Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

The Chip Talent Crisis: 6 Reasons Why the Industry is Struggling

2025-04-23

The global semiconductor industry faces a severe talent shortage, with Deloitte predicting a shortfall of 1 million skilled workers by 2030. This article explores six key reasons: a theory-first education neglecting practical application; a misconception that software pays more; graduate degree requirements creating bottlenecks; premature specialization limiting career paths; a lack of documentation hindering knowledge transfer; and a relatively traditional, high-pressure chip industry culture. The author proposes a practical-first approach to education, the creation of a chip learning community, and improvements to industry culture to attract more talent.

(www.viksnewsletter.com)

Tech chip talent talent shortage

Have I Been Pwned Speeds Up Dramatically with Cloudflare Edge Caching

2025-04-23

Have I Been Pwned (HIBP) dramatically improved its speed and availability by caching data on Cloudflare's global edge network. Previously, each query involved a long trip to an Azure function, but now data resides close to users. This reduces latency, boosts availability, and saves costs. While new data updates clear the cache causing temporary slowdowns, the overall architecture vastly optimizes HIBP's performance, enabling it to handle billions of queries.

(www.troyhunt.com)

Tech caching

42 Open Source Projects Awarded Funding to Reclaim the Public Internet

2025-04-23

The NGI Zero Commons Fund announced its largest-ever funding round, awarding grants to 42 open-source projects focused on reclaiming the public nature of the internet. Projects span hardware (like the open-hardware tablet MNT Reform Touch and the solar-powered Solar FemtoTX motherboard), operating systems (including the next-generation bcachefs filesystem for Linux and KDE Plasma gestures), and data & AI (such as LLM2FPGA, enabling local open-source LLM inference on FPGAs). This initiative champions open, secure, and accessible internet technologies, fostering a more democratic and equitable digital landscape.

(nlnet.nl)

Tech

Debunking the Airplane Lift Myth: The Bernoulli Fallacy

2025-04-23

The common explanation for airplane lift using Bernoulli's principle—faster air over the top, lower pressure, thus lift—is fundamentally flawed. This article argues that this "equal transit time" fallacy, while simple and intuitive, neglects crucial factors like viscosity, entrainment, and the Coanda effect, and violates Newton's third law. Lift primarily results from the downward deflection of air by the wing, a consequence of Newton's third law; even symmetrical airfoils generate lift. While Bernoulli's equation itself isn't wrong, its application in explaining lift often involves erroneous assumptions and additions.

(hsm.stackexchange.com)

Tech Bernoulli's principle airplane lift fluid mechanics

AI Winter Bites: The Struggle for Computer Science Grads in a Shrinking Tech Job Market

2025-04-23

The post-pandemic tech layoff wave has hit globally, with many tech companies, especially large ones, significantly reducing hiring. Simultaneously, rapid AI advancements are displacing some programmers. For recent computer science graduates, the job market is tougher. While some secure roles through internships and networking, intense competition and uncertainty remain. Experts suggest over-hiring during the pandemic and worsening macroeconomic conditions also play roles, not just AI. However, tech still needs talent; job types and locations are shifting, with opportunities emerging outside the tech giants, such as in banking.

(cacm.acm.org)

Tech tech layoffs

Personal Humanoid Robots: A New Space Race?

2025-04-23

Personal humanoid robots are rapidly advancing, poised to revolutionize daily life much like the personal computer revolution. They promise to handle household chores, tutor children, and assist the elderly. This article explores how open-source AI and garage innovators are driving this movement, similar to the early days of personal computing, and the resulting cultural shift. Humanoid robots excel due to their compatibility with human environments, superior dexterity, mobility, and human-robot collaboration. However, cost, reliability, and potential security risks remain challenges. A competition between China and the US is underway, with both vying for technological and economic dominance, creating geopolitical tension.

