Category: General

Recent archaeological discoveries suggest that Neanderthals, our ancient human relatives, used ocher crayons for artistic expression thousands of years ago. According to a study featured on Ars Technica, two pieces of ocher found in Ukraine, dating back 47,000 to 46,000 years, were identified as crayons that Neanderthals had intentionally crafted and repeatedly sharpened. Additionally, another ocher piece displayed intricately carved parallel lines, highlighting the artistic capabilities of these prehistoric humans.

Ocher, an iron-rich mineral, was a versatile material for Neanderthals, serving purposes beyond art, such as pigment extraction, hide tanning, tool hafting, and insect repulsion. However, the unique crayon-like shapes of the two ocher pieces from the Zaskalnaya V site indicate specialized artistic intent. One ocher tool showed signs of repeated sharpening, while the other was identified as a crayon fragment.

Through advanced techniques like X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy, researchers gained insights into how Neanderthals manipulated ocher for various tasks. The discoveries at the Crimean rock shelters provide valuable glimpses into the creative and technical abilities of Neanderthals, challenging previous notions about their cognitive capacities.

Source: Ars Technica

A bug affecting Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 users has been discovered where attempting to close the Task Manager inadvertently results in the spawning of additional copies of the application. This issue arises following the October update preview, leading to a situation where users unintentionally create a cascade of Task Manager processes.

Typically used to monitor and manage applications on a system, the Task Manager now presents a challenge as users struggle with its unexpected behavior. Instead of terminating the Task Manager, closing its window triggers the creation of new instances, each consuming system resources. This abnormality can potentially lead to performance degradation and increased power consumption over time.

While individual instances may not noticeably impact system performance, the accumulation of multiple processes could pose a risk, especially for users who rely heavily on the Task Manager or keep their systems running for extended periods without a reboot.

Source: Ars Technica

The idea of space-based data centers is gaining traction as tech companies explore innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for computing power. Elon Musk’s SpaceX has now joined the race, with plans to leverage its Starlink satellite network for this purpose.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos have both expressed interest in the potential of orbital data centers, with Bezos predicting gigawatt-scale facilities in space within the next couple of decades. Musk has now confirmed SpaceX’s involvement, stating that “simply scaling up Starlink V3 satellites, which have high-speed laser links, would work. SpaceX will be doing this.”

Proponents of space-based data centers highlight the benefits, such as abundant solar power and environmental friendliness. However, critics have raised concerns about the economic feasibility and technological challenges of this endeavor. SpaceX’s successful Starlink constellation, which provides global broadband, sets a precedent for Musk’s ambitious plans. If the Starlink architecture can indeed support data centers, it may mark a significant shift in how data storage is approached.

Source: Ars Technica

AT&T has filed a lawsuit against the advertising industry’s official watchdog, the BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division (NAD), challenging the demand to cease using NAD’s rulings for promotional purposes. The dispute arose after the NAD, responsible for self-regulation in the U.S. advertising industry, found AT&T in violation of rules for leveraging its process and findings in AT&T’s promotional content.

While both AT&T and T-Mobile have a history of contentious ad campaigns, AT&T recently launched ads positioning itself as a source of truth, criticizing T-Mobile for alleged promise-breaking. In response to the NAD’s objection, AT&T has defended its campaign in a lawsuit, asserting its right to expose competitors’ deceptive advertising practices and opposing the NAD’s censorship demands.

The lawsuit seeks a court declaration affirming AT&T’s adherence to NAD procedures and challenging the NAD’s authority to enforce censorship. AT&T claims that the NAD’s actions have led to the withdrawal of its ads from multiple TV networks, citing baseless accusations as detrimental to its advertising reach.

Source: Ars Technica

An investigation into a measles outbreak at the Arizona-Utah border faces obstacles as the first suspected case in Salt Lake City refuses to cooperate with health authorities, according to a recent report by Ars Technica. The unidentified individual declined to provide essential information, including their address, hampering efforts to contain the spread of the disease.

The outbreak, spanning both states and totaling over 150 cases, is primarily concentrated in Mohave County, Arizona, and the southwest health district of Utah. Alarmingly low vaccination rates in these areas, with only around 80% of kindergartners vaccinated against measles, have fueled the spread of the disease. Public health experts emphasize the critical need for a 95% vaccination coverage to prevent measles from proliferating within communities.

Despite the outbreak’s epicenter being at the border, cases are now surfacing in Salt Lake County, including the first suspected case this year. Health officials encountered resistance from a patient who was likely infected with measles but refused to undergo testing or cooperate with the disease investigation. This non-cooperation impedes crucial contact tracing efforts, leaving potentially exposed individuals unaware of the risk.

