undefined 8, 2025
Archaeologists unveil 3,500-year-old city in Peru
Archaeologists found Peñico, a 3,500-year-old city in Peru’s Barranca province, 200 km north of Lima. Likely a key trade hub linking coast, Andes, and Amazon, it dates to 1800–1500 BC. Excavations revealed 18 structures, temples, homes, and artifacts like clay sculptures and bead necklaces. Peñico is seen as a continuation of the Caral civilisation, which thrived nearby 5,000 years ago. The discovery sheds light on Caral's fate after climate change disruptions.
Source: interestingengineering
Forecast failure blamed for tragic Texas floods that left over 80 dead
Flash floods in central Texas killed over 80 people, devastating the Guadalupe River region, including Camp Mystic. Dozens remain missing. Rainfall hit historic levels, with Kerrville seeing over 10 inches in three hours. Officials criticized NWS forecasts as underestimating the threat, while staffing shortages at key offices drew scrutiny. Meteorologists defended the agency, citing challenges in pinpointing extreme rainfall amid climate change and cuts that risk degrading future forecasts.
First malaria treatment for babies approved for use
The first malaria treatment for babies under 4.5 kg has been approved and will roll out in Africa within weeks. Until now, infants risked overdose from drugs for older children. Malaria caused \~597,000 deaths in 2023, mostly African children under five. The new Novartis drug, Coartem Baby, was approved in Switzerland and developed with MMV. Experts hail it as a major breakthrough to close the “treatment gap” and save lives, with Novartis offering it largely not-for-profit.
The whale graveyard in the Sahara desert that shows they once had feet and toes
Whale Valley in Egypt’s Sahara holds 400+ ancient whale skeletons, some with preserved feet and toes from the late Eocene epoch (55.8–33.9 million years ago). Once submerged by the Tethys Ocean, it shows whales’ evolution from land to sea. Notably, Basilosaurus isis fossils with hind limbs were found in 1989. A near-complete B. isis skeleton in 2005 led to UNESCO World Heritage status. The arid climate preserved fossils of whales, turtles, sharks, and more, making it an open-air museum.
Eureka! The brain science behind lightbulb moments
Researchers are uncovering how "aha!" moments—sudden flashes of insight—work in the brain. Using fMRI and EEG scans, studies show these moments involve bursts of brain activity, especially in the right temporal gyrus, and are linked to memory and emotion. Unlike analytical thinking, insight appears abruptly and may boost memory retention. Tasks like puzzles and magic tricks help scientists study this phenomenon, suggesting insight is a distinct, emotionally charged mental process that helps form lasting memories.
Earth is going to spin much faster over the next few months, so fast that several days are going to get shorter
Earth will spin slightly faster on July 9, July 22, and Aug. 5, 2025, making each day 1.3–1.51 milliseconds shorter. This happens as the moon’s position alters its gravitational pull on Earth’s axis. While Earth's rotation has generally slowed over time (days were \~19 hours long 1–2 billion years ago), recent years have seen speed variations. Factors include moon distance, earthquakes, seasonal mass shifts, and climate change. These tiny changes don't affect daily life but are tracked to keep clocks aligned.
Jack Dorsey’s new private messenger app doesn’t need an internet connection
Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s founder, launched Bitchat, a new messaging app that works without internet by using Bluetooth mesh networks for private, decentralized communication. Messages relay device to device with end-to-end encryption and no need for phone numbers or emails. Designed to resist outages and censorship, Bitchat is still experimental. Like his earlier project Bluesky, it reflects Dorsey’s focus on decentralization but remains unproven and in early beta.
Qantas attack reveals one phone call is all it takes to crack cybersecurity’s weakest link: humans
Hackers stole personal data of up to 6 million Qantas customers by targeting an offshore IT call center using “vishing” (voice phishing). Attackers tricked staff into granting access, bypassing security. This follows breaches at Optus, Medibank, and superannuation funds. Experts warn social engineering attacks are rising, often exploiting third-party systems. Cybersecurity leaders urge stronger controls, multi-factor authentication, and proactive strategies to counter evolving threats in critical sectors.
The 50 best movies on netflix right now
Streaming now on Netflix: Top picks include Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Godzilla Minus One, and Kill Boksoon for action fans. For drama, try Parasite, Y Tu Mamá También, or Grave of the Fireflies. Horror and thriller choices include Barbarian and His House. Animation standouts: Suzume, Nimona, and Mary and the Witch’s Flower. A strong lineup for every taste.
Welcome to your job interview. Your interviewer is A.I.
Jennifer Dunn interviewed with “Alex,” an AI recruiter, who scheduled and led the call but couldn’t answer her questions. AI interviews are growing as companies use “agentic AI” to handle hiring conversations and ease recruiter workload. Some candidates find AI interviews impersonal or unsettling, while others feel less stressed. Employers like the efficiency, but experts warn AI can’t fully replace humans due to bias and lack of judgment. AI interviews are becoming more common, changing how we job hunt.
Android may soon warn you about fake cell towers
North Korea uses thousands of IT workers to hack Western firms and fund its regime. The U.S. Justice Dept. arrested one American and seized 200+ computers from 29 “laptop farms” in 16 states. The hacker group Scattered Spider returned in 2025, targeting retailers, insurers, and airlines. Other news: Android will warn about fake cell towers, Iran-linked hackers threaten to release Trump campaign emails, Chinese hackers remain dormant in U.S. telecoms, and a deepfake site leaked user data.
200 million year-old flying reptile species found
Scientists discovered a new pterosaur species, *Eotephradactylus mcintireae*, from a 209-million-year-old jawbone found in Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park. This seagull-sized flying reptile is the earliest pterosaur found in North America. Its worn teeth suggest it ate armored fish. The fossil site reveals a snapshot of a Triassic ecosystem where extinct and modern animal groups coexisted, showing an important evolutionary transition.
‘Close to perfect’: readers’ favourite games of 2025 so far
Gamers are already raving about 2025’s top releases. Titles like Eclipse Rift and Neon Outlaws have wowed players with stunning visuals, immersive stories, and smooth gameplay. Indie hits like Whispering Shadows also earned praise for creativity and emotional depth. Readers call these games “close to perfect,” highlighting innovative mechanics and rich worlds. With so many exciting launches ahead, 2025 is shaping up to be a standout year for gaming.
