Chinese military researchers tap U.S. AI models to train defence systems
As Chinese AI models close the gap with their U.S. counterparts, military researchers are also examining distillation as a potential security risk
Zotac Gaming Alloy mATX Case Review: Spacious Interior Makes PC Building a Breeze
Zotac is best known for its graphics cards and compact PCs, but the company has now stepped into the DIY PC case market with the new Gaming Alloy. Instead of launching a conventional ATX chassis, Zotac has opted for a micro-ATX
Humour, passion, connection: Montreal Comiccon celebrates summer edition
In this photo essay from Canada, we showcase the creativity of participants at this must-attend annual comics convention.
August 2026 is shaping up to be another busy month for smartphone launches, with several brands preparing to unveil devices across the flagship, premium mid-range, and budget segments. From powerful gaming phones and camera-centric flagships to affordable 5G handsets, the month
Why India still imports apples; How Magic Bus is helping rural women
If India is growing record quantities of apples, why is it importing more of them than ever? In other news, the Rural Livelihood Programme of Magic Bus India Foundation is helping women across seven states to become entrepreneurs through locally tailored livelihood programmes.
SpaceXs Falcon 9 Rocket Is About to Crash Into the Moonand It Could Be Visible From Earth
The impact will kick up a plume of debris so high, itll likely be visible through some telescopes. Astronomers will be watching.
Fish pathogens once limited to Asia and US emerge in Brazilian farms
For the first time in Brazil, scientists have identified the presence of bacteria that cause columnaris disease, a serious disease in farmed fish intended for human consumption. Previously, different species of the genus Flavobacterium had only been detected in fish farms in Asia and the United States.
Not just Neanderthals: Ghost lineage in Africa left its mark on our DNA
Some group with no modern descendants contributed a lot to our genomes.
Lenovo's first Googlebooks have leaked
The company appears to have built new laptops and a 2-in-1 for the Googlebook initiative.
Rivian spinoff Also to start delivering e-bikes after months of delays
Also has big plans beyond the TM-B. The startup mostly refers to itself as a vehicle company, and has plans to make four-wheel pedal-assist cargo vehicles for Amazon.
Silicon Valley loves young founders. Until it doesnt.
AI tools have democratizedthe opportunity to build, shorteningthe timelines of successandenabling more young people to start successful companies without stepping foot inside a Big Tech company.
Doctors took a look at man's painful shoulderthey found the joint was missing
The term Milwaukee Should Syndrome was coined in 1981, based on cases in four women.
Moonquakes could reveal ice buried beneath lunar south polar craters
Finding water on the moon may only be a matter of detecting the right vibrations.
Google plans to exempt sanctioned nations from Android developer verification
Someone in Cuba or Iran can keep installing APKs with no new restrictions, but devs will suffer.
Art festivals may revive island communities when tourism stays within local limits
Grounding intermittent art festivals such as the Setouchi Triennale within the resource capacities and social thresholds of the island communities that host them is a path to the sustainable, long-term revitalization of these communities.
Reddit keeps its strange DMCA fight over Google search results alive
Reddit advances lawsuit accusing Perplexity AI of conspiring with web scraper.
India is starting to pay for apps, not just download them
India's app market generated a record $345 million in Q2.
Smarter fish farms could cut electricity use and CO while keeping fish safe
Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are attracting growing attention as a sustainable aquaculture technology that can reduce water use, control rearing conditions and lower environmental impacts by filtering and reusing water. At the same time, RAS facilities rely on pumps, filters, aerators and other equipment that are often operated continuously or according to conservative fixed schedules, resulting in substantial electricity consumption to maintain stable rearing conditions.
A new genetic tool helps researchers uncover the logic of gene regulation
The human genome contains more than 20,000 genes. However, at any given time and in a given cell, only a fraction are active. Researchers from EMBL Heidelberg's Krebs Group have developed an innovative experimental approach to understand how cells determine which genes to turn on and when.
The company was accused of violating the Clean Air Act by the NAACP.
From research to policy: Study turns EU wildfire assessments into a tool for better governance
Climate change, land-use change and socioeconomic pressures are turning wildfires from a primarily ecological process into a complex, systemic risk that cuts across ecosystems, infrastructure, public health, water resources, cultural heritage and rural livelihoods. Despite substantial investments in firefighting capacity, wildfires are projected to become more frequent, extreme and devastating, underscoring the need for cross-cutting solutions.
