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Stanford Report Warns of Mirror Bacteria Feasibility and Risks

2024-12-17

A Stanford University technical report details the feasibility of creating 'mirror bacteria' and their potential risks. Mirror bacteria, with all chiral molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites) replaced by their mirror images, cannot evolve naturally but are becoming increasingly synthesizable. Immune systems and predation rely on chiral molecule interactions, meaning mirror bacteria could evade detection and control, potentially spreading unchecked and posing serious threats to humans, animals, plants, and the environment. The report comprehensively assesses synthesis, biosecurity, human health impacts, medical countermeasures, and ecological consequences, urging attention to this potential biosecurity risk.

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(purl.stanford.edu)
AI biosecurity

Perplexity Overtakes Google as the Top Search Engine

2024-12-16

A veteran tech columnist recounts the evolution of search engines, from early pioneers like AltaVista to Google's dominance, and now the rise of AI-powered search. The article argues that Google's over-reliance on ads has degraded search quality, while Perplexity, with its AI-driven approach, provision of source links, and focus on user experience, has emerged as a superior alternative. While acknowledging the imperfections of AI answers, the author highlights Perplexity's verifiable sources as a key differentiator, delivering more accurate and reliable search results. Google's future is uncertain, and its ability to regain its former glory remains to be seen.

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(www.theregister.com)
AI AI search engine

PLATO: How a 1960s Educational Computer System Shaped the Future

2024-12-16

PLATO, a groundbreaking educational computer system from the 1960s, significantly impacted the development of modern computing. Preceding its time, it pioneered features like forums, instant messaging, and multiplayer games. Its innovative gas plasma display, the TUTOR authoring language, and its advanced networking capabilities for simultaneous users were revolutionary. While PLATO's home market success was limited, its influence on graphic displays, networking, and user interfaces remains undeniable. Its legacy continues through emulators and modern reimaginings, preserving a piece of computing history and its vision for the future of education and interactive technology.

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(arstechnica.com)
Tech Educational Technology

Adélie Linux 1.0-BETA6 Released: Enhanced Compatibility and Richer Features

2024-12-16

Adélie Linux has released its 1.0-BETA6, supporting 32-bit and 64-bit ARM, POWER, and x86 architectures, spanning smartphones, game consoles, and supercomputers. This release boasts over 35 new packages, updates to GCC 13, LLVM 18, Rust 1.80, and Linux kernel 6.6 LTS, along with improved GRUB and Wayland support. Numerous bugs have been squashed, and the user experience has been enhanced. While some known issues remain, the Adélie team is actively working on solutions and welcomes bug reports and feedback.

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(blog.adelielinux.org)
Development Linux distribution

CenterClick NTP200 Series: Offline GPS Time Servers for Precise Synchronization

2024-12-15

CenterClick introduces the NTP200 series of GPS-based NTP servers, offering precise time synchronization without internet connectivity. The series includes models like NTP200, NTP250, NTP220, and NTP270, each with varying RAM and features such as PoE and alarm outputs. These appliances feature built-in GPS antennas, supporting multiple GNSS constellations, and offer various interfaces and protocols including HTTP, HTTPS, SNMP, and SSH. Management and configuration are handled via a web interface, CLI, or USB, with NTP client tracking capabilities. Suitable for a wide range of applications, from ISPs to hobbyists, the series offers optional accessories such as different antenna lengths and power supplies.

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(centerclick.com)
Hardware GPS time server NTP server time synchronization

Popeye, Tintin, and Literary Classics Enter the Public Domain

2024-12-16

In 2025, iconic comic characters Popeye and Tintin, along with numerous novels by literary giants like Faulkner and Hemingway, will enter the US public domain. This means these works can be freely used and adapted without permission or payment to copyright holders. The list includes Faulkner's 'The Sound and the Fury' and Hemingway's 'A Farewell to Arms,' among others whose copyrights expired after 95 years. Early Mickey Mouse cartoons also join the public domain, including those where Mickey speaks for the first time. This expansion of public domain works offers creators a wealth of material and invigorates cultural preservation.

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(apnews.com)
Misc public domain cultural heritage

Google's New Load Balancer, PReQuaL: Beyond CPU Load Balancing

2024-12-16

Google Research presented PReQuaL (Probing to Reduce Queuing and Latency), a novel load balancer, at NSDI 2024. Unlike traditional CPU load balancing, PReQuaL actively probes server latency and active requests to select servers, dramatically reducing tail latency, error rates, and resource consumption in systems like YouTube. Deployed in YouTube for over a year, PReQuaL has significantly improved system utilization. This innovative approach challenges conventional wisdom and offers a new paradigm for high-performance distributed systems.

