Links für 2024 KW 12
Zusammengefasst von LlongOrca.
The Luddite's Guide to Defending Cash (Part 1):
This article discusses the concerns around the transition to a cashless society and how digital payments systems could potentially create problems such as centralization of power, surveillance, and exclusion. The author argues that cash is essential for maintaining balance in various aspects of society and serves as an inclusive mode of payment. It also highlights the importance of preserving the autonomy and public nature of payments systems while recognizing the benefits of digital technology.
This article discusses the importance of strength training and its benefits for overall health and mortality rates. Two studies highlighted in the article found that individuals who engaged in strength-training exercises, regardless of whether they were gym-based or bodyweight exercises, had reduced risks of death and improved quality of life. The article emphasizes that function matters more than appearance when it comes to muscle mass and that maintaining a reasonable amount of muscle is important for aging adults. Furthermore, the article suggests that meeting both aerobic and strength-training guidelines may yield the best overall health outcomes.
Only walking for exercise? Here’s how to get the most out of it:
The current gap between life expectancy and health-adjusted life expectancy is about ten years, meaning many people live with significant health problems in their later years. To increase our healthspan, we need planned, structured, and regular physical activity or exercise. Yet few people meet the recommended strength training guidelines. Walking is a cost-effective and accessible form of exercise but does not typically work as muscle-strengthening exercise. Eccentric walking, which incorporates deep lunges into conventional walking, has been found to improve lower limb muscle strength, balance, and cognitive function in older adults. This form of walking may extend healthspan by improving muscle strength, preventing muscle wasting, and enhancing other functions such as balance and flexibility.
If you watched certain YouTube videos, investigators demanded your data from Google:
Google was ordered to hand over user data from YouTube accounts that watched specific videos related to a criminal investigation involving cryptocurrency laundering. The federal investigators argued that the request was legally justified, but privacy experts are concerned about the precedent it creates and potential violations of the first and fourth amendments. This order raises questions over Google's data-sharing policies and transparency in relation to law enforcement requests for user information.
Your customers hate MVPs. Make a SLC instead.:
The Minimum Viable Product (MVP) has been a popular method for product teams, but it can be selfish and harmful to customers. SLC (Simple, Lovable, and Complete) is an alternative philosophy that focuses on delivering fast, validated learning while pleasing the customer. MVPs often prioritize utility over the customer experience. The SLC approach involves creating products that are simple, lovable, and complete, even if they don't include every feature or have all the bells and whistles of more complex products. This method ensures that customers get value from the product while allowing for potential growth in future versions without being forced to continually invest in additional features.
Microsoft's Latest Windows Update Plagues Users with Annoying Bing Advertisements:
The latest Windows update has been causing frustration among users due to the addition of pop-up ads in Google Chrome, promoting Microsoft's Bing search engine and BingAI. Users have reported seeing multiple instances of these adverts, which appear in the bottom right corner of the browser. This is not the first time Microsoft has employed such tactics; they previously inserted similar pop-ups into Windows 10 and 11, but later removed them due to „unintended behavior.“ The company claims that this is a one-time notification allowing users the choice to set Bing as their default search engine on Chrome. However, many users express annoyance with Microsoft's constant attempts to persuade them into using its services and products over others.
The article discusses Bark, an open-source text-to-speech+ model developed by Suno that can generate multilingual speech and other audio content such as music, background noise, simple sound effects, and nonverbal communications like laughing, sighing, and crying. It has been created for research purposes and is available under the MIT License for commercial use. The model supports 100+ speaker presets across various languages and can also generate unique random voices that fit input text. However, it's worth noting that Bark may deviate in unexpected ways from provided prompts.
Build time is a collective responsibility:
This article discusses the topic of compile time and mismatched expectations in programming languages like Rust. The author emphasizes that build times are not solely the responsibility of language developers but also the responsibility of programmers to understand their tools and use them properly. The article provides examples of how build time issues can be addressed through proper code structure, feature usage, and understanding of compiler limitations.
How ML Model Data Poisoning Works in 5 Minutes:
Training data poisoning is an attack type common in Large Language Models (LLMs), where harmful data is injected during the training phase, causing the model to generate wrong results. This compromises the model and application, leading to risks like performance degradation, downstream software exploitation, and reputational damage. Data poisoning attacks are difficult to detect and fix, as they happen over time, making it hard to trace root causes. Developers need to focus on measures that either block attack attempts or detect malicious inputs before the next training cycle. They should also establish access controls on internal model registries and limit the public release of technical project details.
Why 18-year-old Canadian Emily Nash is sharing her unique brain with science:
An 18-year-old girl from near Ottawa, Emily Nash, has been identified as having highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM), a rare condition that allows her to remember events with remarkable accuracy. This makes Emily one of the youngest people in the world to have such an extraordinary super memory. Emily learned about her condition after being tested by researchers at Northwestern University and Texas State University. She has been able to recall dates, personal experiences, and verifiable events from a single date with impressive accuracy. Researchers are now studying HSAM in hopes of understanding more about memory loss and dementia.
The article discusses a study by Richard Wieseman from the University of Hertfordshire on luck and how it can be considered as a skill. People who are considered „lucky“ tend to notice opportunities more often due to their relaxed and soft-focused approach, while those who view themselves as „unlucky“ miss such opportunities because they are too focused on specific goals or tasks. The article suggests that there might be an opportunity for a product or app that increases serendipity in people's lives by helping them become more open to unforeseen events and chances.
The article discusses how fluency in a foreign language is achievable through significantly increased practice and effort compared to typical learners. It highlights the importance of immersion and dedicating more time and resources to one's goals, such as learning a new language or achieving success in a career. The author also emphasizes the need for prioritizing one's time and resources on essential objectives, rather than spreading them thin among many pursuits.
Programmers are bad at managing state:
The article discusses how programmers are often bad at managing state in their software, leading to errors, crashes, and freezes when the user interacts with the program in various ways. „Turning it off and on again“ is suggested as a solution because it puts the software back into its original state that the programmer intended. The article also mentions examples of cleaning up cache or data files, uninstalling programs, and using features like Mozilla's Refresh Firefox to start from scratch as ways to fix misbehaving devices or applications.
