Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Smartphone Use on the Toilet Linked to Increased Hemorrhoid Risk

2025-09-05

A new study suggests a link between smartphone use on the toilet and an increased risk of hemorrhoids. Researchers found that individuals spending extended periods on the toilet scrolling through their phones had a 46% higher risk of hemorrhoid issues. This is attributed to increased rectal pressure from prolonged sitting, leading to swollen veins. Experts recommend minimizing smartphone use in the bathroom and maintaining a healthy diet and hydration to prevent hemorrhoids.

(www.popsci.com)

Health hemorrhoids

Non-Destructive Unrolling of Ancient Scroll via AI-Assisted X-ray Tomography

2025-08-19

German scientists used 3D X-ray tomography and AI to virtually 'unroll' a delicate antique Buddhist scroll crafted by Mongolian nomads, preserving its fragile state. The centuries-old scroll, tightly wound within silk pouches, revealed its contents—a Tibetan Buddhist mantra written in Sanskrit script—without physical manipulation. The analysis also unexpectedly uncovered metal particles in the ink. While labor-intensive, this technique offers invaluable opportunities for studying otherwise inaccessible artifacts.

(www.popsci.com)

Tech X-ray tomography

DeepMind's Table Tennis Robots: An Endless Match for a Smarter Future

2025-07-26

Google DeepMind has trained two robots to play an endless game of table tennis to improve general-purpose AI. The goal isn't a final score, but continuous learning and strategy improvement through competition. The robots have reached a level comparable to amateur human players, achieving a 50/50 win rate against intermediate players. Researchers hope this will spark a robotics revolution, creating robots that can safely and effectively interact with humans in the real world, similar to the impact of ChatGPT on language models.

(www.popsci.com)

AI

Gas Giants: More Complex Than We Thought

2025-06-22

Our understanding of gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn has been revolutionized by recent findings. Instead of a simple hydrogen and helium composition, these planets possess surprisingly complex internal structures. New data from probes like Juno and Cassini reveal a 'fuzzy' core, lacking a distinct transition between the outer layers and the inner core. Two formation theories exist: core accretion and disk instability. Furthermore, phenomena like Jupiter's Great Red Spot and the possible 'helium rain' on Saturn highlight the dynamic processes within these giants. These discoveries not only deepen our understanding of our solar system but also offer crucial insights for studying exoplanets.

(www.popsci.com)

Tech Gas Giants Planetary Formation

Beware Fake Unsubscribe Links: A New Phishing Scam

2025-06-15

Online scammers are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics, including deepfake audio and AI-generated images. However, some continue to use simpler methods, such as fake unsubscribe links in emails. Clicking these links can lead to malicious websites designed to steal login credentials or other personal information. The article recommends using email service provider's 'list-unsubscribe headers' for safer unsubscribing, or simply marking as junk. Setting up dummy email accounts or leveraging browser privacy features are also effective countermeasures.

(www.popsci.com)

Tech email scams

Black Hole Awakens 300 Million Light-Years Away: Defying Existing Theories

2025-04-12

For the first time, scientists have witnessed in real-time the awakening of a supermassive black hole 300 million light-years from Earth. Located in the center of the galaxy SDSS1335+0728 in the Virgo constellation, this black hole, nicknamed "Ansky," began emitting intermittent bright flashes of energy in late 2019. Subsequent observations revealed regular X-ray bursts, a phenomenon known as quasi-periodic eruptions (QPEs). These QPEs are significantly more energetic and longer-lasting than previously observed, challenging existing theories of black hole lifecycles. Researchers suggest the eruptions might stem from disturbances in the accretion disk caused by nearby interstellar gas, rather than the death of a star. This discovery provides invaluable data for understanding black hole evolution.

(www.popsci.com)

Tech

Moon Landing Makes History: GPS Navigation Achieved on Lunar Surface

2025-03-05

Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lunar lander successfully touched down on the moon and achieved a groundbreaking feat: using Earth-based GPS signals for navigation on the lunar surface. This joint NASA-Italian Space Agency experiment (LuGRE) aboard Blue Ghost represents a significant leap forward for future Artemis missions. LuGRE set a new record for highest-altitude GNSS signal acquisition during its journey, ultimately achieving a navigational fix at approximately 225,000 miles from Earth. This autonomous navigation capability reduces reliance on human operators and promises to revolutionize future spacecraft navigation.

(www.popsci.com)

Tech lunar navigation

NASCAR's Next Gen: How 3D Printing is Revolutionizing Race Car Design

2025-02-12

NASCAR's Next Gen platform utilizes 3D printing, specifically additive manufacturing by Stratasys, to create custom race car parts. This allows for greater design freedom and faster iteration compared to traditional subtractive methods like CNC machining. Stratasys provides parts like ducts, covers, and brackets, significantly reducing costs and lead times. The partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing highlights the advantages of 3D printing for rapid prototyping and problem-solving, exemplified by the quick creation of a custom fixture for a problematic tube. The faster, cheaper, and less skill-intensive nature of 3D printing gives NASCAR teams a significant competitive edge.

(www.popsci.com)

Tech Additive Manufacturing