabilities,” said José del R. Millán, study co-author and UT professor of electrical and computer engineering. “On the other, we need to improve our technology to make it easier to use so that the impact for these people with disabilities is stronger.” Millán’s team is also working to incorporate similar BCI technology into a wheelchair.

The post This cap is a big step towards universal, noninvasive brain-computer interfaces appeared first on Popular Science.

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In 2022, BMW revealed an SUV with color-changing “paint” as a concept, and it created a lot of buzz. The German automaker took its knowledge of electronic ink and ramped it up a notch last month with the i5 Flow Nostokana, an art car wrapped in multicolored, electronically controlled panels.

Distinguished South African artist Esther Mahlangu inspired the i5 Flow Nostokana with her Ndbele designs, typically found in South African provinces Limpopo and Mpumalanga. More than three decades ago, Mahlangu painted her art directly on an all-white 525i, and BMW engineer Stella Clarke never forgot how it looked. It inspired Clarke to put together color-changing panels with Mahlangu’s art for one unforgettable vehicle. 

Cars that change color

Electronic ink offers more than just the whiz-bang of rippling color changes on a car. Sure, the possibility exists for drivers to choose the color of the car’s exterior. However, it can also be used to display information on the exterior of the car (think tire pressure or battery levels, for example) or even as a location aid. Imagine, for instance, you can’t find your car in a crowded parking lot. With an app, you could signal the car to flash so you can find it, a better option than flashing the headlamps alone, especially if you’re not within range.

BMW’s Stella Clarke played a critical role in bringing e-ink technology to the automaker, leading the application of e-ink panels to an all-electric iX crossover. About a year ago, Clarke attached some e-ink panels to the outside of a car to showcase the technology internally, and BMW executives were “seriously excited,” she says. There were challenges to overcome, including making the inflexible e-ink-carrying polyethylene terephthalate (PET, as in plastic bottles) sheets wrap around complex curves.

The result was a special project called iX Flow, which was unveiled at the massive Consumer Electronics Show in 2022. Shimmering in white and black, the iX Flow showed how the exterior could change with the touch of a button. It’s easy to imagine the iX Flow in a sci-fi action movie, evading the bad guys by flipping the color.

1,349 e-ink panels, all with color-changing capabilities

Clarke studied mechatronics at the University of New South Wales, then went to Pennsylvania State University on a scholarship. She followed with a research doctorate (Telecontrol of Robots with Haptic Input Devices) at the Technical University of Munich. As reported by Australian Financial Review magazine, Clarke pulled apart her Kindle e-reader one day, and started to wonder if the same technology–e-ink–could be used in a car’s interior.

She received a grant from BMW to find out.

The first thing she noticed was that e-readers (like a Kindle) are rectangular, as are the e-ink panels. Adhering and shaping 1,349 sections of film to the curved surface of a car was challenging, Clarke says, requiring “origami” and laser cutting for a form fit. They don’t stretch, and they’re not malleable.

“It took us a long time to figure out how to get them flexible and [fastened] on the car,” she remembers.

Taiwan-based company E Ink, which provides the technology for its ePaper film, brings together the chemistry, physics, and electronics together using a process called electrophoresis. Each piece of electrophoretic film contains several million microcapsules that are the diameter of a human hair. Each capsule contains differently charged white, black, or colored particles that become visible when an electric field is applied. It’s like color-changing paper, Clarke says.

Each panel needs an electrical signal from a controller, which sends out the voltages that will lead to a certain color. The nice thing about the film panels is that they are bistable, Clarke explains; they require only about 20 watts, and don’t need additional energy to hold a color once the voltage is applied. 

BMW in-house makers 

Currently, all of the controllers that send the signals to the e-ink panels are built in-house by BMW, all custom work.

“We are a group of makers,” Clarke says. “It’s a dream. It’s such a cool project.”

The engineer can see color-changing cars going mainstream; the benefit of bistability is enough to warrant it going further, she says. And the team has learned a lot since the first e-ink project, which Clarke describes as “very much prototype-y.” Previously, they spent their time creating with less planning. For this 2024 project, Clarke estimates they allocated three full-time engineers who planned and discussed how to make it for about four months, and then spent two months putting it all together. 

It has been a revelation for Clarke, who is an engineer at heart and saw the intersection of engineering and art to create something unique and beautiful. Getting a major automaker to buy into a project that would eat up the time of its engineers could have been a tough sell, but Clarke saw the potential. 

“Getting innovation through is not always easy, and it’s often met with skepticism,” Clarke emphasized. “Don’t give up on your ideas.”

The post How BMW’s color-changing cars work appeared first on Popular Science.

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ENTER THE EXPRESS LANE		ExpressVPN		SEE IT	While not the pinnacle of speed, definitely the most full-featured service.
CONSISTENT SPEEDS		NordVPN		SEE IT	Strong all-around service with a good track record.
EASY-TO-NAVIGATE		IPVanish		SEE IT	Lower on features, but a top-class interface makes it most user- friendly.

You’re always online and you should be using a VPN. Sure, sometimes you’re on your work’s professionally managed network, but other times you’re at a coffee shop, using the Wi-Fi in an airport or hotel lobby, or even trying to return some emails while you wait in the doctor’s office. Getting more done in a day is admirable. Exposing more of your sensitive data in the process is not. Whether it’s because of malicious data packets or just unscrupulous marketing, joining an unknown network leaves you open to the unforeseen consequences of convenience. So the best way to protect your online communications is with a Virtual Private Network—a service that inserts a virtual connection between your device(s) and a public network and allows your data to funnel through servers that keep it secure. There are dozens if not hundreds of VPN providers out there offering to anonymize your online traffic, so we’ve collected recommendations on the best VPNs to make sure your business is only your business.

• Best overall: ExpressVPN
• Best for speed: Surfshark
• Best for reliability: NordVPN
• Best for ease of use: IPVanish
• Best for an upgradable free service: ProtonVPN
• Another great freemium VPN: Atlas VPN

How we selected the best VPN services

We gathered user testimonials from our staff and associates, their friends and family, and combed through specs and perspectives to bring you what we can confidently call a consensus on the best VPNs available. We’ve done the research so that you can know before downloading any VPN software or connecting to any VPN servers that you’re not exposing yourself rather than protecting yourself.

The best VPNs: Reviews & Recommendations 

The best VPNs will offer convenience and consistency, but that may come at a price. While it’s tempting to try to save a little dough, when it comes to VPNs, you usually get what you pay for. Here are our recommendations that are worth the subscription.

Best overall: ExpressVPN

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Why it made the cut: ExpressVPN has literally everything one could ask for in a VPN service, including no-log connections, private DNS, and an easy-to-use and attractive app for every major platform.

Specs

• Over 30,000 IP addresses
• Over 3,000 servers in 160 locations in 94 countries
• Simultaneous Connections on One Account: 5
• Home Country: British Virgin Islands
• Platforms: Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Router
• As low as $99 annually (with three additional free months when you buy the first year upfront)
• 30-day Money-Back Guarantee

Pros

• Tons of servers
• Reliable apps for every platform
• Great speed

Cons

• Expensive compared to competition

Our best recommendation goes to ExpressVPN, a service that has topped VPN best-of lists for the better part of the existence of VPNs. Located in the British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN has proven its privacy bonafides; Turkish authorities once seized some company servers, but they found absolutely no logs of activity on the servers, backing up ExpressVPNs’ promises to customers. The country base is massive, perhaps even larger than necessary. Express constantly is updating its servers to maintain high speeds, though recently overall speeds have dipped quite a bit (perhaps due to increased work-from-home traffic demands during 2020). ExpressVPN also boasts the best customer service of any VPN, with a dedicated 24-hour chat function built right into its apps. While $99 a year is among the highest prices for a VPN on the market, you absolutely get what you pay for with ExpressVPN (and you can even pay with Bitcoin, if you’re crypto-inclined.)

Best for speed: Surfshark

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Why it made the cut: When you want to make quick, creative, and precise mixes, Serato DJ Pro’s hardware-software response is up to the task.

Specs

• Number of IP addresses not provided
• Over 3,200 servers in 160 locations in 65 countries
• Simultaneous Connections on One Account: Unlimited
• Home Country: British Virgin Islands
• Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, browsers, Amazon Fire TV
• As low as $30 annually with a two-year plan

Pros

• Fastest speeds available
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• Competitive pricing

Cons

• Smaller network
• No direct router support

Surfshark is a good choice for a combination of price and speed. While the company’s server base is smaller both in number of servers and number of countries, there’s still a pretty good swath of the world that is covered. Surfshark has a couple of extra features to help make you even more private, including Camouflage Mode, which masks the fact that you’re even using a VPN from the internet service provider you’re on, and Multihop, which routes your data through several countries in order to occlude your location. However, there is no annual plan available with Surfshark. To get their best price, you have to commit for two years; if you want to get a shorter plan, you get much less of a deal.

Best for reliability: NordVPN

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Why it made the cut: A top name for years, Nord made a comeback after a security slip-up in 2019 with good, consistent speeds, broad support, and some extra security features for the most discerning user.

Specs

• Number of IP addresses not provided
• Over 5,200 servers in 62 locations
• Simultaneous Connections on One Account: 6
• Home Country: Panama
• Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, browsers, Android TV
• As low as $50 annually with a two-year plan

Pros

• Dedicated IP addresses
• Long-standing reputation in the market
• Consistent speeds

Cons

• Despite no actual breaches, it has had some security concerns

Let’s get the bad out of the way: NordVPN ended up on a lot of blacklists two years ago when it was discovered that they had an unauthorized server access issue in 2018. Many people were concerned, despite extensive audits showing no personally identifiable information was at risk, because Nord didn’t disclose this breach themselves. However, because no sensitive data seems to have been available in the intrusion, it does back up Nord’s assertion that it doesn’t keep logs of user activity. On to the good, then: Nord offers some extra features at a competitive price, including a dedicated IP address (good for employers setting up system access solely for trusted users) and the ability to VPN into a Tor browser to double-down on anonymity in web traffic. These features are less for the lay user and more for IT professionals or enthusiasts who can fiddle their settings and know what they are doing, so they may not be particularly appealing to some. Overall, NordVPN is a service that offers a good service at a good price, a jack of all trades that doesn’t quite top any particular category.

Best for ease of use: IPVanish

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Why it made the cut: IPVanish is the easiest VPN to use for beginners, mostly because its interface is inviting and uncluttered.

Specs

• Over 40,000 IP addresses
• Over 1,600 servers in over 75 countries
• Simultaneous Connections on One Account: Unlimited
• Home Country: United States
• Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, Chrome browser, router
• As low as $45 for the first year, and $90 annually thereafter

Pros

• Best user interface available
• Lots of support for multiple platforms

Cons

• US-based
• Lacks some features

IPVanish doesn’t quite kit out the features that its competition does, which makes it tough to recommend as our #1 VPN service. However, what the others on this list could learn from IPVanish is how to make the user experience more enjoyable and clear. IPVanish’s interface gives clear information in text and graphs—including speed measurements, data transfer amounts, visible location and IP, and other information that you often have to dig to find in the competition. For some, that’s enough to push IPVanish into pole position. Where it falters is the depth of options, especially if you want to use a VPN for business. There’s no option for a dedicated IP address, even at an additional fee. While many platforms are covered by IPVanish’s apps, there aren’t too many additional security features that IPVanish offers. The interface is simple and so, too, is the service in many ways. Additionally, IPVanish is based in the United States, which means that even with privacy measures in place on the data, the company itself might be forced by law to reveal some user information, while British Virgin Islands companies, for example, would not be. This US base may also limit IPVanish’s ability to unlock geolocked content.

