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How Ocean Tides Affect Earth's Rotation

2025-04-18

This article explores the dual impact of tides on Earth's rotation. In the long term, tidal friction causes a gradual slowing of Earth's rotation, increasing the length of a day by about 2.3 milliseconds per century, necessitating the periodic addition of leap seconds. Short-term, the cyclical movement of tides induces rapid, minute changes in Earth's rotation rate, matching the tidal periods and predictable via global tidal models. Both effects relate to ocean friction, changes in the moment of inertia, and angular momentum exchange.

(core2.gsfc.nasa.gov)

Tech Earth Rotation Tides Leap Seconds

Curiosity Rover Uncovers Evidence of Ancient Martian Carbon Cycle

2025-04-18

Curiosity Rover Uncovers Evidence of Ancient Martian Carbon Cycle

NASA's Curiosity rover has discovered significant carbonate deposits on Mount Sharp within Gale Crater on Mars, suggesting a past carbon cycle. This finding supports theories of a thicker ancient Martian atmosphere and potential habitability. Researchers believe that as Mars' atmosphere thinned, CO2 transformed into rock, leading to a colder climate and the loss of habitability. The discovery provides crucial insights into Mars' climate transitions and habitability, offering new avenues in the search for extraterrestrial life.

(phys.org)

Tech

Startup Funding: What Money Can and Can't Buy

2025-04-18

Startup Funding: What Money Can and Can't Buy

This article explores the role of money in startup funding. The author argues that while money solves many problems—marketing, hiring, coding—crucial elements like team building, market positioning, and strategic decision-making are beyond its reach. Successful startups balance both: using funds to accelerate growth while demonstrating the ability to overcome challenges without money, such as A/B testing to optimize products and adapting strategies based on customer feedback. Proving your ability to learn, adapt, and innovate convinces investors your project is worth funding.

(longform.asmartbear.com)

Startup

5-Star App: A Privacy Policy Deep Dive

2025-04-18

5-Star App: A Privacy Policy Deep Dive

An app boasts a perfect 5-star rating from a single review. Developer Daniel Plata states the app's privacy practices involve handling usage data and diagnostics. Importantly, this data isn't linked to user identities. Privacy practices may vary depending on features used or age.

(apps.apple.com)

Misc

The Cybersecurity Industry's Silence on the Chris Krebs Case: A Moral Failing

2025-04-18

The Cybersecurity Industry's Silence on the Chris Krebs Case: A Moral Failing

Former CISA Director Chris Krebs, who affirmed the integrity of the 2020 election, faces retaliation via an executive order aiming to blacklist him. This action raises serious constitutional concerns, violating the First Amendment’s protection of free speech. While a few cybersecurity voices have spoken out, the industry's largely silent response is alarming. The author argues this silence is a moral failure, highlighting the industry's complicity in allowing political power to suppress truth. The article calls for a stronger defense of principles and a rejection of appeasement.

(www.forbes.com)

Tech political retaliation

arXiv's Cloud Migration: Modernizing the Preprint Server

2025-04-18

arXiv, the world-renowned preprint server, is undergoing a major technological upgrade: migrating to Google Cloud Platform. This migration aims to improve scalability and modernize infrastructure, addressing issues such as legacy Perl and PHP backend code, asynchronous processing, and monitoring. Post-migration, arXiv will expand its subject areas, improve metadata collection, address ambiguous author identities, and enhance overall usability and accessibility. To support this exciting transformation, arXiv is hiring Software Engineers, a DevOps Specialist, and a Scientist/Software Developer with a strong background in both research and software development.

(info.arxiv.org)

Tech Cloud Migration

Google's AMP for Email: A Bold Failure

2025-04-18

Google's AMP for Email: A Bold Failure

Google attempted to revolutionize email with AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages), enabling interactive experiences like booking hotels or replying to Google Docs comments directly within emails. However, this initiative ultimately failed. The article analyzes the reasons behind AMP for Email's failure, including high development complexity, poor compatibility, and conflicts with email's inherent properties. Developer distrust of Google's push contributed significantly to its demise. While interactive emails aren't impossible, they should prioritize compatibility and permanence, not at the expense of simplicity and reliability. Email's enduring success hinges on its simplicity and decentralization.

(buttondown.com)

Tech

arXivLabs: Experimental Projects with Community Collaborators

2025-04-18

arXivLabs is a framework enabling collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on the website. Individuals and organizations involved uphold arXiv's values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners who share them. Got an idea for a valuable project for the arXiv community? Learn more about arXivLabs.

