In Scandinavia, wooden buildings reach new heights

A sandy-colored tower glints in the sunlight and dominates the skyline of the Swedish town of Skelleftea as Scandinavia harnesses its wood resources to lead a global trend towards erecting eco-friendly high-rises.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/in-scandinavia-wooden-buildings-reach-new-heights

Engineers use artificial intelligence to capture the complexity of breaking waves

Waves break once they swell to a critical height, before cresting and crashing into a spray of droplets and bubbles. These waves can be as large as a surfer's point break and as small as a gentle ripple rolling to shore. For decades, the dynamics of how and when a wave breaks have been too complex to predict.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/engineers-use-artificial-intelligence-to-capture-the-complexity-of-breaking-waves

China regulator says 14,684 Teslas recalled for crash risk

Tesla has recalled 14,684 Model 3s due to a software glitch that could cause collisions, China's market regulator said Friday, in its second recall in the country this month.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/china-regulator-says-14-684-teslas-recalled-for-crash-risk

Paris suspends electric bus fleet after fires

Dozens of electric buses will be taken off the streets of Paris temporarily "as a precaution" after two of the vehicles caught fire, public transport operator RATP said Friday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/paris-suspends-electric-bus-fleet-after-fires

High-flying tech giants buffeted by turbulent times, earnings show

Tech giants that saw good times during the pandemic are dealing with a "hangover" compounded by inflation and the war in Ukraine, analysts have said after earnings released this week.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/high-flying-tech-giants-buffeted-by-turbulent-times-earnings-show

Google adds ways to keep personal info private in searches

Google has expanded options for keeping personal information private from online searches.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/google-adds-ways-to-keep-personal-info-private-in-searches

Musk offloads $4 bn in Tesla shares after Twitter deal

Tesla chief Elon Musk sold about $4 billion worth of shares in the electric carmaker in the days after Twitter's board agreed to his $44 billion takeover of the social media platform.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/musk-offloads-4-bn-in-tesla-shares-after-twitter-deal

Ford confirms 2022 profit outlook despite lingering semiconductor crunch

Ford confirmed its 2022 profit outlook Wednesday despite lower quarterly auto sales as strong vehicle pricing offsets the hit from higher operating costs and the ongoing semiconductor chip shortage.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/ford-confirms-2022-profit-outlook-despite-lingering-semiconductor-crunch

Judge sides with Elon Musk in lawsuit over SolarCity

A judge in the state of Delaware on Wednesday handed Tesla chief Elon Musk a victory in a shareholder lawsuit filed over the controversial buy of solar panel maker SolarCity.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/judge-sides-with-elon-musk-in-lawsuit-over-solarcity

EXPLAINER: What Twitter could do as privately held company

If Elon Musk and Twitter get their way, the company will soon be privately held and under his control.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/explainer-what-twitter-could-do-as-privately-held-company

Nokia's Q1 profits eroded by Russia withdrawal

Finnish telecom equipment maker Nokia on Thursday announced a 17 percent fall in quarterly profits due to its withdrawal from Russia and supply problems but said it would meet this year's target.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/nokias-q1-profits-eroded-by-russia-withdrawal

Samsung Electronics Q1 net profit up 58.57 percent

South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics posted a 58.57 percent rise in first-quarter net profits on Thursday, largely driven by steady memory chip demand and brisk smartphone sales.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/samsung-electronics-q1-net-profit-up-58-57-percent

Cloud computing helps power strong Microsoft quarter

Microsoft on Tuesday reported strong quarterly earnings, powered by demand for cloud computing.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/cloud-computing-helps-power-strong-microsoft-quarter

India slashes size of biggest IPO

India has slashed the size of an initial public offering by insurance giant LIC but the share issue will still be the country's largest to date, with a targeted windfall of $2.7 billion, regulatory filings showed Wednesday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/india-slashes-size-of-biggest-ipo

Solar energy projects lower bills in Rio de Janeiro favelas

In a hillside slum with breathtaking views of Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana beach, a rooftop covered in photovoltaic panels glitters in the tropical sun—one of many in Brazil's first favela solar energy project.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/solar-energy-projects-lower-bills-in-rio-de-janeiro-favelas

Major Japan railway now powered only by renewable energy

Tokyo's Shibuya is famed for its Scramble Crossing, where crowds of people crisscross the intersection in a scene symbolizing urban Japan's congestion and anonymity. It may have added another boasting right.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/major-japan-railway-now-powered-only-by-renewable-energy

Amazon warehouse collapse probe finds worker safety risks

U.S. regulators are calling on Amazon to improve its procedures for dealing with severe weather like hurricanes and tornadoes that could threaten workers at its warehouses dotted across the country.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/amazon-warehouse-collapse-probe-finds-worker-safety-risks

US 'clean energy' loan for Australian plant in Louisiana

An Australian company's Louisiana subsidiary can get up to $107 million in U.S. Department of Energy loans to expand a plant that produces materials for electric car batteries the department said Monday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/us-clean-energy-loan-for-australian-plant-in-louisiana

Hawaiian teams with Elon Musk company for in-flight internet

Hawaiian Airlines said Monday that it will offer free wireless internet service from SpaceX's Starlink satellite network on flights between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland, Asia and Oceania.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/hawaiian-teams-with-elon-musk-company-for-in-flight-internet

Musk-ruled Twitter: users left to fight trolls and misinformation?

Elon Musk's vow to let everyone say whatever they want on Twitter after his takeover of the social media giant could put the onus on users to combat bullying and misinformation on the platform, experts say.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/musk-ruled-twitter-users-left-to-fight-trolls-and-misinformation

Second Amazon site in New York kicks off vote on joining union

Workers at an Amazon sorting center in New York began voting Monday on whether to join the Amazon Labor Union, which recently became the first union at the e-commerce giant in the United States.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/second-amazon-site-in-new-york-kicks-off-vote-on-joining-union

Nissan ending production of Datsun brand vehicles

Japanese automaker Nissan is ending production of Datsun brand vehicles, less than a decade after reviving the famed budget car to woo cost-conscious customers in emerging markets, the company said on Monday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/nissan-ending-production-of-datsun-brand-vehicles

Philips take hit by supply problems, respirator recall

Philips on Monday reported net losses of over 150 million euros in the first quarter of 2022 as the Dutch health technology firm battled a faulty respirator recall and supply chain problems.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/philips-take-hit-by-supply-problems-respirator-recall

Automated analysis of animal behavior through AI

Researchers have developed a new method that uses artificial intelligence to analyze animal behavior. This opens the door to longer-term in-depth studies in the field of behavioral science—while also helping to improve animal welfare. The method is already being tested at Zurich Zoo.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/automated-analysis-of-animal-behavior-through-ai