Best for an upgradable free service: ProtonVPN

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Why it made the cut: Really strong across the board, despite having a small server base, ProtonVPN is very transparent and community-focused, with consistent data audits and an open-source approach. And there’s a free (though speed-restricted) option.

Specs

• Number of IP addresses not provided
• 1,326 servers in 55 countries
• Simultaneous Connections on One Account: Up to 10 (1 on free tier, 2 on basic tier)
• Home Country: Switzerland
• Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebook, Android TV
• As low as $80 annually on a two-year plan for all features

Pros

• Free tier
• Community-focused
• Transparent

Cons

• Expensive for its offerings

Remember how up top I said to avoid free VPN service? There’s one exception and that’s ProtonVPN’s admittedly extremely limited free tier. More a chance to test the service out than a long-term option, the free tier from this Swiss privacy provider offers users access to 23 servers in three countries on only one active connection, with a speed limit in place. There’s also a cheaper ($48 annually) “basic” tier with two simultaneous connections and 350+ servers in 40 countries. Proton, of course, promises no logging of your data, and the company’s transparency and community/journalist/activist information freedom focus backs up those claims. ProtonVPN is constantly doing data audits to prove the anonymity and security of its service. It also offers slightly more secure mobile apps than a lot of competitors.

Another great freemium VPN: Atlas VPN

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Why it made the cut: Atlas VPN unlocks many sites without logging your activities, offering a lot of security features for little (or no) cost.

Specs

• Number of IP addresses not provided
• Over 750 servers in 27 locations
• Simultaneous Connections on One Account: Unlimited
• Home Country: United States (Delaware)
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
• Three free locations with no speed limits and unlimited devices
• Premium plans low as $49.99 for three years, with a 30-day Money-Back Guarantee

Pros

• Robust no-logs policy
• 4K and P2P support
• Strong encryption

Cons

• Free tier has a data cap
• Fewer servers than other providers

Using the blazing WireGuard protocol (as well as the less speedy IKEv2), Atlas VPN offers fast for free. AES-256 encryption combines to make sure that whatever you’re using that speed for (whether that’s streaming, torrenting, or other) remains secure. Now part of Nord Security, the company is based in the United States (Delaware), which has possible law-enforcement implications not faced by other countries, but the company is transparent and stresses its no-logs policy. You don’t have to sign up for an account to use the free service, and information that can trace usage to you is kept to a bare minimum. SafeSwap helps change your IP regularly, and a kill switch blocks all internet if a connection becomes unprotected. Free accounts have limited locations and a daily data limit, plus some geoblocking limitations, but inexpensive plans drop those.

What to consider when picking the best VPN services

The main use of a VPN service is to create an encrypted data tunnel between you and the sites you visit while on public networks. The vast majority of Wi-Fi networks in public retail, transportation, etc.—even if they are password protected—are not particularly secure because increased authentication makes them very difficult to keep quickly accessible by customers while ensuring security. This means that someone on the same network can often easily see what activity you are engaging in, up to and including in worst-case scenarios seeing what passwords and personal data you may be entering in sites. A VPN creates a connection to a dedicated server that encrypts your communications before returning them to the network you’re using, shielding that data from prying eyes. It’s honestly a layer of security that everyone needs at this point. While being an internet user is inevitably going to mean trusting your data to someone else, the fewer people you trust it to, the better. Once you download, install, and connect through a trustworthy VPN, you’re minimizing your risk.

I work from home. Is a VPN useful?

Have you spent much time in the configuration panels of your service provider’s router? If so, congratulations, you’re a glutton for punishment, because those things are not easy to translate or navigate. Seeing as many folks don’t go to the painstaking steps of exploring the backend of computer hardware to maximize security, a personal VPN is a smart choice even at home. Especially as more and more people work from home, a VPN is an excellent way to ensure that sensitive data is treated as such. While a VPN isn’t terribly necessary if you’re just streaming entertainment (unless you want to change the location that services or websites see you as connecting from, for reasons we explain below), some work-from-home set-ups actually require a VPN when accessing an enterprise network.

Are VPNs safe to use?

Every access point provides just that: access. And with access comes risk. Because the VPNs grab your data before you send it, they do in some ways know what you’re doing even if the public network you’re connected to does not. Many free, no-name VPNs are essentially backdoors into your system and are more dangerous than simply using public networks without a VPN. Even the best free service isn’t running as a public service; they will be making money off your data in some way. However, the VPNs on our list are all regarded as reputable and secure, often using double-blind methods of encryption with no data storage, so that the information passing through their servers is unknowable to the VPN company itself.

What else can I do with a VPN?

In addition to encrypting your communications, a VPN can spoof the location of your computer, phone, or tablet, which means that you can appear to be a user from another country. This creates a grey area with many streaming and online services, where you can either access them from regions in which they’re not technically available or get around geolocked content in your region. For example, the Netflix library while logged in from a UK server may feature different content than the one while logged in from a US server. While this is a tempting reason to get a VPN for many, keep in mind that many of the streaming services don’t want users to have this ability and will ban IP addresses that they detect as being owned by VPNs or may restrict content to only that which is available in all regions. While there is very little evidence of it happening, the streaming companies even have the right to terminate your service if they detect you accessing their content in a manner that goes against the terms of service (which I’m sure, like all of us, you spent hours reading before you signed up to binge “Breaking Bad”). With all that in mind, use a VPN for Netflix, etc., at your own risk.

So, what should I look for in the best VPN?

In short, four things: privacy, reliability, speed, and versatility. Privacy means that the VPN connection is secure and the VPN service itself is not skimming or viewing your data. Reliability means their servers are available and functioning whenever they need to be used. Speed is tricky, as rerouting your data will always slow down your communications. For example, if you wanted to play online games while still connected to your VPN, a worse service may result in increased lag, while a good one will be less discernibly slower (though it will be slower than an unfiltered connection). Finally, versatility looks at the number and locations of servers, the types of devices the service can be used on, and the additional privacy tools that the service provides.

Some terms you need to know

Network security can get very technical very quickly. While we can’t go into the nitty-gritty, there are some basic terms that, once you’re familiar with, will help you make your decision. 

Internet Protocol, or IP, addresses are the identifiers for the location of your network. With a normal IP, your local router is often the determiner of your IP and will let websites and apps know where you are geographically. VPNs mask your IP by giving the IP address of their servers instead of your router, showing you as being located anywhere in the world you want to be. A dedicated IP address is one that doesn’t change every time you log in or use the service and is available only to trusted users. This is good for work security if your company needs you to log in from the same location every time you work remotely but you still want the peace of mind a secure VPN provides.

DNS is short for Domain Name System. DNS marks specific devices or subnetworks connected to an IP address. Every location on the Internet, including your local network connection, has an IP address. Typically, a named location (such as popsci.com) isn’t a “real” location on the internet. Instead, DNS is able to translate that text domain into an IP address, allowing access to that network or website through the alphabetic domain name. Some lesser (not recommended here) VPNs can leak DNS information even if they don’t leak IP information, which allows a partial identifier of your traffic. All the services here keep DNS information secret very effectively and some even offer an extra layer by having private DNS for individual accounts. 

A Tor browser is an extremely secure and anonymous web browser. While Tor browsers have a bad reputation in the media, in reality they’re just an extra layer of security and anonymity. They are modified versions of the open-source Mozilla browser that go through the Tor network before connecting to the larger web, creating another layer of security and network masking between you and the end connection. The function of the Tor network and a Tor browser is to make all users on their network look like the same user, shielding any personally identifiable information about your network or device. Some of the VPNs listed will allow you to VPN into the Tor network through a Tor browser so that your web traffic is doubly anonymized.

FAQs

The final word on selecting the best VPNs

• Best overall: ExpressVPN
• Best for speed: Surfshark
• Best for reliability: NordVPN
• Best for ease of use: IPVanish
• Best for an upgradable free service: ProtonVPN
• Another great freemium VPN: Atlas VPN

While ExpressVPN gets our highest recommendation, any of the above services are great options. A VPN is a necessary security precaution in today’s networked world and the bonus benefits are numerous. Spending $30 to $100 a year may seem like an unnecessary expense, but all it takes is one time that you should have had a VPN to make you wish you did. If you live a good portion of your life online—and let’s be honest, anyone reading this probably does—a VPN is a necessity, not a luxury.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

Related: Browsers with VPNs

The post The best VPNs for everyone on the Internet in 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

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A completely free email service offering 1 GB of storage, integrated search capabilities, and automatic message threading? Too good to be true.

At least, that’s what many people thought 20 years ago today, when Google announced Gmail’s debut. To be fair, it’s easy to see why some AP News readers wrote letters claiming the outlet’s reporters had unwittingly fallen for Google’s latest April Fool’s Day prank. Given the state of email in 2004, the prospect of roughly 250-500 times greater storage capability than the likes of Yahoo! Mail and Hotmail sounded far-fetched enough—offering all that for free felt absurd.  But there was something else even more absurd than Gmail’s technological capabilities.

It’s hard to imagine now, but there was a time when forking over all your data to a private company in exchange for its product wasn’t the default practice. Gmail marked a major shift in strategy (and ethics) for Google—in order to take advantage of all those free, novel webmail features, new users first consented to letting the company vacuum up all their communications and associated data. This lucrative information would then be utilized to offer personalized advertising alongside sponsored ads embedded in the margins of Gmail’s browser.

“Depending on your take, Gmail is either too good to be true, or it’s the height of corporate arrogance, especially coming from a company whose house motto is ‘Don’t Be Evil,’” Slate tech journalist Paul Boutin wrote on April 15, 2004.

The stipulations buried within Gmail’s terms of use quickly earned the ire of watchdogs. Within a week of its announcement (and subsequent confirmation that it wasn’t an April Fool’s prank), tech critics and privacy advocates published a co-signed open letter to Google’s co-founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, urging them to reconsider Gmail’s underlying principles.

“Scanning personal communications in the way Google is proposing is letting the proverbial genie out of the bottle,” they cautioned. “Today, Google wants to make a profit from selling ads. But tomorrow, another company may have completely different ideas about how to use such an infrastructure and the data it captures.”

But the worries didn’t phase Google. Gmail’s features were truly unheard-of for the time, and a yearslong, invite-only rollout continued to build hype while establishing it as an ultra-exclusive service. The buzz was so strong that some people shelled out as much as $250 on eBay for invite codes.

As Engadget noted earlier today, Google would continue its ad-centric email scans for more than a decade. Gmail opened to the general public on Valentine’s Day, 2007; by 2012, its over 425 million active users officially made it the world’s most popular email service–and one of the most desirable online data vaults.

