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RFK Jr.'s Plan to Make America Healthy: An Apple Watch for Everyone?

2025-06-25

RFK Jr.'s Plan to Make America Healthy: An Apple Watch for Everyone?

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has launched an ambitious initiative to improve Americans' health by promoting widespread wearable device adoption, aiming for every American to wear one within four years. While proponents highlight the potential for early disease detection, concerns remain about privacy and data security risks associated with mass adoption. This, coupled with RFK Jr.'s history of spreading vaccine misinformation and recent controversial changes to the vaccine advisory panel, raises significant doubts about the plan's reliability and efficacy.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech

Lyon Ditches Microsoft, Embraces Open Source for Digital Sovereignty

2025-06-25

Lyon Ditches Microsoft, Embraces Open Source for Digital Sovereignty

The city of Lyon is phasing out Microsoft software, opting for open-source alternatives like OnlyOffice, Linux, and PostgreSQL to reduce reliance on US tech and strengthen digital sovereignty. This move utilizes the 'Territoire Numérique Ouvert' suite, developed with SITIV and Lyon Metropolis, already used by thousands across nine local governments. Lyon joins Copenhagen and Aarhus in this trend, highlighting a growing push for public-sector tech autonomy in Europe.

(digitrendz.blog)

Tech Lyon

Fortescue's 'Infinity Train': A Self-Charging Battery-Electric Locomotive

2025-06-25

Fortescue's 'Infinity Train': A Self-Charging Battery-Electric Locomotive

Australian mining giant Fortescue, through its subsidiary Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), and Williams Advanced Engineering have unveiled an ambitious project: an "infinity train." This battery-electric locomotive utilizes regenerative braking to recharge its batteries downhill, eliminating the need for external charging infrastructure. The train is designed to transport iron ore between mine sites without needing recharging, aiming to replace diesel locomotives and significantly reduce emissions. While details are still emerging, the project's success hinges on sufficient downhill gradients for regenerative charging. FFI's broader commitment to green technology includes ammonia-powered ships and hydrogen fuel cell mining trucks, positioning them as a major player in the green energy transition.

(newatlas.com)

Tech

Tokyo Carry Culture: A Designer's Journey & Inspiration

2025-06-25

Tokyo Carry Culture: A Designer's Journey & Inspiration

Designer José's Tokyo trip wasn't just a birthday getaway; it became a deep dive into Japan's carry culture. He observed a focus on practicality, convenience, and compactness, with slim backpacks, briefcases, and crossbody bags being popular choices. He discovered interesting local brands like AS20V, Ramidus, and One Third Research, sparking ideas for new tote bags, crossbody bags, and travel bags. The journey also highlighted the importance of carrying cash, packing light, and choosing the right bag.

(www.tombihn.com)

Design carry culture

Reading Passport NFC Chip Data with Python

2025-06-25

Reading Passport NFC Chip Data with Python

The author attempts to read the NFC chip data from their cancelled passport using the Python library pypassport. Due to the passport being cancelled, a portion of the MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) is missing. The author reconstructs the MRZ from other information on the passport and successfully reads the passport information, including biometric data. The article details the composition of the MRZ, checksum calculation methods, and the reading process, and discusses the possibility and practical value of brute-forcing the MRZ. Ultimately, the author demonstrates that while theoretically possible, brute-forcing is very difficult in practice, and reading the information directly from the passport is much more convenient and efficient.

(shkspr.mobi)

Development Passport

LLMs Saved My Game Dev Passion: Conquering Data Entry Hell

2025-06-25

A game developer hit a roadblock in their Unity3D card game project due to tedious data entry. Traditional Unity editors and Odin proved insufficient for handling complex nested structures and nullable references. The solution? Leveraging LLMs to map Excel data to C# code. The key was a meticulously crafted prompt guiding the LLM to perform structured analysis and code generation, mitigating context poisoning issues. This automated the data entry process, allowing the developer to focus on game mechanics and design.