Highly efficient means to reverse magnetization with spin currents

An international research team has achieved an important milestone in the quest for high density, low-power consuming nonvolatile magnetic memory.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/highly-efficient-means-to-reverse-magnetization-with-spin-currents

Reports: Twitter in talks with Musk over bid to buy platform

Twitter's board and Tesla CEO Elon Musk negotiated into the early hours of Monday over his bid to buy the social media platform, The New York Times reported.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/reports-twitter-in-talks-with-musk-over-bid-to-buy-platform

'Bleed us dry': Why tech platforms are facing rebellions

When Jak found online marketplace Etsy, it seemed like the perfect match: a tech platform for small traders to sell handmade items that promised to be a creative outlet and bring tidy profits.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/bleed-us-dry-why-tech-platforms-are-facing-rebellions

Amazon union could face a tough road ahead after victory

In the aftermath of their hard-won labor victory, Amazon workers in the New York City borough of Staten Island popped Champagne, cheered their victory and danced in celebration. But their jovial attitude will be tested by a company that seems likely to drag its feet to the bargaining table.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/amazon-union-could-face-a-tough-road-ahead-after-victory

Don't call him CEO: Jack Dorsey says he's 'Block Head' now

Technology entrepreneur and former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has a new title: Block Head.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/dont-call-him-ceo-jack-dorsey-says-hes-block-head-now

Twitter bans ads that defy climate change science

Twitter on Friday banned ads that deny the reality of climate change.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/twitter-bans-ads-that-defy-climate-change-science

Using deep learning to predict users' superficial judgments of human faces

Many psychology studies have confirmed the biased nature of human judgments and decision-making. When interacting with a new person, for instance, humans often make a series of automatic and superficial judgments based solely on their appearance, facial features, ethnicity, body-type, and body language.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/using-deep-learning-to-predict-users-superficial-judgments-of-human-faces

Ferrari to recall more than 2,200 cars in China over brake risk

Italian luxury carmaker Ferrari has issued a recall plan with Chinese regulators over potential brake problems in its vehicles, an official notice said Friday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/ferrari-to-recall-more-than-2-200-cars-in-china-over-brake-risk

EU eyes deal to tame internet 'Wild West'

The European Union on Friday homed in on new regulation to require Big Tech to remove harmful online content, the bloc's latest move to rein in the world's online giants.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/eu-eyes-deal-to-tame-internet-wild-west

Sulfonamides make robust cathode material for proton batteries

Proton batteries are an innovative and environmentally friendly type of battery in which charge is carried by protons, which are positively charged hydrogen ions. A team of researchers has now developed organic sulfonamides as a robust and flexible material for cathodes in these batteries. As the team explain in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, sulfonamide cathodes also achieve a higher output voltage than conventional cathodes.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/sulfonamides-make-robust-cathode-material-for-proton-batteries

Why an edit button for Twitter is not as simple as it seems

Most people who use Twitter have had the experience: you fire off a quick tweet, realize it contains a typo, then get annoyed you can't click "edit" to fix it. Twitter users have been clamoring for an edit button for years.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/why-an-edit-button-for-twitter-is-not-as-simple-as-it-seems

Will Twitter's 'poison pill' be too tough for Elon Musk to swallow?

The so-called "poison pill" Twitter has proposed to use against Elon Musk's potential hostile takeover is a mechanism with a proven track record that could force the outspoken entrepreneur into negotiations.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/will-twitters-poison-pill-be-too-tough-for-elon-musk-to-swallow

Report: Fire training, equipment lacking at US nuclear dump

The U.S. government's nuclear waste repository in New Mexico has major issues in fire training and firefighting vehicles, with its fleet in disrepair after years of neglect, according to an investigation by the U.S. Energy Department's Office of Inspector General.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/report-fire-training-equipment-lacking-at-us-nuclear-dump

End of an era as Netflix faces stagnation challenges

Having lost subscribers for the first time in more than a decade, Netflix faces the new challenge of stagnation from a position of strength.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/end-of-an-era-as-netflix-faces-stagnation-challenges

United Airlines loses $1.4B in 1Q, but expects profit in 2Q

United Airlines reported Wednesday that it lost $1.38 billion in the first quarter of 2022 but said it expects to return to profitability in the current three-month period as post-pandemic travel ramps back up.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/united-airlines-loses-1-4b-in-1q-but-expects-profit-in-2q

Twitter, analysts wary of Musk takeover bid

As tempting as access to Elon Musk's wealth may be, Twitter is not eager to be ruled by a billionaire known for shooting from the hip with little regard for the consequences.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/twitter-analysts-wary-of-musk-takeover-bid

Reversible fuel cells can support grid economically, study finds

A major challenge for producers of electricity from solar panels and wind turbines is akin to capturing lightning in a bottle. Both solar and wind increasingly generate electricity amid little demand, when market prices are too low to cover costs. At noon on sunny days, for example, wholesale power prices in areas with high quantities of solar and wind occasionally fall below zero.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/reversible-fuel-cells-can-support-grid-economically-study-finds

Cycloalkanes a strong candidate for reducing aviation emissions

Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories have released data that could play an important role in the future development of cleaner and more sustainable aviation fuel.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/cycloalkanes-a-strong-candidate-for-reducing-aviation-emissions

Computers could revise past conclusions with AI

To better automate reasoning, machines should ideally be able to systematically revise the view they have obtained about the world. Timotheus Kampik's dissertation work presents mathematical reasoning approaches that strike a balance between retaining consistency with previously drawn conclusions and rejecting them in face of overwhelming new evidence.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/computers-could-revise-past-conclusions-with-ai

Neural network can read tree heights from satellite images

Using an artificial neural network, researchers at ETH Zurich have created the first high-resolution global vegetation height map for 2020 from satellite images. This map could provide key information for fighting climate change and species extinction, as well as for sustainable regional development planning.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/neural-network-can-read-tree-heights-from-satellite-images

Ukraine war slams brakes on European car sales

European car sales sank in March as Russia's invasion of Ukraine added more problems to a sector already struggling with shortages of semiconductors, industry data showed Wednesday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/ukraine-war-slams-brakes-on-european-car-sales

Dung power: India taps new energy cash cow

India is tapping a new energy source that promises to help clean up smog-choked cities and is already providing a vital revenue stream for poor Indian farmers: truckloads of bovine manure.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/dung-power-india-taps-new-energy-cash-cow

Netflix aims to curtail password sharing—and bring in ads

An unexpectedly sharp drop in subscribers has Netflix considering changes to its service that it has long resisted: Minimizing password sharing and creating a low-cost subscription supported by advertising.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/netflix-aims-to-curtail-password-sharing-and-bring-in-ads

Netflix shares plunge as subscribers drop

Netflix shares lost a quarter of their value Tuesday after the company revealed its ranks of subscribers shrank in the first quarter of this year.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/netflix-shares-plunge-as-subscribers-drop

When will humanity become a Type I civilization?