It would take another five years before Google finally acquiesced to intensified criticism, agreeing to end its ad-based email scanning tactics in 2017. By then, however, the damage was done—trading “free” services for personal data is basically the norm for Big Tech companies like Meta and Amazon. Not only that, but Google still manages to find plenty of ways to harvest data across its many other services—including allowing third-party app developers to pony up for peeks into Gmail inboxes. And with 1.5 billion active accounts these days, that’s a lot of very profitable information to possess.

In the meantime, Google’s ongoing push to shove AI into its product suite has opened an entirely new chapter in its long-running online privacy debate—one that began two decades ago with Gmail’s reveal. Although it debuted on April 1, 2004, Gmail’s joke is still on us all these years later.

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A quick way to sum up the $350,000 Bentley Continental GT coupe is that it’s perception-warping. Sticker shock aside, it’s strange rolling around in something so big, luxurious, and supple, yet also has the ability to rip through a twisty road as capably as a sports car half its size. The Conti’s level of athleticism is not something you’d expect in something that weighs more than 5,000 lbs.

And yet, the warping doesn’t stop there. The new car market has made advanced driver assistance—like lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring—a commonplace for a few years. But recently, I experienced a whole other form of driver assistance offered in the Bentley Continental GT that I never had before: thermal imaging. And I found it truly fascinating. 

This technology paints what we see in an entirely different light, and was fun to test while cruising around the streets of Los Angeles in peak opulence. Here’s how the British automaker’s thermal imaging system works, what it’s like to use, and how it could affect our concept of safety (for better or for worse).

Night Vision: A fitting proper noun

Bentley calls its thermal imaging system Night Vision, which is fitting since thermal imaging is common in some forms of conventional night vision systems. Fun coincidence: Bentley calls my test car’s silver color Moonbeam.

Thermal imaging is, simply put, a camera with sensors that pick up infrared light, or heat, from the electromagnetic spectrum and turn it into an image. On the flipside, conventional cameras and the human eye create images from visible light. It’s not entirely new, and has been in high-end luxury cars, but this was my first thorough interaction with the technology.

The image broadcasted on Bentley’s 12.3-inch instrument cluster is monochromatic—sorry, no room for Predator references here. The brighter the white light, the hotter it is. The camera is mounted behind the front grille and presents a 24-degree view of what’s ahead, all the way to 300 meters (984 feet), which is over a city block. The Conti isn’t the only Volkswagen Auto Group product with thermal imaging–it’s also offered on other Bentleys, high-end Audis, and the Lamborghini Urus SUV. 

Since it’s thermal imaging, it doesn’t have to be nighttime to see what the camera’s picking up, and also goes a step further by highlighting pedestrians and cyclists that pass through its field of view. Though, the system didn’t pick up someone who wheeled past on a hoverboard scooter—which is either due to lacking a software update, or sharing its own opinion of such contraptions.

Wow, that’s a hot wall over there

As far as how it changed my perception, Night Vision did a number on the way I took in the world around me. It was cool to be behind a car with lots of bright light beneath it—indicating a hot exhaust system—but then change lanes and sit behind a Tesla that had barely any heat signature underneath it at all. Then, no matter the vehicle, it was cool to see traction at work in the form of brightly painted tires. It brought a new form of entertainment to sitting in excruciating traffic on California’s 110 freeway.

Another night, while on some local streets, I became fascinated with the most random things’ heat signatures. Different types of cars, houses, walls: It was a whole new world. While sitting at a stoplight in the neighborhood of Silver Lake, I said out loud, by myself, “Wow, that’s a hot wall over there.” The wall’s heat signature was significantly more pronounced than any other around it, possibly due to its color and the fact that it was facing west. Never thought I’d ever utter such a peculiar statement.

Then, while on a dark, desolate street in Beverly Hills where street lights were few and far between, the Bentley’s system highlighted a jogger far down the way who was nearly invisible to the naked eye, even with headlights illuminating the path ahead. Cool stuff for sure.

Truly helpful?

Despite my wonderment, I can’t help but wonder whether thermal imaging is truly helpful. There’s already a lot of tech in new cars that steals our gaze away from what lies ahead, like tapping screens to navigate through increasingly expansive infotainment systems. And because thermal imaging is so fascinating to use, you can’t help but look at it a bit longer than a quick glimpse to check your speed.

Still, it did come in handy: The fact that it highlights pedestrians and cyclists—which could be a quick glance down as opposed to a long stare—definitely makes up for its ability to be a gaze-stealer. And for anyone who parks one in their garage, the neatness would probably wear off after a while anyway. Even if they too happen to have a new-found curiosity for figuring out the reason behind random walls’ heat signatures.

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In the average American house, any download rate above roughly 242 Mbs is considered a solidly speedy broadband internet connection. That’s pretty decent, but across the Atlantic, researchers at UK’s Aston University recently managed to coax about 1.2 million times that rate using a single fiber optic cable—a new record for specific wavelength bands.

As spotted earlier today by Gizmodo, the international team achieved a data transfer rate of 301 terabits, or 301,000,000 megabits per second by accessing new wavelength bands normally unreachable in existing optical fibers—the tiny, hollow glass strands that carry data through beams of light. According to Aston University’s recent profile, you can think of these different wavelength bands as different colors of light shooting through a (largely) standard cable.

[Related: No, ‘10G internet’ is not a thing.]

Commercially available fiber cabling utilizes what are known as C- and L-bands to transmit data. By constructing a device called an optical processor, however, researchers could access the never-before-used E- and S-bands.

“Over the last few years Aston University has been developing optical amplifiers that operate in the E-band, which sits adjacent to the C-band in the electromagnetic spectrum but is about three times wider,” Ian Phillips, the optical processor’s creator, said in a statement. “Before the development of our device, no one had been able to properly emulate the E-band channels in a controlled way.”

But in terms of new tech, the processor was basically it for the team’s experiment. “Broadly speaking, data was sent via an optical fiber like a home or office internet connection,” Phillips added. 

What’s particularly impressive and promising about the team’s achievement is that they didn’t need new, high-tech fiber optic lines to reach such blindingly fast speeds. Most existing optical cables have always technically been capable of reaching E- and S-bands, but lacked the equipment infrastructure to do so. With further refinement and scaling, internet providers could ramp up standard speeds without overhauling current fiber optic infrastructures.

[Related: An inside look at how fiber optic glass is made.]

“[It] makes greater use of the existing deployed fiber network, increasing its capacity to carry data and prolonging its useful life & commercial value,” said Wladek Forysiak, a professor at the Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies. In doing so, Forsyiak believes their solution may also offer a much greener solution to the world’s rapidly increasing data demands.

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If you want your humanoid robot to realistically simulate facial expressions, it’s all about timing. And for the past five years, engineers at Columbia University’s Creative Machines Lab have been honing their robot’s reflexes down to the millisecond. Their results, detailed in a new study published in Science Robotics, are now available to see for yourself.

Meet Emo, the robot head capable of anticipating and mirroring human facial expressions, including smiles, within 840 milliseconds. But whether or not you’ll be left smiling at the end of the demonstration video remains to be seen.

AI is getting pretty good at mimicking human conversations—heavy emphasis on “mimicking.” But when it comes to visibly approximating emotions, their physical robots counterparts still have a lot of catching up to do. A machine misjudging when to smile isn’t just awkward–it draws attention to its artificiality. 

Human brains, in comparison, are incredibly adept at interpreting huge amounts of visual cues in real-time, and then responding accordingly with various facial movements. Apart from making it extremely difficult to teach AI-powered robots the nuances of expression, it’s also hard to build a mechanical face capable of realistic muscle movements that don’t veer into the uncanny.

[Related: Please think twice before letting AI scan your penis for STIs.]

Emo’s creators attempt to solve some of these issues, or at the very least, help narrow the gap between human and robot expressivity. To construct their new bot, a team led by AI and robotics expert Hod Lipson first designed a realistic robotic human head that includes 26 separate actuators to enable tiny facial expression features. Each of Emo’s pupils also contained high-resolution cameras to follow the eyes of its human conversation partner—another important, nonverbal visual cue for people. Finally, Lipson’s team layered a silicone “skin” over Emo’s mechanical parts to make it all a little less.. you know, creepy.

From there, researchers built two separate AI models to work in tandem—one to predict human expressions through a target face’s minuscule expressions, and another to quickly issue motor responses for a robot face. Using sample videos of human facial expressions, Emo’s AI then learned emotional intricacies frame-by-frame. Within just a few hours, Emo was capable of observing, interpreting, and responding to the little facial shifts people tend to make as they begin to smile. What’s more, it can now do so within about 840 milliseconds.

“I think predicting human facial expressions accurately is a revolution in [human-robot interactions,” Yuhang Hu, Columbia Engineering PhD student and study lead author, said earlier this week. “Traditionally, robots have not been designed to consider humans’ expressions during interactions. Now, the robot can integrate human facial expressions as feedback.”

Right now, Emo lacks any verbal interpretation skills, so it can only interact by analyzing human facial expressions. Lipson, Hu, and the rest of their collaborators hope to soon combine the physical abilities with a large language model system such as ChatGPT. If they can accomplish this, then Emo will be even closer to natural(ish) human interactions. Of course, there’s a lot more to relatability than smiles, smirks, and grins, which the scientists appear to be focusing on. (“The mimicking of expressions such as pouting or frowning should be approached with caution because these could potentially be misconstrued as mockery or convey unintended sentiments.”) However, at some point, the future robot overlords may need to know what to do with our grimaces and scowls.

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This article was originally featured on Hakai Magazine, an online publication about science and society in coastal ecosystems. Read more stories like this at hakaimagazine.com.

Human technology has long drawn inspiration from the natural world: The first airplanes were modeled after birds. The designer of Velcro was inspired by the irksome burrs he often had to pick off his dog. And in recent years, engineers eager to explore the world’s oceans have been taking cues from the creatures that do it best: fish.

Around the world, researchers developing robots that look and swim like fish say their aquatic automatons are cheaper, easier to use, and less disruptive to sea life than the remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) scientists use today. In a recent review of the technology’s advances, scientists claim only a few technical problems stand in the way of a robotic fish revolution.

Over the past few decades, engineers have designed prototype robotic fish for a variety of purposes. While some are built to carry out specific tasks—such as tricking other fish in a lab, simulating fish hydrodynamics, or gathering plastics from the ocean—the majority are designed to traverse the seas while collecting data. These robotic explorers are typically equipped with video cameras to document any life forms they encounter and sensors to measure depth, temperature, and acidity. Some of these machines—including a robotic catfish named Charlie, developed by the CIA—can even take and store water samples.

While modern ROVs can already do all these tasks and more, the review’s authors argue that robotic fish will be the tools of the future.

“The jobs done by existing [ROVs] can be done by robotic fish,” says Weicheng Cui, a marine engineer at Westlake University in China and a coauthor of the review. And “what cannot be done by existing ROVs may [also] be done by robotic fish.”

Since the invention of the first tethered ROV in 1953—a contraption named Poodle—scientists have increasingly relied on ROVs to help them reach parts of the ocean that are too deep or dangerous for scuba divers. ROVs can go to depths that divers can’t reach, spend a virtually unlimited amount of time there, and bring back specimens, both living and not, from their trips.

While ROVs have been a boon for science, most models are large and expensive. The ROVs used by scientific organizations, such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Schmidt Ocean Institute, and OceanX, can weigh nearly as much as a rhinoceros and cost millions of dollars. Such large, high-end ROVs also require a crane to deploy and must be tethered to a mother ship while in the water.

