3-D images of fabric "sandwich" can help measure textile friction
To quantify exactly how itchy a wool sweater might be when worn directly against the skin, or how soft a blanket spread on your bed can be, North Carolina State University researchers developed a method of measuring fabric's roughness using 3-D imagi.....»»
Russia stands alone in vetoing UN resolution on nuclear weapons in space
"The United States assesses that Russia is developing a new satellite carrying a nuclear device." Enlarge / A meeting of the UN Security Council on April 14. (credit: Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images) Russia vetoed a.....»»
Millions of IPs remain infected by USB worm years after its creators left it for dead
Ability of PlugX worm to live on presents a vexing dilemma: Delete it or leave it be. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) A now-abandoned USB worm that backdoors connected devices has continued to self-replicate for years sin.....»»
Can an online library of classic video games ever be legal?
Preservationists propose access limits, but industry worries about a free "online arcade." Enlarge / The Q*Bert's so bright, I gotta wear shades. (credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images | Gottlieb) For years now, video gam.....»»
Apple releases eight small AI language models aimed at on-device use
OpenELM mirrors efforts by Microsoft to make useful small AI language models that run locally. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) In the world of AI, what might be called "small language models" have been growing in populari.....»»
Scientists say voluntary corporate emissions targets not enough to create real climate action
Companies' emissions reduction targets should not be the sole measure of corporate climate ambition, according to a new perspective paper......»»
School athletic director arrested for framing principal using AI voice synthesis
Police uncover plot to defame principal with AI-generated racist and antisemitic comments. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) On Thursday, Baltimore County Police arrested Pikesville High School's former athletic director, D.....»»
In the face of bans, ByteDance tightens grip over US TikTok operations
Relationship between TikTok, ByteDance deepens as tensions over the app’s ownership escalate. Enlarge (credit: FT/Getty Images) TikTok’s Beijing-based owner ByteDance tightened its grip over its US operations over th.....»»
Google can’t quit third-party cookies—delays shut down for a third time
Google says UK regulator testing means the advertising tech will last until 2025. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) Will Chrome, the world's most popular browser, ever kill third-party cookies? Apple and Mozilla both killed.....»»
No more refunds after 100 hours: Steam closes Early Access playtime loophole
It's largely a win against scammers, but a simple policy doesn't fit all games. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) "Early Access" was once a novel, quirky thing, giving a select set of Steam PC games a way to involve enthusi.....»»
Chamber of Commerce sues FTC in Texas, asks court to block ban on noncompetes
Noncompete clauses "benefit employers and workers alike," Chamber tells court. (credit: Getty Images | eccolo74) The US Chamber of Commerce and other business groups sued the Federal Trade Commission and FTC Chair Lina K.....»»
Deepfakes in the courtroom: US judicial panel debates new AI evidence rules
Panel of eight judges confronts deep-faking AI tech that may undermine legal trials. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) On Friday, a federal judicial panel convened in Washington, DC, to discuss the challenges of policing AI.....»»
Nation-state hackers exploit Cisco firewall 0-days to backdoor government networks
Perimeter devices ought to prevent network hacks. Why are so many devices allowing attacks? Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) Hackers backed by a powerful nation-state have been exploiting two zero-day vulnerabilities in Ci.....»»
How studying trends in human lifespans can measure progress in addressing inequality
People are living longer lives compared to previous generations but, over the last few decades, there has been a hidden shift—they are passing away at increasingly similar ages......»»
Hackers are using developing countries for ransomware practice
Businesses in Africa, Asia, and South America hit before moving on to Western targets. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) Cyber attackers are experimenting with their latest ransomware on businesses in Africa, Asia, and Sout.....»»
US bans TikTok owner ByteDance, will prohibit app in US unless it is sold
Bill gives ByteDance 270 days to sell TikTok or app loses access to US market. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | Chesnot ) The Senate last night approved a bill that orders TikTok owner ByteDance to sell the company within.....»»
Hackers are carrying out ransomware experiments in developing countries
Businesses in Africa, Asia, and South America hit before moving on to western targets. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) Cyber attackers are experimenting with their latest ransomware on businesses in Africa, Asia and South.....»»
Linux can finally run your car’s safety systems and driver-assistance features
Increasingly, our cars will be controlled by a small number of powerful computers. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) There's a new Linux distro on the scene today, and it's a bit specialized. Its development was led by the.....»»
Grindr users seek payouts after dating app shared HIV status with vendors
Grindr admitted sharing HIV status with software firms in 2018, said it stopped. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | Thomas Trutschel) Grindr is facing a class action lawsuit from hundreds of users over the sharing of HIV st.....»»
Microsoft’s Phi-3 shows the surprising power of small, locally run AI language models
Microsoft’s 3.8B parameter Phi-3 may rival GPT-3.5, signaling a new era of “small language models." Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) On Tuesday, Microsoft announced a new, freely available lightweight AI language model.....»»
Hackers infect users of antivirus service that delivered updates over HTTP
eScan AV updates were delivered over HTTP for five years. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) Hackers abused an antivirus service for five years in order to infect end users with malware. The attack worked because the service.....»»