01a Apocalyptic

The Download: AI-designed viruses, and bad news for the hydrogen industry– www.technologyreview.com

pgnewser September 19, 2025 0

The Download: AI-designed viruses, and bad news for the hydrogen industry– www.technologyreview.com
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Artificial intelligence can draw cat pictures and write emails. Now the same technology can compose a working genome.

A research team in California says it used AI to propose new genetic codes for viruses—and managed to get several of them to replicate and kill bacteria.

The work, described in a preprint paper, has the potential to create new treatments and accelerate research into artificially engineered cells. But experts believe it is also an “impressive first step” toward AI-designed life forms. Read the full story.

—Antonio Regalado

Clean hydrogen is facing a big reality check

Hydrogen is sometimes held up as a master key for the energy transition. It can be made using several low-emissions methods and could play a role in cleaning up industries ranging from agriculture to aviation to shipping.

This moment is a complicated one for the green fuel, though, as a new report from the International Energy Agency lays out. A number of major projects face cancellations and delays. The US in particular is seeing a slowdown after changes to key tax credits and cuts in support for renewable energy.

Still, there are bright spots for the industry, including in China, and new markets could soon become crucial for growth. Here are three things to know about the state of hydrogen in 2025.

—Casey Crownhart

 

Are GMOs Safe? A Molecular Geneticist Speaks Out– www.truthdig.com

pgnewser September 19, 2025 0

Are GMOs Safe? A Molecular Geneticist Speaks Out– www.truthdig.com
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Are genetically engineered foods safe? In an interview with a leading molecular genetics expert, we discuss the scientific evidence behind health concerns tied to genetically modified corn and pesticides, how genetically modified organisms are changing in ways that increase health risks and how regulatory systems have failed to keep pace with modern genetics.

Professor Michael Antoniou, head of the Gene Expression and Therapy Group at King’s College London, has studied for more than 35 years how genes function and how they are disrupted. His decades of rigorous independent research into the risks of GM foods and glyphosate-based herbicides have raised serious concerns about the safety of these technologies.

In a report he prepared for the Mexican government, as the country attempted to restrict GMO corn imports for health reasons, Antoniou cited “a large body of evidence from well-controlled laboratory animal toxicity studies that show evidence of harm to multiple physiological systems” from toxic agents found in GM corn.

Spiders Will Hunt in Groups and Share Meals if They Have Enlarged Brain Structures– www.discovermagazine.com

pgnewser September 19, 2025 0

Spiders Will Hunt in Groups and Share Meals if They Have Enlarged Brain Structures– www.discovermagazine.com
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Most spiders are known for being loners that keep to themselves. But in rare instances, some close-knit spider communities rely on strength in numbers. From a young age, the spiders in these groups show selfless behaviors such as joining forces on hunts or sharing meals with one another.

A new study published in Integrative Zoology suggests that these spiders get along so well partly because of what’s inside of their brains. Researchers found that certain brain regions of social huntsman spiders and social crab spiders — both of which live in groups — display slight variations compared to spiders that live alone. The distinct structure of these regions may be the reason why some spiders develop strong social skills while others have a preference for privacy.

If you ever find yourself peeling back the bark of a eucalyptus tree or a dead acacia tree in Australia, you could be in for a surprise that’ll make you jump out of your shoes. Chances are, you’ll come across a hidden conclave of social huntsman spiders, which live in groups containing potentially hundreds of individuals.

Not all spiders have grand get-togethers like this. In fact, the behavior is extremely rare among spider species — only 0.1 percent of the world’s 53,000 spider species live in groups.

Most spiders are territorial and become aggressive toward others of their kind, even resorting to cannibalism at times. Social spiders, on the other hand, usually get along well with their kin.

Post-Kimmel, Dems could change the cancel culture narrative– www.politico.com

pgnewser September 19, 2025 0

Post-Kimmel, Dems could change the cancel culture narrative– www.politico.com
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Democrats opened investigations, filed motions to subpoena and demanded the resignation of the Federal Communications Commission chair Thursday — a response to the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel that represented unusually swift pushback from a party struggling to find its footing.

But it’s not clear how Democrats will translate this relatively united front into an electoral strategy, as the party remains divided over how and how much to talk about threats to democracy ahead of next year’s pivotal midterm elections.

That tension began playing out in their descriptions of Kimmel’s suspension, as some Democrats urged their party to retool its messaging.

At a press conference on Capitol Hill to announce legislation to protect free speech, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) attacked President Donald Trump for “trying to destroy our democracy” and acting like “many would-be despots.” Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) cautioned “fascism is not on the way, it is here.” But Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who is running for the U.S. Senate in a high-profile primary, warned that language may be “too abstract for people” and urged Democrats to “distill it down to something people get in their everyday life.”

