undefined 19, 2024
How Bluesky, Alternative to X and Facebook, is handling explosive growth
Bluesky, a decentralized social network launched quietly in 2023, has seen explosive growth, surpassing 15M users amid dissatisfaction with platforms like X and Threads. Built on open protocols, it lets users customize feeds and maintain control of their data. Led by CEO Jay Graber, Bluesky aims to empower users and developers, avoiding AI training misuse. It's a growing alternative in a polarized social media landscape.
Source: interestingengineering
Student rocket hits 470,000 feet altitude, smashes 20-year-old world record
USC's Rocket Propulsion Lab broke the amateur rocket altitude record with Aftershock II, reaching 470,000 ft on Oct. 20. The rocket, powered by the strongest student-made solid-propellant motor, surpassed the 2004 record by 90,000 ft. Weighing 330 lbs, it featured advanced avionics, titanium fins, and a heat-resistant paint system. The team recovered the rocket, gaining insights for future innovations.
Parents’ biggest fears about what children do online
A study by ECPAT International reveals parents’ top fears about children online: exposure to explicit content and predators, particularly in Spain and France, where concern rises to 73%. The report coincides with the UN Day for Preventing Child Sexual Exploitation. Despite parents' efforts like open communication and parental controls, fewer than 40% of kids feel comfortable discussing online risks. NGOs urge EU lawmakers to address child sexual abuse online, citing over 100M abuse images discovered last year, 98% involving children under 13.
36-year-old in Denmark quits job and build tiny home for under $13,000 in the woods
Anders Boisen, 36, left his apartment life in Aarhus, Denmark, to build a self-sufficient tiny home in the woods after feeling confined by societal expectations. Inspired by off-grid living videos, he spent eight months constructing his mobile home, which cost around $12,787. Despite setbacks, including his first home being stolen, Boisen persisted and finished the tiny house in 2020. He now lives on his own plot of land, powered by solar panels and a rainwater system. Boisen grows his own food, practices sustainability, and aims to build a family-friendly tiny home while continuing his off-grid journey.
The world's most powerful supercomputer aimed to build nukes
El Capitan, the world's most powerful supercomputer, was revealed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory with a peak performance of 1.742 exaFLOPS. Built for the National Nuclear Security Administration, it helps model nuclear weapons without live testing. With 11,000 compute nodes and 5.4375 petabytes of memory, El Capitan is over 20 times more powerful than its predecessor, Sierra, and advances AI-driven scientific discovery and national security.
These rats learned to drive, and they love it
In our experiment, we trained rats to drive tiny cars, and they learned to steer toward a treat. Rats in enriched environments learned faster, supporting the idea that complex settings enhance neuroplasticity. Surprisingly, the rats showed joy and anticipation, which led us to study how waiting for rewards affects behavior. Rats trained to wait for treats exhibited more optimism and better problem-solving. This research highlights how positive experiences shape neural functions and emphasize the importance of anticipation in behavior.
Nike’s Air Max 1000 are almost entirely 3D-printed
Nike's Air Max 1000, debuting at ComplexCon, are the company's first shoes almost entirely made with 3D printing. In collaboration with Zellerfeld, the design updates the Air Max 1 with a flexible, 3D-printed upper and unique contours, though the air cushion remains traditional. Limited pairs were available for pre-order, but wider availability and pricing are still unclear. Nike has previously experimented with 3D-printed shoes, including the VaporFly Elite Flyprint.
The 52 best movies on Netlfix right now
Finding the right movie on Netflix can be tough with so many options. Here are some of our top picks across various genres: *The Karate Kid*, *1917*, *Don't Move*, *Wendell & Wild*, *His Three Daughters*, *Grave of the Fireflies*, *The Platform*, *Rebel Ridge*, *Wicked Little Letters*, *Godzilla Minus One*, *Suzume*, *The Dig*, *The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar*, *Rustin*, *Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead*, and *Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery*.
First rocks returned from Moon’s far side reveal ancient volcanic activity
Researchers have analyzed samples from the Moon’s far side, revealing a history of volcanic activity spanning billions of years. The samples, returned by China's Chang’e-6 mission in June, show lava grains from as far back as 4.2 billion years ago. These findings, published in *Science* and *Nature*, indicate that the Moon experienced continuous volcanic activity, with eruptions occurring until about 2.83 billion years ago. The analysis highlights the varied geological history of the lunar far side.
Scientists glean new details of mysterious, centuries-old shipwreck submerged in Norway's largest lake
A shipwreck discovered in Lake Mjøsa, Norway, has been identified as a "føringsbåt" dating back up to 700 years. Found at a depth of 1,300 feet in 2022, it was explored last month by researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The vessel, built between 1300 and 1700, was used for transporting passengers and cargo on Norwegian lakes. Bad weather prevented further analysis, so the wreck's exact age remains uncertain until a return in spring for wood sampling.