(readmultiplex.com)

Tech humanoid robots

Global Scam Call Center Metastasis: A Worldwide Criminal Expansion

2025-04-23

The UN warns that global scam call centers are spreading like a cancer, with criminal syndicates expanding and operating worldwide. Crackdowns in East and Southeast Asia have led to operations shifting to more permissive regions, including Africa, South Asia, parts of the Pacific Islands, and even links to money laundering and recruitment in Europe and North America. These groups leverage local language skills to broaden their victim pool and drastically increase profits. The report estimates annual earnings between $27.4 billion and $36.5 billion, targeting regions with weak governance. Law enforcement actions have resulted in arrests of foreign nationals involved in fraud and cybercrime; for example, 77 suspects, including 22 Chinese nationals, were arrested in Zambia in April 2024. While reliable data is limited in South America, Asian criminal groups are expanding online fraud and gambling infrastructure and forging money laundering partnerships with local drug cartels. In Europe, Georgia and Turkey have emerged as cyberfraud hotspots. Additionally, criminal syndicates establish seemingly legitimate businesses (hotels, casinos, travel agencies) in Pacific island nations to conceal illegal online gambling, drug and human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and money laundering. The UN recommends strengthening regulatory frameworks and equipping authorities with the resources to combat these crimes.

(www.theregister.com)

Tech Scam Call Centers

Citizen Science Data Reliably Captures Bird Migration Patterns

2025-04-23

A new study shows that citizen science data from iNaturalist and eBird reliably captures known seasonal patterns of bird migration in Northern California and Nevada. Researchers combined data from both platforms, finding similar seasonal patterns for over 97% of bird species, even though the platforms differ in their target users and data collection methods. This study demonstrates the value of citizen science project data, showing that data from different observers and project structures can be integrated to address broad scientific questions.

(www.ucdavis.edu)

Tech bird migration

Google's Privacy Sandbox: A Pivot, Not an End

2025-04-23

Google's Privacy Sandbox project isn't ending, but it's shifting gears. Facing antitrust lawsuits and industry resistance to abandoning cookies, Google will continue improving Chrome's Incognito Mode with features like third-party cookie blocking and IP address masking. However, this means its Privacy Sandbox APIs will play a different role, and Google will work with partners to find a new path. While Google highlights improved ad privacy, its antitrust predicament is likely a more significant factor driving this change.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech

Reliving Tech History: The DEC Interactive Computing Legacy

2025-04-22

A team is meticulously recreating Digital Equipment Corporation's (DEC) iconic interactive computing devices from 1945 to 1975. These replicas span key models like the PDP-1 and PDP-11, showcasing pivotal steps in the evolution from embedded computing to modern operating systems such as Unix and Windows. The project encompasses not only hardware replication but also software and documentation restoration, aiming for a realistic 'back in the day' user experience. The goal is to make these historical gems accessible and spread their impact far and wide.

(obsolescence.dev)

Tech

Walmart's Honeycomb Delivery Network: Reaching 12 Million More Homes

2025-04-22

Walmart is leveraging a hexagonal map segmentation strategy to optimize its same-day delivery network. This approach, inspired by honeycombs' efficient space utilization, surpasses traditional ZIP code or radius-based methods. By analyzing customer locations and store inventory more precisely, Walmart can now reach an additional 12 million US households with same-day delivery. The hexagonal grid allows for dynamic catchment areas, optimizing delivery routes based on road networks and minimizing travel time, ultimately boosting delivery efficiency.

(www.businessinsider.com)

Tech delivery optimization

Roman Ruins Unearthed in London Lead to Plans for a New Museum

2025-04-22

The discovery of Roman ruins, believed to be London's first 'city hall', during excavations for a skyscraper in the City of London has led to revised plans for the building. A free museum dedicated to Roman London's history will now occupy the basement level. The museum will feature an immersive display of the ruins, educational spaces, and will be curated in partnership with the Museum of London. The development's design has been altered to accommodate the museum, including a shorter tower and fewer lifts. However, the ground floor's public hall and accompanying cafes and restaurants are expected to benefit from increased foot traffic. The amended plans are awaiting approval from the City of London.

