Number 344
A large number of articles. And I apologize for the ones with excessive amounts of jargon. But I guess in some cases it is difficult to avoid.
== yjc
Ronin the rat sets new landmine-sniffing record
Ronin, an African giant pouched rat, has uncovered 109 landmines and 15 items of unexploded ordnance since 2021.
AI model can predict lightning-induced wildfires with unprecedented accuracy
The new AI model can predict where and when lightning strikes are most likely to cause wildfires, achieving more than 90% accuracy.
Bonobos’ calls may be the closest thing to animal language we’ve seen
300 aspects of each call were cataloged, letting researchers estimate meaning.
== yjc
Trump’s new tariff math looks a lot like ChatGPT’s
ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, and Claude all recommend a similar calculation.
== I wouldn’t have expected this if I ever thought about it, which I haven’t
Wealthy Americans have death rates on par with poor Europeans
Some wealthy Europeans have death rates 35 percent lower than the richest Americans.
DeepMind has detailed all the ways AGI could wreck the world
DeepMind says AGI could arrive in 2030, and it has some ideas to keep us safe.
== paywall?
Air Conditioning, Not Data Centers, Driving Global Energy Demand Growth
According to a report from the International Energy Agency last year, data centers will make up less than 10% of the increase in energy demand between now and 2030, far less than the energy demand from space cooling (mostly air-conditioning).
== yjc, social media has absolutely no empathy or respect for others–my opinion
Influencers ’new’ threat to uncontacted tribes, warns group after US tourist arrest
The Sentinelese live on an island in the Indian Ocean, isolated from the outside world
== yjc
Tormenting Harris’s hawk is captured by Mr Harris
It is estimated that the bird of prey had swooped on at least 50 people since early March, drawing blood from several victims.
Climate crisis on track to destroy capitalism, warns top insurer
Action urgently needed to save the conditions under which markets – and civilisation itself – can operate, says senior Allianz figure.
Migrating flies vital for people and nature
Migrating flies play an unparalleled range of ecological roles—making them a major force in ecosystems and the economy,
Stonefish toxin tested against parasitic worms
To make matters worse, existing drugs are becoming increasingly ineffective against the worms.
AI model reveals how genetic similarity drives antibiotic resistance in bacteria
The new study shows that antibiotic resistance is more easily transmitted between genetically similar bacteria and mainly occurs in wastewater treatment plants and inside the human body.
Modern continental rocks carry chemical signatures from the very start of our planet’s history, challenging current theories about plate tectonics.
Study strengthens link between shingles vaccine and lower dementia risk
A study of Welsh residents indicates that receiving the shingles vaccine lowers the risk of developing dementia by about 20%.
Sensing sickness: Study supports new method for boosting bee health
A screening tool that tests colonies for hygienic behavior by mimicking the pheromones emitted by sick or dying bees.
Melodies of musical ‘starquakes’ shed new light on how our galaxy formed
This means we can predict when and at what frequency the plateau will occur during a star’s life cycle, enabling extremely precise age estimates for stars currently in their plateau phase.
End of limb bones were analyzed as they bear signatures of locomotory habit that can be statistically compared with modern mammals.
Neuroscientific model of near-death experiences finds consistent physiological pattern
Researchers found parallels between NDEs and psychedelic-induced states, particularly with substances like DMT and ketamine, which affect similar receptor systems.
== an oldie, but…
Is Time Travel Possible?
The laws of physics allow time travel. So why haven’t people become chronological hoppers?
Researchers search for more precise ways to measure pain
Scientists hope to identify biomarkers among the proteins, hormones and metabolites that have been linked to pain.
China unveils a powerful deep-sea cable cutter
Beijing now has the power to disrupt global communications after scientists revealed a device that can sever undersea cables.
Can brain activity reveal your political party while grocery shopping?
Interestingly, the purchases did not significantly differ by the adults’ political party. What differed by political affiliation, were the areas of the brain that were active during the purchases.
How physical forces shape plants from the inside out to generate their complex 3D shapes
Plants don’t just grow, they build. From towering trees to delicate flowers, complex plant shapes are sculpted with remarkable precision.
Genome sequences of five duckweed species reveal basis for unique plant traits
Food and fuel that farms itself.
Bio-based technology successfully recovers up to 95% of high-purity lithium from spent batteries
The breakthrough offers a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional recovery methods and could be expanded to reclaim other valuable battery metals, like cobalt.
The rivers that science says shouldn’t exist
Scientists spot rivers that are “hydrologic equivalent of a wormhole between two galaxies.”
Magnesium becomes a possible superconductor near the 2D limit
Scientists have shown that the phenomenon of quantum confinement can turn non-superconducting elements into superconductors.
Scientists merge two ‘impossible’ materials into new artificial structure
By building a unique, advanced machine, scientists have created a structure with quantum qualities.
Brain-to-voice neuroprosthesis restores naturalistic speech
Brain Interface Speaks Your Thoughts In Near Real-time
== yjc
MCP: the New ‘USB-C For AI’ That’s Bringing Fierce Rivals Together
Model context protocol standardizes how AI uses data sources, supported by OpenAI and Anthropic.
== more on the subject
Fungal diseases ‘growing increasingly resistant to treatment,’ WHO says
More people vulnerable to severe fungal infections.
Average Person Will Be 40% Poorer If World Warms By 4C
Experts say previous economic models underestimated impact of global heating – as well as likely ‘cascading supply chain disruptions’.
