Author: Robin Edgar

Organisational Structures | Technology and Science | Military, IT and Lifestyle consultancy | Social, Broadcast & Cross Media | Flying aircraft

New method for making tissue transparent could speed the study of many diseases

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Scientists at Scripps Research have unveiled a new tissue-clearing method for rendering large biological samples transparent. The method makes it easier than ever for scientists to visualize and study healthy and disease-related biological processes occurring across multiple organ systems. Described in a paper in Nature Methods on March 28, 2022, and dubbed HYBRiD, the new Read more about New method for making tissue transparent could speed the study of many diseases[…]

Global science project links Android phones with satellites to improve weather forecasts

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Collecting satellite data for research is a group effort thanks to this app developed for Android users. Camaliot is a campaign funded by the European Space Agency, and its first project focuses on making smartphone owners around the world part of a project that can help improve weather forecasts by using your phone’s GPS receiver. Read more about Global science project links Android phones with satellites to improve weather forecasts[…]

Unprecedented videos show RNA switching ‘on’ and ‘off’

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Similar to a light switch, RNA switches (called riboswitches) determine which genes turn “on” and “off.” Although this may seem like a simple process, the inner workings of these switches have confounded biologists for decades. Now researchers led by Northwestern University and the University at Albany discovered one part of RNA smoothly invades and displaces Read more about Unprecedented videos show RNA switching ‘on’ and ‘off’[…]

Chemists cook up way to remove microplastics using okra

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Extracts of okra and other slimy plants commonly used in cooking can help remove dangerous microplastics from wastewater, scientists said Tuesday. The new research was presented at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society, and offers an alternative to the synthetic chemicals currently used in treatment plants that can themselves pose risks to health. Read more about Chemists cook up way to remove microplastics using okra[…]

NeRF Research Turns a few dozen 2D Photos Into 3D Scenes really quickly

Posted on by Robin Edgar

[…] Known as inverse rendering, the process uses AI to approximate how light behaves in the real world, enabling researchers to reconstruct a 3D scene from a handful of 2D images taken at different angles. The NVIDIA Research team has developed an approach that accomplishes this task almost instantly — making it one of the Read more about NeRF Research Turns a few dozen 2D Photos Into 3D Scenes really quickly[…]

Justice Department indicts four Russian government workers in energy sector hacks

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The US Justice Department today announced indictments against four Russian government employees, who it alleges attempted a hacking campaign of the global energy sector that spanned six years and devices in roughly 135 countries. The two indictments were filed under seal last summer, and are finally being disclosed to the public. The DOJ’s decision to Read more about Justice Department indicts four Russian government workers in energy sector hacks[…]

Scientists find microplastics in blood for first time

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Scientists have discovered microplastics in human blood for the first time, warning that the ubiquitous particles could also be making their way into organs. The tiny pieces of mostly invisible plastic have already been found almost everywhere else on Earth, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains as well as in the air, soil Read more about Scientists find microplastics in blood for first time[…]

HP staffer blew $5m on personal expenses with company card

Posted on by Robin Edgar

A now-former HP finance planning manager pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and filing false tax returns that follow from the misappropriation of company funds. According to the US Justice Department, Shelbee Szeto, 30, of Fremont, California, worked at HP Inc from August 2017 through June 2021, first as an Read more about HP staffer blew $5m on personal expenses with company card[…]

British cops arrest seven < 21 yr kids in Lapsus$ crime gang probe after they break into and dox the tech giants

Posted on by Robin Edgar

British cops investigating a cyber-crime group have made a string of arrests. Though City of London Police gave few details on Thursday, officers are said to be probing the notorious extortionware gang Lapsus$, and have detained and released seven people aged 16 to 21. In a statement, the force said: “Seven people between the ages Read more about British cops arrest seven < 21 yr kids in Lapsus$ crime gang probe after they break into and dox the tech giants[…]

Owners Of ‘Gran Turismo 7’ Locked Out Of Single Player Game When Online DRM Servers Go Down – when you don’t own the game you bought

Posted on by Robin Edgar

When someone asks me what DRM is, my answer is very simple: it’s anti-piracy software that generally doesn’t stop pirates at all, and, instead, mostly only annoys legitimate buyers. Well, then why do software and video game companies use it at all? Couldn’t tell you. Businesses really want to annoy their own customers? Apparently, yes. Read more about Owners Of ‘Gran Turismo 7’ Locked Out Of Single Player Game When Online DRM Servers Go Down – when you don’t own the game you bought[…]

EU, US strike preliminary deal to unlock transatlantic data flows – yup, the EU will let the US spy on it’s citizens freely again

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Negotiators have been working on an agreement — which allows Europeans’ personal data to flow to the United States — since the EU’s top court struck down the Privacy Shield agreement in July 2020 because of fears that the data was not safe from access by American agencies once transferred across the Atlantic. The EU Read more about EU, US strike preliminary deal to unlock transatlantic data flows – yup, the EU will let the US spy on it’s citizens freely again[…]

