From Ars Technica · 40 stories
Study finds current El Niño stronger than any in the last 1,000 years
A new study analyzing fossilized Galápagos corals found that recent El Niño events are stronger than any recorded in the past millennium. This research provides insight into how global warming might be influencing the intensity of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) system.
President Trump Calls into NASA News Conference for Roman Space Telescope Launch
President Trump unexpectedly called into a NASA news conference via phone to congratulate officials on the launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. This unusual intervention highlights a growing presidential interest in space, departing from historical norms where presidents rarely engage directly with routine NASA events.
Senators Call for Criminal Probe and Ouster of RFK Jr. Over Alleged Lies to Senate
Senators are renewing calls for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to step down or be removed from his position as Health Secretary, with some advocating for a criminal investigation. This follows the release of documents that senators claim prove Kennedy lied during his confirmation hearings regarding his anti-vaccine activities.
NASA T-38 Astronaut Training Jet Receives New Artemis Livery
NASA has unveiled a new paint scheme for one of its T-38 astronaut training jets, featuring an Artemis-themed design. This update celebrates the agency's program to return astronauts to the Moon and marks the first livery change for these aircraft in decades.
Swiss Citizens Bury Underpants for Soil Health Study
A citizen science project in Switzerland, called "Proof by Underpants," involved 1,000 participants burying cotton underpants for two months to assess soil health. This method, detailed in a new paper in Plants People Planet, provides a playful and accessible way to measure decomposition rates and understand soil quality.
Florida Catholic Bishops Reject AG's Demand for Religious Vaccine Exemptions in Schools
Florida's Catholic bishops publicly rejected Attorney General James Uthmeier's demand to offer religious exemptions for school vaccinations, despite his threat to withhold state funding. The bishops stated that Catholic schools in Florida do not recognize theological arguments against vaccination and only accept medical exemptions. This dispute highlights a conflict between state policy and religious institutional autonomy regarding vaccine requirements.
Porsche 911 GT3 Touring Receives 992.2 Mid-Cycle Update with Engine Adjustments
The Porsche 911 GT3 Touring has received its 992.2 mid-cycle update, retaining its naturally aspirated 4.0 L flat-six engine and track-tuned chassis. Regulatory changes led to a 15 lb-ft torque reduction, offset by cylinder head and camshaft changes from the GT3 RS to maintain horsepower, and an 8% shorter final-drive ratio for improved acceleration.
Seattle Company Interlune Explores Lunar Helium-3 Mining Feasibility
A Seattle-based company, Interlune, is investigating the practicalities of mining helium-3 from the Moon's surface. This initiative explores the potential for lunar resources to provide helium-3 for fusion energy and other applications, which could establish a new extraterrestrial resource industry.
DSM to Integrate Biological Factors in Future Mental Illness Diagnoses
The American Psychiatric Association plans to incorporate biological factors into the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This update addresses past criticisms regarding the lack of objective biological measures in psychiatric diagnoses, aiming to modernize the manual.
Museum conservationists research preserving phosphorescent and fluorescent art pigments
Conservationists at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields are researching phosphorescent and fluorescent pigments used in designer Stephen Sprouse's work to prevent color dulling. This research, presented at the American Chemical Society meeting, aims to improve the preservation of art and fashion that utilizes these light-emitting materials.
New bootloader enables root access and Meta-free operation for original Quest VR headset
A new bootloader and exploit called QuestStack provides full root access to the original Meta Quest VR headset, allowing users to operate the device independently of Meta's services. This development enables sideloading apps without a Meta Developer account and ensures continued functionality even if Meta discontinues server support for the device.
Induced Hibernation in Mice Causes Significant Synapse Loss While Preserving Memory
Researchers induced a hibernation-like state in mice, which resulted in the loss of over half their synapses, yet the mice retained their memories. This finding challenges the leading hypothesis that memories are stored through strengthened and physically larger neuronal connections, suggesting memory persistence despite significant synaptic plasticity.
Penn State Scientists Use Thunderquakes and Fiber Optics for Seismic Imaging
Scientists at Penn State developed a model to interpret seismic signals from "thunderquakes" and used fiber-optic cabling to map subsurface terrain. This method offers a new way to conduct seismic imaging without waiting for earthquakes or using explosives.
Astronomers discover star orbiting closer to Milky Way's central black hole than any other known star
Astronomers have identified a new star with an extremely eccentric orbit that brings it closer to Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, than any previously observed star. This discovery could enable the first measurements of Sgr A*'s spin, providing new insights into black hole properties beyond mass.