TinySSH is a minimalistic SSH server that implements only a subset of SSHv2 features with fewer than 100,000 words of code and no dynamic memory allocation. It has simple configuration, uses its own crypto library compatible with NaCl and Libsodium, and supports public-key authentication only. TinySSH can be compiled using primitives from the NaCl library for added speed.
Playground bullies do prosper – and go on to earn more in middle age:
A five-decade study found that children who displayed aggressive behavior at school, such as bullying or temper outbursts, are likely to earn more money in middle age. The researchers from the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex used data about almost 7,000 people born in 1970, whose lives were tracked by the British Cohort Study. The study found that aggressive behavior in school was associated with higher earnings later in life, and children who had attention problems or emotional instability earned less in adulthood. The researchers suggest that policymakers should recognize the importance of socio-emotional skills in schools and implement policies to support them.
The Dead Man's Switch is an electronic service designed to send messages to chosen recipients in case something happens to the user. Users write emails, choose recipients, and set intervals for when the service will check if they are alive. If no response is received from the user within a specified time period, the stored messages are sent to the recipients. The service has both free and premium options with varying message limits and customization capabilities.
Global trends in incidence, death, burden and risk factors of early-onset cancer from 1990 to 2019:
This study aimed to explore the global burden of early-onset cancer based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study for 29 cancers worldwide. The analysis showed that the global incidence and number of early-onset cancer deaths increased significantly from 1990 to 2019, with notable variations in mortality and DALYs between areas, countries, sex and cancer types. High-middle and middle Sociodemographic Index (SDI) regions had the highest burden of early-onset cancer. The study also identified dietary risk factors, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use as the main risk factors underlying early-onset cancers. The authors concluded that it is necessary to conduct prospective life-course cohort studies to explore the aetiologies of early-onset cancers, and each country should adjust their prevention strategies based on the characteristics of early-onset cancer. Encouraging a healthy lifestyle could reduce early-onset cancer disease burden.
Large Grocers Took Advantage of Pandemic Supply Chain Disruptions, F.T.C. Finds:
A report by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suggests that large grocery retailers took advantage of supply chain disruptions during the pandemic to beat out smaller rivals and protect their profits. The report found that some large firms „accelerated and distorted“ the effects of supply chain snarls by pressuring suppliers to favor them over competitors. Food and beverage retailers posted strong profits during the pandemic, casting doubt on assertions that higher grocery prices were simply due to rising costs for retailers. The FTC's actions are helping bolster the Biden administration's efforts to address rising prices and tackle food companies that engage in „shrinkflation.“
The World’s Biggest Crisis Is the End of Scarcity:
The article discusses how the era of plenty has created global problems that plague humanity today, such as climate change and pandemic diseases. It highlights five revolutionary shifts responsible for the creation of our present age of plenty: voluntary demographic compression in the developed world, an economic-technological revolution, an information revolution, leaders creating domestic and international governing institutions, and groundbreaking new military capabilities. The article argues that these developments have generated significant problems of plenty, including climate change, pandemic diseases, stratospheric ozone depletion, ecological crises, and more. However, it also notes the possibility for hope in humanity's ability to adapt and find solutions amidst these challenges.
Mit gefälschten Keycards: Hacker können weltweit Millionen von Hoteltüren öffnen:
Eine Gruppe von Sicherheitsforschern hat die Entdeckung mehrerer unter dem Namen Unsaflok zusammengefasster Schwachstellen bekannt gegeben, mit denen sich anhand gefälschter Schlüsselkarten weltweit Millionen von Hoteltüren unbefugnt öffnen lassen. Die betroffenen RFID-Schlösser seien in über drei Millionen Türen in mehr als 13.000 Gebäuden in 131 Ländern eingesetzt. Um Unsaflok anzuwenden, müsste ein Angreifer eine beliebige Schlüsselkarte aus dem jeweiligen Gebäude auslesen und kopieren. Ein Paar gefälschter Keycards reiche aus, um jede beliebige Tür im Gebäude zu öffnen. Teure Spezialausrüstung ist für die Fälschungen nicht erforderlich. Lediglich rund 36 Prozent der betroffenen Schlösser seien aktualisiert oder ersetzt worden.
Ohrfeige für SAP: Anwender wollen nicht in die Cloud, KI-Strategie zu unklar:
The latest DSAG survey confirms that cloud-based operations models for S/4HANA are still playing a secondary role among SAP users in the DACH region. For the first time, the German-speaking SAP User Group (DSAG) surveyed its DACH member companies regarding their assessment of S/4HANA's cloud strategy as part of its latest investment report. The results were disastrous for Walldorf-based software company SAP, with only 13% of respondents giving a positive opinion. Nearly half the respondents expressed negative views about the cloud ERP policy of their in-house supplier. However, the survey was conducted partly before the launch of the Rise with SAP Migration and Modernization program. It remains to be seen whether promised high discounts would make switching to the cloud more attractive for existing customers.
At present, cloud-based operation models still play a secondary role in S/4HANA, although usage has increased compared to last year. According to the survey, only 11% are using the private cloud variant and 6% public cloud. Many of the surveyed companies want to remain on their SAP ERP systems rather than migrating to the cloud, as they did not see any benefits in doing so at the time of the survey.
Despite the skepticism towards the cloud, SAP remains relevant for users, with more than half expecting its importance to remain unchanged over the coming years.
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of China under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, exploring various aspects such as economic growth, political climate, cultural shifts, and international relations. The author discusses how Xi's policies have led to a return to autocratic rule, with increased control over the media, thought work, and personal freedoms. This has resulted in a growing discontent among the younger generation, leading to phrases like „lying flat“ and a rise in emigration.
The article also delves into China's economic challenges, including a slowdown in growth, high levels of debt, and the impact of the zero-COVID policy on businesses and individuals. It highlights how these issues have affected different segments of society, from entrepreneurs to women and young people. The author further touches upon the potential for conflict with the United States, given China's growing military assertiveness and the U.S.'s measures to counteract its technological advancements.
In conclusion, the article suggests that while China may face significant challenges in the coming years, it remains a formidable global power with the potential to influence international affairs significantly. The author encourages a nuanced understanding of these developments, recognizing the complex interplay between economic, political, and social factors shaping China's future.
