Betelgeuse, the red giant star, has been exhibiting unusual behavior since the Great Dimming that occurred in 2019 and early 2020. The fluctuations in brightness that were a regular occurrence have changed, and the star has become uncharacteristically bright. Currently, Betelgeuse is at 142 percent of its normal brightness, with a steady upward trend for
The Chinese government has warned users of computer equipment that is considered sensitive to stop purchasing products from Micron Technology Inc., the largest memory chipmaker in the United States. The Cyberspace Administration of China has stated that Micron products pose unspecified “serious network security risks” that threaten national security and the country’s information infrastructure. The
Aspartame, an artificial sweetener approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1981, is widely used in low-calorie foods and drinks. While it is found in nearly 5,000 different products consumed by adults and children, there have been question marks over potentially adverse reactions to the sweetener in some people. A 2022 study
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects 2.8 million people around the world. The disease causes the immune system to damage the brain and spinal cord, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, vision disturbance, problems with mobility and balance, and cognitive dysfunction. Although the exact cause of MS remains unknown, scientists have suggested
Intestinal infections are a significant health concern for impoverished Black communities with outdated sewage systems. These infections spread through contaminated soil and water and are among the most common diseases worldwide. Up to 50 percent of people around the world are infected with Helicobacter pylori, bacteria that live in the stomach and can cause ulcers
Social robots are increasingly being used in educational settings for support. However, the question remains: Does the sound of a social robot affect its performance, particularly when dealing with teams of humans? Teamwork is a crucial factor in human creativity, as it enhances collaboration and new ideas. The University of Southern Denmark’s researchers set out
Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), is a condition that affects people who have recovered from COVID-19 and experience symptoms for an extended period of time. With over 65 million people worldwide estimated to live with this debilitating condition, researchers are desperate to understand the underlying biology driving it. The aim is
The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope has provided incredible, new images of the Sun, revealing intricate details of the solar atmosphere with a resolution of around 20 kilometers. The telescope has captured images of sunspots, revealing the roiling convective cells, and the motion of plasma. In addition, the telescope’s observations provide a glimpse of the
The Mediterranean diet has long been associated with numerous health benefits, including lower rates of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and dementia. However, despite the strong evidence supporting these benefits, it remains unclear how this particular mix of foods can lead to a longer lifespan. Researchers from Stanford University in the US have recently discovered cellular
Toyota has suspended shipments of 56,111 Raize hybrid vehicles produced by Daihatsu Motor Co. and 22,329 Daihatsu Rocky vehicles sold in Japan. The suspension comes after Daihatsu revealed that there had been improper crash tests for these models. The company used results for a pole used to measure impact on the left side for the
Our eyes are constantly exposed to light, with every color, flash, and sunray taking a toll on the light-sensitive tissue at the back of our eyes. This produces toxic materials that can damage the cells that enable us to see. However, the pigment that darkens our hair, skin, and eyes, known as melanin, can act
The G7 leaders have announced that they will launch discussions on the responsible use of generative artificial intelligence. A working group will be set up to tackle issues from copyright to disinformation. The group will be organized in cooperation with the OECD group of developed countries and the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI). The
Satellites have traditionally been made of metal but a new project called LignoSat, by a team of Japanese researchers, has tested magnolia wood as a housing material for satellites. Wood has several advantages over metal, such as flexibility, strength, and relatively lightweight. Moreover, when metal enclosures burn up during reentry, aluminum shavings remain as space
Generative AI has become increasingly popular in recent years, but there is a question that is often overlooked: who can afford it? OpenAI, for example, spent around $540 million last year developing ChatGPT and estimates that it needs $100 billion to achieve its goals. “We’re going to be the most capital-intensive startup in Silicon Valley
The United States President Joe Biden’s ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is facing an unexpected challenge: permitting bottlenecks. If the president cannot streamline the permitting process for power plants, transmission lines, and other projects, the country is unlikely to have the infrastructure needed for a future powered by carbon-free electricity. For example, John