There are several ways we can measure the progress of human civilization. Population growth, the rise and fall of empires, our technological ability to reach for the stars. But one simple measure is to calculate the amount of energy humans use at any given time. As humanity has spread and advanced, our ability to harness energy is one of our most useful skills. If one assumes civilizations on other planets might possess similar skills, the energy consumption of a species is a good rough measure of its technological prowess. This is the idea behind the Kardashev Scale.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/when-will-humanity-become-a-type-i-civilization

Latest apps promise fast service but can they deliver?

When Mahlet Berhanemeskel gets back to her New York City home from her 90-minute commute, she doesn't feel like cooking. So instead she orders food like BLTs, Cheez-Its and cookies from an app called Gorillas. It's affordable and takes 10 minutes.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/latest-apps-promise-fast-service-but-can-they-deliver

Scientists decide how to prove out perovskite panels for space power

Perovskites, which have shown enormous potential as a new semiconductor for solar cells, are gaining attention as well as a potential next-generation technology to also power spacefaring missions. As scientists around the globe continue efforts toward harnessing the potential of perovskites on Earth, others are looking into how well the technology might work in the planet's orbit.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/scientists-decide-how-to-prove-out-perovskite-panels-for-space-power

Rare overhaul of powerful US nuclear test reactor completed

Scientists at the Idaho National Laboratory have completed a rare overhaul of one of the world's most powerful nuclear test reactors and normal operations are expected to resume later this spring, officials said Monday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/rare-overhaul-of-powerful-us-nuclear-test-reactor-completed

Shareholders await Musk's next move in Twitter takeover bid

Twitter has dropped a major roadblock in front of Elon Musk's effort to take over the company, leaving investors to wonder about the mercurial Tesla CEO's next move.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/shareholders-await-musks-next-move-in-twitter-takeover-bid

Researchers take step toward developing 'electric eye'

Georgia State University researchers have successfully designed a new type of artificial vision device that incorporates a novel vertical stacking architecture and allows for greater depth of color recognition and scalability on a micro-level. The new research is published in the top journal ACS Nano.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/researchers-take-step-toward-developing-electric-eye

How hypersonic missiles work and the unique threats they pose: An aerospace engineer explains

Russia used a hypersonic missile against a Ukrainian arms depot in the western part of the country on March 18, 2022. That might sound scary, but the technology the Russians used is not particularly advanced. However, next-generation hypersonic missiles that Russia, China and the U.S. are developing do pose a significant threat to national and global security.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/how-hypersonic-missiles-work-and-the-unique-threats-they-pose-an-aerospace-engineer-explains

Combining turgor design and electro-osmosis to create strong and fast hydrogel actuators

A team of researchers at Seoul National University has created a stronger and faster hydrogel actuator by combining turgor design and electro-osmosis. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes their approach and how well the resulting actuator performed when tested in a real-world experiment. Zhen Jiang and Pingan Song, with the University of Southern Queensland, outline some of the difficulties researchers have faced in trying to create hydrogels that imitate biological organisms and comment on the work done by the team in Korea in a Perspective article published in the same journal issue.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/combining-turgor-design-and-electro-osmosis-to-create-strong-and-fast-hydrogel-actuators

Charging underwater and body-implanted electronic devices using ultrasonic waves

As the population ages and with the advancements in medical technology, the number of patients using implanted electronic devices, such as artificial pacemakers and defibrillators, is increasing worldwide. Currently, the batteries of body-implanted devices are replaced by an incision surgery, which may lead to health complications. Accordingly, a new charging technique by wireless energy transfer is emerging that can also be used to charge the batteries of underwater devices, such as sensors, that are used for monitoring the conditions of submarine cables.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/charging-underwater-and-body-implanted-electronic-devices-using-ultrasonic-waves

Scientists develop new computational approach to reduce noise in X-ray data

Scientists from the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) and Computational Science Initiative (CSI) at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory have helped to solve a common problem in synchrotron X-ray experiments: reducing the noise, or meaningless information, present in data. Their work aims to improve the efficiency and accuracy of X-ray studies at NSLS-II, with the goal of enhancing scientists' overall research experience at the facility.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/scientists-develop-new-computational-approach-to-reduce-noise-in-x-ray-data

Researchers stimulate blind retinas using focused ultrasound technology

The number of Americans with visual impairment or blindness is expected to jump to more than 8 million by the year 2050, according to research lead by the USC Gayle and Edward Roski Eye Institute conducted back in 2016.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/researchers-stimulate-blind-retinas-using-focused-ultrasound-technology

US judge deemed controversial Musk tweet on Tesla 'false': investors

A 2018 tweet posted by Elon Musk in which he claimed to have secured the funding to take Tesla private was deemed "false and misleading" by a judge, according to documents filed by investors suing his electric car company.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/us-judge-deemed-controversial-musk-tweet-on-tesla-false-investors

Elon Musk's move to buy Twitter faces roadblocks

Even for the richest person on the planet, buying Twitter was always going to be a challenge—a highly complex financial transaction now made even trickier by a defensive "poison pill" move from the platform's board.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/elon-musks-move-to-buy-twitter-faces-roadblocks

EXPLAINER: What Twitter's 'poison pill' is supposed to do

Twitter is trying to thwart billionaire Elon Musk's takeover attempt with a "poison pill" —a financial device that companies have been wielding against unwelcome suitors for decades.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/explainer-what-twitters-poison-pill-is-supposed-to-do

Abba and Tupac in the metaverse: How digital avatars could be the bankable future of band touring

It was a technological feat that made history, wowed audiences and brought a dead rapper back to life. In April 2012 at the Coachella festival in California, Tupac Shakur took to the stage with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. He'd been dead for 16 years, killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/abba-and-tupac-in-the-metaverse-how-digital-avatars-could-be-the-bankable-future-of-band-touring

Creating online geography game Globle was relatively simple. Making it accurate is the real puzzle

The geography quiz game Globle was a product of quarantine boredom, its popularity a happy side effect.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/creating-online-geography-game-globle-was-relatively-simple-making-it-accurate-is-the-real-puzzle

Tesla CEO Musk's Twitter bid: Trolling or true?

Will Elon Musk, the world's richest man and prominent social media troll, really buy Twitter with his unprecedented heap of loot as his bid Wednesday suggests, or is he just posturing?

