Facebook’s metaverse gambit is a distraction from its deep-seated problems
Facebook's problems aren’t sexy to solve, so it has found a distraction. Enlarge / Mark Zuckerberg demonstrates an Oculus Rift headset at a 2016 event. (credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Facebook mastered social media by.....»»
Up to 600 million Facebook and Instagram passwords stored in plain text
Meta has been fined €91M ($101M) after it was discovered that to 600 million Facebook and Instagram passwords had been stored in plain text. Some of those passwords had been unprotected since 2012, and were searchable by more than 20,000 Meta em.....»»
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.....»»
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.....»»
The unexpected role of magnetic microbes in deep-sea mining
Polymetallic nodules are potato-sized formations on the ocean floor that are rich in minerals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese. Their concentration of rare, economically important minerals has made the nodules the focus of controversial deep-sea.....»»
Team debunks research showing Facebook"s news-feed algorithm curbs election misinformation
An interdisciplinary team of researchers led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst have published work in the journal Science calling into question the conclusions of a widely reported study—published in Science in 2023—finding the social pl.....»»
Google’s latest Pixel Watch update is kind of a mess
If you are a Google Pixel Watch or Google Pixel Watch 2 user and haven't updated to Wear OS 5, don't. Some users are reporting problems after the installation......»»
New MIT protocol protects sensitive data during cloud-based computation
Deep-learning models have found applications across various industries, from healthcare diagnostics to financial forecasting. However, their high computational demands often require powerful cloud-based servers. This dependency on cloud computing rai.....»»
Cretaceous fireflies reveal early evolution of insect bioluminescence
Bioluminescence, the ability of living organisms to emit light, is a fascinating phenomenon observed in various life forms, including deep-sea fish, glowing mushrooms, and fireflies. Fireflies have long captivated people with their enchanting light d.....»»
Security protocol leverages quantum mechanics to shield data from attackers during cloud-based computation
Deep-learning models are being used in many fields, from health care diagnostics to financial forecasting. However, these models are so computationally intensive that they require the use of powerful cloud-based servers......»»
Deep learning framework improves snow cover fraction estimation
Accurate snow cover information is crucial for studying global climate and hydrology. However, deep learning approaches for retrieving snow cover fraction (SCF) often suffer from limitations in training data dependence and interpretability......»»
A new approach for rockburst risk control and mitigation in deep mining
Mining of minerals is important for the advancement of modern society. However, over many years of mining, shallow resources are depleting with the need to migrate to deep levels......»»
LG TVs start showing ads on screensavers
LG's TV business is heightening focus on selling ads and tracking. Enlarge / LG's 2024 G4 OLED TV. (credit: LG) Last month, Ars Technica went on a deep dive into the rapid growth of ads in TV software. Less than three.....»»
Sound provides new information about the secret lives of sperm whales
Sperm whales are the loudest animals on Earth and rely on sound to find food in the sprawling darkness of the deep sea. MBARI technology allows us to listen in, gaining new insight into the mysterious lives of these animals......»»
Afar mantle plume study offers new insight into deep Earth processes
Sophisticated analysis of tiny bubbles of ancient gas trapped in volcanic rocks, combined with new geophysical modeling, has cast new light on long-held assumptions about the deep Earth......»»
Nanostructures in the deep ocean floor hint at life"s origin
Researchers led by Ryuhei Nakamura at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) in Japan and The Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) of Tokyo Institute of Technology have discovered inorganic nanostructures surrounding deep-ocean hydro.....»»
Finnish zoo to return pandas to China early
Finland will return two giant pandas on loan from China more than eight years ahead of schedule because of financial problems at the zoo where they are housed, its chair told AFP on Wednesday......»»
How to Downgrade from iOS 17.7 to iOS 17.6.1 [u]
This is how to bring your iPhone back to iOS 17.6.1 from iOS 17.7. If you run into problems on your iPhone and you think moving your device back to an older version of iOS 17 could help and this guide will help you downgrade. Update: Apple recently.....»»
Scientists explore how indoor vertical farming could help future-proof food demand
To make sure everyone eats well in our crowded world, we need to innovate. Vertical farming systems, which grow plants intensively in an indoor setting, could be part of the answer—but to use them on a large scale we need to overcome key problems,.....»»
How to test your SSD for potential problems
If you suspect there might be something wrong with your drive, it's best to look into it. Here's how to test your SSD quickly and safely......»»
Traces of 10 common pharmaceuticals detected in corals in the Gulf of Eilat
A new study from Tel Aviv University and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History detected traces of 10 common medications in coral samples collected from both shallow and deep sites in the Gulf of Eilat. Sulfamethoxazole, an antibiotic used for resp.....»»