(www.ianvisits.co.uk)

Tech museum development

WhaleSpotter: AI-Powered Whale Detection System Aims to Prevent Deadly Collisions

2025-04-22

Developed by scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, WhaleSpotter uses AI and human verification to detect whales from ships and land-based installations. Since its 2019 trials, its capabilities have drastically improved, with over 51,000 marine mammal detections in 2024. Now partnering with Matson Navigation Company, the system is being adapted for use on large container ships to reduce whale-ship collisions. Improvements have extended detection range to 6 kilometers, aiming for zero false positives to ensure timely captain intervention. While not a panacea, WhaleSpotter is vital for protecting endangered species like the North Atlantic right whale.

(www.biographic.com)

Tech Ocean Conservation Whales

Native American Lore Extends Earthquake History of Northeastern North America

2025-04-22

A new study suggests that incorporating Native American oral histories and place names can significantly enhance our understanding of earthquake activity in northeastern North America. The name "Moodus," Connecticut, derived from an Algonquian word meaning "place of noises," correlates with the area's long history of earthquake-like booms. Similarly, Mount Nashoba, near Boston, translates to "shaking hill," further supporting evidence of frequent seismic activity. Researchers are calling for interdisciplinary collaboration with ethnologists to utilize Native American languages and narratives to extend the region's earthquake record and better assess seismic hazards.

(phys.org)

Tech

Google Abandons Standalone Chrome Third-Party Cookie Prompt

2025-04-22

In a surprising move, Google has decided against rolling out a standalone prompt for third-party cookies in Chrome. This means ad tech companies can continue using targeting technology in the world's most popular browser, marking a reversal of the Chrome team's July 2022 announcement to deprecate third-party cookies. The decision, attributed to industry feedback, will likely cause significant disruption in the ad tech ecosystem. While Google states that other Privacy Sandbox initiatives will continue, the future of the project's APIs remains uncertain, with Google promising an updated roadmap in the coming months.

(digiday.com)

Tech Third-party Cookies

From Aversion to Obsession: A Writer's Journey into Biology

2025-04-22

The author once loathed biology, finding it a dry recitation of facts. However, after reading Elizabeth Kolbert's *The Sixth Extinction* and Siddhartha Mukherjee's *The Gene*, he was captivated by the engaging stories and masterful writing, completely changing his perspective on the subject. He embarked on a journey of extensive reading, watching videos, and even taking a bioinformatics course. This experience led him to realize the power of great science writing to transform scientific discoveries into compelling narratives, igniting interest in science. Ultimately, he created Newt Interactive, a website dedicated to making biology accessible to the public through interactive articles and simulators, aiming to share the wonder of biology with a wider audience.

(nehalslearnings.substack.com)

Tech science writing

Apple Adjusts AI Feature Claims Following NAD Inquiry

2025-04-22

Apple has revised its marketing materials for its iPhone 16's AI features, "Apple Intelligence," following a review by the National Advertising Division (NAD). The NAD challenged Apple's claim that these features, including Priority Notifications and Genmoji, were "available now" at launch, noting that some were released in later software updates. Apple, while disagreeing with some findings, agreed to adjust its messaging to accurately reflect the availability of its AI features. A promotional video featuring Siri was also removed.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech

ClickHouse's Lazy Materialization: A 1500x Speed Boost

2025-04-22

ClickHouse achieves a 1500x speed improvement using a new optimization called "lazy materialization." This technique delays reading column data until it's actually needed, dramatically reducing unnecessary I/O. The article uses the Amazon customer reviews dataset to illustrate how lazy materialization, combined with other I/O optimizations like columnar storage, sparse primary indexes, and PREWHERE, reduces a query's execution time from 219 seconds to 139 milliseconds. Lazy materialization is particularly effective for Top N queries, providing significant performance gains without altering the SQL.