Ford's new Hypercar makes unofficial debut at Paul Ricard circuit for Le Mans return
Ford's new, unnamed Hypercar completed its first track test at the Paul Ricard circuit in France, marking the company's return to top-tier endurance racing in the Hypercar category. This move signifies Ford's ambition to compete for an overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a feat it last achieved in 1969.
Supreme Court Rejects Verizon's $47 Million FCC Fine Refund Bid
The Supreme Court denied Verizon's petition to refund a $47 million fine from the FCC, effectively ending Verizon's legal challenge to the penalty. This decision follows an earlier Supreme Court ruling that the FCC's penalty process does not violate the Seventh Amendment, though AT&T and T-Mobile continue to challenge similar fines on different grounds.
Research identifies only known trebuchet casualty in history from medieval siege remains
Paleopathologist Jo Buckberry presented research identifying a skeleton, dubbed Skeleton 150, as the only known trebuchet casualty in history. The individual died during a medieval siege at Stirling Castle from a single, crushing impact by a heavy, fast-moving object, consistent with a trebuchet projectile.
Marvel Studios releases first trailer for 'VisionQuest' at D23 fan event
Marvel Studios unveiled the first trailer for its new series "VisionQuest" at Disney's D23 fan event, detailing the premise of Vision's return and his journey with a mysterious boy. The series will explore themes of intergenerational trauma and feature returning actors Paul Bettany and James Spader.
Czinger 21C Spyder Debuts with Organic-Looking Brake Assemblies
Czinger unveiled its new 21C Spyder at Monterey Car Week, featuring brake assemblies created with direct-metal laser-sintering technology. This technology, originally from Divergent 3D, produces topology-optimized shapes that are lighter than traditional designs, showcasing an alternative manufacturing approach for automotive components.
US cancer surgery wait times increased for six cancer types between 2012 and 2023
A new study found that wait times for cancer surgeries in the US have consistently increased over the last decade for six common cancer types. This trend indicates a worsening aspect of cancer care despite advancements in treatment and outcomes.
ShieldFont uses ligatures to alter web content for AI scrapers while preserving human readability
Designers Isaque Seneda and Gabriel Abrucio created ShieldFont, a new font that displays readable text to users but presents altered, nonsensical versions to AI scrapers in the underlying HTML. This aims to provide web publishers with a method to opt out of unauthorized AI training by corrupting collected data.
JCB Hydromax Sets New Hydrogen-Powered Car Land Speed Record
The JCB Hydromax, powered by two hydrogen-burning engines, achieved a new land speed record for hydrogen-powered cars on the Bonneville Salt Flats. This development highlights JCB's continued investment in hydrogen combustion technology as an alternative to diesel engines for heavy equipment.
Cold Iron Studios Shuts Down Cloud Version of Aliens: Fireteam Elite on Nintendo Switch
Cold Iron Studios has shut down the cloud version of its game, Aliens: Fireteam Elite, on the Nintendo Switch, making the game unplayable for purchasers without offering refunds. This action affects customers who paid up to $60 for the game and coincides with the upcoming release of a sequel.
SteamOS 3.8.25 Beta Adds Gamepad Support for More Non-Valve Handhelds
Valve released SteamOS 3.8.25 Beta, which includes initial gamepad support for new gaming handhelds like the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ and improved support for others. This update indicates Valve's continued effort to expand SteamOS compatibility beyond its own hardware, including Intel-based devices.
fMRI Study Identifies Brain Regions in Dogs Processing Human Facial Expressions
A new study published in iScience used fMRI scans to identify specific brain regions in dogs that process happy human facial expressions and differentiate between negative expressions like anger, sadness, and fear. This research provides neural evidence for dogs' ability to understand human emotions, building on previous behavioral studies.
Mount Toba eruption had minimal global climate impact, new research suggests
New research indicates that the Mount Toba volcanic eruption 74,000 years ago had a limited global climate impact, lasting less than two years with only half a degree of cooling. This finding challenges previous theories that the eruption nearly caused human extinction, suggesting its effects were not as catastrophic as once believed.
Perseverance Rover to Break Martian Driving Distance Record with Autonomous Navigation
NASA's Perseverance rover is set to surpass the Martian driving distance record, exceeding 45.16 km, largely due to its advanced autonomous navigation system. This achievement highlights the impact of improved onboard processing capabilities on extraterrestrial exploration efficiency.