“This is what we saw in 2024: When you talk about ‘fascism’ and ‘democracy’ and ‘oligarchy,’ it’s too big a concept,” McMorrow said. “People are so overwhelmed and when it’s too big, people just wonder, ‘well, what can I possibly do about it?’”

Maps: 7.8-Magnitude Earthquake Off Russia Prompts Brief Tsunami Advisory in Alaska– www.nytimes.com

pgnewser September 19, 2025 0

Maps: 7.8-Magnitude Earthquake Off Russia Prompts Brief Tsunami Advisory in Alaska– www.nytimes.com
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A major, 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck in the North Pacific Ocean on Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The earthquake prompted a brief tsunami advisory, the second-highest alert level, for some coastal portions of western Alaska, which was lifted about two hours later.

The temblor happened at 6:58 a.m. Kamchatka time about 80 miles east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, data from the agency shows.

Tsunamis are a series of long waves caused by a large and sudden displacement of water in the ocean, usually from a large earthquake on or below the ocean floor. Tsunamis radiate in all directions from the epicenter and can cause dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents that can last for hours or days.

The tsunami advisory had been in place for parts of the Alaskan coast that were closest to the earthquake. Farther away, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu said there was no threat to Hawaii. “Based on all available data, a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected,” it said.

In late July, the same region was hit by an 8.8-magnitude earthquake. That quake, one of the strongest ever recorded, set off tsunami waves that reached as far away as Hawaii and California.

As Youth Unemployment Hits New High, China Waxes Nostalgic for the “Boom Years”– chinadigitaltimes.net

pgnewser September 19, 2025 0

As Youth Unemployment Hits New High, China Waxes Nostalgic for the “Boom Years”– chinadigitaltimes.net
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China’s National Bureau of Statistics published new data on Wednesday showing that urban youth unemployment rose to a two-year high last month. According to the data, the rate of unemployed youth aged 16 to 24 (excluding students) rose from 17.8 percent in June to 18.9 percent in August, nearing the historical peak of 21.3 percent in June 2023. This development underscores how even in a country that censors and “optimizes” negative data, a harsh economic landscape continues to frustrate millions of Chinese youth.

After the peak in 2023, government officials suspended the publication of youth unemployment data for several months and revised their methodology to yield lower figures. Articles discussing the state of the Chinese economy have also been censored online, including one on WeChat from March titled “Ten Questions About the Chinese Economy in 2025,” and a similar list of ten economic questions in 2023. A meme comparing masses of youth at a job fair to the Terracotta Warriors was likewise taken down from the internet in May. Upon hearing about the latest youth unemployment figures, Chinese netizens on Weibo and X joked about the sensitivity and unreliability of such statistics, as documented by CDT Chinese editors:

Stream2024: Great news! Another record high!

Moral Relativism and the Justification of Political Violence– legalinsurrection.com

pgnewser September 19, 2025 0

Moral Relativism and the Justification of Political Violence– legalinsurrection.com
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The shocking recent wave of politically motivated violence reveals the radicalization of the American Left. The moderates have been displaced by hard-core radicals who would stop at nothing to destroy the system. History helps us understand the rationale behind the radical Left’s justification of violence.

As early as the 19th century, radical leftist ideologues indoctrinated their followers that violence was unavoidable to destroy traditional society and achieve their utopian vision. They believed in moral relativism and repudiated Judeo-Christian ethics and objective morality. They did not perceive human life as unique and inherently valuable and did not consider murder wrong.

One hundred years ago, radical leftist violence resulted in one of the bloodiest terrorist acts in the world, which happened in my native city of Sofia. Members of the communist party received funding from the Soviet Union to assassinate the Bulgarian government and political elite. The first step was to murder a famous general to ensure a large gathering of prominent figures for his funeral in the church of St. Sunday.

The assassins planted a bomb under the roof of the church and placed it in such a way as to target primarily the government officials present at the ceremony. It so happened that the general’s casket needed to be moved from its original location to accommodate the multitude of attendants. This managed to partially block the blast and spare most of the government members. Unfortunately, hundreds of others were killed or severely wounded.

Greece delays Israel arms deals due to Gaza – report– en.globes.co.il

pgnewser September 19, 2025 0

Greece delays Israel arms deals due to Gaza – report– en.globes.co.il
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The Greek government is interested in closing an extensive arms deal with the Israeli government, but the ongoing war in Gaza is causing delays on the part of Greece, the “eKathimerini” website reports, despite the strategic importance of the deals to Greece.

The deal includes Elbit Systems PULS rocket launch system, with the Greeks interested in a full range of munitions, including Accular 160 mm, EXTRA, and Predator Hawk missiles with 300-kilometer range, totaling around €700 million.