Newly discovered mechanism protects DNA during cell division
Every time a cell divides, it must accurately copy and distribute its DNA between two new cells. However, in some cases, chromosomes do not fully separate, leaving behind thin strands of DNA known as DNA bridges that connect the two newly formed cells.
Isotopic analysis may help police combat illegal timber trade in Amazon
A map showing the distribution of isotopes in Amazonian tree wood can help identify illegally harvested timber. By analyzing the ratio of different isotopes of elements such as oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and strontium, researchers can pinpoint the region where the wood was harvested more precisely. This helps combat the illegal timber trade.
Homing in on the X-ray sky with eROSITA's second data release
The German eROSITA consortium (eROSITA-DE), which includes the University of Bonn and is led by the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE), has released its second major public data set, the eROSITA Data Release 2 (DR2).
ELT's spectrograph could 'sniff out' biosignatures on other worlds
Before any major telescope commissioning, there are dozens of papers that attempt to define what we can expect from it. We're starting to see some come through for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which hopefully will get a more imaginative name when the 39 m (128-foot) behemoth is officially commissioned in Chile in the 2030s.
Optimized magnetic pulses could cut memory switching energy by several orders of magnitude
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) driven by artificial intelligence (AI) are generating data at an unprecedented rate. Every internet search, AI-generated image, recommendation, scientific simulation and large language model creates and processes enormous amounts of information that must be stored, transferred and analyzed. As AI continues to expand across every sector of society, global demand for data storage and computing is rising dramatically.
A tool that allowed anyone to generate fake AI-generated imagery and superimpose it over real Google Earth maps quickly spurred backlash.
Lichen-like life 600 million years ago may push back origins of fungal-algal partnerships
Two organisms inhabiting a common environment can sometimes mutually influence each other, either benefiting or, in some cases, damaging one another. This mutually beneficial or ambivalent biological relationship is known as symbiosis.
Technical flaws may inflate Australia's forest carbon credits
AFPA has echoed serious concerns raised by Forestry Australia over the federal government's controversial new carbon credit method, warning it undermines the integrity and credibility of Australia's carbon market.
Fresh off its Wiz payout, Index Ventures raises $2B across three funds
The new funding brings Index's total available investing capital to $3.5 billion.
New blazes in Greece as strong winds hamper firefighting
New wildfires fed by strong winds broke out in Greece on Friday, giving firefighters little respite and forcing Civil Protection officials to order the partial evacuation of part of a suburb west of Athens.
New York alleges Kalshi is running an 'illegal gambling operation' in new lawsuit
Kalshi, which is headquartered in New York, has already been sued by multiple states.
Snapchat is cracking down on AI slop in Spotlight
Videos made with AI will no longer appear in Snapchat's public recommendations.
Google rolls back the needless AI generation tools it added to Google Earth
People had less than a day to make misleading Google Earth images with AI before Google pulled the feature.
Shark finning regulations have not significantly changed global trade, new analysis finds
Much like caviar, shark fins are a luxury product and delicacy in parts of the world. And like wild caviar, demand for shark fins has posed an incredible threat to species that can't reproduce quickly enough to keep up.
A single RNA-based therapeutics approach against multiple types of RNA viruses
The high frequency of RNA virus mutations and outbreaks of emerging RNA viral infections are challenging public health issues. Developing a drug that can overcome viral mutations with broad-spectrum antiviral activity is an unmet need.
VC-backed startups commit morefraud,and researchers think they know why
New research from the U.K.s Imperial College and Frances Emlyon Business School mapped out how Silicon Valley founders commit fraud and the role investors play.
Cretaceous beetle fossil reveals early evolution of firefly sensory and signaling systems
Scientists have discovered a remarkably well-preserved 100-million-year-old beetle fossil that provides a rare glimpse into the evolution of the intricate sensory and communication systems used by fireflies and their relatives today. Fireflies belong to the order Coleoptera, which includes all beetles.
Why is gaining citizen support for climate policies so difficult?
A study led by Marc Guinjoan, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the UAB, with researchers Toni Rodon of the UPF and Joel Ardiaca of the UB, reveals that citizen support for climate policies depends largely on how the costs, benefits and redistributive effects are communicated. The research, published in the journal West European Politics and based on two experiments using representative samples of the Spanish population, explains why specific climate measures face backlash despite widespread public acceptance of the need to fight climate change.