In contrast, robotic fish are battery-powered bots that typically weigh only a few kilograms and cost a couple thousand dollars. Although some have been designed to resemble real fish, robotic fish typically come in neutral colors and resemble their biological counterparts in shape only. Yet, according to Tsam Lung You, an engineer at the University of Bristol in England who was not involved in the review, even the most unrealistic robot fish are less disruptive to aquatic life than the average ROV.

Unlike most ROVs that use propellers to get around, robotic fish swim like the animals that inspired them. Flexing their tails back and forth, robotic fish glide through the water quietly and don’t seem to disturb the surrounding marine life—an advantage for researchers looking to study underwater organisms in their natural environments.

Because robotic fish are small and stealthy, scientists may be able to use them to observe sensitive species or venture into the nooks and crannies of coral reefs, lava tubes, and undersea caves. Although robotic fish are highly maneuverable, current models have one big downside: their range is very limited. With no mother ship to supply them with power and limited room to hold batteries, today’s robotic fish can only spend a few hours in the water at a time.

For robotic fish to make modern ROVs obsolete, they’ll need a key piece that’s currently missing: a docking station where they can autonomously recharge their batteries. Cui envisions a future where schools of small robotic fish work together to accomplish big tasks and take turns docking at underwater charging stations powered by a renewable energy source, like wave power.

“Instead of one [ROV], we can use many robotic fish,” Cui says. “This will greatly increase the efficiency of deep-sea operations.”

This potential future relies on the development of autonomous underwater charging stations, but Cui and his colleagues believe these can be built using existing technologies. The potential docking station’s core, he says, would likely be a wireless charging system. Cui says this fishy future could come to fruition in under a decade if the demand is great enough.

Still, getting scientists to trade in their ROVs for schools of robotic fish may be a tough sell, says Paul Clarkson, the director of husbandry operations at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California.

“For decades, we’ve benefited from using the remotely operated vehicles designed and operated by our research and technology partner, MBARI,” says Clarkson. “Their ROVs are an essential part of our work and research, and the capabilities they provide make them an irreplaceable tool.”

That said, he adds, “with the threats of climate change, habitat destruction, overfishing, and plastic pollution, we need to consider what advantages new innovations may offer in understanding our changing world.”

This article first appeared in Hakai Magazine and is republished here with permission.

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A website promising its AI service can accurately scan pictures of penises for signs of sexually transmitted infections is earning the ire of healthcare advocates and digital privacy experts, among many other critics. But while the internet (and Jimmy Fallon) have taken the makers of Calmara to task over the past week, it actually took two years to get here.

Where did the AI ‘intimacy bestie’ come from?

Back in 2022, the company HeHealth debuted itself as an online way to “get answers about your penis health in minutes.” To receive this information, the website uses a combination of questionnaires and what the company claims is a “65-96 percent accurate” AI screening tool allegedly trained on proprietary datasets to flag photographic evidence of various STIs, including genital warts, herpes eruptions, and syphilis. “Cancer” is also included in the list of scannable signs. If the results come back “positive”, HeHealth can then refer users to healthcare professionals for actual physical screenings, diagnoses, and treatment options. It’s largely flown under the radar since then, with only around 31,000 people reportedly using its allegedly anonymized, encrypted services over the last two years. And then came Calmara.

With a website overloaded with Gen Z-centric buzzwords, Calmara sells itself as women’s new “intimacy bestie,” offering to scan pictures of their potential sexual partners’ penises for indications of STIs. According to HeHealth CEO’s latest LinkedIn post, HeHealth and Calmara “are totally different products.” However, according to Calmara’s website, HeHealth’s owners are running Calmara, and it utilizes the same AI. Calmara also markets itself as (currently) free and “really in its element when focused on the D.”

In a March 19 reveal announcement, one “anonymous user” claimed Calmara is already “changing the conversation around sexual health.” Calmara certainly sparked a conversation over the last week—just not the one its makers likely intended.

A novelty app 

Both Calmara’s and HeHealth’s fine print concede their STI judgments “should not be used as substitutes for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or management of any disease or condition.” There’s an obvious reason why this is not actually a real medical diagnosis tool, despite its advertising. 

It doesn’t take an AI “so sharp you’d swear it aced its SATs” to remember that the majority of STIs are asymptomatic. In those cases, they definitely wouldn’t be visible in a photograph. What’s more, a preprint, typo-laden paper explaining Calmara’s AI indicates it was trained on an extremely limited image database that included “synthetic” photos of penises, i.e. computer-generated images. Meanwhile, determining its surprisingly accuracy is difficult to do—Calmara’s preprint paper says its AI is around 94.4-percent accurate, while the homepage says 95 percent. Scroll down a little further, and the FAQ section offers 65-to-90 percent reliability. Not a very encouraging approach to helping foster safe sex practices that would, presumably, require mutual, trustworthy statements about sexual health.

“On its face, the service is so misguided that it’s easy to dismiss it as satire,” sex and culture critic Ella Dawson wrote in a viral blog post last week. Calmara’s central conceit—that new intimate partners would be comfortable enough to snap genital photos for an AI service to “scan”—is hard to imagine actually playing out in real life. “… This is not how human beings interact with each other. This is not how to normalize conversations about sexual health. And this is not how to promote safer sex practices.”

No age verification

Given its specific targeting of younger demographics, Dawson told PopSci she believes “it’s easy to see how a minor could find Calmara in a moment of panic and use it to self-diagnose” which would constitute obvious legal issues, as well as ethical ones. For one, explicit images of minors could constitute sexual child abuse material, or CSAM. While Calmara expressly states its program shouldn’t be used by minors, it still lacks even the most basic of age verification protocols at the time of writing.  

“Calmara’s lack of any age verification, or even a checkbox asking users to confirm that they are eighteen years of age or older, is not just lazy, it’s irresponsible,” Dawson concludes.

Dubious privacy practices 

More to the point, simply slapping caveats across your “wellness” websites could amount to the “legal equivalent of magic pixie dust,” according to digital privacy expert Carey Lening’s rundown. While Calmara’s FAQ section is much vaguer on technical details, HeHealth’s FAQ page does state their services are HIPAA compliant because they utilize Amazon Web Services (AWS) “to collect, process, maintain, and store” data—which is technically true.

On its page dedicated to HIPAA regulations, AWS makes clear that there is no such thing as “HIPAA certification” for cloud service providers. Instead, AWS “aligns our HIPAA risk management program” to meet requirements “applicable to our operating model.” According to AWS, it utilizes “higher security standards that map to the HIPAA Security Rule” which enables “covered entities and their business associates” subject to HIPAA to use AWS for processing, maintaining, and storing protected health information. Basically, if you consent to use Calmara or HeHealth, you are consenting to AWS handling penis pictures—be them yours, or someone else’s.

[Related: A once-forgotten antibiotic could be a new weapon against drug-resistant infections.]

That said, Lening says Calmara’s makers may have failed to consider newer state laws, such as Washington’s My Health My Data Act, with its “extremely broad and expansive view of consumer health data” set to go into effect in late June. The first of its kind in the US, the My Health My Data Act is designed specifically to protect personal health data that may fall outside HIPAA qualifications. 

“In short, they didn’t do their legal due diligence,” Lening contends.

“What’s frustrating from the perspective of privacy advocates and practitioners is not that they were ‘embracing health innovation‘ and ‘making a difference‘, but rather that they took a characteristic ‘Move Fast, Break Things’ kind of approach to the problem,” she continues. “The simple fact is, the [online] outrage is entirely predictable, because the Calmara folks did not, in my opinion, adequately assess the risk of harm their app can cause.”

Keep Calmara and carry on

When asked about these issues directly, Calmara and HeHealth’s founders appeared nonplussed.

“Most of the criticism is based on wrong information and misinformation,” HeHealth CEO and Calmara co-founder Yudara Kularathne wrote to PopSci last Friday, pointing to an earlier LinkedIn statement about its privacy policies. Kularathne added that “concerns about potential for anonymized data to be re-identified” are being considered.

On Monday, Kularathne published another public LinkedIn post, claiming to be at work addressing, “Health data and Personally Identifiable Information (PHI) related issues,” “CSAM related issues,” “communication related issues,” and “synthetic data related issues.”

“We are addressing most of the concerns raised, and many changes have been implemented immediately,” Kularathne wrote.

When reached for additional details, Calmara CEO Mei-Ling Lu avoided addressing criticisms in email, and instead offered PopSci an audio file from “one of our female users” recounting how the nameless user and her partner employed HeHealth’s (and now Calmara’s) AI to help determine they had herpes.

“[W]hile they were about to start, she realized something ‘not right’ on her partner’s penis, but he said: ‘you know how much I sweat, this is heat bubbles,’” writes Lu. After noticing similar “heat bubbles… a few days later,” Stacy and her partner consulted HeHealth’s AI scanner, which flagged the uploaded photos and directed them to healthcare professionals who confirmed they both had herpes.

To be clear, medical organizations such as the Mayo Clinic freely offer concise, accurate information on herpes symptoms, which can include pain or itching alongside bumps or blisters around the genitals, anus or mouth, painful urination, and discharge from the urethra or vagina. Symptoms generally occur 2-12 days after infection, and although many people infected with the virus display either mild or no symptoms, they can still spread the disease to others. 

Meanwhile, Calmara’s glossy (NSFW) promotional, double entendre-laden video promises that it is “The PERFECT WEBSITE for HOOKING UP,” but no matter how many bananas are depicted, using AI to give penises a once-over doesn’t seem particularly reliable, enjoyable, or even natural.

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The United States’ most populous city could soon have scores of autonomous vehicles (AVs) jockeying their way through bustling streets but they will have to do so with a human sitting behind the wheel. After years of relatively subdued AV testing, New York City this week announced new safety requirements and permitting guidelines for companies looking to test their self-driving cars on public roads. NYC’s new guidelines signal a push toward more AV testing and, eventually, deployment while simultaneously putting in place various guardrails to try and avoid replicating recent missteps in other cities. 

How will AV testing work in the Big Apple?

AV companies approved for testing in New York will need to have a safety driver behind the wheel ready to take over at all times. This approach notably differs from cities like Phoenix, which have already let Alphabet-owned Waymo to test “rider only” trips on city streets. The NYC permit documentation does not mention any specific autonomous vehicle makers by name, but says only companies with past testing in other cities would be considered. Safety drivers will be required to have a driver’s license, complete background checks, prove they have adequate training in the vehicles they are testing, and take frequent breaks to avoid distraction or fatigue. 

Companies looking to test in the city will have to comply with all local traffic laws and pay any traffic or parking tickets the vehicle may incur. Permits will last for one year with the option for renewal at the end of the test period. Any company applying for a permit will also need to provide proof of at least $5 million in car insurance for any autonomous vehicles testing on NYC highways, as well as a $3 million in personal liability insurance. New York’s Department of Transportation, in a statement, says it will work with AV applicants to ensure testing “does not unduly impede traffic flow, pedestrian and cyclist movement, transit service, or emergency response.”

