Technology

New research published in Nature has identified a chemical compound that allows naked mole-rat queens to maintain reproductive control over their colonies. By emitting a scent containing isopropyl myristate (IPM), queens effectively suppress the fertility of other females, preventing the violent succession struggles that typically occur when a queen is removed. Chemical Control in Naked … Read more

Astronomers have identified high-speed, dense clumps of gas, likened to “bullets,” being ejected from V445 Puppis, the Milky Way’s only known helium nova. Discovered as surrounding dust cleared after more than two decades, the phenomenon reveals a rare binary system involving a white dwarf feeding on a companion, offering a new window into stellar evolution. … Read more

A coalition of space industry experts and environmental groups has filed a formal petition calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to halt the licensing of orbital data centers. The petition warns that the mass deployment of these facilities, proposed by companies including SpaceX and Blue Origin, could result in “catastrophic” environmental consequences for the … Read more

Google has introduced a new account recovery feature that allows users to verify their identity using a recorded selfie video. For users who rely heavily on Google’s digital ecosystem, losing access to an account due to a forgotten password or a missing device can be a desperate, Kafkaesque process, as described by WIRED. The tech … Read more

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper has ordered the Trump administration to explain the presence of a tarp obscuring the Kennedy Center’s facade following the court-ordered removal of Donald Trump’s name. Separately, the administration has requested that OpenAI stagger the release of its upcoming artificial intelligence model, GPT-5.6. Judge Cooper Demands Explanation for Kennedy Center Tarp … Read more

Environmental groups and astronomers are calling for an immediate halt to new satellite data center licenses, citing potential “catastrophic” atmospheric damage. Petitions filed with the Federal Communications Commission argue that mass-launching millions of orbital data centers, proposed by companies including SpaceX and Blue Origin, threatens the ozone layer and permanently alters the night sky. Petitions … Read more

Apple may increase iPhone 17 series prices in India as early as the first week of August, following recent price hikes in Japan. While Apple has not confirmed the shift, reports of low retail inventory and rising component costs suggest a potential price adjustment is imminent for Indian consumers. Potential Price Hike in India Consumers … Read more

Samsung Electronics signaled a strategic pivot in its mobile hardware strategy this week, unveiling three new foldable devices at a launch event in London. The move comes as the South Korean technology giant braces for increased competition, with Apple expected to introduce its first foldable iPhone as early as this September. Samsung Expands Foldable Lineup … Read more

The European Commission has fined Alphabet’s Google a total of 890 million euros ($1 billion) for violating the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The penalties, announced on Thursday, represent the first time the tech giant has been sanctioned under the landmark regulation, which was introduced in 2024 to curb the market power of designated … Read more

A “mini meadow” established in 2023 on Land Registry property near St Stephen’s Shopping Centre in Hull city centre has become a sanctuary for ten species of butterfly. The site, managed to encourage caterpillar-friendly plants, now supports breeding small skipper butterflies, a sighting the BBC reports is rare for an urban environment. Urban biodiversity often … Read more