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Plasma-based process could cut cement industry's carbon emissions

Researchers have developed a plasma technology approach aimed at reducing the heavy carbon footprint associated with cement production, one of the most emissions-intensive industrial sectors globally. The method targets the chemical and energy-intensive steps in making cement, offering a potential pathway to lower greenhouse gas output from an industry long considered difficult to decarbonize.

How ancient cultures engineered load-carrying before modern backpacks

A historical survey traces how societies across the world devised methods to transport heavy loads before synthetic materials and engineered frames existed, from Japanese furoshiki wrapping cloths to woven nets, bark slings and forehead straps. The piece follows furoshiki from its origins protecting temple objects in Nara-period Japan through its adaptation into a bathhouse and everyday carrying tool during the Edo period. It frames these systems as culturally specific engineering solutions shaped by terrain and daily needs.

NASA's Roman Space Telescope launches on SpaceX Falcon Heavy, ahead of schedule

NASA's $4.3 billion Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launched Sunday from Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, bound for a location four times farther than the Moon. The observatory carries a 300-megapixel camera built with a repurposed spy satellite mirror and offers a field of view 100 times wider than Hubble's. It is only the second NASA-led astrophysics flagship mission launched this century, after Webb in 2021, and notably arrived at the pad ahead of its own deadline.

Melissa Chiu departs Smithsonian's Hirshhorn to lead Guggenheim Museum

Melissa Chiu, who has led the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., is stepping down to become director of New York's Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. She announced the move in April, describing it as her long-sought career goal. In a recent conversation with Fast Company, Chiu discussed how museums can play a role during periods of social and political tension.

Instagram to reduce reach of AI persona accounts lacking new label

Instagram is rolling out a mandatory 'AI-generated profile' label for accounts that portray a fictional AI person as if it were a real human. Accounts that fail to add the label risk having their content's reach reduced, the company said. This replaces the previous optional 'AI creator' tag with a more specific designation aimed squarely at synthetic personas rather than all AI-assisted content.

Microsoft Exchange Online hit by outage disrupting email and authentication

Microsoft confirmed it is investigating a major Exchange Online disruption, tracked internally as EX1464935, after a flood of user reports began around 5:30 PM UTC. Tens of thousands of users reported problems sending and receiving emails, logging into accounts, and managing mailboxes through Outlook and admin tools, according to Downdetector data.

Circleback launches free tier as meeting note-taker competition heats up

Circleback, a Y Combinator-backed startup, is introducing a free subscription plan offering unlimited meeting transcription with 30-day history access, mobile and Apple Watch apps, and integrations with Linear and Slack. Previously the company had no free option, with paid plans starting at $20.83 monthly; those now start at $14 per month for full features. The move comes as rivals like Granola, Wispr, Calendly, Read AI, and Fireflies crowd the meeting note-taking market.

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