A recent study published in Science has found that the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which caused the Black Death, has evolved to be less fatal but possibly more transmissible. This genetic change, which reduces the amount of the pla gene associated with disease severity, could lead to greater disease spread in smaller populations. The study used…
Researchers have discovered that personal care products, such as lotion and perfume, can disrupt the chemical reactions that occur between ozone and skin oils, creating a cloud of chemicals called hydroxyl radicals. These molecules react with many other compounds in the air, including pollutants and organic materials. The study suggests that the effects of these…
Elon Musk has announced the rollout of XChat, a new version of X’s direct messaging feature, with support for vanishing messages, encryption, and file sharing. However, the service has faced instability issues and questions have been raised about its security, particularly with Musk’s claim of “Bitcoin-style” encryption. The updated XChat is expected to be available…
Researchers in the Netherlands have made a significant breakthrough in quantum computing by successfully creating Majorana bound states in quantum dots. This achievement brings topologically protected quantum bits (qubits) one step closer to reality. The team’s innovative approach involves using a system of three electrostatically-gated, spin-polarized quantum dots in a 2D electron gas joined by…
Researchers are embarking on a six-week study to understand the mysteries of hail storms, which cause tens of billions of dollars in damage annually in the United States. The study, known as ICECHIP, aims to uncover the conditions that create the most damaging hail and help people prepare for damage from incoming hail. The findings…
The Trump administration has terminated $1 billion in funding for student mental health grants, leaving many schools and agencies without critical services for children. The funding cuts will likely have a significant impact on the mental health of children, particularly those with diagnosed conditions such as oppositional defiance disorder and autism spectrum disorder. The loss…
A recent bug in compliance company Vanta’s system exposed private data of some of its customers to other Vanta customers. The company has confirmed the incident, stating that it was caused by a product code change and not an intrusion. The affected data includes employee account information, such as names, roles, and configurations of tools…
Researchers in China have successfully adapted the interlocking structure of mortise-and-tenon joints to design more uniform nanoscale devices called memristors. This breakthrough could pave the way for high-accuracy, energy-efficient scientific computing platforms. The new devices have exceptional fundamental properties, including high endurance, long-term memory retention, and fast switching speed. They have the potential to revolutionize…
Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China have developed the world’s first infrared contact lenses, allowing humans to see infrared light without the need for bulky night-vision goggles. The lenses use nanoparticles to convert near-infrared light into visible light, enabling users to see rich, multi-colored infrared images. While the technology has its…
PAIRMiner, a new cloud mining platform, has officially launched, offering users a high-performance way to mine Bitcoin and Dogecoin without requiring any hardware equipment or technical background. The platform promises instant activation, daily automatic settlement, and real-time income tracking, making it an attractive option for those seeking passive income from digital assets. Forecast for 6…