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/tesla-ceo-musks-twitter-bid-trolling-or-true

Editorial: California mandate picks up pace for electric cars, but not with the speed required

California air quality officials on Tuesday released a groundbreaking proposal to require all new cars sold to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035, a rule that would make it the first state to mandate the phaseout of gas-powered vehicles that are fueling the climate crisis. It signals the beginning of the end for combustion engines in California.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/editorial-california-mandate-picks-up-pace-for-electric-cars-but-not-with-the-speed-required

New technology 3D prints glass microstructures with rays of light

Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new way to 3D-print glass microstructures that is faster and produces objects with higher optical quality, design flexibility and strength, according to a new study published in the April 15 issue of Science.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/new-technology-3d-prints-glass-microstructures-with-rays-of-light

Shanghai lockdowns threaten China auto production

Chinese auto makers warned they may have to put the brakes on production if strict Covid-19 curbs in Shanghai persist, with a top Huawei executive also sounding the alarm Friday about snarled supply chains.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/shanghai-lockdowns-threaten-china-auto-production

N.Korea-tied hackers executed $620 mn crypto heist: FBI

North Korean-tied hackers were responsible for a $620-million cryptocurrency heist last month targeting players of the popular Axie Infinity game, US authorities said Thursday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/n-korea-tied-hackers-executed-620-mn-crypto-heist-fbi

Elon Musk wants to buy Twitter, make it 'maximally trusted'

In 10 days, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has gone from popular Twitter contributor and critic to the company's largest individual shareholder to a would-be owner of the social platform—a whirlwind of activity that could change the service dramatically given the sometimes whimsical billionaire's self-identification as a free-speech absolutist.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/elon-musk-wants-to-buy-twitter-make-it-maximally-trusted

Networking online: How to make professional connections remotely and why it matters

On paper, networking is a relatively simple task. Mingle with like-minded professionals while sipping wine and you greatly increase your chances of landing a coveted role, or building your dream career.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/networking-online-how-to-make-professional-connections-remotely-and-why-it-matters

Why algae can be our next secret weapon to combat plastic pollution

Plastic pollution has become an alarming problem worldwide. A 2015 study published in Science Magazine projected that by 2025, around 100–250 million metric tons of plastic waste could enter our oceans every year.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/why-algae-can-be-our-next-secret-weapon-to-combat-plastic-pollution

Elon Musk launches hostile takeover bid for Twitter

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is offering to buy Twitter, saying the social media platform he has criticized for not living up to free speech principles needs to be transformed as a private company.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/elon-musk-launches-hostile-takeover-bid-for-twitter

Taiwan's TSMC reports record first-quarter revenue

Taiwanese tech giant TSMC posted record revenue for the first three months of the year Thursday as demand soared for chips used in everything from smartphones and cars to missiles.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/taiwans-tsmc-reports-record-first-quarter-revenue

Biden's biofuel: Cheaper at the pump, but high environmental cost

In an effort to ease Americans' pain at the gas pump, President Joe Biden has announced his administration will ease restrictions on the sale of E15—gasoline that includes 15 percent ethanol—and new investments in biofuels as a whole.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/bidens-biofuel-cheaper-at-the-pump-but-high-environmental-cost

US agencies: Industrial control system malware discovered

Multiple U.S. government agencies issued a joint alert Wednesday warning of the discovery of a suite of malicious cyber tools created by unnamed advanced threat actors that are capable of sabotaging the energy sector and other critical industries.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/us-agencies-industrial-control-system-malware-discovered

Artificial intelligence facilitates better control of global development aid

A team of AI experts led by Stefan Feuerriegel, Head of LMU's Institute of Artificial Intelligence in Management, is injecting transparency into global development aid. The researchers have developed an artificial intelligence system that categorizes aid projects more comprehensively than it was possible up to now and facilitates better monitoring of these projects. The findings are published in the journal Nature Sustainability.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/artificial-intelligence-facilitates-better-control-of-global-development-aid

3D printing smart clothes with a new liquid metal-alginate ink

In the future, smart clothing might monitor our posture, communicate with smartphones and manage our body temperature. But first, scientists need to find a way to cost-effectively print intricate, flexible and durable circuits onto a variety of fabrics. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces have developed a conductive 3D printing ink made of liquid metal droplets coated with alginate, a polymer derived from algae.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/3d-printing-smart-clothes-with-a-new-liquid-metal-alginate-ink

Robots are creating images and telling jokes: Five things to know about foundation models and the next generation of AI

If you've seen photos of a teapot shaped like an avocado or read a well-written article that veers off on slightly weird tangents, you may have been exposed to a new trend in artificial intelligence (AI).

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/robots-are-creating-images-and-telling-jokes-five-things-to-know-about-foundation-models-and-the-next-generation-of-ai

Lots of broadband money, but US expansion finds speed bumps

For the 70-or-so people who live in the remote Vermont community of Victory, Town Clerk Tracey Martel says she's regularly frustrated watching a spinning circle on her computer while she tries to complete even the most basic municipal chores online.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/lots-of-broadband-money-but-us-expansion-finds-speed-bumps

Data collected from acquaintances and even strangers can predict your location

Data about our habits and movements are constantly collected via mobile phone apps, fitness trackers, credit card logs, websites visited, and other means.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/data-collected-from-acquaintances-and-even-strangers-can-predict-your-location

Driverless car stopped in San Francisco puzzles cops

San Francisco police faced an unprecedented problem recently when an officer stopped a car that was driving at night with no headlights on, only to discover there was no one inside.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/driverless-car-stopped-in-san-francisco-puzzles-cops

iPhone maker Pegatron halts Shanghai production over COVID

Key iPhone maker Pegatron has halted operations at two subsidiaries in the Chinese cities of Shanghai and Kunshan, as global supply chains feel the pinch of Beijing's strict zero-COVID measures.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/iphone-maker-pegatron-halts-shanghai-production-over-covid

How to build brain-inspired neural networks based on light

Supercomputers are extremely fast, but also use a lot of power. Neuromorphic computing, which takes our brain as a model to build fast and energy-efficient computers, can offer a viable and much-needed alternative. The technology has a wealth of opportunities, for example in autonomous driving, interpreting medical images, edge AI or long-haul optical communications. Electrical engineer Patty Stabile is a pioneer when it comes to exploring new brain- and biology-inspired computing paradigms. "TU/e combines all it takes to demonstrate the possibilities of photon-based neuromorphic computing for AI applications."