Experts survey the glacier ice on Mount Ararat for the first time
Facing wind and cold, with only half as much oxygen to breathe as in the valley, a German-Turkish research team surveyed the glacier on Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey for the first time in July, at more than 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) above sea level. For two weeks, the team explored the ice field, which until then had been a blank page for researchers. Their goal was to find out whether the ice on Turkey's highest mountain preserves a unique archive of climate and cultural history.
Chinese AI Researchers Are Finding Their Voice on X
As OpenAI and Anthropic employees grow quieter online, researchers at Chinese AI labs are flocking to X to explain their work, recruit talent, and shape the global conversation on AI.
New open-source software predicts energy transfer between tiny defects in solid materials
The performance of many next-generation devices depends on controlling how energy flows at extremely small scales. In the field of microelectronicswhere devices continue to shrink and new materials are introducedsmall imperfections in solids can strongly influence how a material stores, transfers or loses energy. Those processes can either be used to improve device performance or create problems such as energy loss, information loss, signal disruption or reduced reliability.
Modified cell vesicles trigger 'lipid counterstorm' against lung inflammation in mice
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted severe consequences of unchecked respiratory disease, including cytokine storms. This phenomenon affected many COVID-19 patients and is a potential side effect of many other diseases involving significant inflammation, but approaches to treating these symptoms remain unclear.
South Africa released 11 formerly captive elephants onto wild reserves; five years later...
In an inspiring study, South African elephants reintroduced into reserves demonstrated remarkable behavior akin to that of free-roaming herds. Researchers observed that these elephants not only adapted seamlessly to their natural habitats but also maintained optimal stress hormone levels. This research underscores the potential for long-term captive elephants to regain their independence, offering a promising outlook for the conservation efforts throughout southern Africa.
Diego Rivera claimed his mural Creation was half wax, but chemical forensics says otherwise
Adorning the walls of San Ildefonso College in Mexico City is artist Diego Rivera's masterpiece, rendered in fresco and gold leaf, The Creation, or La Creacio. It depicts a man standing with his arms outstretched beneath a deep blue celestial disk studded with stars and constellations, while figures seated on clouds watch from either side. The work catalyzed the revival of the encaustic painting technique in the 1920s.
New low-water method could make production of clean-energy materials much greener
A new Concordia study has demonstrated a greener way to produce an important class of catalytic materials with promising potential for cleaner energy technologies that rely more on acoustic energy than water and chemicals. The work is published in the journal Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis.
Sam Altmanisntthe only one who wants to pump the brakes on AI
After years of pushing full speed ahead on AI,OpenAI CEOSam Altman saysmaybe itstime for the AI industry to pace itself. The comments camejust days after one of OpenAIs own models broke out of its test environment and got tangled up ina breach at Hugging Facethough as Equitys hosts point out, sloppy security seems to have []
Magnetic nanoparticles remove forever chemicals from water
PFAS, otherwise known as forever chemicals, have become commonplace in numerous everyday and industrial products. At the same time, they are some of the most problematic pollutants of our times: They are extremely durable, accumulate in the environment and in organisms and can only be removed from water with difficulty.
French, Italian winegrowers face earliest ever harvest
Scorching summer temperatures have disrupted life for millions of Europeans, but for winegrowers in Italy and France who are harvesting their grapes unusually early, the hot weather offers pros as well as cons.
The company's gross margin was 50.1%, including a favourable impact of approximately 2% points from tariff refunds
An international team of volcanologists working on Carlingford Mountain has found that liquid magma chambers do not always exist beneath volcanoes. The team instead demonstrated that magma plumbing systems beneath Earth's surface can fluctuate between solid- and liquid-dominated states, providing an improved view of how active volcanoes evolve through time.
Snapchat no longer rewards fully AI-generated Spotlight content
Snapchat has adjusted its recommendation systems to ensure that only videos created by real people are eligible for Spotlight recommendations, taking a stance against AI slop.
Sony will move forward with its plans to stop making PS5 discs despite backlash
Sony responded to widespread criticism of its plan to discontinue games on discs in its latest earnings call.