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(www.usenix.org)
Development load balancing

Nokia 5110 Resurrection: Bringing a 2G Legend into the 4G Era

2024-12-16

The author fondly remembers their childhood Nokia 5110 and embarks on a project to transform it into a 4G phone. The plan centers around replacing the original 2G module with a SIM7600SA 4G module. Surprisingly, the 5110's simple design makes the conversion easier than anticipated; the original buttons, display, and interfaces can be reused. The author details their progress and plans to share the new circuit board design in a subsequent post, breathing new life into this classic phone.

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(opsbros.com)
Hardware Nokia 5110 4G upgrade retro phone

Will Large Language Models End Programming?

2024-12-15

Recent advancements in large language models (LLMs) have sparked debate about the obsolescence of programming. This article argues against this overly optimistic view. Focusing on the computational complexity of program synthesis, the author demonstrates that generating correct code is a PSPACE-complete problem, meaning even moderately sized inputs could require exponential time. While LLMs can assist programmers and boost efficiency, their inherent limitations prevent them from completely replacing human programmers. The core of programming remains problem-solving and system design, requiring human ingenuity and creativity.

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(cacm.acm.org)
Development program synthesis future of programming

The Robot Dance: A Co-evolution of Technology and Art

2024-12-15

This article explores the evolution of the robot dance in art and technology. Starting with Kraftwerk's song "We Are the Robots," the author traces the shift in dance styles from mechanical to organic, and the human fascination with the machinic aesthetic. The author points out that modern robots have transcended traditional robotic movements, exhibiting more fluid and lifelike motions. This shift reflects the co-evolution of technology and art, and humanity's perception of machinery has transformed from initial fear and alienation to closeness and acceptance.

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(contraptions.venkateshrao.com)
AI robots art

Unraveling the PPG Wave 2.2 & 2.3: An 8-bit vs. 12-bit DAC Mystery

2024-12-15

This article delves into the subtle yet significant differences between the PPG Wave 2.2 and 2.3 synthesizers. While the 2.3 utilizes 12-bit DACs, wavetable playback remains 8-bit; only samples imported via external devices fully leverage the 12-bit precision. Oscilloscope measurements reveal a unique audio processing method: two oscillators send data interleaved, resulting in a DAC output frequency double the individual oscillator sample rate. This creates a distinctive timbre and high-frequency aliasing beyond human hearing. The article also notes the relatively slow CV update rate, yet the sound retains its character.

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(till-kopper.de)
Hardware synthesizer digital audio

From Animal 'Factories' to Synthetic Biology: A Revolution in Biopharming

2024-12-15

Historically, many medicines and materials relied on animal extraction, such as antivenom from horse blood, endotoxin detection from horseshoe crab blood, and silk from silkworms. This article traces the journey from ancient Phoenicians using snails to extract Tyrian purple dye to the modern use of biotechnology to synthesize insulin, antibodies, and vaccines. While synthetic biology technologies can now replace many animal-derived products, some areas still rely on animals due to regulatory lag, molecular complexity, and challenges in scaling production, such as influenza vaccine production. The article highlights the enormous potential of synthetic biology to improve efficiency and reduce animal use, but also reminds us of the importance of protecting biodiversity, as the development of biotechnology also relies on exploration and utilization of the natural world.

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(worksinprogress.co)
Tech animal welfare

Victorian Novels Highlight Fragility of Public Health

2024-12-15

Victorian-era novels reveal the shockingly high child mortality rates from infectious diseases, underscoring the fragility of public health today. The article highlights that in the first half of the 19th century, 40-50% of children in the U.S. died before age 5, with similar rates in UK slums. Tuberculosis, smallpox, and diphtheria were major killers. However, advancements in sanitation, regulations (food safety), and medicine (vaccines, antibiotics) have drastically reduced child mortality. Victorian novels, with their poignant depictions of grief over lost children, serve as a cautionary tale: the progress made is not guaranteed and complacency regarding public health measures, such as vaccination rates, could lead to a resurgence of deadly diseases.

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(theconversation.com)
Misc public health child mortality Victorian era

Optimistic Computing: A Path Towards Better Software

2024-12-15

This essay explores the concept of "Optimistic Computing," not as blind optimism, but as a convergence of several powerful ideas: simplicity and ease of use ("boot to kill"), local-first principles, and user empowerment. The author argues that by limiting dependencies, simplifying workflows, creating a seamless "just works" experience, and giving users more control, we can build more reliable, secure, and long-lasting software. This philosophy applies to both individual users and enterprise software development, ultimately aiming for a digital world that respects user privacy and data ownership.

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(www.deobald.ca)
Development optimistic computing local-first

School Smartphone Ban Improves Sleep and Mood

2024-12-15

A three-week school smartphone ban experiment at the University of York showed significant improvements in students' sleep and mood. Students fell asleep 20 minutes faster on average, gained an hour of sleep nightly, and reported 17% less depression and 18% less anxiety. While cognitive improvements were modest, researchers suggest longer-term bans may yield greater benefits, informing policy decisions regarding smartphone use among young people.

