Tag: technology

Immortal Monkeys? Not Quite, But Scientists Just Reversed Aging With ‘Super’ Stem Cells

In a discovery that may have profound impacts on aging, scientists in Beijing have taken a dramatic step toward what once seemed impossible: making old animals biologically young again. The study was published last month in the journal Cell.

By fortifying human stem cells with a gene long linked to longevity, they rejuvenated aged monkeys – improving memory, protecting bones, calming inflammation, and restoring youthful activity across dozens of organs.

The work, while still in animals, is among the most compelling demonstrations yet that aging in primates might be reversible.

The Science Behind the Breakthrough

At the heart of the study are mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) – a type of stem-like cell found in bone marrow and connective tissues. These cells act as the body’s maintenance crew, capable of turning into bone, cartilage, fat, and muscle cells, while also secreting factors that help nearby tissues repair themselves.

But like all cells, MPCs age with us and eventually succumb to senescence  a state of permanent retirement. Senescent cells don’t divide anymore. Worse, they pump out inflammatory molecules, scar tissue signals, and other “toxic chatter” that accelerate aging in neighboring cells. In effect, senescent cells spread decline.

Upgrading the Repair System with FoxO3

To overcome this exhaustion, researchers turned to FoxO3, a protein known as a longevity gene regulator. In healthy young cells, FoxO3 acts like a switchboard operator, turning on DNA repair pathways, antioxidant defenses, and stress-resistance programs. In older cells, FoxO3 activity wanes – leaving them vulnerable to damage.

Hydra, a freshwater organism capable of regenerating indefinitely, rely heavily on FoxO to keep their stem cells active. Humans share this same protein, and genetic studies link variants of FOXO3 to exceptional longevity in people.

Keep reading

UK Expands Live Facial Recognition as First Legal Challenge Targets Met Police Misidentification

Police forces across England are preparing to expand their use of live facial recognition (LFR) surveillance as the government moves forward with a national policy to guide deployments.

Policing minister Sarah Jones confirmed during the Labour Party conference that formal guidance is in development to instruct officers on when and where the technology should be used.

Funding from the Home Office has already been allocated to support LFR operations in seven additional regions: Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Bedfordshire, Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley, and Hampshire.

Government officials have pointed to early deployments in London and Cardiff as successful, citing arrests.

Reflecting on those results, Jones stated:

“What we’ve seen in Croydon is that it has worked. We just need to make sure it’s clear what the technology is going to be useful for going forward. If we are going to use it more, if we do want to roll it out across the country, what are the parameters? Live facial recognition is a really good tool that has led to arrests that wouldn’t have come otherwise, and it’s very, very valuable.”

The software links live camera feeds to a watchlist of people wanted by police. When someone passes a camera, facial measurements are analyzed and compared against the database. If a match is found, officers are alerted to intervene.

However, the use of LFR has expanded sharply. In London, the number of people included on watchlists has more than doubled between 2020 and 2025.

The volume of facial scans during deployments has also grown, with single-day scans now reaching into the tens of thousands.

The Metropolitan Police insists it has safeguards in place and maintains that data from individuals not on a watchlist is deleted immediately.

Keep reading

OpenAI’s Video Generation App Sora 2 Is ‘Hollywood’s Most Terrifying Nightmare’ — Here’s Everything We Know

OpenAI’s artificial intelligence-generated video maker called “Sora 2” has launched and it is throwing Hollywood and the entertainment industry into full-blown panic with “nightmare” predictions of the looming end of the showbiz industry as we know it.

Sora 2 is OpenAI’s latest text-to-video generation program, which allows a user to create realistic, movie-quality video by just talking through the scenes desired while the software generates the images. But what is shocking everyone in Hollywood is the ease with which Sora 2 can plunk copyrighted characters and realistic representations of known actors right into the scenes generated by users. And it can be done in minutes, not months or years.

Some of the video generated by Sora 2, for instance, have placed Pokémon character Pikachu into famous movies, such as Saving Private Ryan.

The latest version is far from perfect. It sometimes struggles with dialog, and some have noticed when you slow the video down, a lot of strange glitches appear to flick in and out of the frame — but they are often glitches that go unseen when the video is played in normal time, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

But the program is still shockingly good for what it can do and it has Hollywood on edge, fearful that anyone with access to Sora 2 can create a cinematic quality video by just talking through their scenes with the program. No studios, producers, actors, directors, costumers, musicians, or artists of any kind required.

Keep reading

Scientists make embryos from human skin DNA for first time

US scientists have, for the first time, made early-stage human embryos by manipulating DNA taken from people’s skin cells and then fertilising it with sperm.

The technique could overcome infertility due to old age or disease, by using almost any cell in the body as the starting point for life.

It could even allow same-sex couples to have a genetically related child.

The method requires significant refinement – which could take a decade – before a fertility clinic could even consider using it.

Experts said it was an impressive breakthrough, but there needed to be an open discussion with the public about what science was making possible.

Reproduction used to be a simple story of man’s sperm meets woman’s egg. They fuse to make an embryo, and nine months later a baby is born.