The thread discusses the issue with updating VLC on Android, as Google refuses to let them update unless they provide their private signing keys or drop support for Android TV before API-30. This would prevent users on older devices from receiving fixes and updates. It highlights that millions of people use Android TV versions below API-30, causing concerns about the lack of available solutions.
This article discusses the various definitions and interpretations of the „current branch“ in Git. It highlights four possible definitions: what's in .git/HEAD, what git status says on the first line, what you most recently checked out with git checkout or git switch, and what's in your shell's git prompt. The article then presents six different scenarios that show how these definitions apply to each situation. It concludes by discussing some other „current branch“ definitions and notes on orphaned commits.
Why You Hear Voices in Your White Noise Machine:
The article discusses the phenomenon of hearing things in white noise or other continuous noises, which is known as auditory pareidolia or auditory hallucinations. It explains that this occurs when one's brain tries to make sense of a pattern-matching sound, and can be experienced by people who listen to noise machines or use such sounds for masking purposes. The article debunks the fear that these experiences might indicate schizophrenia, as they are not hallucinations but rather illusions created by the brain. To differentiate between an auditory pareidolia and a potential psychological issue, the article suggests trying to cover one's ears to determine if the sound is coming from outside one's head or not.
Datenleck bei beliebter KiTa-App Stay Informed:
The app „Stay Informed“ experienced a data leak, potentially affecting over 800,000 users in over 11,000 childcare centers, nurseries, and schools across the German-speaking region. The app is used by these institutions to communicate with parents or guardians digitally, offering features such as term management, messaging, and a chat function. Stay Informed GmbH, the company behind the app, emphasizes data protection and security for its customers, conducting regular penetration tests and working with IT security experts to ensure a secure solution. The data leak exposed personal information including names, birthdates, addresses, vaccinations, religions, legal guardians, emergency contacts, class teachers, and more. Stay Informed GmbH has reported the issue to relevant authorities and ensured that all affected parties are informed.
E-waste is growing 5x faster than it's recycled, says UN:
According to a United Nations report, electronic waste is being generated almost five times faster than it is being recycled using documented methods. The economic impact of e-waste recycling includes benefits such as avoided greenhouse gas emissions and recovered materials like gold, copper, and iron. However, it also comes with costs associated with e-waste treatment and externalized costs to people and the environment. Annual generation of e-waste is growing at a rate of 2.6 million metric tons per year and is expected to reach 82 million tons by 2030. The report calls for stronger formal e-waste management and policy initiatives to promote renewable energy without undermining environmental concerns.
Employer Review Site Glassdoor Deanonymized Users Without Consent:
Glassdoor users have reported changes in its privacy policy that include publishing people's real names and locations on their profiles without securing consent. The platform allows employees to submit anonymous reviews about their experiences working for a company, which helps job seekers make decisions and employees improve on key areas. However, recent changes threaten the anonymity of reviewers, potentially leading to legal trouble, blacklisting, or firing. Glassdoor's support team informed users that real names cannot be removed, and deleting the account merely deactivates it; a form must be submitted for complete erasure of personal data.
A cargo ship’s ‘WindWing’ sails saved it up to 12 tons of fuel per day:
A shipping vessel named Pyxis Ocean MC Shipping Kamsarmax left China for Brazil with a pair of 123-feet tall, solid „wings“ retrofitted atop its deck to harness wind power for propulsion assistance. After its six-week maiden voyage testing the green energy technology, the vessel had many more trips ahead of it. Six months later, Pyxis Ocean reportedly saved an average of 3.3 tons of fuel each day, and in optimal weather conditions, reduced fuel consumption by over 12 tons a day, resulting in an average of 14% less greenhouse gas emissions from the ship. The WindWing sails could offer a promising way to reduce existing vessels' emissions, with an equally sized ship outfitted with two WindWings potentially saving the same amount of emissions as removing 480 cars from roads annually. Cargill is working on ways for all wind-assisted propulsion vessels to operate on global trade routes.
An Introduction to Modern CMake · Modern CMake:
This article discusses the importance of good build systems and how Modern CMake is a powerful and elegant solution for many problems faced by developers. CMake 3.5+ or even 3.28+ allows developers to spend more time coding rather than maintaining unreadable Make files. The article also mentions various advantages of using CMake, such as support from all major IDEs, compatibility with multiple OSs and compilers, integration with libraries and tools, and the use of a debugger. It encourages developers to consider Modern CMake for their projects to improve build efficiency and maintainability.
Using Termux on Android for Self Hosting? Yes, really. – The Thin Computer:
This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to set up a web server on an old Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra using the F-Droid app, Termux, and Let's Encrypt for SSL certificates. The setup is small, performant, produces little heat, and is incredibly quiet. To ensure the phone doesn't lag out, you can enable wake on lock in the battery and power settings of your device.
using-termux-on-android-for-self-hosting-yes-really:
This article demonstrates how to set up a web server using Termux on an Android device, such as the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. The author shares their experience and provides step-by-step instructions for setting up F-Droid, enabling installations from unknown sources, installing Apache2, OpenSSH, and Let's Encrypt to secure the server with SSL certificates. Port forwarding is also discussed, as well as wake on lock to prevent the device from lagging due to idle power management settings.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an early stage of dementia, remains underdiagnosed in people aged 65 and older, according to two studies. Using Medicare data from 2015 to 2019 for about 40 million beneficiaries, researchers estimated that approximately 7.4 million cases remained undiagnosed. A second study revealed that over 99% of primary care clinicians underdiagnosed MCI in this population. Mild cognitive impairment can sometimes be caused by easily addressable factors and is the early symptom of Alzheimer's disease for about half of cases, progressing to dementia at a rate of 10-15% per year. In 2023, the FDA approved lecanemab as the first disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer's disease, which reduces amyloid plaques in the brain. However, its use is limited to early stages of the disease.
How Chain-of-Thought Reasoning Helps Neural Networks Compute | Quanta Magazine:
Researchers have explored the power of chain-of-thought reasoning in large language models like ChatGPT, using techniques from computational complexity theory. This approach helps to understand the intrinsic capabilities and limitations of these models and may point toward new approaches for building them. Recent work indicates that transformers can only solve harder problems at the cost of a lot of computational effort, which highlights the importance of understanding their limitations in real-world applications.