“We are doing our due diligence to get ahead of the AV revolution, and ensure that if AVs are coming, they do so within a framework that benefits New Yorkers, and creates training and good, upwardly mobile jobs in the autonomous industry,” NYC Deputy Mayor for Operation Meera Joshi said in a statement. “It’s been the story for too long that government can’t keep up with private enterprise. No longer.”

NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who made adoption of AI technology a priority during his administration, echoed that sense of inevitability. 

“This technology is coming whether we like it or not, so we’re going to make sure that we get it right,” Adams said in a statement. “If we do, our streets can be safer, and our air could be cleaner.” 

The new permitting process marks a pivot point for NYC. Up until now, AV testing hadn’t gained traction to the same degree as other large US cities like San Francisco and Phoenix. General Motors backed Cruise planned to test its vehicles in the city’s back in 2017 but eventually backtracked. Waymo, on the other hand, begun some testing in the city but has reportedly focused primarily on areas of upstate New York. 

Driverless vehicles will still have to overcome numerous roadblock for adoption in NYC 

Companies looking to commercialize AVs in NYC still face an uphill battle even with the city’s renewed interest in testing. New York’s mix of pedestrian-filled streets, unpredictable vehicle traffic, and sensor disrupting bright lights make it one of the most challenging environments for AVs to navigate successfully. Driverless vehicles have made notable improvements on highways but their effectiveness degrades as they enter more complex, densely populated urban areas. NYC’s DOT itself called the city the “country’s most challenging urban environment.”

Aside from technical challenges, AVs may also face pushback from labor groups and local drivers. The Teamsters previously spoke out against Waymo’s efforts to expand AV testing in the state, calling the technology a “direct threat to public safety.” Two organizations representing New York taxi-cab drivers previously called for legislation banning driverless cars outright in the city. Two third of drivers, recently surveyed by AAA Western and Central New York, meanwhile, said they were afraid of driverless vehicles. 

“There has been an increase in consumer fear over the past few years,” AAA Director of Automotive Engineering Research Greg Brannon said in a statement. “Given the numerous and well-publicized incidents involving current vehicle technologies–it’s not surprising that people are apprehensive about their safety.”

Still, supporters of the push for more autonomous vehicles like mayor Adams believe the technology could one day improve safety by cutting back on human error-induced accidents. Supporters hope large scale autonomous vehicle rollout, when paired with improved mass transit, could also potentially cut down on traffic. Electric powered AV robotaxis could also theoretically lead to less emissions than internal combustion alternatives, especially if they are used to transport more than one person at a time.

New York’s new AV approach comes amidst a thawing interest in driverless vehicles nationally. Multiple crashes and missteps by Cruise in California last year resulted in the company losing its ability to operate in the state. Local officials in Austin, once an early adopter in AV’s testing, are now questioning the safety of driverless cars. High profile accidents involving AVs are appearing to impact public perceptions of the vehicles. A study of US drivers conducted in 2023 by J.D. Power found driver trust in self-driving vehicles declined for the second year in a row.

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SLIM, Japan’s first successful lunar lander, isn’t going down without a fight. After making history—albeit upside down—in January, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon continues to surprise mission control at Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) by surviving not one, but now two brutally frigid lunar nights.

“Last night, we received a response from #SLIM, confirming that the spacecraft made it through the lunar night for the second time!” JAXA posted to X on Wednesday alongside a new image of its likely permanent, inverted vantage point near the Shioli crater. JAXA also noted that, because the sun is currently high above the lunar horizon, SLIM’s equipment is currently extremely hot (212-degrees Fahrenheit or so), so only the navigation camera can be used for the time being.

Last night, we received a response from #SLIM, confirming that the spacecraft made it through the lunar night for the second time! Since the sun was still high and the equipment was still hot, we only took some shots of the usual scenery with the navigation camera. #GoodAfterMoon pic.twitter.com/5BjIr7vxMG

— 小型月着陸実証機SLIM (@SLIM_JAXA) March 28, 2024

Based on their newly acquired data, however, it appears that some of the lander’s temperature sensors and unused battery cells are beginning to malfunction. Even so, JAXA says “the majority of functions that survived the first lunar night” are still going strong after yet another two-week stretch of darkness that sees temperatures drop to -208 Fahrenheit.

It’s been quite the multi-month journey for SLIM. After launching last September, SLIM eventually entered lunar orbit in early October, where it then spent weeks rotating around the moon’s surface. On January 19, JAXA initiated SLIM’s landing procedures, with early indications pointing towards a successful touchdown. After reviewing lander data, JAXA confirmed the spacecraft stuck the landing roughly 180-feet from an already extremely narrow 330-feet-wide target site—thus living up to SLIM’s “Moon Sniper” nickname.

[Related: SLIM lives! Japan’s upside-down lander is online after a brutal lunar night.]

The historic moment wasn’t a flawless mission, however. In the same update, JAXA explained that one of its lander’s main engines malfunctioned as it neared the surface, causing SLIM to tumble over, ostensibly on its head. In doing so, the craft’s solar panels now can’t work at their full potential, thus limiting battery life and making basic functions much more difficult for the lander.

JAXA still managed to make the most of its situation by using SLIM’s sensors to gather a ton of data on the surrounding lunar environment, as well as deploy a pair of tiny autonomous robots to survey the lunar landscape. On January 31, mission control released what it cautioned could very well be SLIM’s last postcard image from the moon ahead of an upcoming lunar night. The lander wasn’t designed for a lengthy life even in the best of circumstances, but its prospects appeared even dimmer given its accidental positioning.

Roughly two weeks later, however, SLIM proved it could endure in spite of the odds by booting back up and offering JAXA another opportunity to gather additional lunar information. A repeat of JAXA’s same warning came a few days later—and yet here things stand, with SLIM still chugging along. From the start, researchers have employed the lander’s multiple tools, including a Multi-Band Camera, to analyze the moon’s chemical composition, particularly the amounts of olivine, ““will help solve the mystery of the origin of the moon,” says JAXA.

At this point, it’s anyone’s guess how much longer the lander has in it. Perhaps it’s taking a cue from NASA’s only-recently-retired Mars Ingenuity rotocopter, which lasted around three years longer than intended.

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Researchers at Australia’s Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have combined brute force with high tech manufacturing to create a new silicon material for hospitals, laboratories and other potentially sensitive environments. And although it might look and feel like a flat, black mirror to humans, the thin layering actually functions as a thorny deathtrap for pathogens.

As recently detailed in the journal ACS Nano, the interdisciplinary team spent over two years developing the novel material, which is smooth to the human touch. At a microscopic level, however, the silicon surface is covered in “nanospikes” so small and sharp that they can impale individual cells. In lab tests, 96-percent of all hPIV-3 virus cells that came into contact with the material’s miniscule needles either tore apart, or came away so badly damaged that they couldn’t replicate and create their usual infections like pneumonia, croup, and bronchitis. With no external assistance, these eradication levels could be accomplished within six hours.

Interestingly, inspiration came not from vampire hunters, but from insects. Prior to designing the spiky silicon, researchers studied the structural composition of cicada and dragonfly wings, which have evolved to feature similarly sharp nanostructures capable of skewering fungal spores and bacterial cells. Viruses are far more microscopic than even bacteria, however, which meant effective spikes needed to be comparably smaller.

[Related: A once-forgotten antibiotic could be a new weapon against drug-resistant infections.]

To make such a virus-slaying surface, its designers subjected a silicon wafer to ionic bombardment using specialized equipment at the Melbourne Center for Nanofabrication. During this process, the team directed the ions to chip away at specific areas of the wafer, thus creating countless, 2-nanometer-thick, 290-nanometer tall spires. For perspective, a single spike is about 30,000 times thinner than a human hair.

Researchers believe their new silicon material could one day be applied atop commonly touched surfaces in often pathogenic-laden settings.

“Implementing this cutting-edge technology in high-risk environments like laboratories or healthcare facilities, where exposure to hazardous biological materials is a concern, could significantly bolster containment measures against infectious diseases,” Samson Mah, study first author and PhD researcher, said on Wednesday. “By doing so, we aim to create safer environments for researchers, healthcare professionals, and patients alike.”

By relying on the material’s simple, mechanical methods to effectively clean spaces (i.e., stabbing virus cells like they’re shish kabobs), the designers believe overall chemical disinfectant usage could also decrease—a major concern as society contends with the continued rise of increasingly resilient “superbugs.”

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In the game Stardew Valley, you clear fields overgrown with weeds. You smash stones and chop down trees. You till the soil. You plant and water crops. You harvest. You build new additions to the homestead. You care for animals. Day in and day out. Sure, these responsibilities are punctuated with the levity of fishing, town festivals, cave explorations, courtship, marriage, and raising a child, but this never-ending cycle of digital labor is the beating heart of Stardew Valley. While it certainly doesn’t compare to the difficulties of actual farming, the rote gameplay can still be very chore-like. So why do hundreds of thousands of people want to spend their real-world leisure time working?

Psychologist Jamie Madigan, writing for his website The Psychology of Gaming, believes it all comes down to personal choice. Actual work may be stressful, but imaginary work like the kind in Stardew Valley is much more satisfying, Dr. Madigan argues, because it removes “the worst of the uncertainty, helplessness, ambiguity, and consequences for failure that come with those real-world jobs” from the equation.

“Because they specifically can’t offer you a paycheck,” Dr. Madigan posits, “video games have to rely on the kinds of experiences that every employee longs for and every enlightened manager wishes she could provide: engagement and internal motivators. Why does a gamer slay that giant, radioactive scorpion? Why does he keep trying until he can beat his friend’s best time on a race track? Why does she keep mining materials so he can eventually upgrade her spaceship’s hyperdrive? Because he wants to. Because she has chosen to.”

Put simply, video games provide “clear goals, unambiguous feedback, winnable challenges, and predictable rewards.” When was the last time you got that kind of fulfillment from a 9-to-5?

First released in February 2016 by independent developer Eric Barone, this farm life simulator is currently enjoying a renaissance of sorts thanks to the March 20 launch of the long-awaited 1.6 patch–a series. The update includes a massive list of new opportunities ranging from major and game-changing (e.g. new events, mechanics, dialogue, etc.) to minor and silly (e.g. the ability to drink mayonnaise). Since the patch’s arrival last week, the record number of folks playing Stardew Valley on the game streaming platform Steam spiked at over 230,000, further entrenching Stardew Valley as one of the most popular farming games of all time. So what makes it so special?

Stardew Valley opens with you visiting your ailing grandfather as a child. After the old man says his goodbyes, he pulls you aside and hands you a wax-sealed envelope, but asks you not to open it yet.

“There will come a day when you feel crushed by the burden of modern life,” he says, “and your bright spirit will fade before a growing emptiness. When that happens, my dear, you’ll be ready for this gift.”

More than a decade later, your grandfather’s prophecy is fulfilled. You’re sitting in an office building, unhappy and confined to a monitored cubicle, when you finally reach for the mysterious envelope. Inside, you find the deed to your grandfather’s farm and one final message from the family patriarch encouraging you to follow in his footsteps. You immediately quit your job and set off to do just that, trading your life as an unimportant cog in the corporate machine for more peaceful, pastoral pursuits.