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/how-to-build-brain-inspired-neural-networks-based-on-light

Meta tests sale of virtual goods in metaverse

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, will give content creators the opportunity to sell virtual items to users in Horizon Worlds, its main platform in the metaverse, the company said Monday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/meta-tests-sale-of-virtual-goods-in-metaverse

Germany's Bosch buys British automated driving startup Five

German auto parts and technology company Bosch said Tuesday it is buying Five, a British automated driving startup, for an undisclosed amount.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/germanys-bosch-buys-british-automated-driving-startup-five

Etsy sellers protest fees by halting their sales for a week

Some vendors on Etsy say they are halting sales of their items on the site for a week to protest a hike in the fees the crafts e-commerce marketplace charges them.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/etsy-sellers-protest-fees-by-halting-their-sales-for-a-week

Japan's Honda outlines strategy to forge ahead on EVs

Honda is investing 5 trillion yen ($40 billion) over the next decade in research, especially to realize a major shift to ecological electric vehicles, the Japanese automaker said Tuesday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/japans-honda-outlines-strategy-to-forge-ahead-on-evs

EXPLAINER: What Elon Musk's dance with Twitter really means

Tesla CEO Elon Musk's great Twitter turnabout—in which he disclosed his massive stake in the social media company, got a seat on its board, publicly floated drastic changes and then turned down the board role—all happened in a week.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/explainer-what-elon-musks-dance-with-twitter-really-means

No space for a heat pump? Here's how your whole street could get off gas heating

From spiraling fossil fuel prices and volatile supply chains to the worsening climate crisis, there has never been a better time to stop heating homes with natural gas. The UK has the chance to replace as many gas boilers as possible before another winter of punishing heating bills descends. But if, like me, you long to keep your house warm and comfortable while keeping costs as low as possible, it can be difficult to know what the best solution is.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/no-space-for-a-heat-pump-heres-how-your-whole-street-could-get-off-gas-heating

Your digital footprints are more than a privacy risk. They could help hackers infiltrate computer networks

When you use the internet, you leave behind a trail of data, a set of digital footprints. These include your social media activities, web browsing behavior, health information, travel patterns, location maps, information about your mobile device use, photos, audio and video. This data is collected, collated, stored and analyzed by various organizations, from the big social media companies to app makers to data brokers. As you might imagine, your digital footprints put your privacy at risk, but they also affect cybersecurity.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/your-digital-footprints-are-more-than-a-privacy-risk-they-could-help-hackers-infiltrate-computer-networks

Electrifying homes to slow climate change: 4 essential reads

The latest reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change show that to avoid massive losses and damage from global warming, nations must act quickly to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The good news is that experts believe it's possible to cut global greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 through steps such as using energy more efficiently, slowing deforestation and speeding up the adoption of renewable energy.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/electrifying-homes-to-slow-climate-change-4-essential-reads

Cloud server leasing can leave sensitive data up for grabs

Renting space and IP addresses on a public server has become standard business practice, but according to a team of Penn State computer scientists, current industry practices can lead to "cloud squatting," which can create a security risk, endangering sensitive customer and organization data intended to remain private.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/cloud-server-leasing-can-leave-sensitive-data-up-for-grabs

Indonesia tech giant GoTo soars on market debut

Indonesia's biggest tech firm soared in Jakarta trade Monday after a billion-dollar IPO that was the world's fifth-biggest this year, defying recent heavy weather for Asian tech stocks.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/indonesia-tech-giant-goto-soars-on-market-debut

Elon Musk no longer joining Twitter's board of directors

Tesla CEO Elon Musk won't be joining Twitter's board of directors as previously announced. The tempestuous billionaire remains Twitter's largest shareholder.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/elon-musk-no-longer-joining-twitters-board-of-directors

Musk suggests Twitter changes, including accepting Dogecoin

As Twitter's newest board member and largest shareholder, Elon Musk is already floating suggestions for changes he'd like to see on the social media platform.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/musk-suggests-twitter-changes-including-accepting-dogecoin

Global ambitions drive Algerian tech start-up Yassir

It's the Algerian start-up that made good: despite the country's notoriously complex business climate, taxi and home-delivery firm Yassir has millions of users and is expanding across Africa.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/global-ambitions-drive-algerian-tech-start-up-yassir

Favourable breezes boost Spain's wind power sector

Buoyed by a surge in investment and new projects, wind power has become Spain's main source of electricity generation just as Europe seeks to curb its energy imports from Russia.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/favourable-breezes-boost-spains-wind-power-sector

Crypto-curious corporations struggle to find right recipe

Four years ago, fried-chicken chain KFC tweeted from its Canadian account that it would accept bitcoin as payment for its "buckets".

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/crypto-curious-corporations-struggle-to-find-right-recipe

EXPLAINER: What to do with closed nuke plant's wastewater?

One million gallons of radioactive water is inside a former nuclear power plant along Cape Cod Bay and it has got to go.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/explainer-what-to-do-with-closed-nuke-plants-wastewater

Accounts deceivable: Email scam costliest type of cybercrime

It's a crime that siphons untold billions from the economy—but many people have never heard of it.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/accounts-deceivable-email-scam-costliest-type-of-cybercrime

Twitter stakeholder Elon Musk tweets 'Is Twitter dying?'

Twitter's newest board member and largest stakeholder Elon Musk tweeted Saturday to ask if the social media network was "dying" and to call out users such as singer Justin Bieber, who are highly followed but rarely post.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/twitter-stakeholder-elon-musk-tweets-is-twitter-dying

In 'project of the century', Swiss seek to bury radioactive waste

Storing radioactive waste above ground is a risky business, but the Swiss think they have found the solution: burying spent nuclear fuel deep underground in clay.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/in-project-of-the-century-swiss-seek-to-bury-radioactive-waste

Japan's Nissan plans 'game changing' electric car batteries

Nissan is working with NASA on a new type of battery for electric vehicles that promises to charge quicker and be lighter yet safe, the Japanese automaker said Friday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/japans-nissan-plans-game-changing-electric-car-batteries

Engineered crystals could help computers run on less power

Computers may be growing smaller and more powerful, but they require a great deal of energy to operate. The total amount of energy the U.S. dedicates to computing has risen dramatically over the last decade and is quickly approaching that of other major sectors, like transportation.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/engineered-crystals-could-help-computers-run-on-less-power

Computerized, rolling DNA motors move molecular robotics to next level

Chemists integrated computer functions into rolling DNA-based motors, opening a new realm of possibilities for miniature, molecular robots. Nature Nanotechnology published the development, the first DNA-based motors that combine computational power with the ability to burn fuel and move in an intentional direction.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/computerized-rolling-dna-motors-move-molecular-robotics-to-next-level

Amazon to fight union's win in NY labor election

Amazon told a federal agency it will file "substantial" objections to last week's worker election in New York that established the company's first union in the United States, according to a filing released Thursday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/amazon-to-fight-unions-win-in-ny-labor-election

