undefined 17, 2025
WhatsApp is officially getting ads
Meta is adding ads to WhatsApp's status feature in the Updates tab, showing sponsored content alongside friends’ posts. The ads will be personalized using limited info like location, language, and ad interactions. Users can adjust preferences in Meta’s Accounts Center. Meta insists it won’t use messages or share phone numbers. Promoted channels and subscription options are also being introduced in the Explore section.
People were wrecking the climate 140 years ago, we just lacked the tech to spot it
With today’s technology, scientists could have detected human-caused climate change as early as 1885, according to a new study. Researchers modeled past atmospheric data and found that the effects of greenhouse gases—like stratospheric cooling—would have been measurable then. Although CO₂’s warming impact was known in the 1850s, clear evidence of anthropogenic climate change wasn’t widely accepted until much later. The study used modern methods to analyze historical conditions.
New AI model reveals biblical Dead Sea scrolls are far older than we thought
Researchers used AI and radiocarbon dating to more accurately date the Dead Sea Scrolls. A new model, Enoch, combines carbon-14 analysis with handwriting style via machine learning, narrowing manuscript dates to within 30 years. Results show many scrolls are older than thought, shifting timelines for script styles and confirming two scrolls date to the era of their presumed authors. This breakthrough offers new insights into ancient Jewish texts and early biblical history.
The Trump Mobile T1 Phone looks both bad and impossible
The Trump Mobile T1 Phone 8002 is set to launch this fall for \$499, with preorders open now for a \$100 deposit. It claims to be U.S.-made, but the site appears rushed and unreliable. Specs include a 6.78" AMOLED screen, triple rear cameras, 12GB RAM, and Android 15—but there's no listed processor, and many details seem inconsistent or dubious. The phone’s legitimacy and production claims are questionable.
The pandemic generation: How Covid-19 lockdowns is having a long-lasting effect on children
The Covid-19 pandemic left lasting effects on children, especially those born during lockdowns. Studies show delays in language, learning, and social skills, with learning losses most severe in math and among disadvantaged groups. Physical and mental health also declined, with rises in obesity, anxiety, and behavioral issues. Some children showed greater emotional maturity, but overall, the long-term impact on education and development may take years to fully understand.
Source: interestingengineering
New bladeless wind turbine design could safely generate up to 460w
University of Glasgow researchers have identified the most efficient bladeless wind turbine (BWT) designs using computer simulations. BWTs use swaying motion, not spinning blades, to generate power and are quieter, safer for wildlife, and need less maintenance. An optimal 80cm-tall design could produce 460 watts—far more than current prototypes. The study could accelerate BWT development toward practical, scalable clean energy solutions.
James Webb telescope ups the odds that 'city-killer' asteroid will hit the moon in 2032
The James Webb Space Telescope has tracked asteroid 2024 YR4, ruling out an Earth impact but raising the moon impact odds to 4.3% for Dec. 22, 2032. The building-sized asteroid could create a new lunar crater but poses no threat to Earth. More data is expected when it returns in 2028. Some scientists see a moon impact as a rare chance to study crater formation from a known object.
Source: interestingengineering
Discovery of Viking boat burial shows woman and dog were companions even in death
A Viking woman buried over 1,100 years ago in Norway was found with her dog at her feet, revealing a deep human-animal bond. Discovered in a 17.7-foot boat grave on Senja island, the burial included high-status items like ornate brooches and amber beads, dating it to 900–950 CE. Archaeologists believe the dog was laid to rest with her to guard her in the afterlife. The find highlights the emotional and cultural importance of pets in Viking society.
NASA spots Martian volcano twice the height of Mount Everest
NASA’s Mars Odyssey orbiter captured a stunning image of Arsia Mons volcano rising above morning clouds on May 2. The photo, taken at the edge of Mars' horizon, shows the 12-mile-high volcano peeking through a greenish haze. It's the first time a Martian volcano has been seen this way. Odyssey, launched in 2001, continues to study Mars’ surface and atmosphere. These cloud studies help plan future missions and landings, especially in dusty, windy conditions.
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How Apple created a custom iPhone camera for F1
Apple faced a unique challenge filming the upcoming F1 Apple Original: capturing real POV footage from Formula One cars, which can’t fit standard cinema cameras. To solve this, Apple’s engineers built a custom camera module using iPhone parts, designed to mimic the size, shape, and weight of existing F1 broadcast cameras. Powered by an iPhone sensor and A-series chip, it recorded in ProRes log format for flexible color grading. Controlled via a custom iPad app, it survived extreme race conditions and was used on cars in 2023-24 races, delivering authentic, high-quality racing shots.
