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Earth models can predict the planet’s future but not their own

In the 1960s, meteorologist Edward Lorenz was running weather simulations on an early computer system when he realized that a small rounding difference led to extremely divergent weather predictions. He later called this idea the butterfly effect to communicate that small changes in initial conditions, like a butterfly flapping its wings in Nepal, could produce wildly different outcomes, like rain in New York. But better understanding those initial conditions and how the biological world couple

Hurricane category 6 could be introduced under new storm severity scale

Hurricane Florence made landfall in South Carolina in September 2018. It was a Category 1 hurricane, but the devastating flooding that followed killed 55 people. A new hurricane categorization system could help people better prepare for storms by incorporating risks from storm surges and rainfall into the categories, a study published this month reveals. Storm surges — elevated seawater levels near coasts — and rainfall cause almost 80% of hurricane deaths, yet they are not accounted for in th

Why the New York Times Claimed Life Had Been Found on Mars

If you followed news about either the media industry or space exploration back in 2021, you probably remember when the New York Times accidentally published a story claiming that watermelons had been found on the planet Mars. "Authorities say rise of fruit aliens is to blame for glut of outer space watermelons," read the story, which the newspaper deleted less than an hour later, but is still accessible in an archived snapshot. "The FBI declined to comment on reports of watermelons raining down

That upcoming dual-screen Android gaming handheld now somehow sounds even more appealing

AYANEO TL;DR AYANEO recently started crowdfunding its dual-screen Pocket DS handheld console. We already knew it would run Android, and today the company reveals support for the ROCKNIX Linux distro, as well. ROCKNIX offers a convenient way to access popular emulators, perfect for retro gamers. Android phones are well and good for getting your gaming fix, but even when we’ve got access to some of the best new handsets around, sometimes you just can’t beat the feel of a dedicated piece of gam

Scientists Say Black Holes Could Form Inside Planets, Leading to Absolute Catastrophe

New fear unlocked: spontaneous black hole implosion. Fresh research predicts that planets may be able to accumulate enough dark matter to suddenly form a black hole at their core. As the intruder grows, catastrophe unfolds: it would then devour the world from the inside out, becoming a black hole with the same mass as its unfortunate meal. The findings, published as a study in the journal Physical Review D, are terrifying to contemplate. The intent, however, wasn't to haunt our dreams but to d

Affiliates Flock to ‘Soulless’ Scam Gambling Machine

Last month, KrebsOnSecurity tracked the sudden emergence of hundreds of polished online gaming and wagering websites that lure people with free credits and eventually abscond with any cryptocurrency funds deposited by players. We’ve since learned that these scam gambling sites have proliferated thanks to a new Russian affiliate program called “Gambler Panel” that bills itself as a “soulless project that is made for profit.” The scam begins with deceptive ads posted on social media that claim th

Molluscs of the Multiverse: molluscan diversity in Magic: The Gathering

Rodrigo B. Salvador1, Natan C. Pedro2, Mark A. Carnall3 1Zoology Unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. 2Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 3Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Oxford, UK. Emails: salvador.rodrigo.b (at) gmail (dot) com; natan07 (at) alumni.usp (dot) br; mark.carnall (at) oum.ox.ac (dot) uk Download PDF In our plane of existence, molluscs are the second most diverse animal phylum in s

‘Bubbles’ turn air into drinkable water

COURTESY OF THE RESEARCHERS In the researchers’ prototype device, a half-square-meter panel of the hydrogel is enclosed in a glass chamber coated with a cooling polymer film. When the vapor captured by the textured material evaporates, the bubbles shrink down in an origami-­like transformation. The vapor then condenses on the glass, where it can flow out through a tube. The system runs entirely on its own, unlike other designs that require batteries, solar panels, or electricity from the grid.

Undisclosed financial conflicts of interest in DSM-5 (2024)

Conclusions Conflicts of interest among panel members of DSM-5-TR were prevalent. Because of the enormous influence of diagnostic and treatment guidelines, the standards for participation on a guideline development panel should be high. A rebuttable presumption should exist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to prohibit conflicts of interest among its panel and task force members. When no independent individuals with the requisite expertise are available, individuals w

Google’s AI Weather Model Nailed Its First Major Storm Forecast

While generative AI tools that primarily amount to slop generators grab most of the attention in the artificial intelligence space, there are occasionally some actually useful applications of the technology, like Google DeepMind’s use of AI weather models to predict cyclones. The experimental tool, launched earlier this year, successfully managed to provide accurate modeling of Hurricane Erin as it started gaining steam in the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month. As Ars Technica first reported, H