On the way to climate-neutral road traffic in Switzerland

Road traffic is currently responsible for more than 30% of Switzerland's greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing these emissions is complex because the switch from fossil-based mobility to electricity-based mobility will only lead to substantial reduction in global GHG pollution if more renewable energy is integrated into the energy system at the same time.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/on-the-way-to-climate-neutral-road-traffic-in-switzerland

A robot that can put a surgical gown on a supine mannequin

A pair of researchers working in the Personal Robotics Laboratory at Imperial College London has taught a robot to put a surgical gown on a supine mannequin. In their paper published in the journal Science Robotics, Fan Zhang and Yiannis Demiris described the approach they used to teach the robot to partially dress the mannequin. Júlia Borràs, with Institut de Robòtica i Informàtica Industrial, CSIC-UPC, has published a Focus piece in the same journal issue outlining the difficulties in getting robots to handle soft material and the work done by the researchers on this new effort.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/a-robot-that-can-put-a-surgical-gown-on-a-supine-mannequin

Innovative waste heat recovery experiment in Sweden

RISE Research Institutes of Sweden has set up a small fuel cell-powered data center in Luleå, a coastal city in northern Sweden, for the recovery of waste heat. The fuel cells generate electricity used to power the Edge data center and supply the excess heat to the local district heating and cooling grid.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/innovative-waste-heat-recovery-experiment-in-sweden

New cutting-edge thermoplastic materials for the aerospace sector

The Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) coordinates the HITCOMP (High Temperature Characterisation and Modelling of Thermoplastic Composites) project within the Horizon 2020 program, which aims to study the possible advantages of thermoplastic materials in the aerospace industry.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/new-cutting-edge-thermoplastic-materials-for-the-aerospace-sector

Airplane mode: Why don't commercial jets stream their flight recorder data?

Shortly after Air France flight 447 took off from Rio De Janeiro in June 2009, it entered a storm, vanished from air control systems, and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. It took more than 2 years for the wreckage to be found, along with the information it held about what went wrong. So why don't planes just send out flight recorder data constantly throughout a flight?

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/airplane-mode-why-dont-commercial-jets-stream-their-flight-recorder-data

New digital tool reveals spheres of influence of big tech companies

Today sees the launch of the website "Sphere Transgression Watch," which reveals how major technology companies are gaining more and more influence in different areas of our society. The Digital Good research team led by Prof. Tamar Sharon invites other researchers and interested parties to use the digital tool and contribute their own examples.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/new-digital-tool-reveals-spheres-of-influence-of-big-tech-companies

China is gunning for supremacy in the global green hydrogen race. Will it shatter Australia's dreams?

This week's report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns global warming is headed for dangerous levels unless greenhouse gas emissions halve this decade. This cannot be achieved without a huge effort from China, the world's biggest emitter.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/china-is-gunning-for-supremacy-in-the-global-green-hydrogen-race-will-it-shatter-australias-dreams

Edmunds picks 5 SUVs to help you save at the pump

As of this writing, the national average fuel price is $4.24 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association. Up 20% from a month ago, gas prices aren't likely to taper or deflate unless crude oil supply improves or consumer demand softens. Until that happens, costly fill-ups are hitting Americans who are already grappling with inflation.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/edmunds-picks-5-suvs-to-help-you-save-at-the-pump

An alternative low-cost technique to produce metal powders for 3D printing

Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as metal 3D printing, creates objects by addition of material, layer by layer. A major source material for AM is metal powder, which is predominantly produced using a technique called atomization, in which a molten metal stream is broken up into fine droplets using air or water jets. However, despite its widespread use, atomization returns poor yield, is expensive, and is inflexible in the types of materials it can handle. A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) led by Koushik Viswanathan, Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has identified an alternative technique to produce metal powders that side-steps these problems. This has interesting implications for AM processes in general, including areas such as the manufacture of biomedical implants.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/an-alternative-low-cost-technique-to-produce-metal-powders-for-3d-printing

New method compares machine-learning model's reasoning to that of a human

In machine learning, understanding why a model makes certain decisions is often just as important as whether those decisions are correct. For instance, a machine-learning model might correctly predict that a skin lesion is cancerous, but it could have done so using an unrelated blip on a clinical photo.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/new-method-compares-machine-learning-models-reasoning-to-that-of-a-human

Giant grass miscanthus is a bioethanol source with negative CO2 balance

A significant reduction in greenhouse gas is feasible. This is the conclusion reached by researchers at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart. The trick: A combination of bioethanol production from renewable resources with carbon capture and storage technologies. Depending on the calculation approach used, a reduction of more than 100 percent compared to the EU benchmark for fossil fuels is thus likely—meaning there can even be a negative CO2 balance. The processes uses the giant grass miscanthus, which has successfully proven its suitability for this form of biofuel production within the European EU joint project GRACE.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/giant-grass-miscanthus-is-a-bioethanol-source-with-negative-co2-balance

Clean and sustainable fuels could be derived by combining ammonia with complementary combustion-modifying additives

A low-carbon sustainable fuel mixture, derived primarily from renewably generated ammonia, could power next-generation internal combustion engines (ICEs). Blending ammonia with a small amount of dimethyl ether (DME) gives a liquid fuel with low-temperature combustion properties very similar to gasoline, researchers at KAUST have shown. The development of such fuels could provide an option—in addition to electric cars—for "clean" power for the transportation sector.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/clean-and-sustainable-fuels-could-be-derived-by-combining-ammonia-with-complementary-combustion-modifying-additives

On-the-fly reconfigurable magnetic slime used as a robot

A team of researchers affiliated with a host of entities in China has created a type of magnetic slime that can be configured on the fly to perform a variety of robotic tasks. In their paper published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, the group describes their slime, possible uses for it and the actions they have taken to make it less toxic.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/on-the-fly-reconfigurable-magnetic-slime-used-as-a-robot

Could a computer ever learn the same way people and animals do?

Whether a computer could ever pass for a living thing is one of the key challenges for researchers in the field of Artificial Intelligence. There have been vast advancements in AI since Alan Turing first created what is now called the Turing Test—whether a machine could exhibit intelligent behavior equivalent to, or indistinguishable from, that of a human. However, machines still struggle with one of the fundamental skills that is second nature for humans and other life forms: lifelong learning. That is, learning and adapting while we're doing a task without forgetting previous tasks, or intuitively transferring knowledge gleaned from one task to a different area.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/could-a-computer-ever-learn-the-same-way-people-and-animals-do

Detecting distributed denial of service attacks

The distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attack may well be familiar to anyone who has spent time running online services, such as websites. It is a malicious attack on the servers running the system that simply bombards the computers with requests that overwhelm it and prevent legitimate users from accessing the resources.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/detecting-distributed-denial-of-service-attacks

Shedding new light on controlling material properties in solid-layered perovskite

Materials scientists may soon be able to control material properties with light.