(danieltan.weblog.lol)

Game

Time as an Object: Assembly Theory Redefines Time's Nature

2025-06-25

Challenging conventional views, Assembly Theory, proposed by Sara Walker and Lee Cronin, posits that time is not an illusion or backdrop, but a measurable physical object with size and unidirectional flow. This theory, drawing parallels to Darwinian natural selection, quantifies selection by making time a property of objects, emerging only through evolution. Life, it argues, arises when the universe selects from an immense space of possibilities. Assembly Theory acts as a universal life detection system, measuring assembly indexes and copy numbers of molecules. The theory explains the existence of complex objects like computers and LLMs by positing that time itself, materialized through assembly processes, is the fundamental stuff they're made of. This revolutionary perspective holds significant implications for our understanding of life's origins and the universe's evolution.

(faculty.ucr.edu)

Tech Assembly Theory Time

Windows 10's Sunset: The Call to Upgrade to Windows 11

2025-06-25

Windows 10's Sunset: The Call to Upgrade to Windows 11

Microsoft announced that support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025, marking the end of an era for the nearly decade-old operating system. Users are encouraged to upgrade to the more secure and efficient Windows 11, with several transition options available: free Windows 11 upgrades, Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10, and the cloud-based Windows 365 service. Windows 11 boasts enhanced security features, faster performance, and AI-driven innovations like Copilot. This transition presents both challenges and opportunities for individuals and organizations managing their IT infrastructure.

(blogs.windows.com)

Tech

Philips Hue Prices to Increase in the US Due to Tariffs

2025-06-25

Philips Hue Prices to Increase in the US Due to Tariffs

Signify, the parent company of Philips Hue, has confirmed price increases for its smart lighting and security products in the US, effective July 1st. The increase is a direct result of tariffs on Chinese imports. While specific price changes and affected products haven't been detailed, the statement suggests the entire Hue lineup may be impacted. The new Hue Play Wall Washer already shows a higher US price compared to its European counterpart. This price hike could push US consumers towards more affordable alternatives. Signify warns of potential further price increases depending on future tariff adjustments.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech Smart Lighting

Western Digital's Patent Infringement Damages Reduced to $1

2025-06-25

Western Digital's Patent Infringement Damages Reduced to $1

Western Digital has dramatically reduced its patent infringement payout to just $1. A California jury initially awarded SPEX Technologies $553 million for infringement related to Western Digital's self-encrypting hard drives. However, the judge overturned the damages due to SPEX shifting its damages theory during the trial and lacking sufficient evidence to support the original amount. While Western Digital lost on most other post-trial motions, its legal team considers this a significant victory.

(www.theregister.com)

Tech patent infringement damages

Chrome for Android Finally Gets a Bottom Address Bar

2025-06-25

Chrome for Android Finally Gets a Bottom Address Bar

Google has finally added a much-requested feature to Chrome for Android: a bottom address bar. Users can now move the address bar, tab switcher, and other shortcuts to the bottom of the screen, making one-handed use much easier. The update is optional, allowing users to choose between top and bottom placement in settings. The rollout begins today and will reach all users in the coming weeks. iOS users gained this feature in 2023.

(9to5google.com)

Development Bottom Address Bar

Pacific Ocean Car Carrier Sinks After Fire

2025-06-25

Pacific Ocean Car Carrier Sinks After Fire

The Morning Midas, a car carrier carrying approximately 3,000 vehicles (800 of which were EVs), sank in the Pacific Ocean after a fire. The fire, which began in early June, initially produced smoke from the deck carrying electric vehicles. Heavy weather exacerbated the damage, leading to flooding and the vessel's eventual sinking. The incident highlights the shipping risks posed by lithium-ion batteries in EVs, especially on large car carriers. The response was hampered by the ship's distance from land (approximately 360 miles).