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(www.york.ac.uk)
Misc smartphone ban sleep mood

Shape-Shifting Antenna Takes Inspiration From 'The Expanse'

2024-12-16

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory have developed a novel shape-shifting antenna inspired by the science fiction series, 'The Expanse'. Using 3D-printed shape-memory alloy, the antenna dynamically adapts its shape through heating and cooling to meet various communication needs. Effectively operating from 4-11 GHz, this innovative design holds promise for 6G wireless communication, addressing the challenge of requiring multiple antennas for multi-band operation. While slower than alternative technologies, it offers advantages in power efficiency and frequency range, especially in systems needing to integrate diverse antenna types for optimal performance.

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(spectrum.ieee.org)
Tech shape-shifting antenna 6G communication

Million-Dollar Prize for Open-Source AI Coding Competition

2024-12-16

Andy Konwinski launched the K Prize, a $1 million competition to advance open-source AI coding capabilities. The competition uses a revamped version of the SWE-bench benchmark, eliminating test set contamination for a more accurate assessment of AI models' real-world coding skills. Inspired by the Netflix Prize, Konwinski believes the competition will spur AI research and attract top talent globally.

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(andykonwinski.com)
AI AI competition open-source

Eating Spaghetti by the Fistful: A Neapolitan Street Spectacle

2024-12-17

In 19th-century Naples, eating spaghetti became a unique spectacle. People would grab handfuls of spaghetti and shove it into their mouths with surprising speed. This unusual custom attracted numerous tourists and became a Neapolitan specialty. The article traces the history of this practice, from the price drop of pasta in the 17th century, to its role as an important food source for the poor, and its eventual disappearance with societal changes.

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(www.atlasobscura.com)
Misc spaghetti Naples street food

Isomorphic Web Components: Server-Side Rendering Made Easy

2024-12-15

The long-held belief that server-side rendering of web components is difficult has been challenged. This article demonstrates how to achieve server-side rendering of existing web components by cleverly using Happy DOM to emulate a browser environment. Two methods are detailed: using the `` tag for direct rendering and emulating the DOM to run component code and generate HTML. The author emphasizes the advantages of this approach: compatibility with all web components, robustness in the face of JavaScript failure, and avoidance of framework lock-in. This solves the server-side rendering problem for web components, offering a flexible and resilient solution.

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(jakelazaroff.com)
Development Server-Side Rendering Isomorphic

TSMC Unveils Nanosheet Transistors: A New Era for Chips

2024-12-15

TSMC showcased its next-generation N2 (2-nanometer) process at the IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting, marking its first foray into nanosheet transistors. Compared to its N3 process, N2 boasts up to a 15 percent speed increase, 30 percent better energy efficiency, and a 15 percent density boost. This new architecture offers greater flexibility, allowing for the creation of nanosheets with varying widths on the same chip, optimizing performance for different logic units, especially SRAM. Intel's research further validated the scalability of nanosheet architecture, demonstrating a high-performing 6-nanometer gate-length transistor, pointing the way towards continued advancement in chip technology and suggesting a potential extension of Moore's Law.

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(spectrum.ieee.org)
Hardware TSMC Nanosheet Transistors 2nm Process

Sensirion SGP41 TVOC Sensor Accuracy Test: Relative Changes, Not Absolute Values

2024-12-15

AirGradient conducted accuracy and precision tests on the Sensirion SGP41 TVOC sensor used in their air quality monitors. The tests revealed that the sensor effectively tracks relative changes in TVOC levels – detecting increases or decreases – but cannot provide precise absolute values. This is due to limitations inherent in low-cost VOC sensors, including lack of specificity, cross-sensitivity, environmental sensitivity, and baseline drift. While the sensor cannot precisely measure TVOC concentrations, it still offers practical value in identifying TVOC sources and for environmental monitoring. Future testing by AirGradient will explore sensor performance under various conditions to further understand its capabilities and limitations.

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(www.airgradient.com)
Hardware TVOC sensor air quality monitoring sensor accuracy

The Secret to High-Performing Teams: Transactive Memory Systems

2024-12-15

This article explores the cornerstone of high-performing teams: Transactive Memory Systems (TMS). It's not about individual memory strength, but how teams effectively share and leverage members' knowledge and skills. Three types of team memory are introduced: working, long-term, and transactive memory, with a focus on how TMS enhances team performance. TMS comprises two elements: collaborative patterns and individual expertise. By building a TMS, teams unlock collective intelligence and overcome the impact of member changes. The article recommends methods like the Capability Comb, Team Manual, and deliberate practice to help teams quickly establish and improve their TMS.