The hidden world of octopus cities and culture shows why it's wrong to farm them

A recently proposed aquaculture octopus farm in the Canary Islands would raise 3,000 tons of octopus a year, which means almost 275,000 individual octopuses will be killed annually.

DNA discovery reveals a critical 'accordion effect' for switching off genes

WEHI researchers have revealed how an "accordion effect" is critical to switching off genes, in a study that transforms the fundamentals of what we know about gene silencing.  

New algorithm builds stronger and faster blockchains

A global team of researchers, including Monash University experts, has developed a new algorithm that will enable building more resilient, efficient, and faster blockchains.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/new-algorithm-builds-stronger-and-faster-blockchains

Amazon signs on launch partners for space internet

Amazon on Tuesday announced deals for scores of launches to deploy a "constellation" of satellites in low orbit around the Earth to provide internet service to people below.

Missing Charles Darwin notebooks returned to Cambridge University

Two of Charles Darwin's notebooks containing his pioneering ideas on evolution and his famous "Tree of Life" sketch have been returned anonymously after going missing for 21 years, Cambridge University Library said on Tuesday.

'Don't shove us off like we're rubbish': What people with intellectual disability told us about their local community

As the federal election approaches, civic engagement is back on people's minds. But not everyone's needs are well served in the political sphere—and one of the areas most ripe for improvement is actually at the local government level.

Assessing incentives for winterization of the energy market in Texas to prevent future outages

A team of researchers at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Austria has conducted an assessment of the incentives in place in Texas to winterize the energy market to determine if they are sufficient to prevent future outages. In their paper published in the journal Nature Energy, the group studied 70 years of climate data for the state and conducted mathematical assessments of the results.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/assessing-incentives-for-winterization-of-the-energy-market-in-texas-to-prevent-future-outages

Drones and driverless cars could help with Ukraine's humanitarian crisis

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to a serious humanitarian crisis. Of Ukraine's 44 million people, almost one-quarter have been displaced. Around 3.7 million have escaped to neighboring European countries, while around 6.5 million are estimated to be displaced inside Ukraine. Tragically, deaths and injuries continue to rise.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/drones-and-driverless-cars-could-help-with-ukraines-humanitarian-crisis

System helps severely motor-impaired individuals type more quickly and accurately

In 1995, French fashion magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby suffered a seizure while driving a car, which left him with a condition known as locked-in syndrome, a neurological disease in which the patient is completely paralyzed and can only move muscles that control the eyes.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/system-helps-severely-motor-impaired-individuals-type-more-quickly-and-accurately

Less than 1% of reported rapes lead to conviction—criminologist explains England's justice system failure

In England and Wales, more than 99% of rapes reported to police do not end in a conviction. This is the result of a criminal justice system that makes prosecuting rape extremely rare, lengthy and difficult.

A 3D approach to protecting biodiversity on the high seas

A three-dimensional approach to marine conservation could help expand protected ocean areas by up to 30% this decade, according to international researchers.

Novel framework for classifying chaos and thermalization

One popular example of chaotic behavior is the butterfly effect—a butterfly may flap its wings in somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean and cause a tornado in Colorado. This remarkable fable illustrates how the extreme sensitivity of the dynamics of chaotic systems can yield dramatically different results despite slight differences in initial conditions. The fundamental laws of nature governing the dynamics of physical systems are inherently nonlinear, often leading to chaos and subsequent thermalization.

Global team of scientists determine 'fingerprint' for how much heat, drought is too much for forests

How hot is too hot, and how dry is too dry, for the Earth's forests? A new study from an international team of researchers found the answers—by looking at decades of dying trees.

Colombian researchers seek safety for bees in urban jungle

Far from the flowery fields that are their natural home, honey bees imperiled by pesticides in rural Colombia are finding sanctuary on university campuses in the bustling capital Bogota.

New non-destructive DNA method opens opportunities

A new method of obtaining ancient genomic data without damaging source material has been developed by University of Otago researchers, creating new opportunities for museum and archaeological collections worldwide.

Machine-learning method creates a learnable chemical grammar to build synthesizable monomers and polymers

Chemical engineers and materials scientists are constantly looking for the next revolutionary material, chemical, and drug. The rise of machine-learning approaches is expediting the discovery process, which could otherwise take years. "Ideally, the goal is to train a machine-learning model on a few existing chemical samples and then allow it to produce as many manufacturable molecules of the same class as possible, with predictable physical properties," says Wojciech Matusik, professor of electrical engineering and computer science at MIT. "If you have all these components, you can build new molecules with optimal properties, and you also know how to synthesize them. That's the overall vision that people in that space want to achieve"

How can local policies contribute to global sustainability goals?

The challenges of building a sustainable society are unprecedented. But the Dutch municipalities cannot be faulted for their commitment. They are working hard, conclude Professor Eefje Cuppen and Lian Merkx, program manager for energy at the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG). To exchange local knowledge and ideas about what does and does not work in energy transition, the University and VNG are holding the symposium "Liveable Planet: Local Policies for a Liveable Planet" on 14 April.

Study finds empowering workers can backfire

There is an increasing body of work demonstrating the benefits of empowering workers, but a new study finds that efforts to empower employees need to be coupled with efforts that allow those employees to do their jobs well. If institutional obstacles make it difficult for workers to thrive, empowering them can lead to unethical behavior.

Achieving climate goals will require transformational changes

The third and final installment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC's) Sixth Assessment Report calls for aggressive and comprehensive actions if we are to achieve net zero emissions by mid-century. It finds we still need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions drastically, beyond what governments have pledged, and that this emissions gap is exacerbated by implementation gaps despite the mitigation efforts underway.

Reversible chemoenzymatic labeling strategy enables in-depth analysis of protein O-GlcNAcylation

O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAcylation), an important post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins, is involved in various biological functions.

How bacteria swim: Researchers discover new mechanisms

When pathogens invade a human host, they need maximum ability to move through the body as they navigate adverse environments and cause infection. Their ability to drill themselves through gel-like surroundings is often made possible through the rotation of a squiggly, tail-like machine known as the flagellum.

Artificial microswimmers work together like bacteria

Microscopic swimmers such as bacteria do not always swim alone. There are advantages to exchanging information and cooperating. Stefania Ketzetzi and colleagues now show in Nature Communications that human-made microswimmers, too, can cooperate.