Navigating the World of Large Language Models:
This article discusses the rapid development and release of large language models (LLMs) in recent times, with many available options for various tasks like text generation and code-writing. It emphasizes the importance of understanding each model's features and how they can be used effectively across a broad spectrum of applications. The article lists several popular LLMs such as Llama 2, Mixtral 8x7B, Zephyr 7B, SOLAR 10.7B, and Code Llama, highlighting their specific capabilities and the reasons to use them. It also addresses potential challenges and ethical considerations when deploying these models at scale in production environments.
A new type of bacteria was found in 50% of colon cancers. Many were aggressive cases.:
A study published in the journal Nature found that a type of bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum, which causes dental plaque, may be responsible for a treatment-resistant form of colorectal cancer. The particular bacterium was discovered to shield tumor cells from cancer-fighting drugs and could potentially pave the way for new treatments and screening methods. Colon cancer is currently the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, with rates rising sharply among younger people.
The Real C++ Killers (Not You, Rust):
The article discusses three technologies that threaten to replace C++: Words and Buttons Online, a platform offering interactive tutorials and demos on mathematics, algorithms, and programming; Spiral, an optimization tool for high-level algorithm descriptions; and Numba, a Python library that compiles abstract syntax trees with any backend it has. The author argues that these tools are more efficient than C++ and are already making it obsolete in practice.
"So lassen wir mit uns nicht umgehen": 25.000 Bosch-Mitarbeiter gegen Stellenabbau:
Despite increasing profits, Bosch is planning to reduce its global workforce by 7,000 employees, with the majority of these cuts happening within Germany. Despite thousands of protesting workers and opposition from management, the company intends to continue with its downsizing plans as they claim it is necessary for their competitiveness in the market. Employees have voiced concerns about job security, future innovations, and social responsibility, while the company emphasizes that discussions are ongoing regarding potential social-friendly solutions such as early retirement options and qualification programs for growth areas.
Apple could be in trouble over security warnings, as well as Core Technology Fee:
Apple's Core Technology Fee (CTF) is being scrutinized by the EU as a possible hindrance for indie developers whose apps go viral. The fee requires developers selling their apps outside the App Store to pay €0.50 per install per year once an app exceeds one million installs. Riley Testut, creator of AltStore, raised concerns about this, as he owed Apple €5 million in fees due to his 10 million downloads. The EU is investigating the CTF and its potential impact on developers. Additionally, the EU's antitrust chief criticized Apple's security warnings against alternative app stores as „unwise.“
Redis Adopts Dual Source-Available Licensing | Redis:
Redis has announced that its future releases will continue to offer free and permissive use of the source code under dual RSALv2 (Redis Source Available License) and SSPLv1 licenses, combining advanced data types and processing engines previously only available in Redis Stack. Starting with Redis 7.4, Redis will be dual-licensed under these two licenses instead of the three-clause Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD). The source code will remain freely available to developers, customers, and partners through Redis Community Edition, while managed service providers and system integrators can continue to enjoy exclusive access to all future features. This change aims to balance making the Redis source code broadly available, supporting the developer community with minimal limitations, and protecting the ability to invest in feature-rich software and enterprise products.
Trailing Dots in Domain Names:
The article explains that fully-qualified domain names should have a dot at the end and are unambiguous. Ambiguity arises when the dot is left out, as it may be completed using the user's current DNS searchlist. This can result in wasted time and potential security risks. Most Bonjour (DNS-SD) software uses fully-qualified domain names with a dot at the end to avoid such issues. The article also highlights that web browsers should use the fully-qualified domain name from the DNS searchlist when constructing URLs, instead of what the user types in the address bar.
The kids are not okay. New data shows Canadians under-30 ‘very unhappy’ - National | Globalnews.ca:
The 2024 World Happiness Report shows that Canadians have dropped in happiness rankings due to decreasing overall life expectations, with youth being the most unhappy age group. Canada fell two spots this year, ranking 15th overall. This is the first time rankings have been given based on age group and happiness among youth has fallen sharply in North America. Reasons for decreased happiness among the younger generation include feeling less support from family and friends, a lack of trust in government, more stress and anxiety, and the cost of living.
Electric car battery prices are going back down faster than expected:
Electric car battery prices are declining faster than expected, according to Goldman Sachs. The financial firm updated its battery price forecast, predicting that by 2025, prices will fall to $99 per kilowatt hour of storage capacity, a 40% decrease from 2022. This decline is largely due to decreasing raw material prices such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt. The firm believes that a significant price drop is coming in 2024, which could lead to increased competitiveness in EV pricing, more extensive consumer adoption, and further growth in the total addressable markets for EVs and batteries.
The article highlights how technology has contributed to making the hiring process worse for both job seekers and employers. Job aggregator sites have led to overwhelming numbers of applications, with some candidates applying to hundreds or even thousands of positions without hearing back. Employers are faced with an increasing number of applicants who may be less likely to stay in their roles long-term due to the ease of job hopping and remote work. Additionally, AI tools have made it harder for employers to sift through applications, leading them to rely on algorithms that may not always provide the most accurate or fair results. The article suggests that a more targeted approach to applying for jobs and focusing on networking can help candidates and that there is potential for better solutions in the future.
Why did we wait so long for the bicycle?:
The invention of the modern bicycle was not possible until the late 1800s due to advancements in technology, design iteration, quality of roads, competition from horses, and general economic growth. Improvements in metalworking, wheel technology, chains, gears, and ball bearings were necessary for a commercially successful bicycle. The concept of a human-powered vehicle goes back centuries, but it wasn't until the 1800s that advances in materials and manufacturing made it possible to create an efficient, comfortable, and safe bicycle design.
Return to office is a mistake for software developers:
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work, which proved beneficial for many companies and employees. However, as the pandemic subsides, some organizations are pushing for a return to office (RTO) model, despite the advantages of working remotely. Software developers have especially embraced remote work due to its benefits for productivity and flexibility. Companies that do not recognize the value of remote work risk losing top talent who seek out flexible employment opportunities.