The incident underscores the importance of public health cooperation in combating infectious diseases like measles. Refusal to participate in investigations not only hinders containment efforts but also poses a risk to community health.

Source: Ars Technica

The recent rapid demolition of the East Wing of the White House has sparked concerns about potential asbestos exposure, raising questions about the safety measures taken during the process. According to a report by The Washington Post, health advocates and lawmakers are seeking clarity on whether proper precautions were in place to mitigate the risks of asbestos plumes.

Constructed in 1902 and renovated in 1942, the East Wing likely contains asbestos, a hazardous material commonly used in older government buildings. Asbestos fibers, if inhaled, can lead to serious lung diseases and cancer, emphasizing the importance of thorough inspection and abatement before demolition activities.

Linda Reinstein, president of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, emphasized the legal requirements for asbestos inspection and removal prior to demolition. Despite the White House’s claims of abatement work, the lack of public documentation and transparency regarding inspections has raised concerns about compliance with federal regulations.

Photographs suggest that ACECO was involved in the demolition process, although specific details remain undisclosed. Images showing dust clouds and workers without proper protective gear highlight potential safety lapses that could endanger both workers and bystanders.

Efforts to address the aftermath, including dust mitigation and waste disposal, have been observed; however, the extent of safety measures during the demolition remains unclear.

Source: Ars Technica

SpaceX, known for its ambitious goals, recently provided a detailed update on its contract with NASA to land astronauts on the Moon, emphasizing its commitment to advancing the Artemis program and eventually enabling human missions to Mars.

While concerns about potential delays in Moon landings have emerged, SpaceX remains focused on its Starship rocket and Super Heavy booster as key components in its mission to establish a human presence on Mars. The company’s strategic direction is driven by Elon Musk’s long-standing vision of interplanetary colonization.

Despite criticisms of NASA’s Artemis program for lacking ambition, SpaceX sees the Starship as a pivotal technology for lunar missions. Engineers are actively working on adapting the Starship for crewed lunar flights in collaboration with NASA’s Orion spacecraft. This collaboration aims to transport astronauts from Earth to lunar orbit using Orion and then continue the journey to the Moon’s south pole aboard the Starship.

SpaceX’s dedication to advancing space exploration aligns with its ultimate goal of Martian settlement, with the Moon serving as a crucial stepping stone in this cosmic journey. The development of the Starship for lunar missions signifies the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of space travel and establishing a sustainable presence beyond Earth.

Source: Ars Technica

Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based space company, is preparing for its first full-scale commercial satellite launch mission in January 2026, following India’s recent decision to open its space sector to private enterprises, as reported by Mint. Led by CEO Pawan Chandana, Skyroot aims to conduct satellite launches every three months next year and monthly from 2027, with each mission projected to generate around $5 million in revenue.

In 2022, Skyroot made history as India’s first space startup to demonstrate a rocket launch, setting a promising precedent for the company’s future endeavors. While their proposed launch cadence for 2026 may appear ambitious, achieving a successful mission next year would mark a significant milestone for Skyroot’s growth within the private space industry.

On a related note, Maritime Launch Services in Canada is receiving financial support from the government for spaceport infrastructure that will cater to defense, telecommunications, and weather-monitoring requirements, according to Payload. The investments in space infrastructure globally underscore the increasing significance of the space industry in supporting various sectors beyond traditional space exploration.

Source: Ars Technica

Companies like Starcloud and Rendezvous Robotics are exploring the construction of massive data centers in orbit, leveraging the abundant and sustainable energy source provided by the Sun. This initiative aims to revolutionize the way we handle data processing and storage.

The concept of space-based data centers has gained traction due to the environmental advantages they offer over traditional terrestrial facilities. By harnessing the power of the Sun, these orbital data centers could cater to the escalating energy demands of artificial intelligence applications.

Starcloud, in collaboration with Nvidia, has announced plans to create a 5-gigawatt orbital data center equipped with large solar and cooling panels spanning approximately 4 kilometers in width and length. To address the challenges associated with assembling and maintaining these massive structures in space, Rendezvous Robotics, a pioneering in-space assembly company, has joined forces with Starcloud. Their partnership aims to explore the autonomous assembly of Starcloud’s data centers, potentially streamlining the construction process and reducing costs significantly.

The successful implementation of autonomous assembly techniques could pave the way for a new era of sustainable, high-capacity data processing in orbit.

Source: Ars Technica

In a world where solar power is becoming an increasingly attractive investment, falling panel prices are propelling a global solar expansion. However, the situation varies across regions, with the United States facing challenges amidst this renewable energy surge.

Developers in Nevada are exploring vast expanses of desert to harness solar energy, aiming to power cities like Las Vegas using sunlight converted into electricity. Yet, recent regulatory decisions have raised concerns about the future of renewable energy projects in the US.