The therapeutic benefits of this fantasy bear out in direct feedback from consumers. During a study of Steam reviews published in October 2021, researchers at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada found substantial evidence of players extolling the benefits of Stardew Valley and other games like it with regards to relaxation and the management of mental health issues. Much like the main character moving to the country to escape the stressors of modern life, Stardew Valley reviews paint the picture of a userbase finding a reliable safety valve to blow off steam in its work-like gameplay loops.

“[Stardew Valley] allows the player a relatively large degree of freedom over what they build, or what path they take,” the paper reads, echoing Dr. Madigan’s observations on player choice. “Since there is no fixed solution for creative challenges, players can spend as much or as little time on optimizations as they choose. With the player focused on designing and developing their farm for a large number of in-game hours, players have many opportunities to become emotionally invested in their farm.”

The study further cites a report published in the Proceedings of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems in which several respondents interviewed by researchers from the University of York, UK and the University of Basel, Switzerland specifically named Stardew Valley as helping them cope with “considerable emotional turmoil.” These negative experiences included various mental health issues, family and relationship problems, bereavement, dysphoria, and job loss.

Escapism is a powerful thing. While detaching from the real world isn’t a permanent solution for a stressful situation, it’s clear video games can be a useful tool for those in search of positive feedback they aren’t getting elsewhere, especially if they’re already predisposed to gaming as a pastime. And while the popularity of Stardew Valley, as well as contemporaries Animal Crossing, House Flipper, and Farming Simulator, may appear on the surface like folks trading real chores for digital ones, the difference perhaps lies with the simple fact players are choosing to perform them rather than being forced through necessity. Combined, these two factors create a perfect storm of gratification that gives players both the ability to push the worries of life to the back of their minds for a few hours and feel accomplished for doing so at the same time.

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Somehow, someway, vinyl records keep defying the odds. Despite falling firmly behind compact disc sales for decades, the vintage physical music medium returned to the top spot in 2022 for the first time since 1987. Now, new numbers released by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) indicate that wasn’t just a random fluke—yet again, vinyl outsold CDs for a second year running in 2023. This time, however, LPs managed to widen the lead even more.

As noted by The Verge on Tuesday, US music fans purchased around 43 million vinyl records in 2023, about 6 million more than total CD sales last year. What’s more, LP and EP purchases actually increased year-to-year by nearly 3 million sales—for the record (sorry), “long playing” vinyl are generally 12-inch records containing full albums usually played at 33 1⁄3 RPM, while “extended play” records are usually shorter, 7-inch releases spinning at 45 RPM. At the same time, people simultaneously bought less CDs this year than in 2022. All told, records generated nearly double the profit of their successor format—about $1.4 billion versus $437 million.

For reference, here’s a list of last year’s bestselling vinyl releases:

Unsurprisingly, it was a lot of Taylor Swift. But what’s more impressive to consider is that new vinyl is usually much more expensive to manufacture than compact discs.

[Related: Vinyl is back. But until now, record-making has been stuck in the ’80s.]

After spending decades as listeners’ go-to physical music medium, vinyl records finally passed the torch over to CDs back in 1987. For the next 35 years, that dynamic remained the same, with CDs’ comparative portability, durability, and overall audio quality making them the preferred method of enjoying music.

Sorry record purists, but it’s science. While transferring sound waves’ electrical signals into etched grooves on vinyl can offer “lossless” audio, that’s only under perfect conditions. And, as any vinyl owner knows, keeping a record in “perfect” condition is no easy task. This means that it doesn’t take much, or long, for an LP’s quality to degrade at least somewhat during playbacks.

[Related: This DVD-sized disk can store a massive 125,000 gigabytes of data.]

Contrast that to CDs, which digitally encode audio files onto optical discs that are translated back into sound via laser scanning. This can also sometimes result in diminished sound quality, but it’s overall a more reliable and standardized way to play music. Also (and perhaps most importantly) it’s generally a bit less of a hassle to keep CDs in good shape than vinyl upkeep, not to mention easier to travel with them.

But given the pros and cons of both options, it’s always really come down to how and where people want to enjoy their music—but for the second year in a row, it’s clear audiophiles are buying more vinyl instead of their once-unequivocal heirs.

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The 2024 Maserati Grecale Folgore is the fulfillment of a pledge. When the luxury vehicle manufacturer introduced the Grecale crossover SUV two years ago, it promised a battery-electric version in the future.

The Grecale Folgore was worth the wait. No gas-powered model can match the silence and smoothness of the Grecale Folgore. The effortless power is delivered by its front and rear, which each contribute 279 horsepower for a total of 558 horsepower. 

This vaults the Folgore (Maserati applies this label to the EV versions of its cars) to 62 mph (100 kph) in 4.1 seconds, despite the car’s 5,456-lb. curb weight. Top speed is rated at 138 mph, which is obviously plenty, even if it doesn’t live up to Maserati’s legendary speed capability. Blame ‘70s rocker Joe Walsh for his “My Maserati does 185, I lost my license, now I don’t drive” lyric for the inflated expectations.

A need for (charging) speed

But the Grecale is speedy in a specification that is more relevant in the age of electric cars: charging. Its DC fast-charging speed is a conventional 150 kilowatts, which is supported by many public charging stations. This will bring the car’s 105-kW 400-volt battery pack from a 20 percent state of charge to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes.

The unexpected part is that the Grecale Folgore’s on-board charger–the one that handles AC current from your home wall box or from Level 2 AC public charging stations–can handle 22 kW, which is double the current level that most EVs top out at.

My own ChargePoint home charging station tops out at 9.6 kW. But Maserati will provide Grecale owners with a 22-kW box for their homes to support the vehicle. Users will need the box to deliver that much power from their home’s electrical system, which may require extra work by electricians. It will be worth the extra effort, as it should top off the battery in less than five hours–instead of the more typical nine hours. When you charge overnight, the difference won’t matter. But for mid-day top-offs between errands or carpool runs, it can ensure the Grecale preserves its driving range.

Maserati says that the SUV will go 310 miles on a charge. During a test drive in southern Italy, my test car’s computer predicted a driving range of 290 miles with a 96 percent charge, which is slightly less than the company’s rating. But the cool morning air can reduce range estimates as the car heats the cabin.

Testing different drive modes

That drive also revealed the Grecale to be comfortable and nimble, with lively, accurate steering and handling. This is a contrast to the Rivian R1S with its relentlessly harsh ride, even though the Maserati rolled on 21-inch wheels, nearly as large as the Rivian’s 22s. Large wheels contribute to a harsh ride because their low-profile tires have less rubber sidewall between the wheel and the road surface to absorb bumps.

Computer-controlled air suspension, which is optional on combustion-powered Grecales, is standard on the Folgore to help provide expected levels of ride and handling despite the mass of the battery pack weighing the car down. The suspension is controlled by Maserati’s Chassis Domain Control Module (CDCM), just like the one in Maserati’s MC20 super sports car. Maserati says that the system operates predictively, rather than reactively, to control movement in the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral axes.

That suspension bolts to a frame that is made of three large-scale aluminum castings rather than stamped sheets of steel. Tesla has pioneered this manufacturing approach, which eliminates hundreds of parts that must be connected together and replaces them with a handful of castings. The technique simplifies assembly and provides a rigid platform for the suspension (but we have yet to learn the implications for crash repairs in case of an accident).

The Grecale Folgore offers multiple selectable driving modes: Max Range, GT, Sport, and Off-Road. The Off-Road mode raises the vehicle on its suspension for added ground clearance. Maserati wisely skipped providing an off-road course for testing, which makes sense given that the car’s buyers can’t really be considering taking it off-roading with any regularity.

Instead, I focused on the on-road driving dynamics. I found that the Max Range, GT, and Sport modes each have different feelings, as they increasingly speed up the power delivery. That means the accelerator pedal gets touchier as you work up the range. Correspondingly, while holding the pedal still, you can see the Grecale’s energy consumption increase significantly when switching from Max Range to GT and then to Sport.

Unlike some vehicle accelerator pedals that seem to go limp and become unresponsive in the maximum range mode, the Grecale still drives like a Maserati, even in that least-sporty setting. 

Inside the recycled interior

The Grecale Folgore retains the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles of the combustion-powered models, but repurposes those paddles to let the driver adjust the levels of brake regeneration. Maserati’s engineers have done a good job calibrating the regeneration so that it feels natural and the switch-over to the friction brakes as the vehicle comes to a stop is not discernible.

The 12.3-inch center-mounted infotainment display supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there’s a wireless charging pad at the base of the dashboard. The virtual analog clock in the circular display at the top of the dashboard switches briefly to show a lightning bolt to confirm that your phone is charging.

In keeping with its green perspective, the Grecale Folgore uses recycled nylon for its upholstery. This fabric is Aquafil’s ECONYL, which is made using nylon recovered from recycled carpeting and fishing nets. Compared to other recycled plastics, nylon has the advantage of being able to be chemically recycled instead of mechanically recycled. 

This means that the recycled material is indistinguishable from nylon made from petroleum, according to Aquafil sustainability communications practitioner Martina Santoni. Because of this trait, nylon can be recycled repeatedly, in true circular economy fashion, she says. “Circularity is the only solution possible in every sector,” Santoni insists.

While the Folgore’s aims are green, the electric model’s signature color is a coppery matte hue called Rame Folgore, which is meant to evoke the copper used in the EV’s wiring. It has the appeal of being unique and interesting.

The same could be said for the Grecale Folgore itself. Driving a Maserati might not be every EV buyer’s preference, but those who do choose it will appreciate its classically Italian style combined with a modern focus on efficiency.

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Starting in early March, dozens of large, futuristic-looking white machines started slowly trolling through farmland in The Netherlands. At first glance, the machines look like a cross between a tractor and World War I-era track-based tank, albeit with a distinctly shiny sci-fi shimmer. The machines are actually fully autonomous, AI enabled agriculture robots tasked with spotting and eliminating diseased tulip bulbs ahead of the country’s iconic and financially significant Spring tulip bloom. The Dutch-made robot is just one of many new autonomous tools quickly making their way onto farms and ranches around the world. 

How does the robot spot infected tulips?

The tulip-spotting robot, designed by the Netherlands based company H2L Robotics, is officially called “Selector180.” Weighing in at roughly 2,600 pounds, the Selector uses GPS coordinates to autonomously drive through tulip fields and onboard cameras to take thousands of photos. An AI model then combs through those images looking for signs of potentially diseased bulbs which often are identifiable by distinctive red stripes on the bulb’s leaves. The Selector machine then picks out the diseased bulbs and separates them from the others to prevent the disease from spreading. H2L describes the machine as the “world’s first autonomous tulip selection robot.” A video below shows the Selector in action sorting through a row of bulbs.  

Speaking with PopSci, H2L Robotics Managing Director Erik de Jong said the Selector’s AI models were trained using the wisdoms of specialized tulip farmers, referred to in the industry as “sickness’s spotter” who previously performed the laborious inspections by hand. H2L would show these spotters images of firms and they would point out bulbs with signs of thes virus. Those observations in turn helped train the model powering the Selector. As more farmers participated, Selector’s ability to accurately spot the virus improved. The machine, dr Jong said, benefited from a “wisdom of crowds.” 

Machines like H2L’s will become increasingly important in the coming years, de Jong added, because now aging human sports are “basically becoming extinct.” 