(www.ttnews.com)

Tech shipping accident

Microsoft's Open-Source MS-DOS Editor Remake: A Blast from the Past

2025-06-25

Microsoft's Open-Source MS-DOS Editor Remake: A Blast from the Past

Microsoft has released a modern, open-source remake of its classic MS-DOS Editor, aptly named "Edit." Built with Rust, this cross-platform editor runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux—a significant departure from its 1991 origins in MS-DOS 5.0. The release has delighted longtime users, offering a nostalgic trip back to a simpler time while also providing a user-friendly alternative to complex text editors found on some platforms. The full-screen interface, mouse support, and intuitive menus stand in stark contrast to its predecessor, EDLIN, and even some modern Linux editors like Vim, making it a welcome addition for both seasoned programmers and newcomers alike.

(arstechnica.com)

Development MS-DOS Editor

Microsoft's Xbox Division Facing Further Layoffs

2025-06-25

Microsoft's Xbox Division Facing Further Layoffs

Microsoft is reportedly planning further layoffs in its Xbox gaming division as early as next week. This follows the 6,000 job cuts in May and will impact the Xbox distribution and sales organizations, potentially affecting operations in some parts of central Europe. The move is part of a broader restructuring effort as Microsoft prepares for its next generation of consoles. These layoffs are the latest in a series of significant cuts in the gaming industry over the past 18 months, following the 1,900 Activision Blizzard and Xbox employee layoffs in January 2024 and the closure of several game studios in May 2024.

(www.theverge.com)

Game

Caffeine: A Cellular Fountain of Youth?

2025-06-25

Caffeine: A Cellular Fountain of Youth?

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have uncovered a new mechanism by which caffeine might slow cellular aging. Their study, using fission yeast, demonstrates that caffeine activates AMPK, a cellular energy sensor conserved in yeast and humans, rather than directly influencing the TOR pathway. By activating AMPK, caffeine influences cell growth, DNA repair, and stress response – all factors implicated in aging and disease. This research offers a novel explanation for caffeine's potential health benefits and opens avenues for exploring how to more directly trigger these effects through diet, lifestyle changes, or novel medications.

(phys.org)

Tech cellular aging

National Archives at College Park: Your Guide to Visiting

2025-06-25

National Archives at College Park: Your Guide to Visiting

The National Archives at College Park, MD (8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740) research room is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are accepted. Contact information: Customer Service 1-866-272-6272, Lost and Found 301-837-2900, Email: [email protected]. For Cartographic, Still Pictures, and Moving Image & Sound consultations and appointments, please contact the specific email addresses listed on their website.

(www.archives.gov)

Misc Research Room Appointments

Texas Data Shows Renewables Are Saving Consumers Money

2025-06-25

Texas Data Shows Renewables Are Saving Consumers Money

Analysis of ERCOT data demonstrates that renewable energy is not only clean but also saving Texas consumers significant money. Comparing August 2018 and August 2024, despite increased peak electricity demand, the rapid growth of solar power reduced the actual fossil fuel electricity needed (net load), lowering wholesale electricity prices. The study reveals that the average electricity price in August 2024 was considerably lower than in 2018; without the growth in renewables, 2024 prices would have been at least 40% higher.

(www.theclimatebrink.com)

Tech electricity cost

Paywalls: The News Industry's Struggle for Survival

2025-06-25

Paywalls: The News Industry's Struggle for Survival

A Pew Research Center survey reveals the state of news consumption in the US: While 74% of Americans frequently encounter paywalls on news websites, only 17% paid for news in the past year. Most people opt for free news or abandon reading, primarily because ample free resources exist and the value proposition of paid news is low. The survey also shows that highly educated, older, and Democratic-leaning individuals are more likely to pay for news. Paywalls represent a challenge to the news industry's survival in the digital age and reflect changing news consumption habits.