(arxiv.org)

Development

Defold Engine Update Spree: New Releases & Cloud Build Improvements

2025-04-18

Defold Engine Update Spree: New Releases & Cloud Build Improvements

The Defold game engine has seen a flurry of updates in late 2024 and early 2025, releasing versions 1.9.6, 1.9.7, and 1.9.8. A 2024 showreel showcasing impressive games built with Defold was also released. Beyond new versions, Defold introduced a technical preview of its editor scripting API for interactive UI creation and significantly improved its cloud build servers for easier development and maintenance. These improvements aim to enhance Defold's usability and efficiency, providing developers with more powerful game development tools.

(defold.com)

Development Updates

Jai: A Modern Programming Language for Experienced Developers

2025-04-18

A seasoned programmer, having worked with countless languages, shares their experience with Jai, a high-performance language designed for experienced developers. The author highlights Jai's strengths: simple syntax, blazing fast compilation, powerful metaprogramming capabilities, and cross-platform compatibility. They discuss using Jai in a production environment and explain why it remains in closed beta. Overall, the author praises Jai as a modern language that improves developer efficiency and enables the creation of high-quality, efficient software.

(smarimccarthy.is)

Development

Why I Abandoned Self-Hosted Sentry: 16GB RAM and a Complex Installation Were the Dealbreakers

2025-04-18

Why I Abandoned Self-Hosted Sentry: 16GB RAM and a Complex Installation Were the Dealbreakers

The author recounts their experience abandoning self-hosted Sentry. Initially, due to work requirements, they successfully self-hosted Sentry. Years later, attempting to set up self-hosted Sentry for a colleague, they encountered numerous warnings in Sentry's documentation about the risks of self-hosting, along with demanding resource requirements (at least 16GB RAM and multiple cores). This proved to be costly and incredibly difficult to maintain, with the installation process involving hundreds of lines of scripts. Online user feedback confirmed the difficulty of maintaining self-hosted Sentry. Ultimately, the author gave up on self-hosting Sentry and decided to develop a more lightweight alternative.

(www.bugsink.com)

Development

Trump's Assault on US Universities: A War on Academic Freedom

2025-04-18

Trump's Assault on US Universities: A War on Academic Freedom

The Trump administration is waging a full-scale assault on America's university system, using the pretexts of "viewpoint diversity" and "antisemitism" to pressure universities into conforming to MAGA ideology. This includes threats to funding, investigations of students and faculty, interference in university policies, and direct challenges to university autonomy and academic freedom. Harvard's public defiance of government demands marks a significant act of resistance, but most universities remain silent, raising concerns about appeasement. The article calls for universities to leverage their resources—endowments, students, faculty and alumni networks, real estate, athletics, and research projects—to unite in non-violent resistance, defending academic freedom and the independence of universities.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech

Challenging the Big Bang: New Model Replaces Dark Matter and Dark Energy

2025-04-18

Challenging the Big Bang: New Model Replaces Dark Matter and Dark Energy

Dr. Richard Lieu from the University of Alabama in Huntsville proposes a novel cosmological model that replaces the Big Bang with a series of temporal singularities to explain the universe's expansion. This model obviates the need for dark matter or dark energy to account for the universe's accelerated expansion and the formation of structures like galaxies. It posits that the universe expands due to step-like bursts of 'transient temporal singularities' injecting matter and energy, happening too quickly to be observed. These singularities generate negative pressure, similar to dark energy, causing accelerated expansion. Future validation will involve deep-field observations using ground-based telescopes.

(phys.org)

Tech Dark Matter Dark Energy

Quantum Navigation: GPS-Independent and Ultra-Accurate

2025-04-18

Quantum Navigation: GPS-Independent and Ultra-Accurate

Australian company Q-CTRL has unveiled Ironstone Opal, a commercially viable quantum navigation system. Unlike GPS, it's immune to jamming and spoofing, boasting 50 times the accuracy of traditional backup systems. Using quantum sensors to read variations in Earth's magnetic field and AI to filter interference, Ironstone Opal achieves unparalleled precision, even outperforming existing systems by 11x in aircraft tests. This breakthrough is poised to revolutionize navigation in challenging environments for military, aviation, and autonomous vehicle applications.

(interestingengineering.com)

Tech Quantum Navigation GPS alternative

Aqua Tofana: The Undetectable Poison of 17th Century Italy

2025-04-18

Aqua Tofana: The Undetectable Poison of 17th Century Italy

In 17th-century Italy, a colorless, odorless poison called Aqua Tofana spread silently. Made and sold primarily by women, it was often used to murder husbands for inheritance. While its inventors were executed, the formula persisted, leading to hundreds of deaths. Though its true potency is debated, the legend of Aqua Tofana profoundly impacted European society, fueling fears of secret murder and sparking numerous poisoning scandals. The story highlights the enduring power of myth and the anxieties surrounding clandestine poisoning in early modern Europe.