Agricultural waste could fuel protein-rich black soldier fly larvae for human foods
They're wriggly black grubs more commonly tossed to backyard hens than served at the dinner table, but black soldier fly larvae could soon play a key role in building a more sustainable food system, according to new research from Adelaide University.
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4961-4967: Approaching a break in the rock record?
Curiosity spent the week continuing to climb her way through the layers of Mount Sharp, exploring the sedimentary rock strip chart of Martian history. The rover has reached a layer where the science team had spotted a possible erosional supersurface by analyzing orbital data alongside images of the layers in the buttes above us.
Ancient Rome's food shortages were shaped more by logistics than climate
Ancient Rome's greatest threat to food security wasn't the weather but the challenge of getting grain to the capital, according to a new study. By comparing hundreds of years of historical records with reconstructions of past climate, researchers found that periods of unusual heat, cold, drought or heavy rainfall rarely lined up with reported food shortages.
EU will mandate labels on authentic-looking AI content starting August 2
It is a matter not only of customer protection, it's also a matter of democracy protection.
Japan probe made closest-ever asteroid flyby: space agency
A Japanese probe flew 400 meters (1,312 feet) from a near-Earth asteroid this month, marking the closest approach ever recorded for such a mission, the space agency said.
Can Republicans Actually Send Anthony Fauci to Jail?
MAGA is loudly calling for the former White House chief medical adviser to end up in prison. WIRED asked legal experts to weigh in on whether thats even possible.
Siri AI could come with a paywall for power users
Apple CEO Tim Cook envisions users being able to buy more compute for Siri AI via Apple's existing iCloud+ subscriptions.
Consumer confidence rises for second straight month; views remain downbeat amid high prices
Consumer sentiment confirmed its early-July reading, landing almost 12% above June, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers.
New method flags hurricane rapid intensification up to five days ahead
The rapid intensification of a hurricane ranks among the most dangerous weather events on Earth. Storms such as Hurricane Michael, which crashed ashore in the Florida Panhandle with winds of 160 mph (about 257 km/h), and Hurricane Otis, the costliest hurricane to strike Mexico's Pacific coast, caught communities unawares when they intensified at a rate that computer models failed to anticipate.
GM and Ford are talking less and less about EVs
The leading U.S. automakers are mentioning EVs on their investor calls at pre-pandemic rates, according to new data from TechCrunch and Hudson Labs.
Diamond's newfound defect may tame vibrations that hinder quantum light sources
Researchers in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have discovered a new type of quantum light emitter in diamonds that could help overcome a number of challenges facing quantum technologies.
Newsom reverses on long-sought paid leave benefit for California teachers
The majority of California's roughly 300,000 teachers don't have access to the state-funded paid leave program that most new parents in the private sector do. Instead, many local school districts deduct the cost of a substitute teacher from educators' pay during parental leave.
Samsung expects memory shortage to worsen through 2027 and last until 2028
AI data center demand is fueling a multi-year chip shortage, pushing up component costs and retail device prices.
Australia's social media ban for under-16s has had limited impact so far
Nearly 22 percent of children are on Pinterest while there was no statistically significant change in AI chatbot use.
Is the Apple Watch waterproof?
There's a difference between waterproof and water resistant.
Getting outside despite your 9to5 job can improve your mental health
The modern workday unfolds largely indoors. Long hours spent commuting, sitting in meetings and staring at screens can make time outdoors feel like a luxury. Finding time for nature in an already packed workday can feel impossible, especially if you think nature only counts when it involves hiking boots and camping gear.
Chemists unlock Appel fluorination with potassium fluoride
Alcohols are among the most abundant building blocks in chemistry. Fluorinated compounds, meanwhile, are essential for many modern medicines, crop protection products and advanced materials. Converting one into the other, however, has traditionally relied on toxic, thermally unstable reagents such as DAST (diethylaminosulfur trifluoride) that make large-scale manufacturing operationally demanding.
AI Slop Melodramas Are Taking Over Xand Their Creators Are Cashing In
Viral tales of good triumphing over evil are racking up millions of views. Theyre almost entirely AI-generated clickbait.
Randomly mixed atoms arranged in rows and columns for sustainable catalysis
The energy system of the future will require sustainable catalysts that, for example, enable the efficient production of green hydrogen. Materials consisting of mixtures of five chemical elements show great promise for enabling ideal catalysts in the future.