Now scientists are changing the rules. This latest experiment starts with human skin.

The Oregon Health and Science University research team’s technique takes the nucleus – which houses a copy of the entire genetic code needed to build the body – out of a skin cell.

This is then placed inside a donor egg that has been stripped of its genetic instructions.

So far, the technique is like the one used to create Dolly the Sheep – the world’s first cloned mammal – born back in 1996.

However, this egg is not ready to be fertilised by sperm as it already contains a full suite of chromosomes.

You inherit 23 of these bundles of DNA from each of your parents for a total of 46, which the egg already has.

So the next stage is to persuade the egg to discard half of its chromosomes in a process the researchers have termed “mitomeiosis” (the word is a fusion of mitosis and meiosis, the two ways cells divide).

Keep reading

Ukrainian Drones Hit Oil Refinery, Chemical Plant 1500km Deep Into Russia

Despite fresh warnings from President Vladimir Putin issued the day prior at the Valdai summit in Sochi, Ukrainian drones have once again targeted two major industrial facilities deep inside Russia overnight – an oil refinery in the Orenburg region and a chemical plant in the Perm region – regional officials announced Friday.

The Orsknefteorgsintez oil refinery was struck and suffered damage in the first attack, which lies near the border with Kazakhstan. Videos circulating on social media showed a drone crashing within the refinery grounds, followed by thick black smoke rising above the site.

Regional Governor Yevgeny Solntsev stated that no one was injured and claimed that operations at the refinery were not disrupted, however.

Orsknefteorgsintez is one of Russia’s top oil refineries, with a capacity of 6.6 million tons per year and producing around 30 petroleum products including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and bitumen, regional reports say.

In Perm, the Azot chemical plant was also attacked, resulting in a disruption of operations there, after eyewitnesses widely reported two loud blasts. At least three drones may have been involved in the strike. Azot is part of billionaire Dmitry Mazepin’s Uralchem holding.

The plant reportedly manufactures products such as ammonium nitrate, nitric acid, sodium nitrate, and urea – and is also said to be Russia’s only producer of higher aliphatic amines and crystalline sodium nitrite.

Keep reading

ICEBlock: Apple removes ICE tracking app following Bondi’s request

Apple removed ICEBlock, which is an app for anonymously reporting sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, from the App Store on Thursday, according to reports.

The move comes after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi urged Apple to take down the tracking app a day prior.

We reached out to Apple today demanding they remove the ICEBlock app from their App Store — and Apple did so,” Bondi said in a statement obtained by Fox Business News. “ICEBlock is designed to put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs, and violence against law enforcement is an intolerable red line that cannot be crossed. This Department of Justice will continue making every effort to protect our brave federal law enforcement officers, who risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe.”

Business Insider confirmed Apple said it also removed “similar apps” from the App Store.

Keep reading

Chinese ‘golf carts’ repurposed as remote-controlled battlefield robots by Russia 

Russian forces have converted Chinese-made all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) into remotely operated battlefield platforms. The 36th Guards Combined Arms Army of Vostok carried out this experiment, converting the Desertcross 1000-3 utility vehicles into remote-controlled battlefield systems.

The adapted systems were reported in early October 2024, with operations occurring on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine. The vehicles have been designed to reduce troop exposure by automating dangerous roles like laying fiber-optic communication cables.

The vehicles are modified using commercially available components and 3D-printed parts, enabling troops to control them remotely and minimize the risk of casualties from artillery, drones, or small-arms fire.

A safety concern

Signal troops are highly vulnerable at the front while establishing communication lines. The modified ATVs aim to mitigate this risk by helping lay fiber-optic cable through remote control. It can lay up to five kilometers of cable across varied terrain.

By deploying modified Desertcross platforms, the Russian military aims to maintain secure network connectivity while reducing frontline exposure and logistical bottlenecks.

From golf carts to battlefields

Built in China, the Dessertcross 1000-3 was never intended for war. It was positioned as a recreational off-roader and commercial utility vehicle. Manufactured by Shangdong Odes Industry, it features a 72-horsepower gasoline engine, a 50-liter fuel tank, a 916 kg mass, and a cargo capacity of around 300 kilograms.

According to Russian reports, the country purchased thousands of dessert crosses in 2023. Their affordability, availability, and adaptability have made them a cost-effective option for a military struggling to balance cost with operational necessity.

In practice, the vehicles are already being used not only for logistical roles but also during assault operations on Ukrainian positions.

According to some defense reports, some of these ATVs have been fitted with weapons like PKM machine guns, NSV or Kord heavy machine guns, and AGS-17 grenade launchers.

In some cases, units have also added anti-drone gear such as nets or cages to protect against aerial attacks.

Keep reading

“Smart Dust Is Already Everywhere”: Microscopic Spy Sensors Track Your Location While Tech Companies Hide The Surveillance Revolution Forever

The concept of “smart dust” might sound like something from a science fiction tale, but it’s gradually becoming an integral part of modern technology. Originating as a theoretical proposal for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), smart dust has evolved into a promising tool for various industries. From environmental monitoring to intelligence gathering, these microscopic sensors offer a wide range of applications. As they continue to develop, the potential to revolutionize data collection and interaction with our environments becomes increasingly apparent. This article delves into the origins, current developments, and future implications of smart dust technology.