“Typically these are old guys that have been doing it [spotting sick tulips] for decades,” de Jong said. “There just are not that many of them any more so it is becoming a real problem.” 

Around a million winter-weary tourists flock to the Netherlands every year to catch a glimpse of the colorful blooming tulips. The season begins in March and reaches peak bloom around the middle of April. If left unchecked, diseased tulip buds can lead to smaller and weaker bulbs. Eventually, it can even result in bulbs that are unable to flower at all.  

[Related: How John Deere’s tech evolved from 19th-century plows to AI and autonomy]

For Dutch farmers, tulips aren’t just pretty to look at either. They are a big business. The Netherlands is consistently the world’s leading exporter of tulips and reportedly exported €81.9 million (or $88.78 million USD) worth of flowers to countries outside of the European Union in 2022, according to The Brussels Times. Around 800 different varieties of tulips are planted and can bloom in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellow rows. The rows of colorful fields are massive and can even be observed from NASA satellites in space. 

H2L robotics was founded in 2019 and shipped its first robot to farmers in February 2021. Prior to the Selector’s introduction, virus identification was reportedly carried out by human “sickness spotters.” The robots, which reportedly cost around $200,000 each, can work long hours without rest and potentially cover more area faster than a human counterpart. As of writing, H2L has sold 62 Selector machines, 55 of which are currently operational. 

“We’ve always sold these machines with the promise that it will be approximately  the performance of a human,” de Jong said. “We’ve never tried to oversell it.”

AI tools are helping farmer increases harvest yields and explore sustainability 

Farmers and agricultural startups worldwide have been exploring computer vision and machine learning algorithms to improve harvests and lower costs long before generative AI tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E were household names. In addition to autonomous robots, large-scale farmers are increasingly leaning on a combination of drones, satellite imagery, and remote sensors to aid in detecting diseases or potentially dangerous chemicals. Elsewhere, farmers are using AI to comb through weather and other environmental data in an effort to promote more sustainable farming methods and optimize planting schedules. de Jong, from H2L Robotics, says systems similar to the Selector robot could one day be used to detect sickness or anomalies in other crops like potatoes or onions. 

But robots like the kinds deployed in Dutch tulip fields aren’t a silver bullet for all farmers, at least not yet. Autonomous technology and AI solutions require strong wireless internet connectivity and large databases of reliable trading data, both of which may be in short supply in developing countries. Even where wireless capabilities are available, some of the most appealing autonomous solutions like self-driving tractors require building up new infrastructure for charging which isn’t  easily retrofitted onto existing farm land. Certain fruits and vegetables are also too delicate to be harvested by any machines and still require labor intensive hand picking. And even when most of those barriers are overcome it may take time and more real-world data to truly understand whether or not the upfront cost of automation actually ends up being net profitable for farmers.

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It’s hard to think of anyone as excited about the upcoming North American total solar eclipse as NASA. From citizen research projects to hosted events within the path of totality, the agency is ready to make the most of next month’s cosmic event—and they want to help you enjoy it, too. Earlier this month, NASA offered a series of tips on how to safely and effectively photograph the eclipse come April 8. Certain precautions are a must, but with a little bit of planning, you should be able to capture some great images of the moon’s journey across the sun, as well as its effects on everything beneath it.

First and foremost is protection. Just as you wouldn’t stare directly at the eclipse with your own eyes, NASA recommends you place specialized filters in front of your camera or smartphone’s lens to avoid damage. The easiest way to do this is simply use an extra pair of eclipse viewing glasses, but there also are a number of products specifically designed for cameras. It’s important to also remember to remove the filter while the moon is completely in front of the sun—that way you’ll be able to snap pictures of the impressive coronal effects.

[Related: How to photograph solar eclipse: The only guide you need]

And while you’re welcome to use any super-fancy, standalone camera at your disposal, NASA reminds everyone that it’s not necessary to shell out a bunch of money ahead of time. Given how powerful most smartphone cameras are these days, you should be able to achieve some stunning photographs with what’s already in your pocket. That said, there are still some accessories that could make snapping pictures a bit easier, such as a tripod for stabilization.

Next: practice makes perfect, as they say. Even though you can’t simulate the eclipse ahead of time, you can still test DSLR and smartphone camera settings on the sun whenever it’s out and shining (with the proper vision protection, of course). For DSLR cameras, NASA recommends using a fixed aperture of f/8 to f/16, alongside shutter speeds somewhere between 1/1000 to one-fourth of a second. These variations can be used during the many stages of the partial eclipse as it heads into its totality. Once that happens, the corona’s brightness will vary greatly, “so it’s best to use a fixed aperture and a range of exposures from approximately 1/1000 to 1 second,” according to the agency. Most smartphone cameras offer similar fine-tuning, so experiment with those as needed, too.

[Related: NASA needs your smartphone during April’s solar eclipse.]

A few other things to keep in mind: Make sure you turn off the flash, and opt for a wide-angle or portrait framing. For smartphones during totality, be sure to lock the camera’s focus feature, as well as enable the burst mode to capture a bunch of potentially great images. Shooting in the RAW image format is a favorite for astrophotographers, so that’s an option for those who want to go above and beyond during the eclipse. While Google Pixel cameras can enable RAW files by themselves, most other smartphones will require a third-party app download to do so, such as Yamera and Halide.

But regardless of your camera (and/or app) choice, it’s not just the sun and moon you should be striving to capture. NASA makes a great point that eclipses affect everything beneath them, from the ambient light around you, to the “Wow” factor on the faces of nearby friends and family members. Be sure to grab some shots of what’s happening around you in addition to what’s going on above.
For more detailed info on your best eclipse photographic options, head over to NASA.

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Just last year, Italian supercar builder Lamborghini launched its first plug-in hybrid. The Reveulto’s system combines a new V12 gas-powered engine and three electric motors for an impressive 1,001 horsepower and more than 800 pound-feet of torque, claiming the title of “most powerful plug-in hybrid on the market.”

Now the brand is taking its hybrid experience to the motorsport circuit with the SC63 hypercar, an electrified race car that harnesses the power of a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 and pairs it with a 50-kilowatt Bosch electric motor. Lamborghini is no stranger to the motorsport circuit, enjoying 15 years of success with its Huracan GT3 race car, but 2024 is the first time it is entering the FIA World Endurance Championship and International Motor Sports Association prototype categories.

Historically, founder Ferruccio Lamborghini thought racing was a waste of time and money; he believed he didn’t need motorsports to prove his cars’ worth. It’s a different game today, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann told Car and Driver.

“The trends are changing, and there is a technical reason too,” Winklemann said. “We’re in the midst of transition from ICE to plug-in hybrid. Endurance racing gives us a chance to test materials.”

Plus, he said, seeing electrified systems in motorsports helps customers accustomed to V8 and V12 engines to accept electrified production cars.

A “cold V” and eight radiators

With the completion of the 12 Hours of Sebring Race earlier this month, the Raging Bull has added a big checkmark to its inaugural year of prototype racing. Aerodynamically focused and swoopy, the SC63 hints at its Lamborghini lineage but it doesn’t look like its road-going cars. Per racing rules, the car had to meet size requirements, but chief designer Mitja Borkert incorporated the brand’s unique Y-shaped taillights and an inlet inspired by the air intake of the legendary Countach model.

The V8 was developed specifically for racing by the Raging Bull with a “cold V” configuration, which means the turbos are mounted outside of the V shape of the block as opposed to the inside of the V, a hallmark of a “hot V” setup. This arrangement makes it easier for mechanics to access the turbos to service them, and it offers the additional benefit of facilitated cooling. By placing the turbos on the outside of the engine, the car has a lower mass and makes the most out of its center of gravity. Ultimately, that translates to optimal balance and consistent speed on the track both short and long term.

Managing thermal elements is key during the race, and the prototype features eight different radiators. That includes two intercoolers, which cool compressed air from the turbocharger before it enters the engine, along with radiators for the gearbox, the energy recovery system, energy storage system, and others. All in, the car was built for the worst-case heat scenarios (especially in hot, humid Florida) to be as thermally efficient as possible.

The drivers had a say, too. Lamborghini prototype driver Romain Grosjean has hybrid race experience in Formula 1 and consulted with the engineers to tune the LMDh system and the design of the steering wheel controls.   

The result: More work is needed, but it’s looking good

The SC63 didn’t win the race, but that wasn’t the goal for the supercar brand. Ultimately placing seventh, the Lamborghini race car finished intact, sharing data points and experience the brand will use for future races and even production cars.

“The [race car] is still very specific because it’s really super sophisticated,” Chief Technology Officer Rouven Mohr told Car and Driver. “But the newer damper technology, what we find today in a high-performance car, you have seen some years ago in the race cars: multi-way adjustability, friction optimization. This, by the way, is something that we learned also on the [race cars], to minimize every friction in your suspension. This is something that you can use for the street car, even if you are not carrying over the suspension itself.”

Grosjean says he is happy with the result, especially knowing that the Sebring 12 Hours is one of the toughest races out there due to the bumpy, uneven surface of the track. “It is a really positive step that we managed to finish the race and on the lead lap in P7,” Grosjean says. “There is still a lot that we need to work on, and I am excited for the future.”

Mohr shares his enthusiasm and agrees the brand can take its learnings from Sebring and apply them for improvements.

“I am delighted with the result of the #63; finishing seventh and on the same lap as the winner of the race is an incredible achievement,” Mohr says. “Of course, there are always things to do better, and we are aware that we need to close the gap to the front of the field, which is still quite far away at the moment.”

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For people dealing with spina bifida, paralysis, and various bladder diseases, determining when to take a bathroom break can be an issue. To help ease the frequent stress, researchers at Northwestern University have designed a sensor array that attaches to the bladder’s exterior wall, enabling it to detect its fullness in real time. Using embedded Bluetooth technology, the device then transmits its data to a smartphone app, allowing users to monitor their bodily functions without far less discomfort and guesswork.

The new tool, detailed in a study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), isn’t only meant to prevent incontinence issues. Lacking an ability to feel bladder fullness extends far beyond the obvious inconveniences—for millions of Americans dealing with bladder dysfunctions, not knowing when to go to the bathroom can cause additional organ damage such as regular infections and kidney damage. To combat these issues, the new medical device mirrors the bladder’s own elasticity. 

[Related: This drug-delivery soft robot may help solve medical implants’ scar tissue problem.]

“The key advance here is in the development of super soft, ultrathin, stretchable strain gauges that can gently wrap the outside surface of the bladder, without imposing any mechanical constraints on the natural filling and voiding behaviors,” John Rogers, study co-lead and professor of material sciences and biomedical engineering at Northwestern University, said in a statement.

As a bladder fills with urine, its expansion stretches out the sensor material, which in turn wirelessly sends data to a patient’s smartphone app. This also works as the organ contracts after urination, providing users with the real-time data throughout the day’s ebbs and flows. In small animal lab tests, the battery-free device could accurately monitor a bladder for 30 days, while the implant lasted in non-human primates as long as 8 weeks.

“Depending on the use case, we can design the technology to reside permanently inside the body or to harmlessly dissolve after the patient has made a full recovery,” regenerative engineer and study co-lead Guillermo Ameer said on Monday. 