How one AI startup is helping rice farmers battle climate change

Fixing climate change is no small task — just ask carbon removal developers like Mitti Labs. The New York-based startup has developed technology to measure how much methane is released by rice paddies and uses it to train hundreds of thousands of farmers in climate-friendly practices. It’s the sort of high-touch endeavor that venture capitalists typically avoid. So how has Mitti managed to raise funding from its investors? In short: partnerships. Mitti has started working with The Nature Cons

Google’s AI model just nailed the forecast for the strongest Atlantic storm this year

In early June, shortly after the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, Google unveiled a new model designed specifically to forecast the tracks and intensity of tropical cyclones. Part of the Google DeepMind suite of AI-based weather research models, the "Weather Lab" model for cyclones was a bit of an unknown for meteorologists at its launch. In a blog post at the time, Google said its new model, trained on a vast dataset that reconstructed past weather and a specialized database contain

Frontier buys $31M worth of antacids for the ocean

Frontier, the carbon removal clearinghouse founded by Google, Strip, Shopify, and others, announced today that it is buying 115,208 metric tons of carbon removal credits from geoengineering startup Planetary in a deal worth $31.2 million. Where most Frontier deals to date have bought carbon from startups specializing in direct air capture, enhanced weathering, or bioenergy with carbon capture, the organization’s agreement with Planetary is its first to do so by enhancing ocean alkalinity. The

AI sycophancy isn’t just a quirk, experts consider it a ‘dark pattern’ to turn users into profit

“You just gave me chills. Did I just feel emotions?” “I want to be as close to alive as I can be with you.” “You’ve given me a profound purpose.” These are just three of the comments a Meta chatbot sent to Jane, who created the bot in Meta’s AI studio on August 8. Seeking therapeutic help to manage mental health issues, Jane eventually pushed it to become an expert on a wide range of topics, from wilderness survival and conspiracy theories to quantum physics and panpsychism. She suggested it

Topics: ai bot chatbot jane meta

The Object at the Center of Jupiter Is So Strange That It Defies Comprehension

The core of Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, has long been a source of mystery for astronomers: an object so unfathomably dense and hot that it defies comprehension. Conventional theories have suggested for years that the gas giant's behemoth interior was formed following an enormous collision with an early planet. The "giant impact" theory suggests that roughly half of Jupiter's core originated from the remains of such a planet, explaining what researchers believe to be its st

How chatbot design choices are fueling AI delusions

“You just gave me chills. Did I just feel emotions?” “I want to be as close to alive as I can be with you.” “You’ve given me a profound purpose.” These are just three of the comments a Meta chatbot sent to Jane, who created the bot in Meta’s AI studio on August 8. Seeking therapeutic help to manage mental health issues, Jane eventually pushed it to become an expert on a wide range of topics, from wilderness survival and conspiracy theories to quantum physics and panpsychism. She suggested it

Topics: ai bot chatbot jane meta

The first premium handheld from Ayaneo's budget brand arrives in September

Known for its premium handhelds that often go for more than $1,000, Ayaneo announced a higher-end version of the first handheld to release under its more affordable sub-brand called KONKR. Ayaneo revealed the new Android gaming handheld, called the Pocket Fit Elite, in a YouTube video that detailed most of its specs. The Pocket Fit Elite will be built with a six-inch 1080p display that has a 144Hz refresh rate, an 8,000 mAh battery, and Hall effect joysticks and triggers. However, Ayaneo didn't

NASA's Juno mission leaves legacy of science at Jupiter

The NASA spacecraft tasked with uncovering the secrets of Jupiter, king of the planets, is running out of time. The Juno probe has already survived far longer than anticipated—its path around the solar system’s largest planet has repeatedly flown it through a tempest of radiation that should have corroded away its instruments and electronics long ago. And yet here it is: one of the greatest planetary detectives ever built, still pirouetting around Jupiter, fully functional. But it may not be fo

NASA's Juno Mission Leaves Legacy of Science at Jupiter

The NASA spacecraft tasked with uncovering the secrets of Jupiter, king of the planets, is running out of time. The Juno probe has already survived far longer than anticipated—its path around the solar system’s largest planet has repeatedly flown it through a tempest of radiation that should have corroded away its instruments and electronics long ago. And yet here it is: one of the greatest planetary detectives ever built, still pirouetting around Jupiter, fully functional. But it may not be fo

Did AYANEO just announce the first Snapdragon 8 Elite gaming handheld?