(www.amusingplanet.com)

Misc Aqua Tofana Italian poison 17th-century crime

Procedural Textures with Simple Hash Functions: A Playground of Patterns

2025-04-18

Procedural Textures with Simple Hash Functions: A Playground of Patterns

This article explores the surprising complexity achievable with a simple hash function for generating procedural textures. The core is a concise equation: $(c_x x + c_y y + c_{xy} xy + c_{x^2} x^2 + c_{y^2} y^2) mod m < τm$. By tweaking parameters, a vast array of visually rich patterns emerges. The author delves into the mathematical underpinnings, explaining how different terms influence the resulting texture. An interactive playground allows readers to experiment and create their own designs, making this relevant to game development and digital art.

(douglasorr.github.io)

Game procedural textures

Good Friday: A Comprehensive Guide to the Day of Christ's Crucifixion

2025-04-18

Good Friday: A Comprehensive Guide to the Day of Christ's Crucifixion

Good Friday, a pivotal day in Christianity, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This article details the events leading up to and including his crucifixion: arrest, trial, scourging, crowning with thorns, carrying the cross, and his final words. It explains the origin of the name 'Good Friday', describing diverse global observances, including religious services, processions, and reenactments of the Passion. Unusual customs are highlighted, such as egg divination and planting traditions. Finally, the article explains the annually shifting date of Easter and outlines other Holy Week events, including Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.

(www.historyextra.com)

Misc Good Friday Holy Week

1700-Year-Old Intact Roman Egg Baffles Scientists

2025-04-18

1700-Year-Old Intact Roman Egg Baffles Scientists

Archaeologists in the UK have unearthed a remarkably preserved 1700-year-old egg at the Berryfields site, about 50 miles northwest of London. Found in an ancient well that served as both a water source and ritual site during Roman times, the egg's liquid interior remains intact. The discovery, alongside other artifacts like coins and bones, offers invaluable insights into Roman culture, daily life, and animal introductions. The egg's preservation, its seemingly unbroken state, and its potential connection to Roman rituals make it a truly unique find. Scientists plan to extract the liquid and perform DNA testing to determine the species and origin of the egg.

(www.atlasobscura.com)

Tech Egg

UNESCO Honors Poland's Polonaise: A Dance Through History

2025-04-18

UNESCO Honors Poland's Polonaise: A Dance Through History

Once banned under Russian rule, Poland's stately polonaise dance, a symbol of national spirit, has been inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. This 18th-century dance, performed at aristocratic balls and village celebrations alike, inspired composers like Bach and Chopin. Even during Poland's partitions, it fostered a sense of national identity. Today, it remains a significant part of national events, graduations, and weddings, representing cooperation, reconciliation, and equality. Its simple elegance continues to unite people, passed down through generations and performed in streets and schools alike, demonstrating its enduring power.

(apnews.com)

Misc Polonaise Intangible Cultural Heritage

Killing in Combat: Context Matters More Than the Act Itself

2025-04-18

Killing in Combat: Context Matters More Than the Act Itself

A large-scale study of Norwegian soldiers challenges the common belief that killing inevitably harms a soldier's mental health. Researchers compared two groups: soldiers deployed to Afghanistan on combat missions and those serving as peacekeepers in Lebanon. The study found that peacekeepers who had killed someone exhibited higher rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use, and lower quality of life, compared to those who hadn't. However, no such difference was found among the combat soldiers. The study concludes that the context surrounding killing, rather than the act itself, significantly impacts mental wellbeing. The difference likely stems from the distinct mission objectives and rules of engagement between combat and peacekeeping operations. The findings highlight the need for context-specific psychological support and training for soldiers to minimize potential psychological harm.

(www.bps.org.uk)

Misc war trauma soldier psychology

Tracking Leaked Location Data from Mobile Apps: A Python-Powered Citizen Science Project

2025-04-18

Tracking Leaked Location Data from Mobile Apps: A Python-Powered Citizen Science Project

Following up on a previous post exposing how mobile apps share location data through ads, the author shares a faster, more scalable method using mitmproxy and Python. This allows users to record app traffic and filter for requests containing sensitive data like location information using custom keywords. A GitHub repo with a detailed guide and Python notebook is provided for participation. A crowdsourced spreadsheet collects observations on data sharing behaviors of various apps, encouraging a citizen science effort to uncover app data privacy issues.

(timsh.org)

Tech

Nostalgia Trip: Why Early Computers Were More Fun

2025-04-18

This article explores why older generations find early computers more enjoyable than modern ones. The author argues that the simplicity and limitations of early hardware – slow processors, low resolutions, limited memory – forced creative problem-solving, making the experience more engaging. The largely text-based internet fostered stronger human interaction, lacking the pervasive advertising and passive content consumption of today. The author posits that the appeal lay in the exclusivity; only those truly passionate about computers invested the time, creating a tight-knit community. As computers became ubiquitous and user-friendly, this unique aspect faded, replaced by accessibility but at the cost of depth and challenge.