Honduras Ratchets Up Battle With Crypto-Libertarian Investors, Rejects World Bank Court:
Honduran President Xiomara Castro has taken steps to withdraw Honduras from the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) following a move by American crypto investors attempting to seize billions in public money from the Central American nation. The investors are exploiting a dispute mechanism within the World Bank, created by an obscure provision of the Central America Free Trade Agreement. Castro has deemed the forum to be an illegitimate usurpation of Honduran sovereignty. A group of prominent international economists have applauded Castro's decision, calling it a „critical defence of Honduran democracy and an important step toward its sustainable development.“
The Crime Rings Stealing Everything from Purses to Power Tools:
A group of detectives from the California Highway Patrol carried out a nightlong surveillance and arrest operation at a Los Angeles-area Home Depot store to identify and disrupt organized retail crime networks. These criminal investigations often involve boosters who sell stolen materials to fences, who in turn may unload the goods at swap meets or stores where illicit items are „washed“ by commingling them with legitimate ones. In recent years, e-commerce platforms have led to a rise in online sales of stolen merchandise, making it harder for law enforcement agencies to track down organized retail crime networks. The National Retail Federation (NRF) has reported that in 2021 retailers suffered over $90 billion in „shrink,“ the term used for inventory losses.
GitHub Repos Unexpectedly Included in Controversial AI Training Data; Users Urged to Check:
The thread discusses the discovery that GitHub repositories, including private ones, have been included in a large dataset called „The Stack“ and used as training data for AI models without consent from the original developers. Users are urged to check if their code is present in this dataset and remove it by following instructions provided on https://huggingface.co/spaces/bigcode/in-the-stack/. The issue raises concerns about privacy, copyright, and ethical considerations surrounding AI development and data usage.
Bug hunting in Btrfs - tavianator.com:
The article discusses how the author encountered an error while implementing multi-threaded stat() calls in bfs and experienced filesystem corruption. After running benchmarks, they found that there were no errors when they rebooted into a live environment and ran btrfs check. Although it was initially assumed to be allocation of struct extent_buffer, it turned out to be a race condition bug. The issue arose from multiple threads trying to read an extent_buffer at the same time. To fix this, the author proposed adding double-checked locking to avoid unnecessary I/O and reduce the risk of data races.
Inserting 100k rows 66 times faster:
The article discusses the author's experience in implementing initial data syncing logic for an offline application and the bottleneck they faced with database abstraction taking 2 minutes to insert short of 750k rows into a single database table. They initially used the spread operator but encountered a stack overflow issue, causing them to look elsewhere. After some testing, they discovered that bulk inserts improved performance significantly, reducing runtime by up to 66x in their real-world projects.
Kaspersky crimeware report: Android malware:
This article discusses various types of Android malware discovered in 2023, including Tambir, Dwphon, and Gigabud. Tambir is an Android backdoor that targets users in Turkey by collecting SMS messages, keystrokes, etc., while Dwphon is a malware variant targeting mobile phones of various Chinese OEM manufacturers. Gigabud is a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) active since mid-2022, focused on stealing banking credentials from individuals in Southeast Asia and mimicking local airline apps or loan malware. In 2023, Kaspersky detected more than 1.3 million unique malicious installation packages targeting the Android platform, with users advised to protect themselves by not downloading apps from unofficial app marketplaces and carefully reviewing the permissions that apps request.
The article discusses how design is an optimization problem, comparing it to walking an island where acceptable designs are like not getting your feet wet. Changes that may be acceptable in certain periods could be risky at other times, like during peak seasons for retailers. Designs can be seen as an archipelago with different styles that cluster around a few islands, influenced by factors such as performance and reliability. The article also mentions tectonic changes in design due to earthquakes or shifting needs, which may require underwater travel, preparing for both overland and underwater travel for successful software design.
The article discusses the potential harmful effects of per and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS), a class of more than 10,000 substances developed since the 1950s due to their water, fat, and dirt-repellent properties. Despite being nearly non-degradable and entering the human food chain through groundwater, PFAS are widely used in cosmetics, dental floss, pan coatings, and fire-extinguishing foam. A recent study conducted by researchers from DZNE and Leiden University Medical Center shows that at the same PFAS concentration level, younger subjects experience more adverse health effects than older ones. The findings also suggest a correlation between low PFAS concentrations in blood and harmful blood lipid profiles linked to cardiovascular risk. The researchers believe this supports stricter regulation of PFAS to protect human health.
How Does Paris Stay Paris? By Pouring Billions Into Public Housing:
In Paris, an aggressive government plan aims to keep lower-income residents and their businesses within the city by offering affordable public housing options. One quarter of the French capital's residents currently live in government-owned properties, with rents starting at 600 euros per month. The l'Îlot Saint-Germain is a new public-housing complex located in an upscale neighborhood that features amenities such as a below-ground gymnasium and day care center. This initiative helps maintain mixité sociale, or social diversity, within the city.
DNA Tests Are Uncovering the True Prevalence of Incest:
This article tells the story of Steve Edsel, who searched for his birth mother using DNA tests and genetic genealogy techniques. He discovered that his biological father was likely an incestuous relationship between his birth mother and a close relative, which led to numerous health concerns and emotional struggles in his life. The article also discusses the increasing prevalence of cases involving closely related parents discovered through genetic testing and the support group created by genetic genealogist CeCe Moore for those affected by such revelations.
Fish fed to farmed salmon should be part of our diet, too, study suggests - Lancaster University:
A study has found that consuming more wild fish, such as mackerel, anchovies, and herring, which are often used within farmed salmon feeds, could improve both diets and ocean sustainability. Scientists discovered that farmed salmon production leads to an overall loss of essential dietary nutrients. Researchers analyzed the flow of nutrients from wild fish used as feed to the farmed salmon they were fed to and found a decrease in six out of nine nutrients in the salmon fillet. They suggest that eating more wild 'feed' species directly could benefit health while reducing aquaculture demand for finite marine resources.
myme.no - Focus by Automation:
The article discusses the importance of automation and mastery for software developers to save mental energy and maintain focus. It emphasizes that investing time in learning organizational tools, programming languages, and editors can reduce distractions and improve overall productivity. Additionally, practicing typing and text manipulation techniques such as vim motions or readline keybindings can help optimize common paths and further automate tasks for increased efficiency.