(www.pewresearch.org)

Tech news industry

Hugging Face Scientist Doubts AI's Ability to Drive Scientific Discovery

2025-06-25

Hugging Face Scientist Doubts AI's Ability to Drive Scientific Discovery

Thomas Wolf, chief scientist at Hugging Face, casts doubt on the ability of current AI systems to make the groundbreaking scientific discoveries some leading labs anticipate. While large language models (LLMs) excel at answering questions, Wolf argues they struggle with the more challenging task of formulating truly original questions—the crux of scientific progress. He uses the game of Go as an analogy: mastering the rules is impressive, but inventing the game itself is a far greater feat. Similarly, he believes current AI models, acting as 'yes-men on servers,' lack the capacity to challenge existing assumptions and pose truly novel scientific questions.

(fortune.com)

AI Scientific Discovery

PicoEMP: Open-Source, Low-Cost Electromagnetic Fault Injection Tool

2025-06-25

PicoEMP: Open-Source, Low-Cost Electromagnetic Fault Injection Tool

PicoEMP is a low-cost, open-source Electromagnetic Fault Injection (EMFI) tool designed for self-study and hobbyist research. Utilizing a Raspberry Pi Pico as its controller and featuring a safety shield to mitigate high-voltage risks, it offers a budget-friendly alternative to commercial EMFI tools like ChipSHOUTER. While sacrificing some performance for affordability and ease of use, it remains suitable for learning and personal exploration. Users are responsible for assembly and safety. The project is open-source and welcomes contributions.

(github.com)

Hardware Electromagnetic Fault Injection

Asunción's Paradox: Modern High-Rises Amidst Urban Chaos

2025-06-25

Asunción's Paradox: Modern High-Rises Amidst Urban Chaos

A recent visit to Asunción, Paraguay, revealed a striking lack of aesthetic coherence. Modern high-rises stand juxtaposed with dilapidated buildings, reflecting Paraguay's low government spending (19% of GDP) and high informal employment (62-67%). Unique tax regulations attract foreign investors, fueling a real estate boom that largely bypasses the local middle class. The author explores the complex interplay of economic policies, historical context, and social factors shaping Asunción's unique urban landscape.

(cpsi.media)

Misc

Gnosis Mystic: Empowering AI to Control Your Python Functions in Real-Time

2025-06-25

Gnosis Mystic: Empowering AI to Control Your Python Functions in Real-Time

Gnosis Mystic is a powerful tool that gives AI assistants direct access and control over your Python functions through runtime hijacking and intelligent analysis. With minimal decorators, Claude can inspect, optimize, and control your code in real-time. It solves the problem of AI assistants being blind to your running code, lacking access to runtime behavior and state, and enables real-time function monitoring, safe experimentation, runtime control, intelligent analysis, and live debugging, significantly boosting development efficiency and code security.

(github.com)

Development

Subsecond: Sub-Second Hot-Patching for Rust

2025-06-25

Subsecond is a Rust library enabling hot-patching, allowing code changes in a running application without restarts. This is invaluable for game engines, servers, and long-running apps where the edit-compile-run cycle is too slow. It also introduces 'ThinLinking', dramatically speeding up Rust compilation in development. Subsecond works by detouring function calls via a jump table, avoiding unsafe memory modification. An external tool compiles changed code, sends it to the application, and Subsecond applies the patch. Currently, it only patches the 'tip' crate and has limitations regarding globals, statics, thread-locals, and struct layouts. It supports major platforms, excluding iOS devices due to code signing.

(docs.rs)

Development hot-patching hot-reloading

Eclipse LARP: A $1000 Sci-Fi Immersive Experience

2025-06-25

Eclipse LARP: A $1000 Sci-Fi Immersive Experience

Eclipse is a three-day sci-fi LARP set in 2059, following 150 players on a first contact mission with aliens on a new planet. Instead of space battles, it focuses on humanity's self-destructive tendencies and the nature of existence. The immersive environment, featuring custom tablets, sci-fi jumpsuits, and 3D-printed props, is incredibly detailed. The high cost (€890+) sparks debate about the commercialization and exclusivity of LARPs, but it also opens avenues for smaller-scale games. This detailed account of the English-language debut chronicles the author's journey: from complex character selection and extensive pre-game materials to the intense gameplay and unforgettable ending. Eclipse is a testament to the potential of large-scale, immersive role-playing experiences.