(clickhouse.com)

Tech Database Optimization Lazy Materialization

Brain Drain: US Scientists Flee Trump's Science Funding Cuts

2025-04-22

The Trump administration's drastic cuts to science funding and workforce are driving a mass exodus of US scientists seeking opportunities abroad. Nature Careers data reveals a 32% surge in applications from US scientists for international jobs between January and March 2025 compared to 2024, alongside a 35% increase in US users browsing international opportunities. March alone saw a staggering 68% rise in views as cuts intensified, with hundreds of federal research grants abruptly terminated and major universities facing substantial funding reductions. European institutions are actively recruiting these displaced scientists, with initiatives like Aix-Marseille University's 'Safe Place for Science' and the Max Planck Society's Transatlantic Program offering refuge and collaboration opportunities. This brain drain reflects not just a search for opportunities, but a forced exodus from US academic institutions.

(www.nature.com)

Tech Science Funding US Science

US Tariffs: Electronics Prices Soar, Innovation Suffers

2025-04-22

The US government's volatile tariff policies have sent shockwaves through the electronics industry. Shawn DuBravac, chief economist at IPC, predicts that tariffs will lead to higher prices for electronics, reduced consumer choice, stalled investment, and even stifled innovation. Smartphones and video game consoles are particularly hard hit, potentially facing near-doubling price increases. While supply chains are dynamic and adaptive, the uncertainty surrounding tariffs is causing investment hesitation, exacerbating the negative impact. Low-end consumers will be hit hardest, facing higher prices and fewer options. Furthermore, companies may cut R&D to reduce costs, hindering innovation.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech

Swiss Army Knife of Radiation Detectors: A Breakthrough in Compact Multipurpose Radiation Detection

2025-04-22

The University of Jyväskylä and the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority have collaborated to develop a new handheld multipurpose radiation detector. This device, akin to a Swiss Army knife, comprehensively detects all types of ionizing radiation (alpha, beta, X-rays, gamma rays, and neutrons). Weighing under two kilograms, its compact size houses five different scintillation layers enabling precise measurements and directional sensing—a novel feature for detectors of this size. This patented technology, currently seeking commercialization, promises wider applications, including radiation portal monitors and unmanned aerial vehicles.

(phys.org)

Tech radiation detector ionizing radiation phoswich technology

Supply Chain Attack Targets XRP Ledger SDK: Backdoor Steals Private Keys

2025-04-22

On April 21st, Aikido Intel detected five new versions of the official XRP Ledger SDK (xrpl package) containing malicious code. Attackers inserted a backdoor into the official NPM package to steal cryptocurrency private keys and access cryptocurrency wallets. The attackers leveraged the package's widespread use, creating a potentially catastrophic supply chain attack. The malicious code sends private keys to a newly registered domain, 0x9c[.]xyz. The attackers iteratively refined their attack, starting with modifications to the bundled JavaScript code and progressing to altering the TypeScript source before compilation, to obscure their actions. This attack highlights the vulnerability of software supply chains.

(www.aikido.dev)

Tech

Cannabis Use Linked to Increased Dementia Risk: Major Study

2025-04-22

A large study of over 6 million people reveals a significant link between regular cannabis use and an increased risk of dementia. Individuals hospitalized due to cannabis experienced a 23% higher dementia risk within five years and a 72% higher risk compared to the general population. While not definitively proving causation, the findings add to growing concerns and warrant further investigation. The study highlights the increased potency of modern cannabis, contributing to rising addiction rates. Experts emphasize that cannabis is a psychotropic substance and users should be transparent with their healthcare providers about its use.