ISP's Landmark Piracy Liability Case Doesn't Get a Do-Over in Appeals Court * TorrentFreak:
In late 2019, Internet provider Cox Communications lost a legal battle against major record labels and was ordered to pay $1 billion in damages due to its pirating subscribers. Following this, Cox launched several challenges, including an appeal that led to the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit keeping the contributory copyright infringement ruling intact but reversing a finding of vicarious copyright infringement. Both parties requested a rehearing, with Cox seeking a reversal of the contributory liability ruling and the labels defending the $1 billion damages award. The court of appeals denied both rehearing requests, meaning that Cox remains contributorily liable for its users' pirating activities, and a new trial will determine the scale of the damages.
Flightradar24 Launches New GPS Jamming Map to Visualize Global Interference:
The article discusses Flightradar24's new GPS jamming map, which allows users to view areas of GPS jamming and interference around the world in an easy-to-understand visual format. The map uses color-coded overlays to indicate low (green) to high (red) levels of interference with global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). It calculates GPS jamming using NIC values broadcast by aircraft passing through a particular area, and offers adjustable date and time settings for viewing data. The map is currently limited to areas where there are adequate numbers of flights and Flightradar24 terrestrial ADS-B receivers; the company plans to incorporate additional sources of data in the future.
The article discusses the issue of uneven exposure and randomness in the popularity thresholds on sites like Hacker News (HN) and Reddit, which can lead to content being over or under exposed based on chance. One proposed solution is adding a small amount of random noise to rank an article's position to smooth out discontinuities between making it onto the front page and languishing in obscurity. However, the author notes that simple ad hoc solutions often lead to endless workarounds and unintended consequences. The article also mentions HN's attempt at randomizing submissions by adding a „second chance queue“ boosting some submissions to the front page, which may offer better results than an automated algorithm with no direct human input.
This article discusses various examples of „discontinuities“ found in different areas, such as personal finance, tax policy, education, sports, and auctions, among others. These discontinuities can lead to unusual behaviors or outcomes, which may have unintended consequences on people's decisions and actions. The article highlights the importance of being aware of these discontinuities and understanding their potential impacts, as well as exploring ways to smooth them out in order to promote more optimal decision-making processes.
‘Britain’s Pompeii’ reveals Bronze Age village frozen in time | CNN:
Archaeologists unearthed a well-preserved Bronze Age settlement, dating back to the 9th century BC, in Cambridgeshire, England. The site, known as Must Farm, was discovered after a fire destroyed a stilt village located above a boggy river. Despite the devastation, the researchers were able to gain comprehensive insights into Bronze Age society. Among their findings were wooden and textile items that rarely survive in the archaeological record, ceramic artifacts, wooden buckets, and even a woman's skull. The site also revealed that the inhabitants kept dogs that consumed scraps from their meals.
o2: Nicht überall, wo 5G draufsteht, ist 5G drin:
This article discusses a false 5G network indicator issue experienced by some users of telecommunications providers such as Telefónica and O2. The issue causes the display of „5G“ on users' devices even though they are not connected to an actual 5G network, but rather an LTE network. It is suggested that this occurs when the end device or the service provider signals a possible combination of 5G-NR carriers, regardless of whether the end device can actually use it. The article also mentions that there might be a technical trick by some network operators to make their 5G coverage seem larger than it actually is.
Kurze Leine für KI: EU beschließt "historisches" Regelwerk:
The EU Parliament has given the green light for stricter regulations on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the European Union. The legislation, which is said to be the first of its kind worldwide, will involve classifying AI systems into different risk groups. The higher the potential risks associated with an application, the more stringent the requirements should be. This includes banning certain AI applications that go against EU values. The law goes back to a proposal by the European Commission in 2021 and is set to come into effect following its approval by MEPs.
The new Inflection: An important change to how we’ll work:
Inflection, an AI studio, has trained one of the best LLMs in the world to create its personal AI, Pi. The company plans to lean into its AI studio business and provide custom generative AI models for commercial customers. To facilitate this, Inflection will host Inflection-2.5 on Microsoft Azure and other cloud hosting platforms soon. With these changes, two co-founders, Mustafa and Karén, will leave Inflection to start a new division at Microsoft focused on consumer AI efforts, while Sean White joins as CEO.
Title:Increasing, not Diminishing: Investigating the Returns of Highly Maintainable Code:
This study examines the association between code quality and its business impact, specifically defect count and implementation time. By combining two publicly available datasets, the researchers found that associations vary across different intervals of code quality. The value model suggests amplified returns on investment in the upper end, with strong non-linearities at the extremes of the code quality spectrum. The findings align with the „broken windows“ theory and recommend organizations to prevent the introduction of code smells in files with high churn. Furthermore, the study proposes that the value-creation model can initiate discussions regarding the return on investment in refactoring efforts.
The Timeless Parable of Mr. Market:
Warren Buffett uses the concept of Mr. Market, explained by his teacher Ben Graham, to describe mental attitude towards market fluctuations for investment success. Imagine Mr. Market as a partner in business who names daily prices for buying or selling interest; however, he has emotional problems that cause him to name high and low prices. The key is not to fall under Mr. Market's influence but instead focus on understanding your business better than him. Success in investment relies on good judgment and insulating thoughts from market super-contagious emotions, as demonstrated by Buffett and his business partner Charlie.
Architectural Decision (AD) is a justified design choice that addresses functional or non-functional requirements significant to the software and/or hardware system's architecture. An Architecturally Significant Requirement (ASR) affects the quality of a software system, and an Architectural Decision Record (ADR) captures these decisions with their rationale. The aim of the GitHub adr organization is to motivate AD capturing and establish a common vocabulary, strengthen ADR tooling for agile practices, provide pointers to public knowledge in context of architectural knowledge management, and provide lightweight ADRs. The repository for the Website of the ADR organization is https://github.com/adr/adr.github.io.
A guide to full stack web development in Rust:
The article discusses a platform for developing fast, secure applications using preferred languages. It covers the full development lifecycle, database management, infrastructure as code, CI/CD pipelines, and best practices for scaling and operating products. The platform is built on standards-based best practices, fully responsive server-side rendered applications, and can be scaled from bootstrappers to whole teams. The platform is open source under an MIT license and hosted on GitHub.
