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Researchers have managed to culture Asgard archaea, elusive microbes first identified from deep-sea sediment DNA in 2015, allowing direct study beyond genetic sequencing alone. One such culture, dubbed 'Skadi,' was recently transported across the US by a scientist determined to keep it alive and stable for continued research.
OpenAI announced it had solved part of the Navier–Stokes Millennium Prize Problem using an AI system, but the announcement via press release drew criticism for lacking transparency about verification and prior human contributions. Hours earlier, mathematicians Tristan Buckmaster and Levent Alpöge said they had reached a partial solution using AI tools from both OpenAI and Anthropic, raising questions about who deserves credit for the breakthrough.
Scientists at the Salk Institute and collaborators combined multiple detection techniques to identify over 4,300 previously unrecognized 'microproteins' in postmortem brain tissue from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, comparing samples from people with and without Alzheimer's disease. Dozens of these tiny proteins, each under 150 amino acids, showed altered levels in Alzheimer's patients, and the findings were published in Nature Aging on September 14.
Internal records from a Chinese hacking contractor show the company deploying AI tools to sort and summarize documents stolen from foreign governments, including Russia and Pakistan, making the material easier for security services to use. The materials indicate AI was integrated directly into the workflow of state-linked cyber-espionage operations rather than just conventional hacking techniques.
Electric vehicle owners can charge at home either through a standard household outlet or by installing a faster Level 2 charger. The choice depends on factors like battery size, the car's maximum AC charging speed, and daily driving distance, rather than a need to always charge to full like a phone. Home charging remains far cheaper than gasoline, roughly a third of the cost, even before factoring in a Level 2 upgrade.
India's Central Consumer Protection Authority has sent its investigation into the 2024 iOS 18 update to a specialized probe unit, examining claims that the update caused screen discoloration and microphone faults on iPhones, leaving owners to pay for repairs since software isn't covered under warranty. Apple denies wrongdoing, calling the 75 complaints insufficient to prove a systemic flaw and arguing it shouldn't be treated as an insurer for all software-related risk.
South Korean universities including Sogang, SKKU, Korea University and Hanyang University have launched 'contract departments' co-created with SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, blending semiconductor and AI coursework with direct hiring pathways. Students in these programs, such as Sogang's System Semiconductor Engineering track, can receive guaranteed employment at SK Hynix upon graduation, while Samsung-linked programs like SKKU's Department of Intelligent Software require passing a separate company hiring process.
CNET's daily guide covers Strands puzzle #927, themed around words meaning showy or eye-catching. The guide lists helper words to unlock in-game hints and reveals the six theme answers—JAZZY, VIVID, BRIGHT, FLASHY, VIBRANT and STRIKING—plus the connecting spangram.
Chinese filmmakers are increasingly turning to AI tools like ChatGPT, Kimi and DeepSeek to draft screenplays and generate footage, with one studio producing a 90-minute AI-assisted film for roughly $500,000 versus the millions typical productions cost. Director Lu Beike, known for the series 'Three-Body,' says AI-generated scenes still fall short of live performances, sometimes forcing crews to make real actors look less realistic so they blend with AI-generated environments.
Spotify's new Lossless tier delivers CD-quality, uncompressed audio, but Bluetooth connections can't transmit a true lossless signal, meaning wireless earbuds and speakers won't benefit. Listeners need wired headphones, USB-C earbuds, wired computer speakers, or Wi-Fi-based Spotify Connect devices to actually hear the improved quality, and even then, cheap audio hardware may not reveal a noticeable difference.
The Advertising Standards Authority has banned five social media adverts, all hosted on Meta platforms, that promoted AI companion and video-generation apps by objectifying and sexualising women. One ad reportedly used sexualised imagery of a girl under 18, while others encouraged users to upload photos of a 'crush' or turn images into explicit videos without consent. Meta had already taken the ads down before the ASA's ruling.
Omni Group released OmniFocus 4.9, adding compatibility across macOS 27, iOS 27, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27, alongside new Siri AI features. Users can now ask Siri to set due dates, flags, notes, and repeat schedules, and use Apple Intelligence tools like Visual Intelligence to convert handwritten notes or whiteboard photos into tasks. The company also refreshed OmniOutliner with visual updates matching Apple's new Liquid Glass design language.