(www.cnn.com)

Tech cannabis dementia

NLRB Whistleblower Alleges Musk's DOGE Team Exfiltrated Sensitive Data

2025-04-22

A security architect at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) alleges that Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employees transferred gigabytes of sensitive data from agency case files in early March using short-lived accounts designed to leave minimal network traces. The whistleblower, Daniel J. Berulis, claims this coincided with blocked login attempts from a Russian IP address using valid credentials for a newly created DOGE account. Berulis further reports receiving threats and being stripped of his NLRB access. While the NLRB denies a breach, Berulis's allegations raise serious concerns about DOGE's data access and NLRB security practices.

(krebsonsecurity.com)

Tech

RISC-V RVA23 Profile Ratified, Boosting Ecosystem Growth

2025-04-22

The 2024 RISC-V Summit North America saw the ratification of the RVA23 Profile, a significant milestone for the RISC-V ecosystem. This profile ensures compatibility across 64-bit RISC-V application processors running standard binary OS distributions, promoting software portability and preventing vendor lock-in. It's a major step towards RISC-V becoming a dominant force in application processors.

(riscv.org)

Tech

CERN's Large Hadron Collider: A System Overview

2025-04-22

This list details numerous subsystems and experiments of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, including the LHC detectors (ATLAS, CMS, LHCf), the accelerator chain (Linac 3, Linac 4, PSB, SPS, LEIR, ELENA), and associated monitoring and control systems (e.g., BLM, CPS). The sheer number of entries highlights the immense complexity of the LHC project and its crucial role in high-energy physics research.

(op-webtools.web.cern.ch)

Tech

Revolutionizing AI Backend Networks: Beyond Traditional ECMP Load Balancing

2025-04-22

Traditional Flow-based ECMP load balancing struggles with the massive elephant flows generated by GPU-to-GPU communication in RoCEv2-based AI backend networks. This article introduces two alternatives: Flowlet-based Load Balancing with Adaptive Routing, which dynamically redirects traffic to less congested paths, and Packet-based Load Balancing with Packet Spraying, which distributes individual packets across multiple paths but requires RDMA Write Only for reliable operation. Cisco Nexus switches now support Dynamic Load Balancing (DLB) configuration, enabling both flowlet and per-packet load balancing.

(nwktimes.blogspot.com)

Tech Load Balancing AI Networking

Bedroom Coder's QOI Upsets PNG's Reign in Image Compression

2025-04-22

A single programmer, working from his bedroom, developed the Quite Okay Image Format (QOI) in just one year, achieving compression performance rivaling or surpassing PNG's multi-decade advancement. This challenges the conventional wisdom in data compression: more complex doesn't always mean better. The talk compares PNG, JPEG, and QOI, delving into fundamental data compression concepts and mathematics, showcasing QOI's unique appeal as a low-complexity alternative.

(media.ccc.de)

Tech

Fujitsu and RIKEN Achieve Quantum Leap: 256-Qubit Superconducting Quantum Computer

2025-04-22

Fujitsu and RIKEN have jointly developed a world-leading 256-qubit superconducting quantum computer, a significant leap from their previous 64-qubit system. This achievement, utilizing advanced high-density implementation techniques, quadruples computational power. The 256-qubit computer will be integrated into their hybrid quantum computing platform and offered globally to companies and research institutions starting in Q1 of fiscal year 2025. Future plans include a 1000-qubit computer by 2026.

(www.fujitsu.com)

Tech Superconducting Quantum Computer Fujitsu

iPS Cell Therapy for Parkinson's Disease: A Safe and Effective Clinical Trial

2025-04-22

A clinical trial for Parkinson's disease used induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS cell)-derived dopamine progenitor cells in bilateral putaminal transplantation. Results showed the therapy to be safe and effective, with no serious adverse events and improvements in motor symptoms and increased dopamine uptake in some patients. While limitations exist, including potential placebo effects and observer bias, and further research is needed to define optimal patient selection criteria, the trial provides evidence for the safety and efficacy of iPS cell-derived dopamine progenitor cells as a regenerative therapy for Parkinson's disease.

(www.nature.com)

Tech regenerative therapy

Category: Tech