The Metaverse Needs Standards, Too
When Meta (formerly Facebook) announced in October 2021 that it would be developing metaverse technologies, it prompted a flurry of speculation and attendant announcements from other companies. Beyond that, it triggered an avalanche of confusion aro.....»»
The US Is Cracking Down on Synthetic DNA
Synthetic DNA could be used to spark a pandemic. A move by President Biden aims to create new standards for the safety and security of mail-order genetic material......»»
The big quantum chill: Scientists modify common lab refrigerator to cool faster with less energy
By modifying a refrigerator commonly used in both research and industry, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have drastically reduced the time and energy required to cool materials to within a few degrees above ab.....»»
The metaverse is back
Meta just announced Horizon OS, a mixed reality operating system that Microsoft, Lenovo, and ASUS will use in new VR headsets......»»
Researchers set new standards for nanoparticles, helping patients with MS, ALS, Parkinson"s disease
Is it possible for nanoparticles to go through the digestive system and deliver medicine directly to the brain tissue? Researchers from Michigan State University say yes, and their latest findings are expected to benefit patients with neurodegenerati.....»»
Feds appoint “AI doomer” to run AI safety at US institute
Former OpenAI researcher once predicted a 50 percent chance of AI killing all of us. Enlarge (credit: Bill Oxford | iStock / Getty Images Plus) The US AI Safety Institute—part of the National Institute of Standards an.....»»
Feds appoint “AI doomer” to run US AI safety institute
Former OpenAI researcher once predicted a 50 percent chance of AI killing all of us. Enlarge (credit: Bill Oxford | iStock / Getty Images Plus) The US AI Safety Institute—part of the National Institute of Standards an.....»»
A balanced quantum Hall resistor provides a new measurement method
Researchers at the University of Würzburg have developed a method that can improve the performance of quantum resistance standards. It's based on a quantum phenomenon called Quantum Anomalous Hall effect......»»
Evolution"s recipe book: How "copy paste" errors led to insect flight, octopus camouflage and human cognition
Seven hundred million years ago, a remarkable creature emerged for the first time. Though it may not have been much to look at by today's standards, the animal had a front and a back, a top and a bottom. This was a groundbreaking adaptation at the ti.....»»
US announces tough tap water standards for "forever chemicals"
US President Joe Biden's administration on Wednesday announced the first nationwide tap water standards to protect the public from toxic "forever chemicals" linked to serious health harms ranging from cancers to developmental damage in children......»»
NIST awards $3.6 million to address the cybersecurity workforce gap
The US Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded cooperative agreements totaling nearly $3.6 million aimed at building the workforce needed to safeguard enterprises from cybersecurity risks. The gran.....»»
Two new iPad models spotted in regulatory database
Two unannounced iPads have now been listed on a regulatory database, which are expected to be the long-rumored new iPad Pro or iPad Air.Using iPad Pro and Apple PencilAs happened with the iPhone 15 in August 2023, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).....»»
Using a cellphone compass to measure tiny concentrations of compounds important for human health
Nearly every modern cellphone has a built-in compass, or magnetometer, that detects the direction of Earth's magnetic field, providing critical information for navigation. Now a team of researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technolog.....»»
EPA sets strict emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks and buses in bid to fight climate change
The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday set strict emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks, buses and other large vehicles, an action that officials said will help clean up some of the nation's largest sources of planet-warming greenhouse gas.....»»
Blueprint for mandating indoor air quality for public buildings in form of standards
In research published in the journal Science experts addressed setting standards for three key indoor pollutants—carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), PM2.5, which are particles so small they can lodge deep in the lungs and enter the bloodstr.....»»
If university grades are going up, does that mean there"s a problem?
In 1894, Harvard University commissioned a report on grading standards, due to concerns that:.....»»
New EPA rule provides clarity, flexibility for the EV transition, suppliers say
Suppliers praised revisions the EPA made to its vehicle emission standards, saying the new rule provides clarity on where the EV market is headed while giving the industry enough leeway to make the targets feasible......»»
Chicago ranked 2nd for worst air pollution in 2023 among major US cities, global report says
Chicago ranked second among major U.S. cities with the worst air pollution in 2023, its average annual concentration of dangerous fine particulate matter almost three times global guidelines, according to a recent report. Even as national standards h.....»»
New EPA, DOE fuel regs give automakers longer to reduce CO2 emissions
The model-year 2032 standards are still strict, but there's a more gentle ramp-up. Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images) This week, the US Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency have publi.....»»
Apple-backed Product Security Verified label will confirm smart home devices are secure
A new Product Security Verified (PSV) label will in future be used to identify smart home devices which meet new industry standards designed to protect against hacking and data breaches. It’s the latest initiative by the industry alliance behind.....»»
Banks unlikely to loosen up on auto loans in 2024, Fed survey finds
Banks overwhelmingly plan to maintain their standards for writing car loans throughout 2024, while a handful intend to tighten policies even further on credit applicants......»»