(mssv.net)

Game Immersive Gaming

How Programmers Should Think About Time

2025-06-25

How Programmers Should Think About Time

This article delves into the complexities of handling time in programming. It explains the concepts of absolute time (based on epochs and durations) and civil time (Gregorian calendar and time zones), clarifying the mechanics of leap seconds and timezone transitions and their inherent challenges. The importance of the IANA time zone database, which provides historical and future time zone rules for accurate time handling, is highlighted. Three case studies—a chat forum, an event planning website, and a personal project—illustrate different time-handling strategies, emphasizing that 'just use UTC' is not a universal solution.

(shanrauf.com)

Development time handling time zones IANA database

Autonomous Penetration Tester XBOW Tops HackerOne US Leaderboard

2025-06-25

Autonomous Penetration Tester XBOW Tops HackerOne US Leaderboard

For the first time, an autonomous AI penetration tester, XBOW, has reached the top spot on the HackerOne US leaderboard. XBOW initially benchmarked itself against CTF challenges and open-source projects, uncovering and reporting numerous zero-day vulnerabilities. It then participated in HackerOne's bug bounty programs, conducting black-box testing on thousands of targets. XBOW's nearly 1060 validated vulnerability reports, including an unknown vulnerability in Palo Alto's GlobalProtect VPN, propelled it to the top ranking. This demonstrates the significant potential of AI in cybersecurity.

(xbow.com)

Tech Penetration Testing

Drunk Idea, Gritty Canal Boat Game Reality: A 3-Month Dev Journey

2025-06-25

While enjoying a Jura whisky, the author had a sudden idea: a gritty canal boat game. Early attempts with outdated software proved frustrating. He switched to the Godot engine, collaborating with a friend, and completed a prototype, "Canal Carnage," in 2 months and 22 days. Despite its 3-minute playtime and rough edges, the project taught valuable lessons about game development and engine usage. The story highlights perseverance and the challenges and rewards of indie game creation.

(jacobfilipp.com)

Game Godot engine

X11 DPI Scaling: Debunking the Myth

2025-06-25

The author challenges the common belief that X11 doesn't support DPI scaling by successfully drawing a two-inch circle across multiple screens with varying sizes and resolutions. Using OpenGL and X server configuration events, the author dynamically adjusts the circle's radius based on physical screen dimensions obtained from the X server. Despite encountering minor inaccuracies, like a discrepancy in the TV's reported size, the experiment proves DPI scaling in X11 is achievable. The process highlights the importance of ignoring limitations imposed by others and pursuing seemingly impossible tasks.

(flak.tedunangst.com)

Development DPI scaling

The Productivity Paradox: Time May Not Exist

2025-06-25

The Productivity Paradox: Time May Not Exist

This article explores how modern physics' understanding of time upends our perception of productivity. From Newton's absolute time to Einstein's relativity and the absence of time variables in quantum mechanics, the article argues that time may not objectively exist but rather emerges from quantum entanglement. Recent research suggests time is a phenomenon created by observers participating in quantum systems. This changes our understanding of productivity: focus and commitment are not just about efficiency but about participating in the creation of time itself. The article concludes with some quantum physics-based productivity management strategies, such as embracing quantum superposition scheduling and leveraging consciousness-dependent time creation.

(multiverseemployeehandbook.com)

Misc

Hash Collision Probability: From the Birthday Paradox to Approximations

2025-06-25

Hash Collision Probability: From the Birthday Paradox to Approximations

This article delves into the probability of hash collisions. Hash functions map arbitrarily complex inputs to single numbers, but there's a risk of hash collisions (different inputs mapping to the same number). Starting with the Birthday Paradox, the article explains the exact formula for calculating hash collision probability and three approximation methods: exponential approximation, simplified approximation, and a further simplified approximation. Through comparison, the exponential approximation performs best in most cases, while the other two are more suitable for quick estimations. The article also provides mathematical proofs supporting the approximation methods.

(kevingal.com)

Development birthday paradox

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