GM, LexisNexis Sued For (Nontransparent) Sale Of Driver Behavior Data To Insurers:
The New York Times reported that automakers collect and sell personal behavioral data to companies like insurance companies without being transparent to consumers. This has led to some car owners facing increased insurance rates based on their driving habits, even though they were not aware of the data collection. A recent lawsuit was filed against General Motors and Lexis Nexis for failing to be transparent with consumers about their data collection practices. Mozilla's report highlighted how the auto industry had poor privacy practices, collecting too much and not adequately protecting or encrypting data. The article emphasizes the need for a meaningful privacy law in the internet era to empower consumers to opt out of surveillance and data collection without losing features or encountering annoying restrictions.
Studie: Moderne Technologie senkt Lebensqualität von Arbeitnehmern:
A study by the Institute for the Future of Work in Britain found that modern technologies often have a negative impact on workers' quality of life. The research group surveyed around 5,000 people from the UK and discovered that four categories of technologies at work affected employees' well-being. The use of technologies related to artificial intelligence and machine learning had a notable negative impact on the quality of life of workers. In contrast, information and communication technology (such as laptops, tablets, phones, and real-time messaging tools) was considered advantageous by employees.
The top 5 astronomical discoveries of all time (so far):
The greatest astronomical discoveries of all time include Eratosthenes' calculation of Earth's circumference, Johannes Kepler's laws of planetary motion, Edwin Hubble's discovery of the expanding Universe, the concept and existence of black holes, and the process of stellar nucleosynthesis. These discoveries have significantly impacted our understanding of the cosmos and our relationship to it.
Dell tells remote workers that they won’t be eligible for promotion:
Dell will be implementing a policy in May where fully remote employees will not be eligible for promotion, marking a significant shift from the company's prior stance on work-from-home arrangements. The change indicates that hybrid workers, who must come into the office at least 39 days per quarter (approximately three times a week), will have priority for promotions and job changes. Dell's CEO Michael Dell previously advocated for remote work but seems to be shifting his stance with this policy change.
Loneliness in Midlife: A Growing Gap Between US and Europe - Neuroscience News:
A new study by the American Psychological Association has revealed that middle-aged adults in the U.S. experience significantly higher levels of loneliness than their European counterparts. Researchers utilized data from over 53,000 participants to explore loneliness trends across three generations and found that U.S. adults report increasing loneliness, particularly among younger generations. Key factors contributing to this discrepancy include cultural norms, socioeconomic factors, and weaker social safety nets in the U.S., suggesting a need for policy interventions to address this public health issue. The findings underscore loneliness as an endemic challenge, emphasizing the role of social connections and support policies in mitigating its impact.
This article is about the development and characterization of potent and selective small molecule inhibitors of MKK4, which are known to play a key role in liver regeneration. The study also investigates the safety profile of these inhibitors in various animal models and humans. The results suggest that these inhibitors can enhance liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy and prevent liver failure after extensive surgery or transplantation, making them potential therapeutic options for patients with end-stage liver disease.
I Stopped Loving Captain Kirk:
The author recalls their childhood admiration for Captain Kirk from Star Trek and how they later experienced psychologically abusive bosses in the workplace. This made them see a dark side to Kirk's leadership style that they had not noticed before. They discuss how many modern bosses operate based on two conflicting imperatives: the profitability of their company, and their own egos. The author cites an example from 9 to 5, where the office becomes much more humane and efficient once the useless and egotistical boss is out of the way. They also mention a trend in pop culture that celebrates „strong“ leadership, despite the negative impact it can have on workers and their companies.
Spent brewer’s yeast as a selective biosorbent for metal recovery from polymetallic waste streams:
In this study, the authors investigate the potential of spent brewer's yeast as a biosorbent for the selective recovery of aluminum, copper, zinc, and nickel from electronic waste (e-waste) streams, particularly printed circuit boards (PCBs). The study aims to develop an efficient and sustainable process for metal recovery from real liquid waste streams using stepwise biosorption processes.
The authors perform a design of experiments (DoE) to establish the optimal conditions for metal biosorption. They test different factors such as pH, biomass concentration, and metal concentration. The results indicate that maximum recovery rates are achieved with low metal ion concentrations (100 mg/l) and high biomass concentrations (10 g/l).
The authors then optimize the biosorption process by varying the solution pH and temperature for each metal. They find that different pH values are optimal for each metal, with the highest recoveries occurring at 3.5 for aluminum, 5.0 for copper, 7.5 for zinc, and 8.5 for nickel. The biosorption process is also not significantly affected by temperature changes from 22°C to 50°C.
The authors also explore the effects of physical and chemical pre-treatment methods on yeast biomass. They find that the only significant improvement in biosorption efficiencies comes from treating the biomass with sodium hydroxide, which increases copper recovery rates by 5.7%.
Selective biosorption experiments are performed using synthetic polymetallic solutions containing 100 mg/l of each metal. The results show that the yeast biomass can effectively remove aluminum, copper, and zinc from the solution at their respective optimal pH values. However, nickel recovery rates are lower, with only 29.1% removed after biosorption.
The authors also test the ability of spent brewer's yeast to recover metals from PCB leachate solutions. The results indicate that high removal efficiencies can be achieved for copper and zinc, but the process is less effective for aluminum and nickel due to their low concentrations in the leachate solutions.
Finally, the authors perform sequential biosorption and desorption studies using biogenic sulfuric acid as a desorbing agent. They find that the yeast biomass can be reused several times for metal recovery, making the process more cost-effective.
In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential of spent brewer's yeast as a biosorbent for the selective recovery of metals from e-waste streams. The stepwise biosorption approach developed in this study could provide a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional metal recovery methods. However, further research is needed to optimize the process for different waste streams and to improve nickel recovery rates.
Garnet is a remote cache-store from Microsoft Research that offers strong performance (throughput and latency), scalability, storage, recovery, cluster sharding, key migration, and replication features. It can work with existing Redis clients and provides various APIs for raw strings, analytical operations, and object operations. Garnet's design includes a fast network layer, support for secure TLS communications, and an optional object store to handle complex objects. In addition to single-node execution, it supports cluster mode deployment with sharding, replication, and dynamic key migration features.
