That is at this time’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a every 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 are able to reverse it
Wrinkles and grey hairs apart, it may be troublesome to know the way properly—or poorly—somebody’s physique is really growing older. An individual who develops age-related ailments earlier in life, or has different organic adjustments related to growing older, is likely to be thought-about “biologically older” than a similar-age one that doesn’t have these adjustments. 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 trying 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 this time is usually 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 best individuals for the job? Learn the complete story.
—Nathan Smith
Each these tales are from our forthcoming print challenge, which is all in regards to the physique. In the event you 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 look at: Cyclic Supplies and its uncommon earth recycling tech
Uncommon earth magnets are important for clear vitality, however solely a tiny fraction of the metals inside them are ever recycled. Cyclic Supplies goals to vary that by opening one of many largest uncommon earth magnet recycling operations exterior of China subsequent 12 months.
By amassing 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 one in every of our 10 local weather tech corporations to look at—our annual checklist of a few of the most promising local weather tech corporations on the planet. Try the remainder of the checklist right here.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you at this time’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 army 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 long run are being in-built Delaware, Michigan and Ohio. (NYT $)
+ Section two of army AI has arrived. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
4 Europe is anxious about turning into an AI “colony”
The bloc is simply too depending on US tech, consultants 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 weak languages right into a doom spiral. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
6 How mega batteries are unlocking an vitality revolution
Huge battery items are serving to to shore up grids and prolong the usage of clear energy. (FT $)
+ This startup desires to make use of the Earth as an enormous battery. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
7 A brand new chemical detection method reveals what’s making wildlife sick
It’s a small step towards a more healthy future for all animals—together with people. (Knowable Journal)
+ We’re inhaling, consuming, and consuming poisonous chemical compounds. Now we have to work out 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 enjoying catchup on search with OpenAI? (MIT Know-how Assessment)
10 Indonesia’s movie business 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 industrial 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 authorized in November 2022 within the UK.
The therapy, which might be offered within the US by Vertex Prescribed drugs, employs CRISPR, which will be simply programmed by scientists to chop DNA at exact places they select.
However the place do you goal CRISPR, and the way did the researchers know what DNA to vary? 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. (Received any concepts? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)
+ Why you must think about adopting a “espresso identify.”
+ The place does your favourite Star Wars character rank on this final checklist? (Primary is appropriate.)
+ Steve McQueen, you’ll at all times be cool.
+ The compelling argument for adopting an moral eating regimen.
