undefined 15, 2025
Bitcoin price hits new record high after sudden surge
Bitcoin hit a new all-time high above \$118,000 after surging over 6% Friday. The broader crypto market also rose, with ETH, SOL, and DOGE gaining over 7%. Bitcoin’s market cap now exceeds \$2.3 trillion, surpassing silver but still below gold. The rally began after Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement spurred demand for alternative assets. Analysts predict it could reach \$145,167 by end of 2025, with the bull run likely lasting into early 2026.
Hackers blamed for antisemitic posts on Elmo's X account
Sesame Street says hackers posted “disgusting” antisemitic and racist messages on Elmo’s X account, which has \~650,000 followers. The posts also attacked Trump and demanded Epstein-related files be released. Sesame Workshop said it’s working to regain control. The hack follows criticism of X over rising antisemitic content. UK authorities warn of increased social account hacks, urging two-step verification. Elmo’s account, active since 2012, has shared no new posts since the incident.
Now you can turn a photo into an AI video with this Google tool
Google’s Gemini AI app now lets paying users turn photos into eight-second videos with Veo 3, sparking creative uses but also raising concerns about deepfakes, jobs, and copyright. The feature costs \$19.99–\$249.99/month. While AI video helps creators produce content faster, experts warn easier access may fuel scams, hateful content, and nonconsensual deepfakes. Google says it blocks explicit outputs and intends the tool for creativity, not replacing professionals.
An AI-generated band got 1m plays on Spotify
AI-generated band Velvet Sundown went viral with over 1 million Spotify streams before revealing their music, images, and backstory were AI-made. The case sparked calls for streaming platforms to label AI-generated songs. Critics warn of transparency, copyright, and ethical issues, with fears AI could exploit indie artists' work. Industry figures urge legal safeguards to ensure consent, fair pay, and clear labeling, while services like Deezer already tag AI tracks, unlike Spotify.
Source: interestingengineering
World’s most accurate atomic clock uses 2-mile laser beam to track time precisely
The U.S. NIST set a new world record for the most accurate aluminum ion-based optical atomic clock, measuring a second to its 19th decimal place. It's 41% more accurate and 2.6 times more stable than the previous record. Using quantum logic spectroscopy, it pairs aluminum and magnesium ions for precise readings. Upgrades like an improved ion trap, titanium chamber, and ultra-stable laser boost performance. The clock may help redefine the second and advance quantum physics and geodesy.
ChromeOS and Android are going to be combined
Google plans to merge Android and ChromeOS into a single platform, confirmed by Android chief Sameer Samat. The move aims to improve laptops and tablets to better compete with Apple’s iPad. ChromeOS already relies heavily on Android’s tech and runs many Android apps. Android itself is adding desktop-like features. Though rumored for years, the integration could streamline development and boost functionality, but it may still take time to fully realize.
Mystery discovery in space is most likely the 'oldest comet ever seen'
British astronomers have discovered 3I/ATLAS, likely the oldest comet ever seen and the first from a different part of our galaxy. Unlike past interstellar visitors, it seems to come from the Milky Way’s ancient "thick disk," making it possibly 3 billion years older than our solar system. Detected in July 2025, it will develop a glowing tail as it nears the sun. It may be visible to amateur telescopes in late 2025 and early 2026.
‘The way a child plays is the way they live’: how therapists are using video games to help vulnerable children
Minecraft and similar games are increasingly being used as therapeutic tools, especially for traumatised Ukrainian children. Psychologist Oleksii Sukhorukov launched HealGame Ukraine to support war-affected youth using Minecraft servers moderated by mental health professionals. Therapists like Ellie Finch also use Minecraft to connect with clients, allowing emotional expression through gameplay. For many Ukrainian kids, Minecraft has become a vital space to process trauma and rebuild lost homes virtually.
Source: interestingengineering
World’s most complex archaeological rescue moved a 265,000-ton temple stone by stone
Twice a year, dawn sunlight illuminates statues in Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple, a 13th-century BCE feat by Ramesses II. In the 1960s, the Aswan High Dam threatened to flood it. A global UNESCO-led effort saved it by cutting it into over 1,000 blocks and moving it to higher ground, preserving its solar alignment. Completed in 1968, the project proved modern development can coexist with heritage preservation.
Mariana Trench: The deepest place on Earth
The Mariana Trench, located in the western Pacific Ocean, is Earth’s deepest oceanic trench. Its deepest point, the Challenger Deep, reaches about 11,000 meters (36,000 feet) below sea level—deeper than Mount Everest is tall. This extreme depth creates immense pressure and near-total darkness, making it one of the least explored and most mysterious places on our planet. Studying the trench helps scientists understand geology, marine life, and the limits of life on Earth.
What your snot can reveal about your health
Snot protects us from disease and reveals health clues through its color and consistency. Ancient Greeks linked it to personality and illness, but today we know mucus traps bacteria, viruses, and pollutants to shield our airways. Scientists study the nasal microbiome—unique to each person—to improve immunity and treatments, including nasal sprays and vaccine effectiveness. Trials transplanting healthy snot show promise in easing chronic nasal issues, marking snot as a key to future personalized medicine.
Roman dodecahedron: A mysterious 12-sided object that has baffled archaeologists for centuries
Roman dodecahedrons are 12-sided bronze objects from the Roman Empire’s northwestern provinces, dating from the 2nd to 4th centuries A.D. Found in various sites across Europe but not Italy, their purpose remains a mystery despite over 50 theories—ranging from tools to toys. Archaeologist Michael Guggenberger suggests they likely served as symbolic cosmic amulets linked to ancient Greek philosophy and Celtic traditions, representing the universe as the fifth Platonic solid.