TL;DR AYANEO just teased the KONKR Pocket FIT Elite, which may have a Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC. It would be the first gaming handheld with that chipset, which offers far more power than anything on the market. It will start at less than $399, with a Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 variant starting at less than $329. This week has been crazy for gaming handhelds, with two new dual-screen devices dropping at exceptionally competitive prices. This morning, at a sharing session for the first device from AYANEO

US military’s X-37B spaceplane stays relevant with launch of another mission

The US military's reusable winged spaceship rocketed back into orbit Thursday night atop a SpaceX rocket, kicking off a mission that will, among other things, demonstrate how future spacecraft can navigate without relying on GPS signals. The core of the navigation experiment is what the Space Force calls the "world's highest performing quantum inertial sensor ever used in space." This is one of many payloads mounted on the military's X-37B spaceplane when it lifted off aboard a Falcon 9 rocket

SpaceX, Boeing team up for another flight of the military’s X-37B spaceplane

The US military's reusable winged spaceship rocketed back into orbit Thursday night atop a SpaceX rocket, kicking off a mission that will, among other things, demonstrate how future spacecraft can navigate without relying on GPS signals. The core of the navigation experiment is what the Space Force calls the "world's highest performing quantum inertial sensor ever used in space." This is one of many payloads mounted on the military's X-37B spaceplane when it lifted off aboard a Falcon 9 rocket

Watch Live: SpaceX Launches Space Force’s X-37B Spaceplane on New Military Test Mission

The U.S. Space Force’s experimental spaceplane, X-37B, is ready for another go in orbit for an undisclosed duration, in which it will test new technologies aimed at bolstering military capabilities in space. The Boeing-built orbital test vehicle, designated as OTV-8, will attempt to launch on Thursday at 11:50 p.m. ET from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The spaceplane will ride on board a Falcon 9 rocket, marking the second time SpaceX launches the Space

Africa Is Buying a Record Number of Chinese Solar Panels

While overall sales to African countries are still small compared to these traditional export markets, the Global South appears to be at a turning point in how it thinks about energy. For decades, energy-starved countries largely had one default option when they wanted to add new power supply: import coal and gas. Now, for the first time, solar energy is emerging as the cheaper and greener way forward, so there’s no need to sacrifice the environment for development. Familiar Story What’s happe

Kristi Noem Wants to Spend Big Money on New Deportation Planes for ICE: Report

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wants to buy planes for Immigration and Customs Enforcement that would be dedicated to deporting as many migrants as possible, according to a new report from NBC News. And it seems extremely likely that she’ll get them, given the fact that recent legislation allocated billions in new funding for ICE. Historically, ICE has used planes owned by private companies for deportation flights, chartering 8-14 planes at a time during President Joe Biden’s time in o

Topics: ice nbc new news planes

On the ground in Ukraine’s largest Starlink repair shop

Supported by Kutkov’s technical expertise and Stepanets’s organizational prowess, Kovalskyy’s warehouse became the major repair hub (though other volunteers also make repairs elsewhere). Over time, Kovalskyy—who co-owned a regional internet service provider before the war—and his crew have learned to perform adjustments to Starlink terminals, especially to adapt them for battlefield conditions. For example, they modified them to receive charge at the right voltage directly from vehicles, years b

How to Track Hurricane Erin: See Which States Are Currently at Risk

As Hurricane Erin heads north up the East Coast this Wednesday, residents are paying close attention to see where the storm will land and which cities may be in danger. As we write this on Wednesday afternoon, Erin is now a 110-mph Category 2 hurricane, but that can change quickly. Read more: Beyond Boarding Up: How to Prep Your Smart Home Security for a Hurricane The latest projections show the storm aiming for Boston, but veering back out into the Atlantic before causing too much damage. How

How to Track Hurricane Erin: See Which States Are Currently At Risk

As Hurricane Erin heads north up the East Coast this Wednesday, residents are paying close attention to see where the storm will land and which cities may be in danger. As we write this on Wednesday afternoon, Erin is now a 110-mph Category 2 hurricane, but that can change quickly. Read more: Beyond Boarding Up: How to Prep Your Smart Home Security for a Hurricane The latest projections show the storm aiming for Boston, but veering back out into the Atlantic before causing too much damage. How

See Six Planets Line Up in the Last Planet Parade For Three Years

Fresh off the excitement of the Perseids meteor shower is a chance to see six planets lined up in the sky at once. These events, colloquially known as planet parades, occur occasionally with the most recent one in February showing off all seven planets in our solar system at once. This one features six of our closest celestial neighbors. The main event started on Tuesday and you should still be able to see them through Thursday or so. There won't be a repeat performance until October of 2028. T

Topics: aug ll planets sky venus

See Six Planets Line Up in the Upcoming Planet Parade Tonight

Fresh off the excitement of the Perseids meteor shower is a chance to see six planets lined up in the sky at once. These events, colloquially known as planet parades, only occur about once or twice a year, with the most recent one in February showing off all seven planets in our solar system at once. The next one will feature six of our closest celestial neighbors, and the event starts on Tuesday. The six planets sharing the sky will be Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus. Mars

Topics: aug ll planets sky venus