Five fact-checking tips from disinformation experts

For International Fact Checking Day (April 2), we met with the European Digital Media Observatory, which is an EU-wide platform for combatting disinformation while protecting the core value of freedom of expression.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/five-fact-checking-tips-from-disinformation-experts

Opinion: Climate risk is not the only environmental risk companies should disclose

On March 21, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed rules requiring publicly traded companies to disclose their climate risk. According to the SEC Press Release:

People born in the '80s not likely to marry their first cohabiting partner

Compared to people born in the '70s, who are almost equally likely to marry or separate from their first cohabiting partners, '80s children are significantly more likely to separate from the first partner they live with, according to researchers from UCL.

Small wetlands can have big impacts

Crops need nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to grow and thrive. However, excess nutrients from farms can wash into streams and rivers, and even make their way into oceans. The surplus in nutrients can cause major damage to aquatic ecosystems; but small wetlands can be of tremendous help in reducing or preventing this damage.

Flexibility makes us happier, with 3 clear trends emerging in post-pandemic hybrid work

The first national study of working arrangements in Australia since government work-from-home directions were lifted shows post-pandemic office life is going to be dramatically different to what existed before.

Teens more likely to disengage from school after police stops

Teens who are stopped by the police are more likely to report greater disengagement from school the next day, and racial and ethnic minority youth reported more invasive police encounters than white youth, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

Gasoline costs and the effects of suspending gas taxes

Gas prices are spiking these days—well over $4 a gallon—and several states have temporarily lifted their gas taxes to give consumers some price relief. But how high are today's gas prices, if we adjust for inflation? And does eliminating the state gas tax really make a difference?

Solar-power satellites to collect stronger sunlight

Solar energy generation keeps on becoming cheaper and more efficient, but some basic limitations will always apply: solar panels can only generate power during the daytime, and much of the sunlight is absorbed by the atmosphere as it shines downward. So ESA is working on the concept of collecting solar power up in orbit, where sunlight is up to 11 times more intense than across European territory, then beaming it down to the ground for use.

Researchers discover new cell type in human lung with regenerative properties

A new type of cell that resides deep within human lungs and may play a key role in human lung diseases has been discovered by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Study: Many birds nesting, laying eggs earlier in Chicago

Many species of birds are nesting and laying eggs nearly a month earlier than they did 100 years ago in the Chicago area and researchers believe climate change is behind it.

Viruses that could save millions of lives

It may seem strange after a pandemic that has killed millions and turned the world upside down, but viruses could save just as many lives.

'Green steel' heating up in Sweden's frozen north

For hundreds of years, raging blast furnaces—fed with coking coal—have forged steel used in cars, railways, bridges and skyscrapers.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/green-steel-heating-up-in-swedens-frozen-north

Software glitch halts trains across the Netherlands

Trains operated by the national rail network were halted across the Netherlands Sunday by what the operator called a technical problem.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/software-glitch-halts-trains-across-the-netherlands

Brazil storm death toll rises to 16

The death toll from torrential downpours that triggered flash floods and landslides in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state rose to 16 Sunday, with three people still missing, authorities said.

'Love hormone' oxytocin turns fierce lions into kittens

Here kitty kitty...

Fire and rain: West to get more one-two extreme climate hits

The one-two punch of nasty wildfires followed by heavy downpours, triggering flooding and mudslides, will strike the U.S. West far more often in a warming-hopped world, becoming a frequent occurrence, a new study said.

Invasive ants hit Texas hard—now a killer fungus is coming for them

When crazy ants roll into new parts of Texas, the invasive species wipe out local insects and lizards, drive away birds, and even blind baby rabbits by spewing acid in their eyes.

Tesla sells 310,000 vehicles in 1Q, despite logistics issues

Tesla delivered 310,000 vehicles in the first quarter, up roughly 68% from the same period in 2021, the company said Saturday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/tesla-sells-310-000-vehicles-in-1q-despite-logistics-issues

US agency acknowledges damage to dinosaur tracks in Utah

Dinosaur tracks from 112 million years ago have been damaged in southeastern Utah by heavy machinery used to rebuild a boardwalk at the popular tourist area, U.S. officials say.

California peregrine falcon finds partner after mate's death

A peregrine falcon whose longtime mate died this week amid the breeding season appears to have found a new partner to help her hatch two eggs.

People raised in cities are worse at navigation: study

People who grew up in the country have a better sense of direction and navigational skills than those raised in cities, a study said Wednesday.

Twinkle, twinkle: Astronomers discover farthest star yet

Astronomers have discovered the farthest star yet, a super-hot, super-bright giant that formed nearly 13 billion years ago at the dawn of the cosmos.

Iowa egg, turkey farms to lose 5 million birds to bird flu

Bird flu has infected two more farms in Iowa, forcing the killing of 5.3 million hens and 88,000 turkeys, officials said Friday.

Losing a hectare of wetlands could cost upward of $8,000 in flood damages

A first-of-its-kind article coauthored by scholars at Resources for the Future (RFF) and Columbia University in the journal American Economic Review finds that the loss of a hectare of wetlands (roughly the size of two and a half football fields) costs society an average of $1,900 in flood damages per year. In developed areas, that figure jumps to more than $8,000.

5 tips to make your fuel tank last longer while prices are high

The federal government's announcement of a halved fuel excise is no doubt music to many people's ears. Following Tuesday night's budget release, the excise (a government tax included in the purchase price of fuel) was halved from 44.2 cents per litre to 22.1 cents.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/5-tips-to-make-your-fuel-tank-last-longer-while-prices-are-high

How social media affects children at different ages, and how to protect them

A report from the UK's communications regulator Ofcom confirms children are avid social media users.

Ford recalls 737K vehicles to fix oil leaks, trailer brakes

Ford is issuing two recalls covering over 737,000 vehicles to fix oil leaks and trailer braking systems that won't work.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/ford-recalls-737k-vehicles-to-fix-oil-leaks-trailer-brakes

First audio recorded on Mars reveals two speeds of sound

The first audio recordings on Mars reveal a quiet planet with occasional gusts of wind where two different speeds of sound would have a strange delayed effect on hearing, scientists said Friday.

First-of-its-kind detection of reduced human carbon dioxide emissions

For the first time, researchers have spotted short-term, regional fluctuations in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) around the globe due to emissions from human activities.

Light pollution increasing year-round for some migrating birds

Nighttime light pollution levels are increasing the most in the southeastern United States, Mexico, and Central America—findings based on year-round data collected over the last two decades in the Western Hemisphere. This trend is a real concern for birds that fly at night during spring and fall migration and even during non-migratory seasons. Results of the study by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Colorado State University are published in Ecosphere.

Metaverse builders grapple with sex harassment conundrum

Nina Jane Patel felt confined and under threat as the male avatars closed in, intimidating her with verbal abuse, touching her avatar against her will and photographing the incident.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/metaverse-builders-grapple-with-sex-harassment-conundrum