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(emilywebber.co.uk)
Development knowledge sharing transactive memory system

AI Visualization: Similar City Road Networks

2024-12-15

The website similar-cities uses AI to visualize the relationships between cities by comparing the similarities of their road networks. It employs a unique 'drunkard's walk' algorithm, calculating the similarity of random paths within the road networks to assess structural similarity. Data is sourced from OpenStreetMap, encompassing roughly 2500 cities. The project is open-source, providing detailed algorithm explanations and code, and welcomes more city data for improved accuracy.

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(github.com)
AI Visualization Road Networks

Conquering iPhone NFC Compatibility: Reviving Magic MIFARE Tags

2024-12-15

The author encountered a tricky NFC issue: some Magic MIFARE cards couldn't be read by iPhones. Using a Proxmark3 tool, they tried wiping card data and formatting with ndefformat, but the iPhone still refused to recognize them. Finally, after writing data using the iPhone's NFC Tools app in "compatibility mode", the iPhone successfully read the card. The author also demonstrates how to use the ndeflib library to create and write NDEF records, ultimately enabling the Magic MIFARE card to work on iPhones.

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(ewpratten.com)
Misc

RAM Data Remanence Times: Significant Differences Between DDR4 and DDR5

2024-12-15

3mdeb conducted research testing data remanence times in different RAM types (DDR4 and DDR5). Results showed DDR5 data vanishes almost instantly after power loss, while DDR4 data persists for significantly longer, up to two minutes. This highlights critical differences in data security between RAM types. A custom UEFI application was used, writing and comparing memory patterns while accounting for temperature and humidity. This research is significant for understanding memory data security and designing more secure systems.

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(blog.3mdeb.com)
Hardware RAM data remanence

Best-of-N Jailbreaking: A Novel Attack on AI Systems

2024-12-15

Researchers have developed a new AI attack algorithm called Best-of-N (BoN) Jailbreaking. This black-box algorithm repeatedly modifies prompts—randomly shuffling or capitalizing text, for example—until it elicits a harmful response from the AI system. BoN achieved impressively high attack success rates (ASRs) on closed-source language models like GPT-4o (89%) and Claude 3.5 Sonnet (78%), effectively circumventing existing defenses. Furthermore, BoN seamlessly extends to vision and audio language models, highlighting the vulnerability of even advanced AI systems to seemingly innocuous input variations. This research underscores significant security concerns in the field of AI.

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(arxiv.org)
AI AI security AI attack Best-of-N Jailbreaking

Hyperbola GNU/Linux-libre: A Lightweight OS Committed to Freedom and Long-Term Support

2024-12-15

Hyperbola GNU/Linux-libre is a community-driven operating system project aiming to provide a fully free, stable, secure, simple, and lightweight long-term support distribution. It leverages Arch Linux's package management and Debian's security patches, adhering to the GNU Free System Distribution Guidelines. Supporting i686 and x86_64 architectures, Hyperbola plans to release a BSD-based system, HyperbolaBSD. Recent news includes continued support for 32-bit systems, discontinuation of Debian patchsets beyond version 12, and concerns expressed regarding the Free Software Foundation's statement on machine learning.

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(www.hyperbola.info)
Development Operating System Free Software

OpenAI Outage: Unexpected Load from New Telemetry Service Causes Major Disruption

2024-12-16

OpenAI experienced a major service disruption on December 11th, stemming from a newly deployed telemetry service. Intended to improve reliability, this service unexpectedly generated massive Kubernetes API server load, saturating the servers and causing the Kubernetes control plane to fail in most large clusters. This led to the breakdown of DNS-based service discovery. The incident highlights the unpredictable interactions within complex systems and the challenges of testing for failure modes that only appear under full load. OpenAI restored service by scaling down clusters, blocking network access to Kubernetes admin APIs, and scaling up API servers.

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(surfingcomplexity.blog)
Development API server saturation service disruption

The Green Fairy's Fall: Absinthe From Muse to Moral Panic

2024-12-16

In late 19th-century France, absinthe, once celebrated as the 'Green Fairy' and muse to artists and poets, fell from grace due to its high alcohol content and societal biases. Medical experts linked absinthe to violent crime, fueling the 'absinthe-induced violence' narrative. Sensationalized media reports, such as those detailing 'absinthe murders,' furthered the negative perception. While it's now understood that absinthe's dangers stem primarily from its alcohol content, not its essential oils, the ensuing panic led to its prohibition in Switzerland (1908) and France (1915). The widening consumption of absinthe, from the bourgeoisie to the working class, fueled its association with crime. The absinthe ban also reveals complex attitudes toward alcohol and societal prejudices. Although absinthe is now legal in some countries, its negative reputation persists.

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(www.historytoday.com)
Misc absinthe prohibition social history
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