Copernicus Browser Adds Dedicated Wildfire Visualization Layer for Sentinel-2 Imagery
The Copernicus Browser, Europe's free satellite imagery service, added a new "wildfires" visualization layer for Sentinel-2 imagery on August 4. This update allows users to more easily identify active fires, burning vegetation, and burned landscapes, improving wildfire tracking capabilities for the public.
Scientists Discover How Snails Tune Mucus Properties Using Collagen and Calcium
German scientists have identified that collagen and calcium work together to give snail mucus its varying mechanical properties. This discovery explains how snails produce different types of slime for specific functions, which could have implications for drug delivery and cosmetic applications.
Volkswagen Reportedly Plans US-Made Pickup Truck by 2030 to Revive American Business
Volkswagen Group is reportedly planning to introduce a US-made pickup truck by 2030 as part of a strategy to improve its American market performance. This move aims to enter the high-margin pickup and large SUV segments, which Volkswagen currently does not compete in, to address declining sales in North America and China.
US Health Department moves to shut down organ procurement group after patient safety failures
The US Department of Health and Human Services has initiated the decertification process for Network for Hope (NFH), a Kentucky-based organ procurement organization. This action follows two federal investigations that uncovered persistent patient safety failures, including instances where patients with neurological signs were deemed eligible for donation despite being ineligible.
Parasitic zombie-ant fungus found to thrive in mosses, suggesting a second life stage
DNA analysis revealed that the parasitic Cordyceps fungus, known for infecting insects, also lives within mosses. This discovery suggests a previously unknown life stage for the fungus, potentially allowing it to survive when insect hosts are scarce and explaining why infected insects bite into moss during their final stages.
Infinite Machine's Olto electric scooter designed to operate within bicycle regulations
Infinite Machine released the Olto, an electric scooter designed to technically qualify as a bicycle, allowing it to use bike lane infrastructure. This product addresses the increasing use of electric personal transport in urban bike lanes, offering a scooter experience while adhering to bicycle regulations.
Research Re-evaluates Incan Child Sacrifice Victim's Cause of Death
Archaeologists re-analyzed the remains of an Incan child sacrifice victim, known as the Boy of Cerro El Plomo, concluding he died from blunt force trauma, not freezing. This re-evaluation provides new insights into the specific methods used in the Incan Capachoca ritual.
Lego Releases New Hubble Space Telescope Model with Interior Details
Lego released a new 1,252-piece model of the Hubble Space Telescope on August 1, priced at $140. This desktop model is the first Lego Hubble to include representations of its internal science instruments and is scaled to a Lego minifigure.
Judge Orders Waymo to Halt Overnight Charging in Santa Monica Due to Noise Complaints
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has issued a preliminary injunction against Waymo, prohibiting the company from operating its charging facilities overnight in Santa Monica. This ruling follows a public nuisance lawsuit filed by the City of Santa Monica, citing noise, light pollution, and traffic congestion from Waymo's autonomous vehicles.
Rockefeller University Team Reveals Advanced Olfactory Navigation in Fruit Flies
A research team at Rockefeller University, led by neuroscientist Vanessa Ruta, has demonstrated that fruit flies use a more sophisticated method than previously thought to track odor plumes. This finding challenges the long-held "surge and cast" model, suggesting a more advanced neural processing for navigating chaotic scent environments.
New research suggests a 'ghost lineage' of hominins interbred with early modern humans in Africa
Researchers have found evidence of a third, previously unknown hominin lineage that interbred with modern humans before they migrated out of Africa. This discovery adds complexity to the understanding of human ancestry beyond Neanderthal and Denisovan interbreeding.
AI Startup LemonLime Faces Backlash for Tattoo-for-Interview Gimmick and 7-Day Work Week
AI startup LemonLime offered job interviews to individuals who got a permanent tattoo of its logo, leading to public backlash. CEO Jordan Zietz admitted to "poor judgment" regarding the tattoo stunt, which seven people participated in. The company also promotes a "7 days a week" work culture, causing some applicants to withdraw.
Netflix Sued After Unencrypted Movie Drive Stolen From Office Desk
Netflix is being sued by Op-Fortitude and financier Simon Afram after an unencrypted hard drive containing the unreleased movie "Fortitude" was stolen from a Netflix office desk. The lawsuit alleges Netflix failed to implement basic security measures and delayed informing the production company about the theft, potentially leading to a leak and financial losses.