The US Department of Homeland Security has published a proposed rule that would make universities pay up to $100,000 to let international graduates participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program letting foreign students work in the US for up to three years after graduation. DHS estimates the change could cut OPT enrollment by as much as 44% and cost universities $8.4–$16.5 billion annually; roughly 420,000 students used OPT in 2025–26.
A commentary in Nature highlights that menopause care across Arab countries is hampered by cultural taboos, limited physician training, and a thin evidence base. It cites a 2026 review of 22 Arab countries that found only 15 studies on hormone replacement therapy from seven nations, and notes that social media is gradually reducing stigma and spurring new specialist services.
The journal Science has published an Editorial Expression of Concern regarding a study that reported maternal gut bacteria promoted neurodevelopmental abnormalities in mouse offspring. The notice flags unspecified issues with the research while the matter is reviewed.
Nature has issued an author correction to a previously published paper describing how histone readers MLLT1 and MLLT3 concentrate AID to confer locus specificity. The notice itself provides no details on the nature of the correction, as the page displays only a generic access message without the corrected content.
The UAE announced the completion of its first domestically designed space probe on October 1, which will be integrated with the MBR Explorer spacecraft at the University of Colorado Boulder. Scheduled for launch in March 2028, the mission aims to study six asteroids, Venus, and Mars, with a focus on the asteroid Justicia, believed to contain ancient materials from the outer Solar System. This marks the UAE's second interplanetary project after the Hope Mars orbiter.
A Canadian startup, PermaC, has tested an insulating blanket made of woody materials and natural fibers on rapidly eroding permafrost in Canada's Northwest Territories. The method aims to prevent further thaw and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the soil. If successful, this approach could offer a new way to directly address permafrost-related emissions amid climate change.
Amazon's fall Prime Day sale is concluding at midnight PT, featuring significant discounts on Apple products including AirPods, Mac minis, MacBooks, and Apple Watches. Notable offers include AirPods Pro 3 at $179 and the M6 Mac mini at $150 off, alongside deals on accessories and other electronics. The sale also includes discounts on Beats headphones and Roborock robotic cleaners.
Starting Thursday, Google Maps will show petrol and diesel prices at UK fuel stations, sourced from the government’s Fuel Finder scheme. This addition aims to help drivers locate cheaper fuel options amid rising costs, with prices updated within 30 minutes of change as required by law. The feature is already available on Waze, while Apple Maps does not currently display fuel prices.
iFixit has rated the latest Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, along with AirPods 5, as difficult to repair, with scores of 4 and 2 out of 10 respectively. While the Apple Watch Series 12 shows slight improvements over previous models, battery replacement remains a significant challenge. The teardown highlights ongoing issues with repair accessibility and potential non-compliance with US right-to-repair laws.
Mecka AI has raised $60 million in a Series B funding round led by Sequoia, with investors including Nvidia and Microsoft’s M12. The company, founded in 2024, collects human motion data through sensors and smartphones to train robots, aiming to replicate the success of data-labeling firms for AI models. This funding highlights growing investor interest in data-driven approaches to robotics development.
The WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD has been discounted to $259.99, marking an 8% increase over its original launch price. This M.2 2230 drive is compatible with popular gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, providing a high-performance storage option amid ongoing shortages. Despite newer models emerging, the SN770M remains a cost-effective choice for expanding storage capacity in portable gaming devices.
Microsoft announced the release of the Surface Laptop Ultra, a 15-inch device equipped with Nvidia’s RTX Spark platform, available for preorder on October 7 and shipping from October 16. The laptop targets developers and creators needing high-performance hardware, with configurations ranging from $2,600 to $5,900 based on memory and storage options. It features a magnetic USB-C charging port and is designed for demanding AI and GPU-intensive tasks.
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