On the other hand, China is aggressively expanding its solar capabilities, exemplified by the Talatan Solar Park in the Tibetan Plateau. President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on green energy underscores China’s commitment to doubling its solar and wind generation capacity in the next decade.

China’s dominance in solar panel production has significantly reduced global hardware costs, making solar power an increasingly compelling option for many countries. Nations in Africa and the Middle East, including unexpected players like Saudi Arabia, are swiftly embracing solar energy as a cost-effective and sustainable solution.

The International Energy Agency’s projection of 410 gigawatts of solar capacity by 2035 has already been surpassed, with China leading the charge with more than four times that capacity. The global shift towards solar power highlights the technological advancements driving a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Source: Ars Technica

Recent developments suggest that TikTok’s technology landscape might undergo significant changes as China signals potential approval for a US sale. The possibility of a US-controlled version of TikTok, complete with a licensed Chinese-owned algorithm, is gaining traction following a meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

While neither leader confirmed China’s agreement to Trump’s proposed deal, an announcement from the Chinese Commerce Ministry hinted at a resolution of TikTok-related issues with the United States. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the TikTok agreement is nearing finalization, pending Chinese approval. The proposed terms, including ByteDance retaining a 20 percent ownership stake and keeping the algorithm, are seen as advantageous to China.

However, with no accord reached during the meeting, it appears that China may have reservations about the deal. The reluctance to cede control of TikTok, which has surged in popularity in the US, raises questions about the alignment of Beijing’s interests with the US administration’s intentions to divest the app’s US operations.

ByteDance’s silence amidst the negotiations underscores the complexity of the situation. The tech industry awaits further details to gauge the implications of the potential ownership transition on TikTok’s future technology trajectory.

Source: Ars Technica

Google, known for its tight control over the Play Store, is now making adjustments under court orders after losing an antitrust case to Epic Games. The tech company has started to loosen developer restrictions, allowing them more flexibility in guiding users outside the Play Store ecosystem. This move marks a significant shift, as Google historically made changes at its own discretion until this ruling.

The antitrust dispute traces back to Epic Games’ decision to bypass Google’s payment system for Fortnite content sales. Unlike its case against Apple, Epic prevailed against Google, highlighting the tech giant’s actions that hindered the growth of alternative Android app stores. As a result, developers can now utilize external payment platforms and direct users to non-Google sources for app downloads and payments in the US Play Store.

Google emphasizes that these alterations are specific to the US Play Store, aligning with the court’s jurisdiction. The company clarifies its commitment to compliance only for the duration of the court order, which expires in 2027. Despite this concession, Google remains hopeful of reversing the ruling before facing more extensive modifications.

Source: Ars Technica

Canva has unveiled a significant update to its Affinity image-editing and publishing apps, transitioning to a freemium model post-acquisition. The newly launched ‘Affinity by Canva’ combines the Photo, Designer, and Publisher apps into a single software offering. Users can access the core features for free with a Canva account, but advanced generative AI capabilities are now part of Canva’s paid subscription plans.

This move caters to both existing Affinity users and those aligned with the anti-AI stance of the platform. While the core functionalities remain free, the subscription unlocks AI features for a yearly fee of $120 for individuals. The update, labeled internally as version 3, supports various operating systems, including x86 and Arm Windows versions, Apple Silicon, Intel Macs, and forthcoming iPad compatibility.

The strategic shift aims to balance user preferences, offering a blend of free and premium features. However, some users may express concerns over the shift from perpetual licensing to a subscription-based model and the potential future distinctions between free and paid functionalities.

Source: Ars Technica

Amidst the political landscape, a tech-related angle emerges as the Means siblings, Casey and Calley, find themselves temporarily absent from their government roles, sparking discussions on conflicts of interest in the tech and wellness sectors.

Casey Means, President Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, faced a delay in her Senate confirmation hearing after going into labor, shedding light on the challenges of virtual participation and scheduling conflicts.

Simultaneously, Calley Means, known for his involvement in the wellness industry, has left his position as a ‘Special Government Employee’ within the White House. His departure raises questions about the intersection of tech entrepreneurship and government advisement, particularly regarding wellness companies and tax-advantaged health spending.

Calley’s wellness company, Truemed, offers a platform enabling individuals to utilize pre-tax accounts for unproven wellness interventions, potentially benefitting from governmental policies on medical spending eligibility. Critics have raised concerns about conflicts of interest due to the siblings’ lack of health expertise and their ties to the wellness industry.

As the tech community observes these developments, the Means siblings’ situation underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in navigating tech-related conflicts of interest within governmental roles.

Source: Ars Technica