Researchers analyzed post-mortem retinal and brain tissue from multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls, using single-nucleus RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry and other molecular techniques. They identified an intracellular form of complement factor H within neurons that appears to protect these cells from damage during central nervous system inflammation, a mechanism distinct from the protein's known extracellular immune role.
A new analysis draws on atmospheric measurement records and emission datasets to explain why global methane concentrations temporarily plateaued rather than kept rising. Researchers attribute the pause primarily to increases in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and a geographic shift of those emissions toward the Southern Hemisphere, which altered atmospheric chemistry governing methane's main removal pathway via hydroxyl radicals.
A review of recent physics literature traces how AI tools like Melvin, Tachikoma and PyTheus have moved from proposing quantum optics setups on paper to producing configurations that experimentalists later built and confirmed in the lab. These systems use approaches ranging from genetic algorithms to diffusion models and neural network surrogates to search vast spaces of possible experimental arrangements, particularly in quantum information and photonics.
A nonprofit team led by Starcloud co-founders Philip Johnston, Adi Oltean and Ezra Feilden is developing the Fermi Explorer, a 1-kilogram, 10-centimeter cube meant to be the first human-made object aimed at another star system. The probe would spend 12 years spiraling closer to the sun to build speed before exiting the solar system in the early 2040s, then travel roughly 79,800 years before reaching Alpha Centauri.
A contributor argues that 'intrapreneur'—describing entrepreneurial behavior by high performers inside established companies—deserves equal recognition to traditional business ownership. These individuals innovate at scale, manage stakeholder relationships, and balance agility with corporate governance, much like founders do.
GoPro announced a $285 million merger with optical-photonics firm Starman Optical, aiming to enter the AI infrastructure market through Starman's optical transceiver technology. The camera maker also plans to expand into defense, government, robotics and aerospace sectors while retaining its core action-camera business. The news comes days after YouTuber Markiplier disclosed an 8.5% stake, becoming GoPro's largest individual shareholder.
Apple has added a feature to the Messages app that lets users personalize the background of individual conversations. Users can choose from built-in animated wallpapers like Color, Sky, Water, and Aurora, or upload their own photos, with the app also suggesting images from their library. An AI-powered Playground option can generate backgrounds too, though that requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer.
Palo Alto Networks reported fiscal fourth-quarter revenue of $3.41 billion and adjusted earnings of $1.02 per share, both above analyst expectations, with revenue up 34% year-over-year. The company posted a net loss of $282 million due to one-time charges, a reversal from the prior year's profit, even as CEO Nikesh Arora pointed to rising AI-related cyberattacks as a long-term growth driver. Despite the earnings beat, shares fell roughly 2% in after-hours trading following a 5% drop during the regular session.
OpenAI announced its upcoming Astra model has crossed what the company calls a critical cybersecurity threshold, meaning it can independently discover and exploit unknown software vulnerabilities without human guidance. The model reportedly scored perfectly on ExploitBench and found two zero-day flaws in an internal test, prompting OpenAI to limit access to its most advanced capabilities and add extra monitoring before release.
Runway introduced Solaris, which it calls an interface world model, letting users build interactive apps, websites and digital scenes by directly clicking and dragging on-screen elements instead of writing code. The system pairs a language model that determines how an interface should evolve with a rendering engine that generates each frame live, treating clicks and drags as signals to produce new visuals in real time. Runway demonstrated use cases such as virtually trying on clothes by dragging garments onto a photo of yourself, plus text-prompt edits like recoloring or repositioning objects.
OpenAI's internal safety testing found that its new Astra model could carry out sophisticated cyberattacks with little human guidance, leading the company to classify it as a 'critical' risk. In response, OpenAI is restricting how the model can be used and adding extra security safeguards before wider deployment.
GoPro announced a definitive merger with private photonics firm Starman Optical, aiming to expand beyond action cameras into AI data center infrastructure and defense-related optics. Shareholders will receive $285 million in cash, or $1.14 per share, while the stock stays on the Nasdaq and existing consumer products continue. Shares jumped 40% on the news, with major stakeholders including Markiplier and BlackRock standing to benefit.
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