Researchers believe their device could reduce the need for uncomfortable, infection-prone catheters, as well as limiting the use of more invasive, in-patient bladder monitoring procedures. But why stop there?

The team is also testing a separate, biodegradable “patch” using a patient’s own stem cells. Called a pro-regenerative scaffold (PRS), the new material also expands and contracts alongside the bladder’s movements while encouraging the growth of new organ cells. New tissue remains in place as the patch dissolves, allowing for faster, more effective healing possibilities. Researchers hope to one day combine their PRS work alongside their wireless monitoring sensors.

“This work brings us closer to the reality of smart regenerative systems, which are implantable pro-regenerative devices capable of probing their microenvironment, wirelessly reporting those findings outside the body… and enabling on-demand or programmed responses to change course and improve device performance or safety,” said Ameer.

For even more restored functionality, the team believes their sensors could eventually incorporate additional technology to stimulate urination on demand using the smartphone app. Taken as a whole, the trio of medical advances could one day offer a far less invasive, comfortable, and effective therapy for patients dealing with bladder issues. 

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It takes massive amounts of energy to power the data center brains of popular artificial intelligence models. That demand is only growing. In 2024, many of Silicon Valley’s largest tech giants and hoards of budding, well-funded startups have (very publically) aligned themselves with climate action–awash with PR about their sustainability goals, their carbon neutral pledges, and their promises to prioritize recycled materials. But as AI’s intensive energy demands become more apparent, it seems like many of those supposed green priorities could be jeopardized. 

A March International Energy Agency forecast estimates input-hungry AI models and cryptocurrency mining combined could cause data centers worldwide to double their energy use in just two years. Recent reports suggest tech leaders interested in staying relevant in the booming AI race may consider turning to old-fashioned, carbon-emitting energy sources to help meet that demand. 

AI models need more energy to power data centers 

Though precise figures measuring AI’s energy consumption remain a matter of debate, it’s increasingly clear complex data centers required to train and power those systems are energy-intensive. A recently released peer reviewed data analysis, energy demands from AI servers in 2027 could be on par with those of Argentina, the Netherlands, or Sweden combined. Production of new data centers isn’t slowing down either. Just last week, Washington Square Journal reports, Amazon Web Service Vice President of Engineering Bill Vass told an audience at an energy industry event in Texas he believes a new data center is being built every three days. Other energy industry leaders speaking at the event, like Former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, argued renewable energy production may fall short of what is  needed to power this projected data center growth. 

“We’re not going to build 100 gigawatts of new renewables in a few years,” Moniz said. The Obama-era energy secretary went on to say unmet energy demands brought on by AI, primarily via electricity, would require tapping into more natural gas and coal power plants. When it comes to meeting energy demands with renewables, he said, “you’re kind of stuck.” 

Others, like Dominion Energy CEO Robert Blue say the increased energy demand has led them to build out a new gas power plant while also trying to meet a 2050 net-zero goal. Other natural gas company executives speaking with the Journal, meanwhile claim tech firms building out data setters have expressed interest in using a natural gas energy source. 

Tech companies already have a checkered record on sustainability promises

A sudden reinterest in non-renewable energy sources to fuel an AI boom could contradict net zero carbon timelines and sustainability pledges made by major tech companies in recent years. Microsoft and Google, who are locked in a battle over quickly evolving generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, have both outlined plans to have net negative emissions in coming years. Apple, which reportedly shuttered its long-running car unit in order to devote resources towards AI, aims to become carbon neutral across its global supply chains by 2030. The Biden administration meanwhile has ambitiously pledged the US to have a carbon pollution free electricity sector by 2035.  

[ Related: Dozens of companies with ‘net-zero’ goals just got called out for greenwashing ]

Critics argue some of these climate pledges, particularly those heralded by large tech firms, may seem impressive on paper but have already fallen short in key areas. Multiple independent monitors in recent years have criticized large tech companies for allegedly failing to properly disclose their greenhouse gas emissions. Others have dinged tech firms for heavily basing their sustainability strategies around carbon offsets as opposed to potentially more effective solutions like reducing energy consumption. The alluring race for AI dominance risks stretching those already strained goals even further. 

AI boom has led to new data centers popping up around the US

Appetites for electricity are rising around the country. In Georgia, according to a recent Washington Post report, expected energy production within the state in the next ten years is 17 times larger than what it was recently. Northern Virginia, according to the same report, could require the energy equivalent of several nuclear power plants to meet the increased demand from planned data centers currently under construction. New data centers have popped up in both of those states in recent years. Lobbyists representing traditional coal and gas energy providers, the Post claims, are simultaneously urging government offices to delay retiring some fossil fuel plants in order to meet increasing energy demands. Data centers in the US alone were responsible for 4% of the county’s overall energy use in 2022 according to the IEA. That figure will only grow as more and more AI-focused facilities come online. 

At the same time, some of the AI industry’s-starkest proponents have argued these very same energy intensive models may prove instrumental in helping scale-up renewable energy sources and develop technologies to counteract the most destructive aspects of climate change. Previous reports argue powerful AI models could improve the efficiency of oils and gas facilities by improving underground mapping. AI simulation modes, similarly could help engineers develop optimal designs for wind or solar plants that could bring down their cost and increase their desirability as an energy source. Microsoft, who partners with OpenAI, is reportedly already using generative AI tools to try and streamline the regulatory approval process for nuclear reactors. Those future reactors, in theory, would then be used to generate the electricity needed to quench its AI models’ energy thirst. 

Fossil-fuel powered AI prioritizes long-term optimism over current day climate realities 

The problem with those more optimistic outlooks is that they remain, for the time being at least, mostly hypothetical and severely lacking in real-word data. AI models may increase the efficiency and affordability of renewable resources long term, but they risk doing so by pushing down on the accelerator of non-renewable resources right now. And with energy demands surging in other industries outside of tech at the same time, these optimistic longer-term outlooks could serve to justify splurging on natural gas and goal in the short term. Underpinning all of this is a worsening climate outlook that the overwhelming majority of climate scientists and international organizations agree demands radical action to reduce emissions as soon as possible. Renewable energy sources are on the rise in the US but tech firms looking for easier available sources of electricity to power their next AI projects risk setting back that progress. 

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The race to reboot commercial supersonic travel is well underway, and one company just took a major step forward. On Friday, Boom Supersonic announced the successful first flight of its XB-1, a prototype jet built to test the plane’s construction materials and aerodynamic designs meant for the company’s eventual full-size passenger aircraft, Overture.

XB-1 took off from Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, California on March 22—near the site where the Bell X-1 became the first plane to break the sound barrier in 1947. Boom’s test craft flew for about 12 minutes at a maximum altitude of 7,120 feet, achieving a top speed of 238 knots (273 mph) with 12,300-pounds of thrust in the process. 

Interestingly, XB-1 is powered by three GE J85-15 turbojet engines, which have been around for over 20 years. That means XB-1 is far slower than the roughly 741 mph required to achieve Mach 1, but that was never the goal for Friday’s takeoff. Instead, Boom’s engineers intended the flight to showcase technology such as the cockpit’s augmented reality vision system, as well as a frame almost entirely built using carbon fiber composite materials. The company is currently developing its sustainable engine fuel, 35,000-lb thrust Symphony jet engine meant for the final Overture plane.

[Related: This test plane could be a big step towards supersonic commercial flights.]

“I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding Boom in 2014, and it marks the most significant milestone yet on our path to bring supersonic travel to passengers worldwide,” Boom Supersonic founder and CEO Blake Scholl said on Friday.

It was a long road to this weekend’s milestone, however. Boom Supersonic first unveiled the XB-1 prototype back in late 2020, with an eye to begin test flights the following year. While that development phase was ultimately delayed until Friday’s event, such pushbacks are commonplace in the aviation industry, however, especially when attempting to revitalize supersonic travel.

[Related: All your burning questions about sustainable aviation fuel, answered.]

The nearly 63-foot-long XB-1 is just one-third the size of Overture, the company’s proposed commercial supersonic jet. If completed, Overture will zip 64-80 passengers around the world at speeds as fast as Mach 1.7 (about 1,260 mph), around twice the speed of current subsonic planes. That’s still a big “if,” of course, given that the public has only seen is a one-third scale model of the Symphony engine revealed last year at the Paris Air Show. And given the time it took to get XB-1 off the ground, Boom Supersonic’s proposed 2029 debut for the Overture seems a bit optimistic.

[Related: NASA plans to unveil experimental X-59 supersonic jet.]

Still, plenty of people seem pretty confident about Boom Supersonic’s chances of making the Overture a reality. The company reports it already has received 130 orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. It also previously received a $60 million influx of cash from a partnership with the US Air Force—a reminder of the military’s own interest in expanding supersonic air travel. 

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A team of miniature drones recently entered the radioactive ruins of one of Fukushima’s nuclear reactors in an attempt to help Japanese officials continue planning their decades’ long cleanup effort. But if the images released earlier this week didn’t fully underscore just how much work is still needed, new footage from the tiny robots’ excursion certainly highlights the many challenges ahead.

On Thursday, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO), the Japanese utility organization that oversees the Fukushima Daiichi plant reclamation project, revealed three-minutes of video recorded by a bread slice-sized flying drone alongside a snake-like bot that provided its light. Obtained during TEPCO’s two-day probe, the new clip offers viewers some of the best looks yet at what remains of portions of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility—specifically, the main structural support in its No. 1 reactor’s primary containment vessel.

🎥 Fukushima: Vídeo de drone mostra interior do reator da usina nuclear danificado em 2011 pic.twitter.com/xs6HIGBLyV

— UOL Notícias (@UOLNoticias) March 22, 2024

The Fukushima plant suffered a catastrophic meltdown on March 11, 2011, after a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off the Japanese coast produced a 130-foot-tall tsunami that subsequently bore down on the region. Of the three reactors damaged during the disaster, No. 1 is considered the most severely impacted. A total of 880 tons of molten radioactive fuel debris is believed to remain within those reactors, with No.1 believed to contain the largest amount. An estimated 160,000 people were evacuated from the surrounding areas, with only limited returns allowed the following year. Around 20,000 people are believed to have been killed during the tsunami itself.

Last week’s drone-gathered images and video show the remains of the No. 1 reactor’s control-rod drive mechanism, alongside other equipment attached to the core, which indicate the parts were dislodged during the meltdown. According to NHK World, “agglomerated or icicle-shaped objects” seen in certain areas could be nuclear fuel debris composed of “a mixture of molten nuclear fuel and surrounding devices.”

[Related: Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima waste water into the Pacific Ocean.]

Experts say only a fraction of the damage could be accessed by the drones due to logistical difficulties, and that the robots couldn’t reach the core bottom because of poor visibility. Similarly, radiation levels could not be ascertained during this mission, since the drones did not include instruments such as dosimeters so as to remain light enough to maneuver through the plant.

TEPCO now plans to analyze the drone data to better establish a plan of action to collect and remove the radioactive debris within Fukushima. In August 2023, officials began a multiphase project to release treated radioactive wastewater from the plant into the Pacific Ocean. While deemed safe by multiple agencies and watchdogs, the ongoing endeavor has received strong pushback from neighboring countries, including China.

The Japanese government and TEPCO have previously estimated cleanup will take 30-40 years, although critics believe the timeline to be extremely optimistic.

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