That is at present’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a day by day dose of what’s happening on the earth of know-how.
How growing older clocks may also help us perceive why we age—and if we will reverse it
Wrinkles and grey hairs apart, it may be tough to know the way effectively—or poorly—somebody’s physique is really growing older. An individual who develops age-related illnesses earlier in life, or has different organic modifications related to growing older, could be thought-about “biologically older” than a similar-age one who doesn’t have these modifications. Some 80-year-olds might be weak and frail, whereas others are match and lively.
Over the previous decade, scientists have been uncovering new strategies of wanting on the hidden methods our our bodies are growing older. And what they’ve discovered is altering our understanding of growing older itself. Learn the complete story.
—Jessica Hamzelou
Can we restore the web?
From addictive algorithms to exploitative apps, information mining to misinformation, the web at present generally is a hazardous place. New books by three influential figures—the mind behind “internet neutrality,” a former Meta government, and the online’s personal inventor—suggest radical approaches to fixing it. However are these luminaries the suitable individuals for the job? Learn the complete story.
—Nathan Smith
Each these tales are from our forthcoming print challenge, which is all concerning the physique. If you happen to haven’t already, subscribe now to obtain future points as soon as they land. Plus, you’ll additionally obtain a free digital report on nuclear energy.
2025 local weather tech corporations to observe: Cyclic Supplies and its uncommon earth recycling tech
Uncommon earth magnets are important for clear power, however solely a tiny fraction of the metals inside them are ever recycled. Cyclic Supplies goals to alter that by opening one of many largest uncommon earth magnet recycling operations outdoors of China subsequent yr.
By gathering a variety of gadgets and recycling a number of metals, the corporate seeks to beat the financial challenges which have lengthy held again such efforts. Learn the complete story.
—Maddie Stone
Cyclic Supplies is considered one of our 10 local weather tech corporations to observe—our annual listing of a number of the most promising local weather tech corporations on the planet. Try the remainder of the listing right here.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you at present’s most enjoyable/vital/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 California’s AI security invoice has been signed into regulation
It holds AI corporations legally accountable if their chatbots fail to guard customers. (TechCrunch)
+ It additionally requires chatbots to remind younger customers that they’re not human. (The Verge)
+ Gavin Newsom additionally green-lit measures for social media warning labels. (The Hill)
2 Satellites are leaking unencrypted information
Together with civilian textual content messages, plus navy and regulation enforcement communications. (Wired $)
+ It’s getting mighty crowded up there too. (House)
3 Protection startups are reviving manufacturing in quiet US cities
The weapons of the longer term are being inbuilt Delaware, Michigan and Ohio. (NYT $)
+ Section two of navy AI has arrived. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
4 Europe is anxious about changing into an AI “colony”
The bloc is just too depending on US tech, specialists worry. (FT $)
+ The US is locked in a bind with China. (Remainder of World)
5 Huge chunks of human information are lacking from the online
And AI is poised to make the issue even worse. (Aeon)
+ How AI and Wikipedia have despatched susceptible languages right into a doom spiral. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
6 How mega batteries are unlocking an power revolution
Huge battery items are serving to to shore up grids and lengthen using clear energy. (FT $)
+ This startup desires to make use of the Earth as a large battery. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
7 A brand new chemical detection approach reveals what’s making wildlife in poor health
It’s a small step towards a more healthy future for all animals—together with people. (Knowable Journal)
+ We’re inhaling, consuming, and ingesting poisonous chemical substances. Now we have to determine how they’re affecting us. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
8 The world is rising extra meals crops than ever earlier than
However starvation nonetheless hasn’t been eradicated. (Vox)
+ Africa fights rising starvation by seeking to meals of the previous. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
9 Google is beginning to cover sponsored search outcomes
Solely after you’ve seen them first. (The Verge)
+ Is Google taking part in catchup on search with OpenAI? (MIT Know-how Assessment)
10 Indonesia’s movie trade is embracing AI
To the detriment of artists and storyboarders. (Remainder of World)
Quote of the day
“It’s trying to resolve an issue that wasn’t an issue earlier than AI confirmed up, or earlier than massive tech confirmed up.”
—Greg Loudon, an authorized beer choose and brewery gross sales supervisor, tells 404 Media why he’s so unimpressed by a outstanding competitors utilizing AI to guage the standard of beer.
Yet one more factor
The fortunate break behind the primary CRISPR therapy
The world’s first business gene-editing therapy is ready to begin altering the lives of individuals with sickle-cell illness. It’s referred to as Casgevy, and it was permitted in November 2022 within the UK.
The therapy, which might be bought within the US by Vertex Prescribed drugs, employs CRISPR, which could be simply programmed by scientists to chop DNA at exact places they select.
However the place do you purpose CRISPR, and the way did the researchers know what DNA to alter? That’s the lesser-known story of the sickle-cell breakthrough. Learn extra about it.
—Antonio Regalado
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Acquired any concepts? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)
+ Why you must contemplate adopting a “espresso identify.”
+ The place does your favourite Star Wars character rank on this final listing? (Primary is right.)
+ Steve McQueen, you’ll at all times be cool.
+ The compelling argument for adopting an moral eating regimen.