Study reveals tool use in tropical fish species
Scientists have debunked the belief that using tools is unique to mammals and birds.
== I used quite enjoy eating pomegranates, but that was before I grew a beard
Bioengineered red yeast turns wood waste into a valuable fatty acid
Derived mainly from the seed oil of pomegranate fruit, punicic acid offers healthy cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. However, with a very low seed-to-fruit ratio and oil yield, it’s currently not financially feasible to produce for large-scale use in the food industry.
New study validates lower limits of human heat tolerance
Utilizing a widely used technique known as thermal-step protocols 12 volunteers were exposed to various heat and humidity conditions to identify the point at which thermoregulation becomes impossible.
Let’s cut to the chase: How you prep your food matters
That prepwork can affect how the body digests food and what nutrients it absorbs.
the primary endpoint of death or disabling stroke occurred in 15.5% of those receiving Evolut TAVR and 16.4% of those undergoing SAVR.
== guess that rate of high Lp(a) is likely similar for most of the world
New drug may cut sudden heart risk by 94%
About 1 in 5 folks in the U.S. have high Lp(a) levels, which are linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. But few doctors test for it, so most folks don’t know they have it.
Deadly antibiotic-resistant superbug bacteria spreading in Malaysian hospital
The international research team also found that 97% of the bacterial samples carried plasmids—tiny DNA “toolkits”—that help spread antibiotic resistance.
High muscle strength can prevent type 2 diabetes regardless of genetic susceptibility
The study found that higher muscle strength was associated with over 40% lower risk of T2D, regardless of genetic susceptibility to T2D.
Obsidian artifacts unearthed in Alberta offer new clues on prehistoric trade routes
Tools of volcanic rock provide clues on how Indigenous peoples shared the landscape.
Ecosystem disrupted following the disappearance of great white sharks
he research spans more than two decades and documents cascading ecological disruptions, underscoring the crucial role apex predators play in maintaining ocean health.
Researchers discover new class of antibiotics
The last time a new class of antibiotics reached the market was nearly three decades ago.
== yjc
A New Cat Color Is Defying Genetic Expectations
From roots to tips, this fur tells a tale of evolutionary wonder.
== yjc, possibly the next language I may try to learn
How Rust Finally Got a Specification - Thanks to a Consultancy’s Open-Source Donation
However, there is an important piece of documentation missing that many other languages provide: an official language specification.
== US perspective, but expect it applies to most of the western world
Has the Decline of Knowledge Worker Jobs Begun?
The unemployment rate for college graduates has risen faster than for other workers over the past few years. How worried should they be?
Aptera Takes First 300-Mile Highway Trip in Solar-Powered EV
The SEV startup recently completed the PI build’s first-ever road trip, traveling over 300 miles using an all-electric battery and free energy from the Sun.
Scientists Create New Heavy-Metal Molecule: ‘Berkelocene’
New molecule could point the way to safe disposal of nuclear waste.
As the Arctic’s Winter Sea Ice Hits a New Record Low - What Happens Next?
An ominous signal about the effects of climate change in the world’s fastest-warming region.
== yjc
‘Feral, almost demonic’ sea creature attacks surfer in California: What caused it?
A longtime surfer and marine wildlife advocate was “left shaken” to his core after a relentless and horrifying encounter with a deranged sea creature in California.
Putting the brakes on bacterial mobility: A new approach to fighting disease
Spirochetes are thin, corkscrew-shaped bacteria that spiral through body tissues using a hidden propeller-like motor, protected by a membrane that shields it from the host’s immune system.
Symmetry between up and down quarks is more broken than expected
A strikingly large imbalance between charged and neutral kaons in argon–scandium collisions. He found that, instead of being produced in roughly equal numbers, charged kaons were produced 18.4% more often than neutral kaons.
The key molecule enabling these remarkable properties is tryptophan, an amino acid found in many proteins that absorbs ultraviolet light and re-emits it at a longer wavelength.
Many organisms, from bacteria to mammals, can go into a kind of “sleep mode,” known as dormancy, in order to survive periods of unfavorable environmental conditions.
Human retinal stem-like cells with potential to repair vision loss discovered
For decades, scientists have explored whether stem cells could be used to regenerate the retina, but the existence of true retinal stem cells in humans has remained uncertain.
Martian Dust May Pose Health Risk To Humans Exploring Red Planet, Study Finds
Expeditions may be more challenging than previously thought due to presence of toxic particles.
== yjc
Madison Square Garden Bans Fan After Surveillance System IDs Him as Critic of Its CEO
And he didn’t even wear the t-shirt to the venue.
Giant, Fungus-Like Organism May Be Completely Unknown Branch of Life
A bizarre ancient life-form, considered to be the first giant organism to live on land, may belong to a totally unknown branch of the tree of life.
New Image File Format Efficiently Stores Invisible Light Data
New Spectral JPEG XL compression reduces file sizes, making spectral imaging more practical.
DOGE To Rewrite SSA Codebase In ‘Months’
Social Security systems contain tens of millions of lines of code written in COBOL, an archaic programming language. Safely rewriting that code would take years—DOGE wants it done in months.
Social media suggests seed oils — like canola — are bad for you
New research finds that they could reduce risk of an early death.
Now you can say that I've grown bitter but of this you may be sure
The rich have got their channels in the bedrooms of the poor
And there's a mighty judgment coming, but I may be wrong