That is at this time’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a every day dose of what’s occurring on this planet of know-how.
Andrew Ng’s new mannequin permits you to mess around with photo voltaic geoengineering to see what would occur
AI pioneer Andrew Ng has launched a easy on-line software that permits anybody to tinker with the dials of a photo voltaic geoengineering mannequin, exploring what may occur if nations try to counteract local weather change by spraying reflective particles into the ambiance.
The idea of photo voltaic geoengineering was born from the belief that the planet has cooled after huge volcanic eruptions. However critics worry that intentionally releasing such supplies might hurt sure areas of the world, discourage efforts to chop greenhouse-gas emissions, or spark conflicts between nations, amongst different dangerous outcomes.
The aim of Ng’s emulator, referred to as Planet Parasol, is to ask extra individuals to consider photo voltaic geoengineering, discover the potential trade-offs concerned in such interventions, and use the outcomes to debate and debate our choices for local weather motion. Learn the complete story.
—James Temple
AI could possibly be a sport changer for individuals with disabilities
It’s regular, and perhaps even sensible, to view rising applied sciences with skepticism. That’s very true as most new issues are constructed for almost all of individuals—which is to say individuals with out disabilities.
Nonetheless, there are exceptions to the rule. A primary instance is the iPhone, which had a comparatively massive display screen and a touch-based UI. And now, it appears AI might make these sorts of jumps in accessibility much more widespread throughout a wider vary of applied sciences. Learn the complete story.
—Steven Aquino
This piece is from the subsequent print challenge of MIT Expertise Overview, which lands on Wednesday August 28. It’s devoted to celebrating 125 years of the journal and guarantees to be an excellent learn. In case you don’t already, subscribe now to get your copy.
Tech that measures our brainwaves is 100 years outdated. How will we be utilizing it 100 years from now?
It’s 100 years this week since EEG (electroencephalography) was first used to measure electrical exercise in an individual’s mind. The discovering was revolutionary. It helped individuals perceive that epilepsy was a neurological dysfunction versus a persona trait, for one factor (sure, actually).
The basics of EEG haven’t modified a lot over the past century—scientists and medical doctors nonetheless put electrodes on individuals’s heads to attempt to work out what’s occurring inside their brains. However we’ve been capable of do much more with the knowledge that’s collected, from studying how we expect to diagnosing mind and listening to issues. So what extra may we be capable of do 100 years from now? Learn our story to seek out out.
—Jessica Hamzelou
This story is from The Checkup, our weekly e-newsletter all concerning the newest in well being and biotech. Enroll to obtain it in your inbox each Thursday.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you at this time’s most enjoyable/vital/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 We aren’t prepared for the creep of AI into our cameras
Capabilities embedded within the newest Google Pixel handset will additional destroy our means to consider what we see. (The Verge)
+ Is that this actually the course we need to go in? (MIT Expertise Overview)
2 Kamala Harris’ marketing campaign has joined Twitch
In a bid to maintain attracting youthful voters. (Wired $)
+ In the meantime, Trump is launching some form of crypto platform. (CNBC)
+ And persons are having numerous enjoyable remixing JD Vance’s ‘By no means Trump’ remark. (NYT $)
3 NASA is about to resolve on Starliner’s return tomorrow
There’s lots at stake, particularly for the 2 astronauts it’s set to ferry again from the ISS. (Ars Technica)
4 Contained in the loopy world of Palmer Luckey
Stressed, controversial and intelligent, the tech billionaire is a tough individual to pin down. (Pill)
5 There’s a brand new humanoid robotic on the town
Only one drawback although: it doesn’t have legs (but.) (IEEE Spectrum)
+ A brand new system lets robots sense human contact with out synthetic pores and skin. (MIT Expertise Overview)
6 Can Ford wean America off its habit to massive automobiles?
It could be essential to transitioning to electrical autos, as heavier automobiles demand a lot extra of their batteries. (The Atlantic $)
+ Why greater EVs aren’t all the time higher. (MIT Expertise Overview)
7 Competitors for copper is extra intense than ever
Clear vitality is pushing up demand, and persons are stealing, combating and even dying to fulfill it. (Wired $)
8 Bored? Scrolling in your cellphone may make it worse
Possibly we must always all attempt to get higher at tolerating the discomfort of boredom now and again. (WP $)
+ A doubtful development for non-traditional pets is taking off on TikTok. (The Guardian)
9 Hydrogel can study to play Pong
Researchers now plan to see what else it might do too—perhaps even assist management robots. (New Scientist $)
10 Now you can cross-post from Instagram to Threads
Although be careful: content material for one doesn’t all the time translate effectively to the opposite. (TechCrunch)
+ Instagram’s additionally including a MySpace-esque ‘music on profile’ function. (The Verge)
Quote of the day
“We chase the approval of strangers on our telephones. We construct all method of partitions and fences round ourselves after which surprise why we really feel so alone.”
—Former US President Barack Obama presents his analysis of society’s ills to the Democratic Nationwide Conference, Politico reviews.
The large story
This startup needs to seek out out if people can have infants in house
Regardless of the burgeoning curiosity in deep house exploration and settlement, we nonetheless know little or no about what occurs to our reproductive biology after we’re in orbit. Scientists have began to take a position on whether or not in vitro fertilization know-how is feasible past Earth. That’s one thing SpaceBorn United, a biotech startup, is in search of to pioneer.
It plans to ship a mini lab on a rocket into low Earth orbit, the place in vitro fertilization, or IVF, will happen. If it succeeds, the corporate’s analysis might pave the best way for future house settlements. Learn the complete story.
—Scott Solomon
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Bought any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ Metallica’s gig in Moscow in 1991 was one for the ages. You may watch the complete factor on-line too!
+ In case you’ve been gripped by the necessity to do some summertime clearing out, right here’s how minimalists do it.
+ Please resist taking a photograph of your airport tray—you’re holding everybody up.
+ One of the vital intense zombie video video games has been given a makeover.
