Scientists discover gigantic 'structure' under the surface of the Moon
The Moon has been a subject of awe and fascination for millennia, with its shape-shifting powers and enigmatic dark side. And though it’s the one celestial body on which man has taken (small) steps, we still have big leaps to go in understanding its potential and uncovering its secrets. However, one hidden feature of the Moon has been unearthed by scientists and it’s very, very big, and very, very heavy. Buried beneath its South Pole-Aitken basin – one of the largest preserved craters in the Solar System – is a structure which weighs at least 2.18 billion kilogrammes and measures more than 300km (186 miles) in depth and 2,000km (1,243 miles) in length. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter The researchers who made the discovery, all based in the US, posited that the “anomaly” could be made out of metal from the core of an asteroid or oxides from the crystallisation of a magma ocean. "One of the explanations of this extra mass is that the metal from the asteroid that formed this crater is still embedded in the Moon's mantle,” lead author Peter B. James, from Houston’s Baylor University, said in a statement shared with IFLScience. Illustrating just how gigantic this thing is, he went on: "Imagine taking a pile of metal five times larger than the Big Island of Hawaii and burying it underground. That's roughly how much unexpected mass we detected.” The groundbreaking finding was made thanks to NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission, which measures changes in the Moon’s gravitational field. Data collected by GRAIL can then be used to study the internal composition of our cratered companion. The South Pole-Aitken Basin has been at the centre of numerous investigations because of just how unique it is. The region offers clues both on the interior composition of our closest satellite and its history, and who knows what other mysteries it holds... Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-06-29 17:52
Chinese Chipmaker Asks Suppliers to Buy Back Banned Gear
Global chipmaking gear makers should treat Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. with fairness and buy back equipment which the
2023-06-29 17:15
Scientists design new shapeshifting 'morphobot' and it's like a real-life Transformer
Scientists have designed a new robot that people are dubbing a 'transformer' thanks to its ability to roll, fly, crawl, crouch, balance, and tumble its way through any terrain. Its adaptability is similar to that of a number of animals, including seals, meerkats, and chukar birds. The morphobot was created by the Northeastern University in the US, and will impact the future designs of response and rescue robots, as well as space exploration vehicles. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter
2023-06-29 16:27
Smart gloves ‘could allow stroke patients to relearn to play the piano’
Scientists have developed a pair of smart gloves that could allow stroke patients with limb weakness to relearn to play the piano. The exoskeleton glove uses artificial intelligence, moving components known as actuators, and touch sensors in a way that could help patients relearn manual tasks after losing or showing a reduced ability to move hands, fingers, or wrists. The researchers said their proof-of-concept gloves “teaches” its wearer to play the piano by “feeling” the difference between right and wrong movements. We found that the glove can learn to distinguish between correct and incorrect piano play Dr Erik Engeberg Dr Erik Engeberg, a professor at Florida Atlantic University’s department of ocean & mechanical engineering, in the US, said: “We found that the glove can learn to distinguish between correct and incorrect piano play. “This means it could be a valuable tool for personalised rehabilitation of people who wish to relearn to play music.” It is estimated that there are 1.2 million stroke survivors in the UK today. Stroke is a leading cause of disability, with almost two thirds of survivors leaving hospital with limb weakness, visual problems, and language and communication problems. The glove is designed to assist and enhance their natural hand movements, allowing them to control the flexion and extension of their fingers Dr Erik Engeberg For the study, published in Frontiers in Robotics and AI, a team of engineers designed a pair of exoskeleton gloves that uses actuators to mimic natural hand movements. Each fingertip contains 16 sensors that allows the wearer to feel the objects they touch. Prof Engeberg said: “While wearing the glove, human users have control over the movement of each finger to a significant extent. “The glove is designed to assist and enhance their natural hand movements, allowing them to control the flexion and extension of their fingers. “The glove supplies hand guidance, providing support and amplifying dexterity.” As part of the experiments, the gloves were taught to play the nursery rhyme “Mary had a little lamb” on the piano on its own using pre-programmed movements. When a person wore the gloves to play the piano, it was able to detect where the wearer went wrong in their movements, enabling them to “understand their performance and make improvements”. The economic burden on health and social care in this country demands innovative approaches to treatment and care, which have the potential to reduce the devastating effects of stroke Juliet Bouverie, Stroke Association The researchers said further work is needed to improve the accuracy of the device and make it more adaptable. But they hope that in future, stroke patients and other people with disabilities could use these gloves to regain arm function. Commenting on the work, Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association said: “It’s an exciting time for technology in stroke research. “We welcome studies which look at creating effective tools for improving recovery after stroke. “The economic burden on health and social care in this country demands innovative approaches to treatment and care, which have the potential to reduce the devastating effects of stroke.” She added: “We hope the results of this research will help build on our current understanding to bring about effective treatments to help rebuild lives after stroke.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live The different types of public EV chargers explained Emergency number back in use after nationwide technical fault Windrush trolls taken down after public criticism