(www.datagubbe.se)

Misc computer culture

Trek and Electra Raise Bike Prices to Offset Tariffs

2025-04-18

Trek and Electra Raise Bike Prices to Offset Tariffs

Trek and Electra bicycle retailers received an email informing them of immediate price increases on most models due to a 10% tariff surcharge announced on April 2nd. Trek stated they minimized the impact on entry-level models and that the price increase includes backorders to avoid inventory rushes. Retailers will see increased inventory value and profit margins. Specialized Bicycles will separately list the 10% tariff surcharge on B2B invoices after May 1st.

(www.bicycleretailer.com)

Hardware bikes

DEF CON: My Failed Attempt to Hack the Wall of Sheep

2025-04-18

DEF CON: My Failed Attempt to Hack the Wall of Sheep

At DEF CON's Wall of Sheep exhibit, which displays captured login credentials from an insecure Wi-Fi network, I attempted to inject JavaScript via XSS into the login field to display fake credentials. However, my assumption that the wall was a simple web browser rendering was wrong. The process was manually moderated, and the underlying software wasn't what I expected. My attack failed, but I've learned valuable lessons for a future attempt, including better preparation and a more realistic approach.

(honeypot.net)

Tech

Intuit's Lobbying Power Kills IRS Free Tax Filing Program

2025-04-18

Intuit's Lobbying Power Kills IRS Free Tax Filing Program

A decades-long battle culminated in the Trump administration shutting down the IRS's free tax filing program, Direct File, thanks to Intuit (maker of TurboTax)'s massive lobbying efforts and political donations. Despite high user satisfaction, Intuit relentlessly lobbied against Direct File, viewing it as a competitor. Their strategy involved substantial campaign contributions to politicians and hiring lobbying firms to pressure lawmakers. This resulted in the demise of a public service designed to simplify tax filing and save taxpayers money. The incident highlights the influence of money in politics and how corporations leverage their financial power to shape public policy, harming ordinary citizens.

(prospect.org)

Tech Political Donations Taxation

US Customs Changes Cause Shipping Delays

2025-04-18

Due to recent US Customs regulatory updates, shipments to the US with a declared customs value exceeding USD 800 are experiencing multi-day transit delays, regardless of origin. To alleviate customs processing strain, starting April 21st, B2C shipments to US individuals with a declared value over USD 800 are temporarily suspended. B2B shipments and those under USD 800 are unaffected, though delays are possible. This is a result of the new USD 800 formal entry threshold (down from USD 2500), causing a surge in formal customs clearances. This is a temporary measure, and updates will be provided.

(www.dhl.com)

Tech US Customs Shipping Delays

The 50-Year-Old Mystery of Internet Packet Size

2025-04-18

This article delves into the enduring question of optimal internet packet size. From RFC 791's initial suggestion of 576 octets to today's default of 20-1500 octets, packet size has been a key trade-off in network design. Tracing the evolution of Ethernet, it explains the relationship between minimum packet size and collision detection, and the balance between maximum packet size and transmission efficiency. Jumbo frames and Path MTU discovery are also discussed, concluding that 46-1500 octets remains a reasonable range for the public internet, a choice that has persisted for nearly 50 years.

(www.potaroo.net)

Tech packet size

Kagi Search Makes AI Assistant Available to All Users

2025-04-18

Kagi Search is making its AI assistant available to all users across all plans, no additional cost. Previously exclusive to Ultimate subscribers, this powerful tool leverages Kagi's search results to enhance research, respecting user privacy by not using data for AI model training. The rollout is phased, starting in the USA today and completing globally by Sunday, 23:59 UTC. A fair-use policy based on plan value limits AI model usage to ensure sustainability. The AI assistant allows users to interact with various leading LLMs, customize interactions, and refine responses through editing.

(blog.kagi.com)

Tech AI Assistant

Amazon's Secret Vega TV OS is Coming Soon

2025-04-18

Amazon's Secret Vega TV OS is Coming Soon

Amazon is secretly pushing forward with its new Vega TV operating system, planning to release its first non-Android streaming device this year. Vega, a Linux-based OS, may eventually replace Amazon's Fire OS. Despite previous delays to a Vega streaming stick and an update to its Android-based TV OS, leaks and sources confirm that the Vega project is progressing, with the first device imminent.

(www.lowpass.cc)

Tech Vega OS Streaming Device

Truss to Launch 'Uncensorable' Social Media Platform This Summer

2025-04-18

Truss to Launch 'Uncensorable' Social Media Platform This Summer

Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss plans to launch an "uncensorable" social media platform this summer, aiming to combat what she calls the "deep state." Announced at CPAC in Washington, where she declared Britain to be in a "Dark Age," the platform promises uncancellable free speech, a counter to what Truss describes as "the West's war against itself." While details remain scarce, Truss confirmed a summer launch, promising further updates soon.

(www.thetimes.com)

Tech Liz Truss

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