Intermittent fasting, where people eat only within an eight-hour window, has been linked to a 91% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, according to a new study presented at the American Heart Association meeting in Chicago. While intermittent fasting has gained popularity due to its potential benefits such as weight loss and improvements in blood pressure and sugar levels, this study calls those benefits into question. However, experts suggest that people should not necessarily stop intermittent fasting until more long-term research is done, pointing out limitations of the new study and questions it leaves unanswered. Intermittent fasting has been linked to improvements in blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol, suggesting its benefits for heart health. The study found that people who ate on an eight-hour schedule had a 91% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those with more normal eating schedules.
8-hour time-restricted eating linked to a 91% higher risk of cardiovascular death:
A study of over 20,000 adults found that those who followed an 8-hour time-restricted eating schedule, a type of intermittent fasting, had a 91% higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease. People with heart disease or cancer also had an increased risk of cardiovascular death. Compared to a standard 12-16 hour per day schedule, limiting food intake to less than 8 hours per day was not associated with living longer. The study's findings encourage a more cautious and personalized approach to dietary recommendations, ensuring they align with an individual's health status and the latest scientific evidence.
Sam Adams brewer has long kept former employees on a tight leash. Now some are suing to break free.:
The Boston Beer Co., which produces Samuel Adams beer, Truly hard seltzer, and Twisted Tea, has been involved in multiple lawsuits over its aggressive enforcement of noncompete agreements that bar workers from moving to rival companies. Former employees have claimed these agreements stifle their career prospects within the industry. Critics argue that non-competes are increasingly falling out of favor, with many states placing restrictions on which workers can be subjected to them and for how long. Boston Beer has defended its practices by stating that its people are its greatest asset and that it invests a great deal in their training and development.
Tick-killing pill shows promising results in human trial:
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals is developing a pill for humans to protect against Lyme disease, which is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria transmitted through tick bites. The early-stage trial results showed that 24 hours after taking the drug, it can kill ticks on people and last up to 30 days. Lyme disease affects approximately 476,000 people annually in the United States, with no current vaccine available for prevention. The experimental pill is a formulation of lotilaner, an approved veterinary medicine used to control fleas and ticks in dogs and cats. If successful, this drug could also protect against other tick-borne diseases such as babesiosis and anaplasmosis.
Our bacteria are more personal than we thought, new study shows:
A study of the gut, mouth, nose, and skin microbiomes of 86 people over six years found that an individual's microbiome is unique to them like a fingerprint. This research also discovered several correlations between the microbiome and health, such as people with type 2 diabetes showing a less stable and diverse microbiome. The study revealed that the stability of an individual's microbiome was more important than specific bacteria types. It also showed that different body areas' microbiomes were highly correlated and linked to overall health within the microbiome. Researchers from Stanford University, Jackson Laboratory, University of Oxford, Ohio State University, uBiome, Oregon Health & Science University, Yale University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University, Texas Tech University, Agrosavia, and University of Connecticut were involved in this study.
The article argues that Vitamin D should be treated like a medication due to its role in calcium absorption and the potential for high-dose supplements to cause serious problems. It tells the story of Shannon, who experienced symptoms related to elevated blood calcium levels after taking high doses of Vitamin D over an extended period. The article highlights that Vitamin D is a steroid hormone and should be treated with the same respect as prescribed medication.
The article discusses the negative impacts of instant feedback and constant connectivity on our ability to focus, think deeply, and have meaningful ideas. It argues that our attention is being captured by monopolist technologies and suggests adopting digital minimalism as a solution. Additionally, it highlights the importance of valuing harder works and dedicating time for deep thinking.
From anxiety to cancer, the evidence against ultra-processed food piles up:
A study published in the British Medical Journal has found that people who consume high amounts of ultra-processed foods have an increased risk of anxiety, depression, obesity, metabolic syndrome, certain cancers including colorectal cancer and premature death. These ultra-processed foods are abundant in our food supply, such as highly refined breads, fast food, sugary drinks, cereals, cookies, and other packaged snacks. The study analyzed data from more than 9 million people who participated in dozens of studies, showing consistent evidence that regularly eating higher amounts of ultra-processed foods is linked to these adverse health outcomes.
There is no cookie banner law:
The article discusses the presence of cookie banners on websites and how they are not mandated by EU law, but rather implemented by companies themselves. The author suggests alternative ways of obtaining consent for tracking users online, such as a small icon or notification at the top of the site, a small button at the bottom, or a clear explanation of the data collection process. However, it is noted that companies may prefer to use intrusive banners in order to gather user consent and continue with their tracking practices.
The Fed’s Big Problem, There Are Two Economies But Only One Interest Rate:
The article highlights that while the economy may look average overall, several large groups of people are struggling due to a lack of affordable housing and rising rent prices. Home price indexes such as Case-Shiller, CPI rent index, and hourly earnings for production and nonsupervisory workers indicate that many individuals cannot afford to buy homes or keep up with the increasing costs of rent. The article also mentions that homeowners have benefited from rising wages, increased property value, and stable mortgage payments while renters face higher rental rates and less financial security.
'Very few have balls': How American news lost its nerve | Semafor:
The American news landscape has become increasingly difficult for tough stories, as a confluence of factors such as rising risks of litigation, costs of insurance, and the influence of public figures over journalists have eroded the media industry. This has resulted in fewer publications with the resources and courage to confront power. Factors contributing to this include an emboldened legal climate, embittered billionaires using social media against news outlets, the collapse of the hard news business, celebrity control over stories, and a shift towards entertainment-focused documentaries. As a result, American journalism is becoming increasingly defined by opinion and lived experiences rather than neutral reporting.
Microsoft again bothers Chrome users with Bing popup ads in Windows:
Microsoft has launched popup desktop advertisements promoting Bing and its GPT-4 Bing Chat platform on Windows 10 and Windows 11 for Google Chrome users. The pixelated ads led some to believe they were from malware, but Microsoft confirmed the ads are legitimate and only show up when users have Google Chrome open with Google as their default search engine. Users who see the ad can choose to set Bing as their new default search engine or dismiss the notification. However, these popup ads may not be a one-time occurrence, as they follow previous incidents where Microsoft targeted Google with similar advertisements in 2020 and 2021.