2023-06-29 12:48
US Health Department Ensnared by MOVEit Hacking Campaign
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OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, hit with proposed class action lawsuit alleging it stole people's data
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Micron Delivers Strong Forecast in Sign That Glut Is Easing
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Chipmaker Micron beats revenue estimates on demand from booming AI
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Apple launches ‘Business Connect’, allowing companies to decide how they appear in Maps listings
Apple has launched “Business Connect”, a new tool to let business change how they appear within its Maps. While the new feature is aimed at businesses themselves, and those with official place listings within Maps, it is aimed at making the company’s information more useful for customers who might be looking for information. Some of Apple’s rivals, such as Google, have long offered richer listings for businesses and made it easier for both the companies themselves as well as customers to add information to those listings. Apple Maps has until now opted for a more controlled method, largely relying on information from other systems such as Yelp. Because the information on businesses was pulled through from third-party listings, which might be out of date or entirely inaccurate. Now within Apple’s Maps and elsewhere can “claim” their location using the new tool, which will give them the ability to edit it. As well as allowing businesses to correct any false information, they are also able to use the tool to add their own photos and logos, include the option to order or take other actions, and show advertising and promotions, Apple said. The feature launched in the US earlier this year. But it has now rolled out more broadly, allowing UK companies to start claiming their own listings and adding information to them. It also comes with a range of protections. Apple will vet the information within the “Showcase” banners that will appear on listings, for instance, to ensure they do not include swearing or other prohibited content, and it will also call businesses to ensure that other people are not able to falsely take control of listings. Companies can use the system by registering on Apple’s self-service website, which is done using an AppleID. Once a business is logged in, it will be able to claim its listing card and start adding more information. The information within the listing will appear not only on Maps but on other parts of Apple’s ecosystem, such as Siri and Messages. Read More Apple sounds alarm over new government plans Google kills its rival smart glasses to Apple Vision Apple releases urgent update to iPhone and iPad users
2023-06-29 03:47
Apple says new government laws could make phones insecure and will put UK citizens at risk
Apple has sounded the alarm over the UK government’s planned new laws for technology. The upcoming Online Safety Bill includes new rules that would force messaging apps to scan through users’ chats for problem content. But now every major secure messaging tool has argued that would also mean weakening security for everybody else. As such, the plans endanger UK citizens, Apple said. It joins other platforms such as WhatsApp and Signal in urging the government to reconsider the part of the rules that would give the government the power to weaken encryption, the technology that protects messages from being read while they are sent. Apple’s intervention came alongside a new open letter, signed by more than 80 national and international civil society organisations, academics and cyberexperts, written to the government and urging it to rethink its plans. It called the bill “deeply troubling” and warned that the new rules would put security at risk. Apple has criticised previous plans that also handed new powers to intelligence agencies and other organisations, such as the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act. But until now it has refrained from commenting on the Online Safety Bill, even as many of its competitors sounded the alarm on the powers included. “End-to-end encryption is a critical capability that protects the privacy of journalists, human rights activists, and diplomats,” Apple said in a statement to the BBC. “It also helps everyday citizens defend themselves from surveillance, identity theft, fraud, and data breaches. The Online Safety Bill poses a serious threat to this protection, and could put UK citizens at greater risk. “Apple urges the government to amend the bill to protect strong end-to-end encryption for the benefit of all.” Other companies such as WhatsApp and Signal have categorically stated that they would not weaken encryption, even if it meant their apps being banned or otherwise hampered in the UK. Apple did not give any indication of how and whether it would comply with the new rules if they go into effect. Read More Google kills its rival smart glasses to Apple Vision Apple releases urgent update to iPhone and iPad users Apple starts letting developers make apps for its upcoming headset
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FTX accuses ex-lawyer of aiding Bankman-Fried's fraud, silencing whistleblowers
By Andrew Goudsward Bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX sued one of its former top lawyers, accusing him of aiding
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Activision Will Be Jilted if Microsoft Deal Blocked, CEO Kotick Says
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