The Science Fiction Origins of Smart Dust

The idea of smart dust can trace its roots back to a 1963 science fiction story by Polish writer Stanisław Lem. In “The Invincible,” Lem envisioned a world where tiny, autonomous nanobots roamed the atmosphere of a distant planet. These microscopic entities, although individually weak, could form powerful swarms capable of complex behaviors. While the story’s bots operated through basic instincts, the narrative explored the tension between human intelligence and automaton logic. Lem’s narrative serves as a fascinating precursor to the smart dust technology we see today, highlighting the thin line between fiction and scientific innovation.

While Lem’s nanobots were purely fictional, they set the stage for real-world technological advancements. In the decades following Lem’s story, researchers began exploring the potential of creating tiny, wireless sensors capable of collecting and transmitting data. These early efforts laid the groundwork for what we now call smart dust. Initially conceptualized as a military technology, smart dust was meant to gather intelligence in a discreet and efficient manner. Over time, its potential applications have expanded dramatically.

From Concept to Reality: The Evolution of Smart Dust

Smart dust technology has come a long way since its inception. What started as a theoretical concept has become a tangible tool for data collection and environmental monitoring. Early prototypes, like the “MICA” platform developed by Crossbow Technology, Inc. and the “Spec” sensors from UC Berkeley, demonstrated the feasibility of creating tiny sensors capable of measuring environmental variables. These devices, measuring only a few millimeters, could record changes in humidity, light, and temperature, providing valuable data for various scientific and industrial applications.

In recent years, the capabilities of smart dust have expanded significantly. Advances in microengineering have enabled the development of sensors that are nearly invisible to the naked eye, with some measuring as small as 0.02 cubic millimeters. These tiny devices can now detect sound and are being adapted to analyze the chemical composition of the air. The ability to deploy these sensors in swarms offers the potential for comprehensive environmental monitoring and data collection on an unprecedented scale.

Keep reading

French Navy Seizes Russian “Shadow-Fleet” Vessel Suspected of Launching Mystery Drones Into NATO Airspace

French naval forces intercepted and detained two crew members aboard the oil tanker Boracay—a vessel long suspected of being part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” and now under fresh scrutiny for possible links to the recent wave of mystery drone incursions into NATO airspace. 

The arrests of the two crew members from the Boracay, a vessel long suspected of being part of Russia’s shadow fleet, represent a significant development. This is one of the strongest indications yet that Russia may be orchestrating the drone incursions recently reported in NATO airspace, underscoring the far-reaching logistical networks behind these aerial disruptions.

The arrests come on the heels of a sweeping wave of mystery drone incursions targeting sensitive sites across NATO countries over the past week. These incursions, which involve unidentified drones flying over military installations and critical infrastructure, have caused significant disruptions. Denmark has borne the brunt, with flights forcing the temporary closure of major hubs including Copenhagen, Oslo, Aalborg, and Billund airports. Since September 22, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, France, and Germany have also reported drones operating near military installations and critical infrastructure. 

Taken together, the incidents suggest a coordinated effort to probe Europe’s defenses, intensifying questions about who is directing the flights and how they are being launched.

According to reports, the French military first boarded the Boracay on September 27, ordering the tanker to anchor off Saint-Nazaire. French prosecutor Stéphane Kellenberger told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that two crew members—who identified themselves as the ship’s captain and first mate—were taken into custody for “failure to justify the nationality of the vessel” and “refusal to cooperate.”

Citing military and intelligence sources, several Danish media outlets reported that the French raid was ultimately prompted by suspicions that the Boracay had been used as a launch platform for the recent mystery drone incursions in NATO airspace. 

Shipping records indicate that the Boracay departed from Primorsk, Russia, on September 20, officially bound for India. Its route took it through the North Sea and past Danish and German waters, as the mystery drone incursions were first being reported, from September 22 to 25. 

During that same period, maritime trackers also logged two other Russian commercial vessels—the Oslo Carrier 3 and Astrol-1—alongside the Russian Ropucha-class landing ship Aleksandr Shabalin operating in waters off Denmark.

Keep reading

OpenAI Readies TikTok-Style App Powered Only By AI Videos

OpenAI is preparing a standalone social app powered by its Sora 2 video model, according to Wired. The app “closely resembles” TikTok with a vertical video feed and swipe-to-scroll, but only features AI-generated clips — users can’t upload from their camera roll.

Wired reported that Sora 2 will generate clips of 10 seconds or less inside the app, though limits outside the app are unclear. TikTok, which started with a 15-second cap, now allows 10-minute uploads. The app will also offer identity verification, letting Sora 2 use a person’s likeness in generated videos. Others can tag or remix that likeness, but OpenAI will notify users whenever it’s used — even if the video isn’t posted.

Wired adds the software will refuse some videos due to copyright, but protections may be weak. The Wall Street Journal reports rights holders must opt out to keep their content from appearing in Sora 2’s outputs.

Keep reading