Australia is investigating a digital currency, or e-dollar, but its benefits seem slight and the risks to privacy large
We are used to thinking of money as notes and coins, the kind most of us hold in our wallets. But most money—in Australia it's 96.3%—is digital, held by financial institutions and moved around via bank transfers, debit cards and credit cards......»»
Surfshark review: a fast streaming VPN for all your devices
I reviewed Surfshark, a fast, affordable streaming VPN with unlimited device support, great privacy protection, and an optional antivirus plan......»»
Green and digital transitions are putting environmental problems on the back burner, says study
The European Green Deal is a package of political initiatives to ensure that the EU reaches climate neutrality by 2050. Faced with this challenge, the parallel goals of the green and digital transitions are at the center of the European Commission's.....»»
After Click to Cancel, California law protects you when buying digital content
After Click to Cancel legislation for subscriptions, California has introduced another piece of consumer protection legislation for buying digital content. It will force companies to tell you when you won’t actually own the content you think you.....»»
Microsoft details security/privacy overhaul for Windows Recall ahead of relaunch
Recall nearly launched as a scraper that stored all its data in plaintext. Enlarge / An updated onboarding screen for Recall, with clearly visible buttons for opting in or out; Microsoft says Recall will be opt-in by default and.....»»
The biological marvels of the seabed are being mined to create commercial products—here are the risks
Thousands of genes from deep-sea marine life are being used to create new commercial products ranging from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics. Genes are segments of DNA that provide instructions for making other molecules that are essential for the structu.....»»
New approach reveals details about aerosol properties from hard-to-sample areas in the atmosphere
The spatial distribution of ambient aerosol particles plays a huge role in aerosol–radiation–cloud interactions; however, not enough sampling has been done from the atmospheric boundary layer and lower free troposphere. This leaves large gaps in.....»»
Wolfs review: This slight comedy caper is no Ocean’s Fourteen
George Clooney and Brad Pitt's Wolfs is better as a hang-out movie than a crime thriller......»»
How large language models are changing collective intelligence
Within teams, organizations, markets and online communities, ideas from a larger group can help to solve complex problems. Large language models (LLMs) are emerging as powerful tools to unlock even greater potential. Picture an online forum where tho.....»»
Advanced data shed light on gravitational basins of attraction that shape the movement of galaxies
A new study has mapped out the gravitational basins of attraction in the local universe, offering fresh insights into the large-scale cosmic structures that shape the movement of galaxies. The study has been published in Nature Astronomy......»»
Grocery stores that donate expiring food instead of price discounting or discarding make higher profits, says researcher
All major supermarkets and retailers that sell groceries, such as Kroger, Walmart and Costco, give large amounts of food to food banks and pantries. In 2022, retailers donated close to 2 billion pounds of food across the United States, which amounted.....»»
Dark matter could have slight interaction with regular matter, study suggests
The reason we call dark matter dark isn't that it's some shadowy material. It's because dark matter doesn't interact with light. The difference is subtle, but important. Regular matter can be dark because it absorbs light. It's why, for example, we c.....»»
New research offers fresh hope to curb illegal orchid trafficking in Vietnam
Orchids, with their captivating beauty, have become a multi-billion-dollar industry. Unfortunately, many species are on the brink of extinction, particularly in Vietnam, due to unsustainable wild harvesting and minimal enforcement of laws restricting.....»»
Sony, Ubisoft scandals prompt Calif. ban on deceptive sales of digital goods
New California law reminds us we don't own games and movies. Enlarge (credit: Carol Yepes | Moment) California recently became the first state to ban deceptive sales of so-called "disappearing media." On Tuesday, Governo.....»»
OpenAI drops nonprofit status in large-scale reorganization
OpenAI is reportedly planning to scrap the nonprofit structure of its core business in favor of a for-profit model that will be more attractive to investors......»»
Trump says FBI ‘must get Apple to open’ would-be assassins’ apps and phones
Apple is again at the center of a privacy controversy involving the FBI and locked phones. This time, comments by former president Donald Trump at a Wednesday rally have brought the issue back to the front of public discussion, as he put responsibili.....»»
Rethinking privacy: A tech expert’s perspective
Data privacy has become one of the most pressing challenges of our time, but it didn’t happen overnight. The proliferation of data collection, coupled with the rise of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning, has.....»»
Injecting manure into growing cover crops can cut pollution, support corn crops
Nitrogen in the soil, where plants can readily utilize it, benefits crop growth and health. However, nitrogen leaving the soil—whether through leaching into the groundwater table, flowing with surface runoff into streams or escaping into the air as.....»»
Key negotiator Norway sees "positive signals" ahead of plastic talks
In the single week that world leaders convened for high-level UN talks in New York, nearly 100,000 water bottles' worth of microplastics swirled through the city's air, posing known and still unknown risks to human health......»»
Auto companies struggle to recruit and keep software, tech talent
Outdated HR and hiring structures hinder the EV transition as competition for digital talent intensifies, according to Josh Bersin Co......»»
Heat, animal illness and erosion risks to affect NZ agriculture with changing climate
Scientists at Manaaki Whenua—Landcare Research have worked closely with researchers from NIWA, AgResearch and Plant & Food Research to model the likely risks of a warming climate across different agricultural sectors in New Zealand. The study is pu.....»»