Trump golfs, hosts Starmer, makes EU trade deal in Scotland - as ...

Thousands of anti-Trump protesters march in London as king and senior royals host US president in Windsor – UK politics live – The Guardian–

pgnewser September 18, 2025 0

Trump golfs, hosts Starmer, makes EU trade deal in Scotland - as ...

Thousands of anti-Trump protesters march in London as king and senior royals host US president in Windsor – UK politics live – The Guardian
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Excerpt:

American investment worth £150bn has been unveiled as part of Donald Trump’s historic second state visit, PA Media reports.

Some 7,600 “high quality” jobs will be created across the country as a result of the influx of cash from big US firms, according to the UK government.

Keir Starmer welcomed the announcement, ahead of a day of high-level discussions with Trump at Chequers tomorrow.

The PM said:

When we back British brilliance, champion our world-class industries, and forge deeper global alliances – especially with friends like the US – we help shape the future for generations to come and make people across the country better off.

These investments are a testament to Britain’s economic strength and a bold signal that our country is open, ambitious and ready to lead.

Jobs, growth and opportunity is what I promised for working people, and it’s exactly what this state visit is delivering.

Sen. Bernie Sanders says he'll work hard to elect Harris — but he ...

Sanders the first senator to say Israel committing genocide in Gaza– www.washingtonexaminer.com

pgnewser September 18, 2025 0

Sen. Bernie Sanders says he'll work hard to elect Harris — but he ...

Sanders the first senator to say Israel committing genocide in Gaza– www.washingtonexaminer.com
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Excerpt:

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) became the first senator to declare Israel’s conduct in its war in Gaza a genocide on Wednesday.

He began his essay saying Israel had a right to defend itself after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, but took the conflict to “an all-out war against the entire Palestinian people.”

“Many legal experts have now concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. The International Association of Genocide Scholars concluded that ‘Israel’s policies and actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide,’” Sanders wrote.

“The Israeli human rights groups B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel have reached the same conclusion, as have international groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch,” he added.

According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 65,000 Palestinians have died so far in the Israel-Hamas war.

“Just yesterday, an independent commission of experts appointed by the United Nations echoed this finding. These experts concluded that: ‘It is clear that there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention,’” Sanders continued.

UAPs: Nasa reveals long-awaited report into UFOs - BBC Newsround

U.S. Lawmaker Says Congress Exploring UFO Talks With Russian Parliament– www.themoscowtimes.com

pgnewser September 18, 2025 0

UAPs: Nasa reveals long-awaited report into UFOs - BBC Newsround

U.S. Lawmaker Says Congress Exploring UFO Talks With Russian Parliament– www.themoscowtimes.com
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A U.S. lawmaker has said Congress is seeking to organize a meeting with members of Russia’s parliament to discuss UFOs.

“We’re looking forward to doing a bipartisan meeting with the Russian parliament here pretty soon,” Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, told news anchor Chris Cuomo during an interview on NewsNation last week.

Luna said she had “recently” spoken with Russian government officials and asked whether they had information to share on the issue.

She did not provide details on the possible format, date or location of the talks. Neither the U.S. Congress nor Russia’s lower-house State Duma has publicly confirmed such discussions.

Pet Mice: Guide to Caring for a Fancy Mouse - PetHelpful

Scientists grow synthetic kidneys inside mice– cosmosmagazine.com

pgnewser September 18, 2025 0

Pet Mice: Guide to Caring for a Fancy Mouse - PetHelpful

Scientists grow synthetic kidneys inside mice– cosmosmagazine.com
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While stem cell-derived kidney organoids promise to provide patient-specific models for disease research, and may even one day produce functional tissue for regenerative medicine, researchers have not yet been able to recreate the immense complexity of the organ’s patterning and functions.

Models tend to focus on either the kidney’s nephrons – functional units which filter blood and produce urine – or its collecting ducts, which concentrate urine and transport it to the bladder.

Now, researchers have brought these together in ‘assembloids’ which are the most mature and complex kidney structures grown in the lab to date.

Lab grown human kidney assembloid showing the formation of radial nephrons connected to a central collecting system. Credit: Pedro Medina, Li Lab

“This is a revolutionary tool for creating more accurate models for studying kidney disease, which affects one in 7 adults,” says corresponding author Zhongwei Li, associate professor of medicine, and stem cell biology and regenerative medicine at the University of Southern California, US.

“It’s also a milestone towards our long-term goal of building a functional synthetic kidney for the more than 100,000 patients in the US awaiting transplant – the only cure for end-stage kidney disease.”

Li and collaborators grew mouse and human assembloids from kidney progenitor cells in the lab and then transplanted them into the abdomens of living mice. There, the assembloids matured further – growing larger and developing connective tissue and blood vessels.