Virtual Kidnappers Are Scamming Parents Out of Millions of Dollars

Posted on by Robin Edgar

[…] cases have become so widespread that the bureau has a name for them: virtual kidnappings. “It’s a telephone extortion scheme,” says Arbuthnot, who heads up virtual-kidnapping investigations for the FBI out of Los Angeles. Because many of the crimes go unreported, the bureau doesn’t have a precise number on how widespread the scam is. Read more about Virtual Kidnappers Are Scamming Parents Out of Millions of Dollars[…]

Apple Maps, Music, iMessage, App Store, and iCloud Are Down

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Apple’s services came back online in the late afternoon. Apple’s system status page shows that all of the services that had previously been listed as “down” are now back in the green. It’s still unclear what happened exactly, and Apple never returned Gizmodo’s email for comment on the situation. Apple is experiencing massive technical difficulties, Read more about Apple Maps, Music, iMessage, App Store, and iCloud Are Down[…]

Messages, Dialer apps sent text, call info to Google

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Google’s Messages and Dialer apps for Android devices have been collecting and sending data to Google without specific notice and consent, and without offering the opportunity to opt-out, potentially in violation of Europe’s data protection law. According to a research paper, “What Data Do The Google Dialer and Messages Apps On Android Send to Google?” Read more about Messages, Dialer apps sent text, call info to Google[…]

High-Severity DoS Vulnerability Patched in OpenSSL

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The flaw, tracked as CVE-2022-0778, was reported to the OpenSSL Project by Google vulnerability researcher Tavis Ormandy. The security hole affects OpenSSL versions 1.0.2, 1.1.1 and 3.0, and it has been fixed with the release of versions 1.0.2zd (for premium support customers), 1.1.1n and 3.0.2. Version 1.1.0 is also impacted, but it’s no longer supported Read more about High-Severity DoS Vulnerability Patched in OpenSSL[…]

Kubernetes container runtime CRI-O has make-me-root flaw

Posted on by Robin Edgar

A vulnerability in the container runtime engine CRI-O can be exploited by a rogue user to gain root-level access on a host. In a Kubernetes environment powered by CRI-O, the security hole can be used by a miscreant to move through a cluster as an administrator, install malware, and cause other chaos. CrowdStrike’s threat research Read more about Kubernetes container runtime CRI-O has make-me-root flaw[…]

Microsoft PowerToys – customise your windows experience

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Microsoft PowerToys is a set of utilities for power users to tune and streamline their Windows experience for greater productivity. Always on Top Always on Top enables you to pin windows on top of all other windows with a quick key shortcut (⊞ Win+Ctrl+T). PowerToys Awake PowerToys Awake is designed to keep a computer awake Read more about Microsoft PowerToys – customise your windows experience[…]

Something good from the war: Russia Says Its Businesses Can Use Patents From Anyone In ‘Unfriendly’ Countries

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Russia has effectively legalized patent theft from anyone affiliated with countries “unfriendly” to it, declaring that unauthorized use will not be compensated. The Washington Post reports: The decree, issued this week, illustrates the economic war waged around Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as the West levies sanctions and pulls away from Russia’s huge oil and gas Read more about Something good from the war: Russia Says Its Businesses Can Use Patents From Anyone In ‘Unfriendly’ Countries[…]

Android will soon let you archive apps to save space

Posted on by Robin Edgar

[…] Google announced today it’s working on a new feature it estimates will reduce the space some apps take up by approximately 60 percent. Best of all, your personal data won’t be affected. The feature is called app archiving and will arrive later this year. Rather than uninstalling an app completely, it instead temporarily removes Read more about Android will soon let you archive apps to save space[…]

HBO hit with class action lawsuit for allegedly sharing subscriber data with Facebook

Posted on by Robin Edgar

HBO is facing a class action lawsuit over allegations that it gave subscribers’ viewing history to Facebook without proper permission, Variety has reported. The suit accuses HBO of providing Facebook with customer lists, allowing the social network to match viewing habits with their profiles. It further alleges that HBO knows Facebook can combine the data Read more about HBO hit with class action lawsuit for allegedly sharing subscriber data with Facebook[…]

Italy slaps creepy webscraping facial recognition firm Clearview AI with €20 million fine

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Italy’s data privacy watchdog said it will fine the controversial facial recognition firm Clearview AI for breaching EU law. An investigation by Garante, Italy’s data protection authority, found that the company’s database of 10 billion images of faces includes those of Italians and residents in Italy. The New York City-based firm is being fined €20 Read more about Italy slaps creepy webscraping facial recognition firm Clearview AI with €20 million fine[…]

The new silent majority: People who don’t tweet – and are political independents

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Most people you meet in everyday life — at work, in the neighborhood — are decent and normal. Even nice. But hit Twitter or watch the news, and you’d think we were all nuts and nasty. Why it matters: The rising power and prominence of the nation’s loudest, meanest voices obscures what most of us Read more about The new silent majority: People who don’t tweet – and are political independents[…]

Changing touchscreen friction and rendering of virtual shapes through change in surface temperature

Posted on by Robin Edgar

In this work, we show a large modulation of finger friction by locally changing surface temperature. Experiments showed that finger friction can be increased by ~50% with a surface temperature increase from 23° to 42°C, which was attributed to the temperature dependence of the viscoelasticity and the moisture level of human skin. Rendering virtual features, Read more about Changing touchscreen friction and rendering of virtual shapes through change in surface temperature[…]