undefined 13, 2024
Trump selects Elon Musk to lead government efficiency department
Elon Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead Trump's new "Department of Government Efficiency" (Doge), though it won’t be an official agency. Working with the Office of Management and Budget, they aim to cut regulations, reduce waste, and streamline government operations. Musk pledged transparency and public input, while Ramaswamy hinted at aggressive reform. Critics argue Musk’s business conflicts could influence his approach, but Trump envisions their work as a step toward a leaner government by 2026. Dogecoin has surged amid expectations of regulatory ease under Trump.
YouTube is testing a feature that lets select creators remix songs using AI
YouTube has expanded its Dream Track AI tools, allowing select U.S. creators to remix songs by describing desired style changes, creating 30-second snippets for Shorts. This builds on last year’s AI-generated music feature with artists like Demi Lovato and John Legend. Remixes will credit original songs, display an AI-modification label, and maintain original vocals and lyrics. YouTube partnered with Universal Music Group to compensate artists for these tools, addressing industry concerns. Competitor app Hook, led by ex-JioSaavn exec Gaurav Sharma, also offers remixing for short videos.
Global warming is on the cusp of crucial 1.5 °C threshold, suggest ice-core data
A study using Antarctic ice-core data suggests human-caused global warming may have hit 1.49°C above pre-industrial levels by 2023, nearing the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement. This estimate, based on a pre-1700 baseline, contrasts with the IPCC's 1.31°C figure, which uses the 1850–1900 average and may miss earlier warming trends. Researchers argue their method, offering 30% higher certainty, can provide near-real-time warming estimates, helping guide urgent climate actions without relying solely on models.
How is paper made from trees?
Paper originated in ancient Egypt from papyrus and was later refined by the Chinese, who boiled hemp into pulp. This method spread globally, evolving into wood-based paper in the 1800s. Today, papermaking involves chipping trees, cooking pulp, filtering, pressing, and drying sheets. The industry faces environmental concerns, driving innovations in recycling residues, reusing chemicals, and self-powering mills. As packaging demand rises, focus shifts to sustainable, durable, and compostable options.
Take a peek inside this ‘smart’ supermarket to find out how it became heat self-sufficient
A supermarket in Nordborg, Denmark, collaborates with Danfoss to optimize energy use, creating a "smart store" that reuses waste heat from cooling systems for space and water heating. The setup includes solar panels, ground loops, and heat recovery units, making it nearly 100% self-sufficient. This energy-efficient design reduces costs, minimizes food waste, and can be applied in various climates, with a heat recovery payback time of under a year, according to Danfoss.
Record-breaking bitcoin surges towards $90,000 on Trump boost
Bitcoin surged to nearly $90,000 following Donald Trump’s election, with investors hopeful for a crypto-friendly administration. The cryptocurrency hit $89,982, up around 30% since Nov. 5, riding positive sentiment along with Tesla, which gained 40%. Trump’s pro-crypto stance, including plans to make the U.S. a "crypto capital" and potentially amass a national bitcoin stockpile, fueled a speculative boom. Crypto stocks like Riot and MARA Holdings soared, and MicroStrategy invested $2 billion in bitcoin amid expectations for reduced regulatory scrutiny.
New study on moons of Uranus raises chance of life
New research suggests Uranus and its five largest moons may have subsurface oceans, potentially capable of supporting life. This discovery challenges previous assumptions based on Voyager 2’s 1986 flyby, which coincided with a solar storm that distorted Uranus’s magnetic field, leading scientists to mistakenly conclude the moons were inactive. The new analysis reveals that the planet’s magnetic field likely traps gases from geological activity or hidden oceans. NASA is now planning a Uranus Orbiter and Probe mission by 2045 to investigate further, inspired by the prospect of oceans—and perhaps even life—within this icy system.
Daylight savings: What happens to baby sleep when the clocks change
When the clocks go back in autumn, babies’ sleep can be disrupted. It may take a few days for them to adjust, with infants taking longer than toddlers. However, the change is usually minimal, and most babies return to their normal schedule in about a week. Using light exposure and gradually adjusting bedtimes can help. Seasonal changes may affect sleep slightly, but there’s no clear long-term impact on development.
Warming effect of jet contrails can be cut for a few pounds per ticket, says study
A study suggests that adjusting the flight paths of a small number of planes could cut contrail-induced warming by half, costing less than €4 per ticket. Contrails, formed by aircraft exhaust mixing with cold air, trap heat and contribute to global warming. The study highlights that 3% of flights cause 80% of contrail warming. Tweaking routes, especially at higher latitudes and during evening flights, could significantly reduce the impact.
2,600-year-old Celtic wooden burial chamber uncovered by archaeologists in Germany
Archaeologists in Germany have uncovered a 2,600-year-old wooden burial chamber in Riedlingen, one of the best-preserved Celtic graves ever found. The chamber, built with oak timbers, was preserved by groundwater, which protected it from decay. It is part of a large burial mound, indicating the presence of a Celtic elite. The grave was looted in ancient times, and human remains from multiple individuals have been found. This discovery provides valuable insights into early Celtic burial practices.
