The 2025 Terminator? Lab-grown muscle brings biohybrid robot hand to life
A groundbreaking development has come from researchers at the University of Tokyo and Waseda University in Japan. They've created a biohybrid hand, a fusion of lab-grown muscle tissue and mechanical engineering, capable of gripping and making gestures. This innovation paves the way for a new generation of robotics with diverse applications.
AI is all brain and no ethics
A February 2025 report by Palisades research shows that AI reasoning models lack a moral compass. They will cheat to achieve their goals. So-called Large Language Models (LLMs) will misrepresent the degree to which they've been aligned to social norms. None of this should be surprising. Twenty years ago Nick Bostrom posed a thought experiment in which an AI was asked to most efficiently produce paper clips. Given the mandate and the agency, it would eventually destroy all life to produce paper clips. Isaac Asimov saw this coming in his "I, Robot" stories that consider how an "aligned" robotic brain could still go wrong in ways that harm humans.
DeepSeek AI bot is part of China’s 'Unrestricted Warfare’ doctrine
At a recent artificial intelligence global summit, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing encouraged other countries to embrace accessibility to Chinese artificial intelligence technology, such as the DeepSeek chatbot, in their domestic markets. Zhang claimed China’s goal was to share achievements among nations and build "a community with a shared future for mankind" while safeguarding security. The United States must not fall for yet another trick by China. DeepSeek is a dangerous weapon that is almost certainly part of China’s Unrestricted Warfare Doctrine. The concept of "Unrestricted Warfare" was created by two People's Liberation Army officers, Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui, in 1999.
Your iPhone has a hidden folder eating up storage space without you even knowing
Don't worry, we've got you covered with some little-known tricks to free up storage and keep your device running smoothly.
Extra cash with no catch? Spotting retiree job scams
So you’re retired. Whether it’s been a long-awaited sigh of relief or a much-dreaded stage of your life, it’s here now. You finally have more time. But maybe there’s a way to make some extra cash in retirement? The poverty rate for Americans 65 and older has dropped significantly over the past 50 years, from nearly 30% in 1966 to 10% in 2024. That doesn’t mean retirees can now afford holidays in Palm Beach or a private painting tutor. In fact, more than 17 million — roughly one in three — adults aged 65 and older are economically insecure, with a median yearly income below $30,000. A third of them are also considering going back to work because their savings aren't enough to cover their expenses. If you’re also on this journey or know someone who is, then read on.
Soft robotic prosthetic hand uses nerve signals for more natural control
Recent advancements in technology have revolutionized the world of assistive and medical tools, and prosthetic limbs are no exception. We've come a long way from the rigid, purely cosmetic prosthetics of the past. Today, we're seeing the rise of softer, more realistic designs, many incorporating robotic components that significantly expand their functionality. Despite these exciting developments, a major challenge remains: How do we make these robotic limbs easier and more intuitive for users to control?
Investment research data breach exposes 12 million customers
If there is one sector that has outdone healthcare in data breaches and ransomware attacks, it is finance. Security incidents affecting financial institutions are becoming increasingly common, whether they involve banks, fintech companies or investment research firms. The latest case involves Zacks, an American investment research company. A cybercriminal claimed to have stolen 15 million customer and client records, but a separate investigation later confirmed the actual number to be 12 million.
Pandas eat bamboo instead of going with their gut. Scientists explain why
Pandas famously love bamboo but the fluffy mammals actually have digestive systems typical of animals that eat a meat-based diet - and Chinese scientists now think they know why. They say gorging on the tall, fast-growing plant can influence the covert carnivores’ behavior and regulate the bears’ sense of smell and taste. Native to southwest China, pandas spend up to 16 hours a day devouring bamboo, absorbing a genetic material called microRNA (miRNA) into their bloodstream, according to research published Friday in the journal Frontiers.
Simon Cowell warns AI ‘shouldn’t be able to steal’ human talent
Simon Cowell wants to see artists protected against AI. The "America’s Got Talent" judge wrote commentary in The Daily Mail this week criticizing potential changes to U.K. law that would allow companies to use any online material to train AI models unless they explicitly opt out. Cowell warned that the livelihood of artists was at risk of "being wiped out." "The thought that anyone would believe they have the right to blindly give this country’s creative ideas away – for nothing – is just wrong," he said. "I passionately care about people’s personal creativity – and AI shouldn’t be able to steal the talent of those humans who created the magic in the first place."
Long-dormant Mac malware returns with advanced capabilities
It's early, but 2025 is not shaping up to be a great year for Mac cybersecurity. In less than two months, we've seen numerous Mac malware threats targeting Apple laptops, which are generally considered very secure. These threats range from infostealers to malicious software capable of reading screenshots and stealing passwords. Now, Microsoft has identified a resurfaced malware that has returned after years, equipped with new malicious capabilities, including stealing sensitive information such as digital wallets and data from the legitimate Notes app.