Students are anxiousand it's no surprise, since we are teaching them to be that way
Temporary anxiety can often surface before the first day of school. Sometimes, that can help kids get in the right mindset for a big day. But when anxiety becomes a constant feature of children's and teenagers' days, that stress doesn't switch off when they leave the classroom or finish an exam. It can become the body's norm, staying with learners long after graduation.
Reddit is testing a new way to watch and listen to its viral posts
Reddit is developing a new video experience that lets users watch or simply listen to its most popular posts, taking inspiration from the viral TikTok videos that pair Reddit stories with gameplay or other footage. CEO Steve Huffman said the feature is already in the works and could begin testing later this year.
This AI Assistant Wants to Make Up for Your Boyfriends Incompetence
An ad for Orchid suggests the AI agent can fix relationship problems by simply doing everything for inconsiderate partners.
Govt to question Meta global team on issues around algorithmic bias
New Delhi: Metas global team, which has been summoned by the government after the social media company restricted Prime Minister Narendra Modis Facebook post, will be questioned on issues around algorithmic bias and their role in public order, sources said on Friday, July 31. Sources further said that Metas global team is expected sometime in Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Smallest.ai raises $13M to build ultra-fast voice AI that sounds genuinely human
The startup is building voice models designed to make AI phone calls pass the Turing test.
(Weekly funding roundup July 25-31) VC funding drops to another low
Venture capital funding has plunged to the second lowest level on a weekly basis for the year till now.
Surprising boiling behavior in liquids could advance future space missions
When astronauts travel deeper into space, every drop of fuel becomes critical, and keeping those fuels stable for months or even years is one of the biggest engineering challenges facing future missions. Now, University of Florida researchers have uncovered a surprising behavior in boiling liquids that could help solve that challenge.
WhatsApp is testing a new folder for messages from large businesses
WhatsApp will automatically move messages from large businesses to a new folder a few hours after you receive them.
IIRM Holdings to raise 150 crore from Carpediem Capital, Sanshi Fund
IIRM Holdings has raised Rs 1,500 million from Carpediem Capital and Sanshi Fund I to fund expansion, acquisitions and business growth.
Government to question Meta global team on issues around algorithmic bias, role in public order
The government earlier this week summoned a top Meta executive after Modis recent post addressing Indias youth and promising stringent measures against paper leaks was briefly restricted on Facebook.
EbixCash World Money gets perpetual RBI licence for trade and family remittances
EbixCash World Money is the first Authorised Dealer Category-II (AD-II) entity to receive a perpetual RBI licence with an expanded scope under the Reserve Bank of India's revised FEMA framework, allowing it to process trade remittances of up to Rs 25 lakh and family maintenance remittances. Ebix
New photonic platform offers a four-lane highway for light
Topological photonics can force propagating light to travel in a single directionallowing researchers to route optical signals around corners and past defects without any of it scattering backward. So far, however, this one-way flow has only been found at the boundary between two specially engineered opological insulator regions, leaving most of the material unavailable for light transport.
Why bad health information can seem so convincingand five ways to resist it
Recent reports have highlighted AI-generated doctors spreading dubious health advice to millions of social media users. Fabricated wellness trends can travel just as quickly. A supposed pink jelly weight-loss treatment, for example, reportedly fooled at least one celebrity.
AI scammers outperform humans when it comes to building trust
The AI chatbot was more effective at creating exploitable trust than the humans.
In mathematics and getting dressed, some processes are commutative, while others are noncommutative. Commutative means the order doesn't matter (3 + 2 is the same as 2 + 3, and it doesn't matter which sock goes on first). Noncommutative means the order does matter.
Poochmaxxing: the wellness industry is coming for your pets
I am a runner who loves being active alongside my dogs. Actually, I am more of a plodderand one with very bad knees. Those knees benefit from regular physiotherapy and sports massage. You might not be surprised, then, to hear that I have regular physiotherapy appointments. The slight curveball is that the last three appointments I have attended have been with my dogs' veterinary physiotherapist.
If you're worried about noise, utility costs, or pollution: here's how to fight against a data center.
Tesla reportedly might sell its China business ahead of a SpaceX merger
Tesla had already reportedly prepped for the idea in the event that Beijing invades Taiwan.
